new cars

Friday, March 23, 2012

2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK Facelift gets Freshened up Looks, Die

This is the facelifted Mercedes-Benz GLK that will be sold as a 2013 model in the States and as a 2012 model in the rest of the world. The public will have the chance to see the updated GLK for the first time at next month's New York International Auto Show.

The short story on Mercedes' rival to the BMW X3 and the Audi Q5 is that it receives a styling makeover inside and out while it also gains a revised V6 petrol and the option of a diesel engine for the North American market.

In more detail, the German automaker has discarded the different types of bumpers with specific on-road and off-road packages. Instead, the boxy-looking GLK get the same re-sculptured front and rear bumpers on all models plus revised headlights and tail lamps, a reworked front grille, new LED daytime driving lights in a chrome clasp as standard on all models, and a fresh assortment of 17-, 19- and 20-inch wheels.

Also making its appearance on the latest model is a new, optional AMG Exterior Sports package that adds front and rear aprons, a different radiator grille with two chrome slats, AMG LED daytime driving lights, 19-inch wheels and a sportier suspension setup.

Mercedes-Benz's designers have made some subtle changes to the GLK's interior, namely the new round air vents, trim and upholstery colors, steering wheel designs, instrument panel graphics and the availability of new sports seats and upgraded infotainment systems.

In addition, models equipped with the 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission are fitted with Merc's steering wheel column mounted DIRECT SELECT lever, which the company says frees up space on the lower part of the center console.

A variety of safety assistance systems make their appearance on the GLK such as ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection, Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist.

Under the hood and starting with the European model, the GLK will be offered with five engines. These include four diesels, a 2.2-liter four-pot with 141hp (143PS) in the GLK 200 CDI, 168hp (170PS) in the GLK 220 CDI and 201hp (204PS) in the GLK 250 BlueTEC, plus the 262hp (265PS) 3.0-liter V6 in the GLK 350 CDI.

The only available petrol model is the GLK 350 BlueEFFICIENCY equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 delivering 302hp (306PS).

In the United States, aside from the more potent GLK 350 BlueEFFICIENCY with 302hp (up from 268hp) that goes on sale this summer, Mercedes will also offer the GLK250 BlueTEC powered by a 2.2.-liter turbo diesel with 190hp and 369 lb-ft of torque from early 2013. Pricing and fuel economy numbers have not yet been announced for the N.A. models.

U Spot: Can You Tell What Kind of Car is Hiding Behind the B

A couple of weeks ago, Carscoop reader Sean McKeon sent us a picture of a mystery car being transferred on a truck full of 2012 Volkswagen Beetles in Los Angeles. As you might imagine, we were a bit tied up at the time with our Geneva Motor Show coverage and put the story on hold until today.

To get to the point, Sean asked us if we knew what type of car was hiding behind the black plastic covers:

"I saw this chrome (not silver, but blinged out chrome) thingy under wraps on this truck hauling new beetles through Baton Rouge, LA. At first I thought it was an R8, but the lights don't seem to match. Any ideas on what it might be?"

We thought it could be a Lamborghini Gallardo, but that doesn't seem to be the case either. If you have any thoughts on the brand and/or the type of model, hop through the jump and head down to the comments section.

EPA Releases Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S Fuel Economy Numbers

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has beat both Subaru and Scion in releasing the official fuel-economy ratings for the new BRZ and FR-S sports coupes.

Being that the Subaru BRZ and the Scion FR-S are in essence identical twins, the fuel efficiency and greenhouse emission numbers are the same for both models.

According to the EPA, when the rear-wheel drive coupes' 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is matched to the standard 6-speed manual gearbox, they return 22mpg city, 30mpg highway and 25mpg combined.

Those that opt for the 6-speed automatic transmission, will see slightly better numbers at 25mpg in city driving, 34mpg on the highway and 28mpg combined.

Chevrolet to Debut All-New 2014 Impala Sedan and Facelifted

Chevrolet will continue to revamp its passenger car lineup with the presentation of the all-new 2014 Impala full-size sedan and the facelifted 2013 Traverse crossover, both of which will make their world premiere at the at the New York International Auto Show next month.

Along with the announcement, GM released one teaser photo for each model, including a cropped image of the new Impala's C-pillar design and a peak at the 2013 Traverse's interior.

The new Impala has been designed from the ground up, sharing its lengthened Epsilon II platform and mechanical hardware with the 2013 Cadillac XTS.

GM has not offered us any official details yet, but it is believed that like the XTS, the Impala will also be available with both front- and all-wheel-drive, and possibly, a choice of two engines, including a 2.0-liter turbocharged four and a 3.6-liter V6.

“The momentum at Chevrolet continues to build with the debut of the 10th generation of the Impala, one of the brand’s most enduring and cherished nameplates,” commented Chris Perry, vice president of Global Chevrolet Marketing.

“The new Impala further strengthens Chevrolet’s passenger car lineup by giving consumers a full-size sedan that balances the desire for distinction with engaging driving dynamics," he added.

As for the 2013 version of the Traverse, GM said that it will feature styling refinements both inside and out along with added safety features such as the industry’s first front center air bag.

“The new Traverse builds on the success of the current model offering a wide variety of improvements to ride and handling, interior materials and exterior styling without compromising the functionality and capability families need to support their busy lives,” said Perry.

The new Impala and Traverse will be joined by several other Chevrolet vehicles at New York such as the Tru 140S and Code 130R concept vehicles and the Corvette 427 Convertible with the 60th Anniversary package.

Hyundai CEO Says Redesigned Sonata Coming in 2014, Revamped

Hyundai Motor Company CEO Kim Choon-ho proved to be quite talkative on the sidelines of an industry meeting that took place on Wednesday in South Korea.

The company's boss told a Reuters' reporter that Hyundai plans to launch a "revamped version" of its Sonata sedan in 2014. Kim Choon-ho did not say if it will be a completely new model or a heavy facelift.

The Korean automaker introduced the current generation of its mid-size sedan in its home market in 2009, and in the U.S. and other markets around the world, in 2010. Last year, the KDM Sonata received some minor styling tweaks .

Kim also told the news site that Hyundai will unwrap a "revamped version" of its larger, rear-wheel drive Genesis sedan towards the end of 2013.

The Genesis saloon was launched in select markets around the world in 2008.

Friday, March 2, 2012

New Kia K9 Flagship Makes Another Appearance for the Camera

Most of you should know what the new Kia K9 looks by now (at least on the outside) after the release of the official shots earlier this week, but we've discovered two new videos of the Korean firm's promising new flagship sedan filmed on the road. There's nothing new we can add to our previous post as Kia continues to have a tight hold on most information regarding the K9, including when and in which other markets outside its home country it plans to offer its first ever rear-wheel drive sedan.
Nevertheless, our guess is that if anything else, it will eventually sell its most expensive model in the world's largest market for these types of cars, which is none other than the U.S.
In the meantime, head past the jump to take gander at the two videos.

VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TSKKG3aiP0&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHrxloSeCts&feature=player_embedded

Lexus Confirms 2013 RX 450h Facelift for Geneva Motor Show

The refreshed 2013 model year Lexus RX made an unexpected appearance last month via a leaked JDM brochure, but the official presentation of the series will take place at the Geneva Motor Show next week. The Japanese automaker said it would debut the facelifted RX 450h alongside the first F Sport interpretation of the full hybrid luxury SUV.
Lexus wouldn't divulge any more details but we know from the brochure shots that aside from the new spindle grille shown in the teaser picture, the updated RX also gets redesigned headlamps with LED daytime running lights, a new front bumper, revised taillights and different alloy wheel designs.
As for the interior, we noticed that there's a new steering wheel design and updated trim while in Japan at least, the RX will be offered with a new rear-seat entertainment system.
In Europe, the revised RX will go on sale in the summer.
Joining the RX at Lexus' Geneva Motor Show stand will be the LF-LC hybrid sports coupe concept and the new GS 450h and GS 450h F Sport.

LEAKED BROCHURE SHOTS