Volvo has announced plans to introduce a V40 facelift early next month at the Geneva Motor Show.

The company has not disclosed any specific details, aside from confirming that it will be limited to a mid-cycle update. The statement appears to douse cold water on hopes that the next-generation V40 might appear this year.

Whenever it does arrive, the redesigned V40 will ride upon a new platform co-developed with China-based parent Geely. It is expected to be shared with a sedan and a higher-riding model, currently referred to as the XC40, with a choice of traditional or hybrid powertrains.

Executive comments suggest the next-generation V40 hatchback will be headed to the US market as Volvo attempts to focus on global models rather than regional variants.

Fans won’t have to wait until March to catch the first glimpse of the V40′s mid-cycle update, as Volvo promises to release pictures on February 24. It is unclear if Volvo still plans to show the next-generation V40 sometime next year ahead of availability in 2018, as originally expected.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has issued a small-batch recall for the 2015-2016 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country.

Routine quality-control inspections uncovered at least two incidents involving poor windshield adhesion. A follow-up investigation determined that some windshields may have been installed with an expired bonding agent.

“The Company is unaware of any related injuries, accidents or complaints,” FCA said in a statement.

The issue is said to affect just 184 vehicles sold in the US market, along with 65 distributed in Canada. It is unclear if any of the vehicles are still sitting in dealer inventory.

Service technicians will presumably remove the windshield and reinstall the panel with a fresh adhesive.

Mercedes-Benz has detailed a modernized diesel engine that will make its debut in the E-Class E220d.

Billed as the company’s first all-aluminum four-cylinder diesel mill, the new 2.0-liter turbocharged powerplant is much lighter than its 2.15-liter predecessor — shedding 76 pounds — while fitting into a smaller footprint. The modular family is also claimed to offer lower noise levels and reduced vibration.

Notably, all of the necessary exhaust treatment components are configured directly on the engine itself. Thanks to the location of emissions control gear and advancements in catalyst coatings, Mercedes-Benz suggests the engine has no need to employ temperature management during cold start or at low load.

“In addition to the advantages in terms of emissions, this results in fuel savings, especially on short journeys,” the company adds.

The new engine is designed to meet worldwide harmonized light vehicle test procedures (WLTP) and future Real Driving Emissions (RDE) test protocols, as well as all current measurement standards.

Engineers have implemented a multiway exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, combining cooled high-pressure and low-pressure EGR to better optimize treatment across a wider load and rpm range. Emissions also benefit from an improved AdBlue urea-injection mixer.

Altogether, the emissions and efficiency enhancements allow the new engine to deliver 13 percent lower fuel consumption while increasing output from 168 horsepower to 192 ponies.

The company plans to offer several output variants based on the same architecture, accommodating both longitudinal and transverse installations for front-, rear- or all-wheel drive vehicles.

The E220d is scheduled to arrive in showrooms sometime this spring, however Mercedes-Benz has not yet detailed market-specific launch plans or pricing.

Live images by Brian Williams.

Update: Leftlane was informed by IHS Automotive/Polk that the data used in the original Automotive News story were outdated. We’ve updated the story to reflect the corrected data, which puts Mercedes-Benz only 3,104 units behind Lexus, rather than more than 5,000 back.

Was the top selling luxury brand in America last year from Germany or Japan? The German company claimed the most sales. Not so fast, says new data that indicates Lexus might be top dog.

Based on the automakers’ self-reported data, BMW had the most sales. 346,023 ultimate driving machines were sold, versus 344,601 Lexuses (a difference of 1,422). Mercedes-Benz took the number three spot with 343,087 (2,935 fewer than BMW) when commercial vans were excluded.

The discrepancy, however, comes from data on vehicle registrations, compiled by automotive market research firm Polk. Those numbers show Lexus on top with 340,392, Mercedes at 337,288 (3,104 fewer) and BMW at 335,259 (5,133 fewer).

Did 10,764 BMW buyers purchase cars never to drive them? (Incidentally, so did 4,209 Lexus buyers and 8,396 Mercedes buyers) To explain the discrepancy, Polk analyst Tom Libby told Automotive News that purchases at the end of the year may not be registered until the beginning of the following year.

Presumably, then, some of the registrations counted towards 2015′s totals could come from 2014. Another factor could be sales from overseas customers who bring the cars back to their home countries, where such cars may not be readily available or subject to extraordinarily high tariffs.

Back in 2012, a similar brouhaha erupted when BMW claimed the sales crown but Polk showed Mercedes-Benz had 5,025 more registrations. Back then, recalls Automotive News, Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Steve Cannon reminded us that, “Volumes can be manipulated. Registrations, not so easy.”

For the record, Audi and Acura rounded out the top five in registrations, with 197,821 and 177,226, respectively.

Photo by Mark Elias.

Aston Martin has treated Vulcan buyers to a week of track training at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit.

The $2.3 million price tag pays for not only the 820-horsepower supercar, but also an ultra-exclusive “driver experience program” led by Aston Martin Racing driver Darren Turner.

The Vulcan is powered by a 7.0-liter naturally-aspirated V12 engine, tuned for ultimate track performance rather than compliance with safety and emissions regulations. It features extensive carbon-fiber construction, pushrod suspension and aggressive styling.

Buyers have started the driver training program with the V12 Vantage S, which delivers a comparatively modest 565 ponies. Instructors ride shotgun for every lap, helping the customer build skills before getting behind the wheel of a Vantage GT4 racer and, ultimately, their own Vulcan.

Aston Martin’s director of special projects and motorsport, David King, suggests the driver program will allow owners to drive the Vulcan “the way it was intended.” Only two dozen examples will be produced, but the company does not want each one to simply collect dust in a private collection.

“The priority for all of us on the team was to produce a car that provides immense enjoyment for the customers,” added Turner. “Judging by the reactions we have seen this week that goal has been achieved and surpassed.”

Similar racing-experience programs have also been offered by McLaren, Ferrari and other exclusive brands.

Ford has announced that it will offer the 2017 Escape crossover with an optional Sport Appearance package. It will be offered on SE and Titanium trim levels.

Hot on the heels of an announcement about a Sport Appearance package for the Explorer at the Chicago Auto Show, Ford is doubling down on darker trim. Prices have not yet been revealed, but Ford is betting that customers will pay a premium for a slightly more menacing look to their CUV.

Visually, the most noticeable difference on the Sport Appearance package Escapes are the 19-inch Ebony Black 10-spoke wheels and blackened door mirrors. The nose receives a gloss black upper grille, skid plates and headlight bezels as well. From the side, the window surround trim has been darkened, as have the fender garnishes.

Cabin-wise the seats receive what Ford calls sport seats with partial leather trim with contrasting white stitching. The steering wheel also receives a leather wrap. Further details about the interior were not yet disclosed.

The Sport Appearance package is just that — it does not make any enhancements to the drivetrain. However, all 2017 Escape models will be offered with a new 1.5-liter EcoBoost good for 180 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque. The 2.0-liter EcoBoost has been improved to making 245 horses and 275 lb-ft of torque. The base 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four generating 168 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque remains unchanged.

Prices have not been disclosed. Sales will begin sometime this spring.

Was the top selling luxury brand in America last year from Germany or Japan? The German company claimed the most sales. Not so fast, says new data that indicates Lexus might be top dog.

Based on the automakers’ self-reported data, BMW had the most sales. 346,023 ultimate driving machines were sold, versus 344,601 Lexuses (a difference of 1,422). Mercedes-Benz took the number three spot with 343,087 (2,935 fewer than BMW) when commercial vans were excluded.

The discrepancy, however, comes from data on vehicle registrations, compiled by automotive market research firm Polk. Those numbers show Lexus on top with 340,392 and BMW at 335,259 (5,133 fewer), and Mercedes at 334,692 (5,700 fewer).

Did 10,764 BMW buyers purchase cars never to drive them? (Incidentally, so did 4,209 Lexus buyers and 8,396 Mercedes buyers) To explain the discrepancy, Polk analyst Tom Libby told Automotive News that purchases at the end of the year may not be registered until the beginning of the following year.

Presumably, then, some of the registrations counted towards 2015′s totals could come from 2014. Another factor could be sales from overseas customers who bring the cars back to their home countries, where such cars may not be readily available or subject to extraordinarily high tariffs.

Back in 2012, a similar brouhaha erupted when BMW claimed the sales crown but Polk showed Mercedes-Benz had 5,025 more registrations. Back then, recalls Automotive News, Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Steve Cannon reminded us that, “Volumes can be manipulated. Registrations, not so easy.”

For the record, Audi and Acura rounded out the top five in registrations, with 197,821 and 177,226, respectively.

Photo by Mark Elias.

Volkswagen’s Spain-based SEAT division will show its very first crossover at the Geneva Auto Show.

Named after the Spanish town of Ateca, the soft-roader is built on the same modular MQB platform as the Audi TT, the Euro-spec Volkswagen Passat, the Golf, and the second-generation Tiguan, among many others. It borrows styling cues such as sharp headlights accented by thin strips of LEDs, a wide air dam, and a trapezoidal grille from SEAT hatchbacks like the Leon and the Ibiza. Black plastic cladding on the bottom of both bumpers, on the rocker panels, and over the wheel arches add a rugged touch to the look.

Unsurprisingly, the Ateca’s engines are all borrowed from the Volkswagen parts bin. Buyers can choose from five turbocharged engines ranging from a 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder with 113 horsepower to a 2.0-liter TDI turbodiesel tuned to make 187 horsepower. Front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission come standard, and buyers can pay extra for all-wheel drive, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, or both.

The 2016 SEAT Ateca will go on sale across Europe before the end of the year. Its main rivals will include Nissan’s hot-selling Qashqai, the Mazda CX-3, and the Honda HR-V. In the next couple of years it will be joined by a smaller crossover aimed at the Nissan Juke and a bigger model with three rows of seats.