2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel in U.S.

The German company isn't the only automaker with plans to sell a diesel-powered SUV in the States.

The Chrysler Group announced today that it would add a diesel version to its Jeep Grand Cherokee lineup in the United States and Canada. The North American diesel model will be manufactured at the firm's Jefferson North Assembly Plant [JNAP] in Detroit.

In addition, Chrysler revealed that it would add a third crew and 1,100 new jobs at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant next year. Current employment at the plant is approximately 2,890 workers.

"We believe that investing in Detroit is not only the right thing to do, but it is a smart thing to do as we work to write the next chapter in our shared history," said Chrysler Group Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne.

The automaker did not divulge any more details but there's a good chance that the North American market Grand Cherokee Diesel will be offered with the same engine as its European counterpart.

The latter is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 CRD common-rail turbo diesel available in two states of tune delivering 190HP at 4,000rpm and 440Nm (324.5 lb-ft) at 1,600-2,800rpm, and 241HP at 4,000rpm and 550Nm (405.7 lb-ft) at 1,800-2,800rpm. Both versions of the V6 are matted to a five-speed automatic transmission.

The 190HP model accelerates from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 10.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 191km/h (119mph) while returning a combined fuel consumption of 8.3 lt/100km (28.4mpg) in the European cycle.

The more potent 241HP variant goes from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 8.2 seconds en route to a top speed of 202km/h (126mph) but returns the same fuel economy at 8.3 lt/100km (28.4mpg).

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2013 Dodge Dart

The Dart effectively replaces the Caliber in Dodge's lineup offering the Chrysler Group a direct rival to the Ford Focus and Chevrolet saloons.

It is based on a wider and longer version of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta's platform and will offer American buyers an initial choice of three gasoline four-cylinder engines including a pair of natural aspirated units with a displacement of 2.0-liters and 2.4-liters rated at 160 and 184-horses respectively as well as a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine from the Abarth 500 with 160-ponies.

The front-wheel drive Dart will debut with a Fiat Group-sourced 6-speed dual-clutch transmission and a six-speed manual gearbox but in 2013, it will gain a new 9-speed transmission that is currently being developed by the ZF Group.

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Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid Concept

 The Swedish car manufacturer announced that it would soon be adding another plug-in hybrid in its range, this time based on the XC60 crossover featuring a gasoline (instead of a diesel internal combustion engine like the V60 PHEV).

Although officially it's still a concept, Volvomakes no attempt to hide the fact that in reality it is a forerunner of the production version which will follow and, by its own admission, is aimed squarely at the U.S. market.

“The gasoline plug-in hybrid is ideal for the American motorist who wants an electric car while at the same time retaining all the power and capacity that comes in his or her present vehicle”, said Volvo’s President and CEO Stephen Jacoby.

The XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept features a turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine up front, with an output of 280HP and 380 Nm (280 lb-ft) of torque that’s driving the front wheels through a new eight-speed automatic transmission.

Like the V60 PHEV, its rear wheels are driven by a 70HP electric motor powered by an 11.2 kWh lithium-ion power and the driver can select all-wheel drive at the push of a button. The system's combined output is 350HP enough to accelerate the car from 0-100 km/h (0-60 mph) in just 5.8 seconds when the “Power” mode is selected.

The hybrid XC60 can be propelled solely by the electric motor for about 45 kilometers (28 miles) with zero emissions when the “Pure” mode is selected.

The default “Hybrid” mode provides an average consumption of just 2.3 lt/100 km (102.2 mpg US), a maximum range of up to 960 km (600 miles) while emitting just 53 g/km of CO2.

The hybrid XC60 bears a “T8” designation in order to demonstrate that its performance is comparable to that of a conventional eight-cylinder engine.

“It’s time to stop counting cylinders”, says Peter Mertens, Volvo’s senior vice president at the R&D department. “Four-cylinder engines are the most effective way to quickly reduce CO2 emissions and fuel consumption without compromising customer expectations when it comes to driving pleasure and performance.”

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2013 Cadillac ATS Compact Sport Sedan

Cadillac will reveal the new ATS in the flesh at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next Monday on January 9.

Josh stated that he designed the rendering based on the details seen on the various camouflaged prototypes as well as the single teaser picture showing the sedan model's profile.

As we told Josh in our email communication, we reckon that the front grille may be a little bit narrower and slightly taller on the production model, but that's nitpicking as the professional-quality rendering hits the nail right on the head.

We'll have all the juicy details on the ATS from next week's Detroit motor show, but we can tell you that Cadillac's entry-level RWD Sedan will be offered at launch with three engines including a 2.5-liter four banger, a 2.0-liter Turbo with 270 ponies and a 3.6-liter V6 (probably with 318HP).

North American sales of the 2013MY ATS are expected to begin later this year.

On a side note, Josh kindly offered to draw up another car for us so if you have any suggestions, the comments section is all yours.

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Range Rover Evoque by Kahn

 Land Rover's latest creation, the Range Rover Evoque, with a new package that takes care of both the exterior and interior of the compact crossover model.

For the outside, the British tuner proposes a new color scheme with a different color for the roof and matching details on the body such as the trim bits on the side vents and headlamps (in whatever color the customer wants), along with tinted windows, and a choice of alloy wheels designs in sizes 20- to 22-inches plus yellow painted brake calipers.

Moving on to the interior and even though we don’t get any pictures, Project Kahn says it offers far more individualization options.

Aside from aluminum pedals and a new touch screen sat nav, the tuner says it can apply a variety of materials in numerous colors on the seats, dashboard, headliner and door panels.

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