Driving is what many people have to do to get around, and some have a passion for it! So how do you take care of the planet while getting around? Carbonfund.org, a nonprofit organization, lets you reduce your impact on climate change from auto emissions by supporting carbon emissions reduction projects in the US and abroad. An innovative truck stop electrification project, for example, lets long-haul truck drivers connect to electricity to heat and operate their cabs rather than burn fuel and emit exhaust. When you support these projects, which are third-party verified to reduce emissions, you are balancing out your own emissions. You can calculate and offset your auto and aspects of your carbon footprint at www.carbonfund.org/calculators. The organization also offers business programs for small and large businesses to reduce their climate impact and has a product certification program, featuring the CarbonFree® Certified label, the nation’s first carbon neutral product label.

You may be wondering what this car is doing with what appears to be an upside-down Mitsubishi grille. Well, this is actually the new 2010 Audi A8. With a slimmed down design that looks more like the A4 or A5, the size of the next generation A8 seems to remain the same.

Expect Audi’s flagship sedan to be powered by the same silky smooth 4.2-liter V-8, but of course with further improvements to output and efficiency. The A8 will most likely be equipped with either a 7 or 8-speed transmission to send power to the Quattro all-wheel-drive system. Also expect a refreshed interior outfitted with all kinds of technology. Look for the official unveiling some time in the near future.

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.

BMW adds M upgrades to the 7 Series

When we hear the phrase “performance car” tossed around, the first thing that enters our mind in the BMW M5. Frankly, it’s amazing.

Hold onto your seats, the M7 is on its way. According to Car and Driver magazine,

“The package starts out with an aero kit that adds more chrome on specially designed front and rear aprons, plus illuminated M trim and high-gloss “Shadow Line” accents. An exclusive Carbon Black Metallic paint is also available as part of the package. Rolling stock is upgraded to staggered-width, 19-inch M-sourced wheels in a double-spoke design, with 20-inchers being optional. There are no mechanical changes, but electronically controlled BMW Dynamic Drive comes as part of the package. Inside, sport seats and an M-designed leather steering wheel are fitted, as are a black headliner and aluminum interior trim.”

It’s sounds to us as if the M7 is more show than go – more sexy, less sporty. We’ll reserve full judgment until we can get behind the wheel of this puppy, but in terms of sheer performance, the M5 (or if you have $140K lying around, the Alpina B7) will remain the gold standard in German automotive performance.

Tony Stark's stock car from the upcoming Iron Man 2

Although Iron Man 2 won’t be released for another nine months, the hype is already starting to build. Above is a spy photo from the set of the film – the scene shows a Stark (as in Tony Stark, billionaire) stock car.

We’re not sure who makes the racer, but it’s likely a customized Ford or Mazda. If you have any information of the car, we’d love to hear it. Please use the comments section to share any info.

The upcoming 2012 Volkswagen Passat V7.0 is set to go head-to-head with the likes of the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4. Featuring a superior user interface, a wiper-less window cleaning system, and airless tires – the gen-X Passat is fast becoming a luxury car.

The Passat is also proposed to have an electronic stability control system with auto counter-steering assistance for added safety in adverse driving conditions.

Here are some spy shots of VW Passat that is expected to debut in late 2011.

Image courtesy : motorauthority.com

Scheduled to debut at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show, the 2011 Mercedes Benz E-Class Cabrio is likely to be one of the most stylish cars on the road in 2010. The Cabrio is best described as a modernized version of the now-classic CLK Coupe.

The 2011 model shares its engine and a retractable window design with the former E-Class Cabrio, but the redesigned interior resembles that of the 2010 E-Class sedan just unveiled at Detroit Auto Show earlier this year. Let’s take a look:

Image courtesy :  http://www.motorauthority.com/