Friday, 12 January 2018

CARSCOOPS

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2018 Nissan Rogue Sport Goes On Sale Virtually Unchanged From $22,615

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 04:30 AM PST


Nissan announced the pricing and range details of the 2018 Rogue Sport, which goes on sale with just a few refinements to its optional features.

The company's popular compact crossover now starts from $22,615 for the base front-drive S model, including a $960 destination fee. Go for the all-wheel drive S version and the price goes up by $1,350, starting at $23,965.

All Rogue Sport models continue using a 141hp 2.0-liter petrol inline-four engine mated to the company's Xtronic CVT transmission.

For the 2018 model year, Nissan has replaced the optional SV Premium Package with the new SV Technology Package, which now includes heated front seats, remote engine start system with Intelligent climate control, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, fog lights, and heated door mirrors among other.

Similarly, the new SL Premium Package replaces the old SL Platinum pack, offering features like Intelligent cruise control, lane departure warning, Intelligent lane intervention and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

The 2018 Nissan Rogue Sport goes on sale now at U.S. dealers nationwide.



PHOTO GALLERY

Subaru Viziv STI Performance Concept Loosely Hints At Next WRX

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 03:54 AM PST


Subaru wants to lure visitors at the 2018 Tokyo Auto Salon to its stand with a new concept car, the Viziv Performance STI.

The study builds upon last year's Viziv, albeit with some styling changes made all around, with the most significant one being the large wing added to the boot.

Look closer and you will also see a tweaked rear diffuser made from carbon fiber, new side sills, reshaped front bumper with larger air intakes and STI branding, and a slightly modified grille. Emphasizing its sportier stance are the red accents applied to different parts of the exterior.

The rest of the car, though, appears to have remained untouched, but then again, at the time of writing, Subaru hasn't treated us with an official press release, so the live images are all we've got.

Nevertheless, the new Subaru Viziv Performance STI is said to preview the next generation WRX STI, but knowing that the Japanese car marque tends to drastically tone down its concepts for production, this one will likely follow the same route.

Expected to arrive within the next few years, the upcoming Subaru WRX STI is believed to drop the current 2.5-liter Boxer engine and replace it with an entirely new unit. Some say that electrification might be on the table too, but we'll just have to wait and see.

PHOTO GALLERY

F1 Halo May Soon Gain Digital Scrolling 'Ticker' Display

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 03:18 AM PST


Formula 1 is currently analyzing multiple solutions that could help teams maximize the extra space found on the halo cockpit protection system.

According to Autosport, one idea being thrown around is a sort of scrolling digital 'ticker', like the ones used to display stocks and share prices.

"Formula 1 has been talking about doing some sort of digital on it, so I think we'll make the most of it," said McLaren exec, Zak Brown. "Possibly some sort of almost like ticker running, like you see at the stock exchange. Some kind of messaging - that sort of thing."

There are already rules in place letting teams know what they can or can't do with the halo, such as how they're not allowed to paint it on the inside so that it doesn't become a distraction to the drivers.

Brown admits that now "it looks a bit bolted onto the car", but is hopeful that, in time, the halo will become better integrated in F1 cars.

PHOTO GALLERY

Diesel Car Share In UK Could Plummet To 15% By 2025

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 02:32 AM PST


According to an industry expert, the market share for diesels in Britain could collapse to just 15% as motorists continue to choose other means of propulsion.

Aston University's Professor David Bailey says that diesel cars are caught in a "perfect storm", while adding that demand has already fallen to 17.1% in 2017, as reported by The Telegraph.

In fact, the drop even accelerated towards the end of the year, as motorists continue to be confused by government policies towards diesels - with sales dropping by 31.1% in the month of December alone.

"Diesel cars face a raft of challenges, each one of which could damage sales, and which are combining to kill off the domestic diesel sector, which was so rattled by the 'dieselgate' scandal," said Bailey.

"They face a perfect storm of bad PR over pollution, coupled with concerns over increasingly strict regulations and sinking second-hand values."

He also predicts that sales for new diesel-powered vehicles will drop by another 10% this year, and will represent just 15% of the new car market by the year 2025, compared to 47.7% in 2016 and 42% in 2017.

Jaguar Land Rover, the UK's biggest car maker stated that its UK sales were flat in 2017, expressing frustration over the government's treatment of diesels.

"We're investing and exporting 80% of our output and delivering a huge amount of benefit to this economy," said JLR sales exec, Andy Goss. "One would expect hand-in glove approach when it comes to looking at an area of policy so we don't get surprises. It's a reasonable request when, as a car manufacturer, planning takes a long time and takes huge amounts of money."

Meanwhile Professor Bailey points out that governments had several other opportunities to encourage drivers to switch to alternative means of propulsion, even back in 2001 when "there was a misconceived drive to get people to opt for diesels."

"Now that it's clear diesel is dying a slow death, the time is right for the government to take the initiative and offer up scrappage benefits to those who are prepared to ditch their diesels and switch to electric cars."

Bentley Bentayga Now Offers A V8 (And The World's Biggest Brakes)

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 02:16 AM PST


Bentley, you might argue, has built its reputation around its W12 engine. In fact it makes more twelve-cylinder engines than any other automaker. But where it's offered, the V8 might be the smarter buy – and now it's on offer in the Bentayga as well.

The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 in Bentley's sport-ute kicks out 542 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. As you might have guessed, that's less than the 600 hp and 664 lb-ft available in the 6.0-liter W12 with which it launched, but it's more than the V8 in the previous Continental GT's ever offered (even in 582-horse/531-lb-ft S spec).

More to the point, it's the exact same output as the version found in the latest Porsche Panamera Turbo, which tells you a lot about where it comes from (as opposed to the previous Audi-sourced engine).

Regardless of its source, it's enough to send the Bentayga V8 to 60 in 4.4 seconds and to a top speed of 180 miles per hour (as compared to the 4.0 seconds and 187 mph mustered by the twelve-cylinder version).

The hundred-pound weight reduction does its part, but the Bentayga V8 still tips the scales at a portly 5,280 pounds – or about two and a half times the weight of the Lotus Elise built on the other side of the same country. Fortunately Bentley is offering a 48-volt active suspension system, along with carbon-ceramic brakes. They're not only the largest it's ever made, but feature the biggest front brake discs offered on any car in production: 440 mm, with ten-piston calipers up front (and 370 mm discs at the back). At 17 inches, those front discs are bigger than the wheels on most cars! No wonder the Bentayga offers wheels ranging from 20 to 22 inches.

Along with the new engine option, Bentley's offering an array of new interior trims, including deep reddish-brown "cricket-ball" leather, carbon-fiber trim, and a steering wheel appointed in wood and leather. Expect the V8 option to reduce the Bentayga's price of admission, but not by enough to make it "affordable" to most of us, by any stretch of the imagination. It may be an SUV with a smaller engine, taking the marque once again into new territory – but it's still a Bentley, after all.

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Cough, Cough... Older Italian Diesel Hatchbacks Engage In Drag War

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 01:40 AM PST


The popularity of diesel cars is taking a hit even Europe, but it will be a long time until the good old oil burners are gone from the market.

Believe it or not, throwing together a few old hatchbacks, powered by diesel engines, is a good way of killing time, and the Italian Drag Racing Championship is one of the places to do so.

The latest edition brought together a bunch of modified Fiat Puntos and Alfa Romeo 147s, which engaged in a very fogy racing war.

Various stages of the competition allowed participants to go head-to-head, solving old disputes the proper way, and they also had to race against the clock, often completing the 1/4-mile run in less than 15 seconds.

It appears that the best time was scored by one of the Alfas shown in the video that follows, powered by a 1.9-liter JDT mill that was likely tuned. The old Italian hatchback ran the quarter-mile in 13.185 seconds, reaching a top speed of 174.33km/h (108.32mph), at the expense of killing fresh air.

You can almost smell those fossil fuels being burned, can't you?

VIDEO

Mercedes' 2018 F1 Engine To Be Largely "All New"

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 12:36 AM PST


The Mercedes team has largely dominated Formula One for the previous four seasons but the squad isn't going to rest on its laurels in 2018.

Recently discussing the brand's engine for the 2018 season with Motorsport, Mercedes engine boss Andy Cowell said the powertrain will be "pretty much all new."

"It's had several phase-ups through the season and we've got ideas to improve the power, the indicated power in the engine.

"We've got ideas to reduce the friction in pretty much every area of the power unit, or the losses in electrical systems," Cowell revealed.

According to Cowell, Mercedes knows a selection of areas where it can improve its powertrain to ensure it retains an advantage over the likes of Ferrari, Renault, and Honda-produced engines.

"Every time you do an engine, every time you do a phase update you've always learned.

"So you freeze the concept, you do the work, you do the prove-out, you go racing and all the way along that journey it's intensely frustrating because you're learning but you cannot incorporate into that phase without corrupting the quality fundamentally.

"So it's ensuring that we do have a learning culture that observes and learns and reflects and then remembers that so that then when it's time to put the next concept together we've got a whole load of ideas and a lot of it is small, marginal gains on well-trodden areas," Cowell said.

During the first half of the 2017 season, the Mercedes team was challenged by Ferrari ace Sebastian Vettel. However, the Italian marque's form declined rapidly in the latter half of the championship, allowing Lewis Hamilton to comfortably win the driver's championship and for Mercedes to secure a fourth consecutive constructors' championship.

PHOTO GALLERY

Stylish 2019 Audi A7 Sportback Heading To Detroit For U.S. Debut

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 04:13 AM PST


Audi is bringing the all-new 2019 A7 four-door coupe to the Detroit Auto Show to make its public debut on U.S. soil.

The second generation of the Audi A7 is heavily inspired by the design of the Prologue concept, featuring sculpted lines and large uninterrupted surfaces, as well as a sloping roofline.

Despite the latter, Audi claims that the new A7 offers more space and comfort for rear passengers than the outgoing model, with more room for both their heads and legs.

The new design language is also present in the cabin, with the dashboard featuring the latest MMI infotainment system that debuted with the A8, replacing all the traditional buttons and controls with a pair of large, high-definition touchscreen displays. Together with the Audi Virtual Cockpit, the interior of the new A7 wants to be one of the most high-tech cabins currently in the market.

Audi still hasn't shared anything about the powertrains of the new US-spec A7, but we know that the new four-door coupe will come with the turbocharged 355hp 3.0-liter TFSI V6 paired to a seven-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch gearbox and a Quattro all-wheel drive system. More powertrains will be available at the future, including plug-in hybrid versions.

Expect to hear more from the 2019 Audi A7 once the Detroit Auto Show opens its gates in three days.

PHOTO GALLERY

Lexus Suits Up Widebody LC 500 For The 24h Of Nürburgring

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 07:33 PM PST


Toyota Gazoo Racing has officially found the vehicle that it will compete with in the ADAC Zurich 24h-Rennen (the 24 Hours of Nürburgring) – a highly-customized Lexus LC.

This year's grueling race is set to commence on Saturday, May 12 and marks the 46th time the race has been run at the iconic racetrack. Toyota Gazoo Racing will be competing in the race for the 12th consecutive year, which it's usually done in some kind of modified Toyota or Lexus.

The motorsport arm also points out that it usually competes in the event with a car that's built by Toyota employees and races the vehicle with the help of mechanics and engineers from Toyota.

So, going with the LC was a no-brainer, especially as the coupe is an easily-distinguishable halo car for the automaker. Besides saying that the car has been "refined to race specifications" and that it will be powered by a modified version of the Lexus' 2UR-GSE 5.0-liter V8, Gazoo Racing didn't provide any specs on the vehicle.

Previously, Gazoo Racing has competed in the SP-PRO, SP8, and SP3. We expect the customized LC to race against other vehicles in the SP8 class. The four drivers that will be piloting the machine include Takeshi Tsuchiya, as the chief driver, as well as Takamitsu Matsui, Naoya Gamo, and Yuichi Nakayama.

Competing in the race, according to the motorsport arm, will allow Toyota to introduce new technology in future vehicles. Things like body technology development, engine development, suspension technology, and aerodynamics development are things that Gazoo Racing will explore by competing in the 24-hour race.

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You Can Now Rent A 575HP Jaguar F-Type SVR For $299 Per Day

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 06:45 PM PST


The Jaguar F-Type SVR is the most hardcore F-Type the British automaker sells. With a starting price tag of roughly $127,000, only well-off enthusiasts have the opportunity to experience the high-performance Jag. But Enterprise has fixed that issue by allowing drivers to rent the vehicle in select locations.

The F-Type SVR is a 575-hp beast thanks to its supercharged 5.0-liter V8 which sounds amazing. In addition to the breathtaking soundtrack, the F-Type can get to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds and onto a top speed of 200 mph.

Thanks to a new partnership with Jaguar, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is allowing drivers to rent the sports car in 15 locations around the U.S. The F-Type SVR will become a part of Enterprise's Exotic Car Collection fleet in the following locations: Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, Orlando, Fla., Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, South Florida, Seattle, North Carolina, Phoenix, Nashville, Tenn., Minnesota, and Naples, Fla.

The F-Type SVR joins the likes of the Ferrari California, Lamborghini Huracan, Porsche 911, and Maserati GranTurismo in Enterprise's list of available exotic rentals and slots in as the second most powerful car available, behind the 602hp Huracan.

Depending on your location, and other factors, it can be rented from Enterprise for approximately $299 a day. This might sound a bit expensive, but if you consider that renting an Audi R8 Spyder costs roughly $799 a day, then it's a bargain.

Enterprise's Exotic Car Collection has grown to include more than 50 locations across the U.S. after being founded in 2006. The American car rental company is looking to expand to more states in the States and Canada in the near future, giving more enthusiasts the opportunity to live out their automotive dreams, even for a while.

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Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Super Sport Concept Packs 986HP Turbo V6 Hybrid

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 07:22 PM PST


Last December, Gazoo Racing, which is Toyota's motorsport division, teased a new Super Sport Concept with just the silhouette of the vehicle. One the eve of the 2018 Tokyo Auto Salon, Toyota Gazoo Racing unveiled the GR Super Sport Concept in all of its funky glory.

The Tokyo Auto Salon is Japan's version of SEMA, which means that there will be plenty of incredible machines on display. But we have a feeling that Gazoo Racing's concept will be one of the more absurd vehicles at the show.

The motorsport division has taken a lot of the components found on the TS050 Hybrid that Toyota raced in WEC and packed them into a striking concept. Power comes from a 2.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, just like in the actual race car, that's also paired to a Toyota Hybrid System. Combined output for the concept is claimed to be 986 horsepower (1,000 PS).

Besides the information on the powertrain, Gazoo Racing didn't provide any other interesting tidbits on the vehicle, except that it previews how Toyota, according to Gazoo Racing's President Shigeki Tomoyama, plans to "develop sports cars from active race cars."

In addition to having a similar powertrain to the TS050 Hybrid, the GSR Super Sport Concept looks like it could compete in the WEC. There are no headlights, there's nothing that resembles a traditional door, no regular windows, and nothing that gives us the impression that it could be used on the road.

What the concept does have, though, is plenty of aero. Look at those front canards and the strange front-end design. They both look like they come straight off of the real-life race car, just spruced up a little bit. There's also a fin on the back, like WEC competitors, and what appears to be a sizable rear wing. It really does look like the motorsport arm took Toyota's racing experience and turned it into a car.

If this is what future sports cars and supercars from Toyota will look like, then we're definitely on board. The GR Super Sport Concept is the ideal vehicle to lead Toyota's and Gazoo Racing's GR lineup of performance vehicles.

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Toyota's Self-Driving e-Palette Delivery Pod Live From CES 2018

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 05:32 PM PST


The Toyota e-Palette Concept, which is currently on display at the CES convention, is a flexible, all-electric vehicle with autonomous driving that can take on various roles.

Toyota's versatile study can be outfitted with purpose-built interiors depending on the user's needs, and it can fulfill different roles, from pizza delivery to ride sharing.

"The automobile industry is clearly amidst its most dramatic period of change as technologies like electrification, connected and automated driving are making significant progress", said Toyota's President Akio Toyoda. "Just as important, we are developing mobility solutions to help everyone enjoy their lives, and we are doing our part to create an ever-better society for the next 100 years and beyond."

The Japanese automaker's latest venture into the future of mobility is part of an alliance that includes partners such as Pizza Hut, Uber, Amazon, and Didi, and the manufacturer plans to conduct feasibility testing all over the world, including the United States, in the early 2020s.

This means that, if everything goes as planned, it might make it into production sometime in the next decade.

PHOTO GALLERY

2019 Audi A7 Designers Believe Their Brainchild Is The Bomb

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 04:13 AM PST


We guess that all car designers are, understandably, proud of their work, no matter what the public thinks of it. However, the two people responsible for the looks of the all-new A7 Sportback feel they have created something truly special.

According to exterior designers Andreas Koglin and Sebastian Russo, some of the lines on the all-new A7, such as the low shoulder line or how it all comes together over the rear wheel arch, are new for Audi.

Moreover, they are especially happy with the horizontal light strip at the rear, which, Russo thinks, makes the A7 look like a UFO when viewed from behind, at a certain distance.

Another interesting design trait of the A7 is its fuel cap, which is actually cutting through one of the main design lines of the car, thus requiring some extra work from the engineering department due to its positioning.

From the get-go, Audi wanted to make sure that the new A7 Sportback would be more beautiful than its predecessor, as well as considerably sportier than the A8. Now, thanks to the sleek styling, not to mention the wide grille that's also positioned lower than on the A8 for a more aggressive look, both goals appear to have been achieved.

VIDEO

Turkmenistan Bans All Black Cars, Existing Owners Must Have Theirs Repainted

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 07:26 PM PST


As far as weird laws go, the prohibition of black cars in Turkmenistan definitely makes it into our Top 10. The country first implemented a ban on black cars back in 2015, although it only applied to imports. Now, president Gurbanguly Berdimukhamedov has reportedly banned all black cars from the country's capital of Ashgabat.

What's worse is that some car owners have already found their vehicles missing, as many black cars have been towed away to police impound lots.

In order to get their cars back, they must sign a document agreeing to repaint their vehicles in a lighter color - with white scoring you the most "points", as it's known to be the president's favorite color.

Meanwhile, fees for car painting services have doubled, where according to Chronicles of Turkmenistan, they went from $500 to $1,000 in car service centers.

As for tinted windows, don't even think about it: they have been banned since 2014.

PHOTO GALLERY

Green Ford Focus RS Mk2 In The Green Hell Makes Us Green With Envy

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 04:01 PM PST


The new Ford Focus RS may have conquered the hearts of many motoring enthusiasts, but its predecessor, the Mk2, is still alive and kicking. Whenever it's not listed for sale on the used car market, it continues to put lots of smiles on the faces of those that get to drive it.

Throw in a few laps on what is the most famous track in the world (yes, that would be Nurburgring), and you have the perfect recipe. At a first glance, this previous-gen hot hatch appears to be stock, but turn that volume up you'll hear it crackling and backfiring - and if the clip's description is correct, that's due to the Milltek exhaust that has been fitted to it.

The 2.5-liter turbo'd inline-five engine had a nice soundtrack anyway, but the new exhaust simply turns up the volume to 11. As far as performance is concerned, its 305PS (301hp) and 440Nm (325lb-ft) of torque are more than enough, and despite the fact that it's front-wheel drive, the second-gen Focus RS needs just 5.9sec to go from naught to 100km/h (62mph), and maxes out at 263km/h (163mph).

VIDEO

New Ram HD Confirmed For 2020, Will Be Built In The U.S.

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 03:41 PM PST


Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has announced plans to invest more than $1 billion into the Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Michigan to prepare the plant to build the next-generation of Ram Heavy Duty pickups.

Production is slated to begin in 2020 and the new Ram Heavy Duty trucks will be built alongside the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer.

The decision means the trucks will no longer be built at the Saltillo Truck Assembly Plant in Mexico. Instead, that facility will be repurposed to produce to build "future commercial vehicles for global distribution."

The move is expected to create 2,500 new jobs at the Warren facility and the company says the decision solidifies the United States as the "global manufacturing hub for Ram products."

Little is known about the next-generation of Ram Heavy Duty pickups but we'll get a glimpse at how they will look when the 2019 Ram 1500 debuts at the North American International Auto Show next week.

Besides announcing the decision to move truck production to the United States, FCA revealed approximately 60,000 hourly and salaried workers will be getting a bonus of $2,000 in the second quarter to recognize their "continued commitment to the company's success." FCA says this and the truck announcement were both made possible by the passage of U.S. tax reform which occurred late last year.

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First World Problems: Tesla Model 3 Owners Furious Over Lack Of An Alcantara Headliner

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 07:26 PM PST


The Tesla Model 3 is finally trickling into the hands of consumers but not everyone is happy with what they received.

As Autoblog discovered, a number of owners have taken to Twitter and Tesla forums to complain the $5,000 Premium Upgrade Package didn't include an Alcantara headliner.

While this obviously seems like a first world problem, the Telsa Model 3 website simply mentions "premium heated seating and cabin materials throughout, including open pore wood décor and two rear USBs." The site doesn't specifically mention Alcantara upholstery but the company has previously released interior photos which shown an Alcantara-like material.

Some people have chimed in saying their Model 3 has Alcantara instead of the new material and this has caused some buyers to complain that Tesla is pulling a "bait and switch."

That doesn't seem to be the case as Tesla regularly makes changes to their vehicles and a Tesla spokesperson told Electrek "As we continue to increase production of Model 3 and produce more high quality cars for customers, all Model 3 vehicles are being made with the same premium textile headliner found in our flagship Model S and Model X vehicles, which has always been planned at this stage of production."

That probably won't appease owners who were expecting an Alcantara headliner but the whole situation probably could have been avoided with better communication and more realistic photos showing customers exactly what they would receive.

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Scoop: A New Mercedes-Benz GLS Is Coming To Rival The BMW X7

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 02:32 PM PST


The next-generation Mercedes GLS has been spied undergoing cold weather testing in Sweden.

Dressed in heavy camouflage, the redesigned crossover doesn't reveal much but the photos show the GLS will have a massive grille and LED headlights. Additional styling details are hard to make out but it appears the model will have more curvaceous bodywork and pronounced fender flares.

The model's relatively flat roof carries over but this isn't a bad thing as it should provide plenty of headroom, especially for third-row passengers.

Speaking of the interior, we can expect major changes as the GLS will undoubtedly adopt higher quality materials and modern technology. Nothing is official but we wouldn't be surprised if the crossover can be equipped with two 12.3-inch displays and an assortment of advanced driver assistance features.

Little else is known about the model but it will reportedly ride on the MHA platform which will also be used on the new GLE. The platform should enable the GLS to be significantly lighter than its predecessor and this is a good thing as the GLS 450 has a curb weight of 5,335 lbs (2,419 kg).

Engine options remain unconfirmed but the GLS will likely be offered with six- and eight-cylinder options. A plug-in hybrid variant is also likely and we can expect to see a high-performance AMG model with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8.

The redesigned Mercedes GLS is expected to debut in 2019 and it will have some pretty big shoes to fill as Carsalesbase data shows the current model recently celebrated its fourth consecutive year of growing sales. However, it could be challenging to keep that momentum going as the crossover will face stiff competition from the all-new BMW X7.

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops

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Hyundai Thinks You Haven't Seen The 2019 Veloster, So It's Still Teasing It

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 02:15 PM PST


The North American International Auto Show is just days away and Hyundai has released a new teaser video of the 2019 Veloster.

While we've already seen the model undisguised, the latest clip gives us a pretty good glimpse at the upcoming hatchback. As you can see, the car will have an aggressive front fascia with a prominent grille, large air intakes, and LED-infused headlights.

Moving further back, there's a rakish windscreen and flowing bodywork. Designers also installed a center-mounted dual exhaust system, an aggressive rear diffuser, and slender taillights.

The sporty styling will continue in the cabin as a previous sketch suggested the model will have an asymmetrical dashboard with a 'floating' infotainment system. We can also expect a stylish steering wheel, driver-focused controls, and unique switchgear.

Hyundai has already confirmed the Veloster will be offered with two turbocharged engines that have displacements of 1.4- and 1.6-liters. Depending on which engine is selected, it can be paired to either a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox or a six-speed manual transmission.

The redesigned model is also slated to offer several high-tech features including a heads-up display, adaptive cruise control, and a collision warning system. Other notable options will include high beam assist and a lane departure warning system.

Video



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MINI Says New EV Will Be A "Genuine MINI" With Unique Styling Cues

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 01:38 PM PST


MINI's head of design has revealed some new details about the company's future and its upcoming electric vehicle.

In an interview-style press release, Oliver Heilmer said the company's product range is "very good" but admitted "our path can not only be evolutionary." As he explained, advances in technology are changing the world of design and MINI needs to look to a future with autonomous driving technology and electric mobility.

Speaking of technology, Heilmer said drivers should be able to "communicate and interact" with their MINI like friends instead of using menus and clicks. This change is coming pretty soon as the BMW Group has already announced plans to integrate Amazon's Alexa into BMW and MINI models starting later this year.

Heilmer says he believes the "MINI in the future will be pure electric" and noted EVs give designers "whole new freedoms as far as interior space and proportions are concerned."

MINI has plans to launch an electric vehicle in 2019 and it was recently previewed by a concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Heilmer didn't say much about the vehicle but stated it will be a "genuine MINI" and revealed its electric nature will be "visible in its details – e.g. unconventional and innovative details which reference the traditional MINI world but which at the same time combine it with new technologies." He went on to say the model will benefit from 3D printing but stated "we're still working intensively on the design and there are still decisions to be taken."

Note: MINI Electric Concept pictured

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2018 Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS) A-To-Z Debuts

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 01:17 PM PST


The first major auto show of the New Year is upon us and this is your complete guide to all the new cars and concepts making their world and North American debuts in Detroit.

The 2018 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), which is just as often called the Detroit Auto Show, takes place in downtown Detroit at the Cobo Center. International press days are held on January 14 to 16 with public access running from January 20 through 28.

While, admittedly, the number of premieres hosted in Detroit has declined over the years, as the Los Angeles and New York auto shows gain more and more traction with carmakers in America, the NAIAS remains one of the most important automotive events on the continent.

This year, we'll see a parade of notable concept and production car debuts ranging from the renewed VW Jetta and Toyota Avalon sedans to the BMW i8 Roadster and the Infiniti Sedan and Lexus Flagship SUV studies. Naturally, it wouldn't be 2018 without trucks and SUVs, with debutants including the first new generation of the iconic Mercedes-Benz G-Class in three decades and the next Chevrolet Silverado.

There are also a handful of lust-worthy debuts that have been rumored, but not yet confirmed, such as the elusive mid-engine Corvette C8 and the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 and Bullitt duo.

We've compiled a preliminary list of the definite as well as whispered 2018 NAIAS premieres in alphabetical order below, which we'll keep updating on a daily basis as the show approaches and news becomes available.

Note: F/L = Facelifted, NC= Not Confirmed


PRODUCTION CARS


CONCEPT MODELS


SPECIAL COVERAGE


Mercedes GLC 350e PHEV Priced From $49,990 In The U.S.

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 12:56 PM PST


Mercedes might have given up on diesel engines in the United States but its plug-in hybrid lineup continues to grow as the company has released pricing information for the 2018 GLC 350e.

Car and Driver reports the model will go sale this summer and a listing on the company's website reveals pricing will start at $49,990. That's $7,940 more than the GLC 300 4MATIC but the crossover is eligible for a $4,460 federal tax credit which lowers the difference to $3,480.

In return, buyers will receive a nicely equipped crossover that features LED lighting units, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a power liftgate. The model also has privacy glass, a rearview camera, and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Moving into the cabin, drivers will sit behind a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel and find themselves surrounding by natural grain brown ash wood trim. Other highlights include a 14-way power driver seat, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, and an infotainment system with a 7-inch display.

Power is provided by a plug-in hybrid powertrain that consists of a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a lithium-ion battery pack. This setup enables the crossover to produce a combined output of 320 hp (238 kW) and 413 lb-ft (559 Nm) of torque. In terms of performance, the all-wheel drive model can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 6.2 seconds.

Mercedes hasn't released fuel economy data but the crossover's battery can be recharged in less than 2.5 hours. The model also has a number of eco-friendly features including a haptic accelerator pedal which pulses twice in ECO mode to let drivers know they can "save fuel without reducing performance by letting up on the gas." The GLC also has a radar-based regenerative braking system which automatically adjusts itself to recuperate as much energy as possible.

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Ferrari To Bring Drones With A.I. From Intel Into Ferrari Challenge

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 12:27 PM PST


Ferrari is one of those automakers that you could never see coming out with an autonomous car. But that doesn't mean the iconic Italian brand isn't interested in bringing new tech to its Ferrari Challenge.

At the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show, Ferrari North America announced plans to enter into a three-year partnership with Intel. The collaboration between the two companies will see Ferrari implement Intel's artificial intelligence (AI) and drone technology into its racing series for two major reasons: to improve the viewing experience for fans and to help drivers polish their racing skills.

The drones, apparently, would record data on every driver during the race, which would then be relayed back to the teams and broadcasters. The teams could give their drivers helpful information on how to put down a quicker lap. Broadcasters, on the other hand, could use the data to create more nail-biting narrative.

Being able to see a Ferrari Challenge race from a drone's perspective sounds like a nifty idea, but the data the machines obtain could also be shared with viewers, making fans feel like they're really at the race.

For those not familiar with Ferrari Challenge, it's a customer racing series for Ferrari 488 owners. The vehicles that race in the series have been upgraded to put down some fast laps. Running a car in the series isn't exactly cheap, resulting in wealthy, inexperienced racers piloting the machines, which means there's plenty of mayhem.

Ferrari Challenge will begin to use the intelligent drones for the 2018 season, which is set to commence on January 25 at Daytona Beach, Fla.

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Nissan IMx Concept Makes U.S. Debut At CES

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 11:59 AM PST


The Nissan IMx Concept has made its U.S. debut at this year's CES convention, and has taken center stage at the automaker's booth.

Like the concept that was first unveiled at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show, the IMx on display in Las Vegas is painted in a shade of matte white that's contrasted by a selection of bright red accents. Throw in a set of huge wheels with silver and black spokes and you have a head-turning concept that we hope won't get too watered down in the production version.

The Japanese company recently confirmed that its new EV will not share its underpinnings with the Leaf, but use a bespoke platform instead.

Power for the IMx comes from two electric motors delivering a combined 430 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, while a large battery pack results in it having a range in excess of 373 miles (600 km).

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Alfa Romeo Giulietta Goes Racing In British Touring Car Championship

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 11:31 AM PST


Remember the Alfa Romeo Giulietta? Don't blame yourself if you've forgotten. It's been in production for nearly eight years now, and has long since been overshadowed by the newer Giulia sedan and Stelvio crossover. But it still has some life in it.

Or at least one racing team thinks it does, so it's taking it to the track to compete in the British Touring Car Championship.

Unveiled this week at the Autosport International show in the UK, the racer stems from a partnership between Duo Motorsport and HMS Racing (previously known as Handy Motorsport), with support not from the manufacturer itself, but from a council of Alfa Romeo dealers.

Exact specifications weren't revealed, but it's been built to comply with the championship's Next Generation Touring Car regulations. That means a 2.0-liter turbo four mated to an Xtrac six-speed sequential gearbox, in this case likely driving the front wheels (like the road-going model on which it's based).

The ECU is furnished by Cosworth, and the clutch, pedal box, and brakes are supplied by AP Racing. The aero package is tightly governed, and the whole project is designed to be cost-effective – enough for an independent team to undertake it.

That's how the BTCC has attracted so many different entries: the Giulietta will be dicing it on track with NGTC versions of the Audi S3, BMW 125i, Ford Focus RS, Honda Civic Type R, MG6, Subaru Levorg, Vauxhall Astra, and Volkswagen CC. (Last year saw the Mercedes A-Class, Chevy Cruze, and Toyota Avensis too.) That's some varied field, so the Alfa will have to be mighty quick to make its mark in one of the most competitive racing series in the world.

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