{also piping hot}

• More power and AWD rumored for Civic Type R: Honda’s red-hot hatchback is only just now coming to market and The Sleuth’s sources are reporting that the car’s turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine could be punched up beyond the current 306-horsepower rating. This would likely happen in the form of a specialedition model to give buyers a performance option. In addition, adding an all-wheel-drive option is also being given serious consideration. Both moves would most certainly bolster the Type R’s position as a competitor to the all-wheel-drive Subaru WRX STI, Volkswagen Golf R and Ford Focus RS (with 350 horsepower underfoot, the RS currently reigns supreme in this group). There’s no word on when a more potent Type R might become available, but if it’s given the green light, The Spymaster believes it might be only a year or two away.

• Further evidence that Mercedes-Benz is moving in

“A” new direction: The Spy Guy recently reported that the Stuttgart, Germanybased automaker’s new front-wheel-drive A Class sedan (not to be confused with the current CLA

Class model) was being considered for North

America. Since that time, word has it that an A

Class prototype was recently shown to a group of Mercedes-Benz dealers, not only to gauge reaction (enthusiastic, says The Sneakster’s moles), but to confirm that the cars will begin arriving here by mid-2018 as 2019 models following launches in Europe and China. As well, to capitalize on our penchant for small wagons, M-B will add a gasoline-powered B-Class model and possibly a CLA Class shooting brake (wagon) to the mix.

• Defender for the faithful: The Sleuth was not particularly shocked to hear that Land Rover will introduce a new Defender model sometime in 2018. This most iconic of Jaguar Land Rover’s utility vehicles dates back to the first Land Rover in 1948. Modified and modernized over the decades, it has not been available in North America for years. Word has it that the new Defender will carry over a number of design details from the previous iteration, but will use a significant degree of aluminum for the chassis and body to pare down the weight and increase agility. Powertrain choices remain unknown, but since the automaker produces both turbocharged gasoline and diesel 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines for its other lineup members, it’s logical that both will be available in the upcoming Defender.

• X3 grows larger, gets more power: The Undercovered One recently caught a look at the next generation BMW X3 utility vehicle. The 2018 model will be built at BMW’s Spartanburg, S.C., plant alongside the X4, X5 and X6 “Sport Activity Vehicles”. Although similar in design to the previous X3, all body panels are different and the distance between the front and rear wheels has been increased by 2.2 inches. There’s a more prominent grille and headlamps, and the interior gets a complete makeover. In the powertrain department, BMW is introducing a first-ever range-topping M40i performance model that uses a twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine good for 355 horsepower. The returning turbo 2.0-liter I-4 engine’s output increases to 248 horses from the previous 240 and is standard in the xDrive30i.

The new X3 is longer between the front and rear wheels and comes with as much as 355 horsepower. (PHOTO: BMW)

The new A Class, pictured, seems to overlap with the current CLA. Will Mercedes-Benz phase it out? (PHOTO: MERCEDES-BENZ)

A new Defender will replace the previous model, pictured, with a more aluminumintensive structure. (PHOTO: LAND ROVER)

The new Civic Type-R might be offered in a higher-performing allwheel-drive version. (PHOTO: HONDA)