CARSCOOP

---

• Oh Mon Dieu! Porsche 993 Driver Handles Extremely Close Call Like a Boss
• Mitsubishi Koruto is a Conceptual Ode to the 1990s Colt
• Ford Remembers Mustang's Most Popular Colors Through the Years
• Reviewer Says the BMW i3 is All the Car You Need in the City
• Holden Introduces New 197HP Diesel and Manual Gearbox on 2014 Colorado and Colorado 7
• 1999 Porsche 911 with LS1 V8 Swap on Craigslist for $25,000
• Wild Mustang of the One-Horsepower Type Filmed Roaming Texas Highway
• Jeep Finally Begins to Ship 2014 Cherokee to Dealers
• Design Handbook Teaches Us About a Car's "Bone Line"
• Report: Honda May Stop Selling the Insight and CR-Z Hybrids in Europe
• New BMW 760Li Sterling Robbe & Berking Edition is a Silver Trader's Delight
• Spied: New Range Rover Sport RS and Evoque RS Sound Pretty Aggressive
• Spy Shots: New Gen 2016 BMW X6 Sports Crossover Takes Shape
• Mazda Announces Mazda3 Skyactiv-CNG Concept for Tokyo Motor Show
• Volgograd Bus Falls Victim to Bombing that Kills Six; Caught on Dash-Cam
• Dodge Dart's Chinese Twin, the Fiat Viaggio, Scooped in Hatchback Form
• This is Your Chance to Own One of 32 Marcos Mantis M70s
• Lamborghini Aventador Matte Orange-Red Chrome Wrap Will Cost You as Much as a Fiesta
• Internet Rumors Talk of McLaren P1 Lapping the 'Ring in 6:47, Should We Believe Them?
• New Ford Transit Connect Taxi Goes to Hong Kong
• Citroen Says Production C4 Cactus will Keep Concept's Airbumps and Sofa-Style Front Bench
• Atlanta Driver Sleeping on the Road, Wakes Up, Drives Off and Crashes Before Fleeing on Foot
• Infiniti Targets UK Business Users with New Q50 Diesel Executive Editions
• Seven Reasons Why You Need to Own a BMW M3 E46
• DMC Kits Lamborghini Aventador Roadster Into an SV

Oh Mon Dieu! Porsche 993 Driver Handles Extremely Close Call Like a Boss Posted: 22 Oct 2013 05:31 PM PDT The problem with highway accidents happening in front of you is that everything usually comes about in a blink of an eye, leaving drivers only a split second and very little space to take evasive actions that could have life-or-death consequences. YouTube user Augustin Kuntz had the unfortunate experience of not only witnessing an accident take place right in front of his eyes while driving his 993 generation (the one built from 1993 to 1998) Porsche 911 at highway speeds, but also having to deal with and avoid being part of it. You might have to rewind and watch the video again to see exactly what happened when an older Renault Clio somehow shot across the highway hitting another car that ended up in the bushes. Given that the 993 isn't exactly the easiest car to handle in these sudden situations, we think Kuntz did pretty good in our books. What do you say? Merci monsieur Benjamin V.! VIDEO

Mitsubishi Koruto is a Conceptual Ode to the 1990s Colt Posted: 22 Oct 2013 04:32 PM PDT You could say that Carscoops' reader Gabor Farkas is a devoted and passionate fan of the Mitsubishi Colt supermini from the 1990s. Such is his love for the Japanese hatch that for the past couple of years, he has been sending us his conceptual projects for a modern day replacement to the Colt. In January 2011, it was the Mitsubishi CS study and in May this year, he shared his vision for the evolved Mitsubishi CS-21. Now, he has sent us a third version of the series, dubbed "Koruto", which Farkas says, "means Colt in Japanese". The Koruto is a further and more complete development of the CS-21 with better artwork, an interior as well as modified aesthetics. However, to be completely frank, looking at all three of his proposals, I think that the first one with the less rounded shape and aggressive shark-nose design was the best looking one of the bunch – what do you think? Below you will find Farka's thought process on his latest Colt concept car. [From Gabor Farkas] "Mitsubishi Koruto Concept is the third member of a series. Following the Concept CS (2011) and the CS-21 (2013) this car is a modern interpretation of the 90's Colt/Mirage CA. The Koruto Concept gets the closest to the original. All the lines of the CA have been repeated on the concept car in a different way. Though it uses many parts from it, the Koruto Concept is intended to be a high-end mutation of the Mirage/Space Star. The steering wheel, the interior door handles, the seat consoles may be the same but the entire exterior and interior all over shows much more than an entry level supermini can. The external chromium mouldings that run around the lower part of the body and the waist-line or the interior finishes, upholstery and design elements were designed to meet high standards. The cockpit can be familiar as well. The middle console with the typical lines used in the CA appears in a fresh, modern shape covered with high-gloss lacquer. While designing this car, the main goal was to make it look as production-ready as can be. Not only the proportions are similar to those of the 2014 Mirage (Space Star in Europe), but the wheelbase, the front and track is identical with the production car. The exterior dimensions of the Koruto Concept are 3699 mm (length), 1655 mm (width) and 1410 mm (height). So it slightly shorter and wider which strengthens the sportier look." Designer: Gabor Farkas PHOTO GALLERY VIDEO

Ford Remembers Mustang's Most Popular Colors Through the Years Posted: 22 Oct 2013 04:03 PM PDT Did you know that during the long career of the Ford Mustang about 21 percent of all the cars built were painted red? Maybe not, but while red remained constantly among buyers' favorite colors, there were times when it wasn't the top-selling color. The favored color choices of Ford Mustang owners have shifted dramatically in the past 50 years. As television went from black-and-white to color, Mustang reflected the incoming fashion trends with a palette of vibrant colors. Currently, black is the best-selling Mustang exterior paint color, up 10 percent over the last decade to account for 28 percent of all 2013 Mustangs sold. Yet, between 1967 and 1973 only about 1.5 percent of customers ordered their Mustang black. Mustang buyers don't always seem to care for trends. While white is the best-selling vehicle color in the U.S. today, only 10 percent of Mustangs sold now are painted in this color. In the early years, though, blue was the most popular shade, reaching a peak of 30 percent of all cars in 1968 when six different finishes were offered for the exterior. In recent years, the availability of shades like Grabber Blue and Kona Blue have helped that primary color capture as much as 23 percent of sales in recent years. Other early favorites like green, yellow and brown didn't have the same fate. Green and yellow have mostly been found on limited edition Mustangs like the Bullitt and Boss 302 while the last brown Mustangs were built in 1989. In addition to typical colors, Mustang has been offered in various specialty shades ranging from Playboy Pink in 1967 and the color-shifting Mystichrome on the 2004 SVT Cobra to today's 'Gotta Have It Green'. By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY

Reviewer Says the BMW i3 is All the Car You Need in the City Posted: 22 Oct 2013 03:36 PM PDT BMW has recently organized a press drive event in Amsterdam with the new i3, where journalists and bloggers had the opportunity to see what the brand's first mass-produced electric car is like to drive and live with. The following review comes from Germany's Ausfahrt.tv (don't worry, it's in English) and tackles many of the i3's features, including mundane stuff like storage spaces, interior room and practicality. However, the i3 is still a BMW, so the driving experience is what interests most people. The blogger liked the way the i3 drives in the city and noted that it's very smooth and silent while being pretty quick as well. Given that the BMW i3 rides on ultra-thin 19-inch wheels, it comes as a surprise that the suspension offers a good compromise between comfort and sportiness - always according to the reviewer. The car has many storage spaces and plenty of room inside, except in the back, where the two seats don't look like they're suitable for large people. You can find out more about the i3 from the review posted below. By Dan Mihalascu VIDEO

Holden Introduces New 197HP Diesel and Manual Gearbox on 2014 Colorado and Colorado 7 Posted: 22 Oct 2013 03:10 PM PDT Holden has announced some fresh technical and equipment updates for the 2014MY Colorado and Colorado 7 range in Australia. The most important additions are the new Duramax 2 diesel engine, a new six-speed manual gearbox, an all-new infotainment system plus added safety features. When mated to the automatic transmission, the new 2.8-liter Duramax 2 diesel engine develops 197 hp (200PS) and a maximum 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque. For the 2014 Colorado, Holden also introduces a new six-speed manual transmission that is standard across the Colorado truck range. When paired with the manual gearbox, the new diesel engine produces 197 hp (200 PS) and 440 Nm (324 lb-ft), available from 1,600 rpm to 2,800 rpm. The 2014 Holden Colorado also introduces new chassis control systems such as Trailer Sway Control and Hill Start Assist across the entire Colorado and Colorado 7 range, as well as a Descent Control System on all models except the DX trim. In terms of safety, both the SUV and the truck now come with front side impact airbags as standard for all LX, LT and LTZ models and Rear Park Assist and a rear camera for all Colorado 7 models and the Colorado LTZ. Another new addition is the 7-inch color touchscreen, which is standard across Colorado LX, LT and LTZ models and Colorado 7 range. Holden's MyLink infotainment system allows drivers to connect to Bluetooth and access apps. Holden also offers new genuine accessories for the two models, including an alloy SuperBar, steel bullbar, black nudge and sports bars. By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY

1999 Porsche 911 with LS1 V8 Swap on Craigslist for $25,000 Posted: 22 Oct 2013 02:32 PM PDT This car is definitely not for Porsche purists, who want to match the serial numbers of all the bolts that hold the car together. It's a 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 (996 generation) that has had its trademark 3.4-liter boxer-six engine ripped out, and replaced with a GM LS1 V8. This is not a new idea, and proof of this is the common Renegade Hybrids kit it uses that contains engine mounts and other necessary bits to make the swap operation more straightforward. It's up on Craigslist, going for $25,000 in San Diego, California, and the seller says the main incentive for going to all the trouble of putting a new engine in it was reliability. The original six-pot the car came with, model M96, is apparently prone to suffering any number of failures, the most common of which is the intermediate shaft (bearing) failure, while the LS1 motor, which runs an LS6 oil pump, an LS3 water pump and LS2 timing chain, will have far fewer such worries and cheaper fixes. According to the seller, there's no bad news associated with it as it's lighter (we can't vouch for that claim) and is said to make around 100 lb-ft / 135 Nm and 50 hp more than stock. Two notable downsides mentioned are the loss of the air-con and power steering. Exterior modifications give this car a unique feel, in particular the wider body panels from the period Turbo, the lower stance and more pronounced camber (courtesy of a K-sport coilover kit) finished off by tasteful factory Turbo wheels. The owner rates the overall state as an eight out of ten "for its age," so it may possibly need some minor jobs done, Whatever you think of this swap job, there's no denying it's a conversation starter, and if you explain the reasoning behind it, chances are that even those who might have opposed it at first will sway your way. By Andrei Nedelea Story References: Jalopnik PHOTO GALLERY

Wild Mustang of the One-Horsepower Type Filmed Roaming Texas Highway Posted: 22 Oct 2013 01:59 PM PDT Now that the dashboard camera-craze that has swept Russia and its neighboring countries is slowly catching up with Americans (even though it seems that some people need to learn to point it towards the right direction…unless this driver had another…ahem…objective), we're finally able to witness some of the bizarre incidents that take place on our roads. One of those strange happenings occurred on a Texas highway the other day when a…horse entered the road. YouTube user Blake Hannah caught the incident on film - once he turned the camera away from himself and his charming female passenger, that is. "Pulled up behind this horse on I-35 and blocked traffic while the Ft Worth police did their thing," he said in the video's description box. And the cops did their job indeed, pulling the horse over (or so to speak) and away from danger's harm. See how it happened in the videos below. VIDEO

Jeep Finally Begins to Ship 2014 Cherokee to Dealers Posted: 22 Oct 2013 05:31 PM PDT After more delays than Chrysler would care to admit, the company has started to call in car haulers to transport the new 2014 Jeep Cherokee SUV from the firm's Toledo, Ohio, assembly complex to dealers across the United States, according to Autonews. Unnamed sources from within the company said that the first examples should arrive over the next 10 days. The publication said that during the two months that Chrysler started production of the cars, and while its engineers were working on the problems that popped up, it built around 23,000 Cherokees, which is double the number mentioned in another recent report. Nevertheless, customers have been flocking Jeep stores asking for the new Cherokee, according to dealers like Josh Towbin, co-owner of Las Vegas-based Towbin Automotive, who said: "Demand has been good. We've been asked every single day when it's going to arrive, and we're going to take every one we can get." From what we understand (since Chrysler hasn't really been open about it), the biggest problem that caused the delay in the 2014 Cherokee's launch was an issue with the new nine-speed automatic transmission's software. Update: Chrysler officially confirmed the news with a short statement saying, "2014 Jeep Cherokees began arriving at dealerships today". PHOTO GALLERY

Design Handbook Teaches Us About a Car's "Bone Line" Posted: 22 Oct 2013 12:58 PM PDT The "bone line" is what automotive designers refer to when talking about the hard, almost sharp line that runs across the profile of most modern cars, and should not to be confused with the "belt line," which is represented by the junction of the upper glass area and lower bodywork – the so-called shoulder line. In the randomly selected case of the 2014 Audi A8/S8, you can see the bone line running from low on the front bumper (lip), then continuing along the side through the middle of the fuel filler cap door, greatly emphasizing the slightly tapered profile, especially when viewed from the very common front three-quarter perspective. This distinction was made clear(er) via examples in a new video on automotive design uploaded by Autoline Daily. It goes into when and how this design feature gained popularity, and which cars it was first used on. The idea was that it wasn't possible to get the effect on cars that had separate wheel pods (like on most 1930s and 1940s vehicles), so it was only from the late 40s onward that it began gaining ground. When it comes to modern cars, the great majority have clearly defined bone and shoulder lines that set the tone for the proportions and the basic body shape. However, only ones that are truly designed to stand out tend to accentuate these two lines purely to attract attention by making the body look chiseled and aggressive (both desirable traits on the showroom floor). By Andrei Nedelea VIDEO

Report: Honda May Stop Selling the Insight and CR-Z Hybrids in Europe Posted: 22 Oct 2013 12:29 PM PDT The Honda Insight and CR-Z hybrids may be discontinued in Europe before the arrival of next-generation models, because of poor sales. A company source quoted by AutoExpress said the next-generation Insight and CR-Z would continue to be offered in North America and Japan, but not in Europe, since current hybrid models returned disappointing sale numbers. Launched in 2010, the Honda CR-Z was criticized for its relatively low combined output of 122hp and average performance, although the Japanese carmaker billed it as a "sport hybrid coupe". The car combines a hybrid powertrain with a manual gearbox (a first for a series production hybrid). In 2012, Honda upped the car's combined output to 135 hp, but that didn't result in a sales boom. The CR-Z seems to be missing the point, as it's neither fast (0-100 km/h takes 9.1 seconds in the Sport model) nor economical enough for a hybrid. Honda's claimed average fuel economy is 5 l/100 km (56.6 mpg UK/47 mpg US), which doesn't quite justify paying a premium for the hybrid technology. The Honda Insight failed to impress Europeans as well, despite being much more frugal than the CR-Z, at 4.1 l/100 km (68.9 mpg UK/57.3 mpg US) and 96 g/km of CO2. That is still behind the segment's leader, the Toyota Prius, which claims 3.9 l/100 km (72.4 mpg UK/60.3 mpg US) and 89 g/km of CO2. The good news is that Honda's new Jazz hybrid and the upcoming NSX hybrid supercar won't be affected by the move regarding the CR-Z and the Insight, as the carmaker says its decisions to axe models are strictly based on each car's sales performance. By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY

New BMW 760Li Sterling Robbe & Berking Edition is a Silver Trader's Delight Posted: 22 Oct 2013 01:29 PM PDT For more than 20 years now, BMW has catered to the needs of its customers (or at least most of them…) searching for a bespoke touch through its Individual program. It all started in early 1990s when BMW created a uniquely colored and trimmed 750Li V12 for German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, with the Bavarians seizing the opportunity to give birth to a new sub-division that has since found many imitators in the industry. From time to time, BMW shows off some of the more special creations made through its Individual program, like this new 760Li Sterling inspired by ROBBE & BERKING, which is a maker of silverware with a long tradition that spans back to the 19th century. While at a first glance it may look like any other version of BMW's flagship sedan series, upon a closer inspection, the special edition 760Li Sterling sports many unique features starting with the bespoke exterior shade and continuing with the use of solid 925 sterling silver on the badges, exterior body trim, front grille, door sill finishers, door handles, and interior décor. Furthermore, the interior trim surfaces of the 760Li Sterling bear the punch mark with the crescent moon, which is the international symbol for silver; the crown, the symbol for Germany, and finally the maker's mark. The seats are dressed in fine-grain Merino full-leather trim in Amaro Brown, which is the most exclusive leather option available for a BMW these days, with contrasting piping in Opal White. The Alcantara headliner and Robbe & Berking silver goblets and a silver carafe at the back, complete the custom job. BMW INDIVIDUAL 760Li Sterling BMW INDIVIDUAL

Spied: New Range Rover Sport RS and Evoque RS Sound Pretty Aggressive Posted: 22 Oct 2013 11:26 AM PDT We first heard the rumors about Land Rover readying more potent and sportier versions of the Range Rover Sport and Evoque with the "RS" nameplate in the summer, and since then, we've actually scooped shots of the former in prototype trim. The Evoque RS, on the other hand, had remained hidden, until now. A YouTube user who goes by the nickname 'fastsportscardriver' filmed testers of both the Range Rover Sport and Evoque RS models driven on the Nürburgring racetrack. The bigger Range Rover Sport RS is believed to utilize the Jaguar-Land Rover group's 550hp 5.0-liter supercharged V8 found in a number of cars, including the the Jaguar XFR-S, while the more petite Evoque RS is rumored to be fitted with a tweaked 300hp version of the brand's already available 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four. VIDEO

Spy Shots: New Gen 2016 BMW X6 Sports Crossover Takes Shape Posted: 22 Oct 2013 10:54 AM PDT BMW has been left pretty much playing on its own in the luxury niche of coupe-profiled mid-size crossovers (we know, the description sounds ridiculous, but it is what it is) with the X6, especially after its nearest competitor, the Acura ZDX, turned out to be a sales flop and will end its career this year. However, being that domestic rivals Mercedes-Benz and Audi are already preparing their counter proposals in the segment, BMW isn't resting on its laurels; instead, it is preparing a second generation X6, which we spied testing on the Nürburgring. Set for a world premiere in late 2014 or early 2015 (as a 2016MY in North America), the new X6 evolves the current model's familiar shape, while reminding us of a bigger X4 (evidently, Audi's one style fits all philosophy is catching up in Munich). From what we see in these pictures, the front will have a sharper look with more edgy detailing than the rounded X6 Mk1, with the same applying more or less to the profile lines and the rear end. The new X6 will ride on the latest X5's lighter running gear and is expected to share similar exterior dimensions to the current model, which measures 192 inches (4,877mm) long, 78.1 inches (1,984mm) wide and 66.5 inches (1,689mm) tall. All powerplants will be common with the X5, and will include several diesel (chiefly for Europe) and gasoline units, such as a 300hp turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six petrol, a 4.4-liter V8 gasoline engine delivering 445 hp and the M-branded 3.0-liter tri-turbocharged inline-six diesel with 375hp (380PS) for the X6 M50d. Down the line, we will see a range-topping X6 M model with a turbocharged V8 and possibly, a hybrid version. Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS PHOTO GALLERY

Mazda Announces Mazda3 Skyactiv-CNG Concept for Tokyo Motor Show Posted: 22 Oct 2013 10:30 AM PDT Mazda will blow the wraps off the new Mazda3 Skyactiv-CNG Concept at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show next month, alongside the already released Skyactiv gasoline, diesel and hybrid models (the latter only available in Japan). As the name suggests, the Mazda3 Skyactiv-CNG Concept runs on compressed natural gas (CNG). The prototype features a dual fuel system than runs on both gasoline and CNG. Mazda says its Skyactiv-G gasoline engine needs minor modifications to run on CNG as well, since it burns fuel at a high pressure and it has a high compression ration, just like a CNG engine. According to the company, the Mazda3 Skyactiv-CNG responds to market trends and that vehicles with CNG engines reduce emissions by about 20 percent compared to those with gasoline engines of the same displacement. The Japanese carmaker didn't say whether the study will spawn a production model but that is likely to happen, since in European markets like Germany and Italy CNG vehicles are popular. Skyactiv-CNG study aside, the Mazda booth will also include Skyactiv-Hybrid models, which are on sale only in Japan, where the Mazda3 is called Axela. The hybrid pairs an electric motor with a 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G gasoline engine. Mazda will also present in Tokyo the Atenza (Mazda6) ASV-5, which is equipped with next generation safety systems. One of these systems enables automobiles with an in-car autonomous sensor to communicate with streetcars, helping to prevent collisions and make traffic smoother and safer. By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY

Volgograd Bus Falls Victim to Bombing that Kills Six; Caught on Dash-Cam Posted: 22 Oct 2013 10:03 AM PDT The Russian city of Volgograd bore witness to a horrific bus-bombing incident that took place on Monday. Apparently, a 30-year-old female suicide bomber is to blame for the six deaths associated with this tragic case and the twenty-eight wounded of which eight were in serious condition, according to Reuters. It is a most unfortunate happening, with the blast caught on dash-cam in full gory detail, from a few car lengths behind – we usually end up only seeing the aftermath in situations such as this, never the actual moment. The footage presented here is shocking, especially when one knows what the outcome ultimately was and that it incurred loss of life. Sources from Russia have suggested it was an act of terror possibly carried out by Islamist militants from the North Caucasus, who do not approve of Russia's hosting of the 2014 Winter Olympics, in February of next year, in the popular Sochi resort. The video lies below, followed by a local news report, in English, via RT. By Andrei Nedelea VIDEO

Dodge Dart's Chinese Twin, the Fiat Viaggio, Scooped in Hatchback Form Posted: 22 Oct 2013 09:20 AM PDT The development phase of the five-door hatchback version of Fiat's rather awkwardly named for English language speakers, the Viaggio, which itself is the China market edition of the North American Dodge Dart compact sedan, is nearing its end, as these spy shots prove. In fact, according to local media reports, the Fiat Viaggio Hatchback will break cover at the 2013 Guangzhou International Auto Show held in late November. The pictures, along with the fairly accurate renderings posted below reveal a sleek looking body for the hatch with a sloped rear window. Like the sedan, the five-door version will be manufactured in China from the Italian automaker's joint venture with the Guangzhou Automobile Group. In China, the hatch should be offered with a similar range of engines as the sedan, including Fiat's 1.4-liter turbocharged petrol unit. There are no current plans to offer the hatch in other markets. Photos via ifeng, autohome & auto163 PHOTO GALLERY

This is Your Chance to Own One of 32 Marcos Mantis M70s Posted: 22 Oct 2013 09:02 AM PDT Marcos is a name not particularly familiar to car lovers outside of the UK, but that probably has something to do with the company's faulty business model, and not the idea behind their cars. It went bankrupt several times throughout its almost fifty-year history, with the last time being in 2007. Now, you have the chance to get into the whole Marcos mindset by buying one of their Mantis M70 models, of which only 32 were ever built in 1972. It kept the Mantis name, but it had no connection to the sole Mantis XP racing car that participated in the 1968 1,000 km Spa Francochamps venue – this production model is a four-seater coupe, with… unique lines. The eBay seller says that number has been watered down to just 12 examples today, and his seems to be in excellent condition. The entire history of the car is detailed in the sales ad, and having had only 2 owners since new (the current one from 1978) who drove it for around 4,000 miles (6,400 km) after having put it through a full rebuild in the 1980s, it sounds enticing – total mileage is 44,000 (70,000 km). By Andrei Nedelea PHOTO GALLERY

Lamborghini Aventador Matte Orange-Red Chrome Wrap Will Cost You as Much as a Fiesta Posted: 22 Oct 2013 08:35 AM PDT Foil wraps to change the exterior color of your car have become a much more mainstream trend these days, but not all jobs are the same, and neither do they cost the same. Then again, if you can afford a Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, then you surely can afford not to care to ask about the price. If you're a curious George, though, learn that this matte orange-red chrome wrap from Germany's Print Tech, starts at €10,000 (approximately US$13,800 at today's currency rates) for the body plus the use of a black brushed look wrap for certain other elements on the car. This particular client also ticked the boxes for privacy windows (€200 or US$275), glossy black powder coated rims (€1,200 or US$1,650) and a Capristo exhaust system (€1,500 or US$2,100), lifting the total cost of the tune to a paltry €12,900 or US$17,800. PHOTO GALLERY

Internet Rumors Talk of McLaren P1 Lapping the 'Ring in 6:47, Should We Believe Them? Posted: 22 Oct 2013 08:10 AM PDT The thing with rumors is that someone starts them, and then they spread around like wildfire, but you never really know if they're based on reality, fantasy or lies. Today's rumor is that the McLaren P1 completed a full lap of the Nürburgring in 6 minutes and 47 seconds. From what we understand, the story originated from YouTube author 'swsthebest1994' who filmed the car and stated the following: "Today I recorded this McLaren P1 on the Nürburgring. Today the P1 did a record time on the Nürburgring of 6:47 minutes [Not official yet]!" Given the lack of any information whatsoever to support the claim, we're just going to leave it at what it is: a rumor, until we hear more, and let you watch the video of the P1 right past the break. Before you do that, we'll remind you that Porsche recently announced an official 'Ring time of 6:57 for its hybrid supercar, the 918 Spyder. Story References: Worldcarfans VIDEO

New Ford Transit Connect Taxi Goes to Hong Kong Posted: 22 Oct 2013 07:57 AM PDT The recently revealed all-new 2014 Ford Transit Connect Taxi has added Hong Kong to the list of global cities where it will go on service, following New York City, Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles. Although it owns nearly 60 percent of the taxi market in the United States, Ford also wants to strike it big in other regions of the world, with Hong Kong being the first major city chosen. The Transit Connect Taxi has been unveiled in Hong Kong, where it comes equipped with a liquefied petroleum gas fuel system designed to run on the city's developed LPG infrastructure.  Based on the current Ford Transit Connect, the taxi version is longer than the previous model, offering seating for five and increased cargo capacity. The car features a new engine, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder unit paired to a new six-speed automatic that can run on gasoline or liquefied petroleum gas. The 2014 Transit Connect Taxi has a lower ride height, providing improved clearance for taxicab companies to place advertising on the cabin roof. Ford has also added an interior hood release, allowing drivers easy access to check fluid levels prior to starting a shift. The floor of the Transit Connect Taxi has been lowered for improved access to the cabin and can be modified for wheelchair accessibility through Ford's Qualified Vehicle Modifier program. By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY

Citroen Says Production C4 Cactus will Keep Concept's Airbumps and Sofa-Style Front Bench Posted: 22 Oct 2013 07:33 AM PDT When we shared the first scoop photos of the production C4 Cactus last month, we looked at the camouflaged prototype and couldn't see the concept's so-called "Airbumps", which is a customizable cladding on the doors made from a soft skin featuring air capsules that protected the bodywork against light impacts. Turns out that they must be there somewhere as Frederic Duvernier, the Cactus concept's external designer, told Autonews Europe that the feature will appear on next year's production model. "The material used for the Airbumps is very resistant and durable. It is similar to what you find in the sole of a Nike Air shoe," he told the publication. "The Airbumps will protect the bodywork from small impacts, such as a shopping trolley hitting it in a supermarket parking lot." He added that the Airbump feature will allow customers to personalize the look of their car by ordering then in different colors. Another surprise feature of the concept that will make it into production is the sofa-style front bench seating. "Putting in a sofa instead of two standard front seats is more expensive but it will create a feeling of comfort," said Mark Lloyd, Citroen's design program director. Lloyd pointed out to Autonews Europe that Citroen's new C-line cars will sport simpler shapes and more plain surfaces instead of aggressive styling as other modern cars. "People's lives are complex and overloaded nowadays. Most of our customers are looking for simplicity. We have taken out anything unnecessary to concentrate on comfort and well-being," he said. The same philosophy will apply to the next C1 city car which is being co-developed with Toyota, as well as the successors to the C3 supermini and the mid-size C5. "Every car will have its own design, but the philosophy of simplicity will be common to all the line," he added. PHOTO GALLERY

Atlanta Driver Sleeping on the Road, Wakes Up, Drives Off and Crashes Before Fleeing on Foot Posted: 22 Oct 2013 07:05 AM PDT Talk about a bizarre incident, and no, it didn't happen in Russia but in the good 'ol US of A. On Saturday afternoon, WSB-TV's Liz Artz and her photographer found a man sleeping in his Ram truck on the right lane of the Buford Connector near downtown Atlanta. The young man had collapsed over his steering wheel and was filmed drooling. The reporter called in for help and soon enough, a Georgia Department of Transportation HERO unit came to assist. The man tried to wake up the driver and remove the keys from the Ram's ignition, but the driver brushed him away and took off. Seconds later, he crashed into two cars in traffic ahead, creating a chain reaction that ended in a five-car accident. Before the Atlanta Police arrived, the man took off on foot climbing a tree and jumping over a barbed wire fence! According to WSB-TV, the police have still not found the man. We could be wrong, but if you ask us, he looked as high as a kite in the video… Thanks to Adam B. for the heads up! PHOTO GALLERY VIDEO

Infiniti Targets UK Business Users with New Q50 Diesel Executive Editions Posted: 22 Oct 2013 06:40 AM PDT Much like any other premium manufacturer in the UK market, Infiniti too wants a piece of the pie that is business users. To make their lives easier, the Japanese carmaker has released a pair of designated editions of the new Q50 sedan named the Executive and Premium Executive. Both come with a frugal 2.2-liter turbo diesel that produces 168bhp (170PS) and 400Nm of peak torque for a zero to sixty (96km/h) in 8.5 seconds and a combined cycle fuel economy of 64.2mpg UK (53.5 mpg US or 4.4l/100km) for the manual model and 58.9mpg UK (49.0 mpg US or 4.8l/100km) for the automatic. Pricing starts from £29,870 with a monthly contract hire leasing rate of £299.99 plus VAT (3+35 rentals, non maintenance, 10,000 miles a year), with the higher specified Premium Executive that includes satellite navigation, heated and powered leather seats with memory and I-Key, beginning from £33,470 or with contract hire at £336.99 per month. According to Infiniti, "The Q50's 114g/km CO2 rating (manual transmission) also delivers highly competitive benefit-in-kind tax bills for drivers. A 20 per cent taxpayer in 2013/14 will face a benefit-in-kind tax bill of just £83.45 a month (40 per cent taxpayer: £166.90) for the manual. Even in year three (2015/16) this rises to only £99.56 (£199.13)."

Seven Reasons Why You Need to Own a BMW M3 E46 Posted: 22 Oct 2013 06:18 AM PDT The BMW M3 E46 came out in 2001, and at the time, we looked at it shielding our eyes at its German-engineered glory. However, there was one major drawback, a common side effect of this Teutonic technique: the high cost of the finished product, which this time ended up being quite a bit over what most of the enthusiasts who would have fully appreciated one could afford to pay. More than a decade has passed, and the E46 M3 has remained a sought-after car, but now with the added advantage of depreciation. Prices are acceptable now, and the offer is varied, but as some who have tried know, really really good cars are quite elusive. Regardless, if you needed any more incentive to covet one of these M3s, and re-spark you desire to own one, scroll down and watch the video posted after the jump, courtesy of CarThrottle. It presents seven subjective reasons for the argument, some more serious than others, but we'll let you tell us if they're the ones that would get you fired up over one of these – feel free to add others in the comments section below. By Andrei Nedelea VIDEO

DMC Kits Lamborghini Aventador Roadster Into an SV Posted: 22 Oct 2013 06:00 AM PDT German tuner of all things exotic, DMC, claims that it's very selective when it comes to its limited edition of styling packages, and in some cases, it only offers them to existing clients. The same applies to the 'Spezial Version' or 'SV' for the Lamborghini Aventador, of which only 10 will be made available exclusively to current owners of its Molto Veloce kit. Recently, the tuner completed the only Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 in Roadster guise in the world to feature the SV package and shared the pictures with us. The car comes with the aggressive looking and protruding on both ends aerodynamic kit with all parts made from visible carbon fiber, while the owner of the car also opted for Dione alloy wheels (20-inch at the front and 21-inch at the rear) covering orange brake calipers. You can take a better look at the car in the gallery that follows. 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