When any manufacturer, but particularly an industry titan like Toyota, rolls out a new vehicle that they say is “in a new class”, well, the hairs on any journalist’s neck stand up a bit. That was certainly the case as we listened to Toyota’s executives and engineers roll out the new Venza.  But after a couple of days of driving it, talking to Toyota about it, and reviewing the data, we think they have a point. It’s a subtle point, but a point nonetheless.

You’ll notice that so far we haven’t said what the Venza “is”.  We haven’t put it in a category. Before we discuss the category the vehicle belongs in, we invite you to do the same experiment we performed with some of our colleagues at the launch.  Take a good look at the pictures of the Venza. What would you say this is?  Just for fun, make a mental note of that, so you can compare your reaction to what a group of journalists said in response to the same question.

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BMW's polarizing new 5-Series Gran Turismo hits U.S. dealerships on December 5th, with the 550i GT model being the only variant initially offered. The base price? $64,725. Look for an xDrive variant to come early next year, as well as the 535i GT, featuring an all-new turbocharged inline-six (not the twin-turbo six that we've grown oh so fond of in recent years).

This MSRP slots the 550i GT between the V-8-powered X6 and 750i, but things can start to get rather pricey when options are tacked on. We highly recommend the sport package ($4200) and the optional twenty-inch wheels ($1000), as they vastly improve the 5GT's overall appearance and driving dynamics. Be sure to grab the luxury rear seating package, too ($3950) as it's one of the nicest BMW rear setups we've ever sat in. Seriously -- it's more luxurious than a long-wheelbase 7-Series.

For the full press release and options list, click through the post. And in the meantime, be sure to read our review of the 550i Gran Turismo in the latest issue of Winding Road.

+ First Drive: 2010 BMW 550i Gran Turismo

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Mazda has announced that the North American spec Mazda2 (known in Japan as the Demio) will debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show next month. The subcompact hatchback has been successful  in other parts of the world, and will begin to be offered in the U.S. and Canada late next year.

Does this, as well as the arrival of the Ford Fiesta, spell a new trend in the future U.S. auto market?

See the Japanese version in the gallery above, or scroll down for the press release from Honda.

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Porsche has announced the 911 GT3 R. Based on the GT3 Cup S, it is powered by a 480-horsepower, 4.0-liter flat-six. Porsche promises better driveability and easier handling than its predecessor, thanks to ABS, traction control, and throttle blip, making it “more appropriate for the ambitious amateur racing driver.”

The 911 GT3 R is scheduled to debut on January 14, 2010 at the Birmingham Motor Show. It is priced at the current equivalent of $414,950.

See it in the gallery above, or read the press release below.

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Lately, we’ve seen many examples of updated BMWs coming through the espionage pipeline. These latest spy shots, though, aren’t just another appearance update.

Take a close look at the sticker on the window and under the license plate. It reads, in plain English, “Hybrid Test Vehicle.” Caught in Munich, the 1-series appears to be following in the tire tracks of the 7-Series and X6 ActiveHybrid models we have already seen.

We’ll be sure to keep you posted with any more news on the 1-Series hybrid.

Click through the gallery above to see the BMW 1-Series hybrid prototype, or scroll down for the shooter’s comments.

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-Palm Springs, California

We're fresh from the driver's seat of the newest addition to the Lancer Evo fast family, the mildly more grown up MR Touring model. Mitsubishi has got a lot happening at its event in Palm Springs, California this afternoon (stay tuned for much more from this desert trip in coming days), but we felt we'd be remiss if we didn't check in with a few quick thoughts about the new Evo.

CLICK HERE to continue reading this review.

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Audi, in what seems to be another step toward making humans obsolete, is developing an Autonomous Audi TTS, which may drive itself up Pike’s Peak late next year.

Audi promises, though, that the project “isn’t aimed at making motorists and the thrill of driving dispensable.” We believe you Audi, and we breathe a sigh of relief. The Autonomous TTS is meant to help improve driver assistance technologies, and what better way to do that than to create a car that needs no driver at all. Amazing what a GPS, drive-by-wire controls, and a big dose of math can achieve.

Click through the gallery above to see the Autonomous Audi TTS, or scroll down through the press release for more details. Click here to see the video.

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We drive the 2010 Altima Coupe, Sentra Sedan, and Versa Hatchback back-to-back-to-back to see what the refreshed line is made of.

—Nashville, Tennessee

For 2010, a good portion of Nissan’s lineup has been refreshed. The Altima, Sentra, and Versa, were updated to compete with the ever-expanding sedan market. It had been a while since we’ve been behind the wheel of these three models, so we went down to Nissan’s American headquarters among the rolling, green hills of Tennessee to reacquaint ourselves, and to see what each model had to offer.

2010 Nissan Altima Coupe 2.5S

Definitely the sportiest of the Nissan news in terms of appearance was the 2010 Altima coupe, which drew us immediately. We admit, it’s a good-looking car. It appears confident, but not without a level of restraint. It still has the same form as the sedan, which itself is sleek yet not approaching aggressive. The wheelbase is shorter, and its more compact footprint and two-door profile give a hint of speed to the curve of the cabin.

CLICK HERE to continue reading this review.

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Today, Hyundai unveiled its first gasoline direct injection engine, the 2.4 Theta II GDI. The 2.4-liter engine, in its current, Korean spec, offers 198 horsepower at 6300 rpm, and 184 pound-feet of torque at 4250 rpm.

Besides its improved output, direct injection lowers emissions and improves fuel economy.

The 2.4 Theta II GDI will see its first application in the first half of 2010 in the Hyundai Sonata. The GDI technology will then spread to other gasoline engines in the Hyundai lineup.

We’re glad to see Hyundai, as well as other manufacturers, bring back the mainstream use of direct injection technology. Learn more about direct injection here, or check out our Direct Injection Buyer’s Guide , listing current models on sale that use the technology.

See Hyundai’s new direct injection engine in the gallery above, or scroll down for the press release.

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Not long ago, we sampled a tuned-up version of the BMW 335i in the form of the Dinan S1, and in our non-track test, we actually preferred the hot S1 to that of BMW's already good M3 Coupe.

Tuner ATT Autotechnik has put its spin on the BMW 335i Convertible and the simple modifications are enough to give it a different sort of edge over the stock droptop M3. For starters, power has been boosted to 356 horsepower and 388 pound-feet of torque. And while that may be 58 less horsepower than an M3, the ATT example produces 93 more pound-feet of torque out of the twin-turbocharged inline-six engine. We've discussed the joys of turbo thrust and torque power before, and in some cases actually prefer it to larger-displacement, naturally aspirated mills (though the M3's V-8 is one hell of a good engine), so it looks like this steroid-enhanced 335i cabrio might offer more interesting dynamics for everyday driving.

Other changes include a sharp set of twenty-inch wheels and stainless steel exhaust, giving it a more subdued overall appearance than a comparable M3. Like the Dinan, we can easily see the Doppelturbo-Cabriolet being a more interesting steer than the M-badged Bimmer on the street, but as a track performer, it's hard to say. Click through the post for ATT Autotechnik's press release.

+ Autoblog: ATT Autotechnik drops BMW 335i Doppelturbo-Cabriolet

Mercedes-Benz parent company, Daimler AG, has announced that, along with Aabar Investments, it is taking over a 75.1 percent joint stake in Brawn GP, the winner of this year’s Formula 1 championship. Furthermore, the team’s name will be changed to Mercedes GP, beginning next season.

Ross Brawn, Nick Fry, and other partners will still control the remaining stake, and Brawn will continue as Team Principal.

Also of note, McLaren will buy Back Mercedes’ 40 percent stake in its team by some time in 2011, leaving McLaren independent. Mercedes-Benz will still supply engines to McLaren until 2015.

+ F1 Live: Mercedes take over Brawn GP

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As we’ve been seeing lately through spy photos, BMW has been refreshing the looks of their lineup. The BMW X5 is the latest to be caught in our crosshairs.

We see here that the air intakes are on the front are different, as well as foglight placement. The rear bumper has been reshaped, too, as we can see from the side-by-side photo in this gallery. The exhaust tips also have a new shape.

See the new look of the BMW X5 in the gallery above.

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Lotus has released U.S. pricing for the 2010 Evora. And the magic number is:

$73,500.

Not bad for a 2+2, mid-engine Lotus with a 276-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6, delivering upwards of 30 miles per gallon highway.

The 2010 Lotus Evora will go on sale in the U.S. during the first quarter of next year. In the meantime, two Evoras are traveling to dealerships across the country for open houses (details follow in the press release).

See it in the above gallery, or scroll down for the press release from Lotus.

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Our Texas team has just taken delivery of a 2010 Chevy Camaro SS; this
one in a very sinister shade of black. Ask you questions through the link below, and
we'll do our best to deliver up answers.

+ NextAutos Forums: Ask It: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS

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These are the latest spy photos of the BMW 6-Series convertible in testing. Our sources now tell us that it will not get a retractable hard top, as we once thought. The 6-Series will be offered as a soft-top convertible, seen here, and as a coupe.

The new 6-Series will have a wider grille and headlights, and will share most engines with the 7-Series, except for the V-12. The M6 will go the same route as the M5, and drop the V-10 in favor of BMW’s twin-turbo V-8

Click through the gallery above to see the BMW 6-Series convertible, or scroll down for the photographer’s notes.

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For all of you (ourselves included) who have lusted after the Opel Insignia, it looks like we'll finally have the chance to see what the fuss is all about. As part of General Motors' strategy to build up the Buick brand beyond its LaCrosse, Enclave, and (aging) Lucerne models, the 2011 Regal will be arriving on our shores next year, available only with four-cylinder engines and front-wheel drive.

Initially, just the naturally aspirated Regal will be available, packing GM's trusty 2.4-liter, direct-injected four which produces 182 horsepower and is good for 30 miles per gallon on the highway. In the late summer of 2010, however, a model with the Ecotec 2.0-liter, 220-horsepower engine will roll out, mated to an all-new Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS) which allows the driver to change the suspension settings between Normal, Tour, and Sport modes. Both engines will be mated to six-speed automatic transmissions.

The Regal will come standard with many premium features, like heated, leather seats, Bluetooth, XM satellite radio, OnStar, and eighteen-inch wheels (or nineteens with the IDCS system). That, combined with the sleek styling of the Euro Insignia, should make the Regal a pretty fierce competitor for upmarket Ford Fusions.

No word on pricing has been released at this time, but we'll keep you posted. Stay tuned for more details when this car makes its official reveal at next month's Los Angeles Auto Show. In the meantime, click through the post to read GM's official press release.

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Caption:

This Sprinter, designed by Andy Mauck, will definitely get lots of looks on your cross-country expedition.

+ Expedition Portal: Sportsmobiles and Camper Vans

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Whether it’s badged as a Dodge, Mercedes-Benz, or Freightliner, we can’t deny our undying affection for the Sprinter van. So much room, so many uses, and those magnificent air-ride seats—what’s not to love? In our appreciation for the ultimate moving machine, we present our list of ten truly spectacular custom Sprinters.

Click through the gallery above, and enjoy.

Recent lists:

+ The Top 10 Lightest 300 Horsepower Cars

+ Top Ten $5K Rallycross Cars

+ Ten Performance Cars That We Wish Existed

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The new Mercedes-Benz halo car to end all halo cars just hit the road and track with us at the wheel.

—Monterey, California

You’ll get a chock-full version of this amazing drive experience with the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG in the next issue of Winding Road (next week), but we wanted to hit you with some of the fun fresh out of the aluminum Sportwagen. In a nutshell, the SLS is a clear successor to the SLR McLaren and it is clearly improved from the SLR.

CLICK HERE to continue reading this review

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The official press release follows after the break.

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From some wintry part of the world, we have received these spy shots of a four-door version of the Volkswagen Polo. Because of its size and fuel economy, we expect the Polo sedan to appear in the US as part of the 2011 lineup.

It will probably see some more changes before it becomes available, and we’ll post any updates or images as its unveiling draws near.

Check out the Polo sedan in the gallery above, or scroll down for the photographer’s comments.