A report coming out of England indicates Jaguar is in the early stages of developing an entry-level variant of the F-Type sports car powered by a four-cylinder engine.

The four-cylinder under consideration is a brand new unit that is part of the Hotfire family. Reports claim it will have a displacement of roughly 2.0-liters and feature at least one turbocharger in order to squeeze out every available ounce of power, but its precise output is not currently known.

Although less expensive than the V6-powered model, the four-cylinder-powered F-Type will not necessarily be marketed as simply a cheaper and more efficient alternative. The entry-level F will be more agile than other members of the lineup because its engine will be mounted closer to the firewall, and it will be noticeably lighter than its more expensive siblings so Jaguar will likely bill it as a pure driver’s car.

Additionally, the fuel-efficient four will help Jaguar lower its fleet-wide CO2 emissions and comply with ever-stricter fuel economy norms in Europe and in the United States.

Ford has published a dark teaser image that previews the upcoming Ka, a sub-compact four-door hatchback designed to be distributed in a host of markets all around the globe. The next Ka is scheduled to greet the public for the first time at the New Delhi Motor Show that will open its doors next week.

Wearing a nameplate introduced in 1996, the third-generation Ka will bear more than a passing resemblance to the thinly-veiled Ka Concept developed by Ford’s Brazilian arm and presented late last year. The teaser image confirms the Ka’s front end will be inspired by the larger Fiesta and Fusion models thanks to design cues like swept-back headlights and Ford’s hexagonal corporate grille.

Unlike the current, Fiat-derived Ka, the new model will ride on a bespoke platform developed in-house. Power will come from series of small-displacement engines including Ford’s acclaimed 1.0-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder, and select markets will have access to a 75-horsepower 1.5-liter turbodiesel.

Following its imminent debut in India, the Ford Ka will go on sale in Asia, in South America and across Europe before the end of the year. It will represent further consolidation of Ford’s vehicle operations as it will replace distinct Ka models for the South American and European markets.

At the time of writing Ford is not planning on selling the Ka in the United States due to its diminutive size.

Tesla may be facing fresh problems with its Model S charging cables, as some Norwegian owners complain of charging difficulties. Initial reports suggest the affected drivers have experienced an increase in problems as the temperature drops to extreme lows, though a representative claims the issue is related to Norway’s electricity grid.

The California-based automaker quickly dispatched a dozen technicians to determine the cause of the problems and test potential fixes, according to a Dagens Næringsliv report.

“It is the way that the adapter has reacted against the Norwegian network that must be adjusted,” said Esben Pedersen, Tesla’s head of communications in Norway. “This is an ongoing process.”

Tesla engineers have begun distributing a software update with tweaked tolerances that are designed to accommodate the particular characteristics of Norway’s power grid. Service manager Michael White believes the update solved “most of the charging problems,” however Pedersen cautions that “conditions are changing constantly” and the team will continue to work on further solutions.

The company recently issued a voluntary recall for 29,000 charging cables, citing potential fire risk due to a defect that is claimed to only affect 2.7 percent of the chargers. Amid an ongoing NHTSA investigation related to several catastrophic fires, chief executive Elon Musk has argued against the agency’s use of the term “recall” and consequent sensationalization in the media.

Apple’s upcoming “iOS in the Car” technology has been unofficially demonstrated ahead of its formal debut. A YouTube video posted by a developer and spotted by AppleInsider claims to show the mapping interface that will likely appear on a vehicle’s integrated infotainment system, though the demo is being run through a software simulator with a virtual 800×480 display.

Operating beside another simulator for an iPhone, the iOS in the Car interface appears to follow Apple’s iOS 7 design themes but reformatted for a larger layout. The demo shows how the iPhone can be used to find a destination, which automatically appears on the Maps utility for the vehicle display. Further interactions can be performed on either screen, enabling drivers to pocket their phone and take advantage of turn-by-turn navigation, voice search and other features.

Apple initially announced iOS in the Car last summer, promising eventual availability in upcoming vehicles from Ferrari, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan and Volvo. Some of the first examples are expected to arrive this year.

Google is working on its own in-vehicle system based on Android, with several concepts developed through collaboration with Audi. Hyundai also recently confirmed plans to feature a Google Glass app in its 2015 Genesis, though the search company’s eyewear faces legal challenges when worn by drivers.

Apple and its automotive partners have yet to announce a launch date for iOS in the Car.

Jeep’s diesel lineup looks to be set to double from one to two. Our spy photographers have just sent us the first visual evidence that the off-road marque is readying a diesel-powered version of its new Cherokee SUV.

While this prototype may look like a standard Cherokee at first glance, a closer look at the SUV’s tailgate reveals a telling diesel badge. There is also wiring protruding the the Cherokee’s bodywork, indicating engineers are keeping tabs on the vehicle’s powertrian.

The Cherokee is currently offered with two gas engines – a 2.4L four-cylinder and a 3.2L V6 – but a third, diesel engine options now appears to be a real possibility. It remains unknown what diesel engine might be lurking beneath the hood of this Cherokee, but something from Fiat’s VM Motori division seems likely.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel uses a 3.0L V6 diesel from VM Motori, but that oil burner is probably incompatible with the Cherokee’s layout.

This prototype was spotted just outside of Chrysler Tech Center in Michigan, which could be an indication that it is being developed with U.S. market in mind. At the very least, the Cherokee diesel should be available in European showrooms within the next model year or two.

A new report finds Cadillac will attempt to increase its presence on the lucrative Chinese market by developing a long-wheelbase version of the ATS sedan.

Aimed at similarly stretched variants of the BMW 3-Series, the Audi A4 and the Volvo S60, the rumored ATS-L will be nearly four inches longer than its regular-wheelbase counterpart. The extra space will be allocated to the rear passengers and the interior will undoubtedly be marginally more upscale than the one found in the regular ATS.

Long-wheelbase buyers will reportedly be able to choose from a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 200 horsepower, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-banger that makes 270 ponies and a 3.6-liter V6 that generates 320 horsepower. All engines will transfer power to the rear wheels via an automatic transmission.

Unlike the regular-wheelbase ATS, the ATS-L will be built in China by a joint-venture called Shanghai General Motors so it will be exempt from the stiff tariffs that Beijing slaps on all imported cars. Pricing will start at roughly 275,000 yuans, a sum that converts to approximately $45,500.

The long-wheelbase ATS could make its debut next April at the Beijing Motor Show and go on sale across China shortly after. At the time of writing, Cadillac is not planning on selling the stretched sedan outside of China.

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Toyota CEO Jim Lentz might have given the world a quick preview of Lexus’ upcoming compact crossover during a presentation held earlier this month.

Speaking at the annual Society of Auto Analysts Outlook Conference, Lentz briefly showed an image depicting a toned down version of the LF-NX concept that was presented in Frankfurt last September and again in Tokyo last November. Tentatively called NX, the crossover wears a more conservative version of Lexus’ trademark spindle grille and a softer front end but the concept’s chiseled silhouette appears to remain roughly intact.

Interestingly, both concepts accurately previewed the production crossover’s drivetrains. When it goes on sale, the NX will be offered with a 220-horsepower gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain consisting of a small electric motor and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, and a brand new gas-burning 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine fed with a turbocharger. Power will be sent to either the front or all four wheels via an automatic transmission.

The turbo four will be Japanese automaker’s first turbocharged engine. After debuting in the crossover, it will be gradually replace the existing 2.5-liter V6 and find its way under the hood of a wide variety of upcoming Lexus vehicles.

The crossover will boost Lexus sales around the world but company executives are not looking to catch up to German rivals.

“We don’t want to copy BMW and we are certainly not chasing BMW and Mercedes volumes. Our focus is to keep the brand very individual,” explained Richard Balshaw, the director of Lexus’ British arm, in an earlier interview with Auto Express.

Lexus is keeping its lips sealed about the crossover but we wouldn’t be surprised to see it unveiled next March at the Geneva Motor Show. Aimed squarely at the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, the NX will go on sale across the United States and Europe next summer as a 2015 model.

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Workers at Volkswagen’s plant in Hanover, Germany, are urging the automaker to add at least one new vehicle to the production mix in order to safeguard the facility from closure.

The Hanover plant currently builds the VW T5 multivan and the Amarok pickup, and also welds and paints bodies for Porsche’s Panamera sedan. However, with demand slipping for commercial vehicles in Europe, the plant is now running at just 70 percent of capacity.

Making matters worse, it appears as though Porsche could shift all production of its next-generation Panamera to its factory in Leipzig, leaving the Hanover plant running well below ideal levels.

“Porsche may well want the Panamera in Leipzig. We can imagine that too pretty well, but only if there is adequate compensation,” Thomas Zwiebler, head of the Hanover plant’s works council, told Reuters.

“We need a second volume model besides the T5,” he added.

Workers at the Hanover plant have been pushing for production of the upcoming Crafter van, but capacity concerns have VW considering that product for a new site in Poland. The Crafter is currently made for VW by Daimler.

The Hanover plant, which employs 14,000, cranks about 150,000 T5 vans per year, plus another 35,000 Amaroks. The factory also handles the bodies for about 20,000 Panameras.

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Andreas Renschler, the production chief for Mercedes-Benz’ luxury-car division, is leaving the company after issuing an unexpected resignation. The executive is said to have cited “personal reasons” for his departure, without providing further public explanation.

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Epitomizing the rivalry between modern electric performance and classic American muscle, a 2013 Tesla Model S and 2014 Corvette Stingray recently lined up for an amateur drag race at the Palm Beach International Raceway. A YouTube video referenced by MotorAuthority shows the surprising results of two runs.

The Tesla is a P85 model, the highest-performance Model S that is claimed to produce 416 horsepower. In the right lane, the Stingray C7 Z51 pairs a 455-horsepower V8 with an automatic transmission.

The instant torque of an electric drivetrain can theoretically give the Tesla an edge off the line, though the driver in the drag video appears to have jumped the gun on the first race. Nonetheless, the California luxury family sedan holds its own against one of Michigan’s top two-seaters.

Aside from a bit of controversy over battery fires, the Model S has been extremely well received. Buyers solely focused on a pure sports-car experience will likely still find the Stingray to be a better value, however, as the Model S performance package adds more than $25,000 to the car’s $62,400 base price.

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