2014 Jeep Compass with New 6-Speed Auto Heads to Geneva for its European Premiere

We've already seen the 2014 Jeep Compass here in the States as it was unveiled at last month's Detroit auto show, and now it's time for European consumers to get a taste of the updated model as well at the Geneva Auto Salon that opens its gates for the press on March 5.

The most important upgrade is the introduction of a new 6-speed automatic transmission offered on the 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter gasoline engines producing 156 and 170 horsepower respectively. The 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine with 136hp and 163hp continues to be linked exclusively to a six-speed manual gearbox.

You'll probably have a hard time noticing the cosmetic changes, which concern trim specific updates such as the Limited model's revised grille, chrome front fog lamp bezels, smoked tail lamps and new 18-inch wheels, while all models equipped with a ParkView rear backup camera gain a plated chrome insert on the tailgate trim applique.

Interior revisions include the optional Saddle Brown perforated leather seating with accent stitching, updated instrument cluster overlay graphics, satin chrome finish for the center bezel, shifter bezel and pull cups, and a vinyl wrap for the armrests and center console lid. The only new safety feature is the now standard front-seat-mounted side air bags.

In Europe, the Jeep Compass will be available in three trim grades named Sport, Limited and the all-new North edition, with front wheel drive or Jeep's Freedom Drive I full-time active 4x4 system with Lock mode.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Latest Nissan Altima Becomes the New Teana for China

Nissan and its Chinese partner Dongfeng Motors lifted the veils off their new local market Teana sedan during a press conference in China on Tuesday in front of more than 1,000 (!) journalists and dealers from all over the country.

If the mid-size sedan looks eerily familiar, it's because the Teana is the same car as the North American Altima with some barely noticeable changes such as the added chrome strips on the lower sections of the doors and rear bumper, and the front grilles, the white markers on the headlamps and the revised tail light graphics.

The Teana will be manufactured at Dongfeng Nissan’s plant in Xiangyang, Hubei province, and is set to go on sale in the country in late March. It will be offered with Nissan's latest 182hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine matched to an Xtronic CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission).

According Nissan, the previous generations of the Teana achieved more than 700,000 sales in China since its introduction locally in 2004, a success the company believes will continue with the new model.

“It doesn’t get any more important than this. This is the flagship of the Nissan range in China. This represents everything that we are about,” said Nissan Executive Vice President Andy Palmer, at the launch in Guangzhou.

“We are confident because the new generation Teana is a stronger product," said Dongfeng Nissan Vice President Ren Yong. "It contains even more of our efforts and we’ve done thorough preparations for it. We hope that with the launch the new Teana, it will bring momentum to dealers and for our sales. It will also allow customers to experience the benefits of the new Teana and return us to a position of strength.”

Articles Source : Carscoop

Cadillac Begins Producing XTS Sedans in China for the Local Market

This week, General Motors and its Shanghai-GM passenger vehicle joint venture with SAIC began manufacturing the new Cadillac XTS sedan at a plant in Shanghai, with all cars to be sold in China. A GM factory in Oshawa, Ontario, started production of the XTS last summer for sale in North America.

To better serve the needs of local customers, the China-market XTS will also be offered with a smaller displacement 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four gasoline engine, which is not available in the U.S..

The XTS will be marketed in five different configurations with prices ranging from 349,900 Yuan and 569,900 Yuan ($55,100 to-$91,400), which is significantly more than what Cadillac commands for the car in the States ($44,075 to $64,360).

Currently, Cadillac China’s dealer network numbers 150 shops, roughly doubling in the past year, while GM plans to open another 100 outlets by 2015. The luxury brand delivered 30,000 vehicles in China in 2012 and has set an annual target of more than 100,000 units by 2015.

“We are reaching the next level of Cadillac growth in China,” said Bob Ferguson, vice president Global Cadillac. “This expansion in localized assembly for our brand in China coincides with the strong momentum of our new product portfolio and significant growth in the dealer network.”

Articles Source : Carscoop

Datsun Brand to Sell Cars in South Africa as Well Starting from 2014, First Teaser Rendering

At a press conference at Nissan's Yokohama plant on Monday, the Japanese carmaker announced that the re-born Datsun Brand is set to return to South Africa, with the first passenger car to be launched onto the market at the end of 2014.

The announcement follows a global decision in 2010 to re-introduce the Datsun brand as part of the Japanese company's "Nissan Power 88" mid-term plan, which calls for an 8 percent global market share and 8 percent operating profit by fiscal year 2016.

Currently, Datsun sales are planned for four major markets, including South Africa, India, Indonesia and Russia, during the course of 2014.

"Following Infiniti's launch last year, we are delighted that South Africa is also a destination of choice for Datsun vehicles," commented Mike Whitfield, managing director of Nissan South Africa (NSA).

"Datsun enjoyed a proud heritage in the country after the Bluebird made its debut at the Pretoria Show in 1958, the 120Y and SSS models were household names, before going on to become the number one brand between 1976 and 1978."

In addition to the announcement, we also found a teaser rendering showing the front end of Datsun's first production model that will be a compact passenger car. We're not sure if this image has gone public before, but this is the first time we've seen it.

In December, it was revealed that the Datsun's new low-cost family cars will share their underpinnings with Russia's Lada, which in mid-2014, will pass into the ownership of the Renault-Nissan Alliance.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Lancia Delta Also Gets New "S by MOMODESIGN" Edition

Five years after the latest iteration of the Lancia Delta broke cover at the Geneva International Auto Salon, the Italian hatchback is returning to the Swiss show with a new special edition model named "S by MOMODESIGN".

Just like the Ypsilon S by MOMODESIGN that will also premiere in Geneva, the Delta has been lightly customized by Italian designer, manufacturer, and retailer of motorcycle clothing and accessories, MOMODESIGN.

On this model, the side skirts and bumpers are finished in the same shade as the body, while you will also find Ecochrome finishes, smoked headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, chrome exhaust tail pipes (or so Lancia claims because we can't see them in the pictures…) and a gloss black tailgate.

Color options include two brand new finishes named metallic Anthracite Grey and the two-tone Anthracite Grey and Eclipse Black, along with three more choices, Zenith White, Magma Black and the Zenith White/Eclipse Black two-tone.

Lancia tells us that the interior of the car is enhanced with a gloss black center console, Ecochrome inserts, yellow tachometer and specific seats in leather and ballistic fabric.

For the special edition Delta's motivation, buyers can choose from the following powerplants: 120PS 1.6-liter MultiJet diesel, 120PS 1.4-liter TurboJet LPG/Gasoline, 190PS 1.9-liter Twinturbo MultiJet diesel and 120PS 1.4-liter TurboJet petrol unit.

Articles Source : Carscoop

New McLaren P1: Official Photos of Production Model Break Cover

We have no idea when McLaren was planning to share new images of its P1 hypercar, but nine photos showing the final production model have just hit the interwebs. How can we be sure that this is the production version and not the concept?

Easy. Besides the new color, the P1 in these images features added carbon fiber air-vents on both corners of the front bumper, road tires and a tighter mesh for the rear end vent, all of which were announced by a McLaren spokesperson during a private showing in New York back in December.

McLaren has also told us that the P1's hybrid powertrain combines a mid-mounted 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 and an electric motor producing a system output of 903HP (916PS) and 900 Nm (664 lb-ft) of torque, with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox sending power to the rear wheels.

The lightweight hypercar will be able to cover about 10 kilometers (around 6 miles) on electric power alone with zero emissions.

We're still waiting for McLaren to release performance figures, but expect a zero to 100km/h (62mph) in well under 3 seconds and a top speed over 350km/h (217mph).

Articles Source : Carscoop

New 2014 Chevrolet Impala Starts from $28,445* in Canada

The new rear-wheel drive SS sports sedan won't be heading to Canada, but another new Chevrolet sedan will, which is only natural since the 2014 Impala is built at GM's Oshawa, Ontario factory as well as at the Detroit-Hamtramck, Michigan, assembly plant.

The new generation of the Impala will reach Canadian dealerships this spring with a starting price of $28,445, which GM says is "just $145 more than the 2013 Impala it replaces", but conveniently forgets to mention in the same sentence that whereas the base version of the 2014 model features a 195hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, the outgoing 2013 model is fitted with a 300-horsepower 3.6-liter V6.

If you want a V6, the 305hp version of the 2014 Impala has an MSRP of $32,945 for the LT and $39,645 for the better equipped LTZ. Besides the base $28,445 LS, other trim grades available for the 2.5-liter engine are the $31,445 LT and $36,445 LTZ. Destination charge on all models is $1,550 (*). GM said pricing for the third engine option, the 2.4-liter gasoline unit with eAssist, will be announced at a later date.

In the U.S., the 2.5L Impala LS starts from $27,535 and the 3.6L LT from $30,760, with both prices including destination charges.

Articles Source : Carscoop