The Fiat Group is getting ready to take its alliance with Chrysler to the next level with the presentation of three new models including an SUV and two luxury sports sedans, all using key technology and components from the Chrysler Group's lineup, according to a report from Autonews.
First up is the long-rumored Maserati SUV model, which is said to be previewed by a concept study (not to be confused with the independent design rendering by Andrey Trofimchuk that is pictured in this article) at the upcoming 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September, before landing in showrooms in 2013.
The Italian firm's answer to the Porsche Cayenne is believed to be based on the latest Jeep Grand Cherokee, which itself shares a common platform architecture with the Mercedes-Benz ML-Class.
The report says that the luxury SUV would use Maserati's Ferrari-sourced 4.7-liter V8 engine, which is capable of producing around 450-horses, but we wouldn't act surprised if Top Gear's sources prove to be right in their claim that the Italians will go for a tweaked version of theGrand Cherokee SRT8's 470HP 6.4-liter HEMI V8.
In Europe, there's also a possibility that the SUV could get the Grand Cherokee's VM Motori-sourced 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel tuned to develop around 300-horses, but that could be too much of a stretch for a brand like Maserati.
Talking about a stretch, the report goes on to say that Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne is planning to replace the current Maserato Quattroporte with two sedan models, both using technology from – wait for it- the Detroit firm's "Chrysler 300 and Dodge Avenger" models.
Before you hit the comments section, let us note that this is what Autonews reporter Luca Ciferi claims, not Carscoop.
To make a long story short, Maserati is allegedly considering to present a smaller sedan sized closer to the BMW 5-Series and a much bigger than the Quattroporte saloon to better compete with the long-wheelbase versions of the BMW 7-Series, Audi A8 and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
The two saloons are said to be built at the Officine Automobilistiche Grugliasco (OAG), which is the new name for the former Carrozzeria Bertone factory that Fiat bought in 2009.
According to Maserati officials, the new models "will not be rebadged Chryslers" and will feature different bodies and interiors, as well as modified suspensions and powertrains, with the parts sharing to take place in areas "where the customer does not see it".
The "baby" Quattroporte is said to keep Maserati's traditional layout of a front longitudinal engine and rear-wheel drive, with power to come from a "heavily revised" version of Chrysler's 3.6-liter V6. The six-cylinder unit will have a reduced capacity of 3.0-liters and benefit from Fiat's fuel-saving MultiAir air management system, twin turbocharging and direct injection to develop more than 400-horses.
VM Motori's 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel may also make the cut, according to the report.
The Italian are quoted as saying that the new small sports sedan will be priced between €55,000 and €70,000 (US$79,000 to US$101,000) in Europe, which if true, means it would most likely cost less in the USA.
As for Maserati's extra-large limo, it is said that it measures around 5,170mm in length, or 70mm longer than the current Quattroporte, with power sourced from a revised version of the Ferrari-built 4.7-liter V8 delivering around 475-horses, coupled to the ZF Group's eight-speed automatic transmission. An all-wheel drive version is also said to be under consideration.
Surprisingly, Maserati will be ditching its long-time partners Italdesign Giugiaro (recently acquired by the VW Group) and Pininfarina, as all three models are said to be penned by Maserati Styling Center in Turin, under the direction of Marco Tencone and the supervision of Fiat group design boss, Lorenzo Ramaciotti.
So there you have it: the latest on Maserati's future plans. Time to voice your thoughts in the comments section below.
The Chrysler Group is polishing up its recentlyfacelifted Jeep Wrangler with the introduction of its more fuel efficient and powerful 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission for the 2012 model year.
“Our new 3.6-liter V-6 engine gives the ever-capable Wrangler a completely new, more refined on-road driving experience – complete with more fuel efficiency, power and torque," commented Mike Manley, President and CEO of the Jeep brand.
In the 2012 Wrangler, the Pentastar V6 is rated at 285-horsepower (209 kW) and 260 lb.-ft. of torque (353 Nm). That's an improvement of 83-horses and 23 lb-ft over the previous 3.8-liter V6 that delivered 202HP and 237 lb-ft of peak torque.
Together with the new five-speed automatic transmission that replaces the 2011MY's four-speed auto, the latest Wrangler is faster than its predecessor completing the standard 0-60mph (100km/h) sprint in 8.4 seconds as well as more frugal returning up to 21mpg (2011MY: 15mpg city / 19mpg highway).
Jeep also noted that a lower first-gear ratio in the new automatic transmission gives the Wrangler more off-road capability via a lower overall crawl ratio. A six-speed manual gearbox is also available for the 2012 Wrangler.
For the 2012MY, the two-door Wrangler and four-door Wrangler Unlimited will continue to be available in four models: Sport, Sport S, Sahara and Rubicon. The only other change for the new model year is that the Wrangler Rubicon now shares the same body-color hardtop with Sahara models.
Pricing and availability are to be announced.
It's been a long, slow tease, with plenty of cropped photos, but today, Infiniti unveiled the JX Concept at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance event in Monterey, California.
Even though Infiniti calls it a concept, what you see here is more or less what you'll get when the production version of the JX makes the trip to the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.
On the outside, the JX shares several design cues with the firm's Essence concept such as the headlamp and grille design as well as the crescent-cut D-pillar, but overall, Infiniti's foray into the 7-seater crossover segment won't win any awards for its looks.
We only get a glimpse of the interior, but the swoopy exterior styling is continued inside. The JX features three rows of seats that can accommodate a total of seven passengers.
“With the JX, you will even be able to leave a child seat latched to the 2nd row while getting in or out of the 3rd row – just one example of the vehicle’s inspired flexibility and versatility,” ,” explained Infiniti Americas Vice President Ben Poore. “The 3rd row isn’t the typical penalty box either, with adult-sized room for all occupants and five-and-a-half inches of 2nd row forward-back adjustability.”
Infiniti promises an array of technologies and features ranging from the Blind Spot and Backup Collision Intervention systems, to a 14-speaker Bose Studio Surround sound system with Waveguide bass technology and an advanced Infiniti Connection Telematics systems.
Power for the new JX comes courtesy of a V6 engine (Infiniti didn’t offer any additional details, but the 3.7-liter V6 sounds like a prime candidate), matched to what the company calls "sports tuned" continuously variable transmission that mimics "a step transmission when the Sport mode of the Infiniti drive selector is engaged". Buyers will be able to choose between all-wheel or front-wheel drive versions.
Infiniti said additional information regarding the drivetrain and other systems will be provided at the debut of the production version in LA in November 2011.
The all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu will continue its world tour after its parallel premiere at shows in the U.S.A. and China earlier this year, at theFrankfurt Motor Show in September.
This will be the first time European buyers will get to see the new Malibu sedan in the flesh as the model series was not previously available for sale in the continent. In Europe, Chevrolet's newcomer will be the firm's flagship saloon model when sales start next year.
To better suit the needs and tastes of customers, General Motors will offer the Malibu with specific powertrain options in each continent.
In Europe, the mid-size sedan will be available with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline unit that generates 164-horsepower and 2.4-liter turbocharged diesel engine with 169-horses. Power will be channelled to the front wheels through a manual gearbox or an automatic transmission.
In North America, the Malibu will be available at launch with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline unit matched to a six-speed auto and an electric motor-generator, with a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine to be added to the range in the summer of 2012. A more powerful V6 is also said to be in the cards.
During the world premiere of the Malibu in April, GM noted that international versions will eventually get a new 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline unit, with details on output and availability to be released at a later date.
Google “Year of the Dragon” and chances are you ‘ll come up with either the Chinese calendar that starts on January 23, 2012, or the Michael Cimino directed and Oliver Stone scripted 1985 film starring Mickey Rourke.
Now the world’s most popular search engine will also display a new collection created by Rolls-Royce's recently expanded Bespoke Department.
Rolls-Royce was the best performer in the BMW Group for the first half of the year, recording a 64.1% increase in sales compared to the same period of 2010. Since a large part of that increase came from China, which is now a bigger market for the brand than the UK, the luxury carmaker decided to launch a special collection in preparation for the festive celebrations.
Among other features offered by the “Year of the Dragon” collection is a twin coachline with a gold-colored, forward-facing, Forbidden City-inspired dragon hand-painted to the side of thePhantom or the Phantom Extended Wheelbase.
The dragon can be also embroidered on every leather headrest in four thread colors (tan, golden, black and white), inlayed in the passenger panel along with the Phantom name, both in matching gold color, illuminated treadplates with “Year of the Dragon 2012” in LED lighting and “a choice of modern of traditional marquetry to match the customer’s veneer choice”.
GM's Cadillac division is on a roll lately. After confirming the production of three new cars including the XTS large luxury saloon, the BMW 3-Series rivaling ATS compact sports sedan, and the ELR Coupe plug-in hybrid EV, Cadillac revealed an impressive new concept model called Ciel that looks into the future but winks at the past.
Named after the French word for sky, the Ciel is a large (5.174 mm or 203.7-in. in length) four-seat, four-door convertible with “suicide” rear doors and no B-pillar reminiscent of the 1961 Lincoln Continental convertible.
“Large, expressive luxury is innate to Cadillac and the Ciel recalls that heritage, while suggesting where the brand can go in the future,” said Clay Dean, global design director for Cadillac. “Authentic luxury is driven by experiences, not just products, and Ciel is about the experience of the journey.”
The Ciel was developed at GM’s North Hollywood Design Center, with Niki Smart as the lead exterior designer and Gael Buzyn responsible for interior development. A wheelbase of 3,175 mm (125 inches) provides ample space for the passengers.
Buzyn, who opted for the use of Italian olive wood, machined aluminum and hand-crafted leather with warm colors to dress the cabin, shares Dean’s point of view:
“With the Ciel the journey is the thing, so the interior is a place of uncompromising comfort and elegance that makes the journey more enjoyable. Nothing distracts from the open driving experience and the color and materials lend the feeling that the car’s interior blends with the surroundings.”
The all-wheel drive concept is powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the company’s direct injection 3.6-liter V6 and an electric motor using a lithium-ion battery pack. The system's combined output reaches 425HP and 583 Nm (430 lb-ft) of peak torque, making the Ciel not just a looker, but also a performer.
So are we going to see a production version of this flagship convertible, or was it created just to wow the crowds at the Pebble Beach event? Clay Dean’s answer is straightforward: “We wouldn’t be showing it if we didn’t have any intentions of doing anything with it”, he told Autonews.
Moreover, Dean revealed, the all-new Ciel architecture is going to be used on other Cadillac models. Our take is that a flagship sedan would be the prime candidate.
There has been a lot of talk lately about BMW's plans to introduce its first-ever diesel-powered 'M' model. Just last week, the Detroit-Bureauspoke to BMW M Manager Brian Watts who confirmed the German company's interest in an M-badged diesel model.
The news site also cited inside sources to say that the plans calls for the development of a highly modified version of BMW's 3.0-liter straight-six oil-burner fitted with three-turbochargers developing around 500-horsepower and well over 600 lb-ft of peak torque. This engine would be fitted on M-badged versions of the 5-Series and the X6 crossover.
Now, our scoopsters in Germany have spied a BMW X6 M prototype featuring a modified hood with extra breathing space, which we believe to be diesel version of the high-performance crossover.
We're still trying to find more details about the model, but until we have something new in our hands, scroll down to check out the spy photos.
First up is the long-rumored Maserati SUV model, which is said to be previewed by a concept study (not to be confused with the independent design rendering by Andrey Trofimchuk that is pictured in this article) at the upcoming 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September, before landing in showrooms in 2013.
