Changes are brewing for the VW Jetta SportWagen, which will go out of production this fall, leaving a year-long production gap until the next version begins production in 2013.
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Known for its rugged terrain-capable cars sporting efficient four-cylinder engines, Subaru built its reputation on offering all-wheel drive and crossover-like ground clearance in an efficient package.
Cars like the Forrester already offer that to U.S. customers, but the brand just unveiled another off-road clearance-oriented car at the New York Auto Show.
Based on the Impreza platform, which was traditionally used to build the recently-emancipated WRX and hotter WRX STi rally cars, the XV Crosstrek offers customers who want an Outback Sport.
With an impressive 8.7 inches of ground clearance, the XV Crosstrek actually rivals many larger crossovers in off-road capability. The same 2.0-liter Boxer engine that sites in the Impreza also powers the XV Crosstrek with 148 horsepower through the standard all-wheel drive system.
Again the same as its Impreza cousin, the newest Subie translates power between the engine and wheels with a CVT that won’t be thrilling any driving enthusiasts, but offers 33 mpg on the highway.
Official pricing isn’t announced yet, but the car goes on sale later this Fall, so the details can’t be too far off. If nothing else, we’re assuming the starting price won’t be too far from the Outback Sport, which sold for a base $20,720.
GALLERY: 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
The Volvo V40 small hatchback debuted at the Geneva Auto Show yesterday, but as we reported last week, it won’t be heading to the U.S. market.
The stylish five-door featured a range of six engines, three gasoline and three diesel. The range-topping T5 gas engine actually gets as much torque as the most powerful diesel option in the line at 295 ft-lbs of torque but is more powerful with 254 hp to the diesel’s 177.
Despite that, the oil-burner is sure to be more efficient and probably a better seller as a result, though there are more efficient options on both the gas and diesle sides. The low-end options are a 1.6-liter inline four in either gas or diesel making 150 hp and 240 ft-lbs of torque or 115 hp and 210 ft-lbs respectively.
The V40 would be a tight-fitting car to some, and probably more expensive than currently-available competition.
Size aside, the Volvo is available with the range of safety features customers know the brand for. Drivers may choose such flagship features as blind spot detection, lane assistance and pedestrian detection among the long list of others.
Drivers more concerned with what’s happening inside their car than on the road will probably appreciate those features. Perhaps more so than that, they might also enjoy the car’s seven mood light settings which are good for adding an extra, though totally unnecessary customization.
The exterior features distinct Volvo style with a wide front, sharp lines and the typical pinched tail lights we’ve come to expect from the brand.
It’s unfortunate that there won’t be any of them for sale in the U.S., but the niche they meet is already well-filled by economy cars like the Ford Focus which offer more interior room and luggage capacity with similar styling.
Sure, it’s not a Volvo, but history has shown us time and time again that luxury hatchbacks struggle in America more often than not.
GALLERY: 2013 Volvo V40
GALLERY: 2013 Volvo V40
After seeing spy photos and leaked photos of the new Jaguar XF Sportbrake over the last few months, the real deal has finally been unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show.
As expected, the station wagon variant of the Jaguar XF is as beautiful in the flesh as it is in photos. In fact, the XF Sportbrake looks surprisingly sporty with its aggressive front-end design while the traditional wagon rear is rather classy.
The stretched variant of the XF sedan is a mere 5-mm longer than the sedan, but also weighs 150 lbs less. But don’t let the overall length fool you, there’s almost two inches more of rear seat headroom thanks to all new sheetmetal from the B-pillar back.
Unfortunately this sporty and versatile XF wagon won’t be making its way to America, since it’s believed that Americans are very anti-wagon. The rear-wheel drive wagon will be available in Europe with Jaguar’s 2.2L four-cylinder, turbo-diesel powerplant and a pair of 3.0L twin-turbo, six-cylinder engine variants with either 237-hp or 271-hp. All engine choices will be mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
After seeing the XF Sportbrake on the show floor at Geneva, we’re saddened by the fact that it won’t make its way to America. But hopefully this could help persuade the market to be more acceptable toward wagon models in the future.
See the rest of our 2012 Geneva Motor Show coverage here.
GALLERY: Jaguar XF Sportbrake
GALLERY: Jaguar XF Sportbrake
The new Volvo V40 might be one of the most attractive hatchbacks that you can’t have. Sorry, but that’s just how it goes. Europeans get the freedom of choice to take a fifth door in elegance, Americans don’t.
We have been covering the new Volvo V40′s slow release ahead of the Geneva Motor Show for over two months but the jig is up.
Volvo Cars North America head of public relations Geno Effler made an announcement via email that, “the V40 is not coming to the United States.” What’s more, Effler wrote that “the V40 is not replacing an existing model; it is a new model.”
2011 marked the final model year for the Volvo V50 wagon, thus making the aging Volvo XC70 the final station wagon in the Swedish Automaker’s North American line-up. The Swedish automaker’s shift away from offering station wagons that first distinguished the brand to Americans is a strong signal that demand for the practically-minded cars is falling fast in the U.S.
GALLERY: Volvo V40
[Source: autoblog]
More proof that a station wagon can in fact be beautiful, Jaguar has just released the first official photos and details on what it is calling the XF Sportbrake.
An elongated version of the XF sedan, its billed as the most versatile Jag ever. At just 5 mm longer than the four-door it, surprisingly, weighs over 150 lbs less. Based on the same platform as the sedan, it is also designed to retain that model’s driving dynamics.
With all new sheetmetal from the B-pillar back, there’s an additional 48mm (almost two inches) of rear seat headoom. Cargo room is a decent 19.4 cu-ft, and grows to 59 cu-ft with the rear seats folded flat. That, of course, can be achieved with easily accessible latches, while the rear tailgate can be ordered as a power option. Jaguar says the rear cargo area floor can be split into sections so valuables don’t roll around, while there’s also a storage compartment below the bed.
In addition to the cosmetic and functionality changes, the XF includes a self-leveling air suspension, designed so that it can be used to tow.
At launch just two diesel engines will be available, a 2.2-liter four cylinder and a 3.0-liter six-cylinder, each mated to an 8-speed automatic with rear-wheel drive. Those diesel engines are an indication that Jaguar has no immediate plans to offer the XF Sportbrake in North America, yet.
Set to go on sale in Europe in the third quarter of this year, look for more on the car when it makes its official debut next week at the Geneva Motor Show.
GALLERY: 2013 Jaguar XF Sportbrake
Mercedes-Benz is expanding its E-Class family of vehicles with a new wagon. Called the Estate in European markets, the wagon will be available with ten different engine options.
The new wagon will launch in November with two gas options and three diesel options:
Gas
- E 350 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY: V6, 3498 cm³, 215 kW/292 hp, 8.6–8.9 l/100 km, 200–208 g/km, 7-speed automatic transmission
- E 500: V8, 5461 cm³, 285 kW/388 hp, 11.1–11.2 l/100 km, 258–260 g/km, 7-speed automatic transmission
Diesel
- E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY: 4-cylinder in-line, 2143 cm³, 125 kW/170 hp,5.8 l/100 km, 150 g/km, 6-speed manual transmission
- E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY: 4-cylinder in-line, 2143 cm³, 150 kW/204 hp, 5.8 l/100 km, 150 g/km, 6-speed manual transmission
- E 350 CDI Blue-EFFICIENCY: V6, 2987 cm³, 170 kW/231 hp, 7.0–7.3 l/100 km, 185–192 g/km, 7-speed automatic transmission
An additional three gas options and two diesels will be introduced in early 2010:
Gas
- E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY: 4-cylinder in-line, 1796 cc, 135 kW/183 hp,7.7-n/a l/100 km, CO2 179-n/a g/km, 6-speed manual transmission,
- E 250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY: 4-cylinder in-line, 1796 cc, 150 kW/204 hp,8.0-8.2 l/100 km, CO2 185-191 g/km, 5-speed automatic transmission
- E 350 4MATIC: V6, 3498 cc, 200 kW/272 hp, 10.2-10.3 l/100 km,CO2 238-241 g/km, 7-speed automatic transmission
Diesel
- E 200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY: 4-cylinder in-line, 2143 cm³, 100 kW/136 hp,5.7–n/a l/100 km, 150-n/a g CO2/km, 6-speed manual transmission
- E 350 CDI 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY: V6, 2987 cc, 170 kW/231 hp, 7.6–7.7 l/100 km, CO2 200-203 g/km, 7-speed automatic transmission
The new wagon will have air suspension with rear self-leveling. The E-Class wagon has a load capacity to 68.8 cubic feet.
In addition to the standard models, AMG will, as expected, offer its own version of the E-Class Wagon: the E63 AMG Estate. With a 6.2-liter V8 making 518hp and 465 ft-lbs of torque, the E63 Wagon will get you (and all of your stuff) where you have to go… fast. In fact, the E63 Estate takes just 4.6 seconds to hit 60 mph! And because if you bought a wagon you might actually care somewhat about practicality, Mercedes is pleased to announce that the new 2010 model is now 12 percent more fuel-efficient.
GALLERY: Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate
More on the E63 AMG Estate after the jump:
Despite rumors of its delay, Mercedes has confirmed that the E-Class station wagon (or Estate as they call it in Europe) will debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show this September.
Sales of the new E-Class are already off to a strong start says Mercedes with 40,000 units already delivered and U.S. and Chinese deliveries still yet to happen.
“The fact that the E-Class sedan already became the global market leader in May demonstrates how well it is being received by our customers,” said Dr. Klaus Maier, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz. “The new coupe is also extremely popular, thanks to its dynamic design and the new generation of efficient engines. We are very delighted with this positive response because the E-Class has always been of great importance for Mercedes-Benz. It’s an exemplary embodiment of the brand’s basic attributes of safety, comfort, and quality. The new E-Class also sets the standards when it comes to economy in the upper-range segment.”
The E-Class wagon will debut as a 2010 model and like past versions we expect the North American market to receive the E350 4MATIC and 6.2-liter V8-powered E63 AMG model.
Official release after the jump: