2012 BMW M5 Sedan Realistically Rendered

This took alittle time and effort to get it right. by the way…im going with these type of side gills for this new M5 just because of the shape of the car, its a more rounder look like the new M3 so i went with the M3 style gills instead of a flat gill pasted on the side of the car. makes sence if you think about it  These Renders look as if someone took photos of this car at a car show  Enjoy my renders. Thank You.

Via: F10 Forums (by Alpine325ci)

Next Nissan Sentra to look more like a baby Altima?

It’s not that the Nissan Sentra is a ‘bad car,’ so to speak, but it’s about as exciting to anyone with even a modicum of automotive enthusiasm as a haircut. Sadly, that milquetoast feeling even extends to the more powerful SE-R and 200-horsepower SE-R Spec V. Said another way, the current Sentra is a long time gone from the SR20DE-engined B13 Sentra SE-R of the early ’90s.

But there may be light at the end of the tunnel: Nissan knows that its current Sentra is too boring. Al Castignetti, Nissan Division Vice President of Sales recently admitted to AutoWeek that “We miss the heart of the market right now. A lot of people reject the Sentra because of its looks… it is not a natural progression to move down to it from the Altima.”

While you could certainly argue that the Sentra needs more than just a restyling – like, perhaps having more content and sporting potential to properly differentiate itself from the almost-as-large and significantly cheaperVersa – looking more like the handsome Altima sounds like a solid step in the right direction.

Paris : Range Rover Evoque shows up ready for production

Land Rover’s critical new Range Rover Evoque debuted today at the Paris Motor Show, ushering in a brave new world for the British off-roader brand. The debut continues the company’s march toward the softroader segment, a movement first started with the LR2/Freelander and now resulting in the handsome new three-door seen here.

Slated to be joined shortly by a five-door version, the compact Evoque fits right into the Land Rover mold design-wise, albeit with a surprising amount of surface jewelry for such a sleek two-box shape. From the protruding fog lamps to the horizontal matte chrome-trimmed hood intakes to the unique divots atop the wheel lip moldings and the somewhat fiddly taillamp lenses, there’s quite a bit to draw one’s eye. The overall impression one gets of the vehicle on the show floor is one of imposing width, a feeling that’s magnified when you realize that an individual of average height can see over the vehicle when standing next to it.

Land Rover Evoque won’t get hybrid

Despite the fact that Land Rover has gone out of its way to promote its new Evoque as an environmentally friendly alternative to its normal brand of behemoth globetrotting earth movers, Auto Express reports that the front-wheel drive (optional all-wheel drive, naturally) unibody Rover won’t be getting a hybrid powertrain option.

Instead, Land Rover’s global product director John Edwards suggests that any future electrically assisted powertrains will likely be featured in the larger Discovery (LR4 in the States) and Range Rovers. Edwards points out that the Evoque was designed as a lightweight machine, and a small four-cylinder diesel engine can provide the kind of fuel mileage targeted for the model.

While it’s certainly true that hybrid componentry adds complexity and weight, American and Japanese automakers have proven that it’s certainly possible to put the fuel-saving bits and pieces in smaller-sized vehicles. What’s more, diesel vehicles aren’t exactly commonplace on American roads or dealerships, leaving us to wonder if the U.S. market will be left out of the high-mpg loop yet again.

Skoda: All-new Superb to be unveiled

Skoda is getting ready to present its second generation mid-size sedan according to a report from Just-Auto. The revelation was made by Czech company’s global marketing director, Marcel Farreras who also added that the new Superb which will be built on an extended Octavia platform is part of a process of: “becoming more, not less, independent.”

Skoda’s UK director Chris Craft stated characteristically to Just-Auto that the Superb will be “developed for Skoda by Skoda. It will be more distinctive and stand-alone, less derivative and compromising with more unique technology.”

UPDATE: Skoda Superb Scoop Images

A couple of hours ago we showed you a few scanned black & white images of the Skoda Superb. Apparently, those pictures where just the tip of the ice-berg as we managed to snoop out a whole set of images that give us a clear view of the Octavia’s big brother. And the from the looks of it, that’s the best description one can give to the 2008 Superb which dumps the 4door sedan body of the current version in favor of a Octavia-like 5door liftback body. Expect the Superb to be fitted with a wide range of 1.6 FSI, TFSI (1.8 or/and 2.0-litres), V6 FSI petrol and 1.9/2.0 TDI diesel engines when it goes on sale in a few months (June). Via: Idnes

GMC Sierra All Terrain HD concept is ready for off-road action

If you think the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is too hot yet the Dodge Ram Power Wagon is too cold, General Motors’ latest concept might strike you as “just right.” This, the GMC Sierra All Terrain HD concept, looks to bridge the gap between the two hardcore pickups from GM’s crosstown rivals, while still offering top-notch levels of power, refinement and technology.

The four-door 2011 Sierra HD underpins the All Terrain concept, and power comes from The General’s 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8. A six-speed automatic sends the 397 horsepower and 765 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels. Versus a normal Sierra HD, ground clearance has been increased by about three inches, width has been bumped up to 73 inches (four more than normal) and the whole package rides on 20-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in 35-inch BFGoodrich KM2 mud terrain tires. Off-road performance is enhanced with the addition of Fox off-road shocks (just like the Ford Raptor).

Inside, GM has fitted the All Terrain concept with a Denali-spec interior with additional satin metal finishes and a leather-wrapped dash. What’s more, a next-generation stereo system with an 80-gigabyte hard drive has been fitted inside this concept, and we’ll soon be seeing this new system across the full GM product range.

Currently, there are no plans to create a production version of the All Terrain concept, though GM tells us that if a road-ready version of this ultra-tough Sierra is produced, it will likely be crafted with the assistance of an aftermarket company. We’ll be seeing the All Terrain concept in person at the Detroit Auto Show in just a few weeks, but for now, click through our high-res image gallery below, or follow the jump for the official release.

2012 Mustang 5.0 comes with lower price, new features

For those of you desperate to get your hands on Ford’s new 5.0-liter Mustang GT, it just got a little easier. Pricing has dropped for the base model of the 412-horsepower pony car by $500 for the 2012 model year, edging back under the 30k mark to $29,995. In contrast, the Premium GT model sees a price increase of $200 while the Premium GT Convertible is $700 more than last year.

While the 2012 Mustang lineup carries over relatively unchanged, there are a few updates to keep the cars fresh. Ford will be offering a new color, Lava Red Metallic, available on both the exterior and interior, while Sterling Gray Metallic will no longer be available. Ford has also added a few minor features like a universal garage door opener and sun visors with a storage system and illuminated vanity mirrors, and the EPAS steering system will now also come with three modes – Comfort, Normal and Sport.a

Romeo Ferraris and Fenice Milano pay tribute to Monza with limited edition Abarth 500

Like weddings in the Deep South, everything with cars is relative. For instance, we’d strain to call most cars with racing stripes running every which way “subtle.” But when the treatment comes from Fenice Milano, anything short of gold chrome is understated. See? Relative.

The Milanese design house is the same that has gilded everything from the Fiat 500C to the Rolls-Royce Ghost. But for this special edition, they’ve teamed up with Romeo Ferraris, the Italian tuning house that’s given us custom Corvettes, Land Rovers and of course… Fiat 500s. Okay, so between them there’s no lack of love for the retro hatchback, and this is the embodiment of their shared passion: the Abarth 500 Monza.

A limited-edition tribute to the legendary grand prix circuit, the Monza edition is limited to just ten examples. So what makes it so special? Well it’s got red and blue racing stripes – the track’s official colors – that do a wicked Herby the Love Bug impression, sans Lindsay Lohan (for better or worse). But while the stripes continue into the white leather interior, this isn’t just a trim package.

Romeo Ferraris stepped in to nearly double the engine’s output, upping the horsepower figure from 135 to 260. They also threw in 280mm Brembo disc brakes, 205/40-R17 Yokohama tires and a full aero kit. And in case that wasn’t enough with the special treatment, each example gets a brass plaque with the owner’s name, an edition number on the shifter and a whole mess of Monza logos all over the place. Which may seem a little over the top, but again: think relative. And while you’re mulling that over, check out the high-resolution images in the gallery below.

Honda Civic only nets two stars on revamped NHTSA side impact test

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is slowly unveiling the results of the freshly updated five-star New Car Assessment Program, and not all 2011 models are faring so well. USA Today reports that the2011 Honda Civic is the latest such victim after the popular compact sedan received an overall score of three stars; down one star from the 2010 model year. The Civic’s score was downgraded due in part to a woeful side impact score of two stars. The female crash-test dummy on the passenger side reportedly netted a four-star score, but the male crash-test dummy driver managed but two stars. On the upside, the Civic netted four-star ratings for front crash and rollover risk.

The Civic isn’t the only popular vehicle among the 55 models tested that hasn’t fared so well in testing. TheToyota Camry and Honda CR-V were also rated at three stars, while the Nissan Versa received only two stars. Luckily for Honda, a newly refreshed Civic is on the way for the 2012 model year.

1949 Ferrari 166 MM Touring Barchetta up for grabs from RM Auctions in Arizona

As far as Ferraris go, it doesn’t get more authentic than this. What you’re looking at is a 1949 Ferrari 166 MM– the first model made by Enzo Ferrari after setting up shop under his own name – with custom Barchetta coachwork by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan. And it’s going up for auction.

Chassis number 0024 M – the 10th of only 25 examples made – was originally displayed at the 1949 Paris Motor Show in Argentina’s official racing colors, yellow and blue, before being sent off to South America to win the 1950 Mar del Plata. True to its name, it was also campaigned in the 1951 Mille Miglia rally, and has since undergone a thorough restoration – including the red paint job you see here.

This authentic piece of Ferrari history is set to cross the block at RM Auctions’ event in Arizona on January 20th, where it is expected to fetch upwards of $2 million. Details in the press release after the jump.