Articles by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

The Need for Speed film won't be released until March next year, but Ford is putting the movie's Mustang to work as a Nascar pace car. It will debut in the track role this weekend with Need for Speed actor Ramon Rodriguez at the helm.The custom pony car was created especially for the film -- but also gets a part in the latest Need for Speed Rivals video game -- and is fitted out with a wide-body kit, enlarged intakes and 22-inch alloy wheels. Under the bonnet is a supercharged V8 engine and while Ford hasn't revealed the outputs, they've said it's able to handle up to 670kW of power.Aerodynamics have been tweaked with low-profile mirrors and extended rocker panels, the redesigned splitter  improves high-speed handling, and the rear spoiler and diffuser cut drag and boost traction for sharp acceleration.With the next Mustang headed for Australia as a hero car for Ford after the Falcon exits -- officially in 2016 -- we could see something similar to this on the V8 Supercars circuit, but don't get your hopes up for this kit to hit the showroom floor any time soon.

Is this computer-generated rendering from Mustang 6G a close representative of the final design for the 2015 Ford Mustang? Possibly. The lines do align nicely with what we've seen in previous Ford Mustang spy shots, suggesting that the 2015 Mustang will maintain the current model's classic design cues but morph them into a sleeker, more modern shape with influences from the Evos Concept car.From the previous spy shots, we know the 2015 Mustang will be roughly the same size as the current car, but with a lower roofline. There will also be a clear family resemblance with other Ford Motor Company products; the shapes for the headlights and grille seen on prototypes are very similar to those found on the latest Taurus and Fusion models sold in the US.The 2015 Mustang will be built on a brand new platform complete with an independent rear suspension instead of the live axle that's been traditionally fitted to the Mustang. Curb weight should be down on the current car, possibly around 180kg less, and fuel consumption further cut by the introduction of a four-cylinder EcoBoost engine, with other variants powered by V6 and V8 units.There's be a range-topping SVT model to succeed the Shelby GT500, but it may no longer carry the Shelby name or even come with a supercharger. Reports claim Ford will dig into its long list of storied nameplates for the new top dog, with Cobra looking a likely prospect.Ford has confirmed the Mustang for Australia but is yet to detail which versions we'll get here, however the base price is expected to be close to $50,000 than the current $30,000 entry price in the US.We'll know more closer to the global debut of the 2015 Mustang, tipped to be at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show in January.www.motorauthority.com  

Toyota may have halted plans for a convertible based on the bones of its wildly successful 86 sports car, but reports suggest we could see it spawn a rear-wheel drive sedan. Stories of the possibility bubbled up the this week, most recently from US site Motor Trend, citing an inside source at Toyota in Japan. They suggest the brand is looking at several different models based on its rear-wheel-drive platform jointly developed with Subaru and sold as the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ. One of the planned models was a convertible based on the FT 86 Open concept, but low projected sales are believed to have stalled the project for now. Another is a shooting brake-style wagon and a third is a sedan, the most likely of the trio to make production. Why? Because it would be relatively unique in the market, especially if priced close to the $29,990 starting price of the 86. The sedan would appeal to buyers looking for a small sporty car but still needing the practicality of rear doors and seats -- especially those with a family to consider. According to the report, the new sedan’s wheelbase would be about 8cm longer than that of the Toyota 86. The project would use the 147kW/205 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine as the standard unit, but a hybrid setup is also on the cards from other reports, suggesting a detuned version of the setup featured in Toyota’s recent Yaris Hybrid-R concept, with a single electric motor paired up with the boxer engine. If the insider's information is accurate, we could see the 86-based rear-wheel-drive sedan launched around the end of 2015, with a price possibly starting in the $30,000-$35,000 region. www.motorauthority.com  

There are already seven variants of the Mini, and you have to wonder how much further they can stretch or extend the vehicle. Latest reports suggest Mini owner BMW has found three more ways.The new Mini Cooper will be revealed mid-November simultaneously at LA and Tokyo motor shows, but the debut car may be only the first in what could be 10 different models -- including a plug-in hyrid. And there's still room for a sedan and sports car in the line-up.Mini boss Peter Schwarzenbauer revealed the family growth plans in an interview with industry journal Automotive News. “With the new ULK architecture, we currently have in mind eight to 10 models,” Schwarzenbauer said, referring to the new ULK front-wheel-drive platform that will underpin all the MINI variants plus several BMW models.The ULK platform will debut within weeks in the new Mini Cooper, but is also flexible enough to accommodate all-wheel drive as well as alternative powertrains.Schwarzenbauer also said future plans for Mini include electrification, and that a plug-in hybrid model was certainty. He also confirmed Mini is exploring the potential for a fully electric car -- similar to the Mini E concept -- but that nothing had been decided.The new Mini range is expected to arrive in Australia in the second quarter of 2014, and while we don't have final specification for our market, details of the available engine line-up have been released.For the first time we'll see a three-cylinder engine in the Mini Cooper, with new 1.5 litre direct-injected turbo 1.5-litre petrol and turbodiesel triples powering the volume variants, while the Cooper S will carry a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder.The direct-injected 1.5-litre petrol offers 100kW/220Nm from 1250rpm (with 230Nm on overboost), the 2.0 litre develops 141kW/280Nm (with 300Nm on overboost), and the 1.5 litre turbodiesel gives you 85kW and 270Nm -- a lift of 3kW over the current engine.The 170kW achieved by the three-cylinder unit as used in the BMW i8 suggests that somwhere around 226kW is possible for the 2.0-litre John Cooper Works models -- which could see them offer competition to the hot hatch hero Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG.www.motorauthority.com 

Porsche’s new little Macan crossover SUV is ready for its global debut at the Los Angeles motor show in November, but a new dedicated microsite is teasing us with fresh details and images.The German carmaker is not calling the Audi Q5-based newcomer a crossover, preferring instead to refer to it as a five-seat, five-door sports car. Which just happens to have all-wheel drive and an elevated seating position. Design cues include large air intakes, wide shoulders and a sloping roof, Porsche says.They haven't released any details of what's under the bonnet, but from leaked presentation slides we already know it will be launched with either 3.0 or 3.6-litre turbocharged petrol V6 engines, with the twin-turbo 3.6-litre likely to be the Macan S performance hero.A petrol four-cylinder -- likely to be a price-fighting base model -- and turbodiesel V6 options are expected to be offered later. We'll get more details and our first live look at the Macan when the LA motor show kicks off on November 20-21.www.motorauthority.com 

This could be our first glimpse of the finished design for the next Ferrari California hardtop convertible. The sketches are reportedly official patent drawings filed by Ferrari with a registry for trademarks and patents in Europe.The images were found by the World Car Fans site, which believes the drawings show a new two-seat hardcore version of the Ferrari FF. However with the similarities to the current California, we believe the sketches -- if the real thing -- are more likely to be the California replacement due to be launched next year.A quick review of previous spy shots of a test mule for Ferrari’s California replacement show similar proportions, and a matching layout for the quad-exhaust tips. Also, there is no mistaking the suggestion of cut lines for what would be the California's retractable hardtop. The overall impression is of a more aggressive design than the current car, with cues taken from recent arrivals to the Ferrari line-up -- the FF four-seater, F12 Berlinetta and coming LaFerrari flagship.Specification details for the next California are still some way off -- and we'll know more closer to its estimated global debut at the Geneva motor show in March. But it’s thought the car will come with a twin-turbocharged V8 engine, with an F1-inspired KERS system possibly added to help boost power without incurring an emissions penalty.www.motorauthority.com 

Volkswagen is expected to phase out its naturally aspirated engines within the next three to four years and replace them with a full range of turbocharged, supercharged and electrified units. The information was revealed to The Detroit News by the automaker’s head of quality, Mark Trahan. He said the automaker will replace its three remaining non-turbocharged engines--a 2.5-litre inline-five and two versions of its 3.6-litre V-6--when the models that use each engine come up for redesigns or mid-cycle refreshes, Trahan said. Many of the new Volkswagen engines will be made at a new engine plant opened in Mexico last January. It is a strategy several other automakers are adopting, including Volvo which has already revealed its next-generation engines, known as the Drive-E range. Ford is also introducing more of its 'EcoBoost' engines each year. The main reason is economy. Smaller forced induction engines offer similar performance but improved economy over their larger, naturally aspirated counterparts. www.motorauthority.com  

About a year ago we told you Renault was considering launching a luxury sub-brand to help it improve the profitability of its models and tap into the strong demand for premium autos in major markets, particularly China. At the Frankfurt motor show this week, we got our first taste of Renault’s new luxury sub-brand in the form of the Initiale Paris concept.Initiale Paris is the name Renault will use for its future upmarket range, similar to how fellow French automaker PSA Peugeot Citroën uses the DS name for its own premium offerings. However, while DS-branded cars are typically standalone models, Initiale Paris -- with the first model due in 2015 -- will be a range-topping trim for regular Renault models, at least initially. In fact, the Initiale Paris concept is a preview of Renault’s next-generation Espace MPV.Luxury comes in the form of premium materials, such as aluminium and fine woods, but also from chrome detailing, a two-tone exterior hue, LED headlights, a floating centre console in the cabin and an advanced user interface. The vehicle also sports a custom Bose sound system with 32 speakers!Power comes from a 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine, which is mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission and drives the front wheels. Renault is exploring two new directions with the engine: twin-turbocharging technology  and shift-by-wire technology for the gearbox. The latter has allowed designers to make the gear selector slimmer and the floating centre console now has no cables to conceal.A further highlight of the engine used for the Initiale Paris concept is the use of optimised steel pistons to reduce friction. Steel pistons dilate less than aluminum pistons, resulting in enhanced piston-to-cylinder wall clearances at high temperatures. Lower friction between pistons and cylinder walls means lower fuel consumption. And to keep them light, the steel pistons are hollowed out. The design is exactly the same as that used in Renault’s Formula One engine.www.motorauthority.com 

Infiniti is working on a new hatch to take on rivals in the burgeoning compact luxury segment, such as the Audi A3, BMW 1-Series, Lexus CT 200h and new Mercedes-Benz CLA.We were given our first taste of the car with the unveiling of the slightly odd Etherea back in 2011, but now we have a more definitive look thanks to reveal of the new Q30 concept car.Though its shape resembles that of a hatch, Infiniti is keen to stress that the Q30 is not a hatch. Rather, it’s a fusion of various bodystyles that includes elements of not only a hatch but also a coupe and a crossover, the automaker tells us.By combining the sportiness of a coupe, the roominess of a hatch and the higher stance of a crossover, Infiniti is hoping its Q30 will be able to stand out from the crowd.To further differentiate its Q30 from rival compact offerings, Infiniti will call on its official director of performance, reigning Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel, to help develop the chassis.However, much of the development work is already done, as the Q30 shares the MFA front-wheel-drive platform found in Mercedes-Benz’s latest compact range.Inside the Q30, there’s a sporty flat-bottomed steering wheel, bright digital gauges with purple backlighting, copper-accented dials including a centre console-mounted control wheel, accented stitching and soft leather on most of the surfaces.The Q30 makes its world debut tomorrow at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show and will spawn a production version due for launch sometime in 2015. Production will take place initially at Nissan’s Sunderland plant in the U.K. but will eventually be expanded to Mexico for delivery to the North American market. Shortly after the Q30 is launched, we may see a crossover version, which is likely to be called a QX30 in accordance with Infiniti’s new naming strategy.www.motorauthority.com 

Yesterday, photos of the Jaguar C-X17 crossover concept leaked onto the web. Now we're just back from the concept's reveal on the eve of the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show, and have photos and more details of this new and radically different kind of Jaguar -- which previews a production vehicle coming in the next couple of years.It's the first to be built on the company's new aluminium monocoque structure for smaller cars, which carries the codename “iQ” and will also spawn a small sedan meant to compete head to head with the BMW 3-Series and erase forever the memories of the less-than-stellar X-Type sedan that failed at the same goal a decade ago.We’ve already spied this small sedan, which Jaguar tells us will be launched in 2015. The production version of the C-X17 will follow soon after.Watch video here.What the vehicles will be called is still up in the air, though we know Jaguar has registered “XQ” and “Q-Type” with the European Union's trademark agency. Given the automaker’s naming cadence, the new sedan is likely to be called the XQ while the crossover should get the Q-Type moniker.The key to both models will be the iQ platform. Derived from the Premium Lightweight Architecture that underpins the larger Range Rover SUV, the iQ is a scalable vehicle platform designed not only to be light but also extremely stiff. It has also been designed to incorporate innovative efficiency technologies such as diesel, plug-in hybrid and even battery-powered electric powertrains.Furthermore, Jaguar is developing new four-cylinder gas and diesel engines for its iQ platform, while performance fans will be happy to hear that the automaker’s supercharged V-6 engine from the F-Type sports car will also fit. Jaguar hasn’t mentioned V-8 applications, which makes sense since the automaker is turning away from big engines.Both rear- and all-wheel drive is also compatible with iQ. Jaguar’s latest all-wheel-drive system continuously monitors grip levels and driver inputs and uses feed-forward torque distribution to both pre-empt and react to wheel-slip. And to further aid handling, Jaguar engineers have also installed a brake-based torque vectoring system.Now that we know what’s inside the C-X17, it’s time to focus on its stunning exterior. The lines were penned by Jaguar Land Rover design chief Ian Callum, the man responsible for other stunners like the original Aston Martin Vanquish and contemporary Jaguars like the F-Type sports car.Design elements borrowed from the F-Type are obvious, such as the front fender detailing, muscular rear shoulder line and horizontal tail-light design. The rear diffuser and twin exhaust pipes of the C-X17 also look like they’ve been lifted straight from the F-Type’s V-8 variant.Inside, you’ll find a mix of high-tech and traditionally crafted elements. The cabin is also quite spacious but has been designed with four individual seats. Expect any production version to offer seating for five. The seating position is relatively low for a crossover, giving the occupants a feeling of sitting deep within the cabin.As a special touch, the trunk has two fold-out seats that can be used when the vehicle is parked. There is also a unique panoramic roof, made up of a series of sculpted vanes sitting under a big glass panel. They are contoured on the lower side to generate extra headroom, and shaped to create a ring of space that enables a whole-roof view of the sky above, adding to the sense of openness.Some high-tech goodies include an Interactive Surface Console that runs the length of the car’s centre tunnel. It’s made up of a series of interconnecting touch screens encased in transparent acrylic glass, which all control a common interface wirelessly. There is also a Meridian sound system, a configurable digital gauge cluster, a rotary dial gear selector and a head-up display. Jaguar says many of the features will be incorporated in its future models.www.motorauthority.com