RumorMill : 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 to get a twin-turbo 5.0L V8, making 600 hp, and called Road Runner !

It's been a real while, since the Ford Mustang has gotten a real refresh, specially under the hood. Yes, it just had its styling rechange for 2010, but under that power-dome hood, it's still basically the same as the last generation, and the generation before that as well. Even the mighty tuners at Shelby, have gotten a bit lazy lately. The new 2010 Shelby GT500 is surely one tough muscle car, but Shelby only added a couple of modifications to add some extra horsepowers.

Now though, the folks at Ford finally gave the lights to new engines to the Mustang. I'm not talking about Ford's latest EcoBoost engine, but official reports have said that next year's 2011 Mustang will have a new 315 hp 3.7L V6 as base, and the longly-awaited 5.0L Coyote V8 will make into the GT model, packing around 400 hp. Well, as the new changes are going around to the Mustang, so has to the GT500.

Sources say that along with the new 5.0L Coyote V8 in the 2011 Mustang GT, Shelby engineers are throwing away the 540 hp iron-block supercharged 5.4L V8, in-favor of a new twin-turbocharged version of the Coyote, called Road Runner. The new Road Runner V8 engine is expected to produce around 600 hp. However, moving to a twin-turbo system, is a big and risky step to Shelby. After all, GT500-fanatics always adored the supercharger whine! Nonetheless, 600 horses on a Mustang will surely be fantastic.

Ford announced that it will reveal the whole in-line of 2011 Mustang engines, at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. For truth-waiters, LA Show is less than a month away, so stay tuned.

Source : [PickupTrucks.com] - Photo: [Inside Line]

RumorMill : Next-generation Dodge Viper could get Ferrari derived V10

Now since the Dodge Viper is under the Chrysler Group LLC, Ferrari belonging to Fiat S.p.A, and Chrysler and Fiat have merged together, that makes the Viper a cousin to Ferrari supercars. Officially, the Dodge Viper brand-name rights now belongs to Fiat, and it has the choice to do whatever with the name. Thankfully, Fiat announced earlier that it intends to keep it.

Rumors in Torino, Italy, say that Fiat is considering fitting the next-generation Dodge Viper with a V10 version of Ferrari's latest V8, which now appears in the all-new 458 Italia. This Ferrari V8 is actually one of Ferrari's latest wonders; it was designed to be extremely powerful, but yet relatively very fuel-efficient. As CARandDRIVER points out, an interesting point here is that Chrysler saved troubled Lamborghini in 1987. The move gave birth to the V10 powerplant for the Dodge Viper and the Lamborghini Gallardo. Fiat seems very-likely to keep the V10 power as a Viper trademark.

Expect the next-generation Dodge Viper to get its sights sometime in 2011 - 2012.

Refresher: - 2009 Dodge Viper SRT10: Powered by a 8.4L V10, it packs 600 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque. That power is mated through a 6-speed manual via rear-wheel-drive. Launch to 60 mph comes in 3.6 seconds, and top speed is 196 mph. Dodge also offers the Viper SRT10 with a track-ready ACR package. With a Nurburgring lap-time of 7:22.1, the Viper SRT10 ACR is the fastest production road-car ever!

Source : [Car and Driver]

RumorMill : Chrysler Group LLC to make Ram their fourth brand?

Due to the global economic downturn, automakers are trying to cut deep costs, and focus on quality-engineering, rather than badge-engineering. Look at Ford selling Land Rover, Jaguar, and Aston Martin; while GM axed Pontiac, and in the process in selling Saab, Hummer, Saturn, and Opel. However, the businessmen at Chrysler think otherwise.

According to Autoextremist's Peter DeLorenzo, he says he's hearing around that Chrysler is considering to break off the Ram from the Dodge, with the truck line becoming a dedicated brand. He believes that with new money from Fiat, Chrysler Gorup LLC plans to make a Ram brand, that includes all the Ram pick-up trucks and the Dakota. If this is true, the Ram brand will be Chrysler's fourth brand, which including Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep.

We don't get how this could possibly be a good marketing idea. Considering Chrysler's financial crisis and struggling sales, why spend money marketing a new brand, while the Dodge Ram name is already a great hit? That's one of the things that just make us wonder! We'll have more if this turns out to be true.

Source : [Auto Extremist]

Cadillac's Future : All-new BLS to compete against BMW 3-Series, XTS as a Lexus ES rival, a compact city car, and smaller Escalade

Now that General Motors emerged out of bankruptcy filing, the new company will head towards lots of changes. Main part of the change, that GM will focus on four brands only; which are Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac. Ultimately, the only true luxry badge here is Cadillac. So what are they going to change?

Well, according to Car And Driver, Cadillac's new cars will get both BMW's driving capabilities, and Lexus' ultra reliability and quality. In fact, rumors that the next-generation Cadillac BLS sedan will finally be a rival to BMW's 3-Series; which many consider it as the benchmark of all small sedans. Nonetheless, the current BLS wasn't quite a hit. That's why rumors around that the new BLS will get a rear-wheel drive platform, which is similar to Cadillac's CTS. Expect to see the new BLS sometime in 2010.

Moving on to another type of luxury, the Lexus ES. The ES is much like a Toyota Camry; it shares its platform and V6 engine. However, the purity in the ES' luxury, and ultimate reliability according to J.D.'s Power List, made it so popular around. Well, Cadillac too, will be coming with an ES competitor. The new Caddy will be known as XTS, which will get Cadillac's award-winning 3.6L V6, connected to a front-wheel-drive platform. XTS may debut in 2010, as a 2011 model year.

Because of enviroment-awareness, and increased fuel prices, the all-time rap singer's favorite, the Cadillac Escalade has to go! However, the large Escalade SUV will be downsized for its next-generation model as it moves to the Lambda crossover platform, which is currently shared by the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and the GMC Acadia. Cadillac say that the new Escalade will still have its distinctive looks.

Also in the works is an aggressive-looking, FWD city/commuter car. Currently in planning phase, the “premium small-car project” has been described to be a stunning and affordable Caddy.

As for the XLR roadster, don’t expect to see a replacement, ever! If anything, the model will be replaced by the Chevrolet Volt-based Converj plug-in hybrid.

Source : [CARandDriver]

RumorMill : Next-generation BMW M5 to have twin-turbocharged V10 and produce 600+ hp !

In 2005, when BMW came up with the current generation of M5, it basically dominated the super-sedan market. However, other automakers aimed at the benchmark M5, to beat it. Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, Audi RS6, and Cadillac CTS-V were all named as M5-killers! Surprisingly, BMW kept silent, and they looked weak.

Nevertheless, their latest creations show other wise. Look at BMW's 2010 X5 M and X6 M. Twin-turbocharged 4.4L V8 producing 555 hp, and launching to 60 mph in less than 4.5 seconds, meaning that these two are the fastest production SUVs ever made! So could this amazing engine come to life in the next-generation M5? Well, it would make wonders.

On the other side though, rumors that BMW will be announcing an all-new engine for the next M5. It would be based on the current 5.0L V10, but with added two turbochargers, and will pair the engine to an F1-style KERS system that will help produce in the excess of 600 hp. That's right, BMW answers to the competition with 'power-war'. Even the 580 hp RS6 wouldn't be able to catch-up!

The new M5 will also care a little about fuel-economy using a new system that shuts down cylinders when they are not needed.

We’ll get more information next year, when BMW debuts the 2011 M5.

Source : [AutoExpress]

RumorMill : 2011 Toyota Supra to get a 400+ hp hybrid drivetrain

Till this day, the ultimate sports car for Toyota enthusiasts remains the Toyota Supra. The beloved Toyota sports car ended production in 2002, and ever since there has been continuous speculation of a successor.

However, back in 2007, Toyota unveiled the FT-HS Hybrid Concept (picture above), and reported it will hit production some time in 2011. Since then, the possibility of a Supra successor started to look bright.

So, if Toyota fans are getting a new Supra, what is it going to be like? Well, rumors from 7Tune, that the production FT-HS (aka next generation Supra), will get a hybrid drivetrain, with more than 400 hp. That hybrid-train is taken from the Lexus GS450h, which is a 3.5L V6 mated with an electric battery pack. The GS450h hits 60 mph in 5.3 seconds; the 2011 Supra is expected to shave over a second on the GS450h, at around 4 seconds to 60 mph.

If the 2011 Supra is true, then it will join Toyota's Compact FR “086A”, which is a resemblet to the original '86 Corolla. So is Toyota thinking backwards, and into building fun and fast sportscars? Well, as some say "Looking back is sometimes the key for the future."

Source: [7Tune]

RumorMill : Honda four-door-coupe to debut in 2010

According to Auto Motor und Sport, Honda is working on a 4-door-coupe that will fit in the European and Asian market as a top level Honda Accord - otherwise known to us as the Acura TSX on the stateside. Sources say that the car will most likely be a front-wheel-drive vehicle that carries over the 200 hp 4-cylinder 2.4L i-VTEC. A top-level Type-S versions is also being considered and will use a turbocharged version of that 2.4L making 260-hp with a tiwn-clutch transmission and Honda’s SH-AWD system.

Separately, Japan’s Holiday Auto magazine reports that the 4-door Honda coupe is not to far off from production and to look out for the car during 2010. On the stateside, the car will sit between the Acura TL and TSX in terms of size.

Styling wise, the Honda 4-door-coupe will be influenced by the new Acura ZDX crossover.

Source: [Temple of VTEC]

Mercedes E-Class news : Cabriolet and Estate versions delayed, and all-new CLK in development?

As two variants for the all-new 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have launched, the E-Class Sedan, and the E-Class Coupe, there's still two more. Nevertheless, the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet (convertible) was expected to make its debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show later this year. Apparently, Mercedes has decided to delay the launch until the 2010 Geneva Motor Show in March of next year. As for the E-Class Estate, reports that it has been delay till 2012. Insiders say that the main reason for the delay that the Mercedes-Benz team is looking to keep its focus on the all-new CLS debut and has decided to put-off the launch for the two E-Class variants to free up some time.

In other news, a French magazine got the reports that despite the new reveal of the E-Class Coupe, which replaced the CLK nameplate, a successor to the model based on the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class could be in the works for 2011.the next CLK will fill the gap between the 2010 E-Class Coupe (which is already built on the C-Class platform but is a little larger than the old CLK) and the CLC Coupe. Source say that the next-generation CLK will be aimed at the BMW 3-Series Coupe and will by very similar to the new C-Class in terms of design.

Source : [AutoCar and L'Automobile Magazine (translated)]

RumorMill : Nissan 370Z Hybrid for 2011?

Reports that Infiniti will come up with a hybrid model between 2010 and 2011, which will probably be a real production version of the Essence Concept. On the other end of scale though, there's Nissan. Unlike Toyota and Honda, Nissan doesn't have much with the hybrid technology. They once made an Altima Hybrid, but that never really worked. Nevertheless, they want to try again, but this time in a sports car.

That's right. Nissan has plans for 2011, to make a hybrid version of the 2-door 370Z Coupe. 370Z.com (fan website) says that we should expect the fuel-saving 370Z to be equipped with a lithium-ion battery from corporate partner NEC that feeds power to a lone electric motor sandwhiched between the Z's 332 hp 3.7-liter VQ V6 engine and transmission. The dual-headed powertrain is reportedly expected to achieve 35 miles per gallon on the mixed cycle, and still launch to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds.

Source: [370Z.com]

BREAKING: Fiat’s CEO Sergio Marchionne to become Chrysler CEO !

On April 30th, when Chrysler finishes filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy, it states that Chrysler's current CEO Bob Nardelli will step down and go back to Cerberus as an advisor. However, who's the replacement? Well, the U.S. government will select six board members, while Fiat will select three. That new board would select a new CEO for the new company. Nevertheless, reports that Chrysler may have decided already!

In an interview with Bloomberg yesterday, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said that he will head Chrysler LLC (if it is still called that after bankruptcy) once it emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. “Chrysler is on track to re-emerge from bankruptcy in 60 days,” Marchionne said. “I will become Chrysler CEO after that.” The idea has been discussed in meetings with the U.S. Treasury, he told Bloomberg.

These reports are probably true. While Fiat will be the saviour for Chrysler, Fiat will actually own 35% of the Chrysler LLC Group. So with Marchionne in-control, Fiat might be planning to take over Chrysler someday.

Source: [Reuters]

Today's rumors might turn official by tomorrow : U.S. reportedly preparing Chrysler for bankruptcy; and GM ending Pontiac brand

Tomorrow might be a very important day for the automotive world. As Obama's Auto Task Force administration deadline coming close, rumors on the streets are out. Today we've got two life-changing rumors, that might transform into official statements by tomorrow!
The first story that comes from The New York Times, says that the Treasury Department and Chrysler are readying Chapter 11 bankruptcy documents for filing. In fact, despite their new relationship with Fiat, NYT says that Chrysler is already in bankruptcy court, for a $7 billion recharges for the lenders. -The New York Times-

UPDATE - Chrysler just responded to NYT reports, and assured that Chrysler still working on their viability plan with Fiat alliance, for the April 30 Presidential Auto Task Force deadline for Chrysler.

On the General Motors hand, there's their viability plan to issue here. To drop down costs, and convince the Auto Task Force for the loans, GM will probably announce tomorrow a new reorganization plan, which will very likely mean the end for the Pontiac brand; that's according to Inside Line. However, a press man from GM did not confirm any of it and said: “There’s nothing I can share with you at this time. Keep your eyes on our media site. Officially, nothing has changed with Pontiac’s niche-brand status, until you hear differently.” So Pontiac is not dead yet, but not optimistic either. -Inside Line-

Until we hear the whole truth, everything is safe! So keep visiting our site tomorrow for more, and maybe official reports.

RumorMill : Cadillac Converj to go into production?

According to our trustworthy source -Motor Trend- General Motors approved to put the Cadillac Converj, which debuted last January at the Detroit Auto Show, into production with all that made it great as a concept.

GM's plans to create a production Converj that looks like the concept, get a stylish interior as the concept, and most importantly the Voltec-drivetrain system , (40-miles on electric, and up to 500 miles with combined hybrid), that featured in the concept and the famous Chevrolet Volt as well. According to the source, the Converj will have a bigger battery pack for increase power for this sexy two-door coupe.

That's not all. Other sources claim that GM has plans for a Cadillac and Buick SUVs that also have the Voltec-system. Moreover, we featured last month spyshots of a new sub-compact Buick called Excelle, that might also get the Voltec-system according to the source.

Nonetheless, a GM spokesman denied the reports, and said that GM's financial crisis and filing for the bankruptcy are in the way. But either way, we guess we’ll find out soon enough.

Source : [Motor Trend]

LEAKED : Ford applies for patent on turbocharged 6.7L pushrod V8

Ford has been making a howl on their new EcoBoost technology. That their EcoBoost V6 is more comparable to a V8, and the EcoBoost inline-4 performs like a V6. However, this Ford technology is just for the regular consumer, that are now into environmentally-friendly cars. Nevertheless, Ford is wearing two hats. There's that "green" hat, and here's another, more like a gas-guzzler "black-oily" hat.

Caught by Stamoulis & Weinblatt LLC, this picture above shows a patent and a new copyright for a turbocharged V8 from the Blue-Oval. The patent describes a 6.7L pushrod, 4-valve per cylinder V8 unit with inboard exhaust and outboard intakes as well as turbocharging, called "Scorpion". Also, this engine will apply to both petrol and diesel forms. The law firm's blog speculates this Scorpion engine could appear in the Mustang in 2011, along with the official 5.0L Coyte V8, that will also make its appearance in 2011. However, we are adamant that this engine will probably won't be for the beloved 'Stang. In fact, according to Mike Levine from PickupTrucks.com, he confirmed that the new 6.7L Scorpion V8 will be used for the F-150 Super Duty trucks. Because this engine is more about torque and towing. We just have to wait and see.

Source : [Stamoulis & Weinblatt LLC and PickupTrucks.com]

RumorMill : Production Lamborghini Estoque cancelled ? -- UPDATE

We've always dreamed of a Lamborghini sedan. Because let's cut it to the chase, we won't drive a Murcielago for everyday work. So when the Estoque made its debut at Paris Auto Show last November, it made a lot of sense.

Sadly, with all rumors these days about the overall financial and market bad condition, the Estoque may have no future in production. This four-door supercar was waiting for a green light from the VW’s executive board. Now according to Maurizio Reggiani, head of research and development at Lamborghini, Estoque has been put on ice for the time being.

Earlier plans for the Estoque to hit show rooms in 2011, with different engine variants including a V10, turbocharged V8, hybrid V8 and a V12 diesel. Even the beautiful supercar looks from the low nose, to the sharp roof-line were still on track. This should have been the killer to Aston Martin Rapide and Porsche Panamera.

So will the day ever come when we see a true Lambo sedan? Perhaps when economy picks up we can see Lamborghini continue Estoque project.

UPDATE: Lamborghini just just denied of any stories about the cancellation of the Estoque! According to Lamborghini, the Estoque has not been killed off, but it hasn't been approved by VW for production either.

RumorMill : BMW M division to switch to turbo fours and sixes, and cancels Z4M ?

It seems like rumors these days are more of the same. It's always about a high performance division moving on from big naturally aspirated engines, to smaller boosted engines that help in weight reduction and fuel economy to save the world's financial and environmental situation. Sadly, what stated above describes the rumor about BMW's fantastic M performance division.

According to Motor Trend, that because of the new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards BMW's M division is its next generation M3 and 1-series M to ultra-efficient and light high-performance.That means, the next generation 2013-2014 M3 won't be powered by the current high-revving 4.0L V8. Rumors are on about a twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine, but not the 3.0L twin-turbo in 335i and 135i. According to Ludwig Willisch, BMW's M division CEO, new turbocharged engine will be significantly lighter than the V8, therefore lighter overall. Willisch said "Engines don't need to be more powerful for the next car. As long as you have lighter weight, you have better performance." As for the 1-series M, there hasn't been much talk about a M 1-series. However, the new 135i is really like a M1, specially with that twin-turbo 3.0L inline-six packing 300 hp in that small body. Again, the next generation 1-series will behave differently. Throwing the six-cylinder, and replacing it with a twin-turbo 4-cylinder that also punches around 300 hp, but in a car that weighs only 2,860 pounds.Even worse, according to iMotor, BMW has cancelled the development of an "M" version for the new Z4 roadster with the retractable hardtop because of the "ongoing financial crisis" and "lack of customer demand". Also, the BMW spokesman included that the 300hp motor is pretty much enough for customers considering the financial crisis.

This is a sad day. Similarly, Audi's S-Line from S4 and S5 will be also converting to super light-weight, and tiny boosted 4-cylinder engines.

However, BMW is still on track with mad SUVs, like the upcoming X5 M and X6 M, which will be powered by a massive twin-turbo 4.4L V8, developing around 408 hp.

Source : [Motor Trend and iMotor]

RumorMill : Rolls-Royce to introduce coupe and convertible variants of 200EX

It's hard for a company like Rolls-Royce to come with all-new cars. That's why they currently have one main range, the Phantom. Then, to excite things a little bit, they came up with a coupe and drop-top versions of the ultimate-luxury Phantom. Things will be pretty much similar to the 200EX Concept.

According to European report, Auto Telegraaf, the production form of the 200EX Concept (probably called Silver Ghost) will have two more variants other than the 4-door. A coupe and convertible editions will follow when the Silver Ghost makes it's official debut at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show.

Source : [Auto Telegraaf]

RumorMill : 2014 Audi S4 and S5 to lose massive weight, and use a turbocharged 4-cylinder engines ?

Weight reduction is now a major part of developing a new car. Lighter weight gives the car better power-to-weight ratio, and improves fuel efficiency. However, being obsessed by lighter weight, just ruins the definition of power, because one of the main weight reduction methods is replacing the big naturally-aspirated engine with a smaller engine with a boost injection. That's exactly what's happening to Audi nowadays.

The new 2010 Audi S4 and S5 Cabriolet have replaced the big muscly 4.2L naturally-aspirated FSI V8, with a supercharged 3.0L TFSI V6. While that may sound like going backwards for sports cars like these, the new engine still develops 333hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. Which can still make those cars have flaunt fast acceleration, and because the engine is only a V6, they'll have an increase in fuel-economy numbers for environmentally-friendliness. So the only sacrifice is missing the V8 growl engine note.

However, it worries us to see Audi obsessing about in using lighter weight engines and boost injection, because sports cars like these should still be about luxury performance, and making cars way too light just ruins it. So it's sad to hear that Audi has went step further with weight reduction for the next-generation S4 and S5.

According to CARandDRIVER, who interviewed Michael Dick, Audi’s global head of product engineering, said that Audi is testing the next-generation 2014 S5 which is lighter by the current model an amazing 880 pounds. Dick told CARandDRIVER that the next-generation model will feature more aluminum, magnesium and high-strength steel to help cut excess weight. That will applied to future Audi models including the next-generation Audi A6 and the use of those materials will increase significantly in the A4, A5, S4 and S5 in the 2014 model years.

Not bad so far, but this is were it gets horribly wrong. During the interview, Dick mentioned that Audi is planning to replace the supercharged 3.0L V6 in the 2010 S4 and S5 with an even lighter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine. That will help fuel-economy come in at over 25 mpg fuel efficiency. So, does that mean we’ll be giving up a faster S5 for the sake of higher miles-per-gallon? If it does, then we could nearly see the end of big-displacement engines at Audi.

Nevertheless, in Audi's defence, Dick says the light-weight 3,000 pound next-generation S5 “laps Germany’s famed Nurburgring Nordschleife eight seconds faster than the current S5.” We still don't know whether to love the next-generation S4 and S5 or not, so we to have a bit of trust in Audi that they'll keep on-track on making pure sportscars.

Source : [CARandDRIVER]

Volkswagen Golf GTI-R: Lighter, faster GTI version coming to Frankfurt

What's the gap between the sixth-generation VW Golf GTI and rumored 350hp Golf R42? It'll be this. The GTI-R, which fills the gap just like the Audi TT-S, which fills in between the standard TT and TT-RS. So the rumored GTI-R, will be a lighter version of the GTI, therefore more powerful and faster.

According to CAR magazine, the GTI-R will have extensive use of light-weight materials to keep the weight of the car down. So, the 2.0L TFSI turbocharged engine will pack 266hp, similar power to the Audi TT-S and S3. All that power will be channeled to a VW-Audi four-wheel drive system, so it'll be the first GTI-badged to have power on all four wheels.

The VW GTI-R should debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, with sales starting late 2009, or beginning of 2010.

Source : [CAR Magazine]

RumorMill : 2011 Jaguar XE, Jaguar's new 911 Fighter

Jaguar XE Rendering From Motor Trend

New details and information have emerged about Jaguar's mysterious XE, a car that hits on Porsche's 911, which is the best everyday sportscar available on market. So in other words, Tata, the Indian company which owns Jaguar and Land Rover, is going head-to-head with the German engineers.

However, some would ask, isn't the XK already a 911 rival? Well, it's not that simple. Whereas the XK is sorted to be a long-distance cruiser with compliant suspension, the rumored XE is a hard savage sportscar.

The XE should be larger than the XF, which is based on the XK, and could be the successor to the long-cancelled Jaguar F-Type project. Let's not forget, technology has been improved since the F-Type project.

The XE will be powered by a 5.0L AJ-V8 with 385hp, and supercharged version with 510hp. 0-60 mph time for the supercharged engine should be around 4.0 seconds. Nevertheless, the XE will be the first sports Jag to kick in a 3.0L diesel, with 272hp, and 442 ft-lb of torque. With that engine, Jaguar would be seeking a best of both world's scenario, delivering 35 mpg and a 0-60mph time of under six seconds.

Look for the Jaguar XE to come in around $80- to $90,000, and becoming direct competition to the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, and the Porsche 911. The new Jaguar XE should honor the 50th birthday of the Jag E-Type with an introduction at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.

Source : [motortrend]

RumorMill : Lagonda Concept gives first hint at Aston Martin - Mercedes Benz cooperation

When Aston Martin announced bringing back the Lagonda brand with the Lagonda Concept in Gevena Motor Show last week, Aston got positive feedback on moving it to production. So, Aston confirmed that the production version SUV of the old luxury brand will come by in 2012. However, according to Aston Martin Lagonda designer Marek Reichman, said that the “body language is avant-garde.”

Reichman also confirmed that the Concept in fact shares its platform with the Mercedes-Benz GL, giving us the first hint at a closer Aston Martin and Mercedes-Benz relationship. Reichman said that the Lagonda Concept is the very first product of cooperation between Aston and Daimler. So, although it has a Aston Martin V12 right now, but in production form, it could see V6, AMG V8 as well as Daimler’s two-mode hybrid system. Reichman also said that the luxury Lagonda Concept will capable of doing some off-roading on rough roads, too.

So, if the British-German relationship really works, we could see some other models, like a DB10 or more luxury SUVs that have the British soul and passion, but beneath, it's German engineering.

Source : [Motor Trend]