Four turbos are better than three: BMW debuts new quad-turbocharged diesel engine.

PHOTO BY BMW

QUAD-TURBO IS THE NEW TRI-TURBO

   The latest broadside fired by BMW in the German horsepower wars -- or rather the German torque wars -- is a diesel 3.0-liter inline-six breathed on by four turbochargers.

Jaguar offers savings on new Coupe and Convertible

PHOTO BY JAGUAR

ENTRY-LEVEL F-TYPES INTRODUCED

   Jaguar’s 2017 F-Type lineup includes two new entry-level models: a $61,400 Coupe and new $65,400 Convertible. Both prices include destination. Jag says they represent $3,600 and $2,700 in savings, respectively. Adding the two newcomers builds on the pricing realignments Jag announced for the 2016 model year.

   The entry-level Fs use the supercharged 3.0-liter V6 (340 hp) and six-speed manual trans, the automatic is optional.

   Other standard equipment includes the Meridian stereo, nav system and leather buckets. Jag’s EliteCare coverage is also standard -- it includes free scheduled maintenance and roadside assistance. 

Mercedes-Maybach S600 Guard is insanely well armored

PHOTO BY MERCEDES-BENZ

S600 now has VR10-level armor for protection against rogue nuclear states

   If you're a frequent buyer of armored European sedans (as we're sure many of our readers are), the debut of the Mercedes-Maybach S600 Guard is like the release of a new iPhone. Armorers and coachbuilders release several new models each year, but Mercedes' own factory-armored luxury yacht has reached a new benchmark in ballistic protection: VR10 level.

Audi SUV blitz will bring Q2, Q8 and an electric SUV

Ingolstadt moves to catch rivals

PHOTO BY AUDI

   The debut of the pocket-sized Q2 crossover at the Geneva motor show next week won't be the first or the last step in Ingolstadt's advance against competitors. The Q2 will allow the automaker to take on the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class directly in a segment getting more lucrative every month, but there is still room at the other end of the size spectrum.

   Audi will roll out the Q8 in 2019, a vehicle set to battle the BMW X6 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Coupe. Expect the Q8 to feature design elements previewed by coupe concepts like the Audi Prologue, though the vehicle itself will be based on the Q7, which went on sale in the U.S. last month.

BMW 8-Series: Back in 2020

PHOTO BY BMW

REPORT: MUNICH CONTEMPLATES TWO POSSIBLE LAYOUTS FOR FLAGSHIP COUPE

   Looks like we finally know what the 2013 BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe concept was all about; Autocar reports that BMW will resurrect the 8-Series, dormant since 1999, in four years' time.

Is this 2016 Ford Falcon XR8 Sprint the legendary Aussie's swan song?

Ford’s Final Falcon gets big power and small production

   With Ford moving to global platforms and ending Australian production, Car Advice is reporting that the 2016 Ford Falcon could be the last of its kind. Fortunately, Falcon sedan fans will have a shot at two going-away goodies: the XR6 Turbo Sprint and the XR8 Turbo Sprint.

Is the Ford EcoSport headed to the U.S.?

PHOTO BY FORD

Ford mulls bringing its smallest compact crossover to America

   Ford may be planning to bring its EcoSport crossover to the U.S., Automotive News reports. A camouflaged prototype has been spotted testing around Dearborn, Michigan, with the crossover headed for a possible 2017 launch date.

2017 BMW Alpina B7 xDrive: Because 'M' would be too easy

Ultra-luxe Alpina BMW set for debut at the Chicago Auto Show

   The Chicago Auto Show is right around the corner, and BMW and Alpina have teamed up to bring us the B7 xDrive. This 7-Series offshoot ramps output up to 600 bhp and 590 lb-ft of torque. In addition to the barrage of horsepower, Alpina adds a sport-plus mode that lowers ride height by almost an inch and allows for a more dynamic response from the driveline.

Camaro 1LE V6 heading for a track near you

Camaro handling package offered on V6 model for the first time

   Chevy is bringing back our favorite off-the-rack package for the 2017 Camaro. The track-capable 1LE will now be offered for both the SS and V6-equipped LT version of the legendary ponycar. Both will debut at the Chicago Auto Show on Thursday.

Volkswagen EV aims for Chevy Volt and Tesla Model 3

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Diesel? What diesel? VW pivots to EVs with new MEB architecture

   Even as the diesel scandal shows no signs of abating, Volkswagen is already heading in another direction. Motoring reports Wolfsburg is planning a mass-market EV that will take on the likes of the Chevrolet Volt and the Tesla Model 3.

Here’s how you can get a Ford GT

PHOTO BY FORD

Hint: It helps to have owned a GT before

   Back in September we told you Ford would build 250 examples of its mid-engine GT, that the U.S. would get only about 100 of those, and that the price is going to be in the $400,000 range. We also said that since demand would clearly exceed supply, you’d have to apply for the car, and once selected, you could choose the dealer for delivery.

Handling package turns Ferrari California T into a canyon carver

Make your drop-top Ferrari GT louder, stiffer and faster

   The Ferrari California T is getting a handling and sound upgrade at the Geneva motor show. The “Handling Speciale” pack changes up the transmission shift points, adds more stiffness with new springs, and bolts on a new exhaust system.

Infiniti Q70 soldiers on with V6, V8, Hybrid for 2016

Former M sedan gets luxe Premium Select Trim

   The 2016 Infiniti Q70 luxury sedan -- the one formerly known as the M35/M45, is now on sale. Nine main trim packages range from the Q70 3.7 ($50,755 including destination) all the way up to the Q70 5.6 AWD, which will ring in at $67,955.

2016 BMW M3 and M4 hit 444 hp with new Competition Package

$5,000 gets you more than just a tuned-up M

   BMW is making its already-potent BMW M3 and M4 even more track-day ready with a new Competition Package, available on M3 sedans, M4 coupes and M4 convertibles. Naturally, when a manufacturer wants to make a car a little faster, it adds more ponies, and while that is still the case with this package, it isn't where BMW stopped. Power from the 3.0-liter I6 jumps from 425 to 444 hp, but the really interesting changes happen underneath.

VW hoping $2,000 incentive will stem defections.

Audi: 2.1 million cars have emissions-cheating software.

PHOTO BY AUDI

13,000 AUDI TDI DIESEL MODELS IN THE US MAY BE AFFECTED

Turbo 911 is now the only 911

It’s true, bro. What about the 911 Turbo?

We’ve been hearing it for a while. We knew it was inevitable: Porsche is turbocharging the 911. Not just a 911 variant or two as has been done since the 1975 model year, but all 911s.

Mercedes S-Class Cabriolet

Drop-top S550 and S63 AMG set for Frankfurt motor show stage

Remember the elegant Mercedes-Benz 220 convertible from the 1950s? How about the gorgeous early ’60s 220 SE cabriolet? Perhaps a 280 SE convertible is more your style. Well, Benz is back in the full-size four-place convertible business with the 2017 S-Class Cabriolet, making its debut at the Frankfurt motor show later this month. The company says this is its first open-top four-seat flagship since 1971.

450-hp Audi RS4 Avant joins Sydney's police force

V8-engined longroof added to fleet to help community outreach efforts

Audi police cars are nothing new -- at least in other countries -- but most departments try to get the most bang for their buck and order the lowest-spec A4s available -- think cloth seats and manual transmissions. But that's not how the police near Sydney, Australia will roll this year after

Meet the new BMW 7-series

 

BMW’s flagship 740i and 750i sedans go high-tech with carbon fiber, infotainment; plug-in hybrid comes next