A new round of spy photos show the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V with less disguise than ever before. The car is expected to use the new “LSA” Corvette motor, delivering at least 500 horsepower.

The CTS-V will feature a supercharger integrated into the intake manifold. This is the same setup the upcoming Corvette SS / Blue Devil will have with its LS9 motor. However, while the Corvette SS motor will be hand built at the Performance Build Center in Wixom, MI, the Cadillac’s LSA motor will be built in a conventional motor plant.

Automatic and manual transmissions will be available, and an optional paddle shift feature is also anticipated.

Production on the new CTS V-Series will start in September of 2008, and will be limited to about 7000 units annually. Internally, GM is referring to the car as “GMX322 V S/C.”

GM’s Bob Lutz was recently quoted saying the 2009 CTS-V “will be at a power level only described as unexpectedly high.” Then referencing the current BMW M5, Lutz said the CTS-V “will suck the doors off” the competition if the new M5 isn’t significantly better.

After driving a prototype, Lutz said “flat-out incredible. I’ve never driven anything like that.”

read more.

BMW has approved development of a new crossover vehicle based on its popular 3-Series line, according to a new report. Company insiders told AutoWeek the new model – codenamed F3 – will probably arrive as a 2010 model.

The vehicle will likely resemble the 3-Series, looking more similar to a station wagon than the truck-like X3. Something like a compact Mercedes-Benz R-Class, the F3 will target the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4.

The source told the magazine BMW’s new chairman, Norbert Reithofer gave the project a “definite thumbs up,” after years of deliberation by previous management. The car will provide “the high seating position of a sport/utility vehicle with the space afforded by a traditional station wagon,” the source told AutoWeek.

BMW is also said to be planning a direct rival to the Mercedes R-Class, based on the 5-Series. The project is known internally as RFK or F5.

Read more here.

Volkswagen today revealed the latest version of its DSG gearbox – a seven-speed system codenamed DQ200. It uses a pair of dry clutches in preference to the six-speed version’s twin wet clutches, providing an increase in efficiency and performance.

The six-speed DSG gearbox, which was introduced in 2003, uses a pair of clutches submerged in oil. The new seven-speed gearbox adopts a pair of dry, organic bonded friction linings that do not require cooling, making the drivetrain more efficient through the extra ratio.

For the first time the DSG gearbox has been mounted transversely. Measuring only 369 mm in length and weighing only 79 kg including the dual-mass flywheel the gearbox is remarkably compact. These modest proportions mean it can be applied to models from the Polo right up to the Passat and, in its current form, it is capable of coping with power outputs of up to 170 PS and 184 lbs ft of torque.

In adopting seven-speeds, Volkswagen engineers were able to lower first gear to improve acceleration from a standstill. By contrast seventh gear has been raised to act as an overdrive function making it ideal for motorway driving with the additional effect of raising economy and comfort levels.

Read more here.

BMW’s followup to the dramatic 6-Series won’t bring anything shocking to the table, but it should address concerns with the existing model and increase the large coupe’s competitiveness, according to a new report by Germany’s AutoBild.

While the current 6-Series – introduced in 2004 – is arguably one of BMW’s most aggressive and controversial designs, its successor won’t do anything to push the envelope further. Instead, it will serve to move the 6er further toward grand tourer territory.

Longer than today’s model, the 2011 6-Series will offer more legroom for rear passengers. At the same time, it will get a sportier cockpit with a more driver oriented console layout.

As signaled by BMW’s new CS concept, the automaker will be abandoning its awkward trunk design features on the 5-,6-, and 7-Series in favor of a more streamlined design.

Three engines options will give customers a choice between 306, 408, and 507 horsepower, the report claims. The 306 hp model will make use of BMW’s new twin-turbo inline-six found in the 335i. It’s unlikely the 635i will make it to U.S. shores, since Germany luxury makers generally don’t offer entry-level engines in premium cars in America.

Read more here.

The car crazy appearance care experts at Meguiar’s are offering enthusiasts the chance to show off their pride-and-joy, and 150 people will win an NXT Generation® Car Care Kit worth $50. Best of all, one lucky car guy will win the opportunity to customize and transform their car with $10,000 worth of parts from sponsors Baer Brakes, Phoenix Gold Mobile Audio, Toyo Tires and MHT Wheels. Just like your favorite racing game, the winner can spend all the money on upgrades with one company, or spread select components from all four.

Contestants need to visit the NXT Amped Up website to upload a photo and a brief description of their vehicle.  Fans and contestants will then have the chance to vote once a day for the best vehicle until the competition ends on July 31. All entrants will have the chance to win the grand prize, which includes an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas to display their newly ‘Amped Up’ ride at the 2007 Auto Aftermarket Show in a Meguiar’s exhibit.

CRITERIA: Vehicles will be judged on the following:

• Overall Appearance/Curb Appeal
• Paint (Gloss/Shine)
• Attention to Detail
• Wow Factor

The 2008 Saturn Vue is one of the more intriguing new vehicles on the market this year for a few reasons—and not because of any innovative technology, advances in safety or mammoth leaps in fuel economy.

With the Vue, you get fairly straightforward hardware: front-mounted four- and six-cylinder engines, front- or all-wheel drive, MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension, seating for five, six airbags, the usual.

What’s compelling, first of all, is how this car got here. Five hundred engineers simultaneously designed and developed the car in Germany, the United States, and Korea. It will be built in multiple plants, and will be sold around the world as the Opel Antara or as-yet unnamed Chevrolets, Daewoos and Holdens. It could be the first truly global General Motors product, at least as far as mainstream products go.

Secondly, even without driving this vehicle it is obvious this is a gargantuan improvement over the Vue it replaces, the boxy, plastic-paneled small SUV that took seemingly forever to complete its gestation period. By the time the first Vue arrived in late 2001 (as an ’02 model), the market was awash in small utes with more stylish wrappers, better interiors and stronger powertrains.

read more here.

CANBERRA, Australia – A nude car wash offering an X-rated sideshow and topless cleaning in Australia’s tropical Queensland state has been given the all-clear after police and officials said they were powerless to scrub it.

The Bubbles ‘n’ Babes car wash in Brisbane prompted a flood of complaints with a topless car wash for $45 and a nude car wash with X-rated lap-dance service for $82.

“If it was approved for a car wash then I can’t imagine how we can stop them,” Lord Mayor Campbell Newman told a council meeting with worried local lawmakers.

Professional car washes have boomed in most cities with drought-stricken Australians banned from washing their own cars due to tough water restrictions.

Queensland police denied any cover-up in a state where their image has been dented by past accusations of police corruption and involvement with organized crime.

read more here.

Our man with the cam, Evander, snapped some great shots of the upcoming Dodge JC49 crossover with a minivan nanny over on I-75 that we bet could make even Priddy’s boys beam with pride. The JC49, which has also been called the “Crew,” is built off of the JS/JC platform — the very same one the Sebring and Avenger find themselves birthed from. So, umm, what else — well, it’s got dual pipes, so maybe it’ll have the 3.5-liter V6 engine on the high end. And, umm, we also hear it’ll begin production in December of this year. So, that’s good — at least we know the pending sale of the Chrysler Group isn’t putting a damper on their attempts at platform prostitution. Ah, some things will never change.

more here

Automobile Magazine reported today that Toyota is create another brand, named after its successful Prius to better market its hybrid cars.

After MY2011, Toyota hybrid’s will no longer be sold under the Toyota nameplate, but instead under the Prius name.

The Prius line of cars will be markedly different from their Toyota counterparts with unique sheet metal and hybrid powertrains. The Prius line will offer three different models which have been internally dubbed Prius A, Prius B and Prius C, ranging in from Yaris to Camry size. The Prius A will be introduced in 2009, “B” will be introduced in 2010 and the “C” will launched in 2011.

The exterior of the new Prius cars won’t be as controversial as the first and second generation Prius were, but Toyota forsees difficulty in providing a spacious interior and trunk space because of the size of the battery packs.

read more here

Spy photographers have snapped some new images of a production prototype of the 2008 Honda Accord Coupe. These new images of the Accord Coupe follow the release of spy pictures of the upcoming Accord sedan. All the photos show a test car that closely resembles the recent 2008 Accord Coupe concept.

The Accord is Honda’s best-selling model in North America and the 2008 model was previewed at the Detroit auto show in January. With the sheetmetal pretty true to the concept, the all-new Accord Coupe will reach the production line this coming September or October, with the first shipments to dealers shortly afterwards. Honda sources have publicly talked about more horsepower, better fuel economy, cylinder deactivation and lower emissions for the V6-powered Accord – but no firm specification are currently available.

read more here