Porsche Cayman R - Los Angeles Auto Show

While we were expecting the North American launches of the 911 Carrera GTS and the 911 Speedster at the Los Angeles Auto Show, we’re happy to report that Porsche also took the wraps off the hopped-up Cayman R, which is very much in the same vein as the Boxster Spyder but is intended to please hardtop purists.

Porsche’s mid-engine sports coupe, the Cayman, already comes as a spicier Cayman S. It has 320 bhp, 55 more than a standard Cayman, and it has 273 lb.-ft. of torque versus 221. The new 2012 Cayman R notches it up a bit higher with 330 bhp at 7400 rpm and 273 lb.-ft. of torque at 4750 rpm. The boost in power comes from a revised tune of the direct-injected 3.4-liter flat-6 engine. Porsche claims the R hits 60 mph in 4.7 seconds when equipped with the standard 6-speed manual transmission and 4.4 sec with the 7-speed automated gearbox.

Even more noticeable than the power, though, is the weight-reduction program. Dropping an incredible 121 lb., the Cayman R comes in at a reported 2849 lb. Getting the car’s weight down that low means that compromises and sacrifices were made, and we’re not sure that every driver would be willing to make them.

Take, for example, the air conditioning and radio; they’re gone. Serious track-day fiends certainly will appreciate those efforts, which are complemented by aluminum door skins and carbon-fiber interior panels and seatbacks from the 911 GT3. The beautiful 19 in wheels may look familiar—they’re from the Boxster Spyder.

There are changes that add performance, too. The suspension is lowered by 20mm and the Cayman’s optional limited-slip differential, a must-have option in our opinion, is standard on the R, as are the front and rear spoilers from the Cayman Aerokit. Sport Chrono is optional, although we feel this should be standard.

Visually, there’s a large black Porsche graphic just above the rocker panels and black surrounds on the headlights and windows. What’s more, the side mirrors and vents in front of the rear wheels are blacked-out.

Altogether, we like what we see—a lightweight pure sports car that’s a modern-day hardtop interpretation of the 550 from the 1950s and the 904 from the 1960s. The 2012 Porsche Cayman R will be available in February for a starting price of $66,300.

Lexus GS - First Drive

Armed with better looks and a sportier demeanor, the new GS takes direct aim at BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

In the last decade, Lexus has mainly been relying on its SUVs to post big sales numbers; however, with the national focus shifting toward being “greener” and improving fuel economy, Toyota’s luxury division is now channeling its efforts back to passenger cars. In fact, the company is planning a new brand strategy, injecting the same basic design theme into every one of its vehicles.

This plan starts with the all-new GS. Beginning with this popular mid-size luxury sedan, all Lexus vehicles will feature the “spindle” grille, shaped like a stretched-out hourglass. Whether this treatment will work with vehicles like the LS, IS or LX remains to be seen, but with the GS, the result is a classy-yet-aggressive face that’ll prompt a second look.

The base GS, the GS350, will come powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 with VVT-I (Toyota’s valve timing technology) that produces 306 bhp at 6400 rpm and 276 lb.-ft. of torque at 4800. It comes mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with a manual mode, and although the hardware is basically carryover from the current model, new features have been added to make the driving experience sportier. Some of the features from the Lexus IS F have been adopted, including faster shifts, earlier torque converter lockup and downshift throttle blips. Also, it can be switched among four driving modes by a control on the center console: ECO, for better fuel economy (in this mode the instrument panel turns blue); SPORT S mode for better acceleration (here the instrument panel turns red), SPORT S+ mode (available with F SPORT and Luxury packages) that not only changes the shift points, but also automatically engages the sport setting of the adaptive variable suspension, steering system; and VDIM (Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management). An all-wheel-drive version will also be offered. 

If this is not enough, there will also be the GS F Sport, which adds retuned suspension with firmer springs, an adaptive variable damping system, thicker anti-roll bars, a variable gear ratio steering system, bushing changes, and larger front brakes with high friction brake pads. Lexus estimates that this car will run from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. 

The model that most impressed me was the GS450h. Equipped with a hybrid system that mates an Atkinson-cycle 3.5-liter V-6 with an electric motor, the GS450h produces a combined 338 hp. While boasting a zero-to-60-mph time of 5.6 seconds (according to Lexus), the GS450h gets an amazing 29/34 mpg, and 31 mpg combined. This is about 7 percent better than the current GS450h.

The new GS will be available in February 2013, and although prices have yet to be announced, you can expect a slightly higher MSRP than the current model, but one that’s still in the same ballpark.

Mercedes SLC the R190 baby SLS

The gestation process was slow and tricky, but we can now announce that Mercedes has at last signed off the SLC - a baby SLS supercar the AMG boys had up their sleeves for over two years. The new Merc SLC is now due in 2015 when the SLS comes in for its final pit stop. The new, slightly smaller supercar will be available in coupe and roadster guise, and it is front-engined after an earlier brief dalliance with a mid-engined set-up.

This is one area where we were wrong. The SLC will not accommodate the expected new AMG-tuned twin-turbo V6, as CAR reported earlier, but the faithful V8 which is mated to the familiar dual-clutch transmission. 

It's still early days for this programme, but the Affalterbach grapevine suggests that instead of the big-bore 5.4- or 6.3-litre V8 units, project R190 (the official codename) will in fact feature a brand-new downsized 4.0-litre V8. 

How come? Because after BMW and VW/Audi, MB is also about to switch to a new engine generation with a standardised 500cc-per-cylinder displacement. As a result, there will soon only be 2.0-litre fours, 3.0-litre sixes and 4.0-litre V8s. Heaven knows how they will be badged, though, Merc labels having long since lost much bearing on the actual capacity under bonnet.

The V12 and the old-school three-cylinder will eventually be phased out, and the all-new three for Smart and the A-class will be supplied by Renault-Nissan. 

What is the new Mercedes SLC (2015) made out of?

Since R190 does after a brief overlap effectively replace the SLS, we can expect a similar aluminium-intensive engineering layout, a lighter kerb weight, even better handling qualities and exceptional performance. 

The SLC puts an end to the dream of a mid-engined Mercedes sports car, but at the same time it fuels speculation about a complete range of emphatically dynamic two-seaters. 

Merc's supercar plan

On one side of the SLC, we may thus eventually find a lightweight V6-engined spin-off of the next SLK. On the other side, we may find a carbonfibre supercar which could take the friendly rivalry with McLaren to the next stage. 

Unfortunately none of these emotional newcomers can answer such truly urgent questions facing parent firm Daimler. Such as the future of Smart, how to plug the gap between Smart and the A-/B-class, and which alternatives to BMW i and Audi E-tron Mercedes should offer.

Mercedes MLC - it's Merc's X6 crossover

Mercedes is going chasing after the cult success of the BMW X6 with a new, sleeker (read less practical) M-class. Dubbed informally the MLC, we'll see this new sporty SUV in 2014. 

Project C166 - the codename for the 2014 Merc MLC - was approved at a Daimler board meeting in July 2011. This is no mere fantasy: it has been assigned to the Alabama plant in the US with a firm start-of-production date of March 2014. 

Why is Mercedes building the MLC sporty SUV?

The real driving force behind the five-door M-class coupe was of course the BMW X6. Initially ridiculed because of its compromised packaging and villainous stance, the widebody lowrider BMW SUV turned out to be a surprise smash hit which still sells between 40,000 and 60,000 units a year.

After the confirmed Audi Q6 and Porsche Cajun and tentative Jaguar crossover, the Mercedes MLC is already the fourth premium model that targets the same niche as the X6.

Like its rivals, C166 gets a bespoke body which shares no exterior panels with the M-class donor vehicle. Those who have seen the final proposal describe it as sporty and quite aggressive with CLC and T-model estate car overtones.

So will the Merc MLC just be an impractical 4x4 coupe?

Although it is quantifiably lower than the M-class, the MLC does not compromise rear leg- and headroom like the X6, according to CAR's sources. Means to this end include sufficiently wide rear doors, a less radical roofline, adjustable rear seats and a full-length console. 

The luggage compartment may struggle to haul tall XXL cubes like refrigerators, but it is commendably flexible, easy to load thanks to a low lip and available with a clever divide-and–tie–down system.

Launching in 2014: MLC and a facelifted M-class

The MLC is due to go on sale in the summer of 2014, only weeks before the faclifted M-class becomes available. It therefore incorporates all the upgrades under preparation for the sister model, like the latest in infotainment, lighting and driver aids. 

Characteristic styling elements include bespoke headlights, taillights and indicators; a meaner-looking and more upright trademark grille with enough holes to accommodate additional cameras and sensors required to monitor the road, traffic and the parking environment; and a sportier interior with additional comfort features. 

What you cannot specify for the on-road-biased M coupe are the off-road package, a BMW-style active steering and a humble four-cylinder engine. Instead, Mercedes is promoting the so-called Active Curve System which is quite similar to the Dynamic Drive option offered on the X6. The Airmatic air suspension and adaptive damping are standard. 

Engines in the Merc MLC

Enginewise, the MLC wants to be sportier and more upmarket than the M-class which is more of an all-rounder. The range starts with a new twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 which develops 333bhp and 354lb ft. One step up, we find the blown 5.4-litre V8 which is good for 435bhp and 516lb ft. The brawny AMG edition, complete with bespoke bad boy make-up, is rated at 544bhp and 590lb ft. 

The only diesel is a 3.0-litre V6 which musters 265bhp and 460lb ft. Also on the cards is a plug-in hybrid which combines either 3.0-litre V6 (diesel or petrol) with a 50bhp electric motor and a 8kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The MLC price premium over the base model is expected to be in the region of €4000.

Suzuki Swift Sport CAR

In an age when Clios and Minis have 200bhp, Golfs and Meganes sport 250bhp, and the hottest A3 and 1-series offer up over 300bhp, Suzuki’s new Mk2 Swift Sport is a breath of (modest) fresh air.

The four-cylinder engine remains at a mere 1.6 litres (naturally aspirated, of course), and despite it gaining a variable intake system and tweaked variable valve timing over its predecessor, as the Mk1 SS boasted just 121bhp, a 10% increase in peak power equates to a modest 134bhp. Peak torque is up too, but by just 9lb ft. 

Meek numbers, but then the first Swift Sport was magnificent despite its lack of headline figures. Does the new car match up? Read on for our first drive review of the new Suzuki Swift Sport.There’s stiffer front and rear suspension, new 17in alloys save a /kilo/ per corner, and there’s now a gearbox with a sixth gear. First through five remain tightly stacked, but the extra cog cuts emissions (from 165 to 147g/km), improves fuel economy (39.8 become 44.1mpg), and mean less frenetic cruising. At least that’s the theory; the reality is that acceleration still isn’t stellar, and you will still be pulling 3000rpm at 70mph.

The standard Swift’s design subtlety improved by a subtle bodykit, there’s room in the back for tall people (and the headrests actually extend high enough to support your head), and the boot’s not bad either. Add in improvements in motorway refinement (short gearing notwithstanding), loads of standard equipment (air-con, cruise control, electric door mirrors, Bluetooth, MP3 and USB connectivity, and seven airbags), and you’ve got a decent little hot hatch

Our test route took us through mountains near Barcelona, the first heavy downpour in months leaving the roads rather slippery. There’s the tiniest hint of torque steer in first gear, but thereafter you can pin the throttle without fear of repercussions. Then shift, fast as you can, through the slick gearbox, right foot flat on the right pedal again just as soon as the cogs mesh, up to 7000rpm, engine happy to sing to the red, and roaring along nicely. Lift slightly for a blind crest or bend, or hard on the progressive, positive brakes, and then flat again. 

The steering’s accurate, quick and direct, it’s nimble, there’s good chassis balance, but it’s a bit more comfortable and composed than the first Swift Sport. Still fun, though. Great fun. What broken Tarmac we could find revealed little wrong with the ride, there being just a slight patter from the secondary ride. Turn the ESP off and the hints of mild understeer mature in the atrocious conditions, but a mid-corner lift won’t see you spinning backwards off the road.

GM's Chevy Volt faces safety probe after damaged batteries catch fire

WASHINGTON -- General Motors Co.'s electric plug-in hybrid Chevrolet Volt is the subject of a U.S. safety probe after its lithium-ion batteries, supplied by LG Chem Ltd., caught fire in crash tests.

A Volt caught fire three weeks after a side-impact crash test May 12 while parked at a testing center in Wisconsin, leading regulators to conduct more tests. Volt battery packs were damaged in three more tests last week, causing two fires, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday in a statement on its website.

"The agency is concerned that damage to the Volt's batteries as part of three tests that are explicitly designed to replicate real-world crash scenarios have resulted in fire," NHTSA said in the statement.

The U.S. regulator said it doesn't know of any crashes outside of testing that have led to battery-related fires in Volts or other cars powered by lithium-ion batteries. Chevy Volt owners whose vehicles have not been in a serious crash don't need to be concerned, the agency said.

GM maintains that the car is safe. The automaker and NHTSA have been working for months to replicate the fire in the car's lithium-ion battery that occurred three weeks after the May collision test, Greg Martin, a GM spokesman, said by telephone.

Inducing battery failure

The testing, which involved a stand-alone battery assembly, "is part of a broader program over the last six months to induce battery failure under extreme conditions," Martin said.

LG Chem, South Korea's biggest chemical maker, is the Volt's battery vendor. Dick Pacini, a spokesman with the Millerschin Group, which works for LG Chem, said he couldn't immediately provide comment. On Nov. 22, LG Chem said in a statement that it was cooperating with NHTSA and GM.

NHTSA, which said it's working with the U.S. Defense and Energy departments to analyze the fires, conducted its first new test on Nov. 16 without a fire. The second test on Nov. 17 saw an initial temporary increase in battery temperature after the crash, and the battery pack caught fire at the test facility on Nov. 24. In a third test on Nov. 18, the battery was rotated hours after the crash and "began to smoke and emit sparks shortly after," NHTSA said.

At this stage of Volt marketing, the NHTSA investigation will probably not hurt sales, said Jim Hall, principal of 2953 Analytics Inc., a consulting firm in Birmingham, Mich.

The car has been on sale for a year as the manufacturer ramps up production. Most Volt owners are early adopters with an interest in the technology, and won't be deterred by the post-collision fires, Hall said.

"If they were selling to the mass market, it would be a bigger problem," he said.

GM started selling the car in seven states and began offering the Volt in all 50 states in October, Martin said.

Chevrolet sold 5,003 Volts this year through October, according to Autodata Corp., a research firm in Woodcliff Lake, N.J.

GM will push production to a rate of 60,000 a year starting in January. Of the 60,000 GM plans to build next year, 45,000 are earmarked for the U.S., and the rest will be exported, the company has said.

New Ford Mondeo revealed

We reveal the dramatic new look of the next Ford Mondeo, set to feature a hi-tech cabin and efficient enginesFord is gearing up to unveil the most desirable Mondeo ever. With a look inspired by the stylish four-door Evos concept car, plus a host of hi-tech kit, the saloon will hope to shift its everyday image.

Set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2012, the car will hit the road next summer.

Our exclusive illustrations – based on insider information and recent spy shots – show the Mondeo gets the latest Kinetic 2 design language.

This includes the large, inverted trapezoidal grille from the Fiesta, Focus and C-MAX, yet more pronounced and mounted higher up. Another key feature is the narrow headlights. 

But the look is about much more than simply the blue oval’s family face. Two boldly defined feature lines adorn the sides, while bulging rear wheelarches and a steeply raked roofline reveal the car’s sporty intentions.

It’s not only the looks that will be inspired by the Evos; the Mondeo will also lift its powertrain from the concept. The range-extending 2.0-litre petrol engine and electric motors won’t be offered from launch, but will follow. This will allow for an electric-only range of around 50 miles and about 500 miles between fill-ups. 

More conventional engines will make up the rest of the range, including Ford’s 1.6 and 2.0-litre EcoBoost petrol turbos. In the current car, the latter produces 200bhp and returns 36mpg economy, while the 1.6 – as found in the C-MAX – will offer 150bhp and 180bhp outputs. Also available will be a range of diesel models, including a 112bhp 1.6-litre TDCi and a 2.0 TDCi with 137bhp or 163bhp.

Even the traditional engines will be among the most efficient on the road thanks to eco tweaks currently used in the latest models, such as the Focus. These include stop-start, brake energy regeneration and active aerodynamics that close the grille at high speeds to improve fuel efficiency.

Under the skin will be a modified version of the current Mondeo’s front-wheel-drive chassis, which will include torque vectoring for the first time. This helps to shuffle power between the front wheels in corners to prevent understeer. 

Inside, the impressive fit and finish and high-quality materials used in recent Fords will help the Mondeo bridge the gap to more expensive rivals from Audi and BMW. A range of hi-tech gadgets will make the newcomer one of the most advanced models on the road.

This includes the SYNC entertainment system, which can play audio, read text messages and deal with voice commands through wirelessly connected smartphones. In addition, the Mondeo will get features such as lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and parking assistance.

Honda CR-V unveiled

Honda takes the wraps off its updated compact SUV, which is more roomy and efficientThis is the new Honda CR-V, which has made its debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show. It is a rival for the Ford Kuga, which was also revealed at the US show.

It's set to go on sale in the UK in Autumn 2012, and has been updated with a mildly facelifted body. Despite being a bit shorter and lower than the car it replaces, Honda says there is actually more space inside, as the windscreen has been moved forward and the floor lowered. 

As well as being more practical, the CR-V has also moved upmarket, with a redesigned dashboard that features better quality materials.

Honda has stripped some weight from the CR-V, and along with improved aerodynamics, electric power steering and taller gearing, the car is expected to be slightly more economical and have lower emissions.

For the UK, engines will be carried over from the current model. This includes a 2.0-litre i-VTEC petrol and 2.2-litre i-DTEC diesel, with the latter returning around 45mpg. There are currently no plans for a hybrid version. 

Variable four-wheel drive is carried over from the current car. This is capable of sending up to 100 per cent of the power to the front or rear wheels, depending on which have the most grip. 

Gadgets include Bluetooth, a rear parking camera, USB connectivity and a system that allows the driver to text from Blackberry phone. 

Honda says a version 'developed and designed specifically for the European market' will arrive later next year. Expect Honda to tweak steering and suspension settings, while the new CR-V will also be built at Honda's Swindon plant. 

The US market is crucial for the CR-V, where Honda aims to sell around 200,000 models every year.

2012 Audi A7 3.0 TFSI

Prestige is a beautiful car with stunning lines that had strangers walking up to me asking what it was. Guess those four big rings in the grille were missed by the admirers. And inside, the car is just as sweet, with supple leather, beautiful wood inlays and satin metal finishes. The car is stunning inside and out.

And there's nothing to quibble about with what's under the hood, either. The 3.0-liter supercharged V6 was packed with enough motivation to keep my commuting interesting. But this clearly is a cruiser rather than any sort of sports car. But that's OK, as this is one car that is just fine getting by on its great looks.

A couple of minor annoyances that we've seen before on Audis include a brake pedal that didn't engage until it was nearly to the floor. That's not a secure feeling when you need some instant stopping power. And at times, the throttle was touchy with an almost light-switch-like feel: either on or off. But overall, this car is a gem.

ART DIRECTOR TARA KLEIN: Where do I begin? The Audi A7 is a simply gorgeous car that breaks boundaries and oozes luxury. I was lucky enough to spend a weekend with this beauty and I came away impressed, to say the least.

First off, the streamlined nature of this car creates contours that disguise the typical sedanlike qualities. The rear is so tapered that at first glance, most would deem this a coupe. This seems to be a growing trend, and the A7 is one of the best at achieving this look. 

The interior puts just as much emphasis on form and function, resulting in a modern, impeccably designed cabin that is also inviting and easy to utilize. The mixture of the beige leather seats, wood trim, and black and silver accents separated by swooping lines create a dynamic yet clean layout. 

The trunk is button controlled and provides ample space for an average amount of storage. I moved some more boxes to my house this weekend, and the A7's capacity worked out just fine. Obviously this car isn't catered toward moving a large amount of stuff, but it easily accommodates everyday needs.

As far as technology goes, this A7 is chock-full of it. The hidden display that pops up when started features navigation with satellite imagery from Google Earth, which is a huge bonus for the directionally challenged such as myself. The front and rear sensors with notification graphics that pop up onscreen are also accommodating, as is the blind-spot assist and the backup camera. While driving a friend to our favorite flea market, she wondered why her seat felt chilled and was amazed by the seat-cooler function, as well as a slew of other bells and whistles housed in the A7--including the bold look of the LED running lights and the spiral-shaped taillights. 

To put it simply, this car handles extremely well. The rate of acceleration and braking was spot on, and passing in both expressway and two-lane situations was effortless. I encountered my parents' dirt roads this weekend, as well as many pockmarked rural Michigan paved roads, and I was slightly bummed with how this thing absorbed the bumps. Don't get me wrong, road blemishes were not met with violent reactions, but most, if not all of them were indeed felt. As I turned back onto smooth pavement, however, the ride quality quickly turned back to butter status.

Honestly, while writing this review, I had to take time to think of loads of positive descriptors and phrases to use to describe this car, and many of them don't do it justice. The A7 is not only a stunning car inside and out, it is inspiring and treads a modernized direction that I can only hope gives foresight into what we can see more of in years to come.

Volvo plans to polish its image with styling high-tech engines

Volvo's brand image is stuck somewhere between "premium" and "luxury," but the Swedish automaker aims to move further upscale with a fresh design language and a new generation of vehicles powered by more fuel-efficient engines.

New mid-sized and large models will begin arriving in 2014 based on Volvo's lightweight SPA platform.

The vehicles will use Volvo's coming generation of smaller four-cylinder engines. Executives say turbocharging and plug-in hybrids will give the vehicles more power even as the automaker phases out its five- and six-cylinder engines.

Stefan Jacoby, CEO of Volvo Car Corp., says that with the price of gasoline and coming fuel economy regulations, engine displacement no longer will be linked to luxury--at least in Volvo's world.

Rather, he says, high-tech fuel-saving technology that produces neck-snapping performance will be Volvo's recipe.

"The time for counting cylinders is over," Jacoby says.

He says a diesel plug-in hybrid in development will achieve an EPA rating of 123 mpg and have 440 pounds-feet of torque. The electric-only mode will have a range of 30 miles. Drivers will be able to choose when to activate the EV mode. The powertrain will be shown at January's Detroit auto show.

Volvo also is dialing back on electronic control units because Jacoby says they take the driver out of the driving equation. He says Volvo wants more man-machine interface--other than when active-safety intervention is needed.

Executives say they are repositioning the brand since Volvo's acquisition last year by the Chinese carmaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. They say Volvo's luxury competitors have made technology--rather than the customer--the starting point for vehicle development.

But Volvo will seek customers who desire "cultivated luxury," said Richard Monturo, Volvo's vice president for global marketing.

"We will unabashedly be a luxury player all around the world," said Monturo, an American executive, who joined Volvo in February after heading the Miami- and Buenos Aires-based advertising agency La Comunidad. At the agency he worked on campaigns for Nissan, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen, among others.

"Customers have shown a willingness to pay us more money for our cars," he said. "We will go upmarket if the market will bear it. A lot of our customers are highly affluent but buy a more discreet luxury. For us, the back story behind a product is the status. It's not just 'Look at me.'"

Volvo last week allowed journalists inside the inner sanctum of its styling studio in Camarillo, Calif. Executives and designers showed renderings of a series of Volvos that will replace the S60 and S80 sedans and the XC90 crossover.

Those vehicles--and other possible derivatives--will ride on the new SPA technology, which stands for "Scalable Platform Architecture." The automaker claims the new platform, which will handle all of Volvo's mid-sized and large vehicles, weighs 320 pounds less than comparable platforms from other manufacturers.

The XC90 replacement will arrive in 2014. The design freeze is now six months away. The S80 will be redesigned in 2015.

The various exterior shapes being considered suggest a brand still searching for its design language. Some of the renderings evoke the current Maserati Quattroporte, while others suggest the original Volvo Amazon, a mid-sized car that debuted in the mid-1950s. One even paid homage to the teardrop shoulder lines of vintage Talbot Lagos.

"We are exploring the full range of possibilities," said Chris Benjamin, design director at the Camarillo studio. "SPA allows us to create more sleek, more luxurious proportions. The focus is not about having a product you use. It is more of an experience."

But the broad, rounded shoulders that have been a part of Volvo since the late 1990s will remain. And while there may be some sharp creases and character lines, Volvo will not return to the "brick" look that Volvo 240 traditionalists love.

"Design is a subjective thing," Benjamin said. "We are free to do whatever we want."

Although the Concept You unveiled at the Frankfurt auto show displayed more streamlined, fluidic styling than current Volvos, Benjamin said Volvo doesn't want to create too slippery a car. He said: "The better the aerodynamics, the worse the car looks."

Source By: Mark Rechtin, Automotive News