Mini is embarking on a proliferation binge, with its lineup doubling from the three models offered today—three-door hatch, convertible, and extended Clubman—to six within the next couple years. With a roadster and coupe just around the corner, a crossover, previewed by the Crossover and Beachcomber concepts, is also on the way. After many confusing reports of possible names here and there and everywhere, we now know it will be called the Countryman, at least in some places, the U.S. included.

Our first official look at photos of the Countryman has us breathing a collective sigh of relief. Although the beefed-up visual elements of the front end carry over from the two concepts, the detailing surrounding them has been toned down. Mini’s signature styling elements—a softly rounded body tub; an upright, blacked-out greenhouse; the angle-cut hood opening—translate very nicely to a crossover, and we are pleased to see that the Clubman’s contrasting rear trim remains exclusive to that model. The stance and taller hood add just enough toughness to set the crossover apart from Mini’s other offerings without looking contrived.

Inside will be more of the same, which is fine with us. The more toggle switches automakers use instead of black plastic buttons, the merrier. Four individual seats will be standard, with a three-across rear bench a no-cost option. Rear seats will slide fore and aft —the bench in a 60/40 split —and fold individually (or in 40/20/40 increments with the bench). Between both the front and rear seats runs the center-rail system seen on the Crossover and Beachcomber concepts, to which Mini affixes cup holders, armrests, and other “travel utensils.” The interior otherwise appears to be standard Mini fare, and there is no artificial-horizon gauge, as there was on the Beachcomber concept.

Mechanical specifications will be identical to the rest of the Mini range, with other parts of the world seeing a choice of five engines split between diesel and gasoline power. We’ll see our usual naturally aspirated or turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-fours, although both engines will be updated with more power: 121 hp for the naturally aspirated motor and 181 for the turbo. Those engines will replace the current mills in all 2011 Minis. Additionally, front-wheel drive will be standard, but Mini’s new all-wheel-drive system, known as ALL4, will debut as an option on the Countryman. Other optional equipment will include a panoramic sunroof, adaptive xenon headlights, wheels ranging from 16 to 19 inches, a sport suspension that lowers the car about 0.4 inch, and the full range of John Cooper Works performance upgrades. We imagine that a factory JCW performance edition will also appear.

The Mini Countryman will debut at March’s Geneva auto show, and Americans will have a chance to see it in person at the New York show in April before it goes on sale this fall as a 2011 model.

Source (article + pictures): CARANDDRIVER.COM

DETROIT - Ford Motor Co.’s market momentum got a lift Monday by winning both the 2010 North American Car and Truck of the Year awards.

Ford’s Fusion Hybrid midsize sedan took top car honors and its versatile Transit Connect compact van snagged truck of the year at the Detroit auto show.

It was only the third time in 17 years that an automaker has won both awards, selected by 49 auto journalists and given annually since 1994. Finalists for the car award included the Buick LaCrosse and Volkswagen Golf GTI and TDI diesel. The Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Transit Connect and Subaru Outback were finalists for the truck award.

“It’s such a huge motivator for our team,” Mark Fields, Ford’s president of the Americas, told reporters after the announcements on the first day of media previews for the show. “It’s a reaffirmation of all the hard work over the past couple of years.”

The awards, given annually by journalists who test cars throughout the year, are often used by automakers in advertising. Vehicles are judged on innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value.

Ford, the only U.S.-based automaker to avoid bankruptcy protection, has fared better than its two Detroit rivals, with overall sales down 15 percent last year compared with a 36 percent drop for Chrysler and a 30 percent decline for GM.

Ford’s final month of 2009 was strong, with a 33 percent increase in sales thanks to strong demand for midsize cars. Last year, it gained U.S. market share for the first time since 1995, helped by critical raves for its fuel-efficient cars, like the midsize Fusion. Its compact Focus and popular Escape crossover also boosted sales.

“We still have a long way to go … getting the business back to healthy profitability,” Fields said. “We have to channel that good feeling into our efforts for 2010.”

To be considered for the car and truck of the year honors, vehicles must be new or substantially changed from the previous model.

Last year’s winners were the Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan and the Ford F-150 pickup. The Transit Connect, a small, European van, is the sixth Ford truck to win the award. Fields said the automaker thinks of it as a “white space vehicle” — one unlike anything else on the road.

“When you see this on the road, your first reaction is, ‘What is that?’” he said. “The second reaction for a lot of customers, particularly small fleets and small business owners is, ‘Hey, I want to get into that and check it out.’”

Source (article): MSNBC

Source (picture): NEWCARSCOOP

When the 2011 Cadillac CTS coupe debuted at the Los Angeles auto show, it was practically a given that General Motors would follow up with the ultra-hot CTS-V coupe at the Detroit auto show.

With the CTS-V sedan’s supercharged powertrain and other go-fast mechanicals fitted to the two-door’s wedge-y profile, the V coupe will be a sexy and formidable alternative to other existing performance coupes, the mightiest of which is BMW’s M3. As with the regular CTS coupe, the V shares the sedan’s 113.4-inch wheelbase, while being both two inches lower and shorter and with a one-inch-wider rear track.

The V coupe is identical to the V sedan from the base of the A-pillar forward, carrying over the aggressive front fascia with gaping air intakes, the V-signature mesh grilles, and the bulged hood that covers the 556-hp, 6.2-liter supercharged V-8. As with the V sedan, a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions will funnel power to the rear wheels. Also carrying over are large Brembo brakes—15.0-inch front, 14.7-inch rear—the specifically tuned suspension with driver-adjustable magnetorheological shocks, a limited-slip differential, and 19-inch alloy wheels shod with Michelin PS2 summer rubber. The V coupe also adds a taller center brake light that doubles as a spoiler and a unique rear fascia that frames the two large center exhaust outlets.

Opening the doors is accomplished via Corvette-style touch pads. Once inside, the interior is familiar to those who have seen those of the base coupe or sedan. V-specific touches include optional Recaro sport seats, black center-console and door trim, wheel-mounted paddle shifters for automatic models, and suede-like seat inserts. While optional on the sedan, the faux suede material is fitted to the coupe’s steering wheel and manual shifter as standard equipment. A new Saffron interior-color option—exclusive to the V coupe—is available as well and offers contrasting seat inserts and leather stitching.

Performance should be at least as blistering as the sedan’s—we’ve tested the four-door to 60 mph in as little as 3.9 seconds—and we expect the V coupe to be just as serious a challenger to the M3. We don’t have specific pricing yet, but figure on a $3K to $5K premium over the four-door, which starts at $61,545, when the V coupe goes on sale this summer.

Source (article & pictures): CARANDDRIVER.COM