Audi Wants An A3 Coupe To Rival The Mercedes CLA

And could end up looking pretty spectacular.

We love the Audi A3 family, even though the US lineup isn't quite as extensive as to what Europe receives. Audi recently refreshed the A3 and S3 for 2017, but there could be even bigger changes in the form of a new body style. According Auto Express, the hatchback, sportback, sedan and convertible could be joined by a new four-door coupe model. This would make the A3 a more direct competitor for the Mercedes-Benz CLA. Four-door coupes are all the rage right now, and it seems like the German automakers are all clamoring to build more of them.

Audi's goal is to shift its compact models into the executive class, which is where the A4 currently competes, without a drastic price hike. This strategy has worked well for Mercedes with niche models like the CLA and CLA Shooting Brake, which unfortunately is not sold in the US. Audi is hoping to catch up to Mercedes, which just had its best sales year ever, becoming the best-selling luxury automaker in 2016. Introducing a new A3 variant would also help Audi achieve its goal of having 60 individual models by 2020. So what could this new A3 Coupe look like? The new car will retain the look of the A3 up front, but with a bolder design, new grill, LEDs, bumpers, and a wider stance.

The design could resemble the TT Sportback Concept, which was one of our favorite recent Audi concept cars. Before the new four-door coupe model arrives, the new hatchback will be revealed in 2019. The new A3 will still be based on the MQB platform, but it will grow slightly to have more interior space. It will also borrow some advanced technology from the upcoming A8. The virtual cockpit will be updated and self-driving should be prominent in some capacity. The A3 will likely have a variant with some form of electrification as Audi attempts to move away from Dieselgate. Based on the rumors, the new A3 should be even better than the current model, which should make it a great car.

BMW's New Range Rover Rival Nears Production

Final preparations are underway for BMW's biggest SUV ever.

First previewed by the X7 iPerformance concept, BMW’s answer to the Mercedes GLS and Range Rover is nearing production. And as you can see from these latest photos sent by our spy photographers, it’s quite a behemoth. Set to become BMW’s biggest SUV ever, these new spy shots give us a first look at a pre-production prototype X7 being loaded onto a truck on its way to a test facility. The X7 will be BMW’s first full-size SUV with room for up to seven occupants in its spacious cabin.

The prototype shows the two rear seats are in an upright position, but when used as a five-seater it’s safe to say the X7 will offer considerably more cargo space than the X5. There should be plenty of legroom for passengers using the second-row seats too, and getting in and out of the X7 looks hassle-free thanks to the long rear doors. Our spies also managed to snap some shots of the interior allowing us to have a peak inside BMW’s lavish SUV before it enters production. Clearly, the cabin is still a work in progress. As you would expect, the X7 sports a fully digital instrument cluster but look closely and you can see it depicts the 7 Series, so the prototype is still running on the sedan’s software.

Nevertheless, it still gives us an idea what the production X7 should look like inside. The X7 is based on a stretched version of BMW’s CLAR platform, which also underpins the 7 Series, 5 Series and the new X5. Under the hood, expect the X7 to be offered with a range of six- and eight-cylinder engines in both gasoline and diesel guises, though we doubt the latter will be available in America. Nothing has been confirmed yet, but a plug-in version is also likely to happen. BMW’s new Range Rover Rival is expected to debut later this year, possibly at the LA Auto Show in November.

Will There Be Something To Rival The Volkswagen T-Roc R In America?

BMW? Volvo? Here’s your opportunity.

Think of the Volkswagen Golf. Great car. Think of the Golf R. Awesome hot hatch. Now imagine what the Golf R would look and possibly drive like as a compact crossover? The VW T-Roc R is likely that very vehicle. As we already know, the T-Roc is not sold in the US and more than likely never will be. That’s kind of a shame because we’ve seen the T-Roc in the flesh at European car shows and it’s a great-looking vehicle. It’s even built on the same MQB platform as the current and next Golf. But for whatever reason(s), VW has opted to keep the T-Roc and the upcoming performance version from reaching America’s shores.

Our spy photographers recently snapped several images of what’s clearly a nearly ready to go T-Roc R prototype getting some exercise at the Nurburgring.

This hot compact crossover is expected to come powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with just over 300 hp. The Golf R, by comparison, has 292 hp. We also figure the T-Roc’s power will be distributed to all four wheels through a dual-clutch transmission. Sounds pretty good, right? Too bad we can’t have one, but there are some alluring potential alternatives.

Just off the top of our heads, there’s the BMW X1, specifically the X1 M Sport. Any BMW dealership in the US will be more than happy to sell you one. It also features a turbocharged 2.0-liter turbo four, though it produces 228 hp. It’s also pretty expensive, ringing up at least $40,000. Not in the market for something German?

There’s also the Volvo XC40. Like the VW and BMW, it’s also powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four, though output is rated 248 hp. If BMW and Volvo were to offer an X1 M and XC40 with Polestar assistance, then there’d be little craving for the T-Roc R. The downside, of course, would be the premium price tags. We honestly wouldn’t be surprised if the hot compact crossover segment became a thing in the near future, given the already massive popularity of crossovers in general in both America and Europe.

5 Cars You Can Modify To Rival The BMW M2 Competition

When you want to build your own compact track monster.

The just-unveiled 2019 BMW M2 Competition, the warmed over version of the already pretty spicy baby M car, trades out the current M2’s N55 six-pot for a detuned version of the big brother’s powerplant, the S55 unit from the BMW M3. Performance figures are impressive, with the M2 Competition delivering 405 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, sent to the tarmac via either a 6-speed manual or 7-speed DCT, 0-62 mph comes in at 4 seconds with the latter, and there are some big, big brakes to handle the stopping power.

Weight has been bumped up by the new hardware, but with the extra power it’ll be hardly noticeable. However, the M2 Competition is going to be pricey, and there may be those who feel the need to get similar thrills elsewhere. When it comes to performance vehicles in a similar segment, most are underpowered, but through the joy of aftermarket development, here are five alternatives to the M2 Competition that might well be just as much fun, if not more.

1. Dinan M240i

The M2 Competition might be a fine sports coupe, but at its heart it’s merely a BMW 2 Series with some advanced work. Dinantronics knows this, so has given the public the ability to get M4 Competition levels of power out of their standard M240i. The M240i’s endearing six cylinder engine makes it a prime candidate for more power, and with the Dinan Stage 1 tune equipped, there’s up to 414 hp and 478 lb-ft of torque available.

Suspension upgrades are more than freely available, so with a little work, a Dinan Stage 1 M240i will develop more power and torque, and equally as adept handling as the M2 Competition. Like all things aftermarket, there are innumerable ways to customize and tweak things to your liking, and with a range of exhausts, body kits, and wheel designs available, the M240i can look and sound the part too.

2. Subaru WRX STI

Unlike the M240i above, this one takes a little more work to get to M2 Competition levels of power. The Subaru WRX STI in its latest incarnation is a platform ripe for performance – it’s an incredibly adept handling machine, and has a driver focus that few modern vehicles can match. It’s the kind of vehicle that flows with the road and melds driver and machine into one singular being. But, the EJ257 Boxer engine at the heart of the WRX STI is known to be problematic – the endless forum posts on the matter prove this.

Tuners and owners willing to put in the effort, money, and uprated parts have been able to fairly reliably generate in excess of 400 hp though – and when combined with the additional boost and the hearty Boxer burble, the character factor is hard to resist. It may require effort, but a 400-hp WRX STI is a trackday weapon ready to take the M2 Competition head on.

3. Z1 Motorsports Nissan 370Z

In this day and age, if you’re looking for 400 hp+ thrills the easiest way to get it is through the magic of boost. But certain enjoyments are compromised by the addition of turbos and superchargers – the feeling of naturally aspirated torque building, the thrill of an engine running to its rev limiter, and the sound – you can’t match the sound of a naturally aspirated engine. Z1 Motorsports have taken this to heart, and the Nissan 370Z has been the focus of its work for the VQ37VHR 400-hp Package.

New intake and exhaust systems developed by Z1 Motorsports result in a power bump to 400 horsepower from the 370Z’s 3.7-liter V6. Z1 Motorsports also offers a range of other equipment to give your 370Z the handling ability, sound, and look a high performance 370Z should have.

4. Mountune Ford Focus RS

Mountune has a history of working with Ford – both in the United Kingdom and here in the USA. But it’s not just any Fords they work with, it’s the cream of the crop performance models that get a helping hand from Mountune to turn them into full on rally-spec machines. The $2,500 Focus RS B7 Package from Mountune comprises a COBB Accessport V3, Mountune high flow intake, uprated air recirculation valve, intercooler upgrade, charge pipe upgrade, roll restrictor, and custom calibration. The system boosts outputs at the wheels to 350 hp and 442 lb-ft, which gives it roughly the same power at the crankshaft as the M2 Competition.

Additionally, the tune gives drivers a range of interchangeable performance maps to choose from on the fly: launch control, flat foot shifting, and adjustment of the maps to suit high octane fuel for track day excursions. The extra power, paired with all-wheel drive and of course drift mode, means the Mountune Focus RS is a surefire way to take on the M2 Competition and run it pretty damn close.

5. Roush Mustang

This one is a bit of overkill, at least in the power stakes. The stage 2 Roush Mustang bumps power outputs from the 5.0-liter V8 to 460 horsepower, 50 more than the M2 Performance. But unlike many other tuner packages, the Roush Stage 2 Mustang gets a range of handling and visual upgrades to match the extra ponies under the hood. Roush designed wheels are shod in Continental ExtremeContact Sport tires, able to withstand cornering forces of up to 1.07 lateral Gs.

The Stage 2 also gets a fully upgraded suspension system, including height adjustable coilovers, Roush-tuned valving, and an optional 3-way suspension that offers jounce and rebound adjustment. The Roush R8 aero package also features as standard that improves aerodynamic efficiency, downforce, and styling to give the Roush Stage 2 an identity all of its own. The Roush Active Exhaust System completes the package and allows the driver to tune the tone and flow of the exhaust from their smartphone.