Noble Introduces Production-Ready M600 with up to 650-horses

It's been a long time coming, but Noble has finally released the production version of its new M600 sports car. The British-made model comes with a full carbonfiber body and a mid-mounted 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine from Yamaha that sends up to 650bhp at 6,800 rpm and 604 lb-ft of peak torque at 3,800 rpm to the rear wheels through a Graziano six-speed manual gearbox.

The M600 is equipped an Adaptable Performance Control (APC), which adjusts the power output and tailors the boost curve, traction and throttle response, allowing the driver to select from three different modes with 450, 550 and 650bhp.

It's curb weight of 1,200kg [2,645 pounds] is 50 kg less than the original prototype, and gives the M600 an amazing power-to-weight ratio of 520bhp per tonnes. The company states that the M600 can accelerate from 0 to 120mph [193 km/h] in a ridiculous 8.9 seconds en route to an estimated top speed of 225 mph [362 km/h].

One of the most eye-catching features in the M600's cabin is the fighter-jet inspired 'Missile Switch' which activates (or deactivates) the Traction Control system.

The M600 is poised to go on sale before summer with pricing to be announced closer to the launch date.

VW XL1 Hybrid Coupe Study: Videos and Photos from Qatar

The highlight of Volkswagen's presentation at this week's Qatar motor show is the new XL1, a futuristic looking diesel-electric plug-in hybrid study for an everyday-use coupe vehicle with a combined fuel economy of just 0.9 liters per 100 kilometers or an amazing 261 mpg US.

The extremely low fuel consumption is achieved through the use of a lightweight construction, carefully honed aerodynamics and of course, the hybrid powertrain that combines a 0.8-liter twin-cylinder diesel producing 48-horses with a 27HP electric motor. If you follow the jump, you can check out live photos as well as on the road videos of the XL1. For more details on the study, read our previous post here.

Nissan to Sell Rebadged Mazda5 MPV in Japan

Nissan and Mazda said Friday that they are expanding their original equipment manufacturing (OEM) projects to include the Mazda Premacy, otherwise known as the Mazda5 MPV in markets such as North America and Europe. Under the agreement, Mazda will supply a "clearly differentiated version" of the Premacy to Nissan for sale in Japan, starting from May this year, the two companies said in a joint statement.

No pictures or other details have been released at this point, but given the short timeframe, Japanese buyers shouldn't expect any significant changes over the Premacy.

The two Japanese automakers are currently collaborating through a mutual OEM agreement, which enables Mazda to provide the Bongo Van/Truck to Nissan (sold as the Nissan Vanette Van/Truck), while Nissan supplies the AD/AD Expert to Mazda (sold as the Mazda Familia Van).

Volvo to Cut Down its U.S. Lineup, V50 Among the First to go

With its U.S. sales steadily declining for 7 years now, Volvo has no choice but to radically rethink its strategy. The Swedish automaker is currently offering nine models in the States or about as many as Volkswagen does, but it sold almost five times fewer cars than the Germans in 2010.

Consequently, the Swedish brand, which is now owned by China's Geely, has decided to significantly reduce the number of models in its North American lineup and concentrate on best-selling vehicles in an effort to increase sales.

�Five or six is probably a good number�, said Doug Speck, head of Volvo�s operations in the U.S., in a telephone interview for Bloomberg. �We have to focus on the key segments with significant volume potential�.

Mr. Speck confirmed that the V50 estate is sure to go, although didn�t specify exactly when, saying that dealers will be notified first. The manufacturer hasn�t decided yet which other models will be phased out, but it will definitely keep the S60 sedan and the XC60 and XC90 crossovers, he added.

Volvo will also try to boost sales with more advertising and expects �double-digit� percentage growth in the U.S in 2011.

As for the near future, Mr. Speck said that Volvo will introduce hybrids and all-electric cars, but declined to say if it will bring diesels to America.