More images that appear to depict Jeep’s new crossover have surfaced. Possibly called Renegade, the crossover will replace both the Compass and the Patriot and make its official debut next week at the Geneva Motor Show.

The images confirm that the Renegade features a softer overall design than the recently-introduced Cherokee, and a rugged-looking front end characterized by round headlights and a short seven-slat grille loosely inspired by the iconic Willy’s that was widely used in World War II. Rumors indicate the crossover might be equipped with a removable roof panel but Jeep is keeping official details under wraps until the opening day of the Geneva show.

The Renegade will share its unibody platform with a Fiat crossover tentatively called 500X. While the Fiat will be offered with both front- and four-wheel drive, the Jeep version will likely boast improved off-road capabilities and an earlier report suggests that it will be exclusively available with four-wheel drive. A two-speed transfer case like Jeep’s more dirt-oriented models has not been confirmed yet.

Power will reportedly come from a 160-horsepower 1.4-liter gas-burning four-cylinder mill. A 1.3-liter turbodiesel four-banger rated at 105 horsepower and 236 lb-ft. of torque will be offered to buyers in Europe, and Jeep might decide to sell it in the and United States if oil-burner sales continue to rise.

Following its debut in Switzerland, Jeep’s latest will enter production in Fiat’s Melfi, Italy, factory next summer and land in showrooms across the country next fall as a 2015 model. It will slot beneath the Cherokee and cost several thousand dollars less.

Chrysler’s Ram truck brand is calling back certain Promaster full-size vans to address a brake-related malady.

The recall affects 6,800 Promasters built from July 1 to November 15, 2013, although only two percent of those vehicles are believed to suffer from the brake problem. Half of the vehicles are still in dealer inventory.

The source of the trouble is a tool that may have accidentally damaged one of the brake hoses during assembly. That damage could lead to a brake fluid leak and significantly lengthened stopping distances, which of course would increase the risk of a crash.

No accidents or injuries have been linked to the issue, Ram says.

Ram will set the situation right by having dealers inspect and, as needed, replace the brake hoses. The recall is slated to begin later this month.

Workers at the Promaster plant are no longer using the tool that created the problem.

The campaign is the second recall for the Promaster, which has been on the market for roughly a year. The first recall, which impacted 10,000 vans, was initiated to fix an accelerator pedal that could become stuck in the wide open throttle position due to interference from the pedal stop.

Photo by Nat Shirley.

Confirming earlier leaks, Audi has officially announced its next-generation TT ahead of its formal unveiling this week at the Geneva Motor Show.

A set of images accompanying the announcement shows the uplevel TT-S model, though the company has yet to reveal the base TT.

Outside, the TT features a fluid silhouette that is clearly inspired by the first-gen model introduced in 1998. A sharper front fascia is in evidence, characterized by angular headlights and a chiseled hexagonal radiator grille – two styling cues that will define Audi’s next design language. The company’s trademarked four-ring emblem has been moved from the grille to the hood.

LED headlights will be available at an extra cost, and buyers in Europe will be able to order the TT with Audi’s Matrix beam technology. All models will be equipped with LED tail lamps.

The cabin appears to be a stylish evolution of the current interior that integrates the infotainment screen into the instrument cluster. A Bang & Olufsen sound system features a 14-channel amplifier and 12 speakers, with door woofers illuminated by an adjustable accent light.

The 2015 TT will come standard with a 227-horsepower version of Audi’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The more expensive TTS will use a 306-horsepower four-banger while the range-topping TT-RS will be powered by a 380-horsepower five-cylinder mill. Both front- and all-wheel drive will be offered, and buyers will be able to choose between a six-speed manual transmission and a dual-clutch DSG unit.

The 2015 Audi TT will go on sale in Europe and the United States this fall. A convertible version will likely be presented later this year at the Paris Motor Show and land in showrooms in early 2015.

In what would amount to a significant setback for the product-starved automaker, Alfa Romeo’s eagerly-anticipated, Mazda-based roadster may go to another brand within Fiat Group.

Instead of giving the next-gen MX-5 Miata-derived sports car to Alfa, Fiat is likely to market the upcoming model under its namesake brand or Abarth performance subbrand, sources familiar with the situation have revealed to Automotive News.

While the reasons for the switch aren’t fully understood, the move seems to be partially attributable to Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne’s pledge – first made last September – that no Alfas will be built outside of Italy while he remains in charge.

Fiat’s supply contract with Mazda calls for the roadster to built alongside the next MX-5 Miata at Mazda’s factory Hiroshima, Japan. The contract was formally agreed upon in January 2013.

Unwilling to incur the costs that would result from abandoning the deal, Fiat is looking to salvage the situation by switching the model to another brand. Abarth, with its enthusiast-oriented image, could be a natural fit, and Fiat itself is also said to be a candidate.

Mazda and Fiat product planners will reportedly meet in the near future to discuss the change in plans. Mazda had been altering the MX-5′s design to meet Alfa’s needs.

Marchionne has declined to comment on the situation, saying only that more information on upcoming Fiat Group products will be announced in early May.

Seat appears to be ready to announce that its 2014 Leon Cupra hatchback has set a new Nürburgring track record for front-wheel-drive production cars.

The company promises to make a “record announcement” at the Geneva Motor Show. Official teaser videos show a Leon Cupra at the ‘Ring, and a leaked YouTube video–featuring a Leon Cupra with the same camouflage pattern–points to a record-breaking FWD lap time of 7:58.44.

If true, the company has beat Renault’s 8:07.97 lap time set in 2011 with the Mgeane Renaultsport 265 Trophy driven by Laurent Hurgon. Renault held the previous record with a RS R26.R, which beat a lap time set by a Chevrolet Cobalt SS.

A sub-eight-minute lap time does not appear to be unreasonable for the 2014 Leon Cupra variant equipped with a 2.0-liter Volkswagen four-cylinder mill tuned for 280 horsepower. The hatchback promises to reach 62 mph in just 5.7 seconds, with a top speed of 155 mph.

Seat is expected to confirm its achievement at a press conference scheduled tomorrow at 10:15 CET.