Autocar confidential: Ferrari, DS, Mazda, Kia

This week's gossip from the automotive industry has news of DS's justifiable prices, Ferrari's new acceleration yardstick, Mazda's thoughts on diesels and Kia's Stinger gets a price tag.

DS's justifiable prices

The immediate goal of the DS brand is to be able to justify selling its cars at a price point that is 2% less than the equivalent model from Audi.

“We are not so far off now,” said DS’s UK boss, Arnaud Leclerc. “It’s a good indicator of the strength of the brand if we can achieve that while developing and maintaining strong residuals.”

Read more: DS E-Tense supercar edges closer to production, DS 3 Performance long-term test review: turbo fault before a track day

Ferrari's new acceleration yardstick

Ferrari now prefers to use 0-124mph as an acceleration yardstick, according to technical boss Michael Leiters, because “the limit is the grip” during a 0-62mph (0-100km/h) run, making it a less meaningful gauge of performance. The new 812 Superfast hits 124mph in 7.9sec.

Read more: Ferrari GTC4 Lusso T 2017 review, Ferrari considering all-new model for line-up

Mazda's thoughts on diesels

Mazda will continue developing diesels, despite the adverse publicity and fiscal headwinds these engines are facing.

Ichiro Hirose, Mazda’s head of powertrain development, said: “There’s still plenty of room for evolution. It’s our job as engineers to develop something that complies. We’re going to face very strong CO2 targets that are very difficult to achieve without diesels.”

Hirose says Mazda’s existing diesels will receive an effi ciency upgrade later this year.

Read more: Mazda CX-5 2.2 Skyactiv-D 2017 review, Mazda 3 Fastback long-term test review: final report

Kia Stinger gets a price tag

Kia will launch its rear-drive Stinger sports hatch at between £30-40k.

The top-spec 3.3-litre twinturbo V6 will nudge £40k, close to Kia’s current most expensive model, the top-spec Sorento. The 2.0 turbo petrol and 2.2 diesel are likely to be priced around £30k, to ensure they remain affordable. UK supply is expected to be between 2000 to 3000 cars per year.

Read more: Kia Picanto 1.2 MPI GT Line 2017 review, Kia Stonic - first pictures of upcoming Nissan Juke rival