Volvo Details Facelifted S60, V60 and XC60 [39 Photos]

Volvo has updated its S60 sedan, V60 station wagon and XC60 crossover, but you probably already know about that since we showed youpictures of the facelifted models on Monday. Now, besides sharing a full gallery, including images of the interiors of the aforementioned models, the Swedish carmaker has also released technical details.

The common theme of the exterior makeover on all three models is the new and the more understated front fascia that drops the auxiliary lights positioned between the headlamps and grille, both of which have been redesigned.

Newly sculpted front and rear bumpers, different exhaust pipes, optionally available 19- and 20-inch wheels, and revised tail lamp graphics round out the changes outside.

Stepping in the cabin, there are a number of common upgrades on all three models, such as new upholstery colours, new trim inlays, a new headliner, and frames around the air vents and light controls, plus a new TFT instrument panel with a large center gauge, similar in design to that found in the new V40 hatchback.

Notable equipment upgrades include the addition of Corner Traction Control on all XC60 models, revised infotainment systems with a 7-inch display, available heated steering wheel and paddle shifters, new Active High Beam Control and an electrically heated windscreen for rapid de-icing on cars equipped with a rain sensor.

Volvo has also tweaked the petrol and diesel engines in all three models to improve fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

For example, the D2 115PS diesel engine in the S60 returns 4.0lt/100km (70.6mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of 106g/km, while the S60 with the 1.6-litre GTDi (Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection) engine T4 (180PS) or T3 (150PS) and automatic gearbox now returns 6.8lt/100km or 41.5mpg UK (159 g/km). The corresponding figure for the V60 T3 and T4 is 7.2lt/100km 39.2mpg UK (167 g/km).

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Wheels-And-More for New Aston Martin Vanquish Coupe

Would you be happy with the new Aston Martin Vanquish just like it comes out of the factory? We thought so; but if the answer to that question happens to be negative, then one of the many options that will soon become available on the market is a tune up from German brand "Wheelsandmore".

The tuner avoided making many changes to the exterior, limiting its touch to a pin stripe that runs across the body and wheels, lots of them to be precise.

True to its name, Wheelsandmore offers a wide selection of rims, in terms of styling, colors, sizes and even materials, with available options including 20" and 21" regular wheels, three-piece forged rims and customized carbon fiber wheels.

A software upgrade and a sports exhaust system will add an extra 40PS and 90Nm of torque to AM's stock 5.9-liter V12 engine, lifting total output to 613PS (605hp) and peak torque to 710Nm (524 lb-ft).

The company's current offerings are rounded out by a sports suspension kit.

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2014 Volvo S80, V70 and XC70 Officially Revealed Ahead of Geneva Motor Show

Volvo's turn to a more conservative styling after the updated S60, V60 and XC60, continues with the 2014 model year S80 saloon, V70 estate and its crossover sibling, the XC70. For what it's worth, you can apply most of the things we said in our previous article about the former to the latter, since the changes are more or less identical.

But if you insist on reading, new exterior design cues for the S80 and V70 include a wider front grille with chrome detailing set upon a restyled bumper, while at the back we find a new rear bumper, tailpipes and added chrome details as well as redesigned rear lights. Both models are also available with wheels up to 19 inches in diameter.

The XC70 features similar changes, sans for the different front grille and the black cladding on the bumpers, wheel arches and side panels.

Inside, the biggest change for all three models is the adoption of an Adaptive Digital Display for the instrument panel, which debuted in the all-new V40. It uses an active TFT allowing drivers to choose from three different themes named 'Elegance', 'Eco' and 'Performance'.

Fresh trims, upholstery colors and new equipment features such as the Sensus Connected Touch screen with a 7-inch display that can be used even when wearing gloves (Volvo says it's a world first in cars), Active High Beam Control, and heated steering wheel and paddle shifters are also part of the facelift.

And just like the '60' series, Volvo's larger models benefit from some mild engine tweaks to improve fuel efficiency and C02 emission across the range.

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Audi's New RS Q3 Super SUV Makes an Early Online Debut in Production Trim

Images of the production version of the Audi RS Q3 have been leaked online ahead of the high-performance crossover's official premiere, which will likely take place in Geneva next month.

We will remind you that the RS Q3 was previewed through a thinly disguised conceptmodel at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show.

These first pictures suggest that Audi has made only minor changes to the concept, mainly by replacing the carbon fiber accents and trims, both inside and out, with aluminum finish parts. In addition, the aluminum-style backgrounds of the instrument panel gauges have given their place to a more traditional black layout.

We suspect that the powertrain will be the same as in the concept, which featured the TT RS’ 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five rated at 355-horses allowing the subcompact crossover to complete the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint in 5.2 seconds and top out at 265 km/h (165 mph), but we'll have to wait for the official release to be sure.

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New BMW 4-Series Coupe Spied Parked Right Next to Audi A5 Coupe

We can't say with certainty if BMW engineers went out for lunch with their Audi counterparts, if they were the ones driving the A5 Coupe or if the Ingolstadt's model just happened to be in this parking lot, but it sure makes for an interesting matchup seeing it standing right next to the new 4-Series Coupe in these fresh spy shots. 

This is the first time that we have captured a prototype of the E92 3-Series Coupe's successor after BMW premiered the 4-Series Concept in Detroit last month.

The fairly light camouflage of the test car allows us to compare it with the concept and from what we can see, the changes are limited to the smaller wheels, the conventional mirrors and the more plainly trimmed front and rear bumpers, though, keep in mind, this is a prototype of the regular model, with the M Sport iterations to boast details that are more athletic.

We'll also note that from some angles, the pronounced front end of the 4-Coupe reminds us of the current generation Z4 roadster.

You probably already know it, but we'll repeat the fact that the 4-Series Coupe shares itsunderpinnings and engine range with the latest 3-Series models.

Inevitably, these photos will lead to comparisons with the Audi A5 Coupe, which is one of the 4-Series Coupe's main rivals, so don't be shy to share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Here’s Why Qoros Renamed its Compact Models from GQ3 to 3

You know the saying, "what goes around, comes around". Well, now so does Chinese-Israeli startup Qoros, which last year, took Kia to German courts to ban the Korean company from using the "Quoros" moniker for its flagship rear-wheel drive saloon in Europe because it sounded too close to its own brand name.

For several months, Qoros was advertising its first ever production and concept models under the GQ3 nameplate, when all of a sudden last week, the automaker released photos of the cars named the "3".

At the time, there was no explanation, but on Tuesday, German news daily Die Welt came out with a report saying the reason for the name change has to do with a court order won by Audi in Hamburg, Germany, on January 14.

What happened is that Audi objected to the appearance of the letter "Q" in the "GQ3" name because it uses it along with a number for its SUVs and crossovers.

Qoros told Autonews Europe that Audi's complaint came as a surprise, since it had trademarked the "GQ3" name in Europe, and had notified Audi. A Qoros spokesman said that "GQ3 was a preliminary name for the sedan and not final", adding that the company will challenge the court's decision "to keep its options open."

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Only 1 New Ferrari Sold in Greece in 2012, Compared to 21 in 2007

That the economy of Greece is in shambles, is no secret, nor is the fact it will take years, if not decades, for the country to stand up on its feet again.

Even the rich seem to be affected from the cash flow crunch, as according to a Reuters report,only one new Ferrari sports car was registered in Greece for the whole of last year. Perhaps the Greeks turned to the used market, we hear you ask? Nope, as only one used Ferrari was sold in a country of more than 11 million in 2012.

Naturally, these numbers don't mean anything if you do not have something to comparing them with. In 2007, the year before the crisis broke out, 21 new Ferrari models were delivered in Greece, along with another 27 used examples.

That brings the grand total to two new and used Ferraris in 2012 versus 48 examples in 2007. And if you're wondering about the new car market as a whole, in 2007, a total of 279,794 brand new vehicles were sold in Greece compared to a paltry 58,482 units last year.

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