The Lotus Elise has never been a car accused of being overweight, but that still hasn’t stopped Lotus from putting the sportscar on another diet to lose a few pounds.

Download 2012 Lotus Elise Club Racer

Just to clarify, we’re talking soccer here people. Just in time for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Opel brings a sporty Corsa special model for fans on the road:

Download 2010 Opel Corsa Football Championship Edition

Speeding in France is about to get a wee bit trickier to get away with now that the Gendarmerie are getting 70 Renault Megane RS police vehicles on the prow

Download 2011 Renault Megane RS Police Car

Seat was the World Touring Car Champion in 2009, taking both first and second place (Gabriele Tarquini in the first place and Yvan Muller in the second). To celebrate that success the Swiss division of the Spanish maker has unveiled the special edition Seat Leon Cupra R 310 WCE. There will be only 200 units built, each priced at 32,310 Euro.

Download 2010 Seat Leon Cupra R310 WCE

In the original story introducing the Honda Insight to our long-term fleet, I had a bit of fun recounting that, when I first encountered the Clear Sky Blue hybrid, my knee-jerk response was "Ack, ack!" I couldn't think of a better way to greet this otherworldly automotive invader than in the mono-word language of Tim Burton's alien invaders from his classic "Mars Attacks!" (What? It's not a classic?)

Download Verdict: 2010 Honda Insight EX

While several staffers drove a pair of Kizashis through Japan, Russia, Canada, and the U.S., our long-termer stayed home. On one staffer's drive, it suffered minor damage when a bit of debris became lodged in one of the front fenderwells. The Kizashi continues to impress with top-notch interior styling, sporty character, and ergonomically sound cabin.

Download Long Term Update 4: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi GTS

The "Toyobaru" is now a Scion. It's a decision that makes sense for the U.S. market, as Toyota needs to increase enthusiasm and interest in its youth-oriented brand, which has recently flattened out in both sales and product excitement. With the purest enthusiast credentials of any Scion -- production or concept -- to date, the Scion FR-S looks like the just the ticket to help re-ignite enthusiast passion for the brand.

Download Scion FR-S Concept

Launching a car like the 2007 Porsche Cayman after introducing a high-performance model like the Cayman S presents something of a conundrum. How do you refer to it? Is the new "non-S" Cayman a base model or is it a regular edition? How does "standard," or "normal" grab you?

Download First Drive: 2007 Porsche Cayman

It may have a Japanese design and a Japanese name, but the 2007 Suzuki XL-7 is about as Japanese as a Yoshinoya beef bowl.

You see, although this fully redesigned version of Suzuki's midsize SUV is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 built in Japan, the engine was actually designed by General Motors. Suzuki builds it under license and adds its own computers, but it's essentially the same engine found under the hood of the Pontiac G6.

Download First Drive: 2007 Suzuki XL-7

The Mercedes F-CELL World Drive will be travelling across North America until March 18, demonstrating the potential of fuel cell technology. In addition, with what is to date a unique undertaking, Mercedes-Benz is reaffirming the need to develop a comprehensive global hydrogen infrastructure. “We will have reached market maturity with fuel cell technology by 2015 at the latest. From that point we would then be in a position to bring several 100,000 vehicles, in a variety of different model series, onto the roads. For example we are also planning a saloon model with fuel cell drive and will thereby expand our portfolio of local zero-emission vehicles. Therefore, by that time, an infrastructure which allows the everyday operation of such vehicles, needs to be in place.”, according to Dr. Thomas Weber, the Daimler AG Board Member responsible for Group Research and Development for Mercedes-Benz Cars. “Now is therefore the time to increase speed and consistently develop the hydrogen filling station network.”

Download Mercedes-Benz F-Cell World Drive Kicks Off Its North American Tour

The all new 2012 C350 Coupe and C250 Coupe were released Sunday, finally bringing several rounds of leaked images and information to an end. With all of the speculation over the months, we finally have the official details of both 2012 Mercedes C-Class Coupe’s, with the full equipment lists being revealed.


Download 2012 C350 and C250 Coupe Equipment List

For the most elite and wealthy people, there access to the greatest, exotic vehicles is available thanks to loaded bank accounts. However, as much as some well-regarded individuals would rather pilot a Lamborghini or Ferrari, the extraordinary dangers which could result in their lives demand specific transportation options. Realizing the need to protect the world’s dignitaries many luxury car makers have their own in-house divisions devoted for high-security preparations. A continuous leap for optimum safeguarding is the goal behind the upcoming Audi A8 L Security model.

Download High-Security Audi A8 planned for High Contingency

Dodge will lead the cars built off the next-generation Chrysler LX platform--called LY--with a new Challenger ponycar for the 2010 model year. The Challenger will be a true Mustang-fighter, with 350-horsepower Hemi V-8 and 3.5-liter, 250-horsepower V-6 versions going up against the Mustang coupe. And given Chrysler's ambitions for its performance franchise, you can expect a 6.1-liter, 425-horse SRT* version as well. Dodge has no plans for a Challenger convertible, as that business will be left to the 2007 Chrysler {{{Sebring}}} replacement, although it's possible Chrysler Group could commission a coachbuilder like ASC to do one.

Download Dodge Challenger Is A Go

Luc Donckerwolke is Volkswagen Group's new head of advanced design, reporting directly to Walter de' Silva. Like VW AG design chief de' Silva, Donckerwolke moves into the new corporate job after heading design for the troubled Spanish Seat division, the brand charged with chasing Alfa Romeo buyers

Download VW's New Advanced Design Chief Takes the Helm

The sticking gas pedal problem that prompted the recall of millions of Toyotas last year may have contributed to a deadly accident in Utah.

Download Deadly Crash in Utah linked to Toyota Gas Pedal Problem