Tuesday 28 November 2017

CARSCOOPS

CARSCOOPS

Link to Carscoops

Ferrari FXX K Evo Coming To UK, Debuts At Autosport International

Posted: 28 Nov 2017 04:30 AM PST


Ferrari's latest and most advanced track-only toy, the FXX K Evo, will cross the English Channel in less than 2 months to celebrate its UK premiere.

Unveiled at the end of October during the Finali Mondiali event at Mugello, the Ferrari FXX K Evo will be taken to Autosport International, which takes place at the National Exhibition Center (NEC) Birmingham, from January 11 to 14.

In order to become an absolute beast on the track, this hypercar has undergone some extensive revisions made to its aero agenda, which help increase downforce and airflow.

It also gets more carbon fiber than its predecessor, and uses the brand's F1 know-how in various fields, while also benefiting from a new steering wheel and digital monitors to display the telemetry, hybrid assist, and rear view.

The Ferrari FXX K Evo is said to produce over 830kg (1,830lbs) of downforce at top speed, a 23 percent increase over the 'regular' FXX K. Meanwhile, its hybrid powertrain continues to deliver in excess of 1,000hp.

As you'd expect, the Evo is aimed towards a small number of enthusiasts, either as a complete package, or an upgrade to the current FXX K.

PHOTO GALLERY

These Classic Children's Cars Are Sure To Delight The Kids On Your List

Posted: 28 Nov 2017 04:02 AM PST


Looking for the perfect present for the special little someone on your holiday shopping list this season? We've got you covered.

Coming up for auction is an impressive array of children's cars, each replicating a classic car, the opportunity to own for which we'd have seriously considered giving up a kidney (or limb) when we were kids.

Included on the docket are an Aston Martin DB5, Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, Shelby Cobra 289, Corvette Sting Ray, Porsche 936, Jaguar E-Type and XK120, and three Ferraris: a 250 Testa Rossa, 250 California, and 640 F1 car – all in miniature. We don't have the full details on all of them, but the Testa Rossa and Sting Ray are of period vintage and pack electric motors.

Don't let the size fool you, though: while they won't cost you as much as the real thing, they're still plenty valuable. RM Sotheby's estimates they'll each sell for between $10,000 and $80,000 (in the case of the TR, a similar one of which sold a few years ago for an astonishing $126,500).

Most are going up for auction in Arizona come mid-January, but the Testa Rossa and the 'Vette are on the docket for New York on December 6. So if you're intent on putting one under the tree, better pack your backs for the Big Apple... and bring your checkbook.

Photo Gallery

After 43 Years, The VW Golf Is Still The Prototypical Hatchback

Posted: 28 Nov 2017 03:24 AM PST


There are few automotive nameplates that have been around as long – or sold as many – as the Volkswagen Golf. That makes it a prime candidate for the Evolution treatment from Donut Media, and that's just what we have here.

VW's best-selling model and one of the most produced automobiles in the world, the Golf was originally introduced way back in 1974 as the more conventional replacement to the Beetle.

Conventional, we should say, as we now think of it, because the Golf was one of the pioneers of the hatchback bodystyle – arriving just two years after the original Honda Civic hit the scene.

Of course the Golf also gave us the GTI, hands down the progenitor of the modern hot hatch and the standard by which all others are compared. Even that's been upstaged by the Golf R, but those are just a couple of the variants we've seen over the years.

These days you'll find Golfs with three doors or five, chopped into a convertible, and stretched into a wagon. The Jetta sedan is closely related, as is the neo-retro Beetle the Golf originally replaced – not to mention the Audi A3 in all its many flavors.

The influence of the VW Golf on the industry, then, can hardly be overstated. And you can watch it all evolve in front of your eyes in this latest clip.

Video

What Do F1 Drivers Think Of The New Aston Martin Vantage?

Posted: 28 Nov 2017 03:06 AM PST


When you drive a Formula One racing car for a living, could anything else possibly live up to the rush of your day job?

Maybe, maybe not, but these two F1 drivers (one past, one present) seem to enjoy driving the new Aston Martin Vantage in this latest clip for Gaydon's newest model.

Pictured are Martin Brundle and Daniel Ricciardo. Brundle is best known these days as a broadcaster, but has had his share of success in the racing cockpit as well. He rivaled Ayrton Senna in British Formula Three back in 1983, spent a dozen (mostly fruitless) years in Formula One, and won the 24 Hours of Le Mans outright with Jaguar in 1990.

Racing at the front of the pack as he does today, Ricciardo may require even less of an introduction. He won the British F3 title that eluded Brundle, graduating to F1 in 2011, and has won five grands prix for Red Bull in the past four seasons. The Aussie driver is one of the few, in short, who's managed to pose a serious challenge to the domination of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes these past few years, despite having a slower, less reliable car at his disposal.

We're sure that either could get their hands on just about any car they want these days, and have both been employed to drive some of the fastest cars ever devised. Given that the clip was released by the manufacturer (which happens to be one of Red Bull's biggest sponsors), we wouldn't take it as perfectly objective opinion, but it's always fun to see what a winning racer thinks of a mere "mortal" road car.

Video

Thieves Filmed Stealing A Mercedes With A Relay Box

Posted: 28 Nov 2017 01:33 AM PST


Police have just released footage of a Mercedes-Benz C-Class being stolen in the British town of Solihull.

Usually, a simple vehicle theft wouldn't be particularly newsworthy. However, this tale is a little different as the Mercedes was unlocked and stolen without a key.

CCTV footage of the crime shows the two thieves approaching the car with two relay boxes. This little device can receive the signals from a keyless remote through walls, doors, and windows. Once one of the thieves captures the signal, it is automatically passed through to a second box being held near the car, opening the vehicle's doors.

According to local authorities, the C-Class has yet to be recovered, despite the entire crime being captured on film.

Understandably, many vehicle owners have become concerned about the security of keyless fobs in the wake of the theft. Consequently, experts at Thatcham Research have suggested that concerned drivers should contact their dealer for information about how to prevent such crimes.

West Midlands Police officer Mark Silverster said there are ways for owners to protect against such thefts.

"To protect against this type of theft, owners can use an additional tested and Thatcham-approved steering lock to cover the entire steering wheel. We also recommend Thatcham-approved tracking solutions fitted to the vehicle," he said.

VIDEO

Shell Partners With Leading Carmakers For Fast-Charging Network

Posted: 28 Nov 2017 12:02 AM PST


Shell has reached an agreement with a host of industry-leading automakers to introduce ultra-fast charging stations along European highways.

The partnership involves Ionity, a joint venture recently established between BMW, Daimler, Ford, and Volkswagen, and will result in the rollout of high-powered charging outlets at 80 different highway sites across the continent in 2019, giving Shell a leg-up on many of its rivals.

In a statement, Shell claims that its fast chargers have a capacity of 350 kW and will be able to charge vehicles in as little as five to eight minutes, Reuters reports.

"Customers want to go on long journeys in their electric vehicles and feel confident that there are reliable, comfortable and convenient places to charge them quickly," Shell's head of retail Istvan Kapitany said.

The first 80 charging stations will be built in Belgium, Britain, France, the Netherlands, Hungary, Austria, Czechia, Slovakia, Poland, and Slovenia. When construction of these locations is finished, 20 additional stations will be built in Germany.

PHOTO GALLERY

Fiat Reveals All-New Cronos Sedan In South America

Posted: 27 Nov 2017 10:35 PM PST


Fiat is an Italian brand first and foremost, but it's a major player (and manufacturer) in the Latin American market, where it's just revealed the new Cronos sedan.

Built on a new modular platform, the Cronos replaces the old Punto-based Linea sedan with a completely fresh form.

Though clearly coming from the same automaker that builds the Tipo in Turkey, the Cronos is sized smaller to enter one of South America's biggest market segments. The manufacturer estimates that niche accounts for some 300,000 vehicles in Brazil and another 100,000 in neighboring Argentina, a bigger slice of which Fiat is clearly eager to take.

Power comes from a choice of 1.3 or 1.8-liter engines (of otherwise unspecified specifications), and emphasis is said to have been placed on the vehicle's handling. Brazilian and Argentinian customers can expect to start seeing them on the road in the first quarter of the new year ahead, by which time we'll presumably have a clearer picture of the model's specs.

Photo Gallery

Opulent Range Rover SVAutobiography Unveiled Before LA Auto Show

Posted: 27 Nov 2017 09:25 PM PST


Land Rover has taken the wraps off the 2018 Range Rover SVAutobiography ahead of the LA Auto Show.

Based around the facelifted Range Rover, the new SVAutobiography is a product of Jaguar Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) department that aims "to create a sanctuary for relaxation that doubles as a mobile technology hub."

Step inside the overhauled interior and you'll find two large, 'Executive Class' rear seats that offer over 1.2 meters of legroom and can be reclined by 40 per cent. Additionally, they include a hot stone massage function as well as heated calf and foot rests. Rear seat passengers will also be able to enjoy a large fixed center console that incorporates a number of different controls for the vehicle.

If passengers want to relax or work, the Range Rover SVAutobiography provides two rear tables and integrated 10-inch touchscreen entertainment screens. There's also 4G WiFi, a small refrigerator that can house two wine bottles or four 600 ml bottles, and a Power Deployable Veneered Loadspace Floor that allows for easy loading and unloading.

Customers of the Range Rover SVAutobiography have the option of a supercharged 5.0-liter V8, 4.4-liter V8 or a plug-in hybrid that uses a 2.0-liter turbo four and an electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack. It delivers a total of 398 hp, more than enough to shift the huge SUV at a respectable pace.

Speaking about the vehicle, Land Rover chief design officer Gerry McGovern said, "The Range Rover SVAutobiography is the epitome of luxury, comfort and refinement. Our standard-bearer for quality and precision exemplifies the attention to detail and sophistication that has been a hallmark of our most luxurious SUV stretching back almost 50 years."

UK prices start at £167,850 ($223,824) and top out at £177,030 ($236,065).

PHOTO GALLERY

Daniel Ricciardo Confirms He's Ordered An Aston Martin Valkyrie

Posted: 27 Nov 2017 08:44 PM PST


Beyond the handsome paycheck, being a Formula One driver includes a number of other perks, as Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo has discovered.

During a recent conversation with Shmee150 in Abu Dhabi, the Australian confirmed that he's secured a reservation for the Aston Martin Valkyrie. This comes despite the fact that Ricciardo doesn't have a huge car collection and probably all comes down to his relationship with Aston Martin thanks to the Red Bull Racing Formula One team.

As development of the Valkyrie is still in its early stages, prototypes have yet to hit the pavement. However, Ricciardo says he wants to be a part of the hypercar's development, hopefully jumping behind the wheel of it before virtually anyone else.

In the 18-months since the Valkyrie was first unveiled as a concept, the design of the vehicle has progressed massively and is now a mixture of curvaceous body panels and cutting-edge aerodynamic elements.

Unlike the Mercedes-AMG Project One which uses a Formula One powertrain, the Valkyrie will be more traditional, utilizing a 6.5-liter naturally-aspirated V12 engine developed by Cosworth. Although the engine will deliver roughly 900 hp by itself, Aston Martin will pair it with an energy recovery system to lift power to beyond 1,000 hp. When it's all said and done, the British marque expects the track-only Valkyrie variant to rival an F1 car on a racetrack.

VIDEO

GM Preparing To Unveil Its Autonomous Vehicle Plans

Posted: 27 Nov 2017 08:04 PM PST


Fresh off unveiling its ambitious electric vehicle plans, General Motors is preparing to detail its vision for an autonomous future, Automotive News reports.

On November 30, GM will hold an event with investors and is set to detail its mobility and self-driving vehicle business and how it intends on making the most out of the emerging market.

In a November 15 event, GM chief executive Mary Barra provided a taste of how seriously GM is taking automation.

"We recognize that our industry is changing very quickly, and we plan to participate in the biggest business opportunity since the creation of the Internet," she said.

Eager to develop self-driving systems as quickly as possible, General Motors purchased autonomous vehicle startup Cruise Automation in 2016. Since then, the company has become GM's official self-driving unit, now employs 350 people, and has a fleet of autonomous Chevrolet Bolts testing throughout the United States, including in San Francisco.

At the start of October, GM said it will unveil two new electric vehicles within the next 18 months and offer at least 20 new EVs by the year 2023. Given GM's simultaneous development of autonomous systems, it seems inevitable that many of these EVs will feature semi- or fully-autonomous driving functions.

PHOTO GALLERY

Leaked Lamborghini Urus Image Inspires Realistic Rendering

Posted: 27 Nov 2017 07:32 PM PST


A week after Lamborghini 'inadvertently' gave the world a look at the production-spec Urus with a blurry image, X-Tomi Design has created a high-definition rendering of the SUV.

As expected, the design of the Urus will share a striking resemblance to the concept but receive a few updates to freshen-up the five-year-old design.

At the front, the Urus will adopt slightly more complex headlights than the concept and also receive a modified front fascia and bumper that appears significantly more brash and over-the-top than we saw of the concept. However, this certainly isn't a bad thing as it helps to further differentiate the Urus from any other vehicle to come before it.

Moving to the sides, the road-going Urus has largely the same lines, including squared-off wheel arches, sharp and narrow windows, large wheels, and prominent creases running diagonally along the doors. Although this rendering doesn't provide a preview of the rear-end, it too should be very similar to the concept.

The long-awaited Lamborghini Urus will premiere on December 4 with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine delivering approximately 650 hp and 627 lb-ft. In the not too distant future, a plug-in hybrid variant with a V6 will be added to the range.

PHOTO GALLERY

Porsche Says It'll Be One Of The Last Carmakers To Retain A Steering Wheel

Posted: 27 Nov 2017 07:03 PM PST


Porsche has revealed that it is very interested in rolling out autonomous technologies across its range but will aim to retain steering wheels for as long as possible.

In an interview published by the carmaker, vice president of the Executive Board and member of the Executive Board, Finance and IT, Lutz Meschke revealed that certain self-driving features perfectly complement Porsche's DNA.

"There are of course aspects of autonomous driving that are interesting for us: Traffic jam assistants or automated parking, for example. It's attractive to be able to use the drive into the office during rush hour for my first virtual meeting," Meschke revealed.

Whereas most automakers are adopting self-driving tech for convenience and safety purposes, Porsche is actually investigating the use of such systems as a way to coach a driver how to be fast on a racetrack.

"Another idea is the Mark Webber-function," Meschke said. "With this function, the vehicle could drive autonomously on a racetrack like the Nürburgring – just like Webber would drive. The car drives an ideal course and demonstrates perfect brakes in the curves, where to best shift and where to accelerate."

Such a system would collect all this important data and when the human driver takes control, the car could show them the ideal lines and provide direct feedback.

"Autonomous driving and Porsche go together very well – we interpret it in a way that is typical of Porsche and combine what it means to be Porsche with the opportunities offered by new technologies," Meschke concluded.

PHOTO GALLERY

Gorgeous 1942 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Spider Bound For Arizona Auction

Posted: 27 Nov 2017 06:30 PM PST


A simply breathtaking 1942 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Spider is heading to RM Sotheby's Arizona auction on January 18-19.

Set to be offered without a reserve, the classic is expected to sell for between $900,000 and $1.1 million and will be right at home as the centerpiece of any car collection.

Alfa Romeo built the 6C from 1927 to 1954 in a plethora of configurations for both the road and racing purposes. Between 1938 and 1952, the 6C 2500 was the final production 6C built for the road and sold in roughly a dozen different flavors, including the SS Spider we have pictured.

RM Sotheby's has yet to provide a detailed history of this particular car but our research suggests it is powered by the same 2.4-liter inline-six cylinder found across the 6C family. In SS Spider configuration, it delivered roughly 110 hp.

While that power figure is outdated by today's standards, the exterior design of the two-seater remains as beautiful as ever. It features two large circular headlights, black wheels, a black and red paint scheme, and a simple interior that appears to be in as-new condition.

PHOTO GALLERY

Why Not Treat Yourself To A Classic Like This 1969 Chevy El Camino?

Posted: 27 Nov 2017 05:30 PM PST


Seen as how the Chevrolet El Camino is the type of car even major celebrities like Lady Gaga enjoy, spending a few grand on one might be quite reasonable.

Of course, getting yours to look like the one owned by the famous singer would probably cost you a lot more, but if you're just interested in owning an El Camino, you have plenty of time to bid on this 1969 example.

Getting auctioned off on Bring A Trailer, this Hugger Orange example has been restored, gaining new front and rear bumpers, all new chrome trim, new front disc brakes, a shift kit, 2" cowl hood, new fenders, power steering and brakes, plus many other mods.

Inside there's a new dashboard, new seat covers, door panels, carpet, aftermarket head-unit and a wood-rimmed steering wheel, making for a very clean looking cabin overall.

As for what you get under the hood, a four-barrel 350 ci V8 with a Lunati Voodoo camshaft is what makes this El Camino not just a utility vehicle but a muscle car as well.

According to the seller, the car has a total of 34,888 miles (56,146 km) on the clock and, since the restoration, has been driven for just 2,500 miles (4,023 km).

PHOTO GALLERY

KBB Finds Out If The 2017 Ford Explorer Is A Worthy Segment Leader

Posted: 27 Nov 2017 05:00 PM PST


In case you were wondering which has been this year's most popular non-premium midsize SUV, you won't be surprised to find out that the answer is the Ford Explorer.

Aside from making people worry if it's a law enforcement car when they see it in their rear-view mirror, the Explorer has a lot of other things going for it, such as a roomy interior and plenty of modern tech and convenience features.

According to Kelley Blue Book's Micah Muzio, the Explorer also brings a rugged exterior appearance to the table, one that's proven successful with midsize SUV buyers, helping Ford top this segment when it comes to sales.

Of course, the Explorer has plenty of worthy challengers, some of which even offering better features or more interior room. For example, both the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander can seat more people. Speaking of shortcomings, the Explorer's build quality and overall cabin material quality aren't that great either, with Muzio pointing out a couple of issues with the interior that might genuinely put you off.

As for what it's like to drive, the Explorer, while lacking any sort of sporty steering feel, is surprisingly grippy in corners for a vehicle of its size, and has a strong engine range, with the range-topping 365 HP twin-turbo V6 getting you from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 6 seconds.

VIDEO

TopCar's Panamera Stingray GTR Comes With Loads Of Carbon And A €235,000 Price Tag

Posted: 27 Nov 2017 04:30 PM PST


This fully-loaded 2017 Porsche Panamera Turbo has been fitted with TopCar's Stingray GTR Edition kit, boasting a new custom interior and a hefty €235,000 ($280,000) price tag.

According to the Russian tuner, the car recently returned to Moscow after a brief stint in Marbella, Spain, where it met up with none other than free-skier and car enthusiast Jon Olsson.

Since we're discussing its history, we have to point out that this exact car is #3 of a 25 limited run of Stingray GTR Panameras, and it's wearing a whole lot of carbon fiber, both outside as well as in the cabin.

For the exterior, you get new front and rear bumpers, custom intakes, redesigned DRLs, new hood, side skirts, rear diffuser and a large rear wing that doesn't retract anymore. As for the interior, there's carbon fiber on the steering wheel, dashboard and door panels, plus plenty of leather and Alcantara.

Put it all together and you could say that spending nearly $300k on this car might be justifiable if money's not an object and a loaded to the gills with carbon Panamera is your thing .

PHOTO GALLERY

Ford Focus RS Filmed Drifting Again And Again On The Ring

Posted: 27 Nov 2017 04:00 PM PST


The Ford Focus RS has a special 'Drift' mode that makes it easier to control it when going sideways, but how often have you seen it in action during a track day at the Nurburgring?

It's safe to assume that the driver of this compact hot hatch had a lot of fun in the famous German circuit, as he was filmed pushing that rear end out a few times and tried to keep it for as long as he could.

Still, despite almost losing it once, no cars were damaged during these tail-shaking laps, as we have seen it happen before to drivers that believed the special 'Drift' mode would turn them into professional drifters. After all, even your mom can drift it, can't she?

Despite the Nordschleife being notorious for its unforgiving nature, we have to give some credit to the driver of this Focus RS not just for his skills, but also for doing his antics with the 345 HP super hatch on the track and not on public roads.

VIDEO

Millions Of Americans Don't Properly Secure Christmas Trees To Their Vehicles

Posted: 27 Nov 2017 03:31 PM PST


As November gives way to December, a number of people are making their Christmas arrangements and for many that means purchasing a live Christmas tree.

While this is an annual tradition for countless people, AAA says it can be dangerous as the organization estimates approximately 20 million Americans who purchased a real Christmas tree in the last three years did not properly secure it to their vehicle. This sounds like a minor issue but the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety notes that road debris - such as a Christmas tree that flies off a car - was responsible for more than 200,000 crashes in the past four years. These accidents resulted in 39,000 injuries and 500 deaths.

Even people who secure their Christmas tree to the roof of their vehicle could be doing it wrong as AAA's director of Automotive Engineering and Industry Relation, Greg Brannon, says "Twine that is wrapped around trees and looped through door jambs or open windows can cause serious damage to door seals and window frames." While the damage can vary widely, the organization says improperly secured Christmas trees can cause owners up to $1,500.

In order to properly secure a Christmas tree, AAA says drivers should only transport trees in vehicles with a roof rack or in trucks and SUVs that have enough room to accommodate the tree. The organization also recommends people use nylon ratchet straps to secure the tree in place and put an old blanket underneath the tree to prevent paint scratches.

Photo Gallery

Rolls-Royce Cullinan Gets Rendered Based On Spy Photos

Posted: 27 Nov 2017 02:57 PM PST


Rolls-Royce is putting the finishing touches on its first crossover and Peisert Design has created some renderings of what the model could look like.

Using previous spy photos of the Cullinan, Peisert Design went to work and created a handful of renderings which seem to accurately predict what the crossover could look like. As you can see in the side-to-side photos, the Cullinan is heavily influenced by the all-new Phantom but it adopts a modified front bumper with larger air intakes. The renderings also show a shorter grille that is flanked by larger headlights.

Unfortunately, the rear of the crossover is pretty plain as the only distinguishing characteristics are suicide rear doors and a heavily raked D-pillar.

Rolls-Royce has been slowly teasing the model and the company has already confirmed the Cullinan will ride on the "Architecture of Luxury" that underpins the Phantom. The car's twin-turbo 6.75-liter V12 engine - that produces 563 hp (420 kW) and 663 lb-ft (900 Nm) of torque - should carryover and it will likely be connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system.

While it won't be the prettiest Rolls-Royce ever created, the Cullinan will have an opulent interior with wood trim, metallic accents, and premium leather upholstery.

Video



Photo Gallery

Thieves Steal Four Teslas, Claim They Were A Gift From A Guy Named Tesla

Posted: 27 Nov 2017 02:32 PM PST


Fans can hardly wait to get their hands on the Tesla Model 3 but four thieves in Utah apparently decided to go for something a tad more luxurious.

According to KSL, a member of the Utah Highway Patrol was in the middle of a traffic stop at around 1 a.m. on Friday when he noticed a Tesla Model S stop behind his vehicle. The trooper noticed something was off about the driver - likely his age - and called the South Salt Lake police department to investigate.

When an officer approached the driver, 24 year old Shane Smith said he was simply going to the nearby Tesla dealership to return the vehicle. However, the officer noticed Smith had a bag of keys and was bizarrely claiming his name was Tesla. He eventually told an even crazier story about being given the Tesla and the keys by a "a guy he hardly knew."

The officer didn't buy Smith's story and additional officers arrived to begin investigating if the dealership had been broken into. As this was happening, a second Tesla drove by and officers approached the vehicle after it ran out of power a few blocks away.

The car was reportedly driven by 31 year old William Weist who claimed his name was Carlos Romero. Police were able to confirm he was in possession of several stolen items from the dealership and they arrested him.

Police eventually caught the other two thieves and their stolen vehicles and each claimed the cars were given to them by a man named Tesla.

The group is facing a lengthy list of charges and the South Salt Lake police department is still investigating how the thefts happened and if anyone else was involved.

H/T to Jalopnik

Photo Gallery

Kia Procee'd Concept Is Slated To Spawn A Stylish Shooting Brake

Posted: 27 Nov 2017 02:01 PM PST


The Kia Procee'd concept was one of the stars at the Frankfurt Motor Show and a new report is suggesting a production version will arrive late next year.

Little is known about the model but Autocar is reporting it will become part of an expanded Cee'd lineup that will include four different models. Despite this, the three-door variant will reportedly be axed as customers simply aren't interested in that particular model.

The standard model is expected to be unveiled early next year at the Geneva Motor Show and it will likely be introduced alongside a wagon variant. Both are slated to feature an updated interior with higher quality materials and an improved design. Engine options are expected to carryover from today's model but they will likely receive minor performance tweaks.

Later in the year, Kia is expected to introduce a stylish shooting brake and a crossover-inspired model that will reportedly be positioned between the Stonic and Sportage.

A performance-oriented Procee'd GT is also expected in the future but it will reportedly be less extreme than the Hyundai i30 N.

Photo Gallery

Lincoln Teases A Mysterious New Vehicle, Debuts Tomorrow

Posted: 27 Nov 2017 04:26 PM PST


The Los Angeles Auto Show kicks into high gear tomorrow and Lincoln has just released a baffling new teaser video.

The 10 second long clip doesn't reveal much but it confirms the automaker will introduce something on November 28th. That's not much to go on but the company hinted the model is going to "make a lasting impression."

Lincoln is keeping coy on specifics but previous reports have suggested the company is working on an all-new Aviator. It's possible the company could preview the model with a concept as the vehicle is slated to be launched in 2019.

The mystery model will be shown alongside the 2019 MKC which features a new front end that resembles the Continental and MKZ. The facelifted crossover has also been equipped with new LED taillights and an updated infotainment system.

Under the hood, the two engines will be available. The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder now produces 245 hp (182 kW), while the optional turbocharged 2.3-liter engine develops 285 hp (212 kW) and 305 lb-ft (413 Nm) of torque.

The 2019 Lincoln MKC will go on sale next summer and the model will be available in three different Black Label themes.

Video


11.28.17.mp4
We have a feeling this vehicle is going to make a lasting impression. 11.28.17
Posted by The Lincoln Motor Company on Monday, November 27, 2017

Hyundai's Semi-Autonomous Highway Driving Assist System Coming To The U.S. In 2019

Posted: 27 Nov 2017 12:59 PM PST


Autonomous driving technology is all the rage these days but Hyundai has been pretty quiet on the subject. That's about to change as Wards Auto is reporting its Highway Driving Assist technology will soon be coming to the United States.

Currently available on a handful of models in South Korea, the Highway Driving Assist system is a Level 2 semi-autonomous technology that combines adaptive cruise control with a lane keeping assist function. The system has been around since 2015 and it is slated to arrive in America in 2019 on the next-generation Sonata as well as the updated Genesis G90.

The four-year delay is somewhat surprising but Hyundai's director of advanced driver assist systems, Woongjung Jang, told the publication this is due to several factors including high demand in South Korea. Jang also noted "There's so much to cover [in the United States] and we need to ensure our information on our map databases are accurate on every highway, so it's taking some time to go through and verify all those."

While the Highway Driving Assist technology is a step towards full autonomy, the company is working on more advanced systems and expects them to be launched at the fleet level since mobility providers can offset the costs of the technology by not having to pay a driver. However, prices are expected to come down in the future and Jang believes Hyundai could hit an "affordable price level" in 2025 or later.

Speaking of fully autonomous vehicles, Jang says the technology is a bad fit for electric vehicles as the "power consumption is really huge" and can dramatically decrease a vehicle's range. Newer technologies will likely reduce the power draw but, in the meantime, Jang believes autonomous driving systems are better suited for hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or hydrogen fuel cell applications.

Photo Gallery

Next Hyundai Santa Fe Looks Impressive With Kona Face

Posted: 27 Nov 2017 12:28 PM PST


Next year, Hyundai will unveil the fourth-generation Santa Fe and if this rendering proves accurate, we have a lot to look forward to.

Created by Brenthon Design, the new Santa Fe pictured has taken obvious design inspiration from the smaller Hyundai Kona and looks all the better for it.

These changes start at the front with a chrome grille and a set of incredibly narrow headlights. Additionally, the SUV adopts a skid plate on the base of the front bumper and large secondary light clusters housing the turn signals and fog lights.

Beyond its refreshed design, the 2018 Santa Fe will continue to be offered in both five- and seven-seat configurations. Additionally, entry-level versions in select markets are expected to come with front-wheel drive as standard while much premium models will utilize an all-wheel drive system.

Engine details remain unknown at this stage but petrol and diesel configurations will be sold. It is also possible that a plug-in hybrid model will be added to the range at a later date.

PHOTO GALLERY

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)