AUDI INTRODUCING RS 4 AVANT SOON, BUT NO SEDAN

In 2006 I had the chance to drive the Audi RS 4 Avant (pictured above). So good was that “station wagon” that within days I’d decided it was my favourite Audi of any kind. Six years later it still remains one of my top 5 Audis of all time. Therefore I got quite excited to learn the company is developing a new version of it based on the current A4.

MORE DETAILS ON LEXUS LF-LC CONCEPT

The new Lexus LF-LC Concept car will be unwrapped in Detroit next week, only a couple of weeks after the first teasers and leaks came out. Lexus brass are quite excited about it, and frankly so are we. Who wouldn’t be? Just look at the thing.

VOLVO XC60 PLUG-IN HYBRID T8 UNVEILED IN DETROIT

Volvo’s second plug-in hybrid concept is headed for the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The XC60 Plug-in Hybrid T8 follows on the tracks of the V60 Plug-in, Volvo’s most economical model ever. Volvo is seriously considering producing these models as a way of reducing its carbon footprint.

FORD ECOSPORT SHOWN

Ford teased this car a few weeks ago, and some of us thought they were previewing the next Kuga crossover. As it turns out, this is actually the brand new EcoSport compact SUV. The name might not be familiar to us South Africans but it’s one that has been around since 2003.

AUDI TARGETS BMW, MERCEDES-BENZ IN US

The United States has a new king of the premium segment in BMW. It’s the first time the Bavarians have been atop this important market, having gotten there through some serious wrestling against fellow Germans Mercedes-Benz. And the big loser in this little battle was Lexus.

BENTLEY COULD BUILD A 4X4 SUV

Bentley could join stablemate Porsche in departing from what is seen as its roots by building an SUV. Yes folks, there is possibly a Bentley 4x4 crossover in our future and it could be approved as soon as before April! Bentley recently announced it had sold a record 7 003 cars in 2011, up 37% on 2010 sales.

RANGE ROVER EVOQUE GETS KAHN TREATMENT

Project Kahn has kicked off the new year with some tantalising pictures of their latest project, in the form of a Range Rover Evoque. While Kahn has been modifying other brands lately, it is Land Rover that we mostly associate them with. So it was only a matter of time before Evoque got Kahned out, and this is the beginning of it.

PORSCHE BREAKS SALES RECORDS

Since Porsche launched the Cayenne in 2002, the exclusive sports car maker became a mass producer and lost its “exclusive” prefix. Good or bad thing, depending on who’s asking. Ten years on and Porsche aims to continue milking that cowenne as it breaks its own sales records left right and centre.