We’ve seen the new BMW X4 in concept form and here’s your first look at the final production model, spied during a photo shoot. The pics were first published by Car and Driver who made the apparent mistake of identifying the car as a new X6.
The X4 is still some time away from its official launch as production model, due for its show debut at Geneva in March 2014.
[Source: Bimmerpost]
The Porsche Macan is the latest new model to be revealed thanks to the emergence of unauthorised images hitting the web before the official launch. Here you can see a series of images released from a forthcoming issue of Auto Motor und Sport.
Our first impression is one of approval although the styling of that front end may take some getting used to. Some finer mesh in the grille is the immediate thought of what is missing, but perhaps over time that simpler, almost crude, industrial look will rest more easily.
We’re not so sure we can say the same for the side scuff panel running along the lower edge of the doors. On a silver car it just looks like a tacky add-on.
In the article the Macan is compared against an Audi Q5 with a V6 diesel engine. It’s expected Porsche’s baby SUV will be sold initially with a 3.6 litre V6 petrol engine with 340PS (250kW) for the Macan S and 400PS (295kW) for the Macan Turbo.
[Source: Pistonheads | Thanks to Wayne for extra pics]
Porsche has kept the ball rolling ahead of the Macan launch with this new video showing the entry-level SUV carving up sand dunes near Dubai. Shown undisguised, but in discreet all black paintwork, the Macan looks like fun in the loose sand of the middle east.
With three weeks to go until the wraps officially come off the Macan you can expect Porsche to continue its marketing pitch.
There’s still 33 days to go until the Macan is officially launched, but Porsche is keeping the previews coming. A series of photos showing the baby SUV without camouflage have been posted to Facebook.
As you can see the front-end styling differs enough from the Cayenne to have its own identity, while being similar enough to be part of the family. The rear tail light cluster, for one thing, isn’t the incoherent mess you see on the Cayenne.
Overall, the Macan seems to have a much more pleasing aesthetic than its bigger brother and while we do in some small way still lament the fact that Porsche is even in the SUV market, the fact remains they make excellent products and they need to play the game in order to keep pumping out 911s, Caymans and Boxsters.
Porsche is readying us all for the launch of the new Macan SUV with a dedicated microsite, which includes a new teaser image and two new sketches.
Of the new Macan, Porsche says:
Build a compact SUV? No, we’d rather think outside the box.
We’ve built what we always build: a Sports Car. Five doors, five seats and yet intimate with the road; boasting plenty of space for hobbies, leisure and sport. But no room for compromise. Compact, concentrated and intensive, but still powerful. Practical but never ordinary.
There’s also a teaser video showing a couple of prototypes on the company’s Weissach test track, as well as carving it up on some sand dunes. We hate to admit it, but we think Porsche is about to make the SUV very cool!
The official launch of the Macan is scheduled for the LA Auto Show on 20 November (although we expect details will be released a day or two earlier).
Jalopnik brings word of a series of leaked slides, allegedly from a Porsche dealer function in Atlanta, Georgia. First up is info on the Macan SUV.
From that info we get a re-confirmation that the Macan will be revealed at the LA Auto Show in November. But we now know (or think we know) the Macan will enter the market with a 3.0 litre V6 for the Macan S and a 3.6 litre six-cylinder for the Macan Turbo. Presumably the engine in the Turbo will be V6 too. US pricing for the S will kick off at $52,000, while the Turbo will be priced from $75,000 (yeah, it sucks to be Australian sometimes!).
Get this, for added confusion, both of these engines are said to be turbocharged.
Casting some doubt over the legitmacy of this info, perhaps, is the fact the image of the Macan in the slide above is not an official Porsche photo, rather a rendering from German rag AutoBild.
The Cayman and Boxster get in on the gossip too, with suggestions there will be GTS models added to each range. Expect a launch in April next year and an extra 15hp and new 20″ alloys among the headline features.
Also included in this leaked info is word on the new 911 Targa, available in either Carrera 4 or 4S designation, which is said to have an auto roof function. Will be fun seeing that in action with the usual Targa rollover hoop, but we’re sure Porsche can find a way.
There is a chance all this info is unreliable, so we’ll just have to sit tight and see what Porsche has to say over the coming months.
[Source: Jalopnik]
Lamborghini boss Stephan Winkelmann says he now expects the Urus SUV to be signed off for production.
Speaking at the opening of a new showroom in Tokyo, Winkelmann said: “We’re working on it and it will come, which will be good for the brand.
“We’re going low profile now. I can’t tell you much on details now, but when we get close to the launch, we will have more.”
Those keen on getting dirty in the Urus have time on their hand with the model not expected to be launched until 2016 or 2017. When they do have an SUV ready for sale Lambo reckons they can shift up to 3000 units annually.
[Source: Automotive News Europe]
“We are intensively thinking about entering the SUV segment,” said Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes.
Sigh.
Mueller-Oetvoes made his comments at the Frankfurt Motor Show and added, “The SUV segment is very interesting. It has been incredibly stable during the crisis, and I think a luxury niche will develop.”
For two reasons, reluctantly, we can see why a Rolls-Royce SUV may make sense. First, Bentley looks like beating them to the party and BMW-owned Rolls-Royce probably can’t afford to be left behind.
Secondly, you are responsible! Yes, you. All the punters out there who continue to buy SUVs are giving the manufacturers little choice but to keep making them.
If nothing else, we’d expect Rolls-Royce to lead the way in step accessories to make it easier for Sir and Lady to access their LUV (luxury utility vehicle).
[Source: Automotive News]
Shortly after releasing a sketch of its GLA compact SUV, Mercedes-Benz has come good with pics and press material prior to its public debut in Frankfurt next month.
As far as pint-sized SUVs go we think this one looks pretty good. In fact we’d go so far as to say this is the best looking model in the A Class family, which already includes hatchback and saloon models.
As such most of the engine range and equipment is already familiar. Although, if you option your GLA with the 4matic all-wheel drive system you get the added bonus of Downhill Speed Regulation and an off-road transmission mode. The leaves on your front yard won’t know what hit them!
We’re not sure what pricing will be when it goes on sale in Australia next year, but we think it’s pretty safe to expect Mercedes will sell a crap load!
Mercedes-Benz has used its Facebook account to release sketches of its forthcoming GLA model. As if the world needed another SUV, but while the public appetite for such models exists you can expect Mercedes to cash in like everyone else.
The GLA will be based on the A Class platform and will rival the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Just imagine how bonkers the AMG version will be!
We’ll find out a lot more about the GLA at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show, where it has been scheduled to make its world premiere.
[Source: Facebook]
It’s been a while since we’ve had any news on the Porsche Macan. Stuttgart’s baby SUV is expected to become the company’s best seller, with annual sales as high as 75,000 units being discussed. It’s market launch is predicted to take place a bit under 12 months from now.
As you might expect Porsche claims the Macan will be the sportiest mid-size SUV money can buy. The Macan Turbo is expected to give 400hp a nudge thanks to its twin-turbo 3.0 litre V6. It’s based on Audi’s MLB platform and Porsche has been fiddling around to achieve the dynamic handling it desires. One insider has reportedly said, “Audi cannot believe how much we have changed it.†A wider front track is said to be one of the more notable modifications.
Interestingly, the MLB platform and its engine-gearbox configuration is designed to suit FWD as well as AWD applications. Of course, Porsche won’t settle for FWD and all Macans will feature a four-wheel drive system.
[Source: Autocar]
The world’s fastest diesel-powered SUV, that’s what Audi Australia is calling the new SQ5. And with a list price of $89,400 it won’t even break the bank. Relatively speaking, that is.
So let’s look at the performance of this SQ5, then. It’s powered by a 3.0 litre V6 biturbo, coupled to an 8-speed tiptronic gearbox and quattro all-wheel drive system. Peak power is 230kW and is achieved at 3900–4500rpm. Being a diesel torque is king, you’ve got 650Nm to play with in the SQ5 from 1450–2800rpm.
The 100km/h dash can be done in 5.1 seconds, which, these days, is not really that impressive for an SUV with “world’s fastest diesel” in front of its name. In the real world, it is fast enough, of course. So too is the electronically limited 250km/h top speed.
At 1995kg the SQ5 isn’t going to be the nimblest mode of transport in the village, but we expect, up to a point, it will be a very capable device, sure to meet the demands of the vast majority of it owners.
Audi Australia has ensured the SQ5 hits the market with a pretty good level of goodies included in the standard asking price. To start with the go-fast SUV sits 30mm lower than its lesser Q5 stablemates and rides on standard 20″ alloys. Satellite navigation, fully electric front seats, rear reversing camera, tyre pressure monitor and a model-specific flat bottom steering wheel are standard fare. Although, you are expected to pay an extra $1050 if you want an alarm on your flash new SUV.
Naturally, there is a raft of options which Audi would dearly love you to tick. So much so the first 60 SQ5s to land in the country have been loaded with goodies and called the Launch Edition. Don’t get carried away thinking this is a freebie, though, you’ll need to cough up an extra $14,720—bringing your new SQ5 comfortably into the six-figure price bracket.
Extras packed into the Launch Edition—available in Glacier White, Ice Silver Metallic, Monsoon Grey and Panther Black—include 21″ alloys, Bang & Olufsen stereo with digital radio, front and rear heated seats, dynamic steering, adaptive headlights, high beam assist, carbon atlas inlays and that alarm system, plus more.
We reckon SQ5 looks pretty good too, as the photos waiting for you after the break show. There’s more detail from Audi Australia as well.