Bentley readying four-door coupe for 2018

 

Bentley purists have probably been tearing their hair out since we got our first glimpse of the EXP 9 F SUV Concept. "A Bentley SUV? " you could almost hear them saying, incredulous to the idea that an automaker actually wants to make money. Now, word is that the British brand might be jumping on the four-door-coupe bandwagon. The car, which would slot in below the Continental GT, and act as the new base model, would compete with the BMW M6 Gran Coupe and Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG, according to Car.

Size-wise, Car thinks it'd be in line with the Continental GT, at just over 15.5 feet long. It'd wear a price tag of 125,000 to 150,000 euro, which converts to $168,650 to $202,380. In reality, the US-spec baby Bentley would need to retail for no more than $130,000 to $170,000 if it wanted to truly capture the M6, Porsche Panamera and CLS63 crowd. Speaking of that Porsche, Car thinks the Bentley will ride on the same platform.

As is pointed out, the question of which platform this new model will ride on is an important one. The two possibilities are the D5 architecture of the next Audi A8 or the MSB platform, which will underpin the next-generation Panamera. Expect a 3.0-liter V6 and a 4.0-liter V8, both of which will receive special outfittings for duty in the Bentley, when it arrives in 2018. What do you think? Is there room in the Bentley family for a car below the Continental GT V8, and if so, is a four-door coupe the right choice? Let us know down in Comments.

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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #350 LIVE!

We're set to record Autoblog Podcast #350 tonight, and you can check out the topics below. Also drop us your questions and comments via our Q&A module and don't forget to subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already done so. To take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.

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2015 Honda Civic Type R to sire next-gen CR-Z?

 

Salt shakers at the ready, boys and girls. There's a rumor out of Australia claiming the next Honda CR-Z will be based on the forthcoming 276-horsepower, turbocharged Civic Type R. Apparently Honda's research and development bigwigs have been unnerved by the reception of the Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ twins and are eager to return fire.

Now, don't get too excited - Honda isn't following the Volkswagen model of offering virtually unchanged mechanicals in a different bodyshell (Beetle Turbo and GTI, for example). Instead, the report says the future CR-Z will retain its hybrid powertrain, albeit with a serious kick in the pants. A prototype is said to already be zipping around Japan with a turbocharged, direct-injected, 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine and the current CR-Z's electric motor and battery pack. With a reported 221 horsepower mated up to a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission (say buh-bye to the CVT and six-speed manual) and the next-gen Civic platform underneath, the rumored CR-Z has all the makings of a hot hatch riot.

Of course, this all sounds wonderful. This is also the point where you should be enjoying that salt. We really like the idea of a properly hot CR-Z that can compete with John Cooper Works Mini models and the new Ford Fiesta ST, but the three-door hybrid has been such a slow seller for Honda in the US that it might not field a second generation here, no matter how improved it might be. Let us know what you think of an amped-up CR-Z in the comments. Is it a good idea, or is this one Honda model that's just too far gone?

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Mercedes was set to sell version of Nissan Titan, now Infiniti might instead [UPDATE]

Mercedes-Benz Titan. Mercedes-Benz Frontier. Mercedes-Benz pickup truck. None of these things roll off the tongue particularly well. We'd like to think that's the reason Daimler opted to kill the idea of rebadged Titan and Frontier pickups from corporate ally Nissan. In reality, the execution before the Frankfurt Motor Show was due to more complicated issues.

Yes, Mercedes, byword for German luxury, style and quality, would have slapped a three-pointed star on a pair of Japanese pickup trucks that have failed to resonate with consumers in the world's largest truck market. That slapping of badges isn't much of an exaggeration, at least on the outside. According to the report from Road & Track, the truck's front clip would have been tweaked, but beyond that, the sheetmetal would have been unchanged. The interior would have received a more thorough going-over by the team at Mercedes, while the suspension and noise, vibration and harshness tuning would have also received significant attention.

The trucks would have ended up being sold through the light-commercial branch of Mercedes-Benz - the same folks that will happily sell you a Sprinter van - had the deal gone through. Issues arose, though, first with the engines. Mercedes wanted a wider range of powertrains to allow it to tune models for specific markets, while Nissan said it couldn't engineer the wide variety of engines that MB wanted to drop under the hood. For the smaller truck, meanwhile, MB was interested in a hybrid or plug-in variant, according to R&T, although this was also shot down by Nissan.

Interestingly, the report claims the decision by Mercedes has essentially given the green light to Infiniti, Nissan's premium brand, to engineer a higher-end pickup. No word on if the Infiniti-badged Titan will arrive before or after the next-generation truck debuts, but we'd have to assume the latter.

Mercedes, meanwhile, may not have totally abandoned its truck plans. An unnamed source within Infiniti told the buff book, "We know about their pickup, but as long as they price it more enthusiastically than ours, we don't think it will impact our plans."

Update: Infiniti has issued an official denial of any plans for a pickup truck, with spokesman Kyle Bazemore writing, "Reports that Infiniti might offer a full-size truck based on the next-generation Nissan Titan are wrong. Infiniti has no such plans."

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Affordable, lightweight Honda roadster revival in the works?

 

There's a joke phrase from a popular movie that gets tossed around the Autoblog offices when ever a big change or announcement is coming: "Hold on to your butts." It's usually accompanied by a video of Samuel L. Jackson. That's the advice we'd recommend for reading this article. GTChannel is reporting that a new, small, lightweight, quick successor to the Honda S2000 is being "seriously considered."

Citing an unnamed source within the Japanese automaker, GTChannel goes on to list a few interesting tidbits about the new vehicle. From the sounds of it, though, if Honda is planning a new roadster, it's in the absolute earliest stages of development.

What's apparently being discussed is a car that's smaller than a Mazda MX-5, in terms of its dimensions. Under hood would be a VTEC engine, displacing anywhere from 1.3 to 1.5 liters, with GT Channel making the apt suggestion that the 1.5-liter, 132-horsepower mill from the Honda Fit could make its way into the new roadster. Curb weight would be in the realm of 2,000 pounds, which would make a 130-odd-hp engine seem absolutely heroic. Rear-wheel drive would be a given, although we aren't sure about the site's suggestion that a five-speed manual will be on offer. Styling could draw from the N-One, a popular, Honda-badged kei car.

As if this isn't all sounding too good to be true, the source also claims that Honda is targeting the $20,000 price point. The potential MX-5/Toyobaru fighter could be ready by 2015 or 2016. Now, we've checked our calendars, and April 1 is still over seven months away, but we'd still advise you take this with a rather large grain(s) of salt. Rumors of a new Honda roadster have appeared and disappeared with tide-like regularity since the moment the S2000 died, and none of them have come to pass. The NSX revival was followed by nearly a decade of will-they, won't-they rumors and telephone-game whispers before Honda actually buckled down and built something. It seems like the same thing could be happening here.

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Audi A0 in development based on VW Up!

 

Bigger, it seems, is no longer better. Volkswagen has made waves with its Up! city car, a plucky three-door that's been a bit of a hit since it burst onto the automotive scene, spawning a number of variants during its short life. And while our European friends have gotten a Cross Up!, a commercial version, an EV model, Seat- and Skoda-badged variants, and a rumored diesel-electric Twin-Up!, the small city car has been lacking in terms of its premium content.

That fact makes this rumor rather tantalizing - Audi might be working on its own version of the front-engined, front-drive city car, to be called the A0. The report comes from AutoExpress, which claims Audi CEO Rupert Stadler wants a premium Up! that features a distinctive interior and exterior treatment.

Changes could include a trapezoidal grille, in addition to premium exterior features like LED lighting and alloy wheels. The cabin would feature leather and likely a version of Audi's MMI infotainment system, while power would come from a 109-horsepower, 1.0-liter engine found in the Up! GT Concept.

Of course, consume your regularly sized grains of salt for this one. Audi currently has the still-fresh Audi A1 holding down the bottom of its range, and for some reason, the idea of an Audi Up! stinks ever so slightly of brand dilution. What do you think? As Mini has proved, there's a market for small, premium cars, but is there a market for small, premium city cars?

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Could the Chevy Silverado Cheyenne concept be headed for production?

 

Just a few days ago Chevy dropped the news of its Silverado Cheyenne concept truck, a high-power pickup with Camaro Z/28 parts that looks an awful lot like the spiritual successor to hot-rod trucks like the the GMC Syclone. Theoretically, a performance pickup like the Cheyenne could do serious battle with Ford's sport-oriented 2014 F-150 Tremor. Too bad it's just a concept... or is it?

Last night Chevy showed us the Cheyenne in the flesh at a pre-SEMA dinner party (with a couple of Transformers to boot). While strolling around the cars on display, we were given a subtle heads-up, by a highly placed General Motors source, that the Cheyenne concept was one to pay special attention to. Far from confirmation of production intent, we'll grant you, but we think there's some credence to the idea of Chevy building the thing.

To start, it's clear that Chevy is getting pretty aggressive in moving performance parts developed for the Camaro out into its larger model ecosystem. Just yesterday we attended a driving event with the Performance Parts division (look for more on that later this week) where it was announced that ZL1 and 1LE Camaro suspension and powertrain parts would be offered for sale in the aftermarket and through dealers. Further, Chevy showed off Z/28 "concept parts" last night, indicating that aftermarket bits from the raciest Camaro are in the works, too.

Combine that parts accessibility with the spec sheet for the fast Silverado – Z/28 brakes and lightweight wheels, ZL1-like steering wheel, 420-horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8 engine – with the fact that cross-town rival Ford is making moves to recapture some of the performance truck niche, and we think something like a production Cheyenne makes a ton of sense. Plus, of course, we really want it to happen.

We don't expect to get anything like an official confirmation about Cheyenne plans in the near future, but we'll stay tuned for updates in the news cycle. In the meantime, SEMA is just starting to wake up, so expect a lot more out of Vegas this afternoon and evening.

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2017 Aston Martin Lagonda could live on Mercedes M-Class platform

 

A few weeks ago, we brought you news from the launch of the Aston Martin Vanquish Volante that the British brand, which is formally known as Aston Martin Lagonda, was still planning on going ahead with a Lagonda-badged crossover. Now comes word that that vehicle could very well be based on a Mercedes-Benz M-Class.

When the first Lagonda Concept debuted at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, it sat on a Mercedes-Benz GL-Class platform, some four years before Aston Martin and Mercedes-AMG deal was inked. And with that partnership, which will see Aston Martin gain access to AMG electrics and "bespoke, V8 powertrains," the opportunities for platform sharing are many.

Dr. Ulrich Bez, the boss of Aston Martin, told the UK's AutoCar, "I look at what Porsche is doing with the 911 as its core business and then it is able to do models like the Cayenne based on the Volkswagen Touareg. It is good business." We've said many times that we'll tolerate exotic CUVs and SUVs if it means keeping the beloved core models alive, which has been the case with Porsche. We see no reason Aston Martin wouldn't be able to do the same.

The Lagonda, which is getting a full rework following a critically poor reception when it debuted in Geneva, will likely arrive in 2017, meaning that there are a lot of details to work out, not least of which is where it will be built. The only two factories that build the M-Class currently are in Tuscaloosa, AL and Pune, Maharashtra, India.

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Next Ford Edge to go global, concept to debut in LA

 

Aside from an admittedly significant refresh in 2011, the guts underpinning the midsize Ford Edge crossover (shown above as a 2012 model) haven't received much attention since it was introduced seven years ago. That is all about to change as Ford plans to roll out a new concept vehicle at the LA Auto Show that will preview the next-gen Edge, which we may have actually gotten our first look at back in February.

We've heard from numerous sources this week that a concept will be unveiled in LA previewing the 2015 Edge, and like many current Ford products (like Fusion, Focus and Fiesta), it will be sold in a number of global markets including Europe. This news isn't entirely a surprise, though, as Ford announced in September that it was investing in the Oakville, Canada assembly plant – where the Edge is produced – in order to make it a "global manufacturing plant."

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2015 Ford Mustang renders reveal look of the real thing

This is, according to the pony-car obsessed kids over at Mustang6G.com, the closest, most accurate rendering of the new, 2015 Ford Mustang to date. Artis Chazcron used a combination of Ford CAD images and information from assorted spy shots to assemble a fairly handsome car, albeit one that conforms to the tired cliché of being more evolutionary than revolutionary.

Now, it's very important to note that these are still speculative renders, and that they only represent the base car - that could explain the lack of the Mustang's vestigial side scoops, along with other, newer styling cues that Mustang6G seems to think will arrive on production models. Those items include a new, double-bubble roof, although the Mustang aficionados claim that even if it were present, it'd barely be visible from these angles.

The front end is pretty spot on, compared to what we've seen from earlier spy shots, while the tail, with its interesting light design is something new. The louvered taillights look quite different from the current version, obviously, though Mustang has gone the whimsical route with taillights before. Also, note the new rear diffuser uses an integrated reverse light and rear foglight, the latter of which is required for sale in Europe.

According to reports, this is merely the first trickle of a coming deluge of Mustang information. Sources are claiming that the Mustang will actually be shown near the end of December (merry Christmas indeed!), while official teaser images will start popping up any day now. We'll have much more on the new Mustang ahead of its predicted debut at the 2014 North American International Auto Show.

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Did the McLaren P1 lap the 'Ring in 6:47?

 

Yesterday McLaren released official performance stats for the new P1, including a blistering 2.8-second 0-62 time, along with additional acceleration and braking figures. But that doesn't tell the whole story.

No, what enthusiasts will really be waiting to see is how fast the new McLaren P1 will hustle around the Nürburgring. Rumor had it that the Big Mac had clocked a 7:04 lap time, but McLaren wouldn't confirm it, and with just cause: the Porsche 918 Spyder broke the seven-minute barrier (and the lap record for street-legal production cars) around the same time, and McLaren apparently thought it could do better.

Well, it looks like it has, if the latest rumors emanating from the Nordschleife prove accurate. According to YouTube user swsthebest1994, who uploaded the video below, McLaren has managed a 6:47 lap time, which would make it a solid 10 seconds faster than the Porsche 918 Spyder. We'll have to wait on official confirmation of the time, but if it's true, we could have a new Ringmeister on our hands – and a challenge set not only for Porsche, which says it can still best its own time, but also Ferrari.

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Dodge engineers trying to shoehorn Pentastar into Dart?

 

The fact that the Dart's launch has been a pretty dismal affair isn't what we'd call secret. Judging by its mounting inventories and poor critical reception, Dodge's successor to its unloved Caliber has struggled since it hit the market. And while both of those are difficult problems to address, at least their cause is well known - the powertrain.

Even Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has acknowledged that the powertrain options in the Dart are substandard, admitting at January's Detroit Auto Show that the powertrains are "less than ideal." Leading with the 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder found in the Fiat 500 Abarth left a bad taste in the mouths of consumers thanks to the laggy engine and dead throttle response (to say nothing of the manual and dual-clutch gearboxes that needed more refinement). The addition of the 184-horsepower 2.4-liter Tigershark in the Dart GT has helped matters some, but apparently Auburn Hills doesn't think it's quite enough.

If rumors are to be believed – get that salt ready – a possible solution may be in the works. A report from Allpar is claiming that Dodge is considering fitting a Pentastar V6 into the Dart's engine bay. As the Mopar-obsessed website points out, the critically acclaimed Pentastar is available in three different sizes - 3.0 liters, 3.2 liters and the original 3.6 liters. We don't get the 3.0 here in the US, but the 3.2 can be found in the new Jeep Cherokee and the 3.6 has been seemingly fitted to every model Chrysler can shoehorn it into.

The thinking is that a six-cylinder Dart will deliver the power that customers are clamoring for, as it should, in either 3.2-liter or 3.6-liter vintages, deliver significantly more grunt than the occasionally thrashy Tigershark. Ignoring the precipitous drop in fuel economy that would likely come with a V6, we can't help but wonder if Dodge would simply be better off refining what it already has rather than putting in the wrench time to get a Pentastar and a Dart to play nice. Allpar also points out the new nine-speed automatic being sold with the Jeep Cherokee could help the Dart out, but that plan has its issues, too.

Perhaps the rumored V6 could be for a racier SRT model? If so, the fuel economy tradeoff would seem to be more acceptable if it were accompanied by better handling and more aggressive looks.

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BMW pondering hardcore M4 to celebrate 100 years?

 

2013 is the year for Lamborghini, Aston Martin and the Porsche 911, but 2016 will be the year for BMW. That's when the Munich-based maker of the Ultimate Driving Machine will celebrate its 100th birthday, with what will probably be a year-long celebration. Part of that 365-day party will, reportedly, be an even hotter version of the new BMW M4, which is set to debut in January at the Detroit Auto Show.

Yes, according to Australia's Car Sales, the über-M4 has been hinted at by higher-ups at BMW's M division, who claim the rear seats will be removed, much like the M3 GTS, while other weight-saving measures will be used to try and bring the M4's weight below 3,000 pounds. There's no mention of engine mods, but if the M4's biturbocharged six is as good as we think it'll be, that's not a deal-breaker for us.

The lightening process on the so-called M4 GTS would involve replacing the hood and front fenders with parts made of carbon fiber, while the doors would switch from steel to aluminum. Besides the deletion of the rear seats, Car Sales is predicting lightweight racing buckets, with a carbon-fiber shell and a minimal amount of padding. Expect lots and lots of Alcantara, in place of leather.

This wouldn't be a reborn M3 CSL, though, with one source at M saying, "It's difficult for a CSL today. We have already major steps that we would have taken, like thinner glass and lighter seats and lighter wheels and less sound deadening. We've already done all of that [in the current car]." Regardless, the idea of a seriously stripped out, two-door M is something we're really looking forward to seeing. Of course, neither the M3 GTS or CSL were offered in the US market, so if you live in the land of the free and home of the brave, don't get too excited just yet.

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Toyota to offer sedan version of GT 86?

 

Sources in Australia are reporting that we'll be seeing a small, rear-drive sedan from Toyota, based on the GT 86/Scion FR-S. Yes, a convertible variant is still in limbo, but a four-door sedan is in the works. It's unclear if the rumored GT 86 sedan would spawn Scion and Subaru variants (it's hard to cross all ten fingers while you type, but we're having a go).

Working with remarks made by the car's chief engineer Tetsuya Tada in his blog and a rendering from Japanese magazine Holiday Auto, the Australian site Motoring is claiming that the new model's wheelbase will grow about four inches over the current GT 86's 101.2-inch wheelbase.

Besides the larger overall space between the axles, the sedan will offer a more potent engine option over the current 2.0-liter, flat-four. Promising 268 horsepower, which is a big jump over the current car's 200 ponies, the new powertrain will be derived from the Hybrid R setup, shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show. If, like us, you're reaching for the salt, and we don't blame you.

Motoring seems to think the new model will be available later in 2015 or early in 2016, with pricing that should be within reach of current GT 86 owners (around 30,000 Australian dollars, or $28,371).

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VW readying Ducati-engined XL1 sports car

Volkswagen made waves with its ultra efficient XL1, a 1,700-pound two-seater that nets a claimed 261 miles per gallon. And while that degree of insane efficiency is admirable, we'd be lying if we didn't see some performance potential with the car's low curb weight and fanatical elimination of aerodynamic drag.

The crew in Wolfsburg must have had the same thoughts, as a story has emerged from German publication Bild that VW has a car called the XL Sports in the works, that ditches the XL1's two-cylinder, diesel-powered engine and electric motor for something a bit more potent - the 1,198-cc, 190-horsepower V-twin from the Ducati 1199 Panigale. It'd be relegated to the track, but what a firecracker it would be.

And before we get wrapped up in Bild's tabloid reputation, the story is accompanied by a shot that looks about as authentic as can be. We can't run it here, but we strongly suggest you hop over to Bild (fair warning, it's in German) and have a look. It shows Ferdinand Piëch in Vienna, showing a racing variant of the XL1, called the XL Sport, to a group of students at the Vienna University of Technology. Head over to BIld and take a look, and then head back this way and let us know what you think.

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Autoblog Podcast #352

Porsche details leaked, Toyota Camry may lose No. 1 sedan spot, Lamborghini Urus and Volvo Concept Coupe production rumors

 

Episode #352 of the Autoblog podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth is joined by Steven Ewing and Brandon Turkus. Topics include a big garage update full of awesome stuff, leaked Porsche information, speculation that the Toyota Camry may drop out of the No. 1 sedan spot, and chatter that the Lamborghini Urus and Volvo Concept Coupe might make it to production. We start with what's in the garage and finish up with some of your questions, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. You can follow along after the jump with our Q&A. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #352:

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Hosts: Dan Roth, Steven Ewing, Brandon Turkus

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Cadillac considering more electric cars, Elmiraj business case gaining popularity

 

Cadillac's electrification isn't likely to stop at the $76,000 ELR coupe, according a report from TheDetroitBureau.com. Speaking to Cadillac's global sales boss, Bob Ferguson, a successful ELR will likely lead to a larger, even more upscale offering than the Volt-based two-door. "I could certainly see a larger vehicle, something even more luxurious," Ferguson said of a potential second, battery-powered Caddy.

That car would likely boast a more potent version of the Voltec powertrain that motivates the Volt and ELR. This next-generation system is still sometime off, though, and won't likely arrive until the second-generation Volt hits the market.

Besides hinting at future plug-in hybrids, Ferguson spoke to TDB about the improving business case for the Elmiraj Concept, shown at the Pebble Beach Concours in Monterey in August. "I'm very excited about the reception for the Elmiraj," Ferguson said. "I'd like to see it in showrooms as soon as possible," he added, before saying that a business case for the production version of the big coupe still needed to be presented to the brass. "It was made to be operationalized," Ferguson added, which is just what we want to hear when it comes to big, flashy concept cars.

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Scion to offer redesigned xB for 2015, FR-S sedan in 2016?

 

The future of the Scion brand remains up in the air, with a report from a few weeks back that Toyota dealers with attached Scion franchises could drop the youth-minded brand without penalty, rarely a good sign. That report was contrasted, though, with a story out of Australia that claimed we'd see a four-door sedan based on the splendid FR-S's overseas sibling, the Toyota GT 86. Now, we're hearing that a revised xB, Scion's formerly lovable toaster, is on the way. What gives?

As for the new xB, the news comes from our friends at Edmunds, which cites an unnamed source, who claims a new box-on-wheels should arrive in 2015 as part of potentially larger push for the Japanese sub-brand. Aside from the original xB, which enjoys a strong cult following, and the FR-S, Scion has had fewer home runs than Prince Fielder's post-season.

"In the next two calendar years, we will have a blend of both upgrades to the products we have in the market and at least one new model," according to Scion's vice president, Doug Murtha, who spoke to Edmunds via phone.

As for the FR-S sedan, the source tells Edmunds that car could arrive in early 2016, provided Toyota can get Subaru to play ball. That date would (kind of) fit with Murtha's call of two calendar years. Until then, Murtha indicated that we can expect more special editions and new features to keep the current models fresh, which means we will be seeing more of this. Whatever happens, it seems like it's very much sink or swim for the team at Scion.

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2015 Subaru WRX STI headed for Detroit, more WRX details leaked

 

The debuts of the 2015 Subaru WRX and the Legacy Concept at the Los Angeles Auto Show next week are kind of hogging the Subaru spotlight, making it easy to forget that there is a more potent, more aggressive version of the small sedan waiting in the wings. And based on a rumor from Australia, we'll see the sportier WRX STI at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

The report comes from Motoring in Australia, which claims that a more potent version of the WRX will make its debut in the Motor City, and that it will do so with an even 300 horsepower (five fewer than the current STI) and 290 pound-feet of torque (identical to the current car). Aside from the more potent 2.5-liter turbocharged flat four, the STI should boast the regular spread of aesthetic upgrades and suspension, brake, chassis and transmission tweaks.

The standard all-wheel-drive WRX will sprint to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds.

Of course, next week's debut of the 2015 WRX should shed some light on an eventual STI, but we're still going to need to wait until January to get the full scoop. In the meantime, further leaks continue on the LA-bound WRX courtesy of an early-release Car and Driver issue in PDF form that's making the rounds. According to information gleaned from the buff book, the WRX indeed gets a version of the Forester's 2.0-liter engine paired with a six-speed manual, a combo good for 265hp at 6,000 rpm and 244 lb-ft at 4,400 rpm. The standard all-wheel drive WRX will come with a 50:50 default torque split in manual form and sprint to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. Confirming earlier rumors, the C/D-sourced information also confirms word of a continuously variable transmission that includes Subaru's Variable Torque Distribution and a default front-to-rear torque split of 45:55. The two-pedal WRX is a bit slower to 60 mph, taking 5.9 seconds.

Additional tidbits of info include word of electric power steering, better torsional rigidity (41-percent better than the 2013 Rex), uprated brakes shrouded by larger 235/45 17-inch tires and a firmer suspension setup. Additional information on options and color combinations can be found over at Jalopnik, courtesy of what looks like some dealer-supplied information.

What do you think of all this? Speak out in Comments.

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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #354 LIVE!

 

We're set to record Autoblog Podcast #354 tonight, and you can check out the topics below, drop us your questions and comments via our Q&A module, and don't forget to subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already done so. To take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.

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