Saturday 13 January 2018

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Reports Of Diesel Engine's Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

Posted: 13 Jan 2018 03:44 AM PST


It is no secret that Volkswagen's dieselgate scandal has negatively affected demand for diesel vehicles, particularly in Europe. Take a deeper look at the figures, however, and you'll see that demand for diesel-powered vehicles has risen and fallen multiple times throughout the past 30 years.

In statistics published by Euro News, it is revealed that in Europe, diesels reached their peak popularity in 2008 when 8,211,709 examples were sold across the continent. In the same year, petrol vehicle sales peaked at 7,233,662.

However, since 2008, demand for diesel (and petrol) vehicles has declined significantly. In fact, from a peak of over 8.2 million in 2008, diesel sales plummeted to just 4,913,025 in 2014, before the dieselgate scandal broke. Similarly, petrol sales fell to their lowest figure in over 30 years, scoring just 3,915,268 sales. Both of these figures were gathered before the dieselgate.

As of 2015, 52 per cent of cars in Europe were still fueled by petrol, with diesels accounting for 37.29 per cent and 'Others' (we guess that means hybrids and all-electric) at 10.78 per cent.

In a handful of countries, diesel remains the preferred option. For example, the share of new diesel registrations in Sweden has soared from 0.9 per cent in 1992 to 59 per cent in 2015.

In France, however, diesels have dramatically fallen out of favor. In the early 1990s, the country accounted for 45 per cent of all new diesel car registrations in Europe, but by 2015, that figure had dropped to just 16 per cent and the market for new cars has reversed in favor of those powered by petrol engines while diesel ones experienced a 16 per cent decline since 2005.

Despite what many believe, the decline in popularity of diesels hasn't been driven entirely by Volkswagen's cheating practices. Instead, demand for such vehicles has been dropping for much of the past decade. Nonetheless, diesels still account for a sizable share of the car market and are not expected to disappear anytime soon.

PHOTO GALLERY

Is The Skoda Karoq The Compact SUV You Were Looking For?

Posted: 13 Jan 2018 02:33 AM PST


Consumers flock to crossovers and SUVs and, as a result, automakers launch one model after another in order to satisfy the demand. Skoda's proposal in the compact segment is the recently launched Karoq, which replaces the Yeti.

The Karoq slots under the Kodiaq and shares its platform with the Seat Ateca, but it is far more than a reshaped Spanish SUV, as the latest video review points out.

It's a well equipped vehicle, with an interior that resembles that of its larger sibling, lots of storage spaces, cup holders, and places to store your mobile devices. Things aren't that cramped either on the rear bench, and its boot has a decent size for a car in the compact segment.

The Karoq is front-wheel drive, but Skoda offers the option of an all-wheel drive system on certain models. Customers can currently choose between four engines: two petrols, with 115PS (113hp) and 150PS (148hp), and two diesels, with the same amount of power, but more torque, which can be mated to a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission.

A more powerful 2.0-liter TDI with 190PS (187hp) will be offered later this year, and a performance-oriented vRS variant might be on the cards.

Pricing start from €24,290 ($29,122) in Germany, which makes it €3,800 ($4,556) more expensive than the base Nissan Qashqai, but opting for the range-topper, equipped with all optional extras, sees the price skyrocket to €45,000 ($53,951).

All things considered, should you put the Skoda Karoq in your list if you're out shopping for a compact SUV? Scroll down and watch the video to find out.

VIDEO

Once Driven By Rally Gods, This Subaru Legacy RS Is Now Up For Grabs

Posted: 13 Jan 2018 01:25 AM PST


This might not be an Impreza but being a real Prodrive-raced Subaru Legacy RS Group A rally car driven by none other than Ari Vatanen.

This is the same car that Vatanen was driving when he was leading the 1993 Acropolis Rally, ahead of Tommi Makinen, Carlos Sainz, Colin McRae and Juha Kankkunen before crashing.

After the race, the car returned to Prodrive and was re-shelled in-house before it was sold to an Italian rally team. In 1995, the same car was driven by Richard Burns at the Bettega Memorial Rallysprint, finishing second overall.

The car then was re-shelled again but this time it was converted to a new Safari-spec Impreza shell, which is not uncommon for Legacy rally cars. In 2008, the car was bought by the Richard Burns Collection in order to completely rebuild it and bring it back to its original specs.

The task was overseen by ex-Prodrive man Ian Richardson, who created an authentic Prodrive-spec Legacy shell for the car which now comes with the famous K555 BAT number plate. The rather special Subaru Legacy RS Group A rally car is presented in the correct gravel specification and livery it wore at the 1993 Acropolis Rally.

The blue-gold Subaru is powered by the period-correct works turbo 2.0-liter flat-four engine with 290hp, paired to an X-trac manual gearbox. It has covered around 60 miles (100km) since the rebuild and is currently heading to Silverstone Auctions' Race Retro Competition Car Sale on February 23 with a price estimate between £120,000 and £140,000 ($162,000 to $190,000).

PHOTO GALLERY

McLaren Exec Says 2018 F1 Car Will Undergo Biggest Changes On The Grid

Posted: 13 Jan 2018 12:16 AM PST


McLaren Racing executive director Zak Brown revealed to Autosport that the British outfit's 2018 challenger will feature the most changes out of all the teams.

"The car's not going to look the same as last year. Our whole brand, the visibility of McLaren, is going to go to the next level and it's going to be exciting", Brown said. "We know what a lot of the other teams are going to look like, but hopefully people will see the biggest change on and off the track at McLaren going into Australia."

He added that McLaren has signed three additional sponsors for 2018 and that there's still some work to be done on the papaya orange livery. He also mentioned that the team's fresh new look will carry over to the garage as well, helping them stand out from the rest of the field.

"Going through that exercise developed a plan that doesn't require a 'title partner'", he commented. "It still requires a 'principal partner', just not a 'title partner'. I know that's semantics there but it's really about protecting the McLaren name. That's all I'm trying to do is ringfence that and keep us as McLaren."

Apparently, Brown also believes that when a sponsor's name becomes part of the team's name, it "slightly diminishes the value of the name of the team."

PHOTO GALLERY

Mercedes Unimog Will Take You To Places No Other Vehicle Can

Posted: 13 Jan 2018 04:35 AM PST


When you think of a tough vehicle, you probably don't think about the Unimog - which is a shame, really, because it has this incredible go-anywhere attitude and offers great reliability and ease of maintenance, if you know what you're doing.

Mercedes originally designed it to be an alternative to tractors, offering the ability to be driven at higher speeds on roads than other agricultural machines.

The huge ground clearance, courtesy of its portal axles, combined with a selectable all-wheel drive and a frame that flexes as part of the suspension, made sure that the Unimog will almost take you and your gear anywhere, and that's what made the Unimog so popular with farmers and armies around the globe.

This particular example is an army-surplus vehicle bought by the guys in Dirt Every Day, with the goal to drive it from Indiana to Memphis, Tennessee.

With the Unimog being able to cruise up to speeds of 50mph, it's not the ideal road-trip vehicle, but the fun starts when the tarmac stops and that's what this beast is all about.

VIDEO

Michigan University Students Role-Play Autonomous Car Crisis

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 06:48 PM PST


University of Michigan students are trying to tackle an issue that the automotive industry will need to deal with in the future: what to do in case autonomous systems fail.

In total, there are thirty teams of four to six students role-playing this crisis scenario, all gunning for a $3,000 scholarship as part of the Stephen M. Ross School of Business' annual Leadership Crisis Challenge.

According to Autonews, the students first learn the details of their crisis scenario just like a regular automaker would, through social media, e-mail, phone calls and direct meetings. Afterwards, they have 24 hours to mitigate the crisis.

"There is significant uncertainty about how the industry will take shape around autonomous vehicles, what factors will differentiate winners from losers in the marketplace, what legal and regulatory infrastructure will evolve, and how it will all ultimately impact society," stated Brian Flanagan, an executive for the business school's Leadership Center.

He added that in scenarios where there is no driver to blame, "the businesses and business leaders who produce the technology will be squarely in the crosshairs."

Automakers such as Tesla have already dealt with backlash regarding their Autopilot technology back in May of 2016, when there was a fatality on board a Model S, and a number of claims that its autonomous tech isn't exactly ready and trustworthy yet.

PHOTO GALLERY

Add Amazon Alexa To Your Old Car For As Low As $50

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 06:11 PM PST


Bringing Amazon Alexa to vehicles is a new trend for automakers looking to add some tech to their vehicles. Unfortunately, it is a relatively new feature, which means that used-car owners are out of luck if they want to add the company's voice-control system to their old car. These two solutions, though, allow everyone to add Alexa to their vehicle, and one of the options costs less than $50.

At CES, Anker recently debuted the Roav Viva that costs $49.99, while Speak Music introduced the Muse at $69.99. Both items, as Forbes points out, connect to your smartphone through Bluetooth and plug into your vehicle's power port. For drivers with really old cars, the Muse is the way to go, as it comes with a 3.55 mm jack that plugs into the auxiliary port, whereas Anker's Roav Viva requires a car to have a Bluetooth connection.

The cheaper Roav Viva comes with two USB charging ports for your devices and installing the gadget is relatively simple: plug it in, pair it with a smartphone, make sure your phone's paired with the car's Bluetooth, and you're done. The outlet found that Anker's unit picked up voices well, even those from passengers in the back of the car.

The Muse is just as easy to install, but it does have an extra component - an external button that also doubles as a microphone that needs to be placed on the dash. The unit comes with two USB chargers, but one of those is used for the external button, so only one is left for charging other devices.

The two also trade punches when it comes to what they're compatible with. Both work with Amazon Music, TuneIn, Pandora, and iHeart Radio. Neither are compatible with Spotify, but that's coming in the near future. Both will also work with other Alexa-enabled devices as well.

So, which one should you go with? Well, Forbes claims that the Anker is the one to have, as it can make calls via Alexa, allow users to utilize it to configure Google Maps, and it's cheaper. It also happens to have an extra charging port and is easier to install. The only downside to the device is that your car needs to have Bluetooth.

Still, both options are great ways to add Alexa to your old vehicle. To check out the Roav Viva in action, check out the video below, and you can head over to Speak Music's Indiegogo page for more info on the Muse.

Photo Gallery



Videos

Track-Focused Crown Vic Is Ready To Serve, Protect And Entertain

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 05:28 PM PST


While the Ford Crown Victoria isn't exactly known for its racing prowess, this 2008 Interceptor looks just about ready to do exactly that.

What you're looking at here is a heavily modified car, with a stripped out interior and multiple chassis and handling upgrades courtesy of Maximum Motorsports, Energy Suspension and Tokico.

The result is something that absolutely blew The Smoking Tire's Matt Farah away with its steering feel, grip and high-revving nature. In fact, as soon as he got on the road, the word "NASCAR" immediately came out of his mouth.

He also used superlatives like "fat Miata", "awesome" and "shockingly good", which is quite an achievement considering how the engine was left mostly stock and the amount of horsepower produced wasn't all that impressive.

The only thing missing from this Crown Vic, so to speak, was the rear seat, which could have made this car both fun and practical.

VIDEO

2019 Honda Insight Looks Surprisingly Good In Type-R Guise

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 04:59 PM PST


Even though Honda is unlikely to build a performance-oriented version of the new Insight, we can't help but give them credit for at least making the new one much more attractive than its predecessor.

As is the case with newly-launched cars, X-Tomi created a rendering of the 2019 Insight, showing how a hypothetical Type R version might look. His list of changes including new bumpers, a rear wing, bigger wheels (and brakes) and a dark grille, mirrors and roof.

The simple fact that this car doesn't look ridiculous with all this extra stuff on is a testament to the real model's successful redesign. Also, in case anybody forgot what the Insight used to look like, here's a reminder. Not one of Honda's finest moments, was it?

Now, for argument's sake, let's just say that Honda does launch an Insight Type-R. The question is, would it be more attractive than the Civic Type-R? Well, they belong in different segments, but the render doesn't look as over-styled as the Civic Type-R, which some people might actually appreciate.

Underground Racing Puts 2,500+HP Lamborghini Huracan Up For Sale

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 04:28 PM PST


Underground Racing have listed a very special Lamborghini Huracan, with an insane amount of power, for sale. Made in 2015, this Italian exotic only has 883 miles (1,421km) on the clock, most of them for testing purposes.

This Huracan has a twin-turbo upgrade, which together with other work carried in the engine compartment allows it to produce almost twice its initial output, namely 1,200 horsepower. Mind you, that's on pump gas; fill its tank with VP import race gas and the tuner claims the supercar will put down a whopping 2,500hp!

Sadly, though, Underground Racing haven't disclosed any performance data, so we have no idea how fast this Huracan is from 0 to 60mph (96km/h), or how quick it can complete a 1/4-mile.

However, in 2016, another twin-turbo Huracan modified by the same company reached 247mph (398km/h) during a 1/2-mile run, on street tires, while an Audi R8, with the same amount of power, sprinted down the same distance at 244mph (393km/h).

Another thing that Underground Racing won't disclose is the supercar's price, but someone truly interested in it should have no problem finding out how much they're asking for it.

PHOTO GALLERY

Japanese Brands Own List Of Cars U.S. Owners Keep For Over 15 Years

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 07:10 PM PST


Toyota owners have quite the attachment to their cars, especially those who have a Highlander, as a new survey conducted by iSeeCars showed the Japanese SUV top the list of vehicles owners keep for 15 years or more.

The research firm looked at 650,000 vehicles between the 1981 and 2002 model years sold in 2017 and Toyota flooded the list. In fact, the top five vehicles kept for 15 years or more are all Toyotas, namely the Highlander, Sienna, Tundra, Prius and RAV4, with the Honda Odyssey following at sixth place.

Each of the cars listed was at least 1.6 times more likely to be kept by the original owner for 15 years or more, but the Highlander outpaced the average even further. Highlander owners were 2.7 times more likely to keep their vehicles, with 18.3 percent of original owners hanging on to them. The Sienna followed closely behind and was 2.5 times more likely to stick around in the driveway for at least 15 years, with 17.1 percent of owners holding onto the minivan for 15 years or more.

The entire list is populated solely by Japanese automakers, save for the Volkswagen Golf at the final, 15th spot, with 10.6 percent of original owners hanging on to their Golfs for at least 15 years.

"While a decade on the road used to be a significant milestone for vehicle life expectancy, the elevated quality of cars being produced has raised this standard to beyond ten years ," said Phong Ly, CEO of iSeeCars.com. "Japanese automakers are known for setting quality and reliability standards, so it is no surprise that they are the most likely to reach the fifteen-year milestone."

Want An Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo Evoluzione Homologation Special?

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 03:31 PM PST


If you're looking for a rad homologation special to add in your collection, then this fender-flared Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo Evoluzione would like to have a word with you.

The Alfa Romeo 75 -or Milano, depending on which side of the Atlantic you are- was the last mass-produced rear-driven model the company made before giving us the Giulia. What you see in the pictures is the rarest version of the 75 family, the Turbo Evoluzione, which was a limited run.

More specifically, this is #468 out of the 500 Turbo Evoluziones ever made, currently offered in auction by Bring A Trailer. The car was imported in the US from Italy back in 2013 and is currently showing 116,000km (around 72k miles) on the odometer.

The most obvious visual changes of the Turbo Evoluzione is, of course, the fiberglass bodykit, which includes new fenders, bumpers and side sills, along with matching red 15-inch alloy wheels and that wonderfully '80s black decals.

Power is provided by a turbocharged 1.8-liter engine that, on paper, puts out 155hp, the same as the regular 75 1.8 Turbo. However, the engine is believed to make closer to 170hp as it had unique valve timing, a dual fuel pump and a relocated air filter, not to mention the slightly smaller bore of the engine.

These limited edition Alfas came even with a different chassis code than the regular 75s and many of them were converted to race cars, so to find one in this condition in the U.S. is like finding a needle in a haystack.

PHOTO GALLERY

Mercedes-AMG E63 S 4MATIC+ Safety Car Set To Patrol Mount Panorama

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 03:01 PM PST


The Mercedes-AMG E63 S 4MATIC+ is one of the most powerful sedans in the world and it has recently been recruited for safety car duties in Australia.

Set to make an appearance at the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12-Hour Race next month, the high-performance safety car features a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine that produces 603 hp (450 kW) and 626 lb-ft (850 Nm) of torque. It is connected to nine-speed automatic transmission which sends power to an all-wheel drive system. This setup enables the safety car to rocket from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 3.4 seconds before hitting an electronically limited top speed of 186 mph (300 km/h).

Besides the almighty engine, the safety car has been equipped with a tri-color exterior and an LED lighting unit on the roof. Mercedes was coy on additional information but the car likely features an assortment of communications equipment so it's always ready for action.

The E63 will be joined by a couple of other AMG models at Mount Panorama as the company says there will be sedan versions of the C43 4MATIC and C63 S which will be acting as Course Cars throughout the weekend.

Photo Gallery

Mid-Engine Corvette Will Reportedly Skip Detroit But Offer A Hybrid Powertrain With 1,000+ HP

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 07:10 PM PST


The mid-engine Corvette rumor mill kicked into high gear following the release of several CAD drawings in December but fans hoping to see the model at the North American International Auto Show next week are reportedly out of luck.

Hagerty is reporting the C8 will likely debut in Detroit but it isn't expected to be unveiled until next year. This isn't a complete surprise as Chevrolet recently unveiled the Corvette ZR1 but it's disappointing nonetheless.

One thing that's certainly not disappointing is the C8's engine lineup as Hagerty is reporting the model will likely be offered with an upgraded version of the company's 6.2-liter LT1 V8 engine. The engine will reportedly produce up to 600 hp (447 kW) thanks to a higher compression ratio and a less restrictive exhaust. Other engines are expected to be added to the lineup after launch and the report says the company has expressed interest in a flat-plane crank V8 like the one used in the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350.

The most interesting rumor revolves around a range-topping variant which would make the ZR1 look weak by comparison. The model will reportedly have a twin-turbo V8 engine that powers the rear wheels and an electric motor that powers the front wheels. This setup would give the model all-wheel drive and a reported output of 1,000+ hp (745 kW).

While manual transmissions have been a hallmark of the Corvette, the C8 will reportedly eschew them for a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic with paddle shifters. That will probably annoy a number of fans but DCTs offer a number of benefits including improved acceleration.

The manual transmission might not make the jump to the next-generation, but GM's focus on lightweight construction surely will. The report says the car will use a hydroformed aluminum space frame chassis as well as lightweight components such as carbon fiber and magnesium. We can also expect carbon-ceramic brakes and lightweight fiberglass springs.

There have been constant rumors about how much the mid-engine Corvette will cost but the latest report says pricing will start at around $70,000.

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops

Photo Gallery

Saudi Arabia Holds Female-Focused Car Show Following End Of Driving Ban

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 02:59 PM PST


Saudi Arabia recently reversed a decision which prevented women from driving and now the country is hosting a car show designed specifically for them.

Reuters reports the show was held at the Le Mall in Jeddah and says "women flocked" to the event. A number of different vehicles were on display including models from Chevrolet, Nissan, Kia and Toyota. While they might not have been the flashy exotics people typically imagine in the Middle East, the event was focused on fuel-efficient vehicles.

There's no word on how many people attended the event but Ghada al-Ali told the publication, "I've always been interested in cars, but we didn't have the ability to drive." She went on to say she's interested in buying a car now that King Salman has lifted the ban on female drivers which takes effect in June.

The news comes a particularly odd time as reports are suggesting Turkmenistan has banned women from driving in that country. AKI Press claims the ban was enacted in December and police are now beginning to enforce the law. This comes shortly after another odd report which claimed the country's president wants to eliminate all of the black cars in the country's capital of Ashgabat.

Video

Toyota's New Gazoo Supra Reportedly Debuting In Geneva

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 07:10 PM PST


Toyota have apparently decided to pull the covers off the all-new Supra at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, which starts on March 6 for the press days.

The sports car won't be sold with Toyota badges, though, as it will be Gazoo branded, AutoExpress reports, citing the man in charge of the sub-brand, Shigeki Tomoyama, who made it clear that "the Supra will be Gazoo".

It appears that the new Gazoo Supra will arrive in four states of tune, with various power levels, suspension tunes, and equipment. The base model will be known simply as Supra, the mid-range versions will add the GR and GR Sport monikers, respectively, while the range-topper will be baptized as Supra GRMN.

Unlike its brother from another father, the new BMW Z4, which will be sold solely as a convertible, the new Supra will arrive as a fixed-roof coupe, and it needs to appeal to fans of the classic car, according to Tomoyama, who may have hinted one of its rumored powertrains, by saying:

"The new car has to appeal to the existing owners first. The old car had a straight-six engine, twin-turbos, and rear-wheel drive; the new car must have the same philosophy."

Tomoyama probably refers to the six-cylinder unit that's believed to develop 335 horses, likely aimed at the United States, among other markets, which is said to be joined by a four-cylinder mill with around 250 horses.

Despite its rumored Geneva Show debut, the Gazoo Supra might not arrive in showrooms until the second half of next year, presumably close to the launch date of the new BMW Z4.

PHOTO GALLERY

Ford Tells Certain Ranger Owners To Stop Driving Truck After New Takata Deaths

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 12:58 PM PST


Ford is advising owners of certain Rangers to stop driving them and contact an authorized dealer to change the defective Takata airbags as soon as possible.

The action is part of a larger Takata airbag-related recall, which includes several automakers from across the globe, and involves around approximately 3,000 units of the 2006MY pickups.

According to the carmaker, the vehicles were put together at Twin Cities Assembly Plant from August 10 to December 15, 2005, and they include 2,712 examples in the United States and federalized territories, and 190 in Canada.

The recall represents Ford's response to two fatalities caused by the driver airbag inflators supplied by Takata. The first one was reported in January 2016, and the second one happened last July. The automaker inspected the latter Ranger on December 27, confirming that "the inflator ruptured resulting in a driver fatality", notifying the NHTSA shortly after.

Ford now says that parts are available to fix the specific vehicles, and dealers are ready to pick them up by themselves, free of charge, providing owners with a loaner car, if necessary.

PHOTO GALLERY

This ’71 Datsun 240Z Has Become The New Dream Tuner Car

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 12:31 PM PST


The Nissan Skyline, especially in the U.S., has always been the definitive tuner car to lust after.

The Skyline R34 GT-R, like this incredible VSpec II Nür, and the Toyota Supra trade punches for being the go-to tuner vehicles for American enthusiasts. Blame "2 Fast 2 Furious" or the vehicles' rarity. But there's another car that's finally getting the credit it deserves for being a bona fide tuner car – the Datsun 240Z.

In the latest episode of Jay Leno's Garage, Jay Leno, who's not wearing the denim-on-denim outfit that we've come to love, has a returning guest with a badass 240Z. Dominic Le, who's the brilliant mind behind the insane Skyline-inspired Datsun Sunny truck, returns with another high-performance vehicle.

Besides having a complete makeover consisting of wider fenders, massive tires, bronze wheels, enough sponsoring to rival a proper race car, and a few JDM touches, the largest overhaul has taken place under the 240Z's hood. Gone is the 2.4-liter six-cylinder engine, which has been replaced with a heavily-turbocharged SR20 four-cylinder motor. The engine has been moved back eight inches for better weight distribution, essentially giving the car a front-mid-engine layout, and now makes 430 horsepower.

In addition to being nearly three times more powerful than a stock 240Z, the heavily-modified one is nearly 300 pounds lighter, as well, thanks to carbon fiber and titanium components. Needless to say, the stripped out, lightweight machine is a riot to drive. It's loud, it's quick, and it looks good going down the road. It's hard to believe that Le built this in his garage.

The Skyline and Supra are amazing, immortalized Japanese vehicles. But for enthusiasts out there that are tired of waiting for Skylines to become 25 years old or can't afford a Supra, it's time to entertain the option of modifying a 240Z.

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Videos

Nissan Drops Another Detroit Crossover Concept Teaser

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 11:55 AM PST


Nissan has released the third and final teaser video for their upcoming crossover concept which will debut at the North American International Auto Show next week.

The company is staying tight-lipped about the model but the latest clip reveals the concept will be a relatively small crossover that features aggressive side skirts and massive alloy wheels. We can also see the model will have boomerang-shaped headlights, a rakish windscreen, and a tailgate-mounted spoiler.

One of the more interesting aspects of the teaser video is that it shows the concept has something mounted on the roof. Since the concept is a crossover, it would be natural to assume this is a roof rack but Nissan has been touting the model's "intelligent mobility" technology so it's possible that the mysterious object could be related to autonomous driving technology.

Regardless of what's on the roof, the video also gives us a glimpse of the interior and it shows the concept will have a minimalist cabin will have a rectangular steering wheel. The traditional instrument cluster has also been jettisoned and replaced by a widescreen display that spans the width of the interior. The display also appears to have two side view displays and this suggests the side mirrors have been replaced by video cameras.

Video

SUV Gets More Hang Time Than Jordan After Hitting Driveway Culvert

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 01:48 PM PST


As if drifting off the side of the road wasn't bad enough, the driver of this SUV lost control just as the car was approaching a nearby driveway on a New Zealand country road.

Upon hitting the culvert, the SUV is propelled upwards with a lot of force, enough to flip it over and cause what looks like a horrific accident, no matter how you slice it.

According to the description of the video, the car rolled twice after flipping over, and the driver had to be airlifted via helicopter to the hospital with moderate injuries. Let's hope the seat belt was in use.

We obviously don't know why the car drifted off the road in the first place, but it's possible that the driver either fell asleep at the wheel, or he or she might have been distracted by something small, portable and extremely dangerous while driving - a cell phone.

Ultimately, those moderate injuries might prove to be a best case scenario, considering the speed at which this happened.

VIDEO

Armenia To Ban Import And Sales Of Right-Hand Drive Vehicles After JDM Import Surge

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 01:48 PM PST


The Armenian government will ban the import and sales of right-hand drive cars from April 1 this year due to concerns with the increasing number of RHD vehicles hitting local streets.

Xinhua Net reports that roughly 13,000 right-hand drive vehicles were imported into the country last year, bringing the total number of right-hand drive cars on local streets up to 36,000. This comes despite the fact that Armenia drives on the right side of the road and traditionally uses left-hand drive vehicles.

Authorities have expressed fears that if the current trend towards right-hand drive vehicles continues, the country could be forced to shift to driving on the left side, a change which would be very costly and difficult to achieve. Additionally, the Ministry of Transport, Communication, and Information Technologies (MTCIT) claims that right-hand drive vehicles are dangerous.

Most of the right-hand drive vehicles hitting local streets are being imported from Japan due to their cheap prices and good looks.

Shortly after the announcement was made in December, protestors gathered outside the MTCIT claiming that right-hand drive vehicles are no less safe than their left-hand drive counterparts and are in fact responsible for very few road accidents.

The ban will affect vehicles imported after April 1. Those brought into the country before then will still be allowed on local roads.

Tesla Model 3 Does 0 To 60 In Just 4.6 Seconds, 1/4-Mile Took 13.3

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 10:41 AM PST


In case anyone was worried about whether or not the Tesla Model 3 can keep up with various petrol-powered sports saloons, the answer is a resounding yes.

According to a VBox test performed by Brooks from DragTimes, this Model 3 managed to sprint from a standstill to 60 mph (96 km/h) in approximately 4.66 seconds. That makes it quicker than the previous generation E90 BMW M3.

The car in question featured the Premium package and a bigger battery pack, but was otherwise stock, making these results even more impressive.

In fact, this car (with the 70 kWh battery pack) should have done 0 to 60 in 5.1 seconds, according to Tesla. Although seeing it do even better doesn't exactly come as a shock.

We can only imagine how quick the upcoming dual-motor performance version will be, since it will also feature a Ludicrous mode like its Model S and X siblings.

VIDEO

Pagani Huayra And Bugatti Chiron Sold For Bitcoin In California

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 10:15 AM PST


An exotic car dealership in California has sold both a Pagani Huayra and Bugatti Chiron via Bitcoin.

Taking to Instagram, Pagani Newport Beach revealed that the two hypercars were sold for Bitcoin in transactions worth more than $6 million combined.

This isn't the first time we've heard about vehicles trading hands for Bitcoin. In fact, we have come across a number of listings for used cars, especially exotics, looking for new homes in exchange for Bitcoin.

As for the cars in question, the Chiron is an all-black example outfitted with black and grey leather throughout the interior. By comparison, the one-off Pagani Huayra sold is a lot more over-the-top, thanks predominantly to its carbon fiber exterior panels, silver paint, and bright red accents. Inside, it is covered in black and red leather. If we had to choose, we'd opt for the Italian.

Although Bitcoin, and other cryptocurrencies, are all the rage nowadays, we're not so sure how smart it is selling vehicles for Bitcoin. Unlike traditional currencies, which are usually fairly stable in price, cryptocurrencies are notorious for unexpectedly and violently fluctuating in price. If the Bitcoin market crashes next week, the $6 million worth of Bitcoin used to purchase these two hypercars could be worth half that sum.






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2019 Ram 1500 Leaked From Factory Floor

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 01:26 PM PST


A picture of the 2019 Ram 1500 has surfaced on Imgur ahead of its debut at the North American International Auto Show on January 15th.

Set to battle the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado, the redesigned Ram features an all-new front fascia which eschews the truck's crosshair grille. It has been replaced by an all-new unit which features chrome trim and prominent "RAM" badging.

Designers also installed new headlights and an evolutionary front bumper which has an air intake. Moving further back, we can see a bulging hood, smoother bodywork, and a more rounded greenhouse.

Previous spy photos have shown the cabin will feature a host of improvements including higher quality materials and a new center stack with a UConnect infotainment system that is flanked by vertical air vents. Drivers will also find a rotary gear selector and updated controls.

Engine options are expected to carryover and include a 3.6-liter V6, a 5.7-liter HEMI V8, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6. Rumors have also suggested the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine from the 2018 Jeep Wrangler could eventually be offered in the Ram 1500. It produces 270 hp (201 kW) and 295 lb-ft (399 Nm) of torque, which would make it ideal for customers looks to balance performance with fuel-efficiency.

H/T to Motor1

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2019 Ram 1500

Ginetta G60-LT-P1 Ready To Tackle Le Mans

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 09:31 AM PST


With all but one major manufacturer having pulled out of the class, LMP1 racing this year will come down mostly to the independents. Like this one, for example.

Revealed at the Autosport International racing car show in Birmingham, England, is the new Ginetta G60-LT-P1 – made by one of the UK's best-established racing car constructors and deriving its name from the 60th anniversary the company celebrates this year.

The debut car wears the livery of the TRS Manor team that is set to field two of them in the full the 2018/19 FIA World Endurance Championship "super season" that encompasses the Spa and the 24 Hours of Le Mans at both ends, where other teams are set to follow as well.

There it'll have to compete with the Toyota TS050, which will remain the only major manufacturer entry in the class. But the Ginetta does without the complicated hybrid powertrain. Instead it packs a 3.4-liter V6 sourced from French supplier Mecachrome, producing some 650 horsepower to drive it to a top speed of 225 mph.

"I'm delighted to finally be able to unveil our latest machine to the motorsport industry, and what better time than at the start of our 60th year of manufacturing," said Ginetta chairman Lawrence Tomlinson. "The LMP1 will be a strong contender in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and at Le Mans. We have a great team of Design Engineers in Leeds, have worked with some excellent partners on the project, and can't wait to show you what the LMP1 is made of out on track."

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