The model you see in these pictures is the last special edition based on the Smart ForTwo, called ‘Sharpred’. The main distinctive feature of this model is its unusual back & red color scheme, that includes glossy black 15″ rims and grille, and will be available in both hard-top and convertible configurations. Under the bonnet will pulse the well-known 1.0-litre 3-cylider petrol engine, which is available for this model in power steps of 70 and 83 hp.

The black/red theme continues in the cabin, where we find black leather seats with contrasting red stitching and unique floor mats. The Smart ForTwo Sharpred comes with all the features of the Passion trim and will be produced in 1,800 units, all of which will come with standard panoramic roof, heated seats, sat-nav, audio system and air conditioner. The Smart ForTwo Sharpred is already available for order, with the first deliveries scheduled for May.

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Tesla just introduced its new Model X Concept at its headquarters in Palo Alto, California, in front of over 1000 attendants. The car is an all-electric crossover that will join the Roadster and the Model S as the third model in Tesla’s range, and has been described by its maker as ‘more responsive’ than a Porsche 911 and ‘roomier’ than an Audi Q7.

The Model X is powered by the same electric powertrain of the Model S and it can be coupled to a battery packages of 40, 60 or 85 kWh, that would provide the model with a range between 145 and 270 miles (233 and 435 km), thereby a good 10% less than the Model S. The Model X is also the first model to adopt Tesla’s Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive system, which provides for two extra electric motors giving the car a proper 4-wheel drive traction.

Design-wise, the car sports a quite captivating curvy dome and an interesting an innovative “Falcon Wing” rear doors opening system, a new take on the classic gullwing-doors concept. According to Tesla, this configuration will allow for an easier access to the rear seats. The cabin in fact can host up to seven people over three rows, and offers the same sort of electronic trickery that can be found on the Model S as well, but with better finishing. At the moment the Tesla Model S is still a prototype, but the definitive version of the car is already scheduled to enter the market in early 2013.

View the full Tesla Model X Concept photo gallery

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The new Audi TT RS Plus has finally arrived. the German carmaker has just released the first official info and a massive photo gallery of the new model, that will be made available in both coupe and roadster configurations. The car is powered by the well-known 2.5-litre 5-cylider TSFI engine with direct injection equipping the ‘regular’ TT RS, but its delivery has been boosted to 360 hp and 465 Nm of peak torque, marking a +20 hp and a +15 Nm over the output of its ‘plus-less” counterpart. This unit, in combination with its S-Tronic ‘dual clutch’ transmission, allows the car to reach 100 km/h (62 mph) from standstill in just 4.1 seconds (4.2 seconds for the roadster), with a limited top speed of 280 km/h (173 mph). A 6-speed manual transmission option is also available, but with this gearbox the TT RS Plus loses a little in terms of performance as the 100 km/h mark is reached in 4.3 seconds by the coupe and 4.4 seconds by the roadster.

The model obviously uses an all wheel drive powertrain and boasts an average fuel consumption of 8.5 l/100 km for its coupe variant and 8.6 for the convertible. Thanks to its light bodyshell, 2/3 of which is made of aluminum, the Coupe version with manual gearbox weighs only 1,450 kg, giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 4.0 kg/hp (4.2 for the Roadster). The Audi TT RS Plus rolls on exclusive 19″ burnished alloys with contrasting red outline, fitted with 255/35 tyres and coupled to 4-piston calipers on the front axle. “Magnetic Ride” suspension are also available as an optional extra.

Aesthetically, the Audi TT RS Plus distinguishes itself from the “regular” TT RS by its glossy single-frame grill, the wing mirror shells made of CFRP, the matt aluminum outline of its diffuser, the front lip spoiler and its burnished oval-shaped mufflers. By the way, the ’sound’ of the car can be adjusted by acting on the flaps integrated in the exhaust system. To find out more about the model, please check the official Press Release right after the jump.

View the full Audi TT RS Plus photo gallery

Continue reading: Audi TT RS Plus: official pictures and info released

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Hyundai has introduced the new Elantra GT hatchback and Elantra Coupe at the ongoing 2012 Chicago Auto Show, unleashing at the same time a first lot of official images of the two models on the internet. The pair comes with the same 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engine that powers the Elantra sedan - delivering 150 hp and 177 Nm of torque - that can be coupled to either a manual or an automatic 6-speed transmission.

The Elantra GT weighs only 1,265 kg, a feature that allows it to be quick and responsive even though the engine is not that performing. It comes with 17″ alloys and a sporty set-up that makes it extremely stable. In the cabin we have heated seats, seven air bags, sound system with Bluetooth connectivity and even a cooled glove compartment. For this model the Korean carmaker claims an average fuel consumption of 7.3 l/100km in urban traffic and 6.0 l/100km when traveling on motorways.

The Elantra Coupe will be available in two versions: the ‘GS’ and the more well-equipped SE. The main features of the former are a set of 16″ wheels and a quite minimal interior with mp3 player and 6 speakers. The SE instead will roll on standard 17″ rims and an optional sat-nav system with a 7″ touch screen and a rear view camera. The Coupe will come in seven different colors - three of which are available for this model exclusively -and black or gray interior finishing. No word on prices yet.

View the full Hyundai Elantra GT photo gallery
View the full Hyundai Elantra Coupe photo gallery

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Aston Martin has released more official pictures of the definitive version of their V12 Zagato, which is due to enter the market by the end of this year. This new hand-built coupe, which was initially introduced as a concept car at the Concorso d’Eleganza in Villa D’Este, Italy, in May 2011, has already taken part at the Nurburgring 24 hours and will hit the showrooms with a price tag of 405.000 £ (roughly 485.000 €). The actual launch of the production model will be staged next week at the Kuwait’s Concours d’Elegance, while the actual production of the scheduled 150 units will begin in September.

The Aston Martin V12 Zagato was born to celebrate the 50 years of collaboration between Aston Martin and renowned Italian designer Zagato, and is the brainchild of Aston Martin’s main designer Marek Reichmann, who stresses out the fact that the model is pretty different from the other Astons: it has the ‘double hump’ on the roof (one of Zagato’s trademark features) and a convex front grille that - in the words of Mr.Reichmann himself - ‘makes it look like it is wearing a shirt that’s just too tight to hide its muscles‘.

The Aston Martin V12 Zagato is powered by the same 5.9-litre V12 engine equipping the V12 Vantage, which is credited with an output of 517 hp and 570 Nm of peak torque at 5,750 rpm. This unit is coupled with a 6-speed manual gearbox that uses a transaxle configuration to aid weight distribution. The V12 Zagato boasts a 0-100 km/h (62mph) sprint time of 4.2 seconds, with a top speed of 306 km/h (190 mph). To find out more about the model, you can check the official press release announcing its debut in Kuwait right after the jump.

View the full Aston Martin V12 Zagato photo gallery

via | Autocar

Continue reading: Aston Martin V12 Zagato: more official pictures released

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When we first saw the Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet Concept (pictured) at the Worthersee Tour last summer, we thought that - giant rims aside - the model had little or nothing to do with what a concept car is supposed to be. It was pretty clear that that car could have been turned into a production-ready model with just a handful of mild corrections and, according to Auto Express, this is exactly what is about to happen. Apparently, the definitive VW Golf GTI Cabriolet will be premiered at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show (March 8-18) and will be basically identical to the ‘regular’ model it is based upon, with the obvious exception of the chopped off roof. This means that the model will make use of the same 211 hp 2.0-litre TFSI engine 211 CV and DSG dual clutch transmission of the current VW Golf GTI.

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Nissan will introduce a restyled version of its 370Z at the imminent 2012 Chicago Auto Show (February 10-19) and, as the tradition dictates, the carmaker has just released on the web a large photo gallery starring the new car. The model - firstly introduced at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show - receives some small cosmetic upgrade but no relevant changes to its powertrain, which was excellent in the first place anyway.

The ‘cosmetic upgrades’ of this face-lifted version are the new LED stripes integrated in the front bumper, the addition of new 18″ and 19″ alloys to the previous range and some more color option for the livery, that’s it. Just like the model it is about to replace, the restyled 370Z will be available in both coupe and roadster body types, and will come with its signature 3.7-litre naturally aspirated V6 engine credited with an output of 328 hp. This unit can be coupled with a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters.

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Last month we showed you a bunch of spy shots picturing a mule of the Rolls Royce Phantom sedan, which is currently undergoing its mid-life restyling. Similarly, the coupe version of the famous RR model will is also about to receive some cosmetic change, and here are a few spy shots showing us the relative mule taking on some cold weather testing.

The most visible modifications should be affecting the front end of the car, especially the layout of its head lamps. In fact, just like the aforementioned Phantom sedan mule, this one too sports some smart cammo on the front lights designed to resemble the aesthetics of the current model, making it clear that that is the area where the major changes will happen. As with the sedan version, we suspect that the coupe will feature some minor changes to the interior and infotainment system too, and it is quite likely that some new units with more power and less CO2 emissions will also be added to its engine range.

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A 5-door version of the Seat Mii will become available this summer, joining the already marketed 5-door variants of its twin sisters Volkswagen Up! and Skoda Citigo. In the same fashion as its two siblings, the new model gets an extra set of pillars at the back that do not alter the overall style of the car, buy surely add up to its practicality. Unfortunately the rear windows cannot be wound down as there’s just a clip to pop them out. The size of the 5-door Mii is exactly the same as its 3-dooor counterpart, meaning 3.56 meters in length and 1.64 meters in width, with 2.42 meters of wheel base. Trunk capacity varies between 251 and 951 litres (with the rear bench folded).

The Seat Mii with the 5-door body-type will come with only one engine option, a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder unit available in power steps of 60 and 75 hp. Average fuel consumption for the model is rated between 4.5 and 4.7 l/100 k, figures that can be improved when choosing the Ecomotive variant, which makes use of start-stop system, KERS and a set of low-resistance tyres. This configuration allows the Mii to consume only 4.1-4.2 l/100 km, with CO2 emissions of 96-98 g/km.

View the full Seat Mii 5-door photo gallery

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A new variant of the Volkswagen Beetle with a 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine is scheduled to debut on the market in the summer, following its official unveiling at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show (February 8-19). This unit is the same one equipping the the Jetta TDI, an iron/aluminum 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injected Clean Diesel producing 140 hp and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of maximum torque. The model will come with a standard 6-speed manual transmission, but VW will also make a 6-speed ‘dual-clutch’ DSG gearbox available as an option.

The Beetle 2.0 TDI requires 8.1 litres of diesel every 100 km in urban traffic, a figures that goes down to 6 l/100km when traveling on motorways. The standard equipment also includes six airbags, ESP, RCD310 audio system with CD player, Blootooth connectivity and eight speakers. We will be waiting for some news in regard to the European version of the model.

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