Infiniti to Premiere an All-New Production Model in Geneva - Could it be the EV?

Along with today's announcement on the world premiere of the diesel-powered versions of the EX and FX SUVs, Infiniti also revealed that it will use the Geneva Motor Show to stage the global reveal of an all new production model. However the Japanese automaker did not give out any specific details.

To our knowledge, Infiniti has currently green-lighted two all-new models for production : it's own version of the new Nissan Patrol luxury SUV, the 2011 QX, and a fully-electric four-seat model that was announced by Nissan President and CEO, Carlos Ghosn, at last year's Tokyo Motor Show in October.

Then again it may be a different model altogether, one we have never heard of before from Infiniti officials. Unless the Japanese firm teases us with some new information and / or a picture, we'll have to wait until the Geneva Show opening on March 2 to find out.

BMW Launches Performance and Styling Accessories for X6 Crossover

BMW is milking offering buyers of its X6 that might want the M version of the Sports Activity Coupe but need to think of other things in life such as house payments an alternative proposal in the form of a new line of retrofittable performance and styling options that can be bought separately.

Starting from June, BMW's Performance division will offer a new Power Kit that includes an ECU update for the V8 powered unit in the X6 xDrive50i and the straight-six in the X6 xDrive35i.

The kit raises maximum output of the twin-turbo V8 in the xDrive50i by 41HP and 50Nm to 448HP and 650 Nm or 479 lb-ft, while the xDrive35i's turbo-six shows an increase of 20HP and 50Nm to 326HP and 450Nm or 332 lb-ft.

With this kit, both models accelerate 0.2 seconds faster from a standstill to 100 km/h (62mpg), the xDrive50i completing this sprint in 5.2 seconds and the xDrive35i in 6.5 seconds. Acceleration in gears from 80-120 km/h (50- 75 mph) is 0.5 seconds faster in each model.

Also available is a lightweight sports exhaust system with chrome-plated tailpipes.

Owners can complement the power upgrades with an aero kit that is made up of the front bumper, side-sills, an insert for the rear bumper, a rear spoiler, rear fins in matt black and a front grid finished in high-gloss black paint.

BMW also offers a set of 21-inch alloys shod in super-chunky tires size 285/35 R21 at the front and 325/30 R21 at the rear.

As for the interior, BMW Performance's option include numerous accessories such as aluminium pedals and footrest and a sports steering wheel with a flattened rim at the bottom and alcantara coating.

VATH ups the Performance Ante with New Mercedes-Benz E500 Coupe V50S

With 388 ponies from the 5.5-liter V8 under its hood, Mercedes-Benz's new E500 Coupe is by no means a slouch in the performance field, but that's not enough for German tuning firm Vath that has released a new proposal called the V50S.

Thanks to the recalibrated ECU, the addition of a sport air filter and a new sport exhaust system, the 5.5-liter V8 engine gets a jump from 388HP and 530Nm to 435HP and 575Nm (424 lb-ft) helping the German Coupe to reach a top speed of 280km/h or 174 mph.

A height-adjustable sport suspension that allows the driver to low the E500 Coupe's body anywhere between 20mm and 65mm and a high-performance brake system with 6-caliper brakes and 378 mm disks complete the list of performance modifications.

Vath's body kit includes a front lip spoiler, rear diffuser and boot lid spoiler, all made from carbon fiber, while the V50S rides on new 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in tires size 245/30 R20 up front and 285/25 R20 at the back.

The German tuner also outfits the interior with a variety of accoutrements such as special leather trim, decorative carbon fiber inlays, and specific floor mats.