After the International Motor Show that will be held early March, the New York Auto Show will come. You probably knew it but what you didn’t knew is that the organization planning the “World Car of the Year” awards have decided it’s top three finalists in each of the four categories. 47 automotive journalists helped for the list to be built.

So here are the “nominees”:

2008 World Car of the Year Finalists
Ford Mondeo
Mazda2 / Mazda Demio
Mercedes-Benz C-Class

2008 World Design of the Year
Audi R8
Mazda2 / Mazda Demio
Volvo C30

2008 World Performance Car
Audi R8
Audi S5 Coupé
BMW M3

2008 World Green Car
BMW 118d with Efficient Dynamics
SmartForTwo cdi
Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDI

Past year’s winners included Audi A6 in 2005, BMW 3 Series in 2006 and Lexus LS460 in 2007. Place your bets people.

WCOTY

Announced a few minutes ago, Renault Laguna GT is the newest model to come out from the French bench. It’s stylish and expressive and it uses the new Active Drive chassis which is complex a four wheel steering system (4WS) set up that will make the new Laguna GT to  “reach new heights in driveability and active safety”.

The performance for this sports tourer, which is actually a family car, is assured by two engines. One is a 2.0 dCi diesle engine that sports 180hp  and a turbo 2.0-liter petrol engine to come up with 205hp.  With special 18-inch Celsium alloy wheels which hide large 320mm front brake discs and a dark charcoal leather on the interior the new Renault Laguna GT is going to look great at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show.

International Motor Show in Geneva this year is going to be big. Very big, because there are so many announcements with lots of new models coming up. That’s the case with this BMW twin-turbo diesel hybrid X5 that uses the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept technology. The engine is a 2.0 liter four cylinder diesel that sports 204hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, and is mated to a hybrid motor that brings 20hp more and 154 lb-ft of torque.

It uses a 8-speed gearbox designed by ZF and it should be able to come up with 43.5 mpg, and with 172 g/km of CO2 emissions. This is so green that the solar panels have been mounted on the roof. This is going to be the world premiere of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics X5 so I bet it’s gonna be big.

via AutoBlog

Here is another beauty that comes to Geneva this March, 2009 Jaguar XKR Portfolio. It’s an upgraded version of the Jaguar XKR we knew with bigger wheels (20-inch “Selena” alloys), better brakes, a unique Shadow Grey metallic paint with contrasting milled aluminum side-vents and a glowing interior.

Now that I mentioned the interior of the 2009 Jaguar XKR Portfolio, it comes with gorgeous charcoal with cranberry twin-needle topstitching or ivory with slate stitching leather seats so that you can relax while you drive. Now if you’re a fan of audio setups then this one is for you:  525-watt Bowers & Wilkins sound system.

It’s official as you read.

via AutoBlog

Toyota is very active in the small segment and things are going to stay that way. The company just announced that the new Toyota iQ is going to be revealed during Geneva Motor Show next month. It’s about 3 meters long, big enough for three adults and some luggage and very safe (they say). Toyota will also bring the Urban Cruiser to make its European debut.

Do you like the iQ?

Ladies and gentlemen it’s official. We no longer need to speculate and listen to rumors about the new Volvo XC60, because the Swedish car manufacturer announced they will show it off during Geneva Motor Show starting March 4th. Can you remember the first Volvo XC60 spy shots we’ve told you about last month?

I’m not sure if you’re as excited as I am with XC60, but all those lines and the beauty mixed with the sporty looks make me believe that this is going to be a success for Volvo. Do you like it?

Mitsubishi and Subaru have always been head-to-head with releasing extremely aggressive (as in performances and looks) models. It’s time for Mitsubishi this year to take Lancer to the next level: a 5-door sportback sedan. Dubbed Mitsubishi Lancer Prototype S, it should be available if our sources are correct in March at Geneva.

The same sources said that judging by the looks it should have closely specs with the Evolution Ralliart model, using a 2.0 liter supercharged engine that develops 240hp, permanent all-wheel drive, active centre differential and active yaw control.

We’ll probably know more by the end of February.

via CarScoop

So far Buick’s Riviera Concept was only presented in China at Auto Shanghai 2007 in April, but we’ve heard that it will make its debut on North American soil, next month at Detroit Auto Show. Though we get to see it that much the chances to see it live are very low but rumors say that future Buicks like the next-gen Buick LaCrosse will borrow a lot of features from the looks and the design of the Riviera Concept.

If the picture is not enough and you want to see it exhibited then 19th-29th January in Detroit is the first place, then at Chicago Auto Show from 8 to 17th February.

via Cars.com

Pinifarina just announced that in March 2008 during Geneva Motor Show they will bring a new concept to the public that should anticipate future trends when it comes to car designs. It’s been three years now since the last concept we’ve seen from the Italian company, the Maserati Birdcage in 2005.

Maserati Birdcage Concept 2005

Pininfarina Sintesi is the name and was designed by Director Design, Lowie Vermeersch that has more than 10 years experience. I am sure it will not only focus on “beauty driven by functionality, of sportiness and elegance” but will be almost flyable if we consider the looks.

2008 is going to be one of the best years in the auto industry.

via AutoBlog.nl

At the Detroit Auto Show next year (next month to be precise), BMW will come up with their latest X6 Sports Activity Coupe model. A combination of a SUV, a SAV and CUV, this is a crossover version of a very powerful but elegant large BMW coupe.

BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupe will have two twin-turbo engines, first a 3.0-liter with 6-cylinder that sport 300hp and a 4.4-liter V8 engine that goes up to 400hp. All versions will include the xDrive all-wheel-drive technology for better stability, agility and steering precision. It should be available from the second quarter of 2008 (with rumors say end of 2008) and meanwhile you can watch the video.