Jaguar C-X75 Concept May Go into Production

The buzz in the auto industry is that Jaguar is toying with the possibility of getting into production of the C-X75. Sources have been telling some auto publications that Jaguar is doing a feasibility study, which looks at the viability of producing approximately 1,000 to 2,000 C-X75s every year.

What most people are eager to hear is how successful Jaguar will be when it comes to building the turbine engines that the concept had. Sources at Jaguar have stated that it would be two or three years before the turbine technology could be implemented, followed by another three or four year period which would be required to integrate it into a vehicle.

The upside to this is that making a gas turbine engine is more affordable – it has fewer parts than the internal combustion engine has and therefore, has fewer mechanical processes that can potentially go wrong. Now that the word is that production of the concept is a possibility – it remains to be seen how and when Jaguar will make this a reality.

(Via Autocar)

Toyota iQ Disco Shiny Glitzy Concept Shown

Toyota’s iQ Disco is adding a lot of glitz to the motor world. Just after car fans got a look at the green-lit Aston Martin Cygnet, auto fans in Germany got to see what happens when a car goes one step further. Fans in Germany saw the promotional one-off concept, in all its sparkling glory.

With a disco-ball finish, the car has Lamo doors, a full DJ booth with a set of Numark NDX 800 turntables and a two-channel mixer, which lets through 1000 watts and 130 dB emitting speakers and amplifiers and multi-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels.

It remains to be seen how many takers there will be for this overwhelmingly shiny offering. Feedback is sure to reach Toyota after the car makes an appearance at a concert in Cologne, and then on tour at German Toyota dealerships.

See more pictures of the concept here:

Fiat-based Dodge Confirmed by Chrysler

There has been a confirmation from Chrysler that the first Fiat – based Dodge will be out in the latter part of 2011. This is only the very first stage of confirmation and so there are very few concrete details available about the vehicle.

However, it is known that it will be a sedan, based on the Compact Wide architecture, akin to the Alfa Romeo Giulietta (pictured alongside). The engine will most probably be a 1.4 liter FIRE MultiAir that has 101 hp (75 kW /102 PS) to 173 hp (129 kW / 175 PS). The new vehicle will be offering a high efficiency version of this currently existing engine, which will enable it to get up to 40 mpg.

The car will replace the Dodge Caliber and production will take place in the United States.

(Via Automotive News)

Hyundai Sonata Turbo Supercar Gears Up for SEMA Motor Show

Inspired by supercars, Hyundai may introduce a Sonata Turbo at the SEMA Motor Show. Although the company hasn’t revealed detailed specifications, they have hinted that the design of the car is actually inspired from Ferrari, Mercedes and Porsche.

The model will be greatly inspired in design aspects with the Brabus Rocket (which is based on the Mercedes CLS). Interiors are designed with an influence from the Ferrari 430.

The car will be build with matte pearl white paint, carbon fiber components, and 20-inch wheels. It will also get a premium leather upholstery and carbon fiber trim. It is likely to be equipped with a “quad tip dual exhaust” and the company has not yet revealed any performance details of the car.

Audi RS Models Galore for North America

At the recent Audi Forum held in Germany, sources from the car company had revealed their plans for the high performance division’s future. The best news was for North America, which is to have even more performance-oriented RS models, due to the euro-dollar exchange rates improving; and also due to the rising similarity in the emissions regulations.

These two factors jointly add to the business viability of making more low-production models available in North America.

There is also some speculation that buoyed by the changing scenario Audi might even have more RS models for the US. Hardcore Audi fans will be delighted to hear that Audi SUVs will not have RS badges on them.

For a vehicle to have ‘RS’ on it – it should satisfy in the categories of ultimate performance, driving dynamics, and what is technically possible. Unfortunately most of the SUVs are too heavy to meet all these qualifying bars.

One of them, the Q7 V12 TDI meets two of the requirements, but is still too heavy. For the same reasons the RS model of the A8 will also not be coming out. The sources, however hinted that there is a possibility of a new RS4 coming out next year.

(Via MotorTrend)

Volvo’s 2011 V60 Shown in Paris

The 2011 V60 from Volvo was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show. The car is based on the S60, and has eye-catching features include a style that is sporty, plush cabin interiors that is complete with a five-inch infotainment display and urbane wood trim. The vehicle has a spacious boot, which can hold 430 liters (15.2 cubic feet) of luggage.

Volvo says a variety of engines will be offered – the 3.0-liter T6 petrol produces 304 PS (224 kW / 300 hp) and 440 Nm (324 lb-ft), which allows the AWD car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 6.6 seconds and hit a limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

For those who would like things toned down a bit, Volvo offers several GTDi (Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection) engines. The 2.0T produces 203 PS (149 kW / 200 hp) and 240 PS (177 kW / 237 hp), while the 1.6 (T3 / T4) churns out 150 PS (110 kW / 148 hp) and 180 PS (132 kW / 178 hp).

Diesel engines are also on offer and buyers can choose between the 205 PS (151 kW / 202 hp) 2.4-liter D5 and the 163 PS (120 kW / 161 hp) 2.0-liter D3. Volvo has plans to add a DRIVe model later on – which will be introduced with a 1.6-liter engine that produces 115 PS (85 kW / 113 hp) and 270 Nm (199 lb-ft) of torque.

Curtains For E60 BMW M5; Fifth-Gen F10 M5 In The Offing

It is finally quits for the E60 BMW M5. Ending five years of production, the carmaker had rolled out only 20,548 units of the fourth-generation M5. And ever since BMW went in for the five door variant, only 1,025 BMW M5 Touring units were built.

The E60 BMW M5 had been noted for its 5.0-liter V10 petrol engine that brought to the fore 509 horsepower (380 kW / 516 PS), and up to 520 Nm (380 ft-lb) of torque. We have seen it race from 0-100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds when BMW married the engine to a seven-speed SMG or a six-speed manual transmission. The model had capabilities to touch 337 km/h (209 mph), and its speed was electronically-limited to 249 km/h (155 mph).

The car maker is seriously looking at altering its assembly line in Germany’s Dingolfing, so that it can go ahead with the planned production of the F10 M5. This fifth-generation M5 could come with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 and is seen as capable enough to return 570 hp (425 kW / 578 PS), and up to 680Nm (502 ft-lb) of torque. Sounds good

Saab 9-2 Re-Birth Possible As Spyker Is In Talks with a Potential Partner

All you automobile freaks might remember the Saab 92 which was a full-scale production car in 1949 — something way ahead of its time in terms of aero dynamism and drag co-efficient. Well folks, Saab, the brand owned by Spyker now, have thought of reviving the model as the Saab 9-2 and has ever since sought partners to share technology on a small-car platform upon which the new 9-2 model will be based. Although Spyker did not let out details about this probable partner, it was told that the new 9-2 will retain the original tear-drop shape and as a super-cool sub-compact offering, it will compete against the likes of the MINI. The 9-2 will hopefully start rolling off the production facility by 2013.

Jaguar Eyeing Hybrid Cars Production for 2013

It’s a fact that every automaker is keen to jump on the green bandwagon these days. Same goes for Jaguar who have decided to render some hybrid commuters by 2013 or 2014.

There are no precise details available about the hybrid Jag, but experts believe that this Jaguar hybrid will be powered by a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine and a 35kW electric motor, both mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. From what we’re hearing, the Jaguar XJ will be the one that will break cover with this touted green set-up — and if Jaguar insiders are right, in the future this green set-up could find a place under every Jaguar’s hood minus the X-type.

[via carmagazine]

BMW 5-Series Gets More Orders Than Expected

BMW has done a great job in upgrading their all-new BMW 5 Series model — as a result, according to a Bloomberg report, the maker’s sales forecasts have been exceeded by a long shot. Launched in Europe this past March, the new F10 5-Series is now keeping up the flag for the German manufacturer, which as you know, in 2005 took the premium automaker crown from Mercedes-Benz — and it looks like they’re going to keep it for a while now. According to CEO Norbert Reithofer, BMW plans for “1.3 million unit sales this year”, and the new 5-Series sounds like their best bet against the recession. Don’t you think?

2010 Peugeot 308 GTi Now Official

For the last 10 years Peugeot only focused on delivering nice looking cars that will do well for your daily commuting. Well folks it looks like they’re getting back to it, as we’re just hearing that the French manufacturer just took the wraps off of the new Peugeot 308 GTi. The new model runs on the same engine as the RCZ Coupe, the 1.6 liter THP (turbocharged direct-injection) mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. Which helps the new Peugeot 308 GTi sprints from 0 to 100km/h in 7.7 seconds.

On the outside there aren’t many changes, at least not ones that we could find easily. There are 18-inch wheels, a rear spoiler, a lowered rear bumper with a stylishdiffuser, dual chrome exhaust pipes and a carbon-style insert beneath the front bumper.

Like it? The 2010 Peugeot 308 GTi should launch on June 10 in France with a base price of €26,900. [via DeviceMAG]