One of the easiest decisions for the designers of the 2012 Porsche 911 Cabrio was where to launch it: the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.  It was a no-brainer for the Germany-based automaker because the United States loves the 911 Cabrio more than any other country, where sales have continue to surge. The all-new seventh generation is scheduled to hit the showrooms in the spring with almost 4 more inches in its wheel base, a lower overall height, and construction composed almost entirely of lightweight aluminum steel composite. Prospective owners have their choice of either a 3.4 liter or 3.8 liter six-cylinder engine that is capable of pumping out 350-horsepower or 400-horsepower, respectively, through a first of its kind seven-speed automatic or manual transmission. Check out more advanced looks of the 2012 Porsche 911 Cabrio after the jump ahead of the North American International Auto Show, which is scheduled to open its doors on January 9th.

It looks like a sports car. It’s powerful like a sports car. And it’s…affordable like a sports car? Well, that’s what India-based DC Design‘s was going for when it began designing what will become India’s first production supercar, the Avanti. Unveiled at the 2012 New Delhi Auto Expo, the Avanti draws its aesthetic features from the like of Ferrari and Lotus, but at an expected 30 lakh rupees (or about $56,277 / €43,500) it hopes to draw in drivers who want to push the limits without completely emptying their pockets. The Avanti will be initially powered by a small Ford 4-cylinder engine that is boosted up to 265 horsepower by a turbocharger managed through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. Later versions will be offered with a Honda V6 that bumps its horsepower up to 400, which, like its price, is a bit modest for a car bearing the supercar moniker. DC Design hopes to build about 200 units of the Avanti in 2013 before ramping up production to upwards of 2000 a year soon after. via: Autoblog

AC Schnitzer, one of BMW‘s tuning specialists, has introduced a new MINI Cooper Coupe Upgrade Package of his own that includes both interior and exterior performance and design features. For the outside, the AC Schnitzer package includes a set of decals such as a “Technology and Design” logo as well as a rear skirt protection foil. You can also pick up a set of new 18 inch Mi 1 silver or bi-color wheels for your MINI or, for the interior, a custom gear knob, digital gear display, aluminium pedal set, foot rest, handbrake, and velour floor mats.

As you probably expected, the upgrades aren’t all cosmetic. The AC Schnitzer package also offers a new limited slip differential, an adjustable racing suspension system, an aluminum strut tower brace and rear axle anti-roll bar. For the tailpipe, you can pick up a stainless steel sports rear silencer, a chromed-out pipe trim or even a complete sports exhaust system. Rounding out the package is a new high performance brake system with four-piston fixed calipers, slotted break discs and new brake pads and caliper mountings.

Get a good look at the MINI Cooper Coupe Upgrade package by AC Schnitzer after the jump because you won’t be able to catch one once it hits the streets.

When a luxury vehicle rolls out of the production line, most would admire its beauty and sophistication. However, for British designer and tuner A. Khan, this admiration was just the beginning. He established Project Khan to add his personal touch to high-end vehicles, and here is his latest offering based on the Range Rover Evoque. The two-tone color scheme on the exterior leaps out, complementing the futuristic aesthetic. A choice of alloy wheels are offered from 20 inches up to 22 inches, beefing up the vehicle’s stance. On the inside, a brand new touch screen satellite navigation system resides in the console, and a variety of trim options are offered in multiple materials as well. via: Carscoop

After having its images unceremoniously leaked on Road & Track‘s iPad edition, Lexus is finally letting the cat out of the bag with its LF-LC Concept. Designed at its Calty Design Research center in California, the LF-LC Concept will not just be a mere eye candy at upcoming auto shows. Much like another Lexus concept, the Lexus LF-Gh Hybrid Concept, the LF-LC will serve as a design anchor to future Lexus performance vehicles. Originally there was much buzz about its hybrid powerplant as well. But details and specification have since been omitted for unspecific reason. Perhaps officials are waiting till next week’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit for a complete unveiling.

Last December professional rally driver Ken Block and his Monster World Rally Team brought the HFHV Ford Fiesta to Snoqualmie Falls, Washington, to put the car through its paces for its first ever gravel test. Snoqualmie Falls is the home of the Dirtfish Rally School, but over 20 years ago it was the stand-in for Twin Peaks, the fictional small town for which the cult David Lynch television program was named. A new mashup video from the Monster World Rally Team intercuts footage of drifting vehicular mayhem with the sort of comically surreal scenes that were Twin Peaks‘ specialty, but the real highlights are the split-screens that juxtapose scenic shots from the actual show with the same location in present day. No need to worry — there’s more than enough spinning wheels and spitting gravel to keep rally car fans transfixed. Check out the video after the click.

A day after we saw the introduction of Lamborghini Gallardo LP600+ GT3 by REITER ENGINEERING, its American borne counterpart appears. Modified by Sareni United, which is also own by Hans Reiter of REITER ENGINEERING, the Chevrolet Camaro GT3 is quipped with a massive 7.9-liter Katech V8. Its 650 horsepower is amble enough to run competitively next to the Lamborghini Gallardo LP600+ GT3 on the GT3 racing circuit, yet at a fraction of the cost. Thus at roughly $253,056 US, it is a likely favorite among first time professional racers. via: Autoblog

The original De Tomaso Mangusta was to be a “cobra killer”, quite literally. While the two men were friends, founder Alejandro de Tomaso and the legendary Carroll Shelby were still competitors on the racetrack. Thus, the Mangusta, Italian for “mongoose”, was meant to end Shelby Cobra’s dominance on the racing circuit. While that never quite happened, the De Tomaso Mangusta, was and still is, a super car of prominence design. In bring back its distinctive silhouette and glamorous appearance, designer Maxime de Keiser created a modern day interpretation of the classic, albeit virtually. De Tomaso might be gone, but its design still captivate an audience today. via: CBD

German tuning house Senner Tuning makes it clear, it is not necessarily the amount of horsepower which makes a great sports car. A mildly tuned vehicle can in fact be easier to tame than a high powered beast. The upgrade package on the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG includes a combination of high flow air filter and stainless steel exhaust system, and a remapped ECU for improved efficiency. All of that equates to maximum horsepower rating at 606hp and 690Nm (509 lb-ft), a considerable increase over the standard output of 571hp and 650Nm (479 lb-ft). To finish off, the suspension is also upgraded along with 20-inch alloys from Corniche Vegas. via: Carscoop

Considering work only started on the Lotus Exige R-GT Rally Car last July, the shakedown held last week in Turin, Italy showed real promise ahead of the 2012 FIA World Rally Championship for Lotus’ newest venture. Cued up for the tarmac events, the Exige R-GT pumped out 350-hp through the same 3.5 liter supercharged engine from the Exige S and Evora S with only a few tweaks to the gearbox and adjustments because of weight and performance restrictions from FIA. With events set for Abu Dhabi, Argentina, Greece and a dozen other world locations, expect to see more of the Exige R-GT and from Lotus in the coming years. More shots of the Lotus Exige R-GT from its shakedown in Turin are after the jump. via: Autoblog

Unless you’re one of the lucky 12 able to pick up one of these cars limited to the Italian market, this is going to be the closest look you get at the new MASERATI GranTurismo S Limited Edition. Built to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Italian unification, this Sebring Blue MASERATI looks tough on the outside with an aggressive front grille, 20-inch blacked-out rims and painted matte side skirts and mirrors, but shows its more luxurious side with an interior that features carbon and leather throughout. Check out more pictures of this exclusive ride after the jump and keep an eye out for the the Centocinquanternario (150th Anniversary) plate that shines on the center console. via: autoblog