Autoblog

North American production of foreign marques to jump in 2014

Zach Bowman — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 15:06:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen

Wards Auto has released its North American Light Vehicle Production Forecast for 2014, and the report predicts foreign manufacturers will increase production on the continent some 3.9 percent by 2014. If accurate, that should see 123,000 additional cars, trucks and vans produced in North America, swelling the total number of units produced both by domestic and foreign manufacturers to 16.9 million light vehicles from a projected 15.6 million in 2013. Much of the increase can be attributed to the fact that Toyota intends to produce another car at its Blue Springs, MS plant as well as a new Lexus model at its Georgetown, KY facility in a year's time.

Likewise, Volkswagen intends to move production of a currently imported model to its plant in Puebla, Mexico. Daimler, Honda, Nissan and Mazda also plan to build additional models on North American soil for the first time. Around two-thirds of the new North American manufacturing will take place in Mexico, helping the country soak up a full 20 percent of the content's automotive production for the first time. You can head over to the Wards Auto site for the full report.

North American production of foreign marques to jump in 2014 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 23 Dec 2012 15:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Mazda6 Wagon shakes its rump

Zach Bowman — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Europe, Japan, Mazda, Design/Style, Diesel

Mazda has given the world a glimpse of the 2014 Mazda6 Wagon ahead of its debut at this year's Paris Motor Show. The slinky five-door will bow in Europe and Japan with a Skyactiv-D 2.2-liter diesel engine in both standard and high-output configurations. Buyers who prefer a gasoline engine can opt for either 2.0-liter or 2.5-liter direct-injection four-cylinders. Mazda hasn't said what we can expect to see in terms of transmission options, but the company has made it clear the 2014 Mazda6 Wagon will make use of a new brake energy regeneration system called i-Eloop.

The new Mazda6 Wagon will show off under the lights of the Paris Motor Show starting on September 27. Public days run from September 29 through October 14. In the interim, you can check out the images above and the brief press release below for more information.

Continue reading 2014 Mazda6 Wagon shakes its rump

2014 Mazda6 Wagon shakes its rump originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Sep 2012 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Subaru WRX caught hot-weather testing in the States

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 19:20:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Subaru

Few mainstream hot hatches have tugged as many heartstrings in the last decade or so than the Subaru WRX. From its turbocharged four-cylinder heart to the traction of its all-wheel-drive footprint, Rex has been the benchmark by which others are judged since its debut in the States as a 2002 model. Suffice it to say that the next WRX, due in 2014, has mighty big shoes to fill.

Judging by the spy photos you see above, those shoes will be planted under bodywork that's not particularly different from that of the standard Impreza. We'd be lying if we said we weren't hoping for a bit more pizazz from this fourth-gen WRX, but most of its tepid styling - assuming these images are indeed indicative of the 2014 WRX - would be forgiven if the machine boasts more turbocharged performance than ever before.

As you can see, Subaru's engineering team brought along a current third-gen WRX hatchback for testing alongside the new model, and a brief comparison shows how much more restrained the styling of the latest Impreza is when compared to its forebear. We also note what appears to be an intercooler sticking further up into the hood scoop than the third-gen model, which could mean a turbocharged version of Subie's new FA engine is underhood. We'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, peruse the images above and carry on speculating.

2014 Subaru WRX caught hot-weather testing in the States originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Aug 2012 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW 2 Series coming in 2014

Zach Bowman — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Etc., Europe, BMW, Luxury

CAR magazine reports BMW is hard at work on crafting the next-generation 1 Series Convertible. When it bows, the machine is expected to carry with it an all-new nomenclature, doing away with the 1 badge in favor of a new 2 Series emblem. This isn't the first time we've heard of BMW filling in its model line with both 2 and 4 Series models, nor the first hint that the 1 Series Convertible will be reborn as the 2 Series. CAR does supply a few more details however, stating that the 1 and 2 will be separated largely by a few sheetmetal tweaks. That means we can expect to see more or less the same engine options behind the headlights.

Why bother changing the naming structure at all? According to CAR, BMW is attempting to get its fleet more inline with those of Audi and Mercedes-Benz, which use a hierarchical structure to differentiate less premium models from pricier hardware. The report suggests buyers can expect to see the new 2 starting in 2014, complete with a six-speed manual transmission or an optional eight-speed automatic gearbox.

BMW 2 Series coming in 2014 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 May 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next Toyota Avalon spied wearing its sleek new shape

Chris Shunk — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Spy Photos, Sedan, Toyota

We got our first glimpse at what the 2014 Toyota Avalon may look like thanks to a an artists rendering that appears to take some creative license. The teaser really only shows us that Toyota wasn't kidding when it said it was taking the Avalon upscale, with a dramatic, sloping roof line that conjures thoughts of the Audi A7.

The Avalon is only days from its world premiere on the big stage at the 2012 New York Auto Show, but we have some spy shots that tell us even more. The photos show us what we already knew; that the artist rendering isn't exactly representative of reality. But the pics also show that the sleek roof line and vastly reworked proportions are very real.

The Avalon prototype has enough protective cladding to give the Storm Chasers tank a run for its money, but we do see what looks like a very different front fascia, LED taillights and a pair of impressive chrome-tipped exhaust outlets. From the rear, we get a better sense of how the sedan will look, and it appears there may be some tape covering up the lines that would tell us if these prototypes are in fact hatchbacks.

Spy photos were also taken of the reworked interior, but the insides were also covered up beyond recognition. We are able to see an attractive leather steering wheel and completely reworked redundant controls. We can also see expensive-looking french stitching above the gauge cluster, as well as upscale gauges themselves.

Click on the gallery above to view the high-resolution spy photos of two different prototypes. Stay tuned to Autoblog for the official reveal pics of the 2014 Toyota Avalon.

Next Toyota Avalon spied wearing its sleek new shape originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Ford Mustang to get IRS, be smaller, lighter in preparation for world car status

Zach Bowman — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Japan, Ford, Rumormill

According to the rumors kicking around the web, the next-generation Ford Mustang is going to look quite a bit different from the current model. Auto Express is reporting that when the 50th anniversary version of the pony touches down in 2014, it will arrive in unfamiliar markets, including the UK. That means that the muscle car will boast a right-hand drive interpretation for the first time in its history. The RHD Mustangs will supposedly be built right here in the good ol' U.S. of A. and be shipped around the world, including to Australia and Japan.

As interesting as that little tidbit is, AE reiterates that the model will bow with an EcoBoost four-cylinder under the hood. We've heard that one before, but the interesting part here is that the engine will be a 2.5-liter four-pot instead of the 2.3-liter variant pointed to by other sources.

If that's not enough to bulge your eyeballs, the report also says that the next-gen Mustang will be smaller and rock an independent rear suspension for the first time since the 1999-2003 Cobras prowled the streets. Stranger things have happened. Head over to Auto Express for a full look at the site's rendering and a heaping scoop of speculation.

2014 Ford Mustang to get IRS, be smaller, lighter in preparation for world car status originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: BMW X4 coming in 2014

Zach Bowman — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 15:33:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, SUV, Crossover, BMW, Design/Style, Luxury

Autoweek reports that BMW wants to add yet another small SUV to its lineup. Called the X4, the vehicle is rumored to take more than a few cues from the big-daddy X6 in both design and driving characteristics. The report says that early concept drawings show the vehicle as having the same upright nose and long, arching roof line as the biggest X as well as a very similar angled rear hatch.

Of course, nothing's set in stone at this point, so the X4's appearance could change considerably by the time it hits the scene in 2014. There is some speculation that the vehicle will be manufactured at the company's Spartanburg, South Carolina facility, which would makes sense considering America's seemingly boundless thirst for high-riding hatches.

[Source: Autoweek]

Report: BMW X4 coming in 2014 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota to kill Sequoia, Tundra redesigned in 2014

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:27:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Toyota

2010 Toyota Sequoia - Click above for high-res image gallery

At it's peak in 2002, Toyota was selling over 70,000 Sequoias. Last year, that number dropped to below 20,000 units. So it comes as little surprise that ToMoCo will be nixing its Tundra-based SUV at the end of the current model's lifecycle.

A source speaking with PickupTrucks.com confirmed that the Sequoia won't live on, partially due to slow sales, but surely in part to get Toyota's CAFE ratings in check before the new rules hit in 2015. But all's not lost for the automaker's body-on-frame offerings.

A redesigned Tundra is set to arrive in 2014, just in time for Ford, General Motors and Nissan's newest half-ton pickups. Although sales of the Tundra haven't lived up to Toyota's lofty expectations, it's obvious the automaker feels the need to compete in the segment, and a refreshed model should help sales, despite the market's less-than-enthusiastic reception of Toyota's largest pickup.

Gallery: 2010-2013 Toyota Sequoia

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Report: Toyota to kill Sequoia, Tundra redesigned in 2014 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 2014 Mustang could be based on global platform with IRS

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:26:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Ford

2010 Ford Mustang GT - Click above for high-res image gallery

Anxiously awaiting the day that you can stroll into your nearest Ford dealership, plunk down $30,000 dollars and drive away in a brand-new Mustang with an independent rear suspension? You've surely got a few more years to save your money, but the boys from Motor Trend are reporting that fully-independent salvation will finally show up for the Mustang's 50th Anniversary Party in 2014.

MT projects that there are a few ways the Blue Oval could go with its next-gen pony car in order to satisfy the demand for IRS, the most likely of which appears to be a significantly revised version of the current Mustang platform with the recently unveiled 5.0-liter V8 engine as the centerpiece. Other less likely options include downsizing the Mustang and powering it with an Ecoboost V6 engine or, least likely of all, taking the car upmarket to compete with cars like the Nissan GT-R.

One thing that MT speculates won't happen is the Mustang's next-gen architecture being shared with any other models under Ford's prodigious product umbrella - including the Australian Ford Falcon or a new large rear-wheel drive luxury sedan from Lincoln. Whatever happens, it seems that Ford has at least a few more years to mull it over.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Mustang GT

[Source: Motor Trend]

Report: 2014 Mustang could be based on global platform with IRS originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Turbo'd fours and sixes could power future BMW M machines

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Hatchback, BMW

With new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards looming on the horizon, automakers are in the process of developing engines that strike a balance between ultra-efficiency and high-performance. Aware of the challenges ahead, BMW has begun development of the next generation 3 Series and 1 Series, both due for a redesign in 2013, and according to Ludwig Willisch, BMW's M division CEO, new turbocharged engines are on the horizon for the next M3 and 1 Series M (not, we repeat not, to be dubbed the M1).

A turbo'd six-cylinder will likely replace the 4.0-liter V8 currently fitted to the M3, although BMW hasn't decided if it will use a straight-six or a V6 powerplant. Willisch told Motor Trend that the new engine won't be based on the current 3.0-liter inline six currently employed on the 335i and 135i, and it's still too early in the development process to say which configuration will be used. BMW recognizes the inline-six's light weight is a plus, but packaging constraints may required the use of a V6. Either way, the next M3 will be wider, but Willisch insists, "Engines don't need to be more powerful for the next car. As long as you have lighter weight, you have better performance." Although the idea of a V6-powered Bimmer will surely send the marque's faithful into bouts of rage, weight reduction is the future, and to us, it's music to our ears.

As for the 1 series, there won't be an M version per se, but BMW's in-house tuning division wants to recapture the magic of the original E30 M3 by developing a smaller, lighter coupe to slot in below the next M3. As reported previously, a twin-turbocharged four-cylinder will likely power the new coupe, and according to Willisch, the automaker is aiming for something that puts out around 300 hp and weighs around 2,860 pounds (think RWD VW GTI).

Traditionally, the M variants arrive about a year after the new models are introduced, so expect the next M3 and 1 Series M to debut sometime in 2014.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Turbo'd fours and sixes could power future BMW M machines originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Audi S4 and S5 to get turbo'd four-pots, massive weight reduction

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, Audi

Audi Sportback Concept - Click above for a high-res gallery

Car and Driver sat down with Audi's global head of product engineering, Michael Dick, to discuss the future of the automaker's offerings and how it plans to tackle the ongoing issue of weight. While all automakers cite consumer demand and government regulation as one of the major reasons overall vehicle weight has skyrocketed in the last 20 years, Audi is actively pursuing its "smaller-is-better credo." To that end, the automaker currently has a next-generation A5 prototype running around that's 880 pounds lighter than the current car. Dick told C&D that the mule is using an increased amount of aluminum, magnesium and high-strength steel to reduce mass, and says while the current TT is 69% aluminum, the next A6 (due in 2011 or 2012) will have even more, and the next A4/A5/S4/S5 will feature more still when they arrive in 2014.

Dick went on to say that the down-sizing of the current S4 and S5's engine from a V8 to a supercharged V6 is the first step, and its possible that the next generation Ss will be 20% lighter, pack 30% less displacement and will likely come with turbocharged four-cylinder engines (think TT, TT S and TT RS mills).

On the topic of styling, expect the next generation of Audis to take cues from the Sportback concept shown at the Detroit Auto Show. The Audi A7 will arrive in production form later this year, and while the overall shape won't disseminate throughout the Audi line-up, the headlamps, tail-lights and refined single-frame grille will carry over to the rest of the range. Dick claims that the A7 is already eight seconds faster than the current S5 around the Nurburgring, thanks primarily to its curb weight, which is expected to come in at around 3,000 pounds. We won't believe that until we see it on an official spec sheet, but it's comforting to know that at least one luxury automaker gets "it" and there's no doubt it will pay dividends in the marketplace if all these initiatives come to fruition.

Gallery: Audi Sportback Concept

[Source: Car and Driver]

2014 Audi S4 and S5 to get turbo'd four-pots, massive weight reduction originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Corvette C7 put on indefinite hold

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:47:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Chevrolet, GM

According to multiple unnamed sources speaking with Autoweek, General Motors has put its plans for a C7 Corvette on "indefinite hold, with no official or set timetable." That's a pretty broad admission, but not entirely surprising considering the financial issues plaguing GM, the rest of the domestics and the world as a whole.

Originally it was thought that the current C6 Corvette would undergo significant upgrades over the course of the next five years, with the C7 coming to market in 2014. That timeframe doesn't appear to hold water anymore, and Autoweek maintains that GM's leadership doesn't have a clear plan for what the future holds for the 'Vette, not to mention the rest of the General's lineup.

However, Corvette vehicle-line executive Tom Wallace assured the weekly pub that the halo coupe isn't going anywhere. "We're still working on future Corvettes," Wallace said, and "there are changes, some neat stuff, coming for 2010 that I can't talk about yet." Wallace went on to say that the 2010 model wouldn't be considered an all-new car and that the 35-mpg CAFE standards for 2020 are having an effect on future drivetrains specs of the next Corvette.

[Source: Autoweek]

Corvette C7 put on indefinite hold originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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