Spied: 2013 Jaguar XE Roadster

As we left this year’s Geneva auto show, at which Jaguar kicked off the iconic E-type’s 50th birthday party, we were disappointed. After the music had stopped, the champagne flutes sat dry, and the confetti lay lifeless on the floor, we still had no E-type successor or tribute. Today, though, our spirits are lifted, as our crafty spy shooters have caught Jaguar testing a mule of what will become the modern version of the E-type, likely called XE.

Whether or not the future two-seater will be able to pick up the torch of the famed E-type, it’ll fill that car’s role within the Jag showroom. At first glance, this mule appears to be just a rough-bodied version of the XK, complete with its updated headlights, but upon further study we can clearly see that the wheelbase—and consequently, the sheetmetal—have been shortened. Note how the surface between the leading edge of the front of the rear fender and the door seam is smaller than it is on the XK, which is why the body lines no longer match. Additionally, the rear overhang has been compressed on this mule, displacing the fuel door. The tacked on fender flares could indicate a wider rear track than the XK has.

It shouldn’t take much Sherlock Holmes–ing to determine what lies under the hood. As this car will be based on the XK platform, we fully expect it to receive either a naturally aspirated or supercharged version of Jag’s spectacular 5.0-liter V-8. Additionally, we know Jaguar is working on a new V-6 for the XF sedan and a forthcoming BMW 3-series–size sedan, and anticipate that’ll find its way into a base model of the XE.

The XE will eventually be offered as both a coupe and a convertible. The ragtop should be the first to market, possibly entering production as early as 2012. Its primary targets will be the Porsche Boxster, Audi TT, BMW Z4, and Mercedes-Benz SLK. Figure on the XE being priced toward the pricier end of that segment, or around $60,000. Stay tuned for more details as the E-type’s party really gets rockin’.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

Spied: 2012 Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot isn’t as weird as a Citroën, nor is it as thrilling as a BMW M3. In spite of this—or perhaps because of it—Honda’s eight-passenger crossover SUV sells in substantial numbers, impressive work for a car that debuted in its second generation for 2008. (It joined our long-term test fleet soon after.) To keep shoppers interested, though, Honda’s making some tweaks for 2012, and our spy shooters have caught one of the face-lifted Pilots running around.

The most notable difference is the change in the grille. The current car’s cyborg-like front fascia was a bit of a styling risk from such a conservative company, and while it probably didn’t hurt sales, it didn’t win loads of fans either. It’s immediately apparent from these images that the flat grille will disappear, to be replaced with a three-slat insert. Tape on the rear bumper suggests some resurfacing there as well. Otherwise, the Pilot’s exterior remains mostly the same as it has been; it’s an inoffensive design and still looks fresh enough to satisfy families in the showroom.

Mechanically, the alterations to the Pilot will most likely be evolutionary. Honda has been upgrading most of its models’ five-speed automatic transmissions with six-ratio units; you can expect the Pilot to join the six-speed in-crowd. Between the new gearbox and—perhaps—some finessing of the engine’s greasy bits, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the Pilot gain an extra mile per gallon or two. For the folks who put cartoonish drawings of themselves and their pets on the rear window, this will be pleasant news.

We expect Honda to unveil the face-lifted Pilot sometime this fall, either at November’s Los Angeles auto show or at a less-full-of-fanfare venue. It’ll be a busy fall for the company’s crossover division, as we’re also expecting an all-new CR-V. We’ll bring you full info on both cars when it arrives.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

Spied: 2013/2014 Ford Fiesta SUV

The new B-MAX isn't the only small Ford on the way – our spies have shot up close shots of another Fiesta-based prototype. And it drops the strongest hints yet that the B-MAX will be joined by an SUV brother rivalling Nissan's Juke.

Most obvious is the raised ride height and increased gap between the wheels and the wheelarches, hinting at greater ground clearance for rough roads. But look closely at the the tyres and you can just make out that this rugged-looking Fiesta rides on Pirello Scorpion ATR rubber – the Italian manufacturer's on/off-road tyre.

They may only be 16-inches in size but with chunky tread, this prototype looks like it'll be very capable in a variety of terrains. In addition, the wheels also protrude past each side of the car, showing the wider front and rear tracks.

Although this model wears a five-door Fiesta body, expect the finished article to get a stylish look simlar to that of the Kuga. Turbocharged Ecoboost engines will include a 1.0-litre three-cylinder and 1.6-litre four-cylinder, both with start-stop.

Developed under the One Ford strategy, the Fiesta SUV will be sold throughout the world, including the US and Far East. Expect to see a concept at a major motor show next year.For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express

Hot News: Lotus Confirms New V8 and City Car

British maker Lotus has confirmed that it will be building its own V8 engine for its upcoming range of new supercars. But at the other end of the line-up, it has also confirmed that a new city car will go on sale in the UK in 2014 too.

The new engine will be 4.8-litre V8, designed and built in Hethel, Norfolk. It will weigh around 170kg – that's 80kg lighter than the engine from the Lexus IS-F that was originally going to be used. The latter was vetoed by prospective buyers who thought the reborn firm should produce its own engines from the ground-up.

With a flat-plane crankshaft and a dry sump, the V8 will develop 570bhp and rev to 9,000rpm in standard tune. That figure will rise to 620bhp in even faster R versions.

The engine will be fired up on a test bench on August 18 and used in a new LMP2 racing car. It will then appear in the Esprit – due in 2013 in coupe and convertible form – and then the Elite 2+2 drop-top and Eterne four-door coupe. The engine will be a modular unit, so a four-cylinder unit (for the next-generation Elise) and a V6 will be produced from it too.

Lotus also confirmed it will build its city car concept, which will be based on the EMAS from parent company Prototon. Of the five sports cars revealed at last year's Paris Motor Show, the Elan has been shelved. Lotus boss Dany Bahar told Auto Express that the noses of the Esprit and Elan had been redesigned to distance the two cars from each other, but the Elan has now been put on ice completely. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express

Hot News: Audi Plans to Release 3 Sport SUVs by 2016

Audi will be adding three more SUVs to its portfolio, effectively doubling its current SUV lineup by 2016. Joining the odd-numbered Q3, Q5 and Q7 will be the sportier even-numbered Q2, Q4 and Q6. The new models are part of Audi’s strategy to meet the growing global demand for up-market SUVs.

“It’s clear that demand for SUVs and crossovers is still in an upswing phase and will remain so for some years to come. We want to make sure we have the coverage to satisfy it,” an Audi insider revealed to Autocar.

The new Q2 SUV will be the new baby in Audi’s SUV family. It will be based on an upcoming four-wheel drive version of the A1’s platform, which it will share with a Volkswagen cousin. The pair will fill the slot below the Q3/Volkswagen Tiguan and be about the size of the Nissan Juke – which “Audi designers admit to having in the design studio as a reference point,” according to Autocar. Although Audi is referencing the Juke design-wise the Q2 is set to compete head-on with the Mini Countryman. Expect engines to mirror those in the A1.

Built to rival Range Rover’s Evoque, the middle-of-the-pack Q4 will share platforms and most of its dimensions with the Q5. The one exception will be its roofline, which will be chopped just over two inches. Styling will be similar to the A5 Sportback, with more rake to its windshield than the Q5, shallower greenhouse and an angled liftback-style rear hatch. Fender flares reminiscent of 1980s rally Quattros are also a possibility. The interior will be similar to the Q5 but the middle seat on the second row is intended for limited use.

Expect engines for the U.S. market to include versions of the turbocharged 2.0 liter I-4 and the 270 hp naturally aspirated 3.2-liter gas V6. Other engine choices may include Audi’s 2.0-liter turbodiesel with 170 hp and 210 hp or a 240 hp 3.0-liter V6 diesel. An S-model for the North American market may feature Audi’s 328 hp supercharged 3.0-liter V6 gas-powered engine.

The top of Audi’s sporty SUV heap will be the Q6 which is set to rival BMW’s X6. Originally believed to be based on today’s Q7 it will utilize the MLB (‘modularen langsbau’ or modular longitudinal architecture) -based platform used by today’s Q5 and upcoming Q4 and Porsche Cajun. In an effort to reduce weight in all future Audis the big SUV’s body will be constructed mostly of aluminum and some composite plastic and carbon fiber.

Is six SUVs too many for Audi? Other manufacturers currently have several SUVs and crossovers: Ford has five (six if you count the Expedition EL separate from the Expedition) SUVs not including Lincoln versions (three); Toyota has seven not including Lexus (three) and Chevrolet has four not including GMC (four SUVs), Buick (one SUV) and Cadillac (two SUVs).How many SUVs are too many for one nameplate especially in today’s world of fluctuating fuel prices.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

New Car: 2012 Mini Cooper Coupe

Mini’s cars are known for their flingability, but the company is dragging its feet releasing info on its new Cooper Coupe. Last week, we got our first official photos of the car (albeit still partially covered in camouflage) and then got to drive a prototype (again, still partially covered in camouflage). This time, we’ve finally got photos of the whole car—not the concept, not spy shots of a camouflaged production car, not official shots of a camouflaged car, but official shots of a fully exposed production coupe, its thin quarter and rear glass uncovered, its helmet roof and racing stripes revealed in all their glory.

There is very little new information accompanying these new photos. For those of you who missed the last few stories, however, here is a recap of this re-capped Cooper: the Mini Coupe is a two-seat, trunk-ated (though not truncated) version of Mini’s feisty hatch, based on the Cooper convertible’s structure. It has the same footprint as the Cooper hatchback, but its roof is roughly an inch lower and it features a faster windshield angle. All three of the 1.6-liter engines offered on other Coopers sold in the States will be available in the coupe: the 121-hp naturally aspirated base four-cylinder, the raucous 181-hp turbocharged version of same, and the wild-child 208-hp John Cooper Works turbo four. Wheels will come in 15-, 16-, and 17-inch sizes, with plenty of different designs available as options.

Thanks to added bracing in the rear bulkhead and elsewhere, the Mini Cooper Coupe will be torsionally stiffer than the hardtop, but, at least in JCW form, it also will be roughly 55 pounds heavier. However, we already know that, thanks to bespoke suspension tuning and brake-based torque vectoring, the coupe is more fun to drive than any other Mini body style. (At least it is for now. Engineers on our drive of the JCW car told us the final calibrations could still change.)
Thanks to: Car and Driver

Upcoming Crossover 2012 Honda CR-V

2012 Honda CR-V is an upcoming crossover. There's still only little information about the car. According to a source, figure on a naturally aspirated four-cylinder being the only engine available. It should displace 2.4 liters like today’s CR-V engine, and expected it to make between 180 and 200 hp. It should be powerful crossover to beat its rival.

For the 2012 model, fuel economy also should improve slightly; in front-drive spec, the current model is rated for 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. (All-wheel-drivers are rated for 21/27.)



There will be a major changes to the upcoming CR-V in the seating layout. Every CR-V has been a strictly five-seat affair. Given the long rear overhang of the car, however, it looks like there just might be room for a small third row of seats for passengers. For this 2012 CR-V, Toyota sells a three-row RAV4, but most others in the segment serve a maximum of five.

Honda promised the 2012 Honda CR-V will offer good driving dynamics, and it will be a sensible choice for Americans costumers. Yes, this next-generation CR-V will maintain the current car’s sales success. Rumored, the new CR-V will be debuted at the Los Angeles auto show this November! Stay tuned for update information about the 2012 Honda CR-V!