There's a lot going on around the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills as Infiniti is making the final preparations for the presentation of its all-new 2011 M sedan and the updated 2010 G series. In this photo that was published on Infiniti's Facebook page, a crane is lifting the 2011 M saloon into the hotel before Tuesday night's reveal. Tune into Carscoop tomorrow night for all the details and photos on both cars.

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To answer you first question, no we have not mistaken the A4 for the new A8. It's just that Ingolstadt has followed the typical German approach of "one-style fits all" with its new flagship model that looks exactly like the firm's entry-level A4 sedan. Don't get us wrong, the new A8 is in our opinion if not the, one of the most elegant and sleek proposals in the luxury sedan segment, but we were expecting something a tad more unique (in other words, more revolutionary, less evolutionary) from Audi.

On the other hand, it should be noted that Audi's designers managed to achieve an exceptional drag coefficient of only 0.26, which is about the same as the smaller Toyota Prius hybrid.

Moving on to the interior, let's just say that, sans the A4-esque instrument panel, owners of the current generation A8 will feel right at home. In fact, we bet that most will have a hard time telling the two interiors apart. Nonetheless, the Germans do claim that the cabin has been further improved in terms of quality of workmanship as well as materials.

Leaving the evolutionary styling of the exterior and interior aside, the new 2011 A8 continues to make use of a lightweight aluminum body. The normal wheelbase A8 (a LWB will follow at a later date) measures 5,137 mm (16.85 ft) in length, 1,949 mm (6.39 ft) in width and 1,460 mm (4.79 ft) in height, with a 2,992 mm (9.82 ft) wheelbase.

The company has not yet released official figures for the A8, however, Audi says that the new model weighs about the same as the current A8, even though it's bigger (3 in. longer, 2 in. wider) and has more standard equipment.

Besides the low weight, the aluminum space frame (ASF) body of the A8 has other advantages with the company announcing that the static torsional stiffness has increased by 25 percent compared with the predecessor.

When the 2011 A8 arrives in European showrooms in early 2010, it will be available with a choice of two engines, a 4.2 FSI and a 4.2 TDI.

The 4.2-liter V8 petrol makes 372HP and 445 Nm (328 lb-ft) torque at 3,500 rpm, accelerating the A8 from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in 5.7 seconds, and on to an electronically governed top speed of 250km/h (155mph).

Audi says that in the EU cycle, the petrol version returns a combined 9.5 lt/100 km (24.76 US mpg, which represents a reduction of 1.4 liters or 13 percent compared over its predecessor, despite a power increase of 22-horsepower.

The 4.2-liter V8 TDI diesel produces 350HP and a whopping 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque already available at speeds between 1,750 and 2,750 rpm. The V8 diesel accelerates the A8 from rest to 100 km/h (62mph) in just 5.5 seconds.

Even though this new engine delivers 24HP and 150Nm of torque more than before, average consumption has dropped by 1.8 liters/100 km or 19 percent to 7.6 liters/100 km (31 US mpg), corresponding to CO2 emissions of 199 g/km (320 g/mile).

The two V8 engines will be joined by two six-cylinder diesels shortly after the market launch. The first 3.0-liter V6 TDI diesel makes 250HP and 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) propelling the A8 from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 6.6 seconds while consuming on average 6.6 liters of fuel per 100 km (36 US mpg).

The second variant of the 3.0-liter V6 TDI produces 204HP and will be offered only as a front wheel drive model. It is said to return an average fuel consumption of 6.0 lt/100 km (39 US mpg), corresponding to CO2 emissions of 159 g/km (256 g/mile).

All engine versions will be equipped with a new, electronically controlled 8-speed tiptronic system and quattro permanent all-wheel drive (sans the basic 3.0 TDI model). As an option, Audi will offer a dynamic sport differential, which will be standard on the 4.2 TDI quattro.

In the U.S., the 2011 A8 will go on sale in late 2010 and will be offered at launch exclusively with the 372HP 4.2-liter V8 FSI petrol.

Techno gizmos include a revised MMI multimedia interface, seats with optional ventilation and massage functions, a new Audi pre sense safety system for avoiding accidents, adaptive air-suspension, a next generation nav system, night vision assistant with pedestrian marking and an adaptive cruise control with stop & go feature.

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Needless to say, this Japanese domestic market Honda Odyssey isn't your typical soccer-mom's minivan. Besides the insane negative camber all around and the fact that in parking position, the Odyssey sits only about an inch or two away from the road, what makes this custom creation stand out from the crowd is that the designer managed to incorporate the front-end of an E92 BMW 3-Series Coupe. Oddly enough, the bimmer nose seems to work nice... More photos after the jump.

Via: Jonsibal

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Today, at 6:30pm EST / 3:30pm PST, Audi will perform the world premiere of its next generation A8 luxury sedan at a special event in Miami. For your enjoyment, we've added a video player after the jump where you can view the unveiling live. Shortly after, we'll post all the details and photos of Audi's new BMW 7-Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class rival, so stay tuned.

High Quality - ENGLISH

Low Quality - ENGLISH

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Ever wonder what the world looks like at over 200mph from the driver's seat? Well then, just hit the jump to watch this video of the Fensport-prepped Toyota Celica GT4 racer which recorded a top speed of 202.2 mph or 325km/h on November 21 at the Woodbridge Airfield near Ipswich, in the UK.

The man behind the steering wheel of the heavily modified Celica GT4, which features all-wheel drive and a 2.1-liter engine with a Turbo Dynamics' MD355 blueprinted turbocharger cranking out 700-horsepower, was Time Attack competitor, Adrian Smith.

"I started fine. I got wheel spin on the slippery start in the first three gears, but once in 4th the car settled nicely," said Smith. "At around 180 MPH a crosswind again started to move the car off-line. However, I kept my foot in and thankfully the car stayed straight and the wind subdued."

"I checked the speed and it was 201, then 202! I was thinking 'Yes it is going to do 205/206,' but then there was a tiny misfire and the speed dropped to 201 again. By then it was time to brake. I had done 202.22 MPH, what an amazing feeling."

According to Fensport, the 202.22 mph top speed was achieved from a standing start in just 1.1 miles.

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If you live in Europe and want to buy the all-new Lexus LFA V10 supercar, then the only option you have is to head over to the Japanese firm's Park Lane showroom in London that has been selected as the center for all European LFA sales. Lexus has opened a special VIP selection room in the Park Lane dealership where LFA customers can discuss their requirements with Devshi Varsani who is the firm's dedicated LFA Personal Liaison Manager.

"Lexus has a world-leading reputation for customer service and I will be playing my part in ensuring the people who purchase the LFA, wherever they come from in Europe, are given all the assistance and support they require," said Varsani.

"Since LFA was unveiled to the world last month, we have experienced a strong demand from prospective customers from across Europe. Having the car on display in our showroom will allow these potential customers to come see the supercar in the flesh, an important part of the sales process for such an extraordinary car."

From the 500 examples of the LFA that are destined to be built, only a small proportion of this total will be available in Europe. Lexus made it clear that all European cars will be fully sold to the customer.

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Only two days before the 2011 Ford Fiesta's premiere at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, and a comprehensive gallery depicting what is claimed to be the North American market version of car, has made its way onto the internet. We don't have any official information on the subcompact model that will be offered in the States as a five-door hatchback and a four-door sedan, but the photos show that Ford's US division made a few minor yet noticeable stylistic changes on the car's exterior design.

Compared to its European sibling, the 2011 Fiesta hatchback gets a slightly different upper grille along with a reshaped bumper housing a revised lower air grille and large chrome scoops at both corners. At the rear, the only visible changes concern the larger lower lights strips and the more pronounced bumper trim in the center.

In what concerns the Fiesta four-door sedan, it features a somewhat gaudy three-bar grille up front while at the back, Ford designer's tweaked the rear bumper and added a different set of tail lights that are reminiscent of the Taurus sedan.

Trim aside, the interior appears to have remained intact in both cars.

We'll have more on the Fiesta as soon as Ford comes out with an official release.

Via: Autoblog.com and es.Autoblog.com

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The new Chevrolet Volt hybrid is making the rounds in the California area as General Motors has brought a pre-production model to the sunny State for this week's Los Angeles Auto Show. The Detroit automaker's Chief Engineer, Andrew Farah, took the Volt to two popular enthusiast destinations, at Bob's Big Boy in Burbank and Cars & Coffee in Irvine. Hit the break to hear all the positive things (it's an official GM video, what did you expect...) that the people who attended the event had to say about the Volt.

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We're still in the dark about the name and the presentation date of 147's replacement as according to reports, Alfa Romeo was forced to drop the Milano name and postpone today's unveiling at the very last moment due to a conflict with its Milan-based workers (details here). The same reports suggest that Alfa might use the Giulietta nametag instead. In any case, and until the Italians come out with official photos, here's what our inside sources confirmed to us about Alfa's sporty compact hatchback.

The Italian automaker's offering in the premium hatchback segment, which will most probably compete against the likes of the BMW 1-Series and Audi A3 as well as the more powerful versions of the Seat Leon 5d, will make its world debut at the Geneva Salon in March 2010.

European sales are scheduled to start in Spring of the same year.

Designed by the Fiat Group's 'Centro Stile Alfa Romeo', the new hatch measures 4,350mm in length, 1,460 mm in height and 1,800 mm in width featuring a wheelbase of 2,630mm. This means it is slightly longer, taller and wider than the current 147.

From what we were told, Alfa's five-door hatch will be available at launch with a total of four, 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel engines. These include the 1.4-liter TB and 1.4-liter TB Multiair petrols with 120HP and 170HP respectively, and the 1.6-liter JTDM and 2.0-liter JTDM diesels with 105HP and 170HP respectively.

Shortly after, the range will be complemented by the addition of a sporty "Quadrifoglio Verde" (four-leaf clover) version powered by Alfa's 1.7-liter (1,750cc) four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine delivering a notable 235 horsepower.

Photos via: Facebook

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Just in time for the Christmas season, Renault's UK arm has introduced a new entry-level version of the Laguna Coupe that's priced at £19,995 MRRP. Based on the dCi 150 diesel model, the Laguna Coupe Tom-Tom adds a Carminat TomTom navigation system, automatic parking brake and a satin chrome centre console with Renault claiming that the price represents a saving of over £2,100 compared to the previous entry-level version when equipped to a similar level.

Other standard features include an Arkamys 3D Sound 140W audio system with MP3 CD reader and Bluetooth, 18-inch alloy wheels, eight airbags, automatic lights and wipers, dual zone climate control, electric heated door mirrors, MP3 player connection, rear parking sensors, "Super Fold" rear seat system and xenon headlights.

The new Laguna Coupe Tom-Tom dci150 is available for order now with first deliveries expected in January, 2010.

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