Audi SQ5

Audi says this model was created specifically for the following markets: United States, Canada, China, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and the Ukraine, and will not be offered in Europe.

At the heart of the new SQ5 lies Audi's 3.0-liter supercharged V6 with a compressor featuring two rotors that spin at over 20,000 rpm. The TSI unit generates 349hp (354PS) between 6,000 and 6,500 rpm, and delivers 470Nm (347 lb-ft) of torque to the crankshaft between 4,000 and 4,500 rpm.

An eight-speed tiptronic and quattro permanent all-wheel drive transfer power to the road.

According to Audi, the SQ5 TSI completes the 0-62mph (100km/h) sprint in 5.3 seconds and has an electronically limited speed of 250km/h (155 mph), while returning an average fuel consumption of 8.5 lt/100km in the NEDC (equal to 21mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 199g/km.

That compares to the AQ5 TDI's 5.1-second sprint time, 250 km/h (155mph) top speed and a fuel economy of 7.2 lt/100 km (32.7 US mpg).

The gasoline-powered SQ5 rides on a 30mm (1.2-inches) lowered chassis with tauter springs and shock absorbers, and new 20-inch alloy wheels (21-inch are optional) shod in 255/45-series tires. Audi also offers an optional dynamic steering with a 'steplessly variable ratio'.

As you would imagine, the SQ5 TDI and TSI share the same bespoke styling cues both inside and outside, with the only visible difference being the U.S. market model's colored turning signals up front.

As a refresher, exterior appointments include a platinum gray radiator grille with aluminum-look bars, a gloss package and exterior mirrors in aluminum look, a rear diffuser and side skirts, while Audi also offers two exclusive crystal-effect finishes named Estoril Blue and Panther Black.

In the cabin, you will find gray dials and white numerals for the instruments, sports steering wheel and seats trimmed in leather, and aluminum-look décor.

Audi said the new SQ5 TSI will arrive at U.S. dealerships in the third quarter of 2013 with pricing to be announced.

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2014 Mercedes E-Class

First of all, they ditched the four separate headlamps, an E-Class staple since 1995, in favor of a single one-piece unit on each side that encompasses all lighting elements. Mercedes says that the graphic design of the inner elements retain the “four-eyed” look while both the day-time running lights and the dipped beam have partial LED lights as standard and full LED lights are offered as an option.

For the first time, the E-Class, like the smaller C-Class, will be available with two different front-end designs. The base and Elegance trim levels feature the classic grille with three louvers and the three-pointed star on the bonnet, while the Avantgarde gets the sporty treatment with the star integrated in the grille.

In profile, the 2014 E-Class replaces the pontoon-style rear side panels with a new feature line that runs from the rear door to the elongated, LED taillights and, according to the company, emphasizes the side trim that has been shifted downwards and gives the car a more elongated shape.

In the cabin, the main highlights are the redesigned center console, the new instrument cluster, a two-part wood or aluminum trim that runs across the entire dashboard and a new analogue clock between the central air vents.

All versions of the E-Class will be equipped with an electromechanical Direct-Steer steering that combines speed-sensitive power assistance and a variable ratio of the steering gear.

The 2014 model will be available with four suspension set-ups. The base and Elegance trim levels will get the DIRECT CONTROL adjustable suspension tuned for comfort, the Avantgarde trim will have the same suspension lowered by 15 mm, the Exterior Sports and AMG sports packages will get a lowered sports suspension and the V8 models will be fitted with the electronically controlled AIRMATIC air suspension.

In Europe, Mercedes-Benz will offer the new E-Class with either a six-speed manual or the 7G-Tronic seven-speed auto transmission and no less than 18 engines, all of them fitted with an auto stop/start system.

Ten of them are gasoline units and range from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in 181HP (184PS) and 207HP (211PS) versions for the E 200 and E 250 respectively to a 4.6-liter V8 with 402HP (408PS) and 600 Nm (442.5 lb-ft) of torque for the E 500.

There are also six diesels and two diesel-electric hybrids: the 2.2-liter E 300 in 201 HP (204 PS) rear-wheel drive and the 248HP (252 PS) 3.0-liter all-wheel drive E 350 4MATIC.

Both saloon and estate variants will be equipped with the radar-based Collision Prevent Assist warning system that features adaptive braking and the Attention Assist system, which can detect the driver’s level of fatigue and issue a warning in case he is too tired or drowsy.

Of course, there’s also an armada of safety systems. These include the semi-auto Distronic Plus with Steering Assist cruise control, the BAS Plus brake assist that, thanks to the Junction Assist system can detect crossing traffic or pedestrians and increase braking power, the Pre-Safe system that optimizes the car’s safety systems and the automated Active Parking Assist that uses a 360-degree camera to provide a bird’s eye view of the surroundings.

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2014 BMW 4-Series Coupe Concept

The brand with the roundel logo says it ditched the 3-Series Coupe moniker in favor of the “4” because it wants to differentiate it from its compact saloon and at the same time, underline the new model’s stature in its line-up that will use even numbers for coupes (or four-door sports saloons in the case of the Gran Coupes).

The new 4-series measures 4,641 mm long, 1,826 mm wide and 1,362 mm tall, which means it’s longer (by 29 mm /1.1 inches), broader (by 44 mm /1.7 inches) and lower (by 16 mm / 0.6 inches) than the current 3-Series Coupe.

Compared to the model it will replace, it also boasts a 50 mm (2-inch) longer wheelbase that stands at 2,850 mm. Moreover, its 1,545 mm front and 1,593 mm rear tracks are 45 and 80 mm (1.8 and 3.1 inches) wider respectively.

The new coupe stays loyal to familiar BMW motifs like the long bonnet, setback cabin, minimal overhangs and long wheelbase. The front end is obviously similar to the F30 3-Series’ novel interpretation of the company’s hallmark kidney grille and twin circular headlights, with the main change being the large air intakes on the front bumper.

In its profile, the 4-Series retains the 3-Series “double swage line” (in BMW-talk), while the so-called "Air Breather", an aerodynamic aperture behind the front wheels, reduces drag around the wheels – which, in the case of the concept, are 20-inch multi-spoke alloys.

At the rear, the L-shaped taillights (another time-honored BMW tradition) resemble that of the 6-Series Gran Coupe and are set to the outer edges of the bodywork, while the rear arches are the widest point of the whole car, further emphasizing its wide and aggressive stance.

The design of the rear bumper is quite striking, mimicking the three-way split of the front bumper and incorporating the exhaust pipes in each of its outer edges – though it remains to be seen whether this will make it into the production car.

The interior is also production-ready, with the driver-centric dashboard being borrowed straight from the 3-Series Sedan and Touring models. Of course, the doors are longer than the saloon’s and their trim panels converge, according to BMW, via the B-pillar into the rear connecting the two passenger compartments.

BMW doesn’t mention powertrains, but when the production model is launched, probably at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show (unless they surprise us earlier, that is…) it will be powered by the company’s new generation TwinPower units, with the range-topping M4 switching from a naturally aspirated V8 to a turbocharged in-line six.

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