These patents, sketched on an Aston Martin DB7 to throw people off, were uncovered by Autocar and reveal a system that, to us, appears to hinge at the base of the windscreen, allowing almost the entire side of the car to hinge upwards for unprecedentedly good access. While the system will work on cars with any engine configuration it looks like it'd be best located on a mid-engined car, curing the difficulty typically involved with entering and exiting one. The patents say such a system will be "easy and cost-effective to make" compared to competitor's fancy doors. [via Autocar]

They envision a lightly hotted up version of the standard car more in the mold of the S4 or 335i than the M3 or the P2 generation S60R and V70R. Why? Volvo fans don't want to go faster, they just want to look faster.

Our sources say the new S60 will likely come with the 305 HP T6 engine from the XC60 as one of its powertrains. Is there really a need for an appearance package on top of that? [Swedespeed]

The rest is pure speculation, for instance guessing that the car would have a 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 180 MPH (the SLS manages 3.8 seconds and 197 MPH), but it's probably a given that the SSK would use a version of the ubiquitous "6.3" badged 6.2-liter AMG V8.

The 1928 Mercedes SSK (for Super Sport Kurz or Super Sport Short).

The $200,000 (est) SLS is already being viewed as an incredible success for AMG, a brand that until now hadn't produced its own vehicle. It seems logical that the halo car will be followed up by a cut-price alternative for the merely moderately wealthy. [Autocar]

The vehicle should go on sale in early 2010 and snag the six- and eight-cylinder engines from the coupe, including the 388 HP V8. It'll more than likely only be available with a soft top and go on sale some time in early 2010. [Carscoop]

BMW plans to officially unveil the more 7 Series-like 2011 5 Series at 2 PM EST / 11 AM PST on November 23. For the moment, however, we're left with the plethora of spy photos and this much-less-revealing but very artistic side profile teaser of the new 5 Series. So how'd they BMW make it?

Easy. BMW designers made use of their kinetic sculpture exhibit located at the automaker's Museum in Munich. Take a look at the artsy-fartsy video below:

While the MV-1 doesn't quite have the fug factor of the VW-Thing-meets-NYC-Taxi look of the Standard Taxi, VPG's planned mobility van isn't going to be winning any beauty contests. It will ride on the same chassis and the low load floor which is roomy in the taxi will be useful in enabling an automatic ramp for wheelchair access in the MV-1.

We're assuming the MV-1 will utilize the same GM 4.3-liter V6 driving the rear wheels, though calls to the company have gone unreturned. Amusingly, the vehicle will use a de Dion rear suspension, similar to what's found in the Caterham 7. (Hat tip to Matt for the pics!)

After building up your hopes and dreams about a Chevy Cruze wagon, we're now here to crush them into little bits. The picture circulated this morning was nothing more than a well executed fraud. Doesn't mean GM isn't working on a Cruze wagon, just that this isn't it.

[Original sources: IndianAutoblog via WCF]

The vehicle was spotted by user Adrey at the NAGTROC forums. We've seen plenty of versions tarted-up versions, but this person appears to be driving what seems like a full production version, as opposed to those camo'd LF-As running around the 'Ring earlier this year. We'll learn more soon, but we at least now know it'll carry over the RemoteTouch system that debuted on the Lexus HS this year.

UPDATE: Now there's video of it, the dam of LF-A news is breaking.

(Hat tip to Chuck!)
[NAGTROC]

Expect the Convertible to share Coupe's V6 and 388 HP V8 engines and its uninspiring driving dynamics. While the new E-Class Sedan is a welcome return to Mercedes values of old, the Coupe feels and, inside at least, looks cheap. Still desperate to own one? You'll have to wait till early 2010 for the privilege. [via CarScoop]

By the way, try saying that headline ten times fast.

Co-developed with the Toyota FT-86, the Subaru should be mechanically very similar yet beneath the camo appears to depart radically from the FT-86's handsome proportions.

Like the FT-86, the Subaru coupe will be rear-wheel drive and use a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine putting out something between 200 and 250 HP through a six-speed transmission. Expect both cars to be smaller in length, width, height and weight than the Nissan 370Z, yet feature a longer wheelbase of 101.2 inches. [via DiabloMotor]

With an extended kidney grille and headlamps (which are certain to feature BMW's now signature eyebrows) sweeping around the front wings the 5's face looks to resemble its Z4 and 7 Series relatives the closest, the bonnet in particular looking similar to the multi-contoured item that features on BMW's latest Z4 Roadster.

Expected to be on sale in 2010, the new 5-Series should debut at a motor show soon, with a late November web unveil and a live unveil at the LA Auto Show the most likely candidate for the new model reveal.[CarEnthusiast]

When the Crosstour was revealed on Facebook it drew the ire of many Honda fans. The company's lame excuse was to blame the photos. Now that you're seeing it without automaker interference what do you think? Does it look better or worse?


Wert will be back soon to report on whether or not there's an upside to match the prodigious backside.

The 2011 Subaru Coupe is the fruit of cooperation between Toyota Motor Company and Subaru, and as such will wear a common chassis and some degree of engine commonality, at the least a 2.0 liter, four cylinder boxer engine dubbed the "C-45 Boxer" and making between 200 and 250 HP will power the rear wheels through a manual six speed transmission.

Perhaps most telling are the car's overall dimensions. At 163.7 inches long, 69.3 inches, a wheelbase of 101.2 inches, and 49.6 inches high, it's thankfully compact, smaller in length, width and height than the Nissan 370Z, and slightly longer in wheelbase. [via Speedlux]