CARSCOOP |  |
- Which Console Do You Want This Xmas for Your Racing Game Needs? PS4, Wii or Xbox? [w/Poll]
- GM Considering Hybrids, Diesels for Its Large Chevy, GMC and Cadillac SUVs
- Watch a 600HP Tuned Audi R8 V10 and Two Superbikes Stage a Dangerous Race in Brazil
- Anki Drive’s AI Smartphone-driven Physical Model Cars System Releases This Week
- Infiniti’s Answer to the Panamera May See 2017 – 2018 Launch, Emerg-E Also in the Cards
- AE Tests the VW California without Turning its Engine On
- A Virtual Take on the New 2015 Mini John Cooper Works Hot Hatch
- Autonomous Vehicles May Spell the End of the Classic Steering Wheel, Report Says
- Rally Accident in Hungary Leaves Six Injured, One in Critical Condition
- BMW Reportedly Planning i5 EV, Inspired by Tesla Model S’ Success
- Yay or Nay for New BMW SW Design Concept?
- Consumer Reports Tests Maserati Ghibli, Finds it a Viable Alternative in Premium Class
- Scoop: All-New 2015 Audi TT Coupe Looks Remarkably…Familiar
- Aston Martin Boss Disses Hybrid Supercars, Says the Key to Lower Emissions is to…Drive Slower
- Buick Could Adopt Diesel Engines for US Lineup, Says Insider
- Get Out Driver, You're Drunk as a Skunk
- Mercedes-Benz Has Received More than 30,000 Orders for New S-Class
- Watch the Alfa Romeo 4C Set its Nürburgring Lap Time of 8:04.40
- Nissan GT-R Goliath Allegedly Sets New 1 Mile Top Speed Record at 402km/h or 250mph
- McLaren Confirms Final Specs for P1: 0-100km/h in 2.8 Seconds, Averages 28.3MPG or 8.3l/100km!
- Audi Confirms UK Pricing for Revised 2014 A8 and S8 Saloons
- Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake Will Happen, but Convertible Won't, Say Company Sources
- Road Rage Texas Grandpa Confuses Bicyclists with NYC Motorcyclists
- New 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Interior Uncovered in Official Shots
- First Photos of New Mercedes-Benz V-Class Minivan's Interior
| Which Console Do You Want This Xmas for Your Racing Game Needs? PS4, Wii or Xbox? [w/Poll] Posted: 21 Oct 2013 05:30 PM PDT  The year 2013 is drawing to a close, and the all-important pine tree and Coca-Cola holiday is coming up, when all good Christians prepare with gifts and warm words for friends and loved ones, acquiring all that is needed by queuing shops for hours in a row, listening to the same carols over and over again… One of the gifts that gets little boys' (of all ages) hearts racing are of course, racing games, a fresh breed of which are about to debut on a new generation of gaming consoles. So, this Christmas, not only will you be confronted with the task of sorting through the slew of new titles added to the genre, but you may also be faced with buying a new system to run them, as well. Both the PlayStation 4 (PS4) from Sony and Xbox One from Microsoft are set to arrive on store shelves next month, priced at $399/£349 and $499/£429 respectively, each with its own list of unique games, complimented by the common pool of titles. The Xbox One comes packing a BFG in the form of Forza Motorsport 5, a game that looks gorgeous, has a growing list of cool cars and is exclusive to the Microsoft system. The chances of it disappointing are slim, given its developers' track record so far in the series - even their Test Drive Unlimited-inspired game, Horizon, turned out nice for what it is. The highlight game for gearheads on the PS4 is DriveClub, not Gran Turismo. Sony chose to develop the next game in its primary racing franchise, number six, for the current-gen PS3 platform, therefore depriving the devs of a lot of extra processing power that they would have had access to, had they developed for PS4. If what you're looking for in 2013 is the next-gen Gran Turismo experience, we regret to inform you that you'll have to wait an estimated 1-2 years for the seventh installment to come out. The upside of the above is that your old PS3 and Xbox 360 are still kept relevant this year - you can get Gran Turismo 6 for the former, and Grand Theft Auto 5, Need for Speed Rivals, Watchdogs and The Crew for both. There's even an open-world Mad Max game coming out too. It really depends on how big a holidays' bonus you got, how many kids it is divided by and how well they behaved throughout the year. If they didn't behave, and you want them to know it, there's always the sort-of new Nintendo Wii U that was released almost a year ago. It won't be as pleasing a gift as one of the bigger consoles, but its lower official price of $299 may very well justify it – some sites offer a discount of around $30. In fact, it's not as bad as the old Wii that was always hampered by its low specifications and the impact that had on the complexity (and visual appeal) of the games it was able to handle. Watchdogs will also make it to the Wii U, too. This new one has a unique controller with a built-in touchscreen along with the usual physical buttons – it's a different experience, and now you are no longer limited to playing only Mario Kart-like driving games. A special version of Need for Speed Most Wanted is available, along with more traditional Wii titles, but since the new system is more powerful, it will be able to handle games that are more demanding in the future – the promising Project Cars (Community Assisted Racing Simulator) is one of them. Finally, if consoles are not really your style and you enjoy the freedom of PC, then you don't have to wait around for one specific commercial title to launch. There is such a huge array of games to choose for, so PC gamers are in a state of perpetual-Christmas, if you will... You can go off-road in any number of ways, you can build a car (company) from scratch, or just drive around for the hell of it. If you have some modding skills going for you, though, you enter a world where you begin to play the kind of game you like/want, and not wish that X or Y developer had added Z feature, and spam the forums about it - if you don't like it, chances are you can probably change it yourself if you just open a specific file in a basic text editor, and mess with or add more code, at your own risk, naturally… By Andrei Nedelea  Poll: Which do you prefer for your racing game needs?                    
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| GM Considering Hybrids, Diesels for Its Large Chevy, GMC and Cadillac SUVs Posted: 21 Oct 2013 04:40 PM PDT  General Motors is considering various technical solutions for its recently announced, but not yet available, trio of big SUVs, including the 2015 versions of the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade, with hybrid powertrains, diesel engines and high-geared transmissions being all taken into account. The company's executive chief engineer for GM trucks, Jeff Luke, confirmed all these three technical proposals, according to an Autonews report. "We've got some interesting powertrain technologies coming on the SUVs over the next few years," Luke said during the introduction of the 2015 Cadillac Escalade. The Escalade and the extended ESV model share the same platform with the Chevrolet Tahoe / Suburban and the GMC Yukon / Yukon XL. All models will be launched in North America during the first quarter of 2014. "In this segment, the competition is tough. You've got to raise the bar," Luke said of the luxury SUV market where the Escalade competes in. Since the three models were last redesigned 8 years ago, GM didn't provide technical upgrades for the SUVs, but that may change from now on. Luke said that the Escalade's six-speed transmission would eventually be replaced by a higher-geared transmission. General Motors is currently working on 8-speed and 10-speed transmissions, both for rear-wheel drive applications. The official said GM continues to consider a hybrid, even though the Escalade Hybrid was discontinued for the 2014 model year because of weak sales. GM is also looking at the possibility of a diesel engine, but Luke didn't say which of the three large SUVs would get one. "Grand Cherokee is doing it. We're watching," the exec said of Jeep's recently introduced diesel engine for its largest SUV. By Dan Mihalascu                   |
| Watch a 600HP Tuned Audi R8 V10 and Two Superbikes Stage a Dangerous Race in Brazil Posted: 21 Oct 2013 03:59 PM PDT  Remember that thing we've been telling you about "the right time and place" for racing and showing off your ride and / or driving skills? Well, you're not going to find any of that in the following dash-cam video from an Audi R8 V10 racing against two Japanese sport bikes on a public highway with plenty of traffic in Brazil. The YouTube owner of the video states that it was purportedly filmed in 2011, with the clip posted in May this year – for what it's worth, this is the first time this author has seen it. It's also mentioned that the Audi R8 V10 sports several upgrades, including an ECU tune, exhaust and filter that help it twist out 600-ponies, while the two sport bikes are said to be a "2009 Suzuki GSXR1000 (SRAD) with 185Hp" and a "2008 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R 2008 with 188Hp" The driver of the car is hyped about the race and apparently, so is his female passenger (beware; there are some NSFW quotes in the clip). We're going to guess that the other road users did not share their enthusiasm…    |
| Anki Drive’s AI Smartphone-driven Physical Model Cars System Releases This Week Posted: 21 Oct 2013 03:30 PM PDT  We were impressed by what the small team behind the Anki Drive project achieved, when we first learnt of their project, some months back. For them, it all started about six years ago, with the idea to bring together cool futuristic Hot Wheels-esque models, artificial intelligence and the power of smartphones. Here they are now, two days away from the official market launch of the system that caught our attention before. The basic principle of how it works is a bit hard to grasp at first, but once you learn what all of the components are, it gets easier. When you purchase the 'Starter Kit,' you will get two cars, the track, chargers and tire cleaners. Then you need an Apple smartphone or tablet (no Android support as of yet) onto which you install the Anki Drive app you get from the official Store. Then, you're basically ready to go, and you basically just let the cars drive around, allowing them to 'gather experience,' because the artificial intelligence that makes them tick improves their performance the more you run them. The idea is to have an experienced car which you 'level up' over time, then spec it up with weapons and call your friends over with their cars and do battle. It sounds like tons of geeky fun for little boys of all ages. Check out the selection of videos below for a more detailed look, and a chance to see it all come together. By Andrei Nedelea    |
| Infiniti’s Answer to the Panamera May See 2017 – 2018 Launch, Emerg-E Also in the Cards Posted: 21 Oct 2013 03:00 PM PDT  The humpbacked Panamera sells well because it's a Porsche and does all of the technical stuff so brilliantly that you end up overlooking the bulbous yet shapeless rear end – you said the facelift didn't cure its image problem. Now, Infiniti is looking to grab a small slice of its pie with a different yet competing model that could see the production line around 2017 to 2018. UK magazine Autocar says it won't be officially aimed as a direct rival, and even the Infiniti CEO, Johann de Nysschen, is fully aware that they would be going nowhere if they aimed straight for taking down the established colossi, without building up a solid range (and stable, positive world-wide reputation) first. The Japanese brand's plan is to have a uniquely styled machine that's "appealing and different," yet it will also have to make its flagship status in the range clear. A Daimler-sourced platform is quite probable. Another top-end vehicle that might be produced is a mid-engined hybrid supercar inspired by the Emerg-E Concept that was shown in a working form following the release of a static concept However, Nissan and Infiniti CEO Andy Palmer told the publication that it has not yet received the green light. "We don't want to get too far from the centre of gravity of the brand," said Palmer. "We have the [mid-engined] halo car in the plan, but it is not signed off yet. Sales of saloons such as the Q50 and SUVs like the QX60 will have to be going well, and then I can go to our approval committee." The Mercedes-Benz SLK and BMW Z4 roadster are also apparently models currently on the minds of Infiniti execs, but their interpretation of a rival will have to wait until after 2020, when the current product offensive that includes the Panamera rival ends. The report also mentions another model that could make it into series production before 2020, a new seven-seater SUV – I just hope they get the aesthetics on that one, because their current three-row offering I think is down there with the SsangYong Rodius in terms of visual appeal (that would be the Infiniti JX). By Andrei Nedelea Note: Infiniti Emerg-E Concept pictured in the gallery                       |
| AE Tests the VW California without Turning its Engine On Posted: 21 Oct 2013 02:35 PM PDT  The Volkswagen California is the closest thing to a house on wheels that I can think of. Sure, there are many purpose-built recreational vehicles that are larger, more comfortable and more luxurious, but most of them (including particularly huge American RVs) are more houses than they are cars… They're big, they drink a lot of fuel and one has to be extra careful when behind the wheel, especially in urban environments. Not the VW California. I think of it as the automotive equivalent of the Swiss army knife. The California has the exact same size and looks of the VW Transporter, and yet it comes with two beds, dining table, refrigerator, gas hob for cooking, drawers, cupboards and a lot more. It can even be transformed into a sitting room by rotating the front chairs around. The California also comes with extra furniture like picnic chairs or an awning for rainy days. Considering all these factors, it comes to no surprise that the folks from AutoExpress didn't even turn on the engine of the California during their video review. They didn't have to. All the action is in the back. By Dan Mihalascu    |
| A Virtual Take on the New 2015 Mini John Cooper Works Hot Hatch Posted: 21 Oct 2013 02:07 PM PDT  Here's a computer generated version of what the spicy John Cooper Works (JCW) edition of the upcoming new Mini hatchback could look like, courtesy of Khalil Bouguerra from Virtuel-Car. The top dog in Mini's range has been envisioned with a sporty aero package and detailing like the vented bumpers and hood, plus bigger wheels and the appropriate racing stripes. Mini itself has lethargically been releasing tidbits of information and photos on its new premium hatchback in an attempt to draw as much as attention as it can on the car prior to its official unveiling on November 18 at simultaneous presentations at the Los Angeles and Tokyo motor shows. It even told us that the new hatch will come with the BMW Group's new 1.5-liter 3-cylinder and 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged units, but without getting down to the nitty-gritties. However, it is possible that the JCW Mini will feature a version of the bigger turbo'd inline four with well over 200 horses. Story References: Virtuel-car      |
| Autonomous Vehicles May Spell the End of the Classic Steering Wheel, Report Says Posted: 21 Oct 2013 01:30 PM PDT  Han Hendriks is the vice president of advanced product development for Johnson Controls, a company that operates in the electronics and interiors side of the automotive industry. He is therefore directly involved in the industry, and thus can make more accurate predictions as to how the changes that are currently sweeping the scene will affect his company and its area of expertise in the future. The Detroit News questioned Hendriks recently, and revealed his personal belief is that "After 2025, the steering wheel will play a less dominant role in the interior," commenting that, "With fully autonomous vehicles, you don't have to be forward looking as a driver, you don't need to have an instrument panel. Then you can really just think of a car as a box that you enter." This puts things into perspective, even more so than the idea of the disappearance of the traditional steering wheel, and we can correlate it not only with the proliferation of autonomous cars, but also that of exterior cameras doing the job of rear-view mirrors and even the driver's own eyes in some instances. We also have autonomous parking that has been proven to work (Volvo and Ford lead the way here), as well as talks of semi-autonomous systems bridging the gap between cars you drive and cars that will eventually drive you. Good thing we made a selection of the best-looking modern steering wheels, just in case this comes true, for posterity's sake... Note: Joystick-operated 1996 Mercedes-Benz F200 Concept pictured By Andrei Nedelea              |
| Rally Accident in Hungary Leaves Six Injured, One in Critical Condition Posted: 21 Oct 2013 12:58 PM PDT  Word of caution: Some readers may find the images in the following video disturbing A horrible accident that took place on Saturday afternoon (October 19, 2013) during a Hungarian rally in the village of Városlőd when a Volkswagen Golf Mk2 racer lost control of his car and plowed a group of spectators who were watching the vehicles fly by at speed, has left six people injured, one seriously. According to media reports from Hungary, one elderly victim is in coma having suffered severe abdominal, chest, spine and head injuries. The Golf was reportedly going around 150km/h (93 mph) when the accident happened, though; this is something that has not been confirmed. Police are still investigating the circumstances of the accident. We've also attached a video report from the scene of the accident. We'd be much obliged if any of Hungarian readers can translate and share the most important parts of the interview in the comments.   |
| BMW Reportedly Planning i5 EV, Inspired by Tesla Model S’ Success Posted: 21 Oct 2013 12:36 PM PDT  We learn from a report published by WhatCar that BMW is reportedly looking into the possibility of making a mid-range i5 model to sit in between the i3 electric city car and the larger and much sportier i8 plug-in hybrid. Apparently, coming from "a senior BMW source," the tip is a fully-credible one, though even if it does turn out to be accurate, don't expect to see an i5 on sale any time soon – they haven't even decided if it's to be a crossover or sedan. The idea was sparked by the surprising success of the Tesla Model S, as well as the numbering gap in their "i" range, witch jumps from 3 to 8… Joking aside, this model is thoroughly plausible, though not as a full EV, and not necessarily in sedan form. The source speculates that this i5 may take the form of an X4-esque model, fashioned extensively out of CFRP (carbon-reinforced plastic) and maintain a rear-wheel drive approach, staying in-line with the rest of the range. We can't speculate; it may be years before we follow this up, but don't be surprised if BMW eventually announces and starts teasing something along the lines of what was described here, but from an enthusiast's perspective, I hope it's a sedan, for obvious handling- and sportiness-enhancing properties of the lower and lighter body. Still, turning the idea into a Tesla Model X rival isn't a bad idea either, especially since the American model, when it does arrive in showrooms, will have no immediate mainstream threat… By Andrei Nedelea                  |
| Yay or Nay for New BMW SW Design Concept? Posted: 21 Oct 2013 11:57 AM PDT  The automotive world would be a better place if all carmakers had at least one exotic-looking supercar highlighting their range of products, wouldn't you agree? Carscoops' reader "Eom-Kwan" from Korea certainly does, and he's showing us his vision of what an extreme BMW sports car should look like with this independent design study. While the computer rendering is a little rough around the edges, the Korean designer followed a different path with the SW, which has more in common with the Italdesign's BMW Nazca than the German brand's current crop of models, and that's a positive thing in our book. "The BMW SW's beauty is optimized through moderate lines and powerful shape," says Eom-Kwan. "The straight line which begins from the front grille and flows through the sides newly interpreted the traditional and intrinsic line elements of BMW for distinguished design." "When BMW SW is viewed from the side, the body which looks as if it winded up internally holds strong and keen character lines composed in a balanced manner, and aeromechanical flow and linearity were emphasized to express the vitality and dynamism which bring up the instinct of speed," he added. There's no mention about the concept's mechanical layout, but the shape of the car and its proportions all point to a mid-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive. Designer: Eom-Kwan        |
| Consumer Reports Tests Maserati Ghibli, Finds it a Viable Alternative in Premium Class Posted: 21 Oct 2013 11:23 AM PDT  Consumer Reports' review of the Maserati Ghibli is yet another positive acknowledgment for the Italian sedan, that has, as we've already seen explained in other tests, a lot going for it. Naturally, the first thing that drew their eye is the car's lines, which especially in the darker blue color of the tester, have a very exclusive and exotic air about them, as does the interior. It employs the use of high quality materials and a pleasing design that follows the same styling guidelines as the exterior (I'd call it consistent), and the only thing the reviewer found to be Chrysler-esque was the infotainment unit. Its start logo and boot-up sequence say the system is made "by Maserati," even though it isn't; other than that, you apparently get to experience something bespoke. That, after all, is the reason why you'd go for a Trident-badged sedan, over a Lexus or BMW – the look, the exclusivity of the badge, the noise, the handling and the power. All those boxes are checked, as per all the reviews we've seen, but on top of that, since Maserati needs to impress regular car buyers too with this more mainstream vehicle, it also needs to exhibit fewer of the reliability problems commonly associated with premium Italian marques. I guess that's something that only time will tell. By Andrei Nedelea    |
| Scoop: All-New 2015 Audi TT Coupe Looks Remarkably…Familiar Posted: 21 Oct 2013 11:01 AM PDT  While it may not have caused anywhere near as much as impact as the original TT (produced from 1998 through 2006), the second generation of Audi's TT has aged fairly well in the styling department, some seven years after it was released on the market in 2006. In fact, judging from these fresh spy shots from Germany, in Audi's eyes, it aged so well that there's no need to mess up the design formula with its replacement. In other words, we had a pretty hard time telling the TT Mk2 apart from the evolutionary TT Mk3… Our spies spotted Audi's engineers driving both the current and next generation TTs, thus allowing us to visually compare the two cars. The overall shape remains intact, with differences appearing on the front end where the new car sports a slightly more angular look with slimmer headlamps, a kink on the finishing end of the profile window line, and a rear end that seems to have forgone some of its predecessors curvy lines. It might look familiar on the outside, but under the sheetmetal, it's all new with the third-generation TT being the latest model in the VW Group's vast range of cars to ride on the new MQB platform. Along with the use of higher aluminum content in its build, the TT is expected to drop a few dozen pounds in weight over the current model. Naturally, the new TT will be offered with both front- and quattro all-wheel drive options, while the initial engine range will include the latest EA888 turbocharged inline-four petrols in displacements of 1.8 and 2.0-liters (depending on the region). The regular models will be followed by a sportier "S" model, possibly with the same 296hp (300PS) 2.0L Turbo found on the S3 range, and the "RS", which will likely use a revised version of Audi's 2.5-liter turbocharged five-pot. Europe will get a 2.0-liter turbo diesel option as well. The new TT in coupe form will break cover next year, with a roadster to be added to the range shortly after. Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS               |
| Aston Martin Boss Disses Hybrid Supercars, Says the Key to Lower Emissions is to…Drive Slower Posted: 21 Oct 2013 10:31 AM PDT  Even though the trio of hypercars from Ferrari, McLaren and Porsche all use hybrid powertrains, Aston Martin will remain faithful to V12 engines for the foreseeable future and resist hybrids for as long as possible. Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez doesn't have good things to say about the Porsche 918 Spyder, Ferrari LaFerrari and McLaren P1. According to the executive, the additional weight of the batteries spoils the purity of extreme machines and the benefits of hybrids are not what customers of such cars want. "We will not have a hybrid in next year or the year after. Hybridisation has two aspects; like in F1 to pass someone, which is irrelevant on the road, and the other is to be more fuel-efficient. But it is very simple; if you drive a little slower you will be much better off," said Bez, according to Australian outlet, Drive. He added that Aston Martin will look at other ways to improve the economy of petrol engines, including downsizing the capacity, optimizing aerodynamics and reducing weight. "I am a purist and I think a sports car should have as low weight as possible. It should be in as minimalistic as it can be and this does not work with hybridisation," he said. "I don't think it is necessary to give me a power shot on the road. I don't think I need something that gives me 100hp more. I do not know why I need an extra 100kg just to get those things. I think a pure sports car does not need this," Bez said. These are some pretty straightforward opinions from Aston Martin's CEO, and I tend to agree with him. What do you think, is hybridisation absolutely necessary for supercars? By Dan Mihalascu                     |
| Buick Could Adopt Diesel Engines for US Lineup, Says Insider Posted: 21 Oct 2013 10:07 AM PDT  Buick would apparently be selling more Opel Mokka-based Encores in the US, if the model had a gutsier engine available under the bonnet, as the 1.4-liter 138 hp unit that it's now available with isn't to all buyers' liking. An Edmunds report, quoting unnamed inside sources, says that they just might do something about that, in an effort to further align the brand with Europe's Opel, and that something may be a diesel engine – it's range is pretty much aligned, with only the Enclave SUV not sharing its underpinnings with a Euro model, and the Verano and Regal sedans clearly showing their origins. That means fitting a diesel shouldn't be a problem, as the basic frames have been thought up with the oil-burning units in mind too. However, while all the sedan models in the range would have no trouble taking a 2.0-liter engine (diesel or otherwise), the Encore, with its very short hood, can only go as high 1.6L. Luckily, Opel does have a new turbocharged 1.6-liter petrol unit too, and if the source is right, it might be the one to boost the Encore's popularity. Sticking to the theme of this article, it's worth mentioning that Buick adopting diesel power plants in the US would be a natural move, as their premium European rivals are doing so too. It would also help create more demand at GM's Euro engine plants too, making the management less inclined to fire people for the greater good of the company, as Ford is doing in Belgium. It is not known when Buick will officially go diesel, and while the Encore is the model most in need of a new, more powerful engine, that extra power will probably come by simply burning more gasoline. The Verano is apparently the most suitable to currently get one, but so are their other sedan models, if that's the case. By Andrei Nedelea                |
| Get Out Driver, You're Drunk as a Skunk Posted: 21 Oct 2013 09:40 AM PDT  After observing this video, you could say that even a piece of machinery knows when its operator is completely out of line with far too much booze flowing through his veins and that it's time to put an end to the driving shenanigans. The car with the dashboard camera was travelling from behind when the driver noticed the truck swerving towards his line and performed the traditional road ritual of horn honking to wake up the operator. It only worked momentarily, as at the next set of lights, the large dumpster smashed into the rear end of another truck waiting for the green light. At least this incident had a happy / funny ending, which you can watch in the video below the break.    |
| Mercedes-Benz Has Received More than 30,000 Orders for New S-Class Posted: 21 Oct 2013 09:10 AM PDT  In less than three months since the new S-Class was made available for sale, Mercedes-Benz has received over 30,000 orders for its flagship sedan, which is a pretty impressive feat, especially if you take into account the fact that the previous model sold a little over 65,000 cars the entire year in 2012. "The new S-Class has already jumped back into the lead in terms of new vehicle registrations in Germany and its neighboring European countries," said Ola Källenius, the new head of sales and marketing at Mercedes-Benz Cars on Friday, according to a Reuters report. Currently, there are two body styles of the new S-Class, the regular and the long-wheel base sedans, but Mercedes has plans to at least four more models, including a Coupe, a Convertible and extra-long wheelbase variants in the next couple of years, which should considerably boost the series' sales.                      |
| Watch the Alfa Romeo 4C Set its Nürburgring Lap Time of 8:04.40 Posted: 21 Oct 2013 08:32 AM PDT  Last week Alfa Romeo confirmed the 4C's Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time of 8 minutes and 4 seconds, which is a new record for cars with engines under 250 hp. Now the Italian carmaker has released a video that includes footage from the 4C's Nürburgring lap record. Unfortunately, we don't get to see the entire lap, but a full on-board video will probably surface later. Still, the 4C seems to be in its element at the 'Ring, although the car does look a little peculiar because of the black tape that was used to seal the gaps between the body panels. The exact lap time set by journalist and Nordschleife expert Horst von Saurma on September 12 is 8:04.40. The video contains some on-board footage during which we can hear the lovely sound of the 236-hp 1.75-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and we can see the Alfa Romeo 4C reaching speeds in excess of 225 km/h (140 mph). By Dan Mihalascu    |
| Nissan GT-R Goliath Allegedly Sets New 1 Mile Top Speed Record at 402km/h or 250mph Posted: 21 Oct 2013 08:00 AM PDT  Talk about a blazingly fast car – the 1,700hp+ Nissan GT-R Goliath by Switzer, which purportedly set a new top speed record in a 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) run for GT-Rs at the latest Moscow Unlimited 500+ racing event. According to the organizers, only two other vehicles have surpassed the 400km/h or 250mph mark in a 1 mile run, a "Ford GT at 267mph [430km/h] and a Chevrolet Camaro at 250 mph [402km/h]". Switzer's heavily modified yet street legal GT-R Goliath reached a speed of 402.23 km/h or 249.987mph in 1 mile after just 22.602 seconds. The Goliath was made for an unnamed client (likely from Russia) with Switzer stating the following about said car: "To understand what Goliath is, and how it's been developed to meet the customer's wants and needs, however, we need to go back to the early part of 2012 (before Switzer moved into their new facility) and a conversation between Tym and one of Switzer's early Porsche customers. The client wanted a GTR – but not just any GTR! "The car the client asked us to build had to be 'for street use', not just 'street legal'," explains Tym. "The difference there is the difference between 'comfortable' and 'tolerable'. He made it very clear that he expected this to be a 'real car' with full climate control, cruise control, sound system – all the amenities, in other words. What he did not want a stripped-down drag car that was technically street legal." He also wanted the car to run a low 20-second ET at the Moscow Unlimited."    |
| McLaren Confirms Final Specs for P1: 0-100km/h in 2.8 Seconds, Averages 28.3MPG or 8.3l/100km! Posted: 21 Oct 2013 07:37 AM PDT  McLaren has announced final performance specifications for the P1 hybrid supercar and there are some significant improvements compared to what we've known so far. First of all, the 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint is completed in precisely 2.8 seconds, with 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) taking just 6.8 seconds – quicker than many hot hatches reach half that speed. Furthermore, the McLaren P1 goes from zero to 300 km/h (186 mph) in 16.5 seconds, which makes it a full 5.5 seconds quicker than the legendary McLaren F1 supercar. Finally, top speed is electronically limited to 350 km/h (217 mph). What's even more surprising for a car capable of such ballistic performance is the fuel consumption. The lightweight electric motor that assists the 3.8-liter twin turbo V8 petrol engine contributes to an average fuel economy of 8.3 l/100 km (34 mpg UK, 28.3 mpg US) and CO2 emissions of 194 g/km. The electric motor offers a range of 11 km (6.8 miles) in full electric mode on the NEDC cycle. Braking figures are impressive as well, with the bespoke Akebono system fitted with carbon ceramic discs bringing the McLaren P1 to a halt from 62 mph (100 km/h) in a distance of just 30.2 metres or 99 feet. McLaren says that the P1 needs three times less space to brake than an average car, which needs 102 meters (334.6 ft). With all these figures, the P1's Nürburgring lap time should be something to brag about. McLaren said it will build 375 P1s until mid-2015, with each car taking 17 days to make. The first unit rolled off the production line at the end of September and was collected from the McLaren Technology Centre by its UK-based owner. The first of the 375 features a striking Volcano Yellow paint with contrasting visual carbon fiber. By Dan Mihalascu           |
| Audi Confirms UK Pricing for Revised 2014 A8 and S8 Saloons Posted: 21 Oct 2013 07:11 AM PDT  Unveiled to the public at last month's Frankfurt Motor Show, the facelifted 2014 Audi A8 and its sportier offspring, the S8, are now available to order in the UK with first deliveries to arrive in the hands of their new owners in January next year. Prices kick off at £58,800 for the base 254bhp (258PS) 3.0-liter TDI diesel model and currently top out at £79,900 for the S8 that comes with a 4.0-liter TFSI V8 delivering 510bhp (520PS). We say currently because Audi has not yet announced OTR prices for the range-topping A8 W12 LWB quattro with a 6.3-liter gasoline engine rated for 494bhp (500PS). Other available powertrains include the 2.0-liter TFSI Hybrid producing a combined 242bhp (245PS) from the inline-four petrol unit and an electric motor, the updated 306bhp (310PS) 3.0-liter TFSI V6 petrol, the more potent 429bhp (435PS) 4.0-liter TFSI V8 petrol and the improved 380bhp (385PS) 4.2-liter V8 TDI diesel. Along with the powertrain improvements, the 2014 A8 introduces refreshed front and rear end styling, some minor changes to the interior trims and colors, and new technology features such as the MatrixBeam LED headlights. UK buyers can choose from three specification levels named SE, SE Executive and Sport Executive, with the base trim gaining bigger wheels in a new design, electromechanical power steering and all-LED headlights with a high-beam assist function, and the Sport Executive, the new MatrixBeam LED headlights and Mobile Phone Preparation High with Audi connect.
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| Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake Will Happen, but Convertible Won't, Say Company Sources Posted: 21 Oct 2013 06:50 AM PDT  We've heard the story before about Mercedes-Benz considering the addition of a stylish estate body style to the range of the new CLA compact model, and now, sources from within the company have reaffirmed the news. Speaking to reporters from Autonews, the unnamed Mercedes insiders said that the CLA wagon would be similar, if not identical, in style to the larger CLS Shooting Brake sharing the same curvy roofline, name and increased headroom and luggage space over its sedan counterpart. The sources did not say whether the CLA Shooting Brake model will be offered in the States, where demand for station wagon models is much lower than in Europe. It was also mentioned that both a rumored convertible and a lower, roadster edition of the CLA have been put "off the table", at least for this generation of the model, but they might be added in the next iteration of the series at the end of the decade. Note: Opening image is a photoshop of the CLA Shooting Brake
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| Road Rage Texas Grandpa Confuses Bicyclists with NYC Motorcyclists Posted: 21 Oct 2013 06:13 AM PDT  In an incident that eerily reminded us of the recent (tragic) events in New York City between a Range Rover driver and a group of motorcyclists, a 74-year old man in a Chevrolet Silverado from Montgomery County in Texas had a scuffle with a group of cyclists on Thursday evening. One of the cyclists named Steve Schoger, told the Montgomery County Police Reporter (MCPR) that Sherman Ralph Clark drove by the riders and with a few cuss words, told them to get off his street before he pulled in front and abruptly slowed down to around 15mph (24km/h) at the same time that the riders were peddling close to 25mph (40km/h). According to the bikers' versions of the story, that's when Clark started to veer left running one of the cyclists to the shoulder of the road, while another rider, attempted to go around the Silverado from the right. At the point, Clark allegedly slammed on his brakes causing cyclist Rick Sauvageau to crash into the back of the truck, fracturing his wrist in the process. The incident did not stop there as the 74-year old driver stepped out of the car, at which point, one of the biker's started to record the event on his camera. Clark was holding a bat in his hands. When asked why, he said "To protect myself". The rider with the camera then asked him "What did we do?" to which Clark responded, "You were driving all over the damn road". After the verbal altercation, Clark left running over one of the $5,000 bikes. The riders called the police, who then arrested Clark for "criminal mischief $1,500 to $20,000 and for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon". The report said that Clark's "aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge may go to the Grand Jury".         |
| New 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Interior Uncovered in Official Shots Posted: 21 Oct 2013 01:41 PM PDT  It seems like tis the day of interior photos of upcoming Mercedes-Benz models. Along with images of the new V-Class passenger van, we also have shots of the inner workings of the next C-Class sedan, and more or less, any other C-Class body style that's expected to be added to the range in the coming years such as the Coupe, Estate and Convertible, since they will be the same. Overall, the styling and detailing of the dashboard is very similar to that of the smaller CLA, from the placement of the five circular air-vent fixtures to the steering wheel and the instrument cluster, though, the C-Class does get a more premium and trendy center console layout, while we suspect that quality of materials will also be better. One highlight that caught our eye is the large tablet-like touchpad above the center air vents, which according to an Autozeitung magazine report, will be offered in two sizes, 7.0 and 8.4 inches. Over the weekend, Mercedes also released a teaser video of the new C-Class, so it shouldn't be long before we hear more official news on the car.
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| First Photos of New Mercedes-Benz V-Class Minivan's Interior Posted: 21 Oct 2013 07:39 AM PDT  Official imagery of the cabin of Mercedes-Benz's all-new V-Class that will soon replace the Viano passenger van in its range have surfaced online. Together with an earlier released sketch of the exterior, they provide us our best look yet at the new people carrier that is said to be released in spring of 2014, likely making its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show. The design and feel of the V-Class' cabin is a big step up from the more utilitarian Viano, with the display model featuring what looks to be a removable touch pad on the upper section of the center console, as well as four individual passenger seats, with two pairs facing each other. A report from German magazine Autobild said that the new Viano will launch in Europe with a selection of three diesel units rated for 134hp (136PS), 168hp (170PS) and 187hp (190PS), with petrol units to be offered in other markets. A commercial version of the V-Class that will replace the Vito will also be introduced next year.
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