Renderings – Automotivetry.com – Motor Sports, Exotic Cars, and Everything In Between

2023 Peugeot 508: Here’s What We Know And What To Expect From The Mid-Life Facelift

This illustration was made by Jean Francois Hubert/SB-Medien for CarScoops. It is a speculative render that is neither related to nor endorsed by Peugeot.

The second-generation 508 is the flagship of Peugeot’s range, and one of the few remaining contestants in the midsize sedan segment. While it doesn’t show, the model debuted almost four years ago at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show which means that Peugeot could be working on a mid-life facelift.

The Peugeot 508 is considered one of the most stylish models in the D-Segment, adopting a low-slung five-door fastback coupé-saloon bodystyle. It is also the first production model to introduce the signature tusk-shaped LEDs on the front bumper that were later applied to the whole range. The facelift will likely build upon the successful recipe while adopting fresh design elements from newer models to freshen up its style.

Our artist’s rendition for a 2023 Peugeot 508 facelift above with the current-year model pictured below

As you can see from the speculative rendering created by Jean Francois Hubert/SB-Medien for Carscoops, the 508 could inherit the Peugeot’s latest crest emblem that is currently used only by the new-generation 308, alongside a redesigned grille just like in the facelifted Peugeot 3008 and 5008 SUVs from last year. The black accents and the 3D-style graphics make the grille appear larger despite being mostly covered for better aerodynamics.

Like the aforementioned SUVs, the 508 will likely get a redesigned bumper with additional faux intakes in the sides, further emphasizing the presence of vertical LEDs. The headlights could also get slightly redesigned LED graphics, merging nicely with the grille. Besides the new face, the 508 will likely remain largely the same, possibly with new options for exterior colors and wheel designs. The rear end could also get a few tweaks on the claw-inspired LED taillight graphics and the rear bumper garnish.

Since the current model is also available in estate form, chances are that the facelift will be adopted by the 508 SW. After all, Peugeot showed its dedication to low-slung family haulers with the premiere of the new-generation 308 SW earlier this year.

Despite being four years old, the interior of the Peugeot 508 still looks like it comes from the future, thanks to the high-mounted center console, the aluminum-style buttons, the inclined infotainment touchscreen up to 10-inches in diameter, and the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. However, there are a few updates that could make the dashboard even more attractive, including the addition of the 3D instruments from Peugeot’s latest i-Cockpit, alongside new trim options and more ADAS features as standard.

Like in most mid-cycle updates, the EMP2-based Peugeot 508 is expected to get slightly cleaner versions of the same engines. The French company has announced plans of electrifying its whole range by 2025, before going EV-only in Europe by 2030. This means that the updated 508 will be one of the last ICE-powered models by Peugeot.

Since electrification becomes more and more popular, the plug-in hybrid variants are expected to be the core of the range. Those are the Hybrid 225 e-EAT8 with a combined output of 222 hp (165 kW / 225 PS) and front-wheel-drive, and the 508 PSE (Peugeot Sport Engineered) performance flagship producing a combined 360 PS (355 HP / 265 kW) with all-wheel-drive.

Read: New Peugeot 508 PSE PHEV Launched In Germany, Costs More Than BMW’s M340i xDrive

The current generation Peugeot 508 in PSE PHEV form

The 508 was introduced with the 1.6-liter Puretech gasoline and the 2.0-liter BlueHDi diesel engines although later on, it became available with the smaller 1.2-liter PureTech and 1.5-liter BlueHDi producing 128 hp (96 kW / 130 PS). It is not clear if Peugeot will opt for a simplified ICE range giving more emphasis on electrification and lowering its fleet average emissions in Europe.

Besides the European market, the 508 is also available in the Middle East, and in China as the long-wheelbase 508L. Judging from the previous facelifts by Peugeot, the updated 508 could appear as early as next year prior to a 2023 market launch since the French automaker has already announced minor updates for the 2022 model year.

Illustrations Copyright Carscoops.com / *Jean Francois Hubert/SB-Medien*

How About An Open-Top VW Golf GTI Based On The Old Audi A3 Cabriolet?

Remember the Audi A3 Cabriolet that was dropped for 2020? Well, someone does and thought it would be a good idea to make an open-top Volkswagen Golf GTI based on its defunct cousin from Ingolstadt.

Mind you, the only Golf bits in this rendering are the front end, GTI badges and taillights, as everything else is pure A3 Cabrio, including the overall styling of the back end, the profile, and probably even the interior, as we can see the older infotainment screen mounted on top of the dashboard.

Review: 2021 VW Golf GTI – Time To Find Out If The New Hot Hatch Is Worthy Of The Name

While KDesignAG was busy coming up with this odd Volkswagen/Audi mashup, the automaker has already launched the new-gen Golf GTI in Europe. UK pricing starts at £33,460 ($43,337) for the six-speed manual and £34,960 ($45,280) for the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, whereas in Germany, it will set buyers back at least €37,607.38 ($44,285).

The United States won’t be getting the latest Golf GTI until the third quarter of 2021, and while pricing will be announced in due course, we expect it to start at around $30,000.

It will launch with the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine powering the European variant, which puts out 242 HP (245 PS / 180 kW) output and 273 lb-ft (370 Nm) torque. The nought to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint takes 6.2 seconds with the optional DSG gearbox and the front-wheel drive hot hatch has a top speed electronically limited to 155 mph (250 km/h).

Note: These are KDesignAG’s renderings that are in no way related to or endorsed by Volkswagen

Mercedes-Benz Vision Duet Is For The Autonomous And Electric Future

<!––>

Say hello to the Mercedes-Benz Vision Duet, a futuristic concept car that shows what premium vehicles could look like when Level 5 autonomous technology becomes a reality.

Designed by Lujie Huang as his senior thesis while studying at the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California, the Vision Duet is a three-seat grand tourer that aims to offer a new kind of road trip experience with a very innovative design.

Huang believes that through the shift to electrification and full autonomy, there will be a change in the grand touring experience from a driver-focused into a riding-focused one. With that in mind, the Vision Duet lacks any traditional controls like a steering wheel or pedals and instead has two comfortable, forward-facing seats and a large table in the center of the cabin. When the vehicle is parked, the glass roof can slide back and a third seat up front can be used. The designer was heavily inspired by the seating layout of leisure boats in creating the Vision Duet.

From the outside, the concept looks unlike any current Mercedes-Benz, but that’s no bad thing. Up front, it has a distinctive grille with a large three-pointed star, while the implementation of an electric powertrain has also allowed for an exceptionally short front overhang. There are also a set of small headlights connected by an LED light bar, and at the rear there’s an LED light bar and a sleek and sculptural bumper.

Note: This is an independent design study from Lujie Huang and is in no way related to or endorsed by Mercedes-Benz.

[embedded content]

PHOTO GALLERY

more photos…

2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Transformed From Luxury Sedan To Sumptuous Family Hauler

You didn’t really think the new generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class would escape the rendering frenzy, did you?

Truth be told it’s not a frenzy, not yet at least, as what we have here is a single illustration that depicts the uncrowned luxury car king in a new body style.

With a reshaped back end, an elongated roof complete with thin rails and two more side windows, the 2021 S-Class has been turned into an elegant estate by XTomi. Despite that, it is safe to say that Mercedes would never make such a thing.

What they will do is start selling their new flagship sedan in a few months, with the first batch of cars expected to hit the U.S. shores sometime in Q1 next year.

Boasting an evolutionary design that brings it closer to the smaller E- and C-Class, as well as taillights inspired by the latest CLS, the all-new S-Class will launch with an engine family comprising of electrified six- and eight-cylinder engines, while a plug-in hybrid will follow shortly.

In Europe, Merc’s latest range topper will feature a selection of petrol and diesel engines, in the S450, S500, S350d, S350d 4Matic and S400d 4Matic, with the first two packing a 3.0-liter mild-hybrid with 362 and 429 HP respectively. In the US, the 2021 S-Class will be available in S500 4Matic and S580 4Matic guises, with the latter being powered by a mild-hybrid 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that puts out 496 HP.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class EstateBemutatkozott az új S Osztályos Mercedes, elsőként kombivá alakítottam.#xtomidesign #mercedesbenz #sklasse #virtualtuninghungary

Posted by X-Tomi Design on Thursday, September 3, 2020

2022 Kia CV: Everything We Know About The Electric Sporty Crossover Coming For Tesla

Slowly but surely, Kia’s electric vehicle onslaught is gaining momentum with a myriad of new electrified models to debut within the coming years. One of these is a crossover that straddles the line between traditional SUV and a liftback codenamed CV.

While the CV’s nomenclature is yet to be confirmed, spy photos indicate it shares styling elements from both the Kia Futuron and Imagine concepts that debuted at last year’s China International Import Expo and Geneva Motor Show respectively. Now, let’s take an illustrated preview at what to expect based on the prototypes we’ve seen on the road.

A Futuristic New Direction

Kia used both concept models as a statement of intent for future vehicles; emphasizing sporty and elegant design, coupled with a new interpretation of Kia’s signature ‘tiger-nose’ grille. The production series CV is the first model to showcase this new design language with a striking, wedge-shaped body.

Illustrations Copyright Carscoops.com / Josh Byrnes

Frontal styling, for instance, features full-width LED lighting, dynamic lower graphic and a sculptured, clamshell hood. Sleek blacked-out a-pillars exude a floating-roof effect, and the belt-line raises towards the rear, putting further emphasis on its low and lean stance.

The most dramatic view comes from the rear; its styling is dominated by super-slim LED taillights that frame the upper arch of the hatch, featuring an illuminated fin pattern that could have come from some futuristic type of cooktop stove.

Platform & Powertrain

Like the Hyundai’s upcoming electric 45 CUV and Prophecy sedan, the CV utilises the automaker’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), that will also underpin several new electric vehicles set to appear soon.

Kia gave us a futuristic glimpse of its EV plans with last year’s Imagine (above) and Futuron (below) concepts

The Futuron Concept is 4,850 mm (190.9-in) long, 1,550 mm (61-in) high with a generous 3,000 mm (118.1-in) wheelbase.

While power and torque outputs are an unknown quantity, the dedicated EV will have a driving range of up to 310 miles (500km) and will offer blistering quick DC fasting-charging of under 20 minutes. If the upcoming Hyundai 45 BEV is anything to go by, expect an SK innovation-supplied battery pack in the 75-100 kWh bracket, coupled with a potent dual-motor setup.

A Roomy Place To Be

While we’ve yet to lay eyes on the interior, the CV will offer a spacious layout aided by a flat, skateboard-style floor. A large digital screen will combine both instrument cluster and infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, WiFi connectivity, and a surround-view monitor.

Read: Kia Confirms 310-Mile Range, 20-Minute Charging Time For 2021 Electric Crossover

Full autonomous driving is still some way off for the CV. However, from launch, you can be rest assured driver-assist technology will feature autonomous emergency braking, rear cross-traffic assist, lane-keeping aid, safe exit assist and rear occupant alert.

Prototypes of the Kia CV have already been spotted on the road, some even being tested alongside Teslas

Rivals & Reveal

Kia’s new pure-electric halo car will have plenty of competitors when it lands in the market next year, either as a 2021MY or 2022MY, though two models immediately stand out; the Tesla Model 3 and the Polestar 2 – Especially the latter, seems like one of the closest matches right now with the information we have in our hands.

Review: Mercedes EQC 400 Is A Strong Presence In The EV Crossover Segment

Depending on pricing, dimensions, specs and market availability, other potential battery-electric rivals may include the Hyundai 45, Toyota’s upcoming CUV, Volkswagen ID.4, and possibly the Skoda Enyaq.

So, do you think Kia is heading in the right design direction with its premiere EV model? Tell us in the comments below.

PHOTO GALLERY

more photos…

Photo credits: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien and CarPix for CarScoops

For GREAT deals on a new or used Harley check out Old Town Temecula Harley-Davidson TODAY!