CARSCOOP |  |
- 2015 Cadillac Escalade Revealed in All its Big and Brawny Glory [Photos & Videos]
- Watch the 2015 Cadillac Escalade Unveiling Live Here at 7:30 PM EST
- Mercedes-Benz Says No to Diesel CLA in the States
- The Force is Strange With This One: New Nissan Juke Ads with Stormtroopers and Darth Vader
- Man Creates Mech Statue Out of Old Truck Parts
- Hyundai Gives 2014 Sonata Sedan a Minor Facelift for North America
- That's Just Crazy…One Accident Leads to Another in Russia
- EPA Says Carmakers Use "Too Good" Test Drivers to Get Low MPG Ratings
- One-of-a-Kind 1993 BMW M3 E30 Sport Evolution Convertible on Sale for €249,000!
- Shelby’s F-150 SVT Raptor is a Playful 575HP Monster
- Fast & Furious Crew and Producers Want a Fan for a Walk-On-Role in Next Film
- Using Manhole Covers to Hide Wirelessly Chargers for EVs Might Just Work…
- Visualizing a Facelift for the 2014 VW Scirocco
- Just a Regular Day at a Gas Station in…Russia
- Honda CR-Z Continues Unchanged, Aside from Pricing, for 2014MY
- New Toyota Corolla Fails to Impress in IIHS Small Overlap Test [w/Video]
- TS Design to Give 2014 Corvette Stingray Some Girth at SEMA
- Lamborghini's Chief Test Driver Reminds Us Why We Love His Job
- 2015 Cadillac Escalade: This Is Really It, In 45 Screenshots and Video!
- Mini Shows Us Bits and Pieces of New Hatch from Ad Campaign
- Hyundai Preps 400HP Genesis Coupe Legato Concept for SEMA Show
- Holy…Near Miss in Thailand! Driver Avoids Barrel Rolling Pickup Truck
- 2015 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG Coupe Envisioned in Production Trim
- New VW Beetle Mk2 Slammed Down to the Ground
- 1989 Saab 900 Aero / SPG is the Essence of Saab
| 2015 Cadillac Escalade Revealed in All its Big and Brawny Glory [Photos & Videos] Posted: 07 Oct 2013 06:54 PM PDT  If first impressions count, then Cadillac has won our attention with the all-new generation of its 2015 Escalade full-size SUV that was officially unveiled today during a special event in New York City. It may have impressed us more if a) it had shown the Escalade first instead of last, after the Chevrolet and GMC models or b) if the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL simply did not exist… We say that because if you place the three models together, their relation is clear, at least on the outside where the differences between them are focused on the individually styled front and rear ends, and the exterior trims and wheels – overall, the Escalade has crispier ends and more upscale detailing. Inside, however, it's a different story as GM has made great efforts to differentiate the three full-size SUVs with the Escalade garnering most of the attention with bespoke styling and materials, as well as gadgetry and equipment features. To put it bluntly, unlike the Escalade's predecessors that looked more Tahoe and Yukon than Cadillac, the new model's cabin is completely in line with the wreath and crest firm's freshest products, such as the ATS, CTS and XTS. Cadillac states that its new big SUV features "real wood combined with premium cut-and-sewn materials and sueded accents, along with ambient lighting", while also highlighting the fact that, "tight tolerances of the instrument panel and door panels, precision controls and triple-sealed doors were engineered and designed to reinforce a feeling of quality". The brand's touch-sensitive CUE system also makes an appearance with an eight-inch display as standard, while instead of traditional instrument gauges, the Escalade now sports a reconfigurable, high-resolution 12.3-inch screen. On the tech front, you'll find, bluetooth phone and navigation systems, available Blu-Ray DVD rear entertainment system, and a raft of safety features such as the comprehensive Driver Awareness package, Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Lane Change Alert. GM also highlights the existence of "greater security features to thwart theft attempts" since the Escalade is a popular vehicle amongst thieves… These include an intrusion sensor, inclination sensor and glass breakage sensors, all of which are supported by the brand's OnStar Stolen Vehicle Assistance. The fourth-generation Escalade rides on a traditional body-on-frame architecture with Cadillac to offer two versions of the SUV, a regular wheelbase (116 inches or 2,946mm) model measuring 203.9 inches or 5,180mm long, and the extended-length ESV edition with a 14-inch-longer (355 mm) wheelbase at 130 inches or 3,302mm and approximately 20 inches (508 mm) more in overall length (224.3 inches or 5,698mm). According to Cadillac, the ESV maximizes space for third-row passengers and also offers 60 percent more cargo space behind the third-row seat than the regular wheelbase Escalade. Aside from choosing lengths, buyers will also be able to opt for 2WD and 4WD drivetrains, with power in all cases provided by a new 6.2-liter V8 direct-injection engine rated for 420hp and 460 lb-ft of torque (623 Nm), which represents a nearly 5-percent increase in horsepower and 10 percent more torque than the outgoing unit. The eight-cylinder mill is paired to GM's Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission with TapShift control. Cadillac's Magnetic Ride Control will be offered as standard on all models. Further details such as pricing, equipment grades and fuel economy numbers are to be released at a later date, likely before the new 2015 Escalade goes on sale in spring of 2014.
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| Watch the 2015 Cadillac Escalade Unveiling Live Here at 7:30 PM EST Posted: 07 Oct 2013 04:41 PM PDT  Yes, we have shown you a rather detailed, yet admittedly, grainy view of the new 2015 Cadillac Escalade through a sea of screen shots earlier today, but now we are minutes away from the official revealing of the big SUV that takes place in New York City. GM will be broadcasting the event live and you can watch it from the comfort of your home or even your office in the video that you will find waiting for you right below the jump at 7:30 PM EST sharp. We'll also bring you all the pictures along with initial information and specifications on the 2015 Escalade shortly after.     |
| Mercedes-Benz Says No to Diesel CLA in the States Posted: 07 Oct 2013 04:01 PM PDT  In Europe, the Mercedes-Benz CLA can be ordered with one of the brand's trusty 2.1-liter diesel engines. That puts out 167 hp and returns 4.5 l/100km / 52.3 mpg US / 62.7 mpg UK, making the CLA 220 CDI the most efficient model in the range. It's also kind of zippy, sprinting to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.2 seconds and going on to a top speed of 230 km/h (144 mph) – the latter is undoubtedly helped by the streamlined shape. However, Car&Driver reports that there are no plans whatsoever to bring it to US dealerships. As usual, it's the higher costs associated that are to blame, as well as the necessity of fitting an urea-injection system to – Mercedes apparently doesn't see it as a feasible prospect, since it would only sell in limited numbers and not justify the extra investment. The same report also draws attention towards the upcoming GLA crossover. It states that while the chance of it having a diesel option are marginally better due to the nature of the vehicle, the very same hurdles apply, so it's not a sure thing either. By Andrei Nedelea              |
| The Force is Strange With This One: New Nissan Juke Ads with Stormtroopers and Darth Vader Posted: 07 Oct 2013 03:30 PM PDT  Whatever your thoughts may be about the prequel trilogy of Star Wars films released between 1999 and 2005, you'll have to acknowledge that The Force remains stronger than ever with the franchise, and that many companies love to associate their products with the series in one way or another (remember VW's Super Bowl ads?). Even Nissan has tapped into the Star Wars universe with a series of short web films to promote its new personalization program for the Japanese domestic market (JDM) version of the Juke. The customized small crossover is featured in the films painted in stripes alongside an army of identical Stormtroopers, with Darth Vader also making a special or rather, a ghostly appearance. Watch the clips right below the visual break.    |
| Man Creates Mech Statue Out of Old Truck Parts Posted: 07 Oct 2013 03:00 PM PDT  Old truck parts and some extra bits of scrap metal were all that was needed to create this imposing twelve-foot mech statue. Apparently built by one (unnamed) man (which I suspect may be from China) over the course of about a month, it is definitely the best piece of property defense he's ever going to get – it beats lawn gnomes or scarecrows, that's for sure. It would not look out of place outside a geeky software baron's Hollywood hills mansion, passing the snobbery test as it looks painstakingly crafted with extreme attention for detail, yet still authentic somehow… It's an end result that impresses even if we try to be really critical. We can almost picture the one headlight come on all of a sudden, and it begin to move with an accompanying soundtrack of hydraulic and servo noises… Don't believe us it's that good? Check out the photos posted below, and if you know of even greater mechs built out of automotive parts, you can always upload a photo of your own using the built-in feature. Story References: justacarguy via obviouswinner By Andrei Nedelea     |
| Hyundai Gives 2014 Sonata Sedan a Minor Facelift for North America Posted: 07 Oct 2013 02:38 PM PDT  There's an all-new Sonata coming our way, but before that happens, Hyundai has applied a light makeover to the current model for the North American market. The Korean carmaker states that "in total, more than 50 Sonata major sub-systems are new or redesigned" for the 2014MY, and these include both visible and hidden parts. The noticeable changes on the outside begin with a revised front grille, newly styled 17- and 18-inch wheels, a different rear fascia insert, optionally available HID Xenon headlights and LED taillights, along with a re-worked rear bumper. For the interior, the new model year brings a new full-leather steering wheel on the SE and Limited trim grades, a third-gen navigation system with an 8-inch screen, new color audio screens with HD Radio and rearview camera integration (optional on GLS and standard on SE and Limited), carbon fiber trim on the SE model, ventilated driver seat on Limited, and changes to the instrument cluster. Hyundai says that a series of improvements, including additional foam in the A and B pillars, different carpets and new dampers, all help decrease noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH). New standard features across the range are the Driver Selectable Steering Mode (DSSM), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) and the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), while the 2.0T SE gains a sports-tuned exhaust. Engine options remain unchanged and include a 190hp 2.4-liter inline four delivering 24 mpg city/35 mpg EPA estimated highway fuel economy rating with the standard six-speed automatic transmission, and the 274hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four that returns EPA estimated 21 mpg city and 32 mpg highway with regular fuel, also with a six-speed auto. Hyundai says the 2014 Sonata comes with an MSRP increase of $155 on the GLS that starts from $21,350. Full pricing (excluding delivery fees) can be found below.
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| That's Just Crazy…One Accident Leads to Another in Russia Posted: 07 Oct 2013 06:46 PM PDT  When you have some carefree drivers not paying attention to the road behind them slowing down to a walking pace, and others speeding like there's no tomorrow, serious accidents are bound to happen. What's even scarier about this video is that the dashcam-equipped vehicle and the bus in front of it originally pulled over to the side of the road to offer their help to the passengers of another car that had just rolled over on a highway outside the city of Astrakhan in southern European Russia. About 47 seconds into the clip, we see the driver of a Lada hatchback slowing down to see what was going on with the other crash. Unfortunately, he didn't pull over to the side and did not see that another car was coming…    |
| EPA Says Carmakers Use "Too Good" Test Drivers to Get Low MPG Ratings Posted: 07 Oct 2013 01:09 PM PDT  It's a known fact that manufacturers' fuel consumption ratings are always lower than the figures people get in real life. While carmakers warn buyers that their fuel economy will vary in the real world, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tells automakers that the numbers vary in its laboratory too, and has warned them to reduce the differences. The average difference between fuel economy numbers submitted by automakers and those from EPA tests has become "unacceptably high" in the past few years, said Christopher Grundler, director of the EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality, according to an Autonews report. The EPA says the gap nearly doubled from 1.15 percent in 2007 and 2008 model years to 2.25 percent for 2010. However, there was one extreme case in which the difference was 14 percent – enough to increase a car's rating to 34 mpg (6.9 l/100km) from 30 mpg (7.84 l/100 km). According to the agency, a reason for the gap is that humans, not robots, drive the test cycles that measure fuel economy. Skilled drivers can help reduce fuel consumption by accelerating and braking gently. "The industry has some very good drivers, and we've noticed," Grundler said, adding that automakers are not cheating, but are exploiting the rules. Consequently, the EPA has started demanding that automakers submit their "drive trace", an electronic log of their driving patterns, to see if drivers reducing fuel consumption. However, in the long-term, a solution would be to program robots to operate the accelerator and brake following the EPA test cycle. That would pose another problem though: without the margin of error from a human being, the results would be even more removed from conditions in the real world. By Dan Mihalascu     |
| One-of-a-Kind 1993 BMW M3 E30 Sport Evolution Convertible on Sale for €249,000! Posted: 07 Oct 2013 12:31 PM PDT  Unlike its successors, the original BMW M3 from the E30 series was designed to be built in comparatively small numbers, mainly to homologate it for Group A Touring Car racing, though it proved to be a success both on the road and on the track. BMW made some 15,500 coupes, including the regular 192HP (195PS), 197HP (200PS) and 212HP (215PS) 2.3L models, the 197HP (200PS) EVO 1, the 217HP (220PS) EVO 2, the 235HP (238PS) Sport Evolution or EVO 3, and the 212HP (215PS) Johnny Cecotto specials, plus an even more limited run of close to 800 M3 Convertibles with the 2.3L unit. But there was an even more unique model, of which only one was reportedly made: an M3 Sport Evolution Convertible, and this custom ordered car is said to be up for sale in Germany for the low price of €249,000 or about $338,000. The owner / seller states on the site: "This is an original BMW M3 Sport Evolution Convertible build by BMW Motorsport Gmbh in Germany. Probably the only one in the world. The car has been ordered by the customer in 1993 (please notice: between 1992 and 1994 no M3 convertible has been made by BMW, so this car was a special order, which has been accepted by BMW motorsport Gmbh). Since then the car has been kept in a very lovely condition. Please call for more detailed information." There's a bill of sale and a picture of the VIN, which we tried to check on various online decoders, but since you can only put the last seven digits, it doesn't come out right – we suspect that it may have a unique code for the first four letters and digits. The car has clocked 52,000 km or approximately 32,311 miles, and it does feature the Sport Evolution's racier 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated four with 235HP (238PS). If it's your dream car, you should do yourself a favor and call someone from BMW central to verify its authenticity. Story References: mobile.de via germancarscene Shout out to Jaco H. for the submission!         |
| Shelby’s F-150 SVT Raptor is a Playful 575HP Monster Posted: 07 Oct 2013 12:00 PM PDT  Describing a 7,210-lbs (3,270-kg) pickup truck as a "joy to drive" will certainly raise some eyebrows among car enthusiasts. However, the description does not apply to any pickup truck, but the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. And oh, it's not any Raptor, but the Shelby-modified version that has 164 more horsepower than the standard model, for a total of 575hp. Extra power comes from a supercharger attached to the 6.2-liter V8, but with that also comes a premium of $17,995 (€13,260) over the standard model's base price of $44,035 (€32,445). Having a 575hp pickup truck doesn't seem to make much sense, but if we're to believe the enthusiastic MotorTrend reviewer, driving the Shelby Raptor is so fun that it makes all its other inconveniences (like parking and driving it in the city) look minor in comparison. Scroll down to hear his impressions from behind the wheel of the 4WD behemoth in the video below, filmed at the Vegas Off-Road Experience (VORE). By Dan Mihalascu    |
| Fast & Furious Crew and Producers Want a Fan for a Walk-On-Role in Next Film Posted: 07 Oct 2013 11:35 AM PDT  Tired of being a couch (or cineplex) potato and want to take an active role no matter how small it may be in the next Fast and Furious movie? Here's your chance as the crew and the producers of the franchise are calling all fans to participate in a newly launched competition, the winner of which will see his or her face briefly appear in the movie in a "walk-on-role". Here's what the F&F crew posted on their social media site: "Want a chance to star in the next Fast & Furious? Follow @FastandFuriousMovie on Instagram and upload a video telling us why you should be the next member of the Fast Family. Hashtag your video with #UltimateFastFan!" Before you set your camera on record, you may want to read the rules and keep in mind, the competition is open only for legal residents of the U.S. who are 18 years of age or older.    |
| Using Manhole Covers to Hide Wirelessly Chargers for EVs Might Just Work… Posted: 07 Oct 2013 11:13 AM PDT  Manhole covers are definitely pieces of street décor that we often take for granted and just step on or drive over them without a second thought. However, in the future, we may start hunting them down in order to charge up our electric cars, if parking meter-style chargers are phased out by wireless ones. They won't actually be manhole covers, but they'll look like them, and you won't be able to damage (vandalize) them in any way. Furthermore, humans are driven by habit and generally don't like change, so keeping things looking familiar does help some. They also bring the benefit of doing away with plugs and cables completely, enabling parking your car along the sidewalk just like you do now, interacting with the manhole cover wirelessly (through a smartphone app, for instance) and initiating charging. The company behind the initiative is called HEVO, which stands for Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Optimization, and the tech they're pushing is called Power. "Drivers forget to plug in all the time. Drivers will also back into kiosks damaging the units. There's vandalism and theft of the units themselves. And sometimes there's faulty connectors, and these can damage vehicles, with average repair costs of $14,000," HEVO Power co-founder Steven Monks told Discovery Channel. "What we have found is we are able to charge vehicles at the same comparable rates as plug-in stations, at the same efficiencies as plug-in stations," says Jeremy McCool, HEVO Power's co-founder and CEO. The company's focus is not on passenger cars, though, at least not primarily, and they'll be keen to attract interest from those who (want to) operate fleets of all-electric commercial vehicles. Estimates say that there are around 100 such vehicles currently operating in New York City, but that sales are still expected to boom within the confines of this decade. This, says the company, will give them a huge market to operate on – the end goal is to "build a community where there's no more cords, cables or wires" at all. By Andrei Nedelea HEVO Power from HEVO Power on Vimeo.    |
| Visualizing a Facelift for the 2014 VW Scirocco Posted: 07 Oct 2013 10:46 AM PDT  In a few months' time, the third generation Volkswagen Scirocco will enter its sixth year of production, making it ripe for a replacement. Yet, the Germans are reportedly going to wait it out for until late 2015, with the Volkswagen Group's head of design Walter de Silva having said that the new model will be a completely different beast – and one that might (finally) be sold in North America. These introduction dates are not always set on stone, of course, and we could see VW presenting a new model earlier or later than 2015. In the case that the Germans extend the current model's life, then we could see a facelift for the Scirocco, which brings us to this Photoshop made by Remco Meulendijk. The designer proposes a light makeover with small but visible changes, with the Scirocco adopting the newer Golf Mk7's edgier-looking lights and slim grille, along with a Golf GTI-style front bumper and a different set of tail lamps. What do you say about the facelift proposal? Photo Credits: Remco Meulendijk @ Design-RM Thanks to Mikael for the tip!     |
| Just a Regular Day at a Gas Station in…Russia Posted: 07 Oct 2013 10:20 AM PDT  Studies have shown that women tend to be better at multitasking than men, but there are exceptions to that rule, as you are about to see in the following video from Russia. A young woman is seen at a gas station returning to her Lada while talking on the mobile phone. As we all know, phone calls can be distracting, but in this case, saying that would be a major understatement. Although the fuel pump pistol is still connected to the car's tank, the woman enters the car and drives away, only to stop seconds later thanks to the driver behind her who honked the horn. But the funny part only begins, as the very distracted woman gets out of the car and continues to fuel her car – obviously while talking on the phone. What happens after that will definitely beat your imagination – I know it beat mine. Scroll down to find out from the video posted below. By Dan Mihalascu    |
| Honda CR-Z Continues Unchanged, Aside from Pricing, for 2014MY Posted: 07 Oct 2013 10:01 AM PDT  Last year, Honda presented a series improvements for the CR-Z hybrid coupe in the form of a new Lithium-Ion battery for better performance and fuel economy numbers, along with some minor styling and equipment upgrades. For the 2014 model year that was announced today, the CR-Z remains unchanged on all aspects except pricing. More specifically, Honda increased pricing by $20 for the base CR-Z models with a 6-speed manual and a CVT, and by $185 for the rest of the range, that includes the EX with both transmissions and with or without the navigation package. MSRPs, excluding a $790 destination charge, start from $19,995, with all 2014MY CR-Zs equipped with Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, Bluetooth Audio, rearview camera, Honda's Expanded View Driver's Mirror, an AM/FM/CD/USB audio system with six speakers, automatic climate control, power windows and door locks, remote entry and cruise control as standard.
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| New Toyota Corolla Fails to Impress in IIHS Small Overlap Test [w/Video] Posted: 07 Oct 2013 09:35 AM PDT  When it was recently tested in Europe along with several other models, the redesigned Toyota Corolla came out as one of the safer cars of the batch. It stood up to the usual battery of tests done by Euro NCAP, faring very well for both adult and child protection. Now, the US version of the car has been tested too, and while it is eligible for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's 'Top Safety Pick' award, it doesn't get the '+' because of not having done so good in the new small overlap test. As you can see in the video posted after the jump, the worst-case scenario takes place as the car hits the obstacle designed to obstruct 25 percent of its front end: the driver's head is violently swayed left and made to miss the airbag, being somehow wedged between the deployed airbag and the door cards. Manufacturers nowadays should be prepared for this most challenging of crash tests so that they can engineer the body shell accordingly. Some have already found a way to make their cars safer in the small overlap situation. The solution is to have the car slide off the obstacle, sheering off much of the front left side, but dissipating as much energy away from the passenger compartment as possible, exerting less force on the driver's head, which is no longer thrown to the left in such a gruesome manner… By Andrei Nedelea    |
| TS Design to Give 2014 Corvette Stingray Some Girth at SEMA Posted: 07 Oct 2013 09:10 AM PDT  Every year, we have a new model that usually dominates the headlines at the SEMA Show and for the 2013 event (from November 5 to 8), that task will most probably fall to the freshly launched 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. The custom wide-body specialists at TS Designs is the first company we've heard of preparing a Corvette C7 tune for the Las Vegas show. For the time being, the only thing we know about the tune is that a brand-new silver Stingray arrived in their shop and that the TS Designs crew has already started stripping down the car to prepare it for a wide body conversion. We'll keep an eye on their work and update you when they release more details and photos of their tune.     |
| Lamborghini's Chief Test Driver Reminds Us Why We Love His Job Posted: 07 Oct 2013 08:45 AM PDT  Meet Giorgio Sanna, Valentino Balboni's successor. He has the job you've all been dreaming about since you first placed a poster of a supercar on your bedroom wall (yes, those were the days before PCs, smart phones and tablets). As Lamborghini's R&D and motorsport chief test driver, Mr. Sanna has the opportunity to drive Lamborghinis as hard as he wants for a living, since his job description is to push the cars to their limits. Not only that, he also helps engineers develop Lamborghini racecars by providing his input. Oh, and sometimes he is asked to drive in actual races, like the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo and the Italian GT Cup Championship. Think it can't get any better than this? Well, it can, because Giorgio Sanna drives today Lamborghinis that will only be on the market two or three years from now. Probably the only thing that's missing in his professional life is to have Lamborghini name a car after him. He has plenty of time for that though… By Dan Mihalascu    |
| 2015 Cadillac Escalade: This Is Really It, In 45 Screenshots and Video! Posted: 07 Oct 2013 05:29 PM PDT  Big SUVs may not be as popular as they used to be back in the 1990s and 2000s, mostly because of politically correct notions, but the market is surely there and General Motors wants a large chunk of it with a trifecta of related models from its Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac brands. After the unveiling of the 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, and 2015 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL full-size SUVs, it's time for the most luxurious edition of the group, the new 2015 Cadillac Escalade, which is scheduled for an introduction today. These snapshots come courtesy of the manufacturer's promotional video that we discovered on AOL and their auto industry obsessive website, Autoblog.com's channel. The images provide a full (albeit a bit grainy, despite our photo editing efforts) picture of the exterior of the new 2015 Escalade, which is exactly what we predicted and most of you expected it to be: an "Art and Science" interpretation of the Chevrolet and GMC versions of the trucks - probably more closer to the upscale GMC Yukon Denali, with most differences concentrated on the more chiseled front and rear ends, and body trims. The interior, which has already been previewed by GM, is more unique, luxurious and elegant, not only from the previous model, but from its GMC and Chevrolet siblings as well. The swoopy dashboard mimics the design language of the ATS, the CTS, and the XTS, but it does keep the classic, protruding transmission lever on the steering column. Under the sheetmetal, you'll find a traditional body-on-frame architecture with engine choices to include V8 powerplants – we'll know more details about that later on today. Video via GM and AOL/Autoblog Update: Check out the official gallery, videos and all the details here
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| Mini Shows Us Bits and Pieces of New Hatch from Ad Campaign Posted: 07 Oct 2013 07:26 AM PDT  With the new Mini hatch set to be unveiled on November 18, the carmaker is affording us a sneak peek of the ad campaign for the new model. Mini says the campaign will feature "tongue-in-cheek stories" that will emphasize the driving fun offered by the brand, as well as "the powerful emotional bond established between drivers and their Mini". Speaking of emotional bond, one of the TV commercials will feature a familiar figure – Spike, the English bulldog. The same animal appeared in the recent Mini brand campaign featuring the claim "Not Normal", with the dog also featured on Mini lifestyle products including cushions, USB sticks, key rings and smartphone covers. In the ad, bulldog Spike rides in the new Mini along with his master, when a challenge arises: an enormous Great Dane. The bulldog solves the problem and becomes fond of his master's new Mini, showing it "the way only he knows how". The commercial was shot at a Hollywood studio and in the streets of downtown Los Angeles. Over 120 crew members participated, including a special team of dog experts to keep Spike in good shape. Mini has chosen November 18 to unveil the new hatch as the date has a special significance for the brand: it marks the 107th birthday of Sir Alec Issigonis, the father of the Mini. The world premiere will be held simultaneously in London and at the Mini plant in Oxford. The car will be showcased in the same week at the auto shows in Los Angeles and Tokyo, with the new Mini to launch worldwide in the first quarter of 2014. By Dan Mihalascu          |
| Hyundai Preps 400HP Genesis Coupe Legato Concept for SEMA Show Posted: 07 Oct 2013 06:59 AM PDT  We're about a month away before the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas opens its doors to the tuning and aftermarket industry on November 5, yet Hyundai, has already popped the lid on three concept cars, including the mighty 1,000HP Bisimoto Engineering Genesis Coupe, the 250HP Veloster Night Racer and just today, the ARK Genesis Coupe Legato. For those of you wondering about the name, in Hyundai's own words, "'Legato' is an Italian musical term meaning 'tied together,' conveying the seamless integration of exotic design, tuned performance and luxury coupe interior ambience." Developed in partnership with ARK Performance, the Legato Concept features a uniquely styled body kit and silver exterior color, with the interior said to offer a more "luxury performance" ambience. The performance modifications include a 3.8-liter Lambda V6 engine stroked to 4.0-liters and upgraded parts that help boost output to 400hp and peak torque to 425 lb.-ft., a coil-over suspension system coupled with lightweight Rays Engineering G25 alloy wheels and Nitto NT05 tires, plus carbon brake pads. For now, and until Hyundai shows real life photos of the car, head down to the gallery to check out the teaser sketches.       |
| Holy…Near Miss in Thailand! Driver Avoids Barrel Rolling Pickup Truck Posted: 07 Oct 2013 06:35 AM PDT  What would you do if you were driving on the road when all of a sudden and from nowhere, a pickup truck comes rolling in front of your car? Well, we humans usually react in one of two possible ways: freeze up or instinctively make a quick move. Luckily, the driver featured in this dash-cam video who was travelling in a Ford Ranger somewhere in Thailand went for the second option when he saw a Mazda BT-50 pickup truck coming towards him. He smoothly moved the truck to the other lane and saved his head – possibly even the other driver as well, since it was mentioned that the person in the BT-50 made it out alive suffering only an injury to his arm. You can watch the incident for yourself in the following video. Story References: YouTube via Autoblog-com   |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG Coupe Envisioned in Production Trim Posted: 07 Oct 2013 06:02 AM PDT  As it turns out, Mercedes' Frankfurt Motor Show S-Class Coupe Concept has struck a chord with many automobile enthusiasts, with the two-door model also being a popular subject lately among independent designers, graphic artists and hobbyists alike. Joining our previous presentations of photoshopped versions of the regular S-Class Coupe, a convertible concept and even a four-door coupe proposal, is a digital take on the upcoming S63 AMG Coupe model of the series, based on what we've seen from the spy shots. Created by Khalil Bouguerra, the images show what the final product could look like featuring the typical AMG styling modifications such as the reworked bumpers, bigger multispoke wheels and brakes. As far as the powertrain is concerned, the S63 AMG Coupe will most likely borrow the same 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine pushing out 577 hp (585 PS) at 5,500 rpm and 900 Nm (664 lb-ft) of torque from the sedan version of the series. Photo Credits: Virtuel-Car      |
| New VW Beetle Mk2 Slammed Down to the Ground Posted: 07 Oct 2013 05:40 AM PDT  Over the years and decades it remained in production and even after, VW's original Beetle has seen more tuning jobs and customizations than you can shake a stick at. While not as near as popular, there are plenty of tuning offerings for the Bug's (spiritual) successors, like this latest proposition from MR Car Design. The highlight of the tune for the VW Beetle Mk2 (from 2011 and onwards) is, of course, the slammed down body that comes courtesy of a fully electronic G-Ride air suspension on both axles, which is adjustable by remote control or fully automatically. Completing the look are new 19-inch alloy wheels in tires size 225/35-19 on all four corners, the elimination of the rear badges, pink tinted fog lights, and smoked head- and tail-lamps. For the 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine, the German tuning outfit offers an ECU upgrade boosting power to 207hp (210PS) and peak torque to 420Nm (310 lb-ft), plus a sports exhaust system.            |
| 1989 Saab 900 Aero / SPG is the Essence of Saab Posted: 07 Oct 2013 05:20 AM PDT  Saab may be gone – or at least what we knew of it – but its legacy continues through the cars that are doing the job they were designed for on a daily basis. Among the company's most iconic products, the first-generation 900 holds a special place thanks to its distinct shape and the popularity it enjoyed worldwide. The most sought-after Saab 900 was the high performance version called 900 Aero in Europe and 900 SPG (Special Performance Group) in North America. It featured a 2.0-liter 16-valve turbo engine developing 160 hp, which qualified it as a pretty fast car at the time. That's exactly the type of car the latest Petrolicious video is about, a 1989 black model owned by Jordan Melville. Melville explains his passion for Saabs and describes the day he met the 900 SPG as a turning point in this life – that's how passionate Saab fans are. You can find out more about his ownership experience with the 900 SPG from the video posted below. By Dan Mihalascu    |
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