Already an impressive hot hatch, the Ford Focus ST is reportedly set to gain something that will make it even more of an enthusiast magnet: an optional diesel engine.

Details on the oil-burning mill are scarce, but Auto Express suggests that it will be a 2.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder with 182 horsepower; unfortunately, the all-important torque figure is a mystery. The Focus ST’s current gasoline turbocharged 2.0-liter four produces 252 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque.

Engine aside, the diesel model will be nearly identical to the standard ST, which will soon receive the same styling and feature content upgrades as the refreshed 2015 Focus.

Auto Express also reports that the revised ST lineup will benefit from a “heavily revised steering mount to reduce wheel hop and eliminate steering thump” in addition to new wheels, tires and tweaks designed to enhance steering feel.

When it launches in Europe this summer, the diesel ST will be a natural competitor for the Volkswagen GTD. Unfortunately, while the GTD will soon be arriving on these shores, it appears unlikely that Ford will bring the diesel to the U.S.

Photo by Andrew Ganz.

General Motors is reportedly planning to build a new stamping plant at its Lansing Grand River facility in Michigan, with investment expected to reach approximately $162 million.

Although the company has yet to officially announce the project, a Lansing-based spokeswoman, Erin Davis, acknowledges that it is “developing a business case for a potential future investment at (Lansing Grand River), ant it would fund facility improvements to strengthen our capability here,” as quoted by the Lansing State Journal.

The proposed expansion is said to fill 225,000 square feet and add up to 65 new jobs, marking a modest gain in the larger facility’s current 1,500-strong workforce.

Specific tasks for the stamping plant remain unclear, though speculation suggests the move may be related to increased local capacity for the next-generation Chevrolet Camaro.

The company last year announced plans to invest $44.5 million in a new logistics center at the Grand River facility, which will span 400,000 square feet and promises 200 new jobs.

Despite the relatively low number of full-time jobs that are associated with the stamping plant, Lansing City Council will reportedly consider a lucrative tax-incentive package to encourage local expansion plans.

MINI has elected not to build a seven-passenger crossover, the brand’s Chief Designer Anders Warming has confirmed.

A larger crossover positioned above the Countryman had been mentioned last month by BMW board member Peter Schwarzenbauer as a candidate for production, but it now appears that “maximum-MINI” will not receive the green light.

“We won’t build anything bigger than the Countryman, not at this moment,” Warming revealed in an interview with Auto Express. “You should be able to park a Mini in a city, so a Countryman or this new Clubman is as big as it should be.”

The upcoming five-door Clubman, revealed in concept form earlier this week in Geneva, will be MINI’s largest model for the immediate future.

With most of its current range poised to grow as it transitions to the 2014 Cooper’s upsized architecture, Warming acknowledged that there could be room for a smaller model like 2011′s Rocketman concept.

“At this point we’re still investigating [the Rocketman], it’s still an emotional topic for us,” Warming revealed. “We’re happy with the reception the Rocketman got but we still have to make ends meet on that one – it’s a numbers game.”

Confirming earlier reports, Mercedes-Benz has announced that its 2015 Sprinter 4×4 will be headed to the US market.

Previously only available in Europe and other overseas markets, the 4×4 edition has been ruggedized for use in inclement weather or other rough conditions, though the company cautions that it is “not officially considered an off-roader.”

Drivers can push a button to activate the all-wheel-drive capabilities, with a 35:65 torque split between the front and rear axles. The system also benefits from the company’s 4ETS traction control and load-adaptive ESP technology, along with a 4.3-inch jump in front ride height.

For the ultimate in steep terrain, the Sprinter can be outfitted with an optional low-gear range that shortens the gearing by 42 percent to further improve tractive power.

“The slope climbing ability is up to 20 percent higher than in the Sprinter with conventional drive,” the company notes.

The 4×4 components add approximately 265 lbs in weight, minimizing the effect on hauling capacity. The off-road features will be available on the 144- and 170-inch wheelbase variants, including the Passenger Van and Crew Van, powered by a 3.0-liter V6 BlueTec oil burner with 188 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque.

The 2015 Sprinter is expected to arrive in showrooms later this year.

Volkswagen is reportedly reconsidering an entry into the US pickup market, however executives still feel the company’s current Amarok model isn’t a good fit.

The German automaker brought the Amarok to market five years ago, achieving apparent success across the globe but without attempting to take on General Motors and Ford in the US.

The company is now reconsidering a foray into the world’s largest pickup market, as VW North America CEO Michael Horn notes “it’s a question mark, but it starts to be discussed,” according to quotes posted by Autoblog.

“Let’s put it this way: we start to discuss it again and whether it’s attractive for us,” Horn added, though he cautioned that the company still considers the Amarok “too small for the US.”

The company last year introduced an extended-bed version of its pickup truck, labeled the “Double Cab XXL” edition, adding more than a foot to the passenger compartment and stretching the bed length to 87 inches. This extended model never made its way to Western shores, however.

VW may be considering a history lesson from another foreign automaker, Toyota, that has changed its US pickup strategy over the past decade. After introducing the Tacoma as a compact offering in the mid ’90s, Toyota later found more success with the full-size Tundra in the early aughts. The company subsequently beefed up the Tacoma, repositioning it in the midsize segment.

VW has yet to disclose if its shifting truck strategy for the US involves a redesigned version of the Amarok or an entirely new pickup built to compete against dominant full-size offerings from Detroit.

Swiss coachbuilder Rinspeed has debuted a fully autonomous concept car based on the Tesla Model S called XchangE at this year’s edition of the Geneva Motor Show.

Rinspeed designed the XchangE to showcase the work and leisure opportunities created by autonomous cars. The concept boasts a highly versatile cabin with business class-like front seats that can swivel around to face the rear occupants. In a novel touch, a steer-by-wire system with no mechanical link to the front wheels allows the steering wheel to be moved to the center of the dashboard when not in use, providing extra space inside the cabin.

The XchangE features a state-of-the-art scalable infotainment system that provides protection against hacker attacks. The software allows passengers to read, listen to music, surf the web, play games, watch movies or hold a meeting while cruising at 75 mph. The car can be fitted with a built-in espresso machine located between the front seats.

The finishing touch in the cockpit is a Carl F. Bucherer wristwatch mounted in a transparent globe above the steering column. An electric motor winds the watch up by spinning the globe when the car is not moving, creating what Rinspeed bills as the world’s most expensive watch winder.

Outside, the XchangE is standard Model S fare save for visual upgrades such as Rinspeed-specific bumpers on both ends, yellow trim, 20-inch alloy wheels and a Plexiglas roof. The coachbuilder has not provided any technical specifications but the XchangE is presumably powered by a stock Model S drivetrain equipped with an 85 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack.

Suzuki has traveled to the 84th annual Geneva Motor Show to unveil the new Celerio, a pocket-sized hatchback designed to replace the Alto.

Stretching 141 inches long, 62 inches wide and 61 inches tall, the Celerio features sharp, simple front end with a two-slat radiator grille, a bulged hood and angular headlights. Out back, an upright hatch frees improves visibility and maximizes cargo space.

Suzuki has not put any effort into masking the Celerio’s entry-level positioning and the base models features a minimalist dashboard crafted from a selection of hard plastics. The instrument cluster is limited to two analog gauges and a host of warning lights, while well-equipped models benefit from a multi-function steering wheel and faux-wood trim on the center console.

The tiny Celerio offers seating for up to four passengers, and the rear seats fold flat when extra cargo is needed.

Power is expected to come from a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine that sends 68 horsepower and 66 lb-ft. of torque to the front wheels via either a manual or an automatic gearbox. A frugal diesel engine might be added to the lineup later in the production run.

The Celerio will begin to arrive in showrooms across Europe next summer. Pricing information will be published closer to its on-sale date.

Live images by Ronan Glon.

South Korea’s Ssangyong Motor has presented a new concept car dubbed XLV that at the Geneva Motor Show next month. The crossover’s name stands for eXciting smart Lifestyle Vehicle.

With the XLV, SsangYong confirms it is ready to expand its presence in Europe by reaching out to a more mainstream audience. While many of the company’s previous vehicles have been rudimentary at best, the four-door XLV wears a modern and fluid design that clearly draws inspiration from popular premium crossovers.

The XLV stretches 174 inches long, 72 inches wide and 62 inches tall, dimensions that enable it to offer space for up to seven passengers in an odd 2+2+2+1 configuration. SsangYong explains the lone seventh seat is designed to slide between the second and third rows. Passenger access is facilitated by rear-hinged rear doors that open at a wide angle.

Power comes from a gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain consisting of a 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine and a small electric motor linked to a lithium-ion battery pack mounted under the floor. Power is presumably sent to all four wheels.

The XLV is said to announce SsangYong’s future design language but at the time of writing it is not certain whether or not the concept will directly spawn a production vehicle. SsangYong has debuted several futuristic-looking concepts at major European auto shows over the past couple of years and, to date, none have been added to the automaker’s lineup.

Live images by Ronan Glon.

Citroën has unveiled the C5 CrossTourer at the Geneva Motor Show. The C5 CrossTourer is billed as a more affordable alternative to premium wagons like the Audi A4 allroad.

The CrossTourer stands out from the regular-production C5 Tourer station wagon thanks to plastic cladding on the wheel arches, faux brushed aluminum trim on both bumpers, flat gray roof rails, a slightly raised ground clearance and model-specific 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the C5 CrossTourer gains power-adjustable leather-upholstered seats with a massage function on the driver’s side, dual-zone climate control, a rear-view camera and touch screen-based navigation system. Imitation brushed aluminum trim on the steering wheel, the dashboard and the shift lever creates a premium ambiance.

Buyers are asked to choose from a wide array of diesel-burning four-cylinder engines ranging from 115 to 200 horsepower. The four-bangers send power to the front wheels via either a six-speed manual or a semi-automatic gearbox.

All-wheel drive isn’t offered, but the wagon can get over rough terrain with ease thanks to an optional Hydractive III+ hydraulic suspension that makes it possible to raise the ground clearance by about 2.3 inches while driving at up to 6 mph and by roughly 1.5 inches at up to 25 mph.

The 2014 Citroën C5 CrossTourer will go on sale across Europe next summer with a base price of €31,950 (approximately $43,900), positioning it near the bottom of the C5 Tourer lineup.

Live images by Ronan Glon.