After Mercedes unveiled the new generation CLS, rumors started to circulate about a Shooting Brake version. And while this isn’t the first time the vehicle has been caught testing, it is yet another confirmation that the Shooting Brake is happening, however strange it may seem.
The up and coming CLS Shooting Brake was in Northern Sweden doing some winter testing when our spy photographers caught up with it. If anyone expects to see great things from this new model, we recommend they stop dreaming. The Shooting Brake model will only be a station wagon version of the CLS and will feature the same design language as its sedan brother. The technology and engine lineup will also be shared.
This means that when the CLS Shooting Brake finally makes its appearance, it will be powered by a direct-injected 3.5-liter V6 capable of producing 306 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. An AMG version is also a strong possibility.
The Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake is expected to be unveiled sometime in 2012.
Porsche just unveiled the new generation Boxster which means the next to arrive will be the Cayman. From the looks of these spy shots, the sports car is just about ready, but this prototype has a few secrets to tell before its official debut.
These images of the future Cayman were shot in a city in Germany while the vehicle was testing, and not only reveal some of the exterior, but a first closeup of the interior as well. As expected, the interior will be very similar to that of the recently revealed Boxster, but it was covered up enough to hide the perks that we’re sure are there. Maybe we’ll even see the high-resolution 4.6-inch TFT color screen the Boxster just received to display its on-board computer, communication, audio settings, and navigation system.
As for the exterior changes, they will be minimal and will include an updated front fascia and new headlamps. What Porsche will really be focusing on is what’s found under the hood. The Cayman’s dimensions will grow and it will be offered with the same engine lineup as that of the Boxster: a 265 HP 2.7 liter engine for the base version and a 315 HP 3.4 liter engine for the S version. Both will be offered with either a manual six-speed gearbox as standard or a PDK available as an option.
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!
