Volvo is reportedly nearly finished developing the next-generation S60, expected to arrive for the 2017 or 2018 model year.

The redesigned sedan will likely be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with approximately 250 horsepower, according to Motor Trend. The company is also said to be planning a more powerful variant with more than 300 ponies, along with a fuel-sipping plug-in hybrid and potentially a turbocharged three-cylinder engine.

Technology upgrades will presumably include a few new autonomous assistance systems. Interior enhancements include a 9.3-inch Sensus Connect infotainment system, borrowed from the new XC90 and S90.

Volvo is expected to focus on the long-wheelbase S60L in the US market, where “nobody says no to space,” according to the company’s US president, Lex Kerssemakers.

Styling will be brought in line with Volvo’s latest design language, including Thor’s Hammer daytime running lights. The revamped sedan could bring a more aggressive design, consistent with the new S90 that debuted in Detroit.

The new S60 will be the next model in the company’s Vision 2020 strategy, which aims to eliminate occupant deaths in any new Volvo by the end of the decade.

Federal regulators and 18 automakers have agreed to develop new safety provisions on a voluntary basis.

The initiative was announced by US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx at a Detroit event coinciding with the ongoing auto show. General Motors CEO Mary Barra and FCA chief Sergio Marchionne were present at the presentation.

“Real safety is finding and fixing defects before someone gets hurt, rather than just punishing after the damage is done,” Foxx said. “The commitments we make today will help catch safety defects before they explode into massive recalls.”

The agency plans to take inspiration from the FAA’s safety management system, which has succeeded in minimizing accidents and deaths in the air transportation industry. The FAA approach is said to involve a “willingness among the airlines” to share safety data that can lead to early defect discoveries.

Automakers will also collaborate on efforts to protect vehicles from cybersecurity threats. The government recently launched an Information Sharing and Analysis Center to serve as a central hub for relevant information.

“This is a new way of doing business for everybody, and new ways don’t come easily,” Foxx added. “I’m eager to help these efforts take root and grow over the weeks and months to come.”

Hyundai’s redesigned Elantra is set to arrive in showrooms, complete with support with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Both smartphone platforms will be supported with the Elantra’s seven-inch Display Audio system or eight-inch unit with navigation.

The mobile integrations enable drivers to take advantage of hands-free calling and text messaging. The projected interfaces also provide access to smartphone apps such as navigation or music.

The 2017 Elantra features revised styling, consistent with the Sonata’s design language. Its chassis is both lighter and more rigid than the 2016 edition, thanks to high-strength steel.

Hyundai chose its most popular nameplate to launch CarPlay and Android Auto together, ahead of a wider rollout across its full lineup. Existing owners of some vehicles also will be able to update their infotainment software to enable support, but only on the company’s Display Audio or fourth-generation navigation systems.

The Elantra will arrive in showrooms across the US later this month. Prices start at $17,985, representing a savings of $100 compared to the outgoing model.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has created another executive position responsible for improving safety.

The company has appointed Kristen Kreibich to serve as Safety Advocate, tasked with ‘enriching the safety culture’ both internally with FCA employees and externally via collaboration with regulators, trade associations and other entities.

“In addition to highlighting the Company’s safety engineering achievements, she will share her insights about proposed legislation and the evolution of the safety landscape,” the automaker said in a statement.

Kreibich joined FCA two decades ago as a production supervisor. She has since been responsible for certain safety-focused tasks, including interaction with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The company claims to have more than doubled its safety workforce in approximately one year, following high-profile clashes with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Alleged wrongdoing in nearly two dozen recalls led to fines of up to $105 million, while underreporting of deaths and injuries brought a potential penalty of $70 million.

Ford has officially kicked off production of its hotly anticipated Focus RS performance hatchback.

Ford announced on Friday that the first example of its latest Focus RS has rolled off the assembly line at its factory in Saarlouis, Germany. Previously off-limits to U.S. buyers, the 2016 Focus RS will finally land in dealer showrooms on this side of the pond starting this spring.

The Focus RS promises to be on serious performance machine thanks to a turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder engine tuned to produce 350 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. Sending that power to all-four tires via a performance all-wheel drive system, Ford says the Focus RS can scoot from 0-60 in just 4.7 seconds.

The Focus RS is just one of three performance on tap for Ford in 2016. Later this year the Blue Oval will also launch the F-150 Raptor and the GT supercar.

Pricing for the 2016 Ford Focus RS will start from $35,730, which doesn’t include an $875 destination charge.

Lamborghini’s next limited-edition supercar has reportedly sold out, despite no public mention of a nameplate or other official details.

Unconfirmed reports suggest the mystery model will be labeled the Centenario, celebrating 100 years since the birth of late founder Ferruccio Lamborghini.

The company has only promised that the model will not be a lightly modified Aventador or Huracan, but rather an entirely new car with a “completely different design.”

Only 40 examples will be built, including 20 coupes and 20 convertibles, and all examples have been called for, according to an Autocar report. Each will reportedly fetch around 2.2 million euros (~$2.39 million USD).

Chief executive Stephan Winkelmann suggests the model will represent “a mix of technology demonstrator and street-legal car,” though most if not all will likely spend their lives tucked away in private collections rather than cruising around public roads.

The latest rumors point to a 6.5-liter V12 engine borrowed from the Aventador, but tuned to deliver around 759 brake horsepower. It will not be a stripped-down track-focused package, instead focusing on ‘content,’ ‘sustainability’ and ‘connectivity.’

Full details will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Live images by Ronan Glon.

Hyundai has essentially confirmed that its Santa Cruz pickup is headed to production.

“We’re waiting more for an announcement than we are for an approval, right?” asked Hyundai Motor America chief Dave Zuchowski, speaking to Australia’s Motoring at the Detroit auto show.

The Santa Cruz concept had been well received following its debut in Detroit a year ago. Hyundai’s US division has voiced enthusiasm for a production model, though the decision rests on the shoulders of its Korean board.

“Our timing is not crossing our fingers and waiting for approval, it’s trying to figure out when we’re going to announce it,” Zuchowski said.

The light-duty pickup is aimed at ‘urban adventurer’ millennials, promoted as a crossover with a pickup bed. A production edition will presumably be toned down, though its styling will likely be unique compared to the Chevrolet Colorado and other midsize rivals.

The concept was presented with a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine that delivers 190 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque, however a US-bound production package will presumably be offered with a gasoline engine.

“Santa Cruz is intended to attract CUV [SUV] and sedan buyers who are seeking greater utility, without the compromises that traditional trucks often require,” Zuchowski added.

The company has not yet outlined a launch window or estimated pricing for the pickup.

Live images by Brian Williams.

Mercedes-Benz has decided to abandon its recently conceived AMG Sport line of performance vehicles. Going forward, vehicles previously branded as AMG Sport will be rolled into Mercedes’ full-blown AMG division.

Mercedes developed its AMG Sport line as a way to split the difference between its plain Jane Mercedes models and its fire-breathing AMG machines, but the German automaker has apparently had a change of heart. According to Car and Driver, all Mercedes-Benz AMG Sport models will be rebranded under Mercedes-AMG banner.

The first vehicle to make the leap to the new naming system was the Mercedes-AMG SLC43, which made its debut at the 2016 Detroit auto show. Mercedes’ current crop of AMG Sport models will soon follow suit with the same ’43′ designation. That means we can expect a Mercedes-AMG C43, Mercedes-AMG GLE43 and even a Mercedes-AMG E43 in the coming months and years.

Although the newly minted 43 models don’t adhere to AMG’s “one man, one engine” philosophy, they do include plenty of AMG kit, including retuned chassis, up-rated brakes and sport exhaust systems, so the connection to the AMG division is more than name deep. Mercedes-AMG’s current ’63′ and ’65′ vehicle lines will continue on uninterrupted.

There isn’t much rhyme or reason for the 43 badge as the new AMG vehicle will be powered by a 3.0L V6. However, AMG’s badging hasn’t been tied to engine size for quite some time, so it’s not surprising that Mercedes passed on ’30′.

Live image by Brian Williams.

The latest Honda Civic sedan, Hyundai Sonata, Lexus RX and Nissan Altima have all aced the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s latest round of crashworthiness trials.

The four vehicles have earned Top Safety Pick+ ratings, adding to the 48 models already on the honor roll. Each vehicle has achieved a ‘good’ rating in all crash scenarios, along with an ‘advanced’ or ‘superior’ rating for automatic emergency braking.

In the IIHS track tests, the Civic, Sonata and RX entirely avoided collisions at 12 mph and 25 mph. The Altima stopped short of the 12 mph impact, however the sedan struck the test obstacle at 15 mph in after braking from 25 mph in the higher-speed test.

Vehicles must meet more stringent criteria to qualify for the Top Safety Pick+ rating this year. The requirement for a ‘good’ rating in the challenging small-overlap test is the biggest change, after 2015 models passed with a lower ‘acceptable’ mark.

“The Sonata and the Altima, both midsize cars, were 2015 award winners. Both cars had their structure improved to raise their small overlap front ratings from acceptable to good,” the IIHS said in a statement. “In the case of the Sonata, the improvements were made after production for the 2016 model year had already begun. The award only applies to Sonatas built after October.”

BMW Group has issued a recall for the 2016 X1 and MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door, citing a problem with the steering system.

The steering gearbox may have been manufactured with incorrect parts, though the issue is only believed to affect two vehicles still in dealer inventory in the US market.

“A gearbox malfunction may cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash,” the recall documents warn.

Additional details surrounding the campaign remain unclear, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration filings lack a chronology report detailing the investigation and root cause.

Service technicians will replace the steering box in the affected vehicles to resolve the issue.