William Maley

Despite Mitsubishi selling the current Outlander crossover for almost a year, the company has decided that it was time to do a refresh on it. Next week at the 2015 New York Auto Show, the company will show off the Outlander's new face. From the teaser shots released by Mitsubishi, the 2016 Outlander looks to be taking some ideas from the Outlander PHEV Concept-S plug-in hybrid shown in Paris last year. There is a trapezoidal grille outline with two chrome bars sitting on the top and a set of accents running from the headlights to the fog lights. Around back, there appears to be some new bulges and the taillights arranged underneath the rear windshield. Mitsubishi is keeping quiet on any other details, only saying that it "features over 100 engineering and design improvements". We'll have more details and pictures when the Outlander debuts on April 2nd. Source: Mitsubishi You may also like: Mitsubishi and Nissan Midsize Project Hits An Impasse Mitsubishi Tells Its Dealers New Products Are On The Way Mitsubishi On the Rebound In the U.S., Considers Bringing Over Some New Products Review: 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander GT S-AWC Press Release is on Page 2 MITSUBISHI MOTORS TO CONDUCT WORLD PREMIERE OF 2016 OUTLANDER AT THE NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is pleased to announce that it will make the world premiere of the 2016 Outlander during its press conference at the 2015 New York International Auto Show in the North Hall (booth 260) on Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 11:30a.m. ET. The 2016 Outlander will be the first Mitsubishi vehicle to debut the brand's new design language. The 2016 Outlander is a refined crossover utility vehicle that features over 100 engineering and design improvements including a new, powerful and dynamic appearance, enhanced road performance as the result of improvements to noise levels, ride, handling and throttle response, and a more eloquent yet functional interior space. The new 2016 Outlander demonstrates the brand's renewed emphasis on style, refinement and overall driving experience. For those who are unable to join Mitsubishi Motors in New York, the press conference will be internationally broadcast live. For details about the webcast please check media.mitsubishicars.com. Full 2016 Outlander details will be released at 11:30a.m. ET on April 2, 2015. View full article

Fiat and Jeep are planning a big crossover offensive with a new larger model that will sit above the 500X/Renegade and a smaller model. Autocar reports the two automakers are working on a new crossover to take on the Nissan Qashqai - one of popular crossovers on sale in Europe. Fiat's version will become the flagship for the brand, while Jeep's version will take the place of the Compass and Patriot. It's expected that Jeep will show their version first sometime in 2016, followed by Fiat. Following that will be a much smaller crossover which will sit underneath the 500X/Renegade and take the place of the Panda Cross for Fiat. If given the green light, both models will be designed and sold for Europe only. No word on a possible release date. Source: Autocar View full article

Volkswagen is looking towards vans and a possible pickup as way to bolster its U.S. lineup and become something other than a niche player in the marketplace. Bloomberg reports that Volkswagen's head of the light commercial vehicle unit, Eckhard Scholz said the company is investigating whether or not to send some of their vans and possibly the Amarok - the only pickup VW builds at the moment - to the U.S. “Pickup trucks are a dominating segment,” while there’s also a trend in the U.S. toward compact European vans, Scholz said. “We’re looking at both options intensively.” Now if this sounds familiar, Volkswagen of America CEO said something similar back in January. Michael Horn told Automotive News the company was looking into bringing a van over - be it the large Crafter van or small Caddy. Source: Bloomberg View full article

The past week has been abuzz with a report from Britain's Car Magazine stating that the MINI Superleggera Vision concept - shown last year - would go into production in 2018 as a replacement for the slow selling Roadster model. However, MINI's top executive put the kibosh on that report somewhat. Peter Schwarzenbauer, head of MINI told Automotive News Europe that the concept is still under discussion. “I cannot confirm that it has been approved yet,” said Schwarzenbauer. Schwarzenbauer has been a big proponent of the concept, saying it would be a “great addition to the Mini range” and has been pushing for the model to enter production. Source: Automotive News Europe (Subscription Required) View full article

The first vehicle that kicked off the renaissance of Jaguar, the XF, is getting a redesign that will debut next month at the 2015 New York Auto Show. The British automaker released two teaser shots showing the exterior and interior. The exterior shot is a overhead view which doesn't tell us much aside from a panoramic sunroof and looking similar to the current model. The interior shot tells us much more as it appears Jaguar takes some ideas from the XE with a wider infotainment display and the rotary transmission selector moving towards the center in the console. Now before Jaguar brings the XF to New York, the company is doing an ambitious stunt. On March 24th, an XF will drive across The Thames on two wires that are suspended above the river. Source: Jaguar Press Release is on Page 2 Jaguar To Continue To Strengthen Lineup With Launch Of All-New All-Aluminum Second-Generation Jaguar XF All-new 2016 Jaguar XF to be revealed on March 24, 2015 Dramatic high-wire journey streamed globally on jaguarusa.com/NewXF at 3:00PM EST (19:00 GMT) 2016 Jaguar XF to make public debut at 2015 New York International Automobile Show Jaguar XF will be the second Jaguar model to feature the brand's advanced aluminum-intensive architecture New Jaguar XF to offer exceptional levels of refinement, comfort and technology Full technical details to be announced at the 2015 New York International Auto Show on April 1 (MAHWAH, NJ) - March 17, 2015 - The all-new 2016 Jaguar XF model will make an extraordinary journey across London on March 24, one week ahead of its public motor show debut in New York. Jaguar has teamed up with expert British stuntman Jim Dowdall, veteran of dramatic action stunts in movies including Bond, Bourne and Indiana Jones, to perform a world's first high-wire water crossing in the all-new Jaguar XF. The dramatic drive, across two 1.3in (34mm)-diameter wires suspended high above water will highlight the lightweight and agile credentials of the new Jaguar XF and will be streamed globally on jaguarusa.com/NewXF at 3:00PM EST (19:00 GMT) on March 24. First launched in North America in 2008 and receiving a complete redesign for the 2016 model year, the next generation Jaguar XF will be the second Jaguar model to feature the brand's advanced aluminum-intensive architecture. Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar, said, "I believe the all-new Jaguar XF will be the best looking car in its class. Elegant, handsome and with proportions that imbue a great sense of integrity - the all-new XF will be true to the strong tradition of sporting Jaguar sedans while being completely of its time." The sophisticated all-new XF, on sale in the U.S. in fall of 2015, will offer exceptional levels of technology, refinement, luxury and comfort. The all-new XF will make its global motor show debut at the New York Auto Show on April 1 when the full range and technical details will be released in addition to further images/films. View full article

Every automotive writer has a wish list of absurd ideas they would like to do. I have been very lucky to cross one of those items off my list - driving a $130,000+ vehicle for a week. A couple weeks back I was able to cross another item off that list: Driving a open-top vehicle in the winter. What vehicle afforded me the chance to accomplish this wish? It happens to be one of the smallest and sportiest open-top vehicles on sale today; the 2015 Fiat 500C Abarth. The Fiat 500 is one of the most iconic designs in the automotive world with its short and rounded shape that offered enough space for a small family, while having a price tag that everyone could afford. When it came to designing the new 500, designers took the basic shape and gave it a bit of a modern twist. The new 500 is slightly large, but retains the short front end and rounded cabin area. Abarth models give the 500 some attitude with a 0.7-inch suspension drop, Abarth badging on the front and rear; stripes running along the bottom edge of the doors, new wheels with a red scorpion cap, and a rear diffuser. Now this being the 500C, Fiat did something clever with the transition to a convertible. Instead of hacking off all of the roof, Fiat left the roof rails in place and installed a canvas top. By leaving the roof rails, it allows the 500C to retain a fair bit of structural integrity without fully resorting to adding rigidity towards to the bottom of the vehicle. Now the canvas top allows the driver to have it open in various positions such as a panoramic sunroof to fully open. The downside is when the top is fully open, it scrunches up at the bottom and causes a major blind spot to appear. I wish Fiat could figure out a way to stow away the top or at least offer a backup camera and blind spot monitoring. During my testing, the Detroit area had some of coldest temperatures with lows dipping into -20F. I was worried that the canvas top would make the week unbearable, but the top was able to retain the heat and make it a pleasant place to be in. The Abarth’s interior is very much full of sporting intentions paired with a bit of retro styling. The dash boasts a large piece of grey plastic with the 500C name on the passenger side to evoke the 500’s past when the dashboard was metal. This is paired with such details as sport seats wrapped in black cloth and a new steering wheel with stitching. Seats are mostly comfortable and provide excellent support in enthusiastic driving. Oddly, the seating position has you feeling like you’re sitting on a stool. I thought the seating position worked, while others complain about it. Your opinion may vary on this. Even though the 500 has seating for four, it's best to think to think of it as a two-seater as there is no legroom. My test Abarth came with equipped the Beats audio system. The optional system includes six-speakers, an eight-inch subwoofer, and a new amplifier. The optional system is impressive with providing excellent sound no matter what I played through it. I wished Fiat could have done a little bit more sound deadening so I didn’t have the volume up as much to try and drown out wind and road noise. The Abarth also included an optional TomTom navigation system. While it might look a little out of place, I have to give Fiat credit for hiding the power cable and other bits inside the dash. See the next page for thoughts on powertrain and driving experience. Powering the Abarth is a turbocharged 1.4L MultiAir four-cylinder with 157 horsepower and 183 pound-feet of torque (or 170 pound-feet when equipped with the manual). My tester was fitted with the optional six-speed automatic, while a five-speed manual is standard. Start the 500C Abarth up and you’ll be inundated with one of the sweetest engine sounds on sale. With cracking and popping, this engine is a joy to work. Aside from the sweet noises, the engine is quite spunky. Power comes on fast and gets the Abarth moving at a decent clip. The six-speed automatic provides crisp shifts, though I found the shift logic a bit wonky as it tended to hold gears slightly longer than I was expecting. Fuel economy is rated at 24 City/32 Highway/27 combined. My week saw an average of 26 MPG. Out on the curvy bits, the Abarth shows off what it can do. The stiff suspension provides excellent body control and doesn’t make your passengers feel sick. Now the Abarth is a little bit twitchy due to the suspension and small tires, but it is easily controllable thanks to the engine and steering which possesses good weight. I did wish the steering had a little bit more feel. You might think the stiff suspension would make the ride unbearable, but the Abarth isn’t that unpleasant. The ride is bouncy, but you don’t feel like your spine is being shaken out. This may get old if you decide to take a long trip, along with loud exhaust that provides those sweet engine notes. I wonder if Fiat could look into a dual-mode exhaust into cutting back the noise for those times when need it. Despite the cold weather, the Fiat 500C Abarth proved to be amazing vehicle. Its has the looks and engine note to get noticed. Plus the handling and performance that can give you a big grin. Some may wish the 500 Abarth was a little bit more button down like the MINI Cooper in corners, but I think it would take away something from the model - its character. Few can match the 500C Abarth for driving fun and noise - even when its 20 below outside. Disclaimer: Fiat Provided the 500C Abarth, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas Year: 2015 Make: Fiat Model: 500C Trim: Abarth Engine: 1.4L Turbocharged, MultiAir SOHC Four-Cylinder Driveline: Six-Speed Automatic, Front-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 157 @ 5,500 Torque @ RPM: 183 @ 2,400 - 4,000 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 24/32/27 Curb Weight: 2,545 lbs Location of Manufacture: Toluca, Mexico Base Price: $26,395 As Tested Price: $32,045 (Includes $850.00 Destination Charge) Options: Heavy-Duty Six-Speed Automatic Transmission - $1,350.00 Comfort/Convenience Group - $900.00 Beats Audio Package - $700.00 TomTom Navigation with BLUE&ME - $600.00 16-Inch Aluminum Wheels - $550.00 Black Mirror Cap with Body Side Stripe - $450.00 Black Trimmed Lights - $250.00 View full article

Yep