Monday, 20 November 2017

CARSCOOPS

CARSCOOPS

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Rolls-Royce Cullinan Sheds Some Camo On The Road To Production

Posted: 20 Nov 2017 04:30 AM PST


While Rolls-Royce has showcased some tantalizing images of its own, the clearest looks into its forthcoming crossover have come, as they often do, from spy shots. And these could be the most revealing yet.

Spotted by our spy photographers sitting on the back of a transport trailer, this prototype for the model tentatively known as Project Cullinan has shed some of the camouflage we've seen in previous spy images.

The front the greenhouse is exposed, as is part of the roof. We can also discern more of the high side flank, with those signature "coach" doors opening outward from the B-pillar.

In case it wasn't until now, these photos also make it obvious that Rolls-Royce has steered clear of the slant-back crossover coupe profile that its parent company BMW essentially pioneered, to the benefit of rear-seat space – a vital priority for Rolls buyers, we needn't point out.

Though based on the same aluminum spaceframe platform as the new Phantom, the Cullinan sits higher and will offer better all-weather traction, not to mention a taller cargo compartment. Expect twelve-cylinder power when it debuts sometime next year, to be followed by a plug-in hybrid version in the near future.

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops

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Custom Dually Chevy Camaro Wants Not For Traction, Subtlety

Posted: 20 Nov 2017 04:01 AM PST


Chevy makes all kinds of vehicles – among them, at opposite ends of the spectrum, work-a-day pickup trucks like the Silverado and performance models like the Camaro. Seldom do the two meet, but that's just what we appear to have here.

Shared with the world via Reddit and UAE Muscle is what appears to be a custom Camaro with the dual rear axle from a Silverado HD, spotted in the United Arab Emirates.

The wheels are enclosed in custom bodywork, but those don't appear to be the only modifications. The whole thing is apparently dropped to the ground, fitted with Lambo-style scissor doors, some weird Giger-esque engine cover, a two-tone brown and white paintjob, an interior bathed in LEDs, and more tribal tattoos than a Pamela Anderson centerfold.

Subtle it is not, and we doubt the mods give it much of a performance edge. And those standard side mirrors aren't going to show much beyond the rear haunches. But however much power it is packing, it doesn't look like it'll have much trouble getting it down to the tarmac.

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Danica Patrick Calls Time On Her Racing Career

Posted: 20 Nov 2017 03:29 AM PST


One of the biggest personalities in motorsports today is exiting stage left as Danica Patrick has announced her retirement from racing full-time.

"This will be my last season as a full-time driver," said Patrick this past Friday at Homestead, as reported by Autosport.

The move comes after she lost her ride with Stewart-Haas Racing, replaced by Aric Almirola. She'd been working on securing a deal to stay in the NASCAR Cup series with another team, but evidently those negotiations didn't pan out.

We haven't quite seen the last of Danica just yet, though. She's planning on contesting two headline races in 2018: the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500.

The latter will mark her first return to open wheels since 2011 when she left the IndyCar Series for NASCAR full-time. She found more success in Indy, winning the race at Motegi in 2008, than she did in NASCAR, where she achieved a career-best sixth-place finish in Atlanta in 2014 – one of seven top-ten results she's scored in the Cup.

Despite middling performance, Danica's proven popular with the fans, who named her Most Popular Driver in IndyCar six years running (between 2005 and 2010) and once in the NASCAR Nationwide series.

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Hit The Brakes In Your Honda Odyssey And The Seats Could Tip Over

Posted: 20 Nov 2017 03:04 AM PST


Did someone tell you the minivan was dead? Not for Honda, it's not. The Japanese automaker sells its Odyssey hand over fist in America, where it stands as its fifth most popular model line – behind the Civic, Accord, CR-V, and Pilot, and well ahead of anything that the Acura division sells.

Little wonder, then, that when it has to recall the Odyssey, Honda has to recall a lot of them. About 800,000 of them in this latest campaign.

The problem with all those 2011-17 Odysseys comes down to the second row of seating, which could tip forward under hard braking – but only if it's not properly latched after adjustment.

That doesn't strike us as Honda's fault, per se. But having received 46 reports of minor injuries resulting from this problem, it's issued a recall for all those minivans to have their latches repaired or replaced.

While it figures out just what to do, however, Honda's released detailed instructions (and will soon release an instructional video) showing owners how to properly latch those benches in place.

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Devel Sixteen Priced From $1.6 Million In 2,000 HP Guise

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 07:23 PM PST


Hot on the heels of the Devel Sixteen premiering in production spec at the Dubai Motor Show, pricing details for the hypercar have been announced.

According to Arab GT, the Sixteen range will start with a road-legal variant delivering 2,000 hp from its twin-turbocharged V8 and priced from $1.6 million. Unlike the quad-turbo V16 discussed in the past, we've yet to see this V8 in action and don't yet know if it will be a custom powertrain or instead based on an existing production engine. Deliveries of this variant should commence two years after orders are taken.

Moving up in the range will be a 3,000 hp Sixteen with the same twin-turbo V8. Like the entry-level model, it will be delivered two years after order but cost $1.87 million. For an additional 1,000 hp, that price hike doesn't seem excessive.

Last but not least is the 5,000 hp Devel Sixteen, first unveiled to the world four years ago. Unsurprisingly, it has emerged that this version will be restricted to track use and utilize a quad-turbo 12.3-liter V16. Deliveries will reportedly start one year after order and start at a cool $2.2 million.

Although it's impressive to see that the previously-unknown carmaker has edged closer to bringing its first model to the production line, we're still not convinced that we will see the car reach production anytime soon.

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Kia's Long-Awaited Stinger Has Been Worth The Wait

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 06:12 PM PST


In the last five years, Kia vehicles have become so good that the new Stinger is actually a reasonable alternative to more expensive sedans from the big German three.

The sports sedan has proved so popular since its debut in January that the internet practically shuts down the moment Kia mentions anything about the Stinger. However, is all of this hype justified?

To find out, Redline Reviews jumped behind the wheel of a beautiful grey Kia Stinger for an in-depth review. As other recent reviews have indicated, the Kia Stinger is the real deal.

In range-topping guise, the South Korean sports sedan is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 engine delivering 365 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. This is enough to accelerate the sedan to 60 mph (96 km/h) in a brisk 4.7 seconds before topping out at 167 mph. The engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

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Mercedes-Benz Teases Upcoming CLS Coupe

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 05:44 PM PST


Mercedes-Benz has dropped a second teaser image of the 2019 CLS, this time previewing the vehicle's interior.

The image shows that the new CLS's dashboard will be dominated by a single screen that incorporates the gauge cluster and infotainment system. Unlike all other models in the company's range, the CLS has a single, exceptionally-wide screen handling all of these functions, rather than two 12.3-inch screens placed next to each other. Furthermore, it also appears as if the CLS's display will be slightly curved.

Beyond its bespoke screen, the image shows that the CLS will feature the brand's familiar four air vents in the center of the dashboard, complete with mood lighting. Things are then capped off with carbon fiber.

Interestingly, Mercedes-Benz refers to the model as the 'CLS Coupe' in the Facebook post revealing the interior, perhaps suggesting that the model will adopt the 'Coupe' moniker in order to further differentiate it from the upcoming Mercedes-AMG sports sedan.

Yesterday, the German automaker previewed the front fascia of the new CLS. As spy shots suggested, the front is much sharper than the previous CLS and appears to have taken inspiration from the Concept A Sedan.

The new Mercedes-Benz CLS Coupe will be revealed to the world at the LA Auto Show on November 27.

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Devel Has Created An Insane Six-Wheeled Concept To Rival Merc's 6x6

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 05:02 PM PST


Despite developing the other-worldly Sixteen hypercar for the past four years, Devel has somehow found the time to create this; the Devel Sixty.

Essentially an army vehicle for the street, the Sixty makes every other six-wheeler seem like child's play. In fact, one could be mistaken for thinking it is NASA's latest creation designed for exploring the Moon.

Unsurprisingly, the vehicle has yet to progress past the prototype stage but if the production car looks similar, it will be without a doubt the most ridiculous road car ever created, making the Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6x6 look like child's play.

Devel claims that the Sixty is powered by a 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8 delivering 720 hp and 1,000 Nm of torque. While those figures are relatively benign compared to the 5,000 hp promised by the Devel Sixteen hypercar, they're probably more than enough for a vehicle of this kind.

As we alluded to, the exterior design of the Sixty is absolutely absurd. For starters, there are six huge wheels, tires, and a body about as far removed from a conventional car as possible. In fact, the creation has a tiny windscreen and just two small side windows. The rest of the exterior then appears to be nothing more than gloss black plastic.

It remains unclear if and when Devel intends on making the Sixty a production reality.

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Tesla Model X Stolen In Poland Right After Being Smuggled In From Sweden

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 04:04 PM PST


Unlike the U.S., purchasing a Tesla Model X in Poland isn't that easy, making the electric SUV somewhat of a unicorn in the country.

Seemingly determined to own a Model X no matter the cost, a group of thieves from Poland have gone to extraordinary lengths to steal one and vanish without a trace, local media reports.

It is understood that the Model X arrived in Poland from Sweden after being stolen. When being unloaded from the ferry, it allegedly rammed the exit barrier and drove away. Authorities were able to track the car down and place it in a guarded parking lot.

Despite these measures, thieves were able to find the parking lot, cut open the fence and steal the vehicle, all while officers shot at SUV a number of times.

It isn't clear if the people that stole the Model X from the guarded parking lot are the same individuals who brought the car into Poland from Sweden.

RMF24 reports that police are in the process of trying to track down the car and the perpetrators.

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Toyota's Pulling The Prius V From The US Market

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 03:02 PM PST


Have you had trouble wrapping your head around the Toyota Prius V? Well soon that won't be a problem, because Toyota's pulling that particular model from the US market.

A sort of wagon/minivan version of the Japanese automaker's signature dedicated hybrid, the Prius V lags as the slowest-selling member of the Prius family. Last month, Toyota sold only 652 of them in the United States, ahead even of the Prius C hatchback's 900.

"After six years and nearly 160,000 units sold in the U.S.," Toyota spokesman Corey Proffitt told Green Car Reports, "the decision was made to end Prius V production for the U.S. and Puerto Rico this December."

The reason for its discontinuation comes down to the RAV4 Hybrid, of which Toyota sold over 5,000 last month. Apparently American buyers would sooner take their hybrid in crossover form than that of a wagon or minivan.

Though the Prius V's fuel economy is significantly higher than the RAV4 Hybrid's, the latter offers a more desirable crossover design – and all-wheel drive.

The Prius V isn't the only hybrid minivan facing the axe: Ford is also fazing out the C-Max Hybrid and C-Max Energi PHEV from the US market. Which, as Green Car Reports points out, is only fitting: the two models launched around the same time, and will leave together, too.

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BMW Tipped To Slot M850i Into The Middle Of Its New 8 Series

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 02:08 PM PST


Bimmerphiles are eagerly awaiting the return of the 8 Series – and that day is fast approaching. But in the meantime, we have some fresh news and photos to share.

According to BMW Blog, the German automaker is preparing to slot an M Sport variant into the forthcoming 8 Series lineup in between the standard 840i and the full-on M8.

The rumors are still far from confirmed, but word has it that the M850i could pack over 500 horsepower from its twin-turbo V8, accompanied by a stiffer suspension, carbon-fiber roof, and other go-fast goodies.

The new 8 Series is slated to enter production sometime next year in Dingolfing, Germany. Our first glimpse at the finished production, however, may come in the form of the M8 GTE that's set to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

The latter kicks off with the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January, preceded by a full test session at the same Florida circuit early in December – now less than two weeks away.

In preparation, BMW has undertaken a rigorous test regime of its own, shaking down its new racer at Paul Ricard in France for 24 hours straight. The images you see here were captured during that test session, an give us another glimpse at the competition version of the sports tourer to follow.

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Toro Rosso Goes With Gasly & Hartley For 2018

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 12:58 PM PST


With the 2017 FIA Formula One World Championship now concluded, most of the teams on the grid have announced their driver lineups for next season.

One of the last holdouts was Scuderia Toro Rosso, but now that team has confirmed its roster for 2018 as well – and it's not the same lineup as the one it started with this past season.

Driving for the "other" scuderia next season will be Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley, confirming the widespread speculation after both made their grand prix debuts with the team this season.

Both Gasly and Hartley have come up through the Red Bull Junior Team. But while Gasly's promotion was largely linear, Hartley's was anything but.

Gasly, 21 from France, signed with the Red Bull program in 2014 before finishing runner-up in the critical Formula Renault 3.5 Series. He started testing for Red Bull Racing the following season, then won the GP2 Series in 2016.

Gasly stepped up to F1 for the Malaysian Grand Prix this season and contested three more, missing the United States for the Super Formula season finale in Japan that might have given him the title had it not been cancelled at the last minute.

That did, however, give Toro Rosso the opportunity to bring Brendon Hartley back into the fold to fill in for Gasly in Austin. The 28-year-old Australian first signed with the Red Bull Junior team in 2006 but was dropped in 2010, going on to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans and two FIA World Endurance Championships, all with Porsche, before the German manufacturer shut down its LMP1 program.

Hartley got the call to fill in for Gasly in Texas last month. Having evidently impressed the powers that be, he's been given a contract for next season in F1 – instead of heading to Indy as expected. In fact he already had a contract with Chip Ganassi Racing that included a proviso that would release him if he got called up to F1.

Though both contested the final races of the season, they constitute a completely new lineup from the one with which Toro Rosso started this past season. Their predecessors Carlos Sainz and Daniil Kvyat have gone in opposite directions: Sainz called up to Renault, and Kvyat shown the door.

It's not the first time that the team – dedicated to giving Red Bull rookies a shot at the big leagues – will start a season with a clean slate. STR dumped Tonio Liuzzi and Scott Speed in favor of Sebastian Vettel and Sebastien Bourdais in 2008, and dropped both Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari for 2012 in favor of Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne.

With Gasly and Hartley confirmed, the only seats left up for grabs next season are at Sauber, and one at Williams (to replace Felipe Massa).

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Did Bentley Just Reveal A New Mulsanne Convertible In Dubai?

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 12:03 PM PST


Ever since Bentley discontinued the Azure in 2010, we've been wondering if and when it would build a replacement. Now it appears that successor has been quietly unveiled in the Emirates.

We have no official information to draw on, but supercar videographer extraordinaire Shmee150 visited the marque's flagship showroom in Dubai for an exclusive look at the new convertible Mulsanne.

As you may recall, Bentley revealed just such a concept to a select few at Pebble Beach several years ago. Now apparently approved for limited production, the Grand Convertible by Mulliner will be very expensive and highly exclusive. Shmee reports only 19 examples will be built, each priced at around of $3.5 million.

That's a whole lot of dough, to be sure, but may be the only option in this particular class now that Rolls-Royce has discontinued the Phantom Drophead Coupe (offering only the smaller Dawn that's closer in size to Bentley's Continental GT).

That production number, incidentally, is anything but random. It refers to 1919: the year in which Bentley was founded. The first examples are slated to be delivered upon the marque's centenary in 2019 (with the remaining examples to follow the next year). This will, after all, be a painstakingly hand-crafted model, coachbuilt by the Mulliner division.

It's based on the Mulsanne Speed, which means it packs a 6.75-liter twin-turbo V8 good for 530 horsepower and 811 lb-ft of torque – along with all the bells and whistles that accompany that top spec.

Aside from the replacement of the four doors with two and the hard roof with a collapsible one, the Grand Convertible has been shorted by some 10 centimeters (or roughly four inches), taken out of the wheelbase. That'd make it a good foot shorter than the Extended Wheelbase model – to say nothing of the Grand Limousine version that was also crafted by Mulliner, stretched an extra 39 inches to fit an extra pair of seats in the back.

This particular example on display in Dubai is done up in Moroccan Blue and Frosted Silver (just like the Grand Limousine debut model) with a linen-colored leather interior. It also features what Shmee says is the largest single piece of wood veneer used in the industry, serving as a deck under which the fabric roof is stowed.

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Lynk&Co 02 Crossover Leaks Out Well Ahead Of Debut

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 10:55 AM PST


Geely's new Lynk&Co brand didn't plan on revealing its third new model, we hear, until late in April at the Beijing Motor Show. But the first images of the crossover have leaked out ahead of time.

Called the 02, the compact crossover is expected to slot in below the 01. Autocar reports that it shares its Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) with the new Volvo XC40, fitting dimensionally in between those two models.

We're also told to expect a plug-in hybrid powertrain, with a completely electric version to follow – and a suspension tuned to European tastes. The styling (ostensibly penned by Peter Horbury) certainly reveals its European influence, with details that remind us of Porsches and Saabs in particular.

Look for the Lynk&Co 02 to launch for the Europe market in 2019, alongside the aforementioned 01 crossover and 03 sedan.

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Watch The 900 HP Brabus Rocket Launch And Nudge 350 Km/h!

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 09:59 AM PST


Once upon a time, it was unheard of for a production car to do over 200 mph. Fortunately, we live in rapidly changing times and the 200-mph barrier is almost considered a benchmark which supercars and high-end sports cars must reach.

However, what is arguably more impressive than a two-door coupe reaching such speeds is a heavy luxury sedan doing the same, just like the latest Brabus Rocket 900.

As the name of the car implies, there is 900 HP on tap from the extensively modified twin-turbo 6.3-liter V12 engine and during a recent high-speed run, the super sedan reached an incredible 347 km/h (215 mph) and looked like it had even more speed in its back pocket.

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Please Let The Upcoming Ford Ranger Raptor Look Like This

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 08:56 AM PST


A Ford Ranger Raptor is just around the corner, and if these renderings from Ranger5g prove to be accurate, the pickup will be the mini F-150 Raptor we've been hoping for.

By using prototype pictures of the Ranger Raptor as a base, the forum member has rendered the pickup with a custom front fascia dominated by a blacked-out grille with a large Ford emblem, just like the F-150 Raptor.

Elsewhere, the fascia includes a steel skid plate, new air ducts and a pair of blacked-out air extractors on the hood. When combined with a black roof, black wing mirrors, and black wheels, we have a pickup that's sure to whip Ranger lovers into a frenzy.

Beyond its tweaked design, reports indicate the Ranger Raptor will be powered by a 2.0-liter twin-turbo diesel engine, not the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 of the F-150 Raptor. Nonetheless, the engine will be paired with the 10-speed automatic transmission Ford developed alongside General Motors, while an upgraded suspension will also be part of the package.

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850HP Volkswagen Golf R Mk6 Is Pure Madness On Wheels

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 07:57 AM PST


The hot hatch kings, namely the Audi RS3 Sportback and Mercedes-AMG A45, pale next to this heavily tuned sixth-generation Volkswagen Golf R.

To explain just how powerful it is, one would need to throw in a modern day supercar to challenge it, and even then, there's a good chance that the German hot hatch would come out on top.

Filmed during a Race1000 event in Germany, which has brought forward several magnificent machines over these past few months, this Golf R is said to pack as much as 850 horsepower. Its stock 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine was reportedly swapped with a 3.6-liter bi-turbo unit, and it appears that it's also fitted with additional upgrades, including a tuned suspension and improved brakes.

Its owner added a roll cage and a pair of bucket seats inside, but except for these, the rest of the car appears to be untouched.

The tuned Golf R was raced against the clock during the event, and it eventually ran down the half mile in 17 seconds, at a top speed of 255km/h (155mph).

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Lexus LC500 Looks Even More Futuristic On 24-Inch Forgiato Alloys

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 12:38 PM PST


The Lexus LC500 represents the very cutting edge of the Japanese automaker's design ethos, looking like something out of the future. But the wheels may not be to everyone's liking.

Enter the folks at Forgiato, who outfitted one such pearl-white coupe with a new set of their Tecnica Tec 3.3 alloys.

They're massive 24-inch units, with brushed spokes and polished rims, and they've been shod with low-profile Pirelli P Zero Nero all-season rubber.

The turbine-style wheels cut a rather different profile than the stock units and give the sleek Lexus an altogether different look. The storm-trooper look of the white bodywork and all that black glass doesn't do anything to burst that futuristic bubble, either.

The owner has apparently removed the model-designation nameplate off the back, but we're told this is a conventionally powered LC500, with the old-school 5.0-liter V8 rated at 471 horsepower. And we dig it. But for a more forward-looking propulsion unit that's perhaps better matched to the futuristic design, Lexus also offers the LC500h with a 3.5-liter hybrid V6.

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Bollinger Showcases The Electric B1's Off-Road Prowess

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 05:58 AM PST


Keen to prove that its all-electric B1 SUV is more than just a showpiece, Bollinger has commenced off-road testing of the vehicle, recently taking it to a number of testing areas in Colorado and Utah.

The first of the videos shows the B1 climbing up the Engineer Pass in Colorado, forcing the vehicle across rocks and through water crossings. For mild off-roading like this, the B1 seems surprisingly at home, despite being the brand's first attempt at a production vehicle.

As for the other two videos, they show the B1 testing in Utah, climbing a hill in Moab and sliding around on sand dunes.

Powering the B1 is an electric motor delivering 360 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The vehicle will then be sold with either a 60 kWh or 100 kWh battery pack with ranges varying between 120 and 200 miles.

Since the vehicle's debut in July, the company claims to have received over 10,000 reservations.

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Alpina B4 S Bi-Turbo Coupe Could Make An M4 Green With Envy

Posted: 19 Nov 2017 04:58 AM PST


The stock BMW 4-Series is a cool car to go for, especially in top M guise, but what if you're craving for an even more exclusive model? In that case, let Alpina and BMW Individual do all the work.

Building upon the latest Alpina B4 S Bi-Turbo, the car on display at Abu Dhabi has been fitted with a very specific body kit, whicn includes a front splitter and a boot lid spoiler. Everything was painted in Rallye Green, and this premium compact coupe also benefits from the tuner's multi-spoke alloy wheels and a set of blue calipers.

Alpina may have been responsible for the exterior, but the cabin was left to BMW Individual, which applied some contrast green stitching to the steering wheel, added blue dials for the instrument cluster, and replaced the left mid air vent with an additional display. The plaque strapped to the lower side of the central console tells users that this is indeed a very special model.

There's one last interesting aspect that's definitely worth mentioning: its engine. It's a 3.0-liter straight-six turbo that pushes out 440PS (434hp) and 660Nm (487lb-ft) of torque to all four corners. This makes it 9PS (9hp) and 56Nm (41lb-ft) of torque more powerful than the stock BMW M3 and M4, and allows it to reach 100km/h (62mph) from a standstill in just 3.9sec.

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