Arden Tricks Out 2010 Jaguar XKR Convertible

Never satisfied with the factory Jaguars, German tuner Arden has introduced its take on the revised 2010 Jaguar XKR Convertible. Arden starts by hiking the performance of the new 5.0-liter supercharged V8 that gains 30 horsepower and 50 Nm of torque for a total output of 540 horsepower and 675 Nm (498 lb-ft). A sport suspension with new shocks and the removal of the electronic speed limiter complete the changes under the skin.

The tuner covers the XKR Convertible's front grille and air-intakes with handmade, chrome-plated stainless steel grilles while at the rear there's a new diffuser that houses the tail pipes of the new sport exhaust system. Of course, no Arden model would be complete without flashy wheels, and there's room for a new set of 21-inch Sportline alloys.

European-Spec 2010 Subaru Legacy and Outback to Debut in Frankfurt

Already available in North America and Japan, the all-new 2010 Subaru Legacy and Outback will have their European premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show, which will be held from September 17 through 27. Compared to their American counterparts, both models get a restyled front grille along plus redesigned lower part of the front bumper and larger exterior mirrors housing the turning signals.

The new Legacy Sedan and Station Wagon are 65 mm and 55 mm longer than their predecessors respectively while the wheelbase in both cases is expanded by 80 mm, allowing for greater rear legroom. In Europe the Legacy will be offered with two four-cylinder petrol engines, a 2.0-liter and a 2.5-liter unit, and Subaru's 2.0-liter turbo diesel boxer engine that makes 150 horsepower.

The fourth-generation Outback which is the crossover version of the Legacy Station Wagon featuring improved ground clearance and SUV-like protective body cladding will be sold in Europe with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder petrol and a 2.0-liter turbo diesel while certain markets will also get a range-topping 3.6-litre boxer 6-cylinder petrol model.

SPIED: Maybach 57 and 62 to Receive a Minor Nip and Tuck

Parent company Daimler is out testing thinly camouflaged prototypes of the Maybach 57 and its long-wheelbase sibling dubbed 62. Even though the test cars don't appear to feature any visible styling changes, prospective buyers (yes, all 100 of you...) should expect to see similar modifications to those given to the facelifted Mercedes-Benz S-Class. In other words, minor cosmetic tweaks up front including a revised grille and quite possibly, reworked tail lamps.

However, the real improvements will be in the bits you cannot see with both Maybach models receiving upgraded or new technology and safety features as well as minor engine tweaks to improve fuel consumption and reduce CO2 emissions.

Expect to see the 2010 Maybach models appearing in showrooms towards the end of the year, or early 2010, depending on the market.

BMW Sports Car Concept Rendered from Spy Shots

Forum member "Robo Squirrel" over from Bimmerpost created this speculative sketch of BMW's Frankfurt Show-bound sports car concept using a set of snapshots of the prototype model covered in a semi-transparent plastic wrap that were posted on the same site on Wednesday. Just so you know before you start criticizing his work, "Robo Squirrel" himself admits that the sketch was the result of "a 5-minute attempt".

We'd say that the artist pretty much captured the essence of the concept which appears to be some sort of four-door coupe sports car. We're still unaware of the details surrounding the concept car, but it shouldn't be long before BMW releases some official information. In the meantime, click here to check out the photos of the sporty bimmer in our previous post.

Sketch: Robo Squirrel at Bimmerpost

Volkswagen Announces UK Pricing for new Polo

Starting from today, UK buyers can place their orders for the all-new Volkswagen Polo with first deliveries set to arrive on the car's official "on sale" date of 16 October. On-the-road prices for the five-door model range from at £10,035 for the entry-level S 1.2-litre 60 HP to £14,910 for the range-topping SEL with VW's new 90 HP 1.6-liter turbo diesel. Those interested in the three-door model will have to wait until December.

At launch, the fifth-generation Polo is available with a choice of five engines, three petrol and two diesel. The line-up includes a pair of naturally-aspirated 1.2-litre petrols with 60 or 70 HP and a 1.4-litre 85 HP, plus two 1.6-litre common rail TDI diesels making 75 or 90 HP.

Volkswagen will enhance the range with a new 1.2-litre 105 PS turbocharged TSI petrol unit from early in 2010 while GTI and BlueMotion models will follow later in year.

All Polo models come equipped with four airbags, ABS and, for the first time, ESP aka Electronic Stabilisation Programme, as standard.

The German automaker said that it anticipates UK Polo sales of around 7,000 units in 2009, increasing to approximately 37,000 in 2010.

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New Volkswagen Polo 5dr pricing

Model	Engine	Gearbox	OTR Price, £
S	1.2 60 PS	5 spd manual	10,035
S	1.2 70 PS	5 spd manual	10,645
S A/C	1.2 60 PS	5 spd manual	10,635
S A/C	1.2 70 PS	5 spd manual	11,245
Moda	1.2 60 PS	5 spd manual	11,385
Moda	1.2 70 PS	5 spd manual	11,995
Moda A/C	1.2 60 PS	5 spd manual	11,985
Moda A/C	1.2 70 PS	5 spd manual	12,595
SE	1.2 60 PS	5 spd manual	11,385
SE	1.2 70 PS	5 spd manual	11,995
SE	1.4 85 PS	5 spd manual	12,450
SE	1.4 85 PS	7 spd DSG	13,650
SE TDI	1.6 75 PS	5 spd manual	13,205
SEL	1.4 85 PS	5 spd manual	13,575
SEL	1.4 85 PS	7 spd DSG	14,775
SEL TDI	1.6 90 PS	5 spd manual	14,910

A.R.T. Prepares One-Off Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG for Abu Dhabi Prince

Here's some more proof that wealth does not equal taste. This one-off Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG was developed by the German tuning firm A.R.T. specially for His Highness Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Sultan Bin Rashed Al Nahyan. Dubbed the AS55K Yaas Edition, the G55 AMG's stock 5.5-liter V8 has been optimized to deliver an output of 620 HP, up from 507 HP.

A high-performance brake system with 8-piston calipers up front and 4-piston brake calipers at the back complete the mechanical upgrades. From there on, it's all about styling - or so to say.

The AS55K Yaas Edition sports a full bodykit with many components coated in carbon-fiber along with polished stainless steel bars under the side skirts and the rear bumper and to top it all, a trio of chrome-plated tailpipes positioned right under the rear doors.

Furthermore, the widened fenders house 22-inch polished alloys wrapped in high-performance tyres while the Prince also opted to equip the G55 AMG with no less than 12 projector lamps including four xenon upper-beam headlights and eight fog lamps.

Open the Merc's door and you'll be greeted by cinnamon-colored leather and Alcantara that cover most surfaces matched (?) with carbon fiber decorative trim in a weird bronze hue.

A.R.T. did not say what the price tag was for this one-off creation but we reckon that only a Prince (or a King) could afford it.

Lexus Rumored to Debut Compact Hatchback Concept in Frankfurt, Targets BMW 1 Series

Toyota's premium brand Lexus is planning to unveil a five-door compact hatchback concept at this September's Frankfurt Motors Show that will be followed by a production model at next year's Geneva Salon, according to Edmunds. The report goes on to claim that the hatch will use a front-wheel drive Corolla chassis - not the best base for a direct competitor to the BMW 1-Series and Audi A3 models...

Not surprisingly, it is also noted that there will be a hybrid model in the mix that will most likely get the same the same drivetrain as the Lexus HS 250h sedan that utilizes a 147 HP 2.4-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine and a 40 HP electric motor for a combined output for 187-horsepower.

However, there is a chance that the hybrid version of Lexus' premium hatch may get the same drivetrain as the forthcoming Auris Hybrid model that is scheduled to be launched in Europe in the second half of 2010.

It is reported that the new Lexus hatch will go on sale in Europe in late 2010 while there are no plans to bring it to North American.

Via: Insideline , Photo Illustration: Best Car

European Honda Civic Type R Hatch to be Sold in Japan

Following Australia and South Africa, Japan will be the third country outside Europe to receive the British-built Civic Type R 3-door hatchback. The model, which will be called the Civic Type R EURO to distinguish it from the Japanese-market 4-door Civic Type R saloon, will go on sale in Japan from 2010 in limited numbers. The European-spec Type R is powered by a high-revving 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four that makes 201 HP at 7,800 rpm and 142 lb-ft of torque at 5,600 rpm.

The 3-door Type R can accelerate from zero to 62mph (100 km/h) in 6.6 seconds and achieve a top speed of 146mph or 235 km/h while returning a combined fuel economy figure of 31mpg UK - that's 25.8 mpg US or 9.1 lt /100km.

Japan also imported the previous-generation Swindon-built Civic Type-R (EP3 model) in 2001.

Honda's decision to import the latest Civic Type R from Europe also suggests that the 240HP Mugen Type R concept, teaser photos of which were released in July, will most likely make it into production.