Lexus IS-F to be Discontinued

The Lexus IS-F has been around since 2007 but struggled to compete with the strong performance sedans from Germany. It was soundly beaten by the likes of the BMW M3, Audi RS4 and the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG.

Lexus IS-F end in sight

A representative from Lexus was quoted recently confirming the rumour the IS-F was to be axed from the range. Its not the end of powerful Lexus however as the upcomming RC-F is basically a coupe version of the newish IS sedan. The RC-F was launched at the beginning of this year at the Detroit motor show and like the now defunct Lexus IS-F features a 5-litre V8 at its heart but with a monstering 343 kW available. The RC-F is also available in a crazy Blazing Solar Flare colour.

Lexus has actually been on a bit of a roll recently announcing new products to its portfolio like the upcoming small crossover NX. There has also been recent updates to both the GS and IS ranges.

Mercedes-Benz Confirms Factory Upgrades and Models

Mercedes-Benz has announced plans to spend 1.5 billion euros ($2 billion) through 2020 upgrading its Sindelfingen plant and getting ready for production of a new vehicle.

Mercedes-Benz Confirms Factory Upgrades

The investment is said to be used for the modernisation of the Mercedes-Benz plant and long-term job security. Although the company has remained tight-lipped about specific details, they did however confirm they will build a new body shop, paint shop and logistics centre at the Sindelfingen site, as well as an additional assembly hall for a new version of the up-market Mercedes E-Class sedan.

The plant already builds the short- and long-wheelbase S-Class sedan and the S-Class Coupe. It will in addition build three additional S-Class models. The company also confirmed the plant will build the AMG GT and production is scheduled to begin in a few weeks.

“We are growing dynamically abroad while also investing more heavily in our German locations. The operating agreement linked to future-oriented investments with equally necessary cost optimization. This approach is the foundation of our success and the foundation of our growth strategy, Mercedes-Benz 2020. With the overall package we make Sindelfingen fit for global competition and secure employment,” said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

Renaultsport Racer Teased (video)

During June 2014 Renaultsport announced it would be building a brand new race car for its one-make World Series by Renault Championship. The teaser image for that can be found here.

They also said it would be powered by a Nismo engine capable of crunching out 373 kW through a seven-speed sequential gearbox. The latest release shows more of what the race car will look like, as well as its awesome racer gargle at idle.

The R.S. 01 as the car has been named will be shown at the Moscow Motor Show for the first time. Renaultsport says its a simply spectacular race car and will become the next star in the World Series by Renault Championship. We hope it will inspire a road-going version.

Renaultsport Racer video

Honda Insight and Jazz EV To Be Discontinued

An American Honda spokesman has confirmed through Edmunds that two of its eco-friendly vehicles will no longer be available.

End of the road for the Honda Insight and Jazz EV

According to the report, both the Honda Insight Hybrid and Jazz EV will be discontinued, with the Insight being available till the end of the year. The Jazz EV is said to go out of production in the next coming months and Honda has promised to continue to support customers through their lease period.

“Our path forward includes a new generation of electromotive technologies, including expanded application of our two-motor hybrid system,” said Honda spokesman, Sage Marie.

Honda is also expected to make an announcement on the future of the FCX Clarity fuel-cell vehicle in the coming weeks. The new fuel cell vehicle was previewed by the FCEV concept at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show.

That leaves us with the Honda CR-Z, one of the cooler hybrids on sale. Powered by a 1.5-petrol with an electric motor assist, the little CR-Z offers a fun motoring experience while not consuming much fuel. Check out our review of the Honda CR-Z here.

Jaguar XE Further Detailed (Video)

Jaguar has released additional details and a #FeelXE social media campaign for the forthcoming XE set to be unveiled in London on September 8 2014.

New levels of aluminium-intensive lightweight construction

The Jaguar XE has been designed around Jaguars modular vehicle architecture, and is the only car in the class that uses an aluminium-intensive monocoque with lightweight aluminium accounting for 75 per cent of the structure.

This use of aluminium will not only lower the car’s weight but will also provide it with high torsional stiffness. Featuring a high level of recycled material, this new alloy additionally makes a significant contribution to Jaguars goal of using 75 per cent recycled material by 2020.

Furthermore Jaguar says that the most fuel efficient versions of the XE are currently expected to achieve a fuel consumption of less than 4-liters/100 km with CO2 emissions of less than 100 g/km. A more powerful range-topping XER-S version is rumoured to be equipped with a supercharged V8 5.0-litre engine sourced from the F-Type R Coupe, and will likely reach a top speed of more than 300 km/h.

The Jaguar XE #FeelXE campaign

According to Jaguar, the #FeelXE campaign was created to “harness the spirit of British creativity and innovation using an inspiring collective of figures from the worlds of music, film and design. As part of the project, the company will collaborate with artists and personalities including Emeli Sande, Stella McCartney and Idris Elba.

Emeli Sande will work on a special song inspired by the feeling of Exhilaration to support the reveal of the Jaguar XE. Using the hashtag #FeelXE the public is invited to share words, pictures, sounds and films with Emeli through social media (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) that express what makes them feel Exhilarated.

Following its September 8 reveal in London, the XE will be Jaguar’s first model to go into production at a newly established production facility located at the firm’s Solihull plant in UK.

Jaguar XE aluminium architecture detailed

New BMW X2 Details Revealed

A new report by Auto Express has exclusively released information including engines choices about the new BMW X2 slated for a 2017 launch.

New BMW X2 on the way

According to the report, the new BMW X2 will be based on the next-generation 2015 X1 and be offered in three- and five-door body styles. The sporty SUV is also said to ride on the same UKL platform as the upcoming X1, with styling heavily influenced by BMWs Sport Activity Coupe cars, including the sloping roofline and larger wheelarches.

Power will come from a variety of engines that are shared with the X1, including a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol with 135 kW and 270 Nm of torque, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol with 170 kW and 350 Nm of torque, and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel with 110 kW and 330 Nm of torque. There are also rumours of a high-performance model with approximately 220 kW of power. Hybrids are also a possibility, with fuel consumption figures said to be close to 2.8-litres/100km.

The next-generation X1 is expected to be in showrooms early in 2016, and will be followed by the X2 the year after.

*2015 BMW X4 pictured

Nissan Navara Based SUV Planned

Nissan is reportedly working on an SUV version to sit on its new Navara platform. Nissan Navara chief engineer Takashi Fukui even stated that the SUV would be available as soon as a year after the Navara goes on sale.

The current Nissan Pathfinder is basically an SUV body whacked onto the Navara platform, but lacks a low range gearbox. Its likely whatever name they come up with (possibly still Pathfinder) will take on the likes of the Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Chevrolet Trailblazer for the bakkie-based SUV crown. That means the Navara SUV will likely be a proper 4×4 complete with mountain conquering capabilities.

We still havent had final confirmation on the specifications of the new Navara yet, so we cant speculate on the engines it will harness.

*2015 Nissan Navara bakkie pictured.

Range Rover Sport SVR Sets Nurburgring Record

The highly anticipated Range Rover Sport SVR has laid down the gauntlet to all other power hungry SUVs. Range Rover has released a statement claiming its 405 kW, 5-litre supercharged beast of an SUV has lapped the Nordschleife in an amazing 8 minutes and 14 seconds.

The Nordschleife has been used for years as a testing ground for manufacturers to bed-in future products. Its combination of undulations, bumps and corners make it a serious test for a vehicles chassis. Theres also the lap time factor which, manufacturers use as bragging rights over competitors.

Range Rover Sport SVR

The Range Rover Sport SVRs time is particularly special seeing that the car weighs around 2.3 tons and has the drag coefficient of a cinema its not the most aerodynamic car. Weve had a look at the lap time board at the Nordschleife and it would seem that the SVR is now the fastest SUV to hit the track.

Not too many of its competitors have set a lap there yet as the next best SUV we can see is a Chevrolet Ute if you can call that an SUV at 8 minutes 20 seconds.

The Range Rover Sport SVR is set to make its debut in early 2015. You can see a few teaser videos of it here or watch the normal Range Rover Sport drag race against a BMW X5 M50d.

2015 Discovery Sport Teased in New Video

Land Rover has teased its upcoming 2015 Discovery Sport in a video, revealing through the camouflage wrap that the new compact SUV will be available with seating for up to seven people.

All-new SUV featuring a third row of seats

The camouflage wrap on this prototype has been printed to look like it is being peeled back, showing off the two small seats fitted at the back of the new Discovery Sport, further enhancing its versatility and appeal as a compact, family SUV.

According to Land Rover Design Director Gerry McGovern, “As you would expect from a Discovery, the versatile Discovery Sport will feature optional 5+2 seating, offering spacious load space and configurable seating, while still retaining a more compact footprint than traditional 5-seat SUVs.”

No spec details have been released, however it is rumoured the SUV will be offered with a variety of petrol and diesel four-cylinder engines. In addition, styling is said to be influenced by the Discovery Vision Concept which was unveiled at the 2014 New York Auto Show and packed some innovative features, like the ability to be piloted remotely via a smart-phone app and a heads-up display that projected the terrain below the vehicle on the hood of the car.

Land Rover announced that the 2015 Discovery Sport will go on sale alongside the existing Discovery in 2015.

2015 Discovery Sport teaser video

BMW Drift Mob Hits Cape Town (Video)

So we’re all pretty familiar with flash mobs, right? They happen at shopping malls or public places where people hang out. Seemingly out of nowhere a dance routine begins and people who were apparently regular shoppers get together and perform some choreographed dance routine.

That’s all good and well, but BMW wanted to do a flash mob with a different slant on it. So it blocked off a section of road in Cape Town and set about performing a ‘drift mob’ if you will. The M235i was the Beemer of choice here and they were set up especially for drifting. BMW then brought in some special stunt drivers including the likes of Rhys Millen to get the job done. Here’s the result.