Honda Urban SUV Concept

Honda has previewed plans for a new Jazz-based SUV with this Urban SUV Concept at the Detroit motor show.

Honda has already confirmed a production version, which closely follows the sleek style of this concept. It will be introduced in Japan late this year, the US in early 2014 and Europe later in 2014.

Underpinning the 4300mm-long Urban SUV Concept is the next-generation Jazz's platform. A third generation of the standard Honda Jazz hatchback will be launched in 2014 with the new underpinnings. A saloon is also planned based on this platform and will be targeted at emerging markets.

Each of Honda's global regions is being given autonomy to tune it to suit local conditions. Both the exterior and interior styling are also likely to differ slightly between global markets.

Honda CEO Takanobu Ito has previously described the global small car platform as strategically very important to Honda's bid to boost sales from about four million units to seven million annually by 2017. He called the Jazz SUV a younger brother to the new CR-V.

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Toyota Corolla Furia Concept

Toyota has revealed its Toyota Corolla Furia concept car at the Detroit motor show, the firm's first clues as to the future direction of its best-selling saloon.

The Furia is the latest in a string of recent concepts from Toyota with bolder and more distinctive designs, following a personal plea from company chief Akio Toyoda for the firm to become more daring and break free of its conservative image and appeal to younger buyers.

The concept is 4620mm long, 1805mm wide and 1425mm high, with a wheelbase of 2700mm giving it relatively short overhangs. The concept is boldest at its front, with the design a much more striking interpretation of the look found on the new European-market Auris.

A sharply raked windscreen and low roofline ensure a lower, sleeker profile than that of Toyot's current Corolla. A usual array of more outlandish concept features make it onto the Furia, including 19in alloys, lashings of carbonfibre trim and a large rear diffuser with integrated exhausts.

The Corolla Furia Concept is an early indicator of where our compact car design may lead in the future, said Toyota vice president Bill Fay at the concept's unveiling in Detroit. He hoped the design would surprise a lot of people".

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Audi RS7

Audi is set to take the fight to the recently unveiled BMW M6 GranCoup with a new 552bhp twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8-powered RS7 Sportback.

Pictured here officially for the first time following its unveiling at the Detroit motor show today, the rapid liftback extends Audi's RS line-up to six models.

Power for the RS7 Sportback comes from the same 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine used by the recently unveiled third-generation RS6 Avant. It produces 552bhp at 5700rpm and 76.45kgm of torque between 1750rpm and 5500rpm - some 138bhp and 20.46kgm more than the less highly tuned version of the same V8 in the S7 Sportback.

The new M6 GranCoup's twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 produces the same 552bhp. However, it offers 7.18kgm less.

Because Audi's seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox is unable to handle the heady torque loading of the engine, the RS7 Sportback receives a standard eight-speed automatic box. It operates in combination with the latest evolution of the Audi's Quattro four-wheel drive system, offering the choice between D (drive), S (sport) and M (manual) modes. 

Audi is yet to confirm a kerb weight for its latest RS model but claims it delivers 0-100kph in 3.9sec and a top speed limited to 250kph. Buyers can raise the top speed to 280kph with an optional Dynamic package and to 305kph with a Dynamic Plus package.

Underpinning the RS7 Sportback is a heavily reworked version of the standard A7 Sportback's chassis that features widened tracks and air suspension. Audi will also offer its new performance model with an optional steel-sprung suspension in combination with Dynamic Ride Control as part of a package known as Sport Suspension Plus a move that is reflected on the new RS6 Avant.

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Jaguar XKR-S GT

Jaguar is commemorating 25 years of its R performance brand with the most focused road-going version of its XK ever.

The XKR-S GT, which joins the new XJR at the New York motor show, is a track-ready version of the XKR-S that remains road legal.

Power comes from a 542bhp supercharged 5.0-litre V8 that sends power to the rear wheels through a six-speed auto gearbox. The GT is good for a 0-100kph time of 3.9sec, some 0.3sec quicker than the standard XKR. Although Jaguar says the car is theoretically capable of 320kph, it is limited to 300kph.

The GT features a bespoke aerodynamic package that includes a carbonfibre front splitter, dive planes, extended wheel arch spats, a rear diffuser and a large fixed rear wing. Maximum downforce of 145kg is said to be achieved.

Carbon ceramic brake discs are fitted, a first for Jaguar. New front and rear suspension systems also feature, including a wider front track, increased camber, revised bushings and a new steering system with a faster ratio. Bespoke, height-adjustable dampers are another addition that features a race-derived twin spring system.

Completing the transformation are special lightweight 20in alloys shod in 255/35 Pirelli Corsa rubber at the front and 305/30 tyres at the rear.

Just 30 examples will be made 25 for the US and five for Canada. However, Jaguar says it will consider right-hand drive models for the UK and other markets if demand is sufficient.

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