A 5-Door 2012 BMW 1 series has been spied and photographed during winter testing, recently. It’s a good thing that the site isn’t called American Car Fans because North American dealings with this model will be on a look but don’t touch basis. There will be no true 1-series on this side of the Atlantic until at least 2014, from what I’ve heard. And, even then don’t expect the 5-door to make the trip. This is very disappointing news to someone with an affinity for stylish, sporty hatchbacks. If you’d like to know what driving a hatchback BMW is like without going to Europe, your best bet might be to get behind the wheel of a Mini. Or, maybe a competitor will fill the void with their own luxury compact and try to give North America what BMW won’t. A production version of the Lexus LF-Ch could serve that purpose if that doesn’t end up as a Europe only model too. By the way, if this is your first encounter with the term “5-door”, I’m talking about a 4-door hatchback (Don’t laugh – it confused me the first time, too!).

The next-generation BMW 3 Series will again be offered in number of body styles, including a wagon, coupe, and cabriolet, which will keep the heavy and complex retractable hardtop. BMW will also offer a five-door hatchback dubbed the “Gran Turismo” which is based off of the concept of the 5-series GT but will be more car-like and less imposing on the road.

BMW’s diesel-engine lineup will largely carry over in Europe, but there are imminent changes for its current range of rewarding but thirsty gasoline engines. Variable valve timing, single- and twin-turbocharging, direct fuel injection, and stop/start systems are in the works for a new generation of modular, four-cylinder engines producing 140 to 230 hp. A 2.0-liter version with close to 300 hp is possible, but we are optimistic BMW will keep at least one of its 3.0-liter inline-sixes in the portfolio.

The 3-series will be equipped with a wide array of features such as lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and speed-limit recognition. BMW’s night-vision system is technically possible but unlikely to be offered in the 3. However, you will be able to tinker with the engine and chassis setup by means of a “driving dynamics” button.The styling of the next 3 will be a rather conservative evolution of the current model, with a protruding kidney grill similar to that of the 7-series and the 5-series GT. The interior will look decidedly richer and will lose the center hump that houses the current model’s optional navigation system.

Look for the next 3-series at the 2012 Geneva auto show. It should arrive at U.S. dealers later in 2012 for the 2013 model year.

We usually do not post about non-Spied Car pictures at Car Spy Guide, but here is an exception. I want to bring your attention to the work of the Missouri S&T’s EcoCAR team. The EcoCAR competition is amongst 17 schools, and will challenge university engineering students across North America to re-engineer a Saturn VUE to achieve improved fuel economy and reduced greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining the vehicle’s utility, safety, and performance. What makes Missouri S&T’s project so unique is its commitment to hydrogen energy. Being the only school to use hydrogen as its source of energy shows Missouri S&T’s commitment to the future of transportation without relying on gasoline.

Photo Credit: http://ecocarchallenge.mst.edu/

Missouri S&T is also building onto its EcoCAR project by undertaking: E3 Commons. This focuses on the creation of practical fueling stations and a garage for their newly created hydrogen powered.

Motivated by AMG’s 6.2-liter 32-valve V-8, which makes 563 hp at 6800 rpm and 479 lb-ft of torque at 4750 rpm, the SLS coupe is promised to reach 62 mph in 3.8 seconds and accelerate up to a governed top speed of 196 mph is the new 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The SLS roadster will be a big sports car, but it won’t be a direct replacement for the SLR convertible. It will cost about half as much and will be about 300 pounds lighter than that departed supercar, despite the SLR’s generous use of ultra-expensive carbon-fiber panels. We don’t yet know for sure how the doors will open, only that they obviously can’t be of the Gull variety—Mercedes could use regular doors or scissor-type doors such as those found on the McLaren SLR roadster.

Expect Mercedes’s flagship roadster to launch in late 2011, almost two years after the launch of the Gullwing coupe. The two models will be sold alongside each other, unlike the original W198 300SL coupe and roadster, which the SLS tries to replicate in spirit.

As SUV buyers are growing more concerned about their gasoline bill, Porsche is making the second generation Cayenne smaller and lighter. Getting rid of heavy and complex off-road technology means even better on-road performance. Spy shots reveal that the new Cayenne will be much better proportioned and far better looking than its predecessor.

Remaining a 5-seater, the rear seats can be slid back and forth. For more weight saving, the suspension will use more aluminum parts. The 2011 Porsche Cayenne will be equipped with Audi’s supercharged 3.0-liter V-6, producing around 290 hp. Carry-over units from the current Cayenne include a naturally aspirated V-8 that makes 400 hp and a turbocharged V-8 that makes 500 hp. However, these Porsche engines will be replaced in 2012 by a VW-developed 4.0-liter V-8 capable of producing up to 550 hp. With the current 550 hp Cayenne Turbo S capable of accelerating from 0-60 in a scorching 4.4 seconds, it would be interesting to see the performance numbers of a new Cayenne with this kind of power while carrying a few hundred pounds less.

Photo Credit: CarandDriver.com

Ferrari has finally officially announced the stunning new replacement for the beloved future-classic F430. The sexy 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia gets its name from the 4.5-liter V-8, and the way this car embodies the passion and flair of its homeland (according to Ferrari). With a whopping 570 horsepower and 398 lb.-ft of torque to go along with bigger wheels and more rubber, the Italia has an estimated 0-62 mph time of less than 3.4 seconds and a claimed top speed of 202 mph! Power is controlled with a paddle-shifted, seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission.

Photo Credit: CarandDriver.com

What about slowing down? This reborn Italian stallion, equipped with a high-performance ABS braking system will come to a standstill from 62 mph in just 107 ft. Deceleration is aided by a unique function which lays the brake pads against the standard carbon-ceramic discs once the drivers lifts off the throttle.

Photo Credit: CarandDriver.com

Sculpted to aerodynamic requirements, the futuristic-looking 458 Italia is fitted with a new steering wheel and dash layout that comes directly from racing practice. Look for its official debut in September at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Also, check out some new concept cars that you may see in the near future.

Photo Credit: RoadandTrack.com

In a highly competitive crossover market, Ford is working hard to develop a new and improved version of its Edge. Set to arrive as a 2011 model, major improvements include new front and rear fascias, slimmer headlights, a bolder 2-bar grille, a new bumper, and a deeper airdam. The new Edge will most likely be made available with Ford’s new EcoBoost, a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged and direct-injected V-6 engine that should produce about 365 horsepower. Also expect a direct-injected 4-cylinder turbocharged EcoBoost engine to be made available once the new Ford Edge hits the market in 2011.

Photo Credit: RoadandTrack.com

It seems like Toyota is getting back into the affordable sports-coupe game with the future sports car code-named 086A. Priced around $20,000-$25,000 this front-engine, rear-drive sports car is intended to reinvent the beloved AE86.

Toyota will partner with Subaru to equip the future coupe with a direct-injection 2.0-liter flat-4 that will produce 200 bhp and 145 lb-ft. of torque. Predicted to weight about 2700 lbs, the 086A will accelerate to 60 mph in around 6.0 seconds. Look for the car to make an appearance sometime in 2011 or 2012.

The Porsche 911 line-up is undergoing a facelift – some models have been spotted during test drives in Nurburg, Germany.

Set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March of 2009, the 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS is surely a remarkable driving machine with a dually impressive body style. Having been instilled with the latest automotive engineering technology, the GT3 RS has already captured the attention of car enthusiasts worldwide. The advanced Corsa System makes the Porsche equally competent on and off the road.

Image courtesy : motorauthority.com

Built on the “998” platform, the re-designed Porsche 911 is set to launch in 2011. The new Carrera sports minor tweaks in its body styling. Repositioned side mirrors, a smaller rear spoiler and additional tail-lights give this Porsche a distinctive look with a retro touch.

Check out these spy shots of 2011 Porsche Carrera :Image courtesy : channel4.com