Saturday 9 December 2017

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Who You Gonna Call? 2018 Dacia Duster Ain't Afraid Of No Ghosts

Posted: 09 Dec 2017 03:58 AM PST


Dacia is promoting the second generation Duster in its homeland by using the famous soundtrack of the Ghostbusters movies.

The Romanian SUV isn't chasing any ghosts in its official TV spot, but it does highlight some of its novelties that are meant to make it more appealing to potential customers.

Portrayed as a go-anywhere vehicle, the all-new Duster features new equipment like a multi-view camera system, blond spot warning, hill descent control, hill start assist, automatic headlights, keyless entry and new curtain airbags, among others.

Dacia will launch the second-gen Duster in various markets across Europe in the coming months, with pricing to be announced soon. In the United Kingdom, it is set to arrive next summer, and buyers will be able to choose between two petrol engines, with 115PS (113hp) and 125PS (123hp), with the former coming in an LPG version as well, and two diesels that are rated at 90PS (89hp) and 110PS (108hp) respectively.

VIDEO

NEVS To Produce Electric 9-3 In Former Saab Factory In Sweden From 2018

Posted: 09 Dec 2017 02:55 AM PST


NEVS announced its plans to reopen the former-Saab factory in Trollhatan, Sweden to produce its electric 9-3s in the second half of next year.

The Chinese-owned National Electric Vehicle Sweden, which bought the assets of Saab after the Swedish automaker went out of business, is planning to take advantage of the growing global demand for purely electric vehicles.

"We are embracing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in the automobile industry with the adoption of new technologies moving forward way faster than we expected," Chairman Kai Johan Jiang said to Bloomberg. "Car-sharing, electrification of automobiles and autonomous driving are the inevitable trend of future transport."

The company has already begun production of the 9-3 EV in their Tianjin factory in north-eastern China, which has an initial capacity of 50,000 cars per year and will be expanded to 220,000 cars by 2019.

NEVS claims that they already have 300,000 orders for electric cars from ride-sharing companies such as Panda New Energy. Based on the outdated Saab 9-3 platform, the electric NEVS 9-3 is said to offer a driving range of 300km (186 miles), a WiFi hotspot, over-the-air updates and a special air filtration system. The company showcased a redesigned concept of the 9-3 in early 2017 but these changes never made it to production apparently.

"Being an early entrant to the electric-car industry doesn't guarantee the company will be a strong player," Jiang said. "It is like great waves sweeping away sand -95 percent of companies won't be able to survive, given that the threshold of electric car-making is quite high, so passion alone won't nail it."

PHOTO GALLERY

Paul McCartney's DB5 Fetches $1.8 Million, Ringo's Mini Sold To Spice Girl

Posted: 09 Dec 2017 01:44 AM PST


Both the Aston Martin DB5 formerly owned by Paul McCartney and a classic Mini Cooper owned by Ringo Starr were sold at Bonhams' London auction late last week.

Unsurprisingly, the DB5 attracted interested from many prospective buyers and was ultimately sold for $1.8 million, slightly more than pre-auction estimates.

McCartney purchased the DB5, in Sierra Blue with a black interior, in 1964 and initially registered it to his accounting firm, though it was soon registered directly to his name. After McCartney's ownership, the DB5 passed through the hands of several other collectors, including Chris Evans. It was also restored and repainted in silver with a deep Mulberry red interior.

As for Ringo Starr's Mini, it changed hands for a touch under $137,000 and was purchased by Geri Halliwell, aka Ginger Spice of the Spice Girls. This Mini is unique, as it was enlarged to fit Starr's drum kit and outfitted with a reupholstered interior that includes numerous leather and wood trimmings.

PHOTO GALLERY

Mahindra To Launch Three More EVs In India By 2020

Posted: 09 Dec 2017 12:30 AM PST

Mahindra & Mahindra, the only carmaker that sells electric vehicles in India, announced that it will add three new EVs to its range until the end of the decade.

"We will have three new products (in the EV segment), which will be high performance ones," Mahindra Electric Mobility CEO Mahesh Babu told the Times of India.

The three new EVs, which are expected to be SUVs, will offer a driving range of 350km (217 miles), 300km (186 miles) and 250km (155 miles) respectively, and the quickest of the bunch will be able to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h (62miles) in 8 seconds.

The news come after the Indian government's announcement that the country will sell only electric vehicles by 2030. "India surprisingly took a very bold step declaring what would happen by 2030... that changed the scenario in the last six months," Babu said, pointing out that the main challenge is creating a proper charging infrastructure.

Moreover, the Indian carmaker says that, by 2020, batteries will be significantly cheaper than today, enabling them to offer their electric vehicles in more affordable prices, which is very important in a market as price-sensitive as India.

Mahindra is currently selling four electric vehicles in India, including the e2o small city car, the eVerito compact sedan, the eSupro Van and the eAlfa rickshaw.

PHOTO GALLERY

Can Mercedes-AMG E63S Outrace A Tesla Model S P100D?

Posted: 08 Dec 2017 07:44 PM PST


With the Mercedes-AMG E63S repeatedly impressing everyone with its sheer acceleration force, it was always a matter of time before someone would pit it against a Tesla Model S.

UK's Top Gear magazine has a love affair with drag races and they just had to see if the latest weapon from AMG has any chance of wiping that smug smile off the Model S's face.

The latest E63 S features a special all-wheel drive system which clearly has made it a true monster when taking off from a stop.

Its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 sends 604hp and 627lb-ft of torque to all four wheels via a nine-speed Speedshift MCT gearbox, propelling the E63 S to 62mph in just 3.4 seconds. The Tesla Model S P100D on the other hand has two electric motors for a total of 680hp and a 0-62mph in a mind-boggling 2.7 seconds.

Stupid amounts of power combined with all-wheel drive equals good drag racing, so let's find out which one is faster.

VIDEO

Dubai Police Has Probably Set Its Eyes On The Lamborghini Urus Already

Posted: 08 Dec 2017 07:10 PM PST


Dubai's police fleet includes some of the hottest vehicles out there, from Porsches to Bugattis, so it wouldn't surprise anyone if they decided to acquire the new Lamborghini Urus, too.

Until they do, designer Aksyonov Nikita has imagined what it could look like with the special dual-tone police livery and the obligatory light bar at the roof.

A Lamborghini Urus police cruiser would blend in with the rest of the division's exotics and would make a good pair with another potent SUV they have been using for some 4 years: the Brabus B63S-700 Widestar, a tuned Mercedes G-Class that's good for 690hp.

The Italian super SUV is less powerful, with its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 putting out 641hp and 627lb-ft (850Nm) of torque, but even so it is faster from 0 to 62mph (100km/h), with just 3.6sec, while the Brabus does it in 4.9sec.

Top speed is superior to the Lambo too, as the Urus tops out at 190mph (305mph), approximately 40mph (km/h) more than the tuned G-Wagen, and it also gets a few cool features, including exclusive driving modes, which should make it feel right at home on every terrain, whether it's tarmac or sand dunes.

PHOTO GALLERY

Oregon Admits To Infringing Rights Of Engineer Investigating Traffic Lights

Posted: 08 Dec 2017 06:37 PM PST


The state of Oregon has conceded it infringed on a man's free speech rights after Swedish electrical engineer Mats Järlström began investigating how yellow traffic lights are timed in Oregon.

According to Oregon Live, the state's board of examiners for engineering and land surveying unconstitutionally applied state law governing engineering practice when it claimed that Järlström was practicing engineering without a license, slapping him with a $500 fine and threatening prison time.

Speaking in federal court, senior assistant attorney general Christina L. Beatty-Walters admitted to violating the man's rights, reimbursing him the $500 he paid for the fine.

However, Järlström and his lawyers aren't satisfied. They assert that many others have been punished by the state board's "overbroad" interpretation of state law and want the court to declare certain state laws and administrative rules as unconstitutional.

Järlström first landed on our radar back in April after starting to investigate traffic lights in the state after being ticketed for driving through a red light in 2013. Järlström, a former air force technician, discovered that red light cameras were misusing the mathematical formula for timing traffic lights.

VIDEO

Moose Filmed Running Wild In Ontario, Canada

Posted: 08 Dec 2017 06:03 PM PST


Spotting a wild moose in Canada is far from a rarity but seeing one run rampant through the streets of Ontario? That's certainly not something that happens every day.

On Saturday night, a moose was filmed in the town of Sudbury without a care in the world. In fact, one motorist was even able to capture the moment the moose ran directly at a police car, perhaps understanding that it wasn't welcome on the busy road.

Finding humor in the curious encounter, police took to Twitter to warn locals, posting "Please use caution as the moose is failing to follow direction by police and may pose a risk to the public should the animal come onto the road."

Shortly after, the moose, nicknamed Martha by police, wandered through a parking lot before leaving the area later that night.

VIDEO

You Don't Have To Choose A Boring Color For Your BMW M760Li, Do You?

Posted: 08 Dec 2017 05:29 PM PST


Let's say you're about to spend a whole lot of money on BMW's M760Li flagship and you're now faced with having to choose its color, in which case something from BMW Individual's palette tickle your fancy.

Abu Dhabi Motors is aware that some customers might want to skip the classic, but a bit boring, black, silver or white paintjobs for something a bit more colorful, so they held a photo shoot for all these different Bimmers in a variety of shades.

Some of them are San Marino Blue, Twilight Purple, Rallye Green, Chestnut Bronze, Estoril Blue, Imola Red and Austin Yellow. We've also added a Long Beach Blue example that previously spotted at the Abu Dhabi dealership.

Anyway, whatever color one might prefer, the M760Li is BMW's fastest-accelerating saloon after the M5 thanks to its 6.6-liter twin turbo V12 that's good for 600 PS (592 HP) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque.

PHOTO GALLERY

Should You Supercharge Your Audi R8?

Posted: 08 Dec 2017 04:58 PM PST


If you find yourself having to "settle" for the non-Plus version of the current-generation Audi R8, adding VF Engineering's VF800 bolt-on supercharger kit could make you feel a lot better.

As the system's nomenclature suggests, you get a total of 800 crank HP on 91 octane fuel, making the car's 540 stock horses a thing of the past. You also get 610 lb-ft (827 Nm) of torque.

As Matt Farah explains, these VF kits are designed to work on stock vehicles and unless you really put your foot down, you'll hardly ever notice you're driving a car with way more power than its manufacturer initially intended for it to have.

To put it plainly, this R8 is really, really fast. Its Eaton TVS2300 3-lobe roots supercharger provides what the tuner calls "lag-free instant punch" from as little as 2,300 rpm. This upgrade is also reversible, and costs $29,995, on top of the car, of course.

After blasting his way through the canyons behind the wheel of this tuned Audi R8, Farah went on to call the car "incredibly fast", yet "civil and refined."

VIDEO

DTM Driver Timo Glock Makes BMW's i3S Look Really Quick

Posted: 08 Dec 2017 04:44 PM PST


Despite riding on a sport-tuned suspension and boasting 186 PS (184 HP) and 269 Nm (199 lb-ft) of torque, the 2018 BMW i3S is still not a sports car.

Its 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration time is a respectable 6.9 seconds, while the top speed is limited to 160 km/h (99 mph). To put it into perspective, the i3S is 0.8 seconds quicker than the standard i3, thus justifying the S prefix.

Now, in order to make driving it even more entertaining, Carwow's Mat Watson arranged a quick shoot-out between himself and BMW's DTM driver, Timo Glock, who has raced in Formula 1 for Toyota, Virgin and Marussia. The two took on an slalom course, with lots of tight turns and even slippery surfaces that made things rather interesting, as you can clearly see.

With Glock behind the wheel, the i3S looked quite quick indeed - but we guess that's probably more due to the former F1 driver's skills...

VIDEO

Ferrari GTC4Lusso Owners Might Want To Consider These PUR Wheels

Posted: 08 Dec 2017 04:00 PM PST


The GTC4Lusso is, by all means, a gorgeous car, and Ferrari's stock rims suit it nicely, but perhaps some owners would prefer a set of custom rims instead.

Developed by PUR as part of their FL25 series, the multi-spoke wheels feature a two-tone finish of Gloss Black and Lumiere Grey, among other shades, and are available in 21 and 22 inches.

Custom rims apart, the four-wheel drive exotic is the most practical supercar in Ferrari's range, but that doesn't mean that it lacks for performance. Quite the opposite, in fact, as its 6.3-liter naturally aspirated V12 puts out 680hp and 514lb-ft (697Nm) of torque that are channeled to both axles via a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox and a clever AWD transmission.

While almost nothing beats a naturally aspirated V12 for charisma, Ferrari has jumped on the downsizing bandwagon and is also offering a second version of the GTC4Lusso powered by a twin-turbo 3.9-liter V8 that produces 602hp and 560lb-ft (760Nm) of torque. This model is marketed as more of a daily driver, and needs 3.5sec for the 0-62mph (100km/h) acceleration, which makes it a mere 0.1sec slower than the V12.

PHOTO GALLERY

Mercedes-AMG G65 Has Plenty Of Charm But Can It Make Up For Its Age?

Posted: 08 Dec 2017 03:29 PM PST


Mercedes is putting the finishing touches on the all-new G-Class but the outgoing model remains popular with countless fans and celebrities.

While it's common knowledge that the G-Class has been around for decades, it's a tad surprising how far the current model has fallen behind newer crossovers and SUVs.

In the latest video from Doug DeMuro, he checks out the Mercedes-AMG G65 which he describes as the "single stupidest car for sale today." After highlighting the SUV's impressive exhaust note, DeMuro quickly points out its lack of modern convenience features such as a passive entry system and a power-operated tailgate.

Given the vehicle's age, it also has some old school design quirks including exposed hinges, large door gaps, and visible screws on the turn signals and reflectors. Even when Mercedes added newer features, they didn't turn out perfectly as the rearview camera basically shows you the rear tire carrier and some pavement.

Of course, the G65 has some redeeming qualities including its insane twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 engine that produces 621 hp (463 kW) and 738 lb-ft (1,000 Nm) of torque. It makes the G-Class incredibly thirsty at the pump but it enables the SUV to accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 5.2 seconds which isn't bad for something that weighs 5,691 lbs (2,581 kg).

Video

Toyota Says Lack Of AWD Is Hurting C-HR Sales

Posted: 08 Dec 2017 05:12 PM PST


The Toyota C-HR went on sale in the United States earlier this year and it appears the model hasn't been quite as successful as the company was hoping.

Carsalesbase shows Toyota only sold 21,889 units since April and that's significantly less than rivals such as the Chevrolet Trax and Honda HR-V. Toyota's well aware of the situation as the company's North American executive vice president of sales, Bob Carter, recently told Wards Auto the lack of an optional all-wheel drive system is "hurting its sales potential."

The C-HR is one of the few crossovers that doesn't offer all-wheel drive and it will soon by joined by the Nissan Kicks. Nissan North America's vice president of product planning, Michael Bunce, doesn't think the Kicks will suffer the same sales problem as the C-HR as he expects the model will be popular in cities on both the east and west coast. As a result, the company expects to sell at least 50,000-60,000 Kicks annually.

Bunce went on to say the C-HR probably isn't doing as well as it could because it's expensive for its segment. As he noted, "In the U.S. there's still a great correlation between size and price point" and the C-HR starts at $22,500 which is "relatively high."

The product planner went on to say the Kicks will cost less than $19,000 and customers who need all-wheel drive can always move up to the Rogue Sport which starts at $21,420 and offer an optional all-wheel drive system for an additional $1,350.

Photo Gallery

Kahn Design Previews The Insane Flying Huntsman 6x6 Soft Top

Posted: 08 Dec 2017 02:32 PM PST


The Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet was one of the more insane convertibles to be introduced recently and Kahn Design is trying to top it by announcing plans for a new Flying Huntsman 6x6 Soft Top.

Designed to bring an "element of adventure, engineering and romanticism to the most seasoned of Defender owners and enthusiasts," the Flying Huntsman 6x6 Soft Top is based on the Land Rover Defender 110 and features six wheels like the Mercedes G63 AMG 6x6.

The company is keeping tip-lipped on details but the image suggests the model will have a fixed roof over the main passenger compartment. The rear-seat occupants, on the other hand, can enjoy an open air experience thanks to a retractable soft top.

Other notable styling features include front fender vents, side steps, and large wheels with off-road tires. The model also has a wide body kit and custom bodywork behind the rear doors.

Additional information will be announced in the coming months but the model could be equipped with a GM-sourced 6.2-liter LS3 V8 engine that develops around 430 hp (320 kW).

Photo Gallery

Japanese Vehicles Dominate CarMD's Latest Reliability Rankings

Posted: 08 Dec 2017 02:01 PM PST


CarMD has released its latest Vehicle Health Index Make & Model Reliability Rankings which examine how often vehicles show their check engine lights and how much those resulting repairs typically cost.

According to the company, they analyzed the check engine health of more than 4.2 million vehicles from between 1996 and 2017. The data was collected from CarMD's network of ASE-certified technicians who "recommend, validate and upload repairs and costs to the database on a daily basis."

The results of the study show Hyundai vehicles have the lowest average repair cost for a check engine light issue as the resulting parts and labor typically cost owners $306. The company was closely followed by Mazda and Kia which both had costs under $320.

The costs vary significantly by model and three most affordable average repair costs were for the 2012 Mazda 5, 2015 Kia Forte and 2015 Chevrolet Traverse. The Mazda 5 was the clear winner as its average repair cost was just $109.30. The Forte and Traverse had averages of $150.02 and $152.60, respectively.

CarMD's data also showed vehicles from Acura, Honda, and Toyota were the least likely to have their check engine light on. In terms of models themselves, the Honda Civic was determined to be the vehicle that is least likely to have a check engine warning. It was followed closely by the Toyota Camry and Corolla.

The company says at least 10 percent of vehicles in the United States have their check engine light on at any given time and repair costs car vary widely as sometimes the light is activated for something as simple as not fully tightening the gas cap.

Photo Gallery

2019 Toyota Avalon Teases Bolder Design Ahead Of Detroit Debut

Posted: 08 Dec 2017 07:11 PM PST


The countdown to the North American International Auto Show continues as Toyota has released the first teaser image of the 2019 Avalon.

Set to be unveiled on January 15th, the redesigned model promises to embrace "style and dynamism." The company didn't have much to say about the car but the teaser image suggests it will have a more adventurous design than its predecessor which debuted at the 2012 New York Auto Show.

As you can see, the Avalon will have an all-new front fascia which appears to feature LED-infused headlights and a massive grille. The car also has vertical air intakes and a sculpted hood.

Little else is known about the model but the Avalon will likely ride on the TNGA platform that underpins the 2018 Camry. Engine options could also carryover from the Camry and include a 3.5-liter V6 that develops 301 hp (224 kW) and 267 lb-ft (361 Nm) of torque. A hybrid variant is also a strong possibility and it could use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and an electric motor to produce a combined output of approximately 208 hp (155 kW).

Regardless of what's under the hood, we can expect the Avalon to have an assortment of Toyota Safety Sense systems. These should include automatic high beam headlights, a lane departure warning system, and a pre-collision warning system with pedestrian detection.

Photo Gallery

Updated Alfa Romeo 4C Reportedly Coming Next Year

Posted: 08 Dec 2017 12:59 PM PST


The Alfa Romeo 4C was designed to spearhead the company's resurgence but the model hasn't been a huge sales success as Carsalesbase data shows the automaker sold a combined 1,671 units in Europe and the United States last year.

Help is on the way as Alfa Romeo and Maserati engineering boss Roberto Fedeli told Autocar the company is working on an updated 4C which will feature a revised suspension and an improved steering system.

The updated model could also come with a new engine which would replace the turbocharged 1.75-liter four-cylinder that produces 237 hp (176 kW) and 258 lb-ft (349 Nm) of torque. It allows the current model to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds before hitting a top speed of 160 mph (257 km/h).

Fedeli wasn't ready to talk specifics but he said "We are coming back to Formula 1 and we need the 4C to be our halo car." Fedeli also confirmed the updated 4C will not be offered with a manual transmission as he doesn't think there's enough demand to justify it.

While the lack of a manual transmission won't please the purists, Fedeli said Ferrari spent approximately €10 ($11.7) million to offer a manual transmission in the California. In the end, just two cars were equipped with the gearbox.

Photo Gallery

Minor Accident Sparks Road Rage Shooting In Houston, One Bystander Injured

Posted: 08 Dec 2017 12:29 PM PST


Guns and road rage are a bad combination and it becomes considerably worse when the two mix in heavy traffic.

The latest incident occurred in Houston, Texas following a minor accident between a Jeep Wrangler and a Nissan Rogue. Instead of getting out of their vehicles to exchange insurance information, ABC News says both drivers emerged and began shooting at each other after a brief discussion.

While the initial exchange wasn't caught on video, a crew from KTRK ABC 13 happened to be at a nearby Starbucks and raced to the scene once they heard gunfire at around 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday. Despite their quick action, the crew arrived shortly after the last shots were fired but the two drivers continued to threaten each other with guns drawn.

Unfortunately, one bystander was hit in the head in the crossfire. Thankfully, an off-duty paramedic was in the area and was able to offer assistance until ambulances arrived.

Police took both men into custody and reports say one of them wounded and taken to a nearby hospital.

Video

Who Ever Said The Pagani Huayra Is Tame?

Posted: 08 Dec 2017 12:02 PM PST


Although the Pagani Huayra uses a twin-turbocharged V12 engine and its predecessor, the Zonda, came with a naturally-aspirated V12, the Huayra is still unabashedly crazy.

In fact, the range-topping model, the Huayra BC, delivers a frankly absurd 789 hp and 810 lb-ft of torque. For a car that weighs just 1,350 kg (2,976 lbs), that is more than enough to send the Huayra BC into the stratosphere. Don't worry about numbers on a spec sheet, the BC feels otherworldly.

The United States is easily Pagani's biggest market and that means there are heaps of BCs nationwide. One of them is owned by prolific car collector Dan_am_i on Instagram, a man who also owns a Koenigsegg Agera RS, Lamborghini Centenario, LaFerrari, Pagani Zonda Cinque, Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster, and a Pagani Zonda Tricolore.

Dan recently took to social media to share a video of his BC and while only brief, it helps to exemplify the car's mean streak as it spits flames like a machine gun.

Who ever said turbocharged cars don't sound nice?

VIDEO

Watch A Rotary Engine Catastrophically Explode In Australia

Posted: 08 Dec 2017 05:12 PM PST


When things go right, a Mazda rotary engine can deliver exceptional power, response, and intoxicating sounds. When things go wrong, a rotary engine can explode in a truly frightening way.

A couple of days ago during a loud exhaust competition at Rotary Revival 6 in Sydney, Australia, a Mazda owner thought he'd wow the crowds with his incredible rotary engine, reportedly revving all the way to 10,000 rpm. Sadly, the engine went boom.

We've seen engines blow up in the past and for the most part, they're not as eventful as one may think. However, this rotary was spinning so fast that when it decided to let go, it did so catastrophically.

The videos below show parts of the engine strewn across the ground, likely alongside all the owner's hopes, dreams, aspirations, and money.

VIDEO

VW Will Make 306HP T-Roc R Hot SUV “The Most Agile In Class”

Posted: 08 Dec 2017 11:03 AM PST


The person responsible for the rather excellent Golf GTI Clubsport S wants to make the upcoming VW T-Roc R the most agile model in the segment.

Karsten Schebsdat, VW's chassis development boss, said to Autocar thinks the regular T-Roc is a pretty good place to start, if you want to build a performance variant out of it.

"I think the standard T-Roc with 4Motion [four-wheel drive] and the DCC chassis with 19in wheels is the most agile SUV in that class," he said. "If there will be a T-Roc R, it will definitely be even more fun."

VW has also drafted professional racing driver Benny Leuchter to provide his input on the model's setup. Leuchter was the man behind the wheel of the Clubsport S when it set an earlier Nurburgring front-wheel drive lap record.

Leuchter also revealed that he's been pushing for better handling setups on VW models, indicating that the T-Roc R will offer a more playful character in order to attract enthusiasts.

The upcoming VW T-Roc R is going to use the group's classic 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with around 310PS (306hp), offering slightly more power than its future main rival, the Seat Ateca Cupra.

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops

PHOTO GALLERY

2020 BMW M3 G80 Spied For The Very First Time, Could Get AWD

Posted: 08 Dec 2017 10:31 AM PST


A new BMW 3-Series prototype has now been spotted in public, wearing heavy camouflage, yet having noticeably wider fenders. Gotcha, M3!

Our marksman with the lens had very little time to take pictures of the car as it was driving by, but he did notice that aside from the fenders, nothing else looked different at the front.

As for the rest of the car, we can see what appear to be M side skirts, a small trunk lid spoiler and a set of quad-exhausts, which is actually what gave the car away - it made more noise than any regular 3-Series prototype seen so far.

According to sources, the 2020 M3 will be powered by a new twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, utilizing the same water-injection system as the M4 GTS, sharing the latter's power output of 493 HP (367 kW) and 442 lb-ft (598 Nm).

If this turns out to be true, it will make the new car significantly more powerful than the current M3, not to mention lighter and more Eco-friendly, if it does indeed adopt a 48-volt mild hybrid system and electrically spooled turbos.

Like its larger sibling, the M5, the all-new M3 is also expected to come with all-wheel drive, although rumor has it this is going to cost buyers extra and that it won't be standard on the car. The system will likely be coupled to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, while the six-speed manual may yet survive the generational shift, if only in rear-wheel drive variants. Grain of salt though.

The launch date for the 2020 M3 remains unknown. But since the all-new 3-Series will come out to play sometime next year, we could see the M-version make its presence felt either in late 2018 or sometime in 2019, the latter scenario being more probable.

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops

PHOTO GALLERY

Watch The 2018 Corvette ZR1 Spit Flames For 12 Seconds

Posted: 08 Dec 2017 10:01 AM PST


The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is an absolute beast. Need proof? Watch this video of the front-engine supercar spewing flames for a full 12-seconds on a track.

Captured during prototype testing of the ZR1, the clip shows the car accelerating at full throttle while shooting bright blue flames. It really looks as if the car has small rockets at the back rather than tailpipes.

Although we'll have to wait until journalists get their hands on the new ZR1 to see if it lives up to the hype, the figures published by General Motors indicate that it will be an absolute animal.

Sitting at the heart of the ZR1 is a 6.2-liter supercharged LT5 V8 engine delivering 755 hp and 715 lb-ft of torque. This engine can be paired to either an eight-speed automatic transmission or seven-speed manual and will send the ZR1 to a top speed exceeding 210 mph (337 km/h). Chevrolet also believes the car will set a sub-7-minute lap at the Nurburgring.

VIDEO

Analyst Claims It Costs Over $2,000 A Year To Service A Tesla

Posted: 08 Dec 2017 05:13 PM PST


It appears as though the maintenance costs to keep Tesla vehicles on the road are much higher than many would have you believe, at least according to an analyst who went through the companies revenue statements.

In a lengthy analysis, a writer at Seeking Alpha A asserts that, on average, it costs more than $2,000 a year to maintain a Tesla Model S or Model X.

The article itself and the methodology used to come to that figure is extremely convoluted but we'll summarize it briefly.

What the writer has done is note the maintenance service revenue disclosed by the electric automaker, the number of Tesla vehicles delivered each quarter, and estimated how many months a Tesla vehicle typically spends being driven around.

In 2016 for example, Tesla reported just over $178 million in maintenance service revenue, equating to roughly $107 revenue per car per month. The writer then analyzed the gross cost of Tesla's car-servicing business throughout 2017, calculating an approximate monthly service bill of over $160 for a Tesla.

As intriguing as the math is, it's worth noting that the website responsible for these figures is catered towards investors and far from unbiased.

Take a read of the full analysis in the link above and let us know if we failed horribly at summarizing the figures.

PHOTO GALLERY

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