Report: New Alfa Romeo-Derived / U.S. Made Dodge Compact Sedan to Debut at 2012 Detroit Show

A new U.S. market compact sedan to be developed by Fiat and built by Chrysler is set to make its debut appearance at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in the beginning of next year, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.

The as-of-yet unnamed model will be badged as Dodge and powered by a Fiat-derived 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. It’ll also do 40 mpg combined, or at least it will if Fiat wants to net itself a further 5% of Chrysler from Mr. Monopoly Uncle Sam.

Read more »

2010 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid Facelift Prices Announced

Shortly after their official premiere at the Detroit Motor Show in January, Toyota announced pricing for the updated 2010 Camry and Camry Hybrid midsize sedans that will begin arriving at dealers in March 2009. The gasoline model's base MSRP will range from $19,395 for the Camry sedan with a new six-speed manual transmission to $29,045 for a fully equipped XLE with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Camry Hybrid carries a price tag of $26,150. Overall, the Camry's MSRP represents an overall increase of $281 or 1.2 percent over the 2009 MY.

The most significant change on the 2010 Camry concerns the introduction of a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for the standard, LE and XLE grades with 169-horsepower that can be combined with a six-speed manual transmission (excluding XLE) or a six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift. Furthermore, the SE grade gets additional tuning and 179-horsepower, 21 more than its predecessor.

Toyota claims that fuel economy is improved with EPA fuel economy estimates of 33 mpg highway, 22 mpg city and 26 mpg combined for the 2.5-liter four cylinder engine with the six-speed manual transmission.

A 3.5-liter V6 delivering 268 horsepower and paired with a six -speed automatic transmission will continue to be available on the LE, SE and XLE grades. This engine gets EPA mpg estimates of 28 mpg highway, 19 mpg city and 23 mpg combined.

On the outside, the 2010 Camry gets a minor facelift with a newly designed grille and front bumper, an enlarged lower intake, larger projector headlamps and restyled tail lamps. Inside, the Camry and LE grades are available with a new optional audio system equipped with a new USB port for auxiliary music sources, Bluetooth(R), integrated satellite radio, single-CD, and MP3 and Bluetooth(R) streaming music capability.

Video: Jaguar's BMW M5 Rival, the new 2010 XFR V8 with 510HP

The XF we've all been waiting for, the new supercharged XFR, was finally revealed at this week's Detroit Show. Fitted with Jag's new direct-injection 5.0-liter V8 and a Roots-type supercharger, the 510-horsepower strong XFR goes from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.9 seconds, or 0.2 and 0.4 seconds slower than its arch rivals, the BMW M5 and Audi RS6 respectively. If you hit the jump, you can watch the XFR in Jag's new promotional video. Unfortunately, for reasons that we fail to understand, Jaguar did not include any audiobites from the XFR's supercharged V8 engine, which is a pity as other than that, the film is overall entertaining.

2010 Ford Taurus Sedan: Action Video and Live Photos from Detroit Show

Sporting a completely redesigned exterior and interior, the new 2010 Ford Taurus made its world debut at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. While Ford has no illusions of repeating the success of the first generation Taurus, the American automaker does have high hopes for its new flagship sedan. Dynamic styling aside, the new Taurus also features Ford's 3.5-liter V6, generating 263HP and 249 foot-pounds of torque, paired with a choice of two new six-speed automatic transmissions.

The Taurus engine plan also calls for optional availability of Ford's EcoBoost 3.5-liter turbocharged V6, with an announcement regarding availability coming soon.

The new 2010 Taurus will hit U.S. showrooms this summer offered in three trim levels: SE, SEL and Limited. Prices will start from $25,995, including destination and delivery, meaning that the new Taurus begins at the same entry level price as the 2009 model. The Taurus SEL series will begin at $27,995 while the Taurus Limited series will begin at $31,995.

The SEL series comes equipped with 18-inch painted aluminum wheels, heated exterior mirrors, supplemental park lamps and chrome exhaust tips. The Limited series adds to the SEL appointments with standard leather seats, 19-inch chrome clad aluminum wheels, 10-way power driver and passenger seats, reverse sensing and a premium sound system with SYNC.

Video: Jaguar XFR Prototype tops 225 mph at Bonneville Salt Flats

At the Detroit Show, Jaguar revealed a specially modified XFR prototype that recorded a top speed of 225.7 mph (363.2 km/h) during a secret speed trial at the iconic Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah last November. The XFR prototype beat Jaguar's previous speed record of 217.1mph (349.4 km/h) that had been set back in 1992 by the XJ220. The man behind the wheel of the fastest Jag ever was Paul Gentilozzi, owner of Rocketsports Racing who led the Jaguar XKR to five series victories between 2001 and 2006 in the Trans Am series in the USA.

Jaguar said that prototype model was equipped with a slightly more powerful version of the standard XFR's 5.0-liter V8 with additional horsepower being liberated by a remapped ECU, a modified air intake and exhaust system and revised supercharger settings. It was also fitted with minor aerodynamic and safety modifications that were made to meet the requirements for a Bonneville run. According to the British automaker, no internal engine components were changed and the six-speed automatic transmission was standard, including the gear ratios.

Video Galore: Chrysler 200C Hybrid-Electric Concept Presentation, Driving and Static Footage

True, as many of our readers cleverly pointed out, Chrysler's surprise concept at this year's Detroit Show, certainly does bear a resemblance (or two...) up front with the Opel Insignia. But to tell you the truth, in our books, Chrysler's designers did a wonderful job with the 200C EV, creating a dynamically styled and well proportioned rear-wheel drive sport sedan. If the firm manages to make it through these difficult times, we hope that the 200C will find its way into production. Hit the jump to watch four videos of the concept that include the Detroit Show presentation, driving and static footage as well as interviews with car's designers.

Chrysler 200C EV Detroit Show Presentation

Chrysler 200C EV Driving and Static Footage

Chrysler 200C EV Exterior Designers

Chrysler 200C EV Interior Designers

China's Brilliance Shows off its Goods at the Detroit Show

The 2009 Detroit Auto Show marked the first official appearance of China's Brilliance on the U.S. automotive scene. BMW's Chinese partner introduced four of its most prominent models to the American public, including the Pininfarina designed M1 mid-sized sedan and the M2 compact saloon, as well as the M3 Coupe and FRV C-segment hatchback. Thanks to Mitsubishi's decision to pull out from this year's show, Brilliance was able to occupy (along with China's BYD) that space on the main floor of the Cobo Centre.

Brilliance has already began selling many of its vehicles to several European countries as well as emerging markets such as Russia and Egypt. The Chinese automaker has not made any announcements lately about if and when it will launch its line-up in North America, but we gather that with the current economic crunch and the effects it has on the American auto market, it won't be any time soon.