If you’re wishing and hoping for more diesel in the U.S., it looks like your best bet may again be placed on the Germans. Wards Automotive quotes USA President Ernst Lieb as saying that the 2.2-liter Bluetec diesel will rest under the hood of the 2012 . The oil-burning mill will likely cost a few thousand dollars more than the petrol-powered GLK, but fuel economy from the diesel four-pot will of course be vastly superior.
Mercedes reportedly won’t stop with the GLK either, as the next generation C-Class will reportedly house the same Bluetec fuel-sipper. Further, the will once again receive diesel power in 2011 after a year off, rejoining the ML, and on the Bluetec buffet. Lieb says that diesels typically account for 12-20 percent of overall sales in the U.S. and the company is hoping to manage 15-20 percent of overall sales in the years ahead.
Lamborghini didn’t commandeer a space at the LA Auto Show itself, preferring to host an exclusive gathering across town for the reveal of the Gallardo Spyder Performante. As usual, even though we’re speaking of a subtly tweaked Gallardo Spyder whose finest revelations couldn’t even be seen, it was worth the trip.
The lightweight droptop sheds more than 140 pounds versus the standard offering, and gains a meaner visage to make its point. The eye candy that could be seen – additional eye candy, that is – was wrapped in Alcantara and carbon fiber, and would you get a look at those tailpipes…
In fact, enough with the words – feast your eyes on the gallery of high-res photos below live from Lambo’s exclusive party. You can read more details about the car in the official press release after the jump.
Ford Focus Race Car Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
has pulled the wraps off what it claims is a hint at its future global race car. The Ford Focus race car concept takes the standard 2012 Ford Focus hatchback and preps it nicely for full race duty. This includes gutting the interior, fitting a FIA-approved roll cage, strapping on AST performance coilovers with adjustable dampers and beefing up the sway bars, brakes, wheels and tires.
What’s not beefed up is the turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost inline four-cylinder engine, which is used in the hot-hatch Focus ST where it produces 247 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. Keeping the driver comfortable and in check are a Recaro racing seat, Ford Racing six-point harness and fire-suppression system.
Ford’s goal for the race car concept is to supply private race teams with a competitive entry in a wide variety of racing series around the world. The car conforms to FIA Super 2000 regulations and can be adapted to fit the rules of other governing bodies as well.
The Focus race car concept is set to make its debut at the 2011 British Touring Car Championship. Ford says it also wants to run the Focus in endurance races such as the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. Put on your Nomex, then to read the press release.
is just now beginning to roll out its sexy new , with the 2.4-liter GDI version . Much like its sister car, the , the Optima will be offered with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine in EX and SX trims, and here at the , the Kia has unveiled its third member of the Optima family – the Hybrid.
Much like the Sonata Hybrid, the gas/electric Optima uses the same 2.4-liter direct-injected inline-four, mated to an electric motor. Combined with a six-speed automatic transmission, the Optima Hybrid will yield 40 miles per gallon on the highway – besting its eco-minded competitors, the and Toyota Camry Hybrid.
Pricing will be announced closer to the car’s on-sale date early next year, and you can read the full details in Kia’s press release, . Check out our high-res galleries of live and stock shots, as well.
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Live photos copyright (C)2010 Steven J. Ewing / AOL
LA 2010: 2012 Saab 9-4X – Click above for high-res image gallery
is looking to move forward after its long relationship with . Saab CEO Victor Muller quoted Winston Churchill today at the LA Auto Show saying “If you’re going through hell… keep going.” Muller says that Saab has gone through hell and is seeing the light on the other side. The 2012 Saab 9-4X is the latest taste of what Saab now has in store for us.
The 9-4X takes aim at the luxury crossover segment and is prepared to do battle withs some heavies, such as the , and . The platform-mate arrives chock full of upmarket goodness like eight-way power adjustable seats, Bluetooth connectivity and a tri-zone climate control system; all part of the standard features list.
The exterior styling stays true to what we see with the Saab 9-5 sedan, and clearly states that the vehicle comes from a line of sporty cars. To match this style, the under-hood offerings come in two spirited flavors: a naturally-aspirated 265-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 and a direct-injection, turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 that pumps out 300 hp. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox that feeds all four wheels through Saab’s XWD system.
It wasn’t just the 9-4X on the menu at the 2010 LA Auto Show. We learned that the 9-5 wagon is set to make its debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show next March, Saab is expanding distribution into China and Russia and all operations have officially been moved to Trollhättan. It’s also the first time in Saab’s history that the 9-3 convertible has been built on Swedish ground.
to find out more about the 2012 Saab 9-4X including a chance to watch the model’s first commercial, and stay tuned for more from this now-independent Swedish automaker in the near future.
2011 Nissan Quest – Click above for high-res image gallery
Keeping up with the Joneses is a tough game to play, and third-generation Quest was getting jealous of the new and . Los Angeles can change you, and that’s why we are staring at the all-new fourth generation 2011 Nissan Quest.
Arriving in dealerships in the beginning of next year, the 2011 Nissan Quest will be offered in four trims: S, SV, SL and LE. All four are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 253 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, and it’s paired with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT unit. Each trim is also fairly well-equipped, with even the base Quest S receiving push-button ignition and a six-disc CD audio system. The top-level Quest LE goes all out with such features as a DVD entertainment system with wireless headphones, a blind-spot warning system and HID headlights.
Besides the tech amenities, the Quest also offers a plethora of what-you-would-expect minivan features. The 2nd and 3rd rows of seating both fold flat to the floor, and a deep rear storage well adds even more cargo space if you are traveling with items other than passengers. See the whole shebang in our high-res image gallery below, and for the complete press release.
2011 Chevrolet Volt – Click above for high-res image gallery
The first batch of production are ready to ship, they’re just waiting on the EPA to issue an official . global product chief Tom Stephens told that the required sticker certifying the Volt’s miles per gallon rating is expected “any day,” and that’s a requirement before the vehicles can head out the door.
As a few weeks ago, when the 2011 Fuel Economy Guide was released by the EPA and DOE, the Volt just missed being included in the publication because, as the EPA stated, “no 2011 model year electric or plug-inhybrid electric vehicles have completed testing as of publication of this list.” The was again listed as the most fuel efficient available in the U.S., but we’ll soon be able to see where the Volt stands in terms of official fuel economy.
The Volt, named the , can run 25 to 50 miles on battery only and an additional 310 miles when assisted by the gasoline engine. GM is pushing through with its plans of producing 10,000 Volts through 2011 and 45,000 in 2012.
2011 Porsche Cayman R – Click above for high-res image gallery
has pulled the silk off its all-new , the latest variant of the German automaker’s two-seat coupe. Aside from the obligatory decals and badging designed to differentiate this new flagship from its siblings, the Cayman R boasts a chassis that has been lightened by about 120 pounds and a handful of other tweaks.
Inside the cabin, the Cayman R features Alcantara and leather upholstery, sport seats, strap door handles and a painted console color-keyed to the exterior. Under the skin, the suspension has been enhanced with shorter, more rigid springs and there are customized anti-roll bars on the front and rear axles (the ride height is about 20 millimeters lower than the Cayman S).
Motivation comes from Porsche’s 3.4-liter flat-six, bumped up slightly to 330 horsepower, while transmission choices include Porsche’s excellent PDK automatic gearbox or a traditional six-speed manual. According to the automaker, the 2,855-pound Cayman R will hit 62 miles per hour in less than five seconds and top out at 175 mph. Look for the Cayman R in dealers wearing a $66,000 price tag before the end of the year. for the official press release from Porsche.
It’s a good time to jump on the MotoGP bandwagon. Sure, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer always fields a highly competitive juggernaut of a racing team, despite being a small fraction of the size of its chief rivals. But, with the recent signing of fan-favorite and nine-time World Champion , it would seem that the focus will never be more, um, focused on the bright red racers.
Plus, let’s not forget about , who carries around his own fair share of fans, particularly in the United States, which is surely a crucial market for both Ducati and . As such, it’s not exactly shocking to hear that the German automaker, and more specifically its AMG performance division, has tossed its support and most assuredly a few bucket-loads of cash in the direction of the Bologna-based Ducati MotoGP team.
At this point, it’s too early to know how far the partnership will extend, but the automaker brought along the previously mentioned Kentucky Kid to the 2010 LA Auto Show to announce that it has entered into a marketing partnership with Ducati and will provide support along with serving as the brand’s Official Car Partner starting with the 2011 race season. As such, AMG machines will be available for test drives at selected Ducati events and vice versa.
Say what you will about cutting the roof off of a crossover. We’re growing a CUV-sized soft spot for the . It’s not that the vehicle is going to be snagging a design award any time soon – far from it. But there’s something to be said for a company hitching up its britches and doing something completely off the wall.
And this, kids, is the definition of off the wall.
The five-seater convertible market in the U.S. is all but non-existent at the moment, leaving successful real estate agents across the country with nowhere to spend their hard-earned money. Fortunately, is at the 2010 LA Auto Show to answer the call with this machine. While we’re a little sad to see that the CrossCabriolet isn’t a four-door convertible as we’d hoped, we’ll take the craziness where we can get it. Along with showing its crazy drop top for the first time in LA today, Nissan also announced its base price: $46,390. If you thought it was ugly before, that probably didn’t help. for Nissan’s official press release.
Even though the earlier this month and its successor won’t begin production for a while, has not been spending its time idly, and will prove that today at the 2010 LA Auto Show by introducing the LP 570-4 Spyder Performante. Billed as “less weight, more fascination,” the Spyder Performante is meant to take the ‘regular’ Gallardo Spyder to new highs of performance with new lows of weight.
Essentially a superleggera version of the Gallardo Spyder, a total of 143 pounds have been shed from the standard convertible through the use of carbon fiber and carbon composite parts both outside and in. The convertible cover is made from carbon fiber, as is the rear spoiler, diffuser and some underbody components. Inside, the transmission tunnel cover, door panels and seat shells are CF units.
The front end has also been tweaked for looks and aerodynamic purposes, with improved cooling and more downforce on the front axle being two of the results, and better rear aero comes courtesy of a redesigned diffuser. The blast-off time from 0-to-62 mph has been dropped to 3.9 seconds, and terminal velocity comes in at 201 mph. Want more? It puts out less CO2 emissions, which means better gas mileage. So there. for the full press release, and take in two of its angles in the gallery of high-res photos below while we wait for its world debut here in LA.
The appears to be a quantum leap improvement over the 2010 model, with improved aesthetics, powertrains and technology. But do all those improvements come at a cost? According to , the 2011 Optima will start at $18,995. That’s $1,000 more than the outgoing model, but still $1,000 or so lower than many competitors’ midsize offerings, and lower still than its cross-Korean cousin, the . With the base model comes standard power window and door locks, Sirius Satellite radio and a USB interface for your iPod.
Move up to the LX trim level with a six-speed automatic transmission and the starting price is $20,495. The LX comes standard with alloy wheels, cruise control and an eco mode for more efficient driving. The EX is the next step up the luxury ladder with leather seating surfaces, an eight-way power driver’s seat, dual zone climate control, 17-inch wheels and push-button start.
If horsepower is your thing, the EX Turbo supplies 274 horsepower, a revised front grille and special interior accents for a reasonable $24,495, which in this case actually costs a little more than the Sonata Turbo at $24,145. The top-end Optima, the SX, starts at $25,995. Standard features for the SX include a host of interior upgrades, 18-inch wheels, revised lower trim, a sport-tuned suspension, HID headlamps and LEDs out back.
$18,995 is a very reasonable starting price to pay for a vehicle that appears to have gone from being a rental fleet afterthought to a midsize contender in a single product cycle. But what about resale value? The residual value experts at ALG, inc. claim that the 2011 Optima will retain 53 percent of it’s value after 36 months, a 66 percent increase over the outgoing model. That’s not at the resale level of a , mind you, but a definite step in the right direction. to read over Kia’s official press release.
2011 Fiat 500 – Click above for high-res image gallery
Break out your wallet and start learning Italian, the 2011 Fiat 500 configurator is attivo e funzionante! Pricing for the 500 starts at $15,500 for the base model, which is referred to as the Fiat 500 Pop. The 500 Sport is priced at $17,500 and the top-shelf 500 Lounge will cost you $19,500… before options.
We tried as hard as we could to fully outfit our “own” 2011 Fiat 500, but this little coupe has managed to differentiate itself a bit from the in a very good way. Our final sticker price after ticking all the boxes? $25,236. We’re sure we will be able to raise that up a few notches when the 500C cabriolet shows up. In the meantime, head on over to the and see what you can do with your “own” 2011 Fiat 500.
2011 Acura TSX – Click above for high-res image gallery
has officially pulled the wraps off its refreshed 2011 sedan, which makes its official debut at the today. Don’t get too excited, though – the tweaks are limited to a few small styling updates, similar to those seen on the that debuted at this year’s .
Up front, the revised grille and foglamp surrounds of the TSX wagon have been fitted to the sedan, and the changes out back are limited to slightly refreshed taillamps and a license plate garnish. Four-cylinder TSXs now ride on a new set of 17-inch alloy wheels, while a larger set of 18-inch rollers are fitted to V6 models.
Powertain options remain largely unchanged for the 2011 TSX. The base 2.4-liter inline-four still makes 201 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque with the six-speed manual transmission (five-speed auto models only crank out 170 lb-ft of twist) and the larger 3.5-liter V6 carries on with 280 hp and 254 lb-ft. Acura has, however, reduced the internal operating friction of both mills, allowing for slight bumps in fuel economy. The 2.4-liter four now achieves 21/29 miles per gallon (city/highway) with the manual transmission and 22/31 with the auto, and the V6 musters a respectable 19/28 mpg. These aren’t significant increases, however – each number listed here is only one higher than the 2010 EPA ratings.
Inside, updates include a new 60 GB hard drive navigation system, a 15 GB hard drive for the Technology Package (capable of storing over 3,500 songs), improved Bluetooth and voice recognition, different LED lighting, new trim pieces and updated contrast stitching.
The 2011 TSX hits dealerships at the end of November, priced from $29,610. Opting for the V6 will set you back $35,150, and a technology package ($3,100) is available with both powertrain configurations. Read the full details for yourself in Acura’s press release, .
2011 Porsche Cayman R – Click above for high-res image gallery
has just announced the 2011 Cayman R, previously referred to in the rumormill as the . Think of it as a purer interpretation of the company’s baby sports bruiser, much like the is to the standard Boxster. With weight saving tricks like aluminum doors, sports bucket seats and unnecessary hardware like the radio, air-conditioning and storage compartments deleted, the Cayman R hits the scales 121 pounds lighter than the run-of-the mill hard top. Porsche engineers also threw in a slight pump in power, throwing the final figure from the 3.4-liter flat lump to 330 horsepower. All told, the changes are good for a 0-60 run in the 4.7-second range – a full .2 seconds quicker than the base Cayman S.
Outside, Porsche has fitted the with new 19-inch lightweight wheels, and aesthetic tweaks like a subtle stripe package, contrasting-color mirrors and black-accented headlight bezels. We don’t exactly know how much Porsche is going to ask for this gem, but in the grand tradition of offering less content for more money, we don’t expect it to be cheap. Look for live shots from the 2010 LA Auto Show later today. In the mean time, for a quick video and Porsche’s official press release.
2011 Volvo V60 by Heico Sportiv – Click above for high-res image gallery
Performance have long been the sleepers of all sleepers. That is to say, quiet aggression with a hidden punch. Swedish tuning house Heico Sportiv is a big part of that formula, its tuned Volvos shaming sportscar drivers who just never know what hit ‘em. But if you really want to fly under the radar and throw some egg on the poseurs’ faces, what you’re going to need is a tuned Volvo wagon. Fortunately Heico has just announced such a model.
The modifications for the new are essentially the same as those for the sedan, but with a little extra cargo capacity and an added dose of “unassuming.” That means a 2.0T model boosted to 297 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque or a T6 pumping out 330 and 339.
A retuned suspension, aero kit, quad exhaust tips and 18- or 20-inch wheels round out the package, which ought to give that driver a hint at the source of his embarrassment and the soccer mom driving it a little something to show off in the daycare parking lot. Have a closer look in the gallery below as Heico prepares to unveil the tuned V60 at the Essen tuner show later this month.
How the mighty have fallen. The saying could apply to none better than it does to Williams, the F1 team that was once at the pinnacle of grand prix racing but has long since fallen to the bottom. One driver managed to bring them back to the top this season – if only briefly – but the team has elected to let him go for next season.
That driver is Nico Hulkenberg, and his impressive feat was putting his Williams FW32 on pole in a couple of weeks ago – the first pole for Williams in five years. Unfortunately he didn’t manage to hold on to the lead, but the pole position in and of itself proved his mettle.
Unfortunately for Nico, Williams has announced that it has elected not to renew his contract for next season. They are, however, keeping Rubens Barrichello on board – undoubtedly a more experienced driver, if not necessarily more talented.
So where will Hulkenberg end up next season? Most of the seats are already spoken for, with only Force India, HRT and Lotus yet to confirm their driver pairings and solo seats still up for grabs at Renault and Virgin (as well as Williams). Details of the announcement in the press release .
[Source: Williams Image: Lorenzo Bellanca/LAT/Williams]
