News.

Leaked peek

Hyundai's entry in the ever-burgeoning crossover sport/ute segment debuts next month at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Korean carmaker says its concept OLV-Outdoor Lifestyle Vehicle-is Hyundai's version of an affordable utility vehicle offering high-image capability at compact sedan prices. Features include a supercharged and intercooled four-cylinder engine, removable roof panels and a cargo area that can easily be converted from a conventional trunk to utility bed.

Audi sorts its sports

A hot topic within Audi these days is how to corral all the various sport divisions and brands-Audisport, quattro gmbh, S, RS and the European S-line of accessories-into one or two comprehensible messages.

Werner Mischke, who takes over Jan. 1 as head of quattro gmbh, all motorsport programs and Lamborghini (AW, Dec. 9), says: ``Audi has very big plans to harness and extend its sporting `goose bump factor.'''

One bit of excitement is the next RS4 sedan coming to the United States by 2004. It will most likely be powered by a biturbo version of the all-aluminum 3.0-liter V6 used in the latest A6 instead of a hotter version of the 4.2-liter V8 in the S4. There's also talk of a very limited run of an RS8. Still to be determined is what will power the top-end Audi rocket, seeing as the new relatively lightweight A8 is already due to carry the group's W12 engine, and space under the hood is at a premium.

A side of Maxima