Wednesday 22 November 2017

CARSCOOPS

CARSCOOPS

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Vauxhall Viva Rocks Is Priced From £11,530 In UK

Posted: 22 Nov 2017 04:30 AM PST


The Opel Karl has been available as a rugged Rocks model since last year, and now its British sibling, the Vauxhall Viva, has received an identical treatment.

Named the Vauxhall Viva Rocks, it can already be ordered in the United Kingdom from £11,530 ($15,268) on-the-road, featuring plastic cladding all around, an increased ride height, silver roof rails, and unique 15-inch bi-color look alloy wheels.

Building upon the regular Vauxhall Viva, the Rocks version retains its five-door design and practical interior, with a boot space that exceeds 1,000 liters with the rear seats folded down.

Inside, it can be equipped with the optional R 4.0 IntelliLink infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Apple Maps or Google Maps, and an integrated navigation system. Additionally, those looking for a bit more can also order the OnStar personal connectivity and service assistant.

Vauxhall wants customers to know that driving their Viva Rocks in congested traffic has been made easier with a special driving mode, called 'City', which "reduces steering effort to assist with tight maneuvers in heavy city traffic". Moreover, this jacked-up version of the Viva also supports cruise control with speed management, and Park Assist.

PHOTO GALLERY

Bentley's Committed To Dropping The Top On The Continental GTC

Posted: 22 Nov 2017 04:03 AM PST


You might think of owning a convertible as offering a choice... but really it's an obligation – an obligation to drive it with the roof down as much as possible. And we have to applaud these engineers from Bentley for taking that to the extreme.

Spotted by our papparrazzi at CarPix in the frozen north is a prototype for the forthcoming Continental GTC, the drop-top version of the recently revealed coupe that we knew would be coming sooner or later. And it looks like sooner.

Though still wearing (some pretty cool-looking geometric) camouflage, it's plain to see what we're looking at here. And it looks pretty good with the roof down and that continuous strip of chrome surrounding the cabin.

As bad as we may feel for the engineers tasked with shaking it down with the cold air swirling around, the Conti would probably be the best convertible for driving with the roof down in the winter – what with its all-wheel traction and assuredly comfortable heated seats.

We wouldn't be surprised to see some sort of Mercedes-style air-scarf system to blow warm air onto the occupants' necks, and more heated surfaces than the Space Shuttle on reentry. But it's probably a good thing that these test drivers are bundled up, with the windows up and the rear screen in place.

Photo Gallery

Aston's New Vantage Unleashes Its Inner Beast In Video Debut

Posted: 22 Nov 2017 03:32 AM PST


Typically when an automaker releases the first video of one of its new cars, the footage is fairly straightforward. Sometimes more exciting, sometimes less. But with this debut clip, Aston Martin went a decidedly more creative route.

To showcase the all-new Vantage, the British automaker teamed up with the celebrated photographer who goes only by the name Rankin. And the resulting video is stylishly animalistic.

For the uninitiated, John Rankin Waddell is one of Britain's most celebrated photographers, having taken the portraits of everyone from Queen Elizabeth to David Bowie. His latest project for Aston Martin takes the form of the motion picture, captured over two days at the Atlanta Motorsports Park and a static shoot at the artist's studio.

"My ambition is to create film and stills that make the hairs on your neck stand up," says Rankin. "It's about high intensity, maximum impact - imagery that gets your pulse racing with the urgency of the V8 engine at full throttle."

We'd say he got the message across, but we'll let the video and photos speak for themselves. Just be prepared for the unusual.

Photo Gallery



Video

Is Alfa Romeo About To Announce Its F1 Return With Sauber?

Posted: 22 Nov 2017 02:59 AM PST


Rumors have been circulating for some time that Alfa Romeo could return to Formula One – and those rumors could be about to come to fruition.

According to Autosport, the Sauber team is poised to team up with the Italian automaker, bringing the Alfa name back into grand prix racing for the first time since 1985.

Now at this point you might be thinking: Ferrari and Alfa Romeo are sister companies, so why would they both field costly F1 programs? The answer, however, isn't quite that simple. For one, though they share common shareholders (and CEO), Ferrari is no longer under the same Fiat umbrella as Alfa Romeo. At the same time, however, the Alfa program could piggyback on Ferrari's – or prove little more than a rebranding exercise.

The Sauber team was supposed to switch to Honda power for next season until a last-minute management change scuppered the deal. Honda signed with Toro Rosso instead, and the new leadership at Sauber went back to longtime ally Ferrari, whose boss Sergio Marchionne has expressed his eagerness to bring Alfa back into the fold.

Another question soon to be answered is who Sauber will put behind the wheel next season, remaining the only team yet to confirm either of its drivers for 2018. Ferrari protege (and recently crowned Formula 2 champion) Charles Leclerc is strongly tipped to fill one seat, and word has it that Sauber and Ferrari are currently sparring over whether to keep the Swiss team's favorite Marcus Ericsson or bring in another Ferrari junior, Antonio Giovinazzi.

The up-and-coming Italian driver filled in for Pascal Wehrlein at Sauber earlier this season, and has finished runner-up in the British and European F3 championships and in GP2. Word has it that the announcement (on the drivers at least) will be made this weekend in Abu Dhabi, so stay tuned.

Photo Gallery

Did Lamborghini Just Reveal The Urus By Accident?

Posted: 22 Nov 2017 02:34 AM PST


Lamborghini's latest Urus teaser gives us a first proper look on the new "super SUV"'s exterior design.

As expected, the Italian super SUV stays true to the show car that debuted more than 5 years ago, albeit with what appears to be an even more dramatic front end, different headlights, and even larger wheels.

Someone at Lamborghini eventually spotted the mistake, so they took the video down, but not before other channels managed to save it and reupload online, but our guess is that they will be eventually forced to delete it as well, so enjoy it before it's too late.

The 33-second long clip focuses on the Corsa driving mode, which is the most extreme of the six, alongside the Strada and Sport, shared with the Huracan and Aventador, and Urus-only Sabbia (Sand), Terra (Land), and Neve (Snow).

The latest video comes a few days after we managed to catch a glimpse of the Urus' cabin, with its two digital displays, air vents inspired by the ones used in the Huracan, some flashy knobs flanking the ignition button, and a touchpad controller.

Lamborghini will drop the veil off the Urus on December 4, before opening the order books shortly after. The first units should be shipped to customers worldwide next summer.

VIDEO

BMW Reveals It Is Already Working On Hybrid M Cars

Posted: 22 Nov 2017 01:35 AM PST


BMW has admitted that it has started work developing M-branded hybrid models.

According to the vice president of BMW's M division, Dirk Hacker, electrification is something the automaker can't avoid, Autocar reports.

"We cannot avoid the need for electrification and it is true that we are working on hybrid power already. For now, all I will say is that we are working on a very precise technical solution, but there is no final decision on how to deploy the concept."

Despite the work being done, Hacker expressed some reservations about electrification, namely the weight it would add and how this could affect the handling of an M product.

"Adding mass to performance cars is never ideal. But if we can use electrification to install more performance, then we start to have the answers. That might be more speed, or it might be the ability for a car to be driven on electric power in a city. It might also be the case that we need different answers to that question in different cities," Hacker revealed.

This isn't the first time we've heard about BMW M planning a future with electrification. In fact, company chief Frank Van Meel revealed earlier this year that all M vehicles will eventually become all-electric. In the meantime, hybridization will be adopted as an intermediary response to changing consumer sentiment and stringent fuel emission laws.

PHOTO GALLERY

Create Your Perfect Aston Martin Vantage With New Configurator

Posted: 22 Nov 2017 12:03 AM PST


When it lands in showrooms, the new Aston Martin Vantage will be one of the most beautiful cars on the roads. Sadly, only those with a large bank balance will be able to purchase one.

Nonetheless, the British marque has released an online configurator of the Vantage, accessible to anyone with an internet connection. If the press pictures didn't totally convince you of the car's new design, speccing out your dream Vantage should definitely do the job.

The configurator is one of the most comprehensive we've seen and allows users to tweak everything from the paint color to the finish of the front grille, mirror caps, roof, wheels, wheel center caps, badging, and brake calipers.

The interior can also be customized to your heart's content. In creating our Hyper Red Vantage, we optioned features like the sports seats, alcantara, Hyper Red trim, the 'Interior Jewelleraluminumand aluminium tread plates.

Be warned, you could by playing around with the configurator for hours.

PHOTO GALLERY

Subaru WRX STI To Be Discontinued In Europe From 2018

Posted: 21 Nov 2017 08:42 PM PST


Subaru Germany has confirmed that production of the WRX STI for the European market will be discontinued in early summer 2018.

As a result, the 2018 WRX STI will be the final model year of the sports sedan, marking the end of a strong 17-year production run for Europe.

In a statement, managing director of Subaru Deutschland Christian Amenda said strict emissions regulations in the continent make it impossible for the STI to survive.

"The WRX STI has a long and successful motorsport history and enjoys a small but loyal fan base. The increasingly stringent emission regulations in Europe make the conditions for such a classic athlete more difficult, which is why the manufacturer decided to stop production.

"As of early summer 2018, no new models will be produced for the European market, but sales will be extended until at least the end of 2018, with sufficient pre-orders. Of course, we want to give the four-time class winner of the 24 Hours Nürburgring Nordschleife a fitting farewell, details are currently being worked out," Amenda said.

Despite its popularity around the world, the WRX STI has never been a big seller for Subaru in Germany. In fact, the marque has only sold 859 units there since 2011.

Last week, we received word that Subaru is still assessing the future of the WRX STI in other markets. It is possible the next-generation model will adopt some form of electrification.

PHOTO GALLERY

Renault Has No Interest Returning To The U.S. Market

Posted: 21 Nov 2017 08:04 PM PST


Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance chief executive Carlos Ghosn says he has no interest in reintroducing Renault to the U.S. market.

In an in-depth interview with Automotive News, Ghosn said Renault is already chasing the emerging markets of China and Russia and doesn't need to compete in the United States.

"I'm not thinking about that. There is no opportunity for it in this midterm plan. The biggest priority for Renault in this plan is in China and Russia.

"Renault will be selling 70,000 cars in China this year and should be selling 550,000 by the end of the plan. In Russia, Renault needs to make sure to concentrate on the recovery of Russia.

"For me, there are already enough engines for growth not to need to add another one," Ghosn said.

Renault's most direct French rival, Peugeot, is taking a different approach. Led by Carlos Tavares, the automaker is slowly plotting a return to the United States.

Fortunately for the Alliance, rolling out Renault models to the U.S. isn't a necessity. Both Mitsubishi and Nissan sell a plethora of models stateside and Ghosn cites China, Russia, and Brazil as the three markets that'll have the biggest impact on increasing Alliance sales by 40 per cent between now and 2022.

PHOTO GALLERY

Porsche Rules Out Electric 911 For At Least 10 Years

Posted: 21 Nov 2017 07:33 PM PST


An all-electric Porsche 911. It has the potential to be automotive sacrilege. Fortunately, Porsche doesn't seem to be in a hurry to make this happen.

Speaking with Autocar, company chief executive Oliver Blume said that the ever-popular 911 will retain an internal combustion engine for at least the next 10 or 15 years.

"With the 911, for the next 10 to 15 years, we will still have a combustion engine. We have combustion engines, then plug-ins as intermediaries, then full EV later on.

"The future concept of 911 will have plug-in built in, but it's not decided yet if we offer it: 911 is a core business and we need it to be a pure sports car. When customers want it to be electric, we can be ready," Blume said.

Porsche's first all-electric car, the Mission E sedan, is expected to arrive in 2019. Consequently, it's reasonable to assume that Porsche has the technology to create an electric 911 within two years. Fortunately, it's apparent that the German marque is aligned with the sentiments of its customers, refusing to create such a model until it receives requests to do so.

PHOTO GALLERY

Canada Warns Against U.S.'s Proposed NAFTA Changes

Posted: 21 Nov 2017 07:02 PM PST


Canada is preparing to hit back at proposals made by the U.S. to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

As negotiations between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico continue over the agreement, Plant reports that negotiators for Canada are planning a presentation which will highlight how the proposal could devastate its domestic car industry.

Proposals made by the United States consists of four main parts which could impact the car industry. First, it would require at least half of a car's parts are from the U.S. to avoid a tariff. From there, the proposal includes increasing the amount of content required from North America, making methods of calculating parts percentages more stringent, and forcing car companies to introduce these changes within a year.

"What they've put forward is completely unworkable. It doesn't even achieve their own goals. We intend to walk them through that in extreme detail," a Canadian official said.

NAFTA talks are currently being held in Mexico City between officials from the three North American countries.

It is reported that Mexico is working on a counter-offer to the U.S. proposal on the issue of auto parts.

PHOTO GALLERY

Porsche 911 GT2 RS Further Detailed In 59 Images - And A Video

Posted: 21 Nov 2017 06:30 PM PST


Porsche invited journalists to Portugal to put the new 911 GT2 RS through its paces on the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, in Portimao.

In the presence of Walter Rohrl, Mark Webber and Hans-Joachim Struck, and accompanied by various other Porsches, including the 918 Spyder, the journos had their first taste of the fastest and most powerful stock 911 ever.

Powered by a 700PS (690hp) and 750Nm (553lb-ft) of torque 3.8-liter twin-turbo flat-six, which is mated to a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox, the latest GT2 RS needs just 2.8sec to sprint from rest to 100km/h (62mph), and reaches a top speed of 340km/h (212mph).

Thanks to its massive output and clever engineering, which includes a new aero agenda and weight saving in addition to rear-axle steering and a variable locking rear differential, the German supercar stole the Nurburgring Nordschleife lap record from the Lamborghini Huracan Performante with the company's test driver, Lars Kern, behind the wheel.

Interested parties are no longer, however, able to buy a new 911 GT2 RS straight from Porsche, as all 1,000 units were already spoken for, but we're pretty sure it won't be long before they start popping up in the "used" supercar market - accompanied with a premium, of course...

PHOTO GALLERY



VIDEO


On a performance mission from Porsche AG on Vimeo.

Strong Demand In China Leads To Significant Rise In Global EV Sales

Posted: 21 Nov 2017 06:02 PM PST


Sales for electrified vehicles exceeded 287,000 units in the third quarter of 2017, marking a 63% boost over the same period last year and a 23% increase over this year's Q2 numbers.

China accounted for over half of global sales, while Europe followed as the second-biggest EV market in Q3, with North America trailing in third place, Autonews reports .

"The Chinese government is very focused on pushing up EV sales," stated BNEF analyst Aleksandra O'Donovan. "One reason for that is the local pollution levels in the cities, and a second is for China to build domestic heroes to compete internationally in this market."

At the same time, government incentives also play a big role in China where national subsidies make EVs "up to 40 percent cheaper than regular internal combustion cars," added O'Donovan.

According to BNEF, global sales for full-electric and plug-in hybrid cars are expected to surpass 1 million units this year for the first time as charging infrastructure improves and the vehicles themselves now offer longer driving ranges.

While China is still considering a ban on new gasoline and diesel cars in the future, countries such as France and the UK have already announced they intend to ban such models by the year 2040, with the Netherlands being even more ambitious by targeting a 2030 ban.

PHOTO GALLERY

New McLaren 720S GT3 Coming In 2019

Posted: 21 Nov 2017 05:37 PM PST


McLaren will start testing the new 720S GT3 race car in 2018, with first customer teams receiving their cars by 2019 but that's not the only news coming from the British supercar maker.

The company has also successfully established a global network of specialist motorsport retailers, with plans to launch a one-make GT-racing series and a Driver Development Programme in 2018.

As for the new 720S GT3, McLaren released the first concept sketches and also said that they will start its development in 2018. A race-prepped version of the twin-turbo 4.0-liter M840T V8 will be paired to a six-speed sequential transmission while the bodywork will be significantly optimised with a bespoke aerodynamic package.

The new McLaren 720S GT3 will replace the successful 650S GT3, which scored titles on four continents, including the Asian Le Mans Series, Australian GT championship, the Bathurst 12 Hour, Blancpain Endurance Cup and Pirelli World Challenge.

The new Pure McLaren GT-Race Series will take place at iconic European tracks, aimed at owners who already have extensive track driving experience and looking to take their first steps in the racing world. Customers should have at least an International D grade license in order to participate, with all cars maintained and run by McLaren engineers and technicians. More details will be announced later on.

"McLaren is built on racing and providing our growing family of customers with unique and exhilarating driving experiences. It therefore makes sense for us to unveil a dedicated, widened motorsport programme designed to support and enable more of our customers to focus on enjoying the thrill of pushing our cars on the track," said McLaren Automotive CEO, Mike Flewitt.

"The 720S GT3 will provide a stunning race-going addition to our Super Series product family and drivers will now be able to hone their skills under expert guidance backed-up by our technicians at the circuit and our motorsport retailers away from it."

PHOTO GALLERY

2018 Hyundai Accent Arrives In America Starting From $14,995

Posted: 21 Nov 2017 04:55 PM PST


The 2018 Hyundai Accent is a major improvement over its predecessor and the company has just announced the model will be priced from $14,995.

Set to go on sale shortly, the redesigned Accent features a bold new design and a 1.6-liter GDI four-cylinder engine that produces 130 hp (97 kW) and 119 lb-ft (161 Nm) of torque. Hyundai also paid special attention to the driving experience as engineers worked to improve the car's dynamics while also reducing NVH levels.

The entry-level Accent SE comes sparsely equipped but drivers will find air conditioning, cruise control, and 5-inch color touchscreen display. The model also has power windows / locks, Bluetooth connectivity, and a four-speaker audio system. The model comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission but a six-speed automatic is available for an additional $1,000.

The mid-range Accent SEL costs $17,295 and it adds automatic headlights, dual USB charging ports, and a tilt / telescopic steering wheel. The model also has a 7-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Drivers will also find 15-inch alloy wheels which are backed up by disc brakes.

Last but not least, the range-topping Accent Limited begins at $18,895 and it is distinguished by LED-infused headlights, additional chrome trim, and 17-inch alloy wheels. The model also has fog lights, LED taillights, and side mirrors with integrated turn signals.

The interior receives a handful of upgrades including a leather-wrapped steering, heated front seats, and a power sunroof. Other highlights include an automatic climate control system, a push-button ignition, and a 3.5-inch TFT display in the instrument cluster.

Photo Gallery

Lamborghini Huracan Performante Assumes A Meaner Stance With PUR Wheels

Posted: 21 Nov 2017 04:29 PM PST


In all likelihood, the majority of the Huracan Performante owners will be just fine with the stock 8.5x20 front and 11x20-inch rear forged rims.

However, just in case anyone wants something different, PUR Wheels have the solution: 22-inch RS22 alloys with a "directional design" finished in gloss black diamond and wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.

These wheels are also available in various other finishes and sizes, from 19- to 24-inch, and have been engineered from aerospace-grade 6061-T6 forged aluminum. The company claims that they're OEM compatible. Moreover, the Huracan Performante is not the first vehicle to sit on them, as they have been fitted to other supercars in the past, including the Lexus LFA.

The company says that its latest wheels won't affect the performance of the Huracan Performante, which needs only 2.9 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph), before topping out at more than 325 km/h (201 mph).

PHOTO GALLERY

Toyota Warns Kentucky Workers That Japan-Made Camrys Are Cheaper

Posted: 21 Nov 2017 07:54 PM PST


Toyota warned Kentucky workers building the Camry to cut costs or else, apparently looking for ways to increase the US plant's efficiency which is also the company's biggest in the world.

The Japanese car maker claims that they can build a Camry in Japan, ship it all the way to Kentucky and make more money than building one in their Kentucky facilities in a short video shown to employees, Bloomberg reports.

"I'm not sharing this to scare you, but to heighten your awareness of the current risk we now have," said Wil James, the plant's manager for over seven years. He also added that Toyota isn't planning to close the factory as they will continue to invest in it for the next 30 years. "But all of this is on the assumption that we can make as much progress in cost reduction and efficiency as we've made in quality and safety."

Toyota has been laying out their cost-saving plan as President Akio Toyoda is looking to free up resources for a massive increase in their R&D budget. Most of this will go towards electrification and artificial intelligence and the company is currently putting pressure on its production system for more savings.

The Japanese car maker also shows that it has no problem of including its U.S. operations in these cost-cutting efforts during the current "politically sensitive times". It was only recently that the President of the United States Donald Trump asked Toyota and other Japanese car makers to build more of their cars in the US.

PHOTO GALLERY

Armored Car Sales Are Booming In Mexico As Murder Rate Soars

Posted: 21 Nov 2017 03:27 PM PST


The International Institute for Strategic Studies recently ranked Mexico as the second most dangerous country in the world and the country's alarmingly high homicide rate has transformed the armored car industry into a booming business.

According to NBC DFW, the armored car industry is growing 20 percent annually in Mexico and a large number of these orders are coming from civilians. While high-end models such as the Mercedes-Maybach S600 Guard will cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars, a number of companies specialize in transforming mainstream vehicles into low-profile armored cars.

These models typically cost between $35,000 and $85,000 and they have become a hit with entrepreneurs who simply want to remain safe while doing their daily business. Of course, armored vehicles are still expensive and a number of companies have started to cater to customers who are on smaller budgets. One such company is EPEL who has started leasing armored cars to customers who can't afford to make a big upfront payment.

Despite the growing success of his company, EPEL CEO Ernesto Mizrahi hopes something will change as he told the station "All of our families are suffering this crisis. We hope it [the murder rate] goes down and we can change our market to doing limousines or whatever."

Photo Gallery

Police Dashcam Catches A Plane Crash In Florida

Posted: 21 Nov 2017 07:54 PM PST


A deputy from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office came incredibly close to being involved in a plane crash on Sunday as the officer was on North Keene Road when a single engine aircraft used the roadway to make an emergency landing.

According to the Sheriff's Office, two deputies were in the area for unrelated service call when an airplane flew directly over them and crashed into the ground at approximately 10:23 a.m. Following the close call, the deputies raced to the scene and discovered both the pilot and his passenger were uninjured.

The pilot, Marc Benedict, told deputies he was returning to the Clearwater Airpark after refueling at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport earlier in the day. As Benedict was flying over Clearwater, Florida he said the plane started to experience engine problems and didn't believe he would be able to make it to the airport.

Benedict started looking for a safe place to land and that's when he noticed the two police vehicles on North Keene Road. After waiting for an opening, Benedict brought the plane in for landing but it clipped a tree which caused to plane to spin and crash.

Video

MINI John Cooper Works Buggy Revealed For The Dakar Rally

Posted: 21 Nov 2017 02:32 PM PST


MINI has introduced the new John Cooper Works Buggy which will compete in the 2018 Dakar Rally.

Set to be driven by the X-raid team, the JCW Buggy is a rear-wheel drive model that is powered by a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder diesel engine that produces 340 PS (250 kW) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque.

The model rides on a tubular steel frame and features unique bodywork that was developed in "close cooperation with MINI Design." While the model doesn't look like anything in MINI's lineup, the rally car is extremely lightweight as its body is constructed out of Kevlar and carbon fiber reinforced plastic.

The rally car has already undergone an extensive testing program which has seen the model tackle tough terrain in places such as Morocco and Hungary. X-raid team manager Sven Quandt says these tests have been quite successful as the "buggy never had to stop once due to a technical problem."

The JCW Buggy will be joined by the familiar JCW Rally. Despite looking virtually identical to last year's model, the latest JCW Rally has "targeted advancements" including a new chassis which is lighter and allows for more suspension travel.

MINI will be bringing seven vehicles to this year's race and the three JCW Buggies will be driven by Mikko Hirvonen, Bryce Menzies, and Yazeed Al-Rajhi. The four JCW Rally models will be piloted by Orlando Terranova, Jakub Przygonski, Joan "Nani" Roma, and Boris Garafulic.

Photo Gallery

GMC Sierra All Mountain Concept Laughs In The Face Of Snow

Posted: 21 Nov 2017 02:01 PM PST


The GMC Sierra 2500HD is a formidable truck and the company has decided to kick things up a notch by creating the All Mountain concept.

Set to be unveiled later this week in Colorado, the All Mountain concept is based on the Sierra 2500HD Denali 4WD Crew Cab and it has been equipped with Mattracks which enable the model to handle extremely snowy conditions.

While the tracks are the most noticeable modification, the truck has also been equipped with custom graphics, an LED light bar, and a rugged front skid plate. The model also has side steps, a tonneau cover, and snowboard racks from Thule.

Power is provided by a 6.6-liter Duramax turbo diesel engine which produces 445 hp (331 kW) and 910 lb-ft (1,232 Nm) of torque. It is connected to a six-speed Allison automatic transmission that sends power to a four-wheel drive system.

The concept will be displayed at Vail Mountain over the winter as part of a partnership with Vail Resorts. As GMC marketing director Rich Latek explained "This unique concept truck is a fun way to attract attention to GMC and highlight our partnership with Vail Resorts."

Fans who can't make it out to Colorado will be able to check out a similar All Mountain concept which will be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month. Little is known about the model but GMC said it will be based on the Sierra 2500HD All Terrain X.

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Only 19 Bentley Mulsanne Grand Convertibles Will Be Made And None Will Come To The U.S.

Posted: 21 Nov 2017 05:07 PM PST


Bentley quietly unveiled the Mulsanne Convertible at the Dubai Motor Show and the automaker has just confirmed plans to build 19 units.

"19 of these examples will be made available. The US will not receive them, however," Bentley Motors Americas communications manager Erin Bronner told Carscoops.

The company declined to confirm the car's rumored $3.5 million price tag.

While this is unfortunate, the Mulsanne Convertible is a limited edition model which will be built by Mulliner. The car was previewed by the Grand Convertible concept and it will effectively become a replacement for the Azure which was phased out in 2010.

Bentley's silence on the convertible is somewhat surprising but previous reports have suggested the car will pay tribute to company's 100th anniversary. The first cars are slated to be delivered in 2019 and production will be limited to 19 units as a nod to the company's founding back in 1919.

The car will reportedly be based on the Mulsanne Speed which features a twin-turbo 6.75-liter V8 engine that produces 530 hp (395 kW) and 811 lb-ft (1,100 Nm) of torque. The sedan can accelerate from 0-60 mph 4.8 seconds before hitting a top speed of 190 mph (305 km/h) but it remains unclear how much the conversion to a convertible with effect the model's performance.

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Bentley Grand Convertible concept

Tesla Begins Asking Non-Employees To Configure Their Model 3

Posted: 21 Nov 2017 12:59 PM PST


Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently said the company was in "production hell" but those problems seem to be getting better as the automaker has asked reservation holders to begin configurating their Model 3.

According to Bloomberg, a Tesla spokesperson confirmed the company recently sent out invitations to non-employee reservation holders to begin the configuration process. This is a positive development as it likely means the company has sped up production and is gearing up to produce vehicles for mainstream consumers.

While Tesla had planned to build 1,500 units in the third quarter, the company was only able to make 260 Model 3s. Furthermore, the first vehicles were delivered to employees and investors and not people who lined up at dealerships to place their reservations over a year and a half ago.

Thankfully the wait appears to be coming to an end for some customers as a member of the Model 3 Owner's Club recently received their invitation to build a car and the vehicle is slated to be delivered in four weeks.

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2018 Aston Martin Vantage GTE Unveiled For The World Endurance Championship

Posted: 21 Nov 2017 12:59 PM PST


Following the unveiling of the Vantage earlier this morning, Aston Martin Racing has taken the wraps off the new Vantage GTE.

Developed alongside the road-going model, the Vantage GTE is a purpose-built race car which will compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship. The model has been designed for the GTE class and Aston Martin Racing has already logged more than 13,000 km (8,077 miles) during its development including a successful 30-hour run at the Spanish circuit of Navarra.

Aston Martin was tight-lipped about technical specifications but the car has been equipped with a front splitter, a ventilated hood, and a side-exiting exhaust system. The car also features lightweight windows, aerodynamic mirrors, and racing wheels. Other notable changes include the addition of a rear wing and a massive diffuser.

While the company was coy on specifics, they confirmed the model has a Mercedes-AMG sourced V8 engine. There's no word on the engine's output but Aston Martin Racing said "factory drivers have worked hard to optimize the drivability and performance" of the mill.

Elsewhere, the Vantage GTE has been equipped with an Öhlins suspension and Alcon brakes. The model also features bespoke racing tires that were developed by Michelin.

The car will be driven by an assortment of "highly experienced and successful" drivers including Darren Turner, Jonny Adam, Nicki Thiim, Marco Sørensen, and Alex Lynn.

According to Aston Martin Racing President David King, "Motorsport is fundamental to the DNA of Aston Martin and our commitment to the FIA World Endurance Championship is stronger than ever." He added, "This is a golden era for GT racing and today's launch of the new Vantage GTE wil ensure that Aston Martin Racing remains at the forefront of the world's greatest endurance series."

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Low-Mile, Manual Alpina B12 5.7 Coupe Is Cool, But Is It Half-A-Million Cool?

Posted: 21 Nov 2017 12:10 PM PST


If you ever thought that the most potent version of the classic BMW E31 8-Series was the 850CSi, think again; this is the Alpina B12 5.7 Coupe, the king of the E31 tribe.

Alpina made just 57 examples of the B12 5.7 Coupe based on the 850CSi and this is one of them: an exceptionally preserved, continent-crushing GT finished in Alpina Blue and with just 9,000km on the clock (around 5,600 miles).

It gets better, as this wonderful V12 coupe comes with the very desirable manual six-speed gearbox instead of the Shift-Tronic semi-automatic option. Power comes from a 5.7-liter version of the 850CSi's engine, producing 410hp (416PS) and enabling the B12 5.7 Coupe to reach a top speed of 186mph (300km/h).

The bodywork also features the classic Alpina graphics while the 18-inch multispoke alloys look like the perfect fit in this application. The hood was made out of carbon-fiber and has additional air outlets as well as a NACA duct mounted in the middle.

The car is currently listed for sale on Classic Driver, based in Munich, Germany as an one-owner example. Price is set at 400,000 euros (around $472k today) which rather narrows down the list of prospective customers. At least we can stare at the pictures, right?

H/T To BaT!

PHOTO GALLERY

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