BMW 1 Series M Coupe by AC Schnitzer

AC Schnitzer released first details on their new tuning kit, a package specially developed for the new BMW 1 Series M Coupe.

The German tuners bring both aesthetic and performance upgrades, the model following to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Under the bonnet, the stock 3.0-liter turbocharged unit is able to offer 400 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 560 Nm of torque at 4,700 rpm.

The additional 60 horses and 110 Nm of torque are achieved by few usual tricks such as a remapped ECU unit or a revised exhaust system. There is also a high performance braking system with 6 and 4 pistons. With the power boost, the German model is able to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,7 seconds and hit a top speed of 300 km/h.

At the exterior, the German specialists decided to add a body kit including air vents for the bonnet, new front spoiler and a rear diffuser. All these components are made of carbon fiber while new 19 or 20-inch wheels are available as well.

Inside, AC Schnitzer opted for Valencia Orange trim, aluminium pedals, handbrake handle and gear knob but also a repainted centre console.

Lexus predicts record global sales

Despite its poor performance in Europe, Lexus will set a global sales record of more than 520,000 units this year. Mark Templin, executive VP of Lexus International, said that worldwide sales would “finish on the north side of 520,000,” edging Lexus’ high of 518,300 units in 2007.

SUVs not that hot after all?

SUVs and crossovers rank far below hatchbacks and sedans when it comes to what customers in Europe intend to purchase, according to a study.

Why Mulally might be a fit at Microsoft

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Daimler launches engine output in Beijing

Beijing Benz Automotive Co. opened an engine plant last week in a suburb of Beijing, part of the automaker’s campaign to boost vehicle production in China. The plant, Daimler’s first engine production facility outside Germany, will build up to 250,000 engines a year, according to Beijing Benz.

Toyota expects weight, fuel savings from technology due in 2015

Toyota targets big weight savings and fuel economy gains with new technology due in 2015, the company’s top r&d executives said.

GM picks Tsien to succeed Socia as China president

GM will replace its president in China after a year. Matthew Tsien, 53, a GM vice president, takes over from Bob Socia, 59, when he retires on Jan. 1, the company said in a statement today. GM was outsold in China by VW in three of the past four quarters

Opel CEO Neumann wants less overlap with Chevrolet in Europe

Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann says his automaker and sister brand Chevrolet need to do a better job differentiating from one another in Europe. Neumann’s comments come just weeks after GM CEO Dan Akerson said he is frustrated by the “confusing” overlap between the automakers.

McLaren China sales weak as bling crackdown drags on

McLaren Automotive, maker of the million-dollar P1 supercar, said it has yet to see signs of a recovery in demand in China since the ruling Communist Party began cracking down on conspicuous extravagance late last year. “The visibility that used to be an asset — we used to be OK just a few years ago — now it’s not really a plus,” Mirko Bordiga, regional director of the British supercar maker, said in an interview Thursday in Guangzhou.

Schaeffler reorganizes China management

Schaeffler Group says it will start treating China as a region, separate from the rest of Asia, in its management structure next year to reflect the country’s growing importance.

Jaguar Land Rover plans $437 million Brazil factory, gov’t sources say

Jaguar Land Rover will invest about 1 billion reais ($436.9 million) to build a new manufacturing plant in Brazil’s state of Rio de Janeiro, three government sources told Reuters. Production at the factory, to be built in the city of Itatiaia, could begin as early as 2015

Turkish auto sales to slip 2% next year, Renault exec says

Turkish auto sales are set to fall 2 percent to 800,000 vehicles next year as a weakening currency makes imported cars more expensive and as the government tries to slow auto loans, the CEO of Renault’s Turkish sales unit said.

Fiat says no Chrysler IPO in 2013

The planned stock market listing of Fiat’s U.S. unit, Chrysler, will not take place this year, the Italian carmaker said Monday, prolonging the uncertainty over its chances of buying out the rest of the company.

BYD, GAC to form EV joint venture

BYD Co. will establish a joint venture with state-owned Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. to build electric vehicles, according to Chinese media. The joint venture will be built in Zengcheng, a county near the South China city of Guangzhou, reported Nanfang Daily, a Guangzhou-based newspaper, citing a Zengcheng county government official.

Faurecia trims mid-term goals after acquisitions

Faurecia said that it has trimmed its mid-term sales and margin goals as it digests several acquisitions made over the past few years

Mercedes will make engine lines more flexible

Mercedes wants to establish a so-called “agile production” system in its engine assembly operations, production and purchasing boss Andreas Renschler said.

PSA, Renault will end engine and transmission alliance in France

PSA/Peugeot-Citroen and Renault will end a partnership on engines and transmissions that is their last production alliance in France.