At the beginning of 2013, Mazda and Alfa Romeo signed an agreement that will bring a new roadster to each company: a new MX-5 for the Japanese company and a new Spider for the Italian one. Both models will be built at Mazda’s Hiroshima plant starting 2015, but each model will offer its own engines.
Until now, it has been rumored that the MX-5 would use a 1.3-liter turbocharged engine that features SkyActiv technology. However, new details suggest that the tiny roadster could also get a diesel engine. you read that right; we said diesel…
However, because a diesel roadster could be a tough sell to traditionalists, Mazda will still offer a gasoline alternative. Rumors suggest that this diesel engine will be a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter SkyActiv engine that produces approximately 130 horsepower. This would give the Miata its lowest horsepower output since it bumped the standard 1.8-liter four-cylinder to 133 horsepower in 1996.
As for the Spider version, it could be offered with a turbocharged 1.4-liter ‘TB’ engine with power ranging from 120 horsepower in the base model to 296 horsepower for the top versions. Both models will be offered with a six-speed manual gearbox.
Mazda will focus on offering modern materials and design techniques that could help keep the total weight down to about 1,760 pounds.
Click past the jump to read more about the next MX-5.
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The long awaited Audi A9 has been in limbo for the past couple of years with Audi seemingly taking its time to unveil its new flagship sedan. And that’s after word spread out that the German automaker trademarked the A9 and S9 names last year.
But there appears to be a groundswell of movement in Ingolstadt these days and according to Auto Motor und Sport, the A9 is expected to be launched in 2016.
Circle those calendars, fellas.
The date of the A9’s launch has changed multiple times, but the latest timetable seems to point to a more concrete expectation as to when the luxury sedan finally comes out and smiles to the cameras.
Another interesting tidbit surrounding the A9 involves the platform it’s going to use, which apparently is the same one that will underpin the next-generation Q7. Now, that’s interesting, considering that the Q7 is a pretty large SUV.
Guess it’ll be interesting to see what the A9 is going to look like, but fortunately, we made a rendering of the luxury sedan (above). Read more about the A9 after the jump.
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The new-generation 911 Turbo was caught testing many times, but today the Stuttgart-based company decided to finally drop the official details on the new model.
The exterior brings no major changes, but we have to admit it is the best looking model from the new generation 911. It received a new all-wheel-drive system, active rear-axle steering and adaptive aerodynamics among many other new features. The new 911 Turbo also features the widest body of all 911s, as it is about 28 mm (1.10 inches) wider than the 911 Carrera 4 models.
As previously rumored, the new 911 Turbo will only be offered with only the PDK gearbox.
The 911 has taken a lot of heat from plenty of manufacturers as of late, including a relative newcomer to the realm – Nissan – so buyers now have more choices than ever. Is the 911 Turbo still the king of the hill?
UPDATED 05/03/2013: This review has been updated with the official details, images and specs.
Click past the jump to read more about the new Porsche Turbo.
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It started with the 2014 911 GT3, and a report from Road and Track claims that Porsche decided that the new-generation 911 Turbo will also be offered only with a PDK gearbox. So those of you who were hoping for a manual 911, you’ll have to hurry and snag one up in the current generation.
Along with the transmission shift, the report also claims the new 911 Turbo will offer lots of innovations, like a computer-controlled center differential, water-cooled Haldex unit and rear active steering for more maneuverability. Also, when compared to a base 911, the new-generation Turbo will be about 2.8 inches wider and, for the first time, the car’s roof can either be painted or made in glass or carbon fiber.
The base Turbo model will deliver a total of 520 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, while in the S version it will be increased to 560 horsepower and 516 pound-feet. Top speed will be limited to 196 mph, but if the tires could handle it, it could have been easily increased to 207 mph. Fuel consumption has also been lowered by 13 percent.
We have kept the best for last. The current 911 Turbo lapped Nürburgring in 7:39 (7:37 for the S version) and rumors now point to the new Turbo to coming in at way under 7:30. Could it beat Carrera GT’s 7:25? We’ll see.
Click past the jump to read more about the 911 model
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At the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, Spyker announced its global resurgence with the unveiling of the B6 Venator - a concept car that previews a future Porsche 911 competitor set to be unveiled in early 2014. The concept we saw in Switzerland was shown only as a coupe, but it looks like a roadster version will also be offered.
The announcement was made by Spyker in an official document revealing the company’s financial situation. Talking about the new B6 Venator, Spyker said: "The response has been very positive and we are confident that we will be able to build a strong order book for the B6 Venator. We intend to launch the Spyder (open) version of the B6 Venator later this year."
We expect the Spyder version to look nearly identical to the coupe version, except of course its soft top.
*Image Note: The above image is of the B6 Venator Coupe Concept, not the Spyder version.
Click past the jump to read more about the B6 Venator Coupe version.
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Hyundai unveiled the Genesis sedan back in 2008 with hopes of attacking the market being dominated by models like the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes E-Class. It did okay for a while, but then both German models saw facelifts and the competition got fiercer. Hyundai shot back with a facelifted version for the 2012 model year, but now Hyundai is working even harder for the second generation Genesis, which will be unveiled at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The show is set to kick off for the press on January 13th and the public on January 18th.
Hyundai may have only waited two years after the facelifted model to bring out the new generation, but the company has always had the shortest product cycle, so it shouldn’t be all that surprising. This allows Hyundai to keep its models fresh and with BMW and Mercedes in the loop of competition.
As far as the 2015 Genesis goes, Hyundai hasn’t offered any details on what changes the company will apply, but expect a new design language. It won’t be completely new, but will feature major changes on the front grille - expect a grille similar to the one found in the new Genesis Coupe, new headlamps, a new bonnet and new bumpers. The interior will also receive a series of new technologies.
In terms of power, the next generation Hyundai Genesis will feature the same, albeit updated, engines with improved power outputs and fuel economy.
UPDATE 4/30/2013: Per Edmunds, Hyundai has announced that it will unveil the 2015 Genesis at the 2014 North American Auto Show in Detroit. Additionally, the model will have optional all-wheel drive for the first time ever.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Genesis
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Two weeks ago it was rumored that the new Rolls Royce Wraith could also get a convertible version. Also tossed out there was that the company is also planning either a crossover or a hatchback. However, it appears that those rumors weren’t completely true.
Speaking at the British launch of the new Wraith coupe, Rolls Royce CEO, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, has confirmed that indeed the next model to be developed by the company will be a Wraith convertible, and at the same time he denied any possibility of an SUV.
In fact, he said that Rolls Royce never considered an SUV because it will be impossible to make it have the "gravitas or the effortless driving characteristics that make a true Rolls-Royce.” However, in the near future we expect to see an updated Rolls Royce lineup.
Rolls Royce hopes that the new Wraith coupe and the future convertible version will enjoy great success in the U.S. market and hopes it will sell around 1,500 units a year.
Click past the jump to read about the Wraith Coupe
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We brought you a rendering of a shooting brake version of the CLA-Class last year and now we have gotten a little confirmation of the car. In a conversation with What Car?, Mercedes’ design boss, Gordon Wagener, admitted that the company is currently planning to add a shooting brake variant sometime in the future.
With the CLS Shooting Brake receiving rave reviews for its careful mixture of utility, luxury and sportiness, and the CLA looking to add a little affordability to the mixture, a shooting brake model is nearly a no-brainer. For now, the report stops here, but we can say that this one is all but in the bag, considering the rather reliable source it comes from.
We’ll keep a close eye on this developing report and let you know as soon as Mercedes releases a little more confirmation.
Click past the jump to read more on the current CLA sedan
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It was little more than logic that once Porsche dropped new-generation Boxster onto the market, the Cayman was the next one to be uncovered. Its world debut was made today at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show and sales on the American market will begin in the Spring of 2013 a starting price of $52,600 for the Cayman and $63,800 for the Cayman S. Prices do not include a destination charge of $950.
The problem is that the next-generation Cayman offers no surprises. The design language, interior and engine lineup, we have seen it all in the previously announced Boxster. When compared to the previous generation, the new Cayman is 66 lbs lighter and 15 percent more fuel efficient. Engine’s output has also been increased by 10 horsepower in the standard model and by 5 horsepower in the S version.
With all those updates is the new Cayman any better than the model it replaces?
Updated 04/08/2013: Porsche has unveiled a new video featuring Chief Driving Consultant, Gordon Robertson, exploring the "Power of Balance" in the all-new Porsche Cayman.
Updated 04/26/2013: Porsche has dropped a new commercial (above) for the latest Cayman sports coupe. Called "The world is a curve," the new commercial was produced in cooperation with Pixomondo. Enjoy!
Hit the jump to to read more on the Cayman
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