CARSCOOP

---

• How Does a Nissan Patrol with an R33 Skyline Engine Sound Like? Frigging Awesome!
• Another 2015 Ford Mustang Rendering Surfaces Online
• New Audi A5 DTM Champion Limited Edition Sounds Racing Fast but It Isn't
• Beware, Older Racing Wheels will Not Work With Xbox One – Here are Two that Do
• Pedestrians Have a…Brush with Death [NSFW]
• Mary Barra, Candidate for GM's Next CEO, says "No More Crappy Cars" [w/Video]
• Nissan's Latest ZEOD RC Racer Gains Turbo Engine [w/Videos]
• Does the New Audi RS Q3 Justify its RS Badge?
• Lutz Says ZR1-Powered Karma On Track for 2014 Launch, will Present New Body Style in Detroit
• Study Claims EV Sales will Grow 48 Percent Every Year Until End of Decade
• Honda's New 2015 F1 V6 Engine Sounds Like My Milkshake Blender…
• McLaren Wants P1 to Become New King of the 'Ring
• G-Power Unleashes its Wrath on BMW 550, 650i, 750i, M5 and M6 Models
• U.S. Car Sales May Drop 10 Percent in October Because of the Government Shutdown
• New Official Video of BMW M3 and M4, Plus Some Fresh Spy Shots of the Coupe
• Rolls-Royce Bespoke's Ghawwass Phantom Coupe Pays Tribute to…Arabian Pearl Divers
• This is What Happens When You're in a Hurry
• 'Spot the Differences' 2014 Alfa Romeo MiTo Priced in the UK
• Ford Goes Bananas for 2013 SEMA with 57 Tuned Concepts
• MG’s New European MG3 Supermini Video Reviewed
• Mini Goes All Dark Knight with Limited Edition Countryman and Paceman
• Jaguar E-Type Coupe and XK120 Found Resting in Barns
• This Electric Car isn't as Silent as You May Think it is….
• What Would You Name This New 2014 SRT Viper Color?

How Does a Nissan Patrol with an R33 Skyline Engine Sound Like? Frigging Awesome! Posted: 18 Oct 2013 05:30 PM PDT Ever since its inception in the 1950s, the Patrol has been the pride and joy of Nissan's extended SUV lineup, a 4x4 that has made a name for itself as rugged and capable off-road vehicle. One characteristic you would never think of associating with a Patrol is sportiness, but we're willing to take a chance and say that the following tuned version that comes to us from Bulgaria will likely make you change your mind. Not much is known about the builder or how it came to be, but the author of the videos tells us that the fourth generation Patrol (codenamed Y60 and built between 1987 and 1997) had an engine transplant from a Nissan Skyline (probably the R33). We're also not aware if the RB25DET engine is stock or not, but data shows that the 2.5-liter turbocharged straight-six produced from 245hp to 276hp (280PS), depending on the version. What we do know is that it sounds absolutely bananas, especially when contrasted to the utilitarian looks of the Patrol SUV. VIDEO

Another 2015 Ford Mustang Rendering Surfaces Online Posted: 18 Oct 2013 04:40 PM PDT We'll concede to being excited for the reveal of the all-new 2015 Ford Mustang, that has just been reported to take place in the month of December (or next week, if you're a selected/trusted member of the mainstream press). As time goes by, the image of the new 'Stang grows ever clearer, and after recent a so-so rendering we recently posted, we came across upon one that's of higher quality – it's more polished overall, though it keeps true to the forms that have already been highlighted via spyshots and videos. The rendered car you see above is the work of Josiah LaColla, and it's the artist's way of saying he was not pleased with what had been rendered up until the present moment. His interpretation has a bit more depth to it, and you can start to see the flaring of the wheel arches better, as well as the design of the front bumper, which was not hard to make out in the latest batches of shots that have been circulating the web. What do you think, is it getting any closer to the real thing? By Andrei Nedelea Story References: Lacolladesign via Jalopnik PHOTO GALLERY

New Audi A5 DTM Champion Limited Edition Sounds Racing Fast but It Isn't Posted: 18 Oct 2013 04:10 PM PDT To celebrate the DTM title won this season by Mike Rockenfeller, Audi has released a special edition package called A5 DTM Champion for the German market. Following the victory in Zandvoort, Holland, the Audi works driver won the 2013 DTM season with one race to spare, thus securing his first ever title in Germany's touring car series. Priced at €1,900 ($2,575), the package includes limited edition equipment and trim and will be available for 300 cars only. The Audi A5 Coupe fitted with the DTM Champion package features DTM badges on the door-sill trims, fenders and side sills as well as Rockenfeller's race number (19) and his nickname (Roc). Other special features are the fixed rear wing in body color and exterior mirrors in aluminum look. The 20-inch cast aluminum wheels in a five-spoke design round out the equipment upgrades. The special edition A5 can be ordered from October 21 and is available in three colors: Misano red, Daytona gray and Glacier white. There are four engines on offer: 2.0 TDI quattro with 177 PS (174 hp), 3.0 TDI quattro with 245 PS (241 hp), 2.0 TFSI quattro with 225 PS (221 hp) and 3.0 TFSI quattro with 272 PS (268 hp), all of which remain stock. By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY

Beware, Older Racing Wheels will Not Work With Xbox One – Here are Two that Do Posted: 18 Oct 2013 03:40 PM PDT If you were thinking of keeping the racing wheel you already had lying around the house, and which you used for Xbox 360 and/or PC applications, to interact with your new Xbox One, then think again. We were distraught upon learning that none of the old wheels will be compatible with the new system, and the official video released to explain why that is the case shed little light. Featuring Microsoft's Director of Strategic Alliance Brandan Powell, it shows off a couple of wheels that are compatible, and make it clear that because of the way force feedback works now, and how it's been integrated more into the backbone of games like Forza Motorsport 5, old wheels would simply not work, so they won't be supported. One of the wheels they showed, made by Mad Catz, had a modular idea behind it, allowing the user to swap out the actual wheel for a different sized or shaped one, keeping the same base, depending on needs and chosen racing discipline. The pedals on it are also adjustable too, but there are only two of them, so that limits the realism where three would have been preferable. It was developed with Aston Martin and Ken Block, and it's made of high quality materials, looking sturdier than the mostly plastic Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 replica wheel that sits alongside it in the video. By Andrei Nedelea Story References: Joystiq VIDEO

Pedestrians Have a…Brush with Death [NSFW] Posted: 18 Oct 2013 02:59 PM PDT Sadly, drive-by-shootings, which are all too often gang-related and usually involve one or more individuals gunning down targets from a moving vehicle, are far from uncommon in modern times, especially in the United States where this criminal practice dates back to the Prohibition era of the 1920s. Nonetheless, some creative people have a way of finding humor even in the most tragic of situations… As far as this related video is concerned, maybe it's staged, maybe it's a true-blue prank; we don't know and can't say for sure without having information to our disposal, but you can check it out for yourself anyway right below the proverbial jump. VIDEO

Mary Barra, Candidate for GM's Next CEO, says "No More Crappy Cars" [w/Video] Posted: 18 Oct 2013 02:31 PM PDT General Motors has grown to gigantic proportions, increasing in size practically continuously since it first started out in 1908 and up until the financial troubles settled in and made everybody go bankrupt. It forced a big restructuring move from within the company, of which Mary Barra was a part of, occupying several different positions. Now she is nominated as one of the prime candidates to someday run the whole of GM, and currently fills the role of executive vice president of global product development, a section of the company that alone is worth an estimated $15 billion. In a recent interview for Fortune Magazine, she mentioned what her approach had been up until the present moment, and how her own initiative helped the company get past the difficult times that came around  the year 2008. One of the topics of discussion was her desire to "change the culture" after the bankruptcy and bailout period, in an effort to make "no more crappy cars." She explains that her responsibility is very high, as she has to allocate the development budgets for the new models which (are said to be shrinking, as per a reported industry trend), and her job is to not let that reflect in the quality of the products. It's an inspirational fifteen minute talk, which you can check out in the video posted after the virtual jump. By Andrei Nedelea Story References: Autoblog-com VIDEO

Nissan's Latest ZEOD RC Racer Gains Turbo Engine [w/Videos] Posted: 18 Oct 2013 01:59 PM PDT Following eight months of development, design and construction, Nissan's radical ZEOD RC electric racecar was unveiled this week at Nismo's headquarters in Yokohama, Japan. It's not the first time the ZEOD RC was showcased, as a prototype version was on display at this year's Le Mans 24 Hours race. However, compared to that initial version, the finished racer features an evolution of the design featuring revamped styling, new cooling inlets and aerodynamic updates. The big news, however, is that the ZEOD RC won't be all electric after all, since it will also feature "a small lightweight turbocharged internal combustion engine," according to the release. No other details were provided regarding the range extender engine. The racecar shares the same battery technology as the Nissan Leaf that allows recharging via regenerative braking. The Zero Emissions on Demand (ZEOD) racer has been developed to compete at the Le Mans 24 Hours race next year and will occupy the "Garage 56" entry for vehicles showcasing new and innovative technology. The ZEOD RC is a test bed to develop new electric technologies for Nissan's future LMP1 (Le Mans Prototype Class 1) program and will become the first car to complete an entire race lap of the 8.5-mile (13.7-km) Le Mans circuit on electric power alone. Nissan says the car will reach speed of over 300 km/h (185 mph) and lap the circuit faster than an LM GTE car. The Nissan ZEOD RC will be on display in the paddock of the Fuji circuit this weekend, where the 6 Hours of Fuji race counting for the FIA World Endurance Championship will be held. By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY VIDEO

Does the New Audi RS Q3 Justify its RS Badge? Posted: 18 Oct 2013 01:36 PM PDT The RS Q3 is Audi's hardcore line's first crossover offering, and therefor, there was a chance that they could get it wrong, especially in the handling department. However, AutoExpress reports that it's actually not that bad to drive, and praises it for the five-pot 2.5-liter engine it shares with the TT-RS and RS3, though in this application, its power is limited to 306 hp, versus the other two cars' 335 hp standard output. On top of that, I think the visual makeover it has undergone in its transition from Q3 to RS model is also a strong point, even though it doesn't carry through to the interior, which the reviewers say is not as special as it could have been - not on par with the larger and more luxurious new models, though being an Audi it's by no means bad, just a bit dull… Buying an RS Q3 would be an interesting choice for anybody who wants a fast compact crossover. The impressive engine would be one of the reasons to go for the model, though it can be had with more power and in two sportier packages. It's not a driver's car, but it should still put a smile on your face in a straight line, in (louder) Sport mode, and with at least two of the windows open. By Andrei Nedelea VIDEO

Lutz Says ZR1-Powered Karma On Track for 2014 Launch, will Present New Body Style in Detroit Posted: 18 Oct 2013 01:05 PM PDT When Fisker went down under earlier this year, questions arose about the future of Bob Lutz's latest venture with VL Productions, which had presented a Corvette ZR1 V8-powered version of the Karma saloon at the 2013 Detroit auto show. And indeed, there were problems, however, Lutz told Automotive News on Thursday that the Detroit venture company has succeeded in buying 25 unsold Karmas while also settling a dispute with an Asian investor that had prohibited VL Productions from accessing the codes that operate the vehicle's infotainment system. "Without getting those codes, it was close to impossible to get a working car," Lutz told the publication. He added that that it will take some time for the engineering work to be completed, but the company is on track to deliver the first cars to customers in mid-2014. "It's going to take time," said Lutz. "I don't want a rough car that's hard to drive with a bad transmission and high noise levels. At close to $200,000, these things are going to have to be silky and buttery to drive. The sound and feel have to be just right," he added. The Destino does away with the stock Karma's plug-in hybrid powertrain replacing it with a 638-horsepower supercharged LS9 V8 from the Corvette ZR1 C6 paired to either a manual or an automatic transmission. Lutz noted that "he has confidence" that VL has acquired "a source of body panels and gliders -- cars that are assembled minus the drivetrain" to continue production of the Destino even after the initial run of 25 cars. Furthermore, he said that the company is also planning to offer a Corvette engine conversion package to current owners of the Karma for around $100,000, just as long as the cars are in "pristine condition". Ending the conversation with Autonews, Lutz revealed that VL will show the Destino along with a new body style at the forthcoming Detroit Auto Show in January 2014. Recently, VL launched a special series of watches signed by Bob Lutz himself, which will be included with the sale of each Destino. PHOTO GALLERY

Study Claims EV Sales will Grow 48 Percent Every Year Until End of Decade Posted: 18 Oct 2013 12:40 PM PDT It's not the first time we've had studies predicting a massive growth in electric vehicle demand, and so far all of them have seemed to be unattainably optimistic in their outlook, especially since consumers are still not buying enough all-electrics to justify visions of such a prolific future – they are gaining ground, but not nearly as rapidly as older studies predicted they would have until the present day. Therefore, when we tell you that UK-based market surveying firm ABI Research says EV sales (not hybrids, plug-ins or range-extenders) will be consistently going up at a rate of 48 percent per year until 2020, be sure to add a pinch of salt yourself, and not necessarily take the numbers presented as facts. Their report states that the number of such vehicles "shipping yearly will increase from 150,000 in 2013 to 2.36 million in 2020," with heavy reliance on growing Asian markets that are seen to have the most potential in embracing the trend. They do note that "true mass market uptake," will only really begin to become visible after the turn of the decade, as governments and the public increase their support for these alternative technologies, while their actual benefits will shine through. However, for us to get to that point, the technology needs to get better, costs need to go down and charging stations need to become far more frequent than they are now, because let's face it, aside from the a few EV-centric regions (like California, the Netherlands, the northern European states, Japan und Germany), progress has been slow. If you've never been in an electric car before, the POV video we have posted below is as close as you're ever going to get, without actually doing it. By Andrei Nedelea VIDEO

Honda's New 2015 F1 V6 Engine Sounds Like My Milkshake Blender… Posted: 18 Oct 2013 12:13 PM PDT In fact, to be frank, everyone I asked said my milkshake blender sounds better than Hondas, better than Hondas (…that's a reference to Kelis' Milkshake song for the uninitiated). And yes, this author is clearly quite disappointed (and that's probably an understatement) with the sounds recorded from Honda's newly developed 1.6-liter V6 racing engine crafted for use by McLaren in the 2015 Formula 1 season. "Today Honda has released a recording of its new F1 engine, which was recently fired for the first time," the Japanese automaker said in a short statement that accompanied the video. "The engine is being developed for the 2015 season where Honda will participate under a joint project with McLaren." Unlike us, Manabu Nishimae, President of Honda Motor Europe, was thrilled with the first sounds of his company's creation: "It is exciting to hear the cry of our new born Formula One engine for the first time," he said. "Our engineers are working hard to develop the engine and we are all looking forward to the start of the 2015 season." Hopefully, they can also work on making it sound less like a kitchen appliance… VIDEO

McLaren Wants P1 to Become New King of the 'Ring Posted: 18 Oct 2013 11:41 AM PDT Having the fastest time around the Nürburgring Nordschleife has evolved into being a really big deal among the automakers with the power to adjust it, and now that Porsche has crowned its 918 as king of the 'Ring (for series production cars with global road homologation), somebody was bound to come up and challenge it – McLaren, with their P1. Car Magazine reports having spotted a P1 in full-attack mode around the German track, with its rear wing in its most aggressive position, and suspension supposedly dropped – they say by 50 mm, but we'll only believe that backed up by some sort of official claim, not measuring the ground clearance by eye, which seems to have been the case here… The car they spotted was a prototype, and not only did it have all its weapons deployed, but it was also reportedly driven very briskly, putting them to good use. The aim, as our source speculates, is to beat Porsche's time, which does make sense, with the importance given to whomever gets the crown, as well as remembering this, and thinking it may not be more than just inspirational – it could be a goal, couldn't it? We hope it all comes true and eventually ends up including the Ferrari LaFerrari and other comparable (and not necessarily hybrid) hypercars. By Andrei Nedelea Ed. Note: The following videos are from previous running sessions in the summer VIDEO

G-Power Unleashes its Wrath on BMW 550, 650i, 750i, M5 and M6 Models Posted: 18 Oct 2013 11:08 AM PDT Alpina may be christened the official tuner of BMW products, but if it's pure power that you're after, you can't go wrong with G-Power. The German tuning outfit continues to celebrate its 30th birthday this year with new packages, the latest one of which is named "GP Edition 30 Years" and is made for BMW's 4.4-liter V8-powered models from the 5, 6, 7 and M series. For the 550i, 650i and 750i in all body styles, G-Power offers four states of tune, the first of which fiddles with the 4.4-liter bi-turbocharged V8 engine's electronics to lift output from 444hpp (450PS) and 650Nm to 483hp (490PS) and 685Nm. The other three kits include modified turbochargers and a sports exhaust, among other upgrades, to hike these numbers to 503hp (510PS) and 720Nm, 533hp (540PS) and 790Nm, and 552hp (560PS) and 810Nm, respectively.  The other tune is for the entire range of M5 and M6 models, and it includes five different stages for the V8 turbo engine, which in stock guise, produces 552hp (560PS) and 680Nm. G-Power's packages boost these figures to 617hp (625PS) and 777Nm, 636hp (645PS) and 810Nm, 671hp (680PS) and 890Nm, 700hp (710PS) and 890Nm, and 730hp (740PS) and 910Nm, respectively, with the latter being able to offer both cars a top speed of 330km/h (205mph). PHOTO GALLERY

U.S. Car Sales May Drop 10 Percent in October Because of the Government Shutdown Posted: 18 Oct 2013 10:35 AM PDT Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik said the prolonged U.S. government shutdown (which ended on Thursday) might hurt October new-vehicle sales by as much as 10 percent. The executive said the shutdown damages consumer confidence and generates anxiety for many people. "It's that anxiety that keeps customers, potential buyers, on the sidelines when making a big purchase like an automobile," Krafcik said in an interview with Bloomberg Television. "We'll probably see the industry off five to 10 percent this month, compared to where it was in September. I think a lot of it has to do with this shutdown discussion," the exec added. At the beginning of this month, Hyundai and Nissan announced a program to allow federal workers affected by the shutdown to defer loan and lease payments. "We have already had requests from over a thousand people to have their payments deferred," Krafcik said. "That's a much stronger uptake than we thought. It makes us happy. It means we're making a difference, but it does give an indication of just how deep and serious the issues are," he added. U.S. auto sales in the first eight months of this year have been on the rise, but in September deliveries fell 4.2 percent, the first decrease in more than two years. Automakers including GM and Ford said early this month that the shutdown was a threat to the already slow economic recovery. By Dan Mihalascu VIDEO

New Official Video of BMW M3 and M4, Plus Some Fresh Spy Shots of the Coupe Posted: 18 Oct 2013 10:10 AM PDT As the clock ticks down on the formal introduction of the new F30-generation M3 Sedan and the F32-generation M4 Coupe, BMW's M GmbH subsidiary is buying some time by entertaining us with a fresh video of the two cars in which we see BMW works racing driver Bruno Spengler providing his input for the chassis set-up and damper adjustment. Spengler had also starred in the first clip from BMW that followed the announcement on the initial specifications for the M3 and M4, which share their underpinnings, including the newly developed 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six engine rated at around 424hp (430PS) and 500Nm (369 lb-ft) of peak torque. And just to help you out with the visual aspect of the M4 Coupe, we've added a new gallery of scoop images of a lesser camouflaged prototype, which you can find below. Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS PHOTO GALLERY VIDEO

Rolls-Royce Bespoke's Ghawwass Phantom Coupe Pays Tribute to…Arabian Pearl Divers Posted: 18 Oct 2013 09:40 AM PDT For the right amount of money, Rolls-Royce's Bespoke division will build you a car according to your exact specifications. Everything from the body color to the materials and interior design can be customized, as we have seen on several models in the past. Following last month's Ghost Chengdu Golden Sunbird Edition that featured ancient Chinese motifs, the Bespoke division has now revealed another unique model, the Ghawwass Phantom Coupe. The name comes from the Arabic word for "diver", as the car celebrates the traditional method of collecting pearls from the Bahrain pearl banks. The car features a rich turquoise paint that hints at the green-blue waters of the Persian Gulf where the island of Bahrain is located. In contrast with the rest of the car, the engine hood and the A-pillar feature a brushed aluminum look. The turquoise color can be found on the inside as well, with the leather seats and interior trims being painted similarly. The headrests feature the Dhow sailing boat motif, which is also featured in the coachline and as a unique raised chrome motiv laid into the aluminum of the passenger panel. Pearl veneers complete the interior modifications. The name of the customer who ordered the Ghawwass Phantom Coupe was not disclosed, but judging from the personalization theme of the car it's safe to say he or she comes from Bahrain. How much the car cost also remains a mystery. By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY

This is What Happens When You're in a Hurry Posted: 18 Oct 2013 09:10 AM PDT So, you're still pondering why it's not always good idea to rush and push forward in traffic to take a spot up front – especially when you add train and / or tram rails in the equation? Perhaps then, this video can shed some more light upon these situations. The Russian driver recording the incident from behind with his dashboard camera said that he was actually expecting something to happen – he eloquently stated, "I even thought to myself, here's a goat, and he's driving right into the oncoming tram!". And true enough, the other driver of the blue-colored Lada thought he could cross the road before the tram arrived and attempted the move stepping on the rails. You can see the result in the following video. VIDEO

'Spot the Differences' 2014 Alfa Romeo MiTo Priced in the UK Posted: 18 Oct 2013 08:49 AM PDT A lightly updated version of the Alfa Romeo MiTo with the 2014 model year moniker is now on sale in Britain with on-the-road prices starting from £14,350 for the base version with the newly introduced 104bhp (105PS) 0.9-liter turbo petrol, rising to £18,995 for the range topper Quadrifoglio sports edition with a 168bhp (170PS) 1.4-liter turbo petrol. The new 0.9 TwinAir Turbo engine benefits from a 20hp boost in performance over the outgoing 84bhp (85PS) unit, allowing the MiTo to reach the 62mph (100km/h) in 1.1 seconds faster at 11.4 seconds. It returns a combined fuel economy figure of 67.3 mpg UK and CO2emissions of 99g/km. Other engine options include the 1.4 TB MultiAir 133bhp (135PS) petrol, and the 1.3 JTDM-2 84bhp (85PS) and 1.6 JTDM-2 118bhp (120PS) diesels. For the 2014MY, the MiTo gains revised interior and exterior colors, a chromed front grille, titanium grey headlamp and tail lamps surrounds, plus upgraded dashboard plastics and a new five-inch infotainment system with voice recognition. PHOTO GALLERY

Ford Goes Bananas for 2013 SEMA with 57 Tuned Concepts Posted: 18 Oct 2013 08:22 AM PDT As you can see, there will be no shortage of Blue Oval models at the upcoming 2013 edition of the SEMA aftermarket and tuning show in Las Vegas from November 5 to 8, with Ford having confirmed no less than 57 debuts laid out on more than 27,000 square feet (2,510 sq.m) of space inside the Las Vegas Convention. And that's not all, as Ford will also occupy more than 110,000 square feet (10,220 sq.m.) of the convention center's Silver Lot, where "company-sponsored racing schools from Miller Motorsports Park will take center stage in 'Ford Out Front'", according to the release. We don't need to tell you that among these 57 concepts will be plenty of Mustangs, ST models (Fiesta and Focus) and F-150s, but we will mention that there will be a special exhibit dubbed "Vandemonium" with specially tuned 10 Transit Connect Wagons and cargo vans. Another highlight at Ford's presentation will be special guest Gene Simmons of KISS fame and his wife, actress Shannon Tweed, who will reveal a 1956 F100 truck to be featured in a charity auction. PHOTO GALLERY

MG’s New European MG3 Supermini Video Reviewed Posted: 18 Oct 2013 07:55 AM PDT With a starting price of £8,399 (€9,940) for the base 3TIME trim level, the MG3 is one of Britain's cheapest superminis (sub-compact). For this amount of money, MG offers an array of standard features including front LED daytime running lights, electronic hill hold, six airbags, MP3-compatible CD player, electronic stability control, corner brake control and traction control. The UK's CarBuyer reviewed the MG3's range-topping model 3STYLE and gave it good marks for exterior design and equipment, even going as far as describing the value for money as "incredible". They also rated the interior as roomy, but had some observations about the quality of materials used in the cabin. The ride quality was criticized for being choppy at low speeds, while steering was judged to be quite heavy. The MG3 received some minus points as well for being only available with the 104hp 1.5-liter petrol engine, which returns an average fuel economy of 48.7 mpg UK (5.8 l/100 km). Scroll down to watch the review. By Dan Mihalascu VIDEO

Mini Goes All Dark Knight with Limited Edition Countryman and Paceman Posted: 18 Oct 2013 07:31 AM PDT You could always cover your car in a matte black foil wrap if that's your thing, but in case you prefer something of a more permanent nature, Mini has is extending its program of exterior paint finishes for the five-door Countryman and its three-door sibling, the Paceman, with the addition of a Frozen Black metallic paint option. The limited edition color that, in Mini's own words, features "a textured, shimmering matt finish", is available on the gasoline-powered Cooper S and John Cooper Works models, and the diesel-fueled Cooper SD versions of the two cars. Certain exterior parts, including the model-specific front and rear aprons and the exterior mirror caps are finished separately in the paint finish Frozen Black metallic. If you happen to opt for this color, which will be limited to a restricted number of cars worldwide, Mini says you have to be careful not to wax the body. "The finish is completely weather resistant and car wash resistant; however, hand washing does require special care as spot cleaning of the surface using wax or polish can leave an unwanted gloss effect," says the company. PHOTO GALLERY

Jaguar E-Type Coupe and XK120 Found Resting in Barns Posted: 18 Oct 2013 07:11 AM PDT What many of us would do to own a classic sports car like the Jaguar E-Type, yet some people have these models locked up, rotting in barns literally for decades - can you believe that? This royal-blue 1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 (Chassis 40) was abandoned in a barn in 1974 where it stayed until it was discovered by the Coys Auction house in France last month "This is a really amazing find which has got the Jaguar world really excited," said Chris Routledge, Managing Partner at Coys, "The 1961 car is in amazing condition considering where it was left and interest is going off the scale." The mechanic who works for the family that owns the car reported that the E-Type was last started about 5 years ago, but it still turns over freely. "Bodily, the car seems to be very solid, having been stored in such a dry climate all these years. The doors shut wonderfully and the bonnet gap is excellent," says Coys, which added that the interior of the car is in "very good order". The classic Jag sports a 3.8-liter twin cam engine, which when new, produced 265bhp, hooked up to a Moss four-speed gearbox driving the rear pair of wheels. The E-Type barn-find will be placed up for sale at the Coys Spirit of Motoring Auction on Saturday, October 26, at the Ascot Racecourse in the UK, where it will be joined by dozens of other models, including a second Jaguar that was locked up for years. "We are also selling an XK120 Roadster reported to have a competition history that was found in a lock-up in Essex," said Routledge. "The last XK that we sold in this condition made over £90,000 and we expect the E-Type to do exceptionally well." The 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster is fitted with a 3.4-liter twin overhead camshaft engine, producing 160bhp via twin SU carburettors, and in its prime time, was said to be capable of 126mph (203km/h) and 0-60mph (96km/h) in 10.0 seconds. It is estimated that the car will fetch £15,000 - £25,000 (US$24,300-US$40,500 or €17,800-€29,500). PHOTO GALLERY

This Electric Car isn't as Silent as You May Think it is…. Posted: 18 Oct 2013 06:42 AM PDT While many have complained about EVs being dangerous because of their silent-running nature, the two Norwegian comedians that make up Ylvis decided to use it to their advantage. What they did was fit the pint-sized Kewet Buddy all-electric mini car with horns off a locomotive and then went prowling the streets in search of people to scare. A lot can be said about what follows, but surprising or unpredictable, it is certainly not – a lot of people are scared, some very badly, they then stare in shock as video audiences laugh. It's been done before and it works, and the EV twist does add something to the whole experience, if you're into pranks, that is. I can only imagine what goes on through the minds of those startled by the horn as they are jogging, or slowly walking home after a hard day at work… Moreover, if they've seen the movie Inception, it might conjure up images of the (frankly pointless) train-through-downtown-intersection scene - it's posted below, after the prank video. By Andrei Nedelea Story References: YouTube via Green.Autoblog VIDEO

What Would You Name This New 2014 SRT Viper Color? Posted: 18 Oct 2013 06:34 AM PDT In a rather playful twist, the Chrysler Group has made the decision to allow fans of the brand to name new shade of blue for the 2014 SRT Viper, which right now, is listed as "No Name Blue" on the brand's website. Just don't call it baby blue or Estoril blue – BMW may take offense with the latter and unleash the company lawyers. To make things more interesting about the christening (see how that rhymes?), Chrysler is launching a contest at www.driveSRT.com/colorcontest, with the fan who submits the winning name to earn a free trip to the 2014 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona at Daytona International Speedway. "The SRT Viper Color Contest gives our Viper enthusiasts an opportunity to be original, creative and contribute to the exterior design of our flagship American supercar," said SRT boss Ralph Gilles. "This contest is a great way for our dedicated fans to connect with the SRT brand and become an authentic part of Viper history." The contest will remain open for submissions from October 17 through Thursday, October 24, with public voting to take place on Monday, November 4 through Monday, November 11. So, what would you name this shade of blue for the Viper? Please do tell in the comments area below and up-vote the ones you like. PHOTO GALLERY

You are subscribed to email updates from Carscoops To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610