Porsche is Reportedly Working on a Panamera Convertible
Sources recently told the Automotive News that Porsche is contemplating a convertible (cabrio) version of its new four-door Panamera. If Porsche decides to green light the Cabrio version of the Panamera it will be a two-door with a soft top. There are also rumors circulating that a GT Coupe is also being considered.
Porsche hasn't confirmed that the existence of a Panamera Cabrio or GT Coupe, but Porsche R&D chief Wolfgang Dürheimer has implied that more variants of the Panamera could be on the way.
Before either the Cabrio or GT Coupe make it to market expect V6 and hybrid powered versions of the Panamera. A diesel powered model is supposedly also in the works.
Xmas is Here! Jaguar XJL Supercharged Neiman Marcus Edition Unveiled
Just in time for your the start of your holiday shopping Jaguar is releasing a limited edition XJL Supercharged that will be featured in this year's Neiman Marcus catalog. Only 50 of the limited edition 2010 Jaguar XJL sedans will be sold.
The 2010 Jaguar XJL Supercharged Neiman Marcus Edition starts with the extended wheelbase XJL equipped with the 470-hp 5.0L V8 and adds exclusive Celestial Black paint and 20-inch wheels. Inside there is a special nameplate that marks the car as one of the special 50 produced.
If you can wait a little longer, the XJ will be on sale in early 2010.
Jaguar Reportedly Working on an XF-Based Five-Door Coupe
According to Inside Line, Jaguar is currently at work on a compact five door coupe based on the XF. Think of it as a competitor to the Audi A5 Sportback.
The coupe is codenamed RD7 and it has suicide-type rear doors and a side-hinged tailgate. Jaguar had been considering three and five door versions, but has decided to move forward only with the five door since it should have higher sales.
Although Inside Line has received word that the coupe is in the works, it is still about four years off. A new sportscar, codenamed XE is set to debut first in 2011, with salesConfirmed: 2011 BMW M5 Loses Two Cylinders and Gets Turbocharged V8
As expected, the next-gen BMW M5 is going to ditch its current 5.0L V10 engine for a smaller turbocharged V8.
BMW insiders have confirmed the change, but did not give any details about the V8. It's safe to assume that the M5 will be powered by the same turbocharged 4.4L V8 that is in the M versions of the X5 and X6. In the X5 and X6 it puts out 555 horsepower and 500 lb-ft. of torque.
Audi is also expected to drop its V10 engine from the RS6 for a turbocharged V8.BMW to Release 3 Series GT in 2011
The BMW 5 Series GT has yet to reach showrooms, but BMW is already planning a GT version of the 3 Series. The 335i Gran Turismo will be released sometime in 2011 and will have a similar two-stage tailgate as the 5-Series GT. It's expected to be priced between the 3 Series and 5 Series. It's also possible that 4 and 5 seater versions will be produced with both diesel and gasoline engines. It's doubtful that an M3 version will be produced.
It's not yet known if the 3 Series GT will replace the 3-Series wagon in the US, since the 5 Series GT is expected to replace the 5 Series wagon here.
Mercedes Drops Photos of the SLS AMG in Gran Turismo 5
Earlier this week it was revealed that the new Mercedes SLS AMG would be one of the cars in the new Gran Turismo 5 and now Mercedes has released images of the car in the game.
ASI Creates a Bodykit for the Ferrari 458 Italia
Japanese luxury tuner, ASI has created a new bodykit for the 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia.
According to ASI the new kit, which consists of a new nose, air intakes and vents in front of the front wheels matches the aerodynamic performance of the stock 458 Italia. Of course the new kit is lighter.
It's not known if there willbe any performance upgrades to the 570-hp 4.5L V8.
Next-Gen Audi RS6 to Drop V10 for Turbocharged V8
The next-generation Audi RS6 is set to be unveiled early next year. Rumors are circulating that the next model will drop its 5.2L V10 for a V8 with twin turbochargers.
The current RS6 is powered by a twin-turbo 580-hp 5.2L V10. It reaches 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph. If the rumors are in fact true, don't expect a reduction in power. The turbocharged V8 will likely be between 4.0-4.5 liters.
The next BMW M5 is also expected to ditch its V10 for the 4.4L V8 that powers the M versions of the X5 and X6.
Land Rover Confirms Production of LRX Concept
Land Rover has officially confirmed the production of the LRX concept, which is not really much of a surprise to anyone. The production version of the concept will join Land Rover's lineup in 2011.
According to Land Rover the new Range Rover will be the smallest, lightest and most efficient vehicle ever produced by the automaker.
Phil Popham, managing director of Land Rover said: "The production of a small Range Rover model is excellent news for our employees, dealers and customers. It is a demonstration of our commitment to investing for the future, to continue to deliver relevant vehicles for our customers, with the outstanding breadth of capability for which we are world-renowned."
Final details have not been released, but the official photo rendering of the production version shows that its styling will remain close to the concept.
Aston Martin V12 Vantage Headed to the U.S.
Although Aston Martin originally stated that the V12 powered Vantage would not make it to the US, Aston Martin CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez has stated otherwise.
Bez recently told Car and Driver, that although Aston Martin originally planned on only producing 1,000 units over its one-year life span, more could be produced. Additionally the car is going to officially come to the US as well.
The Aston Martin V12 Vantage is powered by a 510-hp 6.2L V12. It reaches 0-62 mph in 4.2 seconds and has a top speed of 190 mph.
VW to Buy Stake in Suzuki by the End of the Year
VW is expected to buy a stake in Suzuki by the end of 2009 according to the German industry publication Automobilwoche report.
The publication quoted an unnamed Suzuki executive, "For Suzuki and VW this connection would be a win-win situation. Suzuki would have access to a variety of VW's technology, while Volkswagen would have a solid supporting leg in India and Southeast Asia."
VW has declined to comment, but last week VW's Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn stated that Suzuki's current product lineup would work well with VW.
There has been speculation about a tie up between the two automakers since August.
BMW Confirms the Return of 4-Cylinder Engines for the U.S.
Currently BMW does not offer a four-cylinder powered car in the US, while it does in the rest of the world. Well that will soon change with the 3-Series once again being offered with a four banger in the US by 2012.
BMW's U.S. chief Jim O'Donnell revealed in Frankfurt this week that BMW is planning on releasing new 4-cylinder engines in the US that will feature twin-turbocharging technology. BMW's goal is to release the four-cylinder powered 3-Series by spring of 2012.
Frankfurt 2009: Aston Martin Rapide is Sexy
Aston Martin's first ever four-door sports sedan is upon us and it is quite sexy...much sexier than the Porsche Panamera. The Aston Martin Rapide takes the current styling of the Aston Martin coupes and apply is it to a four-door design. The concept version of the Rapide was unveiled at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show and the production version remains true to the concept.
The Rapide is powered by a 470-hp 6.0L V12 engine that is mated to a six-speed Touchtronic 2 automatic transmission.
Chief Executive, Dr. Ulrich Bez said: "Rapide is the culmination of the Aston Martin range of sports cars, a car that seals the revival of a truly admired marque. There is now an Aston Martin for every taste and for every use.
"With Rapide, the entire family can enjoy their Aston Martin together in unison, in an invigorating yet comfortable environment, sitting low, with plenty of visibility from every seat and with new levels of comfort, refinement and entertainment."
Frankfurt 2009: MINI Roadster Concept Unveiled
Officially joining the Mini Coupe Concept in Frankfurt is the Mini Roadster Concept. The Mini Roadster is a two-seater with a chopped roofline and a more tilted windshield. Other than that the Roadster concept looks pretty much the same as the other Mini models currently being produced. In fact this concept is almost certainly the second new model Mini is going to produce in addition to the new coupe.
The front end of the roadster is identical to the convertible all the way until the a-pillar, where the roadster gets a more raked windhield. With the roof up the roadster has a more notchback look, further distinguishing it from the Mini convertible.
Frankfurt 09' VW Unveils the E-Up! Concept...Beetle of the 21st Century
VW has unveiled the E-Up! Concept that was developed from the Up! concept and is supposed to give a glimpse of a new car in 2013 that VW claims will be the "Beetle of the 21st Century."
The small E-Up! is powered by an electric motor, which has a range of 80 miles. It sprints from 0-62 mph in 11.3 seconds. Depending on charging infrastructure, the lithium-ion battery can be charged up to 80 percent within an hour.
The E-Up! Concept is indeed a small car and has a 3+1 layout to make it possible to carry up to four passengers.
Frankfurt 09' Audi S5 Sportback Unveiled...Too Bad We Aren't Getting Either Version
Although US buyers aren't getting the A5 Sportback, Audi has unveiled the sportier version, the S5 Sportback.
The S5 Sportback is powered by the same supercharged 3.0L V6 as the S4 that will also soon replace the V8 engine in the S5 coupe. It puts out 333 horsepower and 324 lb-ft. of torque and propels the S5 Sportback from 0-62 mph in 5.4 seconds with a 155 mph top speed. Audi claims that the S5 Sportback averages 24 mpg. Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system and seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic transmission are standard.
Visually the S5 Sportback is differentiated from the lesser powered A5 Sportback by side mirrors in aluminum trim, a single frame grille, S-design aluminum wheels, and quad tailpipes.
The S5 Sportback goes on sale in Europe in Spring 2010 with a starting price of 57,900 Euros.
