2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport Unveiled Ahead of New York Show

Suzuki is adding a pinch of sportiness to its Kizashi mid-size sedan for the 2011 model year. If you're expecting a more powerful engine than the standard 178HP 2.4-liter four-cylinder that's offered across the range, then you'll be disappointed as the 'Sport' grade is mostly about looks.

Offered exclusively on the Kizashi GTS and SLS trim levels, Suzuki's definition of 'Sport' (talk about a word losing its meaning...) translates to custom light weight 18-inch alloy wheels and a 10mm lower ride plus a honeycomb lower grille, chrome accents on the front bumper and doors, discreet side skirts and a boot lid spoiler.

Inside, the Kizasi Sport gets aluminum accents and perforated leather on the steering wheel and, when equipped with black leather interior, contrasting stitching on the leather seats, shifter boot and emergency brake boot.

The new Kizashi Sport is scheduled to go on sale in the United States this August, with pricing to be announced closer to the vehicle's arrival in showrooms.

New Subaru Impreza STI Cosworth CS400 with 400HP: First Photos and Details

Subaru has finally released initial details as well as a set of teaser photos of its highly anticipated collaboration with famed engine-builder Cosworth. The special edition model is called the Cosworth Impreza STI CS400 and it will go on sale in the UK (or Europe, Subaru didn't clarify) this June in a limited run of just 75 examples.

The Japanese automaker said that Cosworth has fine-tuned the standard Impreza WRX STI's 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, boosting output from 300HP at 6,000 rpm to 400HP at 5,750 rpm.

The result is a supercar-like 0 to 100km/h (62mp) sprint time of just 3.7 seconds. That's compared to the stock Impreza WRX STI's time of 5.2 seconds.

Engine-mods aside, Subaru reported that the Cosworth Impreza STI CS400 will feature a bespoke brake package with six-pot callipers and 355mm discs at the front developed in partnership with AP Racing, an upgraded suspension and a new sport exhaust system.

The automaker added that the Cosworth edition of the Impreza STI also benefits from bespoke interior and exterior styling treats, without getting into any more details.

Subaru said that it will release full technical specs, photos and information on pricing closer to the car's on-sale date.

2011 Hyundai Accent or Elantra Spied Completely Undisguised

Here we go again: as was the case with the spy photos we showed you back in February, this single picture of a small Hyundai sedan snagged without any camouflage somewhere in South Korea has us wondering if it's the next generation Accent (marketed as the Verna in Korea) or the Elantra.

Either way, the compact-size four-door saloon looks like a mini-Sonata sharing the same "Fluidic Sculpture" design with its larger brethren. Apparently, Hyundai has learned its German lessons well - and by that we mean the "one design fits all size mantra".

As always, you can have your say in the comments section below.

Via: Hyundai-blog

Brabus Does the New Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible

Mercedes-Benz specialist Brabus didn't waste any time in releasing its tuning program for the all-new 2011 E-Class Convertible that was launched in Europe this week. As with all other Mercedes models, Brabus offers a variety of performance and styling kits for Stuttgart's four-seater soft-top.

Starting with the engine upgrades, the most powerful option is for the E500 (E550 in the U.S.A.) Convertible. The stock 388HP 5.5-liter V8 unit is bored out to 6.1-liters, while the conversion also includes new cylinder heads and camshafts, a custom exhaust system and catalyst as well as a recalibrated ECU.

The result is an overall output of 462HP and 615Nm (453-lb-ft) of peak torque, for a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph).

With the German firm's tuning kit, the E250 CGI gets a jump from 204HP to 230HP, while the E350 CGI from 292HP to 310HP.

For the diesel range, Brabus offerings include a power kit for the E250 CDI and E350 CDI that bump output from 204HP to 232HP, and from 231HP to 272HP, respectively.

A four-pipe exhaust system, a sport suspension with height-adjustable coil-over suspensions and variable damper rates and a variety of high-performance braking systems complete the list of performance upgrades.

The tuner's body kit bundles a new front bumper with integrated LED daytime running lights, a rear diffuser and a discreet boot lid spoiler. There's also a variety of alloy wheel options ranging in size from 17- to 19-inches, with 20-inch rims to follow in the near future.

Brabus also offers a range of interior options, including a unique sport steering wheel, stainless-steel scuff plates with an illuminated logo and genuine carbon-fiber decorative trim.

Spy Video: 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUV

The countdown is on to the new Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUV that will roll out of Stuttgart sometime in the second-half of 2011. Last time we brought you some early scoop photos of the new SUV on one of its first tests on road. Now, spies have video-snagged the next M-Class during winter testing.

Sharing a platform with the new Jeep Grand Cherokee and the upcoming 2012 Dodge Durango, the M-Class will get a revised engine lineup that will most likely include a next-generation hybrid powertrain with plug-in capability.

The heavy camouflage on the prototype hides a lot of the details, but expect the firm's BMW X5 rival to feature a 'boxier' shape with similar detailing to Merc's latest models such as the E-Class.

Via: Youtube/AMS

Geely Chairman Promises To Liberate Volvo from its Capitalist Owner / Oppressors

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Chairman Li Shufu recently had this to say about Volvo and its $1.8 billion purchase from Ford Motor Company: "A tiger belongs to the forest. It belongs to the wild world and not confined in a zoo. We need to liberate this tiger." Anyone else see the irony?

According to Autonews, Li was referring to Volvo's dependence on Europe for production and Europe and North America for the most part of its sales.

Geely's chairman believes that this issue will be solved by building a factory in Beijing, China, that will make 300,000 Volvo cars a year, or about the same amount the automaker currently produces at its plants in Sweden and Belgium

Chairman Li has big plans for his Swedish brand, going on to say:

"I see China as one of the markets where Volvo could show us it has the opportunity to liberate itself and show the potential that is has. That is the rational for the deal. We want to stabilize the brand in the traditional markets of Europe and North America and, at the same time, develop our business in emerging markets including China."

The deal with FoMoCo should be wrapped up in the third quarter of 2010, but we'll have to wait to see how Chinese ownership actually affects the once-proud Meatball.

- By Phil Alex

Via: Autonews