Sunday 5 November 2017

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Can Seat's Facelifted Leon Cupra Keep Up With The Best?

Posted: 05 Nov 2017 02:48 AM PST


That's a tough one to answer considering that it falls in the same pit as the Honda Civic Type R and Ford Focus RS, but it might very well be a smart choice.

For starters, the facelifted Seat Leon Cupra is based on the Volkswagen Golf R. It comes with a toned down exterior that could allow it to fly under the radar, and things don't look that sporty inside either.

In fact, the only changes in the cabin compared to the previous model is the introduction of a new infotainment system, with a larger display, and the removal of the traditional handbrake, which is now electronic.

Seat offers 3 versions of the car - 3-door and 5-door hatchbacks, and a more practical and roomier estate, with the latter adding all-wheel drive. All of them are nicely equipped and share the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that makes 300PS (296hp) and 380Nm (280lb-ft) of torque, mated to either a manual or a DSG automatic dual-clutch gearbox, which is apparently sublime.

And while it doesn't stand out over its rivals until now, wait until you hit the road, because the 'new' Seat Leon Cupra doesn't just love straight-line acceleration, as it's a huge fan of bends too. Handling and grip are said to be superb, according to CarBuyer's latest review, and in comfort mode, the ride is close to perfection, thanks to the standard adaptive suspension.

So, there you have it, the Spanish proposal is a mature hot hatch with a discreet design and the necessary know-how beneath the updated sheet metal, but is this enough to make you want it over some of its more established rivals?

VIDEO

McLaren Opens New Dealers From Bahrain To Denver

Posted: 05 Nov 2017 01:45 AM PST


McLaren keeps rolling out new supercars, so it naturally needs the dealers to sell them. To that end, it has opened two new showrooms in vastly different locations on opposite sides of the globe.

The latest in McLaren's retail network of 80 locations around the world were added opened this week in Denver and in Bahrain.

The Colorado location aims to serve the Rocky Mountain region, extending from Montana down to New Mexico, with a new 13,000-square-foot facility. It includes a showroom and service center, of course, but also an 85-inch touchscreen configurator, a conference center, cigar lounge, golf simulators, and putting green.

The automaker's 22nd location in North America, McLaren Denver is being run by the Mike Ward Auto Group which also sells Maseratis, Alfa Romeos, Fiats, and Infinitis.

The new Bahrain showroom, meanwhile, was opened by McLaren's chairman and largest shareholder Sheikh Mohammed Bin Essa Al Khalifa in his home country. The franchise run by Kanoo Motors SPC opened nearly a year ago, but has now moved into its new 32,000-square-foot location (pictured) opposite Toyota Plaza in the city of Tubli.

It's one of six dealers in the Persian Gulf region, joined by locations in Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.

Photo Gallery

Can Manor Take Porsche's Place In WEC LMP1?

Posted: 05 Nov 2017 01:41 AM PDT


Porsche and Audi may be gone from the next season of the FIA World Endurance Championship, but there's at least one other team stepping up to take their place.

That team is Manor, a name which you may recognize from Formula One. What started out as Virgin Racing in 2010 and left the grid after last season has been competing in the LMP2 category, but is now advancing to the top tier.

Starting with the forthcoming 2018/19 "super season," Manor will run a single Ginetta prototype in the LMP1 category, with an engine package still to be confirmed. That'll put it up against Toyota (assuming it stays in the race) as well as the privateer ByKolles and Dallara/BR Engineering entries.

"We have been learning this championship for the last two years and we are confident that the time is now right for us to step-up to the LMP1 category," said Manor team principal John Booth. "We have known the people at Ginetta for many years and we believe that, working together, we will be able to develop a competitive LMP1 package."

"To take on endurance racing at this level is one of the toughest technical challenges in the world," added Ginetta chief Lawrence Tomlinson. "It's great to have a racing partner who relishes those challenges just as much as we do."

The series moves to a "winter schedule" for its upcoming seventh season, encompassing Spa and Le Mans in both 2018 and 2019, hitting Silverstone, Fuji, Shanghai, and Sebring in between.

With so many manufacturer-backed LMP1 hybrid entries withdrawn, privateer teams like Manor/Ginetta stand a real chance of winning – more than they ever did in the LMP2 class in which Manor has been campaigning Oreca machinery for the past two years.

Photo Gallery

Koenigseggg Agera RS Clocks A Potentially Record-Breaking 278 MPH

Posted: 05 Nov 2017 01:04 AM PDT


There's a high-speed grudge match going down between several manufacturers to see who can make the fastest street-legal production automobile. And the latest blow has been struck by Koenigsegg.

Though details are still to be confirmed, the Swedish supercar manufacturer revealed late yesterday that it managed to clock 277.9 miles per hour in an Agera RS.

The feat was accomplished in the desert around Pahrump, Nevada, driven by factory test driver Niklas Lilja. The speed was taken as an average, as per generally acknowledged standards, of runs in both directions in order to account for wind speed, and was recorded not on the car's own instruments, but by a separate Racelogic module.

If confirmed as official, the achievement will shatter the previous record that has stood since 2010 when the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport clocked 267.8 mph, verified by the Guinness Book of World Records. The new Chiron is said to be capable of 288 mph, but has to date "only" reached 261 mph.

That was when Juan Pablo Montoya set the record for a 0-400-0 km/h run in the Chiron, rocketing from a standstill to 248.5 mph and back to a stop in under 42 seconds and a distance of less than 8,600 feet. Koenigsegg soon responded by doing the same with its Agera RS in 36.4 seconds and 8,009 feet, stealing the crown from its rivals in Alsace.

Hennessey has its own skin in the game as well. Its Venom GT reached 270.4 mph on the runway at the Kennedy Space Center in 2014, but that was only in one direction. The Texas tuner-turned-supercar-manufacturer claims its new Venom F5 can top 300 mph, but has yet to verify the claim.

Photo Gallery

Is The Bentley Bentayga Really A More Extravagant Audi Q7?

Posted: 04 Nov 2017 06:40 PM PDT


Bentley broke the mold with the Bentayga, which is not only their first SUV, but also their first vehicle available with a diesel engine.

There are a few 'buts' that should be taken into consideration by potential customers, and one of them is the fact that it shares common elements with Audis, including the platform of the latest Q7. All that despite looking very expensive, both on the outside and in the cabin, as CarBuyer highlighted in their latest review.

However, that's not necessarily a bad thing, because thanks to some clever modifications, joined by an air suspension and different driving modes, the Bentley Bentayga feels in its natural element, be it on a straight line or tackling corners. Moreover, it can also take users off-road, but they won't feel as secure as they would be in a Range Rover, once the comfort of the asphalt ends. But we all know that it's highly unlikely that Bentley's SUV will ever go muddy.

Besides the 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine that makes 608PS (600hp) and 900Nm (663lb-ft) of torque, the Bentley Bentayga can also be had with the 4.0-liter tri-turbo V8 diesel that powers the Audi SQ7. This version delivers 435PS (429hp) and 900Nm (663lb-ft) of torque, and it works together with the same 8-speed automatic gearbox.

Those with deep pockets looking for the ultimate luxury SUV can also choose between plenty of personalization items, starting with the generous color palette, going through the interior trim, and ending with the Breitling clock, which adds a staggering £115,000 ($151,448) to the final price.

VIDEO

An Anthracite Wraith Is About As Understated As A Rolls-Royce Can Get

Posted: 04 Nov 2017 05:35 PM PDT


The craftsmen at Rolls-Royce have mastered a lot of skills, we're sure. But their real genius is in treading the line between elegant and outlandish.

With so much chrome and presence, few (if any) could really be considered "understated" by any reasonable stretch of the imagination. But compared to some that we've seen – even in the same showroom – this one's a relative sleeper.

On display at the dealership in Abu Dhabi is this Wraith, done up by the manufacturer's Bespoke division in a deep shade of Anthracite grey. The low-key paint scheme eschews the two-tone finish that so many of its kind have embraced, complimented only by a silver coachline.

The interior represents a similar exercise in restraint, done up in two shades of tan with matte-finish wood trim. It still has that starlight headliner, though – not to mention that big chrome hood ornament. It is a Rolls-Royce, after all.

Photo Gallery

Lamborghini Aventador Burns Rubber And Makes Sweet Music On Closed Airfield

Posted: 04 Nov 2017 04:22 PM PDT


Supercar owners often forget that their powerful machines, as limited and expensive as they may be, are built to have fun in.

However, every once in a while, some of them remember the purpose of their rides, and treat bystanders to some rubber-burning and high-revving experiences, like this Lamborghini Aventador driver.

Shot on a closed airfield, likely during a supercar gathering or local automotive event, the short clip reveals the Italian bull going sideways, to the delight of the spectators.

Before putting an end to the ad-hoc show, the man pulled over and abused the throttle for a few seconds, reminding us (if we ever needed that) that the 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine that powers the Lamborghini Aventador is one of the best sounding in its class.

Bringing the engine into discussion means, it has 700PS (690hp) and 690Nm (507lb-ft) of torque in the pre-facelifted version that lacks the 'S' suffix, and 40PS (39hp) more in the latter, working together to propel it from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in just 2.9sec.

VIDEO

Orange McLaren 675LT Spider Can Be A Dream Come True

Posted: 04 Nov 2017 03:18 PM PDT


The McLaren 675LT Spider may have sold out quickly after it was announced but despite being extremely limited and one of the segment's finest vehicles, prices don't appear to have increased at all.

When sold new in the United States, the 675LT Spider started at $372,600 but we've just come across this orange example with an asking price of $377,000 on James Edition. When you factor in all the options of this example, you can be assured the original owner has made a loss of at least $30,000.

As you'll immediately notice, this 675LT Spider has been clad with every matte carbon fiber component available, including the front splitter, side skirts, air intakes, rear wing, and rear diffuser. Additionally, it has carbon air louvers on the front wheel arches, an option only available through McLaren Special Operations.

Like the exterior, the interior has also been individualized by the original owner and features orange leather on the bucket seats, orange dials on the dashboard and carbon fiber here, there, and everywhere. There's also glorious black Alcantara throughout.

While limited-edition Ferrari and Porsche models increase in value immediately after being delivered, McLarens don't do the same, partly because the company doesn't yet have the decorated road car history of its rivals.

However, for those wealthy enthusiasts who don't care about losing a bit of money, the 675LT Spider is an excellent choice.

PHOTO GALLERY

Mercedes-AMG Continues To Test Mystery GT R Mule On The 'Ring

Posted: 04 Nov 2017 02:15 PM PDT


Mercedes-AMG continues to test a mysterious GT R at the Nurburgring, widely believed to be an early Black Series prototype.

This AMG GT R, with the license plate 'S GT 585' has been filmed at the German circuit numerous times in the last couple of months and looks like any other GT R, except for a small strip of camouflage on the rear decklid.

If this prototype is indeed the upcoming AMG GT R Black Series it will have a lot to live up to and face stiff competition at the Nurburgring.

The 'regular' model has already lapped the circuit in a blistering 7 min 10.92 seconds and the brand will probably be chasing after a time closer to 7-minutes flat for the Black Series. To achieve this gain in performance, power from the 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 can be expected to rise to over 600 hp.

Additionally, the finished GT R Black Series will inevitably receive some aerodynamic tweaks not featured on this prototype, all designed at increasing downforce and taking the sports car to an all-new level.

VIDEO

Luxury Brands Facing Issues As Consumers Ditch Sedans For SUVs In US

Posted: 04 Nov 2017 07:16 PM PDT


Luxury automakers such as Mercedes, BMW and Audi are dealing with new issues behind-the-scenes as buyers are rapidly shifting their attention from 4-door sedans to crossovers.

Because the previously mentioned automakers rely more on leasing than most mainstream brands, the significant number of vehicles being returned after their lease expired is will lead to inventory problems.

This could explain why BMW made leasing less attractive in recent months, through a series of measures such as discontinuing their popular Multiple Security Deposit (MSD) program, which allowed consumers to significantly reduce interest rates by essentially lending money to the automaker, and placing more realistic residual values.

On the other hand, Volvo and Jaguar seem to be willing to pick up those sedan consumers looking for lease deals by heavily incentivizing their cars through special discounts and bonuses. The Swedes even rolled out a program that pays off lease payments for up to 6 months and $4,500 if you currently lease any Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Infiniti, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz model when you get a new S90.

"It's not necessarily the overwhelming amount of vehicles, it's the mix of those flood of vehicles," said Scott Keogh, president of Audi of America. "You're throwing all these cars into the marketplace a couple years after it has evaporated and jumped into SUVs."

Demand surged last month for models like the Audi Q5, Mercedes GLE and Lexus GX, while going down for sedans like the Mercedes S-Class, Audi A4 and Lexus GS, reports Autonews. Through September of this year, SUVs and crossovers have surged to 56% of luxury sales, compared to just 42% three years ago.

This surplus of luxury coupes, sedans and wagons coming back after their lease has expired means that automakers will struggle to move the cars in the used-car market. So unless demand stabilizes, this unstable supply and demand situation will eventually impact both the pre-owned market as well as the new-car market.

PHOTO GALLERY

Till Your Fields In Style With This Vintage Porsche Tractor

Posted: 04 Nov 2017 12:10 PM PDT


Porsche delved into new territory when it came out with the original Cayenne in 2002. But that wasn't the first diesel vehicle the company made – or the first that was capable of venturing off of dry pavement and getting a little mud on its tires.

While designing the Volkswagen Beetle as the "people's car" for Germany, Ferdinand Porsche was also working on farming machinery that was to become the "people's tractor."

That vision never really took off, and only 125,000 Porsche tractors were ultimately made – a far cry from the 20-million-plus Type 1 Beetles that VW ultimately produced. W

ith such stiff competition from the likes of John Deere and Caterpillar, Porsche's four tractor models never really took off in the United States, where only a thousand or so found buyers. That's what makes this such a rare opportunity.

This 1960 Porsche Diesel Junior 108 L was brought over from the British Isles and is now consigned to RM Sotheby's for its upcoming Arizona sale.

It's presented in immaculate condition, in red with cream wheels and seat. As you can see from the photos (captured by Scott Pattenden for RM Sotheby's), it looks like a real gem, and a must-have for real Porsche collectors. The auctioneer expects it to sell for $30,000 - $40,000, but it's offered without reserve, so it's anyone's guess what it will fetch when the gavel drops at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix on January 18-19.

Photo Gallery

All-Electric Tesla Prototype Imagined For Le Mans In 2030

Posted: 04 Nov 2017 11:06 AM PDT


Tesla has infamously shunned traditional marketing techniques and odds are that it will likely continue to do so well into the future.

However, if the electric automaker ever feels the need to promote its technologies and vehicles, there's one avenue we'd love to see it pursue; prototype racing.

Yes, it is extremely unlikely to happen, but artists Jeroen Claus and Fabian Brees have decided to render a potential Tesla Le Mans prototype for the year 2030.

The project was submitted as part of the Michelin Design Challenge 2017 and provides a glimpse of a totally bespoke racer that looks unlike anything currently competing in LMP1 racing. In fact, from some angles, the racer more closely resembles a spaceship than a car. It's therefore fitting that it has a number of SpaceX stickers.

Beyond the intriguing exterior design, the concept has been imagined with a complex electric powertrain capable of accelerating the prototype to over 450 km/h (280mph) down the famed Mulsanne Straight at Le Mans.

PHOTO GALLERY

Consumer Reports Checks Out The New Lexus LS

Posted: 04 Nov 2017 10:04 AM PDT


With a $75,000+ starting price, the 2018 Lexus LS needs to be pretty darn good to steal customers away from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi.

It has a lot going for it starting with the design that brings a bold front end, a coupe-like silhouette, and a sexy rear on the outside, while its interior is able to compete with the best in class, in terms of luxury, and build quality, ConsumerReports said during their short review of the flagship saloon.

Passengers won't struggle with the rear legroom, but headroom could be a problem for taller people, and since we're covering the negatives, it's good to mention that its track pad-based infotainment system can be frustrating to use, especially on the move, as it has many functions buried inside.

The test car came in the LS 500 specification, which means that it's powered by a new 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, rated at 415hp and 442lb-ft (600Nm) of torque. This version of the car is very agile on straights, needing just 4.5sec to cover the 0-60mph (96km/h) sprint in RWD form, and it feels nimble through corners as well.

The new 10-speed automatic transmission, which is shared with the LC 500, is very smooth, but it can take time to get used to its electronic shifter.

Lexus offers a plethora of safety gear as standard, and even more as optional extras, including the world's first Intuitive Pedestrian Detection, which makes the LS 500 one of the safest and cleverest cars in the segment.

VIDEO

2018 Jeep Wrangler: What’s Changed And What We Know So Far

Posted: 04 Nov 2017 09:00 AM PDT


Jeep surprised everyone this week when they released the first photos of the all-new 2018 Wrangler, code-named JL, giving us the first solid look on the much anticipated off-roader and confirming a debut at the LA Auto Show on November 29.

Official information was limited, as you might have guessed from the three photos Jeep showed the world, but thankfully, there's a few things we can already talk about.

The most obvious topic is of course the evolutionary design, with Jeep managing to keep the iconic boxy shape, while claiming improved aerodynamics and more combos of different doors, tops and windshield configurations.

Let's take a look at how the new model compares to its predecessor and what we know about it so far. 

Looks The Same But Way Better


Jeep managed to keep the Wrangler looking like a Wrangler, but as soon as you lay eyes on it, you realize that there are some clever details aimed to make it not only look more modern but also give you this sense of robustness and quality.



All the body panels look more three-dimensional than before as if the Wrangler hit the gym. Sharp creases have given their place to more rounded transitions while new features like the sculpted bonnet, the seven-slot keystone grille and the more modern headlights just work in the best possible way.



Jeep not only kept the fold-down windshield but it also appears to make it more practical to use it this time, with one photo revealing that the A-pillar now stays in place for those of you few hardcore guys who want dust in their teeth.



The Engine Range



We're moving into the unofficial bit of information we got, thanks to a leaked owner's manual by JLWranglerforums. Jeep will offer initially the 2018 Wrangler JL with a 3.6-liter V6 paired to either a manual or an automatic transmission, with the turbocharged 2.0-liter Hurricane four-cylinder and a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel to follow on a later date.

New Features



As reported in the past and confirmed later by the leaked owner's manual, the new generation Wrangler will be offered with an optional Power Top that can be operated up to speeds of 60mph (96km/h) but it will be non-removable and the rear-quarter windows will remain manually removable and kept in provided bags. Other options include the traditional hardtop and soft-top which remain interchangeable. Also one of the new bumpers features removable ends on both sides for those wanting the extra free space in front of their front wheels.

Pricing & Trim Levels



Again thanks to the guys behind JLWranglerForums, we got the first info on pricing and specs of the 2018 Wrangler. The new JL generation will reportedly charge around $2,500 more than the outgoing JK model, with Jeep.com showing a list price of $30,445.

The range will be divided in three trim levels: Sport, Sahara and Rubicon which will come loaded with heavy-duty axles and pretty much all the toys you could wish for, including 4:10 axle ratio, the Rock-Trac electronically controlled all-wheel drive system and the big 8.4-inch infotainment system.

Stay tuned for all the information on the new 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL as we geet them.

PHOTO GALLERY

Bentley Mulsanne Impaled By Guardrail During Crash

Posted: 04 Nov 2017 07:59 AM PDT


Are you in the market for a used 2011 Bentley Mulsanne? This one here is being auctioned off, but you'll have to mind the accessory.

While we can only imagine what could have led to this accident taking place, what we know for certain is that this $300,000+ luxury car must have impacted that guardrail really, really hard.

The damage was done exclusively to the right side of the car, as the long piece of metal pierced the Bentley from front to back, entering the cabin compartment and even dislodging the rear seat.

Still, if you want to try your hand at getting it up and running again, you can find more details about the car on Copart, where it's getting auctioned off to the highest bidder. The starting bid was set for $13,100, which is less than the car's optional iPad Picnic Tables.

Also, it doesn't seem as though any airbags went off, which is both good and bad, depends on how you look at it.

H/T to Jacek!

PHOTO GALLERY

Is The New 2019 Porsche Cayenne Turbo Worth The Wait?

Posted: 04 Nov 2017 06:58 AM PDT


The new third generation of the Porsche Cayenne has arrived but don't let the evolutionary styling trick you into believing that not that much has changed. In fact, everything has changed.

It's a brand new car the third-gen Cayenne, from the platform to the powertrains and from the onboard tech to the electrical architecture, as Porsche wanted to make sure that it covers every base possible to keep its money-making machine at the very top of its game.

One of the highlights of the new Cayenne is the adoption of the 48-volt architecture which enabled the company to use its very clever active roll stabilizers in order to combine the proper Porsche handling with plush ride quality that was missing from the previous model.

Other tricks up the new Cayenne's sleeve include a rear-wheel steering, torque vectoring, an adaptive air suspension with three air chambers and even an active rear wing. Of course the biggest trick is having a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with 542hp and 568lb-ft of torque, which sends the Cayenne Turbo to 62mph in 3.9 seconds, if fitted with the Sport Chrono pack.

Carfection had a go in the new Porsche Cayenne Turbo on the beautiful roads of Crete and the initial impressions are more than convincing.

VIDEO

Anyone Have $440k To Spare For A Porsche 911 Sport Classic?

Posted: 04 Nov 2017 05:54 AM PDT


Classically inspired 911s are becoming a big deal with Porschephiles. To satisfy those tastes, Porsche created the 911 R, the GT3 Touring, and the latest Carrera T. But before any of those, there was the Sport Classic.

Based on the 997-generation Carrera S, the 911 Sport Classic debuted at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, packed with retro cues. It had a ducktail spoiler, Zagato-style double-bubble roof, Fuchs-style wheels, light grey paintjob with tone-on-tone racing stripes, and a delicious coffee-brown woven leather seats.

Of course the timeless 911 design made it a perfect canvas for the retro treatment, and the combination of naturally aspirated engine and six-speed manual transmission did nothing to pop that bubble. But the engineers in Zuffenhausen still managed to squeeze in modern technologies like carbon-ceramic brakes, an adaptive suspension, and variable exhaust.

Porsche charged €169,300 for the Sport Classic in 2010, but with only 250 made, they've been trading at prices far higher. This one, with 11,110 miles on the clock, is listed for €380,000, which works out to roughly $440k at current exchange rates – or more than twice the original sticker price

For that kind of money, you could get a new 911 GT3 (with or without the Touring package) and three Carrera Ts. Those aren't limited-edition models like the Sport Classic was, though, and probably won't hold their value the same (much less appreciate over time). If any of that makes the prospect of buying this one enticing, head on over to Jean Lain Vintage in Chambéry, France.

Photo Gallery

U.S. Featured Heavily In List Of 20 Most Congested Cities In The World

Posted: 04 Nov 2017 04:55 AM PDT


If you're curious to find out whether the city you live in is among the 20 worst places in the world when it comes to traffic, you've come to the right place.

Thanks to data from the 2016 Inrix Global Scorecard, RegTransfers has put together a list of the top 10 congested cities around the world, and it's safe to say, it's not looking too great for the U.S.

After looking at the average hours spent in traffic for 1,064 cities in 38 different countries, it would seem that Los Angeles is the last place where you'd want to get stuck in traffic.

In fact, the average driver will spend no less than 104.1 hours per year in LA traffic, considerably more than somebody living in Moscow, where they spend roughly 91.4 hours behind the wheel on an annual basis.

Rounding off the top ten are cities like New York (89.4 hrs), San Francisco (82.6 hrs), Bogota (79.8 hrs), Sao Paulo (77.2 hrs), London (73.4 hrs), Atlanta (70.8 hrs), Paris (65.3 hrs) and Miami (64.8 hrs).

Other U.S. cities like Washington, Dallas, Boston, Chicago and Seattle are also quite congested, joining the likes of Bangkok, Mexico City, Istanbul, Krasnodar and Jakarta in the Top 20.

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