2013 Hyundai HCD-14 Genesis on Detroit motor show

          Detroit motor show: Hyundai HCD-14 Genesis

Shape of hyundai’s future luxury saloons revealed in a concept at the Detroit motor show

Hyundai’s concept car for the Detroit motor show, the HCD-14 Genesis, gives us a preview of what to expect from its future large cars.

The Californian-designed concept will shape the look of its BMW 5-series-rivalling Genesis and its Mercedes S-class competitor, the Equus.

The rear-drive HCD-14 has a much sleeker, sharper look than the firm’s current executive cars, with short overhangs and a coupé-like roofline. The back doors are rear-hinged, with large, brushed aluminium hinges supporting them. The car is powered by a 5.0-litre V8.

Hyundai’s US boss, John Krafick, said he is eager to show the “dynamic driving” of the HCD-14, a recognition of the relatively soft dynamics of the firm’s upper-end offerings.

Read More

Toyota Corolla Furia concept On Detroit Motor Show

Toyota has revealed its Toyota Corolla Furia concept car at the Detroit motor show, the firm’s first clues as to the future direction of its best-selling saloon.

The Furia is the latest in a string of recent concepts from Toyota with bolder and more distinctive designs, following a personal plea from company chief Akio Toyoda for the firm to become more daring and break free of its conservative image and appeal to younger buyers.

The concept is 4620mm long, 1805mm wide and 1425mm high, with a wheelbase of 2700mm giving it relatively short overhangs. The concept is boldest at its front, with the design a much more striking interpretation of the look found on the new European-market Auris.

A sharply raked windscreen and low roofline ensure a lower sleeker profile than that of Toyota’s current Corolla. A usual array of more outlandish concept features make it onto the Furia, including 19in alloys, lashings of carbonfibre trim and a large rear diffuser with integrated exhausts.

“The Corolla Furia Concept is an early indicator of where our compact car design may lead in the future,” said Toyota vice president Bill Fay at the concept’s unveiling in Detroit. He hoped the design “would surprise a lot of people".

Read More

2013 Honda Urban SUV On Detroit Motor Show

Honda has previewed plans for a new Jazz-based SUV with this Urban SUV Concept at the Detroit motor show.

Honda has already confirmed a production version, which closely follows the sleek style of this concept. It will be introduced in Japan late this year, the US in early 2014 and Europe later in 2014.

Underpinning the 4300mm-long Urban SUV Concept is the next-generation Jazz’s platform. A third generation of the standard Jazz supermini will be launched in 2014 with the new underpinnings. A saloon is also planned based on this platform and will be targeted at emerging markets.

Each of Honda’s global regions is being given autonomy to tune it to suit local conditions. Both the exterior and interior styling are also likely to differ slightly between global markets.

Honda CEO Takanobu Ito has previously described the global small car platform as strategically very important to Honda’s bid to boost sales from about four million units to seven million annually by 2017. He called the Jazz SUV a “younger brother” to the new CR-V.

Read More

2014 Tesla Model X detailed On Detroit motor show

The Tesla Model X will have the lowest centre of gravity of any SUV on sale when it goes on sale next year, its makers announced today at the Detroit motor show.

The prototype on display is the current evolution of the Model X, and features its latest dual electric motor set-up to allow the four-wheel drive system to apportion power where there is most traction. Visual changes from the previous model shown are minor, including new wheels and a new paint finish.

The low centre of gravity is made possible by the Model X's floor mounted battery pack, and Tesla says it helps counter the extra weight of the batteries and ensure the car, which can accelerate from 0-60mpb in less than five seconds, retains sporty characteristics.

The seven-seater's unusual 'falcon doors' are also set to make production. Lifting up and away from the car's body, they are designed to give adults enough room to stand while they reach into the car.

The Model X's future in Europe hangs in the balance, as Tesla is debating whether or not its size makes it too big for European tastes. If it does make it to the UK, right-hand-drive conversion means it is unlikely to appear before 2015 — even if this is possible.

Tesla says it will be priced competitively against other premium SUVs.

Read More

2013 Audi SQ5 349bhp

A petrol-engined Audi SQ5 has been unveiled at the Detroit show - but it's not coming to the UK

This is the petrol-powered version of the Audi SQ5, which has been revealed at the Detroit Motor Show. It won’t be sold in Europe, but has been built with the North American, Chinese and Russian markets in mind.

The SQ5 petrol is powered by Audi’s 3.0-litre supercharged V6, which develops 349bhp and 470Nm of torque. This is transferred to the road via an eight-speed automatic gearbox and Audi’s quattro four-wheel-drive system.

Performance for the new Q5 range-topper in the US is decent, with the SQ5 sprinting from 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds and on to a top speed of 155mph.

Thanks to its 650Nm of torque, the 309bhp 3.0-litre diesel Audi SQ5 sold in Europe takes 0.2 seconds less to complete the benchmark 0-62mph sprint, taking 5.1 seconds. It also hits a top speed of 155mph.

What’s more, the diesel SQ5 is more efficient, too, returning a claimed average of 41.5mpg and emitting 179g/km of CO2. The petrol car manages 33.2mpg and 199g/km respectively.

The petrol SQ5 features the same enhancements as the diesel model sold in Europe, which includes 30mm lower suspension, 20-inch alloys and plenty of gloss black trim. It will go on sale in the US in the autumn.

Read More

2013 Audi RS7 revealed

The 552bhp Audi RS7 has been unveiled at the Detroit show, ahead of its UK arrival in the summer

Audi has revealed a brand new member of its 'RS' family at the Detroit Motor Show - the RS7. Taking the place of the RS6 Saloon in the line-up, the pumped-up four-door coupe features the same 552bhp 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 as the recently-revealed RS6 and is aimed primarily at the US market, although it will be sold in the UK.

With all that power and permanent four-wheel drive, the RS7 blasts from 0-62mph in a phenomenal 3.9 seconds (on a par with the new Corvette Stingray) and has a top speed of 155mph. There's the option to raise that limiter to either 174mph or 189mph by ordering the Dynamic or Dynamic Plus package respectively. Thanks to cylinder deactivation technology, fuel economy is 28.8mpg.

As designated by the 3D 'quattro' lettering on the lower front grille, the RS7 features permanent all-wheel drive with torque vectoring. A self-locking centre differential splits torque between the two axles, while a sport differential sends power to the rear wheel that needs it the most.

Adaptive air suspension lowered by 20mm is fitted as standard, with RS-specific settings, while an even sportier setup is also available with steel springs and three-way adjustable dampers. Huge 420mm carbon-ceramic brakes are offered as an option, while 20-inch seven-spoke wheels will be standard in the UK, with 21-inch cast wheels offered as an option.

All the usual RS design cues are present and correct, including a pair of large elliptical tail pipes and subtly enhanced bodywork. On the inside, there are white dials with red needles, embossed leather sports seats and two sculpted seats in the rear.

The RS7 will be available to order in the UK from the summer, with deliveries due to start towards the end of the year. Prices will start from around £84,000 - £7,000 more than the RS6 Avant.

Read More

2013 New Maserati Quattroporte unveiled

Maserati has revealed the new Quattroporte at the Detroit Motor Show

The all-new Maserati Quattroporte has made its public debut at the 2013 Detroit Motor Show.

The firm’s CEO, Harald Wester, has said that the new Quattroporte is key to Maserati’s planned “industrial growth that will see our presence in the world rise to 50,000 units a year by 2015.” A figure that’s considerably more than the 6,159 cars it sold in 2011.

Details are being kept under wraps until the Detroit show, but the new Quattroporte is expected to be lighter than the current car’s 1,990kg, thanks to aluminium body panels and a new steel-aluminium platform.

The new car was designed by a team headed by Lorenzo Ramaciotti, Head of the Maserati Design Centre, which is part of the Fiat Group Centro Stile design centre in Turin, Italy.

The Quattroporte has a new look that’s designed to be aggressive enough to appeal to Maserati’s current core of Western European and North American customers, but also elegant enough to appeal to Chinese buyers. In another concession to the Asian market, the new car is longer than the previous model’s 5,097mm to increase rear passenger and boot space.

Under the bonnet is an evolution of the current Ferrari-built 4.7-litre V8. In the current Quattroporte, this develops 424bhp - but the numberplate of the car in our pictures does say 530hp, which equates to 523bhp. This figure is higher than the same engine’s output in the Maserati GranTurismo, but still less than a 552bhp BMW M5.

Maserati is expected to broaden the Quattroporte’s engine range with smaller V6 models and even a diesel, with Maserati Powertrain Director and former Ferrari engine boss, Paolo Martinelli, saying: “The new engines that will be mounted on the next generation of Maserati vehicles are not only more powerful than ever, or more exciting to drive than ever – but also more fuel efficient than ever before.”

The engines won’t just power the new Quattroporte. The new luxury saloon is the first of three key new models, as it will be joined by a new E-Class-sized saloon called the Ghibli and an SUV called the Levante, that’s based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee by 2014.

Read More

Mercedes open to Aston partnership

Mercedes boss Dieter Zetsche has confirmed he is open the idea of working with Aston Martin on future projects.

A deal to use Mercedes AMG powertrain technology had been mooted to be part of the British firm's recent £150 million deal to sell a 375 per cent stake to Italian venture capital company Investindustrial. Mercedes has close links to Investindustrial, dating back to when the Italians forging a link with the German giant when it owned Ducati.

Speaking at the Detroit motor show, Zetsche said no deal had been done, but added: "Aston Martin is a great brand and I must say Dr Ulrich Bez [Aston's CEO] is doing a great job with them.

"If a company that sells a few thousand vehicles wants to talk then we might do that, I am open to it. But it must not distract from our core business."

A senior Mercedes source has previously said on Investindustrial, “We know these guys. They were behind Ducati and we had a very closely knit marketing deal with them. They rang and asked if they won the bid for Aston would we be interested in being a technology partner.”

Among the components Aston Martin is rumoured to be seeking from AMG is a new V12 petrol engine to replace the ageing Ford-developed unit it currently uses. However, the proposed collaboration between AMG and Investindustrial appears to encompass a much wider brief.

“There is significant scope,” said the source. “It would be more than just drivelines. If you look at Aston products today, it is clear that they need not only new drivelines with increased performance and improved emissions but also electronic architectures.”

Read More

2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT facelift revealed

                 The revised Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT has debuted at the Detroit show

Alongside the facelifted Jeep Grand Cherokee, an updated version of the performance SRT model is also on display at the firms' Detroit Motor Show stand.

It gets the same Chrysler 300C-inspred headlights as the regular Grand Cherokee but the SRT’s grille features a black background and there’s a deeper, more aggressive front bumper, too.

Power comes from the same 6.4-litre Hemi V8 as the pre-facelift car and it produces the same 464bhp figure. Now, though, Jeep has fitted launch control as standard and a new eight-speed auto has replaced the old five-speed 'box.

Jeep hasn’t released any official performance figures for the new Grand Cherokee SRT but expect to see acceleration from 0-62mph in under five seconds.

There’s no word as to when the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT will make it to the UK, but it is expected to cost around £60,000.

Read More

2013 Infiniti Q50: hybrid option for premium mid-sized sedan

The 2013 Infiniti Q50 will be available with a high-performance hybrid option when the all-new premium mid-sized sedan goes on sale later this year.

The 264kW Infiniti Q50 Hybrid will sit at the top of the new model line, supporting the 245kW naturally aspirated V6 petrol variant in the initial launch line-up.

Infiniti has confirmed a number of additional powertrains – believed to include four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines and a 3.0-litre V6 diesel – will join the range shortly after the launch of the hybrid and petrol V6 variants.

Replacing the Infiniti G sedan and becoming the first model to adopt the Japanese luxury car maker’s new naming structure, the Infiniti Q50 is set to become Infiniti Australia’s volume model when it launches towards the end of 2013, with its sights firmly set on the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Lexus GSand Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

The Infiniti Q50 Hybrid features a petrol-electric drivetrain based on the one used to power the largerInfiniti M35h sedan, teaming a 50kW/270Nm electric motor with a 221kW/346Nm 3.5-litre petrol V6 for a combined output of 264kW. Although Infiniti is yet to release official fuel consumption data for the Q50 Hybrid, the car’s smaller size and lighter weight should see it undercut the 5.5 litres per 100km average achieved by the M35h.

The 245kW/365Nm 3.7-litre V6 in the standard Infiniti Q50 carries over from the G37, and is tipped to consume around 6.0L/100km combined.

Both variants are equipped with a seven-speed automatic transmission and can be ordered in either rear- or all-wheel-drive.

Revealed yesterday in a series of leaked images, the Infiniti Q50 features a conservative yet elegant exterior design that draws inspiration from the Essence concept as well as the brand’s latest production car releases. The Q50 sports a prominent example of Infiniti’s signature grille; heavily contoured bonnet, front bumper and side panels; and the trademark C-pillar kink.

At 4783mm long, 1824mm wide, 1443mm tall and riding on a 2850mm wheelbase, the Q50 is 159mm longer, 13mm wider and 14mm taller than the 3 Series sedan, and measures 40mm longer between the wheels.

Infiniti says its new mid-sizer introduces two world-first technologies to the production car arena. The first – Infiniti Direct Adaptive Steering – allows advanced control of the Q50’s tyre angle and steering inputs, offering four different settings to suit driver preference and changing road conditions. The second – Active Lane Control – uses a camera-based lane marker detection system to enhance on-centre driving ability and improve the car’s capacity to track true.

Read More

2014 Jeep Compass debuts updates at Detroit auto show

                                          Engineering updates expected to improve fuel efficiency, power

The Jeep Compass compact SUV gets a light refresh for 2014, and is bowing Monday at the Detroit auto show.

The most notable change with the 2014 Compass is a switch from a CVT to a new six-speed automatic as the main transmission option. PowerTech independently developed the fully electronic transmission, designing it to improve fuel efficiency and performance.

The six-speed features a closely aligned 5.46-gear spread, which provides, according to Jeep, “nearly imperceptible shifting.” Fuel-economy numbers are not yet available.

Jeep also claims the transmission will reduce maintenance costs because it features a “fill for life” design. There is neither transmission dipstick nor transmission filter, and fluid changes are not required under normal driving conditions. Low-viscosity fluid is used to improve fuel economy by enabling quicker operating temperatures on the transmission to reduce drag on internal components.

The 2014 Jeep Compass lineup carries over from previous years with three configurations: Sport, Latitude and Limited. All are available with front-wheel drive, the Freedom Drive I full-time active 4x4 system or the Freedom Drive II off-road full-time active 4x4 system with low-range capability.

Jeep Freedom Drive I 4x4 is a full-time, active four-wheel-drive system that can be used daily for low-traction, slick conditions. The system can also be locked in four-wheel drive for deep snow, sand and other low-traction surfaces. The Jeep Freedom Drive II 4x4 Off-Road package is an available four-wheel drive system that includes 17-inch all-terrain tires with aluminum wheels, a 1-inch raised ride height, a full-size spare tire, skid plates, tow hooks, fog lamps and manual seat-height adjuster. A CVT can be mated to Freedom Drive II, returning 20 mpg city, 23 highway.

The standard powertrain option is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that provides 158 hp and 141 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a five-speed manual transmission or the optional (new) six-speed automatic transmission. It achieves 23 mpg city and 30 highway when mated to the five-speed manual.

The 2.4-liter four-cylinder produces 172 hp and 165 lb-ft of torque. It is available on all models and standard on the top Limited model. The engine features dual variable-valve timing on both intake and exhaust camshafts to optimize torque and produce more power, achieving better fuel economy and a smoother engine operation. This setup with a five-speed manual in two-wheel and four-wheel-drive achieves 23 mpg city and 28 highway.

Exterior upgrades are minor, but keep the Compass looking modern. The grille -- on the Latitude and Limited -- is enhanced with plated upper-grille trim and mold-in-color billet silver grille texture. Halogen headlamps now have a black inner bezel on the base Sport and Latitude models, and the Limited models have projector halogen headlamps with a black inner bezel and chrome fog lamp bezels.

The Compass features painted mirror caps, tail lamps with a new “smoked” inner bezel, a plated chrome insert on the tailgate trim, new available 18-inch aluminum wheels on Limited models and a new, chrome-plated insert with recessed “Jeep” badge on the tailgate trim for models equipped with the available rear backup camera.

Inside, the instrument cluster graphics have been updated and accents are finished in satin chrome. The top-of-the-line Limited model has a new interior trim option: Saddle brown perforated leather seating with accent stitching. The Latitude gets a new sport mesh and vinyl seat with light gray accent stitching. A Light Pebble beige trim features a new tangerine accent stitch on the seats.

About the Detroit auto show

The annual North American International Auto Show, better known as the Detroit auto show, has maintained its place as a barometer for the entire industry. For 2013, NAIAS takes place Jan. 14-27 and will host concept cars, green cars and supercars from all the major automakers, including what's expected to be a highlight this year: the new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette. Check out Autoweek's complete coverage of the Detroit auto show here.

Read More

2014 Corvette Stingray A closer look : video

The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray marks the first car of the seventh-generation of the Corvette. The car's design has been eagerly anticipated. Join Autoweek executive creative director Ken Ross and technical editor Dale Jewett as they take a closer look at the Stingray while it was in the photography studio.

About the Detroit auto show

The annual North American International Auto Show, better known as the Detroit auto show, has maintained its place as a barometer for the entire industry. For 2013, NAIAS takes place Jan. 14-27 and will host concept cars, green cars and supercars from all the major automakers, including what's expected to be a highlight this year: the new 2014 Chevroelt Corvette. Check out Autoweek's complete coverage of the Detroit auto show here.

Read More

2014Lincoln MKC concept previews 2014 crossover at Detroit auto show

Creating a design statement with a crossover isn't the easiest thing to accomplish, but Lincoln makes a serious attempt to turn heads with the stylish MKC.

The concept debuts Tuesday at the Detroit auto show, and it previews a coming crossover due in 2014 that Lincoln hopes will add sales and prestige to its historic, if stagnant, image. The utility vehicle is handsome in the bulging manner of the BMW X6, a sport ute with athletic undertones.

“You see the swelling of these muscles, but it's very subtle,” said Murat Gueler, lead designer for the concept.

The MKC features flared wheel arches, a prominent split-wing grille in front that summons the spirit of the 1930s Zephyr, and a noticeable beltline that gives shape to the sides.

The MKC rolls on 20-inch wheels mounted in Pirelli rubber all set off with polished aluminum rims. Indeed, the entire vehicle is an exercise in tasteful use of brightwork, with different materials employed to accent features inside and out. The most dramatic element of the cabin is a panoramic roof, which offers a wide view of the above. It's also enhanced with a slim dual rail running through the center of the ceiling, which adds ambient lighting.

Inside is wood, chrome and the fresh signature of Lincoln: a push-button transmission shifter mounted to the right of the steering wheel first used in the MKZ. The brand's star emblem and extensive latticework are also stitched throughout the interior.

The MKC is the first fully completed vehicle created from the reborn Lincoln design studio. The MKZ sedan was done before the studio opened.

Though the MKC has plenty of style, its purpose is all business. Ford is hoping a small utility vehicle can give it traction -- and sales -- amid tough competition both foreign and domestic. The segment is showing growth, Ford says, and the MKC is part of a product blitz that includes four new vehicles in the next four years.

Lincoln hopes to appeal to a broader range of customers and lower its customers' average age in the process. Today, its average customer is 65 years old. Brand execs hope to drop that to 57 and strengthen Lincoln's presence on the trend-setting East and West coasts. Called “brand agnostics,” Lincoln wants to target customers who don't have entrenched loyalties and are seeking a less-conspicuous luxury appearance. Lincoln sales have dipped 4 percent last year to 82,150 units.

About the Detroit auto show

The annual North American International Auto Show, better known as the Detroit auto show, has maintained its place as a barometer for the entire industry. For 2013, NAIAS takes place Jan. 14-27 and will host concept cars, green cars and supercars from all the major automakers, including what's expected to be a highlight this year: the new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette. Check out Autoweek's complete coverage of the Detroit auto show here.

Read More

2013 Volkswagen seven seat SUV revealed on Detroit Motor Show

                     

                             New Passat-based seven seat SUV will rival the Toyota Camry-based Highlander

Volkswagen’s new seven-seat SUV, aimed at providing the company with a rival for the likes of the Ford Explorer in the US, will get its first public outing at the Detroit motor show.

The new 4x4 will be positioned below the Touareg as a cheaper, more spacious offering - the Touareg makes do with five seats.

It will be based on VW’s MQB platform, which is versatile enough to be used in cars as diverse as the Polo and this new SUV, and will be built in the US at the firm’s Tennessee plant.

Large, affordable seven seat SUVS are an important part of the new car industry in the US. Honda’s Pilot, the Explorer and Jeep’s Grand Cherokee all cost from around $30,000, and VW will want to price its new vehicle competitively.

Read More

2013 Land Rover considering new crossover

Land Rover insiders have confirmed that the company is considering a new ‘white space’ concept — a model that would push it into new sales territory should the car make production.

The model is understood to be a new crossover below the Range Rover Evoque that design director Gerry McGovern is keen to pursue.

Besides being a new offering, this car is said to explore a new design language. It also features undisclosed new technologies that are likely to significantly improve powertrain efficiency and reduce weight.

Land Rover’s challenge, however, will be to source a shared platform enabling this cheaper car to be both feasible and profitable. For JaguarLand Rover to develop a new premium compact platform on its own would almost certainly be too costly and resource-greedy, even if Jaguar also used it.

The visual flavour of the new model could be derived from the DC100 next Defender concept, which Land Rover says has been very well received. That would produce a bold, chunkily clean-cut look offered by no rival.

Giving it Range Rover sub-branding seems unlikely, the car instead supplementing the Freelander and Discovery, which are being redesigned as more sophisticated leisure market offerings.

The new model’s concept has been arrived at using the same market research and creative techniques that yielded the LRX concept car, another white space concept that made production as the Range Rover Evoque.

There’s no confirmation of when this compact crossover could appear, but when it does it will almost certainly be as a motor show concept, possibly within two years.

Read More

Volkswagen Adds R-Line Trim to 2014 Tiguan and Touareg Models [2013 Detroit Auto Show]

Volkswagen has gotten into the habit lately of adding a little visual zest to its lineup without piling on more ponies. Throughout the past year, VW has introduced the stylish R-Line trim to both its Beetleand its CC. At this year’s Detroit auto show, the brand is debuting the same treatment for the Tiguanand the Touareg.

The Tiguan R-Line builds off the SEL model and can be had with front-wheel drive or 4MOTION all-wheel drive, with power arriving from the VW Group’s ubiquitous 2.0-liter turbo four. R-Line Tiguans ride on 19-inch aluminum wheels with low-profile all-season tires and a sport-tuned suspension. Spotter’s-guide exterior additions include chrome-trimmed body-color side skirts, add-on fender flares, a specific rear spoiler, xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights, and the requisite R-Line grille badge. Climb into an R-Line Tiguan and notable additions to be found include a new scuff plate, aluminum pedals, a flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters, metallic-finish trim on the dash and door, and a black headliner. Sounds will stream from a 400-watt, eight-speaker-plus-subwoofer Fender audio system.

The Touareg R-Line makes use of the Lux trim level, and it provides a choice in engine: the 333-hp, 3.0-liter V-6 or, for diesel fans, the 225-hp, 3.0-liter V-6 turbo-diesel. Both come with an eight-speed automatic, standard 4MOTION all-wheel drive, and sport suspension. This R-Line runs on 20-inch aluminum wheels and the exterior eye candy includes a new lower front facia, side skirts, LED taillights, oval exhaust tips and, of course, the critical R-Line badging. Interior upgrades include shiny black– and aluminum trim for the doors, center console, and dash; as well as an R-Line flat-bottom steering wheel; aluminum sport pedals; and stainless-steel scuff plates.

Read More

2013 Volkswagen Passat Performance Concept

                 

Volkswagen Passat Performance Concept

Because turbo.

Volkswagen’s foremost Detroit debutante is a concept version of its impending three-row crossover SUV, a vehicle based on the Passat and, like that sedan, designed for American mass consumption. For a more-focused audience—enthusiasts—VW will show this Passat Performance concept, a precursor to a sporty production model.

The company, as we’ve previously reported, is preparing to replace its 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine here with the EA888 1.8-liter turbocharged four. The engine already is available in a number of global markets and will slot into our Beetle, Jetta, and Passat, and it’s what’s in this show car. Making 250 horsepower, it works through a six-speed automatic. (VW doesn’t specify, but we believe this is the DQ250 dual-clutch transmission.) VW nerds—or those with the ability to read a spec sheet—will notice that it makes less power than the 280-hp VR6 Passat already on sale. The turbo-four Sonata (274 horsepower) also has more muscle, as do the V-6 versions of the Honda Accord (278) and Toyota Camry(268). The 1.8T would have bragging rights over the 240-horse Ford Fusion 2.0-liter EcoBoost, however.

So what’s the idea behind introducing a performance variant that won’t even be the power player in its own family? Our hypothesis: This car’s mission is to introduce the direct-injected 1.8T to the Passat, a high-volume car of which nearly 120,000 were sold in the U.S. last year. With a new plant coming online in Silao, Mexico, to build the engine, and the Beetle and bestselling Jetta assembly lines to feed, it may take some time for Volkswagen to be able to meet demand. It would also allow for a more controlled rollout; should there be teething problems with the Mexican-sourced 1.8T in the Passat, a smaller initial run would confine any potential conflagration to fewer—and, as enthusiasts, likely more patient—customers.

But back to the concept, which is equally showroom-ready outside of the engine compartment. It rides on 19-inch wheels, exhales through a dual exhaust, and has a lowered sport suspension. Active bi-xenon headlamps are used up front and the taillights are LED pieces, while carbon-look trim has been fitted to the side-mirror caps and interior. The two-tone seats have “carbon-style” inserts, and the headliner and door pillars are black. Not exactly fanciful stuff, that. VW also mentions that the steering is of the electrically boosted type. (Only the Passat 2.5 has hydraulic assist now, so this oddly-specific-for-a-concept press-release tidbit tells us that the production 1.8T will join the TDI and V-6 in having electric steering.)

Production details—when, how much, etc.—are obviously still secret, but our guess is that you’ll see a Volkswagen Passat Turbo or Sport at dealerships by the end of the year.

Read More