Mazda has announced EPA fuel-economy figures for its new CX-3, due to arrive on the market within a few months.
The compact crossover achieves a city/highway rating of 29/35 mpg in its front-wheel-drive configuration, or 27/32 mpg with Mazda’s ‘i-Activ’ all-wheel-drive system.

The FWD city estimate is a single mpg higher than the Honda HR-V, with a matching AWD rating, giving the CX-3 a narrow lead among non-hybrids in the segment. Additional rivals include the Chevrolet Trax, Nissan Juke, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, Jeep Renegade and Fiat 500X, among others.

The 2016 CX-3 is powered exclusively by a 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G engine with 146 horsepower and as many lb-ft of torque. Both front- and all-wheel-drive models feature a six-speed automatic transmission.

“Skyactiv Technology means we don’t have to compromise when it comes to performance, efficiency and fun-to-drive dynamics,” said Mazda North America chief Jim O’Sullivan. “CX-3 will deliver all of the core values customers have come to expect with the sixth-generation lineup of Mazda vehicles, and we hope to reach new audiences with CX-3.”

Buyers will have a chance to pick up a new CX-3 when the crossovers arrive in showrooms by late summer.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is reportedly preparing to give dealers a sneak peek at the upcoming Jeep Grand Wagoneer.
The concept’s private reveal is said to be a highlight event at the company’s biennial dealer gathering in Las Vegas, unnamed sources have told Automotive News.

Appearing nearly a quarter century after the last wood-paneled SJ-generation Grand Wagoneer rolled off the assembly line, the resurrected SUV is expected to offer seating for seven occupants. Rumors suggest it will be built upon a brand-new platform, which could eventually underpin other models from Dodge, Chrysler and Fiat.

The Jeep Commander borrowed a few styling cues from the original Grand Wagoneer, but was discontinued after just four model years due to lackluster sales. The revival will be differently positioned, larger than the Commander and with a focus on upscale luxury. The Jeep brand has experienced a general sales boom in recent years, and FCA appears to be taking direct aim at the Land Rover Range Rover and domestic rivals such as the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator.

FCA’s outspoken chief executive recently voiced frustration that his company doesn’t already have an entry in the luxury SUV segment, noting that his “blood boils” whenever he sees a Range Rover on the street. The sentiment may not be strong enough to accelerate the project schedule, however, as the Grand Wagoneer is not expected to arrive on the market until near the end of the decade.

A new report finds Audi will preview its upcoming electric crossover with a thinly-veiled concept that will be presented next fall at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Built on the same MLB platform as the new Q7, the yet-unnamed concept will usher in the design language that will influence all of the EVs that Audi will launch over the next few years. Official details are being kept under wraps for the time being, but an anonymous Audi spokesperson told industry trade journal Automotive News that the crossover will be much more aerodynamic than the company’s current crop of off-roaders.

The production version of the concept is scheduled to land in showrooms in early 2018 as a 2019 model. Positioned at the very top of the Audi lineup, it will use technology gleaned from the R8 e-tron to offer an all-electric driving range of over 300 miles. The crossover will launch with a battery-powered drivetrain in order to take on the Tesla Model X, but plug-in hybrid and hydrogen-powered models could join the lineup by the end of the decade.

German media outlets report the yet-unnamed crossover will carry a base price of at least $100,000. That’s a lofty sum, but Audi predicts it can sell at least 10,000 units a year globally.

Volkswagen has unveiled the facelifted Phaeton flagship. The sedan hasn’t been sold in the United States since 2006 and it was recently axed in the United Kingdom, but it’s still relatively popular in China in spite of its age.

For the next model year, the Phaeton gets new bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, an extra dose of chrome trim on the grille and on the lower bumper as well as updated LED tail lamps.

More significant updates are found in the cabin, where the Phaeton now boasts a rear seat entertainment system with a pair of 10.2-inch screens, an eight-inch touch screen that runs the infotainment system and a Dynaudio sound system. Additional wood trim on the dashboard, the center console and the door panels helps create a more premium ambiance.

In China, the entry-level Phaeton is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 FSI engine that makes 246 horsepower and 229 lb-ft. of torque. The next engine up is a 3.6-liter V6 rated at 276 horsepower and 273 lb-ft. of torque, while the range-topping offering is a 4.2-liter V8 that provides 329 ponies and 317 lb-ft. of twist. A six-speed automatic transmission an Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system come standard regardless of what’s in the engine bay.

The updated 2015 Volkswagen Phaeton is on sale now across China. Volkswagen has not indicated if the Euro-spec version will undergo similar updates.

What’s next?
An all-new Phaeton is expected to land before the end of the decade, and Volkswagen has all but confirmed it is being designed with the U.S. in mind. It will ride on the same MLB platform as the next-gen Audi A8, and it will make extensive use of aluminum in order to keep weight in check.

Audi will release an ultra-limited S3 variant in the US. How limited? There will be just five cars total in each of five available colors, for a total of just 25 units.

As reported on Fourtitude, the limited edition performance sedan will be based on the S3 Prestige, the more, uh, prestigious $8,000 option package that includes the Audi Connect touchscreen infotainment system with satnav and voice control, Bang & Olufsen 15-speaker, 705-watt sound system, a suite of driver assistance warnings and a rear-view camera parking assist system.

In addition, this particular limited edition S3 will have the Fine Nappa Leather package with quilted contrast stitching on the S Sport seats, as well as the gear knob and steering wheel, along with a host of other Exclusive Program bits. 19-inch wheels from the Performance Package are also thrown in.

The cost of all this is $57,250, if you choose Sepang Blue or Misano Red, two of the five colors available on lesser S3s. However, the distinguishing element for these cars is the three paint colors exclusive to this edition — Viper Green, Glut Orange or Vegas Yellow. Choose one in these hues and there will be $59,900. Audi has not yet released any information on how these cars will be made available.