Wednesday 8 November 2017

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Seat Announces Leon Cristobol Concept, The Brand's Safest Vehicle Ever

Posted: 08 Nov 2017 04:30 AM PST


Seat will present a new concept car based on the Leon, during the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, from November 14 to 16.

Christened Seat Leon Cristobol, the study is described as being "the safest vehicle in the history of the brand", whose name comes from "the patron saint of drivers and travelers".

It features advanced safety equipment such as the Drive Coach, a technology that emits safety warnings and minimizes driver distractions, and Black Box, which sends the recorded data and images to a smartphone, in the event of a crash.

The Spanish automaker has fitted the Leon Cristobol with other safety gizmos that they will detail during the event, when they will also present a smartphone app that's aimed at improving mobility in Barcelona. The app will inform users of construction work and hazard areas, advising them to change their route.

Seat will also display the zero-emission eMii prototype, before the first cars are delivered to employees of the Metropolis:Lab Barcelona and Pier 01, to be tested around the city.

PHOTO GALLERY

1958 Porsche 550A Spyder Races From Podium To Auction Block

Posted: 08 Nov 2017 04:03 AM PST


Classic Porsches are increasing in value as rapidly as they pick up pace. Most don't approach the levels you'd expect of, say, a classic Ferrari – but this one likely will.

It's a 1958 Porsche 550A Spyder – one of just 40 made, and it has quite a race history.

Nicknamed the "giant killer" because of its small size, engine, and penchant for hunting down much bigger and more powerful machinery, the 550A (like the preceding 550 immortalized by James Dean) packed a tiny 1.5-liter boxer four engine.

Chassis number 0145 pictured here placed second in its class (fifth overall) at Le Mans and took class victories at the Nürburgring, Reims, Zandvoort, and the Dutch Grand Prix – believed to be the only 550A to compete in a grand prix race.

It's now consigned for Bonhams' upcoming auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, slated for this coming January. The auctioneer isn't saying how much it expects this most desirable of Porsches to sell for, but 550s like this one have been known to fetch millions. And given this one's pedigree, we wouldn't expect any less.

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Video

The Idea Of A BMW X2 Pickup May Not Be So Ridiculous

Posted: 08 Nov 2017 03:34 AM PST


Volkswagen makes pickups. So does Mercedes now. BMW isn't likely to follow suit, but even if it did, it probably wouldn't look anything like this.

Still, it's an interesting sight to behold – the new BMW X2 rendered with a pickup bed instead of an enclosed wagon's back, brought to us by the talents at X-Tomi Design.

The X2, for those who missed it, is a sportier counterpart to the X1, with a more aggressive stance and appearance. It's the latest in a string of crossovers from the Bavarian automaker stretching all the way back to the first-generation X5 that debuted in 1999.

Before then, the idea of a BMW crossover seemed ridiculous – maybe as ridiculous as a BMW pickup would seem to us now, especially with Amaroks and X-Classes roaming the roads and backcountries of the world. The big difference, though, is that while Volkswagen and Mercedes have commercial-vehicle divisions (and corporate partners) on which to draw in the development of their pickups, BMW does not.

Still, it seems that BMW has explored just about every other body style, and invented some of its own. So who's to say it would never do a pickup?

Photo Gallery

Buick LaCrosse Avenir Gets All Luxed-Up For Its LA Premiere

Posted: 08 Nov 2017 02:58 AM PST


Buick offers the LaCrosse in four trim levels, but nine out of ten buyers go for one of the top two. The case for making an even more upscale version, then, must have practically made itself.

Enter the new LaCrosse Avenir. Like the Enclave Avenir sport-ute, the top-of-the-line version of Buick's flagship sedan elevates it into more luxurious territory.

Set to debut at the LA Auto Show just a few weeks from now, the 2018 Buick LaCrosse Avenir is distinguished visually from the outside by 3D mesh grilles, chrome "wings," polished 19- (or available 20-) inch wheels, and unique badging.

Inside is where it counts, though, where GM's premium brand has given the LaCrosse Avenir chestnut-brown leather upholstery, Bose audio system, panoramic moonroof, and Avenir logos embroidered into the headrests and inscribed into the door sill plates.

Power comes from the LaCrosse's otherwise optional 3.6-liter V6 engine, sending its 310 horsepower through a nine-speed automatic transmission to either the front wheels or all four. Buyers will also be able opt for the active suspension, black interior, and advanced safety systems when Buick's latest Avenir model reaches dealers early in the new year.

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It's Not Dead Yet; Devel Sixteen Engine Delivers 5,000 HP On Dyno

Posted: 08 Nov 2017 01:32 AM PST


Four years since first appearing on our radar, it seems as if Dubai's Devel Sixteen hypercar refuses to die.

In late 2015, a video surfaced online depicting the Sixteen's custom-built quad-turbo, 12.3-liter V16 engine delivering 4,515 hp on an engine dyno. Fast forward to November 2017 and Steve Morris Engines has confirmed that the powertrain has finally reached the promised 5,000 hp mark.

During these recent tests, the engine delivered 5,007 hp and 3,900 lb-ft of torque, remarkable figures achieved largely thanks to the four 81 mm turbochargers and the expertise of Steve Morris Engines in building powertrains for drag cars.

As impressive as it is to see an engine pumping out this much power, you shouldn't get your hopes up of seeing the Devel Sixteen on the street anytime soon. For starters, it will be nearly impossible for a street car to provide enough cooling for such an engine. Additionally, finding a transmission that can withstand this power and be suitable for street use is no mean feat.

VIDEO

Most Car Buyers Are Still Resistant To Hybrid And Electric Vehicles

Posted: 08 Nov 2017 12:02 AM PST


Electric vehicles are widely thought to be the future but that doesn't mean they're close to matching sales figures of diesel and petrol-powered vehicles.

In a report published by CNBC, it is claimed that despite the generous $7,500 tax credit offered in the U.S. for EVs, the vast majority of consumers remain unconvinced that hybrid and electric vehicles can satisfy their needs.

According to Kelley Blue Book analyst Rebecca Lindland, fewer than 5 per cent of searches on KBB are for electric and hybrid vehicles.

"While it is not ideal that the tax credit may go away, it was not the panacea for electric vehicle sales. It is not like EV sales were on fire because of the incentive.

"Car buyers don't see hybrid and electric vehicles as providing the right solutions for their wants and needs, even though the vehicles often can," Lindland said.

As it stands, hybrids and all-electric vehicles remain more expensive than comparable diesel and petrol cars and this is obviously one of the reasons why the take rate isn't mind-blowing. However, many analysts believe that the falling costs of batteries, and the rise of autonomous ride-hailing services, could push EV sales to unexplored heights.

Alongside these factors, Lindland believes that incentives for low-income buyers will help to push EVs into the mainstream.

"As you go into mainstream, buyers become more price sensitive. They are more constrained, they are not going to buy it just to be the first on the block to have the car. Those are the very people you need to incentivize. This is where the regulations and incentives are out of line with consumers."

PHOTO GALLERY

China's Upcoming Hongqi L3 Sedan Snapped Without Camo

Posted: 07 Nov 2017 08:42 PM PST


With the Chinese auto industry booming, local automaker Hongqi has decided to make a vehicle more accessible to the masses, expected to be dubbed the L3.

Recently spied without any camouflage, the L3 will join Hongqi's growing family of models which already includes the large L5 and a few years ago, included behemoths like the L7 and L9. For what it's worth, the L3 is still quite large, slotting into the D-segment of the industry alongside European alternatives like the BMW 3-Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

These images, snapped by local publication Sohu, reveal that the L3 looks strikingly similar to previous Hongqi models and includes a large front grille with vertical chrome slats. Elsewhere, the L3 includes simple headlights and horizontal LED daytime running lights at the base of the bumper. Perhaps the most intriguing design element of the new Hongqi is the transparent red badge that sits at the front of the hood. It's certainly no Spirit of Ecstasy but it does catch the eye.

Elsewhere, the L3 has a simple wheel design, incredibly-thick C-pillars and chrome door handles.

It remains to be seen when the L3 will hit dealership floors but it will reportedly be powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged engine delivering 375 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque.

PHOTO GALLERY

Bob Lutz Thinks Cars Will Be Dead Within 20 Years

Posted: 07 Nov 2017 08:04 PM PST


Former vice chairman of General Motors, Bob Lutz has a scary prediction for the automotive industry, claiming that it will be dead as we know it within 20 years.

The outspoken industry leader asserts in an Automotive News piece that the car will be killed off in the coming decades due to the arrival of fully-autonomous, standardized modules.

"The auto industry is on an accelerating change curve. For hundreds of years, the horse was the prime mover of humans and for the past 120 years it has been the automobile. Now we are approaching the end of the line for the automobile because travel will be in standardized modules," Lutz said.

What's more, Lutz claims that in the next 15 to 20 years, human-operated vehicles will be made illegal on public roads as the vast majority of people opt instead to use autonomous modules operated by transportation companies like Uber and Lyft.

Lutz's disastrous outlook doesn't stop there. He believes that traditional automakers will cease to exist in a couple of decades and that there will no longer be a demand for performance-oriented vehicles. Why? Well he claims that all 'modules' will operate at the same speeds and they'll be no need to have anything faster.

In the future, Lutz believes that owning and using human-controlled vehicles will become an "elitist thing" and restricted to private country clubs and, potentially, public tracks.

As qualified as Lutz is to talk about the future of the automotive industry, we're quite confident that none of the things he's predicting will happen within 20 years. In 50 years? Maybe, but we certainly hope not.

Check out the link above to read Lutz's entire article.

Note: 'The Float' concept from Renault pictured below.

PHOTO GALLERY

Koenigsegg Demolishes Its 0-400-0km/h Record

Posted: 07 Nov 2017 07:34 PM PST


Alongside setting a new top speed record for a production car, the Koenigsegg Agera RS secured a new 0-400-0 km/h record over the weekend.

If you're a keen Carscoops reader, you'll remember that the Swedish firm smashed the Bugatti Chiron's 0-400-0 km/h record last month with a time of 36.44 seconds, some six seconds faster than Bugatti's best. Not satisfied with that time, Koenigsegg set out to create history once again.

Taking to a piece of perfectly straight and beautifully smooth road in Nevada, the Agera RS broke its own record, completing the feat in just 33.29 seconds. That time is about 20 per cent quicker than Bugatti could achieve.

What's even more incredible is that the Koenigsegg Regera may eventually complete a 0-400-0 km/h run in less than 30 seconds. The automaker believes the Regera will do 0-400 km/h in 20 seconds, approximately four seconds quicker than the 1,360 hp Agera RS.

VIDEO

New Toyota Supra Sounds Underwhelming In Latest Tests

Posted: 07 Nov 2017 07:07 PM PST


If you're a Toyota Supra enthusiast, you may want to block your ears for the video below. It is not encouraging.

Late last week, a prototype for the next-generation Supra was filmed accelerating near the streets of the Nurburgring sounding bland and no more exciting than a Toyota Camry or 86.

Later filmed at the German circuit itself, this prototype was even drowned out by the turbo four-cylinder of the Porsche 718 Cayman it was following. If you were hoping the new Supra would come with an engine as exciting as the famed 2JZ, you'll be sorely disappointed.

According to our sources, not all hope is lost. While a four-cylinder engine with approximately 248 hp will be the most affordable powertrain option for the sports car, a 335 hp six-cylinder should also be made available to customers in the United States. If Toyota takes its duties seriously in developing a replacement to the fourth-gen Supra, it better ensure the inline-six version sounds much better than this prototype.

It remains to be seen when the new Supra will launch but a debut in the first half of 2018 is probable.

VIDEO

ATS Drops New Gallery Of Sleek GT Supercar

Posted: 07 Nov 2017 06:34 PM PST


A couple of months after ATS Automobili unveiled the new GT supercar at Salon Prive, the relaunched carmaker has released a comprehensive gallery of the car.

The GT arrives some 53 years after the company stopped producing road cars and beyond the car's sleek design, the new ATS has some rather impressive pieces of technology sitting at its core. Chief among these is a carbon fiber tub and a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 engine paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

While it has yet to be confirmed, it appears as if the ATS GT uses both the powertrain and carbon monocoque of the McLaren 650S.

The company says that in base tune, the engine delivers 650 hp but asserts that a 700 hp upgrade package will be offered to customers. Thanks to the vehicle's low 2,866 lb (1,300 kg) kerb weight, the GT reportedly accelerates to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 3 seconds flat, 120 mph (193 km/h) in 9.9 seconds and can reach a 206 mph (331.5 km/h) top speed.

PHOTO GALLERY

2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS Scooped In Stuttgart Before LA Debut

Posted: 07 Nov 2017 06:03 PM PST


As the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS inches closer towards its global premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show in three weeks, Carscoops reader Tom Phipps has spotted a camouflaged prototype on the streets of Stuttgart.

Due to the camouflage covering the vast majority of the car's exterior, it is difficult to know exactly what CLS variant was being tested by Mercedes-Benz. With that being said, the presence of five-spoke sports wheels and quad tailpipes indicates that it could be one of the impending AMG variants.

In August, it was revealed that Mercedes-AMG won't just create '63' versions of the CLS but also produce CLS43 and CLS53 models. The versions of the latter will use a tuned version of the Mercedes M256 inline six-cylinder engine and should deliver approximately 430 hp. It is, therefore, possible that this prototype is a CLS53 or either a V8-powered CLS63.

Whatever the case may be, we know the new CLS will be underpinned by the same platform as the E-Class but be slightly longer and wider.

Hat tip to Tom Phipps for the scoop!

PHOTO GALLERY



VIDEO

Ferrari 488 Spider With Novitec Kit Looks The Part In White

Posted: 07 Nov 2017 05:35 PM PST


To the untrained eye, this Ferrari 488 Spider might seem identical to its stock siblings that can be found around the world.

However, look closer at the pictures posted below, and you'll see a multitude of aftermarket parts, some of will probably be familiar.

Novitec Rosso were responsible for coming up with the front lip, side skirts, side air intakes, rear diffuser, and boot lid spoiler, which are made from carbon fiber. Their signature is on the engine bonnet too, as well as on the multipiece wheels, from the NF7 series.

As a final touch, the Italian supercar received a special exhaust system, by Akrapovic, and it appears that otherwise, it remains stock beneath the skin, where the 3.9-liter turbo'd V8 engine normally produces 670PS (661hp) and 760Nm (560lb-ft) of torque.

Strangely enough, this tuned Ferrari 488 Spider wasn't presented by the Novitec Group, nor by Akrapovic for that matter, but by an Israeli tuning company called Component LTD, which is based in Tel Aviv.

PHOTO GALLERY

Waymo Now Testing Fully Autonomous Vehicles Without Safety Drivers

Posted: 07 Nov 2017 05:05 PM PST


Autonomous driving technology has come a long way in the past few years and Waymo has announced its self-driving vehicles are now being tested on public roads without anyone in the driver's seat.

This is a big leap forward as most autonomous vehicles require a safety driver who can take control if something goes wrong. Waymo used to use safety drivers but the company says that after more than eight years of development, they are no longer needed.

The company will operate a "subset" of its fleet in the Phoenix metro region in fully autonomous mode. Over time, the company intends to expand its coverage area to a region that's "larger than the size of Greater London."

In order to go fully driverless, Waymo vehicles have driven more than 3.5 million miles autonomously since 2009 and the company has subjected its cars to more than 20,000 individual scenarios on its test track. Besides the real world experience, Waymo has been running simulations where its software drives more than 10 million miles every day.

Should something go wrong with one of its driverless vehicles, Waymo says there shouldn't be any problems as they are equipped with backup steering, braking, computer, and power systems. The systems are designed to bring the vehicle to a safe stop in the event of an emergency.

Waymo will be inviting members of its early rider program to use the fully autonomous vehicles over the course of the next few months.

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New Corvette ZR1 To Debut At Next Week's Dubai Motor Show?

Posted: 07 Nov 2017 04:36 PM PST


Chevrolet has been openly testing the 2018 ZR1 for well over a year but no announcement has been made about when the supercar will premiere.

Last month, Chevrolet informed its dealerships that production of 2018 Corvette models will end in just a few months and that production of the 2019 car will commence at the end of January. This means that the new ZR1 will be a 2019 model year car. Additionally, the American carmaker has confirmed dealerships will receive 2019 Order Guides on November 20th.

So, what does all of this mean? Well, it could mean that the new ZR1 will debut earlier than expected, potentially at next week's Dubai Motor Show on November 14th.

Initially, it was thought the car would launch at the Los Angeles Auto Show at the end of this month. However, it wouldn't make sense for the car's order guide to be made public a full 10 days before its debut, as Corvette Blogger mentions.

While Chevrolet has yet to comment on the rumors, they aren't all that far-fetched, even if the Dubai Motor Show seems like an odd place to reveal the new ZR1. Either way, an appearance in LA seems inevitable for, at the very least, the car's U.S. debut.






PHOTO GALLERY

2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Brings Its Quad Headlamp Fascia To The 'Ring

Posted: 07 Nov 2017 04:11 PM PST


The third-generation Hyundai Santa Fe has been in production since 2012, but it's getting ready to be replaced by a new model.

Expected to debut sometime next year, the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe continues testing, with the latest prototype scooped on the Nurburgring, performing some quick laps.

The Korean brand's challenger to the likes of the Skoda Kodiaq and Nissan X-Trail, among others, will benefit from an entirely new styling, highlighted by a more distinct fascia featuring two separate sets of headlights.

Things should be different inside as well, where it will provide more rear legroom and headroom, as it's believed to have a larger footprint, while it will continue to be offered in two distinct versions - a 5- and 7-seater.

Hyundai hasn't released any insights into the new Santa Fe's powertrains just yet, but a variety of gasoline and diesel engines should be on offer in global markets, with the oil-burners being absent in the U.S.. Additionally, the Korean brand will likely introduce a plug-in hybrid variant of the SUV.

VIDEO

Workhorse's N-Gen Delivery Van Comes With A Drone That Drops Packages At Your Doorstep

Posted: 07 Nov 2017 03:29 PM PST


Following the unveiling of its pickup truck earlier this year, Workhorse has introduced an electric van called the N-Gen.

Billed as a commercial vehicle for last-mile deliveries, the N-Gen has a composite body which is extremely lightweight. The company didn't go into specifics but confirmed the model has a 19-inch (48.2 cm) load floor and a 105-inch (266.7 cm) roof height that helps to maximize cargo space. The company eventually plans to offer larger variants with cargo capacities of 700 and 1,000 cubic feet (19,821 and 28,316 liters).

While cargo vans are rarely interesting, the N-Gen is notable as it can be equipped with an optional HorseFly "unmanned aerial vehicle package delivery system." According to Workhorse, a carbon-fiber octocopter drone launches from the roof of a delivery van and then delivers a package to its destination which is in driver's line of sight. The drone is compliant with all FAA regulations and can carry packages that weigh up to 10 lbs (4.5 kg).

Performance specifications are scarce but the van can travel up to 100 miles (161 km) on a single charge. The company will also offer the model with an optional gasoline range extender engine that provides an additional 75 miles (120 km) of range. Customers can also expect an all-wheel drive variant as well as a best-in-class turning radius of 26 feet (7.9 meters).

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BMW M3 CS Unveiled With 453 HP, 174 MPH Top Speed

Posted: 07 Nov 2017 03:46 PM PST


BMW has taken the wraps off the all-new M3 CS.

Designed to offer a blend of high performance and everyday practicality, the model features an upgraded 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder engine that develops 453 hp (337 kW) and 443 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque. It is connected to a 7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission which enables the special edition to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds before hitting a limited top speed of up to 174 mph (280 km/h).

The performance changes don't stop under the hood as the M3 CS weighs approximately 110 lbs (50 kg) less than the standard model thanks to the extensive use of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic. The lightweight material is used on the hood and roof as well as "large sections of the body." This not only makes the M3 CS lighter but it also reduces the car's center of gravity.

Speaking of performance modifications, drivers will find an Adaptive M Suspension, an Active M Differential, and a dual-branch sports exhaust with four tailpipes. The model has also been equipped with a new rear spoiler, an M4 GTS-sourced rear diffuser, and 19- / 20-inch forged alloy wheels that are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.

The unique styling continues in the cabin as designers installed two-tone Merino leather sport seats and Alcantara accents. Other highlights include a Harman Kardon audio system, special door sill plates, and an infotainment system with GPS navigation.

Production will be limited to 1,200 units worldwide and approximately 550 vehicles are bound for the United States. There's no word on pricing but U.S. customers can place their orders in May.

Photo Gallery

Tesla Reportedly Knew About Dyson's Electric Car Two Years Ago

Posted: 07 Nov 2017 03:00 PM PST


A number of people were surprised when Dyson, a company best known for making vacuums, announced it was developing an electric vehicle.

While many were caught off guard, Tesla certainly wasn't as Bloomberg is reporting the two companies engaged in a lengthy legal battle that started in 2015.

According to the publication, an engineer named Pierre Pellerey was working at Dyson and accepted a job offer from Tesla in March of 2015. Pellerey didn't inform Dyson about his decision to leave the company as the offer was conditional on him getting a visa to work in the United States.

The process of getting a visa took longer than expected and Pellerey was still working at Dyson when he was called into a secret meeting to discuss the company's electric vehicle which was known as "Project E." Pellerey told the court he felt "uncomfortable" about this development but decided not to say anything as he was afraid "it would have compromised my future prospects at Dyson should Tesla have not confirmed an unconditional job offer with me."

In June, Tesla offered Pellerey a job in Europe which eliminated his problems with getting a visa. He informed Dyson he was leaving but the company's lawyers sent him a letter saying he couldn't work for Tesla for a year because his "proposed new employer is engaged in the same type of business as the business comprised in Project E."

Pellerey then showed the letter to Tesla associate general counsel Yusuf Mohamed which effectively informed the automaker that Dyson was working on an electric vehicle. Mohamed said he didn't show the letter to anyone else at Tesla but a judge eventually decided that "Tesla must ... have deduced that Dyson is working on an electric car project."

Dyson won an injunction which prevented Pellerey from working at Tesla for nine months but it lost its attempt to prevent Pellerey from using its confidential information. Pellerey eventually joined Tesla and reportedly still works there.

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Mercedes CLS Confirmed For L.A. Debut, Will Be Joined By 4 New Porsches

Posted: 07 Nov 2017 02:36 PM PST


The Los Angeles Auto Show has confirmed several new vehicles will be shown at the event which kicks off on November 27th.

The show confirmed BMW will have two world premieres and they are likely the i8 Roadster and the X2 crossover. The organizers also confirmed we will see the new Mercedes CLS as well as the North American debuts of the Hyundai Kona and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.

Porsche will be showcasing the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo as well as "three more sports cars." There's no word on specifics but likely candidates include the 718 GTS and 911 Speedster.

Toyota is planning to introduce a new vehicle as well as make an announcement regarding a "new hydrogen infrastructure project." There's no word on the latter but the mysterious Toyota will be joined by a new vehicle from Lexus.

Nissan will show its "newest entry" in the crossover segment as well as an assortment of Star Wars inspired vehicles to promote Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Chevrolet, on the other hand, will have both global and North American debuts.

Last but not least, Saleen will unveil its latest vehicle which is being billed as a "result of lessons learned over 35 years of car tuning, manufacturing, and racing."

Photo Credits: Manufacturers and CarPix for CarScoops

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Lamborghini’s Future Supercars Will Be Electric, Self-Repairing, But Not Self-Driving

Posted: 07 Nov 2017 05:04 PM PST


Lamborghini is looking to put its gas engine days in the rear view mirror.

By Jake R. Bright

The Italian carmaker unveiled the stunning Terzo Millenio concept and elevated its partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to create the "super sports car of the future."

What will signify Lambo's Third Millennium vehicle? It will be electric, have a body that houses and distributes energy, and meet Lamborghini's legacy performance and design standards, the company's Chief Technical Officer (CTO) Maurizio Reggiani explained at an MIT press roundtable.

The future Lamborghini should also allow "customers to enjoy a day at the track―not just one lap―before having to stop and recharge," he said.

Gazing into Sant'Agata's crystal ball

Lamborghini's supercars of tomorrow will incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to improve driver skills, but don't expect them to be self-driving. Third generation models may include a "virtual cockpit" to allow a driver to "simulate the real car and circuit" in a stationary position before heading out on the track.

Still, Reggiani ruled out fully autonomous cars as a Terzo Millenio goal. "People don't normally buy a sports car to have it driven by a computer," said Riccardo Parenti, the company's Head of Concept Development.

Lamborghini execs explained that the Third Millennium project with MIT is aimed at looking 10 to 20 years ahead at a performance car of the future, and developing the technology to achieve that vision.

To that objective, Lamborghini unveiled its first Terzo Millenio concept car Monday. The vehicle is weighted heavily on concept given that virtually nothing on it is functional. The idea was to let one forward looking team run with the notion, giving chase to the engineers to make it possible.

"Here we are showing a design and now I am asking the engineers and the students [at MIT] to develop the technology," explained Lamborghini's Mitja Borkert, the lead Terzo Millenio concept car designer.



Electric power is the way to move forward

A core part of that tech is the car's concept power source and powertrain―four electric motors, built into the wheels, doubling as brakes, and powered by supercapacitors and energy storage devices integrated into the body panels.

To achieve this, Lamborghini envisions a car that uses carbon fiber nanotubes and ultra-thin batteries that can be formed into various shapes and position between two panels.

This Lambo can heal itself!

Another Third Millennium concept is development of a self-monitoring and self-healing carbon-fiber body to "detect…damages in its substructure caused by accidents" and begin a "self-repairing process via release of micro-channels filled with healing chemistries" to fix the faulty panel.

Additional Terzo Millenio design points include "an even racier, aerodynamic architecture" afforded by the carbon fiber body, and adoption of Y shaped front and rear lights "that you will see on future Lamborghini's and will be the signature of Lamborghini," said Borkert.

To make all this super car magic happen, Lamborghini and MIT are building upon their 2016 partnership, creating two labs―one under Department of Chemistry and the other in the Department of Mechanical Engineering―where teams will develop the technology for Third Millennium cars. "We'll have three scientists working full time on making these new materials, testing them, and collaborating with Lamborghini," said MIT Professor Mircea Dinca, who will direct one of the labs.



While any drivable Terzo Millenio Lamborghini is still a ways out, there are a few things we could see in the near future. In addition to Y-shaped lights, Lamborghini expects the MIT collaboration to produce the first functional self-repairing, energy holding composite body components within the next three years, according to Lucino de Oto, Lamborghini's Advanced Composites Head.

An overarching Terzo Millenio priority, according to Lamborghini execs, is that any electric super cars achieve the same emotional connection and response that Lamborghini owners are accustomed to today.

CTO Maurizio Reggiani noted that could include research on making a full electric future car sound like today's V12 or V10 machines. An open ended question was if Lamborghini owners of the future―who will be much more accustomed to hybrid and electric vehicles―will still connect emotionally to a V12 sound.

However things pan out, Lamborghini has set up the structure at MIT to explore all this―looking forward, and thinking big―in a futuristic, sci-fi sort of way.

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Photo Gallery

Move Over Tesla, BMW's Working On An EV With A 435 Mile Range

Posted: 07 Nov 2017 01:30 PM PST


BMW has announced its fifth-generation of storage and powertrain technologies will provide electric vehicles with up to 700 km (435 miles) of range.

The company was coy on specifics but said the powertrain improvements will also benefit plug-in hybrids. BMW believes the upcoming system will enable them to travel up to 100 km (62 miles) on electricity alone. This would be a massive improvement over today's technology as the 530e iPerformance only has an electric range of 50 km (31 miles).

The improvements are part of BMW's Strategy NUMBER ONE > NEXT which calls for the automaker to offer 25 models, across all of its brands, with either an electric or plug-in hybrid powertrain.

As part of the company's electric push, BMW will build a production version of the i Vision Dynamics concept which recently debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show. BMW CEO Harald Krüger noted "we are electrifying the very heart of the BMW brand" and said "we will build this model at our Munich plant, thereby highlighting Germany's importance as a location for electric mobility."

In the near future, the BMW Group plans to launch approximately forty new and updated models during the "current and the following year." A number of these launches will occur in the upper-premium segment that includes vehicles such as the 8-Series and X7.

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Autonomous Renault Prototype Performs As Well As Human Drivers On An Obstacle Course

Posted: 07 Nov 2017 12:59 PM PST


Group Renault has developed an autonomous driving prototype that has an "obstacle avoidance capability as good as professional test drivers."

Dubbed Callie, the prototype is based on a Renault Zoe and it has been taught by some of the company's best test drivers. As the human drivers complete the course at ever increasing speeds, Callie learns how the drivers respond to obstacles and then mimics them. Thanks to this learning process, the prototype can perform just as good as human drivers on the obstacle course.

Renault says this is an industry first and is an "important next step in using autonomous driving to improve vehicle safety." The avoidance technology could be useful in a number of situations including when a vehicle in front of the car suddenly stops and the only way to avoid a collision would be to swerve into an adjacent lane.

Groupe Renault intends to become one of the first automakers to offer "Mind off" technology on mainstream vehicles and the company has plans to launch more than 15 Renault models with different levels of autonomous driving capabilities by 2022.

According to Simon Hougard, the director of Renault Open Innovation Lab – Silicon Valley, "At Groupe Renault, we are focused on being an innovation leader in products, technology and design. Our innovation efforts aim at developing advanced autonomous driving technologies that consumers can trust will create a safer, more comfortable journey."

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Miami Blue 2018 911 GT3 Is The Ultimate Driver's Porsche

Posted: 07 Nov 2017 12:25 PM PST


If you're in the market for a breathtaking sports car better than anything else on the market, the 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 is the car to choose.

Fitted with a 4.0-liter straight-six engine sharing components with 911 racing cars, the facelifted GT3 made headlines follow Porsche's decision to bring back the six-speed manual transmission. The results are phenomenal, as reviews have revealed.

Many people buy Porsche's because they are quite understated compared to their rivals but for those that want to make a statement, we can't imagine anything more eye-catching than this Miami Blue GT3, currently for sale in Pasadena, California.

Interestingly, Miami Blue is one of 15 different colors and shades offered as standard for the GT3 and doesn't have to be ordered through the Paint to Sample program. Nevertheless, it's still quite pricey, costing $4,220.

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Waymo Ditched Semi-Autonomous Path As Employees Napped Behind The Wheel

Posted: 07 Nov 2017 11:56 AM PST


Waymo head John Krafcik has revealed that the autonomous driving division of Google once intended on bringing partial self-driving technologies to the roads like many car manufacturers but decided against it over safety concerns.

Speaking to Reuters last week, Krafcik said Waymo was developing autopilot features for highway-driving but discovered its engineers were losing focus, and even falling asleep, while behind the wheel. As a result, Google is now pursuing level 5 autonomy where a human driver isn't required in any scenario.

According to Krafcik, semi-autonomous technologies are dangerous because human drivers lose contextual awareness as their mind drifts from driving. Consequently, if the car encounters a situation which only a human can respond to, they're often not ready to take control.

Throughout 2013, tests from Waymo showed users napping, playing with their phones and putting on makeup at up to 56 mph. Just days after footage from these tests was viewed by company executives, a decision was made to solely pursue technology that requires no human intervention.

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