New Car: 2013 Rolls-Royce Ghost

Rolls-Royce has announced that the Ghost will be upgraded next year, with revisions to the in-car entertainment and comfort.

The new Ghost will feature an advanced amplifier and the addition of ‘exciter’ speakers to the audio system, as well as natural grain leather and cross-banded wood veneers.

On the exterior an additional alloy wheel option is available, alongside a Comfort Access boot – opened by foot, which activates a sensor under the rear bumper, should both hands be full.

Production of the 2013 Rolls-Royce Ghost will start later this year.

Thanks to: Autocar

Spied: 2014 BMW 5-Series Touring

With Mercedes set to unveil a significantly revised E-Class Estate at the Detroit Motor Show in January, BMW is giving the 5 Series Touring a subtle facelift to help keep it competitive with its big-selling rival.

These spy pictures of a lightly camouflaged 5 Series estate show a series of minor styling changes to the front and rear end of the current model, which was introduced in late 2009.

A new front bumper will be the most obvious change, with redesigned air intakes and a larger kidney-grille. New light clusters are also set to feature both at the front and rear, along with new LED taillights. The rear bumper will also get a slightly tweaked design.

The interior is expected to remain largely unchanged, while the existing range of petrol and diesel engines will be carried over.

The new BMW 5 Series Touring is expected to be priced similarly to the current model, which starts from around £33,000, when it goes on sale in spring 2013.  For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express

New Car: 2013 Kia K7/Cadenza

Buyers in Gangnam have a new model to look at – Kia has updated its Cadenza/K7 sedan for 2013. While the current Cadenza may be on sale elsewhere in the world, we will probably (finally) get the Cadenza in the U.S. with the introduction of the 2013 model.

The Kia Cadenza shares much of its underpinnings and mechanicals with the Hyundai Azera (it is to the Azera what the Optima is to the Sonata). That means front-wheel drive, V-6 power, and a six-speed automatic transmission. While we have get to see any final specifications for the U.S.-bound Cadenza, we now have a look at the car’s design.

We previously caught the Cadenza out testing, wearing enough camouflage to obscure the 2013 model’s updates. The styling tweaks are pretty minor, but help to keep the sedan fresh and bring the look of the Cadenza more in line with the rest of the Kia lineup. The grille is now a more aggressive interpretation of the brand’s “tiger nose” grille is most noticeable, and there is a new hood, updated light clusters, and revised bumpers. Around back there are new taillights, and a set of air vents now adorn the front fenders.

 

Kia has yet to release any images of the 2013 Cadenza’s interior, but we don’t expect it to be much updated from the previous model. The 2012 car’s cabin topped the center stack with a large infotainment screen and used fairly straightforward buttons and knobs for the audio and climate controls.

Timing has yet to be confirmed on when we can see the Cadenza in our shores, but expect Kia to introduce the sedan some point within the next 12 to 15 months.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

Spied: 2014 Toyota Corolla

The next-generation 2014 Toyota Corolla is a big deal for the Japanese automaker. With rivals stepping up their game in the compact segment, Toyota must make sure the 2014 Corolla is still competitive with cars like the soon-to-be-refreshed Honda Civic, Chevrolet Cruze, and Nissan Sentra to stay near the top of the sales charts.

A Motor Trend reader spied this 2014 Toyota Corolla prototype testing with a next-generation Lexus IS not far from Toyota’s Torrance, Calif. headquarters.

The 2014 Corolla looks like it’ll rely heavily on the Toyota Camry for styling cues – not the worst strategy for Toyota. The most obvious connection to the Camry is in the taillights, which appear to feature the same boomerang design seen on the Camry. We expect rounded sheetmetal as well as a profile not unlike that of the Camry.

Styling of the 2014 Corolla’s front end will borrow heavily from the Camry and the Avalon, and inside it’ll offer more an updated interior with the latest version of Toyota’s Entune infotainment system, which is already offered on the 2013 Corolla.

Not much is known about the next-gen Corolla’s powertrain, but it wouldn’t surprise us to see a slightly modified version of the current car’s 132-hp 1.8-liter I-4 carry over. With a six-speed manual replacing the five-speed, and a six-speed automatic or CVT replacing the dated four-speed slushbox, the current Corolla’s 27/34 mpg city/highway rating will likely approach 28-30 mpg in the city and 38-40 mpg on the highway.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

Hot News: Bugatti is Rumored Preparing Super Veyron

Bugatti is reportedly preparing to debut a new car at next year’s Frankfurt show, but it won’t be the much-delayed Galibier sedan. The staff in Molsheim is working on yet another special edition Veyron that’s faster, more powerful, and well, just more super: the SuperVeyron.

Since updates to the Veyron are all Bugatti can offer its customers until the Galibier arrives, the automaker went all-out to make the updates good. The SuperVeyron wears more carbon fiber, helping it shave off about 550 pounds over the Veyron SuperSport W16. It will also look slightly different with new front and rear ends, and more active aerodynamics. The biggest news, though, is what’s under the hood: a more powerful 8.0-liter (or 9.6-liter) engine putting out 1600 hp. That translates to a maximum top speed of 288 mph (up 29 mph over the SuperSport), and a rumored 0-62 mph time of just 1.8 seconds.

It gets better: the 3527-pound supercar will reportedly have a power-to-weight ratio of one kg (2.2 pounds) per hp. Until the Galibier arrives, Bugatti customers will have to do with the SuperVeyron, which will likely cost north of $2.5 million.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

Spied: 2014 Alfa Romeo 4C

What It Is: Believe it or not, proof of the Alfa Romeo 4C, which we first saw in concept form at the 2011 Geneva auto show. This is a running prototype, and it looks every bit as exciting as the show car. The doorsills are simplified and the rear window seems to have slightly grown, but that’s about it as far as changes go, from what we can tell. Thank you, Alfa, for staying true to a wonderful idea.

Why It Matters: The mid-engined 4C will spearhead Alfa's latest plan to return to the U.S., and it will be an eminently important car for the brand's global image, as well. The brand's diminutive lineup of vehicles has become stale, but the 4C promises to serve as a convincing foundation for a reinvigoration of the lineup. For sports-car enthusiasts, the 4C could bridge the gap between the Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S and the Porsche Cayman. 

Platform: The 4C will use an entirely new mid-engine platform. Details are sketchy, and we hope that the high-performance, lightweight approach of the concept remains intact. That concept, for instance, made liberal use of aluminum and carbon-fiber chassis elements. If, as claimed for the concept, the weight remains below 2000 pounds, Alfa engineers will have pulled off a triumph.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

Hot News: Nissan Will Return to Hatchback Segment

Nissan will launch a direct rival to the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf in 2014, and will build it in Sunderland. It will be the first time the Japanese manufacturer has offered a new car in the European small family hatchback class since 2006, when the Sunderland-built Almera was withdrawn.

Since then Nissan has marketed the Qashqai crossover, after it concluded in the early 2000s that it could only compete in the family car segment by offering something different.

It subsequently applied the same formula to the supermini segment, launching the Juke in 2010 to further sales success.

Following the success of those two models, company officials have said the firm has the confidence, and European market share, to offer a more mainstream model again.

The decision to go with a mainstream C-segment hatchback was made 18 months ago, according to Nissan’s head of product planning Andy Palmer, but the model is still two years from completion.

The new hatchback is expected to look similar to the current and next-generation Qashqai, as well as the production version of the Invitation concept - shown at the Geneva show earlier this year - which replaces the Note. “The designers have created a very emotional design that draws on the Qashqai,” said Palmer. “It’s a little bit cheeky.”

According to Palmer, Nissan will invest the car’s content and character with a mix of “innovation and excitement for everyone”, twin themes that are intended to resurface in every future model. He also said the car will be “beautifully designed, with exciting technology”.

Features are expected to include Nissan’s around-view monitor, a self-parking option, affordable satellite navigation and live music streaming.

The engine line-up is likely to include Renault’s recently revised 1.5 dCi diesel and downsized petrol power units, the three-cylinder 1.2 supercharged DIG-S potentially being among them.

Meanwhile, just a five-door bodystyle will be offered.

Nissan needs a new Focus rival if the company is to maintain its impressive momentum, which is currently over-dependent on the Qashqai and the Juke. Nissan’s UK sales were up almost 10 per cent in the first nine months of 2012, while its European share has also grown modestly.

The new hatchback should also offset the possibility that the next-generation Qashqai will fail to maintain the growth of the present model. Palmer admitted that replacement of the Qashqai is a challenge. “There’s always a risk, because you tend to be conservative when you’re replacing a successful model,” he said. “We need to create Qashqai-ness and be bold.”

Thanks to: Autocar

Spid Up Date: 2014 Skoda Octavia

The all-new Skoda Octavia is set to be revealed late next month. The new car is the fourth to use the VW Group’s new MQB modular platform, after the new Volkswagen Golf, SEAT Leon and Audi A3.

The new car will also become the longest MQB car so far. The Golf, A3 Sportback and Leon five-door measure 4,199mm, 4,292mm and 4,315mm respectively. The Skoda Rapid, which fits under the Octavia in the Skoda range, is 4,483mm, while the larger Superb is 4,838mm.

This means that the Octavia will measure around 4,650mm, thanks in part to its larger saloon-style boot than the current model, which measures 4569mm.

The new Octavia - seen here almost undisguised - will follow the design language of the Vision D concept car more closely than the new Skoda Rapid, too. As you can see from the spy pictures, the Octavia features the same arrow-head-shaped C-pillar, narrow headlights and creased bonnet as the concept car.

The new car is also expected to get a more upmarket interior to distance it from the value-focused Rapid. Prices will rise accordingly, with the new Octavia expected to start from around £15,000 – cheaper than its MQB brothers, but more than the current entry-level Octavia's £13,385.

The new Octavia will make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2013, with UK sales beginning shortly afterwards.  For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express

Hot News: Fiat to Introduce 500E & Abarth Convertible at LA Show 2012

A press release from the Los Angeles auto show has prematurely revealed two new models that will debut at the show. The Fiat 500e electric car and Fiat 500 Abarth convertible will both debut at the L.A. show in late November.

Both cars were long expected, but their debut hadn’t yet been publicly confirmed by Fiat. The Fiat 500e had been rumored for a long time; last month, the car was revealed at a Chrysler Group dealer meeting in Las Vegas. It makes sense for Fiat to create an all-electric version of the tiny Italian hatchback: the car’s low weight will help keep driving range relatively high, and the model will compete with the promised Chevrolet Spark electric.

As for the Fiat 500 Abarth convertible, the L.A. auto show release says the car will have a turbocharged 1.4-liter inline-four engine with 170 lb-ft of torque, and a 34-mpg highway rating. Those specifications all exactly match the ratings of the Fiat 500 Abarth hatchback — the feisty turbo-four engine cranks out 160 hp. Adding a convertible variant makes sense as Fiat tries to broaden the appeal of its go-fast Abarth model. From prototypes we’ve spied in southeast Michigan (pictured below), the convertible will adopt the same aggressive body kit, dual exhausts, larger alloy wheels, and plethora of scorpion emblems as the regular Abarth hatchback.

After the Fiat 500e electric and Fiat 500 Abarth convertible make their public debuts next month at the L.A. auto show, expect them to go on sale in spring or summer 2013.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

Spied: 2015 Mercedes S-Class Convertible

What It Is: The first true S-class convertible by Mercedes-Benz since the W111/112 convertible of the 1960s and ’70s—cars that will set you back upwards of $200,000 in today’s market. This will be a true soft-top convertible and thus clearly distinguished from the current SL-class with its folding hardtop. The roof will be conceptually similar to the Porsche 991 cabriolet’s and will offer superb high-speed capability. Inside, there will be a dashboard full of chrome and wood, with two TFT displays, and likely the S-class sedan's two-spoke steering wheel.
 
Why It Matters: It will give Mercedes a unique vehicle that is virtually without competition. Neither Audi nor BMW offer anything of similar size; the closest vehicle in concept is the Bentley Continental GTC, which is loosely based on the Volkswagen Phaeton. The S-class cabriolet also will be important because Benz has come under pressure for its styling, which is not deemed as classic and timeless as it used to be. This upmarket cabriolet will offer an opportunity to correct this perception.

Platform: The S-class cabrio will be based on the next-generation S-class, which means it will be huge, powerful, and full of technology. All the latest telematics and driver aids, such as night vision, LED headlights, huge screens, and voice recognition will be available.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

Sneak Peek: 2014 Honda Brio Sedan

Honda has released an official teaser image of the upcoming Brio-based saloon on its Thailand website.

This new saloon is scheduled to hit our shores mid-next year. It will be powered by the all-new 1.5-litre diesel engine. Honda will plonk this diesel engine in the Brio hatchback as well.

The Brio-based saloon will be sub-four-metre in length and will hence benefit on the excise duty front.

When launched, this new saloon will compete with the likes of the Indigo eCS, Swift Dzire and the upcoming sub-four-metre Mahindra Verito.

Thanks to: Autocar India

New Car: 2013 Chevrolet Spark (India Version)

General Motors has launched an updated version of the Chevrolet Spark. The new Spark gets  upgrades to the front and the rear styling, along with refreshed interiors.

Changes to the exterior include re-profiled front and rear bumpers, a new split honeycomb grille with chrome inserts, a bigger Chevy bow-tie emblem and new fog lamps. There are minor tweaks to the tail-lamps as well. 

 

The refreshed interiors will feature dual-tone shade and different seat fabric. The centrally mounted instrument cluster  is new as well and the company says it has been inspired by the wing design. The new Spark also gets a double-DIN audio system with USB and Bluetooth. 

 

The design changes were carried out at General Motors’ technical centre in Bangalore. Going forward, styling updates to all its legacy models (vehicles phased out globally, but still in production in India) will be carried out at its tech centre. The Tavera Neo 3 had also been updated at the Bangalore facility.

 

Thanks to: Autocar India

Hot News: 2014 Range Rover Sport

Land Rover is putting the final touches to the new Range Rover Sport ahead of a showroom debut a year from now. It is thought that the Range Rover Sport will make its public debut in the spring at the Geneva or New York show.

The new model is based on the same riveted and bonded aluminium monocoque as the new Range Rover and is expected to follow it closely in terms of specification.

Today’s car is priced from just under £50,000, but with the switch to a much more sophisticated aluminium platform, all-new suspension and improved features, insiders expect a price hike of at least 10 per cent for the new model.

The new Sport is expected to weigh the same as its sister model, which means that the entry-level V6 diesel variant should hit 2160kg — 300kg lighter than the current entry-level model. This in turn will ensure that the new Range Rover Sport is a markedly more dynamic proposition than the current model.

The range will kick off with the new-generation 255bhp, 442lb ft turbocharged V6 diesel engine. The familiar V8 supercharged motor is good for 504bhp and 461lb ft in its standard application, but with Porsche having just unveiled the 542bhp Cayenne Turbo S, Land Rover bosses may see fit to launch a new extreme-performance version.

The new Sport is also expected to get the option of the 335bhp twin-turbo V8 diesel engine. With 516lb ft on tap from just 1750rpm, this engine could outrun the petrol V8 for through-the-gears acceleration.

Also new to the Range Rover Sport range will be a V6 diesel-electric hybrid model, which has a claimed combined 333bhp, a 0-62mph time of 7.4sec and CO2 emissions of just 169g/km. It’s thought that the Sport hybrid will be on sale from launch.

Judging by the spy shots on which our artist’s impression is based, the Sport uses the same under-structure and even the same doors as the new Range Rover. Although the windscreen and windscreen angle are also common to the two cars, Land Rover designers have used a number of visual tricks and relatively inexpensive changes to give the Sport a much more dynamic appearance.

The bonnet tapers more sharply to its leading edge and the roofline slopes more aggressively towards the tailgate. The rear overhang is shorter than that of the new Range Rover and its tailgate glass is raked more steeply.

Another trick to give the Sport a more dramatic appearance is the use of deeper door skins, which make the side windows shallower and, along with the big sill extensions, give the car deeper body sides. At the front, the headlights will be more aggressive than on the Range Rover and the bumpers will be blockier.

The interior has more of a slope to its dashboard and centre console than in the Range Rover, but almost all of the switchgear is shared. The Sport also gets an upright automatic shift lever, something that will be shared with the Jaguar F-type.

The interior will be aiming for Range Rover levels of luxury but will feature a more sporting treatment. One source said that Bentley-style quilted leather upholstery will be offered as a trim option.

Thanks to: Autocar

Hot News: Aston Martin Plans to Produce Cygnet V12

The Aston Martin Cygnet city car could be sold with the firm’s V12 engine if there is sufficient customer demand.

Sources suggest that a feasibility study has already been completed, and that the 6.0-litre V12 from its range-topping cars will fit the tiny city car’s engine bay without extensive modifications.

Other upgrades to allow the Toyota IQ-based Cygnet to handle the weight, horsepower and torque of the powertrain are said to be “significant but not insurmountable”. It is likely, however, that the V12 would have to be detuned significantly from the 510bhp it produces in the new DB9 and Vantage models.

The Cygnet is currently sold in one state of tune, powered by Toyota’s 97bhp 1.3-litre petrol unit.

If Aston gives the go-ahead for a production Cygnet V12 it is likely to be sold as a project car much like the Nissan Juke R has been. The Juke R, which fits the Nissan GT-R’s running gear into a Juke supermini body, sells for around £400,000. It was put into limited production, mainly for the Middle East market, following a positive reaction to the concept car’s creation.

Thanks to: Autocar

Spied: 2014 BMW 5-Series

BMW is already testing a mildly reworked version of its Mercedes E-class-rivalling 5-series, a model likely to make its public debut at the Frankfurt motor show next September.

While development of the new car still has the good part of a year to run, changes being made to the 5-series appear less significant than those adopted by the new E-class.

Externally, the bumpers are more heavily structured and the lamp graphics revised, but on the evidence of the prototype caught here testing in Munich, the existing bodywork is largely untouched.

Inside, BMW plans to provide the 5-series with the latest version of its iDrive multimedia system and a configurable instrument display already recently introduced on the facelifted 7-series.

On the engine front, the twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol engine in the 535i is set to gain an added 14bhp, lifting its reserves to 316bhp in the new 540i model.

The twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine in the 550i is also expected to get added firepower. Munich insiders have already confirmed a 43bhp increase to 444bhp.

Thanks to: Autocar

Hot News: Mazda 6 Coupe Gets Green Light

Mazda is planning to rival the Audi A5 with a stylish new three-door coupe version of the 6, Auto Express has learned. And it’s likely to spawn a high-performance MPS model, too.

Our exclusive image shows how easily the latest Mazda 6’s swoopy design translates into a coupe body, carrying over the range’s ‘wing’ grille design and creases running the length of the body to create a muscular stance. It would join the saloon and Tourer estate to become the third member of the 6 family.

The coupe would act as a halo car for Mazda, which is precisely what the company wants for the new 6 range. At the Moscow Motor Show in August, program manager Hiroshi Kajiyama told us: “The CX-5 heightened the brand position. This car [the 6] has to raise it further again.”

The most potent engine in the new range is currently the 173bhp 2.2-litre turbodiesel in the Sport. The saloon version does 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds. But an MPS would turn up the heat. When we asked Kajiyama about a new 6 MPS, he said: “There is a high potential for this, and it would be helpful to the brand.”

The original 6 MPS, launched in 2006, was offered only as a saloon. It featured a 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 257bhp and four-wheel drive – and the new MPS coupe could follow a similar formula.
As the 6 shares underpinnings with the CX-5 SUV, a 4WD system would be easy to fit, while a turbo version of the new SkyActiv-G 2.0-litre petrol engine is the most likely candidate, with around 260bhp and strong economy.

Expect the 6 Coupe to arrive some time in 2014, with the MPS following a few months later. For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express

Hot News: Lotus to Join Venture with Aston Martin?

Lotus has been struggling financially for some time now. Just two years ago, the niche sports car maker showed five all-new concept cars at the Paris auto show. Since then, plans have been scaled back as former CEO Dany Bahar was let go for conduct and the Malaysian government sold its shares of Lotus parent company Proton to industrial group DRB-Hicom. While the future of Lotus is unknown, a report from Automobile suggests Lotus could team up with Aston Martin in a cooperative agreement or outright merger.

Though you might think two sports car makers joining forces would create some redundancies in the combined product portfolio, Automobile suggests there would be no overlap of their current models. As Aston Martin is a respected luxury brand and Lotus is known for its lightweight, attainable sports cars, a marriage of the two companies could just work out.

 While the prospect of a partnership between the two British marques sounds appealing, both companies would need to raise funds to pay off debts just to keep daily operations going. How much cash would the automakers need to raise? Between $1.1 and $1.6 billion, according to the report.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

Hot News: Mercedes to Debut SLS AMG Black Series at LA Show 2012

Last week we had the unique opportunity to get an up-close tour of Mercedes-AMG’s world headquarters in the small German town of Affalterbach. Beyond drooling over the immaculate facilities that included a showroom, race car assembly line, engine production area, and an AMG Performance Studio (the brand’s personalization program), we spoke to a few key engineers and marketing personnel.

The soon-to-be-released SLS AMG Black Series will debut at this November’s Los Angeles Auto Show.
In true Black Series fashion, expect the all-new Black Series to sport a lower ride height, additional aerodynamic cues like race car-inspired wheel arches and a fixed rear wing, bigger wheels and wider tires, ceramic brakes, and, yes, more power. Current rumors have the hand-built 6.2-liter V-8 making somewhere in the 630-horsepower range, which nearly matches the output of the recently debuted 45^th Anniversary SLS AMG GT3 race car.

According to Dr. Martin Hart, chief powertrain engineer, when comparing the SLS Black Series to the current SLS AMG GT, the Black Series is “the REAL beast” (he said with a massive grin) with even quicker shifts from the updated seven-speed automatic gearbox, a more dynamic chassis, and superb braking. Pricing hasn’t been announced, but given the performance enhancements and a likely very limited production run, don’t expect it to be cheap.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

Recall Up Date: 2012 Honda CR-V

The Problem: Certain 2012 Honda CR-V LX models have a misprint on the safety certification label, which lists incorrect values for Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, front and rear Gross Axle Weight Rating, tire size, and wheel size. Having the wrong ratings on the label could lead owners to improperly load the vehicle, which could result in tire failure.

The Fix: Honda will notify owners to come in to a dealership, where a corrected label will be applied free of charge. The recall is expected to begin around November 6, 2012. Owners of affected vehicles can call Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

Number of Vehicles Potentially Affected: 264 2012 Honda CR-V LX models are affected, built from August 30, 2012 through August 31, 2012.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

Recall Up Date: 2005-2007 BMW 7 Series

The Problem: The doors on models equipped with Comfort Access and Soft Close Automatic door options can appear to be shut but, due to a software glitch, may not be fully closed and latched. Certain road or driving conditions or contact with the door could cause it to open while in motion, potentially leading to “occupant ejection.”

The Fix: BMW will notify owners to visit a dealer for a software upgrade. The recall is expected to start in November 2012. For more information, owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.

Number of Vehicles Potentially Affected: The recall cover 7485 model-year 2005-2007 BMW 7 Series models equipped with Soft Close Automatic door and Comfort Access options. The date of manufacture ranges from August 23, 2004 to September 3, 2007.

Thanks to: Motor Trend