Europeans have been driving a diesel version of the Porsche Cayenne since 2009, but now Porsche has finally decided that it was the right time for the US market to get in on the action. After being rumored for quite some time, the US version version of the Cayenne Diesel will be making its world debut at the 2012 New York Auto Show.
The new Cayenne Diesel is powered by an efficient 3.0-liter V6 turbo
diesel engine that delivers a total of 240 HP and 406 lb.-ft. of torque. It sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.2 seconds and can hit a top speed of 135 mph. This figures are delivered while still providing a fuel economy of 23 mpg on a combined cycle. The engine is mated to an 8-speed Tiptronic S transmission, without the Auto Start/Stop function available on other Cayenne variants.
The new Porsche Cayenne Diesel will go on sale in September 2012 at a starting price of $55,750, not including a $975 destination charge.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Porsche Cayenne Diesel.
The Toyota Venza was launched for the first time back in 2008, but it’s preparing to enter the 2013 model year with enhanced exterior styling, added value through several new standard convenience features, and updated option packages. Its official debut was made at the 2012 New York Motor Show and sales are scheduled to begin later in 2012.
At the front, the new Venza has received a new upper and lower grille, fog lamps, and rear taillights. Toyota is also offering a new set of 19" wheels and a choice of the new exterior colors: Attitude Black, Cypress Pearl, and Cosmic Gray Mica.
Like the previous version, the 2013 Venza will be offered in LE, XLE, and Limited grades, with a choice of four-cylinder or V6 engines. Both front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations will also be offered.
For 2013, the list of standard equipment will include, depending on the trim level: Driver Memory Seat, Reverse Tilt Outer Mirrors, Display Audio with Navigation and Toyota Entune, LED Daytime Running Lights, and Premium HDD Navigation with Entune and JBL.
UPDATE 04/03/2012: This review has been updated with the official images and specs for the Toyta Venza.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Toyota Venza.
According to the official SRT count-down, we have to wait another 32 hours until we finally get to see the new generation Viper in all its glory. Until then, SRT is delighting us with another teaser image - and the last one of the series - that reveals part of the car’s hood.
From this image, we can see that the Viper will be better than ever. Its strong character lines will make it even sportier and far more attractive than any Viper before it. Of course, this new image does nothing else than intrigue us further, but the official debut is getting closer and we’re hoping we can resist until then.
The new teaser image comes with the following note: "Thank you, fans, for your excitement surrounding the 2013 SRT Viper. Keep an eye on driveSRT.com throughout the week for an insider’s perspective before, during and after the launch."
We will preface this article by saying how odd it is to use the word “Ram” as a make and not a model. Please take note, Dodge, Ram, or whatever you want to call yourself today.
The Ram lineup of truck is in for something big, as the automaker plans to reveal an all-new addition to the lineup on April 5th. Dodge, err, Ram has begun a campaign dubbed “A Giant Awaits” where the truck builder will release one teaser picture per day until the unveiling of this new pickup. So now we get to decipher five, or so, teaser pictures of random parts of a new truck.
Today was the first day of said campaign and Ram has released the above picture. Despite Ram claiming these pictures are supposed to be “not easily identifiable,” it took us about 10 seconds to figure out it is a restyled grille on a Ram pickup. Now, we are pretty certain all of this hubbub isn’t over a new grille, but that is all Ram is showing today.
So let’s examine this cheese grater-like grille and what it may mean. That type of grille is only seen on high-performance and luxury vehicles, and Ram already has the Laramie line of luxury-style pickups, so scratch that. All that leaves is a high-performance model, unless Ram is just drawing our attention to announce that the 2013 Ram is getting the Pentastar V-6 as its base engine, which we already know from Chrysler’s SEC filings.
Dodge scrapped the SRT10 model Ram following the 2006 model year, due to low sales and the Viper’s notoriously undependable and fuel-hungry engine. But what about an SRT8 model, bearing the same 470-horsepower, 6.4-liter V-8 that the 2012 Challenger SRT8 392 does? That engine is far more reliable, less expensive to maintain and gets better gas mileage than the Viper’s 8.3-liter V-10. This is all just speculation now. Just like us, you will just have to wait until more information is released.
Make sure you are sitting down for this one… We all now know that Datsun is making a comeback in coming years, but Ford now plans to resurrect an old timer too. Ford just announced that the once maligned Merkur nameplate will return for the 2013 model year.
For those of you that are too young or just don’t remember it, there were two Merkur models built from 1985 through 1989: the XR4TI and Scorpio. The former was the maker’s coupe and the latter was the sedan. The XR4TI was actually a relatively fast car, bearing a 175-horsepower, 2.3-liter turbocharged engine. Unfortunately, Merkur failed due to terrible build quality which caused them to be on the side of the road more often than they were on the road – I know, I owned an ’86 XR4TI.
Ford has already procured a facility in Germany to manufacture these cars and they will not be rebadged versions of European Fords. The XR4TI will hit the market around Christmas time bearing the ECOboost 2.0-liter engine, which will pump out a massive 286 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque, after some minor upgrades that Ford is staying quiet on. It will be mated to a six-speed transmission and Ford is exploring the possibility of all-wheel drive, but nothing is in the works for it yet.
The Scorpio will follow a few months later, as it hits showrooms in early-2013, bearing a slightly less impressive 3.5-liter V-6 – the same engine that the base 2013 Taurus will have – that cranks out 288 horsepower.
Both vehicles are still in development, but Ford plans to unveil them at the New York Auto Show on April 5th. Ford also made it quite clear that its intentions with these vehicles are to compete with fellow German automakers BMW and Mercedes, so expect these models to bear very advanced features. Quite a lofty goal for a once failed car company.
Hit the Jump for the Press Release.
UPDATE 04/02/2012: In case you hadn’t realized it yet, April Fool’s!! This information is 100% false and was created for our amusement on this wonderful day!
The third model in Subaru’s line-up at the 2012 New York Auto Show - next to the XV Crosstrek and the Outback - will be a revised version of the Legacy sedan. Just like its bigger brother - the 2013 Outback - the new Legacy will feature a revised interior, a new 2.5-liter BOXER engine, and a series of new safety elements.
The 2013 Legacy will be offered in two versions: Legacy 2.5i and Legacy 3.6R. The 2.5i models will be powered by a new 2.5-liter boxer engine that delivers a total of 173 HP and a peak torque of 174 lb-ft, while the 3.6R models will continue with their usual 256 HP 3.6-liter six-cylinder boxer engine.
For the exterior, Subaru is offering new headlights, a new grille, and a new front bumper. The interior gets new seat fabrics and a dark, glossy wood grain trim. Numerous improvements have also been made to the body structure, suspension, and steering.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Subaru Legacy.
At the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show, Mazda debuted a new concept, the Takeri, and it just may be a preview to another anticipated vehicle – the new Mazda6. The Takeri concept vehicle, which will make its American debut at the New York Auto Show on April 4th, is just another addition to Mazda’s “KODO” design, which is rather wild, even for Mazda. The Takeri will feature Mazda’s SKYACTIV-D engine - a 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel engine - which is designed to decrease emissions and increase fuel economy.
This intelligent diesel engine also features what Mazda calls “i-Stop,” which shuts the engine off during extended stops and restarts it within 0.4 seconds of pressing the accelerator again. That’s the fastest restart of any automatic engine shutdown system today, but still, once that technology starts breaking down, it will be a nightmare for owners.
There are no details on the U.S. version of the 2.2-liter engine, but the European version produces 170 horsepower in the CX-5.
The most interesting thing about this release is that it is coming on the forefront of an anticipated redesign for the Mazda6. Looking at the spy shots of the 2013 Mazda6 that we teased back in January and comparing them to the Takeri image, the similarities are uncanny.
We are going to go ahead and make the call that the Takeri coming to the U.S. bearing its 2.2-liter diesel engine will ultimately be Mazda’s announcement of an all-new Mazda6. While the redesign may not be a complete shock, the 2.2-liter diesel and other SKYACTIV technologies fitted on the 2013 Mazda6 – lowered engine compression, i-Stop, high-tech transmission, and more rigid, yet lighter, body – should help keep future owners away from the gas pumps a little more often.
Hit the jump to read the official press release from Mazda.
SRT promised that if their Facebook page got another 2013 fans in 2013 minutes they would show us a new teaser image of the upcoming Viper. Turns out, they were just a little shy of their goal, but they are still providing us with a new teaser showing off a bit of the car’s interior.
The image came with the following description: "This will be your first and only peek inside the 2013 SRT Viper before its debut at the New York International Auto Show on April 4. Click the ’share’ button below to tell your friends. Then, take a closer look. What do you see?"
The shot is a partial of the interior, but we can still see the red sport seats, part of the center console which is covered in black leather with red contrast stitching, and the six-speed manual gearbox shifter (as opposed to paddle shifters). We may also be looking at some aluminum trim sparkling in the subtle light.
The official launch debut has been set for Wednesday, April 4 at 11:55 AM EDT. Stay close to get the official details first!
The "GMC Truck" marque first appeared on vehicles exhibited at the 1912 New York International Auto Show. Now, 100 years later, GMC will bring the Yukon and Sierra Heritage Editions to celebrate the company’s centenary. The new Heritage Editions will be offered on the Sierra 1500 Crew Cab, Yukon, and Yukon XL models in SLT trim, priced at $2,645 for Sierra and $1,970 for Yukon and Yukon XL package.
The new models will be distinguished by commemorative exterior badges on the doors, a chrome package for Sierra, a new set of 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels, and different equipment for the interiors. Three colors will be available – a new, exclusive Heritage Blue ($195), White Diamond ($995), or Onyx Black (no additional cost). Interior colors for the Yukon are Ebony and Light Tan.
"The GMC brand always looks forward, but this day provides an opportunity to celebrate 100 years of the proud GMC name," said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president of GMC Marketing. "Sierra and Yukon are two of our longest-running and most-respected nameplates, so it makes sense to use them to represent our heritage."
It’s time to take a little break from all the Subaru BRZ excitement and focus our attention on other models from Subaru’s line-up. This is especially important now that the 2012 New York Auto Show is getting closer and the company has announced a series of debuts for the show. The first is a restyled version of their Outback SUV. The 2013 model will receive a new exterior face, a new, more efficient powertrain, and a series of new safety systems. All in all, it looks like the Outback is prepared to be better than ever.
The 2013 Subaru Outback will be offered in three trim levels - Base, Premium, and Limited - and all of them are powered by a new double-overhead-cam (DOHC) 2.5-liter FB series Boxer engine that delivers a total of 173 hp and 174 lb.-ft. of torque. Despite the extra 3 HP, this new engine will deliver a fuel economy of 30 mpg (on the highway) - a 1 mpg increase over the previous version.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Subaru Outback.
