ON THE TABLE - JANUARY 8, 2014

  Audi. Editor-in-Chief's Note: Yes, I suppose it's great that Audi plans on introducing a production vehicle equipped with laser headlights, but really? The headlights today are already obscenely expensive to fix/repair and laser-equipped headlights will be even more costly. And they're terribly sensitive to heat to boot. The German manufacturers have been in a technological arms race for going on decades now. They love to one-up each other - it has become a sport to them - and some cool stuff often results from it. But it's not always beneficial and it's not always smart. This is one of those times. - PMD 

(Photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz)

The new GLA45 AMG - from the performance brand of Mercedes-Benz - "Makes a dynamic statement in the strongly growing segment of compact SUVs," according to Mercedes-Benz PR minions. With the GLA45, AMG now expands its high-performance SUV lineup to four models in the U.S.: GLA45 AMG, ML63 AMG, GL63 AMG and G63 AMG. Mercedes-AMG proudly says that it offers the widest range of SUVs among all high-performance premium brands. We were thinking one or two would be enough, but we are talking about Mercedes-Benz after all, where too many is never enough.

The interior of the GLA45 AMG features sports seats upholstered with MB-Tex "man made leather" and DINAMICA microfiber with red contrasting top stitching with red designo safety belts. The 3-spoke multifunction sports steering wheel has nappa leather with red contrasting top stitching, perforated leather in the grip area and steering-wheel shift paddles. The instrument cluster is a 2-tube design with central color display, an AMG main menu and RACETIMER. The trim of the instrument panel is made from brushed aluminum and the front door sills are in brushed stainless-steel.

The hand-built 2.0-liter AMG turbo engine in the GLA45 is the most powerful series production four-cylinder turbo engine in the world, according to Mercedes. It produces 355HP and develops a peak torque of 332 lb-ft. A power output of 178HP per liter puts the AMG high-performance turbo engine on a par with some of the world's most powerful super sports cars. An AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel-drive are standard. The new Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG will debut on January 13, 2014 at the Detroit Auto Show. It will arrive in dealerships in the fall of 2014.

(Rolls-Royce)
When a regular Ghost just won't do... Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has announced the launch of Ghost V-Specification; a limited series of Ghost and Ghost Extended Wheelbase motor cars that will be available for customers to commission from January to June 2014. Powering the Ghost is a 6.6-liter V12 engine. Up 30HP over the standard Ghost, the V-Specification accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. Customers can either choose from five specially selected exterior colors, or from Rolls-Royce’s 44,000 hue palette. Chrome exhausts and 21” part-polished wheels are also available. Being a Rolls, the V-Specification’s handcrafted interior features engraving on the treadplates, embroidery on the rear armrest and hand-applied steel inlays to the front multimedia screen lid. The interior is completed with an exclusively designed clock with a black crown surrounding the face. Ladies and gentlemen, fire up those checkbooks!

(VW)

VW will introduce the latest edition of the Golf R in Detroit next week, "the most powerful version of the Golf ever to be sold in this market," according to the manufacturer, even though it's over a year away. With an estimated 290 horsepower, the new Golf R has 34 hp more than the previous version, which was sold as a 2013 model. Despite the horsepower boost, the new R is expected to deliver a manufacturer estimated highway fuel economy rating of 31 mpg with the six-speed manual transmission, up from 27 mpg. Other stuff? Turbocharging, permanent all-wheel-drive; in this case, the latest version of the 4MOTION® system with a fifth-generation Haldex® coupling, a tweaked sport suspension, "progressive” variable-ratio steering system, and a stability control system ("ESC Sport") which can now be deactivated for track driving. Other highlights include the optional DCC dynamic chassis control system. Equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, the Golf R will reach 62 mph from rest in 5.3 seconds, an improvement of 0.4 seconds over the old car; with the six-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission, the car completes the sprint in just 4.9 seconds. And a bunch of other stuff is included too. The Golf R will be launched in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2015 in four-door configuration only.

 

(Volvo)

The new Volvo Concept XC Coupé is the second in a trio of new concepts from the Chinese-owned manufacturer. "Inspired by the design of modern sports equipment and demonstrating the safety capabilities of Volvo’s new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), it is a sophisticated and capable car for people with an active lifestyle" according to Volvo PR minions. “Those who love gravity sports freely seek new thrills and challenges. To ensure that they make it back in one piece, they prefer high-performance equipment that offers the ultimate sense of freedom and protection,” says Thomas Ingenlath, senior vice president design of Volvo Car Group. Well alrighty then!

(Images courtesy of Toyota)
The all-new Lexus RC F is based on the all-new RC coupe that was revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show last November. The RC F has wider wheels and tires, an active rear wing, air scoops, cooling ducts and available carbon fiber components. The high-performance engine in the RC F coupe will make it the most powerful V8-powered machine ever developed by Lexus. With design cues from the Lexus LFA supercar, the RC F features an available speed-sensitive active rear spoiler that deploys from the RC F’s deck at approximately 50 mph and retracts when the speed is less than 25 mph. Three variations of 10-spoke 19-inch forged aluminum wheels are available, including two machine polished designs and one design hand polished by craftsmen. The Lexus RC F will be unveiled at a press conference at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show.

(Images courtesy of GM/Chevrolet)

Chevrolet has announced an industry-first Performance Data Recorder for the 2015 Corvette Stingray. The fully integrated system enables users to record high-definition video - with telemetry overlays - of their driving experiences on and off the track. The PDR system features integrated video, audio and telemetry recording capability. Data can also be uploaded to Cosworth Toolbox telemetry software, similar to that used by Corvette Racing, to improve driver’s techniques and lap times. The HD-quality videos can be reviewed in-car when parked, or downloaded to a personal computer for sharing via social media. The PDR system was developed with Cosworth, the British motorsports-engineering company that supplies the Corvette Racing team’s data acquisition and telemetry electronics system. It will be available with the start of regular 2015 Corvette production, later in the third quarter of 2014. Pricing will be announced closer to launch. 

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(VW)
The world premiere of the Beetle Dune will be at the Detroit Auto Show next week. The Dune revisits the New Beetle Dune concept, which was presented in Los Angeles in 2000, but VW claims this 2014 Dune concept is “a lot more feasible” (alrighty then!). The Dune follows the production R-Line Beetle in its running gear and features a 210-horsepower turbocharged TSI engine, together with a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission. Editor-in-Chief's Note: The powers that be at VW are particulary adept at giving good concept, but they're complete bumblers when it comes to following through. We've seen countless concepts from VW over the years down at Cobo Hall and most, if not all, have amounted to exactly nothing. Why should this "Dune" concept be any different? Trust us, it won't be. For all of the "I'm the King of the World!" plans of their maniacal leader, Dr. Piech, VW manages to shoot itself in the head in this market repeatedly. They still don't get it. What a mess. - PMD

(Audi)
If there's any doubt left ​that the premium compact SUV segment is the hottest in the industry, the new Audi Q3 should put an end to it. The Q3 will debut at the Detroit Auto Show next week.

(Images from Audi)
The new Audi A8 and S8 will be unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show. The latest iteration of Audi's flagship is jammed so full of technological wonder it will make your head spin. And you'll never use or understand all of it. It's Googled-up and Google proud, too, because well, it just is. The 4.0T V8 engine increases from 420 to 435HP. The W12 6.3 liter engine now has Cylinder On Demand technology. The S8 engine continues with 520HP. The new big Audi models will allow you to leap over freeways and neighborhoods in a single bound and they're sure to make you feel more important somehow. Over and out.

(Mopar)
Mopar celebrates the 50th anniversary of the introduction the iconic 426 Gen II Race HEMI® engine to motorsports competition in 2014. "An elephant is incorporated into the logo as a reference to the engine’s “elephant” moniker, which resulted from its imposing size, strength and power," according to the PR folk. The logo also features the trademark HEMI Orange color that the original engine block sported, making it easy to recognize. Editor-in-Chief's Note: Okay, the logo is lame, but the racing HEMI is forever cool. - PMD