Diesel models are quite a hit in Europe, but in the U.S. market, they have only just begun to gain momentum because people are still learning about them. Despite the relative novelty, it looks like BMW is preparing a diesel invasion in the U.S. market with no less than six new diesel models set to debut by 2014.
Back in June 2012, it was reported that BMW was planning to offer a diesel 7-Series to its U.S. customers, but apparently this won’t be the only model. Next to it, we will also get a 3-Series sedan in the first half of 2013 and a station wagon in the second half. A 5-Series diesel will arrive in the third quarter of 2013 and the X5d at the end of 2013. The 7-Series will be the first diesel to arrive in the first half of 2014 and it will be followed by a X3d.
In terms of powerplants, the 3-Series will likely use the new 130-horsepower, 3-cylinder diesel engine, while the rest of BMW’s diesel lineup will get a six-cylinder diesel engine.
It was the subject of some teaser images before it made its debut at the Sao Paulo Auto Show, but now that Volvo has revealed the V60 Racing race car, we finally got a good look at what all the fuss was about.
Designed and built as a racing-tuned version of the V60 wagon, the V60 Racing certainly looks the part of a full-fledged race car, thanks to a throwback paint scheme that resembles the old Volvo 850 station wagon from the British Touring Car Championship back in the mid 90’s.
But make no mistake, Volvo built the V60 Racing to be an actual race car, not to just look like one. Proof of that lies in the interior where the Swedish automaker installed a number of racing components, including bucket seats, aluminum race pedals, a sports steering wheel, and strut bars.
On top of that, the V60 Racing Wagon actually carries a popping 2.0-liter, four-cylinder TS engine that produces 250 horsepower and is mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. Add a new set of 18" wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires and this V60 Racing Wagon is certainly ready for some racing action.
The sixth generation BMW 5-Series sedan - or the F10/F11 - was unveiled in 2009 as a 2010 model, and the station wagon version, also known as the Touring model, arrived one year later. This would make it a relatively young model, but nonetheless, BMW is already working on a facelift version scheduled to appear in 2014.
From these spy shots, we can see that only the front and rear of the model have been camouflaged, meaning that these will be the parts prepared to receive the biggest changes. It looks like the front bumper will be getting new air-intakes, the headlamps will get a new design, and the grille will sit slightly more upright. It is still hard to see, but it looks like the headlamps may go all the way to the grille just like on the 3-series. The side mirrors will also be sportier and feature indicator lights, while the rear lights will get new graphics.
BMW will also make a few changes under the hood, especially for the 535i version which will drop the current N55 engine in favor of a new inline turbo six-cylinder.
More details on the facelift version of the BMW 5-Series should be coming out shortly, so stay tuned!
Together with the Volkswagen Group, Skoda is currently searching for new technologies to increase the efficiency of its products.
The latest model that hosts the newest technologies developed by the company, is the Skoda Octavia Green E Line, which is their first all-electric vehicle. The model is not just one of those concepts that will get put in a drawer somewhere, it will be launched on the market as soon as all tests are finished, most likely sometime around 2014.
The new Skoda Octavia Green E Line is based on the wagon version of the Octavia and is powered by a 26.5kWh lithium-ion battery and an electric motor producing a peak power of 85kW delivered to the front wheels.
Hit the jump to read our full review on the Skoda Octavia Green E-Line.
Think back to the era of the station wagons (circa 1970 through 1985) and imagine the wagons that graced the garages of large families. These were typically massive slabs of iron with not enough power to outrun a 3-year-old on a tricycle and massive faux-wood stickers plastered on the side. Yeah, they weren’t necessarily things of beauty, to say the least.
As we progressed through the 1980s and 1990s, the minivan took over for the station wagon and emasculated men around the world. Now it looks as if the station wagon has come full circle in the automotive realm, as minivans are slowly disappearing, and crossovers and station wagons are taking their place.
Of course, now station wagons are called either 5-door sedans or “shooting brake.” Much like when Prince decided to change his name to an unpronounceable symbol, we’ll continue to think of these as station wagons. However, with Mercedes-Benz releasing the all-new CLS Shooting Brake, we can’t help but notice that the station wagon isn’t quite the underpowered, puke green, wood-trimmed gas guzzler that we recall. With Brabus now getting its expert hands on the CLS Shooting Brake, we are in for a big change.
That’s right, Brabus decided to take the entire CLS Shooting Brake line – from the CLS 250 Shooting Brake all the way to the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake – and pump it up a notch in the “cool” department. Well, however “cool” a station wagon can really be.
Click past the jump to read all about the Mercedes-Benz LS Shooting Brake by Brabus.
Revozport has a long line of programs in their portfolio. They’ve missed on some, but more often than not, they’ve hit a lot of them straight out of the park.
The aftermarket company’s newest program is a successor of sorts, something that takes the reigns from a kit they made five years ago and gives it a more modern flavor to keep up with the car’s actual evolution.
We’re talking about Revozport’s RBS kit for the Mercedes C63 AMG. Back in 2007, they showed it to us with the presentation of the C63 RBS aero kit. Fast forward to 2012 and Revozport is back with the RBS II aero kit for the entire family of the 2012 Mercedes C63 AMG.
Comprised exclusively of the RBS II aero kit, Revozport’s new program features a more aggressive front twin decked splitter, a vented lightweight carbon bonnet, new side skirts, new rear bumper flares, a new trunk spoiler, and Revozport’s signature rear diffuser. The coupe model of the C63 AMG will also get spoiler options, particularly an add-on type and a full replacement spoiler that’s far more aggressive than the former.
After providing an extensive tuning package for the 3-Series sedan, AC Schnitzer has moved on to its station wagon sibling to provide similar upgrades. Their new package for the BMW 3-Series Touring improves upon the exterior and interior look of the vehicle, as well as its power output.
The exterior upgrades include a new front spoiler, a chrome front grille, a rear roof spoiler, and a rear skirt. There is also a wide variety of wheels to choose from, ranging from 18" to 20" and different designs and colors. The interior combines aluminum elements with a very cool Black Line package.
The full line of engines for the 3-Series Touring was updated, providing an increase minimum of 28 HP. The 318d now delivers 171 HP, up from 143 HP; the 320d produces 218 HP, up from 184 HP; the 328i delivers 294 HP, up from 245; and the 335i pushes 360 HP, up from 306 HP. These updates were achieved with the addition of a sports rear silencer and a new exhaust system. There is also a new suspension spring kit combined with a lower suspension to bring the car closer to the ground by 25 mm.
The Toyota Auris Touring Sports unveiled at the 2012 Paris Auto Show is not only the first station wagon model in the Auris line-up, but it is also the first estate version in the family car market with a full hybrid powertrain. It will go on sale in early 2013.
The new Auris Touring Sports continues the same design language revealed by the Auris Hatchback in early 2012, except that it is 285mm longer and will of course offer increased luggage space. Just like the five-door hatchback, the new estate version will be offered with "Skyview," one of the biggest panoramic sunroofs currently available on the market.
The Toyota Auris Touring Sports will be offered with a choice of two diesel engines – 1.4d and 2.0d – and two petrol engines – 1.33 and 1.6 - as well as Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Toyota Auris Touring Sports.
The Paris Motor Show is just hours away and we are starting to get things all ramped up. Porsche announced that it will be unveiling an all-new production concept when the show opens up, only to shoot out the official details a couple of hours later. This new concept is dubbed the Panamera Sport Turismo Concept and is slated to compete directly with the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake.
The concept is supposed to preview a possible Porsche sports car of tomorrow, which would mean that they are not letting go of the idea that spawned the Cayenne and the Panamera: Parents need speed too.
Rumor has it that this model will debut at some point in the 2013 model year, so the concept model that we see here will most likely be almost identical to its production model.
Update 12/11/12: Porsche has released a sweet video outlining the development of the Panamera Sport Turismo Concept and how it came to life. You can see the video after the jump.
Click past the jump to have a look at the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Concept.
The Canadian aftermarket company has been releasing a number of new programs lately and as sure as the sun is hot, they’ve been smacking their programs straight out of the park. The latest program is called "Project Cyphur" and was built for the Mercedes E63 AMG. Considering the car already carries an AMG badge, SR Auto Group decided to give it a full aesthetic makeover instead.
The first order of business was enlisting new body components from Brabus, considered one of the best Mercedes tuners in the world. The kit includes a full carbon fiber font lip and a pair of carbon fiber air events. This is followed by the removal of the front fenders, which were then replaced with Brabus front fenders. LED side markers have also been added as well as a carbon fiber diffuser over at the rear.
The last order of business, as always, is fitting the car with a new set of shiny digs. For this one, SR Auto Group added a set of Design 6IX Depth in “Rose Gold” PUR Wheels.
