Fiat could take majority control of Chrysler as early as 2013

We all know by now that Fiat will take an initial 20% stake in Chrysler in exchange for supplying the bankrupt automaker small-car platforms and fuel efficient drivetrains. Further down the road, Fiat will have the opportunity to purchase a large stake in Chrysler, upping its ownership to 35% and between 2013 and 2016, the Italian automaker can take an additional 16% share of Chrysler, bringing its total to 51% and gaining majority control. However, until Chrysler repays its loans to the U.S. Treasury, Fiat's share must be kept at 49%. For Fiat to take control of Chrysler, the crew from Auburn Hills will need to pay back over $10 billion in loans, and we remain suitable skeptical that Chrysler will be able to return the cash – particularly with new products from Fiat still 18 months away, at least.

[Source: SMH]

The world's fastest BMW coupe? 230 mph G-Power M6 Hurricane CS

The G-Power crew is constantly striving to produce the most insane BMWs on the planet, combining forced induction with thoroughly revised suspensions and aerodynamics to attain completely unreasonable speeds. It's latest creation, the M6 Hurricane CS, takes the standard set by its M5-based Hurricane RS, and straps a duo of superchargers onto the 5.0-liter V10, boosting the coupe's output to 740 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque.

Combined with a remapped ECU and a titanium exhaust, along with carbon fiber seats and a few other tweaks to reduce the curb weight by around 100 pounds, the CS can run to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, to 124 mph in 9.6 seconds, 187 in 26 seconds and on to a claimed top speed of 230 mph – making it the fastest road-going BMW coupe on Earth.

In addition to the twin superchargers and bespoke body-kit, G-Power fitted the CS with carbon ceramic brakes at all four corners, with the front discs measuring in at 380mm and clamped by six-piston calipers. A coil-over suspension with nine adjustable settings joins front and rear anti-roll bars, and for a scant 390,000 euros, it can be yours. All the details can be found in the press release below the fold.

Video: Corvette Grand Sport revealed

After 15 years, Chevrolet has brought the Grand Sport name back into its sports car line-up. It was only fitting for the GS to be unveiled at the the National Corvette Museum.

The Grand Sport is powered by the same 6.2 Liter V8 making 430 HP found in the standard version, and is available as both a coupe and a convertible.

Citroen will launch DS5 diesel-hybrid in 2011

Modern turbodiesel powertrains already match petrol-electric hybrids in fuel-economy and often outmatches them when it comes to driveability and performance, but a combination of the two separate technologies could provide a perfect blend of performance and economy. French auto giant PSA Peugeot-Citroen group is at the forefront of the technology, already previewing a number of concept vehicles packing diesel engines and electric motors under its Hymotion4 moniker.

Citroen has confirmed its diesel hybrid drive system will enter production in 2011 with the upcoming Citroen DS5 – the third model in Citroen’s new premium range of cars, which will include a smaller DS3 and DS4. The DS5 promises to set new standards for fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, has also been confirmed for Australian sales by mid-2011, at a price that is yet to be announced.

Development is still in the early stages but PSA is confident of a “considerable fuel saving” and a drop of up to 35% in carbon dioxide emissions compared to a similar sized petrol model. The Hymotion4 system is offered with AWD capability, however, the design eliminates the associated heavy weight of AWD vehicles by using two powerplants in the car. By putting the diesel drivetrain up front, where it can drive the front wheels, and the electric motor at the rear, where it drives the rear wheels, PSA has eliminated the need for heavy and bulky transfer cases, driveshafts and differentials.

As for the DS5, which will debut the diesel-hybrid system, it is expected to be a premium hatch/crossover due for launch in 2011. Its styling will be influenced by the DS Inside Concept from last month’s Geneva Motor Show, though it will be significantly bigger than the show car.

2010 Subaru Outback priced from $22,995

Subaru announced pricing for the all-new 2010 Subaru Outback(R), with the entry level model starting at $22,995, the same price as the outgoing one. This fourth-generation of the World's First Sport Utility Wagon(R) is a roomier and more capable interpretation of the vehicle that launched the crossover trend 15 years ago. Distinguished by bolder and crisper styling, the all-new 2010 Subaru Outback delivers enhanced performance, comfort and economy with the introduction of an all-new chassis and the new Subaru Lineartronic(TM) CVT (continuously variable transmission).

This entry level model features the company’s 2.5L, 170hp (127kW) four-cylinder Boxer engine, as well as a six-speed manual transmission. An automatic transmission means forking out another $1,000, but even the most basic model still features the usual modern conveniences such as keyless entry, an electronic parking brake with a 'Hill Holder' system and a four-speaker audio system.

Also featuring the 2.5L engine is the Outback 2.5i 'Premium' - essentially the same as the entry level model but with a few extras thrown in for good measure. Starting at $24,995 in manual guise, the premium model gains fog lights, privacy glass, an electric driver's seat, leather steering-wheel and 16in alloys.

Even more upmarket than the 'Premium' model is the $27,995 Outback 2.5i 'Limited', which features an automatic transmission, dual-zone climate-control, paddle shifters, all-season tires wrapped around 17in alloys, leather-trimmed upholstery and a Harman/Kardon audio system.

The range-topping 3.6R variant of the Outback does away with the four-cylinder 2.5L Boxer engine found in the lesser models and instead adopts a new 256hp (191kW) six-cylinder engine, mated to a standard 5-speed auto. Starting at $27,995, the most basic 3.6R model misses out on premium features such as leather, unless they are optioned. It still gets all-season tires, 17in alloys, paddle shifters, fog lights and privacy glass.

The 3.6R also gets 'Premium' and 'Limited' variants, which adopt the same additions as found in the 2.5L four-cylinder model. The 3.6R Premium starts at $28,995, while the 3.6R Limited is priced at $30,995. All models also get a delivery fee slapped on them that falls just shy of $700.

Audi A5 Sportback headed to Frankfurt Motor Show

Audi will be releasing a host of models in the coming years to expand into new segments as it attempts to topple BMW and Mercedes in the quest to sell more than a 1.5 million vehicles by 2015. Some of the cars in the pipeline include the A1 premium hatch, A7 four-door coupe and a Sportback version of the current A5.

While we’ve seen concept versions of the A1 and A7 before, this September’s Frankfurt Motor Show will reportedly play host to the unveiling of the all-new A5 Sportback. According to Auto Motor und Sport, the new A5 Sportback will go on sale by the end of the year, alongside the high-performance RS version of the regular A5 Coupe.

A prototype of the A5 Sportback model has been spied previously, and while there is only one image we could clearly see that the car will feature a high waistline and low roof. The front-end should be identical to the A5 Coupe on which it’s based. The design appears almost like a four-door coupe but the roomy cabin, tall profile, and sloping hatchback style rear-door ensures the Sportback sits in its own niche.

The base model will remain FWD but AWD variants will feature the latest quattro torque vectoring systems, which distribute drive individually between each axle and between the rear wheels for improved traction and stability. Power will come from the same engines used in the regular A5 lineup, with a 4.2L FSI V8 expected to appear in the range-topping RS5 model.

Audi planning handful of 2011 A3 variants

Audi has pushed back the arrival of its next-generation A3 by one year as it tackles the development of several other all-new models such as the A1 hatch and Q3 soft-roader. Originally slated to arrive at the end of the year, the next A3 will now hit the market in the first half of 2010 in the basic three and five-door hatchback models. Further down the track Audi will add a new Cabrio model and Sportback wagon, and according to a new report there could even be a four-door coupe as well as an Allroad soft-roader.

The move is designed to help the new A3 compete with BMW’s 1-series range as well as a family of sporty models based on the next-generation Mercedes A and B-Class. The new A3’s underpinnings will once again be shared with VW’s Golf, which means Audi’s latest modular platform design has been ruled out. Compared with the current model, however, the new A3’s footprint will grow in size and its profile is expected to be sleeker.

Audi’s latest-generation B8 A4 grew in length by 14cm over its predecessor, positioning it closer to the 5-series and E-Class in terms of size. The gap left behind will be filled by a new A3-based sedan, which German magazine Autobild reports will stretch 4.2m in length and feature coupe-like styling.

Likely engine options for the A3 range of cars include a series of four-cylinder powerplants ranging from 1.2 to 2.0L in displacement. The base engine will be a 1.2L TFSI with 105hp and 175Nm of torque and this will be followed by a 1.4L TFSI with 125hp and 200Nm of torque and a 1.8L TFSI with 160hp and 250Nm of torque. Rounding out the four-cylinder family will be a 2.0L TFSI with 211hp and 350Nm of torque. For the performance S3 model, expect to see a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine as opposed to the naturally-aspirated V6 found in the current model.

Source from: motorauthority.com