In 2012 we’ll get to see three new-to-market vehicles from the Toyota stables. The Japanese major’s line up for the year would include a battery-driven electric vehicle and a plug-in version of the Prius. Meanwhile, the third model would most probably be another variant of the Prius that will head for the US shores. The car for the North American market is expected to be rolled out during the first half of year 2012.

Though Toyota has not come out in public with the plans, we get to hear that the second vehicle in the line up would be the forerunner of the Prius family that would sport the Prius badging.

The battery electric model will have many similarities to the electric version of the iQ, which Toyota had showcased at the 2009 Detroit show. These electric vehicles are expected to be rolled out in select markets globally. The company is expected to pick the markets in accordance with their ability to support the vehicles with sufficient infrastructure. We hope to hear from Toyota as to what exactly the plans are and how they are going to be implemented. Tell us if you have heard more on the plans for 2012.

New details of Peugeot’s 508 have been officially let out. The all-new 508 comes with the mark of an up market vehicle and would don French looks that would be elegant as never before. The carmaker is said to have thrown in a slew of up market add-ons to make the car look so alluring. The Peugeot 508 looks like to be the model that would replace the earlier 407 range.

Significantly, concern for the environment seems to be in the driver’s seat with engineers at Peugeot making sure that C02 emissions are cut to the maximum possible. The 508 comes with claims of lower emissions, while improving engine performance. On the dynamics side, the car would boast of better standards. The body weight is kept at a minimum too. A larger boot provides for added interior space.

The Peugeot 508 comes boasting of a new e-HDi stop and start system that promises added fuel efficiency of up to 15 per cent. Peugeot’s own Hybrid4 technology is expected to be made available soon after the launch. The car is to boast of 200bhp (147kW / 203 PS) performance and an AWD system, while emissions would at 99g/km in normal combined driving or 0g/km in full electric mode.

We hear the Peugeot 508 to come in sedan and SW (wagon) variants. The car would start selling by the start of 2011 soon after it debuts at the 2010 Paris International Motor Show in October. [via DeviceMAG]

Come August, and Chrysler will roll out its new special edition Mopar 2010 Challenger in limited numbers. To be built based on the Challenger R/T, the new Mopar 2010 Challenger will sport features such as cold air intake, hood venting, front and rear strut-tower braces, and a new engine cover, says a statement from Chrysler.

Chrysler will be rolling out only 500 editions of the car and will sell them for a starting price of $38,000. In case you are someone who would be looking for a model with a manual transmission, you will need to shell out $1,000 more. Pre-order has commenced already.

To be presented in Brilliant Black and a choice of accent colors Mopar Blue, Red or Silver, the car would come across as an absolute headturner. Born out of the link up between Chrysler and Dodge, the Mopar 2010 Challenger will sport 20-inch glossy black forged wheels, a black chrome grille, leather-wrapped steering wheel and Katzkin leather seats that add to the charm.

For the automatic models, the car will come with Mopar T-handle shifter and pistol grip shifter for manual transmissions. In a bid to cheer customers, Chrysler will also give away certificates and a limited-edition sketch signed by Mark Trostle, Chrysler’s design chief.

Spyker is taking C8 Spyder GT2 on a China jaunt. The car, a special edition car, is expected to bring to the fore Chinese design elements in abundance in its looks. Based on the same platform as the Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder, the GT2 will, however, be like the C8 Laviolette LM85 – a street-legal version of the C8 Laviolette GT2R.

Spyker will throw in the LM85′s powertrain into the GT2 and a 4.2-liter V8 sourced from Audi. The engine would be capable of 400 hp (298 kW / 406 PS) and 480 Nm (354 lb-ft) of torque and will be linked up with a Getrag six-speed manual transmission. We are being told that the special edition street legal car could come about as a longer, wider, and more comfortable for the driver vehicle. With China set be the second largest market after the US for Spyker, the decision to lure Chinese comes about as natural. More China specific models are also said to be in the pipeline.

Spyker might bring in the C8 Spyder GT2 right in for an October launch, it is being speculated. Let’s wait and watch to know what’s on the pricing front.

We all know VW had been really hesitant in bringing in its Up! small car to the US roads. However, with the new electric version of the Up! – or the E-Up! – coming up, it sees like US buyers might see a change in strategy.

With electric cars being sought after more than ever before, Volkswagen is expected to drive in the E-Up! to the North American markets by 2013.

If you would remember, you first saw the car at the Frankfurt auto show last fall. In the next four years’ time, the E-Up! is sure to be rolled out in the US. VW hopes to find city buyers for the e version and might look to sell it for something around $11,000.

A front-drive city car, the E-Up! comes with a 60 kW – 40 kW continuous – electric motor powered by lithium-ion batteries. VW is expected to bring in the electric city car as a three or five-door hatch. We also get to hear that the car could later on be transformed into a Space Up! microvan which would share the Audi A2 platform. The E-Up! has been built on a range of 130 km (80 miles), and would come with capabilities to race from 0 to 50 km/h in 3.5 seconds. Look out for 2013, so that you are ready for the E-Up!’s arrival.

It is finally quits for the E60 BMW M5. Ending five years of production, the carmaker had rolled out only 20,548 units of the fourth-generation M5. And ever since BMW went in for the five door variant, only 1,025 BMW M5 Touring units were built.

The E60 BMW M5 had been noted for its 5.0-liter V10 petrol engine that brought to the fore 509 horsepower (380 kW / 516 PS), and up to 520 Nm (380 ft-lb) of torque. We have seen it race from 0-100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds when BMW married the engine to a seven-speed SMG or a six-speed manual transmission. The model had capabilities to touch 337 km/h (209 mph), and its speed was electronically-limited to 249 km/h (155 mph).

The car maker is seriously looking at altering its assembly line in Germany’s Dingolfing, so that it can go ahead with the planned production of the F10 M5. This fifth-generation M5 could come with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 and is seen as capable enough to return 570 hp (425 kW / 578 PS), and up to 680Nm (502 ft-lb) of torque. Sounds good!

The Mercedes S350 BlueTec has just rolled on to German showrooms. The 3.0 liter V6 diesel engine car with 190 kW (258 PS / 255 hp) and 620 Nm (457 lb-ft) of torque is now yours to pick for a cool €76,279.

The S 350 BlueTEC comes with capabilities to speed vroom from 0-100 km/h in just 7.1 seconds, before topping out at an electronically limited 250 km/h (155 mph). The new engine is what you should be looking for as Mercedes is holding it aloft as it eyes more customers in Germany.

What is unique about the new engine, you tend to ask? The new Merc engine is being described as 11 per cent more economical and the credit is being attributed to the AdBlue aqueous urea injection it sports. This feature lets the S 350 BlueTec to return average fuel consumption of 6.8 L/100km and CO2 emissions of 177 grams per km. Now that is admirable considering the earlier 7.6 L/100km and 199 grams of CO2 per km.

If you are going for the S 350 BlueTec, the other features that could charm you include Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist capabilities. The Passion leather / Alcantara upholstery, Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG sound system with 15 speakers, two amplifiers, and a total output of 1200 watts come as part of the package. Go for it?

Ever wondered what a Volkswagen Race Touareg 3 would look like? The carmaker has lifted the wraps off a new teaser image of the upcoming model. Being readied for the Dakar Rally that is to get underway in January 2011, the VW Race Touareg 3 has given us a peep into the front end of the upcoming truck.

Not much can be seen, but we tend to believe that the soon to roll out model looks similar to the test vehicle that was sneak peeked earlier. The guard bars around the grille aren’t visible as we wanted them to be, but it sports similar looks as the one we have seen. The positioning of the blue valves, black hoses, steel tubing, and radiator elements and even the hues it sports give us a fair idea of what the VW Race Touareg 3 would look like.

We guess we will have to wait to see the VW Race Touareg 3 in full till it sails on to the Dakar track in all its elements. It is being speculated that the carmaker would stay with the 300-horsepower (224-kW) TDI engine already in use Same would be the case with the suspension and the chassis too.

[via WCF]