Thursday 7 December 2017

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This Nissan GT-R Could Smash Its Own Six-Second 1/4 Mile World Record

Posted: 07 Dec 2017 04:30 AM PST


AMS Performance has continued development of the world's first six-second, street-legal Nissan GT-R, which is now looking to go faster than it ever has before on the drag strip.

Earlier this year, this car, owned by drag racing enthusiast Gidi Chambi, ran a record 6.937 second quarter mile, thus becoming the quickest GT-R on the planet. Equipped with a host of mechanical modifications and a new rose gold chrome wrap, it's possible we might be looking at the world's quickest Nissan.

While the car, affectionately known as Alpha Queen, is still street-legal, it is a far cry from a standard GT-R.

In fact, the engine is totally new and delivers over 3,000 hp. However, to AMS's credit, it does retain a six-cylinder, twin-turbo setup like any other R35, although the turbos now stick out of the front bumper.

Expect to hear more about this GT-R if it does indeed set a new quarter mile world record. In the meantime, enjoy these videos of the craziest incarnation of Godzilla yet.

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@obprestigeauto Alpha Queen walk around #amsperformance #thequeen #another6

A post shared by gidi28 (@gidi28) on

Opel Insignia Tourer Makes For A Slick-Lookin' Taxi

Posted: 07 Dec 2017 04:01 AM PST


Visit most any city in Europe and most of the taxi cabs are bound to be Mercedes – E-Class sedans especially. But that's not the only option, as another German automaker is here to point out.

That automaker is Opel, which is showcasing its new Insignia wagon as an ideal taxicab.

Instead of simply selling the consumer version and letting the cabdrivers, fleet operators, or upfitters perform the modifications, Opel offers the Insignia with just about everything need for taxicab duty straight from the factory – from the illuminated roof sign to a meter integrated into the rearview mirror.

Professional drivers can choose between the svelte Insignia Sports Tourer or the more rugged Insignia Country Tourer, in either Taxi Selection or Taxi Dynamic trim, with varying equipment levels, priced from €22,639 in Germany (before tax).

Either way, you're looking at a nearly 20-cubic-foot luggage compartment expandable to almost 60 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat, making the Insignia a rather flexible and accommodating way to move passengers and their stuff.

Drivers who need more needn't look far, as Opel also offers taxi versions of the Zafira minivan and Vivaro full-size van for commercial transportation as well.

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Skoda Kodiaq's UK Range Gets Sportier With, Um, Sportline Edition

Posted: 07 Dec 2017 03:27 AM PST


It may not be the rumored vRS model we've been expecting, but the Sportline is nevertheless a new addition to the Kodiaq's range, and it's now available for order in the UK.

Slotting between the SE L and Edition trim levels, this version of the SUV carries a starting price of £32,130 and benefits from a few visual mods that set it apart from its siblings.

These include tweaked front and rear bumpers, 20-inch Vega Anthracite alloy wheels and black details on the grille, side mirror casings, roof rails and window trims.

Inside, the sporty theme is enhanced by the Alcantara-trimmed sports seats and door panels, dashboard and door inserts with a carbon effect, leather sports steering wheel, black trim, LED lighting pack and a 'Sportline' plaque.

Building upon the SE L grade, the Kodiaq Sportline has a 7-seat layout, a Columbus infotainment system with a 9.2-inch touchscreen display and integrated Wi-Fi, color multifunction trip computer, Drive mode select, electrically adjustable driver's seat, front parking sensors and an electrically operated boot.

The Sportline will be offered with the 150PS (148hp) 1.4-liter TSI and 180PS (177hp) 2.0-liter TSI gasoline engines and the 2.0-liter TDI diesel in two outputs, with 150PS (148hp) and 190PS (187hp). All versions come with four-wheel drive as standard.



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Honda's Fired Its F1 Engine Boss And Split His Job In Two

Posted: 07 Dec 2017 02:53 AM PST


Things clearly haven't been working in Honda's F1 engine program, and Honda knows it. That's probably why it's not only changing the guard, but completely reconfiguring the way its F1 operation runs.

Up to this point, the effort has been run by one Yasuke Hasegawa, who has worn two hats: one supervising the development of the powertrain at Honda's R&D facility in Japan, the other directing its application from the pit lane at grands prix and test sessions around at circuits around the world.

As Honda moves on from its partnership with McLaren to a new one with Toro Rosso, Hasegawa's position is now being split into two, with the role of technical director (for trackside operations) now falling to one Toyoharu Tanabe. Currently employed as a senior manager at Honda Performance Development in the US, Tanabe has been with Honda since 1984, working in F1 alongside the likes of Gerhard Berger (at McLaren) and Jenson Button (at BAR-Honda) as well as in IndyCars.

The official announcement made no mention of who will run the powertrain development program back in Sakura. However Autosport reports that the role will fall to Yasuaki Asaki, previously head of Honda's N series of JDM kei cars.

As for Hasegawa, he's now being simply listed as a researcher in Honda's R&D department. The changes are set to take effect as of January 1, 2018.

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The Grand Tour's Opening Episode To Feature Hammond's Rimac Crash

Posted: 07 Dec 2017 01:32 AM PST


Details of the first episode of The Grand Tour's second season have been announced and it's the one we've all been waiting to see.

Dubbed Past, Present or Future, the episode will see Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May driving the Lamborghini Aventador S, Rimac Concept_One, and Lamborghini Aventador S through the stunning roads of Switzerland.

As we all know, Richard Hammond was badly injured during the filming of this episode after crashing the Concept_One at a hillclimb event. The episode will include footage of the incident but it could be limited as the onboard cameras were destroyed in the crash and ensuing fire.

The episode will also debut the new Celebrity Face Off segment. It will see former The Voice UK judge Ricky Wilson going up against David Hasselhoff.

The episode will drop on November 8 on Amazon Prime.

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Ford To Partner With Alibaba To Sell Cars Online In China

Posted: 07 Dec 2017 12:02 AM PST


Ford is on the verge of inking a deal with Alibaba that will allow the carmaker to sell its vehicles in China through Alibaba's online retail arm Tmall, Reuters reports.

According to sources close to the matter, Ford chief executive Jim Hackett and Ford executive chairman Bill Ford Jr. are set to be in Hangzhou on Thursday to sign the deal. Ford is reportedly pursuing the deal in order to capture sales from the emerging marketplace where vehicles are being sold online in increasing numbers.

The deal will likely see cars purchased online being delivered to buyers by franchised Ford retail stores. The cars would then be maintained and repaired by these franchise locations.

Additionally, the partnership with Alibaba could lead to the latest 'Automotive Vending Machine' where vehicles are directly sold to consumers. Consumers could use the vending machine with an app, choosing to either immediately buy one of the vehicles or test drive one. The vehicle would then be delivered to the ground floor automatically.

Although the two solutions could make buying much simpler for consumers, not everyone is happy.

Speaking to Reuters, head of Shanghai-based consultancy Automotive Foresight, Yale Zhang, said it will hurt traditional dealers.

"When online sales and direct sales volume was small that's one thing. But if this format gained steam, it would definitely impact dealers. Retail innovation is great, but it is by its nature disruptive and can't keep everybody happy."

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Lyft And NuTonomy Launch Robo-Taxi Service In Boston

Posted: 06 Dec 2017 08:44 PM PST


Lyft and autonomous driving company nuTonomy has rolled out a fleet of robo-taxis throughout Boston.

The two companies first publicized their partnership in June and authorities in Boston have only just granted the firms permission to offer Lyft users rides in fully-autonomous Renault Zoe models.

Mashable reports that the program has started in the city's Seaport district and that all the autonomous taxis will have human drivers behind the wheel in case anything goes wrong. Beyond the program being a vital tool to improve Lyft's and nuTonomy's autonomous systems, the program will help to educate the public about driverless cars.

This isn't nuTonomy's first rodeo when it comes to a robotaxi service. In fact, it first rolled out the technology in the One-North business district of Singapore in August 2016.

Discussing the program in Boston last month, city mayor Martin J. Walsh said, "Boston is ready to lead the charge on self-driving vehicles, and I am committed to ensuring autonomous vehicles will benefit Boston's residents. This is an exciting step forward, and together with our public and private partners, we will continue to lead the way in creating a safe, reliable and equitable mobility plan for Boston's residents."

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IndyCar A-Listers Confirmed For 2018 Race Of Champions

Posted: 06 Dec 2017 08:02 PM PST


A number of IndyCar A-listers are among the first drivers confirmed for the 2018 Race Of Champions, set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on February 2-3 2018.

The likes of reigning Verizon IndyCar Series champion Josef Newgarden, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Helio Castroneves, and Juan Pablo Montoya have all been confirmed for the annual event.

Montoya, who won the event in his first appearance back in January, says he is excited to return.

"When I came to the Race Of Champions for the first time this year, I immediately regretted never having done it before. It was an amazing experience and (ROC president) Fredrik Johnsson and his team put together an amazing event. It's all about fun, but when you go to the grid it's unbelievable how focused you are."

A host of other drivers from the likes of Formula 1, NASCAR, rallycross and other motorsport series' will be announced in the coming weeks.

Incredibly, the Race Of Champions will become Saudi Arabia's first international motorsport event and be held just a few months before the country allows women to drive.

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Road-Going Jaguar I-Pace Launching At Geneva Motor Show

Posted: 06 Dec 2017 07:42 PM PST


Jaguar has confirmed that the production-spec I-Pace will premiere at March's Geneva Motor Show.

The eye-catching crossover is the carmaker's first all-electric vehicle and will directly rival the Tesla Model X. Unlike the Tesla, however, the I-Pace won't look like a bloated¬ sedan and instead more closely resemble a sporty luxury car fitting of the Jaguar badge.

As we've seen from recent spy shots, the road-going I-Pace will be very similar to the original concept in terms of both its interior and exterior designs. As such, the crossover will adopt very short front and rear overhangs, allowing Jaguar designers to maximize interior space and to keep the vehicle's dimensions within a normal range.

One of the biggest question marks about the new I-Pace relates to its powertrain. In concept form, the vehicle uses electric motors at both the front and rear axles, producing a combined 400 hp and 700 Nm of torque with permanent all-wheel drive. A 90 kWh battery was also featured, as was a range of 310 miles (500 km).

After taking a passenger ride in an I-Pace prototype recently, Autocar reports that the SUV is very quick and Jaguar asserts that the engineering will remain true to the concept. If that's the case, no significant mechanical alterations are to be expected.

European sales of the Jaguar I-Pace will commence immediately after the car's Geneva debut. Later in 2018, the I-Pace will launch in the United States.

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Faraday Future Loses Chief Designer Richard Kim

Posted: 06 Dec 2017 07:04 PM PST


Things appears to be going from bad to worse for Faraday Future with confirmation that the brand's design chief, Richard Kim, has resigned from the electric car startup.

The Verge reports that Kim tendered his resignation on Tuesday last week.

Kim's departure is a huge blow for the company as he was the man behind the design of the FF 91, the brand's first model. He came to the startup from BMW, where he was responsible for designing both the i3 and i8.

Kim was one of the five 'founding executives' at the carmaker. In the last four months, three of these executives have resigned, first with the head of HR Alan Cherry and then the head of FF's supply chain group Tom Wessner. Only Nick Sampson and Dag Reckhorn remain.

These aren't the only key executives to leave the company in recent months. In October, the brand's chief financial officer Stefan Krause and chief technology officer Ulrich Kranz both tendered their resignations.

It seems increasingly likely that these executives are fleeing a sinking ship before everything goes belly-up.

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Former VW Executive Sentenced To Seven Years In Prison

Posted: 06 Dec 2017 06:33 PM PST


Former VW executive Oliver Schmidt has been sentenced to seven years in prison and fined $400,000 for his involvement in the dieselgate scandal.

Schmidt served as the head of VW's environmental and engineering office in Michigan and was arrested in January after travelling to the United States with his family. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the federal government and for violating the Clean Air Act.

Judge Sean F. Cox imposed the sentence in line with the recommendation of prosecutors.

"You are a key conspirator responsible for the cover-up in the United States of a massive fraud perpetuated on the American consumer," the judge said at sentencing.

Just days before sentencing, Schmidt penned a letter to the judge, admitting that he had been "misused" by VW when he disclosed the brand's use of diesel software that cheated emissions while in a 2015 meeting with a senior official from the California Air Resources Board.

"A script, or talking points, I was directed to follow for that meeting was approved by management level supervisors at VW, including a high-ranking in-house lawyer. Regrettably, I agreed to follow it," Schmidt said.

Only one other VW employee has been sentenced in the United States over dieselgate, company engineer James Liang, who received a 40-month term in August.

Many of the senior executives reportedly involved in the scandal are German citizens and out of the reach of American justice. It was Schmidt's decision to travel to the United States from his native Germany that allowed for his arrest.

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Delphi Changes Name To Aptiv And Wants To Dramatically Cut Autonomous Tech Costs

Posted: 06 Dec 2017 06:03 PM PST


Self-driving startup Delphi Automotive is changing its name to Aptiv and intends on slashing the cost of self-driving cars by over 90 per cent.

Speaking a week before Aptiv hits the New York Stock Exchange, company chief executive Kevin Clark said that Delphi Technologies will focus on traditional engine components while Aptiv will focus on autonomous vehicle technologies.

As it stands, Aptiv estimates that the cost of self-driving hardware and software costs between $70,000 and $150,000 per vehicle. However, in an interview with Reuters, Clark said the company intends on slashing this to roughly $5,000 by 2025.

Clark asserts that one of the most significant areas of saving in the future will be the greater use of vehicle platforms created exclusively for electric vehicles with self-driving abilities.

"Looking five to 10 years out, given the amount of software going into the car, the complexity of (self-driving) systems and infotainment systems, the basic architecture of the vehicle needs to be rethought," Clark said.

While Aptiv is confident that it can dramatically slash the costs of self-driving hardware and software, it doesn't expect to see autonomous systems become the norm on individually-owned passenger cars before 2025. Instead, fleet operators will be the first to adopt the technology in large numbers as they're capable of absorbing the costs.

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Ferrari 360 Owner Has A Blast Thrashing His Supercar In Monaco

Posted: 06 Dec 2017 05:30 PM PST


Say what you want about the driver of this Ferrari 360, but when you have an Italian supercar at your disposal during a night out in Monaco, things are bound to get noisy, real fast.

Equipped with an aftermarket exhaust system, for a deeper tone, this Prancing Horse was spotted around the streets of the Principality revving its heart out.

The driver was obviously having a blast, and now he has the videos to remind him of his joyride thanks to a few bystanders excited by the show, who took out their cameras/phones and started recording when they heard the V8 symphony.

Anyway, it's nice to see that the Ferrari 360 still has it, some 12 years after its production ended and was replaced by the F430, and to remind us that, even though today's hot hatches might equal it on power, they'll never match it when it comes to charisma.

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Someone Is Selling A Valkyrie Build Slot, Aston Martin Might Beg To Differ

Posted: 06 Dec 2017 05:00 PM PST


Aston Martin's CEO, Andy Palmer, has made it crystal clear that he will not tolerate customers that try to sell their Valkyrie build slots, promising to cancel their reservations on the spot.

However, one alleged owner must have missed the British marque's head honcho's statement and is now asking €3 million ($3,553,830) in exchange for their Valkyrie build slot in an ad posted on Mobile.

Whether the automaker will tolerate this or not remains to be seen, so interested parties might want to read the papers very carefully, and check with Aston Martin as well before transferring any money. The ad is also trying to lure a potential buyer by stating that this sale "is not tied to the obligatory purchase of an Aston Martin Lagonda, a stipulation forced upon original owners".

We have to admit that, if it's real, this seller's page is amazing, as besides the Aston Martin Valkyrie build slot, he/she also claims to possess a Mercedes-AMG Project One build slot in addition to various high-end exotics, such as a Lamborghini Centenario and Sesto Elemento, a Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta, FXX-K, and a Bugatti Chiron.

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W Motors' 900 HP Fenyr SuperSport Hits The Road In Dramatic Fashion

Posted: 06 Dec 2017 04:30 PM PST


With all the hype surrounding the latest models from Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche and McLaren, it's easy to forget a new supercar that was recently launched by the Dubai-based W Motors.

Yes, Dubai is filled with supercars from any manufacturer you can think of, yet it's not known for making them. However, by releasing an official video featuring the production version of the Fenyr SuperSport, W Motors shows that they mean business.

Portrayed out in the open, surrounded by lots of drama and with plenty of CGI, the Fenyr SuperSport is "named after the most aggressive and vicious wolf in mythology", the manufacturer says, referring to the Norse 'Fenrir', a son of Loki and the one foretold to kill Odin during Ragnarok, the battle to end all battles.

Mythology (and Marvel movie franchise) aside, the Fenyr SuperSport is powered by the engine of the Porsche RUF, meaning a 4.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six that sends 900 HP and 1,200 Nm (885 lb-ft) of torque to the rear wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. It takes less than 2.7 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) and, flat-out, it will reach speeds in excess of 400 km/h (249 mph).

This wolf definitely has some fangs now, doesn't it? Now we're waiting to see if it can kill some of the established "gods" in the hypercar niche...

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Genesis G70 Makes Its Middle East Debut At The Dubai Motor Show

Posted: 06 Dec 2017 04:00 PM PST

Genesis have brought their premium compact sedan, the G70, to the 2017 Dubai Motor Show, prior to its launch in the local market early next year.

Nothing much has changed compared to the G70 offered in other markets, apart from the fact that the 2.0-liter inline-four diesel, which makes 204 PS (201 HP) and 439 Nm (324 lb-ft) of torque, won't be available in the Middle East.

Thus, the G70's lineup will consist of two turbocharged gasoline engines: a 2.0-liter unit rated at 252 PS (248 HP) and 353 Nm (260 lb-ft) of torque, and a 3.3-liter V6 with 370 PS (365 HP) and 510 Nm (376 lb-ft). The V6 variant helps the G70 Sport sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 270 km/h (168 mph).

Genesis promises an enhanced experience that comes courtesy of the multi-link rear suspension, mechanical limited slip differential, dynamic torque vectoring and Launch Control.

These are joined by what the company calls "an unparalleled suite of advanced driver assist systems", such as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind Spot Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking and Driver Awareness Warning integrated into the Genesis Active Safety Control package.

The list of equipment is generous and, depending on the selected trim level, includes an 8-inch touchscreen display that supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink, and a 15-speaker premium sound system from Lexicon, among others.

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Transportation Is Now The Number One Contributor To CO2 Emissions In The U.S.

Posted: 06 Dec 2017 03:29 PM PST


Plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles are growing in popularity but this hasn't managed to stop the transportation sector from becoming the number one source of CO2 emissions in the United States.

According to Bloomberg, power plants were the key contributor to CO2 emissions for the past 40 years but the transition from coal to cleaner alternatives - such as natural gas and solar power - has dramatically reduced the amount of emissions that are produced.

As the U.S. Energy Information Administration notes, power plants produce approximately 1.8 billion metric tons of CO2 annually while the transportation sector now generates slightly more than that. However, this isn't due to dirtier vehicles as the agency says since 2000 the United States has been experiencing the "flattest stretch of transportation-related pollution in modern record keeping."

The reduction in emissions helps to limit climate change as well as the severity of various ailments such as asthma and heart disease. Unfortunately, these gains could be in jeopardy as President Trump has been pushing a return to coal. The President is also considering easing fuel economy standards which are set to take place in a few years.

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Jaguar Reportedly Rules Out BMW M3 And M5 Competitors

Posted: 06 Dec 2017 02:58 PM PST


The Jaguar XE SV Project 8 recently set a lap record for production sedans at the Nürburgring as the model lapped the green hell in 7 minutes and 21.23 seconds. That's significantly faster than the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio but it doesn't mean the British brand is ready to take on the competition.

According to Road and Track, Jaguar doesn't have any plans to offer a V8 engine in either the XE or XF. The only exception is the XE SV Project 8 which features a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 that produces 600 PS (441 kW) and enables the all-wheel drive model to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds before hitting a top speed of 200 mph (321 km/h).

When asked about the possibility of high-performance models, Jaguar design director Ian Callum told the publication "We work volume out proportionally" and "If we do an M3 version of XE, for instance, they'll take the proportion of M3 to 3-Series and work it back from there." Callum went on to say he doesn't agree with this approach but "I'm not the one making those decisions."

While we shouldn't the company to introduce direct competitors to the BMW M3 and M5, Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations has plans to introduce at least one model every year so we can expect an assortment of high-performance variants in the future.

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Dodge Viper Crashes Following A Cars and Coffee Event In Texas

Posted: 06 Dec 2017 04:49 PM PST


Cars and Coffee might as well be renamed Crashes and Coffee at this point as yet another accident has occurred following an event.

The latest incident happened in Houston, Texas and surprisingly didn't involve a Ford Mustang. Instead, the victim was a Dodge Viper whose driver lost control under what appears to be moderate acceleration.

The end result isn't pretty as the poor muscle car slams into the curb and rotates a full 180°. This caused some serious damage to the car as front suspension apparently collapsed and there are paint scuffs on the front bumper and side skirt.

The car was quickly towed away from the scene and police arrived shortly thereafter and probably had a less than jovial discussion with the owner.

Needless to say, the urge to show off isn't worth it and has resulted in countless accidents which can sometimes injure bystanders. These accidents have also put pressure on event organizers and locations where the events take place.

It's also worth mentioning that the Dodge Viper went out of production over the summer as the model couldn't comply with federal safety regulations that require vehicles to be equipped with side curtain airbags.

H/T to Jalopnik

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2019 Ford Explorer Spied, Could Eventually Spawn A New Lincoln Aviator

Posted: 06 Dec 2017 04:49 PM PST


The redesigned Ford Explorer has been spied undergoing testing by CarScoops reader Brett Borgard.

Snapped at a gas station, the redesigned crossover is heavily camouflaged but appears to have an evolutionary design which will make it instantly recognizable. Styling details are hard to make out but the model has a new front fascia with a larger grille and a prominent lower air intake. Moving further back, we can see a familiar greenhouse and a relatively flat roof.

Little is known about the redesigned model but previous reports have suggested the Explorer could grow in size. Rumors have also indicated the crossover could come equipped with aluminum components - including the hood, doors, and tailgate - to help reduce weight and improve fuel-efficiency.

Speaking of the latter, the redesigned Explorer is expected to be offered with an assortment of different powertrains including a turbocharged four-cylinder and a familiar EcoBoost V6. It's too early to talk performance figures but speculation has suggested the company could also offer a hybrid- or plug-in hybrid variant.

Ford has been tight-lipped about the model but reports have hinted the Explorer could be introduced as early as next year. There has also been speculation that the model will spawn an all-new Lincoln Aviator to replace the slow-selling MKT.

Thanks to Brett Borgard for the photos!

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Tesla Wins Court Battle In Missouri, Can Continue To Sell Cars Directly To Consumers

Posted: 06 Dec 2017 01:30 PM PST


Tesla makes some of the most popular electric vehicles but the company's products aren't available everywhere as a number of states prohibit their sales as a result of their direct-to-consumer sales approach.

The company has been fighting several states over these laws and the automaker recently scored a win in Missouri after an appeals court reversed a lower court decision that put Tesla sales in jeopardy.

According to the Associated Press, the legal battle started in 2015 when the Missouri Automobile Association sued the Missouri Department of Revenue for granting Tesla a license to sell vehicles directly to consumers through their own dealerships. The Missouri Automobile Association won the initial case as Cole County Judge Daniel Green decided the Department of Revenue should not renew Tesla's dealership license because the company didn't franchisee its dealerships.

The Missouri Court of Appeals apparently side-stepped the issue altogether and found the Missouri Automobile Association didn't have the standing to sue the Department of Revenue in the first place. As a result, the lower court's ruling was overturned and Tesla can continue to sell its vehicles in the state.

In a statement, Tesla said "The decision is a victory for Missouri consumers who want the choice to learn about and purchase their Tesla in their home state." The company added, "We have been serving customers in Missouri for almost five years and have contributed to the state economy and jobs for Missourians — something that will now continue."

Despite the setback, the Missouri Automobile Association will continue its battle as the organization stated it will "continue to explore the legal avenues available" to challenge Tesla and the Department of Revenue.

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California Lawmaker Working On Bill To Ban Gas And Diesel Cars By 2040

Posted: 06 Dec 2017 12:59 PM PST


A Californian Democrat plans on introducing a bill in the state that will ban the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles from 2040.

According to Bloomberg, California Assembly member Phil Tang, chairman of the chamber's budget committee, is the man behind the bill. From 2040, he wants the state's motor vehicles department to only register vehicles that don't emit carbon dioxide, namely fully-electric and hydrogen-fuel cell cars.

California intends on slashing emissions by 80 per cent from 1990 levels by 2050 and Ting believes the introduction of such a bill could be an invaluable way to achieve this target. In fact, the transportation sector was recently named the top source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States.

"Until you set a deadline, nothing gets done. It's responsible for us to set a deadline 23 years in advance," Ting said.

In September, the California Air Resources Board said it had discussed such a vehicle ban following an expression of interest from Governor Jerry Brown.

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Build Your Own Urus With Lambo’s Configurator And Show It To Us

Posted: 06 Dec 2017 04:49 PM PST


Ok, so the world has a new Lamborghini SUV, or as the Italians call it a super-SUV in the form of the Urus so let's have some fun time with its configurator, shall we?

As you can imagine, Lamborghini offers plenty of options when it comes building your ideal Urus, if there's such a thing.

The world's fastest SUV is powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with 641hp and 627lb-ft of torque. 0-62mph comes in 3.6 seconds while the Urus won't stop accelerating until it reaches 190mph (305km/h).

There's a rear-wheel steering system to aid stability at higher speeds and boost agility on the corners, as well as six drive modes to choose depending on the road's surface and mood.

The striking styling might be too much for some people but hey, it's a modern Lamborghini and if the Urus is needed for the company to keep churning out crazy supercars, then it's ok.

Build your own Urus on Lamborghini's official configurator here, just don't opt for the Parrot-Green alcantara option, we beg you.

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VW And Audi Slash Prices And Give Discounts On Repaired 3.0L Diesels

Posted: 06 Dec 2017 11:55 AM PST


Looking to jump behind the wheel of a heavily discounted VW or Audi? Well, now could be the perfect time.

Cars Direct has discovered that both VW and Audi are offering discounts of up to 25 per cent off MSRP for 3.0-liter diesel SUVs which have been repaired in the wake of the company's dieselgate scandal.

From now until January 2, VW has announced discounts of 25 per cent off MSRP on 2014 models, 20 per cent off 2015 models, and 15 per cent off for 2016 models, for those 3.0-liter diesels that have been repaired.

As for Audi, the German carmaker has announced 20 per cent off all of its 2015 Q7 TDI models, a vehicle that originally had a base MSRP of $53,400 before destination charges. Alongside this deal, Audi is offering 1.9 per cent APR for 66 months and a 72-month rate of 2.49 per cent, two deals that might prove enough for some to take a look at their diesel models.

Diesels may have fallen out of favor among some consumers but these deals could be the perfect early Christmas deal for certain shoppers.

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Liberty Walk Acura NSX Is A Hit With Pedestrians In Las Vegas

Posted: 06 Dec 2017 11:27 AM PST


There may be a greater range of supercars on the market than ever before, but that doesn't mean the allure of exotics has faded in recent times. In fact, the complete opposite is true.

As supercar owners continually try to out-do one another, the world of aftermarket tuning has exploded, particularly for vehicles that cost as much as a house. Of all the tuners, few are better known for wild creations than Liberty Walk.

Eager to see how the public reacts to an Acura NSX outfitted with a Liberty Walk widebody kit and towering rear wing, the Japanese tuner took to the streets of Las Vegas to capture the expressions of locals and visitors in the party city.

In standard guise, the new NSX is quite a head-turner. However, this Liberty Walk example takes things to entirely new extremes.

Sadly, it seems evident that driveability has been sacrificed in favor of aesthetics.

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