Lexus LS460 and LS460 F-Sport Sedans in Gallery of 2013

The wall surrounding the 2013 Lexus LS has completely broken with some 30 or so high-resolution photos of both the regular LS 460 and the F-Sport variant of the same model flooding the web-o-sphere. Taking into consideration the fact that the current generation of the LS has been with us since 2006 with Lexus performing a mild makeover in 2009, when the company announced that it was preparing a new model, we believed that it would be just that and not another facelift.
The exterior redesign is concentrated exclusively on the two ends of the car with the front gaining a version of the Japanese brand's spindle grille, new headlamps (very similar to the ones found on the outgoing Hybrid model), reshaped fenders and a new hood that includes a bulge running along the middle.
At the back, there are restyled and darkened tail lamps connected with a chrome strip, a re-sculptured boot and a new bumper design.
Making its debut on the 2013 model is the new LS 460 F Sport edition packing a more muscular appearance thanks to a different front bumper that accommodates chunkier side air vents, a front grille with a mesh pattern, side skirts, a diffuser positioned between the tail pipes and bespoke alloy wheels.
We don't for know sure yet, but if the F Sport versions of the RX crossover, GS sedan, and CT hatchback are anything to go by, then the LS 460 F Sport will have sportier interior trim and suspension tuning but no engine upgrades.
While there are no photos of the interior, a close up from one of the rear facing pictures suggests that Lexus has overhauled the center console and added a large LCD screen on top of the air vents.
The Japanese carmaker has said that the 2013 LS will be available as the LS 460, LS 460 L long wheelbase, LS 600h L hybrid sedan and the all-new LS 460 F SPORT, with the car's debut to take place on Monday, July 30, at which point, we will be able to give you all the details.

2013 LEXUS LS460

2013 LEXUS LS460 F SPORT

2012MY VS 2013MY LEXUS LS 460

Volkswagen Group's Sales Rise 12.4 Percent

Despite the challenging environment in Europe, the Volkswagen Group was able to increase its worldwide sales by 12.4 percent to 4.6 million vehicles in the first six months of the year. In doing so, the Group’s share of the global passenger car market rose 0.1 percent to 12.4 percent. The German automaker's operating profit rose 3.4 percent to €3.28 billion (US$4 billion) in the second quarter of the year showing signs of slower growth as the company had reported a first-quarter increase of 10 percent.
Overall, the VW Group's operating profit was up 6.7 percent to €6.5 billion (US$7.96 billion) in the first six months of 2012.
"Against a background of economic uncertainty, our performance so far, our improving cost structures, our flexible production and our technology leadership in many areas mean that we are well equipped to meet the challenges facing us," said CFO Hans Dieter Pötsch. "More than ever before, our sound financial position is paying off."
The VW passenger car brand sold 2.4 million vehicles in H1/2012, an increase of 9.5 percent over the prior year period, with the Fox, Tiguan, Touareg and Sharan models recording the highest growth rates.
The group's Audi brand delivered 678,000 vehicles from January to June 2012, and the Chinese joint venture FAW-Volkswagen sold a further 166,000 Audi vehicles.
As previously reported, Skoda sold 493,000 units in the first six months of the year, up 8.4 percent over the same period in 2011.
Seat posted a 16.0 percent year-on-year increase in sales to 218,000 vehicles worldwide, despite a continuing decline in demand in its home market of Spain.
Luxury carmaker Bentley delivered around 5,000 vehicles in the first half, which corresponds to an increase of 47.8 percent compared with last year.
The VW Commercial Vehicles brand sold 228,000 vehicles in the same period, up 4.8 percent on the previous year.
VW Group CEO Martin Winterkorn said that the company expects to at least match last year's record operating profit of €11.3 billion (US$13.9 billion).

Cadillac ATS Hatchback Prototype Model

We know for a fact that any new car's design goes through several phases before reaching its final production form and that in the process, designers experiment with various prototypes that usually don't see the light of day. Every once in a very rare while, though, we get the opportunity to take a look at early prototypes that either inspired or led to the finished product.
Such is the case with this scale model of a design prototype that was created by the team responsible for the styling of the all-new 2013 Cadillac ATS compact saloon, which goes on sale in the U.S. this month.
The model car features a sleek looking, five-door hatchback body style with a very short rear overhang, pronounced front fenders and a sweeping roofline. It also appears that it may have been designed to sport suicide style rear doors.
While we understand that this is a concept from the early development phase, we came in contact with Cadillac just to make sure.
"We have lots of artifacts from the car's [ATS] design and development that we pulled out to show how it was authentically created," a Cadillac spokesman told Carscoop.
"So some of the sketches and models are things that literally led to the final car, and some are naturally going to be things that hit the cutting room floor. That model simply shows some of the concept-oriented work. It's not intended to spark expectations of a certain new body style," he added.
One thing to keep in mind is that with a few exceptions, premium automakers don't believe that there's a big market for hatchbacks in North America – which is why you won't see the new BMW 1-Series and the upcoming Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatches.
On the other hand, if Cadillac wants to expand its sales in overseas markets such as China and Europe, at some point it will need to enhance its range with a lower priced and smaller sized hatchback model that will be available with both gasoline and diesel engines.
On a side note, if you would like to see more of the prototype, tell us in the comments section and we will shoot an email to GM and see if they can send us more photos.

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Design Crafts a Styling Package for New BMW 3-Series Sedan

While not widely known in the BMW tuning world, 3D Design has made a name for itself over the past few years in its home market of Japan. This time, 3D Design has turned its attention on the new BMW 3-Series sedan (F30) with the unveiling of a styling package that will go on sale early next month.
The body kit includes a front apron, boot lid and roof spoilers, and a rear apron, with the tuner adding a gloss black finish to the BMW double kidney grilles and air vents, as well as new exhaust pipes.
The stance of the 3-Series is made even sportier with a set of black alloy wheels wrapped around in low profile sports tires.
3D Design said that it will release more details on the package, including information on the interior upgrades, closer to launch.

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VW Reportedly Interested in Parent Company Proton

Last week, Reuters reported that the ever-expanding Volkswagen Group is considering to place a new bid for Proton, which owns the Lotus brand, some five years after the Germans failed to form a tie up with the Malaysian carmaker as it seeks to extend its reach in the southeast Asian markets. Today, DRB-Hicom, which acquired a 42.7 percent stake in Proton earlier this year, said that it had received an offer from an unnamed foreign company to buy Lotus for £1 (US$1.6 / €1.3) and take over the British company's debts that amount to more than £200 million (US$311 million / €257 million).
The Malaysian company said it rejected the offer. "The easy way out was to accept the offer," Mohd Khamil, Proton executive chairman, told The Star. "As a businessman, that was what I could have done to cut the loss, move on."
"We believe we have a business plan that will work for Lotus. If I sell without trying, at the end of the day, I will fail my shareholders," he added.
While DRB-Hicom would not reveal the name of the company interested in Lotus, some have speculated that it could be Volkswagen. However, it's appears that the Germans are purely interested in Proton with Lotus simply being a part of the deal that it may or may not want to keep.
In related news, DRB-Hicom said that it would wind down its previous, overly ambitious plan to produce the five concept models shown at the 2010 Paris Motor Show and which was conceived under the leadership of former CEO Dany Bahar, who was fired last month.
According to Autocar magazine, it is not known yet if any of the five cars, which include the new Elise, Esprit, Elite GT, Elan and Eterne sports saloon, will survive.
Interesting times for Lotus indeed…
Story References: Reuters via Worldcarfans

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