Monday 18 December 2017

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VW Tipped To Reveal New Touareg At April's Beijing Show

Posted: 18 Dec 2017 04:30 AM PST


Introduced back in 2010, the current-generation Volkswagen Touareg has grown a little long in the proverbial tooth. But relief is on its way.

According to Just-Auto, VW will reveal the all-new Touareg at the forthcoming Beijing Motor Show in April.

We're expecting the new Touareg to grow in size slightly, in order to make room for the slate of smaller VW crossovers coming down the line. Still, it will likely remain more luxurious than the three-row Atlas. Look for its styling to borrow heavily from the T-Prime Concept GTE that Volkswagen unveiled the last time the show was in town, back in 2016.

The Touareg will be just the latest model to be based on the VW group's MLB Evo platform that also underpins the Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, Bentley Bentayga, and Lamborghini Urus – and will form the basis for the forthcoming new Audi Q8 as well.

The jury's still out, however, on whether the Touareg will spawn a slantbacked variant to go after the likes of the BMW X6 and Mercedes GLE Coupe, or leave that territory entirely to the aforementioned Audi.

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Can't Get A Bentley Grand Convertible? Try This Azure Mulliner

Posted: 18 Dec 2017 04:04 AM PST


Interested in a Bentley convertible, but find the Continental too common? The British automaker recently confirmed the Grand Convertible for production.

That's the good news. The bad news is that it's exceedingly expensive (even by Bentley standards) and strictly limited in production. So if you're not one of the 19 individuals deemed fortunate enough to shell out millions to buy one, may we suggest the following.

This is a Bentley Azure, the convertible version of the Brooklands coupe – complete with Crewe's evergreen 6.75-liter twin-turbo V8. It's from the 2003 model year, which was the last for the first-generation Azure before it was retired (only to be revived again a few years later).

Painted white with a tan top and matching leather interior, this Mulliner model packed all the options. In fact it cost $410,000 when ordered new a decade and a half ago, equivalent to about $550k by today's standards.

With over 35,000 miles on the clock, we doubt it will sell for anywhere near that much when it comes up for auction at Mecum's Kissimmee sale in Florida next month. Despite its age, this could prove a real bargain for a top-of-the-line drop-top Bentley. However much it sells for, though, you can bet it won't be millions.

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Volkswagen's Working On A 400-Horsepower Arteon R

Posted: 18 Dec 2017 03:27 AM PST


If you looked at the new Volkswagen Arteon and thought it'd make a solid basis for a performance sedan, you're not alone. In fact, according to reports, VW is working on just such a beast – with over 400 horsepower.

Speaking to Car Throttle at the media launch of the new Polo GTI, Volkswagen spokesman Martin Hube said that the company has a prototype for an Arteon R in the works.

The prototype reportedly packs a (likely twin-) turbocharged version of VW's 3.0-liter VR6 engine, sending some 404 horsepower to all four wheels.

"I'm totally convinced that this combination is extremely nice," said Hube. "We've combined it with the last version of the Haldex [four-wheel drive system], where you can provoke a bit of oversteer. This is a real agile, powerful car."

Hube even went so far as to suggest that it'd be a hotter performer than the Porsche Panamera, base versions of which also employ a 3.0-liter turbo six to the tune of 325 horsepower (434 hp in 4S spec).

Here's hoping that the bean-counters in Wolfsburg give it the green light, even if it's almost entirely unlikely to make the transatlantic voyage to North American showrooms.

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This Rolls-Royce 6x6 SUV Design Is Crazy, But Not THAT Crazy

Posted: 18 Dec 2017 02:58 AM PST


Rolls-Royce is on the verge of introducing its first crossover, or "high-sided all-terrain vehicle" as the manufacturer calls it.

We know pretty much what form it will take, and it won't look anything like this. But as outlandish as this design may look, it's not completely out of left field.

The vision of a designer from India who goes only by the handle Vivek, this concept envisions an extreme Rolls-Royce off-roader with three axles.

If that format strikes you as familiar, you're likely thinking of the Mercedes-AMG G63 6x6 – an extreme take on Daimler's hardcore off-roader that has long since sold out.

Though based on a military specification, the G63 6x6 was all luxed-out to the hilt. Which is exactly what we can expect of the Rolls-Royce tentatively known as Project Cullinan.

The finished product will have four driven wheels on two axles – not six on three. And it'll have a more conventional wagon roofline, not a sloping fastback like the BMW X6 and all those that have followed. But the details and design cues, from the upright Pantheon grille to the suicide rear doors, look right in step with what the British luxury automaker would cook up itself.

This design, then, is something more of a pipe dream. But if you're going to dream, we suppose, you might as well dream big. And that this certainly is.

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BMW Set To Become China's Best-Selling Luxury Carmaker

Posted: 17 Dec 2017 07:22 PM PST


BMW looks set to overcome Audi to become the best-selling luxury carmaker in China, Automotive News reports.

In the first 11 months of the year, BMW sales in China have soared by 15 per cent to 542,362 units, a trend that continued into November where a 12 per cent increase in sales was recorded.

By comparison, Audi sales this year have dropped by 2.1 per cent to 528,706 units while Mercedes-Benz has overtaken Audi as the country's second-best selling luxury car marque, selling 539,728 vehicles so far in 2017.

BMW, like its German foes, is well aware of the importance of the Chinese market and is currently in talks with Great Wall Motor to establish a joint venture to build vehicles in the country.

While neither BMW or Great Wall have announced specifics about the possible joint venture, analysts expect to see the two automakers building EVs throughout China under a new brand name in a set up similar to Denza, a joint carmaker operated by Mercedes-Benz and BYD.

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2018 BMW X2 Priced From Just Under $40,000

Posted: 17 Dec 2017 06:11 PM PST


Two months after its online premiere, pricing details for the 2018 BMW X2 have emerged online.

According to order guides recently obtained by Cars Direct, the entry-level X2 xDrive28i will set customers back a minimum of $39,395, including the $995 destination charge. To put that into perspective, it is $2500 more than the X1 xDrive28i but a significant $9200 less than the cheapest X4 variant on offer.

Standard features for the X2 xDrive28i include a 228 hp 2.0-liter turbo four, seven-speaker audio system, 18-inch alloy wheels, and SensaTec seats. For $2350, the Convenience Package can be optioned, complete with power-folding mirrors, a panoramic roof, lumbar support, auto-dimming mirrors, and more.

Elsewhere in the range of options is the $700 Driver Assistance Package that adds lane departure warning, forward collision warning, low-speed emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and more. Interestingly, the Driver Assistance Package is only available alongside the Convenience Package and $2600 Premium Package. For customers looking to stand out, the M SportX Package is available for $4650. There's also a Dynamic Handling Package for $600.

Compared to its most direct German rival, a comparable Mercedes-Benz GLA250 4MATIC, the base BMW X2 is a hefty $3000 pricier.

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Mercedes Tests Facelifted C-Class In Cabriolet Guise

Posted: 17 Dec 2017 05:04 PM PST


Mercedes-Benz continues to apply the final touches on the facelifted C-Class and was recently snapped putting a refreshed C-Class Cabriolet through its paces in Germany.

As with previous prototypes of the facelifted C-Class, this one has very little camouflage, showing that the carmaker has only made a few minor adjustments from the current car.

It seems apparent that most of these tweaks will be focused on the front fascia. Specifically, cladding over the front bumper suggests that something new is in the works. Surprisingly, the front grille of this prototype appears largely unchanged from the current car.

Final exterior tweaks will be made to the headlights, taillights, side skirts, and rear bumper.

Inside, the facelifted C-Class is expected to adopt a fully-digital instrument cluster and the brand's latest infotainment system.

Expect to see the new C-Class premiere during the first few months of 2018.

VIDEO

Mercedes Confirms A-Class Sedan Is Bound For The U.S.

Posted: 17 Dec 2017 04:03 PM PST


Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that the upcoming A-Class Sedan will make it to the United States and attract younger customers to the brand.

Previewed earlier this year by the Concept A Sedan, the vehicle will be sold alongside the hatchback in various markets throughout the world. In the U.S., however, the A-Class Sedan will be the only body style on offer.

Speaking to Automotive News about the car, Mercedes-Benz global sales chief Britta Seeger said it should prove attractive to U.S. car buyers.

"We truly believe that now with the body style we have the right answer for the market.

"It's a very attractive car for younger people, but not only for younger people — it can have a broad audience because it's a nice entrance into the Mercedes-Benz family," Seeger said.

When quizzed about whether or not the A-Class Sedan would be priced at under $30,000, Seeger simply said "We will see."

Sitting beneath the bodywork of the new A-Class Sedan will be an updated version of the MFA2 architecture. It remains to be seen what variants are bound for the U.S. market but an AMG A45 Sedan can be expected to top out the family.

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Holden's Sold Its Elizabeth Plant, But It's Building A Museum On Site

Posted: 17 Dec 2017 03:03 PM PST


After nearly 60 years, Holden stopped producing cars at its plant in Elizabeth, Australia, at the end of this past October. So what's to become of the sprawling site?

Well, it's going to use part of the site to store spare parts. And it's going to open a museum and restaurant on site as well. But the rest of it is being turned into a business park.

The automaker announced it has sold the plant to Melbourne-based developer Pelligra Group, which plans to turn it into the Lionsgate Business Park.

Drawing its name from Holden's logo, Lionsgate will hopefully create enough jobs to offset the shuttering of the auto plant. But that likely depends more on the tenants than on either the developer or the automaker.

Holden will retain ownership of the site through mid-2019 so it can take down all its equipment and complete the contamination assessment that started back in 2012. After that, Pelligra will take over, leasing the parts warehouse back to Holden.

Plans are still apparently being drawn up for what will be called the Redline Café & Museum, where visitors will be able to relive the glory days of automobile manufacturing in Australia that have now drawn to an end.

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This Is (And May Remain) The Only Maybach S650 Cabrio On Forgiato Alloys

Posted: 17 Dec 2017 02:08 PM PST


Mercedes has gone to considerable lengths to differentiate the Maybach S650 Cabriolet from "lesser" S-Class convertibles. But the owner of those one has set his apart even further by adding a set of custom wheels.

Of the 300 examples to be made (and 75 allocated to the United States), this is the only example riding on a set of Forgiato alloys.

These Tec 2.2 wheels from Forgiato's Tecnica series feature a brushed finish (in contrast to all the chrome on the Maybach) with spokes and bolts painted to match the drop-top's red bodywork.

Further setting it apart are yellow brake calipers and windows tinted with film from SunTek. The modifications were applied by Herm G of Road Show International out in Atlanta, which happens to be the home town of Mercedes-Benz USA. We don't know whose ride it is, but something tells us it probably belongs to a baller from one of the Georgia metropolis' major sports franchises.

Whoever it belongs to, would you considering it sacrilege to mess with the package Daimler perfected, or a no-brainer considering how much the owner must already have spent on the car? That's probably a matter of taste more than anything, so check it out in the images below and sound off in the comments section.

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Suzuki's New Spacia Packs A Lot Into A Little

Posted: 17 Dec 2017 01:00 PM PST


Suzuki may be gone from the North American new-car market, but it's still a big player in Japan – where it's now rolled out new versions of its Spacia hatch/van/wagon-thing.

Looking like an even smaller version of the Scion xB or Nissan Cube, the new Spacia is a tall box on small wheels with a tiny footprint in the true style of Japan's little Kei cars. But Suzuki has managed to cram a lot in there.

For starters, it's touted as the first car in its class with safety features like active emergency braking, around-view monitor, and head-up display. The manufacturer also boasts of a "wide interior space" despite its compact dimensions, with a minivan-style sliding rear door to ease ingress and egress in even the tightest of spots.

It also packs a hybrid powertrain: a 660-cc inline six, available either naturally aspirated or turbocharged form, and with two- or all-wheel drive. Either way, it can run on electric power alone for short distances.

Buyers can also choose between the retro Spacia and the more aggressive-looking Spacia Custom, which we gather are targeted at different demographics. Suzuki anticipates selling 12,000 of these each month, with prices ranging from ¥1,333,800-1,908,360 – or about $12-17k, depending on specification.

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This Ferrari F12 Takes The Whole 'Tour De France' Thing Very Seriously

Posted: 17 Dec 2017 12:03 PM PST


Ferrari has been known to name its cars after places: Fiorano, Maranello, Modena, Portofino.... Rarely does it draws its nameplate from a location outside of Italy, but that's what it did with the F12 TdF. And this particular example evidently takes that theme very seriously.

Borrowing its handle from the Tour de France and the classic 250 named after it, the F12 TdF was the ultimate version of the twelve-cylinder supercar – taken to the extreme with 769 horsepower and a sub-3-second 0-62 time.

Ferrari only made 799 examples of the F12 TdF, resulting in values far above those of the "standard" F12 Berlinetta and the 812 Superfast that followed. This one was ordered in light blue with French racing stripes, hand-painted Scuderia shields on the fenders, and over $110,000 in optional extras.

Consigned to RM Sotheby's for its upcoming sale in Arizona, Chassis No. ZFF81BFAXH0224563 is valued at around $1.3 million – and we won't be at all surprised to see it sell for at least that much when the gavel drops at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix little over a month from now.

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Mercedes Is Going To Start Designing Its Cars In The South Of France

Posted: 17 Dec 2017 11:05 AM PST


Mercedes-Benz operates a number of design studios not only at its headquarters in Stuttgart, but in locations around the world. And now it's adding one more.

The German automaker's new Advanced Design Centre is opening in the new year on the Côte d'Azur in the South of France.

The cylindrical structure will serve as the workplace for some 50 designers focusing not only on interior and exterior styling, but on user experience and user interface design as well.

"At our new location, we will act like seismographs, tracking the trends and requirements between the digital and analogue worlds and integrating them in our automobiles in an interconnected way," said Daimler's chief designer Gorden Wagener. "The new Centre will be a perfect enabler of interdisciplinary cooperation between all design disciplines and will be unique in the sector."

The facility sits in what's described as "France's Silicon Valley," the Sophia Antipolis Science and Technology Park near Antibes. Some 36,300 employees already work at the location, between 2,230 companies including Hewlett Packard, SAP, and Huawei.

The Côte d'Azur location is just the latest in an array of remote Mercedes studios at Lake Como in Italy, Beijing in China, and two in California (Carlsbad in the south and Sunnyvale in the north). Its establishment along the French Riviera, however, is something of a homecoming for the company that got its name when Emil "Monsieur Mercedes" Jellinek entered Daimlers in races around his home town of Nice.

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2018 Jeep Wrangler Is Still An Off-Road Animal, Only Easier To Live With

Posted: 17 Dec 2017 10:00 AM PST


The new generation Jeep Wrangler promises to be better than its predecessor in every single aspect, and now it's time to find out if it delivers the goods.

It took Jeep 11 years to replace the outgoing JK model with the new JL. The automaker's latest off-roader may look too similar with the previous one for some, but fans will recognize the new one more easily.

The 2018 Wrangler will be offered with the 285hp 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 paired to either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic. A 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with 268hp is also making its debut, while Jeep will add a 3.0-liter diesel in the range later on.

If you want the most off-road capable version, then you'll have to go for the Rubicon, as it features 33-inch off-road tires, disconnecting anti-roll bars, a modular front bumper and Dana 44 axles, among others.

Is the new Wrangler worthy of its iconic nameplate? Edmunds delivers its first driving impressions on the video linked below.

VIDEO

Seven Impossible Car Mashups That'll Make Or Break Your Day

Posted: 17 Dec 2017 02:41 PM PST


Some car designs just don't mix, and trying to force them together could make you lose your appetite. You've been warned.

First, worry not, because your eyes are not deceiving you. You truly are looking at seven of the most "unholy" car mashups we've ever seen. The only thing missing is for these cars to suddenly start speaking Latin and laugh maliciously.

But before we go looking for a priest, let's run through each of these images, courtesy of Click Mechanic, and at least try to make some sense of what we're looking at.

Let's start with the Batmobile wannabe, you know, because at least it looks drivable.

#1 BMW i8 + Dodge Charger



The classic Charger and the modern BMW i8 couldn't be more different. One is a plug-in hybrid with sporty features and futuristic looks, while the other is a gas guzzling muscle car that will mostly drive sideways if you don't stay off the throttle.

Put them together and you might get something like this thing, which features a massive V8 with a blower, chrome bits on the wheel arches and a NASCAR-style spoiler at the rear. It's weird, but at least it looks like it would be fun to drive, right?

#2 Bugatti Chiron + VW Beetle



This one makes sense from a branding standpoint, since VW owns Bugatti. You've got the all-new Chiron hypercar in one corner, and the classic VW Beetle in the other.

Make sure to take it all in, from the heavy chrome bumpers and alloys to the Beetle fenders. Overall though, you might as well put Dick Dastardly and Muttley in this car and call it a day, because it's really wacky.

#3 Pagani Huayra + Chevy Camaro



Here's another one you might be tempted to at least drive, since it's comprised of a Pagani Huayra and a classic Chevrolet Camaro. It's rugged American muscle meets crafty Italian engineering.

It's got headlights from both vehicles, classic wheels, plus another NASCAR-style spoiler, just like on the i8 Charger. We're not so sure about its aerodynamic properties though.

#4 Nissan GT-R + Nissan Juke



Another family affair, this time from Japanese automaker Nissan. It actually looks kind of cute, if we're being honest, but don't let that stop you from letting us know how much you hate it, if that's the case.

Besides, if you're a GT-R fan, the last thing you want is for it to be associated with something like the Juke, an urban-oriented crossover that never even got to break the Internet.

#5 Ford GT + Ford Raptor



If somebody ever managed to actually build this car, the waiting list on it might actually match that of the regular Ford GT. The mashup shows a very aggressive vehicle, one that should have no problem with going off-road, while able to win plenty of straight line races as well.

In a way, it's the best of both worlds. The only thing missing is room for more passengers and luggage.

#6 Lamborghini Aventador + Lamborghini Tractor



If you want to take Lamborghini back to its early beginnings, you could then try to build something like this Aventador-inspired tractor and it probably wouldn't be all that hard either.

All you need is the tractor, plus an Aventador front fascia, which doesn't even have to come from the real car - some people can just make those for themselves. As for this one, it also features a massive winch and a connector for fitting it with a large plow.

#7 Ferrari LaFerrari + Fiat Multipla



This is a really fascinating combination, in the sense that on one hand you've got arguably the most beautiful car ever built in the LaFerrari, and then you've got one that many consider the ugliest car ever, in the Fiat Multipla. We can call this either the LaFiat or the LaMultipla, you decide.

The contrast between the two speaks volumes, and in a weird way, they kind of match, since they're both Italian...but let's not kid ourselves. Consider the hypercar properly insulted.

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2018 Lexus LS Is A Worthy Rival To The German Establishment

Posted: 17 Dec 2017 02:41 PM PST


While the all-new Lexus LS won't offer you as many engine options as its rivals from Mercedes, BMW and Audi, what you do get is a no-nonsense luxury car that's extremely comfortable to sit in.

According to Carwow's review of the LS 500h, the new limo isn't quite as sharp on the road as the 7-Series or the A8, and its air suspension doesn't deal with bumps as well as the one you get in the S-Class, but overall, it does a solid job of keeping you comfortable. That actually goes double if you're sitting in the back, where you can stretch out almost completely and choose between a great number of massaging functions.

The interior is top notch, too, as Lexus made sure the LS would be on par with its rivals when it comes to build quality.

As for straight line performance, the 2018 LS is not a slow car, by any stretch of the imagination, since the hybrid version sprints to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.4 seconds. Sure, you'll find plenty of faster options out there if you go for one of its German rivals, but we doubt this is a priority in a luxury saloon anyway.

VIDEO

Tesla Model S Taxi Fleet Listed For Sale In The Netherlands

Posted: 17 Dec 2017 07:00 AM PST


An Amsterdam-based taxi company is getting ready to renew its fleet, and as a result, they're selling dozens of Tesla Model S cars.

Registered new in 2014, the zero-emission sedans have in excess of 200,000km (124,000 miles) on the clock, but they're said to have been properly maintained and serviced by Tesla themselves.

Their price tags stand in the region of €40,000 ($47,245), which is not that bad, actually, given that used Tesla Model S' with similar mileage usually retail from €50,000 ($59,056), while finding one that's barely driven means having to pay over €100,000 ($118,112).

There's little doubt that car flippers will take advantage of this offer, so expect to see more Model S electric saloons listed for grabs in different European markets in the near future.

The Netherlands are said to have the largest Tesla taxi fleet in the world, but their dominance is about to be overthrown by Dubai, where 50 electric cars made by Elon Musk's company arrived this fall, with a further 75 units to be delivered next year, and another 75 set for 2019, while ride sharing company Uber also uses a fleet of Model S and Model X EVs in the largest and most populous city in the United Arab Emirates.



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Chris Harris Pits New Honda Civic Type R Against Its Acclaimed EP3 Ancestor

Posted: 17 Dec 2017 06:00 AM PST


The latest Honda Civic Type R is indeed one of the best hot hatches in the market right now, but how does it fare against its much praised EP3 ancestor?

Why the EP3, you might ask? Because that was Honda's last hot hatch employing a proper independent suspension at the back, allowing the light chassis to be sophisticated enough for its naturally aspirated 200hp VTEC engine. The two generations of Type Rs that followed did a 180-degree turn on that matter as they employed a (cheaper) beam setup.

Moreover, Honda was considered to be the last frontier of naturally aspirated engines until the iconic Civic Type R turned to turbocharging - but that doesn't mean that it's lost its mojo.

In fact, and since Honda used a turbo engine in the previous model, we've witnessed the Type R rising again as one of the most hardcore hot hatches in the segment.

Does this mean though that the new Civic Type R is a more inspiring drive than its naturally aspirated ancestor? Chris Harris investigates in the video that follows.

VIDEO

Lamborghini Raton Design Study Makes The Urus Seem Meek

Posted: 17 Dec 2017 04:59 AM PST


The launch of the Urus has, apparently, sparked a barrage of renderings, the latest of which is this Raton six-wheeler.

Emre Husmen, who penned this rendering, followed Lamborghini's practice of naming its models after fighting bulls. The Raton was a fierce Spanish bull that took the lives of three people in the arena between 2006 and 2011 and injured thirty more, earning the nickname el toro asesino, which translates to "the assassin bull" .

The 'Mouse', which is its literal translation from Spanish, has a go-anywhere look thanks to its six-wheel design, chunky all-terrain rubber, large square-shaped fenders and huge ground clearance. Apart from sketching it, Husmen said that he imagined the Raton to be powered by a turbodiesel electric hybrid powertrain that would produce in excess of 1,000 horsepower.

With the Urus being marketed as the sportiest SUV ever, there's no chance Lamborghini will ever make a 6x6 version. But if, for argument's sake, we assume it did, what would you rather have: this Italian super SUV, the Mercedes G-Class 6x6, Kahn's Land Rover Defender or Hennesey's Ford F-150 VelociRaptor?

PHOTO GALLERY

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