2012 Ford C-Max

A few days after the Paris Motor Show, we had the chance to sample the Grand C-Max, Ford's latest Euro-spec MPV destined for North American soil. Other markets around the world are ripe with these mini-minivans, but here in the States, our only C-segment MPV option is the very likable Mazda5. The long-wheelbase C-Max will drop its "Grand" nomenclature when it arrives here in North America, and the public will get its first taste of the new Ford at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show.

Ford calls the C-Max's seating configuration a "five-plus-two," meaning that the interior is best suited for five passengers, and that the two rear seats are best used for small occupants. What's more, Ford offers a unique storage solution for the middle seat in the second row, allowing it to fold down and is stow underneath the bottom cushion of the rear passenger-side chair, creating a set of two captain's seats in the process (check out a video here). The rest of the C-Max interior is very much akin to what we've seen in the 2012 Focus, and we're quite impressed with the high-quality craftsmanship that FoMoCo is putting into its latest crop of cabins.

2012 Ford C-MaxPerhaps the most interesting feature of the 2012 C-Max is its hands-free liftgate. Much like a passive entry system for the driver's door, whoever has the C-Max's key fob on their person can simply wave their leg under the rear bumper, triggering two sensors that will open the liftgate. It's pretty slick, and Ford tells us that this technology will me making its way to the vast majority of the company's hatchback products.

The base powertrain in the C-Max is Ford's 2.5-liter inline-four also found in the Fusion. In its MPV home, this mill produces 168 horsepower and 167 pound-feet of torque, mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission. The upmarket engine is an all-new 1.6-liter EcoBoost inline-four, rated at 180 hp and 173 lb-ft of twist, also mated to a six-speed 'box. The C-Max is only available with front-wheel drive, and 17-inch wheels are fitted to all three trim levels – S, SE and SEL.

We're eager to get our mitts on the U.S.-spec C-Max, and we're crossing our fingers that American car buyers will be more receptive to smaller MPVs than in the past. Check out the 2012 C-Max for yourself in the gallery below, and follow the jump for the full suite of details.

2012 Audi RS 7 coming with a twin-turbo V8 and 600 hp

There’s nothing about the 2011 Audi A7 that would surprise you with its 300-bhp supercharged V-6 engine, Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system and an 8-speed Tiptronic transmission. However, Audi’s future sport-themed RS 7 is a different matter entirely. Set to debut in the U.S. in 2011, the RS 7 will ride lower to ground and will have a sports suspension. The A7’s lines will become more attractive with its larger air intakes in the front fascia and with the use of 19–20-in. wheels.

It’s also believed that it will be powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine that delivers nearly 600 bhp. With this much power, rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz are expected to feel threatened.

To handle the power, the RS 7 has an adaptive suspension and torque vectoring differential as well as the Quattro all-wheel-drive hardware. But with regards to other aspects, the RS 7 will have the form of the standard A7 Sportback. The luxurious 5-door can seat four adults, and it has the good looks of a coupe and the practicality of a station wagon due to its power rear hatch.

NAHC Picks Chevrolet Camaro as 2010's Collectible Car of the Future

From all the new cars and trucks launched in America this year, the vehicle to turn most heads in 2035 will most likely be the Chevrolet Camaro. Or at least that is the prediction of the Friends of the National Automotive History Collection (NAHC), which decided that GM's muscle car is the 2010's "Collectible Car of the Future".

Charles K. Hyde, chairman of the NAHC Board of Trustees, said: "This selection is unique among all the 'Vehicle of the Year' awards, because it is selected by 'car buffs' who know what future collectors will value. We asked our members to predict which of this year's new vehicles will turn heads in the Woodward Cruise of 2035."

The members of the organization selected the Camaro from a total of 13 all-new vehicles launched in 2010.

Tom Peters, Camaro chief designer commented: "Our mission with the 21st century Chevy Camaro was to draw on the passion and heritage, expressing it in a new and modern car with design, technology and quality to carry the legacy forward. It's simple; the new Camaro puts smiles on the faces of car enthusiasts of all ages."

Last year's vote went to the Ford Flex making it the first crossover to win since the creation of the awards in 1995. Over the years, NAHC has picked a variety of vehicles including the Chrysler Sebring Convertible as 1996's "Collectible Car of the Future". No, seriously; from all the vehicles launched that year, NAHC's members found that Chrysler's rent-a-cabriolet would rate the highest among future collectors in 2020. What can you say... Below is the full list of NHAC's previous winners.

Beijing 2010 - Chevrolet Volt MPV5 concept

According to Car and Driver, General Motors may have something special planned for the Detroit Auto Show in January. Word on the web is that The General is planning to pull back the sheets on the next vehicle to use the extended-range hybrid drivetrain from the Chevrolet Volt. The next branch in GM's electrified family tree will be a five-seat crossover, potentially called the Chevrolet Amp. Using the same basic architecture, engine, motor and batteries from the Volt, a production Amp would help GM spread its substantial Voltec development costs over more than one model.

GM has been making noise about a crossover with Volt guts for some time, and thanks to the sleuth work of the detectives at Car and Driver, we know we may be closer than ever to seeing the vehicle become a reality. The company has gone through the pains to register a host of web domain names associated with the Amp moniker, some of which were snapped up as recently as October. Combined with the unveiling of the Volt MPV5 Concept at the 2010 Beijing Motor Show, there's a good chance that a battery-operated Crossover will grace Detroit with its presence next month.

Moon Regan Transantartic Expedition’s Concept Vehicle is Cooler than Ice

Most people can get through the winter driving ordinary vehicles just fine as long as they follow some simple rules. But when the going gets tough and the snow hits the fan, you need a special ride, like this Bio-Inspired Ice Vehicle (BIV). Built in 2008 with Lotus know-how, the BIV is currently used by the Moon Regan Transantartic Expedition for an epic Antarctic crossing.

The team reached the South Pole on December 3, after a week. Their resilience was put to the test by the bad weather, highly irregular terrain (known as sastrugi) and mechanical problems. Taking on the lead vehicle role, the BIV is “an agile route-finder”, according to the expedition’s official website. Two, six-wheeled Ford Econolines with 7.3-liter diesel V8s, handle the role of the support vehicles

With moving parts kept to a minimum, the BIV is fitted with three skis and independent suspension, which allow for optimum weight distribution and increased stability. Weighing in at just 700 kg (1.543 lbs), the BIV’s biggest advantage over conventional vehicles is that it can be hauled by people in situations when moving on its own is impossible. Spiked brakes provide stopping power.

Inside, there's enough space only for the driver, who is greeted by a bucket seat and a sport steering wheel.

The initial concept featured a 1.2-liter BMW engine, modified to run on E85 bioethanol but it was replaced with a more powerful Rotax 914 turbocharged unit, better suited for low temperatures and higher altitudes. The engine drives a three-blade variable-pitch propeller that can push the BIV to a top speed of 84 mph (135 km/h) in ideal conditions.

The Antarctic crossing is expected to last at least 40 days and will cover a distance of 5,800 kilometers or 3,604 miles. You can check out the team’s progress using the live tracker found here. Also, don’t forget about the video below, in which engineer Kieron Bradley presents the highlights of the BIV.

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Edition

It's been a year since the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren was discontinued. 2,000 examples of five different variants of the extravagant supercar were made over the course of five years of production. And in its wake, Mercedes-Benz and McLaren have gone their separate ways, both on the track and off. Both have been keeping plenty busy since the divorce, but they've apparently gotten back together for one last hurrah.

Apparently created by McLaren as an aftermarket kit for existing models and unveiled at the Essen Motor Show (think of it as Germany's SEMA), this McLaren Edition SLR packs revised aerodyanamics, steering, suspension and interior. The result is an exclusive swan-song for the exotic McMerc (only 25 examples will be offered), and it looks like it's mated with a MG SV. Take a closer look with the images below and the video after the jump, where you may notice that the Mercedes part of the equation has been decidedly de-emphasized.

AC Schnitzer Turns All-Electric MINI E into a Police Car

In support of the German Automobile Tuner Association’s “Tune it! Safe!” campaign, AC Schnitzer built the MINI E Police Look Concept, which is being showcased at the 2010 Essen Motor Show. The idea behind the campaign is to create a car that can satisfy tuning aficionados and also meet safety standards.

The BMW Group's MINI E is powered by an electric motor with 204 hp on tap and plenty of low-down torque (maximum is 220 Nm or 162 lb-ft). It completes the standard sprint from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.5 seconds and has a limited top speed of 152 km/h (95 mph).

AC Schnitzer’s comprehensive tuning package made it even better while the police livery is an interesting take on the “safety” theme.

Finished in the classic Polizei colors, the concept has the latest signaling system from Hella mounted on the roof and special wraps from Foliatec. Modified front and rear bumpers, plus lowered side skirts, improve the car's looks, while bonnet vents and a large roof spoiler complete the bodykit.

The tuner opted for new alloys, too. The 18-inch MI 2 wheels feature an 8-spoke design and are wrapped in high-performance Hankook Ventus S1 Evo tires. Stopping power is provided by an upgraded brake system, boasting 328mm 4-pot caliper (in front) ventilated disks. There is also a complete suspension kit.

Inside, the boys in blue are greeted by aluminum pedals, footrest and handbrake handle.

AC Schnitzer says that most of the tuning accessories shown on the concept model are either already available or will soon be offered for the production MINIs.

2009 Land Rover LR2 HSE

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced that all Land Rover LR2 models built between November 12, 2009 and August 23, 2010 are being recalled. We can't really describe the issue any better than NHTSA, so here's the official statement:

    The shorting bar in the clock spring may become disconnected when the driver's air bag module connector is installed, which means the driver's frontal airbag may not deploy as intended or at all and therefore will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injury.

Naturally, the fix will be performed at the owner's local dealership at no charge. Hit the jump for the entire statement from NHTSA.

Paris 2010 - Jaguar C-X75 Concept

Here's another feather for Jay Leno's cap. The Tonight Show host can officially say that he is one of only a handful of drivers to have slipped their way behind the wheel of the amazing Jaguar C-X75 concept from this year's Paris Motor Show. Penned by design guru Ian Callum, the supercar is as sexy as it is advanced. The vehicle gets its power from a quartet of electric motors that are good for 195 horsepower each. Throw in two small turbine engines for generating power and you've got one very unconventional extended-range hybrid.

The C-X75 was designed to celebrate the Leaping Cat's diamond anniversary, and as such, the company pulled all the stops. With a design that pulls from the most successful points in Jaguar history, the car is nothing short of gorgeous. Will it make it to production? We're not sure, but for the moment, you can hit the jump to watch Leno take it all in – and don't forget to watch for an appearance by Callum, too.

The BIOME Concept from Mercedes-Benz

The BIOME Concept design by designers of the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studios in Carlsbad, California. Designers taking their inspiration from nature, they designed a vehicle which is fully integrated into the ecosystem. According to Hubert Lee, Head of the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studios in Carlsbad “The Mercedes-Benz BIOME Concept is a natural technology hybrid, and forms part of our earth’s ecosystem. It grows and thrives like the leaves on a tree”.