Acura officially debuted two new production cars – the ILX (pictured above) and the new RDX.  The ILX takes over for both the Canadian-market CSX sedan (Civic based), and will replace the US-market TSX sedan (Euro Accord-based) as Acura’s entry-level model.  Why don’t they call it the Integra?  Dunno.  Power comes from three sources.  The base model has a 2.0L I4 with 150bhp and 140lb-ft, linked to a 5-speed auto that will return 24/32 for mileage.  There’s a 1.5L IMA Hybrid from the Civic, with a CVT and EPA numbers of 35/38.  Finally, the top offering is a 2.4L I4 with 201bhp and 170lb-ft, with a 6-speed manual transmission.  The interior (right) looks pretty nice, too.

The RDX is also all-new, based on the new Honda CR-V.  The RDX ditches the unique 2.3L direct-injection turbocharged I4 engine in favor of a more traditional 3.5L V6 – the benefit being more power (now 273bhp) and better fuel economy.  It also gets a new 6-speed automatic transmission, and will be offered in FWD (20 city/ 28 highway) and AWD (19/27.)

Ford may want you think they’re concerned about hybrids, and electric cars, and electronic integration and all that crap, but really… Really, they just want to create tire smoke.  Lots of it.  Here’s the 2013 Shelby GT500 Convertible, which will allow you to douse your hair in rubber dust at the touch of the gas pedal.  Like the 2013 GT500 coupe, it sports a larger 5.8L 32v V8 with new Eaton TVS blower, good for a frankly astonishing 650 horsepower.  It also gets the carbon fiber driveshaft(!), 6-piston Brembos up front, and a twin disc clutch.  Sadly, it’s limited to 155 miles an hour – the coupe will do 200.  Quick: is there another 4-seat production convertible in the world that has more power?  I can’t think of one.

Meet the new 370Z, pretty much the same as the old 370Z.  You can’t really call this an update, because it’s not substantially updated – more like a facelift for Nissan’s basic sports car.  There are vertical LED running lights in the front bumper, a red reflector in the rear bumper, and new designs for 18″ (base) and 19″ (sport) alloys.  The fuel gauge gets dark trim (?) and there are two new exterior colors.  Power continues to come from the VQ37HR 3.7L V6; 332bhp in regular models and 350 in the Nismo model.  Nissan, when are we getting a boosted version?  Thanks.

GMC is refreshing the Acadia and Acadia Denali crossovers for 2013, with a fall rollout.  The front end is redone with a more upright grille and funky headlights to make it look more like the Terrain, and the back has new tail lights and wrap-around glass.  The interior has been improved with more soft-touch surfaces, French-stitched (what does that mean?) leather and ambient lighting, and there’s a new center airbag that pops up between the driver and front passenger now.  Expect similar changes to roll out on platform mates Chevy Traverse and Buick Enclave.  Wasn’t Cadillac supposed to get a version of this too?

In the “Build that and I might buy it” category, we have the latest concept from Kia, the Track’ster.  Ditch the stupid name and we’ve got some potential here.  It’s a sloped-roof 3-door concept version of the charming Soul, and isn’t this thing cool looking?  It doesn’t actually share any body panels with the Soul, but you can tell they’re related.  The white and red two-tone paint job is interesting, and the chunky LED driving lights inset in the lower front bumper look the business.  The back is neat too – blacked out glass surround with LED “boomerang” tail lights, exhausts integrated into the bumper, air ducts, etc.

More interesting is the drivetrain.  The Track’ster uses the Hyundai/Kia 2.0L GDI Turbo motor (like the one I drove in an Optima and loved) tuned to 250bhp.  More interestingly, it’s linked to a 6-speed manual with an electronic AWD setup – so this could be a proper Korean hot hatch here!  Other mechanic bits of interest include 14″ 6-piston Brembos front and 13.6″ 4-piston Brembos rear, the chunky wheel arches with hugely staggered tires (245/40/19 front and 285/35/19 rear Michelin Pilot Sport PS2′s!) and the two-seat layout inside.  The Track’ster rides on an inch longer wheelbase than the Soul, and is actually 5″ wider – but I’d guess most of that’s in those fender flares.  The interior is nice too; leather and suede buckets, central gauge cluster, and bins behind the seats for tools, a fire extenguisher, a spare wheel.  I want one of these.  Kia, build it.  It would be like the Juke done right.

Karma bites Fisker in the ass.  Couldn’t resist the pun.  News came out recently that startup EV maker Fisker has laid off 66 people (26 in a plant in Delaware, 40 in their headquarters in California) because they missed the sales target imposed on them by the US Department of Energy, who gave them a $509 million loan.  Failing to meet those goals, Fisker had their federal funds frozen, so they have to cut back on expenses I suppose.  The Karma’s a cool looking car, but delays in it’s production lead to the missed sales goal.  Hopefully this resolves soon.

Finally, one last bit of news.  For 2013, Buick is making two powertrain changes to the Regal.  First is that their eAssist “mild hybrid” setup will be standard, meaning the regular 2.4L will be dropped – much like the larger LaCrosse, which has the 2.4 eAssist standard with a V6 as a no-cost option.  This will bump highway fuel economy up to a respectable 36mpg, with slightly better performance than the regular 2.4.  The other news is that for 2013, the high-performance LNF-powered Regal GS will be available with a 6-speed automatic in addition to the 6-speed manual.  Buick says the automatic does not impact the GS’s performance, posting an identical 6.7 second 0-60 time.  I’ll still take the clutch pedal, thanks.  Where does this leave the mid-level 220-horsepower Turbo model?  Don’t know.

Cars and Coffee is always an opportunity to see both the newest, coolest stuff (the first Nissan Leaf I saw was at Cars & Coffee) and some old classic iron as well.  It seems like each month there’s a “star,” a car that people crowd around to get their first good glimpse of.  Guess what it was this month?

If you guessed it was the Fisker Karma, you’d be correct.  There was a crowd around the Finnish-built extended-range electric vehicle like flies around a pile of rotten fruit.  Errr, bad metaphor.  And if that looks like a GM LNF (which I really need to stop writing about), that’s because it is.  This is the first Karma I’ve seen in the flesh, and the overall impression was: this is a big car.  Like, 7-series long.  Huge.  Dramatic looking too – Henrik Fisker’s styling language translates well.  Despite the exhaust dump right behind the passenger side front wheel, it’s eerily silent at parking lot speeds.

The interior is pretty cool, but at $102,000 base MSRP it better be.  The back seat is Aston Rapide small; odd considering the long wheelbase, but there are a lot of batteries in there.  The solar panel roof is pretty cool as well.

Nothing makes a Ferrari 308 and Ferrari 612 Scaglietti fade into the background quite like a bright red Porsche 959 – one of 337 produced, and surely less than ten in the states considering these had to be individually federalized.  No idea how much this is worth, but I’d guess at least a half-million dollars.

Perhaps not as fast as some of the Ferraris and Lamborghinis, but a legitimate unmolested Integra Type R is still quite a rare sight in the states.

This is the first MkVI Golf R I’ve seen in the ‘states.  This is the all-wheel-drive, larger turbo version of the GTI, which replaces the VR6 powered R32.  There aren’t going to be many of these here.

The Evora is clearly a Hethel product, but it’s so much more of a premium car than the Elise and it’s derivatives.  It pulls eyes like a much more expensive car, and it’s got a real interior.

There’s more to this ’04 Cobra than meets the eye.  I got a ride in this one recently, and can report that the 3rd gear acceleration is alarming.  That’s because it doesn’t get any grip in 1st or 2nd even with 295-width Comp T/A KWD’s in the back.  More details soon.

There’s a special place in my heart for the 993 Turbo: the last air-cooled turbo 911.  Still gorgeous.

Tempted?  Which would you rather have?

According to the owner, this new-style Viper ACR sees regular track time and makes 680 wheel horsepower.  Rear tires on this monster?  345/30/ZR19 Michelin Pilot Sports.

Much love for Ford’s mad, pointless supercharged Lightning pickup.

Is there such a thing as a stock Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?

It’s a tough crowd when no one’s paying attention to your bright red 911 Turbo.

And finally – I’d bet a Comptech centrifugal blower solves the S2000′s low end torque problems!

Gallery with additional images below.  If you’d like to join the fun, Raleigh’s Cars & Coffee meet is held the first Saturday of every month in Brier Creek, off of Highway 70.

January 2012

Kia Optima

It’s been available around the world for a while but the Kia Optima finally hits UK soil this month. Our man James has already reviewed the Stateside 2.0 Turbo petrol and he was very impressed. The old Magentis was pound-shop cheap but the Optima has got the executive car looks with a touch of Korean flair and at around £18,000 it’s great value.

Mercedes SLK 55 AMG

Just like the last SLK, the new R172 pretty much steals the look of the German firm’s flagship supercar and shrinks them. This month will see the AMG version which has a 5.5L V8 containing 416 horses that will take it from 0-60mph in 4.6 seconds. It’s less powerful than the SLS roadster but the SLK AMG comes with a better folding metal roof and a slightly more frugal unit for around £58,000. That’s over £100,000 cheaper than its bigger brother.

Suzuki Swift Sport

The new Swift Sport comes with a naturally aspirated 1.6 petrol with more power, more MPG thanks to a 6th gear and less CO2. The Swift is one of the finest handling superminis out there, almost as good as the original Mini as some have reported. The Sport version is predicted to be £14,000 which makes it a great value hot hatch. Car Throttle front man will get his hands on one in April to deliver his verdict.

February 2012

Audi A1 Sportback

The 3-door A1 is a great looking premium hatchback but practicality is flawed. The Sportback, though, comes with 2 extra doors and 3 rear seats for an extra £560 over the 3 door, making it more comfy for your mates. It’s also available in Samoa Orange which is an exclusive paint job to the Sportback and it will get the same engines as the standard car.

BMW 3 Series Saloon

There’s not much change on the outside of the F30 3 Series (the only big difference being the more poised kidneys) but inside it’s a complete revolution. The dashboard wraps around the driver like in the older 3-s and looks more lively than the last car. You can even have red trim pieces and stitching on the leather and fabric seats of the Sport models. Most magazines and websites have driven the new 3 already and the overall verdict is that it’s the best 3 Series yet.

Hyundai Veloster

The last coupe we saw from Hyundai in the UK was called the Genesis Coupé and, to me, it looked like a smaller and cheaper Jaguar XK. It was one of the best looking cheap coupés of its time. This one though is taking on the likes of the Scirocco and Megane Coupe, though the Hyundai’s looks won’t appeal to everyone. It does have a unique trick up its sleeve which is the odd door layout (one door on the driver’s side and two on the pavement side) and means your friends won’t have to clamber over the front seats to get into the back. It comes with a 1.6 138bhp which is reported to be a tad slow but a 201bhp Turbo version of the Veloster will make it here in August. Pricing is competitive, starting at £18,000 for the standard car and £23,000 for the Turbo.

March 2012

Chevrolet Camaro SS

Finally, after a wait of what feels like decades, the Camaro has had its suspension tweaked for Europe and this means we’ll see both the Camaro Coupe and Convertible on British roads this March. Both Camaros come with a 6.2 V8 that produces 426bhp meaning a 0-60mph time of 4.7 seconds. The coupe could be yours for just £35,000 and the convertible for £40,000 the convertible, what a steal! The convertible is rumored to be left-hand drive only, however.

Citroen DS5

This has to be the coolest family car ever made. The reason: it’s just so different. Inside and out is as luxurious as the big executive saloons but the DS5 is a sort of estate/hatchback crossover with a raised ride height. The interior is inspired by cockpits of airliners and it shows. The big Citroen is also available with Peugeot’s HYbrid4 system, combining a diesel engine and an electric engine which will mean hardly any CO2 and massive mpg. Prices are predicted to be around £28,000. We’ll also see an Ultra Prestige version of the ever so popular DS3 from Citroen in March which has things like charcoal grey alloys, luxury leather seats and a white leather dash, ooh la-la!

Volkswagen Up!

The Up! is the first of a trio of city cars from the Volkswagen group to hit our roads. Even though it’s city car cheap (£8,000) it doesn’t feel it. It looks like a premium product and has an interior to match. It will certainly be a hit for new drivers especially since it comes with a cheap to run 1.0 3 cylinder engine. The 3-door will be available in March with a 5-door version arriving in July. The Seat Mii will arrive in May and the Skoda equivalent CitiGo will be on the road in June.

April 2012

Ferrari “F620″

The successor to the 599 is apparently going to be called the “F620″ but the car itself will be revealed at this year’s Geneva motor show in March along with the confirmed name. It takes an updated version of the 700bhp 6.3 V12 from the FF and promises a 0-60mph time of around three seconds, maybe less, thanks to a very light aluminium chassis.

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

In a way, the Grand Cherokee SRT8 is like the Chevrolet Camaro Coupe. It’s predicted to be £60,000 making it a value for money performance SUV which is way cheaper than rivals from Porsche, Mercedes, Audi & BMW. It comes with a 6.4 V8 that produces 470bhp.

Lotus Evora GTE

The lighter Evora GTE gets a tuned up version of the 3.5 supercharged V6 which aims to produce 438bhp. The plus is the fact that the GTE comes with carbon fibre panels that take 105kg off the original weight meaning that this Evora is going to be one heck of a bonkers Lotus. Prices are expected to be around £100,000.

May 2012

Audi S1

Yes, it’s another small Audi, but this is the spicy S1 with a 220bhp 1.6L petrol engine. It’s not totally immature, though, as it comes with four wheel drive and a wider track to provide secure handling. The S1 is also lower and stiffer than the everyday A1. A predicted price of £23,000 may put you off, especially since that’s low spec Scirocco money.

Fisker Karma

It’s the only plug-in hybrid you would probably lust for more than some supercars. It comes with a 2.0 four-cylinder petrol and two 199bhp electric motors which produce more torque than a Bugatti Veyron meaning a 0-60mph time of 5.8 seconds and a top speed of 125mph. Set the car into “Stealth” mode and it should return up to 100mpg. “Stealth” mode sounds a lot more hairy chested than wimpy “Eco” mode doesn’t it? The Surf shooting brake will follow suit in July.

MINI Roadster

The most controversial part of the MINI Coupe was that big backwards baseball cap of a roof, which I personally hate. Thankfully, MINI have addressed this issue and made a roadster version to take on the likes of the Mazda MX-5. It looks better than the bigger MINI convertible as well thanks to the fabric roof properly folding away into the boot instead of lying on the rear deck like a tired walrus.

June 2012

Audi S8

If Jason Statham was still transporting goods with no questions asked, the new S8 would be his vehicle of choice. The 4.0 513bhp twin-turbo V8 goes from 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds and has a limited top speed of 155mph. The S8 has an invincible feeling cabin with features such as double glazed privacy windows and a noise cancelling system. I would want to hear the V8 though.

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe

The biggest gripe that everyone has with the 6 Series Coupe is the fact that the “practical gran tourer” struggles to fit two human beings in the back. This 6 Series though is stretched and has two extra doors so that two friends can sit comfortably in the rear seats. This means that four people can enjoy the beautifully designed interior and the excellent engines from the 6 Series coupe. Prices start from £61,380 which is more than the Mercedes CLS and Audi A7 it is up against.

Peugeot 208

The newest Peugeot supermini fixes the big lumpy looks of the old 207 to offer a fitter and sharper looking package. Even though it’s smaller than the previous car, the 208 promises more space for people in the back and more things in the boot. Every version besides the standard car gets a very nice touch screen multimedia system which controls most of the car’s functions. Nearly all of the engines promise under 100g/km of CO2 and prices start at £10,500 for this attractive small car.

July 2012

Ford Focus ST

The last ST was famously nicknamed the “ASBO” by an old geezer named Jeremy Clarkson. With this in mind, the new ST will probably get handed a community service sentence with a 0-60mph time of 6 seconds and a predicted top speed of 155mph thanks to a 2.0 Turbocharged four-cylinder petrol with 247bhp. The new ST will be easier on your wallet with better economy than the previous 2.5 5-cylinder car and it’s more practical too with a choice between a 5-door hatch and estate. What would complete the range is a sporty 3-door coupe-esque version of the Focus, in my opinion.

Subaru BRZ & Toyota GT-86

Ladies and Gents, the old school, rear wheel drive, purists’ coupe is back and it comes with a choice of two badges and bumper styles; Subaru and Toyota. Both versions get a 2.0 flat-4 boxer engine that produces 197bhp and goes from 0-60mph in 7 seconds. The GT-86 and BRZ can fit four people in comfort (if the people in the back seats are under 5ft 5″ that is) and prices for both cars are predicted to start at around £25,000. They’re the cars that everyone is waiting for this year and we’re dying to try both of them out.

August 2012

Audi S6

Imagine putting the 513bhp 4.0 twin turbo V8 from the new Bentley Continental and S8 in the lightest executive car out there. No need to imagine after August as Audi will fit the new engine in both the new A6 Saloon and Avant. If this is just the S6, I wonder how insane the next RS6 will be.

Porsche Boxster

The next version of the class leading, mid-engined roadster looks a bit like a baby Carrera GT but shares all the tech with the new 911. The standard car will have an all new flat four unit producing 270bhp and the Boxster S will use the same 3.4 flat six as the 911 Carrera.

Vauxhall Astra VXR

The most powerful hot hatch of the 2012 bunch is the new Astra VXR. It promises up to 280bhp which means a 0-60 time of less than 6 seconds thanks to a 2.0 direct injection petrol. It also comes with more aggressive looking trinkets than the standard Astra GTC and it’s much more pleasing to the eye compared to the predecessor. All yours for £25,000.

September 2012

Ferrari F70

Introducing the next Ferrari flagship to take over the Enzo, the F70. No official performance figures have been released yet but it’s rumored to have over 700bhp thanks to an all new twin-turbo V8. Mix this with a very light carbon fibre chassis and it sounds like it will be the next ultimate road car. It’s also very expensive with an estimated price of £750,000.

Mercedes SL

The Mercedes SL has been one of the best sports cars ever since the 1950s and this latest one aims to be much better to drive thanks to better suspension. It’s also the lightest and has a more luxurious interior inspired by the SLS supercar. It’s the first SL to get ‘Magic Sky Control’ which lets you alter how much light gets into the car when the roof is up, much like the sunroof on a Maybach. Fancy schmancy.

Renault Clio Williams

To celebrate the end of the current Renault Clio, the company have teamed up with F1 Team Williams to create the last hurrah, just like they did in 1993. It’s pretty much a RenaultSport Clio 200 but with a unique paint job, a better engine and a very special interior.

November 2012

Aston Martin V12 Zagato

There’s only going to be 150 of these so if you like the sound of the new Zagato then you better have the cheque book out. It’s based on the V12 Vantage but contains the design house’s luxurious cabin and has a carbon fibre body. Write £400,000 on that cheque before they’re auctioned for more.

Ford Fiesta ST

Available as a 3 door here in the UK and a 5 door in the US, the other ST from Ford has a 178bhp 1.6 Turbo petrol taking it to 60mph from standstill in under 7 seconds with a top speed of 140mph. Just because it’s a powerful supermini don’t go thinking it will guzzle petrol as it promises up to 40mpg. It should be a fantastic hot hatch especially since the current Fiesta is one of the best to drive. Prices will start at around £17,500.

Maserati Quattroporte

The new Maserati takes some of the looks of the odd looking Kubang and puts them in a much more gorgeous package. The new saloon is set to be even more desirable than the previous Quattroporte with an updated V8 and prices will start at £85,000.

December 2012

Alfa Romeo 4C

There’s a couple of great coupes joining the BRZ & GT-86 this December. The first is the 4C which has a beautiful Italian body and a carbon fibre chassis courtesy of KTM underneath. Power comes from a new 1.8 Turbo petrol producing nearly 300bhp meaning a 0-60mph time of 5 seconds. The car’s target market is America which means it will come with Alfa’s twin-clutch automatic but an option of a manual would make it even better. Prices are expected to start from £40,000.

Jaguar C-X16

The second of the coupes is the C-X16 which is nicknamed “the new E-Type” all because it’s pretty much a new version of the old girl. Unlike the E-type, there’s a 375bhp 3.0 V6 mated to a 97bhp electric motor underneath which should keep the bank manager and your environmentally conscious friends happy but it’s not clear if the production version will get the electric motor.  0-60mph is around 4 seconds and the top speed is limited to 186mph with prices predicted to start at £50,000.

Volkswagen Beetle R

The Beetle returns at the beginning of the year and it’s aimed to appeal to us men. To make it appeal to men even more is this R version coming in December which has the same 2.0 TSI as the Golf GTI as well as more aggressive looks and bucket seats. Prices are expected to be around the same as the GTI which means it’s a good alternative if you find the Golf’s looks a bit boring.

So there you have it, 33 of quite a damn few new cars coming in 2012. We hope to test drive most of them plus more for you and with a growing team and site you’ll want to stay online with us.

Which car are you most excited about seeing this year? Let us know in the comments.

This week saw spy shots of Mercedes’ new CLS with a bigger boot.

Here’s a little history lesson. ‘Shooting brake’ is a term to describe a two-box car body style that combined coupe features and estate features. The name ‘Brake’ in this case doesn’t mean the brake for stopping a car though. It was a name for a large carry frame with no body used for ‘breaking in’ young horses or to be used to carry people back in the 19^th century. ‘Shooting Brake’ was originally used to describe a vehicle that carries a driver and gamekeeper in the front with up to six hunters in the back on benches being able to shoot whatever they were hunting for from the vehicle. The term was then later used to describe custom built luxury estate cars used by sportsmen that wanted to carry themselves and their equipment in style.

Examples of the shooting brake in the 20^th century include the Ferrari 365 shooting brake and Reliant Scimitar GTE. Princess Anne had a few of those you know! There were several shooting brakes from time to time but they weren’t that popular and then shooting brakes were off the scene for quite a while.

But this year, Ferrari resurrected the shooting brake in the form of FF. A controversial but in my opinion successful move by Ferrari to create a car you can take four people and lots of luggage to the Alps on holiday very quickly and in style. Genius idea!

Since the FF I have seen that Ferrari might have started a trend here. Fisker introduced a gorgeous shooting brake version of the already stunning Karma called the Surf, a coach builder called Carrozzeria Touring made a one off shooting brake version of the Bentley Continental called the Flying Star and, as I mentioned at the beginning, Mercedes will soon release a CLS shooting brake.

Will they be successful? Well I certainly think so. I am a bit sick of boring yet practical estate cars. They are very good at their purpose of course but they’re not the kind of cars I would have as a bedroom poster. These recent shooting brakes though deserve to have a place on my bedroom wall.

We’ve been staring at the same photos of the Fisker Karma for a long time – too long. A few new images have been released here and there, but basically the same two sets of press photography released by the company have been floating around since 2008 and 2009.

To our appreciation, Fisker has decided to fix that with a full new gallery of beautiful shots featuring the Karma and its latest companion, the Surf shooting brake. The Surf was unveiled at Frankfurt as a production model. It aims to fix the Karma’s dreadful luggage capacity issue by adding on a rear hatchback. While it will be sold globally, it is aimed squarely at the European market.

It will cost a price premium over the standard Karma. While we expect buyers in Europe to opt for the Surf, it will be interesting to see how it does here. Most Karmas probably won’t be bought for their practicality, but the Karma’s nearly non-existent luggage capacity could give some pause. You can decide for yourself which one you’d opt for by checking out our huge gallery of photos below. Enjoy.

A quick history lesson for you: the term “shooting brake” has been in existence since the early 19th century to describe a car which features aspects of both a wagon and a coupe. More recently, the Ferrari FF (with its four seats and four wheel drive) came out to show us how they would build a brake.

Now at Frankfurt IAA 2011, Fisker has pulled out all the stops to show off it’s production concept dubbed the Fisker Surf. Set for release in 2013 the Surf physically stuns in person. The thronging crowds around Fisker’s albeit small set in Hall 5 meant that I couldn’t get a decent front shot of the car (hence the press photography), however creeping around the back I was able to capture the essence of what the Surf is about.

With a wide, angular rear and Fisker-style lights and exhaust pipes, the car appears to have a menacing ride height and on the road it’s set to turn heads. The car is set for deliveries worldwide by July 2012 so it isn’t so much as a production concept than a taste of what is about to become. The Surf is 77 pounds heavier than the Karma but affords much greater room for passengers and luggage.

The Surf’s entire chassis, powertrain and interior will be the same as Fisker’s debutant Karma which we snapped above. Interior headroom for rear passengers is up by 1.2 inches over the rear seats in the Karma, so sure to put a smile on the faces of any tall passengers.

Just as a refresh it’s important to note that the Karma runs a direct-injected 2-litre turbocharged GM Ecotec engine which puts out 255 horsepower and which strengthens the output of the 315-cell lithim ion battery pack. Critics haven’t been too kind with regards to engine noise but apparently with an order list of 3,000 Fisker seems to be hitting their stride. All we know is that judging by their stand at Frankfurt, this automotive brand seem to be climbing the ranks already.

After signing a power train deal with BMW for its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, Fisker is moving ahead with work on Project Nina. The Karma is Fisker’s primary product for now though, and as such that is the focus. We’ve already seen a convertible concept, and now a report says that the Frankfurt Motor Show will bring us a shooting brake version of the car.

We know a lot of readers are CarThrottle seem to be fans of wagons and shooting brakes for their increased utility without sacrificing dynamics. In the United States, the general population seems to disagree with that assessment.

However, in the United Kingdom and the rest of European markets, vehicles with a hatch are best-sellers. Fisker is looking to expand opportunities around the world with the Karma, which just recently went on sale. A wagon model (called Shooting Brake to avoid the stigma) could be just the way to do that. CAR says that space inside the Karma is at a premium, and this car will remedy the situation. Other rumors have pointed to Fisker releasing an SUV or crossover at the show, so we aren’t sure which to go on for now. Either way the answer should come by September 13th, when Fisker reveals its wares to the assembled press at Frankfurt.

After a few delays and an increase in price tag, the first Fisker Karma was delivered just over a month ago. Thanks to heavy private investment and $529 million in Department of Energy funding, Henrik Fisker’s vision has been brought to fruition.

Some of that money went to funding production of the Karma, but the majority is for the low-cost Project NINA. Project NINA aims to bring a more affordable mid-size sedan plug-in to the market, produced at a former General Motors facility in WIlmington, Delaware.

Thanks to GM’s bankruptcy, Fisker purchased the facility (which used to produce the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky) at low cost. With the plant lined up, development on Project NINA continuing full-speed ahead. The latest news about the car comes with Fisker signing an agreement for engines to power it.

The Karma is powered by GM’s Ecotec four-cylinder, leading many to think that Fisker would continue with that relationship. Instead, BMW, which is placing an increasing emphasis on four-cylinder engines, has found a new buyer.

Fisker says the agreement calls for up to 100,000 2.0-liter turbocharged engines per year, according to demand. According to Henrik Fisker, the deal was a no brainer: “The BMW engine was an obvious choice for us, as BMW is known for producing the best and most fuel efficient gasoline engines in the world. We are very pleased to have signed this agreement.”

For BMW it is a smart move, adding extra capacity for its engines and getting in on any potential success Fisker may have. Project NINA is scheduled to go into production in late 2012. It will utilize the same EVe hybrid system as the Karma.

Many delays have beset the Fisker Karma. It was originally supposed to launch in late 2009 (before the Chevrolet Volt), but that date has been pushed back to this year. Finally, production has started at Valmet Automotive’s plant in Finland.

According to Auto Car production is beginning with a paltry rate of just five cars per week, but that rate is expected to rise to 300 a week by November of this year. With 3,000 orders to fill, this should result in a wait until at least early 2012 for new customers (if all goes to plan).

Fisker intends to sell around 15,000 cars a year of the Karma, which is a lofty goal. Its development was helped to a large degree by the Department of Energy loan it received in 2009 for $528.7 million.

$169.3 million was designated for the Karma’s development, with the remaining $359.36 million toward its lower-cost successor Project Nina. Project Nina is expected to sell in volumes of around 100,000 a year, produced at the company’s Delaware plant in the United States.

Now, with production in progress, deliveries are scheduled to begin. There has been some high-profile individuals who have put their name on the list waiting for a Karma, one of such is actor Leonardo di Caprio.

He will be the first customer to have a delivered vehicle, and that should happen later this month. Other buyers like Colin Powell and Al Gore are on the list and they should be getting their cars soon after. Other news in the article is that convertible and shooting brake (two-door wagon) iterations of the Karma ore on their way, with introductions scheduled for the Frankfurt Motor Show this September.

Fisker Automotive has come along way from the original company Fisker Automotive that was first announced in 2007. The current company is an automotive manufacturer with investment from private equity and Department of Energy government loans in the hundreds of millions.

The money will go toward production of the Karma extended-range electric vehicle as well as the Project NINA, a low-car built at a former General Motors facility in Delaware.

The Karma is the company’s first real production car, and its been in the news since its introduction at the North American International Auto Show in 2008.

The car has been beset by many delays – originally it was supposed to come in November 2009, then September 2010 and now the start date for production is being pegged as March of this year.

The delays ended plans to beat the Chevrolet Volt to market. The announcement comes off the back of a jump in price for the car as well, now up to $95,900 from $87,900.

The delays would be worrying if the company didn’t have a large amount of funding behind it. However, with hundreds of millions of private equity and governmental aid, it is likely the car will make it to production.

The question is if the car will hit its production goals of 15,000 units per year. For the entire company globally that represents just 1,250 units a month, and that seems like a pretty achievable goal. At that level, Fisker Automotive says it will be profitable. We’re looking forward to see the car actually out on the road for once.