Jaguar certainly knew what they were doing when they presented the XKR-S at this year’s Geneva Motor Show and now they are bringing yet another spark to their lineup with an XF version of the speedier package. At this same event, the company also confirmed a future compact model that will compete with the BMW 3-Series, a four-cylinder diesel option for XF in Europe, a 4x4 drivetrain targeting North America, and a petrol V6 option for the XJ luxury sedan in China.
The firm’s global brand director Adrian Hallmark said in a recent interview: "’I can confirm there is a project to transfer the upgrades from the XKR-S to the XFR, but we haven’t confirmed it for production yet. But it would be great to see the XF with 550hp!"
Jaguar has yet to offer any real details on the future RS package for the XF sedan, but the 550 HP engine from the XKR-S will surely transfer over. Our recent spy shots show the wheels from the XKR-S will also used for the XFR-S.
UPDATE 02/02/2012: In an interview with Autocar, a senior company insider has confirmed that Jaguar is indeed working on an XFR-S sports sedan that will take on models like the BMW M5. The new model will be powered by a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine that will deliver a total of 550 HP. As for the exterior, it will receive the same treatment as the XKR-S. On the British market, the XFR-S will be priced at about £70K, or about $110,000 at the current rates.
The Porsche 911 Speedster is a rare variant with only three generations notched onto its belt. The first was provided for the 911/930 from 1975-1989 and the second was built from the 911/964 generation from 1990-1994. After 16 years of dormancy, the 911 Speedster arrived at the tail end of the 997 series, more than likely to allow the generation to go out with a bang, but we would have much rather Porsche held out for the 991 generation.
If they had held out, we would expect the
911 Speedster to be the last variant to show up on the 911 roster, sometime in 2013. Like the current model, Porsche would focus on making the car lighter and more powerful: the current version uses a 3.8-liter flat six engine that produces 408 HP. Of course, the model would also be a limited edition, so many of us would be unable to get our hands on one.
That may not matter though. When taking history into account, the odds of Porsche bringing the 911 Speedster back only a few years after the previous version are slim to none, but we couldn’t help thinking of what the model would look like if they did.
Audi will be bringing the new generation A3 hatchback to the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March, leading the way to the unveiling of the S3 and RS3 versions shortly thereafter. The RS3 will be the last to arrive, but will undoubtedly be the most impressive.
The new RS3, like the entire A3 family, will be built on a new MQB platform that will make the car about 10% lighter when compared to its predecessor. Audi will also adopt an updated exterior language as seen in the A3 Concept unveiled last year at the Geneva Motor Show. There will also be an improved interior and an upgraded infotainment system.
Under the hood, the next RS3 will retain its usual turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine, but its output will be increased from the current 340 HP to 350 HP. Audi will also be working to improve fuel economy.
More details about the next RS3 will follow shortly, so stay tuned! Until then, check out our rendering and let us know what you think!
Since half of Europe is facing some extreme winter conditions, it’s the perfect opportunity for automakers to get some extreme testing out of the way for a lot of their models. BMW was on deck today with its i3 electric hatchback and some snowy conditions somewhere in Northern Sweden.
The i3 prototype was still heavily camouflaged, but with all of the details already released by BMW, it wasn’t too much of a bother. We already know that the i3 will be powered by a 170 HP electric engine that will sprint the car from 0 to 60 mph in under 8 seconds and up to a top speed of 93 mph. Previous details suggest that the car will be built on a new LifeDrive architecture that will help reduce the car’s weight by 250 to 300 kilos. The coolest part about this little hatchback is that it will sporting suicide doors. That in it and of itself is enough to warrant at least a test drive when the new BMW i3 goes on sale in 2013. Projected price will be about $50,000 (European price). The company plans to build about 30,000 units.
Every German car company has their performance tuning arm and Audi is no different. The “S” badging has come to mean something special for Audi fans and the current line of S models compete with the likes of Mercedes AMG and BMW M models. Throughout the past 5 years or so, the automotive industry, especially this high end sector, has seen a never ending horsepower and performance war. The original Audi RS6 could be considered the catalyst for the addition of a Kompressor for the Mercedes 5.4-liter powerplant and for BMW dropping a 500-hp V10 into the M5.
As that mid-size sports sedan war has begun to cool down, the entry level sedans are receiving more attention. The rumors that Mercedes will add a C63 Black Series model to the lineup may end up speeding the production of Audi’s next RS4. The original model was a muscle car in a tight suit producing 414hp from a 4.2-liter V8 that was stuffed in the small engine compartment. This, in addition to a tightened suspension, bigger brakes, and a six-speed manual, make the car very hard to compete with.
Recently, Audi has been spied testing a mule version of the RS4 Avant. Before we get too excited, let’s remember something interesting about Audi. For starters, they like to test their ultra-high performance sedans in Avant (wagon) form before expanding to the more traditional models. In the past Audi has also made models in RS4 Avant form and never brought them to the United States. That being said, this next generation RS4 should be hitting the market within the next several years. Audi has already confirmed the RS5 model will be coming to the United States and when that happens, the RS4 should not be far behind.
UPDATE 01/31/2012: Audi has officially confirmed that the RS4 Avant will be making its world in March at the Geneva Motor Show. The model will be equipped with a 4.2 FSI V8 engine that will deliver a total of 450 HP. Next to it, Audi will also be unveiling the A1 Quattro, the new generation A3, and the A6 Allroad Quattro.
Hit the jump for more details on the Audi RS4 Avant
