Nissan adding high-tech features to updated Murano

As before, the Murano breaks new ground

The Sleuth had a good look at Nissan's third-generation Murano wagon and he likes what he sees. In terms of style, it's the edgiest Murano yet, with a bolder grille, curvy fenders and cool trim. But what makes this Nissan stand out is the fin-like hitch in the upper body area between the rear doors and the liftgate. This gives the car some character and helps deflect some of the boxiness displayed by competing tall wagons. Drivetrain duties will again be handled by a 3.5-liter V6 that sends power to all four wheels through a continuously variable transmission. Nissan is also touting a smart rearview screen that could someday replace the traditional rearview mirror. The high-definition camera it works with is located at the back of the vehicle and projects an unobstructed line of sight. The Spy Guy sees cameras eventually replacing rearview and outside mirrors in the not-too-distant future.

Another new small and tall wagon makes its debut

Luxury and near-luxury compact wagons appear poised to take over the world and woe to any automaker that doesn't already have one in the pipeline. The Sleuth has learned that Toyota's Lexus division will join the club with the upcoming 2015 NX, a five-passenger wagon with standard all-wheel-drive and constructed on a modified Toyota RAV4 platform. For North American buyers, the NX 200t will use a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that will make about 235 horsepower. Additionally, the NX 300h hybrid combines a non-turbo 176-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder with a 140-horsepower electric motor for a net output in the 260 horsepower range. With competition in this bracket increasing almost exponentially, you can expect the NX to be priced near the Mercedes-Benz GLA, Lincoln MKC and BMW 1-series.

Mazda MX-5 Miata?

Get ready for something completely different: Word reaching The Sleuth's ears is that the next-generation MX-5 (neé Miata) sports car will look nothing like any of the previous three generations dating back to the 1990 model year. What is likely is that the world's most successful drop-top roadster will adopt a few styling cues vaguely reminiscent of Mazda's current lineup, including the Mazda6 and Mazda3 sedans and CX-5 compact wagon, but toned down to a smaller scale. As well the roadster will likely lose its power-retracting hardtop to save weight. Engine choices are said to include both a 1.5- and 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with up to 180 horsepower on tap. With a target weight of less than 2,200 pounds, the MX-5 promises to be quite the fun little machine when it lands in early 2015.

Porsche makes a small move

Following the lead of other high-end German automakers, The Sleuth has learned that Porsche is developing another passenger car that will be smaller than its current Panamera. The yet unnamed model will use the next-generation Audi A4 platform and will employ a modified version of Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive as standard equipment. Also standard will be a turbocharged six-cylinder engine that is expected to make about 300 horsepower in base trim. In addition, an S model version could produce as much as 400 ponies. European buyers will likely get a turbo-diesel option and a hybrid version is also planned. The small-size Porsche is expected for the 2017 model year and will compete with BMW's 3-series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and similar entry-luxury brands. The Sneakster expects pricing for the planned Porsche will start in the $45,000-$50,000 range.

More Mercedes models make their way to market

It seems to The Spymaster than imitation isn't just the sincerest form of flattery, it's what automakers do so that no single manufacturer is allowed to run away with a bona fide hit and leave the rest of the industry in its wake. That seems to be the case with the 2015 Mercedes-Benz MLC-class that The Sleuth sees as relying heavily on the high-sided BMW X6 premium hatchback for its looks. The X6 and its 555-horsepower M6 variant have done surprisingly well sales-wise for a niche vehicle, so it figures that M-B and others should also try to cash in. The MLC is expected to use the same mechanicals as the M-class sport ute upon which it's based, which means you can expect to find that model's 302-horsepower V6 or an optional twin-turbo 4.7-liter V8 under the hood, and likely a monster 550-horse V8 on subsequent AMG versions.

Market indicators

Up, Volvo's latest child seat concept: For decades the Sweden-based automaker as been in the automotive safety game. Now Volvo is focusing on younger riders by creating an inflatable rear-facing child seat. The 11-pound product inflates in less than 40 seconds with the aid of a built-in electric pump, then deflates just as quickly and stores inside a handy tote bag when not needed. There are no specific plans to market the child seat yet, but production is likely.

Time warps

For the revised 2015 Dodge Challenger, the company is leaning heavily on bringing forward cues from the 1971 model. As such, the car gets split rear tail lamps, new split grille and a stellar rework of the rear bumper and the flabby rear quarter panels, which makes it look more like the much nicer 2006 concept car. The updated Chally can also be ordered with a "Shaker" hood scoop, which is actually a 'Cuda feature and was never found on the Challenger.