Lincoln has revealed the 2015 MKC compact crossover ahead of its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show next week. Built on the Blue Oval’s C1 global platform that underpins Ford’s Escape and Focus, the MKC is the second of four planned vehicles that Ford hopes will revive the Lincoln brand.

Power will come from two engines from Ford’s EcoBoost family of turbocharged fours. The standard 2.0-liter produces 240 hp at 5,500 rpm and 270 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm, while an optional 2.3-liter motor generates 275 hp at 5,500 rpm and 300 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm. The transmission choice has yet to be announced but it’s expected to be the same 6-speed automatic found in the Escape. Standard MKCs will have power directed to the front wheels, but an all-wheel-drive version is optional.

The interior is dominated by an 8-inch touch screen and infotainment system using Ford’s SYNC and Lincoln MyTouch software. Mod cons include Ford’s active parallel parking assist, blind spot warnings, lane keeping systems, driver alertness sensors and collision warnings. Seven standard airbags come standard, including the only knee airbag in its class.

The stylish exterior fits with the rest of the Lincoln family, with a split-wing grille featured prominently up front and a solid light bar stretching across the tailgate. An optional “Vista Roof” adds a panoramic glass ceiling. Lincoln is hoping to target a younger demographic and expand their sales in what it believes are “desirable markets” on the east and west coast. Expect the MKC to be in showrooms in summer 2014.

Live images by Mark Elias.

Following months of teaser images and leaks, Porsche has lifted the veil off of the 2014 Macan, a small crossover slated to slot beneath the Cayenne as the automaker’s second utility vehicle. �

Named after the Indonesian word for tiger, the Macan borrows many design cues from the larger Cayenne while featuring a profile loosely inspired by the Infiniti QX50 (formerly known as the EX).  The crossover wears an aggressive front end highlighted by claw-like trim on the bumper, a wide grille opening, a wraparound hood and headlights modeled after the ones found on the range-topping 918 Spyder.  Out back, the Macan features horizontal LED tail lamps and a functional air diffuser. 

Porsche’s latest crossover boasts a sports car-inspired cockpit highlighted by a three-spoke multi-function sports steering wheel with shift paddles, sport seats up front, a sloping center console and angular air vents.  A touch screen mounted on the center console bundles the crossover’s entertainment, climate control and navigation (when equipped) functions into a single unit.

The list of standard equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels, an electronically operated tailgate, parking sensors and bi-xenon headlights.  Staying true to tradition, the Macan comes with a mile-long list of options that includes torque vectoring, a segment-first air suspension, a panoramic roof and Porsche’s Sport Chrono Package.

The entry-level Macan S is powered by an all-new 3.0-liter V6 engine that produces 340 horsepower, enough to send the crossover from zero to 62 mph in 5.2 seconds.  The more expensive Macan Turbo features a 400-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 that enables the crossover to reach 62 mph from a stop in 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 165 mph.  Buyers in Europe will be able to order a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 that churns out 258 ponies.

All engines are linked to a dual-clutch PDK gearbox that sends power to all four wheels via the latest evolution of Porsche’s PTM all-wheel drive system.  An off-road mode that increases ground clearance and optimizes the gear ratios helps Macan owners get off the beaten path.

Built in Leipzig, Germany, the 2014 Porsche Macan will go on sale across the United States next spring.  Pricing information will be published closer to its on-sale date.

At the Tokyo Motor Show this week a small crossover and convertible were added to Toyota’s ever-expanding hybrid lineup. Both are based off the Toyota Aqua, which is sold in the states as the Prius c.

Aqua Air

The Aqua Air is basically a drop top version of the smallest of the Prius family. Power comes from the same 1.5-liter aluminum twin-cam with Toyota’s VVT-i valve timing system that’s standard on the Prius c. 

However, the nose has been restyled with a fascia more appropriate for a sports car. A large trapezoidal grille dominates the face and two aggressive intake vents bracket the face. The headlights have a bit more menace as well, with a stylish swoosh DRL that is integrated in much better fashion than production Lexuses, and a cool headlight element that looks like a ray gun. The rear has been completely redesigned with the bracket vent motif repeated and completely new LED taillights. 

The interior remains largely unchanged aside from some color-coordination for show car purposes. Amazingly, it still seats four. There are no plans for production, but it would likely be a smash hit in Los Angeles.

Aqua Cross

The Aqua Cross takes the compact hybrid in the exact opposite direction. Instead of a small, sporty-ish runabout, it raises the Prius c and and adds bodywork for light off-road duty. It’s a Prius Outback, in other words, with wheels that resemble the Subaru XV Crosstrek’s.

Like the Aqua Air, its powertrain is taken from the Aqua directly. The front comes with large integrated fog lamps and a skid plate underpins both front and rear approach angles. Again, Toyota says there are no plans for production but this car makes a lot of sense for outdoorsy types that want a Subaru in a sub-Subaru size.

Philanthropy

Interestingly, neither of these cars appeared in the main Toyota booth. Instead, they were shown by Toyota Motors of Japan East, which is a fully owned subsidiary of Toyota that focuses on designing compact cars. The spin-off was moved to Tohoku a little over a year ago specifically to help boost the economy of areas ravaged by the tsunami and earthquake of 2011.

Live images by Ben Hsu.

Toyota has traveled to the Tokyo Motor Show to unveil a new concept car called PremiAqua.

Billed as a close-to-production show car, the PremiAqua is essentially a more upscale version of the Aqua, a sub-compact hatchback sold under the name Prius C in the United States.  The hatchback stands out from its more pedestrian sibling thanks to a specific front end consisting of sharp quad headlights, a mesh radiator grille heavily inspired by Lexus’ latest creations and a sculpted front bumper.  The rear end gains a bespoke bumper that integrates an air diffuser and different tail lamps, and large alloy wheels finish off the look.

Inside, the show car boasts a more upscale cockpit upholstered in black leather and contrasting white stitching as well as new air vents, soft touch plastics and more upmarket trim on the center console.

The PremiAqua is powered by a Prius c-sourced 100-horsepower gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain consisting of a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a small electric motor.  Power is sent to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Toyota has not announced what the future holds for the PremiAqua.  Although pure speculation, the car could be sold in select global markets with a Lexus badge if it is given the green light for production.

Live images by Ben Hsu.

Nissan is breaking the mold of the typical electric vehicle with a new battery-powered concept car called the BladeGlider.

With a shape inspired by a high performance “swept wing” aircraft, the BladeGlider is anything but conventional. The EV features a narrow track up front – much like the ZEOD RC – with a more conventional width out back. The BladeGlider’s unique triangular shape allows for 1+2 seating, similar to the setup used in the McLaren F1.

Nissan says the BladeGlider’s arrowhead-like outline significantly improves the vehicle’s aerodynamics, specifically in terms of drag. In order to provide some road-hugging downforce, the BladeGlider has been equipped with a specially designed carbon-fiber underbody, eliminating the need for a traditional rear wing.

The BladeGlider is powered by electric motors integrated into its rear wheels. Juice is provided by the same lithium-ion batteries used in the Nissan Leaf.

Although seemingly the definition of a pure concept car, Nissan says it actually has plans to put the BladeGlider into regular production.

“The goal was to revolutionize the architecture of the vehicle to provoke new emotions, provide new value and make visible for consumers how Zero Emissions can help redefine our conception of vehicle basics,” said Francois Bancon, division general manager of Product Strategy and Product Planning at Nissan.

No specific timeframe was given for when the concept might make the jump to production, but Nissan says the BladeGlider is destined to “rule the roads of the not-so-distant future.”

Live images by Ben Hsu.