Audi Sport is working its magic on the recently revealed Q3 Sportback – and the hot coupe-SUV will make its public debut at next month’s Frankfurt motor show. The RS version of Audi’s seventh SUV will join its less-style focused RS Q3 sibling at the event. Since the standard Sportback has already been revealed, the performance model has lost camouflage and can be clearly marked out to be an RS model. It’s identifiable by its dual oval sports exhaust tips, Audi Sport logos on the brakes, and the air intake, grille and wheel styling, the RS Q3 Sportback is expected to use an all-new 2.5-litre five-cylinder petrol engine that produces up to 400bhp. Such an output would give it the muscle to challenge the upcoming second-generation Mercedes-AMG GLA45, which uses a smaller 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine but puts out 416bhp in top-spec S form. The Audi will likely counter with more torque, while many enthusiasts will welcome the retention of the distinctive five-cylinder layout. Expect a 0-62mph time of around four seconds and a 155mph limited top speed. As is traditionally the case with RS products, we’ll also see bespoke interior fixtures alongside mechanical upgrades such as a bespoke suspension setup and the option of a sports differential. The RS Q3 Sportback will be produced in 2019 at Audi’s plant in Győr, Hungary alongside the regular car. It is part of a growing line-up of style-led SUVs, spearheaded by the electric E-tron and range-topping Q8.
Origin: Audi RS Q3 Sportback drops disguise before Frankfurt reveal
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Hyundai Shuffles Veloster lineup, drops manual option for everything but Turbo
Hyundai is changing the names of its trim lines for the Veloster, as well as taking away the manual transmission options for the lower, non-turbocharged trims.Before, we had 2.0L, Turbo, and Turbo Tech, now we have Preferred, Luxury, and Turbo, with only the Turbo trim option carrying forward the manual transmission for the 2020 model year.Starting at $22,399, the base model Preferred trim of the Veloster comes with a 2.0-litre engine that makes 147 horsepower, price has gone up $2,000 from the 2019 model. The Luxury trim also comes with the same engine, priced at $25,099. Both Preferred and Luxury trims come with a six-speed automatic transmission with a manual mode, the manual option is no longer available for these two trims. The Turbo Tech trim is disappearing, effectively merging with the $27,499 Turbo trim as the sole option available with the 201 horsepower 1.6-litre turbocharged engine. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is available for another $1,500.The Turbo trim option adds a few niceties to the Preferred and Luxury trims, including leather seats, a 4.2-inch cluster display, LED headlights and Taillights, and alloy wheels.The Veloster N is also on the table, and thatll set you back a little more cash at $34,999, but for that price, you get a 275-horsepower 2.0-litre turbo-four, sport exhaust, 19-inch wheels, selectable drive modes, and its six-speed manual transmission is graced with rev-matching.Shame to see the manual options go on the cheapest of the trim levels, but were glad Hyundai is keeping it around for the more sporty trims that enthusiasts are more likely to
Origin: Hyundai Shuffles Veloster lineup, drops manual option for everything but Turbo
Nissan drops the droptop 370Z for 2020
2019 Nissan 370Z RoadsterHandout / Nissan Nissan has decided that the convertible version of the 370Z will not live on past 2019, ending a 10-year production run for the drop top. According to a statement from Nissan spokesman Kyle Torrens to Motor Authority, the brand will not offer the Roadster variant for the current-generation Z beginning with the model year 2020. The 370Z convertible joined us in 2009 as a 2010 model year, but since then it never really sold well. The humpback styling turned buyers away from the sleek coupe with its liftback trunk, and the design lineage has always led itself to a coupe (or targa). The news leaves us with only the coupe body style available, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The 370Z still remains one of Nissan’s best ever sports cars, even though it can almost be considered a classic at this point. Nissan also recently released a special edition package for the 50th anniversary of the Z that features BRE racing inspired decals, but no powertrain upgrades. The 370Z is in murky waters, with its fate currently undecided by the execs at Nissan. The GT-R is also under the gun, but chief product specialist Hiroshi Tamura has said that both models are very important to the brand, and would have their futures determined by the customers. The next generation of either vehicle has not been confirmed yet, and the climate for sports cars is becoming an increasingly difficult
Origin: Nissan drops the droptop 370Z for 2020
Bollinger drops a video of its all-electric B1 doing truck stuff
Bollinger has given us our first glimpse of the B1 actually driving around and doing off-road activities, Inside EVs reports. The B1 is an all-electric, all-aluminum, all-wheel-drive truck that’s available as a pickup (B2) or an SUV (B1), both are powered by dual electric motors and feature 15 inches of ground clearance to vault over any terrain. While the video doesn’t show too much, the truck likes to play in the dirt, and can handle an incline and a big puddle without breaking a sweat. We also get a glimpse of the all-aluminum chassis that underpins both trucks. The video ends with with RESERVE’, alluding to the 25,000 potential customers who have slapped down some cash to be the recipients of this neat truck. Bollinger is one of the newest players in the EV truck game, along with Rivian, which just received a major investment from Ford, and whose R1S and R1T looks to offer a more daily-drivable experience. The Bollinger is more of a classic offroad machine built for fun, but still offers a large amount of utility to go along with it. Both trucks feature a full-length passthrough that spans the length of the entire truck, suitable for longer cargo. Bollinger hasn’t given a firm release date for when its trucks will be ready, but have said that production will start in 2020.
Origin: Bollinger drops a video of its all-electric B1 doing truck stuff
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