Jaguar is getting ready to reveal an updated F-Type, and the latest spyshots give us our best look yet at the redesigned sports car ahead of an anticipated reveal in the coming weeks. The photographs, taken near Jaguar Land Rover’s Gaydon technical HQ, show a number of prototypes are shedding camouflage as testing ramps up. We can now see the restyled front end more clearly, with a new clamshell bonnet, slim, angular LED headlights mounted lower down the nose and a more prominent grille. A look at the rear shows it retains the same vertical bootlid, but with new wraparound tail-lights and a reshaped bumper. A quick glimpse at the cabin doesn’t reveal much, but it looks like the infotainment has moved on a generation, while the rotary dial climate display remains. It’s expected that much of the more advanced technology and infotainment features from the I-Pace and the 2019 XE will make its way into the F-Type. That means new digital dials, a larger and more feature-laden touchscreen, and substantial upgrades to the materials. Jaguar Land Rover is now phasing out its long-running supercharged V6 in favour of a new turbocharged and hybridised straight six, and the F-Type will benefit from this more efficient powertrain. The turbocharged four-cylinder and supercharged V8 engines should be carried over to the new car with limited changes, however. Indeed, this prototype registers as a 5.0-litre V8, putting paid to rumours JLR would bring in a BMW-sourced 4.4-litre unit. What remains unclear is whether the new F-Type will retain a manual gearbox option. The current V6 is still offered with one in the UK, although it has reportedly been removed from sale in the US. Regardless, manuals account for a tiny fraction of overall F-Type
Origin: Jaguar F-Type 2020 facelift seen again ahead of imminent reveal
facelift
New BMW 6 Series GT facelift seen as axe falls in US
BMW’s 2020 model year revisions for the 6 Series Gran Turismo have been seen on a testing prototype – a few days after the model was dropped from sale in the US. The Audi A7 rival is being withdrawn from the North American market alongside its 3 Series Gran Turismo sibling. The latter is no surprise given the 3 Series has now moved to a new generation, but it’s unlikely to be replaced. The niche positioning of the 6 Series GT has meant it’s struggled to find homes all over the world, but the SUV-focused US market has been particularly unkind. Just 65 examples found homes over there in July, compared with 3800 X5s during the same period. By comparison, 428 examples were registered across Europe in July. A BMW UK spokesperson confirmed to Autocar that there are no plans to discontinue the 6 Series GT “within its life cycle”. The model, which shares parts of its underpinnings with the 5 Series and 7 Series saloons, is expected to get similar updates to its siblings (the 2020 5 Series was only seen last week). That will mean external modifications to bring its styling into line, alongside technology upgrades including an updated iDrive operating system. All petrol engines will receive emissions-reducing upgrades including petrol particulate filters. There’s a likelihood a new plug-in hybrid variant could be brought in, too, as part of BMW’s ever-increasing electrification roll-out. Expect more details to emerge before the car arrives some time next
Origin: New BMW 6 Series GT facelift seen as axe falls in US
New Mini Countryman 2020 facelift seen in disguise
Mini will follow up the updates to the rest of its range with a revised Countryman, due next year. The crossover is the British maker’s newest model, but was first launched in 2017, so 2020 falls perfectly in line with the usual timeframe of a mid-cycle update. Prototypes have been spotted with disguised front and rear ends, so we’re expecting mild revisions to the grille, bumpers and lights as part of a minor facelift. An introduction of adaptive matrix-beam LED headlights is also on the cards, alongside standard LED tail-lights that bring the now-familiar Union Jack, new personalisation options and a fresh range of wheel designs. The majority of the changes are likely to be aesthetic. Recent range updates have boosted standard equipment across other Minis, so that should also be the case with the Countryman. The recently updated Clubman also featured a new sports suspension option with 10mm lower ride height. Engine choices should remain familiar and include a 134bhp 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol in the Cooper, a 189bhp four-cylinder in the Cooper S and the newly launched John Cooper Works model, with a new 302bhp 2.0-litre engine. A 148bhp Cooper D diesel will also be retained, though it’s not clear yet if mild-hybrid tech will be needed by Mini to reduce its fleet average CO2 figures in time for 2021’s emissions regulation changes. Expect more details of the Audi Q2 rival to emerge early next
Origin: New Mini Countryman 2020 facelift seen in disguise
Mercedes-Benz GLC gets a facelift in New York
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC CoupeDerek McNaughton / Driving What is it? The latest Mercedes-Benz GLC gets subtle visual tweaks and more power, as well as an enhanced infotainment system and yet more advanced driver aids. Already the company’s hot seller, Mercedes says it “sets benchmarks for ride, handling, safety technology, and of course, off-road capability.” That pretty much sums it up with but two very big exceptions — the AMG versions. Why does it matter? The GLC 300 gets a 2.0-litre turbo-four with 255 horsepower (up 14) and 273 lb.-ft. of torque. However, the AMG GLC 43 gets a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 under the hood, which gives the driver access to 362 horsepower and 384 lb.-ft. of torque. It works with a nine-speed twin-clutch transmission to drive all four wheels. The brute-ute is the AMG GLC 63. It has a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 with a thundering 469 horsepower and 479 lb.-ft. of torque. Now for most prospective punters that is, to state the obvious, going to be ample. However, for those with the need for some real speed the AMG GLC 63 S bumps the output to 503 horsepower and 516 lb.-ft. of torque. When will Canada get it? The refreshed GLC 300 will arrive late summer, followed by the GLC 63 S in late fall or early winter. Should you buy it? While the popular model is going to be the GLC 300 with its peppy 2.0L four, it’s tough to ignore the two elephants in the room — thunderous performance to match what promises to be an equally thunderous exhaust. How sweet it
Origin: Mercedes-Benz GLC gets a facelift in New York
Mini Clubman facelift brings styling tweaks and trim changes
Mini has performed a mid-life refresh on the four-year old Clubman, rival to the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus. Most of the changes are aesthetic, but there are improvements in lighting and some fresh colour and alloy wheel choices. There’s also a new sports suspension option, which lowers the car’s ride height by 10mm, while adaptive dampers remain an option. The line-up remains unchanged, save for the deletion this coming July of the Clubman City, an entry-level model aimed at fleets that will be dropped. Its absence and an across-the-board price increase of £900 means that the range will start at £21,200 rather than £19,995. The refresh is most obvious from the front, where the black bar bisecting the grille has been removed to tidy the Clubman’s nose, while the black grille of the Cooper S features a slender horizontal décor strip. A chrome grille finish can also be specified. The lower air intake has also been redesigned, as have the LED headlamps and adaptive Matrix lights, which automatically maximise illumination without dazzling other road users, are an option. LED tail-lights are now standard and feature the distinctive Union Jack design of smaller Minis. The Clubman’s door mirrors have also been resculpted. There are two new colour choices – Indian Summer Red and British racing Green – and three new alloy wheel designs. As before there are three engine choices, a 135bhp three-cylinder petrol, 189bhp four-cylinder petrol and 148bhp four-cylinder diesel, all turbocharged. A six-speed manual is standard, a seven-speed automatic optional. Three trim packs can be applied to the Cooper and Cooper S models, consisting of Classic, Sport and Exclusive. The Clubman accounted for only 11 per cent of UK Mini sales in 2018, a little less than for its worldwide share of 14 per cent. The three-door hatch accounts for 27 per cent of global sales, the five-door 18 per cent, the Countryman 33 per cent and the Convertible eight per
Origin: Mini Clubman facelift brings styling tweaks and trim changes
All about car 