The recently introduced Audi R8 GT Spyder is a hand-built, limited production vehicle with just 333 units produced world-wide and 50 units coming to the U.S. Similar to the R8 GT Coupe unveiled last year, each car will be uniquely distinguished with an individual vehicle number displayed on the gear shift.

Recruitment efforts officially get underway in seven U.S. markets to find 700 BMW "Electronauts" to join the 2012 ActiveE Field Trial, a collective mission to help define the future of mobility

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - BMW today revealed the first images and information about the newly updated 2013 BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupe which arrives in US BMW Centers this spring. The world's first ever Sports Activity Coupe stills offers a unique combination of sporty dynamics, versatility and unmatched character. Select design updates and innovative features further hone the profile of the new BMW X6 as a distinctive model within the premium segment of all-wheel-drive vehicles. Its ongoing popularity is due to both its highly expressive design, which combines the athletic and elegant lines of a coupe with the unique character of a BMW X model, and the outstanding driving experience provided by two powerful engines featuring BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology and xDrive, the intelligent all-wheel-drive system. The BMW X6 continues to offer Dynamic Performance Control which gives the Sports Activity Coupe unparalleled agility for a vehicle in this segment.

The Ford Racing's family of turnkey ready to race cars has been a force on the track since the introduction of the Mustang FR-500C at SEMA in 2004. The success and heritage has been passed from the FR500C to three versions of the Cobra Jet and to the BOSS 302R. Now Ford Racing introduces the Focus ST-R which will make its competition debut this weekend at Daytona International Raceway in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge.

New city slickers: The MINI Baker Street and MINI Bayswater. Olympic host city and style capital London provides fresh design inspiration for MINI special editions. New models boast exclusive equipment and tradition-laced titles.

Putting 29-inch wheels on a Porsche is not usually a good idea. But when the Porsche in question is a bicycle, that’s a different matter. There are actually two bikes from Porsche Design: the aluminum-frame S and the carbon-fiber-frame RS. The former has an 11-speed Shimano gearset, while the latter enjoys a 20-cog setup. Just like the cars, shift action, braking, weight and handling have all been taken into account. The buyer must take into account a rough price of $4,775 for the S or $8,540 for the RS.

The "face" of the BMW 3 Series through changing times: dynamic, innovative and always unmistakably BMW. Each new BMW 3 Series is a harmonious combination of BMW tradition and modernity, of classic and innovative elements that constantly interpret the desired family resemblance in a most exciting way.

• Audi allroad returns to the U.S. for the first time since 2005
• Iconic design and functionality blended with segment-leading technology
• Allroad debuts at North American International Auto Show in Detroit

The all-new 2013 SL continues a tradition that began 60 years ago. For six decades the letters "SL" have been synonymous with a blend of sport, style and comfort - infused with groundbreaking innovation. For the first time, the SL is being produced almost entirely from aluminum and consequently weighs considerably less than its predecessor. Its highly rigid all-aluminum bodyshell provides the basis for agile, sporty handling that has been taken to an entirely new level, coupled with outstanding bodyroll and ride characteristics. Even better driving dynamics come courtesy of the new direct injection engine, which is more powerful and economical than the outgoing generation. Other new features include the unique FrontBass system, which turns the luxury sports car into a concert hall - with the top down or up - and the highly efficient MAGIC VISION CONTROL. The 2013 SL550 will be available in U.S. showrooms this spring.

• Compact SUV as a themed vehicle at the auto show in Detroit
• New, practical solutions and many individual design highlights
• 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbocharged engine developing 231 kW (314 hp) and 400 Nm (295.02 lb-ft)

At the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Volvo Car Corporation will unveil an innovative gasoline plug-in hybrid.

Las Vegas, USA: Logic3 today announce an exclusive collaboration with Ferrari that unveils the creation of an iconic, world-leading collection of audio products. The Ferrari by Logic3 collection comprises a range of earphones, headphones and speaker docks that celebrate Ferrari's excellence and flair, both on the road and in motorsport, by delivering superior audio performance and beautiful design.

• Latest addition to the Blue-e-motion™ family of concept cars
• Powered by a 114-horsepower electric motor and a lithium-ion battery
• Low roofline and unique styling make E-Bugster stand out

TECHART offers first individualization options for the new Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera S. In addition to the wide-ranging program for the interior refinement like the TECHART full leather interior or the sport steering wheel variations, the TECHART forged light alloy wheels in sizes of 20- and 21-inch ensure a unique individualization for the new Porsche 911.

BMW’s 5 Series range is about to expand with the addition of a hybrid model, the ActiveHybrid 5. Augmenting its excellent turbocharged, 300-hp, 3.0-liter, six-cylinder engine is an electric motor powered by lithium-ion batteries, bringing the horsepower total to 335 and boosting torque by 155 lb-ft to 455. The car can run on electric power up to 37 mph with a maximum range of 2.5 miles. BMW claims this extra locomotive force can boost acceleration as well, quoting a 0-to-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds, but the “normal” 535i is still quicker by a tenth or two. No exact figures yet on consumption or emissions are available yet, just the claim of a “double-digit percentage improvement.” The ActiveHybrid 5 comes out in March 2012.

There’s been a bit of movement on the next-generation Audi A3, due later in 2012. Apart from being offered as a sedan for the first time (which most people who cared about this knew already), some interesting plans regarding its propulsion are being touted. Audi is said to be working on a 140-hp, 1.4-liter four with cylinder deactivation for half its complement, a three-cylinder diesel and an engine powered by natural gas. A coupe and a cabriolet are also set to be part of the new A3 range. How much of this will make it across the Atlantic is still undetermined, but it’s good to know such things.

It’s always a pleasure to report whenever some juicy concept car is going into production. This time, it’s the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento (carbon is the sixth element in the periodic table). Previously a design and tech study at the 2010 Paris show, the Raging Bull has announced that 20 (sob, just 20) of these predominantly carbon-fiber-bodied machines will roll through the gates of Sant’Agata in 2013. Curb weight is claimed to be under 2,200 pounds, while output from the 5.2-liter V10 engine is 570 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque, resulting in a power-to-weight ratio of 3.86 pounds per pony, which is good enough for a 0-to-60 mph time of an incredibly rapid 2.5 seconds and a top speed in excess of 200 mph. Just one little problem. Providing the projected price of $2.6 million is manageable—and for the 20 lucky people who have already ordered theirs, we’ll take that as a “yes”—it probably won’t be road legal in the United States (more sobbing).

Getting one’s trotters on a 2012 VW Golf R is going to take a somewhat substantial piggy bank. The people’s car company has recently announced pricing: from $34,760 for the three-door version to $36,860 for the five-door. The latter does get a sunroof, navigation, keyless entry and an upgraded stereo as standard, if that’s any consolation. And don’t bother thinking about the extra cost of an automatic transmission. A six-speed manual is the only gear-changing game in town. At least the R will be the most powerful production Golf when it goes on sale early in 2012, since it sports 256 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque squeezing through its all-wheel-drive system.

American buyers are clasping the small but perfectly formed Fiat 500 to their collective bosom, at least in southern California. But could future customers be convinced to halve their cylinder count? The current powerplant is a 1.4-liter four-cylinder that develops 101 hp and 98 lb-ft of torque. But over in the Old World, Fiat offers its 875cc TwinAir engine and the clue’s in the name. Yep, it only has two cylinders. But it is turbocharged to make 85 hp and 110 lb-ft, along with a 30 percent improvement in consumption and emissions over its four-pot cousin. Fiat claims that it’s the greenest mass-production gasoline engine out there. The jurors of the International Engine of the Year gave it their top gong for 2011. As corporate fuel economy targets become more stringent, this unit could be good for Fiat’s USA operation, since Chrysler is also a big part.

A new generation of BMW 3 Series has been born. This premium compact sedan comes out in February as a 2012 model; for you code freaks out there it’s an F30. It’s the sixth incarnation of a badge that has truly become legend and, unsurprisingly, there isn’t much that’s radical about the design. Many familiar elements abound: the double kidney grille, short overhangs, Hofmeister kink and a minimum of metal between the top of the hood and the highest part of the front wheel arch. But the car is also a tad bigger than its predecessor. There will be two versions available initially, both with turbocharged engines: a 335i, with a 3.0-liter, 300-hp six (the N55), and a 328i, featuring the same 240-hp, 2.0-liter four found in the 2012 Z4 sDrive28i. Either one can be linked to a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. Following these models will be an M3 (of course) and a hybrid version. A 2011 328i sedan starts at $34,600, so expect something similar for the 2012 counterpart.

It’s hard to shake the feeling that LED lights might become the automotive equivalent of the mullet hairdo. While most carmakers are following Audi’s lead, BMW appears to be taking it a bit further with its laser headlights. They will be on the 2014 i8 hybrid vehicle, but could spread to other BMW models. A laser light is 1,000 times brighter than an LED (light-emitting diode), requires only about half the energy (good news for electric vehicles) and are much smaller; therefore, they can be formed into cooler designs. And don’t worry—these lasers can’t be misused by people with road rage.

The time has come to welcome another name into the esoteric world of high-speed, low-volume supercars; one that slips off the tongue like velvet doused in baby oil: Genty Akylone. Despite the inclusion of the letter K, this is a French company (ever tried playing French Scrabble and wondered what the heck to do with the K tile?), of whom even the most Gallic of gearheads has probably never heard. But we all know the vague recipe. An outrageous engine output, say 1,000 hp and 940 lb-ft of torque from a twin-turbocharged, mid-mounted V8 slung into a sleek body made from state-of-the-art lightweight materials. Also a super-high claimed top speed—on this occasion around 220 mph—along with a 0-to-60 mph time of 2.7 seconds, which really would be breathtaking if any of it could be verified. But it can’t. However, you never know with the French. To their credit, they did invent mayonnaise.

The Audi E-tron Spyder concept is not just an open-top version of the E-tron sports coupe concept. The hardtop is all-electric, while this one is a plug-in hybrid that uses a turbocharged, mid-mounted diesel engine to power the rear wheels while the front wheels are each driven by their own electric motor. The funny, but good, thing about diesel and electric motors is that they’re gloriously torquey, and they deliver their shove at low, low revs. The E-tron Spyder has a total of 738 lb-ft, which is a huge pile of torque for a lightweight carbon-fiber body with a bespoke aluminum spaceframe. The horsepower count is 401. When in electric-only mode, the car can cover 30 miles, or cruise at 60 mph for a shorter distance. Harness both power sources and the sprint to 60 mph takes just 4.4 seconds. There is no mechanical connection between the front and rear axles, just a bunch of wires and computing power, and the combustion engine isn’t co-opted into charging the lithium-ion batteries. No firm plans have yet been announced to make the E-tron Spyder into any kind of production car, limited or otherwise. But the technology for a lightweight diesel plug-in hybrid from Audi already exists and is being applied to the tarmac, returning 108 mpg as it does so. There’s no reason why some future A4 (as a hypothetical example) couldn’t have it.

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, (VCNA) today announced that its 2012 C70 Inscription package - on sale during the first quarter of next year - will retail for $3,900. The C70 Inscription is a modified version of Volvo's C70 hardtop convertible featuring added horsepower and torque, and unique interior and exterior details.

How would you like a chance to win a trip to Los Angeles to drive some exotic cars like Ferrari 458, Lamborghini Superleggra or a Mercedes SLR? The guys at Denso are holding a contest to win a trip to drive in the World Class Driving Experience, the winner will get a trip for two out to Los Angeles to drive on the famous Pacific Coast Highway with five different exotic cars. Sounds pretty good to us, now all you need to do to enter is go like the Denso Facebook page and then fill out the entry form.

*car pictured is not the actual car you will get to drive

Click here after you like their page to enter!