Hot News: 2014 Scion FR-S/Toyota GT86 Convertible

What It Is: The rear-wheel-drive Scion FR-S will be offered in softtop convertible form, we've learned, confirming recent rumors. (The images you see here are renderings.) Unlike the Fast and Furious–ized FR-S roadster that an aftermarket tuner recently showed in California, the production FR-S convertible should retain its rear seats.

Why It Matters: The FR-S—as well as the Toyota GT 86 that’s sold elsewhere and the nearly identical Subaru BRZ—is a reasonably priced, relatively light, rear-wheel-drive sports car. In other words, the vehicle enthusiasts have been begging automakers to actually build. A convertible version will add volume, which means more income for Toyota and happy accountants. Happy accountants are more likely to approve projects for fun cars in the future.

Platform: The convertible will, of course, be built on the same platform as the joint Toyota/Subaru coupe. This architecture also stands a good chance of being used for other Toyota models. It's versatile enough to be enlarged, and could be the basis of a small four-door sedan or larger two-door coupe. Product planners are hard at work on the possibilities, a source tells us, although we're not sure if any of the spinoffs have been approved for production.

We don't yet know whether Subaru has any plans for this platform beyond the BRZ, but it seems less likely. Subaru already has a lineup of sporty four- and five-door vehicles, with a new WRX and STI expected soon.

Powertrain: The same 200-hp, 2.0-liter boxer-four from the FR-S and BRZ coupes will be used for the convertible. Manual and automatic transmissions, both of the six-speed variety, will be offered. Roof or not, we’ve learned that no Scion FR-S will get a turbocharger.

A bigger coupe or other eventual models based on the FR-S’s architecture likely would get larger engines to deliver the power and refinement customers in those segments expect.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

Hot News: Toyota is Working on New Supra

A four-wheel-drive hybrid successor to the Toyota Supra is back on the cards – and this is how the newcomer could look.

The move follows the excellent reaction to the GT 86 – and sources have suggested the new Supra will ride on the platform used for the GRMN concept.

That car featured a modified MR2 chassis and mid-mounted 245bhp 3.5-litre V6 engine, with an electric motor driving the front wheels. The total was around 300bhp.

That powertrain is likely to be carried over into the production car, but with two in-wheel electric motors at the front, rather than a single motor powering both of them. The engine will deliver power to the rear wheels through a CVT gearbox from the Lexus RX. Total power from both sources would be around the 400bhp mark.

Expect to see a 0-62mph time of just over four seconds, which will put the Supra into direct competition with Honda’s upcoming NSX.

The project has yet to be given the green light by Toyota bosses, but if CEO Akio Toyoda has his way and the economy shows signs of recovery, the new coupe is likely to be in showrooms by late 2015, priced at around £70,000. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express

Spied: 2014 Mini Cooper

The next MINI Cooper has been caught testing, and these latest pictures reveal more details of the new model, which has been codenamed F56.

These pictures show the new grille and headlamps of the next-generation MINI Hatch, which shares its platform with the next BMW 1 Series. You can clearly see a longer wheelbase in these shots, and the bonnet has a heavier slope to it, compared to the current car.

The headlamps appear to follow those of the Countryman, with a more rounded, slightly stretched and bulbous look, while the grille is more upright, but stays true to the design of the current car’s. There’s a more aggressive front bumper, and the rear should have a similar treatment. The new car also gets a sharper waistline, while the traditional plastic wheelarch extensions, black roof pillars and floating roof are all retained.

The new MINI will be wider than the current car, which will create more interior space, It will also improve stability, something the longer wheelbase will also help deliver, so it should offer better roadholding than the current car.

There will be a new generation of engines under the bonnet, starting with BMW's new three-cylinder engines capable of up to 100mpg and emissions of 80g/km. At the performance end of the range, the performance flagship John Cooper Works version will have up to 220bhp, as it chases down the Audi A1.

The new MINI will be in showrooms in late 2013. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express

Recall Up Date: 2012 Chrysler Town & Country & Dodge Grand Caravan

The Problem: Chrysler has announced it will be recalling certain 2012 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans due to an issue with the power liftgate. According to Chrysler, the pinch sensor on the right side of the power liftgate may not work, and may require increased force to stop it from closing during its final stages. This increases the risk of injury if someone accidentally gets their arm or leg trapped in the liftgate.

The Fix: Chrysler and Dodge will replace the right-side liftgate pinch sensors in the Town & Country and Grand Caravan free of charge. The recall will begin this month.

Number of Vehicles Potentially Affected: 471 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravans built between March 9, 2012 and March 121, 2012 are affected by this recall. Concerned owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s internal recall number is M17, and the NHTSA campaign ID number is 12V191000.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

New Car: 2013 Nissan Cima

The Cima luxury nameplate is back, after Nissan announced in 2010 that had stopped producing the Japan market Cima and President. No V8 engine this time around, and if the curvy looks are familiar, yes, it’s a long wheelbase version of the Infiniti M, or Nissan Fuga in Japan.

To go on sale in Japan later this month, the new fifth-generation Cima is based on the current Y51 Fuga/Infiniti M. The 5-Series rival’s 2,900 mm wheelbase has been extended by 150 mm to make the Cima, which is traditionally chauffeur driven.

The Cima’s “first-class hospitality” features soft, premium semi-aniline leather and wood grain panels coated with genuine silver powder, which gives them a mirror finish.

There’s also the “Forest AC” air con system, ventilated/heated seats and a powered ottoman-style legrest. A Bose 5.1 Surround Sound System for the rear seats with 16 strategically placed speakers does ICE duties. Seven-inch VGA displays are installed in the front seat headrests.

More comfort comes in the form of overhead reading lights for the two rear seats, rear illuminated vanity mirror, electrically operated rear sunshades, and switches in the rear center armrest for audio/air con/seats.

Rear door “auto closer” shuts the doors tight with minimum effort from the user, also applicable to the boot. Sound-absorbing tyres (first time for a Nissan) and Active Noise Control tuned for the rear cabin ensure silent progress.

Under the hood, the Cima uses the Infiniti M35h‘s “Intelligent Dual Clutch Control” (one-motor two-clutch) parallel hybrid system. It combines a VQ35HR V6 with 306 PS and 350 Nm with an electric motor with 68 PS/270 Nm. Connected to these are a lithium-ion battery and a seven-speed automatic gearbox.

The Cima achieves both a 20% improvement in fuel economy over 2015 standards and SU-LEV certification, emitting 75% less exhaust emissions than 2005 standards. This means that under the Japanese system, the Cima is fully exempt from automobile acquisition tax and automobile weight tax.

Thanks to: Paultan

New Car: 2013 Fiat Linea

Fiat has launched the refreshed Linea in Turkey. This mid-life facelift brings with it fresh styling tweaks and a refreshed cabin.

Like most other mid-life facelifts, the Linea facelift now comes with a new front grille, re-profiled bumper, new fog lamp clusters and lots of chrome. At the rear, the bumper gets minor tweaks with an additional chrome strip and the number plate has now moved on to the bootlid. The side profile looks identical to the current car though.

Move into the cabin and you will notice it’s here that the designers have spent most of their time and creativity. The new three-layered two-tone dash looks refreshing and feels more upmarket. The steering wheel is similar to the current car, but now comes with a touch of silver and the centre console gets a new integrated audio system and more modern-looking AC vents with useful cubby holes above them. The gear lever, climate control knobs and the door pads, however, look similar to the current car. The instrument cluster, with chrome-ringed recessed dials and circular centres, looks great.

Fiat is evaluating the refreshed model for the Indian market and we can’t wait for it to come here.

Thanks to: Autocar India

Recall Up Date: Ferrari 458 & California

Ferrari is recalling a small batch of 458s and Californias worldwide.

The problem, which affects 206 cars in total of 13,000 built, is caused by an incorrect finish to the crankshafts in question. The problem causes unwanted vibrations which can damage the engine in it is not changed.

“We are writing to all clients affected now, asking them to return the car to a dealer for the work to be done,” said a Ferrari spokesman.

In the UK just 16 cars are affected, ten Californias and six 458s.

Thanks to: Autocar