BMW has reacted quickly to this morning’s leak and published official images of its Concept X4 which will debut in Shanghai later this month. So now you can admire the Sports Activity Coupé you secretly love in 2000px goodness.
There’s no real technical detail in the press release, which is no doubt being saved for its show debut. Talking about the Concept X4’s exterior though BMW says it has a “muscular silhouette” and we tend to agree. We like it.
Officially, this time, here is the all-new Range Rover Sport, fresh from its debut at the New York Auto Show.
While the Sport was developed in conjunction with the Range Rover the Sport model shares only 25% of parts with its established sibling. The all-new Range Rover Sport is lighter than its predecessor, up to 420kg in the case of the 258PS (190kW) 3.0 litre TDV6, which will be available from 2014.
When the Sport goes on sale in the fourth quarter of this year two engines will be offered: the 510PS (375kW) 5.0 litre supercharged V8 and the 292PS (215kW) 3.0 litre SDV6. The supercharged V8 can see off 100km/h in just 5.0 seconds.
Early next year the engine range will be complemented by the TDV6 already mentioned as well as a 339PS (250kW) 4.4-litre SDV8 and a “high-efficiency diesel hybrid”, which we’re sure we’ll hear a lot more about when Range Rover is ready to tell us.
All models are fitted with a variant of the seemingly ubiquitous ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. As you would expect the Sport is only available with all-wheel drive, but there are two systems to choose from. The first is a fair dinkum 4WD set-up which includes a two-speed transfer case with low-range option and full locking capability. The other relies on a Torsen differential to distribute torque where necessary and features a default 42:58 split biased towards the rear wheels.
In general terms the Range Rover Sport looks pretty good to us. It’s the Evoque you have when you want some genuine credibility. You can feast your eyes on more pics after the break and then settle in for some heavy reading thanks to the full press kit made available for you in PDF form.
Range Rover will be launching its all-new Sport model at the New York Auto Show on 26 March. They’ve gone to some lengths to promote the reveal, setting up a dedicated website and asking twitterists to use the #NewRangeRoverSport hashtag.
So how do you reckon the top brass at Range Rover are feeling now that a member from the Tint Dude forum called the art of tint has snapped a photo of himself with the new car and posted it online for all the world to see?
The story goes our learned friend in the photo above was given the car to tint its windows in full knowledge it was going to the New York Auto Show. Now, sometimes, car companies, we think, deliberately leak information prior to official reveals in order to generate more discussion. This, though, looks like a total cock up and we suspect the art of tint may have done his last ever job for a major car manufacturer.
Anyway, the new Rangie Sport looks okay don’t you reckon?
Range Rover says this will be their fastest model ever. John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director, backs up that claim with these words: “The all-new Range Rover Sport takes the model to another level. It is Land Rover’s most dynamic vehicle yet and showcases the best of British design, engineering and technological innovation.â€
[Source: PistonHeads]
BMW brings word it plans to spend US$900m on its Spartanburg production facility in South Carolina. Frank-Peter Arndt, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Production, says the bewildering demand for the BMW X-line of models is the cause.
“This is in response to rising global demand for our BMW X models and the expansion of the BMW X family to include the BMW X4,†Arndt explains.
Confirmation of the X4 was announced at a special event to celebrate the two millionth car to roll of the Spartanburg production line.
Okay, the more conventional X5 and X3 models we can understand. And, it’s true, BMW make some awesome cars. So why on earth do people want to buy so many X6s that BMW sees fit to make an X4 too?
But then, if faced with the prospect of an owning X6, we’d much rather a 5 Series GT; a model almost everyone seems to hate. All that really tells us is BMW is creating market segments to prove people will buy anything if it has a BMW badge. Good luck to BMW, then!
[Unofficial rendering: Inside Line]
Audi has published photos and information about its new Q3 ahead of Auto Shanghai (21–28 April). What we see is an altogether predictable result with a few tweaks here and there for good measure. That’s not to say the latest wannabe SUV is a bad thing. On the contrary, we think it looks quite smart. The slight reworking of the front end, especially the new headlight treatment, gives the current Audi face a welcome lift.
Inside, too, we suspect we’re being granted a sneak preview of what to expect inside the next-generation A3. Again, we welcome the changes made. In the Q3, at least, the central controls seem to be slightly more ergonomically placed than the current A3. The centre-dash mount display screen is also more user-friendly.
There’ll be four familiar 2.0 litre turbocharged engine choices to power the Q3; two petrol and two diesel. The TFSI engines will be available in 125kW and 155kW spec. While the TDI will initially launch with a 120kW version, with a 103kW unit to follow.
UPDATE 15 April: New pics added at end of article.
Good news, it looks like the rumoured Lambo SUV has been shelved in favour of a four door saloon. That means the Estoque Concept, first shown in 2008, is now back in the mix.
Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini Chairman and CEO, spoke recently about adding a third vehicle to the model range, “We really have a choice when it comes to an additional model: an SUV or a four-seat four-door. And for me the SUV is a no-go. It doesn’t exist in our price segment, and it’s not a real luxury car.”
“We have opportunities outside the supercar business, and we showed that with Estoque. It had a more enthusiastic response than we had expected,” said Winkelmann. “Even now, people are still emailing me about us making the Estoque.”
[Source: Autocar]
With the updated Cayenne out of the way Porsche today confirmed it is expecting the arrival of a new SUV model. For now, the mini-me Cayenne will be called the “Cajun”—it may just stick with that name, too—and will be based on the Audi Q5. We should be seeing show cars in 2013, or sooner, with the market release due in 2014.
According to Porsche, “the Cajun will also have a very positive impact with its typical Porsche features such as light weight, ease of handling and agility.”
Light weight, huh, they must have forgotten the Cayenne tips the scales at around 2000kg, give or take a few fat men.
Saab’s resurgence shows further signs of progression with these new images of their upcoming 9-4X SUV. It will have a full reveal at the Los Angeles Motor Show in November. For now, though, we’ve got these six pics to look at.
Once you get past the initial protestations that the world doesn’t really need a new player in the SUV segment you’re left thinking that this first up effort from Saab is actually shaping up as a pretty good start. At least, you can see it mixing with its Audi, BMW and Volvo brethren at your nearest private school.
It is powered by a choice of two V6 engines. A normally aspirated 3.0 litre option with 265PS, but you really need the turbocharged 2.8 litre unit with no less than 300PS. That ought to help get the kids to school on time if the little blighters have struggled to tie up their laces and made mummy late.
Saab Automobile CEO Jan Ã…ke Jonsson gives us the official view, “The 9-4X significantly broadens the appeal of the Saab brand. It gives us entry to the fast-growing crossover segment with a vehicle that reflects our brand values in key areas, such as progressive Scandinavian design and sporty, responsible driving performance. The 9-4X is an exciting package and we’re confident it will appeal to many existing Saab owners, as well as win new customers for the brand.”
The 9-4X is fitted with Saab’s XWD all-wheel drive system, but the boffins from Haldex have also found time to add a new eLSD for the rear differential. Supposedly this makes for “a more rewarding driving experience and greater control in all conditions, dry or wet, on and off-road.”
Following its LA motor show debut the 9-4X will go on sale in the US next May. Europe gets the candy in August, the UK a bit later and Australia, well, we’re not sure yet, but if not late 2011, you’re nearest yummy mummy might have to wait until 2012.
Earlier in the week MINI gave journos from around the globe a sneak peek at the new MINI Countryman. Yeah, I know, must be another lost invitation in the mail for AUSmotive. Anyway, MINI didn’t muck about either, sending the hacks out on a track with the most powerful Cooper S version, and fitted with the company’s new ALL4 all-wheel drive system.
So, is this just a big lard arse that will damage the excellent reputation BMW has forged for the MINI brand? Here’s a snippet from the MotoringFile review:
“So here it is. My chance to rip the Countryman apart for being overwrought and overweight. When it was first announced no one at MotoringFile hid their feelings of disdain for the idea of a MINI crossover. Why? It was against what we all knew the brand to be. But more than anything it was an affront to the performance mind-set that so many of us have when it comes to these small cars. And yet I’m sitting in Munich after just driving a pre-production R60 trying to conjure up the adjectives that best describe how shockingly good the car really is.”
Sounds promising. Well, for those readers who can get past the fact that MINI are a) making a crossover and b) making a proper mid-size car at all. There will be a lot who won’t. And that’s probably fair enough, too.
The MotoringFile article is quite detailed and includes some great information on the new Countryman, so do check it out if this car floats your boat. Below you will see more images from the preview. Also included is MINI’s press release from Munich. Not sure why the cars are wearing camouflage given official images of the Countryman were released in January, but there you go.
Volkswagen claim the Golf is “the most successful vehicle concept of all times”. Presumably they have reached this conclusion based on total sales. So, is it any wonder that they are milking the platform with the CrossGolf, the sixth model line in the Golf range.
Essentially what you see is what you get. A body based on the GolfPlus, including an extra 20mm ride height, a few exterior plastic bits and some model specific interior trim. Voila, a new model.
It is unlikely we will ever see the CrossGolf in Australia. Which is a shame. A real shame. Just wait until you see the new Subaru Impreza XV, which will be here mid-year. Somebody really needs to tell Subaru’s designers to stop the madness!
I digress, more pics and details of the comparatively attractive, but probably quite pointless CrossGolf can be seen after the jump.
BMW Australia have just announced the pricing and predicted model range for the new X1. The little BMW SUV, sorry Sports Activity Vehicle, will go on sale locally on 10 April and list pricing starts at $43,500 for the rear wheel drive only sDrive18i manual. The line up will be topped by the all-wheel drive xDrive23d auto priced from $59,280.
You might be wondering why BMW, who have just given us the MINI Countryman, are releasing yet another soft-roader in this small-car market? The answer is obvious, as this sentence straight from the press release points out, “The BMW X1 is the first premium vehicle of its kind to offer the driving pleasure so characteristic of a BMW X model in the compact segment.” Okay, then.
Further details and a whole heap of X1 images can be viewed after the jump.
Here’s a short and sweet photo gallery showing the Volkswagen Amarok getting down and dirty during the 2010 Dakar Rally. In all 35 Amaroks were used during the event, 20 of those assisting the successful Race Touareg teams, while the other 15 were used by media and race officials. Looks like they had fun.