Geneva LIVE: 2014 Volvo S80

Volvo's flagship sedan has been given a modestly revised front end and a few high tech details inside for an early 2014 model year.

Although exact North American Volvo S80 specifications haven't been detailed, it's safe to assume that our model - which will likely bow later this month at the New York show - will be externally identical to its European brethren.

Emulating the style seen on the Volvo You concept shown at the 2011 Frankfurt show, the new S80 features a more organic front fascia than before. At the rear, only small revisions mark the new year. Also added to the options list are 19-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the S80 continues with most of the updates it received for the 2012 model year, but a trio of new screens located in the instrument cluster have been added for user-configurable gauge and trip computer functions. In addition, the automaker's Sensus infotainment system now offers full internet browsing (when the vehicle is stopped) and it doubles as a WiFi hotspot for connected devices. 

New ambient lighting and an optionally heated steering wheel are joined by additional leather upholstery and wood trim choices. 

On the powertrain front, the S80's 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder and 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six are unchanged. 

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Geneva preview: 2014 Porsche 911 GT3

Porsche has unveiled its all-new fifth-generation 911 GT3 ahead of the sports car's first public appearance at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The GT3 will sit atop Porsche's naturally-aspirated 911 lineup.

The 2014 911 GT3 arrives with a new 3.8L flat-six engine borrowed from 911 Carrera S, but with several mechanical improvements. Porsche upgraded most of the engine's components – including titanium connecting rods and forged pistons – bumping power from 400 horsepower to 475 horsepower.

That power is sent to the 911 GT3's rear-wheels via an updated version of Porsche's PDK dual-clutch transmission that promises faster shifts and the ability to put the car in neutral by holding both paddles. Sorry, purists, the 911 GT3 will not be available with a manual transmission.

Further deviating from the norm, the 2014 911 GT3 will benefit from the addition of a new active rear wheel steering systems – the first ever fitted to a production Porsche. The rear steering system can move the back wheels in the same or opposite direction of the front wheels, which Porsche says improves both stability and agility.

All of those performance goodies net a 0-60 time of just 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 195mph. The 2014 911 GT3 is also capable of lapping Germany's famed Nurburgring in less than seven-and-a-half minutes.

The 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 will arrive at U.S. dealerships later this year with a starting price of $131,350, including a $950 destination charge.

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New Suzuki SX4 Goes Unnoticed In Geneva

Irony is a cruel mistress. Just as Suzuki’s American auto sales arm is winding down, the newest version of the SX4 was revealed at Geneva, and it doesn’t look bad at all – save for the awful snot green shade.

A switchable AWD system will allow drivers to choose between one of four modes. Two super low emissions powerplants, both 1.6L 4-cylinders (a gas and a diesel), will be offered. The diesel emits just 110 grams of CO2 per km, nearly in line with the benchmark 100 grams that the Prius emits. The diesel gets a 6 speed manual while the gas car loses a cog. A CVT is the only choice for those who don’t want to shift. The Hungarian-built SX4 will obviously not be coming to the States, but there’s a chance that Canadian-plated versions may end up on American roads sometime in the future.

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Spyker previews B6 Venator ahead of Geneva debut

Dutch boutique automaker Spyker will return to the Geneva Motor Show after a two-year hiatus to unveil a concept called B6 Venator.  The word venator translates to "hunter" in Latin, and it was the nickname given by the Dutch to fighter jets during World War I.

The lone image published by Spyker confirms that the Venator takes the form of an aerodynamic two-seater coupe that borrows design cues such as its wide grille and its sleek headlights from the C8 Aileron, the company's only model at the time of writing.  The car tips the scale at about 3,080 pounds thanks to a carbon fiber body and an aluminum chassis.

The B6 Venator is roughly the same size as a Porsche Boxter, but CEO Victor Muller has made it clear that he is not interested in taking on the popular German roadster.

"Anybody who says they're going to build a Porsche killer is crazy," said Muller in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.

The B6 is powered by a mid-mounted gasoline-burning V6 that makes 375 horsepower.  The engine's provenance was not disclosed but rumors indicate that it was pulled out of the Lotus Evora parts bin.

When it goes on sale, the B6 Venator will cost anywhere between €125,000 (about $162,000) and €150,000 (roughly $195,000).  Spyker hopes to build several hundred examples of the car.

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Geneva preview: 2014 Hyundai ix35 (Tucson)

Hyundai will unveil a revised version of its European-market ix35 crossover at next week's Geneva Motor Show. The ix35 is sold in the United States as the Hyundai Tucson.

So far Hyundai has only released a single image of the new ix35, but it is clear the compact crossover is in line for a few styling tweaks. Although the ix35's overall look will remain the same, the revised CUV will arrive in Geneva with an updated grille design and new headlights that feature LED lighting.

We hear the ix35's interior could be in line for a more thorough update, with rumors suggesting nicer materials and an upgraded infotainment system. New powertrains could also be on tap.

Be sure to check back next Tuesday for Leftlane's live coverage of the Geneva Motor Show.

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Track-inspired Kia concept leaked ahead of Geneva debut

A batch of leaked images have prematurely revealed the Kia Provo concept ahead of its scheduled debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week.

Curiously named after a medium-sized city in Utah, the concept takes the form of a three-door hatchback that is without a doubt one of the most aggressive looking Kias ever built.  It features aerodynamic bumpers and LED lighting on both ends, a highly-stylized body and an eye-catching two-tone paint job.  A rear air diffuser and large center lock wheels complete the race-inspired look.

Passengers are treated to an aircraft-like cockpit that features several touch screens, a tasteful amount of chrome trim and a three-spoke flat-bottomed steering wheel that appears to be upholstered in Alcantra.

Details are still scarce, but rumors circulating around the European media indicate that the Provo might preview a production-bound Juke-fighting crossover.  If that is the case, the vehicle's ground clearance will be noticeably augmented in its transition from a concept to a production car.

Another plausible possibility is that the Provo will spawn a Europe-only premium sub-compact that will fight in the same arena as the Citroën DS3.

Kia is not hiding the fact that it is trying to lure a younger audience into showrooms and performance will be the order of the day on the firm's stand in Geneva next week.  In addition to the Provo concept, the automaker will also unveil a duo of hot hatches called pro_cee'd GT and cee'd GT.  Designed by Peter Schreyer, the GT-badged cars will take on the iconic Volkswagen Golf GTI with a 201-horsepower four-cylinder engine borrowed from the Hyundai Veloster Turbo.

Official details about the Kia Provo concept will be revealed in the coming days.

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