Tuesday, 12 December 2017

CARSCOOPS

CARSCOOPS

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Suzuki Celerio, Hyundai i10 Or VW Up!: Which City Car Would You Go For?

Posted: 12 Dec 2017 04:28 AM PST


City cars often offer exactly what you pay for in terms of design, comfort, interior space and engines, but where do three of the most popular models stand?

To answer this question, CarWow took the Suzuki Celerio, Hyundai i10, and Volkswagen Up! out for a test, the results of which may come as a surprise to some of you.

Okay, it may not be the most exciting video, but it's definitely worth a look, considering their affordability. The Celerio starts at £7,500 ($10,037) in the United Kingdom, followed by the i10 at under £9,000 ($12,045) and Up!, at over £9,000 ($12,045), so the first one definitely wins the budget segment.

However, the Suzuki is not the most exciting car of the three, with a dull exterior design and a very cheap interior. Still, it beats the other two with good legroom at the back.

The i10, on the other hand, has best in-car storage, but it pales next to the Up!, whose interior is nice and airy, and comes with a system that turns the user's phone into an infotainment system. Boot space is nearly the same in all three cars, with extra points going to Volkswagen, again, for the adjustable floor.

Overtaking another vehicle on the motorway will take quite some time in all three cars, but Volkswagen's Up! does come with a turbocharged engine on request, though, having a turbo will significantly affect your fuel economy, so you'd better give that a second thought.

It appears that the German city car is the best here, but is it enough to make you want one, or would you rather make a fashion statement with the Fiat 500? Don't forget that the larger and more practical Dacia Sandero falls into the same price range too.

VIDEO

Watch McLaren Sell The Last Senna For £2 Million

Posted: 12 Dec 2017 04:03 AM PST


McLaren did more to honor the late, great Ayrton Senna than naming its latest hypercar in his memory. It's also donating a portion of the profits from each car sold to the Ayrton Senna Foundation. But one of them has raised more for the charity than all the others.

Though 499 of the 500 examples of the new McLaren Senna were sold before the vehicle was even revealed to the public, the final one was reserved for a charity auction.

As Shmee150 highlights in this video (via Motor1), the 500th Senna was sold during the McLaren Winter Ball at the company's headquarters in Woking for an astonishing £2 million – plus taxes, working out to roughly $2.67 million at current exchange rates.

That's a heck of a lot more than the £750,000 for which each of the other 499 examples was sold, and the entire sum is earmarked towards the foundation started by Ayrton's sister to benefit underprivileged children in developing countries.

The Senna isn't the first supercar we've seen named after a famous racing driver. McLaren itself produced the Stirling Moss-edition speedster of the Mercedes SLR. Bugatti named both the Veyron and the Chiron after drivers from its illustrious past. Ascari was named after the first two-time F1 world champion. Emerson Fittipaldi recently launched his own brand of supercars. And the Pagani Zonda, lest we forget, was originally supposed to be named after Juan Manuel Fangio.

Video

Get Your Own Popemobile And Help A Catholic Charity

Posted: 12 Dec 2017 03:29 AM PST


Celebrity provenance can add a lot to the value of a car on the open market. And for some, this might be the ultimate.

What you're looking at is a 2015 Fiat 500L – one of two that Pope Francis used that September during a visit to the United States. The first was put up for auction almost two years ago, and now the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is putting the second up for grabs, too.

The vehicle is trimmed in dark grey metallic with a black leather interior, and equipped with a 1.4-liter MultiAir turbo four mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. It has just 458 miles on the odometer, leaving it in practically new condition – save for its papal use during the Holy Father's visit to the World Meeting of Families in September 2015.

With nine days left before the auction closes, bidding on Charitybuzz (at the time of writing) stands just shy of $40,000, and has yet to meet the reserve price. Though you can pick up an ordinary new 500L for less than $21,000, the Archdiocese estimates this one's value at $75,000. (The other one, incidentally, sold for $82,000.)

"I'm deeply grateful to Fiat Chrysler for its generosity in giving the Archdiocese of Philadelphia the two Fiats used by Pope Francis during his visit to Philadelphia on September 26-27, 2015," said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput. "Our partnership with Charitybuzz provides an excellent opportunity to benefit society's most vulnerable and marginalized members."

Proceeds from the auction are earmarked towards the 2017 Catholic Charities Appeal – the benevolent arm of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. There's just one catch: the buyer must agree, in writing, that the vehicle "is not represented in such a manner that would improperly or immorally reflect upon His Holiness" and "not to use the property in contravention of the moral, ethical and social teachings of the Roman Catholic Church." So if you're planning on using the Papal Fiat as a shuttle for Planned Parenthood or your satanic cult, better think again.

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Video

With The Urus Is Ready, Is The Estoque Next For Lamborghini?

Posted: 12 Dec 2017 02:56 AM PST


It's been a long time coming, but Lamborghini has finally, at long last, revealed the new Urus crossover in production spec.

It'll take some time to get it out of the factory and into customers' hands, and you can bet there'll be more versions to follow. But the big question is, what comes next?

It may not come soon, and it may not come at all. But if and when Lamborghini is ready, the Estoque is the likely candidate.

Lamborghini first revealed the Estoque as a concept at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, four and a half years before the Urus in Beijing. Taking the form of a four-door sedan, the Estoque was ultimately passed over in favor of the Urus – a wise move, we reckon, given the explosion of high-end SUVs and the relative decline of the conventional sedan.

But while the Urus was given priority over the Estoque, the sedan could still see production. It would hardly be unprecedented after all: if the Urus is to Lamborghini what the Cayenne has been to Porsche, the Estoque could still emerge as Lambo's Panamera. (It did take Porsche a good seven years, after all, to follow one with the other.)

If the Estoque were given the green light for production, its design would probably need a little refreshment. It has been ten years, after all, and concept designs tend to be revised before they're put on the road. So if the go-ahead were made today, these renderings from Kleber Silva are probably pretty close to what the production version would look like. We just wouldn't expect to see it on the road all that soon, if ever.

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Ford Working On A Fix To The Coolant-Guzzling Focus RS Engine

Posted: 12 Dec 2017 01:33 AM PST


Ford says it is working on a fix for early versions of the 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder powering the Focus RS after discovering that it can consume coolant fluid.

The American carmaker believes that the issue affects certain 2016 and 2017 models and results in the vehicles producing white exhaust smoke as they burn through coolant when cold.

Speaking to Autocar, a Ford spokesman failed to say whether the firm will issue a recall to fix the engines, simply stating that it is "working on a repair for all customers."

"In the meantime, if vehicles show these symptoms, customers should visit their dealer for an inspection and repair under warranty," the spokesman said.

According to a number of Focus RS owners, the problem stems from a faulty head gasket that's unable to effectively seal the engine block to the head. This issue is allegedly caused by block distortion as the shape of the engine block shifts during heat cycles, thus allowing coolant to leak into the cylinders when the engine is cold. Ford has yet to say what it thinks is causing the problem.

PHOTO GALLERY

Aston CEO Says He'd Be Interested In The Valkyrie Racing At Le Mans

Posted: 12 Dec 2017 12:02 AM PST


Aston Martin chief executive Andy Palmer has admitted that he would be very interested in seeing the Valkyrie hypercar compete at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Speaking to Autocar, Palmer said that as it stands, the top level of LMP1 racing is of no interest to Aston Martin. However, if the FIA changes the regulations on sportscar racing to allow for racing derivatives of road cars to compete at the top of the sport, the British marque would seriously consider a campaign.

"My personal perspective is very clear: Aston Martin will never compete in a prototype category because it has no relevance to us.

"But if they allowed racing derivatives of road cars, that would be very interesting to us and, I suspect, the fans.

"Road-derived race cars fighting for the win is in keeping with the history of sportscar and Le Mans racing, and the prospect of the likes of Valkyrie fighting against McLaren P1, LaFerrari and more would be interesting to more than just me, I suspect," Palmer said.

Quizzed about whether Aston would race the Valkyrie if such changes were made to the sport, the executive said "Watch this space."

If Aston Martin achieves it goals with the track-only Valkyrie AMR Pro, a variant tweaked for Le Mans could be just as fast as an LMP1 car. In fact, Aston Martin claims that the Valkyrie AMR Pro will achieve lap times to rival a modern Formula One car.

Beyond its use of a naturally-aspirated V12 engine and hybrid system delivering roughly 1000 hp, the Valkyrie will be able to achieve such incredible speeds thanks to the huge amounts of downforce it'll produce. Aston says it will sustain cornering forces in excess of 3.3G and braking deceleration of more than 3.5G.

PHOTO GALLERY

ARES Design Project Panther Brings De Tomaso Pantera Into The 21st Century

Posted: 11 Dec 2017 08:39 PM PST


ARES Design has just revealed the first images and details of its upcoming supercar, codenamed 'Project Panther'.

The Italian coachbuilder is the brain child of Dany Bahar, the Swiss businessman best known for his controversial time as chief executive of Lotus. With Project Panther, the company wants to create a modern interpretation of the De Tomaso Pantera.

Powering the vehicle is the same 5.2-liter V10 engine, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and all-wheel drive system as the Lamborghini Huracan, expected to deliver the same 602 hp. Additionally, Project Panther uses the same aluminum and carbon fiber chassis as the Huracan and promises to be every bit as fast.

While the car's underpinnings may be all Lamborghini, the exterior is something unique and to our eyes, absolutely gorgeous. Perfectly combining retro design elements with modern flair, the Project Panther includes LED daytime running lights, pop-up headlights, a small front grille, and a low engine cover clad in carbon fiber.

Discussing the car, Bahar said it will be built at the company's new manufacturing facility in Modena.

"We started ARES three years ago with unprecedented demand to work on the personalisation of clients' cars, and have satisfied well over 200 customers with unique interiors, exterior design elements, bodywork engineering and performance upgrades. Our new Modena facility allows us to move above and beyond this normal personalisation service, bringing together new design and engineering technologies, teams of skilled craftsmen, and passionate experts who have joined us from local supercar businesses."

ARES Design claims that the car is currently undergoing design, aerodynamic, and crash-test engineering assessment before reaching the hands of customers in the second half of 2018. Pricing details have yet to be announced.

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Confidential Documents Confirm Ford Mustang GT500 With 'Predator' 5.2L V8

Posted: 11 Dec 2017 08:03 PM PST


Shortly after an image emerged online reportedly showing the 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine of the upcoming Ford Mustang GT500, additional details of the car have emerged thanks to the Mustang6g forum.

A member of the forum has shared a confidential Ford document titled '2020 MY North America Vehicle Program – Engine Oil Requirements'. For the most part, it's a rather boring document that simply indicates the recommended oil to be used by service centers. What's interesting is that it lists both the current Mustang GT350 and the long-awaited 'Supercharged Mustang GT500', all but confirming that the car is just around the corner.

In addition to this titbit of information, another member managed to snap a picture of the vehicle's truly massive Brembo brakes and slotted calipers which will have to deal with bringing the hugely-powerful car to a stop.

Sources close to Ford indicate that the GT500's engine will be dubbed 'Predator' and share many of its components with the universally-praised 5.2-liter V8 of the GT350 and GT350R. Consequently, the Predator should retain a flat-plan crank and could howl just as beautifully as its slightly less-powerful younger brother. A horsepower figure of over 650 hp seems very likely.



PHOTO GALLERY

Robert Kubica Reportedly Out Of Contention For Williams F1 Drive

Posted: 11 Dec 2017 07:34 PM PST


Robert Kubica is reportedly out of contention to land a drive with the Williams F1 team for the 2018 season.

For the past six months, the popular Polish driver has been at the center of one the most intriguing F1 comeback stories in history. However, sources close to the team indicate that Kubica's long-expected return to the sport won't happen, at least not with Williams.

Planet F1 reports that the team has set its sights on Sergey Sirotkin to fill the vacant seat left behind by Felipe Massa. While Kubica reportedly impressed during the two-day Pirelli tire test at the conclusion of the 2017 season, Sirotkin was also fast and brings with him significant sponsorship backing of roughly $15 million a year.

A deal with Sirotkin has yet to be reached and even if one can't be reached, Kubica won't be the back-up for Williams. Instead, axed Toro Rosso driver Daniil Kvyat is said to be the team's second choice.

Note: Robert Kubica pictured at his recent Renault test.

PHOTO GALLERY

Tennessee Could Be Home To VW's U.S. EV Production

Posted: 11 Dec 2017 07:03 PM PST


Volkswagen could soon announce Tennessee as the location for the U.S. hub of its electric vehicle production.

Automotive News reports that the German carmaker has started to advertise a number of openings for specialized positions at the Chattanooga production facility to support the MEB global electric platform, set to underpin at least four all-electric vehicles from the brand coming to the U.S.

In November, Volkswagen global brand head Herbert Diess revealed to The Wall Street Journal that no formal decision had been made about where locally-built EVs would be manufactured. However, he said that "Chattanooga is our first choice."

As it stands, the Chattanooga factory builds both the Atlas and the Passat. In 2019, VW will redesign the Passat around the global MQB platform, potentially allowing the Atlas, new Passat, and MEB-based electric vehicles to be constructed on the same assembly line.

According to AutoPacific senior analyst Dave Sullivan, Chattanooga seems like the logical option for VW.

"Chattanooga is highly underutilized. If VW's plant can mimic Nissan's Smyrna plant — building a sedan, crossover and an EV under the same roof — they will be well on their way towards increased capacity utilization."

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Holden Announces Pricing For Australia's 2018 Commodore

Posted: 11 Dec 2017 06:32 PM PST


Pricing details for the new ZB Holden Commodore have just been announced in Australia.

The new vehicle, nothing more than a rebadged Opel Insignia, will start at $33,690 for the entry-level LT Liftback model with front-wheel drive and a 2.0-liter turbo petrol engine. This starting price is $1800 less than the previous-generation base model but is $1200 pricier than a comparable Mazda6.

Elsewhere in the range is the LT Liftback starting from $36,990 with a diesel engine. Customers will also have the option of an LT Sportwagon, kicking off at $35,980 for the petrol and $38,590 for the diesel.

The next trim version offered is the RS. Available in both Liftback and Sportwagon configurations, prices start at $37,290 and $39,490 respectively. Base RS models feature the same 2.0-liter as the LT but for $40,790, an uprated powertrain with a V6 and all-wheel drive system delivering 308 hp is available. For those looking to take things to the next level, the RS-V trim is offered from $46,990 in Liftback guise or $49,190 as a Sportback.

The performance range is rounded out by the Commodore VXR V6 AWD with 315 hp, priced from $55,990 and complete with adaptive dampers and Brembo brakes.

For customers more concerned with luxury than performance, Holden continues to offer Calais variants as with previous-gen Commodores. Prices for 2.0-liter-equipped Calais models start at $40,990 and rise to $51,990 for the range-topping Calais with the aforementioned 308 hp V6.

The new Holden Commodore will be available from Holden dealerships from late February 2018.

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Polestar 1 Production To Be Capped At 500 Units Per Year

Posted: 11 Dec 2017 06:03 PM PST


When the head-turning Polestar 1 hits the roads, it won't be a common sight. In fact, difficulties in producing the sports car will limit its production.

Automotive News Europe reports that the Polestar 1 will be based around a shortened version of the steel platform used by the Volvo S90. The 1's carbon fiber body will then be bonded on to the chassis, a task that is both time-consuming and expensive.

With this in mind, Polestar only intends on building roughly 500 examples per year.

Consequently, the Polestar 1 will act as the brand's halo model and help to ensure Polestar becomes a household name. From there, the company will launch its Tesla Model 3-rivalling sedan, dubbed the Polestar 2, in late 2019. A couple of years later, the Polestar 3 will arrive in the form of a crossover aiming to steal customers away from the Tesla Model X.

The company's range will then be topped off by the Polestar 4, expected to be a convertible based around the Polestar 1.

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RENNTech's 615HP Mercedes SL55 Is As Good As They Got In 2004 [w/Video]

Posted: 11 Dec 2017 05:30 PM PST

Back in the early 2000's, if you couldn't afford an SLR, the next best thing was the SL55 AMG, a supercharged V8-powered roadster packing a considerable amount of grunt.

Straight out of the box, it was good for 500 PS (493 HP) and a very impressive 700 Nm (520 lb-ft) of torque, before the first facelift came and added a little extra muscle.

Of course, those figures pale in comparison to what you had if you paid tuner RENNTech $108,000, which is what former baseball player Ray Durham did back then. Yep, this exact model used to be his car.

The tuner added a big brake kit, upgraded the suspension, made the exterior look more aggressive and, of course, fiddled with the engine. This example features RENNTech'sStage 6 conversion, which is good for 615HP, or 575 WHP, way more than you get even in a brand new SL65 flagship.

So what did The Smoking Tire's Matt Farah think after driving this car? He found it very enjoyable (except for the slow gearbox), and even called it a great cruiser, although perhaps not ideal for twisty canyon roads due to its hot rod driving characteristics.

VIDEO

Ferrari F430 With Stick Shift Is What Purists Dream Of

Posted: 11 Dec 2017 05:00 PM PST


Nowadays, Ferrari doesn't offer cars fitted with manual gearboxes, as in the past few years the vast majority of its customers opted for the automated or dual-clutch versions. Not that long ago, though, they did, with the chrome gate and stick shift being one of its staples, and this feature now makes those vehicles sell for a hefty premium in the used car market.

The F430 is one of the exotics made in Maranello that was available with a six-speed manual transmission, alongside the electrohydraulic semi-auto.

Even by today's standards, the F430 is very fast: naught to 60mph (96km/h) comes up in just 3.7 seconds, and top speed stands at in excess of 196mph (315km/h), courtesy of the 443 HP output of its 4.3-liter naturally aspirated V8.

So this supercar has all the right things to make an enthusiast yearn for it: a mid-mounted N/A V8, rear wheel drive and a manual gearbox. It has also aged quite well in the 8 years since Ferrari dropped it from their lineup and replaced it with the 458 Italia, but how does the world look like from the cockpit of such a wonderful machine?

YouTuber Marchettino had the chance to take one out for a spin, in the rain, and even if it wasn't pushed to the limit on a twisty road, it still proves why these models appreciate with each passing day.

Oh, and don't worry about the Italian spoken in this review, as it does have English subtitles, so sit back and relax while checking out the 13-minute video below.

VIDEO

Mercedes-Benz Puts A Price Tag On 2019 CLS, Sales Begin In March

Posted: 11 Dec 2017 04:30 PM PST


Mercedes has announced pricing for the the new CLS, which starts from €68,127.50 ($80,176) in Germany, where it will arrive at dealers next March.

This will land you a CLS 350d 4Matic, which uses a 2,925cc inline-six rated at 286PS (282hp) and 600Nm (443lb-ft) of torque. The CLS 400d 4Matic, which uses the same diesel unit but tuned for more power, starts from €72,507.70 ($85,330) and puts out 340PS (335hp) and 700Nm (516lb-ft). Zero to 100km/h (62mph) takes 5.0sec, compared to the previous version's 5.7sec, and the average fuel consumption is 5.6 l/100 km (50 UK mpg / 42 US mpg) in both models.

Those that are not fans of diesel units can opt for the CLS 450 4Matic, which is powered by a 3.0-liter petrol engine with 367PS (362hp) and 500Nm (369lb-ft) of torque, and has a starting price of €70,906.15 ($83,445).

Potential customers can also choose from a variety of optional extras, including the AMG line exterior and interior styling, available at €2,737 ($3,221), dual displays from €1,011.50 ($1,191), 40/20/40 split rear seats for €517.65 ($610), multibeam headlights that cost €1,636.25 ($1,925), and an electronic trailer coupling that comes in at €1,142.40 ($1,344).

Moreover, the new CLS can also be equipped with the Air Balance Package (€398.65 / $470) and Comand Online (€2,142 / $2,521) that come with the Energizing comfort control (€238 / $280), as well as the optional Driving Assistance Package (€1,796.90 / $2,115), which adds a variety of safety systems.

The list includes Active Distance Control Distronic, Active Steering Assist, Active Speed Limit Assist, Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, and Pre-S AFE Plus. The Driving Assistance Plus braces the front occupants for a side impact by pushing them sideways and costs €2,391.90 ($2,815).

Those looking for something more special can take a look at the Edition 1 version, which features black pearl nappa leather seats with a diamond design and copper-colored highlights at the center section, special stitching, exclusive open-pore black ash wood and laser engraving is . The special edition can be had with all engine variants and costs an extra €12,495 ($14,705) over the selected model.



PHOTO GALLERY

Audi R8 V10 Plus Vs McLaren 570S In Fight Of Everyday Supercars

Posted: 11 Dec 2017 04:00 PM PST


Both the Audi R8 and the McLaren 570, be it in S or GT version, are marketed by their manufacturers as combining supercar performance (and looks...) with everyday usability, which makes them natural rivals.

Before you give us your best guess regarding which one of these two cars is faster in a straight line, you should know how they stack up on paper.

The Audi R8 V10 Plus has bragging rights when it comes to power, sending 610 PS (601 HP) to all four wheels, together with 560 Nm (413 lb-ft) of torque. The output and the grip should, naturally, give it an advantage off the line.

Then again, McLaren has been known to be a bit conservative when it comes to its models' power output figures, and the 570S is already pretty impressive in that department with 570 PS / 562 HP and 600 Nm (442 lb-ft) of torque, according to the manufacturer.

Both cars can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.2 seconds, and max out upwards of 328 km/h (203 mph) - the Audi will actually do 330 km/h (205 mph) flat.

Thanks to Archie Hamilton Racing, we get to see the two supercars go at each other multiple times, from a standing start as well as from a roll. As for the winner, sorry, but there are no spoilers here; you'll have to watch the video to find out.

VIDEO

Will The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Use A 5.2-Liter V8 Engine?

Posted: 11 Dec 2017 03:29 PM PST


Rumors about a new Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 have been floating around for awhile and they recently got a new shot of life thanks to a mysterious image which appeared on social media over the weekend.

While a number of sites are highlighting an Instagram post from Mustangmannylv, it appears that particular image is simply a cropped version of the original. While it's hard to pin down the image's source, the photo shows a cover that features a Shelby snake logo and "5.2 L" badging which suggests the model has a 5.2-liter V8 engine.

There's been countless speculation over which engine will be used in the GT500 and rumors have suggested everything from a twin-turbo or supercharged 5.0-liter V8 to a supercharged 5.8-liter V8. That makes the 5.2-liter displacement somewhat surprising as the GT350 and GT350R use a 5.2-liter flat-plane crank V8 engine that develops 526 hp (392 kW) and 429 lb-ft (581 Nm) of torque.

While we wouldn't take this photo as proof that the GT500 will use a 5.2-liter V8 engine, there's little doubt that Ford wants to rival more powerful models such as the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat.

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Porsche Cayenne And Macan Coupe Decision Coming Next Year

Posted: 11 Dec 2017 03:01 PM PST


BMW helped to kick off the crossover coupe craze when it introduced the X6 and Mercedes followed suit with the GLC and GLE Coupes.

Porsche is considering jumping on the crossover coupe bandwagon and CEO Oliver Blume recently confirmed a decision will be made sometime next year. Blume declined to say which way the company is leaning but he told Automotive News, "There might be opportunities for the future but it always depends on the volume behind it." He went on to say the company analyzes each segment it wants to enter and seizes opportunities when they exist.

If the company signs off on the plan, we can expect to see coupe versions of the Cayenne and Macan. The publication is reporting a Macan Coupe could be introduced as early as 2021 with an electric powertrain. It would soon be followed by a redesigned version of the regular model.

Speaking of electric vehicles, Blume confirmed Porsche will announce its next eco-friendly vehicle in the first half of 2018. It is widely expected to be a Macan EV but Blume would only say "We have to check if it makes sense for Porsche to come with an [electric] SUV."

Photo Gallery

Niels Van Roij Design Previews Tesla Model S Shooting Brake

Posted: 11 Dec 2017 04:21 PM PST


Niels van Roij Design has released some new renderings of its upcoming shooting brake based on the Tesla Model S.

Set to be unveiled in March, the one-off model has a stylish design which has been purposely created to seamlessly merge with the Model S. As a result, the car will have a familiar front fascia but drastic changes will occur aft of the A-pillar.

The most noticeable differences are the elongated roof and the new rear end which features a tailgate-mounted spoiler. The shooting brake has also been equipped with new bodywork, "kick-ups in the glass area," and a generous swath of chrome trim.

Niels van Roij Design has been working on the shooting brake for awhile as Van Roij says the company started doing design research before coming up with the first sketches. After the sketches were completed, the company developed three different "design propositions" which had a total of "16 different design themes." The company says they focused on benchmarking the car against high-end performance wagons and one-off vehicles.

While most people who want something larger than a Tesla Model S would simply opt for the Model X, Roij says "Design is the most important reason for purchase globally."

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Ford Is Making An All-New Vehicle Designed Specifically For Autonomous Driving

Posted: 11 Dec 2017 02:01 PM PST


Ford's Executive Vice President and President of Global Markets has revealed new details about the automaker's plan for autonomous driving technology.

In a post on Medium, Jim Farley said the company has been researching self-driving technology for more than a decade and it is focusing on meeting the needs of consumers. As a result, the automaker is "designing an all-new vehicle optimized for self-driving technology and the customers it will serve."

Farley believes the decision to build a purpose-built vehicle will "differentiate our business as we begin to serve leading companies, such as Lyft, in the movement of people and goods." The executive went on to say the company is researching how people use new services and how they will evolve following the introduction of autonomous vehicles.

As part of the company's autonomous driving push, the automaker is focusing on four core areas. Farley says this focus means Ford's self-driving vehicles will have "upgraded components such as brakes, wheels and body structures that can withstand more extreme work cycles."

The executive also revealed the automaker will use hybrid-electric powertrains instead of electric powertrains like General Motors. Farley says this decision offers several benefits including greater range and the ability to power "self-driving sensors and computing systems without having a significant impact on the mileage."

Ford is focused on ensuring its autonomous vehicles are safe and part of this requires the vehicles to communicate with other road users such as pedestrians and bicyclists. As part of this goal, the company has been testing exterior light signals that shows an autonomous vehicle's intentions.

Farley wrapped up his post by saying 2018 will become an important year for Ford as company will "test both our self-driving technology and business model in a variety of pilot programs in the first city in which we plan to operate an autonomous vehicle business." There's no word on where that is but the company will share additional information in the future.

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MINI's Reportedly Working On An Electric Crossover To Slot Beneath The Countryman

Posted: 11 Dec 2017 01:31 PM PST


MINI is reportedly working on an all-new crossover which would slot beneath the Countryman.

Auto Express is reporting the model could be launched as early as 2021 and it will ride on an all-new platform which could eventually be shared with BMW 1-Series, 2-Series, X1, and i3. Little else is known about the model but the report claims the crossover will likely measure over four meters (13.1 feet) long which would make it about the same size as the upcoming Volkswagen T-Cross.

The crossover is also slated to be offered with an electric powertrain which isn't too surprising as reports have suggested MINI could transition into an electric-only brand.

BMW board member Peter Schwarzenbauer declined to confirm rumors of an entry-level crossover but he told the publication "A small urban SUV is definitely a segment that is extremely interesting, but so far we haven't made any decision on its direction." Schwarzenbauer went on to say the company wouldn't offer anything larger than the Countryman as a seven-seat crossover "would not fit with MINI's DNA."

If the report pans out, the crossover would join MINI's electric hatchback which was recently previewed by a concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

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Mercedes To Drop The CLS 63 To Make Room For The AMG GT 4

Posted: 11 Dec 2017 04:44 PM PST


Mercedes-AMG boss Tobias Moers recently confirmed the CLS 53 will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show and the executive has revealed new details about the upcoming model.

Speaking to Automotive News, Moers said the car will go on sale in the United States by the end of next year and it will have a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that has an output in the "400s." That's a little vague but the publication believes it will be rated at around 430 hp (320 kW).

Unfortunately, that's where the good news ends as Moers confirmed there will no longer be a CLS 63. Instead, the model has been ditched to make room for the AMG GT 4 which will go on sale in America in 2019.

While it's sad to see the CLS 63 getting put out to pasture, Moers hinted the company could offer AMG variants of the E-Class Coupe and Convertible. They would be 53 variants and could arrive as early as 2019.

The report goes on to suggest the redesigned GLE will likely receive the 53 treatment sometime after the standard model is launched in early 2019.

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Jeremy Clarkson Holds Nothing Back While Reviewing Other People's Rides

Posted: 11 Dec 2017 04:44 PM PST


No matter what you think about Jeremy Clarkson, The Grand Tour host definitely has "one or two" opinions about cars and is never afraid to express them out loud.

In this video courtesy of LADbible, Clarkson takes a look at a bunch of photographs of real people with real cars, which means real feelings are at stake.

Aside from not being a fan of side skirts on old Mercedes C-Class saloons, he also finds plenty to say about a certain license plate number, a weird Fiat, and even the clothes that car owners choose to wear.

Unless of course your name is Katie Price (yes, the celebrity formerly known as Jordan), then you pretty much get a pass - as does your pink Urban-tuned Range Rover, apparently.

As for cars he did like, there's a classic Mustang worth mentioning, which we'd all be hard pressed to ignore, plus a Mercedes SLR, which Clarkson doesn't actually touch on, mostly because of how the picture was taken. You'll understand once you see it.

VIDEO

Blindly Changing Lanes At Speed Is Always A Bad Idea

Posted: 11 Dec 2017 04:44 PM PST


Regardless of how good or bad of a driver you are, one factor is always key in determining your next decision on the road, and that's visibility.

This guy had none. Coming in from the third lane and cutting across to the first with that large semi in the way was a horrible decision, even if his motivation was to not miss an exit or perhaps to pull into a nearby gas station.

The fact remains that if you can't see where you're going, you're opening yourself up to all sorts of risks that might cause you as well as other people harm.

As far as we can tell, a total of three cars were damaged, not including the second-generation Opel Astra that caused the accident in the first place.

Here's to hoping people weren't seriously injured. Also, it's probably a good thing that the driver of the Astra managed to avoid running in the back of the first vehicle impacted. By maneuvering between the car and the semi, the driver at fault managed to cut down on his speed before the inevitable happened.

VIDEO

Hennessey To Boost 2019 Corvette ZR1 To 1200 HP

Posted: 11 Dec 2017 11:35 AM PST


Although most of us are still trying to wrap our heads around the insane 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, Hennessey Performance has announced three upcoming packages for the supercar, one of which promises to deliver 1,200 hp.

The entry-level kit, dubbed the HPE850 upgrade, will see the LT5 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine equipped with a lower pulley upgrade, high flow cylinder heads, upgraded valve springs, intakes and exhaust valves, new air induction system, stainless steel heads, stainless steel midpipes, custom camshafts, and high-flow catalytic converters.

With these mechanical upgrades working alongside software tweaks, the upgrade will lift power from 750 hp to 850 hp, resulting in a 0-60 mph (96 km/h) time of roughly 2.6 seconds and a 10.3 second quarter mile at 136 mph.

Next in the range will be the HPE1000 package. Utilizing many similar upgrades to the HPE850 package but some add-ons, including a new supercharger and intercooler, the car should reach 60 mph in 2.5 seconds, run the quarter mile in 9.7 seconds at 147 mph and exceed 220 mph, all thanks to 1000 hp and 966 lb-ft of torque.

Last but not least will be the HPE1200. Pumping out 1200 hp at 6,400 rpm and 1066 lb-ft of torque, it'll achieve 0-60 mph in 2.2 seconds, the quarter mile in 9.2 seconds and potentially reach more than 230 mph.

No pricing details have been announced but Hennessey says it will offer 2-year, 24,000-mile warranties for the HPE850 and HPE1000 packages and a 1 year, 12-mile warranty for the HPE1200.

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