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Audi Q3 production begins in Spain

2012 Audi Q3 - Click above for high-res image gallery
It wasn't that long ago that Audi had no SUVs in its lineup - aside from the A6 Allroad Quattro - despite being known for its all-wheel-drive vehicles. But that's all changed, just as it has for BMW and Porsche. The Q7 was followed by the Q5, and now the Q3 has started production as well.
The first Q3 rolled off the assembly line today at the plant in Martorell, Spain. The facility belongs principally to Audi's sister-company Seat, but has gone through a considerable expansion - funded by both Audi and Seat - to prepare for the Q3's production.

McLaren wants you to drift your 720S

The next generation of McLaren's Super Series is nearly at hand, and today the British purveyor of speed released a camouflaged car shown during testing. While this is a bit anticlimactic – we saw the car last week in this Instagram leak – the image does show off the 720S (its expected name) in action with a trail of smoke. That's critical. The chassis will have a new feature called Variable Drift Control, which lets you modulate the electronic stability control by swiping your finger across the infotainment system. We can't wait to try that. The system is part of McLaren's Proactive Chassis II, which has 12 more sensors than the chassis in McLaren's current Super Series that's anchored by the 650S. The system is able to read inputs and gauge tire patch, allowing it to adjust suspension damping to adapt to driving conditions. Naturally, McLaren says this improves cornering, handling, grip, and comfort. The 720S will be able to drive in Comfort, Sport, or Track chassis settings. "Proactive Chassis Control II generates a significant amount of additional grip, but not at the expense of the balance and feel of the car," Mark Vinnels, McLaren Automotive executive director of product development, said in a statement. The 720S, which uses the codename P14, will be revealed in March at the Geneva Motor Show. Related Video:

BMW discussing supercar collaboration with McLaren

BMW is reportedly considering a new halo supercar. But rather than go it alone, word has it that the Bavarian automaker is discussing a potential partnership with McLaren to make the idea a reality. This according to Britain's Car magazine, which suggests that negotiations are well underway. The proposal would see the BMW supercar based on the same architecture that will to underpin Woking's P16 project that's set to replace current 650S. Rather than use the 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 that McLaren developed together with Ricardo, the Bimmer version would use Munich's own engine: a 4.0-liter V8 with quad turbochargers – two conventional spools and two more electrically driven chargers. Their combined effect would net an expected 750 horsepower. Further differentiations on McLaren's carbon monocoque architecture for use in the BMW would include custom bodywork, aerodynamics, and interior fitments to include a unique instrument panel. Production, however, would be handled at the McLaren Production Centre in Woking, to the tune of several hundred units per year. The project would take the place of several aborted programs undertaken internally at BMW. One called for an entirely unique supercar developed in-house, referred to internally as the M100. When that project was aborted so that BMW could concentrate on the i sub-brand, BMW's own skunkworks shifted its focus to developing a more performance-focused version of the i8, known by some as the i8 CSi. When that project was canned as well, discussions with McLaren commenced. It wouldn't be the first time BMW would outsource development of its own supercar, or even the first time BMW would collaborate with McLaren on such a project. Initial development work on the original M1 in the 1970s was undertaken by Lamborghini before being taken in-house. And, of course, BMW provided the engine for the legendary McLaren F1. Meanwhile McLaren performed a similar function for Mercedes-Benz with the SLR, demonstrating Woking's experience in building flagship supercars for German automakers. This latest project could suffer the same fate as the M100 and i8 CSi programs. But if it is approved, it could yield both coupe and convertible versions, with the first slated to surface at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2017 and reach dealerships in 2019.