If a new report is to be believed, the hottest of Ford’s hatchbacks – the upcoming Focus RS – will boast an all-wheel-drive system and be sold in the United States.

Citing an anonymous Blue Oval source, Road & Track claims that the new-generation RS will rely on an all-wheel-drive system to put power from its turbocharged 2.3-liter “EcoBoost” four-cylinder to the pavement while avoiding the prodigious torque steer a front-wheel-drive configuration would almost certainly entail.

A variation of the mill used in the Lincoln MKC and 2015 Ford Mustang, the 2.3-liter will likely be mated to a six-speed manual transmission in this application. Output figures haven’t yet been finalized, but numbers similar to the Mustang’s 310 horsepower and 320 lb-ft are possible.

While few other details are available, an even more aggressive body kit than that of the Focus ST is expected, along with upsized wheels, bigger brakes and a stiffer suspension.

A pricetag in the neighborhood of $30,000 is likely when the Focus RS launches next year as a 2016 model.

As expected, the crossover shares the bulk of its sheet metal with the Juke but it gets a brand-specific front fascia with a mesh radiator grille, a deeper bumper and discreet chrome trim. The upmarket treatment continues past the front end with large multi-spoke alloy wheels, a model-specific rear bumper and chromed side skirts.

Inside, the ESQ is fitted with roughly the same instrument cluster and steering wheel as its Nissan-badged sibling. The cockpit is reportedly built with better materials in order to justify the price increase.

Chinese media outlets are reporting the ESQ is powered by an unmodified version of the Juke Nismo’s turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. The turbo four sends 200 horsepower and 184 lb-ft. of torque to all four wheels via a continuously variable transmission.

The Infiniti ESQ will make its formal debut at the Chengdu Motor Show that will open its doors later this week. Infiniti is not currently planning on selling the crossover outside of China.

Chinese Expansion
The ESQ is one of seven Infiniti models scheduled to debut in China in 2014. The other vehicles include crossovers like the QX50, the QX60, the QX70 and the facelifted version of the QX80, as well as two variants of the Q50 sedan. Most models will be built in Nissan’s Xiangyang, China, factory in order to avoid the tariffs that the Chinese government slaps on all imported cars.

Infiniti is going to great lengths to catch up to German rivals like Audi and BMW on the lucrative Chinese market. Sales grew by 50 percent last year and skyrocketed by 153 percent in the first quarter of 2014, signs that the company’s efforts are paying off.

A new batch of leaked images has fully revealed Volvo’s all-new 2015 XC90 crossover mere hours ahead of it scheduled debut.

The XC90 inaugurates Volvo’s next design language that was previewed by a series of show cars including the Concept Estate introduced last March in Geneva. Generally more angular than the current model, the crossover boasts a tall front end characterized by a floating radiator grille with horizontal slats, sharp headlights with T-shaped LED daytime running lights and a rippled hood. Out back, the upright tail lamps remain but they adopt LED technology.

Inside, the XC90 moves up a notch on the market with a luxurious cockpit that features acres of leather upholstery, real wood trim on the dashboard and on the center console as well as a large tablet-like touch screen that controls the crossover’s infotainment system. The steering is commanded through a three-spoke multi-function wheel, and the next XC90 packs a fully digital instrument cluster.

Under the Skin
From launch, the XC90 will be offered with a fuel-saving plug-in hybrid drivetrain dubbed T8 Twin Engine consisting of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline-burning mill that is both supercharged and turbocharged and a compact electric motor mounted on the rear axle. The four-banger will power the front wheels, while the motor will use electricity stored in a high-capacity battery pack to spin the rear wheels.

Under normal driving conditions, the two power sources will work together to generate about 400 horsepower and a V8-like 472 lb-ft. of torque. Alternatively, the motor will be able to propel the XC90 on electricity alone for up to 24 miles.

Conventional versions of the next XC90 will be powered by Volvo’s new Drive-E engine family which will include two gas-burning mills rated at 254 and 320 horsepower, respectively, and two turbodiesels tuned to generate 190 and 225 ponies. The oil-burners are unlikely to be sold on this side of the Atlantic.

The 2015 XC90 rides on a brand new modular platform set to underpin many of Volvo’s upcoming models regardless of size and vehicle type. Volvo says it can adjust just about any aspect of the SPA platform, from overhangs to wheelbase to vehicle height. The only fixed point in the SPA platform is the distance from the front wheel to the pedal box.

Volvo notes that the SPA platform’s versatility allows passengers up to 5 feet 7 inches tall to comfortably sit in the XC90′s third row.

Full details about the 2015 Volvo XC90 will emerge over the next 24 hours. The crossover will greet the public for the first time at next October’s Paris Motor Show and go on sale in the United States shortly after. Pricing information will be published at a later date.

Designed by the GM-AvtoVAZ joint-venture, the Niva show car is billed as a close-to-production concept that previews the second-generation of Chevrolet’s entry-level off-roader. The teaser images confirm the second-gen Niva looks considerably more modern than its predecessor thanks in part to a front end inspired by Chevrolet’s current design language.

Sources close to Lada indicate the second-generation Niva previewed by the concept will be introduced early next year. When launched, it will ditch the current model’s anemic 81-horsepower 1.7-liter engine in favor of a Peugeot-sourced 1.8-liter mill rated at a more usable 135 horsepower. Power will continue to be transferred to all four wheels via a manual transmission.

The Chevrolet Niva concept will be fully unveiled tomorrow. Production is scheduled to kick off in Togliatti, Russia, next December, meaning the SUV will arrive in Russian showrooms shortly after.

Toyota’s upcoming sports car will slot under the GT86 coupe (sold as the Scion FR-S on our shores). It will retain the 1-Series’ overall silhouette but it will boast model-specific front and rear fascias that will fall in line with Toyota’s latest design language.

In Europe, the 1-Series is offered as both a two-door (pictured) and a four-door hatchback. Toyota’s version of the car will only be sold as a two-door in order to put an emphasis on sportiness.

Not all of the claims may be approved, though the numbers mesh with analyst estimates of the likely number of people killed due to the defect. GM has refused to budge on its position, claiming that just 13 deaths can be clearly attributed to the problem.

Aside from the death claims, the fund has received nearly 200 separate applications seeking compensation for other injuries.

The numbers do not include some alleged deaths and injuries that are at the center of formal lawsuits against the company. Some plaintiffs are pursuing compensation in court before filing applications through GM’s own fund.

The company expects the fund to pay at least $400 million, potentially up to $600 million or more. There is no ‘cap,’ but the fund’s outside administrator, attorney Kenneth Feinberg, has not released any details surrounding the number of applications that are being rejected or the average payout for the approved submissions.

Reviving a nameplate used by Aston from 1976 to 1990, the 21st century Lagonda features a boxy, elongated silhouette that pays an unmistakable homage to its predecessors. Originally published by British magazine Autocar, the spy shots reveal the sedan boasts a large radiator grille, thin headlights and rounded tail lamps similar to the ones found on other members of the Aston lineup.

The Lagonda’s body will be crafted largely out of carbon fiber in order to save weight. Sources indicate it will ride on a stretched version of the Rapide S‘ platform and use an evolution of its 5.9-liter V12 mill, but Aston is keeping technical details under wraps until the car is formally unveiled.

Aston Martin revealed buyers will be able to purchase a Lagonda by invitation only, and the car will exclusively be sold in the Middle East. Production is scheduled to kick off in Gaydon, England, in early 2015.

Company executives ambitiously promise the Lagonda will be one of the most luxurious sedans on the planet.

“The new model, like its exclusive siblings the One-77 and V12 Zagato, has been created as a piece of exceptional automotive art,” explained a spokesperson in a statement.

The 2015 Aston Martin Lagonda could be presented to the public next October at the Paris Motor Show. Pricing information will be published closer to its on-sale date.