Jaguar is to return to the starting grid at LeMans on the 12th of June with their XKR GT2 race car in order to celebrate the British brand’s 75th anniversary of building and racing cars. It is the most successful British car maker in the history of the race.

JaguarRSR runs the XKR GT2, and shares many of the basic components and technologies with the road-going car. It is being jointly developed by Jaguar and the RSR team. It’s powered by a tuned version of the 5.0-litre supercharged AJ133 V8 engine developing in excess of 500 horsepower.

Power is translated to the road by a 6-speed Hewland CST transverse sequential transaxle gearbox while the car sits on BBS 18″ race wheels, the whole car weighs in at about 1245kg. The XKR GT2 also gets Ohlins DR4 suspensions and Brembo brakes (6-piston front calipers on 380mm discs, 4-piston rear calipers on 350mm discs).

The men charged to drive the car at Le Mans event are Marc Goossens (Belgium), Ryan Dalziel (Scotland) and American Paul Gentilozzi. The Latter, who has a long standing relationship with Jaguar, is the founder of RSR and will be appearing for the third time in the GT2 category in Le Mans.

Jaguar’s Le Mans history includes winning in 1951 with the C-type, which went on to win the 1953 race as well. The D-type on the other hand won the famous race in 1955, 1956 and 1957. In 1988 Jaguar won the event again with the V12-powered XJR-9LM Group C car and again in 1990 with the XJR-12 featuring drivers like Johnny Dumfries and now F1 presenter Martin Brundle.

Auto News: Jaguar returns to Le Mans with XKR GT2 race car is a post from: Auto Source Media

BMW has confirmed to put the M-Version of their 1 Series into production, which will be based on the current 135i.

After the Nurburgring 24-Hour Race, MW M DivisionB Managing Director Dr. Kay Segler confirmed the news, and said that the car will be based on the 135i model, and is aimed at younger buyers and give them entry into the M Division on a budget. The 1-Series M will be sold in limited numbers beginning from the end of 2011.

Not unveiling much detail, the M1 named car is expected to have more than 322bhp, which is the horsepower put out by the 135i Power Performance Kit that was launched in Geneva earlier this year.

Segler also cleared that the next M5 will appear in late 2011, with the engine that’s based on the 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 that is found in the X5M and X6M. Power will be considerably more than the 547bhp that the off-roaders put out, with speculation that the final output will be between 572bhp and 592bhp. There will also be weight-saving measures such as a carbon fibre roof to enhance performance.

BMW confirms the 1-Series M is a post from: Auto Source Media

Now something about future, let’s check it out. BMW i-project, it will be built like no other car that they built before, featuring an electric motor and a carbon fiber structure, according to BMW. At the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, the first prototype will be unveiled, and the production version will follow in 2013.

The Project i will feature a carbon steel – because there is no material that is lighter and stiffer – with the target being a total weight of 950 kilos. There will be three different body versions. The plan is a production of 150,000 cars per year including a three-door/four seater with a length of 4.00 m. Its name is the Megacity and will be produced starting in 2013.

While the next model is a three-door/two seater with a length of about 3.30 meters that is said to be launched in 2015 and a five-door version with a length of 4.2 meters debuting in 2017.

The project-i models start with electric drive and lithium-ion batteries. The top version will be offered with a regenerative braking system. The mid-level version is expected to be a long range hybrid and the entry level will deliver around 100HP and will have autonomy of 150 to 200 Kilometers.

Prices will start in the 30,000 euro range ($36,000 at the current exchange rates) for the base model.

Auto Rendered: BMW Project i rendered is a post from: Auto Source Media

Chrysler has made an official announcement that the last special edition Dodge Viper, the SRT10 ACR-X will make its track debut in July 2010 in a newly developed spec series called the Dodge Viper Cup that will be sanctioned by the existing Viper Racing League.

The race series will begin at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) in Alton, Va and will finish in Oct. 22-24 at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch, in Pahrump, NV. The winners will be awarded more than $200,000 and Mopar vouchers. Additionally, the 2010 champion will win $25,000, second-place will receive $10,000 and third-place will pay $5,000.

The Dodge Viper ACR-X is powered by SRT-developed 8.4L V10 engine producing 640hp and 605lb.-ft. of torque. It also weighs about 160lbs less to the standard production model. The suspension on this racing beast has also been tuned and aerodynamic upgrades have been added to improve its performance and stability on the track.

The ACR-X features includes a factory-designed and installed fuel cell, race seat, and factory-designed roll cage. The Dodge Viper SRT 10 ACR-X will also be the only model involved in the new racing series, the Dodge Viper Cup.

According to Gilles, the Dodge VIPER ACR-X is simply incredible, blowing out the owners with the power and acceleration, and even more surprised at how the ACR-X navigates even the most challenging road courses and how friendly it is to drive at the limit. This is a great package for someone coming out of grassroots racing with a desire to step up to GT level competition.

Auto News: Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X to debut at Dodge Viper Cup is a post from: Auto Source Media

All-new 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost is the latest ultra-luxury car, being half-British and half-German. The Ghost is the entry-level car, which is priced well below the larger Phantom, setting you back at $380,000.

The 2010 Ghost based on the BMW 760Li, but Rolls says the car is only 20 percent BMW. Like all Rolls-Royce models, the new Ghost is seriously luxurious with all new that you touch and see.

Under the hood, the new Ghost is a modified version of BMW’s twin-turbocharged V12 that puts out 563 horsepower and 575 pound-feet of torque. The massive amount of torque is available at 1,500 rpm, which makes the large Ghost able to hit 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. Max the Ghost out and you’ll hit 155 mph. The motor is connected to a ZF-built eight-speed automatic transmission that is amazingly smooth, quick, and perfect in mostly every way.

All-new Ghost’s suspension is as complex as it gets, with double wishbones in the front and a multi-link rear. The four-cornered air suspension with electronic variable damping uses sensors that compensate for ride variations every 2.5 milliseconds.

The Ghost is designed to make its debut with well-equipped trim level. The Standard features include 19-inch alloy wheels, an active air suspension, a sunroof, front and rear parking sensors, rain sensing wipers, power closing rear doors, a pair of umbrellas stored within the front doors, massaging front seats, adaptive cruise control, and a 16-speaker premium audio system.

Auto 2010: 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost is a post from: Auto Source Media

Saleen will reveal their recently developed vehicle- the S302- at the end of this week at the Carlisle Ford Nationals in Carlisle, PA. The new Saleen S302 is based on the 2011 Ford Mustang 5.0 and will be available in both Coupe and Convertible body styles.

The S302 will feature an imposing grille and front fascia, and a refined treatment of the familiar Saleen extended rear fascia and trunk lid with a simple, elegant, integrated wing.

Interior, the 2010 Saleen S302 will get leather sport seats with Ultrasuede inserts and unique treatments of the gauges, steering wheel, center console and shifter. The V8 engine has been tweaked to deliver 425 hp and 395 lb.-ft. of torque. The whole package is finished by 20-inch, 7-spoke alloy wheels.

Auto 2010: 2010 Saleen S302 is a post from: Auto Source Media

Land Rover is unveiling the Special edition Ultimate in order to celebrate the end of the Range Rover Sport TDV8 model. The Range Rover Sport TDV8 model will come with the old 3.6 litre TDV8 engine delivering 268bhp as a final hoorah, it will also include TDV8 dynamic response and the ultimate adaptive dynamics advanced active damper system.

The Special “black and white” edition will be offered in Santorini Black (metallic) and Alaska White (solid) exterior paint with a metallic Titan grille and side air vents. The SUV sits on 20″ five-spoke alloy wheels.

Interior, Land Rover adds standard practical features that ensure complete comfort: heated steering wheels, cooler integrated into the center console, Bluetooth, high quality materials, and excellent workmanship. It will also be available with the decorative wood items in grand black lacquer and premium perforated leather seat trim in ebony and ivory.

The Range Rover Sport TDV8 Ultimate will be limited to only 10 units and will be priced at €122,300. It will be available in Germany, but not in the UK.

Auto 2010: 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport TDV8 Ultimate is a post from: Auto Source Media

Seat has revealed a new special edition for the German market, which is based on the three-door Ibiza SC. The Sport Limited Edition will be painted in “Lumina Orange” and will be limited to only 300 units. The new Ibiza SC Sport Limited is priced at €20620.

In addition to the exterior look of the car, the Ibiza SC Sport Limited Edition will be distinguished by: 17-inch alloy wheels finished in black, a new front bumper, side skirts, roof spoiler and a unique rear bumper housing faux air vents on both corners, a diffuser, two tail pipes centrally mounted and the roof painted in black.

Interior, the same orange black theme continues, there are also a set of sports seats, aluminium pedal set, rain sensors and park assist system.

Auto 2010: 2010 Seat Ibiza SC Sport Limited Edition is a post from: Auto Source Media

Novitec Rosso, the German tuners, has given the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti a new tuning program, for improved performance.

Among the tuning package, the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti includes new accessories, new wheels and an upgraded ECU. The revised ECU combines with the new stainless steel exhaust system, and increases the output of the 5.7-litre V12 engine from 530bhp and 588Nm of torque to 558bhp and 609Nm of torque.

This modification allows the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti to go from 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 325km/h. The new custom stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system features four 90mm tall pipes to help achieve the performance increase.

The cosmetic enhancements to the 612 Scaglietti include darkened taillights, reflectors and side indicator lights, as well as three-piece NF3 alloy wheels mated with Pirelli P Zero tyres and measure 20-inch in front and 21-inch at the rear.

Interior, the car can be specified with a sport steering wheel, special leather upholstery, and custom seats.

Auto Tune: Ferrari 612 Scaglietti gets upgraded by Novitec Rosso is a post from: Auto Source Media

The 2012 Mercedes CLS have been seen fully uncamouflaged spyshots, and expects to get a press release from Mercedes in the next few days.

The CLS features a much more angular, aggressive nose than the car it replaces. It has also being noted with the creased shoulder line which runs from the top of the front wheel arch backwards and the dramatically flared rear wheel arches, which look like those on the Bentley Continental, have all made production. The rear lights and shaped exhausts also stand out, giving the rear of the car a more obviously sculpted appearance than the previous generation CLS.

This particular model is the CLS 350CGI, equipped with the firm’s V-Generation 3.5-liter engine which produces 302bhp and 370Nm. It features Mercedes’ fuel-saving BlueEfficiency technology and is the engine that is also featured in the Shooting Break concept.

Auto Spy: 2012 Mercedes CLS Uncamouflaged Spyshots is a post from: Auto Source Media