Thursday 21 December 2017

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Nissan Leaf Grand Touring Concept Joins A Flurry Of Tuned Studies For 2018 Tokyo Auto Salon

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 04:28 AM PST


Nissan has announced a bunch of premieres for next year's Tokyo Auto Salon, which opens its gates on January 12, one of them being the Leaf Grand Touring Concept.

The show car is not as aggressively styled as the Leaf Nismo that debuted two months ago, but it does get a few interesting bits, such as the two-tone black and matte silver finish.

No images of the interior have been released yet, but the automaker describes it as "stylish and sophisticated" thanks to the addition of some special accents. We wouldn't be surprised if some of these features will be adopted by a new trim level of the electric car called 'Grand Touring', in the Japan at least.

The 'Grand Touring' moniker has been used again on an X-Trail Concept, which will go under the spotlight at the Tokyo event as well. This version of the SUV, which is known on our shores as Rogue, is aimed at those loving the outdoors, and it gets a special exterior graphic, and some different trim in the cabin.

There's also a Nissan NV 350 Caravan Grand Touring Concept heading to the 2018 Tokyo Auto Salon, which goes for an 'off-road look' as well, equipped with BF Goodrich all-terrain tires, special exterior accents and decals, and minor tweaks inside.

Nissan has a few more surprises in store too for the event, including the Fairlady Z Heritage Edition, a special version of the 370Z, the Note e-Power C-Gear, an "outdoor version" of the vehicle, and three new concept cars called Serena e-Power Autech, Note e-Power Autech, and X-Trail Autech.

Elsewhere, visitors to the brand's stand will also get to see the GT-R Nismo, Note e-Power Nismo, X-Trail Nismo Performance Package, Serena Nismo, Leaf Nismo Concept, and Motul Autech GT-R racer.

PHOTO GALLERY

Mazda Parts Company With Laguna Seca

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 04:02 AM PST


As far as naming rights go, Mazda's relationship with Laguna Seca has lasted a long time. 17 years, to be exact. But now it's drawing to a close.

AutoWeek reports that the Japanese automaker has opted not to renew its title sponsorship of the Northern California racing circuit, leaving its name to revert simply to Laguna Seca Raceway as it was once known.

"After 17 seasons as the title sponsor for Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Mazda has chosen to end its naming rights agreement with the storied race facility," Mazda said in a statement. "We will continue to participate in key event weekends, as racing is a part of our DNA."

The automaker was quick to point out that the end of the Laguna Seca deal will not affect its other racing activities, which include the MX-5 Cup spec racing series and Mazda Team Joest that will compete next season in the prototype class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (which itself includes a round at Laguna Seca).

Despite Toyota's best efforts, Mazda remains the only Japanese automaker to have won the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It also supports the Mazda Pro Championship that forms part of the Road to Indy program.

One of America's most legendary tracks, Laguna Seca was built in 1957 and has hosted a variety of automobile and motorcycle races over the decades since. The track is arguably best-known for the "corkscrew," a five-and-a-half-story drop bookended by sharp turns.

The track is owned by Monterey County and managed by the non-profit Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP). No word as of yet whether they'll be selling the naming rights to another company, but we wouldn't be surprised.

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The New BMW M5 Set A Lap Record (But Not At The Nurburgring)

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 03:24 AM PST


We've yet to see what the new BMW M5 can do at the Nurburgring, but the performance sedan has claimed the lap record at another circuit.

BMW factory driver Bruno Spengler (who won the DTM title back in 2012) took the F90-generation M5 to the Shanghai International Circuit in China, where it clocked a hot lap of 2:22.828.

That was enough, according to the manufacturer, to take the lap record for four-door production sedans at the circuit, apparently beating the previous record by five seconds.

The overall record still stands at 1:31.68, set by Lewis Hamilton this year in the Mercedes AMG F1 W08 EQ Power+ on his way to winning the Chinese Grand Prix this year. (Rival Sebastian Vettel and teammate Valtteri Bottas were close behind at 1:31.86, according to FastestLaps.com.)

Lest you think the new M5's trick xDrive traction system would make it eligible for the fastest all-wheel-drive lap, think again: that honor belongs to the Toyota TS050 prototype, which was clocked at 1:42.53.

There have also been faster "sedans" on the track, mind you – like the Citroën C-Elysée WTCC (1:48.78) and Holden Commodore V8 Supercar (1:51.06) – but those are silhouette racers, not road-going production models.

Still, that time is not bad at all for the road-going M5, especially considering that it's less than 20 seconds off the best time posted by an LMGTE racer – namely the 2:03.76 set by AF Corse's Davide Rigon in the Ferrari 458 – but we're comparing apples to oranges here. Now if we could see what it'll do around the Nordschleife....

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Acura RDX Prototype Brings New Design Language To Detroit

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 03:03 AM PST


Acura is bringing a new pre-production concept to the Detroit Auto Show, and has released this teaser video to give us an idea of what to expect.

Called the RDX Prototype, the concept is slated to preview the forthcoming third generation of the luxury crossover. And with it, Honda's luxury division is ushering in a new design language.

Not an entirely new one, mind you: dubbed "Precision Crafted Performance," it's a styling direction we've seen on the Precision Concept and Precision Cockpit. Only this time it's being implemented on a production model.

Whatever it's called, it's set to proliferate across all future Acuras once the new RDX is out. And the Prototype (in typical Honda style) will likely emerge as pretty close to what the production version will look like.

Look for Acura to unveil the RDX Prototype in full on January 15 at the Cobo Center in downtown Detroit.

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Porsche 911 On Track For Biggest Selling Year Ever

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 01:35 AM PST


Porsche believes 2018 could be the best-selling year for the 911 in the U.S. on record.

Porsche Cars North America chief executive Klaus Zellmer believes that the host of new 911 variants heading to the U.S. market next year will ensure unprecedented sales figures.

"911 is going to be very strong because we have the GT models that we're not delivering this year but next year. The pent-up demand is enormous there — GT3, GT2 RS. We're going to see huge numbers next year," Zellmer revealed to Automotive News.

Deliveries of the facelifted GT3 are ramping up across the country and early next year, both the GT3 Touring and GT2 RS will land stateside. Shortly after, the 2018 911 Carrera T will reach dealership floors, bringing with it customers looking for a purist's car.

This year, Porsche expects to sell approximately 9,000 911s in the U.S. The highest sales year for the current generation 911 was in 2013 when 10,442 examples were sold.

The increased demand for the 991.2-generation 911 range comes despite the fact that the 992-generation model is just around the corner.

PHOTO GALLERY

FCA Discussing Settlement Over Diesel Emissions Cheating

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 12:03 AM PST


Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is engaging in settlement talks with owners of certain diesel-powered vehicles from the brand.

On Tuesday, a court-appointed advisor revealed that Fiat Chrysler and lawyers of diesel owners have exchanged settlement documents and briefly discussed proposed terms earlier this week alongside the Justice Department, California Air Resources Board and Robert Bosch.

In May, the U.S. Justice Department sued the car manufacturer, claiming that it had used illegal diesel software on roughly 104,000 vehicles sold in the United States since 2014. These diesel controls allowed the vehicles to emit excess pollution during normal driving conditions.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has denied any wrongdoing and claims to have never attempted to create software aimed at cheating emissions rules.

Court settlement master Ken Feinberg revealed to Reuters that all the parties involved are acting in good faith to find a solution.

"We're looking for different substantive ways to secure an early comprehensive settlement. Everybody in good faith is certainly trying to figure out how we might achieve a comprehensive settlement," he said.

PHOTO GALLERY

Subaru Investigating Potential Mileage Cheating

Posted: 20 Dec 2017 08:44 PM PST


Subaru is investigating whether mileage readings of its vehicles have been falsified during final checks.

The Japanese automaker was recently embroiled in a vehicle inspection scandal and if it discovers that fuel efficiency figures have been falsified, Subaru's image could be severely tainted, Reuters reports.

In Japan, the mileage figures show the numbers of kilometers a vehicle can travel on a liter of petrol, and Subaru says it is currently searching for any possible infractions. However, even if unrealistic figures are discovered, it probably won't result in a recall as it would not constitute a safety requirement violation.

"At the moment we are trying to confirm whether data was indeed fabricated, and if so, how this happened and which models are affected," Subaru spokeswoman Miyuki Yasuda said.

Subaru claims that concerns of falsified mileage readings were first expressed as external investigators were working on the aforementioned inspection scandal.

On the back of this news, Subaru shares fell by as much as 8.5 per cent, their lowest since July 2016.

In 2016, approximately 40 per cent of Mitsubishi's market value was wiped out after it admitted to overstating fuel economy figures.

PHOTO GALLERY

Options List Leaks For Upcoming BMW X7 xDrive50i

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 03:35 AM PST


The long-awaited BMW X7 is just around the corner and a list of standard features and options for the upcoming X7 xDrive50i has leaked online.

BMW Blog reports that the X7 xDrive50i will probably be one of the most popular X7 variants and come fitted with a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine delivering 455 hp. The list of standard features confirms that the vehicle will utilize an eight-speed automatic transmission and the company's xDrive all-wheel drive system.

Moving to the options, certainly most interesting is the presence of an M Sport Differential. No existing xDrive-equipped BMW models feature a limited-slip differential, except the recent M5. Consequently, it is possible that the xDrive50i will be offered with an all-wheel drive system very similar to the M5 or alternatively, in a rear-wheel drive variation.

Alongside the M Sport Differential, the options list includes things like ambient lighting, concierge services, rear-seat entertainment, massage seats for the driver and front passenger, soft close automatic doors, remote engine start, and night vision with object recognition.

BMW recently started building pre-production X7s at its Spartanburg plant and is set to use them for homologation, registration, and endurance testing in extreme conditions.

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Honda Wants Tech Partnerships But Not Capital Tie-Ups

Posted: 20 Dec 2017 07:33 PM PST


Honda says it is interested in finding technical partners to accelerate the development of its future range of cars but has no intention of forming capital tie-ups.

In an age where many major car manufacturers are acquiring stakes in rival automakers and rapidly-emerging technology companies, Honda wants to remain independent, chief executive Takahiro Hachigo recently told Automotive News.

"We do have a sense of crisis. Things are changing drastically. So we should not be late in responding. But, it's not the case where we have any plans for such equity holdings," he said.

However, this isn't to say Honda will go it alone in the brave new world of electric and autonomous vehicles. Instead, it continues to form partnerships with various companies and just last week, announced that it will develop artificial intelligence with China's SenseTime. In addition, Honda has partnered with Softbank to research 5G networks for its vehicles.

At CES, Honda will also announce a selection of startups it will support through the Honda Xcelerator incubator program. Other partnerships recently formed by Honda include one to produce and sell EVs with Hitachi and a joint venture with General Motors to build hydrogen fuel cell stacks.

"We don't think it's business as usual. But we must recognize our strengths. If we continue to play to our strengths, we can gradually adapt to these changes and make whatever changes are necessary," Hitachi said of the brand's push for partnerships.

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Kevin Magnussen Tipped As The Latest F1 Driver To Race At Rolex 24

Posted: 20 Dec 2017 07:05 PM PST


Both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will contest January's Daytona 24 Hours and Racer reports that they could be joined by fellow F1 driver Kevin Magnussen.

Insiders suggest the outspoken Danish driver will race for Action Express Racing in its Cadillac DPi-V.R prototype.

If the Haas F1 driver does secure a seat, he will share the circuit with his father, Jan Magnussen, the current IMSA WealtherTech SportsCar Championship GT Le Mans winner. A drive with AXR would see the younger Magnussen partner with Joao Barbosa, Filipe Albuquerque, and Christian Fittipaldi.

When quizzed about the potential recruitment, AXR team manager Gary Nelson kept details close to his chest.

"What's the saying politicians use, 'I cannot confirm or deny what I'm being asked? I'll say this: we're honored to be spoken of in this conversation," he said.

Alonso will compete for United Autosports with one the team's JSP217 prototypes while Stroll has landed a seat with Jackie Chan DC Racing in the Oreca-Gibson 07 prototype.

PHOTO GALLERY

This Is The World's Only Road-Legal Aston Martin Vulcan

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 03:35 AM PST


A small British engineering company dubbed RML Group has just created the world's first street-legal Aston Martin Vulcan.

The firm first announced its road-legal Vulcan plans more than 18 months ago and a couple of days ago, a handful of lucky British journalists were able to jump behind the wheel of the crazy creation.

Unlike the McLaren P1 GTR which is a track-car based around the road-going P1, the Vulcan was designed from the outset with the sole purpose of being limited to track use. Consequently, the modifications RML have made to ensure the Vulcan is road-legal are much more substantial than what Lanzante did with the road-legal P1 GTR.

Up front, we can see that RML has fitted a new bonnet with small headlights and now uses the original headlights in the front bumper as DRLs. Additionally, RML has made numerous other changes to the Vulcan, including the fitment of turn signals on the end plates of the towering carbon fiber rear wing.

Final changes that are apparent in these images are plastic covers over the Vulcan's famous taillights and a pair of small reflectors on the rear fascia.

Impressively, RML has been able to retain the standard 7.0-liter naturally-aspirated V12 delivering an impressive 820 hp.

Aston Martin only produced 24 Vulcans but we wouldn't be surprised to see a handful of other examples outfitted with the road-legal conversion in the near future.






PHOTO GALLERY

Waymo Announces Insurance Coverage For Autonomous Ride-Hailing Service

Posted: 20 Dec 2017 06:04 PM PST


Waymo is looking to solve one of the final major roadblocks for fully-autonomous ride-hailing, announcing insurance coverage for riders with startup Trov.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the insurance startup will provide all Waymo passengers with insurance for lost and damaged property, as well as any medical expenses resulting from accidents.

Google's self-driving car division will include the insurance coverage to all users paying for the upcoming ride-hailing service, eliminating any stress for riders to find their own insurance policies.

The coverage will be underwritten for an unknown sum by a venture capital fund and according to Trov's chief executive, only be available to riders using fully-autonomous Waymo vehicles, not those semi-autonomous ones that feature a Google engineer behind the wheel.

"The coverage will be included as part of Waymo's ride-hailing service, and covers lost or damaged personal articles/property, trip interruption, and medical expense reimbursement. You don't actually select anything as a rider," Trov spokesperson Alex Pitocchelli said.

PHOTO GALLERY

Nissan Coming To 2018 CES With New Technologies, IMx Concept

Posted: 20 Dec 2017 05:30 PM PST


Electrification, autonomous and connected driving are currently all the rage in the automotive industry, and Nissan wants to be at the forefront of these technologies.

Announcing their presence at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, which starts on January 7, the Japanese automaker said it will unveil "a very interesting future technology regarding vehicle control, which may cause a lot of thinking", although it wouldn't provide any more information on the subject.

Anyway, Nissan's CES stand visitors will also have the chance to see the IMx Concept that was revealed last October at the Tokyo Motor Show. Believed to influence the styling of the next-generation Rogue Sport, which is known as Qashqai in Europe, it's underpinned by a new EV platform and powered by two electric motors.

It's also equipped with a new version of Nissan's ProPilot system, which allows it to drive on its own and, once engaged, the steering wheel 'magically' disappears into the dashboard and the seats recline. Not something we expect to see in the near future, but it does show the way things are heading...

The new generation Leaf will also be on display in Las Vegas, demonstrating its ProPilot Assist and e-Pedal features, as will the updated Rogue, which also sports the semi-autonomous driving technology, in addition to other novelties, for the 2018MY.

PHOTO GALLERY



VIDEO

2018 Ford Mustang And Escape Recalled In Separate Safety Campaigns

Posted: 20 Dec 2017 05:00 PM PST


If you've recently taken delivery of a 2018 Mustang, prepare to schedule an appointment with an authorized Ford dealer, as your pony car needs to go in for repairs.

Part of a safety compliance recall, automatic transmission-equipped Mustangs have an "illumination issue" in the instrument cluster.

"If an operator turns off the vehicle with the transmission in a position other than park, the instrument cluster may not illuminate the PRNDL display, and the operator may not receive the key-in-the-ignition warning chime when the driver's door is opened", says Ford.

This issue, which could increase the risk of a vehicle rollaway, affects 2,167 units of the 2018 Mustang, including 2,100 in the United States and federalized territories and 67 in Canada, which were built at Flat Rock from March 14 through November 26, 2017.

The second recall affects 10,610 units of the Ford Escape assembled at Louisville in November 13-29 this year, which may have a problem with their side air curtain diffuser that could prevent the side airbags from fully inflating in the event of a crash.

"In the affected vehicles, the top hat diffuser on the side air curtain inflator may detach from the inflator during deployment and create a tear that could cause the side air curtain to not fully inflate, and the diffuser to potentially become a projectile in the passenger compartment", the Blue Oval explained.

Ford is not aware of any incidents associated with the two issues that affect the Mustang and Escape. Even though it hasn't announced a recall schedule yet, once it does, it will take care of the software update and replacement of the side curtain airbag assemblies, respectively, free of charge.

PHOTO GALLERY

Lamborghini Urus Rendered As A Panamera Sport Turismo Rival

Posted: 20 Dec 2017 04:31 PM PST


Lamborghini have just launched the Urus, which is supposed to be the sportiest SUV on the market right now, so slamming it to the ground doesn't really make any sense.

Well, Kleber Silva disagrees, having penned exactly such a rendering and giving it the 'Sport Turismo' moniker, which reminds us of the second-gen Porsche Panamera's more practical version.

There's no indication whatsoever that Lamborghini is considering a estate shooting brake, and currently they're hard at work promoting the Urus, which won't go on sale at least until next spring when the first units will be shipped to the US with a starting price of $200,000.

For the foreseeable future, we expect Urus to tackle the Nurburgring and try to beat the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio's lap record of 7 minutes and 51.7 seconds, thus claiming the title of the fastest SUV around the Nordschleife.

PHOTO GALLERY

2017 Acura NSX With Custom Exhaust Runs The 1/4 Mile In 11 Seconds

Posted: 20 Dec 2017 04:01 PM PST


Unlike the Tesla Model S, Challenger Hellcat or McLaren 720S, we haven't seen the 2017 Acura NSX doing a lot of quarter-mile runs.

Some might say the reason is that it doesn't have a monstrous amount of power, with a reasonable 581 PS (573 HP) and 686 Nm (506 lb-ft) of torque at its disposal. Well, reasonable for a modern supercar, that is.

Then again, it has been known to demolish the likes of the Lamborghini Aventador and Nissan GT-R in a straight line, so the new NSX is anything but slow.

In this particular case, we've got a mostly stock version that's been fitted with a Fabspeed exhaust system, which definitely makes its presence felt (or rather heard), as it sounds a little more aggressive than usual.

We already knew the NSX could get from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in about 3 seconds flat. However, if you let it go a while longer, it will cover a 1/4 mile in just over 11 seconds and hitting a speed of 124 mph (200 km/h). Not bad at all, is it?

VIDEO

TVR Continues To Test The Griffith Ahead Of Its Launch In 2019

Posted: 20 Dec 2017 03:31 PM PST


Work continues on the TVR Griffith as the company has released a short video of the model undergoing testing.

Filmed in the United Kingdom, the clip shows the car racing by the camera and a handful of onlookers. While there isn't much to see, the Griffith is truly a sight to behold as it has a long sloping hood, a rakish windscreen, and a double bubble roof. Other notable styling features include a side exiting exhaust, a massive rear diffuser, and lightweight wheels which are backed up by a high-performance braking system.

Power is provided by a Ford-sourced 5.0-liter V8 engine that has been tuned by Cosworth. It produces approximately 500 hp (372 kW) and should enable the Griffith to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in less than four seconds before hitting a top speed in excess of 200 mph (321 km/h).

This impressive performance is possible thanks lightweight materials such as carbon fiber and aluminum. They enable the Griffith to weigh 1250 kg (2755 lbs) and have a power-to-weight ratio of 400 hp per tonne.

Deliveries are slated to begin in 2019 and the first 500 models will special editions that cost less than £90,000 ($120,375).

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Photo Gallery

2018 Audi Q3 Gets New Sport Trim In The States

Posted: 20 Dec 2017 03:03 PM PST


Audi is prepping a host of mid-year revisions for the 2018 Q3, which will see the introduction of a new Sport trim in the USA.

Quoting an order guide, CarsDirect states that it will be offered with 19-inch wheels in a 10-spoke pattern with brushed matte aluminum inlays, and two additional metallic colors, called Hainan Blue and Camouflage Green.

Pricing for the 2018 Audi Q3 Sport Premium will commence at $34,875, destination charge included, which makes it $1,000 more expensive than the Q3 Premium. This is justified by the addition of some features from the Convenience Package, such as auto-dimming mirror with compass, power tailgate, and proximity key.

Paying $36,775 will unlock the Sport Premium Plus grade, which can be enhanced furthermore with the Technology Package that includes a Bose premium sound system. Those looking for additional gizmos can have the new S Line Competition Package, for a $2,000 premium. The latter adds 20-inch V-spoke wheels, special exterior touches, sport seats, and flat-bottom steering wheel.

However, as promising as these additions may be, the revised 2018 Audi Q3 still cannot be had with adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning, but it does get the brand's side assist in the Premium Plus trim, which is a blind-spot monitor that's radar-based.

Note: 2016 Audi Q3 pictured

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Tesla Says Certain Owners Can No Longer Use Superchargers

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 03:35 AM PST


Tesla has revealed that all new vehicles it sells that will be used for commercial purposes can no longer use the Supercharger network.

The electric startup recently updated its legal page to specifically "ask" commercial operators of Tesla vehicles not to use the expansive Supercharger network. Tesla defines these 'commercial' vehicles as taxis, those used for ride-sourcing or ride-sharing, delivery and transport vehicles, Tesla's used for government purposes or those used for any other commercial venture.

"If you charge your vehicle in a manner that does not comply with this Supercharger Fair Use Policy, we may ask you to modify this behavior. We may also take additional action to protect the availability of Superchargers for their intended purpose, such as limiting or blocking your vehicle's ability to use Supercharger stations," Tesla asserts.

Tesla initially created the ever-expanding Supercharger network to allow for long-distance travel but as many predicted, owners have started using Superchargers for a whole range of other purposes, including short trips.

The brand's decision will inevitable hurt many commercial operators around the world. A few months ago, Dubai's main taxi company accepted delivery of 50 Model S and Model X vehicles to use as part of an airport taxi fleet. Additionally, there are also large taxi fleets currently operating in the Netherlands, including dozens that have just hit the used car market. These taxi operators will be forced to use other charging stations or to create their own solutions.

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Jeremy Clarkson Meets The Chiron In Next Episode Of The Grand Tour

Posted: 20 Dec 2017 02:32 PM PST


We already knew that the Bugatti Chiron would be featured on the next episode of The Grand Tour. What we didn't know was how Clarkson felt about it.

This trailer for tomorrow's third episode of the show's second season answers a few questions regarding not just the Chiron segment, but also what Captain Slow's been up to with the Kia Stinger GT.

Apparently, he's going to channel his inner-Clarkson and powerslide the Stinger around a bend in Mallorca, and also challenge Hammond to car park racing, a new sport meant to "relieve the boredom of office lunchtimes."

The two hosts will apparently be racing using a BMW M3 and a Seat Leon Cupra and there will be some sliding around involved, which the M3 is quite good at.

Episode 3 is scheduled to air tomorrow on Amazon Prime Video.

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2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata Boasts Modest Changes And Lower Prices

Posted: 20 Dec 2017 02:44 PM PST


Mazda has announced a series of updates to the 2018 MX-5 Miata.

Set to go on sale next month, the 2018 MX-5 features a handful of exterior changes including a newly available Dark Cherry soft top. The model also has an expanded color palette that now includes Eternal Blue Mica, Snowflake White Peal Mica, and Soul Red Crystal.

The entry-level MX-5 Sport starts at $25,295 and the model gains a newly standard passive entry system and a 7-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system.

The $29,155 MX-5 Club now has heated cloth seats with red contrast stitching. The car's $3,770 Brembo/BBS Package gains heated black leather seats while there's an all-new Brembo/BBS Recaro Package that costs $4,470 and includes Recaro sport seats.

The MX-5 Grand Touring starts at $30,195 and the only change is the addition of newly optional Auburn Nappa leather upholstery which costs $300.

On the performance front, the cars have been equipped with a retuned power steering system and a revised rear suspension. Mazda says these changes "provide an even more surefooted ride."

Power is provided by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 155 hp (115 kW). It sends power to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic transmission.

Photo Gallery

2018 Jeep Wrangler Configurator Goes Live, Reveals Auto Gearbox Costs $2K

Posted: 20 Dec 2017 01:05 PM PST


The Jeep faithful can hardly wait to get their hands on the 2018 Wrangler and they're getting one step closer as the company has released its configurator for the upcoming model.

The two-door Wrangler Sport starts at $26,995 while the four-door variant begins at $30,495. Pricing quickly climbs from there and maxes out at $36,995 for the two-door Wrangler Rubicon and $40,495 for the four-door model. When options are added into the equation, it's not hard to hit the $50,000 mark for the range-topping off-roader.

While options vary by model, a few notable choices are the $595 Cold Weather Group which includes heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and an engine block heater. Customers can also opt for the $1,295 Electronic Infotainment System Group which adds an Alpine premium audio system, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and an 8.4-inch infotainment system with GPS navigation.

Owners will also be tempted by leather seats that cost $1,495 and the $2,195 Dual Top Group which includes a three-piece hard top and a premium Sunrider soft top.

One of the more surprising options is the eight-speed automatic transmission that costs $2,000. For comparison, the previous five-speed automatic retailed for just $1,400.

H/T to JLWranglerForums

Photo Gallery

Virgin Hyperloop One Reaches Record 240 MPH During Testing

Posted: 20 Dec 2017 12:47 PM PST


While many pundits continue to question the idea of the Hyperloop, the Virgin-sponsored company looking to make Elon Musk's dream a reality has reached a new milestone.

During recent testing, Virgin Hyperloop One was able to propel its pod to a top speed of 240 mph (386 km/h), an improvement on its previous best of 192 mph from August.

Virgin Hyperloop One has a 1,600-foot-long DevLoop track in the Nevada desert where it continues to test. The company claims that it has created a nearly airless environment for the 28-foot-long pod, mimicking the air pressure found at 200,000 feet above sea level. Magnetic levitation ensured the pod hovered above the track during the test.

Elsewhere within Virgin Hyperloop One, the firm has received a cash injection of $50 million and plans to name Richard Branson as chairman. Axios also reports that the Hyperloop startup, founded in 2014, was in desperate need of cash and recently threatened the employment of roughly 300 people.

Other companies building their own Hyperloop systems include Hyperloop Transportation Technologies and Elon Musk's own The Boring Company.

VIDEO

First Drive: Is The New X-Class A True Mercedes Of Pickup Trucks?

Posted: 21 Dec 2017 03:36 AM PST


It's been a little over one year since Mercedes gave us a taste of their first ever mid-size pickup truck in the form of the X-Class Concept, and now, we've driven the real deal on both motorways and snow-covered mountain roads.

This isn't just Mercedes' first pickup truck, but the first such mid-size vehicle for any premium automaker, which the Germans themselves will happily point out, while also highlighting the fact that they were also the first to the luxury SUV game with the M-Class.

Whether the X-Class will have the same effect on the industry, spurring other premium manufacturers to follow suit, remains to be seen.

Benz' mid-size premium pickup is aimed at a wide range of individuals, who don't necessarily have specific (or heavy duty) professional needs, but are looking for a light duty truck with a premium badge.

A Tale Of Two Halves

By now, most of you probably know that the X-Class shares the same underpinnings as the Nissan Navara NP300 and the Renault Alaskan. It also shares some of the styling, which is quite evident unless you're looking at it directly from the front.

In the flesh, the production model isn't as imposing as any of the two X-Class concepts from last year, the Stylish Explorer and the Powerful Adventurer. Then again, concepts are meant to make an impression on shows and very rarely make the transition to the production line without a host of changes.

Buying an X-Class will cost you a lot less than a GLE, and that's been made possible, as the company admits, by teaming up with Nissan, which meant there were restrictions to what Merc's designers could (or couldn't) change. The badge does help, obviously, as does the elegant and purposeful Mercedes-Benz design language around the front fascia; you'd probably think it was a Mercedes SUV if you saw it in your rear-view mirror.




If styling is anywhere near the top of your list, we recommend you spring for the flagship 'Power' model, as it looks considerably more upscale than the base 'Pure' or the mid-range 'Progressive' ones. Which, as we shall see, does have a lot to do with the interior, too.

Choose Your "Class" Wisely

The reason why you should care whether you buy a top-spec X-Class or the entry or mid-level model goes a little bit beyond just equipment levels. Jumping from the mid-spec Progressive model into the flagship Power version feels a lot like making the switch between a regular Ford and a Vignale, quality-wise. The materials not only look better - they are better, as you get leather on top of the dashboard and door panels, like you would expect on a Mercedes-Benz, instead of hard plastics.

At its best, the X-Class can pull off a "Mercedes feel" once you take a seat behind its leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel, but again, this applies to the Power version, otherwise the quality level is pretty much on par with the industry standard. Not a bad thing per se, but it might disappoint some customers who expect a certain level of quality from a Mercedes.

Otherwise, the interior is well laid out and the ergonomics are sound, with all vital commands within reach. The only problem I had was the poor visibility up front once I started using the wipers to clear away all the snow and mud being kicked around. It accumulated right next to the already thick A-pillar, making it even harder to see around tight corners.

A base trim will land you some fairly decent standard equipment on the entry-level 'Pure' model, such as the 'Tunja' black fabric upholstery, manually adjustable driver's and co-driver's seats, chrome outlining and high-gloss black details around the air vents, 7-inch infotainment display with Bluetooth connectivity and available USB ports, air conditioning and a reversing camera.

As expected, it's the flagship Power spec that comes with all the bells and whistles, like LED headlights and taillights, retractable/heated side mirrors, lumbar support for the electrically-adjustable driver and passenger seats, keyless go, cruise control, Active Brake Assist, Thermotronic climate system and more.

There's also a quite comprehensive list of optional extras, such as 19" wheels, 360-degree camera, Comand Online system, 7-speed automatic gearbox, brown leather, and the Winter package, this being the spec I enjoyed most, mostly thanks to the nut brown Artico leather with top-stitching. It's the type of thing you expect from a Mercedes-Benz product.




As for how roomy the X-Class is, there's plenty of space in the front, although the rear can get a little cramped if you're a reasonably tall individual and you like to travel with ample knee and leg room.

Heavy Foot? Heavy Car

After driving the X250d across various surfaces, from motorways to back roads, plus some mild off-roading (we'll get to that in a bit), I'm quite confident in saying that its 2.3-liter turbo-diesel engine, even with 190 PS (there's a 160 PS version, too), could use more power the same way a mountain climber could use extra oxygen on his way to the summit.

Like its rivals such as the VW Amarok or the Ford Ranger, the X-Class is a heavy vehicle, weighing over 2.2 tons (4,850 lbs) if you add the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. That makes it heavier than a GLE, which generally carries well over 200 horses.

The figures state that the X250d gets from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 11.8 seconds, yet it's at high speed where the X-Class struggles most. With that in mind, the upcoming V6 diesel that's due in 2018 should make for a much better purchase if you really want the best of both worlds, as it will have 258 PS and 550 Nm (405) of torque.

Otherwise, the X250d 4MATIC should still satisfy those who enjoy low-end grunt and, most of all, silence – yes, the diesel-powered X-Class is surprisingly quiet for its segment, at idle as well as on the move, keeping wind and tire noise in check. Paired with the good overall ride quality, it's a solid achievement for the boys from Stuttgart.

As for handling and maneuverability, it's pretty much what you'd expect from a mid-size pickup truck, meaning the steering is on the numb side (albeit good for a pickup truck) and it feels heavy at low speeds, while the poor turning cycle will often force you to perform multiple maneuvers during parking. At regular and motorway speeds, the X-Class feels sufficiently planted and stable, similar to most of its truck rivals, but not as good as an SUV.

No Tarmac? No Problem

We didn't do any serious off-roading with the X-Class, but we did tackle plenty of snowy and rough surfaces that would normally make a regular family crossover struggle to make it through. The X-Class handled itself with poise and felt sturdy regardless of what the course threw at it. The ride was also smoother than in most, if not all, other mid-size pickup trucks I've driven.

The X250d can go about its business using either rear-wheel drive, or, when the going gets tough, four-wheel drive (4H – High or 4L - Low). It's not permanent AWD though, which is a feature reserved for the X350d.



You can also haul a payload of 1.1 tonnes (2,425 lbs) with it, and tow as much as 3.5 tonnes (7,716 lbs). As for what it can really do in extreme conditions, it's got a maximum fording depth of 600 mm (23.6 in), a 30-degrees angle of approach and you can tilt it at nearly 50 degrees (49 to be precise).

A Merc That's Priced Close To A Volkswagen

If you're truly in the market for a mid-size pickup, you might be intrigued to learn that, in certain markets, the X is similarly priced to something like a Ford Ranger Double Cab. We already know that the X-Class starts off from €37,294 in Germany, whereas UK buyers will spend upwards of £27,310 – about the same as you would on a VW Amarok, albeit the V-Dub comes with a V6 TDI engine as standard over there. A quick round-up of all the numbers does show that you'd spend a little more on the X-Class, but for fans of the star, the price gap could be considered negligible.

Unfortunately for US-buyers, the X-Class isn't coming their way. It will, however, make it to South Africa, Australia and New Zealand in early 2018, with Argentina and Brazil to follow in early 2019.

So, What's The Verdict?

We didn't really know what to expect from the X-Class at first. The concept looked pretty good and its cabin was definitely an upgrade compared to any mid-size pickup out there. In production reality though, unless you go for the flagship model, you're not getting the whole Mercedes-Benz experience you might expect if you're used to their passenger cars. So yes, the X-Class is at its best when it's got everything going for it, but in the end, that's understandable seen as how it's not designed from scratch and, more importantly, it's competitively priced, especially for a Benz.

Let's just go ahead and call the X-Class a very strong swing at the mid-size pickup segment crown. Time will tell if it can actually claim it, seeing as how there are so many competent alternatives out there, but a) it's got some pretty strong features going for it, and b) it's the only one wearing a premium badge, which might very well play into its hand.

Photos: Andrei Tobosaru/Mercedes-Benz Vans Romania

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BMW's 2021 iNext Could Be Badged The i9

Posted: 20 Dec 2017 11:35 AM PST


BMW has been talking about its 2021 iNext for well over 18 months but so far failed to confirm what the production model will be called.

However, a recent press release issued by the company celebrating its EV sales success in 2017, confirms that BMW has secured the naming rights for BMW i1 to i9 and BMW iX1 to iX9, confirming recent reports.

Furthermore, the statement confirms that the iNext will act as the "brand's new technology flagship." Put two and two together and there's a very real possibility the brand will affix the i9 name to the vehicle because of this. Alternatively, if the iNext turns out to be an SUV, it could be dubbed the iX9.

When the BMW iNext launches, it will establish the carmaker's electro-mobility future and lead the way with Level 4 self-driving functions. Included in the iNext's bespoke interior will be a host of advanced connectivity functions seen for the first time in a series-production model, BMW claims.

Powering the iNext will be an all-electric powertrain using the marque's upcoming fifth-generation batteries. A range in excess of 400 miles (643 km) is on the cards.

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