The Mercedes GLK went on sale in 2009 and after a few years on the market, is just about due for a facelift. Our spy photographers were able to capture the future Mercedes during some cold weather testing in Northern Sweden, wearing a tad bit less camouflage than in the past. With the camouflage strip down comes new details about the future facelifted GLK.
In these images, we can see that the light tube in the headlights will be similar to the ones found on the recently revealed Mercedes B-Class and will alter the light graphic. The front bumpers have also been redesigned and new front air intakes have been added. At the rear, the lights will also be redesigned and will receive LED technology.
The spy photographers were also able to get a shot of the interior, giving way to new air outlets on the dash that follow the new round design and look of the SLS. The revised GLK is also getting the gear changer for the automatic gearbox moved to the steering rack - like its bigger brothers, the ML and GL - instead of in the middle console like on the current model.
As far as powering the crossover goes, no official details have been provided just yet, but it has been rumored that Mercedes will offer a new engine range, including a new 3.5-liter V6 with 302 HP (up from the current 258 HP) and 273 lb-ft of torque for the GLK350.
The facelifted Mercedes GLK will be revealed sometime in 2012.
There are few Volvos in this world that you can consider iconic cars, but if there ever was one, the old P1800 definitely tops that list. Unfortunately, the classic Swedish coupe has been lost in time, discontinued long ago with only memories serving proof of its existence.
This year, the P1800 is celebrating what would have been its 50th anniversary, and even if there’s no direct successor to the model, Volvo’s chief designer at its Monitoring and Concept Center, Chris Benjamin, has produced a visual sketch of what a modern-day P1800 could look like.
As a reminder of what-could-have-been, the "new" P1800 is certainly a car that would look pretty darn good in today’s world, but seeing as the Swedish company is currently in flux with drastic changes expected to be made in the coming months, there’s no telling if this sketch will even see the light of day - even as a concept.
Then again, the auto industry has proven time and again that you can never count out anything. If a modern-day P1800 is to be developed, we certainly wouldn’t hold back Volvo - and Geely, for that matter - from attempting to do so.
After all, it wasn’t that long ago when a couple of Korean brands were considered as mere afterthoughts. Now, Hyundai and Kia have become two of the biggest brands in the world.
So yeah, if there’s a model that deserves to have it’s silver anniversary celebrated, it’s the Volvo P1800. Cross your fingers that this "new-look" sketch comes to life in the near future.
Recently, we were able to catch a strange-looking Ferrari California prototype testing around Maranello with a strange bulb on the hood and different air intakes, leading us to think of only one thing: a turbo engine. At first, we thought that it may be a future GTO or Scuderia version of the new California, but British magazine, AutoCar, is now reporting that this prototype is actually the new Handling Speciale package. This package will offer significant upgrades to the vehicle’s steering, dampers, and springs, as well as a little power boost.
The Handling Speciale’s power upgrade starts with tweaks made to the ECU system and the addition of a new alloy intake manifold, which together add an extra 28 HP and 15 lb-ft of torque. That will leave the California with 483 HP and 372 lbs-ft for customers to utilize to their hearts’ content. The new California Handling Speciale will also offer reprogrammed control software for the magnetorheological dampers and lower-friction seals in the Delphi-supplied dampers that will allow the suspension to respond up to 50% faster to bumps.
Along with the extra bump in the hood and the modified air intakes, the Ferrari California’s exterior will also receive a dark chrome trim for the grille and side air vents.
Expect the new Ferrari California Handling Speciale to debut in February 2012.
The next generation Audi A3 has been caught testing yet again, this time during some winter testing. Audi was the first automaker to take full advantage of the winter testing grounds in Northern Sweden, right when the weather was just right. This marks the vehicle’s final testings, which means the launch date is right around the corner.
The new A3 will come in four different body styles. The first to arrive will be the three door hatch, which will then be followed by a five door hatch, - called the Sportback - a convertible, and for the first time, a four door sedan. The new model will be slightly larger than the current model and will be built on Volkswagen’s new MQB platform. The engine line-up will include a choice between six enginesc consisting of both TSI and TDI variants. Power will range between 105 HP and 210 HP, and all engines will bring a 20% improvement in fuel economy. Audi has also announced that they will be be bringing in all-electric and hybrid models for 2013.
We absolutely just love talking about wagons that we’ll never get to see on our side of the pond. Wait, scratch that. It actually sucks to hear that Jaguar has finally confirmed the XF Wagon and Europe will be one of the few that will actually revel in its luxurious five door space. It’s not their fault that the British brand is going where the wagon demand is at its highest nor that we decided bigger was better before giving these in-between vehicles a chance, but we’re still a little envious.
Details on the future XF Wagon are more than scarce considering we don’t even have a possible debut date on our hands, but Andrew Whyman, XF Vehicle Engineering Manager for Jaguar, has said: "I can’t say when or how much, but it is on the cards." Well, Whyman, it’s been in the cards since about 2009 so can we speed this up a bit? Our best guess is that we will see this wagon rolling in around the same time as the next generation XF scheduled for release in 2015, maybe as a 2016 model.
Whyman also said that we can expect something special in terms of the design: "Ian Callum [Jaguar design chief] will do something different with this. It will be slightly different, with character and panache."
When Jaguar finally does get around to building the XF Wagon, it will target models such as the Audi A6 Avant and the BMW 5-Series Touring, which have had the wagon market on a tight hold thus far.
UPDATE 11/29/2011: Jaguar has released a couple of images of the future XF Sport Brake testing! Check them out!
UPDATE 12/08/2011: Jaguar has found its holiday spirit and used it to tease the upcoming XF Wagon in a very cool Christmas card. Santa sure has some pull; it seems he’s ditching the sleigh this year in favor of the unreleased Jaguar XF.
Stay tuned for more details on the Jaguar XF Wagon!
