Spied: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro

The fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro has been on-sale for a year and a half now, and while that doesn't seem long, it's more than enough time for Chevrolet to have begun work on a facelift. But is that what's going on in these new spy photos?

Maybe yes, maybe no. These pictures were taken in Europe, which indicates that Chevrolet may be considering officially importing the all-American muscle car to the Old World (it is currently only imported by small, private outfits). Also lending to the Euro-spec argument are the new can't-miss-em side mirrors, which are both larger and incorporate turn signal repeaters, likely to meet European transportation regulations.

The bigger question comes around the back end of the car. This tester is wearing a new set of all-LED taillights similar to the current U.S.-model, but now with a bridge between the two fixtures on either side of the car. Some are likening it to a pair of sunglasses. These, too, could be Euro-only changes, or they could just as easily be updates planned for the Camaro's first facelift in the next few years. Either way, they're legit as the car is sporting a Michigan manufacturer's license plate, so it's no tuner special.

Then there's the matter of that odd grille hanging between the mufflers. What is it? You're guess is as good as ours. It appears to be covering not the rear differential, which is located farther forward, but the box below the spare tire that the battery sits in. Why does it need this special grille? We have no idea, unless there's something else hiding in there.

What do you think of these updates? The Camaro isn't known for its rearward visibility, but would you trade the sleek look of the current mirrors for better viewing? And what of these new taillights? Yay or nay?
Thanks to: Motor Trend

Spied: 2012 Nissan Micra Sedan

Nissan will unveil the saloon version of the Micra at the Guangzhou show in December this year. Nissan will christen this new compact saloon the "Sunny". This name holds a very strong heritage in Nissan’s history; this moniker was used by Nissan for its small saloon since 1966 for many decades. However, it is not clear if the Sunny moniker will be used for India as Bajaj has rights to the name (The Bajaj Sunny is a scooterette launched in the 1990s but is now discontinued).

The Sunny is based on the same architecture as the Micra hatcback and the interiors are likely to be similar too. The ‘V-platform’ on which it is based has been designed primarily to make financial sense in emerging markets, while being sophisticated enough for Western Europe. Engineered by Nissan in Japan, the V-platform project focuses on reductions in both weight and in the number of components that make up the future models. The Sunny will come with two engine options for India; a 1.5 litre four-cylindr motor producing around 100bhp and the 1.5 litre diesel that will be shared with the Micra hatchback.

The Sunny will compete with the likes of Maruti Swift Dzire, Volkswagen Vento, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Verna and Chevrolet Aveo. Apart from engines, the new saloon may share interior panels with the Micra Hatch as parts sharing will help Nissan price the saloon competitively. According to sources the Micra saloon will be launched in the second half of 2011.

Thanks to: Autocar India

Hot News: Audi to Build Quattro?

Audi is working on an engineering plan that will allow it to turn its spectacular Paris show-stopping Quattro Concept into a production vehicle.

A dedicated team of engineers at Audi’s headquarters in Ingolstadt is advancing plans that, if approved, will see the evocatively styled coupé assembled in limited numbers on a dedicated line at the company’s newly acquired sister firm, ItalDesign, near Milan.

Describing the new two-door as more than just a one-off show car, Stefan Reil, head of development at Audi’s Quattro Gmbh division, confirmed plans for a limited production run were fairly advanced. “We are rethinking standard processes to make it possible,” he said. “We know how to engineer it already.”

Although ItalDesign has no existing assembly operations, the Italian design house has a background in low-volume production, as it was responsible for the assembly of the BMW M1. It is also used regularly by Audi’s parent company, Volkswagen, to construct various concept cars, including the still-born Nardo supercar and Tarek off-roader.

Conceived to embody the rally-bred spirit and technological flair of Audi’s iconic Sport Quattro launched in 1984, the modern-day version is clothed in a uniquely styled aluminium and carbonfibre body. This sits on a modified steel floorpan and four-wheel drive underpinnings from the RS5.

The combination is claimed to provide it with an impressively low 1300kg kerb weight, roughly the same as that of the original Sport Quattro used to homologate Audi’s storming Group B rally cars. Outlining plans for the Quattro’s possible production, Reil said, “We need feedback to see if it is possible. Audi has no heritage in building 200-500 cars that are really exotic. But it won’t be over €100,000 [£86,000].”

Hinting about a technical tie-up with sister firm Lamborghini, whose expertise in carbonfibre is set to play a big role in the Quattro’s lightweight body, Reil told Autocar, “This car and Lamborghini are in the same exotic corner.”

While Audi remains tight-lipped on the Quattro’s longitudinally mounted, turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine, Reil suggests it will be tuned beyond the level used in the TT RS. “A really good turbocharged petrol engine has around 140bhp [per litre]. We’re a little under that now. But with a larger turbocharger something around 350bhp is possible.”

The use of a five-pot engine harks back to the Sport Quattro that took on rivals from Peugeot and Lancia at the height of the Group B era. It featured a 2.1-litre turbo in-line five that developed 306bhp in road trim and up to 444bhp in competition guise.

In a move that hinted at a possible return to Pikes Peak, Audi also revealed a scale model of the Quattro Concept. It had a body styled on the Sport Quattro S1 E2, complete with a deep front spoiler, flared wheel arches, towering rear wing and Audi Sport livery.

Thanks to: Autocar

New Car: 2011 Volkswagen Eos

Meet the new face of the VW Eos. The convertible coupé has received the new VW family face, as sported by the Golf, Polo and Touran, and will make its public debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show on 17 November.

The new look includes a simplified, two-bar grille to make the Eos appear wider and a bit more butch, more chrome detailing and a set of new headlights which feature the option of integrated LED daytime running lights.

New bumpers front and rear, a slightly tweaked bonnet and taillights inspired by the new Passat complete the exterior makeover, while the interior gets new trim finishes and a new steering wheel.

Under the freshly reprofiled bonnet will be a host of new engine choices, including 120bhp 1.4-litre TSI and 207bhp 2.0-litre TSI petrol units and a 138bhp 2.0-litre TDI diesel. This unit can be had with the full suite of BlueMotion modifications, including automatic Stop/Start and battery regeneration systems, and returns 58.8 mpg.

The new Eos is available to order from November, when prices and full specifications will be announced, and first deliveries will be early in 2011. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express