2017 Audi Q7 on 2040-cars

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Former Ferrari F1 chief could be new Lamborghini CEO

The word on the street in Bologna is that Lamborghini is in for a changing of the guard. Current CEO Stephan Winkelmann is tipped to step down after 14 years at the helm in Sant'Agata, likely to move to another role at Audi. And in his place, the German automaker is anticipated to appoint Stefano Domenicali. Domenicali was formerly the head of Scuderia Ferrari, rising through the ranks at Maranello to succeed Jean Todt as team principal in 2008. He resigned in 2014 to be replaced first by Ferrari US chief Marco Mattiacci and then by Marlboro man Maurizio Arrivabene as the team has struggled to find its form again. Shortly after leaving Maranello, Domenicali took up a new position at Audi, where he was rumored to be working on the company's anticipated foray into Formula One with Red Bull. But after that program was shut down in the wake of the diesel emissions scandal, Domenicali is now tipped to move back to Italy to take over the supercar business. Stefano would be the second Domenicali to head an Italian performance brand under the VW/Audi umbrella, joining Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali (they not believed to be related). The move would also be a particularly emphatic gesture to Sergio Marchionne. The Fiat Chrysler Automobiles chief has previously lost top lieutenants to Volkswagen, most notably Luca de Meo, who headed up VW brand's passenger car marketing department before taking over at Seat. While previous Ferrari chiefs Todt and Montezemolo came up through the racing department, Marchionne assumed the chairmanship in Maranello and brought in outside talent instead. Meanwhile Winkelmann has been in charge of Lamborghini since 2005, when he was appointed by Audi to run the company it had just acquired a few years prior. Under the tenure of the German-Italian executive, Lamborghini sales have risen from 1,600 units per year to over 2,500 last year. The introduction of the forthcoming Urus crossover, birthed under Winkelmann's leadership, is expected to more than double that overall figure. Given his success in transforming Lamborghini, it isn't likely that the Volkswagen Group will simply show Winkelmann the door. Word has it that he'll receive another posting at Audi, potentially taking over the growing Quattro GmbH division in Neckarsulm. The division is responsible for all of Audi's RS models as well as the R8 – the latter of which Audi sells as many units as the entire Lamborghini division does in a year.

CARB has 20 days to confirm VW's 3.0-liter TDI emission fix

VW's diesel scandal has been in the headlines since last September, but solving the problem it proving difficult. Volkswagen Group has submitted a proposal to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to fix about 85,000 vehicles with the 3.0-liter diesel V6 in the US, Reuters reports. CARB now has 20 business days to test if the plan actually reduces emissions. If accepted, VW could finally begin a recall and end the stop sale on vehicles with these engines. In a statement, CARB pledged to, "respond following a thorough and complete review to make sure the plan addresses the presence of the illegal defeat device and follows the necessary environmental, vehicle and public health and safety regulations." Neither CARB nor the EPA outlined the proposed repairs, but Porsche CEO Oliver Blume already suggested the fix for the engine in the diesel Cayenne. Examples from 2013 and 2014 allegedly need a new catalytic converter and software update, and those from 2015 and 2016 only need the improved code. It's not yet clear whether this procedure would work for all models with the 3.0 TDI. While the EPA issued the notice of violation against VW's 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel in September, the first one for the 3.0-liter V6 came in early November. By the end of the month, the agency broadened the scope to about 85,000 vehicles, including some examples of the VW Touareg, Audi A6, A7, A8, Q5, Q7, and Porsche Cayenne. The affected companies issued stop sales on new models with the engine. Audi eventually admitted to regulators that it didn't disclose three auxiliary emission control devices in the powerplant's code and promised to develop a software update to fix the problem. CARB gave the automaker 45 business days to submit the proposed solution. If accepted, this repair would allow VW Group to end part of the emissions scandal, but there's no guarantee the regulators consent to this solution. Just a few weeks ago, CARB looked at the automaker's plan to fix the 2.0-liter TDI and rejected it, claiming a lack of detail.

Upcoming Audi Q8 coupe-like crossover spied in the snow

At the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, Audi debuted the Q8 concept, a thinly veiled version of its upcoming coupe-like crossover that's set to compete with the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe. We now have spy photos that give us our first look at the Q7-based production version, and through the camouflage we can see how telling Audi's Q8 concept really is. All of the major traits from the concept are present on the production model, including that massive, oversized grille and aggressive roofline. In fact, the entire front end appears to carry over from the Q8 concept, just toned down a few notches. The stainless steel accents on the air intakes are gone, and the headlights, though similar in shape, look more traditional than those on the concept. The small cutouts between the grille and the hood look to be gone as well. Around the side, we can see that the concept's sharply angled rear window and sloping roof have are present, mostly unmodified. The Q8's beltline doesn't appear quite as high as the concept's, but the windows look to be the same relative shape. The big creases above the wheel arches have been reduced slightly. Also, although the Q7 and Q8 will share a platform and therefore a wheelbase, the Q8 is slightly shorter overall. The smaller front and rear overhangs, combined with the tight roofline, give it a high-riding hatchback profile, similar to the Porsche Macan. The changes between the concept and production model are most evident around back. The bumper mounted exhaust pipes have been dropped, at least on this version. The upright vents on the outside of the tail lights have also been dropped. The camouflage around the rear is heavy, so it's difficult to to say how much of the body-width tail light carries over, though the light itself seems to shine through in the same shape. No word on when we'll see a production version, but expect to see the Q8 concept around for a few more shows. Look for more details on the engine, including whether or not the plug-in hybrid powertrain carries over from the concept, closer to the full reveal. Related Video: