CARSCOOP |  |
- We Put GM's Big Three SUVs Side by Side, Drawing Preliminary Conclusions [w/Poll]
- Quiz: This Ferrari F430 Scuderia Replica is Based on the…
- MT Tries to Find Out if the BMW M5 Competition is Better than the Standard Car?
- Qoros Reportedly Has Mid-Sized Sedan and Minivan in the Works
- VW Group Tops 7 Million Sales in Nine Months for the First Time Ever
- How Hard Can It Be? Driver Has a Hard and Long Time Backing Out of Parking
- Turkish Designer's BMW Sportback Concept has Our Attention
- The Stig’s Digital Cousin Comes to Forza 5 [w/Video]
- True or Troll? Decapitated 2014 Corvette Pops Up on Craigslist, Seller Claims Detailer Wrecked it
- Mercedes-Benz Citan Gets Two New Renault Engines, 7-Seat Crewcab Version
- Woman Fleeing from Cops in Mercedes Runs Into…Two Trains and Lives!
- Care for a 1992 Lamborghini Minardi F1 Race Car? It’s Up for Sale
- Note to Self: Check the Date of Reports or Else, You'll Go Back to the Future…
- Spied: New and Sharper Looking Chevrolet Cruze Filmed on the Move
- Will Stricter Emissions Standards Eventually Kill the Diesel Engine?
- BMW Releases M Performance Accessories for M5 and M6 [36 Photos]
- DIY: World's Cheapest Racing Exhaust Will Cost You Less Than a $1
- Acura ILX SportsWagon Illustrated: Care to Share Your Thoughts?
- Decapitated 2014 Corvette Stingray Adds to C7 Crash Incidents
- Audi RS5 Coupe with Compressor Kit Pushes Out Up to 592 Horses
- Car Almost Slams Into Mass Trooper in Boston Tunnel
- 2015 Ford Mustang 3D Renders Allegedly Made from Official CAD Images
- Porsche Racer Sean Edwards Killed While Tutoring Driver from Passenger Seat in Australia
- New Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 with up to 261HP from Vath
- Would You Go for a 2014 Alpina D5 Diesel or B5 Gasoline BiTurbo?
| We Put GM's Big Three SUVs Side by Side, Drawing Preliminary Conclusions [w/Poll] Posted: 15 Oct 2013 06:03 PM PDT  So, General Motors has renewed its lineup of full-sized SUVs for the 2015 model-year. It propagates the tradition of underpinning these models on the same body-on-frame architecture and which include the Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon and Chevy Tahoe. The Detroit company has made efforts to differentiate the models, while keeping costs as low as possible, but all look 100 percent identical from the side. That may not be too much of an issue for the non-premium Chevy and GMC variants, but it is, in my view, for the Cadillac. Sure, its interior is the best of the bunch, looking quite snazzy (bar the oversized shifter stalk) and of the highest apparent quality – there's also a newfangled digital display cluster, preferred in favor of traditional dials, and that's meant to exude premium as well. However, step back outside, and on to the side, so that you don't see the trademark LED headlights, grille or badge, and you realize it could be any the other two. This will definitely become a problem for those who buy a 2015 Escalade to pose as their extra financial efforts to plump for the premium model are negated by GM's lack of interest/imagination in its approach to diversifying the range – people may say you just have a Chevy with a fancy front. It shouldn't matter, but it does, and I think GM should have known better here, and tried harder to differentiate the luxury model from the lesser (-badged) ones by giving it a unique body – I for one regard the identical and very noticeable C-pillar design found on all three models as proof of very evident corner-and-cost-cutting, because this is a case of already having a design package, but working on the different styling ideas for each model (and frankly not going far enough). Worth noting, and appreciating is the fact that the Cadillac has a more unique interior that greatly differs from that of the GMC and Chevrolet models, which share several common bits such as the center console – you could say it adds to the individuality value that's kind of lacking here... The bottom line is that yes, the Escalade is the most imposing of the new GM SUVs, and has the biggest and most angular grille, but for me, it just doesn't cut it as a self-standing and unique model. I know this has been the brands' approach since the first one launched in 1999, but this new one differs just as little from the regular models as the old one. I would call it willful stagnation, or beating a perilously ill horse (the formula/idea) to keep going, when it could never really stand up on its own without props. Cadillac was giving me the impression that it was actually trying to become a key player in the premium segment, with some competent (and good looking) sedans that received good review scores, but with this new Escalade being a reworked Chevy, and not being its own individual model, it shouldn't really be encouraged. Merely rebadging or reworking Chevys never got Cadillac anywhere in its more recent history (from the 1980s onward), and the old Escalade(s) I think sold more on clever marketing, an image created by celebrities and the rap song lyrics that questionably chose them as the subject of their vehicular praise. You should be careful of what one soaks up from all of the advertising that we are surrounded with, and should always have a clear mind when purchasing a vehicle, to know where the desire comes from – whether it's induced, or naturally-occurring. That is my view on the matter, but please do comment and share yours in the dedicated section below that also supports photo uploads. Before you do, though, do check out our two structured galleries that show all the new models side by side. By Andrei Nedelea  The best-looking model in GM's Big Three SUV range is…                                               |
| Quiz: This Ferrari F430 Scuderia Replica is Based on the… Posted: 15 Oct 2013 04:30 PM PDT  We love ourselves some auto-quizzes and admittedly, this author had to dig deep into the details of this fine replica of a Ferrari F430 Scuderia to pin down the marque and type of model that it rests upon. The reason why it's not easy to tell the donor car is in this case is because, the exterior is fully covered (a more experienced eye may be able to tell that the roof is a bit off compared to the original), while the same applies to the interior, which is something that we don't often see on replica cars. Nonetheless, there are a number of telling cues that reveal its origins. All you have to do is look for them in the picture gallery that we've added below and share your findings in the comments section after the break.                |
| MT Tries to Find Out if the BMW M5 Competition is Better than the Standard Car? Posted: 15 Oct 2013 03:55 PM PDT  You can say it's a safe bet to stick with the standard model when it comes to buying a performance car. It's the version that has been tested the most thoroughly and the one that has been taken into consideration from square one of the development phase. In the case of the BMW M5, it would be hard to find a driver who considers the standard edition underpowered or not quick enough in corners. True, it's a heavy car, but the 552 hp more than make up for its curb weight of 1,945 kg (4,288 lbs). However, BMW also offers a slightly more powerful M5 (567hp) with the Competition Package, which also brings a re-tuned chassis with new coil springs and damper calibrations, stiffened anti-sway bars, lowered suspension (10mm/0.4 in), different bushings for the front axle, plus a unique tune for the standard Active M Differential and rack-and-pinion steering. How do these upgrades translate into driving? MotorTrend tested the M5 Competition Package and shared their conclusions in the video that you can watch after the break. By Dan Mihalascu    |
| Qoros Reportedly Has Mid-Sized Sedan and Minivan in the Works Posted: 15 Oct 2013 03:29 PM PDT  Chinese-Israeli-owned automaker Qoros has been slowly building up its name, by enlisting the help of experienced industry professionals, showing us that they can make clean looking cars that can withstand the standard battery of crash tests. Its first planned offerings are all derivatives of its 3 model (sedan, estate and crossover), but which direction will the range go towards after work on them is finalized? A report that just came out on local Chinese automotive news site Ifeng, and then picked up by CarNews China, sheds new information on the direction which Qoros is to pursue in the near future. Aside from the trio of 3-based models, they will also be developing a mid-sized sedan, as well as an MPV or minivan. The sedan we knew about, and it was previewed via leaked scale model photos that showed a solid design with real presence, while the MPV (due in 2015), which is said to bear the name Qoros 7, is new to our ears. Underpinnings for the MPV will be shared with the 3, though it will probably be stretched for more passenger space and interior practicality. Both of the sketches provided show simple and well-proportioned designs that are not overburdened with flashy styling trinkets – the philosophy of the company seems to be keeping everything looking very simple and easy on the eye. By Andrei Nedelea      |
| VW Group Tops 7 Million Sales in Nine Months for the First Time Ever Posted: 15 Oct 2013 02:55 PM PDT  Even though the European market continues to have problems, the VW Group had…no problem setting an all-time sales record surpassing the 7 million mark for the first time during the first three quarters of a year (from January through September). "Thanks to a broad-based, international positioning and a convincing product range we were able to respond well to the continuing uncertainty in the Eurozone and the challenging overall market situation – and have thus been able to win many customers for our attractive models," commented Group Board Member for Sales Christian Klingler. While the group's sales were down 2.4 percent in Europe (2.73 million deliveries) and 9.4 percent in South America (681,200), it reported a 9.2 percent increase in North America (664,500 sales) and 16 percent in the Asia-Pacific region (2.63 million). In China alone, the VW Group sold 2.35 million cars in the first nine months of 2013, an increase of 17.7 percent over the same period last year. By brand, Volkswagen recorded a 3.6 percent increase in global sales (4.36 million), with Audi up 7.6 percent (1.18 million deliveries), Porsche sold 119,700 cars (it became a member of the VW family in August 2012), Skoda dropped 4.5 percent (684,900) and Seat increased its sales by 11.7 percent (266,100 cars). The group's commercial vehicles division handed over 406,600 models to customers around the world, 0.7 percent less than last year.         |
| How Hard Can It Be? Driver Has a Hard and Long Time Backing Out of Parking Posted: 15 Oct 2013 02:31 PM PDT  We've featured a lot of parking fail videos in the past, but we never cease to be amazed when new ones surface on the internet. While parallel parking is difficult for some drivers, backing out of a parking spot seems to be hard for others as well. The following video has to be the best example of how not to exit a parking space. The footage shows a motorist that tries to back out her Opel Corsa from a half-empty parking lot somewhere in Europe. Four painfully long minutes pass from the moment she gets in the car until she actually leaves the lot. The driver tries all sorts of maneuvers, except the right one. Furthermore, she wastes the time of another female driver trying to back out, forcing her to wait more than two minutes for the Corsa to leave the parking lot first. Despite her poor space awareness, the Corsa driver has to be given credit for not hitting any of the cars in the parking lot. To tell you the truth, I'm still hoping that this was some sort of prank and that drivers like that don't really exist. By Dan Mihalascu    |
| Turkish Designer's BMW Sportback Concept has Our Attention Posted: 15 Oct 2013 02:01 PM PDT  When is enough, enough? How many sub-categories and niches of niches does BMW have to be represented in to satisfy its market thirsty management? We can't answer that question, but BMW's need to introduce all sorts of different kind of cars seems to have rubbed off on the minds and thoughts of industrial design students like Ismet Çevik. The Turkish designer has teased one of his upcoming projects named the BMW Sportback Concept with the release of a set of digital renderings of the front and rear ends of the car. We also discovered an image of a "7-Series Sportback" study in his portfolio drawings, but we're not sure if it's the same model. We're interested to see the full picture, as the initial images do look promising. Story References: Ismet Çevik via Worldcarfans          |
| The Stig’s Digital Cousin Comes to Forza 5 [w/Video] Posted: 15 Oct 2013 01:31 PM PDT  Top Gear's The Stig character is known for machine-like precision behind the wheel, no fear of death and the fact that he has two pairs of knees. We know this because over the years, Jeremy Clarkson has been building up the mythical image of its "tame racing driver" and now he (it?) is a separate brand all by him…itself. The name can therefore be offered for sale, if the right offer arises, and just like the collection of stacked tires and white lines on an airfield that is the Dunsfold track, The Stig has made its way into the world of commercial video games too. The game in question is the upcoming title Forza Motorsport 5, and the report is official, even coming with its own video. The Stig's role in the it will be the same as on the show: to drive really well and fast, while somebody of lesser skill (i.e. you, the player) either try to beat him directly, or an impossible time he set - we don't know exactly how it will work. The video posted below shows it driving a Xbox One Racing Team Holden Commodore from the Australian V8 Supercars series, resetting the stopwatch after precisely 1:1.50 lap after lap. The game comes out on November 22. By Andrei Nedelea    |
| True or Troll? Decapitated 2014 Corvette Pops Up on Craigslist, Seller Claims Detailer Wrecked it Posted: 15 Oct 2013 12:56 PM PDT  That didn't take long now, did it? The wrecked silver-colored 2014 Corvette Stingray that we showed you earlier this morning made its appearance on Craigslist in Omaha, Nebraska, about an hour after our original post. The picture of the car is accompanied by the following message: "I'm parting out my Corvette since it was wrecked. Gave it to some guy named Mikey G to detail it and the next thing I know it turns up wrecked. So I'm parting it out now. Still has good engine and was only wrecked in the rear and top. Has the 7 speed manual transmission. Only has 1257 miles on it. Will not sell whole so don't ask." Since we're always wary with anything that has to do with Craigslist, we attempted to call the listed phone (…even though a quick search online turned up the provided numbers translating into "F@#% You" and " You S@#$ on the key-pad), only to learn that the "number you called cannot be completed as dialed". And oh, there's no other way to contact the seller, so we're leaning towards "troll" on this one, for now…  ![Corvette Crash C7[4]](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UWBR_rKKRkA/Ul2bYKx1CkI/AAAAAAAOmRI/nd3fMrGJGoI/s1600-h/Corvette%252520Crash%252520C7%25255B4%25255D%25255B8%25255D.jpg "Corvette Crash C7[4]")    |
| Mercedes-Benz Citan Gets Two New Renault Engines, 7-Seat Crewcab Version Posted: 15 Oct 2013 12:30 PM PDT  The Renault Kangoo-based Mercedes-Benz Citan small commercial vehicle is now available with two new engines, a diesel and a petrol unit, both sourced from Renault. The new powerplants are a 1.5-liter diesel unit with 109 hp (110PS) for the top-of-the-line diesel model Citan 111 CDI and a 1.2-liter petrol unit with 113 hp (114PS) in the Citan 112. You may recognize these engines by their real Renault names - Energy dCi 110 and Energy TCe 115. The Citan 111 CDI accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 12.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 170 km/h (106 mph), thanks in part to the engine's maximum torque of 240 Nm (177 lb-ft). And while its performance specs will fail to impress anyone, fuel economy figures may do it. When fitted with the optional BlueEfficiency package including the Eco start/stop function, the Citan 111 CDI averages 4.4 liters/100 km (53.4 mpg US). Prices in Germany start from €17,130 ($23,140) for the Citan 111 CDI panel van, excluding VAT. The new petrol version Citan 112 is faster to 100 km/h (62 mph) at 11.7 seconds and reaches a slightly higher top speed – 173 km/h (107 mph). However, fuel consumption is considerably higher than the 111 CDI's at 6.1 liters/100 km (38.5 mpg US), although it's fitted as standard with the BlueEfficiency technology. The Citan 112 is cheaper than the Citan 111 CDI, at €15,810 ($20,500). Both models are fitted as standard with a six-speed manual transmission with a wide ratio spread that ensures low engine speeds and high road speeds, as well as low driving noise and fuel consumption. Another new addition to the Mercedes-Benz Citan lineup is an extra-long crewbus version with up to seven seats that will launch in spring 2014. Based on the extra-long variant which measures 4,705 mm (185.2 in), the crewbus features a third row of seats consisting of two individual seats that are independently adjustable fore-and-aft, and can be individually folded down or removed. By Dan Mihalascu        |
| Woman Fleeing from Cops in Mercedes Runs Into…Two Trains and Lives! Posted: 15 Oct 2013 12:01 PM PDT  A Utah police car cruiser's dashboard camera has captured an incredible incident while on pursuit of a 29-year old woman in a Mercedes-Benz trying to flee the cops. It all started when police responded to unwanted guest disturbance call (as in she wouldn't leave someone's house) on Sunday. The woman eventually left said house in her car, and shortly after, a patrol officer spotted the vehicle and attempted to pull her over but she refused and drove away. While trying to get away from the cops, she smashed into a train at a rail crossing in Woods Cross, Utah. "It just couldn't stop in time," Detective Adam Osoro of the local police department said of the train to Fox News. "It was too close to the incident, didn't have time to stop." "There was already a southbound train going across 2600 south, and she hit that train while it was crossing," Osoro added. "While officers were trying to get her out of her car, a second southbound train hit her vehicle." Even though her Benz was hit by two (!) trains, the woman only suffered a broken arm. "The vehicle sustained heavy damage, so in this case she's very lucky to still be with us," Osoro said.    |
| Care for a 1992 Lamborghini Minardi F1 Race Car? It’s Up for Sale Posted: 15 Oct 2013 05:15 PM PDT  Taking a 1992 F1 racer to compete with today's crop of F1 models is something like having a middle-aged man run a sprint against a high school senior, but getting into one of these cars for your own satisfaction, is a completely different story, and it's one that can come true – if you have a lot of cash to spare, that is. To be precise, the "Buy it Now" price of this 1992 Lamborghini Minardi F1 car that was raced by Christian Fittipaldi in the 1992 Formula One Championship, stands at $208,888 (roughly €155,000 at today's exchange rates) on eBay. The seller states the car has been fully refurbished and is drivable, with the Mauro Foghieri-designed L3512 Lamborghini / Chrysler V12 engine putting out a "certified 700bhp and turning over at a maximum 13,800 rpm", while the car itself tips the scales at a mere "1,135 pounds" or 515 kilograms. We're also told that it is only one of three 1992 Lamborghini Minardi F1 cars that exists in the world and that since it was retired from action, it has been "driven by Valentino Balboni [former chief test driver of Lamborghini] in demonstration events at Road Atlanta and Sebring". Thanks to Fast Eddie for the tip!                                                            |
| Note to Self: Check the Date of Reports or Else, You'll Go Back to the Future… Posted: 15 Oct 2013 10:58 AM PDT  Obviously, this is a tongue-in-cheek kind of post that goes along the same lines as the widely circulated story on the four-door Toyota GT 86, but since we received the same tip as many other sites about a report Alfa Romeo's "latest" plans to include racing and roadster versions of the 4C and other information on the car from Autoedizione, we'll explain why we skipped on it. To begin with, we shared all these details and much more in an exclusive report with information secured from a reliable inside source about a month before the Autoedizione story went live…in March of 2013. Yes, that's right; Autoblog.com's "according to the latest rumors" and consequently, Worldcarfans's "new" report is from an article written back in April of 2013. We'll leave the commentary to you.                  |
| Spied: New and Sharper Looking Chevrolet Cruze Filmed on the Move Posted: 15 Oct 2013 10:29 AM PDT  Prototypes of Chevrolet's next global compact model, the 2015 Cruze sedan, which will eventually spawn a five-door hatchback and a roomier estate version as well, are making their presence felt on public roads and tracks, to the delight of spy photo- and video-graphers. One of the top selling compacts in the U.S., GM not only wants to keep it that way but it is aiming for the first spot and to do that, it will give the new Cruze a sharper looking (both literally and metaphorically) body on the outside and an improved cabin with better materials and technology inside. The new Cruze rides on an updated version of General Motors' Delta platform, shared with a number of other cars, including the next Chevrolet Volt and Opel Astra / Buick Verano. At this point, little is known about the powertrain options and whether GM will include new engines and automatic transmissions, but it is certain that diesel units will be offered on both sides of the Atlantic. It's understood that the Cruze sedan will launch in late 2015, meaning that we could see it making its motor show debut earlier. For the time being, make the jump over the break to watch this spy video, courtesy of France's Automobile Magazine.    |
| Will Stricter Emissions Standards Eventually Kill the Diesel Engine? Posted: 15 Oct 2013 10:04 AM PDT  Europe may love the diesel engine more than any other continent, but that doesn't mean Rudolf Diesel's invention will have it easy in the future. Leading automotive engineers believe that the domination of diesel engines in Europe's new car market may end before 2020. Increasingly stricter emissions regulations and, subsequently, the high cost of new-generation anti-pollution technology, will make diesel engines much more expensive in the future. Furthermore, diesel fuel is likely to become more expensive as well, while petrol engines will get more frugal. Ford of Europe's head of product development Joe Bakaj said meeting Euro 6 and Euro 7 norms will be a major problem for diesel engines, as would the possibility of a reduction in petrol refining capacity in Europe. If that happens, the price of diesel will go up, as the fuel is a by-product of the petrol refining process. "There's also the cost of exhaust after-treatment systems for the upcoming EU6.1 and EU6.2. The latter has more onerous limits on emissions of NOx and particulates. It is much cheaper to get petrol engines through EU6.2; with diesel engines we need technology such as selective catalyst reduction systems, and costs increase again with heavier vehicles," Bakaj was quoted as saying by Autocar magazine. He added that he expects petrol engine technology to narrow the gap with diesel on a cost per fuel consumption basis. All these point out to the conclusion that the future of the diesel engine doesn't look too bright. However, technological breakthroughs are always possible. Diesel cars are very popular in Europe, making up 70 percent of the new cars sold in Spain and France, compared to 50 percent in the UK. The European Union average is 55 percent. By Dan Mihalascu         |
| BMW Releases M Performance Accessories for M5 and M6 [36 Photos] Posted: 15 Oct 2013 09:35 AM PDT  In recent years, automakers have started to realize that there's big money to be made from customers' desire to be different, so more aftermarket packages are being offered to prevent buyers from spending their money on tuning kits from independent companies. BMW is one of the leaders in this area and you can see that from its ever-growing range of M Performance accessories. We've recently shown the M Performance kits for the 4-Series Coupe and now the Bavarians have released new accessories for the BMW M5, BMW M6 Coupe, BMW M6 Convertible and BMW M6 Gran Coupe – because owners of M models want to stand out in the crowd too… Exterior upgrades include a titanium sports exhaust system developed by Akrapovič that enhances the sound of the 553hp (560PS) V8 engine while also reducing weight reduction by more than 10 kg (22 lbs) compared to the standard exhaust system. There's a carbon rear spoiler and carbon rear diffuser for BMW M6 models, with BMW M Performance front and rear strips also available. The exterior of the M5 sedan, M6 Coupe, M6 Convertible and M6 Gran Coupe can be further individualized with carbon mirror caps, an M Performance high-gloss black front grille, as well as BMW M Performance foils designed exclusively for each model. On the inside, probably the most interesting upgrade on offer is the Alcantara leather steering wheel with race display that includes gearshift information, lateral and longitudinal acceleration values, as well as lap times in minutes, seconds and hundredths of a second. There's a wide range of accessories including carbon interior trims, stainless steel pedals and BMW M Performance floor mats. As far as performance is concerned, the M carbon-ceramic brake system is offered in conjunction with 20-inch M light-alloy wheels and brake discs with a diameter of 410 mm (16.1 in) on the front axle and 396 mm (15.6 in) on the rear axle. The M carbon-ceramic brake system is 19.4 kg (42.8 lbs) lighter than the standard braking system. By Dan Mihalascu                                        |
| DIY: World's Cheapest Racing Exhaust Will Cost You Less Than a $1 Posted: 15 Oct 2013 09:03 AM PDT  Are you jealous of all those boy racers with their tuned hot hatches and coupes waking up the neighborhood with their raspy engine sounds, but can't afford the money for such expensive parts and labor on your car? Fear not, as there's an affordable solution for just about everyone with a few pennies in their pockets and which comes straight from Poland and the cheeky crew at Auto Świat magazine. What is it, we hear you ask? It's a poor man's racing exhaust kit that includes a zip tie and a flexible rubber tube with a similar diameter to your tailpipe, plus two minutes of your time. Even if it's in Polish, the video is pretty much self-explanatory, and while it works, we will remind you that these guys are just kidding around and that, depending on where you live, your local cops may not share the same sense of humor… Thanks to Alen S. for the heads up!    |
| Acura ILX SportsWagon Illustrated: Care to Share Your Thoughts? Posted: 15 Oct 2013 08:37 AM PDT  For better or for worse, the traditional station wagon has long ceased to be a popular, or mainstream choice, if you prefer, in North America, with most buyers having turned to SUVs, Crossovers and Minivans for their increased capacity and practicality over sedans. In Europe, it's a different story, as consumers, especially in central and northern parts of the continent, remain fans of this body style. Just last month, Honda yanked the covers off the new and slightly futuristically styled Civic Tourer that offers a capacious trunk volume of 624 liters (22 cubic ft) with the rear seats in their place, and 1,668 liters (58.9 cubic ft) when folded down. Honda has no plans to offer the Civic-hatch based Tourer in the States, and even though chances of Acura presenting a similar version of the Civic sedan-based ILX compact model are slim to none, Photoshop expert Remco Meulendijk used his skills to illustrate what such as car could look like. You can check out the picture below and tell us if you'd like to see an ILX SportsWagon in Acura's future. Photo Credits: Designrm     |
| Decapitated 2014 Corvette Stingray Adds to C7 Crash Incidents Posted: 15 Oct 2013 08:03 AM PDT  As more and more 2014 Corvette Stingrays begin to arrive in their owners hands, unfortunately, we'll be seeing an increase in accidents – it's just how things are for any type or brand of vehicles. Last week, it was a Velocity Yellow Tincoat-colored example of the C7 Coupe that made the news, today, it's a Blade Silver metallic (at least you're learning the color names….) Stingray, which if a regular customer car, should be a coupe, since the convertible has not yet gone on sale. There's no information on the incident from the Corvette Forum member who shared the image, but it seems like a serious crash, even if there's the possibility that rescue crews may have chopped and cut off parts of the car to free the driver and/or passenger. We hope that everyone involved in the crash made it out alive.     |
| Audi RS5 Coupe with Compressor Kit Pushes Out Up to 592 Horses Posted: 15 Oct 2013 07:40 AM PDT  We don't know for how long Audi's RS5 range will stay away from the turbocharging craze that's sweeping the auto industry, but if you're in a hurry and can't wait for Ingolstadt to do it itself, there are plenty of tuners willing to do the job, including Mcchip that came out with new compressor kit packages. There are three tuning stages offered, the first of which includes the compressor, intercooler and upgraded ECU to bring output from 444hp (450PS) to 543hp (550PS) and peak torque from 429Nm to 549Nm, for €19,990 (US$27,000). With the Stage II kit, the RS5's V8 delivers an additional 128hp (130PS) and 135Nm for a total of 572hp (580PS) and 564Nm. The price for this package stands at €23,999 (US$32,400). Finally, Stage III leads to gains of "nearly" (according to Mcchip) 148hp (150PS) and 160Nm, bringing the total to 592hp (600PS) and 589Nm, for €26,999 (US$36,400). Mcchip notes that in all three packages, top speed is electronically limited to 320km/h (199 mph).               |
| Car Almost Slams Into Mass Trooper in Boston Tunnel Posted: 15 Oct 2013 07:09 AM PDT  For such an expensive and fairly new project that went well, well over budget, Boston's Big Dig tunnel and bridge systems shouldn't be in need of frequent repairs, but that's not the reason why we're sharing this video. We're showing you this clip caught from a security camera in the Tip O'Neil Tunnel because of a scary incident, which fortunately, did not turn into an accident. The footage shows a State Trooper sitting in his cruiser on the far left lane with his lights on to warn drivers to move to the two right lanes due to construction work ahead, when all of a sudden, a car came speeding into one of the two closed left lanes (cones were positioned before and after the cruiser). The car fishtailed almost smashing into the rear end of the police cruiser before the motorist regained control, with the officer immediately setting off to catch up with the driver. The Massachusetts State Police released the video and issued a statement saying that driver was not impaired, and urged drivers to be extra careful in construction zones. You can read the release below Shout out to Maria S. for the tip! [From Massachusetts State Police]    |
| 2015 Ford Mustang 3D Renders Allegedly Made from Official CAD Images Posted: 15 Oct 2013 06:40 AM PDT  As one of the oldest and most popular sports car nameplates in America, the Ford Mustang captures the imagination of just about everyone, so it comes as no surprise that there's a lot of interest in every new generation - even more so when the new model promises to redefine the genre and become a global vehicle. By now, with so many scoop shots and renderings (including our own that was created based on information sourced from people who actually saw the car), you should have a pretty good idea of what the 2015 Mustang will look like. If you don't, here's one more set of 3D computer images for your viewing pleasure. They are sourced from Mustang6g, which states that, they were created "from CAD images of the actual production car - which can't themselves be posted for obvious reasons". The same site says that, according to "multiple inside sources", Ford may not wait until next year for the Mustang's 50th anniversary to show the car, providing us a first look as early as this December. Photo Credits: NAME        |
| Porsche Racer Sean Edwards Killed While Tutoring Driver from Passenger Seat in Australia Posted: 15 Oct 2013 06:20 AM PDT  Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland and Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup driver Sean Edwards lost his life on Tuesday morning in a horrific accident during a private driving training session on the Queensland Raceway in Australia. Son of the ex-Formula One pilot Guy Edwards, the 26-year-old British racing driver was sitting in the passenger seat as an instructor when the accident happened. According to reports from Australian media, the Porsche car crashed into a wall and burst into flames while being driven by a 20-year-old man from Brisbane. The driver is in critical condition in hospital after suffering severe burns, organ damage and broken bones. Reports say it took emergency services for more than two hours to free him from the wreckage and take him to hospital. Porsche issued a press release expressing "immense regret" for the tragic event. "Edwards has for many years been one of the most popular and successful pilots in the Porsche one-make race series," read its statement. "Our thoughts are with his family and we want to express our deepest condolences to his relatives," said Hartmut Kristen, Head of Motorsport at Porsche. Edwards was a FIA GT3 European Championship winner in 2006. He has competed in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup from 2008 and in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland since 2010. He had a very successful 2013 season so far, with victories in the Nurburgring and Dubai 24 Hours, wins in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland and in the GTC Class of the American Le Mans Series. May he rest in peace.    |
| New Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 with up to 261HP from Vath Posted: 15 Oct 2013 06:02 AM PDT  If you look at Mercedes' CLA range, you will find a pretty big power gap between the 208hp (210PS) CLA 250 and the 355hp (360PS) CLA 45 AMG. This is music to the ears of independent tuners like Vath, which has presented the V25 CLA program for the compact four-door coupe. Performance offerings for the CLA 250 include two stages of tune, the first of which tweaks the ECU to bump output to 242hp (245PS) and 390Nm (288 lb-ft) for €940 ($1,270), with the second one adding a different ECU, a sports exhausts and air filter system to push power to 261hp (265PS) and 420Nm (310 lb-ft), for a much heftier €4,950 ($6,680). With the 261hp package, the CLA accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 5.9 seconds and tops out at 250km/h (155mph). If you want more from Vath, there's a lowered sports suspension for €3,546 ($4,780), 20-inch alloy wheels in tires size 225/30 at the front and 265/25 at the back, a carbon front spoiler, rear spoilers, and several interior upgrades such as the sports steering wheel, and modified instrument panel gauges.                |
| Would You Go for a 2014 Alpina D5 Diesel or B5 Gasoline BiTurbo? Posted: 15 Oct 2013 05:33 AM PDT  When it comes to performance BMWs, Alpina is right there at the top being the most prestigious and acknowledged company in this field outside of the German automaker itself. In fact, Alpina isn't considered a tuner but an auto manufacturer with BMW often selling its cars through its own dealerships. This week, Alpina came out with two fresh videos showcasing the 2014 editions of its 5-Series sedans and estates based on the facelifted models, the diesel-powered D5 BITURBO and the gasoline-fueled B5 BITURBO, both featuring a number of subtle improvements. The D5 BITURBO sports a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six diesel unit capable of delivering 345hp (350PS) at 4,000 rpm and peak torque of 700Nm (516.2 lb-ft) from 1,500 to 3,000 rpm, paired to an 8-speed automatic. It can complete the 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in 5.1 seconds and tops out at 275km/h (171mph) [Estate: 5.3 seconds – 273km/h]. According to Alpina, it returns a combined fuel consumption of 5.9 l/100km (39.9mpg US or 47.9 mpg UK). Pre-tax prices start from €59,622 (US$80,440) in Germany. The 2014 edition of the B5 BITURBO gets a newer 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, good for 533hp (540PS) from 5,200 rpm to 6,250 rpm, and 730Nm (538.4 lb-ft) from 2,800 rpm to 5,000 rpm, connected to an 8-speed automatic turning the rear wheels. Alpina quotes a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 4.5 seconds (Touring: 4.6 seconds), a top speed of 319km/h or 198mph (Touring: 316 km/h), and a combined fuel economy of 9.5l/100km (24.8mpg US or 29.8mpg UK), with pre-tax pricing starting from €83,361 (US$112,470). With all that knowledge in hand and taking into consideration the price difference, which one would you have?    |
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