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Sunday, November 1, 2015

Datsun GO-Cross concept previews possible future SUV in Tokyo

Datsun has unveiled the GO-Cross concept during the Tokyo Motor Show.
Described as the “brand’s vision for possible expansion of the Datsun GO/GO+ family in high growth markets”, the study takes the shape of a compact crossover featuring a distinctive front end with hexagonal radiator grille and sweptback LED headlights. The rugged design is completed by plastic body cladding, big round fog lamps and a massive rear diffuser.
Based on the Datsun GO+, the vehicle is only a design exercise and the producer hasn’t decided whether to introduce a production version of it or not. Given it’s conceptual nature, Datsun is not providing any technical details.
The revived brand announced “the concept investigates the market potential of a crossover with spirit and a sense of adventure” and that “it’s a car that fully handles the day-to-day routine yet still has plenty left for holidays or weekend fun”.
In other related news, Vincent Cobee, global head of Datsun, reconfirmed the company will launch a brand new model at the beginning of 2016 that will be based on Renault-Nissan’s CMF-A global architecture. The company is also “studying further business expansion possibilities in other high-growth markets around the world”.

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2016 Scion FR-S Release Series 2.0 announced with cosmetic tweaks

Scion is introducing the FR-S Release Series 2.0 limited edition that brings some visual enhancements both inside and out.
As the name suggests, it’s a follow-up to the FR-S Release Series 1.0 that came out last year and this time Scion is trying to entice potential customers with some cosmetic tweaks to create what they describe as being “the most stylish version of the sports car ever offered.” The changes start on the outside where the body has received a Lunar Storm paint along with a bespoke aero kit featuring front lip and trunk lid spoilers.
It rides on 17-inch forged alloy wheels and comes as standard with HID headlights and LED daytime running light. Customers will be able to choose from either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic transmission equipped with paddle shifters and Dynamic Rev Management technology.
Stepping inside the cabin, Scion has fitted the FR-S Release Series 2.0 with heated seats wrapped around in black Alcantara and leather with camel-colored accents. The steering wheel benefits from the same treatment while black leather was applied onto the parking brake lever and the door armrest. There’s also an individually numbered badge on the dashboard to denote it’s a special edition limited to 1,000 examples.
Pricing kicks off at $29,510 for the manual and from $30,160 for the automatic gearbox, with both prices excluding the additional $795 for DPH charges.

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Mercedes-Benz GLS leaks continue as another official image hits the web

Another official image of the Mercedes-Benz GLS has emerged ahead of an imminent proper introduction.
Daimler’s luxo-barge is back to show more of its body which as expected features some mild cosmetic revisions compared to the outgoing GL. Mercedes-Benz will sell its full-size SUV with the “GLS” moniker to better show its similarity in size with the S-Class and aside from the name change the vehicle has been updated to the company’s latest design language.
The revised headlights now incorporate the LED daytime running lights while the front bumper has bigger vents and there also seems to be an aluminum spoiler lip. As for the front grille, the double slats have a different look now and the Mercedes-Benz logo has been enlarged a little bit while the side profile appears to be identical. Yesterday’s leaked photo showed some updated graphics for the taillights, reshaped exhaust tips and a modified diffuser, but really nothing of great significance.
Photos of the interior cabin are not available at this point, but we expect many of the tweaks to be carried over from the GLE. Since we’re on the subject of the interior, Mercedes-Benz is toying around with the idea of launching a longer wheelbase Maybach-branded version with a more luxurious cabin, but it will probably have to wait until the next generation due to arrive before the end of the decade.
Expect an official reveal of the GLS (GL facelift) to occur in the coming days and most likely Mercedes-Benz will bring the car to next month’s Los Angeles Auto Show set to open its doors for the press on November 17.

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This 2015 BMW 330i facelift is packed with M goodies

A brand new BMW 330i equipped with a plethora of optional M goodies is on display at an Abu Dhabi dealer.
A few months ago, the 3-Series received one of the most subtle facelifts ever elaborated by BMW and now a 330i has landed at the company’s Abu Dhabi Motors dealership with numerous accessories from the M Performance catalog. This Mineral Grey Metallic example comes with a carbon fiber front splitter, side skirts, rear spoiler and rear diffuser - all of which have been painted in red while the kidney grille is now blacked out and adorned with the M colors.
Red accents were also applied onto the 19-inch double-spoke style 405 M wheels while on the inside it has gained a wood trim, Dakota leather upholstery and a sunroof. This is a rear-wheel drive example, but BMW is offering the 330i with an xDrive setup as well and both of them can be had with an eight-speed auto and an eight-speed sport auto while the rear-wheel drive version is also offered with a six-speed manual.
Replacing the 328i, the BMW 330i has a turbocharged four-cylinder 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with 252 PS (185 kW) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque. When equipped with the manual gearbox, the 330i runs the 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 5.9 seconds while the automatic slashes 0.1s and in all cases the top speed is electronically capped at 155 mph (250 km/h).
In terms of pricing, the rear-wheel drive BMW 330i kicks off at €39,750 in Germany if you go for the manual gearbox and rises to €41,900 for the automatic and to €42,210 for the sport automatic. As for the xDrive version, this one can be had with the auto from €44,400 and with the sport auto from €44,710.

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Next Audi RS4 Avant spied again up close with S4 body

The next generation Audi RS4 Avant is back in fresh spy imagery and once again we are dealing with a test mule carrying the S4’s body with some changes.
At a first glance you might be tempted to believe this is just an S4 Avant, but if you look closely you will notice it has wider wheel cases at the front and back which denotes the car has a wider track suitable for the range-topping RS4 derivative. In other words, this is an early test mule so it will be a while until prototypes with the production body will hit the streets to show the car’s real design.
We actually might not have to wait that long taking into account Audi recently said the RS4 will arrive “relatively early” in the A4 B9’s life cycle which could mean the crown jewel will be unveiled towards the end of next year as a 2017MY.
Once it will be launched, don’t expect to see the naturally aspirated V8 4.2-liter engine underneath the hood as the top brass at Ingolstadt have already announced the new RS4 will adopt a turbocharged engine that will have a smaller capacity. Chances are they were referring to the 3.0-liter V6 TFSI installed in the latest S4. However, there’s going to be a major difference between the two as the RS4 is expected to benefit from e-turbo which will boost power from the S4’s 354 PS (260 kW) to as much as 480 PS (353 kW).
If you are not too fond of the Avant body style, Audi says they will have an RS4 Sedan ready right away. Needless to say, both of them will come with a quattro all-wheel drive arrangement that will likely receive power from an updated eight-speed automatic gearbox, but it’s too early to know for sure.

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Volvo V90 scale model is back, this time in Liquid Blue

A new scale model of the Volvo V90 has been photographed and this time it was a Liquid Blue example.
More than a week ago we stumbled upon a set of images showing Volvo’s upcoming V90 mid-size premium wagon painted in black and now another scale model has been photographed, but this time it’s wearing a Liquid Blue hue just like the S90 from several days ago. These new Volvos are certainly a breath of fresh air in the upper segment as their designs are totally original and provide the diversity some people are looking for when considering a high-end product.
Unsurprisingly, the front half of the V90 is virtually the same as the S90 sedan, with the changes occurring at the back where the taillights extend all the way to the top and there’s a roof-mounted spoiler hosting the third brake light. As expected, the wagon comes with roof rails and this particular scale model depicts an upper-spec version fitted with a double sunroof.
Design aside, we already know the V90 will ride on the same SPA platform as the second generation XC90 which means that it will be offered only with four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines, with the cream of the crop being a 394 bhp T8 plug-in hybrid version.
Volvo has already announced the S80-replacing S90 sedan will be revealed very soon and chances are its wagon sibling will also be out in a short while. The cars will hit China first and then other international markets will follow.

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