Carscoops | Newsletter

Hyundai Developing A Small, Affordable Electric Car For Europe
2023 Toyota Yaris Cross Gains GR Sport And Z Adventure Variants In Japan
Renault Megane Reportedly Ends Production After 27 Years And Four Generations
2023 Ford F-150 Order And Price Guides Spill More Details On New Raptor R, Tremor And More
Production-Spec MG Cyberster Will Have Supercar-Like Scissor Doors
Opel To Discontinue The Insginia, Its Last Remaining GM Model By The End Of 2022
GM Offers Select Lyriq Customers $5,500 Discount In Exchange For NDA, Data Tracking
Porsche Confirms New Electric Flagship SUV, Will Debut In The Mid-2020s
2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV, 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R, And 2022 Kia XCeed: Your Morning Brief
2024 BMW X3 Spied Again Still Wearing Heavy Camouflage
2023 Mercedes-AMG A45 Spotted With Updated Headlights And Taillights
Porsche Is Readying A Facelifted 911 GT3 For 2024

Hyundai Developing A Small, Affordable Electric Car For Europe

Posted: 19 Jul 2022 10:32 AM PDT

Hyundai is planning to introduce an affordable EV to serve the European market’s appetite for small vehicles. The company warns, though, that the entry-level vehicle will take some time to develop.

That’s according to Hyundai Motor Europe’s head of marketing, Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, who recently spoke to Automotive News. The small car will compete with models like the entry level EVs that VW, Škoda, and Cupra plan to unveil.

"Everybody in the industry knows the target of this kind of vehicle is €20,000" ($20,322 USD at current exchange rates), Hofmann said. He added, though, that small EVs are hard to create because the high price and weight of batteries makes developing cheap, light vehicles challenging.

Ultimately, though, Hyundai plans on releasing 11 more EVs in Europe by 2030. The brand already sells the Ioniq 5 hatchback and just unveiled the Ioniq 6 sedan. They will be joined by the Ioniq 7, a large, three-row SUV that, despite being aimed at markets like the U.S., will also be sold in Europe.

The brand is already a success in the electric vehicle market. Its sales increased by 8.2 percent in Europe in the first half of this year. Its market share increased significantly in the process, and EVs accounted for 16 percent of total sales for the brand this year.

Analysis by Bloomberg suggests that once 10 percent of an automaker’s sales go electric in Europe, production of EVs accelerates rapidly. If Hyundai is like other automakers, electric vehicles may account for 30 percent of its sales by 2024. The same analysis suggests that the European market is also in an adoption phase for EVs and that the market is expanding quickly.

Indeed, Hofmann said that Hyundai is “confident about the second half” of 2022. In terms of small EVs, though, it might be a step behind the VW Group, whose Cupra brand is planning on releasing its UrbanRebel, a €20,000 EV, by 2025.

2023 Toyota Yaris Cross Gains GR Sport And Z Adventure Variants In Japan

Posted: 19 Jul 2022 10:00 AM PDT

Toyota is expanding the lineup of the Yaris Cross in Japan with the addition of the GR Sport and Z Adventure trims. The former injects a sporty flavor to the small crossover with visual and handling updates, while the second emphasizes its outdoorsy nature.

Starting with the Yaris Cross GR Sport, it will most likely be the sportiest variant of the model you can buy since Toyota is not planning on offering a full-blown GR variant after the rally-prepped supermini.

Visually, the Yaris Cross GR Sport is distinguished by the Gazoo Racing emblems on the grille and tailgate, 18-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in Falken FK510 SUV tires, and slightly redesigned front and rear aprons. Inside, we find sporty seats with added support, Air Nubuck and synthetic leather upholstery, dark metallic accents, aluminum pedals, and the GR badge on the steering wheel and on the headrests.

More importantly, there are also some handling improvements, elevating the driving experience compared to the standard Yaris Cross. These include extra bracing under the floor for increased rigidity, a sportier suspension setup that lowers the ride by 10 mm (0.4 inches), a tweaked electric steering system, a more rigid drive shaft in the hybrid version and optimized response for the powertrain.

Power remains unchanged though, with the 1.5-liter gasoline engine rated at 118 hp (88 kW / 120 PS,) and the 1.5-liter hybrid producing a combined 118 hp (88 kW / 120 PS).

JDM-spec Toyota Yaris Cross Z Adventure Is Similar To Europe’s Adventure

As for the Toyota Yaris Cross Z Adventure, it looks identical to the Yaris Cross Adventure which was unveiled in Europe in 2021. Aluminum-style skidplates have been added on the front and rear bumpers, alongside 18-inch wheels and discreet roof-rails. Inside the cabin, the Z Adventure gets a fancy upholstery combining saddle-coloured synthetic leather with black tweed-like fabric.

These minor visual tweaks inside-out make the Yaris Cross look rugged, although mechanically-speaking it is no different than the standard model which means it is available with the FWD petrol powertrain, or a 1.5 Hybrid that comes in both FWD and AWD guises.

The new variants will be available in Japan from August 8. The Yaris Cross GR Sport is priced from ¥2,367,000 ($17,169) for the petrol-powered model, and from ¥2,750,000 ($19,947) for the self-charging hybrid. The Yaris Cross Z Adventure starts from ¥2,331,000 ($16,900) and from ¥2,936,000 ($21,286) for the hybrid.

Renault Megane Reportedly Ends Production After 27 Years And Four Generations

Posted: 19 Jul 2022 09:31 AM PDT

Renault has reportedly concluded production of the ICE-powered Megane, giving way to the fully electric Megane E-Tech crossover. This would mark the end of the compact series after 27 years and four generations since the nameplate was introduced back in 1996 replacing the 19.

The small family model has been offered in a variety of bodystyles throughout its lifetime, including traditional three and five-door hatchback, four-door sedan, coupe, coupe-convertible and station-wagon forms, alongside the performance-focused R.S. models.

Autocar reports that production lines of the Megane in Spain and in Turkey have stopped making new cars, even though Renault has yet to confirm. Another contradicting factor is that Turkish company Karsan was planning a five-year-long production of the Megane sedan in Turkey starting from September 2022, taking the reigns from Oyak Renault after reaching to an agreement last year.

Also Read: Ford Focus To Be Phased Out In 2024, German Plant Axed In Shift To EVs

In any case, even if the report about the death of the ICE-powered Megane is true, the compact model is expected to remain available in several markets as long as the current stock lasts. Last month, Renault launched a series of E-Tech engineered special editions of its hybrid models in France, including the good-old Megane in hatchback and estate flavours.

Interestingly, CarExpert talked with Renault Australia, confirming that the Megane R.S. will continue to be offered in limited numbers into 2023. Mind you, the French hot hatch is the last of its kind, since the famed RenaultSport division has been rebranded to Alpine, which is scheduled to become an all-electric brand.

Sales of the Renault Megane were declining against more popular rivals in the C-Segment including the VW Golf, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Peugeot 308 and Opel Astra. According to Autocar, last year Renault sold 793 units of the hybrid-only Megane in the UK, compared to 30,200 VW Golfs and 21,800 Ford Focus. Global sales of the fourth-gen Renault Megane peaked at 168,000 units in 2017, before declining to a less impressive 70,000 in 2021, while the most successful year for the nameplate was 2004, with 465,778 sales.

The Renault Megane E-Tech will serve as a replacement for the discontinued model, adopting a crossover stance with a fully electric powertrain thanks to the CMF-EV platform that is shared with the Nissan Ariya. In 2024, Renault will also unveil the production version of the Scenic that will be exclusively offered in EV form based on the same underpinnings. Buyers who want a similarly-sized vehicle with an electrified internal combustion engine can opt for a member of Renault’s SUV family including the Captur, the Arkana, and the Austral.

2023 Ford F-150 Order And Price Guides Spill More Details On New Raptor R, Tremor And More

Posted: 19 Jul 2022 09:02 AM PDT

This week’s biggest news from Ford is the addition of the long-awaited F-150 Raptor R pickup truck. It has a Shelby GT500-sourced supercharged V8 with 700-hp (522 kW) and now we’re getting more details about it and the rest of the F-150 lineup. A pair of new documents including the order guide and the 2023 price list has popped up online and we have all the details.

We knew yesterday morning that the Raptor R would start at $109,145 or about $37,000 more than the normal (can we even call it that?) Raptor with its 450-hp (335 kW) 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6. Now, thanks to posters on the F150gen14 forum, we know exactly which features come with that Raptor R package as well as other 2023MY F-150s.

That includes a unique grille, a unique hood vent, black exterior accents, Code Orange tow hooks, Code Orange stitching on the doors, 17-inch forged aluminum bead-lock capable wheels, 37-inch all-terrain tires, and carbon fiber interior appliques. These guides tell us a lot more than just details about the Raptor R though.

In addition, we’ve found that the F-150 Tremor now comes standard with the 5.0-liter Coyote V8 under the hood. With a starting MSRP of $60,110, it might become known as the “poor man’s Raptor” in many ways. It’s already a very well known blend of performance and off-road capability so the V8 will only make life more enjoyable for those who enjoy a little more grunt.

The very bottom of the pricing list is held by the F-150 XL with its $34,085 MSRP. Other notable changes include the deletion of the SuperCab from the Lariat trim and the addition of colors like Area 51 Blue, Avalanche, Azure Gray metallic Tri-Coat, and Hot Pepper Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat.

No significant changes occur across the lineup with regard to interior color, safety, security, Ford’s Co-Pilot360 technology, or mechanically aside from the addition of the new Raptor R engine.

You can see the 2023MY Ford F-150’s detailed Price Guide here and the Order Guide here on the F150gen14 forums, both in PDF format.

Let us know in the comments below if these changes to the lineup are good or bad in your opinion. Do you like the Tremor with the Coyote V8 and is the Raptor R too expensive?

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Production-Spec MG Cyberster Will Have Supercar-Like Scissor Doors

Posted: 19 Jul 2022 08:34 AM PDT

A new video has surfaced online of the production-ready MG Cyberster, roughly five weeks after patent images of the car were leaked.

The electric roadster takes design inspiration from the MG Cyberster that was unveiled at the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show. A video published by Autoweek provides us with a glimpse of what to expect from the road-going model. Some screenshots from this video can be seen below.

The overall shape of the car will be similar to the concept, albeit toned down. We can see that the front end will sport a set of aggressive headlights and a pronounced bumper and front grille with a particularly intriguing shape. The video also reveals that it will have traditional wing mirrors unlike the concept and that it will have a folding soft top finished in black. This teaser also showcases how the roof mechanism will operate.

One of the most striking aspects of the concept that has carried through to the production model is the Lamborghini-inspired scissor doors. Elsewhere, the rocker panels will be slightly less defined than the concept.

The teaser video only provides us with a small glimpse of the interior. What we can see are a pair of sporty seats bathed in red and white materials, prominent roll hoops behind the headrests, and what appears to be a yoke-style steering wheel.

Other details about the vehicle remain uncertain but significant changes are expected from the concept. After all, the MG Cyberster concept was outfitted with no less than four electric motors, allowing it to hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in less than 3 seconds. The concept also had a claimed range of over 497 miles (800 km), a figure that we think is unlikely to be matched by the road-going model.

No launch date has been announced for the car but it will apparently be launched in 2024 to celebrate MG's centenary. That means it will likely be showcased for the first time in 2023.

Opel To Discontinue The Insginia, Its Last Remaining GM Model By The End Of 2022

Posted: 19 Jul 2022 08:03 AM PDT

Opel will stop production of the Insignia by the end of the year, making room for the production of more electrified compact models in its factory at Rüsselsheim. The demise of Opel’s midsize offering comes soon after Vauxhall discontinued the twin model from the UK market, however, there is an electrified successor on the horizon.

An Opel spokesperson confirmed the demise of the Insignia to Business Insider: “As a result of the CO2 emission regulations and the focus on the rapid ramp-up of the three new multi-energy models in Rüsselsheim, Insignia production will be phased out this year”. He also added that Opel wants to “fully utilize” the Hesse plant in Russelsheim with the production of the Opel Astra, the Opel Astra Sports Tourer, and the DS4.

While Opel fans will be sad to see the Insignia being phased out, the spokesperson also commented on a brand-new successor: “We are working intensively on the successor to the Insignia, which will be electrified”. He also talked about the future of the automaker’s range: “Opel is driving the change to a purely electric brand by 2028 and is preparing the market launch of several state-of-the-art electric models, including a future electric flagship“.

The successor of the Insignia is expected to debut in 2024 or 2025. The model could adopt a fastback-crossover bodystyle, similar to the Citroen C5X and the recently revealed Peugeot 408, in a quest to attract buyers who want the practicality of an SUV but prefer a more aerodynamic silhouette.

The current generation of the Opel Insignia was introduced in 2016 and got facelifted in 2019. It was available in Grand Sport (sedan), Sports Tourer (estate), and Country Tourer (raised estate) bodystyle variants, alongside the performance-focused GSi. Besides wearing the Opel blitz emblem, it was also offered in Vauxhall Insignia (UK), Holden Commodore (Australia), and Buick Regal (US) forms, all of which have been discontinued.

Being developed prior to Opel’s merger with the PSA Group in 2017 and long before the formation of Stellantis in 2021, the Insignia is the last remaining model from the entire portfolio that is still based on GM-sourced underpinnings. Also, the Insignia and the Crossland are the only models in Opel’s lineup not to be offered in electrified form, something that is going to change in the near future as the automaker is going electrified-only by 2024, and all-electric by 2028.

Opel is not the only brand that discontinued its midsize model. In the past decade, most automakers, including Ford, stepped out of the once-popular segment with rapidly declining sales due to SUVs. In fact, the only remaining midsize sedans in Europe are the Peugeot 508 which is getting a facelift, and the Skoda Superb which is getting an all-new generation alongside the estate-only next-gen VW Passat.

GM Offers Select Lyriq Customers $5,500 Discount In Exchange For NDA, Data Tracking

Posted: 19 Jul 2022 07:35 AM PDT

General Motors has offered a select group of Cadillac customers a $5,500 discount on the purchase or lease of a new Lyriq in exchange for access to a large amount of their data. The company has also asked the buyers to sign a nondisclosure agreement, preventing them from talking about their experience with the paradigm-setting electric luxury vehicle.

The discount was first reported by CarsDirect, in June, but the terms of it were not known at the time. This week, the Detroit Free Press learned about the program’s details from two unnamed sources, but the program was confirmed to the outlet by a Cadillac spokesperson.

"As we transform our business, the launch of our first all-electric vehicle, Lyriq, provides Cadillac some unique learning opportunities,” Michael Albano, a Cadillac spokesperson, told the outlet. “Therefore, we have engaged a small group of early customers who agree to share their vehicle information and customer behaviors. Cadillac will use these learnings to elevate the experience for all our customers."

Normally, an automaker would collect this kind of data from employees, but Cadillac said it wanted a more realistic picture of customer behaviors from a group of people who were less invested in the brand and the vehicle.

According to Albano, Cadillac has chosen around 20 customers for the program, but how they were chosen remains unknown. Participants were located in the New York, Detroit, and Los Angeles areas and are tech-savvy, early adopters.

“The number of customers involved is intentionally very small,” Albano said. “We will use the program to learn more about customer behaviors and their vehicles. Beyond that, the details of the program are a private agreement between the customer and Cadillac.”

The benefit of conducting this kind of study with real customers is that Cadillac can learn about more than just the Lyriq. Albano said that, through this arrangement, it can learn about charging behaviors, driving behaviors, and how vehicles are used. The automaker will gather information in a variety of ways, including phone calls, a dedicated EV concierge team, and more. No details about how long the arrangement lasts nor the penalty for breaking the NDA have been shared.

Although this is an unusual program within the automotive space, similar strategies are utilized within the tech space with the release of “beta versions” of software and technology, Erik Gordon, a business professor at the University of Michigan, told the Detroit Free Press.

“I don’t know of any other instance of this in the car business. But I kind of get it,” Gordon said. “You come out with a new product and new platform. You like to gather data. I think it's more realistic to gather data from nonemployees; you get a wider variety of people and people who are not so gung-ho.”

As to the nondisclosure agreement, he reckons it’s legal in this case and enforceable. It also makes sense in the context of this program, since “you don’t want people to blab about your experiment.”

Ivan Drury, meanwhile, the senior manager of insights at Edmunds.com, who used to work in product planning at American Honda Motor Co., had a warning for people who want this discount, if it happens again in the future.

An arrangement such as this one means that GM “could watch everything you do, all the features you use, every mile you drive, how much do you charge, do they need this much range? You can get some powerful data sets. (GM’s) not wasting their money.”

Porsche Confirms New Electric Flagship SUV, Will Debut In The Mid-2020s

Posted: 19 Jul 2022 07:04 AM PDT

Porsche has officially confirmed a new electric flagship SUV to slot above the Cayenne, hoping to capitalize on the success of the Taycan.

The news was revealed during Porsche’s capital markets day in Weissach, Germany, a presentation in a quest to attract investors prior to the automaker’s initial public offering.

During the event, Oliver Blume, Porsche CEO, said: “We plan to add a new luxury, all-electric SUV model to our attractive portfolio, which will roll off the production line in Leipzig. This will further expand our position in the luxury automotive segment. We are targeting the higher margin segments in particular and aim to tap into new sales opportunities in this way”. Blume described the EV as “a very sporty interpretation of an SUV” hinting at a sporty silhouette with relatively high ground clearance.

As reported by Automotive News, the EV is codenamed K1 and will be produced at the Leipzig factory starting from the mid-20s. Porsche said it will utilize technology from the Porsche Mission R, including the oil-cooled electric motors. The racecar concept debuted last year with up to 1,073 hp (800 kW / 1,088 PS) of power, and a 920-volt architecture allowing for fast charging, although figures could be slightly toned down in production models. Earlier reports suggest that Porsche’s upcoming flagship SUV will arrive in the second half of the decade with a three-row cabin layout, something that has not been confirmed.

With Porsche’s first EV – the Taycan – already outselling the 911, the automaker is ready for a heavier dose of electrification in the next few years, moving towards an 80 percent EV sales mix by 2030. Those will include the fully electric next-generation 718 sportscar by mid-decade, and the PPE-based Macan EV which is set to debut in 2024, following a delay in its development. On the ICE-powered front, Porsche is preparing facelifts for the 911 family and the Cayenne, alongside a new generation of the Panamera.

Lutz Meschke, Porsche’s Chief Financial Officer, set out targets for a €38-39 ($39-40) billion revenue in 2022, and a 17-18 percent return on sales. Porsche wants to increase the sales return figure to over 20 percent in the long term, and become one of the most profitable automakers in the world.

2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV, 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R, And 2022 Kia XCeed: Your Morning Brief

Posted: 19 Jul 2022 06:33 AM PDT

Good morning and welcome to our daily digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…

GM CEO Confident Of Overtaking Tesla As The Top EV Maker Within Three Years

General Motors CEO Mary Barra is keen to make good on her prediction that the company will surpass Tesla sales by 2025. The key, says Barra, will be offering low-cost EVs around the $30,000–$35,000 mark. But with Tesla selling a record number of vehicles last year and GM’s competitors gunning for the same goal, it’ll still be a tough ask for General Motors.

2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV Offers FWD, RWD, And AWD As Well As A Blazingly Fast 557 HP SS

The highlight of the new 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV is undoubtedly the first SS variant of the model to be offered in nearly two decades. Its dual-motor powertrain will offer up to 557 hp (415 kW / 565 PS) and 648 lb-ft (878 Nm) of torque and a 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) time in less than four seconds. Of course, there will be less hot (and more accessible) Blazer EVs too, including the FWD-only 1LT with an estimated range of 247 miles (398 km), and a 2LT that can be optioned with both all-wheel drive and a larger battery for a range of 293 miles (472 km).

2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R Arrives With A Shelby GT500-Sourced 700HP V8 And $109,145 Price Tag

After several teasers that whet our appetite, the Ford F-150 Raptor R is here, described as the “ultimate Raptor.” It features a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 from the Mustang, with 700 hp (522 kW/710 PS) and 640 lb-ft (868 Nm) — slightly down on power compared to the 'Stang and just a smidge below the Ram 1500 TRX. However, the engine is optimized for low-end and mid-range rev band torque delivery, as you’d expect in an off-road machine. The ridiculously capable FOX suspension is present and correct, connecting the standard 37-inch tires to terra firma. Prices for the super truck start at $109,145.

First Look: The 2023 Toyota Crown Is A Quirky, Crossover-ish Sedan That’s Replacing The Avalon

Much like its rivals, Toyota is phasing out the traditional three-box sedan from its North American lineup, with the Avalon bowing out to make way for the 2023 Crown. Having had the opportunity to view the new car up close, the truth of the Crown is that it’s more of a reimagined sedan, adding elements of an SUV and coupe, perhaps making it more of a “crossover sedan” than anything else.

Facelifted 2022 Kia XCeed Gets MHEV Tech, New GT-Line Trim And 201-HP Engine Option

Sharper styling and added mild-hybrid tech are the order of the day for the revised 2022 Kia XCeed. Up front, there are new LED lights and bumpers, plus a narrower grille, while the rear benefits from new LEDs and a gloss black diffuser. The newly introduced Kia XCeed GT-Line option adds to the visual drama with a slimmer grille surround and more pronounced bumper air intakes, and 18-inch wheels. At the same time, the interior also gets some sportier seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and other touches. The GT Line gets more power, too, with 201 hp (204 PS), 196 lb-ft (265 Nm) from the 1.6 engine making it good for a 0–62 mph (0–100 km/h) time of 7.5 seconds.

Renault Master E-Tech Gains Larger Battery For 68% More Range

The Renault Master E-Tech has got a sizeable upgrade for 2022/2023, with a new 52 kWh battery replacing the old 33 kWh unit. The added juice sees the electric LCV gain an impressive 68 percent in range over the previous model. The van can now travel up to 126 miles (203 km) between charges vs the 75 miles (120 km) offered by the older battery pack.

This Is The First Customer-Owned BMW 8-Series By Jeff Koons

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Unveiled back in February, the first customer-owned BMW 8 X JEFF KOONS in the U.S. has reportedly been handed over to its new owner. The car popped up on the Instagram account of the Texas Detailing Association in Houston, where it was unsurprisingly treated to a ceramic coating to protect the hundreds of hours and 11 different stages needed to create the unique paint job.

What Else Is Making The News

Europe Caught In Heatwave

Citizens across Europe are battling an intense heatwave that has resulted in wildfires in Spain and France, and trains being halted in the UK due to the risk of tracks breaking. Germany is said to be bracing for temperatures of up to 40 degrees, with unions calling for longer breaks and farmers being threatened by droughts.

Twitter Accuses Musk Of “Slow Walking” Trial

The battle between social media platform Twitter, and the world’s wealthiest man, Elon Musk, continues, with the company accusing the billionaire of trying to “Slow Walk” its lawsuit, reports Reuters. “Millions of Twitter shares trade daily under a cloud of Musk-created doubt,” the company wrote. “No public company of this size and scale has ever had to bear these uncertainties.”

2024 BMW X3 Spied Again Still Wearing Heavy Camouflage

Posted: 19 Jul 2022 06:04 AM PDT

At five years old, the current BMW X3 is just about due for a new generation. And after recently making its spy shot debut, our spy photographers were once again able to capture this next-gen X3 testing out on the streets of Munich.

The car’s body is still heavily camouflaged, but there are still a few details we can pick out, specifically at the front. The overall design seems to be similar to the recently-revealed X1, with taller, interconnected kidney grilles and pointier headlights. The wheel arches have also gotten boxier, and we wouldn’t be surprised if this new model adopted the sharper body lines of many new BMWs.

The window line also seems to borrow some cues from the upcoming XM flagship SUV in the form of a chamfer that runs from the rearmost point of the window and continues as a ledge above the vehicle’s shoulder line all the way to the front. Additionally, more pronounced fenders can be seen peeking through the camouflage, another feature shared with the XM.

Out back, there’s really nothing to see other than a large U-shaped indentation in the bumper underneath the tailgate. If we had to guess, we’d imagine the finished product will look similar to the X1 with sharp, angular taillights and clean, strong character lines defining the bumper and hatch area.

As far as powertrain options for the next X3 are concerned, nothing is currently known, however, we expect it to be offered in ICE, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric variants. It’s also suspected that when it arrives, likely no earlier than 2024, this model will be the last X3 to offer gas engines as an option. The model range will eventually include M Performance and full M models, as well as its X4 coupe sibling.

Image Credits: CarPix for CarScoops

2023 Mercedes-AMG A45 Spotted With Updated Headlights And Taillights

Posted: 19 Jul 2022 05:34 AM PDT

Mercedes-AMG is edging closer to unveiling the facelifted 2023 A45 hot hatch and has been spied testing a lightly disguised prototype through its paces.

The German car manufacturer has been readying an update for the A45 for quite some time. In fact, the first prototype was spied 12 months ago and in recent months, a number of other prototypes have been snapped by our photographers. This particular example has less camouflage than some of the others and is shaping up to be quite the eye-catcher.

Alterations made to the facelifted A45 will be minor. Indeed, you could be excused for thinking this prototype looks identical to an A45 you may find at your local Mercedes-Benz dealership. However, we can see that the design of the mesh in the front grille is different and a new pair of headlights have been installed, complete with new LED graphics.

This test car also sports some simple black and white camouflage across its rear fascia, hiding a set of redesigned taillights that also sport distinctive LED graphics.

Back in February, our spy photographers snapped the 2023 A45's updated interior. Those images revealed that the traditional trackpad for the MBUX infotainment system has been removed. Mercedes-Benz is also thought to have relocated the gear selector and has fitted a new steering wheel. The twin 10.25-inch displays appear to have gone unchanged.

Few changes are expected under the skin of the updated hot hatch. As such, it will retain the current model's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that pumps out a cool 415 hp in the flagship A45 S variant. This engine will continue to be mated to an eight-speed AMG Speedshift dual-clutch transmission driving all four wheels through AMG's 4MATIC+ system.

All signs point towards Mercedes-AMG unveiling the 2023 A45 and A45 S models in the coming months.

Photo credits: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien for CarScoops

Porsche Is Readying A Facelifted 911 GT3 For 2024

Posted: 19 Jul 2022 05:03 AM PDT

The 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3 certainly isn't in need of a refresh but that hasn't stopped Porsche from starting development of just that; a facelifted GT3.

Our eagle-eyed spy photographers recently snapped a 911 GT3 test car in Germany and curiously, Porsche opted against applying traditional black and white camouflage to its exterior as we'd expect. Instead, it appears that the front fascia of this tester is identical to the current production model, indicating that Porsche is not yet ready to start testing the tweaked front bumper and headlights that the car will likely receive.

There are some visible changes to the rear, however. For example, we can see that the bumper will sport new air-outlets in the corners and that the license plate will sit in a deeper recess than the current model. It appears as though some alterations have also been made to the diffuser, likely aimed at improving efficiency while also making the sports car look more aggressive than ever before.

The interior of the updated 911 GT3 has not yet been snapped but it is understood that the broader facelifted 992 range will switch to an all-digital instrument cluster, meaning the GT3 should too. Other than that, few other alterations are expected, although there could be some minor changes to the trim options that are available to customers.

Porsche probably won't make changes to the screaming, 4.0-liter naturally-aspirated six-cylinder of the current model. As such, it will likely continue to pump out 502 hp and 346 lb-ft (469 Nm) of torque and continue to propel the sports car to 60 mph (96 km/h) in roughly 3.2 seconds with the available PDK transmission. A six-speed manual will continue to be offered for the real driving enthusiasts out there.