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At the McLaren Technology Centre, McLaren Automotive executive chairman Ron Dennis shakes hands with McLaren Group executive Richard Lapthorne. The company is planning to build a new lineup of high-performance sports cars starting in 2011. (Photo courtesy of McLaren)

WOKING, England — McLaren Automotive says it plans to set up a high-tech production facility that would have the capacity to build up to 20 McLaren sports cars per day. The announcement is a major step toward the automaker's plan to launch a new range of McLaren sports cars starting in 2011.

Earlier this spring, McLaren Automotive said it is developing “a range of pure McLaren sports cars that will build on the great successes of the McLaren F1 and Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.”

The production facility will employ about 800 and… Read the rest of this entry

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The new Outback debuted in Tokyo as well. It will be available in Japan with an optional 3.6-liter flat-6 from the Subaru Tribeca. (Photo courtesy of Subaru of America Inc.)

TOKYO — Subaru has rolled out new-generation versions of the Legacy and Outback in Tokyo, cars that are the same, only different, from those seen recently at the 2009 New York Auto Show.

The Legacy in Japan again comes in two flavors: as the B4 sport sedan and touring wagon — which has been dropped from the U.S. lineup — with the more luxurious-looking Outback as the range-topper.

Although Japan's Legacy/Outback get a mildly reworked grille and fender treatment to look a little different, the overall message is the same. The Legacy/Outback lack for little on the technology front or all-wheel-drive ability. Subaru has decided to push the fifth-generation Legacy upmarket — a bit of a… Read the rest of this entry

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The Volkswagen Scirocco R comes with a choice of manual or DSG six-speed transmissions. (Photo courtesy of Volkswagen of America, Inc.)

LONDON — Volkswagen has released its first images of the Volkswagen Scirocco R, a new range-topping edition. The first public outing will be at the N?rburgring on Saturday, where it will greet spectators at the 24-hour event. The Scirocco R is expected to reach U.K. showrooms late this year, priced from just under $40,000.

How to justify that lofty sticker? For one, the hotter Scirocco boasts an updated version of the 2.0 TFSI engine, fitted with a more potent turbocharged, revised intercooler and upgraded innards, all of which help boost output to 261 horsepower and torque to 258 pound-feet.

The extra grunt is delivered to the… Read the rest of this entry

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The one-off has a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 making 402 horsepower. (Photo courtesy of Audi USA)

INGOLSTADT, Germany — Austria's upcoming W?rthersee Tour is expected to draw a host of performance vehicles — and admiring enthusiasts — from across Europe. Audi will be there in spades, with a lineup of 20 cars, headlined by a customized Audi Q5 concept.

Under the hood of the one-off Q5 is a supercharged 3.0-liter TFSI V6 engine from the S4/S5, modified to deliver 402 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. With permanent all-wheel drive and a seven-speed S tronic gearbox, the Q5 sprints from zero to 60 mph in less than 4.4 seconds.

The chassis has been widened by 3.5 inches and lowered by 2.4 inches and is fitted with 21-inch wheels and tires. The Q5 is finished in matte Daytona Gray, with red accents on the wheels, roof rails,… Read the rest of this entry

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Daimler has purchased a stake in Tesla Motors and will work with the American EV specialist on battery and electric drive development. Pictured is Daimler's Smart Fortwo Electric Drive. (Photo courtesy of Daimler)

STUTTGART, Germany — German automaker Daimler has paid an estimated $50 million to acquire nearly 10 percent of Tesla Motors, the California-based manufacturer of high-performance electric vehicles. Daimler and Tesla will cooperate on development of batteries and electric drive systems.

The deal was revealed Tuesday, just as President Obama was announcing plans for sweeping changes in automotive fuel-economy and emissions regulations.

The alliance between Daimler and Tesla is an outgrowth of an earlier deal under which Tesla is supplying 1,000 lithium-ion battery packs for the Smart Fortwo EV.

“Our strategic partnership is an important step to accelerate the commercialization of electric drives globally,” said Thomas Weber, the Daimler board member responsible for… Read the rest of this entry

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Tom LaSorda, who left Chrysler on April 30, is said to be consulting with Penske Automotive Group on a possible Saturn purchase. (Photo courtesy of Chrysler LLC)

DETROIT — As time grows short for General Motors' June 1 reorganization deadline to avoid bankruptcy, reports are gathering steam that Roger Penske's Penske Automotive Group is planning to bid for GM's Saturn unit. GM's restructuring plan calls for elimination of the brand by year's end, although the company has said it could continue to build Saturns under contract to any new owner until the end of 2011.

Former Chrysler president Tom LaSorda is said to be working with Penske Automotive Group on the plan. The Detroit News reported on Wednesday that two auto dealers, Joe Serra and David Fischer, are talking with Penske about a partnership to acquire Saturn's distribution network, citing “people familiar with the discussions.”… Read the rest of this entry

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Progressive-rate springs are part of Hamann's chassis package for the 7 Series. You can also get self-leveling shocks. (Photo courtesy of Hamann)

LAUPHEIM, Germany — BMW tuning specialist Hamann has launched the initial assortment of aero add-ons, chassis upgrades and interior enhancements for the redesigned BMW 7 Series, with more goodies to come.

The latest generation of der 7er can be ordered with Hamann's new aero body kit, which includes a front airdam with integral LED daytime running lights, spoilers for the roof and deck lid, side skirts and a rear diffuser with cutouts for quad pipes.

Several different choices of alloy wheels range in size from 19 to 22 inches. If you must have the 22s, Hamann recommends fitting 265/30ZR22 performance tires in front and 295/25ZR22s in the rear. These tires are meant to complement Hamann's chassis-lowering kit for the BMW 7 Series that includes… Read the rest of this entry

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Geiger Corvette Z06 biTurbo. (Photo courtesy of Geiger Cars)

MUNICH, Germany — Germany's American car specialists have proven that they get it. Geiger Cars' latest creation, the Corvette Z06 biTurbo, takes an American icon and adds nearly 400 horsepower with increased displacement fed by dual turbochargers.

Geiger claims the modified LS7 engine makes 890 hp and 694 pound-feet of torque — respective increases of 385 hp and 224 lb-ft of torque over the stock Corvette Z06 motor. Notably, the engine now displaces 7.6 liters (up from 7.0) following modifications to the block, heads and crank.

To handle that massive power, the company has strengthened the transmission, differential and driveshaft. Geiger also ensures the air plumbing won't restrict the Z06 biTurbo by fitting a larger mass airflow meter, new camshafts and a sport exhaust system.

Wider tires 285/30R19 front and 345/25R19 rear tires are employed to increase… Read the rest of this entry

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The Diesel-edition 500C will be auctioned in Cannes for charity. (Photo courtesy of Fiat)

TURIN, Italy — Diesel, the maker of designer jeans, has partnered with Fiat on limited-edition hatchback Fiat 500s since last fall. Now the two have teamed to produce a customized 500C to be auctioned off on Thursday at Cannes for an AIDS charity.

This one-off 500 convertible is marked by its “Diesel green” body and satin-steel-painted accents including the side moldings, grille, bumpers and exterior mirrors. The rear hatch features a panel that mimics the original 1950s 500 with five air vents. Originally, the vents helped cool the rear-mounted engine, but with the engine up front, they're purely aesthetic on this one-off. The 16-inch alloys feature the Diesel logo and wrap around yellow-painted brake calipers.

Since Diesel is most famous for its jeans, it's not surprising that the 500C's seats are covered… Read the rest of this entry

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By 2016, automakers' fleets will need to average 35.5 mpg under Obama's new fuel-efficiency rules. (Photo by Scott Jacobs)

WASHINGTON — President Obama announced a plan this afternoon to increase national fuel economy and emissions regulations, noting that it marks “not only a change in policy in Washington, but a harbinger of change in the way business is done.” In the Rose Garden ceremony, the President was flanked by the governors of California, Massachusetts and Michigan; the president of the UAW; and the heads of BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen.

The new standards will ramp up for model year 2012 and cap at a 35.5 mpg fuel economy average in model year 2016. The White House claims the stricter standard will save 1.8 billion barrels of oil “over the life of the program” and cut greenhouse gas emissions by… Read the rest of this entry