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Yes, it’s a hybrid. Toyota has unveiled its all-new TS030 Hybrid race car. It will be the first car of its kind to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship when it makes its racing debut on May 5 at the six hours of Spa-Francorchamps. Toyota also hopes to complete head-to-head with Audi Sport’s R18 TDI at the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans. It has been 13 years since the Japanese manufacturer last took part in the 24 hour race with the TS030′s predecessor the TS020, also known as the Toyota GT-One. Since Toyota’s decision to forgo the 2000 race Audi has dominated the top LMP1 ((Le Mans Prototype 1) class winning 10 of the last 12 races.

Powering the TS030 is a 3.4-liter, naturally aspirated V8 gasoline engine with a hybrid system consisting of capacitor storage areas at the front and rear of the vehicle. The hybrid system allows the vehicle to recoup lost power during braking. However, current racing regulations limit the amount of power stored to 500 kJ (kilojoules). The chassis is comprised of carbon-fiber and was developed by Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG).

Ironically, on the same day Toyota annouced their return for this year’s race, Audi’s recent rival Peugeot has suddenly and unexpectedly withdrawn their 908 LMP1 prototype, which defeated the Audi R15 TDI in 2009 at Le Mans. Without Toyota’s entry the race for the overall crown would have been a foregone conclusion, as Audi would have been the only serious contender in the class.

Alex Wurz, Nicolas Lapierre and Kazuki Nakajima have been chosen to pilot one of the two prototypes, but the line-up for the second car has yet to be determined.

Video courtesy of Toyota Motorsport GmbH

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Cadillac’s all-new ATS has been unveiled at the 2011 North American International Auto Show, signaling America’s most significant challenge to Germany’s dominance in the compact luxury sport sedan segment. Of the three German manufacturers, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and BMW, Cadillac has set their sights primarily on the BMW 3 series, who has led the compact luxury segment for years.

The 2013 ATS brings a high level of weight reduction in order to compete with the competition. To reduce the curb weight a combination of lightweight, high-strength steel, magnesium, aluminum and even natural-fibers have been used throughout the vehicle. The ATS’ hood is comprised of aluminum, while the engine mount brackets consist of even lighter magnesium. These savings allow the ATS to weighs in at less than 3,400 pounds, one of lowest in the segment.

Weight has been reduced, but to compete with established models such as the 3 series, Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4 driving dynamics and handling need to be up-to-par. To fulfill these needs the ATS has used a multi-link, double-pivot MacPherson-strut front suspension, and the ATS is the first Cadillac to offer a five-link independent rear suspension. This, combined with the ATS’ nearly perfect 50/50 weight distribution should give the vehicle enough cornering and road-going performance to hold its own.

Other major mechanical aspects of the new ATS are its different engines and gearboxes. The North American market will receive three different power plants, in the form of two four-cylinders and one six-cylinder. The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder developing 200 hp and 188 lb-ft of torque. An all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 270 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque gives customers an option for greater performance and more fun behind the wheel. Rounding out the engine offerings is a 3.6-liter V-6 with 318 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. The power from these engines is delivered to the wheels via a choice of two transmissions, a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual. The ATS is also available in either a rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations.

In terms of mechanical makeup, the ATS definitely seems to match up well with its German counterparts, but what about the interior? In years past some GM vehicle have scored big in performance and handling, only to come up short with interior design and styling.

Well, you’ll be glad to know it seems like the designers at Cadillac have gotten the message, making the ATS’ interior both luxurious and driver-orientated. One of the major features of the new interior is the Cadillac User Experience (CUE). The entertainment and information system allows for the pairing of up to 10 technological devices, such as Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices and MP3 players to be integrated with less buttons and controls than traditional setups. The CUE system is controlled from an eight-inch LCD touch screen, located in the center of the vehicle’s dashboard. The ATS’ interior comes in three “collections”, luxury, performance and premium. BOSE surround sound and navigation systems are available on all three, with both systems coming standard on the premium collections.

By Matt McCarron

No more partially disguised spy photos. Today, photos of the 2012 Mini coupe were officially unveiled. The new two-door variant of the agile and sporty car will be available in four trim levels, from the basic Mini coupe all the way up to the top-of-the-line, race-inspired John Cooper Works (JCW) coupe.

The entry-level Mini coupe is powered by a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine producing 122 hp at 6,000 rpm and 118 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm. The estimated fuel economy of this version is impressive. According to the new EU driving cycle the entry-level Mini coupe gets 52.3 mpg imp.

Next on the totem pole of Mini coupes to choose from is the SD coupe. The SD coupe is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine that puts out 143 hp at 4,000 rpm and 225 lb-ft from 1,750-2,700 rpm. As with many newer compact turbodiesels, the fuel economy is remarkable. The SD coupe is estimated to get 65.7 mpg, according to the EU standard.

If you yearn for something more aggressive and powerful, go for the Mini S coupe. The S coupe features a boosted 1.6-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine with twin-scroll turbocharger, direct injection and fully variable valve management. The result of this engine is 184 hp at 5,500 rpm and 177 lb-ft at 1,600-5,000 rpm. 192 lb-ft is available via the overboost function from 1,700-4,500 rpm.

The ultimate in performance is the John Cooper Works coupe. This special Mini has the most powerful engine available with an impressive 211 hp at 6,000 rpm and 192 lb-ft at 1,850-5,600 rpm. As with the S coupe the JCW coupe has an overboost function, giving the driver 207 lb-ft from 1,700-4,500 rpm. The JCW coupe can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 6.4 seconds, with a top speed of 149 mph.

The Mini coupe distinguishes itself from any other Mini on the road with a number of unique design and aerodynamic elements. The Mini coupe features a “helmet roof” design and is the only Mini to have an active rear spoiler that extends automatically at speeds of in excess of 50 mph. The interior of the vehicle has been redesigned to offer passengers more head room.

As with all Minis, the coupe is available in a number of exterior paints and interior trims. The roof of the coupe comes in contrasting color standard, along with optional matching sport stripes on the hood, trunk lid and rear apron, while the sport stripes on the roof are painted in the primary body color. Customers also have other options when it comes to the exterior and interior of the vehicle.

If you’re someone who wants a fun and focused car that is perfect for short cruises around town or long, spirited drives on back roads the Mini coupe might be the vehicle for you.

The 2012 Mini coupe is scheduled to go on sale in U.S. showrooms beginning in October.

By Matt McCarron

When a company takes a product that is already economical, exciting and inspiring to drive, and decides to improve it the results should be memorable. Mini has revealed spy photos of the upcoming 2012 Mini coupe.

Like the current Mini hatchbacks the handling and driving pleasure of the coupe promises to be go-cart like. Even though the example we had the chance to drive, a 2005 Cooper S was supercharged and not turbocharged like the current Mini Cooper S the result was nonetheless memorable. The handling is, well, superb. The small dimensions and tight suspension, combined with a supercharged four-cylinder makes driving through corners and winding on-ramps effortless and extremely enjoyable.

The new Mini Cooper coupe will be available in four different variations, each of which vary in the amount of horsepower their power plants produce.

The entry-level Mini Cooper coupe is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with fully variable valve management based on the BMW Group’s VALVETRONIC technology. The naturally aspirated four-cylinder produces 122 hp at 6,000 rpm and 118 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm. The estimated fuel economy of this version is impressive. According to the new EU driving cycle the entry Mini Cooper coupe gets 52.3 mpg imp.

If you think those numbers are impressive, waiting until you hear about the Mini Cooper SD coupe. The SD coupe is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel with aluminium crankcase, common-rail injection and variable turbine geometry. It puts out 143 hp at 4,000 rpm and 225 lb-ft from 1,750-2,700 rpm. As with many newer compact turbodiesels, the fuel economy is remarkable. The SD coupe is estimated to get 65.7 mpg, according to the EU standard.

However, if you would like your car to have more punch you can choose from the two most powerful, agile and race-inspired versions of the Mini coupe.

The first of these aggressive Mini coupes is the Mini Cooper S coupe. The S coupe features a boosted 1.6-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine with twin-scroll turbocharger, direct injection and fully variable valve management. The result of this engine is 184 hp at 5,500 rpm and 177 lb-ft at 1,600-5,000 rpm. 192 lb-ft is available via the overboost function from 1,700-4,500 rpm.

If you desire the ultimate in performance then you will want the John Cooper Works coupe. This special Mini has the most powerful engine available with an impressive 211 hp at 6,000 rpm and 192 lb-ft at 1,850-5,600 rpm. As with the S coupe the JCW coupe has an overboost function, giving the driver 207 lb-ft from 1,700-4,500 rpm. The JCW coupe can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 6.4 seconds, with a top speed of 149 mph.

Just in case you’re worried about sacrificing gas mileage and efficiency for performance you can relax. Despite being the high-end versions the Mini Cooper S and JCW coupe get an estimated 48.7 mpg and 39.8 mpg respectively.