Autoblog

Click the image above for plenty of high-res pics of the Mazda Atenza.

Although Mazda's press conference was an odd combination of staid, staccato press-speak and hyperactive performance art, two of the debuts were relatively unremarkable. The redesigned Atenza (Mazda6 to those of us in the States) now comes in both a hatchback and sport wagon body styles, complete with either a 2.0-liter or a 2.5-liter four pot. Although there's some debate on whether or not these models will make it over to our shores, both will likely enjoy the same levels of popularity that the outgoing Atenza enjoyed at home.

Mazda's full press release is available after the jump and you can check out a combination of live and press images of both models in the gallery below.



All live photos ©2007 Damon Lavrinc / Weblogs, Inc.

The expansion of BMW's M3 lineup is expected to take place sooner than we anticipated, and a new version of the Bavarian bomber will finally put the oft-maligned sequential gearbox to rest. According to Auto Telegraaf, BMW will be debuting the M3 sedan at a major Stateside auto show, likely L.A. or Detroit, and along with an extra set of doors, it'll be sporting the automaker's new dual-clutch gearbox. Rumored to be dubbed "M DCT," the new 'box will get seven forward gears that can be controlled by either a new shift lever, much like the one found in the new X5, or steering-wheel mounted paddles shifters. BMW also plans to offer a traditional six-speed manual for those who prefer to row their own gears.

The regularly spied convertible version of the M3 is also on its way, which is proving to be an engineering challenge for the M-division due to the extra tonnage the retractable hardtop tacks onto the curb weight. We've heard that a track-bred CSL is also under development, and that its debut is likely to take place some time in 2009.

[Source: Auto Telegraaf via Motor Authority]

UPDATE: Concept sketches added after jump, which actually don't look half bad.

A Mini, a Chrysler 300 and a Ferrari 612 once spent a crazy night partying in Moscow, and nine months later, this was the result: a hideously ugly, yet strangely intriguing luxury limousine.

We don't know much about it, but here's what we do know. It's called the Vervolf, which we can only assume is Russian for Werewolf, which would strike us as a particularly fitting name for such a beastly abomination. It seems to be built by a private coachbuilder in St. Petersburg, and sells for Є60,000. What it's based on, what's under the hood, how it performs... these all remain question marks. We could find out, but we wouldn't want an intimate encounter with Polonium 210, an obvious component to this mutant car's creation. (Just kidding, Vlad.) But seriously, we wouldn't be surprised to find out it were driven by surplus Soviet-era nuclear power.

More pics of the mystery-mobile after the jump.

[Source: Fishki.net via Motorpasion]

Say what you will about the Jaguar X-Type wagon, shooting brake, you know it's a Jag when you see it. The same goes for the XJ, which was totally redesigned yet still retains its identity as an XJ and nothing else. In fact, the entire Jaguar line has a nice family look about it. The man responsible for the Jaguar design language, Ian Callum, has been awarded the highest honor the UK can muster for designers, the Royal Designers for Industry award. The honor is given to recognize designers who have "achieved sustained excellence in aesthetic and efficient design for industry." In a nutshell, we think what they're trying to say is that since taking the design reins at Jaguar in '99, Ian Callum has made Jaguars look great without resorting to excess frippery. Callum also has had a hand in shaping various Aston Martin, Ford, TWR and Ghia vehicles throughout his career. With the debut of the new XK coupe, it looks like there'll be no shortage of gorgeous Jaguars for us to drool over anytime soon.

The full press release can be found after the jump.

[Source: Jaguar]

Alfa Romeo's flagship 169 sedan is scheduled to replace the ageing 166 in 2009, but conflicting speculation has suggested that the luxury sedan could be based on either a stretched 159 chassis or on the upcoming Maserati Quattroporte successor. The latest reports coming out of Italy suggest it'll be sharing with the larger trident rather than the smaller Alfa.

The Fiat Group that dominates the Italian automotive industry has traditionally kept their brands separate, refusing to share most components, let alone platforms, in a bid to keep the marques distinct from each other and steer well clear of the increasingly popular trend of badge engineering. But in recent years, that trend has been reversing even in Turin. Maseratis started sharing components with Ferrari and now with Alfa Romeo, Fiat has been partnering with PSA and Suzuki on new models, and an upcoming Alfa hatchback will be based on the Fiat Punto. So with Maserati still lagging in profitability and Alfa trying to regain its prestige, it's no wonder they've decided to go this route for the upcoming 169 and Quattroporte sedans.

Together with the thrilling 8C Competizione sports car, the 169 marks Alfa Romeo's return to rear-drive after 15 years of horses pulling from the front.

[Source: Winding Road]

Peugeot is working on a replacement for the lackluster 607, the transportation of choice for French businessmen and park-anywhere foreign diplomats. Given the enthusiastic attention garnered by the show-stopping 908RC concept car shown at this year's Paris show, insiders expect the new range-topping French sedan to draw on the concept's aggressive lines, possibly joining the burgeoning league of upcoming four-door coupes along the lines of the Mercedes-Benz CLS, Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide.

Powering the car will be an array of engines, including a revised version of PSA's 2.7-liter six-cylinder HDi "clean diesel", plus an anticipated new gasoline V6 and maybe, if Francophile motorists are lucky, a new V8 as well. Just don't hold your breath for the impressive HDi V12 from the show car.

The artistic rendering comes courtesy of French car mag L'Auto-Journal, which enthusiasts have scanned and posted online.

Peugeot is capable of creating some unspeakably beautiful concept cars, and some ineffably atrocious production models. We'll be watching to see into which category its new saloon will fall.

[Source: Motor Authority]