Obtaining exclusive access to test mules is an opportunity that manufacturers grant once in a blue moon. Some would consider it for the lucky few while some would simply snare at the idea. Lexus, however, was kind enough to let celebrity car collector, Jay Leno, take a look at the unannounced 2013 Lexus IS. Looks like beat every other journalist to it...
Though the car is wrapped in camouflage, it does show some elements of the final design that were inspired by the LF-CC concept. Jay also reveals some facts like the longer wheelbase and the 8-speed automatic gearbox, which was only available on the previous gen IS-F. Nothing more can be said. So we will have to stay mum just like the engineer in the video. At least until its 2013 unveil!
The mule Jay got to drive was powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 engine that produces 306 horsepower. What’s surprising is the noise it makes. For a modest V-6 engine, it sure sounds like a V-8 engine. Lexus used to be famous for completely deleting the engine noise, but now it’s the other way around. Lexus sure is going in the right direction when it comes to driver-oriented cars. Watch out BMW!
With the LF-CC concept in mind and a picture of this mule, you can render what it would look in full metal and wait to see if you’ve rendered it correctly when Lexus officially unveils it at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show.
On November 15, Chevrolet unveiled the first official teaser for the seventh generation Corvette and, as promised, the second teaser has just arrived. While the first teaser was called "Conception," the second one is called "Calibration" and comes in the same day with the car’s official debut in Gran Turismo 5.
This second video presents the car’s road testing and offers a glimpse to the car’s instrumentation and the driver information system. They all seem to be perfectly designed for a sports car like the Corvette.
We have to admit we kind of like the message of this second video: "Roads will surrender!" We’ll find out in January whether the roads truly do “surrender” to the C7 `Vette or not.
Until then, check out the latest video above and stay tuned for more teasers. The next one drops on December 17, 2012 and we’ll bring it to you the second we get our hands on it.
It looks like BMW will also be unveiling a concept version of the upcoming 4-Series Coupe next to the X4 Concept at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. With about two months left before the car’s official debut, the upcoming 4-Series Coupe has been caught in production form and nearly fully uncovered somewhere in Munich, Germany while being loaded for transport to an internal presentation.
When compared to the current E92 3-Series coupe, the F32 features a sleeker roofline with a more fastback shaped tail end, but not as dramatic as in the Audi A7. The rear quarter windows have also been elongated, but the most visible styling embellishment is the front quarter panel vent, which not only adds a sporty visual flair, but also appears to be an actual functional vent. While the front end is still camouflaged, we expect to see wider and sleeker headlamps which, just like with the 3-Series sedan, will connect with the grille.
The model caught in these pictures is the 435i (or 440i) Sport Line. As you can see, the visible parts of the front bumper show differences from the F30 Sport Line front bumper and there is also a different exhaust system. There is a more prominent center U shaped trim piece which dips down from the inside of the air vents and forms a prominent lip below the license plate area. It also looks to be either black or carbon fiber. The car sits on 19" M Sport Wheels wrapped in 225 tires up front and 255 at the rear.
The next 4-Series Coupe will be offered with a choice of two engines: a 2.0-liter twin-turbo in-line 4-cylinder for the base version and the successor for the current N55 twin-turbo in-line 6-cylinder engine for the top version. Both engines will be available with either a manual transmission or 8-speed automatic, and both should also be available with xDrive.
After the BMW 4-Series Coupe Concept is unveiled in January, production will begin in the spring of 2013. The convertible version will follow later in 2013.
Rumors about a possible BMW X4 have been out and about for quite some time now, but it has been confirmed that a concept version of the X4 will be unveiled in January 2013 at the Detroit Auto Show. According to BMW chairman Norbert Reithofer this will be a near-production prototype that will offer customers a pretty good idea on the X4’s design.
The next X4 will be built on the same platform as the second-generation X3, but it will feature individual styling that will put it closer to the X6’s design. It will be distinguished by a coupe-style roofline, four doors and a heavily angled one-piece tailgate.
Under the hood we will most likely see the same engine as the new X3, including both four-cylinder diesel and straight six-cylinder gasoline engine. BMW will also offer an M version powered by a twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder gasoline engine - the same to be used in the next M3.
The BMW X4 will go on sale in North America in early 2014. The model will be priced at about $42K and will target models like the upcoming Porsche Macan.
Auto giant Chevrolet has announced that it will reveal its heavy duty pickup, the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado, on December 13th before the auto-show debut at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. Along with the reveal date, Chevy has also teased us with an image of the Silverado’s headlight.
Riding on the new K2 platform that is slated to underpin the next gen Cadillac Escalade, GMC Sierra and Yukon, and the Chevrolet Suburban, the Silverado will be evolutionary in terms of design. From the mule videos that were posted earlier, one can render how this hard-working beast might look. Looks apart, the interior is also said to be receiving an overhaul, with higher quality materials and better, luxurious upgrades in its infotainment systems.
The upcoming rig will be powered by the new small-block V8 engines that will power the whole heavy-duty lineup in GM, along with a V6 base-engine.
Other details will be posted once GM officially reveals the Silverado.
Overall, we think that the 2014 Silverado will take a leap forward in terms of refinement and technology, and prove that it’s a worthy pick over competition like the Ford F-250 and the Dodge Ram.
So, are you truck fans excited yet?
We saw the Acura NSX Concept at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show and we were all pretty much amazed by it. Unfortunately, at that time, Honda had no concrete idea of when the NSX would see production, and left us hanging by telling us that it would be in showrooms within three years. Since then, we have speculated about just as far as we can.
Well, according to Auto Express, that speculation may be over sooner than we expected, as it is reporting that a Honda rep said that the production NSX would debut at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. Oddly enough, this is the same exact show that the 2014 Corvette will debut at. Looks as if we are in for a new-sports-car showdown to launch 2013.
The exact details of the NSX are really unknown, but according to Auto Express’s report, the production NSX will be “identical” to the concept model we saw this past January. Additionally, the Acura NSX will wear a “Honda” badge in the UK, as is standard for many UK-sold Acuras. In the U.S., however, we expect it to retain the Acura name.
We’ll keep an eye out for more information on the upcoming NSX and we’ll watch out for any confirmation from Honda regarding this rumored unveiling.
After initial rumors and reports that Ferrari would unveil the highly anticipated flagship at the 2013 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), now, according to Autoblog.com, reports suggest that Ferrari hasn’t finalized the plans for a worldwide launch. So, Ferrari enthusiasts who have penned down the date on their calendar will sadly have to strike them off.
On the other hand, the Prancing Horse might consider a private launch, separate from all the big car shows, so that they can grab more attention and more people to drool over it. A likely reason for its change of plans is because of the unveiling of the sister brand’s - Maserati - next generation Quattroporte. If debuted at the same show, the F70 would’ve drawn the entire Detroit population towards its stand leaving the Maserati stand deserted.
According to previous reports and a spy shot of the engine bay, the Ferrari F70 is expected to get a V12 engine with an F1-inspired KERS system that will pump out a combined output of 920 hp (686 kW). The supercar could have a curb weight of only 1134 kg (2500 lbs) thanks to a 20 percent lighter chassis made from carbon fibre. The carbon tub that underpins the F70 was shown off at the Paris Motor Show which was enough to increase the excitement and anticipation of its launch.
The 2012 Hyundai Veloster made its debut at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show and it warmed our hearts in terms of looks, but its 138 HP leaking out of the Gamma 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine chilled us to the bone. Shouldn’t a "sports car" have a little more push that that? Hyundai’s answer to that question came to the 2012 Detroit Auto Show when they unveiled the new Veloster Turbo - a model powered by a new 1.6-liter turbocharged-gasoline direct injection engine that delivers a total of 201 HP.
Next to a more powerful engine, the new Veloster Turbo will be distinguished by a bigger, bolder hexagonal front grille, sculpted side skirts, and new dynamic rear bumper with prominent diffuser vents. The car sits on a new set of 18" gray wheels with chrome inserts. For the interior, Hyundai has added full leather seats with the word "Turbo" stitched into the seatbacks and an exclusive Supervision Cluster that offers the driver information in a larger, clearer, and more interactive format.
UPDATE 06/04/2012: Despite previous rumors, the Veloster Turbo won’t be priced under $20k. Hyundai has announced today prices for the new Veloster Turbo: $21,950 for the Veloster Turbo equipped with a 6-Speed Manual Transmission and $22,950 for the 6-Speed Automatic version.
Hit the jump to read more about the new 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo.
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Some of you might be too young to remember this, but back in the 60’s, Dodge had a vehicle called the "Dart." It’s been a while since we saw this nameplate out on the streets, but now, Dodge has officially brought it back with the unveiling of a new compact sedan at the 2012 North American International Auto Show.
The new Dart is currently under development and will be based on a modified version of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta hatchback’s platform named Compact U.S. Wide (CUSW). According to Dodge, the new Dart will feature a body that’s made out of high-strength steel and a bevy of powertrain options.
The base engine for the new Dart will be a 1.4-liter MultiAir Intercooled Turbo engine. Just ahead of that is a 2.0-liter Tigershark engine, while the most powerful engine will be a 2.4-liter MultiAir Tigershark engine.
UPDATE 04/30/2012: Dodge has unveiled a new promo video for the 2013 Dart Limited. The video presents running footage and beauty shots of the car. Hit the jump to watch the video!
Find out more about the 2013 Dodge Dart after the jump.
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Bentley put a hold on developing any new models in order to work on a new 4.0 liter, twin turbocharged V8 engine that we already expected to see in the Continental GT V8 at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. Details for the Coupe model were already revealed to that effect, but now that the auto show has opened its doors, the new Continental GTC V8 was there, welcoming the auto industry with open arms with its new engine and a total of 500 HP and 487 lb ft of torque. In Europe, the GTC V8 is priced at €149,600 - or about $191,000 at the current exchange rates. Prices for the North American market will be announced at a later date.
"With the new 4.0 liter V8 engine we are widening the appeal of the latest generation of Continentals, introducing a completely new driving experience. The new engine will have all the exhilarating power, drama and performance you would expect from a V8 engine sporting the famous Bentley wings, effortlessly delivered with our characteristic ‘wave of torque’. This is complemented by innovative powertrain technology that delivers exceptional fuel efficiency and emissions," said Wolfgang Dürheimer, Chairman and Chief Executive, Bentley Motors.
UPDATE 02/20/12: Bentley has released a new crop of images for the Continental GTC V8, all of which you can check out in the gallery below!
UPDATE 03/19/12: Bentley has unveiled a very cool promo video for their latest Continental GTC V8. Enjoy!
Hit the jump to read more about the new Bentley Continental GTC V8.
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