There is to be an all-new Kia codenamed the KH and could be an unlikely rival to BMW because it’s going to be the first Kia to come with rear-wheel drive. It’s hard not to see the importance here, as having the power going to the rear wheels gives the car a completely different dynamic when it comes to driving, something that BMW has been doing for years.

We cannot be certain if the Kia KH will be coming to the US but it needs to if the company has any hope of achieving the sales they are hoping for, although we do know the likes of Korea and Europe will get the new model. The growth that Kia has been experiencing lately has been astounding and it’s because of cars like this that has helped them achieve this.

Looking at one or two sketches of the KH here we can’t help but think of the BMW 7 Series and Maserati-esque grille when we look at the front end of the car, mixed with a bit of Aston Martin for good measure. We are certain that a few car fans will be thinking this is a blatant copy of BMW’s model but the finished design should look very different to what we are seeing now.

BMW must be a little wary of Kia’s new vehicle because it will be a fraction of the price of the 7 Series, although there will still be some people who will say you pay for what you get – not sure that’s being said as often in these hard times?

Why should this sketch surprise us because back in December BMW’s chief designer Christopher Chapman left the German company to go and work for Kia instead, so yes we could begin to see many more cheaper cars looking like a Beamer.

The jury is still out if this is a good thing or not because having a cheaper version of a BMW on our streets could begin to affect sales of the real thing becasue passersby may have to do a double take if a top businessman is driving a Kia and not a BMW.

We are told that the 2012 Toyota Camry is special, because it’s their first model to come with Entune, which some of you may know is their take on an entertainment/multimedia package. Once inside you will have access to a host of apps that can be accessed via voice command or touchscreen. Some of these applications include Bing, MovieTickets.com, Pandora and many more.

However, it’s the marketing campaign that we need to discuss here, as Toyota is going all out to give it as much coverage as possible, well they need to if they want the Camry to be the best selling car in the U.S. for ten years in a row. There are six TV spots planned, these will include NBC Sunday Night Football and also Two and a Half Men, which these two alone will offer a huge audience.

However, the biggest opportunity will come during Super Bowl, as Toyota has secured title sponsorship. Next month is when consumers will be able to get behind the wheel of the 2012 Camry for a test drive in more than 125 locations, this will go on until March 2012.

For some of the models the pricing will be pretty much the same as the current version, while some of the other trim levels have actually fallen – something that we do not hear that often. There are four trim levels for the standard gasoline version, the L, LE, XLE and SE. Then there are two for the Hybrid version, the LE and the XLE. So what about the actual pricing we hear you ask?

The base L model of the 2012 Camry will cost $21,995, with the LE costing just $22,500; Autoblog points out that the price is $200 less than the 2011 LE model. Next in the range is the SE, which will cost you $23,000 that’s almost $100 cheaper than the current version. For $24,725 you could be driving away with the XLE model. However, you will have to pay a little more for the V6 version.

If you want to get the hybrid version, then you already know that you will have to pay a premium for the privilege. The 2012 Toyota LE Hybrid will cost you $25,900, while the base price for the XLE model starts at $27,400. The former is $1,150 cheaper than the 2011 model and the latter is $800 cheaper.

We are still surprised how Toyota has managed to keep prices down – maybe this is all part of their strategy to sell more units, as this has worked out brilliantly for Sony and their PS3 console.

Most cars like this are unable to pull it off, but the 2011 Infiniti M56x manages to keep both aspects apart from each other – that is until you put your right foot to the floor and nail it. The new sedan produces 420 horsepower from its 5.6-liter, V8 engine, and thanks to an all-wheel drive system, nasty surprises are kept at bay.

What is so great about the new Infiniti M56x is how the car is just as happy giving you and your family a smooth and quiet drive; the V8 engine plays a major part in that. Do not expect a great return in fuel, 16 mpg/city and 23 mpg/highway, but when you consider how much power is under that hood, things do not seem all that bad after all.

There are a few upgrades that you can go for, but the ultimate would be the electronic technology package, which will cost $3,000. However, you will never need anything else from the array of extras that you get. More of which is explained over at BostonHerald.

For those looking for even more, then you can opt for the deluxe touring package at a cost of $3,800. One of the main features of this is the 16-speaker Bose system. The only problem with this is, the sound will drown out the sweet sound from the monster that hides beneath the hood.

What are your first thoughts on the 2011 Infiniti M56x?

Infiniti has also made its EPA rating public, the M Hybrid is said to achieve 32mpg highway and 27mpg city. The combined EPA rating of 29mpg certainly seems a little low to us, but when you take into consideration that the car has a 3.5-liter V6 and can produce 350bhp, things do not seem that bad after all.

Autoblog, who has an image gallery of the new car makes a point about there not being too many cars on the road that offer this amount of luxury and power, as well as giving you a good return on fuel-economy. According to a press release the new 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid goes on sale on March 16th, 2011.

IBTimes has been looking at why the new sedan has been priced so high, and they say it is because the likes of Infiniti and other carmakers hope to make green vehicles such as hybrids more appealing to the “elite customer base.” It is said that the new Infiniti M Hybrid is able to not only compete with Rolls Royce but Porsche as well.

We cannot say how this new sedan compares with the luxury or performance brand of cars, only time will tell. However, looking at the performance figures from the official Infiniti website and that price tag, it’s not hard to understand the reasoning.

Do you think that the new 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid will be able to compete with the likes of Porsche and Rolls Royce?

Autoblog had the chance to try out how the 2012 Fisker Karma at the California Speedway, which we presume is in anticipation of the Frankfurt Motor Show. We do worry that this is not the best show to unveil their finished design off.

As with all EVs it is a strange experience when you sit in the car and press the ignition button, as there is no thumping sound from a powerful gas-burning engine, instead all the instruments come to life and await you to press the accelerator pedal. It is then that you are propelled from 0-60mph in 7.9 seconds – not bad for a car that is powered by the same stuff as your toaster.

However, you can select sport mode, which will do the 0-60mph sprint in just 5.9 seconds. However, doing so will reduce your range. There will be those who will start to compare this to the Tesla Roadster, and for good reason. However, the two are for different markets, but the Model S is certainly a true rival.

Auto Express has also had some time behind the wheel of the 2012 Fisker Karma, and believes that its nearest rival is the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid. The question will be if the small time outfit will be able to take the fight to the big German automaker?

Its hard not to have some form of judgment, it reminds me a little of the former F1 driver David Coulthard with that strong chiseled jaw line. The grille is not the only change, Acura has also been making a few changes under the hood with a new six-speed transmission, USA Today say that this helps improve fuel economy.

The Honda owned company said that the change at the front were important to the aerodynamics, as it is this that helps improve fuel-efficiency. Other changes that some might not like are the new fog lights, turn signals, and that grille. However, things have also changed at the rear, taillights have been updated, which certainly changes the look.

Auto Evolution reports that there are two models available; one comes with a 3.5-liter V6 and the other a 3.7-liter, which produces 280hp and 305hp respectively. There will be a choice of 17-inch, 18-inch and 19-inch wheels, you will need to make the choice depending on lifestyle and budget.

For a closer look at the 2012 Acura TL view the video that we have embedded for you below. Let us know your thoughts.

This looks to be a very good year for not only Chrysler but the 200 model sedan as well, as a convertible version will be on show at the upcoming Chicago Auto Show 2011 in just a couple of days time. Freep reports that not only did Eminem appear in the commercial driving the 200, but his track “Lose Yourself,” could also be heard in the background.

As you may remember, we informed you that the new 200 is a replacement for the Sebring, which we said was a vast improvement over that older model. Chrysler needs this new sedan to be a success, as this market has been getting tougher over the years. They must want this to work, as the CEO admitted that they spent $9 million on this ad.

Inside Line has been looking more closely at the Chrysler 200 Convertible ahead of the 2011 Chicago Auto Show, but they do believe that it will not be much of a surprise for the press or the public. The reason they say this is because we already know so much about the car, and they are certainly right about that fact.

Do you think it is a good or a bad thing to already know this much about a car ahead of such a large auto event?

Autoblog was sent a press release giving them all the facts and figures, but the one detail missing was the price. Let us not complain though, as it will take some time to digest all the information that has been given to us by Mercedes. This new sedan is expected to hit 60 in 4.3 seconds and has been limited to 155mph. However, that AMG performance package mentioned above will increase that top speed to 174mph.

There are a few key design differences from the current to the 2012 version, such as a new front grille and a lower apron. However, it is inside where you will see the biggest changes, that newly designed dash and LCD screen will certainly give the competition a run for their money.

Although there was no price on the press release, we have learned from Car and SUV that the new sedan will cost €71,340 in Germany; not sure how much that will be in the UK or the U.S.

No doubt more details on this and other aspects of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG will be offered during the Geneva Motor Show, which is when the car will get its official debut.

Honda has not given anything away when it comes to what size engines they will use with the new Civic Si, but one would presume that they would stick with the current 1.8-litre and 2.0-litre i-VTEC powertrains. Maybe the Japanese automaker will shed more light after the press event of the auto show?

LA Times makes a note that the hybrid version of the new Civic will be the first Honda to use lithium-ion batteries, as well is incorporating the Eco Assist technology used in the CR-Z. This is a perfect system for drivers who wish to select which kind of driving mode best suits the situation.

Honda currently has 5 hybrid models in its range, and it is the two Civic models that are showing their age the most. Is it me or do they look like something designed in the 1980’s? Looking at the upcoming version it looks to me as if the design team has had a wake up call and finally going to give Honda drivers what they want.