Lexus is considering the addition of a few new vehicles that would compete in a few emerging niche segments, according to AutoWeek. The models under consideration include a seven-seat crossover larger than the RX 350, a compact crossover smaller than the RX 350, and a unique Lexus hybrid model.

The first new vehicle is expected to be the large crossover. The new crossover is likely to be based on the rear-wheel drive GS platform, and could continue on the theme of the LF-X concept (shown). The new large crossover is expected to sell alongside the GX luxury SUV.

The compact crossover would target Acura’s RDX model, Infiniti’s forthcoming compact crossover, and the quartet of German compact crossovers, the BMW X3, VW Tiguan, Audi Q5, and Mercedes GLK-Class. AutoWeek says the compact crossover would be a bigger seller in Europe than in the U.S., where the compact crossover segment is hot. The Lexus hybrid-specific model fits with Toyota’s view that hybrid buyers want exclusive styling so people know they are driving a hybrid.

Lexus currently has a lot of projects on the table, including its F-line of performance vehicles, the IS-F arrives early next year and a GS-F is expected, the coupe version of the IS, a new LX SUV, and the LF-A supercar. There is no word on how Lexus will spread its resources around to get all of these projects completed.

## Source: AutoWeek ##

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While Nissan says the Skyline GT-R will wear a Nissan badge when it arrives in the U.S., during recent testing an engineer was overheard referring to the car as the “Infiniti Skyline GT-R.” The Infiniti branding would be more fitting with its anticipated price point and would give Infiniti a supercar to compete with the forthcoming Acura NSX replacement and the Lexus LF-A.

Last year Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said the high-performance sports car would wear the Nissan badge, to be consistent with its global branding.

At the 2006 New York Auto Show, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn announced the GT-R would be wear Nissan brand in the U.S. Ghosn said that every country except the United States wanted the car to be the Nissan GT-R. While Ghosn was neutral on the naming decision, the U.S. arm couldn’t prove that branding it as an Infiniti would lead to better sales or profits.

According to reports the naming decision incensed many Infiniti dealers, who “desperately wanted the GT-R as a halo for the brand.”

## Source: Nissan GT-R News ##

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Honda is currently working on a successor to the long-gone and much-loved CRX, according to the folks over at Winding Road. The new CRX would be based on the platform of the next Fit. While it is still early in the process, “a serious design proposal is under way” and an decision whether to continue development could come within the next few months.

While Honda has toyed with the idea of a new CRX several times over the last 15 years, none of the attempts got very far. However, with the success of other premium small sporty cars like the MINI Cooper, Honda may finally be ready to bring back the little hatch back, much to the delight of CRX fans everywhere.

## Source: Winding Road ##

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During a recent press drive of the European Civic Type R, Winding Road’s European editor Matt Davis appears to have unofficial confirmation that Honda will be offering a Civic Type R in the U.S. in 2010.

Citing an assistant chief engineer, Davis says that the Type R for the States is unlikely to be based on the European Civiv hatch, but will likely be based on the Japanese Domestic Market Civic Type R four-door sedan. Since Honda sells a four-door Civic in the States, it will be easier to federalize the Type R.

Last year, Honda previewed its JDM Civic Type R (shown), which uses a 2.0L four-cylinder developing nearly 220-hp. The JDM prototype featured an upgraded suspension and the typical body kit. The Civic Si is a nice performer, but it is seriously outclassed by cars like the Mazdaspeed3 and Subaru WRX.

## Source: Winding Road ##

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In a conversation with journalists at the Chicago Auto Show, General Motors’ Vice Chairman and product guru Bob Lutz hinted that the platform used for the upcoming Camaro could spawn an ultra-luxury Cadillac with more than eight cylinders, according to The Car Connection. Lutz hinted that part of the reason for the Camaro’s delay was to make the need to make the architecture as flexible as possible for use on other vehicles as well.

“What you’ve got to understand is that we’ve got this modular product architecture kit where we have two different lengths of center underbodies, two different lengths of front rails and two different lengths of rear overhang. So we can modify those elements any way we want. In the case of the Camaro, it’s long short, short. If, for instance, we wanted to do a very large rear-wheel-drive Cadillac with more than eight cylinders you could do long, long, long,” Lutz said.

While Lutz didn’t mentioned the Sixteen concept (shown), this could hint at the possible design direction for an ultra-luxury Cadillac sedan. Cadillac has said it has no plans for production of the Sixteen, but while Lutz frequently leaks future products, he rarely makes stuff up. Maybe the “lego-like” construction of GM’s new rear-wheel drive architecture has begun to convince others in the company.

## Source: The Car Connection ##

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Yesterday, we reported that it was possible that the next-generation C7 Corvette will produce up to 700 horsepower. In an interview with Motor Trend, General Motors’ VP of Global Product Development, Jim Queen, did not reveal a specific number but speculation was that 700-hp was possible.

Well, Autoblog did its research, and found out that the author of the original article, Motor Trend’s Paul Horrell, simply guessed at a number that the C7 might produce.

What Queen said about an all-wheel drive Corvette (false) and the Corvette and XLR remaining on a unique platform (true), still seem valid.

## Source: Motor Trend, Autoblog ##

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Volkswagen is planning a rear-engined car to challenge BMW’s successful MINI, at least according to reports/speculation/wild-ass rumors by German auto magazine Autobild. While there aren’t many details of the VW’s MINI challenger, as would be expected from rumors, but it would go along with VW CEO’s Martin Winterkorn’s statement to expand into lucrative niche segments.

Could Autobild have gotten it wrong and this is actually VW’s ultra compact challenger to the smart? Dr. Winterkorn is planning for “an economical, everyday small car that looks attractive and is affordable.”

## Source: Autobild ##

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While Volkswagen hasn’t officially announced that it will unveil the Jetta Wagon at the Geneva Motor Show early next month, unofficial conversations will VW PR say that the automaker will indeed debut the Jetta Wagon.

Known as the Golf Variant in Europe, the Jetta Wagon is expected to go on sale in Europe over the summer. The Volkswagen Jetta Wagon isn’t expected to arrive at U.S. dealerships until late in 2007 or early 2008.

## Source: Carscoop ##

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When Honda unveiled the Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year, the concept was said to preview the replacement for the Acura NSX. But the Advanced Sports Car Concept was just a preview. Acura would unveil an updated version later this year at the Tokyo More Show, which would be a closer representation of Acura’s v10 supercar that would appear in showrooms in 2009.

Now it looks like the next concept is heading back to the drawing board. Honda’s top executives weren’t pleased with the car and have sent it back to the drawing board. Apparently, while the reviews weren’t negative, the concept didn’t get the thunderous response that Honda was looking for.

The basic proportions, V10 engine, and all-wheel-drive will remain, but the rest of the car — at least the appearance — will likely change before production.

As of right now, were not sure what — if anything — is going to appear at the Tokyo Motor Show this fall.

## Source: Winding Road ##

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Jaguar is hard at work developing what could be an even more radical car than the forthcoming XF, which replaces the S-Type later this year. This new Jaguar is the next-generation XJ. According to U.K. magazine Autocar, the next-generation XJ is going to “rock the luxury market” when it launches in late 2009.

The magazine’s rendering of the car shows a new look inspired by the design language of the C-XF Concept, but takes it to a whole new level. Jaguar reportedly has already shown a full-size mockup of the car — accurate inside and out — to potential customers, with one source who has seen the new XJ describing it as “looking like the C-XF’s features had been draped over an Aston Martin Rapide”.

The next-generation XJ will be based on the same lightweight aluminium chassis of the current XJ, which is a good thing, but will have a new upper structure that allows for a coupe-like roofline. With narrower headlights than the C-XF, and a high tail, the XJ will once-and-for-all throw away the retro styling of the current model.

The new XJ is expected to be powered by a new light-pressure turbo inline six developing around 300-hp and the brand’s new 5.0L V8 in normally aspirated and supercharged versions. Jaguar thinks the new XJ could be marketed against a wide range of rivals, including Mercedes CLS, Maserati Quattroporte and even the Bentley Flying Spur, with a top-end model priced as high as £85k.

If the XF and XJ are not the successes that are expected of them, they could be the last of Jaguar’s nine lives.

## Source: Autocar ##

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Audi has invested a significant amount of time and money to develop its R8 sports car, and the automaker is planning for additional variants to keep excitement and sales high. Rumors of a drop top version have been around nearly as long as rumors of the R8 itself. According to Autovisie, it will be produced and will be called the R8 Spyder and when it debuts sometime in 2008.

It should surprise no one that Audi is working on future power upgrades, with the current 420-hp 4.2L V8 being replaced or supplemented by the 5.2L V10, born at Lamborghini and also used in the S6 and S8 sedans. The R8’s 5.2L V10 will at least be the 450-hp version used the S8, but don’t be suprised if it comes with over 500-hp like the Lamborghini Gallardo. Audi may also consider an RS8 version, sporting a 600-hp twin-turbocharged version of the V10, but that’s likely to be pure speculation.

One other engine possibility that should come as no surprise would be a version of the 6.0L V12 TDI diesel also used in the Q7 SUV. We know that a diesel-powered R8 is a top goal of Wolfgang Hatz, Audi’s executive director of powertrain development. And, according to senior board members, while it isn’t approved, Audi is working on a diesel version of its R8 sports car.

## Source: Autovisie ##

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Volkswagen is developing an R-badged version of it Touareg SUV to join the automaker’s Passat R36 and Golf R32, according to AutoTelegraaf, citing a VW employee. Unlike the gas engines in the R36 and R32, The Touareg, which will liekly be called the R50, would feature an uprated version of the V10 TDI diesel. Power figures for the R-badged Touareg are unknown, but tuners have gotten 365-hp and 625 lb-ft. of torque out of the V10.

While the R50 would likely look something like the R-line Touareg (shown), which comes from VW’s Individual customization program, expect the R50 to feature something unique to differentiate it from an R-line. There’s also speculation of an even more powerful R-badged Touareg with VW 6.0L W12 (the R60?)

More images after the jump.

## Source: AutoTelegraaf ##

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Volkswagen may drop much of the New Beetle’s retro styling when the next-generation model debuts, if these sketches from Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport are any hint. When Volkswagen unveiled the New Beetle in 1998, its look was derived directly from the original Beetle. If the new illustrations are accurate, the 2010 model will have a completely different interpretation of classic Beetle cues.

The next-generation New Beetle is expected to become sportier to compete with BMW’s MINI, and will be more practical, with more interior space and more space behind the front seats.

We aren’t too sure about the profiel view of the hardtop, but we like the rear three-quarter shot of the convertible. While we doubt that this is very close to how the next-generation New Beetle will look, it’s going to be very interesting to see what Volkswagen does with the retro-look of today’s New Beetle.

## Source: Auto Motor und Sport ##

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The Chrysler Group and General Motors are in discussion on a project that would provide Chrysler with a large SUV like the Chevrolet Tahoe. The talks have been under way for six months, and are described as “ongoing and positive” but far from complete.

While Chrysler’s lineup is weighted heavily toward trucks and SUVs, the automaker does not have a large SUV, and it has been unable to justify the costs to develop one. The project clearly makes sense for Chrysler, especially if it decided to drop its Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen at the end of the current model’s life. The rational for GM is less clear, but the most likely benefit to GM would be that it should help keep production up.

“It’s ironic that both of them are in financial trouble because they’re too dependent on big vehicles, and now they’re talking about doing a big vehicle together,” said Kevin Smith, editorial director of Edmunds.com.

It’s unknown when a descision would be made or when a Chrysler version would go on sale. Chrysler declined to comment, and GM’s Tony Cervone added, “We don’t comment on future product plans.”

## Source: New York Times ##

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BMW has been rumored to be working on its X6 crossover for years, but two years ago, it confirmed it would build a sportvan, based on the X5. The sportvan, possibly called the F5, is expected in 2009. Now word is that BMW is also working on a 3-Series sportvan, likely called the F3. While the F3 hasn’t yet received approval, it is expected to debut in 2010.

Both of these vehicles would be rear-wheel drive, five-door, five-passenger vehicles with available all-wheel drive, and would follow the European “people mover” design concept, and not the U.S. minivan design. As BMWs, the vehicles would have heavy emphasis on the “sport”, with ride and handling typical of the brand’s standards. Forget about the high step-in height of an SUV, these will much more practical vehicles, more carlike with seating positions only slightly higher than most passenger cars. The lower vehicle height would lower the vehicle’s center of gravity, which will help handling.

## Source: Motor Trend ##

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