By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

When the new Maserati Quattroporte hit the roads last year, many were amazed at how much larger the latest generation is compared with its more modest predecessor. The answer, of course, was the usual stuff about listening to the request of its customers, but also that for the first time in decades there would be a smaller sedan that would fill in the proverbial gap between the two.

Well, here's that smaller sedan: The 2014 Ghibli. 

The styling connection between the two is obvious, although the 5 Series-sized Ghibli seems to be ever so slightly more graceful. We don't get the same strong impression of Infiniti in the Ghibli as you do in the QP...

The cabin appears to be equally luxurious, with a large screen dominating the dash.

Maserati says the Ghibli and Quattroporte were designed hand-in-hand and that the smaller shares plenty with its larger brother, including the first-on-a-Maserati optional all-wheel-drive system. Two versions of the same twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 will be used with expected levels of 330- and just over 400 horsepower, and we can probably expect the Quattroporte's twin-turbo V8 to show up at some point too. In places where diesel rules, a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel will be offered too.

So here's the inevitable question: given how well-established its natural competitors are in their segment - i.e. 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6, etc - would you choose the Maser if it was within a reasonable price range? Would you pick the Italian offering over the Germans? Or something else altogether? Let us know in the comments.

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

There are times when new concepts or production reveals are genuine surprises, like the Subaru WRX Concept, which no one figured would be as attractive or aggressive as it turned out to be. However, when BMW said it would be launching a smaller X4 crossover to complement its larger X6 original, the photos here aren't shocking.

Set for a reveal in Shanghai, the Concept X4 previews how the production version will likely appear in a year or so. The sharply raked roof and rear glass, petering out just before the integrated spoiler on the rear deck. There are some pretty bold character lines through the rear door that aren't on the X3...

The shapes used in its 'face' aren't unsurprising, although those will probably make way for more traditional black plastic mesh for production.

We do know the production X4 will share its platform and mechanicals with the current X3, so that means turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines, standard xDrive all-wheel drive and eight-speed automatic transmissions. Luckily, the second-gen X3 is significantly improved, fun to drive and larger than before. We can expect the X4 to get its unique sheetmetal and wheels, but most of the interior will probably carry over. Not sure whether the X6's original four-person cabin - the back row was actually two bucket seats with a big console a la 5GT - will be preserved here, or if that'll be abandoned because of the smaller space.

What do you think? Should BMW be dipping its toes into even smaller pools of potential customers? Do you like the Concept X4? Let us know in the comments...

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

Porsche didn't make many friends when it unveiled its Panamera years ago, although there have been more than enough buyers convinced by its luxurious interior and excellent driving dynamics. Now that the second-generation is here, the company's adding features and plenty of extra technology to broaden its appeal globally. There are a whole phonebook's worth of changes, but we'll try to keep the info as distilled as possible...

Mid-grade S models now sport a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6, which replaces the old non-turbo 4.8-litre V8. Power is up by 20 horsepower and 15 lb-ft for totals of 420 and 384 respectively. As expected, fuel efficiency is claimed to be improved by 18 per cent too. The 310-horsepower 3.6-litre V6 in base Panameras and the 520-horsepower twin-turbocharged 4.8-litre V8 in Turbo models are essentially carried over, although both get small power gains.

The impressive S E-Hybrid model now uses a 70 kW (95-horsepower) electric motor, which is double the previous version's output, plus a new lithium-ion battery with 9.4 kWh that Porsche says has over five times the energy capacity of the previous one. And the car can now be plugged in overnight; using the Porsche quick-charger it takes about 2.5 hours, or less than four in a regular outlet.

Fuel consumption on the S E-Hybrid has been improved by 56 per cent on the European cycle with the car averaging 3.1 L/100 km (down from 7.1), while the electric-only range is between 18 and 36 kilometres. Combined with the supercharged 3.0-litre V6, the whole system puts out 410 horsepower and runs from 0-100 km/h in only 5.5 seconds.

Exterior changes are limited to redesigned front and rear ends, while the rear windowline changed slightly, but you can tell this isn't a wholesale change. However, to make the car more attractive to buyers in places like China, there will now be longer Executive models with a 15-centimetre stretch in wheelbase. Executive models still seat four, meaning plenty of stretch-out room, along with standard air suspension and what Porsche claims is an even better ride.

Prices start at $89,500 for the Panamera and $94,800 for the Panamera 4, while the S and 4S are priced at $106,600 and $112,500 respectively. The Panamera S E-Hybrid will cost $125,900, which is followed by the carryover sports-oriented GTS at $129,400 and the Panamera 4S Executive at $143,600. The top models are the Panamera Turbo for $161,500 and the Panamera Turbo Executive for $184,100.

The new models will hit Canadian shores this fall, while Porsche also promises the inevitable Turbo S anda new Turbo S Executive to follow sometime in 2014.

What do you think of Porsche's decision to offer the stretched Executive models? A waste of time or well thought out? And will anyone actually buy the E-Hybrid? Let us know in the comments.

 

Join us as MSN.ca Autos hits the auto show floor in New York, March 27 and 28, during the media preview day. Get expert updates and opinions on vehicle announcements throughout the day. You can also submit comments and questions on what cars and technologies you'd like to see and share your thoughts with us!

By John LeBlanc for MSN Autos Canada

Geneva, Switzerland — With no major, international Italian auto show on the calendar, Switzerland’s Geneva event is the closest geographically for Italy's design houses to show their wares. And this year’s Swiss show was no different, with all the big studios — Bertone, IED ItalDesign Giugiaro and Pinanfarina — showing up with new concepts and show cars.

Join us as MSN.ca Autos hits the auto show floor in Toronto, today, February 14, during the media preview day. Get expert updates and opinions on vehicle announcements throughout the day. You can also submit comments and questions on what cars and technology you'd like to see and share your thoughts with us!

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

The sub-subcompact market is heating up... Between the Chevrolet Spark, Fiat 500 and Scion iQ, the tiny four-seat hatchback is becoming more and more popular. Latest to enter the fray? Mitsubishi, who debuted its new challenger at the Montreal International Auto Show last week.

Known elsewhere as the Mirage, the car will be mildly altered to be more suitable for the Canadian market, most importantly in the engine bay. The 1.0-litre three-cylinder found in most other markets will be bumped to 1.2 litres, although without turbocharging will only provide 74 horsepower and 74 lb-ft of torque. Mitsubishi says it'll be available with either a five-speed manual transmission or optional CVT.

Mitsu says the new car will be wider than a Spark, taller than an Accent and longer than an iQ, although that last one isn't saying much given the wee Scion's runty length... Styling is, um, there. Basic, economical and - fingers crossed - reliable are three factors the company is pushing as positives.

The car is expected to go on sale this fall as a 2014, and final pricing - and a name! - are expected to be announced before then.

Would Mitsubishi's new offering make you curious enough to test one? How do you think it'll hold its own against the current competition?

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

While the North American International Auto Show in Detroit just served up around 40 new designs or concepts, it looks like at least one company held back something for Canadians. The Montreal Auto Show media day was today and Honda surprised just about everyone by showing off its latest small-car concept, the GEAR.

Funny name, perhaps, but the three-door hatch and tiny footprint are perfectly suited for Canada, and Quebec in particular. The press release describes the design study as one inspired by 'fixies' (fixed-gear bicycles) and hits all the overused buzzwords that plague the industry: "young, urban, Gen-Y lifestyles," "simple, utilitarian, but also customizable, connected and full of personality."

Eh. Anyway, the GEAR is a real throwback to the original Civics and Japanese-market City microcars, but I'm sure it'd sell by the bucketload. 

What do you think? Is Honda's GEAR inspired or insipid?

Join us as MSN.ca Autos hits the auto show floor November 28th, during the press preview day! Get expert updates and opinions on vehicle announcements throughout the press days. You can also submit comments on what you'd like to see and share your thoughts!

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

Still in shock that Lexus, purveyor of quiet, numb, boring cars and sport-utes, decided to make a performance-oriented F-Sport version of its new LS limo? We are too. But the bigger wheels and tighter suspension of the official model has nothing on this: the TMG Sports 650 Concept. TMG stands for Toyota Motorsport GmbH, which is the company's official European racing arm, and its been fiddling around with the idea of a hotted-up street-ready product for a few years now.

But this concept is seriously wild. Based on the pre-facelifted short-wheelbase LS, TMG have made substantial changes not only to the body, but to virtually every system and component underneath. The engine is a twin-turbocharged version of the IS-F's 5.0-litre V8, and apparently delivers 650 horsepower and 524 lb-ft of torque while somehow revving to a 9,000 rpm redline. The eight-speed automatic transmission remains, but we'd guess it's suitably beefed up for track duty. Enormous wheel-arches are stuffed with gigantic BBS wheels wrapped in sticky Michelin performance tires that in turn hide substantial brakes and a radically retuned suspension.

Visual changes are dramatic, including hood vents to help with engine cooling, and TMG claims everything was optimized in a wind-tunnel to aid in handling. Front and rear spoilers should help with downforce, while the quad pipes out back play on the aforementioned IS-F's controversial design. Nothing on this car is pretty, but you have to respect its functionality.

Apparently, TMG will show off the Sports 650 Concept at the upcoming Essen Motor Show - kind of like Europe's version of SEMA - in Germany next week and we're hoping they'll announce at least a short production run.

Would the idea of a Japanese performance limo scare the German luxo-car makers into action, just like when Lexus mopped the floor with them when the original LS debuted in 1989? Or is this simply a hopped up pretender to hi-powered six-figure monsters from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz? Let us know if the comments.