Tata Motors has confirmed that there will be three new models developed for Jaguar: a small sports car, an entry-level sedan, and a station wagon. They will be the first new vehicles to be fully developed under Tata since they purchased Jaguar from Ford a few years ago. The only problem is Tata won’t be getting these three ready for several years. Their plans are to focus on the XJ for now, and reveal the three new models plus restylings of a couple of current models between now and 2014.

The first new model to be released under Tata is a new generation X-Type. This will be a small sedan priced under $40k that will compete with models like the BMW 3-Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The platform and architecture will be shared with the next-generation XK coupe and convertible and a new small 2+2 sports car. It could go on sale in 2014.

After that we will see the long rumored small sports car. This model is supposed to be called the XE, and it will be taking on models like the Porsche Boxster.

Following the XE will be the XF, which will be redesigned in 2014. Not only will this car be offered in a standard sedan, but Jaguar will also be offering a long-wheelbase version for China and a station wagon for Europe. A coupe is possible in 2013 and is likely to be sold in the United States. The XK will also be restyled in 2013.

However, until then, Jaguar will be focusing on the new XJ, hoping to boost sales to 75,000 cars.

That’s the future, in a large nutshell.

Jaguar confirms three new models originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 30 August 2010 23:00 EST.

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The BMW M5 is a very normal car; a car for everyday use and one of the best performance sedans on the market. However, with a push of a button – the M button to be precise – the M5 turns into an animal. A finely tuned sports machine that can rival Corvettes and perhaps even some Ferrari models.

The largest community of M5 owners, M5Board, had a chance to talk with Dr. Kay Segler, the managing director of the new M5. In the interview, he confirmed that an M5 is on the way, but not for another one to one and a half years. We should get most of the information next year in Geneva.

The car will put out 25% less C02 than the current model and will feature a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 that will put out around 555 horsepower. That will make it more powerful than the old version.

“It will be a brilliant car,” said Dr. Segler.

M5Board Talks With Managing Director Of New F10 M5 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 30 August 2010 16:00 EST.

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After many stories about whether or not the Audi A1 will be coming to the US, we finally get some news on the S version of the smallest model in the lineup: the S1. The new Audi S1 is expected to be unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show and will come to compete with models like the Mini Cooper S and the Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA.

The S version will be distinguished by chrome door mirrors, a gloss black diffuser, S1 badges, and, of course, a new set of 18-inch twin five-spoke alloy wheels.

However, the most distinguished thing about the upcoming S1 is the fact that it will be the first Audi S model to be offered in front-wheel drive only. That’s right, no quattro 4WD for the Audi. Instead, this hatchback will be sending the power to just the front two wheels.

Under the hood there will be a tuned version of the 1.4-liter supercharged and turbocharged petrol engine already available in the A1. The result is an output of 200 HP, a sprint from 0 to 60 mph in less than 7 seconds, and a top speed of 140 mph.

Audi S1 coming in front-wheel drive only originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 26 August 2010 21:00 EST.

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Back in 2006, Korean car manufacturer Kia pulled a masterstroke: It nabbed former Audi design chief Peter Schreyer from Volkswagen AG. Now that four years have passed, Schreyer’s influence on Kia’s design teams can been seen in a lineup of elegant cars. In this article we will take a look at what to expect from Kia over the next few years.

Already on the road is the new 2011 Kia Sportage, and it presents a vastly more elegant look than the preceding model. Besides dripping with style, the Sportage is dripping with available features like a navigation system with Sirius traffic data, LED daytime running lights, heated and ventilated front seats, backup sensors, rearview camera, a panoramic sunroof, and push-button start. The standard 176HP engine will be joined by a turbo offering in the not so distant future.

Next up is the 2011 Kia Optima sedan. Dramatic styling propels this mid-sizer into the big leagues. Like its sister, the Hyundai Sonata, look for naturally aspirated, turbo, and hybrid variants. A configurator is already online for those of you who want to play with the sedan a little early. Could other Optima body styles such as a wagon or coupe be in the wings?

Hit the jump for the full read.

Kia Keeps ‘Em Coming With Swoopy Future Models originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 25 August 2010 02:00 EST.

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After unveiling the 2011 Harley-Davidson F-150, Ford also announced details on the standard F-150 pick-up. And the 2011 model year only comes with good news. There will be four new truck engines powering the hefty pickup: a 3.7-liter V6, 5.0-liter and 6.2-liter V8s, a twin-turbocharged EcoBoost 3.5-liter, and a new twin-turbo EcoBoost engine with Ti-VCT that has been specifically tuned, calibrated, and tested for durability and reliability.

The four engines deliver an output ranging from 300 to 411 HP, and the latest one delivers a fuel economy improved by 20%. Top of the line will still be a 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbocharged diesel, which delivers best-in-class torque, horsepower, and fuel economy.

“Our new engine lineup allows greater flexibility for customers to select the powertrain choice that best suits their needs,” said Barb Samardzich, vice president of Powertrain Engineering. “We are in the midst of a powertrain revolution, with 30 new powertrains over the next two years, and our loyal F-150 customers are the next ones to benefit.”

Press release after the jump.

Ford F-150 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 11 August 2010 21:43 EST.

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The Lancia Stratos that we saw driving around keeps getting more interesting every day. Many thought that this was just a one-off car built for some rich person with way too much money to spend. This might not be true after all, as Car and Driver has done some research.

This car was said to be in the works for years and Jason Castriota designed it when he worked for Pininfarina. The website, Italiaspeed, has a sketch of the Stratos with a different front end that is signed by the designer. If this drawing is accurate, it could mean big things for Lancia.

Lancia has come back with rebadged Chryslers – which isn’t going to work – and they haven’t been very good. This new Stratos could give the company the car it needs to get back on the world stage. We truly hope that this information is accurate because the car looks sensational.

Lancia Stratos Might Not Be A One-Off originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 10 August 2010 23:00 EST.

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In just a few days Infiniti will unveil two new special editions at the Pebble Beach Concours. However, this is not the only surprise coming from the Japanese luxury maker. According to Car And Driver, the company has filed for trademarks for cars named JX20, JX25, JX25h, and JX30.

While we have no idea what this new model will be, we are sure that the number indicates engine displacements: 25 might indicate a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine or a 2.5-liter VQ-based V-6, while “h” clearly indicates a hybrid model. The big question comes for the 20 and 30 as Nissan has no 2.0 liter or 3.0 liter engine in its line-up and it’s been years since the company developed a 3.0 liter V6 engine.

Going even further with the speculation, we presume we are talking about a crossover/ SUV model (taking under consideration that all of Infiniti’s SUVs have an X in their nomenclature). So, are we talking about an Infiniti version for the recently launched Nissan Juke? We don’t know for sure, but we do know one thing; this will definitely be another competitor for the German models.

Infiniti trademarks JX name originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 9 August 2010 13:00 EST.

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A few months ago a senior GM insider said that the C7 would be “the last of the traditional, old-style Corvettes” and that statement has resonated with a lot of us chomping at the bit to see the next generation of the Corvette. At that time, we reported that the change coming at the Corvette would be a mid-engined setup. Well, we were right.

Coming from a very unusual source, a senior Saab source to be exact, the mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette project has been confirmed for us all. The Saab engineer said that Saab had developed a double clutch transmission for a “mid-engined version of the Corvette” back when Saab was still under the GM umbrella and that the wet clutch transmission was designed to cope with up to 590lb.-ft. of torque. FYI: That’s only a little less than the 604 lb.-ft. of torque produced by the Corvette ZR1.

AutoCar seems to think that the DCT project was put on hold due to the economical distress that occurred in 2008. We would tend to agree with that statement as many projects from a variety of places, professional and personal, had to be put on hold when the economy fell.

The latest rumors circulating the next generation C8 Corvette is that GM is considering downsizing the engine to a V6 and backing it up with some turbochargers. The new C8 will be lighter and more compact then the cuurent Corvette and should utilize an aluminum construction to pull off the weight reduction.

Saab confirms mid-engined Corvette…Wait, Saab? originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 5 August 2010 23:00 EST.

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When we think of the production of a supercar, we usually don’t think of the Land Down Under as being any part of it. In 2004, all of that changed as Australia-based Joss began working on their first exclusive supercar, the Joss supercar. Apparently, they are saving all of their originality for the actual vehicle and not the name.

Earlier this year we were able to get a few pictures of the prototype for the Joss supercar, but now the company has revealed its first teaser photo. Shaped using physics and not aesthetics, the Joss supercar should have superior aerodynamics and heat dissipation when it finally goes on sale, hopefully in 2011 as originally projected.

Power for the Australian supercar will come from an all aluminum engine provided by a European automaker. This engine is said to produce more than 500hp and will be mated to a five-speed manual transmission with a reverse via linkage system. Stopping power will come from six piston brake calipers in the front and four piston system in the rear with ventilated dics all around. The Joss supercar brags of carbon fiber construction causing it to weigh less than 2,200lbs. It runs the 0-60mph sprint in under three seconds, the quarter mile in 11 seconds, and the estimated top speed is 186mph.

Pricing for the Australian supercar is expected to be around $500,000. Ouch.

Australia’s Joss supercar teased originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 4 August 2010 16:00 EST.

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