New Car Collection Blog's

Audi is keeping its forthcoming Q3 baby SUV under wraps - although leaving the lights on probably wasn't a good idea.

The Tiguan-based Q3 is due on sale before the end of next year. It’s loosely based on the Cross Coupé concept that was shown at the Shanghai motor show as long ago as 2007.

But although the bags draped over this test car’s bodywork disguise the detail, the profile does suggest that the show car’s steeply raked tailgate is being kept for production, making the Q3 more of a coupé crossover than a pure mini-SUV.

The new model will slot into Audi’s line-up beneath the Q5 and Q7. It’s around 4.4m long, 1.8m wide and 1.6m high — 20cm shorter and 7cm narrower than the Q5.

The Q3 will be mechanically similar to the Volkswagen Tiguan, although Audi is likely to offer adaptive damping on its model.

It will feature three petrol engines — a 140bhp 1.4, a 180bhp 1.8 and a 210bhp 2.0 — plus two diesels, with 140bhp and 170bhp. A 204bhp twin-turbodiesel is also in the pipeline.

The Q3 will be built at Seat’s Martorell factory near Barcelona — an ironic choice, given that the Spanish VW subsidiary’s own Tiguan-based project, the Tribu, has been postponed indefinitely.

Thanks to: Autocar

The new range-topping Evora S has been spied testing in Germany ahead of its debut in Paris. The S comes with a supercharger fitted to its mid-mounted 3.5-litre V6. The blower is located between the two banks of cylinders to ensure that unlike in the Exige S, rear visibility won't be a problem.

The exterior design will be almost unchanged over the standard version. Look closer and you'll notice the more pronounced, larger rear diffuser which gives a clue towards the extra power on tap.

Most of the mechanical underpinnings, including the brakes and suspension, will be shared with the base car, but the addition of a supercharger should push power to 350bhp, and increase torque to 407Nm.

That’s a 74bhp increase over the naturally-aspirated model, and the power boost should mean that the Evora S will be able to reach 60mph in under five seconds, and go on to achieve a top speed of over 175mph.

The Evora S was caught during a three day handling test at Germany’s Nürburgring circuit, with its official public unveiling scheduled for the Paris Motor Show in September, alongside an automatic version developed primarily for the U.S. market.

Both will go on sale immediately after the show, and although prices have yet to be announced, expect it to cost around £62,000.

Also sharing the British brand’s 10,000sq ft stand will be three other new models, including the brand new Esprit, a new hybrid two-door GT, and a new Seven, all as part of a push to revive the marque. For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express

We've seen spy photos of the new Bentley Continental GT running around for some time, but had yet to hear word from Bentley on when the finished coupe will debut. Bentley just released a quick teaser video of the new coupe, along with a September 7 reveal date.

Sure, nothing protects passengers like an Oshkosh MRAP, but for those who desire a little luxury mixed with their B7-grade armor, perhaps the new Jaguar XJ Sentinel is the perfect ride.

Good news, Saab fans. Another new production model is headed our way in a few months' time. According to the official Twitter feed for the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2011 Saab 9-4x crossover will finally make its production debut at the L.A. show in November.

The first details and a shadowy teaser shot surfaced two months ago and Morgan has now revealed the Eva GT at the automotive droolfest otherwise known as the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

The demurely named Eva breaks with Morgan traditions in that it offers seating for four occupants and their luggage (at least according to the company's claims) and also new is the fact that its propulsion comes from a high-tech BMW-sourced twin-turbo six-cylinder engine (rather than the customary V8).

The British-based sportscar specialist says the slinky, low-slung coupe -- which ditches the marque's familiar olde-worlde styling -- will go into production from 2012, and pricing is tipped to fall in the $125-150k bracket (ex-UK), which strikes us as rather good value.

Although its looks are a fairly radical departure from Morgan's existing offerings, the Eva GT is underpinned by an evolution of the lightweight bonded aluminium chassis used by the Aero Supersports.

Helping keep kerb weight down to a waiflike 1250kg are aviation-inspired superformed aluminium body panels, which have been sensuously sculpted to endow the Eva with classic long-bonnet-short-tail proportions.

The newcomer is about half a metre longer than the 4.2m Aeromax, which is ostensibly how the extra room has been eked out to accommodate four occupants.

The BMW-built 3.0-litre twin-turbo six pumps out 225kW and 400Nm and meets Euro6 emissions regulations, but of more interest is the fact that it allegedly enables the Eva GT to sprint to 100km/h in around 4.5sec and achieve a v-max of 270km/h-plus.

Despite the supercar-threatening performance, fuel consumption is said to be as frugal as 7.0L/100km. Transmission choices will include a six-speed manual or auto, but no word on BMW's excellent dual-clutch sequential DCT transmission.

The Eva GT will be technical tour de force by Morgan's standards, with standard kit expected to include anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, xenon headlights, satnav and the latest-gen multi-stage airbags.

Company boss Charles Morgan was quoted by UK's Autocar magazine as saying: "It's intended to be capable as serving as everyday family transport as well as a luxury GT. The rear seats will be comfortable for children and small adults, and should serve for occasional use for taller occupants."

Thanks to: Car Point

The Stratos has come into focus! Following last week’s grainy shots of Pininfarina's re-imagining of Lancia’s legendary 1970s supercar, more information and these pin-sharp pictures have emerged.

Taken at Fiat’s test track in Balocco, Italy, these photos show the Stratos piloted by ex-Formula 1 driver Tiago Monteiro during a series of benchmark tests. Insiders claim that thanks to its low kerbweight and short wheelbase, the newcomer excelled in every tested area.

Visually, the modern day Stratos is a dead-ringer for its 1970s sibling with a side-by-side shot of the two cars revealing the dimensions are almost identical. Modern updates include traditional headlights – rather than the flip-up units of the original – as well as a more aerodynamic front spoiler and a newly added rear diffuser.

The original car used a Ferrari engine, and that’s true of the newcomer too. It shares the same V8 engine and sequential gearbox as the Ferrari 430 Scuderia, and uses that car’s aluminium chassis too, albeit shortened to fit the Stratos’ small wheelbase. Also recognisable are the rear lights from a Ferrari 599 GTB.

Production was initially envisioned as just a one-off for a wealthy entrepeneur named Michael Stoscheck, but now with the involvement of Fiat's test-track and an ex-Formula 1 driver, the suggestion is that a limited production run could be on the cards giving Lancia a retro-inspired halo model, like the 8C Competizione did for Alfa Romeo.

Reports suggest that Stoscheck has given the all-clear to Pininfarina to build around 25 examples of the Stratos which, judging by the late stages of development could go on sale within the next couple of years. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express

The five’s alive at Range Rover! Despite being launched back in July as a three-door, these spy-shots reveal the new Evoque will also come in five-door guise.

Bearing a striking resemblance to the original LRX concept, the Evoque is the smallest and lightest Range Rover ever made. Design boss Gerry McGovern describes the car as “a modern and relevant execution of the familiar Range Rover design language.”

The Evoque will also become the cleanest Land Rover when it goes on sale in the UK next summer. Available in both two and four-wheel-drive, the greenest version will emit less than 130g/km of CO2.

The five-door model is expected to be unveiled at the upcoming Paris Motor Show, where it will grace the Range Rover stand along with its three door sibling.

Both models will go on sale in summer 2011 with a starting price-tag of around £30,000. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express

Kia's tagline, "The Power to Surprise," becomes more apparent with each new vehicle it's brought to market as of late, from the Sportage to the upcoming Optima. Now, Kia has delivered an electric surprise in the form of a 2+1 micro-city car, the Pop, which will debut at the Paris Motor Show.

We've seen design concepts, spy shots, and unofficial renderings of the next-generation Mercedes-Benz CLS that have given us a pretty good idea of how the actual production version will shape up when it arrives at the Paris Motor Show later this year. But now, thanks to a leaked brochure, we've got official images of the second coming of Mercedes' original four-door coupe.

Several months back, we caught our first glimpse of a heavily camouflaged Durango test mule running about. At that point, it was uncertain if the newly unibody SUV would wear the Durango nameplate or switch to something else—Magnum also being suggested as a possibility, as Dodge’s bad-ass wagon is no more. But accompanying these teaser images from Dodge is confirmation that its full-size crossover will again be called Durango.

Although we’ve only got a slight peek at the front and rear fascias shown here, the company has verified a few tidbits of info. As is pretty much required of a crossover, the new Durango will be available with all-wheel drive. Additionally, our hunch that the 2011 Durango will boast three-row seating has also been confirmed.

We understand if your heart rate hasn’t increased yet. However, as Dodge is officially referring to this as a “performance SUV,” we’re confident we can expect an optional 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 underhood. To boost fuel economy, an eight-speed automatic transmission should accompany the Hemi. Miserly buyers will likely stick with the base engine, a Pentastar V-6 with about 280 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque.

From a styling standpoint, the Durango receives a handsome face like that of the Ram truck line, with its signature crosshair grille and a thick chin bringing the nose close to the ground. Out back is a much softer design that’s reminiscent of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, with a horizontal chrome bar connecting the taillights. As for the interior, look for amenities like push-button start, as well as vastly improved materials.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

Jaguar has taken the wraps off this new XJ design concept at Pebble Beach, hinting at the styling direction for an XJR super-saloon.

Officially the one-off Jaguar XJ75 Platinum Concept has been built as part of Jaguar’s 75th anniversary celebrations to show off the scope for customising the new luxury saloon, but many of its styling changes could easily be adopted by an XJR.

Styling changes including ground-hugging front, rear and side sills give the Platinum Concept the look of the smaller XFR saloon. Other features include dark chrome and gloss black trim, Satin Matte Pearlescent White paintwork and bespoke 22-inch black alloys in a brushed contrast finish.

The long-wheelbase XJ Platinum Concept is powered by a 464bhp, 424lb ft version of the firm’s 5.0 supercharged V8. In the XJR, power is likely to exceed the 503bhp produced in the XJ Supersports, XFR and XKR models.

Jaguar insists “there are no plans yet” for an XJR and that the Platinum Concept “is just a design one-off”, but such a model is almost certain to appear in the XJ’s lifetime given the badge’s history.

Jaguar XJ chief designer Giles Taylor said the concept “brought the pure sporting character of the XJ to the fore by keeping the car’s clean graphic approach and further lowering its stance”.

Changes have been to its Jet Softgrain leather interior, too. A gloss pearlescent white finish is applied to the air vents, veneers and diamond stitch suede inserts to the seats and headliner, while suede and leather accents also feature. The centre console also houses a bespoke clock developed and designed by Jaguar alongside British watchmaker Bremont Watch Company.

Thanks to: Autocar

BMW's R&D chief has revealed the firm's upcoming four-door coupé would be positioned alongside the 6-series in terms of pricing and technology, but what badge it will take for production has yet to be confirmed.

Klaus Draeger told Autoweek that the luxury coupé, revealed as the Gran Coupé concept earlier this year, would definitely make production in 2012, but whether it will be pitched as an 8-series or a four-door version of the 6-series was not confirmed.

Draeger said the new car's 2012 launch would follow that of the two-door 6-series next year.

The Concept Gran Coupé was designed to fuse the abilities of a GT and a sports car. Its roof is 100mm lower than a current 7-series saloon, and its rear quarters slightly more restricted.

Underneath it will use the same ‘backbone’ platform that underpins the current 5-series, 7-series and 5 GT. The car will offer the same mix of six- and eight-cylinder petrol and diesel engines as those cars, and an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

That means we should expect to see the Gran Coupé’s long wheelbase, vaulted bonnet, shark nose, rearward set glasshouse, low silhouette and short front overhang become part of BMW’s trademark design language, as well as its asymmetrical kidney grille, wide frontal air intake and frameless doors.

“It’s true that the Gran Coupé points to a specific model, a saloon with the presence and elegance of a 7-series but a more dynamic, sporty character: much more of a driver’s car,” said BMW design chief Adrian van Hooydonk at the car's launch in China earlier this year. “We’re convinced that we should make a car like this.”

Thanks to: Autocar

According to Ram Trucks, many of its customers use their pickups as intended, for hauling and towing and enjoying the outdoors. In order to satisfy those pickup buyers who get off the trail to commune with nature, Ram has introduced the 2011 Ram Outdoorsman.

As much as we love screaming horsepower, we understand the need for affordable rides with sensible engines, even in the luxury realm. Enter the Infiniti G25 sedan, a new addition to the G family making its debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The G25 will be identical to the G37 sedan in nearly every regard—same front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, same snappy styling, same competent chassis—but packs a less-powerful engine. It will be positioned as the entry-level Infiniti, providing a lower stepping stone into the brand.

The engine in question is a DOHC, 2.5-liter V-6 rated at 218 hp and 187 lb-ft of torque. A variant of Nissan’s VQ engine—which in 3.7-liter form powers the G37 and Nissan 370Z, among others—the 2.5-liter mill was previously found in the European Infiniti EX25 and the Chinese-market M25. There are no official fuel-economy ratings yet, but Infiniti tells us to expect an increase of about 1 mpg over the G37 sedan’s 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway. That’s a pretty disappointing number for such a dramatic power loss, but perhaps not as devastating as the news that the only transmission choice is a seven-speed automatic.

The power ratings are far below the 328 hp and 269 lb-ft offered by the big-brother G37 sedan, and lag slightly behind the 230 hp and 200 lb-ft offered by the inline-six in the BMW 328i. Still, the numbers are close enough to take on the 328i, just as the G37 offers power on par with BMW’s turbocharged 335i.

Thanks to: Car and Driver