CARSCOOPS |  |
- A Ferrari F40 In British Racing Green? Well, Why Not? [w/Video]
- Tesla Excluded From EV Subsidies In Germany, Company Denies Wrongdoing
- Study Claims One In Six New Cars Will Be Electric By 2025
- Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Officially Launches With New Livery, Driver Lineup
- China's GAC Motor Announces It Will Enter The US Market By 2019
- $830k For A Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman Is Quite A Stretch
- Uber-Waymo Trial Delayed As Judge Discovers Uber Withheld Evidence
- Maserati Is Mulling A Midsize SUV, But We'll Have To Wait
- 2018 XC40 Might Just Become A Money-Printing Machine For Volvo
- What Aston's New Vantage Could Look Like With A Liberty Walk Suit
- Kia Stinger Vs Civic Type R, Focus RS And Golf R Is An Odd Battle
- Ferrari 488 GTB By Misha Designs Is Absolutely OTT
- 86-Year Old Woman Wrecks Multiple Cars In Parking Lot
- Widebody Kit And Huge Alloys Make The Challenger SRT Look Even More Macho
- We Think The 2019 CLS Looks Way Better Than Its Predecessor - What Say You?
- Is Mazda Secretly Working On A Rotary-Powered Sports Car?
- This Ferrari LaFerrari Doesn’t Mind Going For A Little Swim
- Jeep's 707 HP Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Gets RHD To Rock The UK
- Should You Consider An Oddball Like Spyker's C8 Spyder?
| A Ferrari F40 In British Racing Green? Well, Why Not? [w/Video] Posted: 03 Dec 2017 03:57 AM PST  What do you do if you're a prolific car collector, have some spare money and aren't worried about affecting the resale value of an iconic supercar you own? If you're Eugenio Amos, you paint your Ferrari F40 in British Racing Green. Images of the car were shared on the owner's Instagram page and, to our surprise, the color, officially dubbed Verde Abetone, actually looks incredible on one of the most desirable Ferrari models ever produced. To create such a unique car, the F40 spent roughly three months in an Italian paint shop undergoing its comprehensive transformation. To complement the new paint, the seats and headliner were also modified and covered in Cuoio Schedoni-colored alcantara. Amos also owns a Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR, Porsche 911 GT1 Strassenversion and more, so his green F40 should be right at home in a truly bonkers collection. VIDEOPHOTO GALLERY   |
| Tesla Excluded From EV Subsidies In Germany, Company Denies Wrongdoing Posted: 03 Dec 2017 02:55 AM PST  Elon Musk is surely buoyant about Tesla, but he won't be happy with Germany's Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Controls (BAFA) decision to removed the EV maker's models from the list of electric cars eligible for subsidies. This has sparked a row between Tesla and BAFA over whether the Model S is too expensive to qualify for the incentive, Reuters reports. Germany's incentive scheme for electrified vehicles has a price cap of 60,000 euros ($71,500), and BAFA claims that Tesla customers cannot order the base version of the Model S without ticking some extra features first, which pushes its price above the price limit. "This is a completely false accusation. Anyone in Germany can order a Tesla Model S base version without the comfort package, and we have delivered such cars to customers," Tesla said in a statement. Tesla has also said that the price cap was initially set by the German government to exclude them, but later the two sides reached a compromise "that allows Tesla to sell a low option vehicle that qualifies for the incentive and customers can subsequently upgrade if they wish." The EV maker also said that they would investigate whether any customers were denied the entry-level version. "If a sales person told a customer they could not buy the Model S base version without the comfort package, this is not accurate and clearly outside our policies and procedures and we will investigate and take appropriate action as necessary." Under Germany's incentive scheme, buyers can get 4,000 euros off the price of a new electric vehicle and 3,000 euros off a new plug-in hybrid. PHOTO GALLERY         |
| Study Claims One In Six New Cars Will Be Electric By 2025 Posted: 03 Dec 2017 03:39 AM PST  According to an UBS global autos study, 16% of cars sold around the world in the year 2025 will be electric, and most of them will be wearing a Tesla badge.The study, which you can check out here, also indicates that total EV sales should hit 16.5 million by the middle of the next decade, marking a 16% increase over previous estimates of a 14 percent share, reports Bloomberg. "The shift to electric cars will come faster and in a more pronounced way, fueled by the diesel demise in Europe, battery technology advancements and regulation in China and Europe," said UBS analyst Patrick Hummel, who expects Tesla to be on top when it's all said and done. Yet, it's also looking like Europe will have the highest EV market penetration, with nearly 30% of all new cars sold expected to be electrified. Meanwhile, established automakers such as BMW and Daimler AG continue to spend billions trying to leapfrog Tesla, but may find that this is not an easy task. "Tesla's increasing popularity seems directly correlated to the launch of the Model 3, the brand's first mass-market car. Most of the other brands have lost ground in the current survey," Hummel concluded. PHOTO GALLERY        |
| Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Officially Launches With New Livery, Driver Lineup Posted: 03 Dec 2017 02:01 AM PST  Alfa Romeo and Sauber are opening new chapters in their respective histories as they embark upon a new Formula One collaboration starting next season. That partnership got off to a good start this weekend at the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo outside Milan where the team revealed both its new livery and its driver lineup for next season. The color scheme, as you can see, is primarily white at the nose and sidepods, and red at the upper air intake and engine cover. The prominence of the Alfa Romeo emblems marks not only the first time that the Italian marque will be represented (beyond some small logos on Ferrari's cars) for the first time in over 30 years, but the welcome arrival of a primary sponsor for the Swiss team that's been struggling since parting with BMW. Driving for the newly rechristened team will be Marcus Ericsson and Charles Leclerc. Ericsson has been with Sauber since 2015 (when he joined from the now defunct Caterham outfit) and was believed to be the team's choice for next season. Leclerc is a Ferrari prodigy fresh from securing the title in the FIA Formula 2 Championship, the series formerly known as GP2 with past champs including Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton, McLaren driver Stoffel Vandoorne, and Toro Rosso's Pierre Gasly. Leclerc is also no stranger to the Sauber team, having test-driven for it six times this past season (and Haas several times the one before that). His role as the team's primary test driver will be taken next year by Antonio Giovinazzi, another Ferrari prodigy who contested two races for Sauber in 2017 and was a test driver for both Haas and Ferrari. The question is whether the talent and the financial support will help Sauber find its way back up the pack. From the second- and third-place finishes it achieved a decade ago, the team has fallen to 10th place in the standings these past two season, which for 2017 equals dead last since Manor dropped out. Photo Gallery                                Video   |
| China's GAC Motor Announces It Will Enter The US Market By 2019 Posted: 02 Dec 2017 11:59 PM PST  China's GAC Motor has quietly announced the brand will be launched in the United States in the next two years. In a statement, GAC Motor president Yu Jun said: "We are building the first North America R&D Center in Silicon Valley this year and planning to enter the North American market by 2019." The executive went on to say the company has always had ambitions of being a "world-class Chinese brand" that is sold globally. As part of the company's North American launch, the automaker will have a presence at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. GAC says we can expect a "blockbuster lineup" that includes an all-new concept car as well as the GA4, GA8, GM8, and GS8. GAC Motor is owned by the GAC Group, which also owns the Trumpchi brand. Trumpchi had been eyeing a U.S. launch but, as we reported in April, the company was considering changing its name due to the fact that it sounds like a tribute to President Trump. At the time, GAC Group President Fend Xingya had commented: "At first I'd never thought of it, why change the name? It's the president Americans selected, it's similar to the president's name, this has to be good right? But in the United States the level of opposition [to Trump] is high." The BBC recently noted executives were "taken aback" by the response they received at the 2017 North American International Auto Show and have been considering changing the name ever since. Launching under the brand under the GAC Motor name will likely solve this problem, but we don't know if the company is even exploring that option. Photo Gallery    |
| $830k For A Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman Is Quite A Stretch Posted: 02 Dec 2017 06:38 PM PST  For most of us, a "regular" Mercedes-Benz S-Class would be more than sufficiently accommodating and luxurious. But that's just the starting point, as above the standard S-Class there is the Maybach version, and above that, the Pullman. And there just happens to be one up for sale. Daimler's flagship sedan, the Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman measures over 21 feet long, making it longer than the extended-wheelbase versions of the Bentley Mulsanne and Rolls-Royce Phantom and putting it in the same league as the Mulliner Grand Limousine. According to Carlink International, the Dutch dealer listing this example on JamesEdition, only six examples were made, and this is the only one currently available for sale. It's done up in black and sports a beige interior, with just about every option in the book thrown in. So, as you might have guessed, it's not exactly cheap. The asking price of €697,480 works out to about $830k at current exchange rates. For that kind of scratch, you could just about get yourself a fleet of ten base S-Class sedans, or five "ordinary" Maybachs. For our part, we'd gladly take just one Maybach S-Class in which to be chauffeured around, and spend the rest on a supercar for the weekends. The truth is, though, that anyone who would even consider a limousine so opulent as this doesn't have to choose between one or the other... Photo Gallery                    |
| Uber-Waymo Trial Delayed As Judge Discovers Uber Withheld Evidence Posted: 02 Dec 2017 05:22 PM PST  A U.S. judge has delayed the impending trial between Uber and Waymo after discovering that the ride-hailing company withheld evidence in a lawsuit filed by Waymo. On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge William Alsup was provided with a 37-page letter fromr former Uber security analyst Richard Jacobs' lawyer. Uber should have provided Waymo with a copy of this letter as both sides prepared their respective cases and, well, it didn't. In turn, Judge Alsup agreed to Waymo's request for the trial to be delayed from its scheduled start next week, Reuters reports. Speaking in the court, Judge Alsup hit out at Uber's decision to withhold evidence: "I can't trust anything you say because it's been proven wrong so many times. You're just making the impression that this is a total cover-up." In the letter, it is alleged that there was an organization within Uber dubbed 'marketplace analytics' whose sole purpose was "acquiring trade secrets, code base and competitive intelligence." In his testimony, Richard Jacobs said the operation within Uber aimed to gather data about competitors and erase any possible paper trail. PHOTO GALLERY        |
| Maserati Is Mulling A Midsize SUV, But We'll Have To Wait Posted: 02 Dec 2017 04:10 PM PST  Maserati claims it isn't in a hurry to launch a second crossover, despite acknowledging the fact that midsize SUVs are the fastest growing sector in the industry. Speaking to Motor 1 at the ongoing LA Auto Show, Maserati boss Reid Bigland said there "isn't any big rush" for Maserati to make a second SUV that will join the Levante in its range. Interestingly, Bigland's statement comes just four weeks after Fiat Chrysler Automobiles chief executive Sergio Marchionne said Maserati was intending on launching a second SUV by 2020. Although Bigland is remaining tight-lipped about the second SUV, Marchionne told the media last month that the vehicle will use the Giorgio rear-wheel drive / all-wheel drive platform of the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio, rather than the platform used by the Levante and Ghibli. According to Bigland, any possible SUV to slot below the Levante must be clearly differentiated from its Alfa Romeo sibling and worthy of the more expensive price tag. PHOTO GALLERY        |
| 2018 XC40 Might Just Become A Money-Printing Machine For Volvo Posted: 02 Dec 2017 08:16 PM PST  Volvo's first compact SUV, the XC40, is being launched across the world and now is the time to find out if there's any substance to its style. The 2018 XC40 was designed from a clean sheet of paper and also the first vehicle to be based on Volvo's new CMA modular architecture, which was developed for compact models. Volvo also claims that, despite its compact dimensions, the XC40 offers plenty of room for a small family and a "radically new approach to storage inside the car". European models will initially be offered with two 2.0-liter engines and all-wheel drive: the 247hp T5 petrol and the 190hp D4 diesel, both of them paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. A smaller three-cylinder petrol, as well as plug-in hybrid and pure electric versions are expected to be added in the range later on. Carwow have gotten their hands on Volvo's compact SUV and deliver their first driving impressions in the following video. VIDEO   |
| What Aston's New Vantage Could Look Like With A Liberty Walk Suit Posted: 02 Dec 2017 02:00 PM PST  We have seen how the recently unveiled 2018 Aston Martin Vantage might look like as a Volante and a Shooting Brake, but can you imagine it being fitted with something designed Liberty Walk, who specializes in OTT bodykits? The first who gave this idea a go is Aksyonov Nikita, who designed a virtual iteration of the baby Aston Martin with a new front bumper with an adjustable apron, bolt-on fenders, and finished the entire car in a carbon-like coat. We wouldn't be surprised if the Japanese tuner do their thing with the new Vantage, and when they do, we will see if their mods for the actual car bear any resemblance to this rendering. Until then, though, all that we and future owners of the British sports car can do is play around with the online configurator, which could turn out to be quite addictive. PHOTO GALLERY      |
| Kia Stinger Vs Civic Type R, Focus RS And Golf R Is An Odd Battle Posted: 02 Dec 2017 12:56 PM PST  The guys from Drive set out to pick the best performance car under AUD $60,000 (USD $45,434), and they chose four distinct vehicles to do so. What they brought were the Ford Focus RS Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf R, three hot hatches that need no further introduction. However, the Kia Stinger Si is the fourth addition, as it has a starting price that falls within the AUD $60k budget, 365 horsepower and 510 Newton-meters (376lb-ft) of torque from a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 petrol engine. Granted, the Kia Stinger is not a direct rival to the rest of the group as it is larger and competes against four-door premium compact coupes such as the Audi A5 Sportback and BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe - plus it's rear-wheel drive. This alone might be enough to make enthusiasts favor it over the super hatchbacks, but can it challenge them as a performance machine? There's only one way to find out: just check out the following video. VIDEO   |
| Ferrari 488 GTB By Misha Designs Is Absolutely OTT Posted: 02 Dec 2017 12:01 PM PST  Tuning house Misha Designs have released new images of their tuned Ferrari 488 GTB, which was originally presented at the 2017 SEMA Show. Finished in Satin Lime Green that's contrasted by the exposed carbon fiber parts, the Italian supercar has a new carbon fiber widebody that increases the 488's width by 3in (7.6cm) on each side. The new front and rear bumpers, massive wing, tinted windows, special decals and Savini alloy wheels shod in Toyo tires round up the list of exterior upgrades. This kit will be available in a limited run of 20 units, and it doesn't include any mechanical upgrades. Still, if extra power is your thing, you may want to wait for the Prancing Horse to unveil the hardcore version of the 488, which is rumored that it will get the GTO moniker. Expected to arrive next year, Ferrari's challenger to the McLaren 720S and Lamborghini Huracan Performante is believed to shed a few pounds from its total weight and put out in excess of 700 HP and 600lb-ft (813Nm) of torque, in addition to other upgrades that are supposed to make it even more agile. PHOTO GALLERY                      |
| 86-Year Old Woman Wrecks Multiple Cars In Parking Lot Posted: 02 Dec 2017 08:16 PM PST  Whether this was a case of mistaking the accelerator for the brake, or perhaps some type of medical emergency, we do not know; what we do know is that, thankfully, no one was hurt. Losing control of a car in a parking lot is extremely dangerous, mostly because you could easily hit somebody before they had a chance to get in their car. According to the description of the video, the camera only started rolling after the elderly woman first hit that white Honda CR-V. What followed was her putting the car into drive and reverse multiple times, acting as if she was in a demolition derby. "Right away I thought it was road rage," said one of the witnesses speaking with Fox LA. Meanwhile, another witness claimed the elderly woman said her car was out of control. Following the incident, the police issued her a request for a priority re-evaluation by the DMV, yet until that actually takes place, she can still drive. As for any injuries sustained, she only had scratches on her arms from the airbags that, inadvertently, deployed. VIDEO   |
| Widebody Kit And Huge Alloys Make The Challenger SRT Look Even More Macho Posted: 02 Dec 2017 10:00 AM PST  We have nothing against the stock alloys with which Dodge fits its Challenger, in all its various iterations. But a vehicle with that much presence on the street is just begging for a wheel swap. That's just what Forgiato did to this silver example, fitting it with a set of its forged Appuntito-ECL rims in silver with cobalt-blue trim. The deep-dish alloys do an excellent job of showcasing the SRT's big vented Brembo brakes with their red calipers and are coated in a thin layer of Pirelli P Zero Nero rubber. While we can't quite make out just how big these particular units are, they come in sizes ranging from 19 inches all the way up to 26 – and they look a fair bit bigger than the stock 20-inchers. Now, this appears to be a "regular" Challenger SRT, which comes standard these days with 485 horsepower – not the 707-horse Hellcat or the 840-hp Demon. But it certainly looks the business thanks to the aftermarket widebody kit it's wearing, which is perfect for keeping those big rollers inside the fenders. Photo Gallery        |
| We Think The 2019 CLS Looks Way Better Than Its Predecessor - What Say You? Posted: 02 Dec 2017 11:47 AM PST  One of the most important premieres at this week's LA Auto Show was the all-new 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS. And what most people were impressed about was it's design. Not its features, not even its engine range, but its styling - which to be fair, was to be expected since it's marketed as a sportier alternative to the conventional E-Class, on which it is based. The first-generation CLS went about doing that in spectacular fashion. It was the world's first four-door coupe, and it's because of that model that Audi followed suit with the A7 Sportback, and BMW the 6-Series Gran Coupe. So after creating a brand new niche and impressing just about everybody with the first-generation CLS, Mercedes took some of heat for the design of the second-generation model, which all but abandoned its predecessor's sleek and uninterrupted exterior styling. With the all-new model, Mercedes ditched the 2nd-gen's heavily styled exterior and sort of went back to its roots with this new car. The all-new 2019 CLS should actually remind you of the first-gen car. Don't believe it? Check it out: W219 Mercedes-Benz CLS (2005-2010)  As you can see, the German automaker has again opted to let all design elements flow freely and uninterrupted, from the edge of the headlights all the way to the rear of the car. You could say the 2nd-gen was over-styled, whereas its successor is more lithe - which is definitely an improvement. Furthermore, the 2019 CLS also looks a bit more like a proper coupe thanks to its pointy front end, whereas the previous one could have been any other Mercedes model based on its headlight, grille, bonnet and front bumper design, especially after the facelift. The rear is probably the least impressive aspect of the new model's looks, but at least the new CLS' derriere is about as different as it gets compared to what we saw on the 2nd-gen model and, once again, not as heavily stylized. The interior is also clearly an improvement over its predecessor's cabin, which received a new steering wheel and some new materials after its update in 2014. So if you love what Mercedes are doing with the all-new E-Class, you'll probably feel the same way about the CLS - it's even got illuminated air vents, not to mention all the safety tech that have trickled down from the flagship S-Class. The new CLS is also more practical, as it is, for the very first time, a five-seater, although to fit three adults in the rear might need some concessions on their part. To be fair, this kind of makes it a little less exclusive than both of its predecessors, yet Mercedes might end up selling more cars because of the extra passenger room. So there you have it. An iconic model has been redesigned to look more like the car that started it all and yet be in line with the brand's corporate styling language while still retaining its own identity. Merc's designers definitely deserve the kudos for making this happen. To be fair, though, this is our take in comparing the two models, and taste is definitely subjective; so what do you think, is the all-new CLS an improvement or not? Feel free to chip in at the comments section below. PHOTO GALLERY                                |
| Is Mazda Secretly Working On A Rotary-Powered Sports Car? Posted: 02 Dec 2017 07:58 AM PST  Mazda remains intrinsically linked to the rotary engine which, according to senior executives within the company, might just make a (long awaited) comeback. Of course, we've heard this all before. In fact, Mazda officials have, in the past 18 months, suggested lots of times that the rotary could return. However, the automaker has failed to commit to a new rotary-powered sports car. Despite this, Mazda North American design director Julien Montousse recently told Motoring that the carmaker continues to secretly working on a new rotary. "When I go to Hiroshima, there are some buildings where I'm not even allowed to go, where you know they're working on something that they truly trust is the future, there's such passion, and they're protecting it to a point where I can't even have access, but I know it's very promising," he said. According to Montousse, revising the rotary engine into something suitable for strict emissions regulations has become somewhat of a passion project for the company. "I mean it's part of our DNA. Mazda has this kind of insane passion for the brand and what it represents and that engine is part of it. Kogai [Mazda CEO] mentioned many times that we would only come out with it when it's ready and when it makes sense. "For the past 15 years they've never stopped [working on rotary]. I know they're working on it extremely hard, and with considerable investment behind it," he said. In October, Mazda confirmed that the rotary will return in 2019 but act as a range extender for an electric model. It seems as though enthusiasts will have to wait a little longer for a high-performance rotary to follow suit. PHOTO GALLERY        |
| This Ferrari LaFerrari Doesn’t Mind Going For A Little Swim Posted: 02 Dec 2017 11:57 AM PST  Relax, no one lost control and ended up in the water or was crazy enough to try and turn Ferrari's hybrid hypercar into an amphibious machine; but even so, we highly doubt many owners would even think about putting their precious LaFerrari through this. In fact, it's interesting to see a LaFerrari stepping out of its comfort zone, even for a few precious seconds. That's because most of its siblings are locked away for the cold season, and some for most of their lives as their owners are waiting for them to appreciate in order to make loads of money after floating them in the "used" exotic car market. The short film reminds us of another one, posted on social media last month, where a bunch of exotics, including a LaFerrari and a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, were taken off-roading and got those precious and sexy bodies dirty. As was the case with that clip, this one may have been inspired by the famous YouTube Channel 'TaxTheRich', which has done a fain number of stunts with numerous high-end cars over the years. VIDEO   |
| Jeep's 707 HP Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Gets RHD To Rock The UK Posted: 02 Dec 2017 05:59 AM PST  Jeep has confirmed that it will produce a right-hand drive version of the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and make it available in the United Kingdom. Speaking to Auto Express at the ongoing LA Auto Show, Jeep boss Mike Manley said the vehicle has been given the go-ahead. Unfortunately, he failed to divulge any other details about the right-hand drive Trackhawk, including whether or not it will be sold in other RHD markets, such as Australia. Sitting beneath the brutish bodywork of the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is the company's 6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat V8 delivering a mighty 707 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to an all-wheel drive system and eight-speed automatic transmission, the super SUV accelerates to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 3.5 seconds, covers the quarter mile in 11.6 seconds at 116 mph and can reach a top speed of 180 mph (289 km/h). Like the Grand Cherokee SRT8, the Trackhawk has an impressive 7,200 lbs towing capacity, and in the UK should comfortably undercut its rivals, such as the BMW X5 M and Porsche Cayenne Turbo, on price. PHOTO GALLERY        |
| Should You Consider An Oddball Like Spyker's C8 Spyder? Posted: 02 Dec 2017 04:57 AM PST  Introduced way back in 2008, the Spyker C8 Spyder remains an intriguing sports car. Created by Dutch automaker Spyker Cars, the C8 Spyder never sold in large numbers and failed to make a significant mark on the industry like the Pagani Zonda, for example, did. Of course, the C8 Spyder was much cheaper than any Pagani, but it's hard not to compare the two, particularly when it comes to their interiors. Both the C8 and Zonda feature incredibly bespoke components and use aluminum in abundance. As Doug DeMuro recently discovered in a test of the C8, it is the sports car's interior that makes it truly extraordinary. Rather than slapping some carbon fiber across the cabin, Spyker instead opted for a combination of lush leather and polished aluminum. Without a doubt the coolest aluminum component of the C8 Spyder is the shifter, which includes an exposed shifting linkage and makes gated shifters seem somewhat bland. In base specification, the C8 Spyder features an Audi-sourced 4.2-liter V8 engine delivering 394 hp, while the latest version, the C8 Preliator, uses a Koenigsegg-sourced V8. VIDEO   |
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