, and now our spy shooters have caught it testing. The good news is that the car still looks stunning. The bad news is that’s because the original design has aged so well.
What we’re seeing in these photos doesn’t indicate much has changed outside of minor tweaks to the front fascia that seem mostly designed to accommodate new headlights with a different LED pattern. The rear fascia and taillights are similarly reconfigured, with round twin tailpipes like the , but without the side ducting.
When they sent us the images, KPG Photography also speculated that this forthcoming R8 update will ditch the R-tronic sequential automatic transmission for a dual-clutch gearbox. That’s in line with , which indicate that the DSG will be the only transmission available.
We’ve got shots of both the coupe R8 and the R8 Spyder, including some taken at night where it’s easier to see the new LED designs. Check out all the high-res images in our .
We’ll be able to share full details on the electric LE Concept from when the embargo lifts later today, but our ace photographer Drew Phillips happened to be on the automaker’s stand when officials uncovered the shiny showcar while conducting a practice run-through of their presentation.
The four-door LE concept is broadly believed to presage an upscale pure electric production model based on mechanicals for the Infiniti marque. Our man on the scene indicates that the LE is a fairly striking bit of work, with a front end that fits in well with the brand (though the chrome-edged pinched grille is a bit much). The hood line incorporates bulges along its edges, presumably for aerodynamic purposes like those on Leaf. Phillips also remarked that the rear three-quarter view looks a bit like the , a similarity we can see but don’t imagine Infiniti designers will necessarily appreciate.
We can’t talk specs yet, but for pointers, the Leaf’s electric powertrain generates 107 horsepower and 208 pound-feet of torque and it features a 100-mile range. Stick with us and we’ll have the full skinny around noon.
As is tradition, Day Two of the kicked off with the annual World Car of the Year awards. Global entries competed for honors in four different categories, and from the initial list of 34 contenders, the final four were selected this morning.
The big winner was the subcompact, which takes home the honor of World Car of the Year, beating out its other finalists, the and . We’ve had a chance to drive VW’s tiny runabout and, while it would be hard for the automaker to justify offering something this small in the United States (right now), we’d gladly welcome its tossable city dynamics and efficiency here on our shores. With a small bump in power, it could certainly show the who’s boss.
But the Up! wasn’t the only car praised in New York this morning. The new 991-series Porsche 911 was named World Performance Car of the Year, besting other nominees like the and . Stiff competition, for sure, but you just can’t match the 911’s razor-sharp precision, not to mention that this new 991 model is easily the best 911 yet.
Moving on to a different sort of performance, the took top honors for its eco-performance, securing the World Green Car of the Year award. In this segment, the other two finalists were the and Peugeot 3008 Hybrid greenlings.
Lastly, the WCOY jury selected the for the World Car Design of the Year – not really a surprise, seeing as how the baby Range Rover has been praised for its styling ever since the day it launched. Our condolences to the Citroën DS5 and Volkswagen Up! – you guys just aren’t pretty enough.
Stay tuned for more details about this year’s awards later today.
Full disclosure: Author is a juror and co-chair of the World Car of the Year Awards.
Not that we don’t like the or anything, but this is the third that has trotted out at an auto show in the space of seven months. (Never mind that it looks like they just repainted the from the .) Forgive us, then, for wishing Land Rover would get on with it and announce that it’s going into production.
But no. Instead, we get this: The Luxury Limited Edition. With a mere 2,000 available worldwide, Land Rover seems serious about the limited part. A long list of unique trim pieces including “HSE Luxury” badging on the tailgate and interior finishes borrowed from the should take care of the rest of the equation.
If you’d like all the details about things like “satin chrome” and “Havana” (that’s a color, by the way), the full press release on the special LR4 is .
Better yet, check out the episode of where our sister site drives the DC100 – also available .
Just the other day, we heard that General Motors might for the . But, after last month, we wonder how the calendar looks in Hamtramck now. We wonder because we are hearing reports that the current shutdown – originally scheduled to , from March 19 to April 23 – will be shortened by a week. GM originally decided on the hold to reduce supply that had grown too large because of soft demand.
Don LaForest, the chairman of the United Auto Workers bargaining committee at the Hamtramck plant where the Volt is made, told Talking Points Memo that GM is “adding a week of production back in.” TheDetroit News reports that GM President of North America Mark Reuss said the same thing Wednesday during the . Reuss said, “We’re doing it because we sold a lot.”
Increasing sales numbers (GM – well over double February’s 1,023-unit total) come at a time when some of the on the plug-inhybrid appear to have . LaForest told TPM that his union workers have been confused about these criticisms. “I don’t think Newt or Mitt have said a single negative thing about the ,” he said. “They’re attacking our car to get at the President. But our car is going to change the way America does business. It’s a breath of fresh air.”
The will receive a significant refresh for the 2013 model year, and the majority of the changes are indeed more than skin-deep. That’s because the 2013 Ram will hit the showroom floor with a host of powertrain upgrades, including features that have never been offered on American pickup trucks until now.
Chrysler promises that the new 3.6 will improve fuel efficiency by “at least 20 percent.”
Many of the Ram’s new technologies speak to its fuel-saving nature, including an eight-speed automatic transmission for both six- and eight-cylinder models, stop-start, improved aerodynamics, electric power steering, grille shutters and an auto-adjusting air suspension. The air suspension is essentially a version of the setup used in the and features an Aero Mode, lowering the ride height by 1.2 inches to help cut through the wind more efficiently. Ram will also offer the Chrysler Group’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 as the base powerplant, delivering 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. For reference, rates the pickup’s naturally aspirated 3.7-liter V6 at 302 hp and 278 lb-ft.
Chrysler promises that the new 3.6 will improve fuel efficiency by “at least 20 percent” compared to the old 3.7-liter unit. Another 20 percent added to 20 miles per gallon on the highway and 14 mpg in the city equates to a class-leading 24 mpg highway and 17 mpg city.
Of course, V8 power is available, courtesy of Chrysler’s tried-and-true 5.7-liter Hemi, which now delivers 395 hp and 407 lb-ft of torque. That’s five more horsepower compared to the 2012 model, and that improvement comes courtesy of the new electronic power steering system. The most impressive part is that the Hemi-equipped model will also boast 20 percent better fuel economy, thanks largely to the fact that the eight-speed automatic is also fitted to this eight-pot mill. Chrysler will announce official fuel economy numbers closer to the Ram’s on-sale date.
The Ram 1500 can achieve these substantial efficiency gains because of the aforementioned fuel-sipping technologies, but engineers have also cut considerable weight. The V6 powertrain is an amazing 76 pounds lighter than the outgoing 3.7-liter, and the TorqueFlite eight-speed and Hemi combine for a 30-pound reduction in the 5.7-liter model. Other weight savings come from an aluminum hood (26 pounds), chassis with more high-strength steel (up to 30 pounds), new floor cross-members in the bed (seven pounds), new front bumper (four pounds) and the electronic steering system (four pounds).
Additional improvements include upgraded exterior styling, a richer-looking cabin and a stiffer chassis that promises decreased noise, vibration and harshness. The Ram will also feature improved available infotainment tech, including an 8.4-inch navigation screen and a configurable seven-inch thin-film transistor screen that is standard on Sport, Laramie and Laramie Longhorn models.
to read over the Chrysler press release, which includes a ton more information. You can also watch a few videos that highlight some of the new features.
Motor America CEO John Krafcik confirmed Wednesday that the all-new seven passenger will replace the model.
“The Veracruz is going away,” Krafcik told Autoblog. “It ends production around November.” Hyundai debuted the Santa Fe Wednesday at the New York International Auto Show in both five-passenger and seven-passenger configurations.
The seven-passenger Veracruz was a new nameplate for Hyundai when it rolled out in 2007. It never gained much acceptance in the U.S., so Hyundai has found a new way around that problem.
“It’s hard to establish a new brand name,” Krafcik said. “It can take $50 to $100 million dollars. Santa Fe is a golden nameplate for us, it’s a great product, and now it will be much more efficient in my marketing spend.”
Indeed. It will also be more efficient producing a five- and seven-passenger Santa Fe than two different vehicles. From the B-pillar forward, there will only be minor differences between the two Santa Fe models.
Furthermore, the new design of the Santa Fe moves it into Hyundai’s stylized fluidic design theme, something that has been very successful with the compact and midsize . The Veracruz, which still included many of Hyundai’s older design elements, just didn’t fit in with everything else.
Now, or at least in the coming months, it will be no more.
Shortly after announced that the production will be , we sat down with Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar Global Brand Director, to discuss some of the finer points of the new sub- sports car. The F-Type is more or less the production version of the that debuted at the , but instead of sticking to the concept’s coupe body style, Jaguar said that the production F-Type will launch as a two-seat roadster. But that doesn’t mean a coupe isn’t coming.
Jaguar “certainly won’t stick to just a convertible. If you get a convertible right, it’s easy to do a coupe.”
“C-X16 was a vision car,” Hallmark stated. The intent of C-X16 was to show off a new design language, and it’s easier to completely realize the full capacity of a new styling direction on a coupe body style rather than on a roadster. But when we asked Hallmark about the possibility of a hardtop F-Type, his response was that Jaguar “certainly won’t stick to just a convertible. If you get a convertible right, it’s easy to do a coupe.”
Jaguar’s director of design, Ian Callum, added that there are no plans to offer a folding hardtop version of the F-Type roadster – it will use a standard soft top. A folding hardtop “would ruin the shape of the car,” Callum told us.
As we reported earlier, the F-Type will use a new powertrain family, possibly previewed by the supercharged 3.0-liter V6 and electric motor combination found under the hood of the C-X16 concept. Hallmark stated that in terms of driver involvement and performance, the F-Type “will start where the finishes, even with less power.” In other words, the F-Type will be more of a focused sports car rather than a luxury GT. As for pricing, Hallmark stated that the F-Type will be priced below the XK but above competitors like the /, and .
Moving away from the F-Type, Hallmark spoke briefly about plans to add all-wheel drive into the Jaguar lineup. “We’re very interested in all-wheel drive,” he stated, later adding that the company will likely offer it in its next-generation products rather than fitting it to the vehicles that are currently available. Hallmark assured us that it will be “not more than two years” until we see an all-wheel-drive Jag, and that prototype vehicles are already in the on-road testing phase.
A used to be a Passat, and that was that. But these days, things have gotten more complicated. Like does with the , the Passat that builds and offers in the United States is an entirely different vehicle from the one it offers overseas. And while we used to have a Passat wagon at our disposal in American showrooms, that one stayed on the opposite shore when the model was split.
And then there’s the Alltrack. Taking a similar approach to what took to make its into the , what does to its to turn it into an and what (perhaps most pertinently) sister-brand does to its to make it the Allroad, the production model was unveiled at the back in November with a higher suspension and some rugged-looking lower body cladding.
Although the Alltrack – or for that matter, the Passat wagon altogether – is not currently available in the United States, Volkswagen has brought the overseas model to the (as a “concept”, mind you) in an effort to gauge reaction. If it drums up enough support – and over 80 percent of you have supported in our so far – VW could opt to offer it to American customers as a more cost-effective alternative to the Audi Allroad range. The showcar seen here is fitted with a TDI diesel engine, but presumably if it came to the States, it would be offered with a gasoline engine as its main powerplant. Take a closer look in our gallery of high-resolution live images from the show floor and the official release and decide for yourself.
If the orange you see here looks familiar, it’s because we’ve seen it before. Not only that, . So why, then, would choose to unveil its high-riding yet again here at the ? It’s coming to America, that’s why. And the car displayed here in the Big Apple is the official U.S. model.
The XV Crosstrek is, essentially, a lifted Impreza that speaks to the Outback Sport models that came before it. It boasts a surprising 8.7 inches of ground clearance and Subaru states that its engineers have made quite a few tweaks to the body and chassis to make the XV substantially more rugged than its Impreza kin.
Power comes from the same 2.0-liter boxer four that’s found in the standard Impreza, putting out 148 horsepower and mated to either a five-speed manual or Continuously Variable Transmission. Naturally, all-wheel drive is standard, and because the XV is capable of achieving up to 33 miles per gallon on the highway, Subaru touts that it’s the most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive CUV on the market.
The XV Crosstrek goes on sale this fall and official pricing will be announced closer to that time, but we’re guessing it’ll start off somewhere in the neighborhood of the 2011 Outback Sport’s $20,720 price of entry. for Subaru’s press release.
Opinions found at the Autoblog table of most auto show press rooms are usually in concert, but every once in a while, we fail to come to a consensus. This is one such cause of discord, you see, as some of us think it belongs only on European streets, while others insist it will find enough homes here in North America.
The smallest of Bavarian crossovers has been available in overseas markets for a while now, but with its unveiling here at the , is preparing to launch it in the North American market. And along with it, the tallish wagon has received a facelift and interior rework.
When deliveries begin at American BMW showrooms this coming September, buyers will be able to choose between two twin-turbo engines – the 245-horsepower sDrive28i (in rear-wheel-drive) or all-wheel-drive xDrive28i, and the 306-hp X1 xDrive35i. The first and last are U.S. exclusives.
Pricing? Glad you asked. The X1 sDrive28i will carry a $31,545 price tag – including $895 in delivery fees. The churns-at-all-fours xDrive28i commands $33,245, and the 306-hp xDrive35i can be yours for $39,345.
The launch of the new may be the bigger news for here at the , and the may still be getting the lion’s share of the attention, but the and its high-riding counterpart, the , have also debuted here in Manhattan with a series of updates.
Most noticeable (that term being a relative one) is the pair’s revised front fascia, but behind the new look is a fresh boxer four that replaces the old one in the 2.5i model, now producing three more horsepower and four more pound-feet of torque (173 hp/174 lb-ft.) while returning improved fuel economy. An updated CVT is the principal transmission for the 2.5-liter four, with a six-speed manual available, both driving all four wheels in typical Fuji Heavy Industries style. The available 3.6-liter flat six carries over with a five-speed automatic. Subaru says it has also revisited the suspensions on both models for improved ride comfort and performance.
There’s also a suite of new electronics packed into the , including everything from new active safety technology features like lane departure warning and collision mitigation to improved audio system connectivity.
Sadly, Subaru has axed the enthusiast-minded model for 2013.
No one may have asked to drop the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 found in the Taurus SHO behind the headlights of the , but that doesn’t mean we’re complaining. Ford has just debuted the higher-performance crossover at the 2012 New York Auto Show, complete with its full 350 horsepower. Ford says the newly menacing softroader will be good for around 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway, and the nudge in power shouldn’t do anything but help the vehicle’s ability to tow up to 5,000 pounds. Engineers have also thrown in bigger brakes and a little extra bracing to help the chassis cope with the additional muscle, not to mention a quicker ratio steering rack for a slightly more responsive cornering.
The available horsepower drops to the pavement via a paddle-shifted six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive system. The Sport features a unique version of the Terrain Management System found on lesser Explorers, though the software has been uniquely calibrated to handle the additional power on hand.
A handful of aesthetic tweaks are also part of the package, including blacked-out bodywork on the mesh grille, side-view mirrors and lower fascia. Unique wheel choices are also part of the package. for the full press blast.
It takes a special type of individual to take a look at a twin-turbo V8 roadster with 530 horsepower like the new and say, “Nope, that’s not enough.” And for just such an individual, now presents the new SL65 AMG.
Unveiled here at the alongside the facelifted and crossovers, the replaces its predecessor with a pair of turbos and twelve cylinders good for a monumental 621 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. It also gets a seven-gear Speedshift transmission that has been beefed up enough to handle all that twist in place of the five-speed that soldiered on through the last model.
All that is packed, of course, into the newer, (relatively) lighter new , complete with Airscarf and Magic Sky Control and all that jazz. The new roadster sits at the very top of the SL range, and if the outgoing model is any indication, this droptop is likely to receive a starting price well over $200,000.
We were on hand for the new SL65’s unveiled here at the Javitz Center, and you can join us for a closer look in the high-resolution image gallery above and the press release .
SL65 AMG packs an earth-moving 738 pound-feet of torque
The gorgeous Mazda Takeri concept is making its U.S. debut at the , and you’ll want to take another close look at it: it will “strongly influence” the 2014 that we’ll see at the later this year. The next Mazda6 will also follow the Mazda in the company’s lineup of SkyActiv vehicles.
In spite of the 2014 model year, the 6 will go on sale during Q1 of 2013 and will feature the SkyActiv 2.0-liter gas engine that shifts through a six-speed auto or six-speed manual. Mazda says it is gunning to post class-leading fuel economy figures.
We will also be looking to see if it , since the Takeri could make an equally beautiful two-door. If so, that isn’t expected to happen for at least a year after the sedan bows, but have made such long-distance predictions exceedingly difficult. for a press release with more info on the 2014 Mazda6.
This is the 2013 Concept, along with its “more capable-looking styling” that’s been revealed today at the .
is re-aiming the Crosstour at “active consumers,” so those new capable looks come down to foglights shrouded in embossed polygons, and the soft-roader rugged-esque front bumper, and dark trim skirting the bodywork. There’s also a new grille that helps clean up the front end. The rear gets stressed horizontals to emphasize the concept’s width, but this is the only photo Honda has released, so we’re not sure yet what other changes (if any) are in store for the 2012 model. The new face looks modestly better than the original, but based one what we see here, we’re unclear how this updated look will improve the Crosstour’s frigid sales.
Inside, Honda says the new production Crosstour will be available with an eight-inch display and LaneWatch blind-spot detection along with updated trim and keyless ignition. As before, motivation will come courtesy of a 192-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 3.5-liter V6 that shifts through a six-speed paddleshift transmission (Honda promises that the latter has been reengineered for more power). Don’t be fooled by the 19-inch wheels, though – the production version set to go on sale this Fall will get 18-inchers.
We’ll update this article with a gallery of live images shortly after the Crosstour Concept’s official debut at the New York Auto Show, so stay tuned for more views of its “capable-looking” refreshening.
This is the 2013 Concept, along with its “more capable-looking styling” that’s been revealed today at the .
is re-aiming the Crosstour at “active consumers,” so those new capable looks come down to foglights shrouded in embossed polygons, and the soft-roader rugged-esque front bumper, and dark trim skirting the bodywork. There’s also a new grille that helps clean up the front end. The rear gets stressed horizontals to emphasize the concept’s width, but this is the only photo Honda has released, so we’re not sure yet what other changes (if any) are in store for the 2012 model. The new face looks modestly better than the original, but based one what we see here, we’re unclear how this updated look will improve the Crosstour’s frigid sales.
Inside, Honda says the new production Crosstour will be available with an eight-inch display and LaneWatch blind-spot detection along with updated trim and keyless ignition. As before, motivation will come courtesy of a 192-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 3.5-liter V6 that shifts through a six-speed paddleshift transmission (Honda promises that the latter has been reengineered for more power). Don’t be fooled by the 19-inch wheels, though – the production version set to go on sale this Fall will get 18-inchers.
We’ll update this article with a gallery of live images shortly after the Crosstour Concept’s official debut at the New York Auto Show, so stay tuned for more views of its “capable-looking” refreshening.
has used the to show off its new , which was announced at The Spring Festival, a small-scale event held in Southern California for Mopar LX fans and owners. Besides being seen by those select few, this is the coupe’s first public showing.
Powered by the same 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine with 305 horsepower and 268 pound-feet torque as the base model, this machine gets a performance boost via an upgraded suspension package called the Super Sport Group. Updates include firmer front and rear shocks, larger front and rear sway bars, wider P245/45R20 Firestone Firehawk tires and steering that’s 25-percent quicker.
As you can see, there are also a bunch of exterior tweaks, including the big red stripe down the center, red-striped 20-inch wheels with a Pitch Black treatment and a body-color rear spoiler. Inside, the exclusive availability of heated front performance seats in Radar Red leather is the biggest news, but Dark Slate Grey is also available. The optional Exterior hues are Bright Silver Metallic, Tungsten Metallic, Bright White and Pitch Black.
Want one? Dodge says the Rallye Redline will be available this month starting at $28,745 (plus $925 for destination). See the machine yourself in our high-res image gallery of live photos above.
Although we don’t doubt it’s been done, turning a Dodge Neon or into a race car would be a bit of a stretch. The , however, is another beast entirely. So people stood up and noticed when Dodge announced it was of its Alfa Romeo-based compact sedan – with no less prominent a performer than Travis Pastrana behind the wheel – in the Global RallyCross Championship.
Now the rally-spec Dart has debuted here under the bright lights of the – all 600 horsepower of it. And as far as competition versions of Dodge economy sedans go, it sure looks the business. Especially since Alfa hasn’t taken the Giulietta on which the Dart is based to any races we’ve seen, anyway. Check it out in our gallery of high-resolution photos from the Javitz Center show floor.
Remember the stunning that debuted at last year’s ? Guess what, kids – it’s coming to production. Well, sort of.
has officially announced that a new entry-level sports car will come to market next year and that it will indeed carry the “F-Type” moniker. But unlike the coupe concept that we saw in Frankfurt, the automaker has revealed that the F-Type will be a two-seat roadster.
No other official details have been confirmed, though Jaguar’s press release confirms that “a range of engines will be available, including a new powerplant family.” For reference, the C-X16 concept came with a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 – good for 376 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque – matched with a “Push to Pass” hybrid system controlled by a steering wheel-mounted button that delivers an additional 92 hp and 173 lb-ft of twist when pressed.
Jaguar will announce the full F-Type model range and details later this year (likely at the ) and the car will go on sale in mid-2013. for the official press release and to watch – and hear – a disguised prototype.
