Audi Rumored Working on New Q4 SUV to battle Range Evoque

Audi will double the number of SUVs in its range, which currently includes the recently announced Q3 (pictured in the above sketch), plus the Q5 and Q7, with the addition of three new models by 2016, according to a company insider cited by Autocar magazine. The new models will be named Q2, Q4 and Q6, and according to the magazine’s source, will enable the Ingolstadt-based carmaker to cover every niche of the popular SUV segment.
The first addition to Audi’s SUV line-up is said to be the Q4, which will be a sportier version of the existing Q5 designed to compete against Range Rover’s Evoque and to a lesser degree, sister company Porsche’s upcoming Cajun. It is expected to launch sometime in 2014 or 2015.
The SUV model will be based on the existing modular longitudinal architecture (MLB, which stands for “Modularen LangsBau”) of the Q5 that will also spawn the Cajun, Porsche’s compact-size SUV. Since they will share the same architecture, the Q4’s dimensions are expected to be similar to the Q5’s, with a length of 4,650 mm, a width of 1,880 mm and a wheelbase of 2,810 mm, though its different roofline, which will mimic a fastback, will be lower, at around 1,600 mm.
Although official details about the Q4 remain scarce, according to Autocar, it will sport a five-door bodystyle with a fastback design and smaller glass area, thus presenting a sportier alternative to the Q5, a strategy similar to the A4/A5 Sportback duo.
The base model will most likely be powered by the familiar 2.0 litre TFSI engine with 211 PS, while there will also be two sport versions: a gasoline turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 with 333 PS and a diesel model featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 TDI with 312 PS.
A hybrid version utilizing the Q5’s powertrain combining a 211 PS turbocharged 2.0-litre gasoline engine with a 35 PS electric motor may also be added to the Q4’s range at a later stage.
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Argentina Allow Hyundai and Kia Imports for Peanuts – Literally…

Argentina’s exports for imports saga continues, with South Korean carmaker Hyundai agreeing to export peanuts, wine, biodiesel and soy flour to offset the US$91 million (€64 million) it added to Argentina’s growing trade deficit in 2010. Partner company / subsidiary Kia has agreed export white goods and plastics for their contribution.
The South American nation’s US$6 billion (€4.19 billion) trade deficit has already led to one Porsche distributor agreeing to export wine and olive products, while similar deals have been struck with carmakers Chery, GM, Peugeot-Citroen, Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Fiat and Ford.
Soaring consumer demand for foreign goods, which is up some 38% year-to-date for the January to April period, has resulted in these highly protectionist policies with the Argentine government flat out refusing imports from parties that don’t agree. An undisclosed source in the motor industry told the Financial Times:
“In December, they told us and all the other car importers to reduce imports by 20 per cent compared with 2010. [When they want to enforce things] they simply give a call to customs and say, from now on, don’t let any vehicles come in.”
Hyundai is expected to earn a surplus of US$55 million (€38 million) in 2012, thanks to the US$157 million (€110 million) deal it’s made with Argentina’s federal government in Buenos Aires.
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Video: Three Women Trying to Save their BMW M5 from Vancouver Hooligans

Make no mistake; you can find hooligans in every country and in all sports. The colors and language may change, but there’s a common denominator that crosses all cultural lines: idiocy of the utmost degree and the complete lack of compassion towards fellow human beings.
The huge riots in Vancouver, Canada, after the Canucks' loss last week to the Boston Bruins for the Stanley Cup, are a prime example of this kind of ill mentality.
We saw several people injured, shops looted and properties destroyed, but this particular incident involving three young women and their BMW M5 sedan, stood out for a great number of reasons. The three women were hopelessly trying to fend off an army of male individuals from kicking, jumping, breaking and throwing whatever they could find on the previous-generation M5 saloon.
It’s one thing describing the incident and another watching these men (if you can call them that…) turning into animals just for the fun of it. And what is even more disturbing is the fact that from all these people surrounding the vehicle, not one person tried to intervene to help these women. Unbelievable…
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GM Rumored to Debut New Plug-in Hybrid at 2012 Detroit Motor Show

At a recent event called “Charged 2011 – EV Symposium Silicon Valley”, General Motors’ western region group manager for environment and energy communications, Dave Barthmuss, told Brad Berman from Plugincars that the company may surprise us at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show with a new model, hinting at a plug-in hybrid crossover.
One of GM’s brands, Chevrolet, has already shown a similar concept with the Volt MPV5, so it is quite possible that the car we will see it the production version of the study.
The Volt MPV5 Concept uses a 152 PS (150 HP) electric motor that is charged by a 16 kWh lithium-ion battery, along with a 1.4-liter gasoline unit. The combustion engine’s purpose is to act purely as a generator, extending the hybrid’s range from a stingy 51.5 km (32 miles) on battery power alone to up to 482 km (300 miles).
GM claims that consumers cannot yet be satisfied with the range of a pure EV like the Nissan’s LEAF, hence the need for a range extender in the standard Volt. However, Barthmuss did not rule out the possibility of an EV in the near future, powered either by a modified version of the Volt’s powertrain without the range extender, or an entirely new system.
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New BMW 2012 M5 Saloon at The Goodwood Festival of Speed

The all-new 2012 BMW M5 sports sedan will be making its first public appearance at The Goodwood Festival of Speed, which takes place in the UK between July 1 and 3, the German automaker announced today.
The most powerful production version of the M5 series to date comes with a high-revving 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 pumping out 560hp from 5,750-7,000rpm and 680Nm [501.5 lb-ft] of torque from 1,500rpm. It goes on sale this fall.
The M5 will go on show at the BMW pavilion alongside an array of production and racing cars from Bavarian manufacturer’s past and present such as the new 1 M Coupe, a 328 roadster from 1936 and a special M1 Turbo Concept created for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.
A selection of BMW cars including the V8-powered Z4 GT3 and M3 Group A DTM racers and the series production M3 GTS will also race against the clock on the famous Goodwood 1.16 mile hill climb.
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Audi UK Launches More Frugal A1 TDI, Returns 74.3mpg

An updated version of the Audi A1 1.6 TDI with increased fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions has been introduced into the British market. The Ingolstadt firm’s engineers optimized the 1.6-liter turbo diesel’s fuel system and engine management software, and as a result, reduced CO2 output from 105g/km to 99g/km, and boosted its combined economy figure from 70.6mpg UK to 74.3mpg UK (equal to 3.8 lt/100 km and 61.9mpg US).
Performance remains unchanged with the 105HP diesel unit offering the A1 1.6 TDI with a five-speed manual gearbox a 0-62mph (100km/h) sprint time of 10.5 seconds and a top speed of 118mph (190km/h).
On-the-road prices for the A1 1.6 TDI SE, Sport and S line models also remain the same ranging from £14,480 to £17,865.
Standard features common to all three trim levels include alloy wheels, remote central locking, air conditioning, electric front windows and mirrors and a six-speaker single CD audio system with auxiliary iPod connection linked to a 6.5-inch retractable display.
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Saab Production on Hold for Two More Weeks at least

Ailing Swedish car manufacturer Saab will not be producing new vehicles for at least two more weeks until it resolves the problems with its suppliers, the company said on Monday.
"There will be no normal production during weeks 25 and 26 (June 20th-July 3rd)," Saab spokeswoman Gunilla Gustavs told Reuters. "We are still negotiating with all suppliers and we need to get everyone on board at the same time. The weeks of 27-29 (July 4th-24th) are planned to be normal working weeks".
Saab restarted production at its Trollhattan factory in late May after a two-month-long stoppage, but the company was forced to shut down its engines again over a week ago when parts supplies ran out.
The Swedish automaker’s parent company Spyker Cars N.V. recently signed a preliminary dealwith China’s Pang Da Automobile and Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile Co., Ltd., which if approved by the government, would put Saab into the control of its Chinese shareholders.
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