LA Show 2011 Highlights: 2013 Lincoln MKS

Call them revisions or call them fixes; either way, Lincoln has done a good amount of something to the 2013 MKS. This is not a remake, but instead a heavy refresh like those applied to several Ford and Lincoln products of late. (See 2011 Ford Edge/Lincoln MKZ and 2011 Ford Mustang.)

The hard part for the team making over the MKS had to be dealing with just that: hard points. In this platform’s evolution from Volvo S80 to Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego to current Taurus and MKS, it has underpinned a lot of big sedans and crossovers, few of them stylistic successes and none of them knockouts. It’s almost as if the MKS is only now exiting puberty—although its bones still don’t quite match its role in life. And so the awkwardly tight rear compartment, tallish cabin, and high beltline remain. With a structure like that, engineers and designers can do only so much.

And oh, that styling. We’ll let you form your own opinion, saying only that we think it’s better than it was. Everything forward of the A-pillars has been re-skinned. The new grille and hood lessen the buck-toothed look with wider upper intakes—filled with finer chrome slats that before—and smaller headlights. The hood now reaches deeper between the grilles and houses a smaller Lincoln badge. A new decklid, which is supposed to improve the car’s compromised trunk access, is flanked by Jaguar XJ–esque taillights. The 2013 MKS gets new 19- and 20-inch wheel designs. Again, they’re better, but we wouldn’t exactly call them pretty.

Inside, the biggest news is the installation of the latest MyLincoln Touch system, which places a pair of screens in the gauge cluster, a corresponding pair of directional pads with which to control them on the steering wheel, and a large touch screen in the dash. As in other MyLincolnTouch applications, knobs and buttons are replaced on the center stack by touch-sensitive nubs and sliders.

Optional multi-contour front seats use a host of air bladders to adjust to and massage the bodies in them, and a heated steering wheel is now optional. New interior wood choices (Prussian Burl and Brown Swirl Walnut) as well as new Bridge of Weir leather hues (Hazelnut and Light Dune) all sound like different ways to say brown.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

LA Show 2011 Highlights: 2013 Infiniti IPL G Convertible

The Infiniti Performance Line was launched late last year with but a single model, a sharpened and slightly more powerful version of the G37 coupe called the IPL G coupe. In August, Infiniti showed us what an IPL G convertible would look like and announced—to no one’s surprise—that the convertible also would make it to dealers. Now Infiniti has debuted the production IPL G for extroverts at the 2011 Los Angeles auto show.

Like the IPL G coupe, the 2013 IPL G convertible adds a pinch of this and a dash of that to deliver what Infiniti calls “total vehicle performance” when compared with the standard G37 convertible. (This implies, of course, that the regular G models deliver incomplete vehicle performance.) As with its fixed-roof counterpart, the IPL G convertible gets a new nose, rocker-panel extensions, obscenely fat exhaust tips, and gorgeous, lacy 19-inch wheels. It is available in only two hues: Malbec Black (a deep wine color) and Moonlight White.

The interior is likewise limited to two colors—Stone and Monaco Red—and features red-stitched leather upholstery, “Silk Obi” aluminum trim, aluminum-capped pedals, and IPL-embroidered seatbacks and front floor mats.

IPL’s efforts to recalibrate the G’s VQ-series 3.7-liter V-6 and fitment of a true dual exhaust system yield the same boost in output as found with the IPL G coupe, adding 18 hp and 6 lb-ft of torque. In the convertible, this brings total output to 343 hp (at a lofty 7400 rpm) and 273 lb-ft of torque. Sadly, the coupe’s six-speed manual and its short-throw shifter are not available in the convertible; the only transmission offered is Infiniti’s seven-speed automatic, which comes with magnesium shift paddles affixed to the steering column.
Thanks to: Car and Driver

LA Show 2011 Highlights: 2013 Honda Fit EV

Introduced at the Los Angeles auto show, the Honda Fit EV joins the Scion iQ, Fiat 500, and Chevy Spark in the tiny-cars-that-have-been-converted-to-run-on-batteries brigade. But the Fit EV's rollout, set to begin next summer, will be small and contained: Honda expects to produce and distribute only about 1100 of the cars over the next three years, first in California and Oregon, and then in six to-be-announced East Coast markets.

The production model shown at the Los Angeles auto show is, as expected, very similar to the concept that debuted one year ago at the same show. Contrary to our predictions, the glowing charge port remains, as do EV-specific decals, although the latter's size and garishness have been reduced. The aerodynamic rear spoiler and unique rocker panels remain as well, while the front fascia has been modified slightly to incorporate a chrome smiley face and less-obvious cooling apertures. The car will be offered only in the color seen here: Reflection Blue Pearl.

The Fit EV is powered by a 123-hp electric motor that's based on the one in Honda's FCX Clarity fuel-cell electric sedan, and is fed juice by a 20-kWh lithium-ion battery. Honda claims the onboard 6.6-kW, 32-amp charger can top off the pack in less than three hours on 240-volt power. That's slightly better than the claimed time for Ford's Focus Electric, which should need a little longer to charge its slightly higher-capacity battery. (Both should beat the Nissan Leaf's charge times.) Honda projects a 123-mile city range and a combined-driving total of 76 miles on a full charge.

Like Honda's hybrids, the Fit EV will have three driving modes—Normal, Sport, and Econ—that govern the behavior of the accelerator pedal and other systems. A full telematics suite (not unlike the one Nissan packages with the Leaf) will allow monitoring of the vehicle's state of charge, charge scheduling, and climate-control pre-conditioning via smartphone or computer. Honda also will include a remote control that can display charge and climate-control status, initiate and terminate charging, and switch on the A/C. It only works within a 100-foot range of the vehicle, though, so its usefulness will mostly be limited to saving the driver trips out to the garage when the car is parked at home.

While most changes to the interior are minimal-bio-fabrics used on the seats, colored gauge illumination to match the driving mode-stuffing the batteries under the floor necessitated a couple of big changes. The Fit's trick flat-folding rear seat is gone; now the back cushion folds, but the bottom is fixed. And the floor is two to three inches higher in the EV than in conventional Fits, which raises the H-point—how high off the ground the driver's hips are—and reduces headroom. Luckily, the Fit is well-endowed in that measure.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

LA Show 2011 Highlights: 2013 Honda CR-V

This is the new Honda CR-V, which has made its debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show. It is a rival for the Ford Kuga, which was also revealed at the US show.

It's set to go on sale in the UK in Autumn 2012, and has been updated with a mildly facelifted body. Despite being a bit shorter and lower than the car it replaces, Honda says there is actually more space inside, as the windscreen has been moved forward and the floor lowered.

As well as being more practical, the CR-V has also moved upmarket, with a redesigned dashboard that features better quality materials.

Honda has stripped some weight from the CR-V, and along with improved aerodynamics, electric power steering and taller gearing, the car is expected to be slightly more economical and have lower emissions. For the UK, engines will be carried over from the current model with a 2.0-litre i-VTEC petrol and 2.2-litre i-DTEC diesel, with the latter returning around 45mpg. There are currently no plans for a hybrid version.

Variable four-wheel drive is carried over from the current car. This is capable of sending up to 100 per cent of power to the front or rear wheels, depending on which have the most grip.

Gadgets include Bluetooth, a rear parking camera, USB connectivity and a system that allows the driver to text from Blackberry phone.

Honda says a version 'developed and designed specifically for the European market' will arrive later next year. Expect Honda to tweak steering and suspension settings, while the new CR-V will also be built at Honda's Swindon plant.

The US market is crucial for the CR-V, where Honda aims to sell around 200,000 models every year, making. For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express

New Concept Car: Volkswagen eT

Is Volkswagen getting closer to launching a new Microbus van inspired by the 1950s original? This electric-powered concept, called Volkswagen eT, could hint at a Microbus-inspired shape for the next-generation of VW’s Transporter commercial van.

The significant styling change is a shorter nose that gets closer to the original Type 2 van, now a classic design. VW has had several previous attempts at engineering a new Type 2 — a concept in 2001 and the Volkswagen Bulli in 2011.

The Bulli is rumoured for production as a Polo-based five-seat minivan. Currently the Transporter is in its fifth-generation, T5 version. A new T6 van is pencilled in to the product plan for 2014/15.

The innovative Volkswagen eT shown here, features new design ideas to ‘simplify’ the working day, including a ‘follow me’ function.

Designed by the same team who created Frankfurt's NILS concept, the VW eT is powered by electric wheel hub motors. The Volkswagen eT’s innovative ‘follow me’ function allows the van to follow the delivery person from house to house. Alternatively, the ‘come to me’ function recalls the van on command. As a third option, the driver can also direct the car from the passenger seat via a ‘drive stick.’

The eT also features a wide, electrically opening sliding door that opens to two different stages. VW says the door offers quick access inside and makes ‘unnecessary walking movements around the vehicle a thing of the past.’

VW’s commercial vehicles spokesman Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber added that the eT showcases “what is the maximum feasible technology for electric vehicles in the commercial market today with a special design that systematically addresses future customer needs.”

No further details have been revealed, but VW has hinted at a production version for the latter half of the decade.

Thanks to: Autocar

Sneak Peek: Infiniti EV Sport Concept

Infiniti has hinted at the styling of the new electric sports car it is developing in two ‘teaser’ pictures.

The manufacturer is planning to show off its new creation – first announced in September – at the Geneva motor show in March 2012.

The car is part of Infiniti’s plan to extend its range of hybrids and explore high performance, low emission electric cars.

Infiniti spokesman Andy Palmer said: “At the Geneva show next year, we will present our vision for a totally new kind of inspired premium performance car. Infiniti already has hybrid and clean diesel models on sale. And with an all-electric saloon on the way, the natural next step was to push the boundaries where performance and the environment intersect.”

Infiniti could use the same technology that is currently being used in the Nissan Leaf, more notably the one-off racing version, the Leaf Nismo RC.

The RC features a low roofline, a carbonfibre tub and a mid-engined, rear-drive design while housing a completely standard Leaf powertrain, including its batteries.

Thanks to: Autocar

New Car: 2013 Audi A1 Sportback

Audi has unveiled the promised five-door version of its A1 supermini, and plans to have it in UK showrooms early in 2012. Called Audi A1 Sportback, the five-door is identical in size and style to the three-door, but designers have found an extra 6mm in both height and width, which they say improves rear-seat room, one of the few major points of criticism in the three-door.

The Audi A1 was an instant success when launched late last year, exceeding a planned annual sales rate of around 18,000 cars. The company believes volume should increase further with the launch of the Audi A1 Sportback, which should eventually account for about 70 per cent of total sales.

At launch, the Sportback will be offered with the same four-level engine with which the three-door began life: three petrol engines (ranging from a normally aspirated 1.2-litre with 84bhp to a turbocharged and supercharged 1.6-litre with 184bhp that comes as standard with a seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox). The diesel is Audi’s economy showpiece, a 1.6-litre four producing 103bhp that emits just 99g/km of CO2.

Next summer the A1 Sportback will get the 141bhp, 184lb ft 2.0-litre “performance” diesel recently introduced to the three-door range. Its 0-62 time acceleration is 8.5 seconds, yet its combined cycle economy is an impressive 68.9mpg.

The A1’s kerb weight of 1065 kilograms is a relatively modest 25 kilograms ahead of the three-door figure. The entry-level Sportback 1.2 SE five-door costs £13,980, a premium of £560 more than the corresponding three-door. Audi dealers are taking orders now for delivery next spring.

Thanks to: Autocar