Tag: Automakers

AUTO REVIEW Audi A3 Sedan An A3 Sportback E-Tron hatch supposedly returning, too. The fourth-generation Audi A3 Sportback hatch debuted earlier this month, and Audi doesn't plan to waste time getting the trunked version here, according to Car and Driver, which adds that the sedan likely shows in late 2020 as a 2021 model. The sedans will deliver everything we saw in the latest hatchback from the front fascia to the rear doors, picking up the brawnier looks and even sharper S line features. The new hatch grew about 1.2 inches compared to the third-generation; a small growth spurt for the sedan shouldn't come as a shock. The engines in all three standard models don't change from the present units, but they will receive aid from 48-volt hybrid systems. As of now, our A3 lineup is broken into two models, a 184-horsepower Sedan Sport and a 228-hp Sedan S line. C/D says the 2021 version begins with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder putting out a whopping 240 horsepower in the entry-level trim. It's possible Audi's switching up the A3 offer to mimic the Q3, the crossover also coming in two trims — Q3 45 and Q3 S line 45 — both powered by the same 2.0-liter TFSI four-cylinder making the same 228 hp and 258 pound-feet [...]

News / Market Sales Auto sales forecast to drop 22.0 percent, with risk for further deterioration Impacts to global auto demand in the wake of COVID-19 have rapidly progressed to severity levels higher than the 2008-2009 recession, and significant uncertainty around prospects for a meaningful recovery remain. Global light vehicle sales in 2020 are now forecast to drop to 69.6 million units, 22.0 percent lower than in 2019, with risks to the forecast still skewed to the downside. "The pandemic remains a clear and present danger to the autos sector, with months of uncertainty expected to cloud hopes for global recovery prospects," "The expected cycle of decline, stabilization and recovery for autos varies by market, reflecting variations in containment strategies and policy responsiveness," said Colin Couchman, executive director, global autos demand forecasting at IHS Markit. In recent weeks, Mainland China is seeing green shoots of recovery, while much of the rest of the world remains in lockdown. The IHS Markit forecast for Greater China sales in 2020 sees volume at 21.4 million units, a drop of 15 percent from 2019 levels. Though government incentives could help underpin a more orderly recovery profile, these are not [...]

News / Auto Makers

BMW has updated its logo for the first time in 23 years, but the automaker is stopping short of making the change on its vehicles, it said in a statement.

The update, which began rolling out this week, is for "online and offline communication purposes," the brand said, positioning its new look as "better-suited to the digital age."

The biggest change is that the thick outer ring in the circular logo went from a solid black to transparent. So whatever color the logo is set against will appear in that portion. The design was also made simpler and flatter, a change from the slightly rounded look of the old logo, which made it look more three-dimensional.

The automaker follows other brands, such as Volkswagen, that have gone to a flatter look for digital media reasons.

"BMW is b [...]

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AUTO REVIEW Ferrari 488 Pista Spider The Ferrari 488 Pista Spider represents the natural development of the defining design of the coupé version. The Ferrari 488 Pista Spider is the 50th drop-top model from the Prancing Horse and a premiere in the US was a natural choice given that, ever since the 1950s, North American clients have always been keen connoisseurs of high-performance convertibles. The new car sets a new benchmark for Ferrari for spider performance with an unprecedented weight-power ratio of 1.92 kg/cv. A result made possible by the adoption of the most powerful Ferrari V8 engine ever, which was recently named Best Engine in the world for the third consecutive year at the 2018 International Engine of the Year Awards. The 3902cc twin-turbo V8 unleashes 720 cv and combines that power with increasing torque at all engine speeds for continuous and unending acceleration all the way to the red line. The unique engine sound is now even more riveting thanks to the open-top configuration. DETAILS   Lighter & more powerful   Evolution from WEC involvemen [...]