2017 Aston Martin Vantage GTS Is US-Only Model

After announcing that the V12 Vantage S will get a 7-speed manual transmission, the British sportscar maker has now confirmed plans to truncate their V8-powered Vantage US line-up into a single model for 2017.
That car is called the Vantage GTS and Aston Martin will build only 100 of them, split into two separate trim levels called 'Sport' and 'Lux' for both the Coupe as well as the Roadster. Every version will be equipped with the 4.7-liter V8 from the existing V8 Vantage and offer a choice of either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed single-clutch automatic.
The Sport version comes with lots of carbon-fiber inserts, as well as a black finish for the front grille and headlight bezels. Other features include the sports suspension (optional on the older Vantage), and either gray or black leather which itself comes with either Alcantara or leather trim detailing.
The Lux trim doesn't involve the sports suspension bits but adds glossy black exterior elements at the front splitter and rear diffuser, plus a brightwork at the front grille, headlamp surrounds, hood vent strakes and window surrounds. Inside, the seats are leather while the controls are wearing a satin chrome finish with piano black. Also, if you opt for a Lux model, you get the Bang & Olufsen audio system upgrade as standard.
While official pricing is yet to be announced, expect the GTS to start at around the $135,000 mark.

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707HP Hellcat-Powered Jeep Grand Cherokee Coming In 2017

A new range-topping version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee is expected to be finalized next year and to go on sale in July of 2017.
Rumored over these past few months on several occasions, the high-performance SUV was confirmed by the brand's boss, Mike Manley, who spoke to WheelsMagazine on the subject: "We talked about launching a higher performance vehicle which we'll do next year which will feature the Hellcat engine."
Sitting above the Grand Cherokee SRT, the new Jeep model will not use the Hellcat badge, according to Manley. Whether it will be called the Trackhawk, as some reports claims, remains to be seen.
It will be offered alongside the SRT and will use the most powerful regular-production V8 engine ever produced in the United States, a 6.2-liter supercharged, borrowed from the Hellcat versions of the Challenger and Charger.
Regardless of its final output, which might differ from the 707 HP and 650 pound-feet (880 Nm) of torque in the two Hellcats, one thing is certain, the Trackhawk or whatever it's called, will be considerable more powerful than the Grand Cherokee SRT, which uses a 6.4-liter V8 HEMI, producing 475 HP and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm) of torque. It's expected to become the fastest accelerating SUV in the world, needing around 3.5 seconds to do the 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) sprint.

Note: Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT pictured

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Mercedes-AMG GLC 63S Coupe Reportedly Coming Next Year With E63 Power

Remember we said Mercedes has plans for an AMG line-up expansion? Well, two of the upcoming models will be the GLC63 and GLC63 Coupe, and neither of them will reportedly use the C63's V8 lump.
The news comes from  Mercedes-AMG CEO Tobias Moers, who told Car Advice that the full-fat high-performance GLCs will borrow the drivetrain from the all-new Mercedes-AMG E63.
Although performance figures are still a guess, the E63 most certainly won’t share the same power output (469 HP and 503 HP) with the twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 with the C-Class, so expect something closer to 550 HP for the base model and around 600 HP for “S” versions.
Expect power outputs for the GLC63 and GLC63 Coupe models to be dialed down over the E63s in order to keep a clear hierarchy in the range.
“We are in the final phases of doing the new E63, with the totally new drivetrain, with a new four-wheel-drive system engineered by us. And in our understanding, all other 63 models coming up to the market, they have to use the new, more sophisticated drivetrain,” Moers said.
That means the E63 Wagon, Coupe, Cabriolet and (probably) the next-gen CLS will all share the same hardware, described by Moers as “the biggest step ever made in one generation of E-Class to another”.
Although an official timetable has been confirmed, the GLC couple is expected in the metal by next year as Moers concluded: “So E63 comes first, and after that, maybe the GLC63.” And that’s a definite “maybe”.

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VW Touran Gets 180 PS 1.8 TSI, 190 PS 2.0 TDI

Volkswagen has introduced two range-topping engines and a Milano design package for its compact MPV, in the latest iteration.
The first unit is a 1.8-liter TSI petrol, which is good for 180 PS (177 HP) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque, available between 1,250 and 5,000 rpm, enough for a top speed of 218 km/h (135 mph). Power is sent to the wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox and for this specification, buyers will have to pay €34,250 ($39,000) in Highline trim.
Joining the engine lineup is a new 2-liter four-cylinder TDI diesel, which comes with 190 PS (187 HP), connected to a 6-speed DSG. Top speed in this version is 220 km/h (137 mph), while fuel consumption stands at 4.6 lt/100 km (51.1 mpg US), all for a starting price of €37,150 ($42,300), in the same Highline trim level.
Described as adding "a trace of Italian elegance", the Milano design package brings ambient lighting, roofliner in titanium black, piano black inlays for the center console, instrument panel and door panels, volcano-brown ArtVelours microfleece for the center seat panels, Nappa leather seat bolsters, leather-trimmed multi-function steering wheel and heated front seats. The package costs €1,675 ($1,900), for the Comfortline and Highline specifications.

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