Hot News: Baby Porsche Boxster Delay until 2017

Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche have been kicking around the idea of small, mid-engine, rear-drive coupes and convertibles for several years now. Porsche wants a modern day 550 to slot below the Boxster and a new Automobile report suggests the project — thought to be shelved — has been pushed back to 2017.

Thank Volkswagen’s on-again off-again BlueSport roadster based on the same MSB-M platform for the delay. VW is having a hard time justifying its roadster based on low projected sales. The fact that Audi wasn’t fond of an R5 sports car being designed by Porsche didn’t help either, and Porsche is keeping busy by preparing new models and updating existing cars.

A Porsche representative told Automobile that once current projects like the 918 Spyder and next-generation Panamera are completed, work on the baby Boxster could resume in the 2016-2018 timeframe. By then, the first models based on the MSB platform will be on sale. The architecture will underpin all mid-engine, rear- or all-wheel-drive models in the VW Group. It is scalable to accommodate the new baby Porsche’s flat-four cylinder engine up the Lamborghini Aventador’s V-12 replacement.

Ideally, the baby Porsche will be engineered alongside the next-generation Boxster and Cayman to keep costs down—especially if VW and Audi abandon their versions. A roadster will arrive first with a coupe following a year later. Styling hasn’t been confirmed but could go retro, linking it to the original 550, or more modern as the rendering above suggests.

The baby Porsche will be powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter flat-four with the latest power-enhancing and emissions-reducing technology. One or two turbos will be fitted to the engine depending on horsepower level, which could range from 180 hp to 210, hp and 240 hp in base, S, and R variants. Not surprisingly, two transmissions will be offered, Automobile says: a manual or optional dual-clutch PDK—both with seven gears.

The baby Porsche is estimated to sell for $45,000 to $60,000 when it arrives around 2017. For the full story and an additional rendering, head to Automobile here.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

New Car: 2013 Volvo XC90

The 2013 Volvo XC90 is wearing slightly different clothes, thanks to some minor updates the Swedish carmaker describes as delightful. A more significantly changed three-row Volvo XC90 should be on the way two years from now.

The biggest visual change Volvo did was to replace some silver exterior pieces with body-colored moldings, including the side skirts and front and rear bumpers. The SUV sits atop new 18-inch Thalia or 19-inch Ixion wheels. Buyers can also paint their XC90s in two new hues, named twilight bronze metallic or flaminco red. For 2013 the car also adds LED daytime running lights, and LED taillights with new chrome trim.

On the inside, the XC90 has more polished metal trim pieces, but Premier Plus and Platinum trim levels gain standard leather seats, red wood trim pieces and shifter inlays, and special floor mats. All trim levels continue to offer standard Bluetooth phone pairing and audio streaming, but Platinum models gain a 12-speaker, 650-watt stereo system. All trim levels now have automatic wipers and headlight washers standard.

Underneath the surface, it’s the same XC90 we’ve come to know for quite some time. Power comes from a 240-hp, 3.2-liter I-6, which is mated with a six-speed automatic transmission and either a front- or all-wheel drive driveline. The 2013 XC90 is also available with the R-Design package, which adds quicker steering, a firmer suspension, and exclusive interior features like an R-Design steering wheel.

All of these tweaks may seem minor, and there’s a good reason for that: this is likely the last iteration of XC90 before the model receives a total overhaul in late 2014. The new model will likely be a 2015 model year car and use Volvo’s new Scalable Platform Architecture, which would cut the XC90′s curb weight by at least 320 pounds. We’d also expect at least a few new engine offerings to work their way into the next XC90: Volvo will introduce a slate of four-cylinder engines next year that will meet or exceed the I-6′s current output figures. If some of those engines wind up in the XC90, expect a commensurate rise in fuel economy.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

Spied: 2013 Ford F-150

What It Is: A lightly face-lifted 2013 Ford F-150 caught while testing. The current F-150 generation was introduced for 2009, and although it has received a few powertrain updates along the way, 2013 brings the first major cosmetic changes.

Why It Matters: Ford’s F-series is consistently one of the top-selling nameplates in the U.S., so keeping it fresh is critical. Even more important, the F-150 soon will face renewed competition from the updated 2013 Ram 1500 and impending 2014 Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra twins.

Platform: The current F-150’s chassis and sheetmetal won’t change much. The key changes visible on this test truck include a new three-bar grille, projector headlights like those on the 2013 Flex crossover, and a revised hood.

Powertrain: The F-150’s powertrain lineup was massively updated in the recent past, so the 2012 model’s 3.7-liter V-6, twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6, 5.0-liter V-8, and 6.2-liter V-8 engines all should be available in various 2013 models. The same goes for the outgoing truck’s six-speed automatic transmission and choice of rear- or four-wheel drive.

Competition: Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Nissan Titan, Ram 1500, Toyota Tundra.

Estimated Arrival Time and Price: The updated F-150 should debut sometime before the end of the year, likely by the 2012 Los Angeles auto show in the fall. Given the apparent mildness of this refresh, we suspect pricing won’t move far from where it is now. The 2012 F-150 with the base 3.7-liter V-6 and rear-wheel drive starts at $24,295; the top-rung, four-wheel-drive, four-door SuperCrew Harley Davidson edition is priced from $53,225.
Thanks to: Car and Driver

Hot News: Range Rover Evoque Sport is on Work

Land Rover is planning a faster and sportier edition of the Range Rover Evoque, likely to be badged Evoque Sport, Auto Express has learned. The news surfaced during an interview with design director Gerry McGovern at the Beijing Motor Show.

“You can go too far with the Evoque, but what’s so right about the car is it has what I call killer proportions,” McGovern said. “For the moment, we’re looking at the cabriolet and special editions – we could do a more overtly sporty one, for example.”

Executives have hinted at a performance version of the Evoque in the past, but this is the first time anyone has said it outright. The revelation was well timed, too, because across the show hall Audi was unveiling the RS Q3 concept, which previews a direct rival for this car.

“Eighty per cent of Evoque buyers are completely new to the Land Rover brand,” McGovern said. That, he added, allowed the brand to push the boundaries, as well as broaden its appeal with models such as the Evoque Cabrio and Special Edition with Victoria Beckham. But it’s the Evoque Sport that fans have been waiting for.

McGovern didn’t go as far as to confirm which engines would be offered, but a development of the current 240bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo seems a safe bet. The Ford-sourced EcoBoost engine has already been tuned to 296bhp in British specialist Radical’s stripped-out SR3 supercar, so more power is certainly possible.

Given the popularity of diesel-powered Evoques, a performance diesel could also be on the cards. This would use the 2.2-litre SD4 engine, boosted from 190bhp to around 210bhp, and do 0-60mph in a little over seven seconds.

Land Rover’s designers are expected to add bigger wheels and a beefy bodykit. Sports suspension will drop the car by around 10mm, while bigger brakes and sharper steering will ensure the handling is improved.

It’s early days in the Evoque’s lifecycle, and supply is struggling to meet demand. So don’t expect the Evoque Sport to debut until late next year at the earliest. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express

Hot News: Fiat 500X Gets Green Light

If you thought the 500 looked good, just wait for the 500X. That’s what the new SUV version will be called – and it’s the next step in Fiat’s growing 500-badged family, following on from the 500L MPV.

It shares the same chassis – based around the latest Panda’s – and will be similar in size. But it’ll be even better looking, with a sweeping coupe-like shape as our illustration shows.

Most versions will be front-wheel drive, yet there are rumours that Fiat will offer a 4x4 model, too, just like the Panda. Expect a starting price of around £14,000 when it arrives in 2013. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express

New Car: 2013 Kia K9

We first saw the new Kia K9 last February and now the automaker’s new luxury sedan has finally gone on sale in Korea. Kia’s rear-drive flagship will feature a long list of premium features to attract budget-minded customers seeking luxury.

Kia says the K9 is the automaker’s first large rear-drive sedan in over a decade. As previously reported, the K9 is largely based on the Hyundai Genesis sedan, and two V-6 engines will be offered once the K9 reaches overseas markets. The first is the automaker’s Lambda 3.8-liter V-6 tuned to 286 hp while a direct-injection 3.8-liter V-6 rated at 329 hp will also be available. Both engines send power to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic. Kia claims the K9 has “near-perfect front/rear weight distribution.” With an overall length of 200.4 inches, the K9 falls in between the Hyundai Genesis and Equus sedans, which are 196.3 and 203.1 inches, respectively. The K9’s 119.9-wheelbase, however, matches the Equus and is longer than the Genesis (115.6). Interior dimensions weren’t provided, but we predict passengers won’t be complaining about lack of legroom.

Flagship features include adaptive all-LED headlights, a lane departure warning system, blind-spot monitoring, around-view monitor with four cameras, adaptive cruise control, head-up display, and a 17-speaker premium sound system, plus two 9.2-inch screens for rear seat passengers. Four driving modes will include Eco, Normal, Sport, and Snow. Like the Equus, Kia’s flagship will be offered with a premium rear-seat package featuring twin seats that are heated and ventilated with a reclining backrest.

Other markets will see the K9 this fall. A Kia spokeswoman said the automaker isn’t ready to confirm whether its new flagship will be offered in the States, although “anything is possible,” which means you better speak up if you like what you see.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

Beijing Show 2012 Highlights: MG Icon Concept

Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) owned MG Motor has uncovered the MG Icon SUV concept at the Beijing motor show.

The compact SUV, codenamed AS21 is said to preview an upcoming production model to be introduced to the Chinese market in 2014.

Taking styling cues from the original MGB GT built between 1965 and 1980, the Icon is based on the same underpinnings as the Chinese market Roewe 350 and MG 5. The five-door Icon is similar in size to the Nissan Juke.

Power for MG’s first SUV is expected to come from an SAIC engineered and produced turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. The engine, which produces 135bhp and 148lb ft, is also tipped to be offered on the MG 5 and the Roewe 350, the 5’s sister car.

Inside, the concept provides seating for four on individual bucket seats. The two rear seats can be folded into the floor to increase the load bay. No conventional B-pillars feature and the rear doors are conceptually similar to those on the Mazda RX8.

MG, which came under SAIC ownership following the company’s merging with Nanjing Automobile Corporation in 2007, currently produces and sells three different models, the MG 3, MG 5 and MG 6.

Thanks to: Autocar