Volkswagen reportedly worked to optimized and adapt its emissions-cheating software for different markets and engines, pointing to a deeper conspiracy than the company has hinted at publicly.

Engineers are said to have revised the ‘defeat’ software to work with four different variations of VW’s EA189 and EA288 diesel engines, which power a long list of models sold by VW, Audi, Skoda and SEAT, unnamed insiders told Reuters. The software was allegedly further refined to beat the different emissions-testing protocols in use by US and European regulators.

Despite the persistent leaks related to VW’s ongoing investigation, the company has refused to identify who knew of and approved the cheating practices. Engineers are presumably behind the software itself, however many analysts familiar with VW’s corporate structure have suggested it is extremely unlikely that a few rogue employees implemented such technology without direction or approval from higher managers.

“We are working intensely to investigate who knew what and when, but it’s far too early to tell,” VW said in a statement to Reuters.

Costs of emissions hardware refits, government penalties and civil lawsuits could reach into the tens of billions, with separate investigations by multiple agencies in the US and abroad.

General Motors has launched a recall campaign focused on a newly discovered problem with ignition switches in trucks and SUVs from the 2014-2015 model years.

Some vehicles may have been manufactured with an ignition lock actuator gear that is too large, exceeding the diameter specifications and consequently making it difficult to turn the ignition key. Thermal expansion appears to play a role, causing the key to get stuck in the ‘start’ position at higher interior ambient temperatures.

If the key sticks in the ‘start’ position and the vehicle hits a bump or the interior temperature cools, it can flip back past the ‘run’ and into the ‘accessory’ position. Such behavior is similar to the problems GM had with ignition-switches in millions of older vehicles.

“This would result in a loss of motive power and affect power steering and power brake system function, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property,” according to a Transport Canada recall notice spotted by Autoblog. “The timing of the key movement out of the “run” position, relative to the activation of the sensing algorithm in a crash event, may also result in the airbags not deploying in a subsequent collision, increasing the risk of injury.”

The problem affects a relatively small batch of just a few thousand vehicles including the 2014 light-duty Chevrolet Silverado GMC Sierra, along with the 2015 Silverado HD, Suburban, Tahoe and GMC Sierra HD.

Ariel has updated its Nomad off-roader with a new engine option, adding a supercharger for even more power.

With the benefit of forced induction, the Nomad’s Honda-sourced 2.4-liter engine produces 290 horsepower and 251 lb-ft of torque — up 55 hp and 30 lb-ft of twist — according to Autocar.

The basic model launches to 60 mph from a standstill in just 3.4 seconds, surging up to 100 mph in 7.4 seconds and topping out at 125 mph. The supercharged model presumably improves acceleration and top speed, though precise figures have not yet been announced.

Introduced early this year, the Nomad serves as a higher-riding all-terrain counterpart to the track-focused Atom. Both share similar open-top construction, though the off-roader adds a full roll cage.

The basic Nomad fetches £30,000 (~$46,400 USD), while the supercharged package brings the price up to £36,000 (~$55,700).

Nissan has teased an image of a new Datsun to be revealed at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show.

Showing just a rendering of the headlight, foglamp, and part of the grille, the image does not reveal much, but Indian Autos Blog suggests that it could be a compact crossover. The protruding foglamp surround, large chrome grille surround, and just a hint of body cladding over the front wheel well certainly all seem to point in that direction.

There is a chance the car will be a close-to-production version of the Datsun I2, a Subaru Outback-ified version — meaning slightly taller ride height and some “adventure” body cladding — of the Datsun Go subcompact.

IAB also reports that it will likely be built upon the Renault-Nissan CMF-A platform, which underpins the Renault Kwid. The Common Module Family architecture is similar to that of VW’s MQB, in which floorpans, engine bays, rear underbodies and cabins can be mixed and matched depending on the vehicle. CMF-A applies to the smallest of entry-level vehicles. However, the I2′s interior and engine are both expected to be different from that of the Kwid.

The Datsun I2 is scheduled for a launch at India’s Auto Expo 2016 next February and will be the revived marque’s third model.

A new report coming out of Germany finds Porsche is in the early stages of developing a small crossover that will slot below the Macan.

The yet-unnamed soft-roader will look more aggressive than the Macan (pictured) and the bigger Cayenne thanks to a bold, dynamic design. It will feature a rakish, almost coupe-like roof line, and it will allegedly be offered with either two or four doors. Surprisingly, German magazine Auto Bild reports the sportier — and more expensive — two-door model could be billed as a Cayman on stilts.

The crossover is unlikely to receive Porsche’s upcoming turbocharged flat-four engine for packaging reasons. Instead, it will be offered with straight-four gasoline-burning engines plucked straight from the Volkswagen Group parts bin. Buyers will be asked to choose between rear- and four-wheel drive, and most models will ship with a dual-clutch transmission controlled by shift paddles.

If the rumor is accurate, Porsche’s entry-level crossover will likely be previewed by a thinly-veiled concept that is expected to debut at a major auto show in 2017. The production model will be introduced the following year, meaning it will land on our shores in time for the 2019 model year. When it goes on sale, it will be positioned at the very bottom of the Stuttgart-based company’s lineup.

The Turkish government has announced that it has purchased the right to build the aging second-generation Saab 9-3 from National Electric Vehicles Sweden (NEVS).

The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBITAK) has been working with NEVS over the past few months to transform the 13-year old 9-3 into what the government calls a “Turkish national car.” Official details aren’t available yet, but the camouflaged prototypes (pictured) that were recently shown to government officials appear to be heavily influenced by the 9-3-based Cadillac BLS that was briefly sold in Europe.

The design hasn’t been finalized yet so the Cadillac influence could be toned down for production. Regardless of what it ends up looking like, the sedan won’t wear the Saab name or the Griffin emblem.

“We bought the Saab 9-3′s intellectual property rights, but not its name,” explained a spokesperson for TÜBITAK in an interview on Turkish television.

The deal is beneficial for both parties involved. On one hand, it’s a way for troubled NEVS to generated much-needed cash by putting its assets to work and to keep its investors satisfied. On the other hand, it gives the Turkish government quick access to a proven platform upon which to develop a car. How much the rights were purchased for hasn’t been made public, but a source close to the matter said the 9-3 was “very affordable.”

Although Turkey’s 9-3 will launch with gasoline- and diesel-burning four-cylinder engines, TÜBITAK ultimately hopes to develop an all-electric version of the sedan. At least 85 percent of the parts that make up the car will be built locally.

When TÜBITAK’s version of the Saab 9-3 will be introduced is up in the air. It will be built with the Turkish market in mind, but authorities already have plans to export the car to neighboring nations — notably those situated in the Middle East — in order to give the economy a boost.

Pricing for the 2016 Honda Civic Sedan has been leaked, indicating that the model will remain a competitive choice in a hotly contested segment.

The information comes via what appears to be a dealer pricing sheet was posted on CivicX.com, a forum site devoted to the tenth-generation Civic. It purports to show both invoice and retail pricing for all trim levels in the Civic line.

The base LX model, equipped with the standard 158-horsepower, 2.0-liter, i-VTEC four-cylinder twin-cam, will go up $150 in price. That bump is offset by the EX model, which drops $150 in price. The EX is available with either the 2.o-liter or Honda’s new 174-horsepower, 1.5-liter, direct-injection turbocharged four. Meanwhile, the EX-L model, powered only by the turbo 1.5, increases by $860.

The cheapest 2016 Civic you’ll be able to buy is an LX with 6-speed manual transmission, which starts at $18,640. The EX and EX-L, which are only offered with a CVT, start at $21,040 and $23,700 respectively. At the top of the range, a new Touring trim level maxes out at $26,500. All of these prices are before the $835 delivery charge.

The difference between the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter and turbocharged 1.5-liter is $1,160. Meanwhile, all cars are available with the new Honda Sensing suite of safety equipment, including collision and lane departure mitigation braking, as well as adaptive cruise control with tractor beam following functions at low speed, a $1,000 option.

The effective date on the pricing sheet is mid-November, so expect to see the 2016 Civic in dealerships around that time.

Images by Ben Hsu.

Toyota is teasing what could be a special edition Tacoma or a one-off custom commemorating the Back to the Future films.

Marty McFly, the trilogy’s hero played by Michael J. Fox, may have done his time traveling in a DeLorean, but his dream car was a 1985 Toyota SR5 4WD. It’s waiting for him in the garage when he returns from changing the past to the “good” timeline.

In Back to the Future II, Marty travels 30 years into the future to October 21, 2015, a date that will soon be upon us in real time. To commemorate the occasion and the part it played in the hit movie, Toyota is promising a reveal on that magical date.

Toyota has released a commercial for the fictional Statler Toyota, the dealership advertising Marty’s truck in the original film. At the end, there are two vehicles under covers. We already know that Toyota is tying in the movies to launch the futuristic Mirai, and we can safely assume that’s what’s under the cover on the left.

On the right, however, is what appears to be a black Tacoma with a brush guard and auxiliary lamps. A roll bar mounted with a row of KC Daylighters can also be seen from the shape of the covers.

While the Mirai is expected to be the big reveal, we suspect most enthusiasts and movie buffs will be more excited about the Tacoma instead. Toyota has also created a minisite whose URL references the license plate of Doc’s DeLorean, OUTATIME. All will be revealed there on October 21.

Yamaha has announced that it will debut a new concept at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. While the company is most well known for making motorcycles and ATVs, this creation appears to be a sports car.

Yamaha has yet to reveal any information about the vehicle, other than to say that the “design concept is inspired by motorcycles and expresses the Unique Style of Yamaha.” The silhouette suggests a mid-engine layout, due to a very low cowl and hood and a canopy-style cabin that sits far forward enough to leave room for a transverse-mounted engine driving the rear wheels. Taking the proportion of the cabin into account, it is likely that the engine is a motorcycle-derived 4-cylinder.

Most buyers are familiar with seeing the Yamaha brand on motorcycles, outboard motors, and musical instruments, but the firm has a long history of building automotive engines, as well as entire cars. In the late 1960s, Yamaha had a carrozzeria operation, building low-production high-end cars like the 1967 Toyota 2000GT.

Over the years, Yamaha has also helped develop various manufacturers with engine development, including Toyota for a number of twin-cams, Lexus for the LFA’s V10 and Ford for the SHO V6. Yamaha has also built Formula One engines, and in the early 90s briefly marketed a 450-horsepower V12 supercar, the OX99-11.

Yamaha’s rival Honda unveiled a motorcycle-inspired sports car earlier this year.

General Motors’ Germany-based Opel division has introduced the Astra TCR, its latest race car.

Based on the new Astra hatchback that debuted in Frankfurt, the track-only model was designed to compete in the recently-inaugurated TCR series, a three-pillar event that includes national, international and continental championships. All three series have the exact same set of regulations, so the Astra is eligible to race anywhere in the world.

The Astra TCR gains a full body kit that includes a deep front bumper with massive air dams, vents integrated into the hood, alloy wheels tucked under flared fenders all around and a wide air diffuser built into the rear bumper. An oversized roof-mounted wing provides the downforce required to keep the Astra on four wheels at high speeds.

Opel has fitted the Astra with a turbocharged and direct-injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 330 horsepower and 309 lb-ft. of torque, the maximum permitted by TCR regulations. The turbo four spins the front wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox controlled by shift paddles. Performance figures haven’t been published yet.

Opel will begin testing the TCR-bound Astra later this month, and the first deliveries are scheduled for next year. In Germany, it carries a base price of €95,000, a sum that converts to approximately $108.000. When it lines up on the starting grid, the Astra will have to fend off competition from Honda Civics, SEAT Leons and Volkswagen Golfs, the same cars that it is up against off the track.