When Porsche and Volkswagen started getting too close, some have eagered to see at least one past joint project arise again. It was Porsche 914, a mid-engined compact roadster that was produced in the 1970’s and that was a very nice driving machine. Some have said Volkswagen would present in Detroit a roadster that would eventually become this 914 of the XXI century. If it is really going to be a new compact roadster signed both by Porsche and Volkswagen is something that is yet to be confirmed, but VW really has presented a car that suits that description in Detroit. And its name is BlueSport.

The new compact roadster is 3.99 m long, 1.26 m tall, 1.75 m wide and has a wheelbase of 2.43 m. It is called “blue” because it has a very fuel efficient engine, a four-cylindre 2-litre 180 bhp TDI engine. Its fuel consumption is estimated at 23.3 km/l, but the car is not only about low emissions. It is also very fun to drive. As an example, it can reach 100 km/h, from standstill, in 6.6 s. Top speed is 226 km/h.

BlueSport shares more details with 914, such as being a rear-wheel drive car with its engine in a mid-rear position. All power is guided to the rear wheels with the help of a six-speed automated dual-clutch gearbox, also known as DSG. But it may also be named PDK, the way Porsche decided to call its dual-clutch transmission. Let’s wait to see where BlueSport will end. Hopefully, in streets, roads and a lot of parking spots around the world.

VW BlueSport

Continue reading: Volkswagen may bring the 914 back with BlueSport

The “V” has already received too many compliments, so it’s time to pass to the “D”. From speed to diesel, the step is quick and short and according to Motor Trend, Cadillac has started road tests of its CTS, equipped with a V8 4.5 Duramax.

This is an impressive engine with 310hp and 704 Nm of torque and compact, small-block V8 dimensions. The car has been developed as a response to the strict American anti-pollution laws and will likely be another example of just how manufacturers are developing market offerings as these laws take effect.

Source | Motorauthority

Continue reading: Cadillac CTS: from V8 petrol to V8 diesel

While at the top end of the car market more diesel options are being considered from manufacturers such as Porsche, Bentley has said it is unlikely to develop its own, in preference to second-generation biofuels obtained from waste materials.

The company has apparently conducted a customer opinion survey on diesel models which reveal that most are opposed to the idea. With the only true market diesel market being in Europe, any such option would be a hard sell in the US or Asia.

The entire range should, however, be running on these biofuels by 2012, along with developing a new engine for the next Arnage and Continental models.

Source | Autocar (Thanks to corvettec6r)

Continue reading: Bentley: no diesel planned, biofuels preferred

A diesel engine and competitive price: and we’re still talking about a Porsche. In fact, to be precise, about a Cayenne - because the real cars from this company are different. Moving on from tradition and its roots, the Zuffenhausen company has set for the next Geneva show (March 2009), the occasion where it will reveal the first Porsche diesel offering.

According to Automative News Europe, the debut was planned for January, but given the Boxster facelift may have created a battle for the camera flashes, the decision has been made to postpone the presentation.

Continue reading: Porsche to reveal Cayenne diesel in Geneva

It’s now only a question of time before a Porsche diesel, fortunately the SUV Cayenne, arrives on the market. Rumours are becoming reality and the arrival of the V6 3.0 TDI Audi in the bonnet of the German company is expected in about a year, in a new version that could see power increase from 240 hp to 320 hp, ready for the American market.

The choice to not use a V8 diesel of similar power and already in the Audi range, is due to weight distribution that in the case of such a large engine, could compromise the Cayenne’s handling, the strong point that gives it an edge over the competition. The objective is also to keep average consumption down to 9.9 litres per 100km.

Also to be considered is a future Cayenne Hybrid: from today a version is under experiment, and the V6 3.6 petrol with the help of an electric engine, could consume even less that a diesel version, with a reduction to 8.9 litres per 100km. But the hybrid model has been moved back to 2010.

With thanks to “cordoli per colazione”.

Via | MotorAuthority.com

Continue reading: 320hp for the Porsche Cayenne Diesel

We’re curious to know how the news was received around the Ingolstadt traps. Auto, motor und sport has announced today that if the news is true (and it comes from a reputable source) Audi’s rivals will be in a league of their own. And this after Audi has only just revealed the new 6.0 V12 TDI, soon to be under the hood of the SUV Q7.

Audi risks portraying an image inconsistent with the “ecology” with which car companies have become obssessed over recent years. Neither the 4.4 V8 BMW nor the 4.0 V8 Mercedes will have heirs, being considered too big and polluting, according to the German companies. The units will be substituted with new six cylinder concepts, characterised by lower capabilities (around three litres) and drastically reduced consumption and CO2 emissions.

“The 4.4 V8 will be substituted by a straight-six cylinder twin-turbo”, Norbert Reithofer, General Manager BMW has revealed, underlining that they haven’t changed their tune for the current range. A similar discussion regards Mercedes, who in addition to exchanging the V8 will also gradually substitute the 3.0 V6 CDI with a 2.1 four cylinder twin-turbo. This engine is expected to debut next year on the C250 CDI in a version that will have both 204 hp and 480 Nm. Following will be versions taking a step further for higher power.

Continue reading: BMW and Mercedes farewell the super-diesel V8?

The new Nissan Murano will have a diesel engine. Its parent, while having discreet success here in Europe, was not quite up to the competition - in terms of sales - having had a reduced capacity of 3.5 V6 petrol, certainly not the most adapted to our latitudes.

The new Murano, presented in November in Los Angeles and closely linked to the Infiniti EX, will come with a 3.5 V6 petrol of 265 hp (31 more compared to the prior model) and 325 Nm. But in particular it will include the brand new 3.0 V6 dCi developed by the parent company Renault and presented in Frankfurt in the lovely Laguna Coupè concept. Unfortunately however, the wait for the new diesel unit will take until 2010.

Via | AutoWeek

Continue reading: Finally the Nissan Murano comes with diesel

Subaru has in store a nasty version of the Impreza, equipped with a diesel engine capable of 200 hp output, which is 50 more than the more normal boxer presented recently.

Prodrive of Banbury is behind the development, according to reports from Channel4Car. The Japanese hatchback has a strong point in its sporty attributes (225 km/hr, 0-60 mph in less than seven seconds), with performance and consumption comparable to the best common rail examples currently available.

The name will probably remain as RS so as not to infringe on the WRX STI range. Unfortunately we will have to wait until next year for sales. Until 2009, as regards a diesel, we will have to satisfy ourselves with the powerstep at 150 hp.

Continue reading: New version of the boxer diesel Subaru at 200 hp

Who knows whether Porsche will have the “courage” to ornate the back of the Cayenne with the word ‘diesel’? Probably, given that the choice to adopt a diesel motor has not been considered by the German manufacturer as an embarrassment from which to hide, but as a first and necessary step in the process of beating emissions (and increasing sales).

A shame though, to listen to Emg, that the Cayenne diesel will not count on the monstruous V12 6.0 of Audi origin, but will be sacrificed in favour of the greater lightness of the V6 3.2 biturbo at 300 horsepower. Notable is the single terminal exhaust encased in pipes too large for their relatively smaller size.

Continue reading: Spy photo: Porsche Cayenne diesel