CARSCOOP

U Spy: Can You Crack the Brand and Model Behind this SUV Prototype?
Taxi Driver Shows us How to Impress Your Passengers with a U-Turn
Premium Brands Move into Mass-Market Territory with US$30k Offerings
A Photo Tour of the 2013 Brussels International Auto Show
Turns Out the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Can't Fly After All…
Rapid Increase in U.S. New Car Launches May Cause Issues With Suppliers, Quality
Scoop: Facelifted Porsche Panamera Shows its LED Tailamps in the Dark
Car Dealers, Rental Companies want to be Exempt of New Bill About Recall Repairs
We Piece Together the First Official Look at the New Rolls Royce Wraith Coupe
Porsche Confirms U.S. Prices for New 918 Spyder
You Won't Believe How Lucky this Pedestrian was, but Neither will he…
MINI Wins 2013 Dakar, Race2Recovery Disability Team Makes it to the Finish [w/Video]
Bentley CEO Says SUV Nearing Final Approval, will Feature a Modified Design
Crazy Supercar Ride with Lamborghini Reventon Roadster, Bugatti Veyron Super Sport and More
So, You Want a Lime Green Porsche Panamera with a Performance Upgrade…
Spied: First Renault Test Mule for a New Compact SUV
Oops…Parent on a Motorcycle Loses Child on the Road
New VW Polo R WRC Takes Second Place in its First Competitive Outing at Monte Carlo
Hennessey Venom GT World’s Fastest Production Car from 0 to 300km/h – 186MPH
McLaren MP4-12 Falls Into the Tuning Hands of DMC

U Spy: Can You Crack the Brand and Model Behind this SUV Prototype?

Posted: 21 Jan 2013 05:44 PM PST

Our first reader-sourced, photo scoop of the year comes to us from Daryl who crossed paths with this heavily disguised test car earlier on Monday.

Here's what Daryl told CarScoop:

"Not sure what I'm looking at here. I was sitting at a stoplight 10 minutes ago, saw the swirly camo, and knew it was something in testing. I only had time to snap one good picture. Attached is the full size pic as well as a cropped and zoomed version of the same pic. I took this as they were getting off southbound highway 101 in Windsor, CA".

Taxi Driver Shows us How to Impress Your Passengers with a U-Turn

Posted: 21 Jan 2013 05:05 PM PST

Luc Besson, we just might have a new candidate for your Taxi franchise, if you ever consider making a fifth movie, that is.

While we're not entirely convinced that the yellow sign on the roof of the white sedan does indeed indicate that it's a taxi (we also see a grey-colored BMW 3-Series E30 Touring with the same sign crossing by), the intrepid driver should consider himself lucky for not ending up in the face of the Toyota Highlander.

Premium Brands Move into Mass-Market Territory with US$30k Offerings

Posted: 21 Jan 2013 04:40 PM PST

There are 75 million 30- to 40-year old consumers in the U.S. right now and, according to Mercedes-Benz USA head of marketing Bernie Glaser, "they have big expectations for products and brands".

The problem for automakers like Mercedes, Audi and BMW is that these buyers are not able and/or willing to pay the US$40,000 sticker price attached to premium vehicles. Yet they want to have their cake and eat it, too – or, as Glaser puts it, demand "attractive styled cars and the right technology".

One way to attract those buyers is to lower the entry price: only last week, BMW announced that, starting this spring, it will offer a 320i sedan priced at US$33,445 (including destination) – that's US$4,300 cheaper than today's entry-level 328i.

A Photo Tour of the 2013 Brussels International Auto Show

Posted: 21 Jan 2013 03:44 PM PST

The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) from January 19 to 27 is no doubt the most important event for the auto industry in January.

However, it's not the first international auto show of the year, as that distinction goes to the 2013 Auto Salon in Brussels, Belgium, which was open to the public from January 11 to 20.

If you're looking for major world premieres, you won't find any, as the European auto industry is keeping its newest and brightest goods for the upcoming Geneva Salon in March, but if for whatever reason you want to get your dose of European rides in both production and concept forms, there's a gallery waiting for you right past the virtual jump.

Turns Out the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Can't Fly After All…

Posted: 21 Jan 2013 03:05 PM PST

If you're expecting to see some crazy mishap take place in the following video, we're…glad to inform you that nobody was hurt after the driver and passenger of this Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG 'Gullwing' came up with the bright idea of pushing out its 'upward-opening' doors at 70mph (approx. 113 km/h).

Before we let you read the author's account of the "fun to watch" incident and view the clip for yourself, allow us to note that the sticker on the SLS AMG's rear bumper suggests that the car is a rental, though, it could also be a sponsor, or the person who owns the company may be driving it.

Rapid Increase in U.S. New Car Launches May Cause Issues With Suppliers, Quality

Posted: 21 Jan 2013 02:37 PM PST

There are 61 new or redesigned models due to be launched in the U.S. market this year – a 50 percent increase compared to any year since 2006, while 74 are scheduled for next year. Moreover, total annual sales are expected to reach, or even surpass, 15 million, which is a good thing both for buyers and the automotive industry, correct?

Apparently, things are a bit more complicated than that. After the low-point of 2008-2009, automotive suppliers have cut down on their workforce and facilities due to reduced demand. Now that numbers are climbing to 2007 levels, they may have trouble keeping up – and that may already be affecting quality.

Scoop: Facelifted Porsche Panamera Shows its LED Tailamps in the Dark

Posted: 21 Jan 2013 01:45 PM PST

If Porsche sticks to its original plan, we'll see a new generation of the Panamera heavily inspired by the lines and shapes of last year's Sport Turismo Concept and expanded with new body styles in 2016.

In the meantime, Porsche will update the current Panamera saloon with a mid-life facelift, which is expected to make its first appearance this year, but we still don't know where – the Frankfurt show in September is a prime candidate.

Car Dealers, Rental Companies want to be Exempt of New Bill About Recall Repairs

Posted: 21 Jan 2013 01:15 PM PST

The U.S. Congress wants to introduce new legislation that will prohibit any rental-car company or car dealer to loan or sell any recalled vehicle before the necessary repairs have been made.

The new bill, knows as the Rachel and Jacqueline Houck Safe Rental Car Act, is named after two sisters from Santa Cruz, California, who were killed when the car they had rented caught fire and crashed into a tree. Said rental vehicle was affected by a recall but had not been repaired.

We Piece Together the First Official Look at the New Rolls Royce Wraith Coupe

Posted: 21 Jan 2013 12:47 PM PST

Just last week, Rolls-Royce released the name of its all-new Ghost-based coupe model, the Wraith, adding that it will make its global premiere at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show in early March.

Britain's most famous carmaker also told us that in the weeks leading up to the show, it plans to "reveal additional information and a series of teaser images", which it did, beginning today with a smoke screen-style teaser on its public website where users can move their mouse to divulge bits and pieces of the car.

We understand that can be annoying, so we patched up all those pictures to create the single image you see here, and which provides us with the best look yet at the brand's new performance coupe.

Porsche Confirms U.S. Prices for New 918 Spyder

Posted: 21 Jan 2013 11:49 AM PST

Up until now, we have only seen the upcoming 918 Spyder in pre-production trim, with the final model to be released at a major international auto show in the course of this year. However, Porsche has already added its new flagship supercar to its U.S. pricing catalogue for 2013.

In it, we see the 918 Spyder registered as a 2014 model with a starting MSRP of $845,000 (around €634,500 or £407,500 at the current exchange rates) excluding state taxes and an as-of-yet undisclosed destination, which is the same as the price announced by Porsche officials last year.

You Won't Believe How Lucky this Pedestrian was, but Neither will he…

Posted: 21 Jan 2013 11:09 AM PST

Every man has his day in luck. For this old chap, Lady Luck paid a visit and hovered over, or shall we say, around him, as he was crossing the road.

A driver of an old sedan that looks like its from Russia, who had just passed the pedestrian crossing sign, was forced to slam and block his brakes, inadvertently turning the car around to avoid hitting the man.

MINI Wins 2013 Dakar, Race2Recovery Disability Team Makes it to the Finish [w/Video]

Posted: 21 Jan 2013 10:29 AM PST

After 8,570 km (5,437 miles) of grueling roads, Stephane Peterhansel and his co-driver Jean-Paul Cottret crossed the finish line of the 2013 Dakar rally at Santiago de Chile first. It was the second consecutive win for the MINI ALL4 Racing and the record 11th Dakar victory for Peterhansel (his fifth with a car, the other six being with motorcycles), who took the lead after the second stage and remained there until the end.

A second MINI, with Leonid Novitskiy and Konstandin Zhiltsov, finished the race third behind the Toyota HiLux of Giniel de Villiers and Dirk von Zitzewitz, while a third MINI, driven by Nanni Roma and Michel Perin, followed in fourth place just 8 minutes behind them.

Bentley CEO Says SUV Nearing Final Approval, will Feature a Modified Design

Posted: 21 Jan 2013 09:14 AM PST

Last October, it was reported that due to the European crisis, the VW Group might delay a decision regarding the production of two luxury SUVs for its Bentley and Lamborghini brands previewed last year by the EXP 9 F and Urus Concepts respectively.

We still don't know what the German group's plans are for Lamborghini, but Bentley boss Wolfgang Schreiber told Autonews Europe that the company is "close to a decision to build" the EXP 9 F, with an expected introduction date in 2016.

Crazy Supercar Ride with Lamborghini Reventon Roadster, Bugatti Veyron Super Sport and More

Posted: 21 Jan 2013 08:49 AM PST

Only the rare Lamborghini Reventon Roadster and the 1,200PS (1,180bhp) Bugatti Veyron Super Sport meeting up on the road are a good enough reason for gearheads to celebrate, but in this video clip recorded close to the East Midlands Airport in England, you will discover a few more rarities from the world of superfast cars.

Besides a couple more Lamborghinis, including a Murcielago, there's also a Mercedes-Benz CLK AMG DTM Coupe and a TVR Sagaris – and they're all travelling together on public roads at speeds we assume aren't exactly legal…

So, You Want a Lime Green Porsche Panamera with a Performance Upgrade…

Posted: 21 Jan 2013 07:59 AM PST

Nothing says look at me more than luxury sports saloon finished off in lime green paint. Add a bodykit and matching alloy wheels and you're all set…

If the above meets your aesthetic requirements, German tuning brand REGULA Exclusive has all that and then some more for the Porsche Panamera.

Spied: First Renault Test Mule for a New Compact SUV

Posted: 21 Jan 2013 07:13 AM PST

True, what you see in these fresh spy photos from Europe may look like a Renault Grand Scenic at first, but pay closer attention and you will see some substantial modifications such as the shorter rear overhang, the larger wheels mounted on wider tracks on both ends, and an increased ride height.

In addition, Renault engineers have also added weights on the roof and the front fenders, likely to simulate a higher weight distribution.

If you're wondering why all these changes, it's because this is a test mule for a new compact SUV to replace Renault's current Koleos, which is manufactured by Renault Samsung Motors in South Korea.

Oops…Parent on a Motorcycle Loses Child on the Road

Posted: 21 Jan 2013 06:45 AM PST

Well, if yougsters can fall off from cars, then we have to assume that you won't be the least surprised to learn that this can happen with motorcycles as well.

As the laws from country to country differ widely, we don't know if placing a child behind you on a motorcycle or a scooter is legal, but it goes without saying that riders should be extra cautious when doing so.

The motorcyclist seen in this dashcam footage, which was reportedly filmed in Japan, didn't notice that the kid fell off the bike at the traffic light until he was several hundred feet away. Luckily, the youngster was able to get up by himself and run across the road to safety….

New VW Polo R WRC Takes Second Place in its First Competitive Outing at Monte Carlo

Posted: 21 Jan 2013 06:22 AM PST

Multiple world champion Sebastian Loeb of Citroen may have grabbed another win at the opening round of the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship at Monte Carlo, but it was Sébastien Ogier and the all-new VW Polo WRC that made the biggest impression.

The 29-year-old French rally driver managed to lead the Polo R WRC in its first competitive outing to second place. The third place on the podium went to Dani Sordo, who returned to Citroen after two seasons with MINI, which pulled out of the championship at the end of last year.

Hennessey Venom GT World’s Fastest Production Car from 0 to 300km/h – 186MPH

Posted: 21 Jan 2013 05:31 AM PST

The 1,244-horsepower Hennessey Venom GT has been established as the world's fastest production car from zero to 300km/h (186.45 mph) by the Guinness World Records (GWR).

Under the supervision of a Guinness representative as well as VBox officials, the street legal Venom GT performed two runs made in opposite directions within one hour, which were validated by a VBox 3i GPS-based data logging system, at the Ellington Airport (also used by NASA) southeast of Houston, Texas.

McLaren MP4-12 Falls Into the Tuning Hands of DMC

Posted: 21 Jan 2013 04:48 AM PST

For its next project, German sports car tuner DMC has selected the McLaren MP4-12C coupe, which it is teasing through a single photograph and preliminary details.

The package being prepared by DMC is named the "Velocita" and it will include an assortment of aerodynamic and styling components such as a redesigned front grille and lower lip spoiler made from carbon fiber, along with side skirts, rear diffuser and an "aggressive" wing.

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