You have no idea how badly we want to stick about 17 exclamation points at the end of this headline. Yes friends, the new STI is (just about) here and yeah, it’s a wagon. Huzza! And for those of you not interested in extra storage space, the wildly named Dual Active Valve System variable valve timing for both the in and the outdoor valves (Dual AVCS) lets the 2.5-liter boxer motor spin out 305 horses and crank off 290 ft-lb. of the torque. Oof, take that! It doesn’t take a doctor of automotive journalism to realize that you don’t need Corvette vs. Viper when you got new and improved EVO vs. superwagon STI. Wow… I guess I really am fried, cause the notion of a Viper shooting-brake just crossed my mind. Be sure to check the gallery for the WRC-dressed rally car. And the tailgate pins.

TAKEN FROM jalopnik.com

You’re looking at Honda’s new hydrogen fuel cell powered FCX Clarity parked in front of the Malibu Presbyterian Church that was destroyed in the recent fires. As the Clarity emits water and achieves the gasoline consumption equivalent of 68 mpg, we thought it only fitting to shoot it parked in front of one of Global Warming’s victims. The Clarity, of course, is supposed to help with all that — although we’re still not real clear on the clarity of the environmental benefits of hydrogen created using currently readily available sources. But Honda claims they’re working on that — and hey, it’ll reduce your home’s overall power bills. Oh yeah, almost forgot. Honda tossed us the keys to their multi-million dollar pre-production baby (LA Times Pulitzer Prize-winning auto critic Dan Neil claims it’s worth “like $10,000,000 or more”) and let us cruise from Santa Monica through the toasted canyons of Malibu. Full review coming this Monday.

TAKEN FROM jalopnik.com

Tomorrow here at the LA Auto Show, an automaker will finally be announcing they’ve built themselves a dual-mode hybrid pickup truck. But who knew the automaker that’d get ‘er done would be GM? That’s right the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado hybrid will be the industry’s most fuel-efficient full-size pickup truck with a GM-claimed 40% increase in city fuel economy and 25% increase in overall fuel economy. Supposedly the new electric towing sled from the General will even be able to stay in electric-only mode up to 30 MPH for almost three miles (although some engineers claim this number is actually only 1.5 miles). Also we’re kinda wishing the General hadn’t tossed a big, silly “Hybrid” sticker on the side of the truck. Maybe they’ll fix that when they reveal the “Professional Grade” model for the Detroit Auto Show. Full press release after the jump.

TAKEN FROM jalopnik.com/cars

First word that Frankfurt will host a Mercedes M-Class hybrid SUV hit the online megalopolis this afternoon. Powered by a version of the dual mode hybrid system developed in partnership with GM and BMW, the ML 450 Hybrid sustains system output of 250 kW/340 hp, with max torque of 354 lb-ft. All told, it reportedly gets combined mileage of 30.6 mpg, with CO2 emissions of 185 g/km (297 g/m). We’ll convey all new developments as they occur, perhaps before. [Carscoop]

TAKEN FROM jalopnik.com

Thanks to Kamran for the tip that the 2007 Honda Civic five-door hatch — the Euro model — spotted in Detroit is a prototype turbodiesel Civic — the 2.2-liter iCDTi. Most credible sources say we’ll have to wait a couple of years to see the first Honda diesels in the states, but some journos got an advance drive earlier this year. Click through for specs. [UPDATE: New photos. Looks like it was bought from a dealer in Switzerland.] [via Clean MPG]

Honda iCDTi Prototype

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2007 Honda Civic 5-door hatch - 2.2L iCDTi - S basic specifications:

Engine|
Type|Diesel
Valve Train|DOHC
Transmission|6-speed manual
Max Power|138.1 HP@4,000 RPM
Max Torque|251 ft.-lb’s@2,000 RPM
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Emissions|
Smog|Euro IV
GHG - CO2 (g/km)|135
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Fuel Economy - Euro cycle|
Urban (mpg US) | 35.6 mpg
Extra Urban (mpg US) | 54.7 mpg
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Basic Performance|
0 - 60 mph | 8.5 seconds
Top Speed | 127 mph
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Weights and Capacities
Curb Weight | 2,960 pounds
Fuel Tank (US gallons) | 13.2 gallons
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Wheels and Tires|
205/55 R16 Z-Rated | 16″ Steel Wheels

TAKEN FROM jalopnik.com

Click image for photo gallery

Infiniti has announced the pricing for the 2008 G37 Coupe. The eagerly-awaited successor to the outgoing G35 Coupe will arrive in showrooms on August 21, and the starting-price breakdown goes as follows:

• Infiniti G37 Coupe (5-speed auto): $34,250
• Infintit G37 Coupe Journey (5-speed auto): $35,000
• Infiniti G37 Coupe Sport 6MT (6-speed manual): $35,550

In terms of bells and whistles, here’s Infiniti’s pricing for the major options and option packages:

• Moonroof: $1,000
• Premium Package: $3,200
• Sport Package: $1,850
• Navigation Package: $2,200
• Technology Package: $1,150
• Performance Tire & Wheel Package: $650
• Rear Spoiler: $550
• 4-Wheel Active Steer package: $1,300
• Wood interior trim: $450

The complete press release has been pasted after the jump. We’ve checked the company’s website, and the G37 has not yet been added to the “Build Your Infiniti” feature yet. We’re guessing that it’ll be there come 8/21. You can check out plenty of high-res shots in the updated gallery below.

UPDATE: We spoke to the folks at Nissan and got some more info for you. We were wondering what the difference between the base car and the Journey was. The Journey adds the following items as standard equipment:

• Auto on/off headlights
• Dual HVAC
• In-dash CD6
• 8-way Power Passenger Seat

Additionally, there are no options available for the base car. Buyers must step up to Journey or Sport 6MT if they want to add premium, navigation, sport, etc.

Source: Infiniti

Gallery: 2007 Infiniti G37 Coupe

PRESS RELEASE
Infiniti Announces Pricing on 2008 G37 Coupe

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Aug. 1, 2007) – Infiniti today announced pricing on the all-new 2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe, which goes on sale August 21 at Infiniti retailers nationwide. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starts at $34,250 for the rear-wheel drive 330-horsepower 3.7-liter V6-equipped 2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe (with 5-speed automatic transmission); $35,000 for Infiniti G37 Coupe Journey model (with 5-speed automatic transmission); and $35,550 for the G37 Coupe Sport 6MT model (with close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission).

The all-new G37 Coupe offers significant enhancements over the previous generation Infiniti G Coupe, including the first-ever application of the new, more powerful 3.7-liter V6 engine with VVEL (for Variable Valve Event and Lift). This new engine is backed by a choice of an upgraded electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission with available paddle shifters or a significantly revised and more refined 6-speed manual transmission.

The dramatic new G37 Coupe retains the previous G35 Coupe’s position as one of the top sports coupes in the segment, while elevating its performance, style, features and technology to the next level,” said Mark Igo, vice president and general manager, Infiniti.

The G37 Coupe’s enhanced platform and chassis also includes an available advanced 4-Wheel Active Steer system (4WAS), which helps improve vehicle handling performance by adjusting both the front steering gear ratios and the rear suspension geometry according to steering input and vehicle speed. Braking and handling is targeted to be among the best in the luxury sport coupe class.

These advanced performance systems are wrapped in an all-new seductive exterior design with Infiniti’s signature double-arch grille, L-shaped headlights, broad rear fenders, large LED taillights and performance-oriented wheel and tire packages.

The 2008 G37 Coupe’s all-new interior design includes an extensive list of available technological features such as a touch screen navigation system with XM® NavTraffic™ real-time traffic function (requires XM® subscription, sold separately), RearView Monitor and an available 11-speaker Infiniti “Studio on Wheels”™ by Bose® audio system with 24-bit Burr Brown DAC, 3-way door speaker arrays with 10-inch woofers and a 9.3-gigabyte Music Box hard drive.

A number of options and equipment packages are also available, including moonroof ($1,000), Premium Package ($3,200), Sport Package ($1,850), Navigation Package ($2,200), Technology Package ($1,150), Performance Tire and Wheel Package ($650), rear spoiler ($550), 4-Wheel Active Steer Package ($1,300) and wood trim ($450).

Infiniti offers a full-line of luxury performance automobiles, including the G sports coupe and sedan, the M luxury performance sedan, FX premium crossover SUV, and the QX full-size luxury SUV. More information about Infiniti and its total ownership experience can be found at Infiniti.com.

TAKEN FROM www.autoblog.com

 What could possibly be smaller than a MINI? We’re likely to find out in a few years as Motoring File reports that BMW is in the early stages of developing an even smaller model to join the MINI lineup around 2011 or 2012. The Bavarian automaker needs a new ultra small car to improve its corporate average CO2 emissions, but such a vehicle wouldn’t jive with the BMW brand image. Enter MINI, which is now adding the larger Clubman model to its lineup, but will likely find itself with an even smaller car to help out its parent company. Motoring File surmises such a car could cost as little as £8,500, or about £2,000 to £3,000 less than the least expensive MINI on the market now, the MINI One (see gallery below).

A smaller MINI may actually move the retro brand closer to the car from which it sprung, the original MINI Cooper. The current car resembles the original in appearance, but is considerably larger, even more so since the second gen. debuted. The original MINI developed by Sir Alec Issigonis (on a napkin, no less) was only as large as it absolutely needed to be. It would be great to see today’s MINI pumping out vehicles that adhered to that standard again.

TAKEN FROM www.autoblog.com

While prototypes of Audi’s forthcoming RS6 have been spotted before, these are the first shots we’ve seen where the super saloon is essentially free of disguise, giving our spy shooters at KGP their best crack yet at solid images.

On this particular mule, the LED light strips in the front bumper have been removed, a somewhat curious deletion. However, the fascia resident air intakes have been enlarged and look somewhat R8-esque with their horizontal strakes.

Out back, a new bumper cap with integrated diffuser resides over a new single exhaust.

Underhood, our sources indicate that the S6’s V-10 engine has been fitted with forced induction, which should imbue the sedan with frightening amounts of gumption… something on the order of 550-600 horsepower.

(Click through to the jump for our shooter’s own thoughts, or on the thumbs below to launch a high-res gallery)

New prototypes for the Audi RS6 have been spotted in Germany, this time basically undisguised. Now that the car is free from the annoying black-and-white checkered camouflage, the extent of the changes over the Audi S6 are now clearly visible. The LED light strips on the S6’s front bumper have been removed on this RS6. New front air-intakes are larger, and they wrap around the front bumper allowing for some integrated brake cooling ducts up front. The front intakes are highlighted by low flares which continue along the side, between the wheels, making for a more aggressive stance.

The rear bumper has been reworked significantly. Large single exhaust pipes replace the S6’s dual-tip design, and an aggressive rear diffuser dominates the rear bumper.

Visual differences aside, the real story is in the RS6’s performance potential. Sources predict the addition of a turbocharger to the S6’s 5.2-liter V10 engine, which should generate something between 550 and 600 horsepower. Given this RS6’s nearly production finish, a debut this Fall at the Frankfurt Motor Show seems likely.

TAKEN FROM news.windingroad.com

 In today’s episode of Fast Lane Daily (watch it after the jump), host Ji Young Min reveals that the mystery car spotted last week by CAR magazine is believed on good authority to be an all-new Lotus model codenamed “Project Eagle”. The new mid-engine sports car is expected to slot in between the Elise and whatever car arrives to replace the much missed Esprit. The car’s design will reportedly be similar to the M250 Concept that Lotus debuted in Frankfurt all the way back in 1999, while it’s power will unsurprisingly come from a Toyota-sourced motor. The “Project Eagle” is meant by Lotus to play predator to the Porsche 911 Carerra’s prey. If produced, it should break cover sometime next year and may be sold in the U.S. around 2009. Lotus would limit production to just 2,000 units a year, however, making this eagle an endangered species.

taken from www.autoblog.com

They started with the Audi R8 targa and A1, now the UK’s Car magazine is completing its sketchy trifecta with a drawing of what could be the Audi A7. They say an insider smuggled the art from Audi’s design studio in Ingolstadt, (though there’s little information verifying the images’ veracity). Nonetheless, the A7 is Audi’s answer to coupish four-door models like the Mercedes CLS and coming Porsche Panamera, with an expected sleek, swoopy body shape and mechanicals lifted from the next A6. Car says the A7 will be fitted with a new steering rack, multilink suspension and a quattro system that’s biased to the rear — a much-anticipated novelty that may put a damper on Audis’ notorious understeer. Under the hood will be the usual suspects: 3.0-liter six and 4.2-liter eight, and an expected S7 will likely get the typical Lambo-derived V10, though speculation extends to an RS7 with a twin-turbo ten banger. We’ll see the result early next decade.

TAKEN FROM jalopnik.com/cars