Autoblog

Conflicting details: Volkswagen's LA-bound mid-engine coupe

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Convertibles, Coupes, Volkswagen

CAR and Autoweek have tapped their sources within Volkswagen to get the scoop on a rumored mid-engine Elise-fighter that may debut at next month's LA Auto Show. But when working with unnamed insiders, information tends to get jumbled in the process and differing reports emerge that suggest it's all more speculation than hard facts.

Both reports confirm what we've heard before: Volkswagen will limit the cylinder count to four, but that's where the similarities end. Autoweek's sources say that engine choices will be limited to either a 170-hp 1.4-liter Twincharger TSI gasoline engine or a new 125-hp 1.6-liter TDI sending power to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. CAR pegs displacement of the gasoline engines at between 1.2- and 1.4-liters, with output ranging from 105 to 160 hp. A 1.2-liter TDI producing 75 hp is also being bandied around.

According to Autoweek, the mid-engine coupe will come to market in 2011, while CAR contends production won't begin until 2013. Additionally, CAR reports that VW won't use an aluminum architecture due to cost constraints, meaning that the Modular Sports Car (MSC) will come in at around 2,660 pounds (300kg heavier than the Elise). On the other hand, Autoweek is saying that the concept will tip the scales below 2,200 pounds by tapping Audi for its expertise with aluminum and opening the door to a four-ringed variant with a choice of a 211-hp 2.0-liter TFSI or a 204-hp twin-turbo'd 2.0-liter TDI. Not to mention the possibility of a Porsche 914 successor.

A strut-based suspension will be employed instead of a Golf-derived multi-link arrangement, while parts cribbed from the rest of the VW line - ranging from steering components and brakes to electronics and transmissions - will be used to keep manufacturing costs in check. Autoweek is also reporting that both a coupe and roadster will be offered, which strikes us as totally unnecessary as VW would be better served offering a removable hard-top similar to that on the MSC's target, the Lotus Elise.

[Sources: CAR and Autoweek]

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VIDEO: Mazda releases unrevealing teaser vid of 2010 Mazda3

Chris Shunk — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, Videos, Mazda

Click above to view video after the jump

Mazda has already given us a sneak-peak at its long-awaited 2010 Mazda3, and while we like what we've seen so far, we want more. We know that team Zoom Zoom is adding a new 2.5L engine to replace the outgoing 2.3L engine, and that the full Monte will be shown at the LA Auto Show next month, but anything more would be great. We came across a short video clip of the Mazda3 in action, but it's 12 seconds long and shows the same three photos we've already seen with moving wheel animations. Needless to say, it's a little disappointing. Now is as good of a time as any to look at the high-resolution pics we do have in the gallery below, and if you need help imagining what Mazda's top-selling sedan looks like in motion, hit the jump.

Gallery: 2010 Mazda3

[Source: eGMCarTech]

Continue reading VIDEO: Mazda releases unrevealing teaser vid of 2010 Mazda3

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Toyota iQ could come Stateside wearing Scion badge

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Economy, Hatchbacks, Scion, Toyota

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Toyota iQ

Rumors have been swirling over the past few months that Toyota was considering bringing its iQ mini-car to the States, and according to MotorTrend that's exactly what's going to happen at the LA Auto Show this November, where Toyota will unveil a U.S.-spec iQ wearing Scion badges.

The iQ - originally destined for sale in Japan and Europe - features a 3+1 seating arrangement and motivated by either a gasoline-powered 1.0-liter three-pot or a 1.4-liter diesel. However, MT speculates that the Yaris' 1.5-liter four, mated to a manual gearbox or CVT will be fitted for duty in the U.S.

Ideally, the Scion iQ would have to be priced at or below its direct competitor, the Smart ForTwo, so expect a sticker of under $15,000 if and when it goes on sale. The rationale behind offering the iQ as a Scion would finally give some credence to the brand's targeted urban demographic, which has been faltering in recent years. And with more usable passenger and cargo space than a ForTwo, the Scion iQ could be a hit for people downsizing their rides without sacrificing some of the practicality found in a more traditional runabout.

Gallery: Production Toyota iQ

[Source: MotorTrend]

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2010 Mazda3 unveiled ahead of LA Auto Show

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:24:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Economy, Sedans/Saloons, Mazda

Click above for three high-res images of the 2010 Mazda3

Mazda has confirmed the time and place for the unveiling of its all-new 2010 Mazda3: November 19th at the LA Auto Show. In anticipation of the car's public debut, the Japanese automaker released these three images of the remodeled 3 sedan that reveal the car's new design. While the new 3 retains a similar shape as the current model with a high beltline and rear decklid, the new car sports a much more expressive face with a "smile" grille positioned low up front that's flanked by vertical air intake/fog light combos. The front fenders, likewise, are more distinct from the elevated hood and roll nicely back into the car's forward canted character line. Out back are bigger taillights embedded in what appears to be a larger trunk above dual exhaust tips. The overall shape is a logical evolution of the current car that combines current Mazda design elements already found on the RX-8, Mazda6 and recently refreshed MX-5. Mazda also tells us that the 3 sedan will carry over its 2.0L four-cylinder, but be joined by a larger 2.5L engine to replace the current car's 2.3L. As for the Mazda3 five-door hatchback, we'll have to wait until some time after the LA Auto Show for that, though we're hoping the new Mazdaspeed3 is not far behind.

Gallery: 2010 Mazda3

[Source: Mazda]

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Ford releases full dash pic of 2010 Mustang

Drew Phillips — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:57:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Sports/GTs, Ford

Click above for a high resolution image of the 2010 Mustang's dash

Whether you like it or not, Ford is revealing the 2010 Mustang nice and slow. So far we've got fairly clear shots of the wheel, seats, rear deck lid badge, front end, and steering wheel. The latest photo to be released shows a clear, full front view of the dash, and we have to say that we like what we see. Like the new Pony badge, Ford has given the interior an edgier look with rectangular center air vents and more futuristic looking gauges. There are still six images yet to be unveiled, and we're hoping for a decent shot underneath the hood or of the rear fender soon. Of course, the car will be officially introduced at the LA Auto Show in November, and we'll be there to bring you all the photos and details.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Mustang Teased

[Source: The2010Mustang.com]

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Ford teases 2010 Mustang's front fender, mirror

Drew Phillips — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 02:15:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Sports/GTs, Ford

Click above for a high-res gallery of 2010 Ford Mustang teasers

Ford is continuing its painfully slow unveiling of the 2010 Mustang with another new image showing the car's front fender and the rear view mirror. It could just be the angle, but the photo shows a more curvaceous hood line that dips down to the headlight more than the current design. Another difference is the fender, which flows from the hood to the wheel well in one smooth line rather than the current one that has a more pronounced and angular flare. Finally, we get another view of the rear view mirror, the top half of which is now painted instead of textured black. Like us, you'd probably rather see the whole car by now, but Ford has seven more teaser images to go before it unveils the car in Los Angeles in more than a month and a half. So, like us, you're just going to have to get used to it.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Mustang Teased

[Source: The2010Mustang.com]

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Nissan says next 370Z to compete with Porsche

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Nissan, Porsche

When Nissan launched the 350Z in '02, it was working hard to reinvent itself and the new Z was clearly its halo car in the U.S. market. Now that that the revival has come and gone, expect the new 370Z to take on a new tack as a harder edged vehicle. In fact, Nissan plans to take on Porsche, the most classic of all sportscar manufacturers, with its newest coupe. Equipped with a larger 335-hp 3.7-liter V6 engine and having gone on a serious diet, possibly shedding as much as 200 lbs, the new Z will definitely have the cojones to keep up with its foes, including the Cayman, and its shorter wheelbase and wider track should conspire to make it quite the handler as well. We'll get our first official look at the new son-of-Godzilla at the LA Auto Show, shorty after which the Nissan 370Z should show up in Japanese dealerships with U.S. delivery at a later date. Hopefully, not too much later.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

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Reader Spy: 2010 Nissan Cube is properly asymmetric!

Alex Nunez — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Spy Photos, Economy, Hatchbacks, Nissan

Click above for more images of the 2010 Nissan Cube

Many thanks to Autoblog reader Aaron, who appears to have been in the presence of printed materials pertaining to the 2010 Nissan Cube, which is set to be unveiled next month at the LA Auto Show. Aaron captured the moment with his camera phone, and thus, we have what may be the first unofficial official look at the U.S.-market Cube's design. Or it could be something else entirely, but it sure doesn't look that way. Up front, the new headlamps and grille form a thin line above the front bumper, giving the boxy little dude a face we expect to see start talking at any given moment. Follow the jump for more analysis, and check out the scans in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2010 Nissan Cube

[Source: Aaron]

Continue reading Reader Spy: 2010 Nissan Cube is properly asymmetric!

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Rendered Speculation: 2010 Mazda3 smiles back

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:02:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hatchbacks, Mazda, Rendered Speculation

We have an idea of what the next Mazda3 will look like based on some trademark renderings that Mazda supplied the European Union Office of Harmonization for the Internal Market; basically what they amount to are patent drawings. Based on these very rough outlines, somebody named Pascal Boissé from Auto-Motive D&C has created a rendering that gives us a slightly better idea of what the new compact car will look like. The results are a bit mixed, with the fenders and greenhouse meeting our expectations, but that happy-go-lucky front end may be a bit off. Recent spy shots don't show the snout protruding out quite that far. We may see character lines along the door's bottom edge, leading up to the rear arches as the rendering clearly shows. What we know for sure is that Mazda has been getting more expressive with its styling, as the revised 6 and recent concepts prove. We'll see the Mazda3 in person at the upcoming LA Auto Show and here's hoping that it's a bit more refined than the rendering above.

[Source: MSN]

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Sneak peek at Mitsubishi's LA Design Challenge entrant: MMR25 Rally Racer

John Neff — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Motorsports, Etc., Mitsubishi

Click above for gallery of the Mitsubishi MMR25 Rally Racer concept

The LA Auto Show is once again hosting its annual Design Challenge in which automakers are asked to let their minds wander and think freely about what future vehicles might actually be like. Last year's theme was green, but this year designers are being asked to imagine what motorsports will be like in 2025.

Mitsubishi's answer will be the MMR25 Rally Racer, a way out there concept that draws upon the automaker's long lineage of successful rally racing to create a sand crawler like we've never seen before. We've only got a sneak peek for now, so there's no telling what exotic or outright fictional engine powers the MMR25, but expect it to be just as crazy as those multidirectional wheels.

Gallery: LA Design Challenger 2008: Mitsubishi MMR525 Rally Racer

[Source: Mitsubishi]

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Behold! 2010 Ford Mustang thrones revealed

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Coupes

The 2010 Ford Mustang teasers continue, with a darkened shot of the new 'Stang's seats and center console. The new thrones look mighty inviting, with a nice amount of padding and some American-friendly bolsters. The center console appears to be a little taller than the current Mustang, but we'll have to wait until we get a chance to sit inside at this year's LA Auto Show.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Mustang Teased

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LA Preview: Toyota to display CNG fueled Camry Hybrid concept

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Green, Toyota

A standard Camry hybrid

Hybrid vehicles are increasingly becoming mainstream, but so far all of the production units available on the market have used gasoline exclusively as the fuel for the internal combustion engine. Various manufacturers have also shown concept and one-off test hybrid vehicles with diesel and E85 capable flex-fuel engines. One combination we don't recall seeing is a CNG fueled hybrid. Toyota plans to address that oversight at the LA Auto Show in November with a CNG fueled Camry Hybrid. Vehicles running on compressed natural gas are nothing new, although the only one currently offered by a major automaker in the US right now is the Honda Civic GX. Since CNG vehicles have a shorter range, they have primarily been used by fleets with centralized filling stations. Toyota has built this vehicle as part of its wide ranging sustainable mobility strategy. With domestic supplies of CNG being comparatively plentiful, something like a CNG hybrid sedan could be a good option for someone who does most of their driving locally. Combine it with the Phill home fueling station and you'd never have to go to a gas station again. Press release after the break.

[Source: Toyota]

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Spy Photos: Mazda3 sedan wearing skin-tight camo

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Hatchbacks, Mazda

When is camo not really camo? When it's black and white tape stuck to the body of the 2010 Mazda3 sedan. The new 3 was recently caught in the U.S. and the new front end is essentially a reworked version of the Mazda6's, with a grinning, two-piece grille split by an angular bumper. Notice the bulges and fairings around the foglamps next to the lower grille, and the way the stretched headlights and flared fenders turn the hood outline into a wild polyhedral. The sculpted leather seats and roomy cabin look a treat as well. Assuming Mazda won't jack up the price or sink the driving dynamics, this could exceed the success of the current car. We'll bring you the full story from the LA Auto Show in just about sixty days. Thanks for the tip, Kris!

[Source: Auto.cz]

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2010 Ford Mustang: New dash revealed

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 12:27:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertibles, Coupes, Ford

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Ford Mustang

The Dita Von Teese-style burlesque unveiling of the 2010 Ford Mustang continues today with another image showing the dash and steering wheel, along with brief glimpses of the new IP, seats and passenger-side door panel. Riveting, no?

We couldn't help using our elementary Photoshop skills to lighten up the artificially dark picture, and after a couple of tweaks of the virtual knobs, the new switchgear and matching stitching on the steering wheel and seats came into view.

Compared to the current 'Stang, the new dash is more steeply raked and the materials appear to be of a higher quality, but until we're able to run our hands over it all at the LA Auto Show this November, we can't be certain.

The five previous teasers are available in our gallery below, and it looks like we can expect nine more images to be "unlocked" on the2010mustang.com between now and the its official unveiling.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Mustang Teased

[Source: the2010mustang.com]

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LA Preview: Saab 9-4X shows up early

Chris Shunk — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Crossovers/CUVs, GM, Saab

The LA Auto Show is still a couple months away, but images of vehicles set to be unveiled in the land of fruits and nuts are already leaking onto the web. GM's Chilean website had the above photo of the production Saab 9-4X available for all to see earlier today, so now we know the production model looks almost identical to the 9-4X Biopower concept from last year's Detroit Auto Show. We'd be interested to see if the concept's integrated tail pipes and large front/side air dams make it to production but, judging from spy photos we've seen, probably not. The 9-4X will be built on the same platform as the upcoming front- or all-wheel-drive Cadillac SRX, which will also be unveiled this auto show season.

We don't have many details on the 9-4X just yet, but it will have a turbocharged 2.0L engine with 245 hp and 265 lb-ft mated to a six-speed automatic. The concept also ran on ethanol, which is also likely for the production vehicle considering that two thirds of all vehicles in Sweden are of the flex fuel variety. Other engine choices could include GM's 3.6L V6, which is likely to be found under hood of the SRX at launch, and an upcoming 250-hp 2.9L diesel. Either way, European customers will likely have an engine lineup twice as large as what we'll be offered in the U.S.

UPDATE: Saab has confirmed that the image above is not the production 9-4X, but rather a creative photoshop of the 9-4X Concept from last year's Detroit Auto Show produced by third-party reps down in Chile.

Gallery: Saab 9-4X - spy shots

[Source: Motor Authority]

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Spyker officially reveals Le Mans-inspired C8 Laviolette LM85

Drew Phillips — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Motorsports, Supercars, Spyker

Click above for high-res gallery of the Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85

It's been a winning formula for Ferrari: build a road car, then build a race version of that road car, and finally build a road version of the race car. Spyker has decided to try out the formula for itself and officially announced it will be building a road car inspired by its GT2R race car that is in turn based off the C8 Laviolette production car. Named the C8 Laviolette LM85, the Le Mans-inspired Dutch supercar features Audi's 4.2-liter V8 producing 400 horsepower, a 6-speed manual transmission, paint scheme from the GT2R race car, and an interior covered in black leather and alcantara. Other features include a carbon fiber rear spoiler, black powder coated alloy wheels and 6-piston brakes from AP Racing. The car will be on display at the LA Auto Show in November, so we will be sure to bring you additional photos. For now, check out the small gallery below, as well as a gallery of the GT2R race car. More information on the C8 Laviolette LM85 can be found in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85

Gallery: Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2-R

[Source: Spyker via TheAutoChannel.com]

Continue reading Spyker officially reveals Le Mans-inspired C8 Laviolette LM85

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Lincoln MKT headed to Detroit, facelifted MKZ to LA

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:02:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, LA Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, Crossovers/CUVs, Lincoln

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Lincoln MKT concept

Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas, has confirmed that the Lincoln MKT crossover is due to be reveal this January at the Detroit Auto Show, while a refreshed MKZ will be unveiled at the Los Angeles Show in November.

We already knew the Ford Flex-based CUV was headed to Detroit, with power provided by either a 3.7-liter or a 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6. Both six- and seven-passenger seating arrangements will be offered, along with Blind Spot Monitoring and a Cross Traffic Alert system which utilizes two sonar modules to notify drivers that a vehicle has moved into their blind spot by shining a light on the corresponding outside mirror. Sales are expected to begin later in 2009 and Ford is insistent that the MKT won't share any body panels with its platform sibling.

The facelifted MKZ sedan will sport the new split-wing grille originally found on the MKR concept. New taillights are also rumored to be part of the package and sales should begin later this year or early in 2009.

Gallery: Lincoln MKT Concept

[Source: MotorTrend]

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Teased! 2010 Ford Mustang detail shots

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:20:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertibles, Coupes, Ford

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Ford Mustang teasers

We've gotten our hands on five new pics of the 2010 Ford Mustang GT and, although the tweaks are subtle and the images obscured, these shots give us a few hints about what to expect when the new 'Stang arrives at this year's Los Angeles Auto Show.

The teaser above shows a more steeply raked hood accompanied by a new headlamp and bumper design, while the profile shot of the convertible previews a slight upkick in the beltline aft of the B-pillar. The Ford GT badge has undergone a slight revision, along with the new five-spoke wheels and a new steering wheel fitted with tweaked buttons for the cruise control.

We're only a couple months away from the 2010 Mustang's official unveiling, but more teasers and spy shots are inevitably on the way. Thanks to Brad for the heads-up.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Mustang Teased

[Source: 2010Mustang]

Continue reading Teased! 2010 Ford Mustang detail shots

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2010 Ford Mustang striptease continues

Alex Nunez — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:26:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Spy Photos, Convertibles, Sports/GTs, Ford

Photo: V8Limited\The Mustang Source

Bit by bit, the 2010 Ford Mustang is taking shape. We've slowly gone from the full-burka cladding to little peeks through it -- a headlight here, a taillamp there -- to this, the best shot yet of the car's rear end. V8Limited, the pseudonym used by one of the forum posters at The Mustang Source, caught a camo-painted but otherwise undisguised 2010 Mustang GT convertible out on the road and managed to grab a good shot before the driver saw what was happening and took off.

Note the upkick in the bodywork when you follow windowsills. On the current cars, it's straight, but on the new Mustang, there's a slight rise at the end of the door panel that flows up into the rear deck, making for more muscular haunches. Mustang drivers will immediately notice another welcome change in the placement of the radio antenna. Instead of the tall vertical whip mounted on the front passenger side of the current-gen car, an angled, shorty antenna now lives on the right rear quarter. Reshaped taillamps make the '10 instantly identifiable from the rear. While they retain the traditional three-element look, they are five-sided instead of rectangular, and the bottoms now angle up towards the car's outer edges. Polished rolled exhaust tips poke through their cutouts in the rear bumper cover, which gets a matte-black finish along the bottom. Finally, those five-spoke wheels are a new design.

In his post at TMS, V8Limited says that up front, the hood extends farther over the grille and that the headlamps are shorter. He didn't get an opportunity to snap the front end, but if Ford has basically undisguised prototypes running around, it's only a matter of time before more shots hit the web ahead of the official debut in November. Thanks to all who sent tips!

UPDATE: A Jalopnik reader snagged a pair of GT coupes from the front. Head over there to see the new front end.

[Source: The Mustang Source]

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BMW X1, 7 Series hybrid headed to Paris; Z4 to debut in LA

Alex Nunez — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Euro, Paris Motor Show

Inside Line has the skinny on BMW's new product unveils for the upcoming show season. Paris and L.A. are the headliners, with the City of Light chosen as the backdrop for the official public debuts of the all-new 7 series (including an ActiveHybrid variant) and facelifted 3 Series. While those cars will get their fair share of attention, all eyes will likely to be on the concept X1, which will also make its world debut in Paris.

The baby ute should be to the X3 what the 1 Series is to the 3. As for its "concept" status, if Bimmer concepts in recent years are any indication (think M5, Z4 Coupe, and M3), the X1 show car and production vehicle should be essentially one and the same. The next major unveiling involving a roundel-wearing car will take place this November in Los Angeles, where the redesigned Z4 will be introduced. According to Inside Line, it'll go on sale in January. As for the X1? Time will tell. Details on if and/or when it'll be offered in the States aren't available yet.

[Source: Inside Line]

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