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Report: BMW won’t market an M3 GTS sedan… at least, not in the U.S.

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Europe, BMW

BMW M3 lightweight sedan

BMW M3 Sedan lightweight concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

You may recall that earlier this month, BMW revealed a unique M3 Sedan that had been stripped of weight and toughened up, packing the same sort of approach applied to the hard-core M3 GTS coupe, albeit with a couple of extra doors. The one-off was made for the M Festival set to take place during the 24 Hours of Nürburgring this coming June, but naturally, speculation on its production potential has ensued.

The good folks over at M3Post pinned down Matt Russell, the guy who handles the M range (along with Alpina) for BMW North America, and asked him about the lightweight M3 sedan’s future, and according to him, there are no plans to market such a vehicle in the United States. Naturally, Russell didn’t comment on markets outside his purview, neatly avoiding comment on whether the hardcore sedan will be available somewhere. But given the short time remaining in the current M3’s lifespan and the stringencies of U.S. regulations, any such vehicle apparently isn’t fated for these shores.

Elsewhere in the interview, Russell professed his admiration for the all-wheel drive system developed by Ferrari for the new FF. Could BMW incorporate AWD into future M products? Potentially, but as with the lightweight M3 sedan, the extra heft would be an issue.

Gallery: Lightweight BMW M3 Sedan

[Source: M3Post via Motor Authority]

Report: BMW won’t market an M3 GTS sedan… at least, not in the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 14:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Cadillac still wants a big rear-drive sedan to battle the import flagships

Filed under: Sedan, Cadillac, Rumormill, Luxury

2003 Cadillac Sixteen concept

2003 Cadillac Sixteen concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Imagine a Cadillac and you’re about as likely to conjure up images of big, rear-drive landyachts of yesteryear as you are to picture the automaker’s considerably tauter products of today. But Cadillac has long been rumored to be pondering a return to its classic formula with a new flagship sedan, and those rumors are rounding the mill once again.

This time, word has it that Cadillac is developing a new rear-drive luxury sedan to slot in above the upcoming front-drive XTS in pursuit of territory currently dominated by the likes of the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8 and Lexus LS. If and when it does materialize, sources place its launch around 2014. Power would more likely come in the form of a V8 than the 13.6-liter V-16 engine of the 2003 Cadillac Sixteen concept pictured above (though that would no doubt be incredibly awesome), but a hybrid variant could follow.

The new model would be built on a new platform reportedly dubbed ‘Omega’, but while the architecture would be developed uniquely for the big sedan, a further extension is being muted as a possibility to take on the likes of the Rolls-Royce Phantom, Bentley Mulsanne and the Maybach. Far-fetched? Probably. But intriguing nonetheless.

Gallery: Cadillac Sixteen Concept

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[Source: Car and Driver]

Rumormill: Cadillac still wants a big rear-drive sedan to battle the import flagships originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia unveils K2 sedan in Shanghai

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, China, Hatchback, Kia, Shanghai Motor Show

2012 Kia K2

2012 Kia K2 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Kia has launched a new small-car assault on the Chinese market with the introduction of the 2012 K2 at this year’s Shanghai Motor Show. Based on the company’s Rio, the K2 will be offered in both four-door and five-door configurations and should compete with other premium small-car offerings in the market. Kia says the vehicle is the latest in the company’s efforts to better match products with local market tastes, and that the K2 was specifically designed inside and out for Chinese buyers. That means that the vehicle wears a new set of headlights and a slightly-altered grille among a few other minor aesthetic adjustments outside.

Under the hood, the Chinese take on the Rio rocks a variety of drivetrain options, including a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 107 horsepower or a 1.6-liter four-pot with 123 ponies. Both a manual and an automatic transmission option are available for both lumps, though Kia hasn’t said how many gears are on hand.

Kia says that the company will begin producing the four-door K2 this July at a new facility in Jiangsu province. Five-door production will get under way the following month. Hit the jump for the press release, and stay tuned for the official launch of the U.S.-market Rio that’s coming in very short order.

Gallery: 2012 Kia K2

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading Kia unveils K2 sedan in Shanghai

Kia unveils K2 sedan in Shanghai originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 18:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo Concept Universe previews next range-topping sedan from Sweden

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Volvo, Shanghai Motor Show, Design/Style, Luxury

volvo concept universe shanghai motor show

Volvo Concept Universe – Click above for high-res image gallery

Volvo is looking to gain a foothold in the fast-growing Chinese auto market, and the Swedish automaker is hoping to pique interest in the brand with a range-topping luxury sedan concept. The design aims to incorporate the simplicity of Scandinavian design while also trying to discern what the modern luxury car buyer really wants.

The Concept Universe bows at the Shanghai Motor Show to show what Volvo can do near the top-end of the large luxury sedan market. And although this vehicle is definitely a design study, Volvo doesn’t seem interested in hiding its intention of going upscale. Volvo CEO Stafan Jacoby calls the concept “a sneak preview of what people can expect from our next top-of-the-line sedan.”

The large concept features a coupe-like roofline that combines with a modern interpretation of the boxy Volvos of the past. Another homage to older Volvo models includes convex style lines between the wheel wells. Up front, the Concept Universe appears to borrow some lines from the Ford Interceptor concept from the 2007 Detroit Auto Show with its bumper-less front end that is rounded off all around. The grille is totally new for Volvo, with a series of shrinking, rounded rectangles; each smaller than the next.

Volvo design boss Peter Horbury feels the vehicle looks hand-crafted and durable, adding, “We will compete with the best with our special kind of Scandinavian Design. It is unmatched in performance and technology, but without superficiality or complication.”

We’re not so sure what to think of the Concept Universe, but we’re sure you’ll tell us what you think in the Comments below. Hit the jump to read over the Volvo press release.

Gallery: Volvo Concept Universe

[Source: Volvo]

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Volvo Concept Universe previews next range-topping sedan from Sweden originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 01:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan Altima outsells Camry, Accord in March, named best-selling sedan in America for first time

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Nissan, Earnings/Financials

2010 Nissan Altima sedan

Nissan Altima – Click above for high-res image gallery

Nissan says it achieved a 9.7 percent U.S. market share in March, the highest single month in company history. Complementing March’s heady number is an overall market share of 9.3 percent for Nissan in the first quarter of 2011. That represents a 0.3 percent gain in market share, building on 2010’s 0.4 percent gain.

March also saw the Nissan Altima take the title of best-selling sedan in America, another company first. The Altima contributed 32,289 units to Nissan’s 121,141-car total, which is nearly a 27 percent bump over last year’s March figures. It isn’t immediately clear what incentives Nissan had on the car during the month of March to aid sales, but presently, the Japanese automaker is offering zero-percent financing for up to 60 months or 1.9 percent APR financing for up to 72 months, or $1,250 cash back.

Had enough numbers? Too bad, Nissan isn’t quite done. Monthly sales were up 28.4 percent for the division, another record, and Infiniti saw a 13.5 percent sales hike in March. With numbers this big, Nissan is looking at a banner year.

Gallery: 2010 Nissan Altima Sedan

[Source: Nissan]

Nissan Altima outsells Camry, Accord in March, named best-selling sedan in America for first time originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Bugatti gets green light to build Galibier sedan

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Bugatti, Luxury

bugatti galibier

Bugatti 16C Galibier concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Always wanted Veyron levels of power but needed room for the kids? Bugatti is ready to make your dream a reality because the Galibier has reportedly been given the green light. According to some in-the-know folks, Volkswagen has given a jewel-encrusted thumbs up that will allow Bugatti to build the four-door super sedan.

The Galibier is expected to be priced around $1.4 million, and according to Bloomberg, the W16 will arrive under-hood in 1,000-horsepower form. Other reports speculate that Bugatti will trim the turbocharger count back from four to two, causing horsepower to dip to a more pedestrian 800 hp.

Gallery: Bugatti 16C Galibier concept in black

[Source: Bloomberg]

Report: Bugatti gets green light to build Galibier sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW bringing lightweight M3 sedan to Nurburgring M Festival

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Performance, BMW

Lightweight BMW M3 Sedan

Lightweight BMW M3 Sedan – Click above for high-res image gallery

In addition to officially debuting the M3 pickup here in Munich, BMW trotted out a lightweight version of the M3 sedan before its debut at the M Festival at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring race later this year.

BMW is mum on the exact details on this stripped-out sedan, only saying that it’s designed to slot in between the standard model and the race-ready GTS coupe. Output should remain close to the standard 420 horsepower, but the brakes, suspension and exhaust will be tweaked for maximum performance. There’s no word on how many pounds the M division stripped from the sedan, but we should have all the details when the big ‘Ring race happens this June.

Gallery: Lightweight BMW M3 Sedan

BMW bringing lightweight M3 sedan to Nurburgring M Festival originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 05:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Kia Rio sedan confirmed for New York Auto Show

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Kia

2012 Kia Rio

2012 Kia Rio – Click above for high-res image gallery

Our man Jeremy Korzeniewski is attending a Kia event in Phoenix, Arizona this week, and during a press briefing this morning, JK learned that the Korean automaker will be unveiling its 2012 Rio sedan at the 2011 New York Auto Show. The four-door Rio will complement the hatchback bodystyle that bowed at the Geneva Motor Show in early March.

Four powertrains will be available on the Rio overseas – two gas and two diesel – and while mum’s the word on which engine(s) will be available here in the United States, we’re putting our money on the 1.4-liter gasoline four. This mill produces 108 horsepower and 100 pound-feet of torque, mated to either a six-speed manual or four-speed(!) automatic transmission.

In other news, Kia also let slip that the KV7 concept from this year’s Detroit Auto Show previews what’s in store for the next-generation Sedona minivan. We hinted at this after a conversation with Michael Sprague, Kia’s vice president of marketing, though it’s still unclear exactly what elements from the KV7 will be incorporated into the next-gen Sedona. The concept focused on a more traditional conversion van setup rather than the family-centric Sedona that currently graces our streets.

Gallery: 2012 Kia Rio

2012 Kia Rio

2012 Kia Rio sedan confirmed for New York Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Saab 9-3 hatchback confirmed – but is a sedan?

Filed under: Hatchback, Saab, Design/Style, Luxury

Saab PhoeniX concept car

Saab PhoeniX Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

We’re in Washington D.C. this week attending the embargoed long-lead event for the 2011 Saab 9-4X, but that hasn’t stopped us from inquiring about other key new products from the House of Griffin.

We’ve already seen mules of the next-generation 9-3 range undergoing testing, but thus far, we haven’t seen any production bodywork or learned much in the way of specifics. A purist’s return-to-form hatchback model has been rumored for some time now, and thanks to Magnus Hillerborn, Saab’s Vehicle Validation Engineer, Autoblog can now confirm that a five-door is indeed headed into production along with the expected convertible variant. Interestingly enough, what isn’t yet confirmed for the 2012 9-3 is a sedan bodystyle.

The next 9-3 was nearly finalized when Spyker purchased Saab last year from General Motors, but Victor Muller and Co. felt that there was so much work to be done that new chief designer Jason Castriota set immediately to work on making the new car more ‘Saabish.’ The changes are so significant that Hillerborn says he imagines GM executives will be “very surprised” when they see the production car, which is tipped to take design cues from the PhoeniX concept car that debuted earlier this month at the Geneva Motor Show. Hillerborn says that the hatchback will likely be five-door only (presumably a SportCombi wagon variant will follow), though we imagine there are some three-door renderings knocking about in Trollhattan. Hillerborn promises a very sleek and unique hatchback, one that should appeal to traditional sedan buyers as well (read: not bulbous and overtly hatch-like, but more streamlined).

A modestly retouched 2011 9-3 range debuted in Geneva alongside the PhoeniX showcar, but it will only have to hang on for about a year before the all-new generation appears. A traditional 9-3 sedan is under consideration and would likely help move some units in the U.S., but it apparently has not yet been signed off on, meaning that the five-door will form the heart of the range. With Saab’s sales in a slump in nearly all of its world markets, one thing is for sure: the new 9-3 can’t arrive soon enough.

Gallery: Saab PhoeniX Concept: Geneva 2011

Saab PhoeniX Concept

Gallery: Saab Phoenix Concept

2012 Saab 9-3 hatchback confirmed – but is a sedan? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Audi A3 sedan likely for U.S., Q3 crossover not in the cards (right now)

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Crossover, Audi

Audi A3 Sedan Concept

Audi A3 Sedan Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Audi A3 Sedan Concept may not have been the Volkswagen Group’s biggest show-stopper at the Geneva Motor Show, but it still garnered a lot of high praise from those in attendance. Automotive News reports that if produced, the A3 sedan would likely be sold here in the United States – a no-brainer, really, especially since the German automaker has long considered offering a four-door bodystyle of the A3 here in America.

Peter Schwarzenbauer, Audi AG board member for sales and marketing, tells Automotive News that, “If you look at this specific segment around the world, you come to the conclusion that this car is designed – but it is not yet decided – with the U.S. and China in mind.” Schwarzenbauer further states that these are two markets where “the [sedan] segment is quite big.” The A3 sedan could come to the U.S. as early as 2013.

However, when it comes to the smaller Q3 crossover that’s currently being developed, Audi has not yet decided whether it will be sold in the CUV-hungry U.S. Automotive News reports that if the Q3 is given the green light, it would not arrive for another 12 to 15 months – even though the European-spec crossover is scheduled to go on sale this year.

Gallery: Audi A3 sedan concept: Geneva 2011

Audi A3 sedan concept: Geneva 2011

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

Report: Audi A3 sedan likely for U.S., Q3 crossover not in the cards (right now) originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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