Porsche to Unveil New 550HP Panamera Turbo S this Week

*Standard Porsche Panamera Turbo pictured above

There have been rumors floating around the internet lately about a new flagship version of Porsche’s Panamera sports saloon named the Turbo S. We asked around and according to Carscoop sources, the new Panamera Turbo S is in fact real and it will be revealed by the end of this week.

The most potent model of the Panamera series to date is based on the Turbo model. It features a modified 4.8-liter turbocharged V8 engine delivering around 50 more ponies for a total output of approximately 550HP. Top speed is pegged at 307 km/h (191mph) and it will hit 100km/h (62mph) in 3.8 seconds. That’s compared to the standard Panamera Turbo’s 303km/h (188mph) top speed and 4.2 sec. sprint time.

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Saab's Geneva Motor Show Surprise is Sports Car Concept Called the Phoenix

When Saab first revealed its plans to debut a new concept model at the Geneva Salon a couple of weeks ago, the Swedish company did not release any details whatsoever about the study. And while Saab is still keeping its cards close to its chest, we managed to find out that the study is called the Phoenix and that it's a sports car concept equipped with a turbocharged petrol-electric hybrid powertrain. The Phoenix is the work of Saab's new design boss of former Bertone fame, Jason Castriota, and its main purpose is to preview the brand's next styling direction.

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Ferrari to Show Greener 458 Italia with HELE System in Geneva

The new Ferrari FF won't be the only model from Maranello to make its world premiere at the 2011 Geneva Salon, as Carscoop has learned that the Italian supercar maker will also introduce a greener version of the 458 Italia equipped with the company’s HELE (High Emotion, Low Emission) technology, which improves CO2 emissions and reduces fuel consumption.

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Geneva Motor Show to Mark the Return of the Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet

If you never fancied the Eos as a replacement for the good ol' traditional Golf Cabriolet, then you'll be happy to know that the Geneva Motor Show will host the world premiere of an all-new soft top Golf model. The last time Volkswagen offered a convertible variant of the Golf range was almost a decade ago with the facelifted Mk3 version that was marketed alongside the Mk4 Golf.

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MINI to Debut...Mini Concept at Geneva Motor Show

Carscoop has learned that Mini will lift the covers off a brand new concept model at the Geneva Motor Show in the beginning of March. The three-door design study is said to hark back to the classic Mini in terms of its exterior dimensions while keeping up with the times in terms of safety requirements and occupant space.

The concept will measure a little over 3.4 meters in length, essentially splitting the difference between the current three-door hatchback (3,723 mm) and the original 1959 Mini (3,050 mm).

We also learned that Mini's study will sport a 3+1 seat configuration similar to that of the Toyota iQ and that its design and tech features, including a variety of weight saving tricks and components, will be applied to the next generation of Mini models.

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Read All About it: Lancia's Geneva Motor Show Debuts in Detail

*The above photo is a Carscoop illustration

We've been hearing a lot of rumors and speculations for the past few months about Lancia's future product portfolio as well as which of these new models could make their world premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show on March 1. Carscoop has now learned final details of Lancia's plans for the Swiss Salon and can confirm that, aside from the 2012 Ypsilon we've already told you about, the Italian automaker will slip the covers off six more production and concept cars.

Without further ado, these are the Lancia models that will make their first public appearance in Geneva next month: the new Thema flagship sedan based on the Chrysler 300; the Grand Voyager minivan based on the Chrysler Town & Country / Dodge Grand Voyager; the Flavia sedan and convertible concepts based on the respective versions of the Chrysler 200; and finally, the subtly revised 2012MY Delta with a new grille plus trim and engine updates.

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All-New Lancia Ypsilon to Wear Chrysler's Badge in the UK and Ireland

It's no secret that after many years of delays and setbacks, the Fiat Group will finally present the Lancia Ypsilon's replacement at the Geneva Salon in about two week from now. What isn't known is that the new Ypsilon, which will be offered for the first time ever in a five-door body style, will be sold in Great Britain and Ireland under the Chrysler badge.

Back in 2008, Fiat canned its plans to reintroduce the Lancia brand to the UK and other right-hand drive markets citing the global economic crisis as the main reason. But after the Italian firm forged an alliance with the Chrysler Group in 2010, the group's CEO Sergio Marchionne took the decision to merge the Lancia and Chrysler brands, and create a single full-line brand with different names from market to market.

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Ferrari FF AWD Sports Car Concept Heading to Geneva, Tipster Provides Initial Details

A Carscoop reader who wishes to remain anonymous, sent us an email with details on Ferrari's long-rumored 612 Scaglietti replacement, which is due to be revealed to a select few on Friday, January 21, before making its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March. While one can never be 100 per cent sure in these cases, for a variety of reasons, we're almost convinced that the information provided in the email is real. So, without further ado, here's what our tipster told us:

The car will be a pre-production study called the FF, which stands for Ferrari Four, as the GT model will seat four passengers and come with a new four-wheel drive system. Designed by Pininfarina, the FF gets a shooting brake-like body style with a large rear hatch, and a face that brings to mind a chubbier version of the 458 Italia. Inside, Maranello's latest creation will be able to seat four passengers with an impressive -for a supercar- load volume of 450 liters, which can be increased to as much as 800 liters if the rear seats aren't in use.

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All-New Audi Q3 SUV to hit European Showrooms this Fall with 2.0 TFSI and TDI Engines

Audi has done an awfully good job in keeping its forthcoming Q3 under wraps, but it won't be long before the Ingolstadt-based automaker launches its smallest SUV offering. According to a inside source, the new Q3 will arrive in European showrooms this fall, most likely in September or October, depending on the market.

The insider also told us that the Q3 will be offered at launch with three powertrains, a 170PS 2.0-liter TFSI with a 6-speed manual gearbox and CO2 emissions of 172 gr/km; a 211PS 2.0-liter TFSI with an S Tronic transmission and CO2 emissions of 184 gr/km, and a 170PS 2.0-liter TDI diesel and an with an S Tronic transmission and CO2 emissions of 158 gr/km. More engine options will be added further down the line.

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Porsche's LA Show Debut will be the Cayman R Lightweight Special

We just learned that the new mid-engined sports model that Porsche announced for the LA Auto Show will be the Cayman R. Think of it as a more hardcore version of the Cayman S (pictured above) that has shed a few pounds here and there, and comes equipped with a mildly tuned version of the flat-six engine. According to our sources, the Cayman R also benefits from upgraded suspension and brake components as well as the necessary aero kit, bespoke lightweight alloy wheels and interior modifications. We'll bring you the full story and pictures on the Cayman R from the LA Show that kicks off tomorrow.

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Ford to Unveil New Focus Station Wagon at the Geneva Motor Show

At next week's Geneva Motor Show, Ford will stage the world premiere of the fifth member of its Focus family after the five-door hatchback, four-door sedan and the C-MAX and Grand C-MAX minivans, the station wagon model.

According to our sources, the more practical and roomy Focus SW (also known as the Estate in some countries) will initially be launched in Europe. However, if there's enough interest by buyers in other international markets, Ford will add the station wagon variant to its global range of Focus models in the very near future.

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2011 Audi A1 to be Launched with Four Turbocharged Engines

In less than 24 hours from now, Audi will officially release the first photographs and details on its MINI Cooper-rivaling A1 premium hatchback that will have its formal debut at next month's Geneva Motor Show. But since we know that many of you are an impatient bunch, we thought we'd share some facts that we learned about the A1 from an inside source.

First of all, the A1 will be launched onto the market as a three-door model with the five-door Sportback to follow at a later date.

It will be available initially with a choice of two gasoline and two diesel engines, all featuring turbocharging, direct injection and start / stop technology.

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VW Jetta Coupe Concept to Debut at Detroit Auto Show, Previews Sedan and Coupe Production Models

Those of you that are disgruntled with VW's decision to not bring the sexy Scirocco Coupe over to the States might find some comfort in the German firm's plans to stage the world debut of an all-new sporty coupe at next week's 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Called New Compact Coupe or NCC for short, the show car will give American consumers their first taste of an upcoming two-door coupe model that's based on the next generation Jetta four-door sedan and is destined primarily for the U.S. market.

Our sources tell us that the NCC concept is in fact an almost production-ready version of the Jetta Coupe though we're not sure if the German firm will actually use this name when the car is launched onto the market within the next year or so.

Similar in size with the current Jetta sedan, the two-door concept model will also showcase a new hybrid powertrain comprising of a small displacement four-cylinder TSI petrol unit and an electric motor that may find its way into the Jetta and the Golf in the very near future.

PS: Even though many car websites and blogs are claiming / assuming that the above drawing is / may be official, fact is, it's a Carscoop sketch...

New Audi A5 Cabriolet to be Unveiled this week, S5 Gets 3.0 TFSI

Audi will publish the first official images and details off the new A5 Cabriolet and its S5 sibling by the end of the week, according to Carscoop sources. Unlike the BMW 3-Series Convertible, Infiniti G37 Convertible and the Lexus IS 250C, Audi continues to resist the trend toward retractable hard tops preferring to equip the A5 and S5 Cabriolets with a more traditional and less complicated/heavy, electric folding canvas roof.Power options for the A5 Cabriolet will remain the same as the Coupe offerings minus the 2.0 TDI. The range will include 2.7-litre and 3.0-litre V6 diesels with outputs of 190HP and 240HP, two 2.0-litre TFSI petrol units with 180HP and 211HP and a 3.2-litre V6 FSI petrol with 265HP.

Our sources have also confirmed that S5 Cabriolet will be offered from launch with the S4's brand-new 3.0-liter supercharged V6 petrol engine that pumps out 333HP and a hefty 440 Nm (324.53 lb-ft) of torque. Power will be channeled to all four-wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox or optionally, via Audi's new seven-speed dual-clutch S-Tronic transmission. In 2009, the same powertrain will also replace the current S5 Coupe's 354HP 4.2-liter V8 unit.

Both the A5 and S5 Cabriolets are expected to go on sale by spring 2009.

Insider: Toyota to Bring Subaru Co-developed RWD Coupe as a Scion TC in 2011

Rumors that Toyota will market its Subaru co-developed rear-wheel-drive coupe as a Scion in America have been swirling around the net ever since the two Japanese automakers made their plans official this spring. But now we've received word that it's true. According to our inside source, Toyota officials in the U.S. confirmed that the affordable RWD coupe will indeed arrive in the States in late-2010 / early-2011 as the new Scion TC. Further details weren't provided but from what we know up until now, both the Toyota / Scion and Subaru variants of the two-seater compact coupe will get an all-new platform with power coming from a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine producing around 200HP.

Toyota officials also told our source that the iQ minicar will be heading to the States as the latest addition to the Scion line-up. Even though it is apparent that the iQ and the RWD TC will target a different segment of the young or young-at-heart audience, company officials are certain that both vehicles will do their part to spice-up the Scion brand's youthful / hip image.

Insider: VW to Unveil Golf GTI VI in Paris

Continuing our 'Tour de Paris', we have just received word from our European inside sources that along with the more humble versions of the sixth generation Golf, VW will also take the wraps off the highly-anticipated 2009 Golf GTI at the Paris motorshow. Unfortunately we weren’t able to obtain any official information (or unofficial for that matter) on the GTI’s powertrain options. Most likely, the range-topping Golf will get the latest version of the VW Group’s 2.0-liter turbocharged TFSI engine channeled through a six-speed manual or the highly acclaimed DSG dual-clutch semi-automatic transmission.

Paris Show Lexus IS Coupe-Cabriolet now has a name: IS 250 C

It won’t be long before Lexus makes it official that it will present the highly-anticipated coupe-cabriolet version of the IS along with the facelifted sedan variants at the Paris show next month, but we thought we’d update our story (see here) as we just learned that the convertible model with the retractable rooftop will be named IS 250 C. That means of course that the Paris show car will be equipped with the IS 250’s 2.5-liter V6 engine that develops 204HP but the range will apparently also include the IS 350’s 306 HP 3.5-liter V6 unit. As for a top-of-the-line IS-F C version, that remains to be seen.

Insider: Audi to Reveal A1 5door Hatch Concept in Paris

Audi has already confirmed that its long-awaited MINI rival, the A1, will find its way into showrooms by the end of 2009 / early 2010 (depending on the market). The German firm gave us a first glimpse of its new city car at last year’s Tokyo Auto Show with the 3door A1 Metroproject quattro concept but now Carscoop’s has learned that Audi will take the wraps off a 5-door version of the A1 at the Paris Auto Show in October. Our inside sources report that the Paris Show concept car will be closer to the production version than the A1 shown in Tokyo. -Continued

The new Audi A1 will be developed on the VW group's new MQB modular architecture for small and mid-sized cars with transverse engines. Expect to see front-wheel and all-wheel drive versions as well as a top-of-the-line S1 model equipped with one of the latest TSI engines from the VW Group developing over 200HP.

Rendering: Carscoop

Production Chevrolet Volt to be Unveiled on September 16th

Yesterday, Autonews reported that General Motors is planning to show a production model of its Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle this month as part of the automaker’s upcoming 100-year anniversary celebration. We took the liberty of contacting a few sources of ours who not only confirmed the report but they also told us that the production Chevrolet Volt will be officially unveiled on Tuesday, September 16. Though this has not been confirmed by GM, our people also told us that the production Volt will make its debut at the Paris Show along with another Chevrolet Concept car and the new Cruze subcompact sedan -see photos here.

Mercedes-Benz to Unveil CLK Shooting Brake Concept in Paris

The undisputed star attraction at Mercedes-Benz’ Paris Motor Show stand will be a new concept car called the CLK Shooting Brake. Essentially a sporty three-door model with an elongated rear-end, the CLK Shooting Brake will preview the new look of the next generation CLK coupe and cabriolet models that are expected to hit the market in 2009. Despite rumors that Mercedes may actually build a production version of the Shooting Brake, chances are that the Germans will stick to the traditional coupe and cabriolet models, at least for this generation CLK. According to Carscoop’s sources, we should see the first official photos and details of the Shooting Brake concept hitting the web sometime next week.