Daily Archives: July 18, 2016
Spy Shots of the 2018 Porsche Cayenne
It looks like the current Porsche Cayenne is nearing the end of its production life since a new one has been spotted out and about being tested in prototype form. Although the new SUV was covered in camouflage, we can still make out the general shape of this third-generation Porsche Cayenne.
By the looks of it in the spy shots, this model has a sleeker look with a longer and flatter roof. The styling was based on Porsche’s Panamera Sport Turismo concept from 2012, as well as the Macan SUV. The new Cayenne will also adopt Macan’s clamshell hood, wraparound tail-lights, and the Panamera Sport Turismo concept’s C-shaped fender vent and front air intakes.
Inside, it should have the same styling as the current Cayenne, though with less physical buttons because of an improved touchscreen interface. We should also expect this new model to have improved infotainment and connectivity options, as well as electronic driver aids with semi-autonomous features.
In terms of dynamics, fuel efficiency and performance, the new model is based on Volkswagen Group’s MLB Evo platform, which made its debut with the 2017 Audi Q7 and appeared in the 2017 Bentley Bentayga. We expect it to see in the next VW Touareg and the Lamborghini Urus SUV.
The platform will make the new Cayenne lighter in weight but with improved rigidity, thanks to its combination of high-strength steel, aluminum and carbon fiber. The 2018 Cayenne will weigh 220 pounds less than the current model, which is at 4,500 pounds.
As for powertrains, the new Cayenne will have the same engine as the current model, meaning a naturally-aspirated V-6 for the base model, a turbocharged V-6 for the mid-range Cayenne S, a plug-in hybrid for the Cayenne S E-Hybrid, and a twin-turbocharged V-8 for the Cayenne Turbo.
It is still not clear if the new Cayenne will offer a diesel option in the United States, especially after the VW Group’s diesel emissions scandal that affected the Cayenne Diesel.
Land Rover Defender Will Make Comeback, Thanks to Chemicals Tycoon
Six months after the Land Rover Defender rolled off at the company’s Solihull plant, it looked like it will be making a comeback, thanks to investments from billionaire Jim Ratcliffe.
The billionaire businessman, who is a chemical tycoon, is reportedly in talks with Jaguar Land Rover in hopes of resurrecting the model. It is still not clear if Ratcliffe is interested in buying the intellectual property of the model or parts of the production line.
According to The Sunday Times, the billionaire’s dream is to build the Defender in the United Kingdom. There are no details from the two sides about the negotiations.
Ratcliffe, the founder of Ineos, a £3.2-billion company, might move into producing vehicles as evidenced by his interest on the Defender. Talks with Land Rover only proved earlier reports that Ratcliffe is looking to venture outside the chemical industry, where he made most of his fortune.
It can be remembered that Land Rover stopped the production of the 66-year-old Defender earlier this year because of increasing stringent emissions requirements, as well as modern day crash regulations and low volume sales.
The next-generation model of the Defender is reportedly due in 2018 and 2019. Apparently, it will have two wheelbases and several bodystyles.
Meanwhile, Jaguar Land Rover said the opening of its new £20-million Special Vehicles Operations (SVO) Technical Center will allow for the development and production of SVR models. The company plans to make the center the birthplace of SVR models from now until 2020.
Currently, the division has three models—the Range Rover Sport SVR, the Range Rover SVAutobiography, and the Jaguar F-Type SVR. It is planning a fourth model, a Land Rover model, which will be due before this year ends.
According to Land Rover Managing Director John Edwards, the facility was inspired by a Formula 1 engineering center.