Since this 4-door beauty was unveiled as a concept at the 2012 Paris Auto Show, people who were impressed by the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo have been craving for some news about it.
To restrain your craving, Porsche has released a video that provides some perspective on the design and development of the concept from a showpiece to an actual, working concept. Finally, at long last...
The Panamera Sport Turismo is a very interesting concept because of its design and drivetrain. We’re not huge fans of the shooting brake form, but with one glance of it and we suddenly are in love with this. This is what the Panamera should’ve looked like in the first place.
The e-hybrid system, which is undergoing real-world tests, is said to be an advanced development of the setup found in the current Panamera S Hybrid and Cayenne S Hybrid. Said to produce 428 horsepower combined, the Panamera sure is one powerful hybrid.
Who said hybrids aren’t fun?
With the tests going smoothly, Porsche might surprise us with the launch of the production model in 2013. Nevertheless, we all can’t wait to see what the Panamera Sport Turismo has in store for us.
The all-new Audi RS6 sedan is great and we already know pretty much everything there is to know about it. The new RS6 Avant, on the other hand, remained a relative mystery since details of it first leaked. As time went on, our patience wore thin and we managed to dig up some information on it to wet our hot-hatch whistle a little.
Now that we have pretty much found out all of the important details and even found some rather official-looking leaked images, Audi has lifted the veil and released the RS6 Avant’s details. We didn’t expect to see the RS6 Avant’s information until the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, so we are wondering if Audi released this information willingly or if its hand was pushed by the automotive industry’s prying eyes.
Sure, we’ll go ahead and take some credit for this early information release.
Updated 12/11/2012: Audi has released a trailer video for its new RS6 Avant. The video shows the new sports wagon in action on the road and offers an idea on how the engine under the hood sounds like. Enjoy! Oh, and what a glorious sound it is. Enjoy!
Click past the jump to read all of the intimate details on the 2013 Audi RS6.
Via a little snooping by GM Authority, it has dug up that GM has renewed the "El Camino" and "Nomad" trademark for future branding. These names were last used in 1987 and 1972 respectively, where they served great for people looking for a robust, V-8 powered utility vehicle. With GM fighting with everything it has to keep it and Holden’s heads above water, it is no surprise that bringing back these two icons back to America, even if they are simply a case of swapping badges.
With Chevy teasing the anticipated Chevrolet SS, it doesn’t hurt assuming that Chevrolet will import the Commodore Ute and Commodore Sportwagon as its modern versions of its Chevy El Camino SS and Nomad SS. This makes even more sense since we are all but assured that the Chevrolet SS is nothing more than a badge-doctored Holden Commodore.
A spokesman for Holden in Australia said that the automaker has not taken a decision on further exports, but the free trade agreement between Australia and the U.S. has been renewed. With all the legal processes almost completed, Chevy may decide to announce the two. So, fingers crossed!
Keep in mind, however, GM teased us before with the Pontiac G8 Sport Truck concept, which was a Holden Commodore Ute in Pontiac garb. So this whole thing could mean absolutely nothing…
With the launch of the C7 Corvette and SS, and now the slim possibility of the El Camino and Nomad coming back, the future is starting to brighten up for Chevy. Hope that reflects in the sales figures as well.
Previous rumors suggest that the 2013 Audi RS6 Avant will be unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, but considering the first images have already surfaced the internet we consider that the official debut will happen a little bit earlier than expected.
The first thing you will have to notice is that these leaked images confirm the previous rumors that the new RS6 will drop the usual V-10 engine in favor of a new V-8 TFSI engine. This engine till most likely be a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine that will deliver up to 570 horses. The RS6 will also feature Audi’s torque-sensing all-wheel-drive system, which is also revealed by the images.
The exterior on the other hand offers no surprise, as the new RS6 will be feature design elements we have already seen in previously announced Audi models. The interior looks also a little bit more elegant and the exterior looks to have picked up a set of ceramic brakes.
BMWs will be well represented at the 2012 Essen Motor Show, at least in part due to the new programs German tuner AC Schnitzer will be presenting in Europe’s annual aftermarket auto show.
In addition to the M135i, AC Schnitzer has also built a package for the BMW 3-Series Touring with M Sport package. If you recall, the German tuner already released a program for the 3-Series Touring about a month ago. This time, though, the popular and sport package has been added into the mix.
Aesthetic and aerodynamic modifications are part of the program, as AC fitted the 3-Series Touring with a revised front bumper, new roof spoiler and rear skirts. The tuning company also added a spring kit with 25 mm (0.98-inch) lowering and a sports muffler with chromed tailpipe trims. Depending on the model 3-Series Touring, the tailpipes can be fitted in either the left or right side. Finishing up the exterior modifications, AC Schnitzer fitted the 3-Series Touring with wheels ranging from 18 to 20 inches, all of which are available in a number of finishes.
Moving onto the engine, AC Schnitzer is offering engine improvements across the whole range of 3-Series Touring trims, starting with the 330d, which increases to 309 horsepower and 494 pound-feet of torque. Meanwhile, the 318d receives its own power upgrades, up from 143 horsepower to 171 ponies. The 320d got its power bump too, hitting 218 horsepower from its standard 184. Finally the supercharged 328i and the 335i both get significant upticks in output, hitting 360 horsepower from their standard 294.
We have already seen the standard Volkswagen Golf VII and now Volkswagen is further expanding the lineup with the addition of the new generation Golf Variant. The station wagon version is enjoying a great success on the European market so is no wonder why the seventh generation brings significant updates.
When compared to the model it replaces, the new Golf Variant is about 105 kg (232 lbs) lighter, but in the same time it has grown in sizes and offers increased cargo area.
Also, as a first for the station wagon model, the seventh generation Golf Variant is being offered in an extremely fuel-efficient TDI BlueMotion version that delivers a combined fuel consumption of just 3.3 l/100 km (71.3 mpg). All the other engines and transmissions have been carried over from the hatchback version.
Updated 03/05/2013: This review has been updated with the official details, images and specs.
Hit the jump to read more about the seventh generation Golf Variant.
Renault has just added a new Megane Limited Edition to its lineup for those customers who want to combine the practicality of a station wagon with sporty performance. The new model will be initially offered in France and will then move on to 11 other markets from Europe to Japan — sadly it won’t make it to the U.S.
The new Megane Estate GT 220 is powered by a Renault Sport 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that delivers a total of 220 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. The engine is combined with a Stop/Start function that helps it deliver a respectable 32 mpg.
This model will ride on the same sport chassis as the Megane R.S. and will be offered with a sport-tuned suspension, performance brakes, and specifically calibrated electric power steering.
Customers will identify the Megane Estate GT 220 special edition by its gloss-black touches on the door mirrors, diffuser, front air scoops, and roof bars. If those extra gloss-black accents aren’t a dead giveaway, the "GT 220" badges sure will give it away. This model will be offered with an exclusive set of gloss-black 18-inch "Serdard" wheels. On the interior, it will add a specific steel gear lever knob and a numbered "GT 220" plate.
ABT Sportsline first modified an Audi — the Audi 80 — over 40 years ago. In celebration of this long tradition, the tuner has unveiled an AS4 package for the A4 sedan and station wagon. Customers can update any engine they want, starting with the 1.8 TFSI and up to the 3.0 TDI. Along with the engine updates, each car will be offered with a series of aerodynamic updates.
Customers that prefer the petrol engines will have to choose between two updates. For the 1.8 TFSI engine, the output has been increased from the standard 170 horsepower up to 211 and for the 2.0 TFSI engine, this kit drives the power up to 270 horsepower (up from the standard 211 horsepower). The diesel lineup will also be offered with some pretty impressive updates. The 2.0-liter version will be increased to 205 horsepower and the 3.0 TDI will jump to 300 horsepower, which is a 55-horsepower increase over standard.
As for the aerodynamic updates, the tuner is offering a new front spoiler, fender inserts, and side skirts. On the back end, the A4 gets a new spoiler, a skirt, and a four-pipe exhaust system.
ABT will offer a choice of two wheels, sized 19 inches or 20 inches, which can be had in either a CR and DR design. As a final option, ABT is also offering new springs and an ABT coil-over suspension, which lower the car’s ride, giving it a sportier appearance and increasing cornering capabilities.
Subaru has announced the limited edition 2.5i EyeSight tS. It will be limited to only 300 units and, despite its fancy name, is just a Legacy that is specially customized by STI (Subaru Tecnica International). In Japan, the model is priced at 3,528,000 or about $45,000 at the current exchange rates and will be offered in both sedan and wagon versions.
The model is being offered with special STI front and rear bumpers, a roof spoiler, “STI” and "tS" badges, honeycomb upper and lower grilles, and chrome exhaust tips. The car sits on a set of 18-inch alloy wheels combined with an STI-tuned suspension.
Inside the cabin, STI adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel with red contrast stitching, sports seats covered in Alcantara, a "Nick Toro" gear lever and an STI “Start” button. The interior can be ordered in either a black or a titanium gray trim and offers a revised instrument panel with a 260 km/h (161 mph) speedometer.
Under the hood you will find a 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine that delivers a total of 173 horsepower and mated to a continuously variable transmission and an all-wheel drive system.
During Volkswagen’s mad grab for power in the European auto industry, it managed to snag up little-known Czech car manufacturer, Skoda. With this acquisition, VW Group decided that revving a legendary name in the automaker’s past was a great way to help increase the brand’s popularity. This brought about the revival of the Skoda Superb – a model that dates back to the 1930s – as a sedan and a station wagon (estate).
The rebadged version of the Passat has since been one of the better-selling Skoda models, as it features VW quality and style with not-so-VW prices. Its price point is made more evident by the fact that the base-level Superb Estate comes in at £1,015 ($1,624 at the current exchange rates) less than the base Passat Estate.
One area that the Skoda seemed to fall short was the fact that it was not available in a more rugged version to satisfy those buyers that like to use its four-wheel-drive system to its fullest extent. That has since changed, as Skoda has just announced that it is releasing an all-new version of the Superb, dubbed he Superb Outdoor, which features a standard four-wheel-drive system and a more rugged exterior appearance.
Click past the jump to read all about the 2013 Skoda Superb Outdoor.
