2010 Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen used the first press conference of the 2009 Geneva Motor Show to reveal its all new B-segment 2010 Polo in a variety of flavors. The Polo is expected to hit US shores in the next two years, but European dealers will begin taking orders this week. In a pleasant change of pace, VW managed to chop the body weight of the Polo by 7.5% compared to the old model and European buyers get a choice of seven different engines including three new common rail TDIs. The engines span the range from 59 to 103 hp and include an updated BlueMotion model that gets 61.9 mpg (US).

US drivers will likely start off with the new 1.2L TSI gas engine. Direct injection and turbocharging bring this little beastie to 103 hp while getting 42.8 mpg (US) combined. That's a 19% jump over the equivalently powered previous-gen. model. The gearboxes for the Polo include a new seven-speed DSG which could make this handsome little hatch a very serious competitor to the Honda Fit in the fun to drive arena. The new Polos will be available in June of this year.

Volkswagen reveals Polo BlueMotion concept, 87 g/km CO2!

Volkswagen revealed the all-new Polo concept, expected to come to the US market in the next couple of years. This new B-segment car comes in three- and five-door hatchback flavors with a range of gas and diesel engines, but the leader of the pack is the BlueMotion model with 96 g/km of CO2 emissions. More importantly, VW showed a concept for the next-gen. BlueMotion model that will launch in 2010.

The BlueMotion concept uses an updated 1.2L three cylinder TDI diesel, with 74 hp. Combined with 15-inch low rolling resistance tires, a blanked off grille, extended rocker panels for lower drag, automatic start stop, and brake energy regeneration. The bottom line is 71.3 mpg (US) and 87 g/km of CO2 emissions. That makes the new BlueMotion the most efficient five passenger internal combustion car on the road.

Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce

Enough with the spy shots and speculation, here it is folks: The Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce. Bologna's best automaker has just released official info and pics on its latest mighty Murc, and this one tops them all. The LP 670-4 SuperVeloce is described by Lamborghini as "exceptionally purist". The description fits as the LP 670-4 SV is more powerful, lighter and therefore faster than the already pretty quick LP-640. As its name suggests, the LP 670-4 SV boasts an increase in power to 670 hp and 487 lb-ft of torque for Lambo's 6.5L V12, all of which was achieved through simply optimizing the engine's valve timing and tweaking the air intake system.

Combine those extra bulls under the bonnet with a weight decrease of 220 lbs and performance figures begin to fall fast. 0-62 mph is now achieved in just 3.2 seconds and top speed is 212 mph with the standard, small spoiler. A larger "Aeropack Wing" offering more downforce is also available, but the additional drag drops top speed to 209 mph.

The LP 670-4 doesn't look like your average Murciélago, either. It's design is simple and brutal compared to the mess of angles that make up the Reventon. Up front the air intakes have been made larger for better brake cooling and the front spoiler extends much farther out. The new engine cover, meanwhile, is a marvel of design with three hexagonal transparent polymer plates supported by a carbon fiber framework. The interior has also been upholstered entirely in Alcantara and features stitching that matches the exterior color of the car.

You can't argue with a car that's faster, lighter and more powerful than its predecessors, and the Lamborghini LP 670-4 SuperVeloce is certainly not a car we'd want to argue with.

[Source: Lamborghini]

Ferrari 599XX

The doors to the 2009 Geneva Motor Show have yet to be officially flung open, but images have already begun emanating from the Geneva PalExpo center. The latest come courtesy of Asphalte.ch who are right now running around the show floor and taking pictures of everything that's not covered up. These are of the Ferrari 599XX and directly responsible for the pool of drool at my feet right now. Based on the 599 GTB Fiorana, the 599XX features the latest application of Ferrari's extensive research in F1 racing to a road going car. It's clear on looks alone that the 599XX will be the most extreme version of this car to come from Maranello, and we don't even know what's been changed beneath its skin.

Like the Enzo FXX, we expect that the 599XX will be made in extremely limited numbers and sold only to faithful Ferrari owners hand-selected by the company to become Client Test Drivers.

[Source: Asphalte.ch]

MINI forecasting record sales in 2009

Despite the overall weak forecast for automobile sales in 2009 in the United Sates and abroad, MINI USA head Jim McDowell is expecting increased sales for his diminutive brand; higher even than record sales of 54,077 posted in 2008, which was an increase of nearly 30% over '07. McDowell points to things like a brand-new convertible model finally hitting the sales floor in late March, increased traffic at the brand's website and the fact that all but one MINI dealership in the U.S. were profitable last year.

This promise of profitability has 13 new dealerships hoping to come online in the U.S. by March of 2010. More locations should translate into more units sold, making 2009 – the 50th anniversary of the iconic original MINI design – another banner year for BMW's smallest brand.

[Source: Automotive News]

Official details on Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Mercedes-Benz has used the occasion of the 2009 Geneva Motor Show to release the first official details about a car that won't even be shown in Switzerland at all. It is the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, which has long been referred to as the SLC or modern day Gullwing. Mercedes has confirmed that the car will feature the same gullwing-style doors made famous by the classic 300SL, and from there things get very interesting.

While not ready to unveil the final design of the car, Mercedes did release dozens of images of SLS prototypes being tested by its engineers. It's readily apparent that the SLS looks smaller than Mercedes' current supercar, the SLR McLaren, but the smaller shape just hints at extensive weight saving measures. An all-new aluminum space frame contributes to a curb weight of just 3,571 lbs, a full 300 lbs less than the SLR McLaren. The SLS also rides on a long 105.5-inch wheelbase with a front track that's 1.2 inches wider than the rear.

Power will be provided by a tuned version of AMG's familiar 6.2L V8 producing 563 hp at 6,800 rpm and 479 lb-ft of torque at 4,750 rpm. The engine, which sits low and behind the front axle, will send all that power across a carbon-fiber driveshaft to the rear axle where a new seven-speed dual clutch gearbox carves it up. There will even be a Race Start launch control function that guarantees an estimated 3.8-second 0-62 time every time. Top speed: 196 mph. Stopping? 15.4-inch discs in front squeezed by six-piston calipers and 14.2-inchers with four-piston calipers out back, and a full set of carbon ceramic rotors will be optional.

Pricing hasn't yet been released, but expect to drop at least 200 large on the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG when it goes on sale. The car is clearly not ready for the showroom yet, but Mercedes just wanted us all to know it's coming... fast.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

First official image: Opel Ampera

With the Geneva Motor Show set to kick off this week, the dam holding back any remaining images and info is ready to burst. Exhibit A: the Opel Ampera. We've seen it leaked on the European Registry site, teased by GM, and spied in the wild. Today, the first full, official shot has been released, and honestly we have to wonder whether GM would have been better off giving the Chevy Volt the Opel's fascia. Seriously, for a car that's supposed to be so important, cutting-edge and revolutionary, the Volt looks pedestrian compared to the Ampera. The European cousin gets a more modern, and frankly, more attractive appearance. Sure, underneath, it's all the same tech, and the two cars' profiles are identical. But the Ampera's clearly the head-turner of the two. The Volt? Not so much.

[Source: GM]