Audi reveals pricing for U.S.-spec Q5, starts at $37,200

Audi first debuted its all-new Q5 midsized SUV as far back as the April 2008 Beijing Motor Show but now the vehicle is due to start rolling into U.S. dealerships next week. Audi has confirmed that it will be available with a 3.2L V6 FSI direct injection engine, quattro AWD, and a six-speed Tiptronic automatic. Pricing, announced today, will start at $37,200.

The base Audi Q5 Premium starts at $37,200. Pricing for the Audi Q5 Premium Plus starts at $41,500, and the Audi Q5 Prestige starts at $48,200. Prices do not include a destination charge of $825, taxes, title or dealer charges.

Overseas the Q5 is available with a compact 2.0L FSI petrol engine and a pair of turbodiesels, displacing 2.0 and 3.0L, as well as a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission. The petrol V6 engine destined for the American-spec cars is rated at 270hp and 243lb-ft of torque. This is enough for a 0-60mph time of 6.7 seconds and a 4,400 pound towing capacity. Fuel economy is also reasonable, with a claimed 18mpg in the city and 23 on the highway.

The new Q5 measures 4.63m in length (wheelbase is 2.81m), 1.88m across and sits 1.65m tall. It also has a class-leading drag coefficient of 0.33. To save weight engineers used aluminum for much of the vehicle’s construction including the wraparound tailgate and hood.

Inside, there’s space for five and the rear seats are angle-adjustable and can be folded away to expand storage space from 540 to 1,560L. Standard features for U.S. customers include 12-way power adjustable front seats and Audi’s third-generation MMI vehicle interface system. Optional extras include a rail mounting kit for luggage, a luggage compartment liner, a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo, a hard-disc based navigation system, and LED tail-lamps.

Additional features of the Audi Q5 include keyless access, a tire pressure monitoring system, a large panoramic sunroof, tri-zone climate control, sun blinds for the rear side windows, adaptive cornering lights and an electric tailgate.

Gallery: Audi Q5

Lexus prices 2010 RX 350 to start at $36,800

The RX line of SUVs has been Lexus' best-selling luxury utility vehicle since its launch in 1998, and the new generation takes the vehicle into a larger, more powerful realm, while at the same time adding new efficiency-enhancing measures in the hybrid model. Launched in Los Angeles at last year's show, the RX today received its first price tag.

The RX 350, the combustion-engine-only variant of the new RX line, will start at $36,800 in base FWD form. Upgrading to AWD raises the price to $38,200. This puts the new RX 350 very close to Audi's Q5 SUV, which was revealed today to start at $37,200. Pricing for the RX 450h hasn't yet been announced. MSRP does not include a delivery, processing and handling fee of $825.

The 450h, available in both AWD and FWD configurations, features two new technologies to boost fuel economy and reduce emissions. The first is an exhaust heat recovery system that reduces engine warm-up time, enabling the engine to shut off sooner, more frequently and for longer periods, reducing its use in daily driving, cutting fuel consumption and emissions.
The second new feature is the electronic AWD system. Unlike mechanical AWD systems, the electric-powered rear-mounted motor/generator allows all four wheels to perform regenerative braking and obviates the power-sapping inefficiencies of transfer cases and the weight of extra driveshafts.

Rated at 295hp (220kW), the Atkinson-cycle 3.5L V6 gasoline engine in the RX450h picks up 27hp (20kW) over the 2008 model, but still has the same 3,500lb towing capacity, and still manages to secure a SULEV emissions rating. The RX350 uses a similarly-sized V6 engine rated at 275hp (205kW), a gain of 5hp (3kW) over the 2009 model.

Though the RX had been speculated to grow to accommodate seven passengers, the new vehicle is still billed as a five-seater despite the larger overall dimensions. The cockpit has grown to include a dual-zone layout, featuring the 'display zone' and the 'operation zone'. The 'display zone' centers around an eight-inch navigation and information display set back into the dash for visibility, while a white OLED adds multi-function information on a separate screen. The 'operation zone' features access and control of a large range of information via the 'Remote Touch' navigation controller and steering-wheel mounted switchgear.

On the outside, the new RX features a more muscular design and an aggressive stance. To complement the bigger look, the RX also gets standard 18" alloy wheels with 19" alloys optionally available. Despite the large size and typical SUV profile, however, the RX's coefficient of drag is just 0.32.

Gallery: 2010 Lexus RX

Toyota forecasts $4.95 billion loss

Toyota has forecast its first operating loss in 71 years, citing falling demand and an appreciating yen as the key factors leading to its poor performance. Despite predicting late last year that its loss would only amount to ¥150 billion ($1.7 billion) in the year through March, the carmaker has now forecast an annual loss three times greater than this.

The world's largest carmaker now says its first annual operating loss in seven decades will be ¥450 billion ($4.95 billion) for the fiscal year ending March 31. It also expects is sales to drop 17.87% for the year, down to 7.32 million units. Last year Toyota posted an $18.9 billion net profit, reports
Automotive News.

“The environment we’re in is extremely tough,” President Katsuaki Watanabe told reporters today in Nagoya recently. “We’re facing an unprecedented emergency situation. Unfortunately, we can’t see the bottom.”

Adding to the falling sales is the yen's rapid surge against a weakening dollar, which is also having devastating effects on Toyota’s profit.

In order to cut costs as much as possible, the carmaker may have to delay launching new models, lashing research and development costs and extricating itself from non-essential activities, such as motorsports.

The last time Toyota posted an operating loss was in the year ended March 1938

Mitsubishi planning hot trio of cars including Evo X FQ400

Factory-upgraded versions of typically sedate sedans and hatchbacks have become de rigeur for most major carmakers. Mitsubishi's have been largely hit-or-miss, but the company's next trio of factory specials promise to be on target.

The much-lauded Lancer Evolution X gets FQ400 treatment, pushing output to 400hp (298kW) and taking its demeanor further into the hardcore. Unfortunately, like other FQ variants, the model isn't slated for U.S. sale. Pricing is expected to nose up against the £50,000 mark when it hits UK streets around April.

The Lancer Sportback is also due for a Ralliart variant, already confirmed for the U.S., as is the GTS version, which shares specs with the GTS sedan. The new Ralliart is expected to get Evo IX running gear, reports evo, making the car a notable upgrade over the bland last-generation Ralliart.

The foreign-market Colt small hatch has already been upgraded with a Ralliart variant, but a new TWR Walkinshaw edition is set to raise the bar even further, its 1.5L four-cylinder remaining at the same 147hp (110kW) of the Ralliart model, but an upgraded suspension and lower ride height are expected. Other details will have to wait until the official release.

Gallery: Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart 2009

Gallery: Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X GSR and RS

Gallery: 2009 Mitsubishi Colt officially revealed

Official images of Citroen's new DS Inside Concept revealed

Moving up in the automotive world is a difficult task, whether it's Acura trying to become a tier 1 luxury manufacturer or Hyundai/Kia seeking recognition as a globally competitive carmaker. Citroen has faced its own difficulties in recent years, producing products that outstrip the brand's reputation. Today Citroen has released photos of one of the cars that will help kick off the brand transformation, the DS Inside Concept.

Citroen's campaign is intended to help realign the public's perception of the brand to better fit with the "near-premium" product line it offers. The global effort comes as the French carmaker celebrates its 90th anniversary in the business, making 2009 a time for both tradition and innovation. The new logo that debuted at that time can be found on the new DS3.

A re-ignition of the DS line is just one line of attack for this global re-branding scheme. The DS held the top slot at Citroen for 21 years, starting in 1955 and running through 1976. Despite the ensuing 33-year hiatus, the iconic outline of the DS is still the first thing that comes to mind for many car enthusiasts when the Citroen brand is mentioned. The new DS Inside bears little or no resemblance to that legendary silhouette, however.

The DS moniker stands for "Different Spirit", according to Citroen. The new concept provides the basis for a new line of cars to be named DS3, DS4 and DS5, hinting at bigger and better models to come.

Citroen marketing director Xavier Chardon told Automotive News Europe, “The brand has been lagging behind the cars for some time. We’re taking action today so customers want to come to Citroen for what the brand represents and not just out of interest in a given model.”

Other efforts, in terms of customer service, dealer relations, service and maintenance standards as well as the product initiative, will help Citroen present itself as a more up-scale brand.

Gallery: Citroen DS Inside Concept official photos