Sunday, 31 December 2017

CARSCOOPS

CARSCOOPS

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VW Golf Production Exceeds 34 Million In Four Decades, Including 1 Million In 2017

Posted: 31 Dec 2017 04:07 AM PST


Since its birth in 1974, the Golf has been an undisputed success for Volkswagen, and from the fourth generation until today, the benchmark against which any newcomer must measure itself.

Proof, if any was needed, is the impressive production number that exceeds 34 million examples in total for the hatchback, estate and Sportsvan, including almost 1 million put together this year alone.

"The Golf hatchback retained a commanding lead in its segment in Germany and Europe. The Golf estate recorded the strongest growth in the Golf family, at 11+ percent, compared with the previous year", Volkswagen said.

However, the German car brand's strongest growth in 2017 came from the Tiguan, whose sales rose by 40 percent compared to last year. In total, 730,000 units of the SUV were shipped to customers worldwide, with most orders coming from China and Germany.

Retaining a commanding lead in the MPV segment in Germany is the Touran. The minivan is quite popular in other European markets as well, and it brought important revenue for the Group in 2017 with approximately 150,000 units being shipped to customers worldwide.

The Volkswagen Group has yet to release their annual sales and revenue numbers, so it remains to be seen whether they can retain their dominant position, or if the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance will grab first place, as it did in the first six months of 2017.

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Mercedes Wanted To Rekindle McLaren Partnership In Formula 1

Posted: 31 Dec 2017 03:07 AM PST


Once McLaren determined that it was time to move on from its troubled relationship with Honda, it looked at all the options, including teaming back up with Mercedes. In the end, it chose Renault's powertrains, which, according to Mercedes motorsport chief Toto Wolff, is a shame..

"We wanted to give McLaren an engine," Wolff told ESPN, according to AutoWeek. "The problem is that it dragged on for a long time and we just didn't have the structure in place and the capacity to supply them an engine for 2018. It was simply too late."

The implication is that Mercedes took too long in working out a deal. But that doesn't mean they couldn't come together again at some point down the line, just as McLaren could with Honda. "You must never rule out supplying anybody in the future," said Wolff, "and this is why McLaren or anyone else in the future could be a partner."

McLaren held the place of honor as Mercedes' factory-backed team of choice for some 20 years, yielding 76 checkered flags, two drivers' championships and one constructors' title, plus the the road-going SLR supercar. The partnership started to unravel after Mercedes took over the Honda/Brawn team in 2010, and ended completely in 2015 when McLaren rekindled its past relationship with Honda as an engine supplier. However, unlike the previous partnership, which lasted from 1988 to 1993 and was a huge success with four consecutive drivers' and team's championships, this time around it was a disaster, hence its early termination.

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Get Your NASCAR Fix With 1986 Oldsmobile Winston Cup Car

Posted: 30 Dec 2017 05:25 PM PST


Diehard fans of NASCAR racing (of a certain age, we might add) may remember how Rick Wilson's Kodak Car finished second at the Pepsi 400 at Daytona back in 1988, losing the race by a mere 18 inches.

If that means something to you, and you've got some extra room in your garage, then perhaps bidding on this 1986 Oldsmobile Delta 88 is something you'd want to consider. The car is currently being auctioned off on Bring a Trailer, and with 6 days left to go, the highest current bid is just $1,888, although we expect that number to go up considerably.

According to the ad, the car was reported to have been in storage for almost 20 years before it was partially restored and acquired by the current seller. It's worth noting though that the paint isn't exactly in tip top condition, with some panels being chipped and others featuring hairline cracks. Inside, it has a full roll cage, a Richardson Racing seat, fire suppression system, Cole-Hersee electrical kill switch and a racing fuel cell.

This 1986 Oldsmobile is powered by a V8 that has been rebuilt using a Chevy Cup car block, 9:1 Pontiac heads and pistons, a Barnes oil pump and a Demon 650cfm carburetor. While the car is said to be in running order, it has not turned its wheels in anger for at least four years.

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Avus Blue 750Li Is An Alluring Mix Of BMW Individual And Aftermarket Parts

Posted: 30 Dec 2017 03:57 PM PST


If you're the type of BMW customer who would like to personalize his 7-Series, you might want to pay attention to this one that's currently at Abu Dhabi Motors.

This 750Li has been fitted with a 3D Design custom front bumper, get black kidney grilles, carbon fiber mirror covers and an Alpina boot lid spoiler, and it sports an Avus Blue paintjob from BMW Individual's catalog.

As for the interior, BMW offers a wide range of materials to choose from, such as wood, leather and carbon fiber. This particular example features red leather on the seats, door panels, center console and lower dashboard.

While it's not the flagship version, the 750Li is anything but slow, as its V8 produces 449 PS (445 HP) and 650 Nm (479 lb-ft) of torque, sending it from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.5 seconds. That means this two-tonne executive limo is quicker off the line than a first-gen Audi R8. Kinda makes you think if you really need to stretch to the 760Li, doesn't it?

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Range Rover SVX Would Make One Heck Of A Luxury Off-Roader

Posted: 30 Dec 2017 06:57 PM PST

Jaguar Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations has showcased the magic it can work with products like the Land Rover Discovery SVX and the Range Rover SVAutobiography. But what would it look like if the two were to meet?

Probably something like this. It's a hypothetical (but entirely plausible) vision for a Range Rover SVX, cooked up by rendering artist Nikita Aksyonov.

It bears all the visual hallmarks of the Discovery SVX, like beefier wheel arches, underbody protection plates, tow hooks, auxiliary lighting... all the stuff, in short, that you'd need to turn what's already one of the most capable off-roaders into a real rock-crawling machine.

It's reasonable to assume that, if it ever gets the green light for production, the Range Rover SVX would also pack the same 5.0-liter supercharged V8, which in the Discovery SVX produces 525 metric horsepower. In the long-wheelbase SVAutobiography and shorter SVAutobiography Dynamic, it kicks out a more prodigious 565, and in the latest Range Rover Sport SVR a massive 575.

Whatever the output, the SVX would make a heck of an addition at the top of the line. So we say: just build it, Land Rover! What do you say?

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Pro Racing Driver Shows Cayman GT4 Owner What His Car Can Do On The ‘Ring

Posted: 30 Dec 2017 01:36 PM PST


No matter how skilled or experienced a driver you might be, riding shotgun with a professional racing driver will definitely be an eye-opening experience as far as your ride's abilities are concerned.

Reddit user abe12345 opted for Porsche's European delivery of his new Cayman GT4 as he wanted to combine the arrival of his new car with a visit at the Nurburgring through the track's official driver education events.

His instructor for the event was an ex-DTM driver that also races in the European GT4 class with a GT4 Clubsport and the 24 Hours of Nurburgring. At the end of the day, the Cayman GT4 owner asked the instructor to take him with his car on a flying lap.

This was also the instructor's first time in the street-legal Cayman GT4, but that didn't stop him from posting a 7min 42sec Bridge-to-Gantry lap with mild traffic on the track.

It goes without saying that having a proper racing driver showing you the correct lines and speed your car can achieve on a track like the Nurburgring is simply priceless, as the owner of the car clearly demonstrates during the whole lap.

VIDEO

VW Trademarks 'I.D. Cruiser' And 'I.D. Freeler' Names For Its Upcoming EVs

Posted: 30 Dec 2017 12:31 PM PST


It appears Volkswagen's I.D. family of models is primed for an expansion, with the German manufacturer recently trademarking two additional names with the World Intellectual Property Organization.

According to Auto Guide, VW has filed trademark applications for both 'I.D. Cruiser' and 'I.D. Freeler' but at this early stage, it is not known what type of vehicles will adopt these names. Given the demand for crossovers and SUVs, it wouldn't surprise us if at least one of the new trademarks will be used by a new crossover - but that's just a guess.

This report comes roughly three months after it was revealed that VW had also filed to trademark the 'I.D. Streetmate' moniker.

As it stands, the German automaker has introduced three I.D. concepts in the form of the I.D. hatchback, I.D. Crozz SUV and the I.D. Buzz minivan. All three are set to spawn all-electric production vehicles and will form an important part of the brand's post-dieselgate revival.


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Kia Stinger Deemed A Proper Premium Sports Saloon By Consumer Reports

Posted: 30 Dec 2017 06:57 PM PST


Korean manufacturers have made strides in the last few years, yet the premium sports saloon segment is one that they shied away from. Not anymore, as Kia made the Stinger to compete in this particular segment.

The brand's challenger to the likes of the Audi A5 Sportback and BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe is one of the most coveted cars of the year thanks to its good looks, driving credentials and powerful engines.

Consumer Reports got its hands on Kia's sports saloon and found that, on the track, it is firmly planted and its steering is quick, but opting for the 19-inch wheels, combined with the standard suspension setup, doesn't do the ride any favors.

Ingress and egress is not exactly easy either, because of the Stinger'slow-slung design, but once inside, you'll get to sit in those comfortable seats and be surrounded by lots of premium materials, a generous infotainment system, and lots of safety and comfort equipment.

Space on the rear bench is kind of compromised, as passengers taller than six feet will find their heads brushing against the roof, which is due to the slopping roofline. On the bright side, though, the cargo area is more than generous, with Consumer Reports labeling it "almost SUV-like" with the rear seats folded down.

CR will soon buy a Stinger of their own to test it on the long run; until then, let's see what else they have to say about the two cars they drove in the video that follows.

VIDEO

Cinquone Qatar By Romeo Ferraris Is A 248HP Fiat 500 For The Persian Gulf

Posted: 30 Dec 2017 10:12 AM PST


We've seen some Fiat 500s stripped out and powered up. We've seen others that were luxed out to the gills. We wouldn't think the two ends of the spectrum would fit together in the same package, but Romeo Ferraris is here to show us otherwise.

The latest project from the Milanese tuning house is called the Cinquone Qatar, and channels the, um... "spirit" of the Persian Gulf by packing everything they could fit in a 500.

The widebody hatchback packs the Romeo Ferraris' upgraded 248-horsepower engine, custom variable exhaust, oversized brakes and adjustable Bilstein dampers to give it far sportier levels of performance.

It's also blinged out inside with white and burgundy leather, gold trim, and deep-pile carpeting. No back seats, though, as they have been removed to make way for a roll cage and a pair of racing helmets.

Finally, there is a little table extending from the dashboard with a pair of champagne flutes. In a Muslim country, no less. But you can always use them for a non-alcohol drink, right?

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2018 Bentayga Review Finds Bentley's First-Ever SUV Simply Glorious

Posted: 30 Dec 2017 08:58 AM PST


Until recently, spending exotic car money on an SUV was almost unheard of. Bentley's luxurious Bentayga however, might turn out to be worth every penny.

While it's not perfect, the general consensus is that Bentley did a magnificent job, both technically as well as when it comes to quality, in its first-ever SUV.

People will still debate whether it looks good or not , but once you set foot inside and start driving it, its price tag might just start making sense - or at least that's what Carwow's review says.

On the downside, some of the switches inside aren't as well-built as you'd expect and the infotainment screen won't blow you away with its resolution, as there are better options out there. However, once you move past those issues, you might just find the Bentayga "glorious", as this reviewer put it.

While the twin-turbo 6.0-liter W12 engine is, obviously, the one to go for, the diesel does a great job as well. In any case, regardless the engine option, the Bentayga feels sharp and surprisingly planted while cornering, not to mention quiet and smooth.

Best of both worlds then? No wonder it comes at such a price; but we'll see what Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin and the rest will have to say about that.

VIDEO

AutoTrader Reveals Its Top 10 Most Searched Cars For 2017

Posted: 30 Dec 2017 06:57 PM PST


Britain's largest online marketplace for new and used cars, AutoTrader, has revealed the 10 most searched cars this year.

Retaining the number 1 position in the United Kingdom is the BMW 3-Series, which was favored by most internet users with a diesel powertrain, followed by the Volkswagen Golf and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Ford's Focus comes in 4th place, whereas BMW follows it from the 5th and 6th positions with the 1-Series and 5-Series, respectively. Another Ford, this time the Fiesta, sits on the 7th spot, right in front of the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and the Vauhxall/Opel Astra completes the Top 10 list.

The diesel searches were topped by the BMW 3-Series, Volkswagen Golf, and BMW 5-Series, whereas the most favored petrol powered cars were the Volkswagen Golf, BMW 3-Series, and Ford Focus.

For hybrids, Toyota holds on to the first two positions with the Auris and Prius, followed by the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, while the electric 'crown' goes to the Nissan Leaf, which turned out to be more popular than the BMW i3 and Mercedes-Benz B-Class.

"The results show that British car buyers are very keen on spoiling themselves, with premium manufacturers featuring very heavily in our list of most searched-for cars", commented AutoTrader's road test editor, Ivan Aistrop.



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And The Title Of UK’s Best Sports Car For 2017 Goes To…

Posted: 30 Dec 2017 06:57 PM PST


As 2017 bids us adieu, Autocar has gathered an eclectic team of the best sports cars this year had to offer in order to crown this year's champion.

The best of the best list for those past 12 months includes cars like the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, Aston Martin DB11 V8, BMW M4 CS, Caterham Seven 420R Donington Edition, Honda Civic Type-R, McLaren 720S, Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon, Mercedes-AMG GT-R and Porsche 911 GT3.

Being the fastest around a track isn't what this is all about, with the journos instead trying to find out which one does the best job at being a sports car both on the road and on a circuit.

Therefore, things like chassis balance, grip, power delivery, steering and damping quality are all taken into consideration before deciding which one performs the best as a driver's car.

It will be certainly interesting to see how cars like the Honda Civic Type R and the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio compare against the McLaren 720S and the latest Porsche 911 GT3, don't you agree?

If the answer is 'yes', get yourself comfortable and prepare for 40 minutes of high-speed driving, along with the usual insights, on the video linked below.

VIDEO

Original 427 S/C Cobra Will Sell For More Than $2 Million

Posted: 30 Dec 2017 05:25 AM PST


The Cobra is a favorite among died-in-the-wool petrolheads, and the one pictured here might as well be one of the best examples of the most frightening, yet awesome sports cars to ever set foot on public roads.

Chassis number CSX 3040 is one of the most well-preserved examples of the family, with four long-term owners painstakingly maintaining it, not to forget a "sympathetic restoration" performed by Cobra expert Mike McCluskey, who noted that "upon stripping and disassembly of the car, it was determined that all body panels were original, as well as the engine, drivetrain, interior, and accessories."

The original cast-iron 427 V8 engine was rebuilt and blueprinted during the restoration, while all engine accessories and the entire electrical system were replaced with the correct OEM parts.

The infamous 427 S/C Cobra features a five-inch wider chassis with coil springs all around in order to handle the massive Ford 7.0-liter engine with its near 500hp in competition spec. It also features the oil cooler, side exhausts, dual batteries and the 42-gallon fuel tank of the race cars.

The ultimate street-legal Cobra is heading to RM Sotheby's Arizona auction on January 18, with the price estimate currently standing between $2 and $2.4 million.

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