Wednesday 20 December 2017

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'Tis The Season To Buy Ford's New Focus RS Edition Christmas Special

Posted: 20 Dec 2017 04:30 AM PST


Ford is celebrating the holidays by launching a limited edition Focus RS in the UK, which can already be ordered from £36,295 ($48,538).

Its starting price represents a £3,530 ($4,271) premium over the entry-level hot hatch, but paying it means getting one of just 300 'Race Red Editions' that will be assembled in February and March, next year.

Finished in a festive color scheme, the new Ford Focus RS Race Red Edition features 19-inch cast-black alloy wheels, grey brake calipers, contrasting black roof, side mirror casings and rear spoiler, and is described as a "celebration" of the car as its "production nears its end", by Ford of Britain's managing director and chairman, Andy Barratt.

Alongside the visual updates, this very special compact hot hatch gets a front mechanical Quaife limited-slip differential, for improved traction and driving appeal, whose purpose is to limit the torque delivered to whichever wheel has reduced traction, and redistribute it to the wheel with better grip, to counteract the wheelspin.

Among its standard equipment, the Ford Focus RS Race Red Edition has privacy glass, rear parking sensors, electric folding mirrors, Recaro seats with part-leather upholstery, carbon fiber interior trim, cruise control with speed limiter, heated steering wheel, Active City Stop, KeyFree system, and others.

PHOTO GALLERY

This Bugatti EB110 Could Be The Next Best Thing To A Chiron

Posted: 20 Dec 2017 04:05 AM PST


Bugattis are expensive. There's just no way around that. But among Bugattis, some are more expensive than others.

Take for example this 1993 Bugatti EB110 GT. It's heading for the auction block in Arizona next month, where RM Sotheby's anticipates it will sell in the high six-figure range: between $750k and $950k, to be specific.

Now don't get us wrong, that's a big chunk of change to spend on a single automobile. But it's a far cry from the millions you'd have to dish out for a new Chiron, or even for a second-hand Veyron. Which makes this a rather enticing opportunity to buy a (relatively) modern Bugatti supercar for under a million.

The EB110, for those unfamiliar, was the supercar that came before Volkswagen acquired the marque to produce the Veyron and Chiron. It was made in Italy, not in France, but was still very much an authentic Bugatti – right down to the quad turbochargers.

Those were bolted not to an eight-liter sixteen-cylinder engine, but to a 3.5-liter V12. The GT version (like the one pictured here by Brian Buchard for RM Sotheby's) produced 550 horsepower, which was positively gargantuan by early-90s standards, and was followed by an SS model with 604 hp.

Between 1991 and 1995, Bugatti Automobili produced just 139 examples, leaving the EB110 considerably rarer than the VW-developed hypercars that followed. It's not every day that one comes up for sale, so if you've had trouble turning one million into three to buy a new Bugatti, this could be your chance.

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2018 Will Be Kimi Raikkonen's Last Chance At Ferrari

Posted: 20 Dec 2017 03:24 AM PST


Ferrari has put a lot of faith, wavered though it has, in Kimi Raikkonen. And that faith has been largely misplaced, so it's giving him one last chance: either live up to your performance next season, or you're out.

"My personal opinion is that if we find the right key, Raikkonen drives like a God," Ferrari chief Sergio Marchionne told journalists, as reported by Autosport.

"When things go right, it's a pleasure to see him driving. In other moments it seems like he takes a break. He needs more consistency in terms of performance," said Marchionne. "Probably this is the last season to find the right key and we must do it. It would be a shame if he would leave F1 without showing his real potential."

The Finnish driver first signed with Ferrari in 2007, winning the world championship straight away. He was shown the door after 2009, only to return again in 2014, and has been driving for the Scuderia ever since – with little to show for it. Over the past four seasons, he hasn't won a single race, and has been consistently outperformed by multiple-champion teammates Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel.

Now 38 years old, Kimi is the oldest driver on the grid. Ferrari has extended his contract by one more season, but if he doesn't pull his weight, he'll be replaced – likely by one of the team's junior drivers like F2 champion Charles Leclerc (who'll be driving for Sauber next season) or Antonio Gionivazzi.

"We see Leclerc, Verstappen and Giovinazzi, drivers with great skills, who can deliver a big change in the driver market," said Marchionne. "I'm still happy to have chosen Leclerc. "I think that if we can not find the right key for Raikkonen, the choice will fall on a young driver."

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Can We Have One Of These Audi R8 LMS GT4s, Please?

Posted: 20 Dec 2017 03:01 AM PST


GT4 is rapidly growing into one of the hottest classes in motor racing, and Audi is officially getting in on the action this week with the delivery of the first examples of the new R8 LMS GT4.

Unveiled at the New York Auto Show this past fall, the R8 LMS GT4 is closely based on the road-going production model. In fact, Audi says the road and race versions share some 60 percent of components.

The other 40 percent are what transform this into a racer ready to take on the similarly prepared versions of the Porsche Cayman, Mercedes-AMG GT, BMW M4, and McLaren 570S (to name but a few).

The factory entered the R8 LMS GT4 in races at the Nürburgring for shakedown purposes. Now, as with the GT3-spec R8 LMS and TCR-spec RS3 LMS, it's now up to the individual teams who've purchased the cars to enter them in races around the world.

A dozen vehicles represented the first batch to be delivered, with five cars going to the United States, one to Australia, and two each to teams in Asia, Germany, and the Netherlands. Look to see them in action early in the new year at events like the Dubai 24 Hours, the Rolex 24 at Daytona, and the Bathurst 12 Hour race. The vehicle will also form the backbone of the Audi R8 LMS Cup that's set to kick off its seventh season in March.

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Jon Olsson Creating Mercedes-Benz G500 4x4² Convertible

Posted: 20 Dec 2017 01:32 AM PST


The Mercedes-Benz G500 4x4² makes no practical sense but that hasn't stopped it becoming the latest must-have for wealthy car enthusiasts.

In fact, the expensive off-roader has become a status symbol for the rich and numerous owners have heavily modified their 4x4's, none more so than Jon Olsson.

A couple of months ago, the former professional skier and YouTuber unveiled his bespoke G500 4x4², overhauled by Absolute Motors in the Netherlands. Aware of the impracticalities of owning a vehicle so massive in Monaco, Olsson has decided to turn his SUV into a convertible, all in an effort to ensure it can fit in the small parking garages of the tiny principality.

Work on the world's first 4x4² Convertible only commenced a couple of days ago but Olsson's latest vlog shows the G500's roof being cut off, alongside the B-, C-, and D-pillars. Before long, the A-pillars of the Mercedes will also be cut and a new slimline windshield installed to ensure the vehicle can be parked in Monaco.

No details have been announced as to what other modifications Olsson has planned for the 4x4², but we should see the transformed off-roader in full in the not too distant future.

VIDEO

Holding Company Acquires Mercedes-AMG's Stake In MV Agusta

Posted: 20 Dec 2017 12:02 AM PST


The 25 per cent stake formerly held by Mercedes-AMG in motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta has been acquired by MV Holding, the holding company owned by Giovanni Castiglioni and the Sardarov family.

In purchasing this 25 per cent stake in MV Agusta, the holding company now owns 100 per cent of the Italian motorcycle brand.

Ownership of MV Agusta has been like an expensive game of musical chairs over the last decade and a half. In 2004, it was purchased by Proton before being passed on to a Swiss financing company. Shortly after, MV Agusta's Husqvarna subbrand was sold to BMW and for 12 months, Harley-Davidson acquired a controlling stake in the company. MV Holding then jumped on board.

In 2014, Mercedes-AMG purchased a 25 per cent stake in MV Agusta, potentially in response to Audi's purchase of Ducati.

Mercedes-AMG announced its intention to sell its MV Agusta stake in July.

PHOTO GALLERY

BMW Celebrates Delivering Over 100,000 EVs In 2017

Posted: 19 Dec 2017 08:44 PM PST


BMW has confirmed that in 2017, it sold more than 100,000 electrified vehicles globally.

Throughout 2017, BMW's all-electric and hybrid models proved particularly popular in western Europe and the U.S. In fact, the highest selling BMW model in Scandinavia last year was the i3 and Germany alone accounted for over 10,000 new EV registrations.

Furthermore, approximately 10 per cent of all 3-Series vehicles delivered in 2017 were electrified while 13 per cent of BMW 2-Series Active Tourer models sold were plug-in hybrids. Additionally, the Mini Cooper S Countryman ALL4 already makes up ten per cent of all Countryman sales, despite only being launched in June.

Strong demand for BMW's electrified models means the firm now has a 21 per cent market share of registrations for new fully-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in Europe. This 21 per cent share is more than three times its market share in Europe for ICE models. Globally, BMW says it has a 10 per cent share of the electrified vehicle market.

In order to celebrate the delivery milestone, BMW illuminated its Munich headquarters to look like a massive battery.

VIDEO



PHOTO GALLERY

Honda Says Takata Airbag Responsible For Death In Louisiana

Posted: 19 Dec 2017 08:03 PM PST


Honda and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have confirmed that a ruptured Takata airbag inflator caused the death of a Honda Civic driver on July 10.

The crash happened in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and at the time, the 2004 Civic was under recall but had not been repaired. Honda also discovered that the Takata inflator in the vehicle was not the original one fitted at the factory.

In a bid to rid the market of these faulty second-hand airbags, Honda has removed more than 100,000 inflators from salvage yards across the United States and requested online auction sites stop the sale of these airbags.

The Takata airbags are at the center of the largest ever automobile recall and have been linked to at least 18 deaths and 180 injuries around the world.

Of the Takata airbag fatalities, 12 have occurred in Honda vehicles.

Six months ago, the pressure of the unprecedented recalls forced Takata to file for bankruptcy protection in the United States and Japan. The company will be purchased by Chinese-owned company Key Safety Systems for $1.6 billion.

PHOTO GALLERY

Faraday Future Reportedly Secures $1 Billion In Funding

Posted: 20 Dec 2017 04:00 AM PST


Faraday Future founder and Chinese investor Jia Yueting claims that the electric startup has secured $1 billion in additional funding.

Yicai Global says that Yueting made the announcement during an employee meeting on December 13 in Los Angeles while also confirming that he will step up to become the company's chief executive.

No details have been published about where Faraday Future secured the funding from. Last month, reports surfaced that the company had received $900 million from Tata Motors but just a couple of days later, Tata denied investing a single cent in FF.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that Faraday Future had been driven into the ground by Yueting and was unlikely to keep its payroll afloat through to the end of the year unless a new investor could be found.

What's more, at least half a dozen high-ranking Faraday Future executives have left the company in recent months, including three of the five 'founding executives' of the proposed Tesla rival. The brand's chief financial officer Stefan Krause and chief technology officer Ulrich Kranz also both tendered their resignations in October.

According to at least one former employee, Faraday Future has struggled party due to the behavior and business practices of Jia Yueting, including his lack of understanding of Western practices. He was also recently blacklisted in China.

PHOTO GALLERY

Ford Has A Sexual Harassment Problem At Its Chicago Plants, Says Report

Posted: 19 Dec 2017 07:31 PM PST


A damning New York Times report says that Ford workers and particularly women are still subject to harassment and retaliation at the company's Chicago factories.

The report claims of persistent physical and verbal harassment at the Assembly and Stamping Plants.

When Ford reached a $10 million settlement over sexual and racial harassment at two of its Chicago plants this past August, it said that it took measures to "prevent future harassment or provide prompt action" when complaints arise. However, the NYT's investigation says the atmosphere persists.

According to the NYT, "for the Ford women, the harassment has endured even though they work for a multinational corporation with a professional human resources operation, even though they are members of one of the country's most powerful unions, even though a federal agency and then a federal judge sided with them, and even after independent monitors policed the factory floors for several years."

The Time's investigation released on Tuesday describes a culture of harassment on the automaker's factory floors that has lingered on for decades:

Bosses and fellow laborers treated them as property or prey. Men crudely commented on their breasts and buttocks; graffiti of penises was carved into tables, spray-painted onto floors and scribbled onto walls. They groped women, pressed against them, simulated sex acts or masturbated in front of them. Supervisors traded better assignments for sex and punished those who refused.

That was a quarter-century ago. Today, women at those plants say they have been subjected to many of the same abuses. And like those who complained before them, they say they were mocked, dismissed, threatened and ostracized. One described being called "snitch bitch," while another was accused of "raping the company." Many of the men who they say hounded them kept their jobs.


In response to the lengthy story, Ford issued a statement saying that it "does not tolerate sexual harassment or discrimination. We take those claims very seriously and investigate them thoroughly. We have a comprehensive approach to prevent and address sexual harassment and discrimination at our facilities."

The exposé claims that the workers' union has also been unable to resolve the matter. In some cases, the union even sided with the accused. Last week, Ford shared how over than 36,000 of its employees volunteered to help raise the quality of life for people affected by natural disasters. Meanwhile, it struggles to improve workplace safety for its own workers.

Ford is under new leadership with CEO James Hackett behind the wheel since May. Hackett will need to take action and investigate the matter immediately, if he has not already.

By Basir Khan

Video

Aston Martin Studying Partners For Potential F1 Engine Deal

Posted: 19 Dec 2017 06:34 PM PST


Aston Martin appears increasingly interested in becoming a Formula One engine supplier when new regulations are implemented for the 2021 season.

In October, the FIA announced plans to retain the existing 1.6-liter V6 turbo formula but to increase the engine's rev limit by 3,000 rpm and ditch the expensive and complex MGU-H heat energy recovery system.

Unsurprisingly, existing engine suppliers Mercedes, Renault, and Ferrari have raised doubts about the new power units. Despite this, Aston Martin believes it could help encourage the FIA to implement the proposed changes despite this backlash.

"We are acutely conscious that the current incumbents will try to bring the sport towards whatever they have right now," Aston Martin chief executive Andy Palmer said.

"I would if I was in their shoes too. We stick out there as the disruptor, which I like. If we do an engine, we won't do it by ourselves. We'll start now to look for partners.

"That's a partnership from a technical point of view and from a manufacturing point of view. We are starting that study now in parallel to the machination of the regulations, Palmer revealed.

Speaking to Motorsport, Palmer said Aston Martin has submitted a letter to the FIA and Liberty Media about the impacts of the regulation changes on an independent manufacturer. In the letter, the British marque also expressed its support for the heat energy recovery system to be ditched.

If Aston Martin does decide to venture into Formula One, it would likely supply engines to Red Bull Racing.

PHOTO GALLERY

VW Golf Mk1 With 455HP Proves Old-Timers Still Have What It Takes

Posted: 19 Dec 2017 06:00 PM PST


They do say that classics never die; that applies to the automotive industry as well, and the first-gen Volkswagen Golf is on that list, especially in GTI guise.

However, this isn't a range-topping GTI, but a GLS, as the badge on the tailgate shows, which has received a number of important upgrades.

The most important lies in the engine bay, as it produces 455 horses from what is believed to be a swapped powertrain. We don't know what powerplant it has, but if the number is real, then its output exceeds that of a new Ford Focus RS by some 100hp.

The bigger brakes take care of the much-deserved improved stopping power along with large rims and there's a roll cage added to the cockpit, but if not for these parts you'd easily mistake it for a well-preserved Golf Mk1.

Its driver, and probably the person behind these mods, still has to figure it out how to put that impressive power to the tarmac, because it appears to struggle for grip, especially in first and second gears, as you can see in the video posted below .

VIDEO

Pristine 1974 Audi 100 LS Is Not Something You Usually See In The Classifieds

Posted: 19 Dec 2017 05:30 PM PST


If you like old German premium saloons, we bet that the first-generation Audi 100 isn't exactly what springs to mind. Nevertheless, there's a 1974 example out there for sale, and it appears to be in really good condition

According to the ad on Bring a Trailer, the car has 54,343 miles (87,856 km) on the clock and features a 1.9-liter inline-four mated to a three-speed automatic transmission.

The seller has installed a new alternator and coolant hoses, rebuilt the radiator, added fresh oil and fluids and made sure the brake components perform well. Moreover, aside from the radio, the car is completely stock when it comes to specs. The interior looks just as well maintained as the exterior and features wood trim on the dashboard and steering wheel, plus black vinyl seats.

For those of you who are too young to remember, the 100 was the designation for Audi's mid-size premium saloons from 1968 up until the 1995 model year, when the German automaker chose to replace it with the A6 moniker to fit in with its new naming strategy.

PHOTO GALLERY

MINI Lineup Gains A New 7-Speed Double-Clutch Transmission

Posted: 19 Dec 2017 04:59 PM PST


MINI has announced the three- and five-door hatchbacks as well as the convertible will be offered with a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Designed to offer "impressive shift dynamics for enhanced driving fun," the gearbox combines two partial transmissions into a single housing.

As MINI explains, the "core element of the system consists of two oil-cooled wet clutches: one of these is responsible for the even transmission ratios (2, 4, 6) while the other is for the uneven ratios (1, 3, 5, 7) and reverse." One of the clutches is always open and ready to respond within just a fraction of a second.

Thanks to this design, the gearbox is always ready to shift and this promises to make the car faster and smoother. The transmission has also been designed with efficiency in mind so it supports the engine start/stop system as well as the coasting function. The gearbox can also access GPS data on properly equipped vehicles.

As part of the switch, models equipped with the new transmission will be outfitted with a small electronic shifter that will always return to its original position after selecting between drive, neutral, and reverse. The shifter also has a park button and a Sport mode which can be easily selected.

Photo Gallery

New Rolls-Royce Phantom Spotted In Traffic Looking Larger Than Life

Posted: 19 Dec 2017 07:37 PM PST


If you had trouble figuring out just how massive the all-new Phantom is compared to your everyday regular car, these images should offer some perspective.

This example was seen on the streets of Berlin recently, and Autogespot user LuxurySpottings was on location to capture it both on the move as well as stationary, parked behind an old Audi A3.

As you can see, the Phantom appears to be properly gigantic, so much so that you might wonder why Rolls-Royce felt the need to build an SUV as well. Then again, everyone, from Bentley to Lamborghini to Aston Martin, is entering the luxury SUV segment, which also is very lucrative - and that's good business, no matter what purists might say. Only Ferrari and McLaren maintain that they won't get involved, but you never know...

Anyhow, the all-new Phantom is powered by a new twin-turbocharged 6.75-liter V12 producing 571 PS (563 HP) and 900 Nm (663 lb-ft) of torque. It also packs over 130 kg (286 lbs) of sound insulation, two 12.3-inch displays, laser headlights, plus a variety of different features and customization options that make it the most luxurious car in the world.

PHOTO GALLERY

BMW Wishes Us A Merry Christmas With One-Off E30 M3 Pickup

Posted: 19 Dec 2017 04:00 PM PST


'Tis that time of season again to decorate your home and choose that perfect Christmas tree, and for automakers it's also a nice opportunity to promote their products by creating Christmas-themed ads.

BMW did just that, but instead of choosing something of its current arsenal, like the new, all-wheel drive M5 or one of their powerful crossovers/SUVs, they went for something from the past, and most specifically a pickup version of the M3 E30.

If you've never heard of it, it's because it never hit the market and was a skunkworks project created by the Bavarian brand's M division in 1986 to transport various work equipment and parts. That it did until 2012, when it was retired.

The M3 pickup is based on an E30 Convertible and initially used the 2.0-liter engine of the 320iS, which was subsequently replaced by the M3's 2.3-liter unit that's rated at 200hp.

The commercial shows a mother and her daughter making the final preparations for Christmas, while the father is coming home with the tree in the M3 pickup's bed. Apparently, he enjoyed powersliding on the snow-filled roads and had so much fun, he forgot about the Christmas tree at the back and, by the time he got home, it was ruined, much to the dismay of his family.

The video is also BMW's way of promoting their new M website, which includes no less than 12 models, from the M2 Coupe to the X6 M and from the M3 CS and M4 CS to the all-new M5.

PHOTO GALLERY



VIDEO

Bing Attempts Jedi Mind Trick, Makes Google Street View Vehicle Disappear

Posted: 19 Dec 2017 03:28 PM PST


Google and Microsoft have a less than cozy relationship and that appears to carry over to the digital world as the latter company has been caught blocking a Street View vehicle on Bing maps.

As noticed by The Verge, this act of digital disparagement is visible when users search for an address in Plymouth, Minnesota. Instead of seeing a Street View vehicle, Bing users are treated to a grainy white box with a huge camera apparatus sticking out of the top of it. Needless to say, that's not a Minnesotan take on a roundabout.

While the efforts to block the Street View car are comical, an earlier version of the photo actually shows the driver of the Street View vehicle giving his rival a friendly wave.

Google decided to let the transgression go as it allows users to fully see the rival company's Toyota RAV4.

Of course, we've seen plenty of weird mapping photos over the years including this rather intimate looking moment with a women bent over the hood of a BMW 3-Series Coupe. Apple isn't above the fray either as the company's Maps app was a complete disaster when it launched in 2012.

Photo Gallery

BMW M3 Competition Pack Takes On M4 GTS In 1/4 Mile Race

Posted: 19 Dec 2017 03:00 PM PST


If losing a drag race to one of your siblings is more acceptable in the automotive industry than being out-performed by a direct rival, then neither of these cars has anything to worry about.

On one hand, it would take a brave M3 owner to want to challenge an M4 GTS, even if it's just a straight line drag race and not a quick lap of some racing circuit - which is where the M4 GTS shines.

Then again, with the Competition Pack, the M3 truly is at its best when it comes to acceleration. It's got 450 PS (444 HP), better wheels, plus upgraded springs, dampers and anti-roll bars for its Adaptive M suspension.

As for the M4 GTS, not only does it have 500 PS (493 HP) and 600 Nm (442 lb-ft) of torque, it's also missing its rear seats, boasts an enhanced M differential, a re-tuned electromechanical steering system, adjustable suspension and a massive rear wing, which is probably one of the first things you notice when looking at it.

In the end, the race was quite close, but mostly because one of these two M-cars struggled to get decent grip off the line.

VIDEO

Jeep Boss Hints At More Hybrids And China-Specific Model For 2018

Posted: 19 Dec 2017 02:33 PM PST


The head of Jeep has revealed some new details about the company's future lineup.

Speaking to The Detroit Free Press, Mike Manley confirmed the company will launch an all-new model in China next year that was designed specifically for the local market. Manley declined to discuss the model but there's little doubt he's talking about the Grand Commander which was previewed by the Yuntu concept earlier this year.

While the concept had a bold design, renderings from the European Union Intellectual Property Office revealed the production model will have a tamer styling. Notable changes include a less aggressive front bumper and more traditional headlights.

The model is expected to debut at the Beijing Auto Show and it could be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The company could also offer an eco-friendly variant sometime in the future.

Speaking the latter, Manley hinted the plug-in hybrid Wrangler could be just the tip of the iceberg. As he explained, "Our approach is always to bring that technology to bear on the markets when we see the markets develop and demand begins to grow, and that clearly is beginning to happen so in the Jeep lineup you will see electrification in the coming years."

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2019 GMC Sierra Will Reportedly Skip The Detroit Auto Show

Posted: 19 Dec 2017 07:37 PM PST


Chevrolet recently announced plans to introduce the 2019 Silverado at the North American International Auto Show but a new report is suggesting it won't be joined by the all-new GMC Sierra.

Nothing is official but GM Authority is reporting the truck won't be making an appearance in Detroit and this appears to be backed up by the NAIAS press conference schedule which shows the only GM-related event in is an off-site presentation by Chevrolet on January 13th.

The site goes on to say model won't be making an appearance at the Chicago Auto Show either so it's possible the company could choose to introduce the truck at a special event. This isn't totally unheard of as we first got a glimpse of the 2019 Silverado during a centennial celebration at the Texas Motor Speedway.

Little is known about the 2019 Sierra but the model will essentially be a badge-engineered version of the Silverado with unique styling. The Sierra is expected to have a bolder design with a more prominent grille and distinctive headlights that mimic those on the Terrain.

GM hasn't released performance specifications but the company has already confirmed the trucks use high-tensile-strength steel and higher grade alloy materials. Rumors have also suggested high-end variants, like the Sierra Denali, could be offered with lightweight beds that use carbon fiber-reinforced thermo plastic.

Photo Renderings Copyright Carscoops / Josh Byrnes

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McLaren Opens Dedicated F1 Service Center In The U.S.

Posted: 19 Dec 2017 01:30 PM PST


The McLaren F1 went out of production nearly two decades ago but that hasn't stopped the company from opening a specialized service center in Pennsylvania to accommodate the iconic supercar.

Set to become one of two authorized service centers outside of McLaren Special Operations in the United Kingdom, the Pennsylvania facility is operated by McLaren Philadelphia and is located at an undisclosed location to "ensure customer discretion and privacy."

Besides the secrecy, the service center has one of the original sets of tooling required to service the F1 as well as specially trained technicians who have been taught by MSO. McLaren says the techs can do everything from basic maintenance to "full system refreshes and even major renovations."

Of course, owning an McLaren F1 is a tad different than your typical family car and the company notes an annual service involves a "meticulous level of inspection to the vehicle, including fluids, filters and wiper blade replacements and a full suspension inspection." After the service is complete, the car undergoes a full shakedown at a test track or runway to ensure everything is up to snuff.

While it seems odd that McLaren would go through the trouble of opening a dedicated service center for a limited production model that is nearly 20 years old, McLaren North America President Tony Joseph said servicing an F1 is not a quick process. As he explained, "For North American owners, when you add up the time the actual service takes, with transport time to and from the U.K. – it equals a lot of time away from their vehicle. Having a service center in North America will allow us to drastically cut back on transport time and gives us an authorized facility that prioritizes North American F1s and owners."

McLaren F1 owners who are the west coast also received some good news as the company confirmed a McLaren F1 Service Center will open in the region sometime in the future.

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Audi Sport Names New CEO As Company Plans To Add Five New Models By 2020

Posted: 19 Dec 2017 01:07 PM PST


Audi has announced Michael-Julius Renz will become the new CEO of Audi Sport.

Renz will take over from Stephan Winkelmann who is departing his position to become the President of Bugatti. Winkelmann has been in charge of Audi Sport since 2016 and was previously the head of Lamborghini.

While Renz might not be a household name, the 60-year-old has held managerial roles at Audi for over 20 years including a stint as the president of Audi sales in China. Renz will take over control on March 1st and Audi Chairman Rupert Stadler said he will "further drive the growth of Audi Sport worldwide" and "firmly establish the brand as a global player in the market."

Besides announcing the new CEO, Audi reiterated plans to launch five new Audi Sport models by 2020. The company declined to elaborate but noted its lineup will grow from 11 vehicles to 16.

While the company remains tight-lipped on specifics, Winkelmann previously stated an RS crossover is more of a priority than developing a hardcore R8. He also suggested more performance crossovers are needed to help increase the brand's appeal to customers in the United States and China.

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SEC Were Investigating Tesla Over Model 3 Sales

Posted: 19 Dec 2017 04:04 PM PST


It has emerged that the Securities and Exchange Commission were investigating Tesla and its plans to sell the Model 3, information which was never provided to investors.

Legal documents obtained by Probes Reporter under a Freedom of Information Act request reveal that Tesla was being investigated between June 2016 and May 2017.

The Detroit News asserts that the investigation was triggered following a move from Goldman Sachs on May 18, 2016 to upgrade Tesla on the same day it and Morgan Stanley underwrote a $2 billion Tesla stock offering. Upon looking into the electric automaker, the SEC discovered that it "may have been or may be making false statements of material fact or failing to disclose material factors concerning the Company's Model 3 vehicle."

As part of the investigation, Tesla was required to produce documents about Model 3 reservations, cancellations, and deposits. Additionally, documents detailing how Tesla had used or planned to use the deposit money was required. Furthermore, the SEC demanded the names and credit card numbers of all customers who'd placed an order on the Model 3.

The SEC investigation into Tesla ended on May 2017 without action taken. However, the SEC said that this decision "must in no way be construed as indicating that the party has been exonerated or that no action may ultimately result from the staff's investigation."

Probes Reporter says the SEC has blocked access to other records on Tesla, indicating that "there is at least one other unresolved SEC probe" into Tesla.

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Alfa Romeo 4C Looks Killer (However Unlikely) In Dakar Rally Spec

Posted: 19 Dec 2017 11:59 AM PST


To make a Dakar rally machine, you want to start with something robust, with good ground clearance and off-road chops you can build upon. Something... rather unlike an Alfa Romeo 4C, in short, but that's the fantasy we're looking at here.

Rendered by Seattle-based artist Mo Aoun, the improbable prospect before us turns Alfa's lightweight track toy into a dune-jumping, desert-crossing rally raider.

On second thought, though, the idea may not be that crazy. Most of the top-tier machinery contesting the Dakar these days are custom fabricated with lightweight bodywork, often with their engines in the back, and (in the case of the current reigning Peugeot) just two driven wheels.

With Peugeot planning to withdraw after the next running, the Dakar's going to need a new front-runner. Alfa Romeo isn't likely to pick up that particular mantle – especially now that it's (sort of) returning to F1. But it'd sure be awesome if it did.

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Ferrari To Unveil 2018 F1 Car On February 22

Posted: 19 Dec 2017 11:33 AM PST


Ferrari has announced that it will unveil its 2018 Formula One car on February 22, four days before pre-season testing starts in Barcelona, Motorsport reports.

The Italian marque confirmed the news at its annual pre-Christmas media dinner in Maranello. According to company president Sergio Marchionne, Ferrari will again be fighting for the title next year.

Numerous regulation changes will be implemented next year. Most significantly, all teams must adopt the controversial 'halo' in a bid to improve driver safety. Additionally, the FIA has banned the use of T-wings and shark fins for the 2018 season, prompting teams to dramatically alter the designs of their vehicles.

Throughout the first half of 2017, Ferrari was viewed as a serious contender to Ferrari and looked set to claim its first driver's championship since 2007. However, numerous failings in the second half of the year, and a resurgent Lewis Hamilton, relegated Sebastian Vettel to second in the championship and Kimi Raikkonen to fourth.

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