Apparently Dr. Shigeyuki Hori and Kazuo Okino from Toyota has revealed to our friends over at 7tune that the development of the FT-86 sports car is on track and it is scheduled to make it’s debut by November 2011, on contrary to recent rumors indicating that the vehicle will only be revealed sometime in 2013. The duo also said that the production model is almost 50% complete.

It was also revealed that the production version of the FT-86 (Toyota may decide to change the name, possibly to FR-S) will be heavily based on the concept that was shown at the Tokyo Motor Show, and yes I am talking about the design. It is also likely to feature the same engine shown in the concept, which is a Subaru-sourced 2.0 liter Boxer, paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. The FT-86 which is pegged as Toyota’s modern day driver’s car is expected to be priced at about 2.5 million yen.

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Mercedes-Benz has announced that the production of the current CLS-Class has come to an end, to make way for the second-generation model which is expected to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show later this year. The last unit of the out-going model is a CLS 550, finished in black and destined for the US market.

The 4-seater Mercedes-Benz CLS has come a long way after starting off as a Vision CLS concept vehicle that was presented in 2003 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Also designated as the W219, the first generation CLS was based on the W211 E-Class platform and this car helped pave the way for the introduction of sedan cum coupe type of vehicles.

The next generation CLS is inspired by the CLS Shooting Brake Concept which could also spawn a 5-door CLS. The new CLS is also likely to be underpinned by the latest E-Class platform and is also expected to carry over some of the engines.

It has only been a couple of days after the official reveal of the Audi A7 Sportback and images of the sportier S-Line variant have been leaked onto the Internet. Two packages will be available for the 5-door coupe where the first of the two includes new 19-inch wheels (optional are 20-inch wheels) and a tuned-up suspension which lowers the car by 10mm while a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Alcantara seats and different trim options make up the interior updates.

The other S-Line package adds on an aggressive body kit. It is made up by a new front bumper and front spoiler, a diffuser insert as well as redesigned side sills. The rear end is further touched-up with chrome exhaust tips. You can click here to view more images of the Audi A7 Sportback S-Line.

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Porsche’s supervisory board has given the green light for the company to develop the production version of the 918 Spyder, a hybrid sports car that was shown as a concept at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. The decision was made following an overwhelming response from the public and customers. In fact, recent reports in May have indicated that up to 900 bookings have been made.

“Production of the 918 Spyder in a limited series proves that we are taking the right approach with Porsche Intelligent Performance featuring the combination of supreme performance and efficient drivetrain concepts. We will develop the 918 Spyder in Weissach and assemble it in Zuffenhausen. This is also a very important commitment to Germany as a manufacturing base,” said President and Chairman of the Board of Management of Porsche Michael Macht.

Macht’s statement confirms that the 918 Spyder will be produced in limited numbers and the vehicle will be developed in Weissach before assembly in Zuffenhausen, Germany. Unfortunately that is all we have for now as more information will be released in the coming months and hopefully we will get hold on some information pertaining to it’s drivetrain and an eventual release date.

Pricing wise, rumor has it that it would cost 500,476 Euro which exceeds the 453,000 Euro price tag of the discontinued Carrera GT. Just to recap, the Porsche 918 Spyder concept features a high-revving 500 PS V8 paired with two electric motors, one for each axle. With three power sources, the combined output is figured at 718 PS.

Naught to 100km/h takes a rather quick 3.2 seconds. Despite the generous power the concept is able to offer an average fuel economy reading of 3 liters per 100 kilometers which is unbelievably low. At the same time, the 918 Spyder releases 70 grams of CO2 emissions per kilometer. We are unsure if Porsche will maintain the same drivetrain or not but something tells us that the looks of the car will be maintained. If you look at the concept and smoothen it up a little, you will see an almost production ready vehicle. The interior on the other hand is likely to undergo an overhaul.

The MINI brand name is set to make a rally comeback with the Countryman from 2011. Called the MINI Countryman WRC, the race car is being developed by motorsport firm Prodrive and it will be raced in selected FIA World Rally Championship events in 2011 before a full-fledged rally campaign in the following year.

The car will comply with the Super2000 regulations and will feature a turbocharged 1.6 liter four potter from BMW Motorsport. The race car will be fitted with an all-wheel-drive configuration and customer teams will be able to purchase it. First test drives are scheduled to take place in autumn 2010. The first time the MINI took part in rallying was in the 60′s with the MINI Cooper S. The nimble little car went on to beat the big guns and went home with multiple victories.

“I am delighted MINI will be represented on one of the most popular stages in international motorsport. The success enjoyed on the rally circuit has made a vital contribution to the image of the brand. MINI customers have always shown great interest in motorsport. I am convinced we will add a few more chapters to our success story in rallying,” said Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW.

“The MINI Countryman provides an excellent basis, from which to create a competitive racing car for the world championship. In Prodrive, we have a strong and experienced partner. We will work hard together over the coming months to ensure we get the project on track right from the word go,” he added.

Prodrive chairman David Richards said, “I believe our new MINI will become a firm favourite of the latest generation of rally fans, just as it is adored by its millions of owners across the world. We already have a significant number of confirmed customer orders for the new MINI rally car with the first deliveries scheduled for the start of the 2011 season.” I am no huge rally fan but it would be great to see a MINI go sideways and kick out some dirt! Pictured above is an illustration of the MINI Countryman WRC released by BMW.

It’s official! Audi has finally launched the all-new A7 Sportback at the Pinakothek der Moderne art museum in Munich. The A7 Sportback which is described by Audi as a “large, elegant 5-door model combined with the emotional character of a grand coupe, the comfort and prestige of a sedan and the active practicability of a station wagon” (now that’s a mouth full) will make it’s European showroom debut this fall with a base price of €51,650.

Audi’s iteration of the Mercedes-Benz CLS has a front end that speaks the company’s latest design language and a slopping roof line. The roof line ends with a rear hatch that opens to a 535-liter luggage space. This figure can be increased to 1,390 liters by folding down the rear backrests. The A7 Sportback measures 4.97 meters long, 1,91 meters wide and 1.42 meters high and it comes with bi-xenon headlights and LED taillights as standard. There is also an LED headlight package, which is optional surprisingly.

The exterior design seems acceptable to me but I would complement it more if it weren’t for an off-putting rear end design. It has slight hints of the BMW 5-Series GT which isn’t really a good thing. Its like the design flow starting from the front ends abruptly. Lets move on to something that we can actually praise the A7 Sportback for: it’s interior. The interior reminds me of the latest generation Audi A8 which in this case, is definitely a good thing. Wood trim can be seen at all the right places and everything looks nicely proportioned.

Among others the A7 Sportback’s interior sports Audi’s MMI operating system which is used to control various functions of the vehicle as well as an Internet connectivity system, developed with Google. Connection is made via a Bluetooth car phone and a UMTS connection and the system also allows images and information from Google Earth to be displayed along with the navigation route. Other devices can connect to the system through a wireless LAN hotspot. There is also a rather cool touchpad input system that allows the driver to use his or her finger to write letters or numbers, among others.

Optionally available is an ambient lighting system, climate-control and massage functions, a heads-up display and more. Major convenience-related and safety features are made up by a new park assist system which is pretty much a self-park system for parallel parking and Audi active lane assist which is self-explanatory. Audi also says that the navigation system can work with many optional features and the system can forward the route data to the control units for the headlights, the automatic transmission and the adaptive cruise control with stop and go function to recognize complex scenarios, which Audi claims, can help reduce the severity of accidents.

The Audi A7 Sportback comes with four engine options but not much details were released. The press release only mentions that the engines range between 204hp and 300hp. It also said that the 204hp power figure is provided by a 3.0 liter TDI which consumes 5.3 liters per 100 kilometers, averagely. The company also confirmed that all engines feature Audi’s thermal management system, a recuperation system (possibility a brake energy regeneration) and an engine start-stop system.

Two transmission options are available including Audi’s multitronic continuously variable transmission which is available with front-wheel models and the S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox for quattro models. Speaking about the quattro all-wheel-drive system, Audi says that the latest iteration of the system features a crown-gear center differential and torque vectoring.

Also available as an option is a sports differential and the A7 Sportback comes standard with light-weight control arms as well as a new electromechanical power steering system. There is also an adaptive air suspension system which is optional. You can continue reading to view an image gallery as well as to watch a video of the Audi A7 Sportback.

Looks like the next-generation BMW 6-Series coupe and cabriolet would not be the only models to carry over styling from the gorgeous-looking Gran Coupe Concept. Rumor has it that BMW has green-lighted a 4-door coupe based on the concept and more interestingly, this new variant will carry the 6-Series designation and it is likely to be called the 6-Series Gran Coupe. It would line-up next to existing models in the range including the above-mentioned 6-Series coupe and cabriolet models.

Apparently Klaus Draeger, a member of BMW’s Board of Management revealed so at an event in Munich, Germany and hinted that the Mercedes-Benz CLS and Audi A7 Sportback fighter may debut in late 2012. There is also word that the new 6er model will have a high-performance M variant, apart from a hybrid and conventional gasoline and diesel options.

Also in the ‘unofficial’ news bank, is the development of a 6-Series Shooting Brake vehicle. Word has it that BMW is still evaluating the viability of such a model and may or may not put it into production. Pictured above is a rendering of the 6-Series coupe.

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Following the recent unveiling of the facelifted CL-Class, Mercedes-Benz has released details and images of the updated CL AMG range, which comprises of the CL63 AMG and the CL65 AMG. The thing your eyes would first catch is the aggressively-styled body kit, a different front grille as well as reworked headlights. Also included are LED fog lamps and large 20-inch alloy wheels.

Along with newly-styled exhaust tail pipes, the CL AMG is treated to among others, a new steering wheel, different trim materials as well as new colour options, apart from the already available features. The most significant change is found under the hood, especially for the CL63 AMG. The baby CL AMG drops it’s naturally-aspirated 6.2 liter V8 to make way for a 5.5 liter V8 that is fitted with a twin-turbocharger as well as direct-injection fuel sipping technology.

The new engine makes a respectable 536hp at 5,500 RPM and a massive 800Nm of torque, achieved between 2,000 and 4,500 RPM. The mouth-watering powerplant is mated to a 7-speed SPEEDSHIFT MCT which comes with three different operating modes such as Sport, Comfort and Manual shift. This new turbocharged CL 63 AMG hits the sweet century mark in 4.4 seconds and tops out at 250km/h, which is electronically governed of course.

If all that power is not enough for you, then you can probably opt for the AMG Performance pack that allows the engine to churn out 563hp and up to 900Nm of torque which is mind-blowing. 0 – 100km/h sprint time is reduced by 0.1 seconds while top speed is brought up to 299km/h. The performance pack also comes with a carbon fibre engine cover. On top of the bump in power over the previous 6.2 liter V8, the new unit is about 27% more fuel efficient and outputs CO2 emissions that is lower by about 30%.

Along with the new engine the CL63 AMG also gets standard features including Direct-Steer, Torque Vectoring as well as crosswind stabilization, which will do good in the handling and safety departments. The top-of-the-line CL65 AMG sticks to the same beastie 6.0 liter V12 which now pumps out 621hp at 4,800 RPM, instead of 612hp. It’s torque is maintained at 999Nm of torque at between 2,000 and 4,000 RPM. This engine is linked to a more modest 5-speed SPEEDSHIFT box, since it may prove to be difficult for the above-mentioned 7-speeder to handle that amount of torque.

Naught to 100km/h takes 4.2 seconds despite featuring a 5-speed unit while top speed is figured at 299km/h, also electronically limited. Continue reading to check out an image gallery featuring both CL AMG models.

The all-new Audi A7 Sportback is set to make it’s debut shortly at the Pinakothek der Moderne art museum in Munich. However images of the Mercedes CLS fighter have been released prematurely and they indicate a vehicle that looks pretty much like the concept it is based upon, the Audi Sportback Concept which was released last year at the Detroit Motor Show.

The leaked images are only limited to four and they only show us the interior (front cabin only), as well as the front fascia and the side profile. The front end carries Audi’s current design language while the rear features a slopping roof line. It looks like the A7 Sportback has a tailgate while it’s interior looks pretty good. While we wait for the official reveal which should include more images, continue reading to check out the leaked ones.

The world’s first ever exclusive BMW M showroom was launched last week, ahead of it’s public opening on August 2nd. For those of you who don’t have the time make a visit anytime soon, you can salivate over an image gallery of the launch available after the jump.

Just to recap the Teban Gardens Crescent showroom houses the latest BMW M models including the M3, M6, X5 M and X6 M, apart from M accessories, an interactive soundwall and more. Continue reading to check out the images while more are expected to be added soon.