Concept Car

Images of the production version of the Audi RS Q3 have been leaked online ahead of the high-performance crossovers official premiere, which will likely take place in Geneva next month.

We will remind you that the RS Q3 was previewed through a thinly disguised concept model at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show.

These first pictures suggest that Audi has made only minor changes to the concept, mainly by replacing the carbon fiber accents and trims, both inside and out, with aluminum finish parts. In addition, the aluminum-style backgrounds of the instrument panel gauges have given their place to a more traditional black layout.

We suspect that the powertrain will be the same as in the concept, which featured the TT RS’ 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five rated at 355-horses allowing the subcompact crossover to complete the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint in 5.2 seconds and top out at 265 km/h (165 mph), but well have to wait for the official release to be sure.

Articles Source : Carscoop

The second most problematic child in the Fiat-Chrysler Group after Lancia, is also the one with the greatest prospects for future growth – just as long as the Italians get their cards right and finally begin investing in products.

Of course, were talking about Alfa Romeo, which is trying to tell the world that its slowly getting back on its feet with the presentation of a new concept model for a sharply styled sports sedan that will join the highly-anticipated production version of the 4C mid-engine coupe at next months Geneva Auto Salon.

Named Gloria, the study is the work of the European Design Institute (IED) of Turin in collaboration with the Alfa Romeo Style Centre. It might break cover in Switzerland, but the Gloria was designed to appeal to consumers in the North American and Asian markets.

"In effect, the saloon remains a symbol of elegance and prestige for these markets, associated with the idea of comfortable space both at the front and the rear, expressed by the length of the model," said Alfa Romeo in a statement.

At 4,700mm long, 1,920 mm wide, 1320mm high and with a wheelbase of 2,900mm, the four-door Gloria is very close in dimensions to the Audi A5 Sportback. Alfa said that the car was designed to be propelled by "a state-of-the-art V6 or V8 biturbo engine", by which it means the new powerplants introduced in the Maserati Quattroporte.

“We asked the students in the Master programme to give us their completely independent interpretation of a new Alfa Romeo saloon,” said Lorenzo Ramaciotti, Head of Fiat & Chrysler Design. “During development, we commented, discussed and guided the projects in order to get the most from their spontaneous expressions of creativity. The result was stimulating and marked by professional and creative excellence.”

More information about the Gloria will be released at the Geneva Auto Salon.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Non-motorsport fans may overlook racing versions of sports cars but the fact is, they make for a very lucrative business for automakers that, naturally, are very happy to put some effort into them.

Like Ferrari, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz, McLaren has developed a GT3-spec variant of its MP4-12C supercar that was supplied to 13 customer teams last year. In its inaugural season, the 12C GT3 took part in 98 separate events, mostly in Europe, and claimed 19 victories and a further 19 podium finishes.

The Woking-based company revealed its upgraded 2013 racer that will be available to several new teams across the globe, with 15 additional orders already confirmed. For the first time, the 12C GT3 will also be available to individual customers who don’t win to race, but are willing to pay its £325,000 (US$520,000, €390,000) asking price.

The 2013-spec 12C GT3 features a revised aerodynamics package, an upgraded ECU and revised electrical system and alternative dampers. The upgrades will also be available as a package to 2012-car-owning teams.

Moreover, McLaren announced that nine-time World Rally Championship winner Sebastien Loeb will take part in the FIA GT Series. The Sebastien Loeb Racing team will field two 12C GT3s, one of which is reserved for Loeb himself and McLaren GT factory driver Alvaro Parente.

You can view an image gallery of the new car, along with a short video of the 12C’s first year in racing, after the break.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Video Source : Youtube

The story about Porsche developing a long-wheelbase version of its Panamera sedan has been circulating around the grapevine for quite some time now, but today, Car Magazine reported that inside sources not only confirmed but also revealed that the car will launch in early 2012.
The unnamed sources stated that the Panamera LWB will gain a 150mm (5.9-inches) wheelbase extension for a total length of 3,070mm (120.8-inches). The additional space is said to benefit the rear passengers.
Aside from the very un-Porsche limo, it is also reported that the Panamera will receive its first facelift in 2013, and that the German sports carmaker is contemplating the development of a smaller sedan model, allegedly called Pajun (we guess the name is inspired by the Cajun small SUV), to slot right under the companys full size sedan model.
And yes, were still talking about Porsche, the famous German company from Stuttgart that was once known and praised by enthusiasts only for its thoroughbred sports cars.














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Usually new or redesigned models fare better in car reviews than their predecessors. Technology moves on during the lifespan of a model, automakers learn from their mistakes and improve their production methods, while the competition gets better forcing everyone else to improve etc.

However, that’s not the case with the redesigned 2012 Honda Civic LX, or at least thats what Consumer Reports states in its latest test of the Japanese model.
According to Consumer Reports (CR), the highest ranking small sedan for many years and a Top Pick in five of the last 10 years has in its latest iteration dropped too low to even earn a “Recommended” tag!
“While other models like the Hyundai Elantra have gotten better after being redesigned, the Civic has dropped so much that now it ranks near the bottom of its category,” wrote senior director of Consumer Reports Auto Test Center, David Champion.
The Civic LX’s score dropped from the previous model 78 to an abysmal 61, placing it in the second-to-last place just above the (also recently redesigned) VW Jetta, which finished last.
Consumer Reports’ testers found the new Honda Civic to feature a lower quality interior, high road noise, less agile handling, inferior brakes and a choppy ride compared to the car it replaced.
Decent space for rear passengers and second-best fuel economy in the category just weren’t enough to make up for its other shortcomings.
Heres a snippet from CRs test:

"The Civic has slid backward with its redesign. It feels insubstantial against recently-redesigned competition.. Vague steering weakens its agility and robs it of its fun-to-drive feel. Stopping distances are long, the ride is choppy, and road noise is pronounced.

The Honda Civic LX ($19,405 MSRP as tested), is powered by a 140-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that provides adequate acceleration and gets an impressive 30 mpg overall in CR’s own fuel economy tests. The five-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly. The interior feels cheap, a letdown from previous Civics. CR is currently testing a Civic hybrid and will report on it next month. Cargo space is Good."

Hondas reaction was almost immediate as the Japanese companys U.S. arm issued a statement saying it "disagrees" with CRs findings. Hondas reply follows below:

"In a broad sense, we disagree with Consumer Reports findings. Without question, the small sedan segment is more competitive than ever. In virtually every way, the completely redesigned 2012 Civic is a step forward.
The new Civic excels in areas that matter to small-car customers, including fuel efficiency, safety, and reliability. Among the Civics greatest competitive strengths, is a smooth and efficient powertrain that, in Consumer Reports testing returned, "... an impressive 30 mpg overall on regular fuel and 47 mpg on the highway."
Also noted in Consumer Reports findings, the Civic excels in the area of safety, with a long list of important features standard on all trim levels, and a class-leading Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS.
Lastly, the Civic has a stellar reliability history with Consumer Reports, and we are confident that the new Civic will be a reliability leader as well."

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