Acura has announced pricing for their up-coming ZDX coupe crossover thing. Starting at $45,495, it fits in between the $40,990 MDX and $46,830 RL. The ZDX will be available in three different trims: base, Technology Package ($49,995) and Advanced Package ($56,045). Is it worth the price? Check out the full review to find out!

Have a problem with your car but can’t figure out exactly what’s wrong? We have a new tool to help you in your search. It’s called DriverSide’s Diagnostic Tool and, so long as you can identify some simple symptoms, should help you track down those mechanical or electrical gremlins so you can get your car fixed. Check out the tutorial above and click here to use the tool.

In case you haven’t heard, BMW recently pulled the wrapper off the M3 GTS, a lightweight version of the M3 that’s very similar in spirit the old E46 M3 CSL. Except now it’s called the GTS for some reason. No matter, it still goes very sideways, does burnouts and makes a lot of noise, which we think is nice. Doesn’t look like that ugly rear wing is providing too much downforce, though.

[Source: 0-60 via YouTube]

Bob Lutz of General Motors has announced that the Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon – long rumored to appear – will actually become a real production model. We foresee the wagon becoming more of a staple in America because of the ongoing economic changes, which makes this is a huge step for American automakers, who haven’t really capitalized on the wagon market yet. Though, it’s going to be a very special consumer who’s interested in a wagon that clocks around 4-second 0-60 mph times.

The performance of the CTS-V Sport Wagon will be on par with its sedan counterpart and will share the same 556 horsepower 6.2-liter supercharged V-8. No word yet from Lutz on when we will see these cars on the road. [Source: leftlanenews]

Before there was the Corolla, Camry, Highlander or any of those other cars Toyota has managed to sell a hagillion copies of, there was the 4Runner. Now, 25 years after the first car made its way into showrooms, Toyota is debuting the fifth generation of their body-on-frame SUV. They should be hitting dealers in the coming weeks, and Toyota is expecting to move 35,000 of them in the next 12 months. Not a bad target, but then again they probably sell that many Corollas before lunch on the average Wednesday.

While the last generation 4Runner had a standard V-6 and optional V-8, this car is launching in a very different climate and therefore gets a 2.7-liter four-cylinder and 4.0-liter six-cylinder. It shouldn’t be wanting for power — the new 270 hp V-6 produces 10 more hp than the outgoing V-8.

The base model will be the SR5, with the Trail and Limited sitting higher up the chain. The Trail is particularly of interest, as it is the most ruggedly equipped for off-road use. Case in point: it has a two-speed, lever-operated transfer case. That’s right, no buttons. How often do you see that these days? The Trail also has a host of off-road technologies, such as the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) that disconnects the stabilizer bars to allow more wheel travel at each corner. Think of it as a more affordable Land Rover. That’s no bad thing.

Prices start at $29,175 for the SR5 and $35,700 for the Trail.

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When a site’s tagline is “Mentally Stimulating Diversions,” you’re never 100% sure what you’re getting yourself into. But Sporcle is a website that we ended up on for hours. Gluttons for punishment, we failed over and over again. Until we realized there were quizzes about cars. The one on car logos? Killed it.

Then we got to this one, and we were banging our heads in frustration. Can you do better than us (33/50)? We dare you. And don’t even think about looking on the interwebs for answers.

European researchers have been looking into a new, more efficient form of transportation that uses existing highway infrastructure and fancy electronics to combine the freedom of driving alone with the benefits of public transit. The initiative, known as Safe Road Trains for the Environment, will use a lead vehicle with an experienced, professional driver – say a bus that drives a certain route – and cars will follow close behind. Now if you think this is just an excuse to tailgate, think again.

Using navigation technology that is already in existence, cars that want to join the train will simply “talk” to the lead vehicle, giving certain information like destination, etc. and computers will take over the car. This will allow for safe travel in close proximity at high speeds, while the individual drivers can work on their laptops or chat on the phone. If one needs to leave the train, they will signal to the lead driver and take over control of their own vehicle.

Researchers say that with the improved aerodynamics, fuel efficiency will be raised 20% along with increased highway capacity. Pretty neat stuff! [Source: Wired] BBC has a pretty nifty diagram too.

Here’s the deal, kids. When Chris Harris, one of the UK’s most respected auto writers, reviews a car, you sit down, shut up and listen. And when that car happens to be the new Porsche 911 GT3 RS, you crank the volume to the max, even if the bossman is around. No one could reasonably be fired for blasting 8,500 rpm worth of Porsche flat-six through the office, after all. If anything, you deserve a medal.

[Source: Evo]

Our friends over at Footnoted.org have unearthed a most bizarre lawsuit. Porsche is suing Crocs (you know, they make these) over the use of the name ‘Cayman’. We’re not sure who exactly would be confused by the crossover, considering one is a $29.99 rubber shoe and the other is a $51,400 sports car, but apparently Porsche has deemed it too close for comfort.

Since the suit has been filed in Germany, Crocs has to gather a lawyer squad in the country, which means they’ll be spending a large sum to defend a totally ridiculous suit.

What’s next Porsche? Did the Cayman Islands steal your name too?

Taking the “Drinking and driving don’t mix” motto a bit too literally, Michael Schumacher recently took to the track with famed bartender Salvatore Calabrese to see if the mixologist could whip up a cocktail while experiencing a heavy dose of lateral G. The answer? He can, but not well. What a mess. Big props to Bacardi for somehow managing to make a PSA fun.

[Source: Autoblog via YouTube]

Having a Swede on our Editorial team means we’re constantly subjected to ultra-boosted Saab and Volvo one-offs — not to mention the horrendous techno often accompanying said videos — but this one really stands out. After all, when was the last time you saw a 1969 Saab 99, let alone one that pumps 700 hp out of a 2.0-liter block. Yeah, he must be running like a habillion pounds of boost. So worth it though. Dom Toretto, we’ve found your next 10-second car.

[Source: YouTube]

And the hits just keep on coming for America’s former automotive darling.

Today Toyota announced its intentions to withdraw from F1 at the end of this season, citing economic reasons. The team has escaped the axe once before, but this time’s for real, we’re afraid. It’s pretty odd timing considering the recent reveal of their new supercar, the LFA.

After setting a strong sales pace for years and essentially becoming the reliability leader for the American car market, things have gone downhill quite quickly. First came a couple recalls, then there’s the RAV4 transmission problem that the company is losing customers over, followed by the unveiling of a car that goes against every aspect of the company’s current image.

Since 2002, Toyota has racked up 13 podium and 87 point finishes over eight seasons. [Source: Toyota]

Apparently bored stiff with Gymkhana mayhem (if that’s possible), Ken Block has moved on to bigger things… literally. Determined to hoon his Subie no matter what the conditions, Block has slapped a set of friggin’ tank tracks — yes, you read that right — onto an STI rally car for a bit of mountaineering. Our friends at 0-60 Magazine recently interviewed KB about his newest creation and we think this excerpt sums it up pretty well:

“0-60: So are there plans to jump this thing?

Block: You, know, I’ve put a lot of thought into this, and weighed the limitations that the Mattracks system presents and it really just boils down to…Yes!. It’s a rally car, it has to jump.”

All we have to say is rally on, brave pioneers. Rally on.

Don’t get too attached as the VW R models are currently a Euro-only offering, but they certainly look tasty. Boasting extra turbo boost, the Golf R and Scirocco R put down 270 hp and 265 hp respectively, and while we’re not sure just who would confuse them with a G-force centrifuge, they will doubtless be a blast to drive when properly hustled. Hopefully one day Volkswagen will find a good business case for selling the cars stateside. And hopefully that day will be, like, tomorrow. Bitte?

[Source: VW via Exhaustnote]