The Hugely anticipated Ferrari California has been revealed with three official images and first details. The new GT joins Ferrari’s 8-cylinder family and slots in just below the 612 Scaglietti with its new V8 which for the first time in their history is placed in the mid-front position of the car. Despite earlier predictions of a coupe model, the California will be exclusively available as a convertible featuring a folding hard top.

Power comes courtesy of a new 4.3-Liter V8 Engine with direct fuel injection and a “flat” crankshaft, output stands at 460 horsepower at 7500 rpm which launches it from 0-100km/h in under 4 seconds. The new model is the first model in the range to benefit from a new 7-speed dual clutch transmission which helps enhance the performance figures and driving pleasure whilst simultaneously reducing emissions(c.310 g/km CO2). But the performance enhancements don’t stop there, the California also gets a new multilink rear suspension system, the F1-Trac traction system originally debuted in the 599 GTB Fiorano and carbon-ceramic material brake discs.

The interior benefits from newly developed accessories and equipment such as the seats, steering wheel, instrument panel and infotainment system. The exterior shows a classic prancing horse design aerodynamically enhanced to be highly ergonomic and enjoyable car to drive regardless of whether the top is up or down.

The California will be publicly unveiled in September at the Paris Motor Show, but before then we are promised further details and images will be released

After the two-tone S-class by ART we have now laid our after market hands on Lorinser’s new CLS L 55 RS, based on the recently facelifted Mercedes CLS 500 four-door coupe offers 72 more horsepower. The L 55 RS can boast about 460 hp (338 kW) and 585 Nm of torque versus the stock 388 hp (285 kW) and 530 Nm, all this power gives the 4-door coupe a 300 km/h top speed.

Of course Lorinser doesn’t just leave at a power boost, the German tuning house has also developed some new aerodynamic accessories like a new front spoiler, side skirts and rear boot spoiler. The Lorinser’s profile is supported by 20 inch Lorinser RS 6 light weight alloy wheels. The interior comes equipped with carbon detailing for the arm rests and center console.

Source: Lorinser

The Audi A6 has been on the market since 2005 and will be replaced by an all new fourth generation model in 2011, so it is about time for a mid life facelift.

These latest shots taken in Germany reveal the A6 Avant Facelift undergoing testing with a slightly redesigned front bumper, new rectangular fog lamps and bigger air-intakes on the left and right of the grille.

Renault revealed the Megane Coupe Concept at the previous Geneva Motor Show which hinted at some of the design elements which are to be found on the new Renault Megane. The current Megane II, facelifted in 2006, is visually very extravagant and the third generation will be toned down considerably.

French car magazine Auto Plus has laid their hands on some photos of an undisguised Megane III, or so they make out in the magazine scans dug up in turn by Autoblog.com. The front grille and headlamps are completely new with hints of both the Laguna and Megane Coupe Concept which may be the start of a new design language for the French marque.

By the look of it there will be a three door coupe hatchback, five door hatchback and a sedan version while more variations like a convertible and estate remain question marks fo r now. How hot the hottest of these hatchbacks will get is not known but if we have the F1 Team R26 to go by then we can expect a 230 hp range topper.

Now that these images have surfaced it seems likely that the new Megane will make its world debut at this autumns Paris Motor Show.

The new Ford Ka, which will be produced in Tychy, Poland, in the same site where the 500 is built, will not share only the platform with the small Italian icon, but also the engines, a 1.25-litre petrol powerplant and a 1.3-litre Multijet, diesel. More powerful motors will be used in the future, to challenge other “pocket rockets” like Renault Twingo RS and Fiat 500 Abarth, but Ford will surely try to put the Ka apart with a special suspension tuning.

The new small car will debut by the end of the year, possibly with its official presentation at the Paris Auto Show. The press, according to OmniAuto.it, will be introduced to the new car in Novembre. The Italian site does not consider the new vehicle to be as daring as the first generation Ka (we agree with that), but it p

oints out gains in fuel economy, safety and building quality. If it handles as nicely as the almost outgoing model, the “urbanino” will surely have a place in many people’s garages all over Europe.

Based on Ford’s highly successful C-platform, the Kuga aims to build on Ford’s renowned reputation for fine driving characteristic but also provide an element of off-road ability. The proportions look great and the Kuga definitely shares some styling elements with its Volvo XC60 cousin. The Kuga is designed to accommodate five adults in comfort and provides storage compartments under the rear seats and the rear luggage area to enable the car to also fit in five adults worth of luggage.

Power is derived from Ford’s trusty DW10 2.0L turbocharged TDCi 4 cylinder diesel which pumps out 136 PS and more importantly 320Nm of torque through a Haldex intelligent All Wheel Drive system. The Kuga’s AWD CO2 figure of 169g/km is impressive and claimed to the best in class according to Ford.

John Fleming, the company’s President and CEO appears to be excited at the Kuga’s prospects saying; “I firmly believe Kuga will appeal to many loyal Ford customers looking for something a bit different, but will also be capable of repeating the success of S-MAX in bringing new customers to the Ford brand. A distinctive ‘kinetic design’ exterior, Ford’s acclaimed on-road vehicle dynamics and premium-like product quality are just some of the highlights Kuga will bring to this fast-growing market segment.”

Fast growing indeed, almost packed one might say. However, Ford’s Kuga should be able to stand out from its adversaries with its modern styling and frugal powertrain.

Source: Ford

NCE, or Newport Convertible Engineering, is going all out to please the green brigade by not only supplying them with a Prius - one of our time’s greatest known “green” vehicle – but also letting them look up at the sky to see blue. Blue, not green. The rendition reminds one of cars converted by ourselves in the backyard during a form of depression of some sort. Remember VW’s Golf 1 cabrio of the 1980s? Worse still, it looks very much like Chrysler’s misdesigned interpretation of PT Cruiser cabrio.

NCE hasn’t done badly before, but this time we have to lodge a slight objection. Perhaps you are one of the buyers who ordered this car? Tell us why you did it and how much it’s cost you.