2012 Cadillac SRX

Less than two years after the market introduction of the new Cadillac SRX in North America in the summer of 2009, and General Motors has gone ahead and improved its premium crossover for the 2012 model year with a more powerful six-cylinder engine and additional equipment features.
The highlight for the 2012 Cadillac SRX is of course the new 3.6-liter direct-injected V6 engine with 300HP and 260 lb.-ft. (353 Nm) of torque, which replaces the current 3.0-liter direct-injected V6 engine with 265HP and 223 lb.-ft (302 Nm).
In addition to the higher output, GM says the new engine has a wider rpm range for its maximum torque while it also adds FlexFuel capability, meaning it can use either gasoline, E85 ethanol or any combination of the two. Performance figures and fuel economy ratings have not yet been finalized.
Other improvements on the 2012 model year SRX include standard Bluetooth phone connectivity on all models, a heated steering wheel on the luxury, performance and premium trim levels and door lock switches on the driver and passenger door panels. In addition, the 2012 SRX gains a new machined-face finish on the 20-inch wheels, which are standard on performance and premium trim levels.
The new SRX, which will be offered in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions, will arrive at Cadillac dealerships in late summer with pricing to be announced closer to the start of production.

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New Opel Astra GTC Sport

The production version of Opel’s stunning Astra GTC Concept from last year’s Paris Motor Show is scheduled to appear this summer with its public debut to take place at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show in September. However, thanks to Carscoop reader Javier who has a knack for finding future Opel models, we can give you a sneak peak of the production GTC. Javier discovered the picture of the completely undisguised Astra GTC on Opel’s official Facebook page earlier today.

As far as we can tell, the only visible changes over the Paris Concept are the lack of aero parts and the slightly different tail lamp design. However, the aggressive body kit and the larger alloy wheels of the concept study should make their way on the OPC version of the Astra GTC that will follow after the presentation of the standard models.

The sporty looking three-door version will be available with a similar engine lineup to the rest of the Astra models, offering buyers a variety of turbocharged gasoline and diesel units.

BMW 6-Series 2012

Given that the first examples of BMW’s new 6-Series Convertible will begin arriving in dealerships this spring followed by the Coupe model in the fall, it doesn't come to much of a surprise that tuners have started working on their packages for the Bavarian GT. After the announcements from AC Schnitzer and Hamann Motorsports, it’s time for Prior Design to preview its tune for new 6er.

The German tuner is keeping mum on the details but the teaser images reveal a new bodykit that includes an M-style front bumper with a spoiler lip, hood scoops, front fender air vents, side skirts and a rear bumper that incorporates a diffuser. The blacked out grille kidneys and alloy wheels plus the bespoke exhaust tail pipes round of the visible changes.

There’s no word yet if Prior Design’s tune includes any performance upgrades but the German firm said it will come out with more details soon.

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2011 Ford Escape

It’s a wonder how the Ford Escape has been running for the better part of the decade now and yet there hasn’t been a whole lot to talk about as far as dramatic changes on the SUV are concerned. And, the 2011 model looks to be no different, either. Sure, it’s had a some changes here and there over the years, but for the better part of its lifetime, the escape seems to have been a vehicle that Ford continuously pays little attention to. The growing concern that the Escape is already showing its age must be one reason why Ford has bared plans of releasing the next-generation Escape in 2012.

For now, the 2011 Escape hasn’t changed much from the previous years’ models, although it does come with some new technological features, including a new HD Radio that syncs in fantastically with the brand’s SYNC entertainment system. It’s hard not to dismiss the Escape, but given the fact that not a whole has changed, we’re thinking that we’ll all be better off to just wait for the next-gen model coming out next year.

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Ford Edge 2011

Ford has revealed details about the 2011 Edge crossover, a model that comes with a new exterior redesign, improved materials and interior craftsmanship, class exclusive technology and new power trains. For 2011, the Edge will be offered in three different versions including SEL, Sport and Limited. The 2011 Edge will be offered with a choice of two engines, the first being a 3.5 Liter V6 producing 285 HP and 253 lb-ft of torque, a 3.7 Liter V6 that delivers a maximum output of 305 HP and 280 lb-ft of torque and in the coming months, the Blue Oval will also offer a turbocharged 2.0 Liter EcoBoost inline four cylinder power plant.

The list of standard technologies includes: Hill Start Assist, which reduces rollback on hills; Trailer Sway Control, which provides greater towing stability; Hydraulic Brake Assist, which provides greater braking force in emergency situations and available segment first Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support, which helps reduce speed and automatically preloads the brakes and engages an electronic brake assist system to help drivers come to a stop more quickly when the system detects that a collision is imminent. How’s that for safety!

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ford Boss 335 GT 2011

We’ve never been to the Land Down Under despite it being a beautiful country/continent. From what we’ve heard though, that place is the home of some of the best beaches in the world, thousands of beautiful women, and some pretty randy performance vehicles.

One of the cars that caught are attention is a machine built straight out ofFord Australia’s Performance Vehicles division: the Boss 335 GT.

The mere fact that it carries the legendary ’Boss’ monicker is enough to warrant this car a stamp of approval, but we’re not all about judging something based on sheer name value alone. We went out and took a look at the 335 GT to see if it was deserving of a ’Boss’ badge.

What we found was a car that packs quite a bit of meat under its hood, although not to the stratosphere of the Boss Mustang 302 in this neck of the woods. Nevertheless, it’s still pretty powerful and, on top of that, it has its fair share of features to boot.

Sure, we’ve seen more powerful cars here in the US, but over in Australia where the cars drive on the other side of the road, the Boss 355 GT is one car you wouldn’t want to mess with.

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Koenigsegg Agera R

The Koenigsegg Agera R was one of the stars of the Geneva show grabbing many headlines with its unusual high-speed roof-box that was proposed as an accessory. However, there was plenty of information missing about this Swedish hypercar. Up until now, that is, as the exotic carmaker came out with all the juicy details.

Starting with the performance numbers, the Agera R lives up to the company's reputation. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h [62mph] comes after just 2.9 seconds, while 0 to 200 km/h [124mph] takes only 7.5 seconds. Even more impressively, the 0-200-0 km/h [0-124mph-0] is covered in a mere 12.7 seconds, partially thanks to its ventilated carbon ceramic brakes.

The 5.0-liter V8 engine develops 1,115 horsepower at 6,900 rpm when running on E85 ethanol. However, in markets where this fuel isn't available, the Agera R can run on 95 octane petrol (940HP), or 98 octane (1,050HP). Top speed is rated at over 420 km/h (261 mph).

Koenigsegg also revealed the equipment features for the Agera R that include among others an adaptive rear wing, hydraulic lifting system, satellite navigation system, G sensor (the car can make its passengers feel up to 1.6G of lateral g-force), leather carpets and a silver key.

Koenigsegg charges extra for options such as visible carbon body, front winglets, rear view camera, heated seats, ski box roof, skis, Inconel exhaust system and winter wheel package. The pricing has not yet been announced, but the Agera R is expected to cost well beyond €1,000,000 ($1,410,000). Scroll down for the full specs.

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Porsche 911 Turbo S

If you can afford the $845,000 price tag for an 918 Spyder, chances are you won’t blink an eye at the $160,000 Porsche is asking for its 911 Turbo S “Edition 918 Spyder”, which is being offered exclusively to those that place an order for its upcoming plug-in hybrid supercar. As you would expect, production of the special edition 911s is limited to 918 units worldwide.
The limited edition 911 Turbo S series is cosmetically inspired by the 918 Spyder and will be available in both coupe and convertible body styles.
While keeping the standard model’s 530HP-strong flat-six turbo intact, the special edition gets distinctive acid green features such as the brake calipers, specific and part-embroidered model logos and seams, the instrument cluster needles, the bespoke PCM screen and illuminated door entry guards.
In the special edition, the 911 Turbo S’ standard equipment is complemented by an enhanced leather interior, a special instrumentation version and additional carbon elements both inside and out.
In addition, there’s a limited edition badge on the glove compartment lid that bears the same number as the 918 Spyder the customer has ordered, while the two cars can be finished in the same exact color.
The U.S. base manufacturer's suggested retail prices for the 911 Turbo S “Edition 918 Spyder” Coupe and Cabriolet versions are the same as the standard Turbo S models, at $160,700 and $172,100 respectively, excluding destination. In Germany, the special edition costs €173,24i in Coupe form and €184,546 as a Convertible.
First deliveries of the 911 Turbo S “Edition 918 Spyder” will commence in June 2011

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