Lotus Elise and Exige in 2012

While little is known about the concept, AutoExpress (the UK automotive press's equivalent of a gossip rag) reckons it will sit alongside a new roadster concept and a new front-engined GT car.

Of course, it remains to be seen if there's any truth to these reports and it will likely be September before any further details are known.

Lotus is known to be focusing its energies on breaking into the cashed-up luxury performance market, with an ultimate goal of tripling sales from around 2000-2500 cars per year to 7000.

Lotus has offered little else on what we can expect to see at Paris, describing its new concept as "the future evolution of an iconic British brand".

2011 Lotus Exige V6

And we got the news earlier this … which is more than obvious: Lotus piecework now at the launch of the Evora, while preparing the Esprit, the Evora convertible, the Elise and Exige. Will they be able to cope with so much work?

Then think so, because according to previous information, the Hethel company plans to start producing in 2012 the next generation of its legendary mid-engine roadster. The replacement of the M-111, El Salvador in the house created by Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman, is expected to frame an evolution of extruded aluminum, better designed, with a slightly larger size, while maintaining the lightness, and thrusters Toyota’s latest generation.

Demands for variant even expect a dual-clutch box, and a 100% electric version of Lotus itself is also on the planning table. We make your mouth water!

Chevrolet is joining the electric revolution the Cruze saloon

Chevrolet is joining the electric revolution. The firm is set to introduce a fleet of demonstration electric models in South Korea, based on the Cruze saloon.

The project is due to begin by the end of October, and is a partnership between GM and electronics firm LG. Much like Audi’s A1 e-tron data gathering exercise which begins in Munich shortly, GM’s electric Cruze’s will be used to gather data about how real world users take to driving cars powered purely by electricity.

The Cruze EVs will have a 31kW/h battery pack, made by LG Chem, which allows a range of up to 100 miles. The car’s electric motor gives respectable performance, with 0-62mph taking 8.2 seconds and a top speed of 103mph.

Charging takes between 8 and 10 hours, although part of the project is to see how well a new quick charge system works when subjected to day-to-day use.

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Chevrolet Cruze starts at $16,995

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, the next significant salvo into the small-car segment, will arrive in September with a base price of just $16,995.

The Cruze, which rides on General Motors' global small-car underpinnings called Delta, is the company's most important small vehicle in years. It features a fuel-efficient powertrain, a relatively handsome appearance and long option list. The car ultimately replaces the Cobalt in Chevy's lineup. Production of that model ends in June. It starts at $14,990.

The base price is for the 1.8-liter Ecotec four-cylinder with a six-speed manual transmission. Electronic stability control, power windows and locks and traction control are standard. It also comes with six months of OnStar service and a three-month XM satellite radio subscription.

The LT, which upgrades to the 1.4-liter Ecotec turbo with a six-speed automatic and 16-inch wheels, is $18,895.

For the same price, buyers can also opt for the Cruze Eco model, which GM says can get up to 40 mpg on the highway. It pairs the 1.4-liter turbo engine with a six-speed manual and features 17-inch alloy wheels, low-rolling-resistance tires and an enhanced aerodynamics package.

The LTZ trim is $22,695 and adds leather, a six-way power driver's seat, Bluetooth, automatic climate control and 18-inch alloy wheels. Power is drawn from the turbo unit working in tandem with the six-speed automatic.

All prices include destination charges.

The long list of options includes a 40-gig hard drive, heated lather seats, upgraded audio and an RS appearance pack.

Volkswagen Touran 7-Seater MPV Receives Second Mid-Life Facelift

For the second time since its introduction in 2003 and four years after the presentation of the revised model in 2006, the Volkswagen Touran 7-seater MPV has yet again been facelifted.

Due to make its world premiere at this month's Auto Mobil International (AMI) motor show, which runs from 10 to 18 April in Leipzig, Germany, the 2011 Touran features a refreshed styling inspired by the new Polo, Golf and Touareg models.

At the front, the Touran gets VW's latest corporate grille along with new headlamp and bumper designs. The rear section of the Touran was also restyled featuring two-piece tail lamps that extend from the wing into the tailgate, while VW's designers also modified the MPV's profile by adding an upwards kink on the rear window section.

Completing the revisions are a set of new alloy wheels and chrome-edged rubbing strips running down the side of the vehicle as well as new exterior mirrors.

Inside the Touran, fresh new trim finishes are joined by a three-spoke steering wheel, a new set of dials featuring subtle white backlighting and a large electronic display plus a revised centre console with chrome highlights that houses new controls for the ventilation system.

The Touran continues to be fitted with seven seats as standard. The third row of can be folded down into the floor leaving a 695 lt loadspace that can be increased to 1,913 lt when the centre row of seats is folded. A total of 39 storage compartments can be found around the new Touran.

Power for the 2011 Touran comes from a range of diesel and gasoline engines, all turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder units.

The new entry-level 1.2-liter TSI gasoline unit with 105HP is joined by a 140HP 1.4-liter TSI offered with 140HP and 170HP, the latter paired with a standard seven-speed Direct Shift Gearbox.

The diesel-lineup includes a 1.6-liter TDI with 90HP and 105HP, and a 2.0-liter TDI with 140HP and 170HP.

In addition, the 1.6-litre 140HP and 105HP diesel engines can be specified in BlueMotion Technology trim complete with Start/Stop and, in the case of the latter, the ability to return 4.6lt/100km (58.8mpg US or 70.6mpg UK) on the combined cycle.

Aside from the models that come with standard DSG, all other variants of the Touran are equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Grand Prix back to IndyCar?

At the Bahrain Grand Prix on the last week Formula One Supremo Bernie Ecclestone quoted as saying that the return of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is under consideration. Not so fast, say supporters of the track, who said that if the company is not interested in attracting U. S. Grand Prix ago, speaking now.

Since the first U.S. Grand Prix was held in 1908 French Grand Prix is held at various locations across the country, including Savannah, Milwaukee, Santa Monica, San Francisco, Riverside, Sebring, Watkins Glen and Phoenix, not to mention different races in Long Beach, Las Vegas, Detroit and Dallas, and even years, during the Indy 500 counted at the world championships in Formula But between them there are huge gaps: There is no competition "has no place between 1917 and 1957, 1981 or 1992 -- '88-'99.

After eight races in Indianapolis, took place between 2000 and 2007 - including a gloomy 2005, when Michelin boycotted the event, six cars from the network - Offshore Racing for the past three calendar years. The automakers continue to compete in the series (after the recent withdrawal of Honda, Toyota and BMW) seek to return as American racing fans