In addition to the just revealed 2008 JCW Mini Cooper S , we've also got some great shots below of the new 2008 JCW Mini Cooper Clubman S. It's the first time JCW's gotten a hold of the Clubman, and the photos look great -- better even the faux JCW Mini Cooper Clubman S we'd seen already. Unfortunately, we won't have a press release for a few more minutes so for the time being you'll just have to make do with the shots we've got below. All we can tell so far is it's got similar badging to the more-mini Mini.  read more »

Just in time for the Geneva Motor Show next month, the automaker all about the cars that are so small they're Mini has seen fit to release a bevy of shots and all the deets on their two big reveals for the show. The first is the official reveal of the John Cooper Works package for the 2008 Mini Cooper S . Other than the press shots we've got below, here's what we know about the up-powered Cooper S from a quick glance of the press release which we'll have up below the jump shortly. UPDATE: Full press release below the jump!  read more »

For those of you in Europe who continually complain of how much you envy the US domestic crossover SUV market, Renault has something to perk your spirits. The Renault Koleos is the diamond emblem automakers first foray into the crossover market and claims to offer "genuine off-road ability". The Koleos offers a wide array of equipment with two diesel tune level and two gas engines, both optioned with either a 6 speed manual, auto transmission, and a CVT in some instances - two wheel or all wheel drive are obviously available.  read more »

Viva la revolution! After years of looking at spy photos , renderings and concept versions &mdash the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 is here, for real. Powered by the 6.1-liter HEMI V8, this HEMI orange muscle car puts out 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. for a total of 69.8 horsepower per liter. How fast is it?  read more »

Lord almighty these cars are bright in person. Ford went ahead and dropped the real deal Ford Fiesta on us and they went out of their way to slather then in colors the Joker would be very proud of. We're pretty excited by the idea of a compact Ford in the market again, though we don't have confirmation yet on the 5 door coming stateside yet. One thing the original (good) Focus was never faulted for was its handling, and it's something Ford has figured out which we're hoping transfers to a potentially more flickable car.  read more »

The release of information regarding the new Ford Fiesta, the latest global small car platform from Ford, brings lots of good news. First, the new Fiesta maintains all of the kinetic design language from the Ford Verve concepts. Second, it'll be available just about everywhere Ford makes cars, with production in North America for the North American market. Third, the car is still going to be called the Fiesta. Even in the US of A. All of those years of pleading for Ford of Europe products are finally paying off.  read more »

Not like anyone went to the trouble of revealing the 2009 Audi Q5 un-officially, but the point is the wraps have now come off the new Small-UV from Auto Union this morning ahead of the live reveal at this week's Beijing Motor Show. What more is there to say about this overgrown jellybean other than the press release below the jump? Audi says the Q5 gets "slim, coupe-like styling." We're of the opinion that just because a vehicle is marginally slimmer and more attractive than a Q7 doesn't allow you to claim "slim, coupe-like styling." So, if you believe they're spot on — then go ahead and hit the jump because you'll believe just about anything.  read more »

It debuted at the Tokyo motor show last October. Now, the BMW 1-Series concept that lit a magnesium fire in our naughty bits is coming to Chicago. Officially, it's the BMW Concept 1-Series tii; unofficially, it's several shades of Teutonic radness. Let me count the ways: It recalls the heady days of mid-period BMW road racing, evokes the original (E30) M3 and cribs its halo from the early '70s BMW 2002 tii.  read more »

Although we showed you the new 2009 BMW 7-Series in all of its unofficial glory on Thursday. Well, now we've got the official details from BMW, and we've included the full press release for the new 7-Series after the jump. Sure, focus all you want on the horsepower (407 HP in the 750i and 750Li, 326 HP in the 740i and 740Li) or the torque (600 Nm of torque in the 750i and 750Li, 450 Nm of torque in the 740i and 740Li) or even the 155 MPH electronically-limited top speed, but the one thing that's sticking out in our minds is the new "individual pedestrian recognition" night vision system.  read more »

Here are the first shots of the Audi R8 with all of that oilburning V12 TDi goodness you've been waiting for. Confirming the well supported rumors that we heard, the Audi R8 V12 TDI is all the power with slightly less of the petroleum depletion. As we thought, the V12 displaces six liters and produces 500 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque while still achieving a mileage of nearly 23 MPG (US/Highway). Below is the press release, which required us to listen to Bryan Adams to get to you.  read more »