Does this storyline look familiar? A German or Japanese automaker announces some hot-sounding variant of a vehicle we already love, but then they follow that news up by telling us that the new model won’t be making its way to the U.S. We thought this tired and disappointing plot was once again unfolding with the recent announcement of a Volkswagen 35 Edition GTI, but Car and Driver cites sources who say we’re likely to receive the hot hatch after all.

The big news for the 35 Edition GTI is a jump in horsepower to 235 horsepower, or 25 more ponies than the already awesome standard GTI. The name of the special edition VW comes as a tribute to the fact that the GTI has been available in Europe for 35 years. Not so in the U.S., though, so the name may have to change if it indeed reaches our shores. C/D points out that the first GTI hit the States in 1983, so the 30 Edition name could be a strong possibility. Of course, that means the 35 badging on the door sills, seats and fenders will need to go, but we’re guessing the deletes won’t be much trouble at all.

While this report is no clear confirmation from VW, we’re optimistic that C/D’s sources could be onto something. Hope springs eternal and all that…

BMW has put the top on its all-new 2012 6-Series with the presentation of the Coupe model ahead of its world premiere at the Shanghai Auto Show in China in April. The new 6-Series Coupe comes shortly after the convertible model that received its public debut at this year’s Detroit Motor Show in January.

Based on last year’s ‘BMW Concept 6 Series Coupe’, the styling of the Bavarian firm’s premium GT is the work of BMW design boss Adrian van Hooydonk, who replaced Chris Bangle in 2009. The new 6er feature s a far less controversial but somewhat more bland styling that its predecessor with a pronounced front end sporting a busy set of headlamps and auxiliary lights and a relatively low roofline.

At 4,894mm long, 1894mm wide and 1,369mm tall, the 2+2 coupe is 75mm longer, 39mm wider and 5mm lower than its predecessor. It also rides on a 75mm longer wheelbase at 2,855mm, which promises to improve space for the rear passengers. Boot capacity stands at 460 liter or 16.24 cu.ft.

The interior design is the same as on the soft-top model, with the more driver-orientated cockpit and the large display on the center console standing out.

At launch, the new 6-Series Coupe will be offered with a choice of two powerplants, a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six for the 640i and a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 for the 650i. Both the 650i Coupe and 640i Coupe transfer their power to the rear wheels via a standard eight-speed Sports automatic gearbox with steering wheel shift paddles. However, in the U.S., BMW will also offer a 6-speed manual gearbox for the 650i Coupe.

The 640i’s straight-six produces 320 hp at 5,800 rpm and 450Nm (332 lb-ft) of peak torque between 1,300 and 4,500 rpm, allowing the coupe to complete the sprint from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.4 seconds, and reach an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). Average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle stands at 7.7lt / 100km (equal to 30.6 mpg US), while CO2 emissions come in at 179 g/km.

In EU-spec, the 650i’s V8 engine kicks out 407 hp from its 4.4-litre displacement between 5,500 and 6,400 rpm and a peak torque of 600Nm (443 lb-ft) between 1,750 and 4,500 rpm, for 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time of 4.9 seconds and an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). It returns a combined fuel economy of 10.4 lt/100km (equal to 23.1 mpg US) in the EU test cycle, together with CO2 emissions of 243g/km.

In U.S.-spec, the 650i’s V8 delivers 400 hp between 5,500 and 6,400 rpm, and makes peak torque of 450 lb-ft between 1,750 and 4,500 rpm for a 0-60mph (96km/h) acceleration time of 4.8 seconds with either the 6-speed manual or the 8-speed automatic transmission.

The 640i and 650i Coupes will go on sale in Europe this fall while the 650i Coupe arrives in US showrooms this fall as well.

Typically, when an automaker develops an armored version of one of their sedans or SUVs, the added weight taken as inherent has an adverse effect on the car’s performance. But with the new Maybach Guard, the top-of-the-line Daimler division says it has whittled this down to a minimum.

The negligible effect of the added protection on the Maybach 62 comes down to two factors: First of all, Maybach’s twin-turbo V12, brakes and suspension components were designed from the get-go to accommodate the reinforced armor, and are already burdened enough by the car’s massive weight that the extra heft is relatively negligible. Secondly, the steel and Kevlar reinforcements weigh less than 900 pounds all told – far less than if you took an existing model to an independent firm instead of specifying it so equipped from the factory.

As a result, Daimler claims the Maybach 62 Guard can still accelerate from 0-62 miles per hour in 5.7 seconds and reach a threat-evading top speed of 155 mph – the electronically-limited level adopted by most of Germany’s automakers.

The Guard model is also said to be virtually indistinguishable to the naked eye from an unprotected Maybach 62, so if you want to know what it looks like, check out the recently revised model range in the gallery below. Official announcement in the press release after the jump.

Mercedes-Benz has kicked off a major advertising campaign for its facelifted C-Class series under the tagline “A Class Ahead”. The new model will be promoted across print media, TV, radio stationsa nd the Internet. While the TV advertisements are filmed in rural environments, the print ads put the C-Class in urban settings. Each advertisement highlights a specific feature of the 2012MY C-Class, such as the 20-second commercial called “Souvenir” (view below) that underlines the estate’s 1,500-liter load capacity and the “Rocker”, dedicated to the interior of the car. In addition, the German automaker released a new photo gallery of the 2012My C-Class, which you can check out below.

The redesigned Mercedes-Benz C-Class range is claimed to be up to 31 percent more fuel-efficient than its predecessor thanks to the updated engines, all equipped with start/stop function as standard (with the exception of the C 300 CDI 4Matic).

The updated C-Class also benefits from the introduction of ten new driving assistance systems, including the Attention Assist drowsiness detection and the Distronic Plus proximity control. Also available is a new generation of telematics with internet access and 3D navigation display.

In total, more than 2,000 new components have been added to the new model, according to Mercedes-Benz. The new C-Class will be launched onto the European market this month.

Saab’s rejuvenation continues with the presentation of the production version of the long-anticipated 9-4X ahead of its world premiere at next month’s Los Angeles Auto Show. One of the last projects developed under the ownership of GM, the 9-4X shares its Theta platform and major drive components with the Cadillac SRX, and like its American brethren, it will be built at GM’s factory in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico.

The 9-4X’s shape and styling will familiar to most as the crossover model was previewed by the 9-4X BioPower concept at the 2008 Detroit Show. On the outside, changes over the 2008 study concern some minor details such as the smaller front fog light openings, mirror caps, tail lamp color combos and smaller (and less impressive) alloy wheels.

The same can be said about the interior, with differences limited to the air vent designs and the less flashy decorative trim.

The Swedish automaker says the 9-4X “is aligned in looks and size between the 9-3X all-rounder and new 9-5 sedan.”

At launch, the 9-4X will offer buyers on both sides of the Atlantic two V6 engine choices, a naturally-aspirated 3.0-liter with direct-injection tech producing 265HP and 223 lb-ft (302Nm), or a 2.8-liter unit with a twin-scroll turbocharger delivering 300HP and 295 lb-ft (400Nm). Both V6 powerplants are mated to six-speed automatic transmissions under adaptive, electronic control.

The base 265HP V6 is available with front-wheel drive or Saab’s XWD all-wheel drive system. With front-wheel drive, it propels the 9-4X from zero to 60 mph in just 7.9 seconds or 8.4 seconds with XWD and is expected to enable estimated city/highway combined fuel consumption of 20 mpg or 19 mpg with XWD.

Saab notes on its European press release that the FWD model goes from 0-100km/h in 9.0 seconds – apparently one of the two numbers is wrong as there’s no way we can have a 1 second difference between the two sprint times.

As for the 300HP V6 which is available exclusively in Aero specification with XWD, It delivers zero to 60 mph [96km/h] acceleration in 7.7 seconds and estimated city/highway combined fuel consumption of 18 mpg. Again, the acceleration figures don’t match with Saab’s Euro press release saying 0-100 km/h acceleration comes in 8.3 seconds.

Furthering the confusion, Saab N.A. says both the 265HP V6 and 300HP V6 models achieve a top speed of 130mph, equal to 209km/h, while Saab Europe says the 265HP model goes up to 210km/h [131mph] and the 300HP version 230km/h [143mph]. Unless it’s something we’re not aware of, it looks like someone messed up the numbers on one of the two press releases.

“The 9-4X significantly broadens the appeal of the Saab brand,” stated Saab CEO Jan Åke Jonsson, “It gives us entry to the fast-growing crossover segment with a vehicle that reflects our brand values in key areas, such as progressive Scandinavian design and sporty, responsible driving performance. The 9-4X is an exciting package and we’re confident it will appeal to many existing Saab owners, as well as win new customers for the brand.”

The 9-4X is scheduled to arrive in North American dealerships in May next year, with sales in Europe and other global markets due to begin from August. Prices and more detailed specs will be announced shortly before sales start next year.