2013 Ford Escape with 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter EcoBoost Engines at LA Auto Show

The rapidly approaching 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show that takes place for the public from November 18 to 27, will play host to the world premiere of the next global Ford model, the all-new 2013 Escape.As is the case with the current Fiesta and Focus, the compact SUV will be offered in the same form worldwide, replacing the current North American Escape as well as the Kuga in Europe and other markets around the globe.
Ford gave us a preview of the 2013 Escape with the Vetrek concept study at this year's Detroit Motor Show in January. Aside from the presentation date, Ford also revealed details about the SUV's powertrain options.
In North America, the 2013 Escape will be offered with a choice of three four-cylinder gasoline engines, including the new 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged units and a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter Ti-VCT.
In other words, Ford will not offer a hybrid version of the Escape nor a V6 option. However, the Detroit-based automaker said it expects that 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine deliver even higher highway fuel economy than the current Escape Hybrid, which is EPA-rated at 31 mpg highway (2WD).
Ford added that the 2.0-liter variant, which essentially replace the V6, "will have better fuel economy than competitors’ V6 engines while delivering unsurpassed performance compared to those larger six-cylinder powertrains".
Expect all three-engine options to be offered with a choice of front-wheel and all-wheel drive layouts.

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2012 Honda CR-V Concept

The time is up for Honda to toss the wraps off the new 2012 CR-V Concept, which made its public debut today at the Orange County International Auto Show in Anaheim, California.
The close-to-production concept previews the new looks of the 2012 CR-V that will receive its world premiere in final form at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November and go on sale in the United States before the end of the year.
The JDM model will follow in December at the Tokyo Motor Show, while European buyers will have to wait until fall of 2012.
We've already brought you the official design fillings of the production model, so it's safe to say that only a few things will change over the concept, namely the smaller alloy wheels and the aero kit, which includes the front and rear bumper trims, and side skirts.
"The 2012 CR-V Concept strongly hints at the more dynamic and refined look of the upcoming model," commented John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. "As the best-selling SUV in each of the past four years, the 2012 CR-V promises to build on its highly successful formula with even more style, innovative features and higher fuel economy."
Honda added that the new CR-V will also feature a more fuel-efficient (four-cylinder) engine and reduced body weight, while it will also receive an all-new interior with "a more accommodating and spacious design".

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2014 Toyota Supra Concept

In the years that followed after the suspension of production of the last Toyota Supra, the MkIV in 2002, we were (and still are) blasted with numerous reports and rumors suggesting that the Japanese carmaker is planning a revival of its flagship sports car.

More recently, Car Magazine cited unnamed official sources as saying that Toyota has alreadyapproved a successor to the Supra. Of course, until we hear it from Toyota, we're obliged to take everything we read about a future Supra with a grain of salt.

Nevertheless, we always welcome design proposals for future cars from talented artists like Andreas Fougner who attempted to reinterpret the Toyota Supra for the 21st century.

Fougner's design builds on the basic lines of Toyota's upcoming FT-86 rear-wheel drive sports coupe creating a slightly more muscular and distinct shape. You can check out the rest of the images below and tell us what you think about it in the comments section.

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1980 Ferrari Pinin Four-Door Sedan Concept

One of the most unique concept studies to come out of the Pininfarina studio in the 1980s, the Ferrari Pinin, is heading to the auction block. Designed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pininfarina and named after the founder of the company, Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina, the first-ever Ferrari sedan made its world premiere at the 1980 Turin Motor Show in Italy.

The styling of the low-slung, sharp looking sedan was the work of Diego Ottina under the direction of Leonardo Fioravanti, the man responsible for the designs of the Dino, Daytona, the P5 and other Ferrari models.

The futuristic design continues inside with a rather minimalistic look for the dashboard and instrument panel. Saddle tan Connolly leather wraps most surfaces, while Pininfarina fitted the car with an array of electronic to controls all the passenger comfort features.

Although the concept was well received by the public, Ferrari never put the Pinin into production. Nevertheless, certain styling cues such as the high belt-line can be found on later models designed by Pininfarina such as the Peugeot 405.

After the Turin presentation, the four-door Ferrari continued its motorshow appearances until 1981 when it was put in storage. The concept later on changed hands when Pininfarina sold it to Jacques Swaters, the head of the Ecurie Francorchamps Belgian racing team and a personal friend of Enzo Ferrari. In 2008, Mr. Swaters sold the Pinin to its current owner at RM’s Ferrari –Leggenda e Passione Auction.

While the Pinin was originally a static concept, the current owner of the car enlisted the services of Oral Engineering to transform it to a fully functional prototype.

With the help of Mauro Forghieri, a former Ferrari Technical Director, the Pinin was fitted with a 4.9-liter horizontally-opposed 12-cylinder engine with Weber carburetors and a double overhead camshaft with four valves per cylinder, rated at 360-horses and sourced from the Ferrari 512 BB.

A specially adapted five-speed gearbox from the Ferrari 400GT transfers power to the rear wheels. Other changes included the strengthening of the chassis, the addition of a fuel tank plus new suspension and brakes.

The 1980 Ferrari Pinin will go under the hammer at the forthcoming RM Auction in London, England on October 26, where it is expected to fetch somewhere between £480,000-£550,000 or about US$742,000 to US$850,000.

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All-Electric Taiwan Studio X-Gene Avant GT

It’s called the Avant GT and it looks like someone tried to make a Porsche Panamera out of a Honda Crosstour. The pure-electric model was first shown in Shanghai earlier this year and it’s the product of five companies – none of which have any real experience building cars – including Taiwanese design firm Studio X-Gene, financial partner Altair ProductDesign and technological partners Delta Electronics, Wistron and Qisda.

The Avant GT is being marketed as, “a pure electric sports grand tourer” – which I suppose makes it Taiwan’s Tesla or Fisker wannabe. Let’s see what the company bigwigs have to say about it, starting with Studio X-Gene executive director Albert Yang:

"The Avant GT is a unique project for Studio X-Gene and represents the quality of automotive design expertise available in Taiwan today. Partnering with Altair ProductDesign proved invaluable. Combining our design knowledge with Altair's engineering and optimization expertise has allowed us to deliver this exciting, high-performance new vehicle to the Shanghai Auto Show and really make an impact on the automotive community."

When will it be on sale? We don’t know. How much will it cost? We don’t know that either, though we guess we'll find out soon enough.

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