CARSCOOPS

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• Euro NCAP Announces 2017’s Safest Cars By Segment [w/Video]
• Skoda Makes A Karoq Out Of Cardboard (You Know, For The Kids)
• Hyundai Ioniq Electric Is Not That Exciting, But It Ticks All The Right Boxes
• Aston Martin Might Be Going Public On The Stock Market
• Ford Ranger Returns To America With A Turbocharged Four-Cylinder Engine
• The Audi TT RS Is The Perfect Entry Point To The 400HP Club, If You Can Afford It
• An Electric McLaren Sedan Would Be An Interesting Porsche Mission E Fighter
• 2019 Chevrolet Silverado Unveiled, Drops 450 Pounds, Gains Straight-Six Diesel
• Here's A Love Letter To The BMW E60 M5’s Epic V10 Engine
• Chevy Opens Camaro Hot Wheels 50th Anniversary Order Books Next Month
• Drunk Florida Mom Crashes Into Four Cars, Then Lets Toddler Wander In Traffic
• Edmunds Buys Its Own Tesla Model 3, Delivers First Impressions
• 2018 Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS) A-To-Z Debuts
• Kia To Offer 4D Virtual Test Drives Of The Stinger At The Detroit Auto Show
• Is The Mercedes-AMG A45 A Match For Audi's RS3 Sedan?
• Future Cars: Can A New Nissan Stagea Answer Our Skyline Wagon Prayers?
• BMW Opens More Dedicated M Showrooms As Range Expands
• 2018 Nissan Qashqai Reviewed: Still The King Of Compact SUVs?
• Buy Steve McQueen's '51 Chevy, Drive Like The King Of Cool
• Harman And Samsung Prepare For The Future At CES

Euro NCAP Announces 2017’s Safest Cars By Segment [w/Video] Posted: 14 Jan 2018 03:49 AM PST As with every year, the Euro NCAP published the list with the safest new cars in their respective classes for 2017. The independent organization rates each model in four categories: Adult Occupant Safety, Child Occupant Safety, Pedestrian Safety and Safety Assist, with the three first being self-explanatory and the fourth assessing the active and passive systems that are available. The European New Car Assessment Program says that its star ratings between different segments of models are not directly comparable. which leads us to their 'Best In Class' awards, showing which models have performed better than their direct competitors. Euro NCAP has divided the car market into six segments: Executive, Large Off-Road, Small Off-Road, Supermini, Small MPV and Small Family Car. Let's see then which new cars took the title of the safest model in their respective segments, and watch the relevant video that follows. Executive: VW Arteon Adult Occupant: 96% | Child Occupant: 85% | Pedestrian: 85% | Safety Assist: 82% Large Off-Road: Volvo XC60 Adult Occupant: 98% | Child Occupant: 87% | Pedestrian: 76% | Safety Assist: 95% Small Off-Road: VW T-Roc Adult Occupant: 96% | Child Occupant: 87% | Pedestrian: 79% | Safety Assist: 71% Supermini: VW Polo Adult Occupant: 96% | Child Occupant: 85% | Pedestrian: 76% | Safety Assist: 59% Small MPV: Opel Crossland X Adult Occupant: 85% | Child Occupant: 84% | Pedestrian: 62% | Safety Assist: 57% Small Family Car: Subaru XV & Subaru Impreza XV| Adult Occupant: 94% | Child Occupant: 89% | Pedestrian: 84% | Safety Assist: 68% Impreza| Adult Occupant: 94% | Child Occupant: 85% | Pedestrian: 82% | Safety Assist: 68% VIDEO

Skoda Makes A Karoq Out Of Cardboard (You Know, For The Kids) Posted: 14 Jan 2018 02:38 AM PST Ever wonder what a Skoda Karoq would look like if it were made out of cardboard instead of steel? Yeah, us neither. But Skoda went ahead and built one anyway. Called the Kid Karoq, the full-size replica of the Czech crossover took some 600 man-hours of work over the course of 10 weeks to build. While the shape was made out of plain old cardboard, not everything on board was. The craftsmen at British design studio Lazerian fitted the Kid Karoq with a video game console behind the wheel, an iPad in the dashboard, a set of wireless speakers, and a multicolored disco ball. It also has onboard wifi, a film projector, bean bags, and a "secret den" under the hood with holes for peering out undetected. It even has a slide leading into a pool filled with 1,500 more balls – the exact number, apparently, that you could fit in the cargo compartment of the actual Karoq, whose arrival in UK showrooms the cardboard version was built to celebrate. The project stems from a survey of a thousand kids between the ages of 6 and 11, nearly three quarters of which said they'd built their own cars out of cardboard, too. Photo Gallery Video

Hyundai Ioniq Electric Is Not That Exciting, But It Ticks All The Right Boxes Posted: 14 Jan 2018 01:26 AM PST If you're in the market for an affordable electric car, there's a number of options to choose from, from the Nissan Leaf to the Volkswagen e-Golf. Hyundai has recently started offering their own zero-emission hatchback as well, in the form of the Ioniq Electric, which joins the Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid versions of the same car. It has a conservative styling both on the outside and inside, which makes a huge difference over the somewhat flashy BMW i3, but it can fit three adults at the back, although the one in the middle seat won't be very happy. The Ioniq Electric also has a decent boot space that's said to be bigger than what you'd get in a Volkswagen e-Golf, but slightly smaller than the Ioniq Hybrid. CarBuyer recently took one out for a short review, finding that it's as quiet as expected on the go. Still, the wind and tire noise coming in at higher speeds could make you forget you're sitting in an EV. As far as the technical bits go, naught to 60mph (96km/h) takes a decent 10sec, and you're going to need 4.5 hours to fully charge the battery, or up to 12 when using a domestic 3-pin socket, which allows you to travel for a claimed range of 124 miles (199km). There's a fast-charge option as well, which fills the battery up to 80 percent in just 30 minutes. Money-wise, the Hyundai Ioniq Electric comes at around £25,000 ($33,885) in the United Kingdom, after the government electric car grant, which makes it more affordable than an e-Golf, but if money is a concern, then perhaps you may want to check out the Nissan Leaf, too. VIDEO

Aston Martin Might Be Going Public On The Stock Market Posted: 14 Jan 2018 12:16 AM PST Aston Martin has plans to file for an initial public offering (IPO) later this year, targeting a valuation of approximately $6.8 billion (£5 billion), Bloomberg News reports, citing unnamed sources. According to those sources, the British automaker reportedly held preliminary discussions with advisors about a valuation for the company, including its debt. Aston Martin's future plans that include SUVs, starting with the DBX, has investors interested in looking into an IPO this year. The automaker has plans to enter the booming segment in 2019. In terms of sales, Aston is coming off of a strong year, as it passed the 5,000-unit mark for the first time since 2008. Most of the sales came from the V12-powered DB11, but the recently launched all-new Vantage and the upcoming DBX crossover will surely give the brand a serious boost. Things are still in the air, though, as the automaker could go in a different direction. When the news agency asked Aston Martin for a comment, the automaker was non-committal: "As a matter of policy, Aston Martin does not comment about speculation concerning future ownership or capital restructuring." Well, floating some of your shares has worked wonderfully for Ferrari and FCA, so we can't see any reason why Aston wouldn't go down the same route if they decide to raise some extra capital. Photo Gallery

Ford Ranger Returns To America With A Turbocharged Four-Cylinder Engine Posted: 13 Jan 2018 10:21 PM PST Hours after Chevrolet introduced the 2019 Silverado, Ford is firing back by unveiling the all-new Ranger. Set to debut at the North American International Auto Show, the Ranger will join the reinvigorated mid-size truck market that is currently being dominated by the Chevrolet Colorado and Toyota Tacoma. The Ranger's front fascia is dominated by a relatively small grille which can be flanked by optional LED headlights. Designers also installed a bulging hood, front fender vents, and muscular wheels arches. Other styling features include vertical taillights and a tailgate with stamped "RANGER" lettering. Three different trim levels will be available - XL, XLT, and Lariat - and they will be joined by Chrome and Sport appearance packages. Regardless of which trim level is selected, the Ranger will only be offered in SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations. Perhaps the most notable option is the FX4 Off-Road Package which adds special shocks, all-terrain tires, and a "heavy-gauge steel front bash plate." The off-road features don't stop there as the package also includes a Terrain Management System with four modes and an all-new Trail Control system which keeps the truck at a slow and steady pace when off-roading. Moving into the cabin, drivers will find a thick-rimmed steering wheel and a high-tech instrument cluster with two LCD displays. The model also features metallic accents and what appears to be painted trim on the dashboard. An assortment of options will be available including an 8-inch SYNC 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility as well as the Ford+Alexa personal assistant. Other notable options include AC power outlets, a premium audio system, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot which supports up to 10 devices. Ford was coy on technical specifications but confirmed the Ranger will be powered by a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine that is connected to a class-exclusive 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive will be standard while four-wheel drive will be optional. Besides confirming EcoBoost power, Ford said the truck has a fully boxed high-strength steel frame and a double-wishbone suspension with monotube shocks. Other highlights include parabolic rear leaf springs and underbody skid plates on four-wheel drive models. On the safety front, the Ranger offers Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping Assist, and a Lane Departure Warning system. The model can also be outfitted with Adaptive Cruise Control, a Reverse Sensing System, a Blind Spot Information System, and Pedestrian Detection. The Ford Ranger will go on sale in the United States early next year and additional information will be released closer to launch. Video Photo Gallery

The Audi TT RS Is The Perfect Entry Point To The 400HP Club, If You Can Afford It Posted: 13 Jan 2018 06:41 PM PST Harnessing 400hp on the road requires some skill, but the 2018 Audi TT RS makes it seem easier than you might think. The combination of the Quattro all-wheel drive with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission means that grip is always there and shifting a gear is just a pull of a paddle away. Add to that the multi-awarded five-cylinder 2.5-liter turbo engine that makes 400hp and 354lb-ft and one of the most characterful soundtracks on the segment, and the TT RS suddenly becomes a more appealing package than what its style-heavy approach might suggest. Straight-line performance is easily comparable with much more expensive metal, as the German coupe can hit 60mph from a standstill in just 3.6 seconds and it won't stop accelerating until it hits 174mph if you tick the optional Dynamic Plus package. Despite the impressive numbers, the TT RS remains a friendly car to drive fast, presenting easy-to-control understeer close to the limit. It might not be the most fascinating sports car out there, but it makes really fast progress with the least amount of effort from the driver. As Carlos Lago from Edmunds explains, the TT RS is an impressive car, but at its price range, the competition is really stiff. VIDEO

An Electric McLaren Sedan Would Be An Interesting Porsche Mission E Fighter Posted: 13 Jan 2018 05:15 PM PST McLaren is adamant that they won't build an SUV, as sports cars and supercars are what their brand is all about, but what about a four-door model? Such a vehicle would inevitably become a more expensive alternative to the Porsche Panamera, or, if it gets a zero-emission powertrain, the upcoming Mission E. A rendering, posted by Jose Rodriguez Nebreda, shows us how a hypothetical four-door McLaren would look like, and the result is quite good, actually. Notice that it doesn't have a lot in common with the new 720S, adopting a unique styling with muscular lines, a very long hood and headlights inspired by the ones in McLaren's Sports Series range. If McLaren decides to enter the all-electric super-saloon segment it will have to do battle not just with the Mission E but Aston Martin's RapidE , too, and of course the all-conquering Tesla Model S. Well, Elon Musk's company has had the segment to itself for quite some time, so it could use some competition... PHOTO GALLERY

2019 Chevrolet Silverado Unveiled, Drops 450 Pounds, Gains Straight-Six Diesel Posted: 13 Jan 2018 05:05 PM PST The Chevrolet Silverado is one of the most important vehicles that General Motors makes so it comes as little surprise the company decided to unveil the truck at the North American International Auto Show. Set to battle the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500, the 2019 Silverado eschews the conservative styling of its predecessor for a bolder design that helps the truck to truly stand out. The front end is fairly evolutionary but bigger changes occur further back as model adopts new bodywork which features gentle creases and strong character lines. Eight different variants will be available including the new Silverado LT Trailboss. The off-road focused model builds on the Z71 package and includes a two-inch suspension lift, a locking rear differential, and skid plates. The truck also boasts Rancho shocks and 18-inch alloy wheels with Goodyear Duratrac off-road tires. Another new addition is the Silverado RST which is based the LT variant and adds a "street-performance appearance" to the truck. Chevrolet says the model has LED lighting units and up to 22-inch alloy wheels. While the exterior styling is a bit of a departure, the cabin should be instantly recognizable to owners of the previous-generation pickup. Chevrolet says the cabin was "strongly influenced by customer feedback" and features an additional three inches of rear-seat legroom in crew-cab variants. The truck also boasts new interior storage options including two 10-liter bins integrated in the second-row seatbacks and a 24-liter storage tray underneath the rear seats. The Silverado is 1.6 inches (41 mm) longer than its predecessor and rides on a wheelbase that has grown by up to 3.9 inches (100 mm). Despite this, the truck's weight has been cut by up to 450 pounds (204 kg) due to the use of lightweight materials such as aluminum. The latter material is used on the doors, hood, and tailgate and this helps the truck's body weigh 88 pounds (40 kg) less than before. The weight savings extends to the Silverado's fully boxed steel frame which is also 88 pounds (40 kg) lighter despite boasting a 10 percent increase in torsional rigidity. Other weight savings come from the suspension which features forged-aluminum upper control arms and a live-axle rear suspension with carbon-composite second-stage springs on LT variants. The 2019 Silverado will be available with six different engine and transmission combinations. Chevrolet was coy on specifics but confirmed choices will include a new 5.3- and 6.2-liter V8 as well as a 3.0-liter Duramax six-cylinder turbodiesel. During the press conference, GM executive vice president Mark Reuss said "I'm not going to go into the numbers today, but some of our competition have given numbers on their diesels, and let's just say I'm confident that we'll have the best performing diesel in this segment." That is a clear shot at Ford which recently released its specifications for the diesel-powered F-150. On the transmission side of the equation, GM confirmed the 3.0-liter diesel and 6.2-liter V8 petrol engine will come with an all-new 10-speed automatic transmission as well as a start/stop system. The V8s will also have a Dynamic Fuel Management system which can deactivate up to seven-cylinders to optimize fuel efficiency. Photo Gallery

Here's A Love Letter To The BMW E60 M5’s Epic V10 Engine Posted: 13 Jan 2018 02:57 PM PST Just in case you needed a reminder of how incredibly awesome the 5.0-liter V10 engine in the BMW E60 M5 was, here's a little something that should bring back those memories. Codenamed S85, the naturally aspirated 10-cylinder engine was designed specifically for this M5 (and its two-door counterpart, the M6), producing 500hp (507PS) and 380lb-ft (520Nm) of torque. The US-spec E60 M5s were the only ones in the world to be offered with a manual six-speed gearbox, as the rest of the world got a seven-speed SMG automated manual transmission only, which is easily the weakest link in a car that's been universally praised for its performance and handling. Featuring a compression ratio of 12.0:1 and able to rev up to 8,250rpm, the S85 makes the E60 M5 a true screamer, giving the four-door super-saloon a proper supercar-like soundtrack that is so missing from cars these days. In the following video, Carwow has a go in a BMW E60 M5, reminding us of its epic engine and the beautiful music it made. VIDEO

Chevy Opens Camaro Hot Wheels 50th Anniversary Order Books Next Month Posted: 13 Jan 2018 01:56 PM PST Chevrolet has announced that the 2018 Camaro Hot Wheels 50th Anniversary Edition will be available for order from February 1st. Originally unveiled last fall, this special edition of the Camaro features a Crush orange exterior that draws inspiration from the Hot Wheels tracks that many of us grew up with as kids. The model also has a Satin Graphite ground effect package as well as Satin Graphite stripes with Silver Ice Metallic accents. The exterior styling changes don't stop there, as designers installed a revised grille with a black bowtie emblem and Galvano chrome inserts. Other changes include tinted taillights, special fender badges, and 20-inch forged aluminum wheels with unique center caps. The interior largely carries over from the regular Camaro, but there are a handful of touches that separate the special edition from the standard model. These include illuminated doorsill plates, orange kneepads, two-tone leather seats, special floor mats with orange stitching and a 50th Anniversary Hot Wheels badge on the steering wheel. The Hot Wheels 50th Anniversary Edition is based on the Camaro 2LT and 2SS and the package costs an additional $4,995 over those models' MSRP, which means potential customers should expect to spend at least $35,000. Photo Gallery

Drunk Florida Mom Crashes Into Four Cars, Then Lets Toddler Wander In Traffic Posted: 13 Jan 2018 12:58 PM PST A woman from Citrus County, Florida has been arrested after crashing her car with her two-year-old son on board and subsequently resisting arrest. Brianna Dee Knox, 28, was taken into custody by the Florida Highway Patrol after driving recklessly and crashing into four cars on I-4 at roughly 5 PM on January 9. The Florida Highway Patrol reports that, after the crash, Knox's red 2001 Honda broke down under an overpass. Upon exiting the vehicle, Knox started acting "erratically and disturbed", even letting her young son walk towards traffic while she relieved herself on the side of the road. The Miami Herald reports that when troopers David Flores and Alain Hernandez arrived on the scene, Knox resisted arrest, kicked one of the officer's in the chest and hand and violently struggled as they handcuffed her. Knox was arrested on charges including driving under the influence, battery on a law enforcement officer, leaving the scene of a crash and child neglect. She is being held at the Hills borough County jail on $15,000 bail. PHOTO GALLERY

Edmunds Buys Its Own Tesla Model 3, Delivers First Impressions Posted: 14 Jan 2018 01:31 AM PST After placing a reservation in early 2016, Edmunds received its own Tesla Model 3 to put through its long-term testing process. As with all the cars in this first production batch, this Model 3 is the Long Range version that also features the mandatory-for-now Premium Upgrades pack as well as the Autopilot semi-autonomous system. All this equipment increased the price of Edmunds' Model 3 up from the base $44,000 to $55,000. First impressions of the Model 3 are more than positive, with the car being pretty quick, while the chassis feels sorted and showing off its good balance and low center of gravity. The biggest talking point however is the ergonomics of the minimalist cabin; cramming everything into a big, landscape-oriented touchscreen requires more time than usual for the driver to learn where everything is. But even when he does, things like not having a speedometer ahead of the driver remain less than ideal. The Model 3 is definitely the brand's make-or-break car, but the first impressions so far point at a well-sorted compact saloon that has that special Tesla character people seem to like so much. VIDEO

2018 Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS) A-To-Z Debuts Posted: 13 Jan 2018 11:27 AM 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 Audi A7 Sportback BMW i8 Coupe F/L BMW i8 Roadster BMW X2 Chevrolet Silverado Ford Edge ST Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 [NC] Ford Mustang Bullitt Ford Ranger [NC] Hyundai Veloster Jeep Cherokee F/L Kia Forte Lamborghini Urus Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 PHEV [NC] Mercedes-AMG Four Door GT [NC] Mercedes G-Class Mercedes GLS Grand Edition MINI Hatch & Cabrio F/L Ram 1500 Rolls-Royce Phantom Smart ForTwo Special Edition EV Toyota Avalon VW Jetta VW Passat GT V6 CONCEPT MODELS Acura RDX Prototype BMW X7 iPerformance GAC Enverge Concept Honda Insight Prototype Nissan Crossover Concept Infiniti Q Inspiration Lexus LF-1 SUV Concept SPECIAL COVERAGE Kia Offers 4D Virtual Drives Of Stinger Toyota's Future EV Product Plans

Kia To Offer 4D Virtual Test Drives Of The Stinger At The Detroit Auto Show Posted: 13 Jan 2018 10:57 AM PST Kia's doing things a little differently with the Stinger, and this includes more than showcasing the aggressive styling and powerful powertrain. The automaker recently announced that it would be offering four-dimension (4D) virtual reality test drives of the Stinger at the upcoming North American International Auto Show. The automaker will have the Kia 4D Stinger Experience available for visitors of the auto show. Upon entering, the viewer is treated to a brief introduction, which outlines Kia's six-year journey to develop the Stinger, before going on a virtual journey with the sedan. Participants will be able to choose one of three destinations: driving through Southern France, traveling on the Pacific Coast Highway, and spending some time at the Cadwell Park racetrack in the UK. If you're wondering how the 4D aspect of the test drive works, five projectors will display the test drive onto three projection screens and the floor, which has been specially programmed. The modified suspension rig will provide participants with haptic feedback that will match what's going on in the screens. The 4D experience, according to Kia, will give participants a realistic look at what the Stinger is capable of. "Every twist and turn, every rush of acceleration and every braking run is experienced as if you, the driver, are in command," Saad Chehab, vice president of marketing communications for Kia Motors America, said. For Stinger fans that won't be able to attend the Detroit Auto Show, the automaker is also offering virtual test drives that you can enjoy at home by visiting Jaunt. Just like with the 4D experience at the auto show, visitors can choose from the same three locations – Cadwell Park, France, and California. Those with virtual reality equipment can download the Jaunt app to get the full effect of the test drives from their house. For the rest, the video offers a 360-degree look at the vehicle and the chosen location. Not as good as the 4D experience, but still quite interesting. Photo Gallery

Is The Mercedes-AMG A45 A Match For Audi's RS3 Sedan? Posted: 13 Jan 2018 09:59 AM PST Two of the hottest compact cars on sale today, the Mercedes-AMG A45 and Audi RS3 Sedan, were taken to the track to settle their differences. The setting is the Rock Raceway circuit in South Africa, with its 300m (984ft) long straight being more than enough to prove which of the two is faster. Mercedes-AMG's A45 hot hatch is slightly less powerful than its Audi rival. It has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that delivers 381PS (376hp) and 475Nm (350lb-ft) of torque, taking 4.2sec to sprint from rest to 100km/h (62mph), and toping out at 250km/h (155mph). On the other hand, the Audi RS3 Sedan makes use of a 2.5-liter five-cylinder rated at 400PS (394hp) and 480Nm (354lb-ft) of torque. Naught to 100km/h (62mph) takes 4.1sec, and top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h (155mph). There's another aspect worth mentioning, and that's the A45's weight advantage, but is this enough to make up for the power deficit compared to the RS3? Just click on the video below and find out. VIDEO

Future Cars: Can A New Nissan Stagea Answer Our Skyline Wagon Prayers? Posted: 13 Jan 2018 08:51 AM PST For many petrolheads, there's nothing more enticing than a high-performance wagon. Sadly these days, the offerings are fairly limited unless you want something German and very expensive. Nonetheless, one wagon that has always caught our attention is the Japanese-market Nissan Stagea. Produced between 1996 and 2007, it was a Skyline-based and -infused, turbocharged V6 powerhouse with immense cult status. So what could a modern day Stagea look like? Let's envisage further. Muscular Design This study adopts Nissan's current styling philosophy incorporating a dominant V-shaped grille, wedge headlamps and sheetmetal surfacing inspired by the upcoming new Altima. The front fenders, hood and a-pillars are a deliberate ploy to visually link it with the current GT-R, somewhat appropriate since the two nameplates have shared mechanicals in the past. Like the original Stagea, it has shorter than usual rear doors and long side glass. Lower door scollops flick down towards the rear wheels for that go-fast appearance; whilst the rear is finished off with a vertical tailgate, quad exhausts and boomerang-styled LED tail lights. VR And Variable Compression Powerhouses The 1st and 2nd generation (WC34 & M35) Stagea were offered with a range of Skyline-based powertrains, including the RB-series in 2.0, 2.5T and 2.6-litre Twin Turbo (260RS) guises. Later on, the M35 era employed VQ-series engines in 2.5, 2.5T, 3.0 and 3.5-litre formats. Whilst those were good engines, today's power game has moved on. Nissan's 298 kW/399hp, 3.0-litre, twin-turbo V6 (VR30DDTT) would do just nicely here. Power would be sent to either the rear or all four wheels, via a 7-speed automatic transmission. Oddly, the most interesting variant could come in the form of Infiniti's latest Variable Compression-Ratio engine. Code-named KR20, this 2.0-litre turbocharged unit debuted in the 2019 QX50. It combines decent power with diesel-like efficiency, making for a potent entry-level option. Rivals Of The Past And Present Many of the Stagea's past competitors have been put out to pasture due to the obsession with SUV's, low sales and ever-tightening emissions standards. Mid-size wagons like Subaru's Legacy GT-B, Toyota Caldina GT-T and Mitsubishi Legnum VR-4 were a hoot to drive and are dearly missed. Today, the competition is rather varied and restrictive depending on where you live in the world. On the smaller side, a new Stagea would battle against VW's Golf R wagon, Skoda Octavia vRS and Subaru Levorg. And if price weren't an issue, you could add Audi's RS4, Volvo V60 Polestar and AMG's C63 wagon to the mix too. Nevertheless, no matter what make, model, size and price scale you're looking at, the more wagons there are, the more the world will be a better place. Hope you're reading Nissan… Share your thoughts in the comments below. By Josh Byrnes Photo Renderings Copyright Carscoops / Josh Byrnes Historic Nissan Stage Photos

BMW Opens More Dedicated M Showrooms As Range Expands Posted: 13 Jan 2018 07:54 AM PST BMW offers more M models today than it ever has before, and you can get them from any of its dealers, but for a truly special experience, you'll want to head to a dedicated M showroom. Out of the 4,400 or so BMW dealers in 150 countries around the world, only 850 (or roughly one fifth) are specially set up to sell the performance models. That's double the number compared to four years ago. The latest, which is pictured here, is Performance Munich Autos, a dealership in Singapore with a dedicated showroom and service facility just for BMW M and BMW M Performance models. The showroom covers 4,500 square meters (48,000 square feet) and, in addition to displaying models available for purchase, has a dedicated Individual Lounge for special orders and a multimedia Delivery Suite where the vehicles are handed over under spotlights and driven right out of the showroom. "The new showroom reflects the dynamic character of the BMW M brand and fulfills the wish of many customers for an exclusive retail experience," said Paul de Courtois, Managing Director of BMW Group Asia. 2017's year-end numbers are still being tallied, but in 2016 the Bavarian automaker sold 67,900 M and M Performance vehicles and had already beaten that number last November. The lineup, depending on the market, includes the M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, X5 M, and X6 M, as well as the M140i, M240i, M550i, M550d, M760Li, X3 M40i, X4 M40i, X5 M50d, and X6 M50d. That's a heck of a model range, with some offering multiple body-styles, and it only stands to grow further in the future. Photo Gallery

2018 Nissan Qashqai Reviewed: Still The King Of Compact SUVs? Posted: 13 Jan 2018 06:56 AM PST Nissan's best-selling Qashqai has received a mid-life facelift in order to deal with the ever-increasing competition. The revamp consists of a revised exterior that includes new bumpers, the brand's V-Motion grille, a new headlamp design that incorporates the DRLs and redesigned LED taillights. New alloy designs as well as new colors have also been added to the range. The interior is made out of better-quality materials and also features new, more supportive seats as well as a new steering wheel. Nissan has also added more sound insulation, additional sealing around the front doors and a thicker rear glass for better insulation against NVH (noise, vibration and harshness). Perhaps the highlight of the facelifted Qashqai is the addition of Nissan's ProPilot semi-autonomous system in the range, which combines the Lane Keep Assist, Intelligent Cruise Control and Traffic Jam Pilot systems. Those looking for a fun to drive SUV might be left disappointed from the Qashqai, but Nissan's best-seller remains one of the most relaxing places to sit in when driving long distances. Are these revisions enough to keep the 2018 Qashqai ahead of the competition? Carwow put one to the test to find out. VIDEO

Buy Steve McQueen's '51 Chevy, Drive Like The King Of Cool Posted: 13 Jan 2018 05:58 AM PST Celebrity provenance can add a lot of allure – and value – to a classic car. Especially if that celebrity was no other than Steve McQueen... As much a car guy as he was an actor, McQueen amassed an enviable collection of cars and motorcycles. This classic Chevy convertible was just one, and right now it needs a new home. The 1951 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe Convertible didn't just belong to the legendary King of Cool – it appeared alongside him (or all around him) in The Hunter, which turned out to be the last movie he ever made. He bought it off the set when filming was done, while its current owner in turn bought it from the late actor's estate auction in Las Vegas back in 1984, just a few years after his passing. The car was featured in Matt Stone's 2007 book "McQueen's Machines: The Cars and Bikes of a Hollywood Icon," on a two-part episode of Pawn Stars, and comes with a document signed by McQueen's children Chad and Terry attesting to its authenticity. It might not be a racing Porsche or classic Ferrari – heck, its six-cylinder engine only puts out 92 horsepower through a 3-speed manual transmission – but it was McQueen's all the same, both on and off the set. And it could be yours if you place the winning bid at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale later this month. Photo Gallery Video

Harman And Samsung Prepare For The Future At CES Posted: 13 Jan 2018 04:54 AM PST Harman, and its parent company Samsung, have just unveiled a cutting-edge digital cockpit at CES which will incorporate 5G connectivity. Dubbed the Digital Cockpit platform, Harman's creation consists of a huge panel stretching the width of the dashboard that incorporates haptic feedback, physical knobs, and steering wheel controls. Additionally, the platform incorporates Harman's Bixby personal assistant that will enable users to interact with the system through voice, touch, gestures, and context-based triggers. Harman also says that the Digital Cockpit platform includes an Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem with cloud technology that reportedly improves connectivity while also lowering costs and reducing overall vehicle weight. At the event in Las Vegas, both Harman and Samsung also revealed that their jointly developing a modular approach to create a multi-band 5G-capable conformal antenna. The companies assert the system could provide speeds up to 1 Gb/second of bandwidth, roughly 100 times quicker than 4G LTE networks. These additional speeds will allow for fast high-resolution streaming, immersive virtual and augmented reality features and seamless cloud-based applications, the technology companies say. Also at CES, Harman and Samsung have announced an open-source and modular platform for Level 3, 4, and 5 self-driving cars dubbed DRVLINE. PHOTO GALLERY

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