Autoblog

Next M3 may be lighter than expected, with lots more torque

George Kennedy — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 10:44:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, BMW, Rumormill

Few cars stir up the rumormill quite like the next BMW M3. To that end, BMW fan-site BimmerPost was able to track down a source, apparently tied to the development of the next M3 (and M4), who divulged a few juicy bits on power, weight and timing.

Horsepower in the F80 M3 and F82 M4 is said to be close to that of the E90/E92, which was rated at 414 hp. This contrasts with previous reports that had horsepower pegged closer to 450. It should also be noted that BMW has been known to underrate the horsepower values for its engines. That said, the new turbocharged straight-six will supposedly develop 100 more pound-feet of torque over the current generation, too. The 4.0-liter S65 V8 found in the E90/E92 M3 developed 295 lb-ft, putting the new engine's torque in the 395 lb-ft neighborhood. We can live with that.

An equally interesting development regards the proposed weight of the new Ultimate Driving Machine. Apparently BMW is targeting the curb weight of the E46 M3. That older-generation Bimmer clocked in at about 3,400 pounds, while the E90/E92 M3 had grown to over 3,700 pounds. The 300-pound weight savings should come as welcome news to M3 purists, critical of the progressive weight gains from generation to generation.

For those interested in the aesthetic of the next performance-Bimmer, the F80/F82 update of the M3 is claimed to feature a more aggressive look, highlighted by a power bulge hood and larger fenders. That styling direction should not come as much of a surprise, as the more aggressive appearance is customary to the M3 by now and matches what we've seen in spy shots.

According to source, the F80 M3 sedan will debut first and come to market in early 2014. It will be followed by the M4 coupe, though exact timing was not revealed.

Next M3 may be lighter than expected, with lots more torque originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Oct 2012 10:44:00 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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Rumormill: Audi working on A9 super sedan?

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Audi, Rumormill, Luxury

The updated A8 is already here and the new A7 is on its way, but could a new Audi super sedan be just around the corner? Folks in the homeland of the four-ringed automaker are speculating that a Porsche Panamera-derived range topper is on the horizon, and that it will be dubbed the Audi A9.

According to Germany's AutoZeitung, the A9 will be offered with a choice of either rear-wheel drive(!) or the familiar Quattro all-wheel drive setup, the Audi A9 would also be available as a gas-electric hybrid. The power output could climb to 500 horsepower.

This is all just rumor at this point, but it would certainly be interesting to if the surging Audi brand can successfully float this many high-dollar products. We've seen what it can do with the premium luxury sedan thanks to the wonderful new A8, and we're we're big fans of the R8 in all its flavors, but is there enough room at the top for an A9 as well? Check out the complete rendered image at AutoZeitung and then have your say in 'Comments.'

[Source: autozeitung.de (translated)]

Rumormill: Audi working on A9 super sedan? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Nov 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Jaguar's 3 Series rival

Zach Bowman — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Jaguar, UK, Rumormill, Luxury

There's a pretty hefty rumor claiming Jaguar is aiming to take on the BMW 3 Series with a new mid-sized fighter of its own. According to Auto Express, the suits at the big cat's parent company, Tata, have already given the project the go-ahead. The new machine will serve as a suitable replacement for the long-dead X-Type and sit below the XF in the Jaguar chain of command. Beyond that, there are few details in terms of what to expect if and when it hits production.

But that hasn't stopped Auto Express from putting forth a few possibilities. According to the site, it's entirely possible that the baby Jaguar could get its power from either a turbocharged, Ford-sourced four-cylinder gasoline engine or a more potent turbo-diesel six-cylinder hybrid drivetrain.

Hey, dreaming is free.

Behind either miracle mill would be a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox. We'll supposedly know more about the car sometime soon as AE reports the new Jaguar will be in dealer lots as soon as 2012.

[Source: Auto Express]

Rendered Speculation: Jaguar's 3 Series rival originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Infiniti working on Euro-market front-drive hatch

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 14:43:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Infiniti, Luxury

Infiniti Essence Concept - click above for high-res image gallery

Infiniti is reportedly set to follow Lexus into the premium compact hatchback segment with a new model for the European market. With Lexus about to launch its hybrid CT200h and the Europeans already well established with the likes of the Audi A3 and Citroen's new DS3, Infiniti apparently needs a hatch-shaped player to compete.

Autocar reports that the Infiniti will draw on the design of the Essence concept and feature a coupe-like profile. The new compact hatchback will be in addition to the Infiniti electric car that CEO Carlos Ghosn announced at the Tokyo Motor Show last fall. The Infiniti EV will share the platform and battery system of the Nissan Leaf, but may use a more powerful electric motor. There's no word on what platform this unnamed hatch will be based on, but Infiniti's corporate parents at Nissan have a host of front-wheel drive architectures to choose from and a range of engines to provide the new model with enough oomph.

Gallery: Infiniti Essence Concept

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: Infiniti working on Euro-market front-drive hatch originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jul 2010 14:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Audi considering A1 Allroad

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:33:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Audi, Rumormill

2007 Audi Cross Coupé concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Apparently not content to let Mini hog the small premium crossover segment with its new Countryman, Audi is reportedly working on an Allroad version of the A1.

The A1 three-door hatchback goes on sale this year with a five-door coming in 2011. A higher-riding crossover variant could come by 2013 and follow in the path of previous Audi Allroad editions with arch extensions, bigger wheel and tires and possibly even all-wheel drive. A quattro variant hasn't yet been confirmed, although Volkswagen is reportedly working on an all-wheel drive variant of the Volkswagen CrossPolo which shares its platform with the little Audi. Given Audi's 30-year commitment to quattro, we'd bet on both variants for the A1 Allroad - but of course, we were surprised when the A1 hatch arrived with only its front wheels driven...

Gallery: Audi Cross Coupe Quattro

[Source: AutoZietung (translated)]

Rumormill: Audi considering A1 Allroad originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Audi RS5 headed for the States?

Zach Bowman — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:39:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Audi, Rumormill

Audi RS5 - Click above for a high-res image gallery

It's been a little while since anything with an RS badge came our way from Ingolstadt, but it if you believe the whispers floating around the Web these days, there may be hope for a U.S.-spec Audi RS5 just yet. Automobile is reporting that the company is seriously mulling bringing the S5's meaner brother to our neck of the woods.

The Kingdom of Quattro pulled the sheets off of the sinister coupe at this year's Geneva Motor Show, and our jaws have been on the floor ever since. Under the hood sits a tweaked 4.2-liter V8 with 450 horsepower at the crank. The mill is bolted to none other than the Audi Quattro all-wheel drive system, complete with a new torque-vectoring rear diff.

Automobile hasn't gone so far as to name a source for the rumors, which leads us to take this one with a Q7-sized grain of salt. Still, if it were true, we may have our sticky paws on an RS5 by summer 2012, right around the same time the refreshed A5 is scheduled to hit the U.S. Keep your fingers crossed and your hopes down.

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Audi RS5

[Source: Automobile]

Rumormill: Audi RS5 headed for the States? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Holden-based, RWD 2012 Chevy SS coming after all?

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:32:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Chevrolet, Holden, Australia, Rumormill

Chevrolet Lumina SS (Middle East edition) - Click above for high-res image gallery

If it's Monday, there must be a big, rear-wheel drive Chevrolet four-door coming soon. Tuesday? We'll retract and deny everything. We know, we know. We also know we just reported that the next Chevy Impala will remain front-wheel drive - but check this out. We've been hearing rumors for some time now, that despite whatever Fritz Henderson has to say on the matter, a high-performance version of General Motors' Zeta platform that underpins the Pontiac G8 will live on as a Chevy SS model, either badged as a Caprice or (more likely) an Impala. And we're not talking the police special. As Maximum Bob has said, the G8 is "Kinda too good to waste." Needless to say, we totally agree.

An eagle-eye'd AB reader named Jim just caught the following on a Pontiac G8 forum:

"My dealer had sent off pictures to GM of the cable portion of the front seats belts rubbing against the plastic on the side of the front seats. In an email sent back to the dealer, GM says that they have no plans to solve what has already been built but going forward a correction is planned. The email continues: ...a fix is planned for MY11.5 Chevy Police Program and MY12 Chevy SS. The fix will involve a protective sleeve that covers the buckle and section of the buckle stem that rubs on the plastic trim."

How 'bout them apples? That might normally be a sliver of a sliver of a rumor, but it exactly what what we've heard independently from a reliable source - and it brings a great big smile to our face. Now, repeat after us, LS3 with six-speed manual, LS3 with six-speed manual, LS3 with six-speed manual... Thanks a million, Jim!

Gallery: 2009 Chevy Lumina SS (Middle East)

[Source: G8 Board]

Rumormill: Holden-based, RWD 2012 Chevy SS coming after all? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Mercedes BLK on the way

Chris Shunk — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:34:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Mercedes-Benz, Rumormill

While there is a mad rush for automakers to make smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles for the U.S. market, many of the vehicles we crave are already available to European customers. Mercedes sells A- and B-Class vehicles were deemed too small for U.S. consumption. One product Mercedes doesn't have in either of its two biggest markets is a small crossover vehicle, but that could change in 2011.

Autocar is reporting that Mercedes is looking to rectify its small crossover position with the BLK, which will be positioned to take on the BMW X1 and Land Rover LRX. If Mercedes does build the BLK, it will likely be on an all-new FWD chassis that will also accommodate the next-gen A- and B-Class, as well as other like-sized models. The guys and gals on team Benz were looking to strike a deal with another automaker to platform share, but talks apparently came up empty. Mercedes is still looking to partner up with BMW on engine development, which would help drastically reduce engineering and development costs. BLK engine choices are rumored to be between 1.6- and 2.2-liters, with direct injection gasoline and diesel variants.

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: Mercedes BLK on the way originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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