You knew the bright orange Subaru XV shown in Frankfurt had to be headed our way, and during last week's 2012 Impreza launch event, Subaru's director of U.S. communications, Michael McHale confirmed it. The 2013 XV will go on sale in the U.S. sometime in 2012. Its actual name is still TBD.
It's a direct replacement for the Impreza Outback Sport, which is discontinued for the 2012 model year. Looking at the XV, it appears to be a mild variation on the redesigned Impreza hatchback with raised suspension. However, its wheelbase is slightly shorter (103.7 inches versus 104.1) maybe due to slightly different positioning of the suspension arms. Its track is slightly wider, too (60 inches even versus 59.4/59.6), and the European-spec show car was wearing wider tires (225/55R17 vs. 205/50R17 on higher-line 2012 Imprezas).
Subaru's 2.0-liter diesel boxer four-cylinder engine will be available in Europe, but we expect Subaru to offer its new 148-hp, 2.0-liter FB20 gasoline four-cylinder in the U.S. with either the CVT or five-speed manual. We're hoping the 170-hp 2.5-liter FB25 engine already used in the Forester might be part of the lineup as well.
Continue reading...
Categories: Crossovers,Frankfurt Auto Show,Future Vehicles,Hatchbacks,Subaru
Here's another loose end from last week's 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show: The bright yellow Opel three-door hatchback, the Astra GTC, we kept walking past in Hall 8 might actually come to the U.S. We'd figured GM was done with Americanizing compact hatchbacks after the Saturn Astra experiment -- not to mention Buick is just about to launch the Verano sedan, which uses the same basic platform architecture as the Astra GTC.
Nevertheless, in a briefing with media and analysts at Opel's Russelsheim, Germany, headquarters after the show, Opel's Karl-Friedrich Stracke observed, "I could easily see it as a Buick."
It's unclear exactly which engine(s) a U.S. version would use, but a 177-hp 1.6-liter four-cylinder is the top gasoline engine offered in Europe right now. A high-performance OPC motor is in the works, though, and hot Astras have used forced induction in years past.
More interesting to us is the Astra GTC's adoption of the HiPerStrut suspension design a la Regal GS to control torque steer. The GTC also has a lowered ride height and a wider track than other Astras. There'd be no reason to do all this if more power wasn't in the pipeline. If anybody's listening, the 2.0-liter Regal GS motor would suit us just fine. Other ideas?
(Auto Observer)
Continue reading...
Categories: Buick,Frankfurt Auto Show,Hatchbacks,Opel
We've finally decompressed from the Frankfurt Auto Show and there are a few things still swirling around in our heads. Sure, we're still hung up on the C-X16 (and our rendered roadster), but for some reason the Maserati Kubang keeps coming up, specifically, how it compares with the first Kubang we saw in 2003.
That car was an SUV turned GT, sort of like an early Crosstour or BMW 5 Series GT that was low and long like a Maserati should be. This new one is a warmed-over Hyundai Tucson body on a Jeep platform. That said, it's a real SUV and probably more practical.
What say you? Kubang or Kubang? Or is this moot as the Bentley SUV will be coming shortly and blow this out of the water.
Continue reading...
Categories: Frankfurt Auto Show,Maserati,SUVs
We all know that technology moves at a breakneck pace these days. And automakers are trying to keep up with the expectations of constantly connected consumers. Lots of new bells and whistles were unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show this week, and Ford dropped a few nuggets at the TechCrunch Disrupt Hackathon in San Francisco.
From luxury iPad integration to self-parking VWs, here's a rundown of a big week in car tech.
Continue reading...
Categories: BMW,Bentley,Car Tech,Ford,Frankfurt Auto Show,General Motors,Honda,Mercedes-Benz,Volkswagen
During the Frankfurt Auto show I ended up exchanging yucks with Jag Design Chief Ian Callum. We discussed our Chevy hot rods (I have a '55, he has a '56.), the Goodwood Revival Meeting and of course his new concept car the Jaguar C-X16, which is not yet officially approved for production.
Somewhere in the conversation he said this, "If we do the C-X16, clearly we would have to consider doing a convertible." He then added the fact that more than 50 percent of Jag XK sales are convertibles.
I immediately called our inhouse design chief Mark Takahashi and asked him to chop the C-X16's top. "I'll do two," he said. "One with the top up and one with the top down."
What do you think?
Continue reading...
Categories: Auto Industry,Concept Vehicles,Convertibles,Coupes,Frankfurt Auto Show,Hybrids,Jaguar,Luxury Cars,Sports Cars
Our IL editors are back from the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, and sure, I like looking at all their photos of beautiful cars but I also always get a kick out of seeing what the German "product specialists" beside the cars are wearing. Apparently Geneva has the fashion show of cars and New York has cars at a fashion show, but Frankfurt had some great fashions as well ... well, maybe not this ultraviolet one-shouldered ruffle dress. More after the jump.
Continue reading...
Categories: Frankfurt Auto Show
Was sifting through my photos of the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show and ran across this cellphone pic that I completely forgot about. This image was taken at the end of day one, when the show was officially over and the manufacturers cut loose.
It's a crappy photo (please forgive the weird HDR artifacts at the bottom) but what you're seeing is a woman in the Seat booth apparently being consumed alive by a 12-foot tall white carnation. Mounted atop a giant spring that's anchored to a baseplate, the gory scene flung back and forth like a metronome as onlookers gaped helplessly.
Yeah, beats me, too.
--Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor
Categories: Frankfurt Auto Show
Ford's Mikko Hirvonen, who is currently second in the World Rally Championship, gave the Fiesta WRC a rather grand entrance to the Franfurt Auto Show earlier this week.
Unfortunately, he let his mom run the video camera. And ol' mom could use some video lessons. Still, this guy, it turns out, can drive. You'll get the point.
Continue reading...
Categories: Auto Shows,Ford,Frankfurt Auto Show
Jaguar-Land Rover's in-house video department put the video together after the jump. It includes running footage of the C-X16, C-X75 and DC100 concepts (or possibly CG footage) as well as interesting insights from key J-LR executives.
Teaser: "Feast your eyes on this beauty ..." Um, you're introducing a car, not a show pony.
Continue reading...
Categories: Frankfurt Auto Show,Jaguar,Land Rover
No one ever said racing was cheap. As you well know, a lot changes when you yank out the interior, fit a full cage, upgrade your intercooler, install a limited-slip differential where there was none before, specify adjustable dampers and antiroll bars, slap on all-new brakes... need we go on?
So yes, you can go down to your Ford dealership and order a Focus ST-R, which features the turbocharged and direct-injected, 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. Just be prepared for it to cost about two-and-a-half times as much as the Focus ST road car. Pricing on the Focus ST-R, offered by Ford Racing (the same people who bring you the Cobra Jet Mustangs) comes in at $99,000. Ford is selling it with eye toward people racing it in the Grand Am series (who have sponsors), but if you're flush with cash, you could just trailer it to track days, too.
Deliveries will start in 2012, sometime after March, we're told, right about when the infinitely more streetable 2013 Ford Focus ST begins shipping out to dealers.
We took a bunch of photos of the ST-R, as well as a few of the new Formula Ford car that makes use of the 177-hp, turbocharged, 1.6-liter EcoBoost inline-4 featured in the Fiesta ST concept shown here in Frankfurt. No word on when it will be exported to North America, as Ford will limit sales to Europe initially since there's already a Formula Ford series in the U.K. -- and thus a guaranteed customer base.
Continue reading...
Categories: Ford,Frankfurt Auto Show,Hatchbacks,Motorsports
Join Alistair Weaver on his video tour of the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. It provides a nice taste what you and I are missing by being chained to our desks. OK, so I'm not really chained, just a really robust Velcro.
Teaser: German stand models can do more than simply look hot next to hot cars.
Continue reading...
Categories: Frankfurt Auto Show
The old Audi S8 was discontinued after 2009, but it never really got much attention here despite its big V10 engine. Maybe memories of its illustrious predecessor hauling ass in Ronin overshadowed it. Nevertheless, the S8 is returning to America and along with it is the Audi S7. Both have a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, but the S8 version makes more power. Get the full story in two videos after the jump with Alistair Weaver in Frankfurt.
Teaser: "With the old 5.2-liter V10, you could say it was 'powered by Lamborghini.' Not any more."
Continue reading...
Categories: Audi,Frankfurt Auto Show
Although it made its world debut at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster was also in Frankfurt, where I have a sneaking suspicion it received more press. Press from, say, our European Correspondent Alistair Weaver, who gives a quick rundown on the gullwingless SLS in a video after the jump.
Teaser: Is he performing a religious ceremony? Is he practicing The Crane?
Continue reading...
Categories: Frankfurt Auto Show,Mercedes-Benz
It's not every day Land Rover redesigns the Defender. Actually, it's not even every decade, or century for that matter. As such, the DC100 Concept is a very big deal, as it's Land Rover's first damp finger stuck into the air intended to gauge interest on one possible direction. But why read a Canadian's thoughts when you can hear an honest-to-god Brit's? Follow the jump for Alistair Weaver.
Teaser: "If you've waited 60 years to do it, you might as well do it right."
Continue reading...
Categories: Frankfurt Auto Show,Land Rover
So, Bentley went ahead and redid the Continental GTC convertible as well. You can read more about it here. Or you can watch Alistair Weaver talk about it in the video after the jump.
Teaser: Yeah, I think the picture probably handles it.
Continue reading...
Categories: Bentley,Frankfurt Auto Show
If you're an engine geek, this one might intrigue you. Pictured here is Brabus' twin-turbo conversion for the Mercedes-Benz/AMG 6.2-liter V8. Nothing out of the ordinary here.
However, I had to take a closer look at this display on the Brabus stand at Frankfurt after I caught a glimpse of the turbo side of things.
Hit the jump; get the brain dump.
Continue reading...
Categories: Frankfurt Auto Show
GM has now shown its concept for a global midsize pickup truck in every major market, except the United States, where the current thinking is that customers want to pay $12,000 for a compact pickup, while manufacturers want to sell trucks that cost $20,000 -- hence the disconnect and lack of new product.
But we digress. This is the Chevrolet Colorado Rally, a version of the show truck done up like an off-road rally truck. It was already shown at the Buenos Aires auto show -- a good idea since the Dakar rally is now run in South America. Now it's here in Frankfurt, suggesting that GM plans to build a truck to compete with the Euro-spec Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara, Ford Ranger (the new one) and so on.
Mechanical specifics are scant, but Chevy says the concept is all-wheel drive and uses a 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine. Any production truck would undoubtedly be body-on-frame and rear-drive-based (with optional 4WD/AWD) like the current Colorado.
The design work for the concept happened in South America, and based on these results, GM should assign this studio a lot more projects. This truck looks far cooler than the old Colorado/Canyon twins. Also, if you're wondering, this guy is the only male model on the entire GM stand.
Continue reading...
Categories: Chevrolet,Concept Vehicles,Frankfurt Auto Show,Trucks
Here's the new Honda Civic for Europe, and as is only logical for a car built on this continent, it's a five-door hatchback. There's a lot going on with this exterior design, but it's still better than the U.S.-spec sedan and coupe. The semi-hidden rear door handles are a nice touch.
In the past, Europe's Civic has been a significantly smaller car than ours, but the gap narrows with this redesign. This five-door hatch has a 102.1-inch wheelbase (just over an inch shorter than our Civic coupe's), and it's 169.9 inches long (about 6 inches shorter than our coupe). We sat in the driver seat and then the backseat, and found enough legroom for our 5-foot-10 frame.
If you're wondering about cabin materials, well, you'll be slightly upset to learn the surface treatments are indeed different in this car and the plastics feel a little higher in quality. Still, the furnishings are nothing to write home about overall, and remember that Europeans will have to pay more for this car.
Continue reading...
Categories: Frankfurt Auto Show,Hatchbacks,Honda
Although our spy photographers have caught Jaguar engineers testing the production version of the company's new sports car several times, Jag will not admit that the C-X16 two-seater is a go. Instead Jag will drag the concept version of the Cayman fighter to more auto shows, including Los Angeles in November, to "gauge reaction."
But...
Continue reading...
Categories: Concept Vehicles,Coupes,Frankfurt Auto Show,Future Vehicles,Geneva Motor Show,Hybrids,Jaguar,Luxury Cars,Sports Cars,Spy Photos
We already reported on the Sebastian Vettel-badged Infiniti FX50. First we reported on it here. Then we reported on it here. Well, now we have video of the high-performance crossover. Video from the 2011 Frankurt Auto Show. Video that includes a pretty girl.
Continue reading...
Categories: Crossovers,Frankfurt Auto Show,Infiniti,Luxury Cars,SUVs
