CARSCOOP

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• China President Bans Use of Military License Plates on Porsches, Bentleys, and Other Luxo Cars
• Latvian-Made All-Electric, AWD Racer Built to Tackle Pikes Peak [w/Video]
• Dark Blue Tesla Model S Looks Great Sans Chrome and Textured Plastic
• This Is Not Your Usual Russian Dash Cam Compilation
• Hyundai Tosses the Wraps Off Redesigned 2014 Tucson ix in Korea
• Jaguar Trademarks Q-Type and XQ Names – SUV On its Way?
• French Peugeot Dealer Launches 208 GTi Le Mans Special Edition
• Nissan Cuts Prices by Up to $4,400 on Seven U.S. Models to Rank Higher in Online Searches
• New Alfa Spider and Mazda MX-5 will Reportedly Get Different Engines
• Fisker Karma May Live On Through Bob Lutz's V8-Powered Destino
• Nissan Hands Over Exclusive Gold-Painted GT-R to World's Fastest Man
• Mercedes-Benz Knocks Over Toyota SUV onto Another Mercedes-Benz
• Chevrolet Adds Range-Topping "High Country" Edition to 2014 Silverado Range [w/Video]
• Aston Martin V12 Vantage Reportedly Reaches the End of the Line
• Chevrolet Mulling Creation of a Small RWD Coupe to Rival Scion FR-S, Subaru BRZ
• Ian Callum Talks to MT, Shares Insight on the Jaguar F-Type
• Brabus Gives the New Mercedes-Benz CLA Some Light Upgrades
• Greece's Far-Right Golden Dawn Party Opens Tolls for All During Easter…
• New Skoda Rapid Sport Concept Headed for Wörthersee
• Seat Brings 330PS Leon Cup Racer, Ibiza SC Trophy to Wörthersee Tour 2013
• Alfa Romeo Promotes Giulietta's Fast&Furious 6 Movie Gig with Ads [w/Video]
• Opel Looking to Reduce CO2 Emissions by 27 Percent by 2020
• VW Teases Wörthersee-bound Golf GTI Concept Made by Apprentices

China President Bans Use of Military License Plates on Porsches, Bentleys, and Other Luxo Cars Posted: 06 May 2013 05:21 PM PDT China's Central Military Commission, which is headed by President Xi Jinping himself, has banned the use of military license plates for a long list of vehicles, most of them belonging in the luxury segment. This, according to the PLA (People's Liberation Army) Daily, the country's armed forces official newspaper, has been done in order to "maintain social harmony, stability and the reputation of the military". Although China is a goldmine for premium brands the report said that allowing luxury cars to use military plates "is at odds with our army's glorious tradition and not conclusive to building the military's moral." Since May 1, all existing military license plates have been cancelled in an effort to stop the sale of both legal and counterfeit ones. Read more »

Latvian-Made All-Electric, AWD Racer Built to Tackle Pikes Peak [w/Video] Posted: 06 May 2013 04:41 PM PDT Globalization has its pros and cons, which could warrant their own separate automotive-related piece, however, one of the main advantages of the phenomenon is the fact that you can build anything, anywhere and have access to the same kind of technology that anybody else has. You merely Google it, order it or learn how to make it yourself. Who would have thought that a minuscule Latvian car builder called Drive-eO, would take on the challenge of tackling the Pikes Peak hillclimb, with no real prior experience in building the kind of car they are attempting to make for this purpose. Read more »

Dark Blue Tesla Model S Looks Great Sans Chrome and Textured Plastic Posted: 06 May 2013 04:15 PM PDT The Tesla Model S is by no means common enough for it to warrant heaps of exterior modifications in order to stand out (yet). People continue turn their heads as these silent cars pass by, and you'll still see the occasional phone camera aimed at it, with excited comments audible in the background. This exclusivity hasn't stopped drivers from wanting to make their cars even more special. Read more »

This Is Not Your Usual Russian Dash Cam Compilation Posted: 06 May 2013 03:34 PM PDT Believe it or not, Russian dashboard cameras are not only used to capture crazy accidents and suicidal pedestrians (among others), as sometimes, drivers happen to be at the right place at the right time when motorists make a nice gesture. One YouTube user put together these special moments captured by various dash cameras around the country and made a compilation video to demonstrate that good things happen on Russian roads too. Read more »

Hyundai Tosses the Wraps Off Redesigned 2014 Tucson ix in Korea Posted: 06 May 2013 03:00 PM PDT Hyundai has followed a slightly different path with the redesign of its South Korea-market Tucson ix compared to the European version of its compact SUV that is named ix35 and which we saw in facelift form at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show in March. Whereas the European ix35 features the same grille (re-trimmed) as the pre-facelift model, and which is similar to the one used on the current North American Tucson, the South Korean model gains a flashier nosepiece with chromed slats inspired by the new Santa Fe series. Read more »

Jaguar Trademarks Q-Type and XQ Names – SUV On its Way? Posted: 06 May 2013 01:55 PM PDT Despite denying reports that it was working on and planning to launch an SUV, Jaguar has just registered the names "Q-Type" and "XQ" with the EU trademark office. Is it a case of better safe than sorry (in terms of name) or is Jaguar secretly developing an SUV or crossover-style model(s)? Well, we don't know yet but if they are, they do have access to any Land Rover tech, which means that their off-roader would actually be a capable one. If it's image and tradition you're concerned about, let us remind you just how big of a success story the Porsche Cayenne is – it was a much bigger departure for Porsche, than an off-roader would be for Jaguar. Read more »

French Peugeot Dealer Launches 208 GTi Le Mans Special Edition Posted: 06 May 2013 01:39 PM PDT The makers of the limited run 208 Rallye from French Peugeot dealer "Clara Automobile" are back with another special edition model named the 208 GTi Le Mans that comes with some bespoke upgrades over the regular GTi. While maintaining the stock 208 GTi's 197hp (200PS) 1.6-liter turbo engine and chassis setup, the Peugeot dealer's team outfitted hot hatch with the Engine Sound System, which is offered on the RCZ Coupe, but not on the 208 series. The system uses a diaphragm in the exhaust to produce added aural aggression at higher revs. Read more »

Nissan Cuts Prices by Up to $4,400 on Seven U.S. Models to Rank Higher in Online Searches Posted: 06 May 2013 01:02 PM PDT Nissan will cut prices on seven of the 18 models it offers in the U.S. with the aim of making its cars show up more often in shoppers' Internet searches. The price cuts vary from 2.7 percent, or $580 (€440), on the top-selling Altima midsize car to 10.7 percent, or $4,400 (€3,335), on the Armada big SUV. Other models included are the Sentra, Juke, Murano, Rogue and Maxima. The seven vehicles that are getting the price cuts account for 65 percent of Nissan's U.S. sales, according to Jose Munoz, Nissan senior vice president of sales and marketing for the Americas. Read more »

New Alfa Spider and Mazda MX-5 will Reportedly Get Different Engines Posted: 06 May 2013 12:46 PM PDT The marriage of Japanese technology and Italian design is a very fortunate one; the collaboration between Alfa Romeo and Mazda, for the creation of the new Spider and MX-5 is even more so. However, while we do expect the two cars to be quite competent, we're curious to see how the manufacturers choose to differentiate them. Now, while the styling will be predictably different, the cars will share the same platform and many mechanical bits. One thing they won't share are reportedly the engines, which will be manufacturer-specific for each of the two offerings. Read more »

Fisker Karma May Live On Through Bob Lutz's V8-Powered Destino Posted: 06 May 2013 11:53 AM PDT The Fisker Karma is a pretty car, further emphasizing Henrik Fisker's talent in designing great-looking automobiles. However, aside from the sexy shape, the car was let down by poor quality materials, finish and build. Furthermore, the range-extender powertrain, while competent, never offered the level of performance one would expect from a car looking like that. Now, chances are we won't be seeing any more Karmas being made, as the company has gone under bankruptcy, however, there still may be some hope, in the form of the Destino, which is basically the same car, but with a GM-sourced V8 engine shoehorned under the bonnet. Read more »

Nissan Hands Over Exclusive Gold-Painted GT-R to World's Fastest Man Posted: 06 May 2013 11:32 AM PDT As it turns out, the "one-off" gold-colored GT-R that Nissan auctioned last December for US$187,100 with all proceeds going to the Usain Bolt Foundation to assist children in Jamaica, wasn't exactly a "one-off", as the man who helped create it, Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt, has also received one for his own collection. Nissan handed over the special Gold 2014 GT-R to Bolt, who is an official ambassador of the brand, on Sunday, May 5, at the champion's home training facility in Jamaica. Read more »

Mercedes-Benz Knocks Over Toyota SUV onto Another Mercedes-Benz Posted: 06 May 2013 12:10 PM PDT Welcome to another edition of our dash-cam video segment of accidents with a strange outcome. This episode comes to us from the former capital of Kazakhstan and still the nation's largest city, Almaty. The car you need to pay attention to is the blue Toyota HiLux Surf SUV waiting in front of the dash-cam equipped vehicle on the left side of the road. Read more »

Chevrolet Adds Range-Topping "High Country" Edition to 2014 Silverado Range [w/Video] Posted: 06 May 2013 10:30 AM PDT Unveiled late last year, the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado will be available with the more luxurious High Country trim line starting this fall. Adding to the LTZ and Z71 models, the Silverado High Country (only offered as a Crew Cab) is distinguished on the outside by its unique chrome grille with horizontal chrome bars, halogen projector headlamps and color-coded bumpers. It also comes with standard 20-inch chrome wheels shod in P275/55R20 all-season tires, as well as chrome body side moldings, door handles and mirrors. Read more »

Aston Martin V12 Vantage Reportedly Reaches the End of the Line Posted: 06 May 2013 10:10 AM PDT The Aston Martin V12 Vantage is a ludicrous car. If you've even seen one up close, you'll know it is quite short, very wide and equally low – it's a sports car with an insanely large engine for its dimensions, and squat purposeful proportions. The fact that AM even made it at all is surprising and impressive enough, and even more so that they managed to produce a total of 1,200 units from 2009 to 2013 (200 more than they originally planned to build, means that the likelihood of you seeing one blasting off from a set of traffic lights is just that little bit greater. Read more »

Chevrolet Mulling Creation of a Small RWD Coupe to Rival Scion FR-S, Subaru BRZ Posted: 06 May 2013 09:26 AM PDT The success of the Toyota GT-86 and its derivatives is undeniable. The Toyota, Subaru and Scion brands managed to create a desirable sports car for a cash-strapped world economy, which is great to drive and look at, while also being affordable to buy, run and insure. This obviously sounds like a formula for success, and GM has now stepped in and announced that it wants a piece of the action too. After having launched new versions of the Camaro and Corvette, the American giant has now set its sights on the smaller and possibly, more economical side of the spectrum. Actually, this shouldn't really come as a huge surprise (their interest in the sector), as Chevrolet tested the waters back in 2012, with the Code 130R concept, which they showed at the Detroit motor show. Read more »

Ian Callum Talks to MT, Shares Insight on the Jaguar F-Type Posted: 06 May 2013 08:35 AM PDT If you're into cars, and you appreciate a vehicle for its design prowess, then you will undoubtedly have a few Jaguars on your favorite cars list. There is a very high likelihood for those models to be old ones, from the 1950s and 1960s, but Jaguar still makes pretty cars. One of the main reasons for this is Ian Callum, which is the brand's design boss. Now, he's been invited on MotorTrend's Wide Open Throttle web show, where he answers questions and generally shares insight into the philosophy behind their latest product, the F-Type, a car some have been waiting for over two decades. Read more »

Brabus Gives the New Mercedes-Benz CLA Some Light Upgrades Posted: 06 May 2013 07:59 AM PDT There's no way that the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA would have gone unnoticed by the aftermarket specialists at Brabus, which has developed a light tuning package for the front- and all-wheel drive premium saloon. To make the CLA look sportier, Brabus offers Monoblock wheels in diameters of 18 or 19 inches in five different designs. Brabus says the largest version, with wheels sized 8.5Jx19 and tires up to 255/30 ZR 19 for the rear axle, provide even more dynamic looks and handling. Read more »

Greece's Far-Right Golden Dawn Party Opens Tolls for All During Easter… Posted: 06 May 2013 07:37 AM PDT Greek drivers received an unexpected "gift" on Friday when members of the far-right, many say, downright neo-Nazi, Golden Dawn party, occupied [sic] many toll booths around the Mediterranean country's road network allowing motorists to get a free ride for their Orthodox Easter weekend travel. Of course, in reality, there's no such thing as a free ride as the citizens of debt-struck Greece will end up paying the losses in income from the tolls in another form, sooner rather than later… Read more »

New Skoda Rapid Sport Concept Headed for Wörthersee Posted: 06 May 2013 06:54 AM PDT Skoda will bring a sporty interpretation of its newly launched Rapid sedan at the Wörthersee Tour tuning show this week. Dubbed the Skoda Rapid Sport, the study will show what a high-performance version of the compact sedan could look like. As Skoda has only released a rendering so far, we have to take their word for granted when describing the car. Painted in the metallic colors "Corrida Red" and "Steel Grey", the Rapid Sport rides on 19-inch alloy wheels that are painted in the same colors. The car has an aggressive front end with the redesigned bumper including a spoiler lip and a big air intake and the engine hood sporting two air vents. Read more »

Seat Brings 330PS Leon Cup Racer, Ibiza SC Trophy to Wörthersee Tour 2013 Posted: 06 May 2013 06:28 AM PDT VW Group-owned Seat will present the Leon Cup Racer at the 2013 Wörthersee Tour, a racing car upon which the next Seat WTCC racer will be based. Fitted with a 330PS (326hp) engine, the five-door hatch has the looks to match its performance. The 400mm (15.7 in) wider tracks than that of the series-production model, the 18-inch racing wheels and metallic matte grey paint with orange accents contribute to the Leon Cup Racer's aggressive stance. Read more »

Alfa Romeo Promotes Giulietta's Fast&Furious 6 Movie Gig with Ads [w/Video] Posted: 06 May 2013 05:59 AM PDT Alfa Romeo wants the world to know that one of its cars, the Giulietta compact hatchback, has a role in the sixth installment of the high-speed "Fast & Furious" franchise, which will have its world premiere this week on May 7 in London, before its public release on May 17 in the UK, and from May 24, in the rest of the world. The Giulietta makes a special appearance in the movie when it disembarks from a gigantic Antonov plane during take-off, and then the driver tries to interfere with the cargo aircraft's take-off run. Read more »

Opel Looking to Reduce CO2 Emissions by 27 Percent by 2020 Posted: 06 May 2013 05:35 AM PDT Opel, GM's main European branch, has announced that it plans to reduce its carbon emissions footprint by 27 percent with the introduction of a multitude of new powertrains, which will help them comply with the increasingly-stringent EU laws. The idea is to launch a total of 13 new engines, and achieve an 80 percent renewed powertrain range by 2016. With a planned investment of €4 ($5.24) billion, GM wants to release a total of 23 new models by the same 2016 deadline. Read more »

VW Teases Wörthersee-bound Golf GTI Concept Made by Apprentices Posted: 06 May 2013 05:00 AM PDT Volkswagen plans to unveil a concept version of the latest Golf GTI on May 8 at the annual tuning festival in Wörthersee, Austria (May 8-11). The carmaker has posted two teaser photos of the car, but as is the customary these days, we can't see anything beyond the car cover. However, VW has revealed that the show car was entirely developed by 13 of its young apprentices. Read more »

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