Monday, 1 January 2018

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EV Batteries Need A Major Rethink According To Tech Pioneer

Posted: 01 Jan 2018 04:08 AM PST


One of the inventors of the lithium-ion battery believes that the batteries used in electric vehicles need to be improved significantly, particularly due to the demands presented by fleets of electric autonomous vehicles.

Speaking to Bloomberg, Akira Yoshino, honorary fellow of Asahi Kasei, the world's biggest maker of battery separators, said that vehicles engaged in ride-sharing will be used significantly more than traditional vehicles.

"A car shared by 10 people means it will be running 10 times more. Cars are a completely new application, and we'll have to wait until we find out what kind of batteries will really be needed. The future of batteries depends on what will happen to the future of the automobile society," Yoshino said.

In the late 1980's, Asahi Kasei commenced production of lithium-ion batteries with polyacetylene as the anode, although Sony ultimately beat Asahi Kasei to commercialize the technology for mobile phones in 1991.

Mercedes-AMG Project One Dissected By The Men Who Designed It

Posted: 01 Jan 2018 04:03 AM PST


From the CLK GTR to the SLR McLaren, Mercedes has made some epic supercars over the years – but nothing quite like the Mercedes-AMG Project One.

The world-beating hypercar aims to take everything Mercedes has learned over the course of the past four years of dominating Formula One racing and apply it to the road.

At its heart sits a 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 hybrid powertrain closely based on the F1 unit and capable of producing around a thousand horsepower in a package weighing less than 2,900 pounds. Impressive as that combination may be, though, there's clearly a lot more going on with the Project One (or whatever it'll ultimately be called) than the numbers indicate.

To get the real scoop on what's gone into Benz's new groundbreaking hypercar, you'll want to speak to the men who designed it: Daimler's chief designer Gorden Wagener, exterior designer Robert Lesnik, interior designer Hartmut Sinkwitz, and AMG's Philipp Eckert and Vitalis Enns.

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BMW Expected To Reveal New M2 Competition In April 2018

Posted: 01 Jan 2018 03:28 AM PST


There's a great number of new cars (and versions of existing ones) we're looking forward to seeing in the year ahead. But for Bimmerphiles, the moment could not come any sooner for the forthcoming M2 Competition – and that moment, we hear, will come this April.

The Competition version of the M2 is anticipated to pack a detuned version of the 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline six found in the larger M3 and M4, producing upwards of 400 horsepower (instead of 365 in the existing M2 or 425 in the M3/M4).

We can also expect similarly upgraded suspension, brakes, and rolling stock to go with the power boost, giving the M2 an even sharper edge that's sure to sure to please the most hardcore of enthusiasts. New colors such as Hockenheim Silver and Sunset Orange are also slated to be offered alongside Alpine White, Sapphire Black, Mineral Grey, and Long Beach Blue (pictured, on the 2018 M2).

We've heard that BMW will commence production of the M2 Competition in July, but now BMW Blog reports that the model will be revealed sooner than that – in April, we're told. If that's right, we won't be seeing it at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, which is scheduled to take place early in March, but we could see it in Beijing, which is set to open its auto show late in April.

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Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Is Still Gorgeous A Decade Later

Posted: 01 Jan 2018 03:10 AM PST


Alfa Romeo is back making compelling products again, and glad we are for it – especially now that they're being sold again in the United States. But with apologies to the Giulia and Stelvio, this (to our eyes) remains the most beautiful modern Alfa made.

It's an 8C Competizione – one of just 500 such coupes made, and it's coming up for auction.

Based on a hodgepodge of Maserati and Ferrari components and coated in curvaceous carbon-fiber bodywork, the 8C was (to many) the first and last proper Alfa sports car, carrying with it decades of the marque's heritage and leaving a long shadow behind it.

It packed a 4.7-liter V8 up front, driving the rear wheels through a six-speed sequential gearbox (which probably should, in retrospect, have been left as a manual). It may not have been the top performer of its day, much less by today's standards, but it was gorgeous. Drop-dead gorgeous. Just look at these images (by Lukas Laurikietis for RM Sotheby's).

Alfa Romeo only made 500 coupes and another 500 Spider roadsters between 2007 and 2010, its mantle assumed only in part by the nimble but lower-end 4C that followed. That's left them as hot commodities, and are only bound to appreciate even further with age.

This example was delivered new in classic red over black in the spring of 2009 to its owner in Germany, who has since put less than 5,000 miles on it. No wonder RM Sotheby's expects it to sell for €200-250,000 (~$240-300k), or about the price of a new Ferrari 488 GTB, at its Retromobile sale in Paris come February.

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Do You Know How The Iconic Porsche 911 Got Its Name?

Posted: 01 Jan 2018 02:01 AM PST


Choosing a name for a new model is far from an easy process for automakers, and unless they are related to mythology or a place, car names often make little sense in the eyes of consumers.

Take the 911, for example, Porsche's iconic sports car, whose exterior design is an evolution of the 1963 original, the year it was born.

Nevertheless, '911' wasn't the original moniker that Porsche was going to use, as they initially planned to sell it as the 901. However, they soon received a "friendly" letter from Peugeot, informing them that all three-digit numbers with a zero in the middle are a no-go as they had already trademarked them.

This meant that it was time for a brainstorming session, whose result was supposed to keep production costs to a minimum. Still, before knowing that they cannot use the original moniker, Porsche had the idea to add '901' badges on the tailgates and dashboards of the vehicles, so they already had the '9', '0', and '1' printed out and ready to use.

So what did they do? Well, basically, they put 1 and 1 together, thus giving the sports car the iconic name that's become famous worldwide as revealed in this case not by Google, but by Porsche themselves, in an official video.

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Jannarelly Floats The Idea Of An Electric Design-X1 Roadster

Posted: 31 Dec 2017 03:35 PM PST


With 2017 now drawn to a close, automakers around the world, big and small, are looking towards the new year ahead. That includes Jannarelly, which is floating the idea of an electric version of its Design-1 roadster.

The Jannarelly Design-1 is the work of the same Anthony Jannarelly who designed the Lykan Hypersport and Fenyr Supersport for W Motors (among other projects).

The minimalist sports car draws inspiration from classic roadsters, powered by a 3.5-liter V6 mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The project dubbed the Design-X1, however, would do away with the internal-combustion engine in favor of an electric powertrain of undisclosed specifications.

The version pictured – in a neon tint akin to the new Aston Martin Vantage's with a red grille frame and grey stripes – also features a single-seat cockpit, with the rest of the cabin covered by more bodywork.

At this point, Jannarelly and company are gauging public opinion to see whether they should proceed with developing the electric track machine. So tell us, what do you think?

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Fire Risk Prompts One Last Maserati Recall For 2017

Posted: 31 Dec 2017 02:03 PM PST


Maserati has issued another recall. This time it's relatively small in scope, but it's rather serious in nature.

The problem comes down to a fuel line that could leak gasoline onto the engine bay or the underside of the vehicle. And as you might imagine, that poses the very real risk of a fire breaking out, with potentially disastrous consequences.

The campaign announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration affects an estimated 1,406 examples of the 2018 Quattroporte and Ghibli in the United States, and another 86 in Canada – all of the units manufactured between July 24 and December 14 of this past year.

The manufacturer issued a stop-sale order for those vehicles affected on December 15, and is now followed up with a recall. The fix entails fitting new new fuel delivery lines in a process that's set to kick off on February 9, 2018. But until then, owners might consider leaving their vehicles parked.

This is the fifth Maserati recall we've reported on in 2017. In January the manufacturer announced the recall of all the Levante S crossovers it had sold in America up to that point. In February it issued two more recalls – one for the Quattroporte, Ghibli, and Levante, and another for just the sedans. And in March, it recalled the Levane again. Those are just the ones on which we reported in the United States. Here's hoping it won't have to issue many more in the new year ahead.

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Oettinger Built This One-Off VW Golf 400R Police Car

Posted: 31 Dec 2017 12:56 PM PST


Arguably more than most countries, the police in Germany need pursuit vehicles capable of chasing down monstrously fast and powerful vehicles down unrestricted stretches of autobahn. The trouble is that it doesn't have the budget to buy fleets of Porsche 911s and Mercedes-AMG GTs. So what to do?

Here's Oettinger's answer. It's a one-of-a-kind Volkswagen Golf R that was unveiled a few weeks back at the Essen Motor Show, decked out in police livery with special equipment.

That includes the flashing lights on the roof and in the air dam, and a foil wrap in blue, white, and neon yellow, emblazoned with the word "Polizei."

It also includes a full aero kit, complete with front sp;itter, side skirts, rear apron, and roof spoiler. The hood is custom as well, there's a four-pipe exhaust system with 90-mm tailpipes, and the whole thing rides on a set of 20-inch alloys wrapped in low-profile Hanhook rubber.

The real long arm of the law in this case, though, is what you can't see: Oettinger has tuned the 2.0-liter turbo four from the standard 310 horsepower to a more prodigious 400, giving it a 0-62 time of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 180 mph.

That's mighty fast – for a Golf especially – but don't expect to see one of these patrolling the autobahn anytime soon. The concept car was created as part of the Tune It! Safe! campaign, supported by the federal transport ministry and by industry members.

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Alfa Romeo's Working On New Giulietta And 4C

Posted: 01 Jan 2018 02:00 AM PST


With the Giulia and Stelvio, Alfa Romeo has properly revitalized its product portfolio. And it's said to have a new, larger crossover in the pipeline too. But what will come after that?

According to the latest reports, the Italian automaker is looking at two new vehicles: one to succeed the Giulietta, and the other, the 4C.

"In order to complete the Alfa range of products," Alfa's chief technical officer Roberto Fedeli told Auto Express, "we need another couple of pillars – something in the C-Segment and then obviously a sporty product, a very sporty product."

The Giulietta could use a shortened version of the Giulia sedan's platform, which would ostensibly mean it'd be rear-wheel drive – rare territory for C-segment hatchbacks, following similar formula to the BMW 1 Series hatch. But Alfa (and FCA) would need to ascertain whether a re-entry into that segment would be worthwhile.

The company has been moving away from unprofitable small cars, having in recent years discontinued the Dodge Dart, Chrysler 200, and Lancia Delta. "it's very difficult to make a profit," Fedeli said about the segment.

As for the 4C, an update is in the works – but the company is looking beyond that to the long-term future of the model. "We make some small modifications but then we have to decide if we want to install different engine, or switch the architecture. As you can imagine we have some options, we are working on more than one option." However it turns out, Fedeli says it won't have a manual transmission – which is sad news for purists.

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Baseball All-Star Leaves The Pitcher's Mound For Supercar Dealership

Posted: 31 Dec 2017 11:10 AM PST


Professional athletes tend to have a short career, leaving a long "retirement" to fill. Some move on to team or talent management, but not CJ Wilson.

The former All-Star pitcher owns a chain of automotive dealerships. Three of them deal in Mazdas: two in Illinois and one in California. But his dealership in Arizona deals in British supercars, and it's just added another line.

Alongside McLarens, the Scottsdale dealership will now be selling the BAC Mono as well. In fact it will be the first location to receive the updated 2018 model of the single-seat exotic – five of them, to be specific, each of which is available for sale.

"It's with great pleasure that I can declare BAC Scottsdale officially open for business," said Wilson. "When I first got into the Mono cockpit, I was absolutely blown away – it provides the ultimate experience for any driving purist, with unrivalled levels of accessibility, pace and poise."

The left-handed pitcher played for the Texas Rangers from 2005-2011 and for the LA Angels until 2015. He twice pitched in the MLB All-Star Game, but has since taken to cars. He's been known to drive Porsches and a custom McLaren P1, and competed in the 25 Hours of Thunderhill and in Mazda MX-5 club races.

That's him driving the Mono at the Inde Motorsports Ranch in the video below. We don't know about the Mazdas, but if you're fortunate enough to buy a new McLaren or BAC Mono from his Scottsdale dealership, you just might get a photo or an autograph to go with it.

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Christmas Presents Don’t Come Any Better Than A Koenigsegg Agera R

Posted: 01 Jan 2018 02:01 AM PST


Giving is what the Christmas spirit is all about, but someone thought he could give himself a present, too – and what a gift that was!

As it turns out, he took delivery of a Koenigsegg Agera R, complete with a red bow. You know, just like the ones us, mere mortals, put on our gifts that, unfortunately, are not a hypercar.

In fact, this owner had been hunting for an Agera R for some time before finding one in Japan that had less than 500 miles on the odo, which makes it practically brand new. Its satin white bodywork is adorned with some blue details, but we guess that wasn't what lured him into buying the Koenigsegg in the first place.

In all likelihood, it was its 1,115HP output when running on E85 ethanol, or 1,050HP on 98 octane gas. Being able to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h [62mph] in just 2.9 seconds and to 200 km/h [124mph] in just 7.5 seconds, along with a top speed in excess of 420 km/h (261 mph) are what make the Agera R a true hypercar.

Moreover, the Agera R is second only to the RS version, which is currently the fastest car in the world with a Bugatti Veyron-beating 284.3 mph (457.5 km/h) top speed. But, hey, more than 420 km/h should be enough for anyone; finding a long enough straight to get there will be the real challenge.

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Lamborghini Gallardo Ventures Into Hypercar Territory With 1,000WHP

Posted: 31 Dec 2017 08:56 AM PST


Instead of opting for the usual wraps, body kits and wheels, the Texan owner of this Gallardo has turned to Underground Racing to make his Lambo more powerful.

The tuner fitted the naturally aspirated V10 with two turbocharges that, along with other mods such as a JRR MoTeC ECU, raised the output considerably.

According to Underground Racing, the 2004 Gallardo fitted with the Stage 3 upgrade now makes an impressive 1,000 horsepower at the wheels on 93 octane gasoline, but fill its tank with race fuel and it will produce an additional 250WHP.

For the 2003-208 Lamborghini Gallardo, these upgrades cost $89,000, whereas the same kit for the 2009-2013 LP640-4 models come with a $94,000 price tag, which is basically more than a used Gallardo.

Mind you, this isn't the tuner's top-of-the-line offer, because they also have a 'Race Version', with 1,050WHP on 93 octane gasoline and 1,500WHP on race fuel for $109,000, and a Stage 2 of the aforementioned upgrade, whose pricing is undisclosed, but is good enough for 1,750WHP on race fuel.

Finally, those who want the ultimate thrill can order the 'X Version Turbo System', which results in excess of 2,000WHP on race fuel.

PHOTO GALLERY

All-New Audi A8 Is A Technological Tour de Force But Lacks The 'Wow' Factor

Posted: 31 Dec 2017 12:46 PM PST


While the 2018 Audi A8 might very well be the most technologically advanced car in its segment, this doesn't necessarily make it the best.

According to Carbuyer's review, the all-new A8 is a technological tour de force, and you certainly won't be disappointed with its interior quality or overall comfort, both on the road as well as inside. However, while it does rival the S-Class when it comes to offering a remarkably smooth ride, you could argue that the Audi doesn't actually look as distinctive as the Mercedes.

Surprisingly, this issue doesn't go away once you've sat behind the wheel, and it's because of all the tech - which, for example, can force you to take your eyes off the road since there's no rotary dial anymore for the infotainment system.

The review adds that technology doesn't equal luxury, and that while you can't really fault the A8 for anything else, its clinical interior and unassuming exterior get in the way of it nailing the top spot in the executive saloon segment.

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Forget The Veyron And Chiron - This EB110 SS Prototype Is The Bugatti You Want

Posted: 31 Dec 2017 02:02 PM PST


There's little question that Bugatti makes some of the fastest, most powerful hypercars ever, and we would consider ourselves immensely fortunate to have to choose which one we'd want. But if push came to shove, we would be tempted to go with this one right here.

It's a 1993 EB110 SS, the lighter, more powerful, and altogether more extreme version of the pre-VW Group era. Instead of "only" 550 horsepower in the EB110 GT, the SS model packed 604 hp, providing world-beating performance capabilities for its time.

Now, at this point, you may be thinking that the new Chiron – and even the Veyron that came before – pack a more powerful punch. And you're right, of course, as 600 is less than a thousand, any way you slice it. But the EB110 is lighter. Over a thousand pounds lighter, in fact: where the Chiron weighs around 4,400 pounds (almost as much as an Audi Q7), and the Veyron over 4,100 lbs (more than a Q5), the EB110 SS tips the scales at less than 3,300 lbs (barely more than an Audi TT).

With a (relatively) small-capacity 3.5-liter quad-turbo V12, the EB110 SS boasted a specific output of 172 horsepower per liter – better than the Veyron (even the Super Sport) and bested only by the Chiron (with its massive 1,479 hp) nearly a quarter-century later. Little wonder, since the EB110 was the brainchild of Romano Artioli, the same man who birthed the Lotus Elise, one of the lightest sports cars on the market.

The bottom line is that the EB110 SS was a relative featherweight, a precision scalpel to the leather-handled sledge hammers that followed. Put it up against either of its successors on a technical race track (without the long high-speed straights you'd find at Monza or La Sarthe) and we'd bet dollars to donuts the 110 would more than hold its own. Michael Schumacher was impressed enough to buy one, and that speaks volumes about it.

Unfortunately Bugatti only made 139 examples of the EB110 before it collapsed under the weight of Artioli's ambitions, and only 36 of those were SS models like this one. But even in such rare company, this one stands apart. It's a rare factory prototype, assured its place in the history books among the most notable vehicles ever to wear the Bugatti name. RM Sotheby's (for which Tim Scott captured these images) expects it will sell for between €850,000 and €1.1 million (or about $1-1.3m) when the gavel drops in Paris on February 7.

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Porsche Macan Turbo Vs Audi SQ5 Rev Battle Is Tough To Call

Posted: 31 Dec 2017 05:22 AM PST


When it comes to straight line performance, the Porsche Macan Turbo definitely holds all the bragging rights in the face of its Audi SQ5 rival. But which one makes more of a racket?

Their engines aren't all that different. Both of these fast compact premium SUVs have petrol-powered V6 units, although the 3.6-liter twin turbo one in the Macan is good for 400 PS (394 HP), whereas the SQ5's 3.0-liter TFSI is rated at 354 PS (350 HP).

At idle, both cars produce a nice low rumble, though nothing spectacular - just enough to let you know you're not listening to the base models.

Get more lively with the throttle and the Macan Turbo will growl a little more heavily than the SQ5, letting off a few crackles, but otherwise the soundtracks can be described as comparable.

They even sound alike on the move, although if this was a performance comparison, the Porsche would clearly ace it thanks to its faster acceleration and higher top speed.

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