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Jaguar to preview 2012 XK with Paris concept
Audi Downsizes
Jaguar to preview 2012 XK with Paris concept
According to a recent report, Jaguar will use the Paris Motor Show to introduce a brand new judgment that previews a 2012 XK.
This XK coupe concept is a two-seater with sculpted, classically beautiful bodywork of the style that has typically been Jaguar’s hallmark. This look is meant to celebrate Jaguar’s reputation as a maker of sports cars. The concept will go before the next phase of Jaguar’s new models, which begins in 2012 with the new XK.
This signifies the beginning of another phase of Jaguar design. About five years ago, the Ian Callum-inspired reinvention of Jaguar’s model range started with the current XK. It was followed by the XF and finally, there’s the current XJ.
The key design feature that’s expected to be revised in future models is the oval, E-type-inspired grille. In a previous interview with Autoweek, Callum said that Jaguar can’t stretch the oval grille to fit the face of bigger cars without dropping its elegant proportions. Jaguar will then be using a single grille design for its sedans and sports cars that is based on the oblong XF/XJ design.
Jaguar is currently developing the shape for future models, with the Paris concept giving us a first look at the next-generation oblong grille on a sports car. Amazingly, this concept has a hybrid powertrain. It’s expected to be based around a V6 gasoline engine, which could possibly be turbocharged and is linked to an eight-speed automatic, which Jaguar seeks to use in future models.
Audi Downsizes
While Mercedes plans to extend the wheelbase of the next GL to make even more room for a full-size third row of seats, Audi is toying with the idea to offer two distinctly different Q7 body styles: an XXL seven-seater for China, the Middle East, and North America and a relatively compact five-seater for Europe and the rest of the world. But as Q7 sales have dropped sharply in the course of 2009, Audi is carefully weighing the options.
An all-new aluminum space frame architecture could be up to 1100 pounds lighter, but would be significantly more costly to execute initially. Derived from Audi’s passenger car-biased MLB components set, an aluminum space frame would allow Audi to offer a high-end four-cylinder engine in the Q7.
McLaren to Launch 5 new models in next 5 years
According to a recent report, McLaren has ambitious plans to build 4,500 vehicles by 2015.
To do this, the company will launch a new model (or variant) every year for the next five years. While details are limited, each vehicle will strive for “substance over flash,” and “lower volume, higher standards,” according to McLaren North American chief Tony Joseph.
The McLaren MP4-12C isn’t due to sell until next year, and even then it will be limited to just 1,000 units. That’s a small number even by supercar standards.
McLaren intends to sell about 1,000 MP4-12C units in the first year of sales, and then add models onto the line annually, hopefully generating 4,500 additional sales in the next half-decade.
McLaren North American director Tony Joseph outlined this vision at a Toronto, Canada unveiling of the MP4-12C, the first of 11 stops across the continent for the unveiling of the “substance over style” supercar. The MP4-12C already has 2,700 interested buyers, well over the 1,000 buyer mark, and McLaren is confident that their foray into the true road car business will prove profitable and that one of the world’s greatest racing car teams can transform itself into a truly great supercar maker as well.
Other cars in the McLaren pipeline remain cloaked in secrecy, though our previous investigations into the matter hint at a roughly $100,000 sports car. That’s a relative bargain in McLaren terms, and could be positioned to do battle with the lower end of the Porsche 911 spectrum, just as the MP4-12C is a heads-up competitor for the Porsche 911 GT2 and Ferrari 458 Italia.
We’ll have to wait and see what comes from McLaren over the next five years, but judging by what we’ve seen from the MP4-12C so far, we’re looking forward to the unveilings. Anxiously.
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Audi A3 2011 Lineup
Audi has freshened up the A3 for the 2011 model year. Audi’s A3 line is some of the best sellers for Audi, and the company has now unveiled the 2011 A3 lineup, starting with the A3 Sportback, A3 Cabriolet and S3. The new lineup doesn’t feature many major changes, but does feature a few small ones, like an updated front grill, updated side mirrors and new 18 inch wheels as standard. The car, which was fully facelifted in 2008, will see changes to the entire line, including the Sportback and Cabrio. The prices on the new models are expected to remain the same.
There is no shortage of A3 engine options for the 2011 model year, with nine on offer – five gas units and four diesel mills. The base 2011 A3 comes equipped with a supercharged 1.2L, making 105 horsepower and returning 42mpg. The 200 horsepower 2.0 TFSI is the most powerful gas version of the standard A3, with the S3 capping the range with a 265 horsepower version of Audi’s 2.0L.
Most 2011 A3 models come standard with a six-speed manual transmission, although six- and seven-speed versions of Audi’s S tronic gearbox are available.