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Suzuki has dropped a few teasers of a new concept vehicle headed to this year’s Delhi Auto Expo, and the sneaky shots may hint at a successor to the well-worn Jimny/Samurai throne. Right now, the automaker doesn’t have a known replacement lined up for the pint-sized SUV.

The Samurai may have exited North America long ago, but its direct descendant, the Jimny, is still very much alive elsewhere. In fact, it has cultivated a decades-old reputation for being a tough-as-nails bruiser that’s as reliable as it is capable. We think Suzuki would do well to keep the model in its portfolio in the future, and now, new reports suggest the company could lift parts from the Swift drivetrain to build a low-cost Jimny successor.

Even so, assuming the teasers indicate a concept vehicle, it would likely be some time before we saw a production model frolicking about in the light of day. Early estimates would put a next-generation Samurai on stage at the Delhi Auto Expo in two years or so. Does that mean the U.S. will see the Samurai name return to its soil? With Suzuki’s floundering presence here in the states, that seems unlikely, but we would welcome a capable, low-dollar off roader to our shores any day. Head over to the Maruti Suzuki page for a closer look.

Suzuki readying next-gen Jimny/Samurai? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’re waiting patiently – very patiently – for the 2012 Focus ST to show up in the showroom of our local Ford dealership. Meanwhile, our friends around the world have been able to play with the top-tier Focus RS, and they’re already waiting on the next generation. They won’t have to wait much longer, though, as Ford in Australia has reportedly confirmed the next-gen RS.

The current Focus RS boasts 300 horsepower, all of which is sent to the front wheels. It sounds like a recipe for an intense forearm workout, but the Focus RS utilizes the revoknuckle front suspension setup to quell torque steer. Ford insists they can push power figures higher, and the next generation RS will aim to prove just that.

Look for the current RS’ Volvo-sourced, turbocharged, 2.5-liter inline-five to be replaced with a higher-output version of the company’s 2.0-liter EcoBoost four – the same engine that we’ll be getting in the less-powerful Focus ST. As for exact power numbers, Ford’s Australian bosses have said that output numbers as high as 350 or 380 hp are possible.

Ford confirms next-gen Focus RS originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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General Motors let a sneak peek at its new global-platform Chevrolet Colorado slip ahead of the truck’s official debut at the Bangkok Motor Show in Thailand. The show starts March 25, so GM is giving us just enough to get the gist of what our next-generation Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon may look like.

The General says it picked Thailand for the truck’s debut because the Southeast Asian market is becoming a huge player for the automaker, and people in Thailand are buying pickups at an alarming rate. In 2010, pickups accounted for 43 percent of vehicles sold in Thailand.

The truck will be built in Thailand for global consumption, but will most likely carry over Stateside as the new Colorado/Canyon, and is being prepped by GM of Brazil for the American market. Follow the jump for The General’s official press blast.

[Source: General Motors, PickupTrucks.com]

Continue reading Next-gen Chevrolet Colorado teased in Thailand

Next-gen Chevrolet Colorado teased in Thailand originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’re still smarting over the fact that American buyers won’t get a chance to sample the goodness that is the new global Ford Ranger, and now the guys and gals at the Blue Oval have set about salting that wound. The company’s engineers decided to show off exactly how powerful the little truck is, so they strapped it to a 160-ton locomotive and pulled the engine out of its berth. The Ranger came packing its TDCi diesel 3.2-liter inline five-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower and 346 pound-feet of torque. Bolted to a six-speed automatic transmission and equipped with a low-range transfer case, the pickup appears to have no problem lugging the T-class diesel-electric locomotive out of storage.

After watching the video, we’ve got to agree with the decision makers at Ford. Absolutely no one on this side of the world would ever want a small diesel pickup truck with a towing capacity of over 6,600 lbs. We’re not bitter. Honest. Hit the jump to check out the clip for yourself. Hat tip to The Typical Guy!

[Source: YouTube via Top Gear]

Continue reading Video: Next-gen Ford Ranger shows locomotive force

Video: Next-gen Ford Ranger shows locomotive force originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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