Contradicting an April 2013 report, Geely and Volvo chairman Li Shufu has confirmed the Swedish automaker will develop a large range-topping sedan aimed squarely at the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the BMW 7-Series and the Audi A8. Â

Tentatively called S100, the flagship will ride on a lengthened version of the modular Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA) that will underpin the next S80 and the upcoming XC90.  Its exterior will borrow styling cues from the design language introduced in Frankfurt with the Concept Coupe, and it will pack a relatively long wheelbase in order to free up as much legroom as possible for the rear passengers.  

The S100 will enter production in Volvo’s Chengdu, China, plant in the next couple of years.  Shufu has not indicated whether the sedan will be exported to other markets such as Europe and the United States.

Volvo has adamantly stated it is dropping large-displacement engines in favor of turbocharged four-cylinder engines so what will lurk under the hood of the S100 remains a mystery.  Technical details will emerge closer to the car’s debut at a major trade show in China.

Rumors of a range-topping Volvo aimed at the S-Class first surfaced in 2011 when the automaker unveiled the Universe concept at the Shanghai Motor Show. Officially, the car previewed the next generation of the S80, but many speculated its suicide rear doors, long wheelbase and coupe-like overall silhouette would be carried over to a larger model positioned at the very top of the Volvo lineup.<![CDATA[
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Caterham has officially unveiled the AeroSeven, its first concept in several years, ahead of its scheduled debut at this weekend’s Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix.  The AeroSeven is billed as an ultra high performance model that will enter limited production next year.

Boasting a body built entirely out of carbon fiber, the AeroSeven is a 21st century spin on the timeless Lotus Seven.  It features the same general proportions as current members of Caterham’s Seven-based lineup but it adds fully enclosed fenders, a tall front end, slender LED headlights and an oval radiator grille that harks back to the firm’s existing cars.  The back end of the car is equipped with LED tail lamps and a functional air diffuser that incorporates a F1-inspired fog light.

Caterham’s concept was designed and built with input from subdivisions such as Caterham Technology & Innovation, Caterham Composites and Caterham F1 Team. Â

Inside, the AeroSeven offers a race-inspired cockpit with a large serving of unpainted carbon fiber and room for two passengers.   The steering is commanded through a three-spoke wheel wrapped in Alcantara and the instrument cluster has been replaced by a configurable 3D graphic display unit (GDU) controlled by a high-resolution touch screen mounted on the center stack.  

The AeroSeven rides on a modified version of the race-derived CSR’s platform.  It is powered by a Ford-sourced 2.0-liter four-cylinder Duratec engine that sends 240 horsepower and 152 lb-ft. of torque to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.  The sprint from zero to 62 mph takes less than four seconds.

Disc brakes all around and a Bosch-designed ABS system help keep the power in check, but the AeroSeven is not fitted with electronic driving aids such as traction control.

Caterham says production of the futuristic AeroSeven Concept will begin next year in Dartford, England.  The car will be added to the lineup as a limited-edition halo model but its exterior design will influence upcoming vehicles such as the closed-top mid-engined sports car currently being developed with Renault-Alpine.

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Hampered more by limited production capacity than demand, Subaru has found itself in an enviable position. As a result, the Japanese automaker is forecasting sales of more than half a million vehicles in the United States by 2015.

Subaru of America chief marketing officer Dean Evans told Automotive News that Subaru will sell in the neighborhood of 410,000 to 420,000 new cars this year, but it has demand for up to 20,000 more vehicles. 

Between upgrades it is making to its plants overseas and a handful of new products set to hit the market between now and the end of 2015, Subaru is gunning for 500,000 vehicles.Â

Through the first eight months of 2013, Subaru’s sales in the U.S. are up 29 percent to more than 281,000 new cars – and that’s coming off of a record 2012, when it found 336,441 buyers. Last month was Subaru’s best month ever; it delivered 41,061 vehicles, a 45 percent increase over the year before.

Subaru’s growth this year comes primarily from its recently-redesigned Forester compact crossover, which has seen sales increase 46 percent over last year. Last month, Forester even outsold the automaker’s Outback, which has long topped its sales charts. 

Over the next 24 months, Subaru is expected to unveil new versions of its Legacy sedan and Outback crossover (spied here), its Impreza WRX performance model and a replacement for its lowest-volume model, the Tribeca three-row crossover. <![CDATA[
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Ford Motor Company will travel into the heart of pickup truck country next week to announce big news, but the automaker is remaining rather cryptic about just what its intentions are.

 
Ahead of the State Fair of Texas auto show, Ford posted a teaser image to its social media outlets that doesn’t give away much information. Displaying the company’s 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel logo, the teaser states only that something will happen at 10 a.m. CDT on Thursday, November 26, at Fair Park in Dallas.

Given that a revision of the automaker’s F-Series Super Duty truck range is expected for the 2015 model year, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Ford take the wraps off of the new models in Dallas. Clearly, Ford remains committed to its 6.7-liter turbodiesel engine, which arrived in 2011. A power boost is possible, although at 400 horsepower and 800 lb-ft. of torque, the Power Stroke V8 is only bested by the Ram 3500‘s optional 850 lb-ft. Cummins turbodiesel inline six-cylinder. Admittedly, the Ram’s diesel is rated at 385 horsepower. 

At the very least, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Ford ratchet up the maximum towing capacity of the F-Series Super Duty. As it is, the F-350 range maxes out at 22,800 lbs. That’s not shabby, but it pales in comparison to the staggering 30,010 lbs. Chrysler’s Ram division says a properly-equipped Ram 3500 truck can tug. <![CDATA[
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