CARSCOOP |  |
- Reader Captures Convoy of Eight Cadillac Prototypes, But What Are They? [w/Video]
- Mini Moke Being Brought Back to Life by Private Company with Help from China
- IndyCar Crash Leaves Dario Franchitti and 13 Spectators Injured
- Report Says Fiat Needs Control of Chrysler Before Beginning Alfa 4C Sales in the USA
- MT Finds Mercedes CLA45 AMG Fun to Drive, but Not Challenging Enough
- Photos of New BMW 4-Series Convertible Look Legit to Us
- Report: Renault Developing Hybrid Powertrains for 2020 Launch
- European Space Agency Begins Atacama Desert Testing of Martian Rover [w/Video]
- Rampant Monster Truck Crashes Into Crowd in Mexico, Killing Eight, Injuring Dozens
- One of the Original Eleanor Mustangs from Gone in 60 Seconds Hits the Auction Block
- SsangYong Reportedly Readying New Compact Crossover for Geneva Motor Show
- Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz to Corner BMW X3 and Audi Q5 with New GLK
- Anchorman's Ron Burgundy Endorses the Dodge Durango
- Mopar Prepping 20 Chrysler Group Concepts for SEMA, Including New Cherokee
- Volkswagen to Produce New Golf in Brazil
- This is What Can Happen When You Don't Give Way in Russia
- New 2015 Cadillac Escalade Shipping to Europe Next Year
- Ford Celebrates 100th Ann. of Moving Assembly Line with New Plans [w/Videos]
- Poor Exotics: A Recent Gallery of Crashed Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren Supercars
- Mercedes Adds Two 'Engineered by AMG' Versions to Euro CLA Range, Plus Base Diesel
- Scoop: New BMW 2-Series Briefly Filmed on the Road
- Mitsubishi Teases New SUV and MPV Concepts for Tokyo Motor Show
- It's Raining Boats, Tires, Horses and Idiots in Russia
- Carisma Gives Cadillac Escalade an Automotive First Class Treatment
- Aston Martin Pulls the Plug on Cygnet After Selling 150 Cars Instead of…12,000
| Reader Captures Convoy of Eight Cadillac Prototypes, But What Are They? [w/Video] Posted: 08 Oct 2013 06:21 PM PDT  While travelling through Chippewa, Pennsylvania, Carscoops reader Jack crossed paths with a convoy of at least eight camouflaged vehicles, most, if not all of which, appear to be Cadillacs. The first one he passed by is almost surely the ATS, though, we cannot say with certainty whether it's a normal edition or something else – i.e. a V or a V-Sport tester. The picture becomes fuzzier, both literally and metaphorically speaking, with the GM cars up front. Upcoming models from Cadillac include the production version of the range extender hybrid ELR, the Coupe and high-performance V models of the ATS series, a V edition of the new CTS, and possibly, a Coupe as well, along with the brand's full-size luxury sedan, rumored to enter production in 2016. So, do you think you can put a name on the cars seen in the video? If the answer is yes, tell us in the comments section after the jump. Thanks to Jack Work for the scoop video!                 |
| Mini Moke Being Brought Back to Life by Private Company with Help from China Posted: 08 Oct 2013 04:31 PM PDT  The Mini-based Moke was meant as an alternative small military vehicle in the mind of those who originally designed it, but it ended up having a far more successful life as an oddball road car, a kind-of British beach buggy, (last) built in Portugal (mostly) for export to sunny Australia. Now, some 20 years after it was last made, plans are well underway to bring it back into production. Of course it can't be made with the same technology as the original, but it looks pretty much the same, it's completely redesigned to feature all of the modern amenities one would expect from a contemporary car. The company that set all of this in motion is called Moke International, which has enlisted he help of Chinese manufacturer Chery Motors, along with one of its subsidiaries, Sicar Engineering. For the year 2013, a limited production test run of 1,000 examples will be set in motion, with plans to sell all of them in Australia where the original was popular (and even built there for a time) – they say it's already sold out... Prospective buyers will have the choice of two power options: one petrol and one electric. It might have eluded us, but we did not find any information as to where the new Mokes will be built. Expect an official global launch event to take place by the end of the current year. By Andrei Nedelea Story References: Moke Int. via Designboom            |
| IndyCar Crash Leaves Dario Franchitti and 13 Spectators Injured Posted: 08 Oct 2013 03:59 PM PDT  A horrific crash took place on Sunday at the IndyCar Grand Prix of Houston, Texas. Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti broke two vertebrae and his right ankle and suffered a concussion when his car went airborne into the track's fence, with at least 13 fans suffering minor injuries because of flying debris. The accident happened during the final lap of the race, when Franchitti and Takuma Sato were fighting for eighth place. The Scot tried to overtake the Japanese but he clipped the rear end of his car and went airborne. A third car driven by E.J. Viso was also caught up in the incident. The accident reminded many of Dan Wheldon's fatal crash from 2011 in Las Vegas, but fortunately, the consequences were not that tragic. That's because the Dallara DW12 chassis, which carries Dan Wheldon's initials, has been reinforced thanks to Wheldon's important testing input in 2011. You can watch the scary crash in the videos posted below. By Dan Mihalascu    |
| Report Says Fiat Needs Control of Chrysler Before Beginning Alfa 4C Sales in the USA Posted: 08 Oct 2013 03:40 PM PDT  Alfa Romeo should have already found a way to get the 4C sports car to the United States by now, but it hasn't. Owner Fiat had so far announced that the car will need to be heavier to comply with US laws, as well as the fact that it hasn't decided how to get sales rolling in anything resembling a timely fashion. This is becoming a brand trait not limited to the 4C, and I'm sure lots of people (including group CEO Sergio Marchionne) are beginning to lose their temper. Yes, the Fiat boss has some very tricky decision making to consider, so as to not affect either Fiat or Chrysler negatively in its declared effort to completely buy out the American company and do a massive merger, but it needs to be done already... Bloomberg reports that Fiat needs to close the deal on Chrysler, sort out the UAW union conundrum and gain complete use of the company's resources, because otherwise, the logistics of bringing the 4C to the US are not in its favor. The video posted below goes into more detail as to why the two events are linked, but to me it sounded a bit pessimistic on the reporters' side – maybe more is known but cannot be revealed yet. I think the 4C will not achieve cult status (which it can, given what it is, how it was made and who built it) if it doesn't cross the pond into the US where its $50,000-ish expected price tag will not be as prohibitive as it is in cash-strapped Europe. By Andrei Nedelea    |
| MT Finds Mercedes CLA45 AMG Fun to Drive, but Not Challenging Enough Posted: 08 Oct 2013 03:00 PM PDT  The CLA45 AMG is the entry-level Mercedes AMG model in the United States and the first one to come equipped with a 4-cylinder engine. It's no ordinary four-po, mind you, as AMG engineers squeezed 355 horsepower and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque from a 2.0-liter displacement. MotorTrend reviewer Carlos Lago took the CLA45 AMG to the Hyundai Proving Grounds in California and found it to be in a class of its own, as no competitor offers a similar car in the United States – that will soon change, however, when the Audi S3 Sedan will arrive stateside. The CLA45 AMG reminded Lago of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X because of the similar technical layout that combines a neutral four-wheel-drive system with a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. The AWD system, described as not very sophisticated, offers the advantage of stability under all circumstances. However, that's not good news for those looking to have fun behind the wheel, as the car's default behavior in curves is understeer. Scroll down to watch the complete video review. By Dan Mihalascu    |
| Photos of New BMW 4-Series Convertible Look Legit to Us Posted: 08 Oct 2013 02:28 PM PDT  What we believe to be official images of the new BMW 4-Series Convertible have just surfaced online. They're claimed to be sourced from BMW's accessories brochure, which would explain the bike rack. The 4-Series Convertible looks exactly like what you'd expect it to…without the camouflage on the prototype models that we've seen over the past year or so. Even though you can't see it in these photos, the new member of the 4-Series family will retain its predecessor's metal folding roof that tucks away in the boot area. The model lineup will mirror that of the 4-Series Coupe and will be dominated by turbocharged four-cylinder diesel and gasoline engines (at least in Europe), while also offering at least two turbocharged six-cylinder units, one for the 335i and the other for the future M4 Convertible. We expect the open top 4-Series to make its first public appearance at the Los Angeles Auto Show in late November. Photos BMW via Forumpro       |
| Report: Renault Developing Hybrid Powertrains for 2020 Launch Posted: 08 Oct 2013 02:10 PM PDT  While competitors Peugeot and Citroen have invested in hybrids to lower their average CO2 emissions, Renault has focused on electric vehicles and is the most advanced European carmaker in this field. However, it looks like Renault won't ignore hybrids anymore, according to a report from French newspaper Les Echos. "We're analyzing the progressive introduction of hybrids in our range by 2020. We are working with the range of available technologies," Marc Bodin, Renault director for powertrain strategy, was quoted by the newspaper. Renault is considering two technical solutions. The first one is the mild hybrid, which consists of integrating an electric motor with a minimum output of 10 kW to a conventional engine. The electric motor would be unable to move the car by itself, but could perform small maneuvers like parking, for instance. This layout would optimize the efficiency of the thermal engine and would reduce fuel consumption by 10 to 20 percent. The second solution would be the plug-in hybrid, which would include an electric motor of at least 40 kW and batteries. This would allow the car to run on electric power alone, with the thermal engine acting as a back-up solution for when the batteries are depleted. "The mild-hybrid has the advantage of being less expensive and allows us to target high volume segments, which is our vocation. As for the plug-in, it combines very interesting advantages. Provided that we get rid of the cost obstacle, since there are two big engines involved", said Bodin. According to the report, Renault would get help from alliance partner Nissan to develop its hybrids. The carmaker doesn't say which models will first benefit from the technology, but the future Renault Espace, previewed at the Frankfurt Motor Show by the Initiale Paris concept car, is one of the candidates. By Dan Mihalascu         |
| European Space Agency Begins Atacama Desert Testing of Martian Rover [w/Video] Posted: 08 Oct 2013 01:46 PM PDT  Engineers working on rovers that are destined to explore the surface of other planets usually turn to desolate deserts to test out their gear – it's the closest they can get in terms of terrain and conditions without actually making the trip, just like astronauts who train in pools to simulate low gravity. Whereas NASA has a lot of experience with rovers of all shapes and purposes, the European Space Agency (ESA) does not. They can build a super-high tech satellite, but as far as exploring the surface of other planets goes, America is the unrivaled leader. ESA needs to burn through some of the stages, and catch up, in order to make their planned 2018 mission to Mars not only possible, but successful too. It's a very complex operation requiring multiple vehicles, and the final piece of the puzzle will be a rover that just began its field testing phase, in prototype form, in the very Mars-like environment of the Atacama desert in South America. The six-wheeled bot nicknamed 'Bridget' will be put through its paces over the course of a week, in which time the scientists accompanying it will run a series of experiments, as well as calibrating some of the on-board navigation gear. It definitely won't travel far during said week, because it just look so painfully slow… I mean, there's no speed limit on Mars, and all the wheeled vehicles we sent there so far are all on the tortoise side of the scales – they could get a lot more done this way. By Andrei Nedelea Story References: ESA via Gizmag       |
| Rampant Monster Truck Crashes Into Crowd in Mexico, Killing Eight, Injuring Dozens Posted: 08 Oct 2013 01:47 PM PDT  Monster trucks have always been a bit frightening to me, as their drivers never seemed to be fully in control of their four-wheel-steered methanol-fueled combine harvester tire-toting machines. They just look a bit daunting to control, with the skinny suspension bits in the middle, the body perched up high and the massive (-ly heavy) wheels that offer little in the way of handling accuracy. Now, a tragic Mexican incident has definitely made me steer clear of the sidelines of such motoring venues, as it left 8 people dead and around 80 or so injured, many of which are reportedly in serious condition. It all took place at an air show in the state of Chihuahua on Saturday. The next day, not all of those hospitalized were released, and 46 people required additional attention. The Star reports witnesses seeing the driver hit his head upon making the final jump you see in the video – some even say his helmet came off, causing him to pass out with his right foot to the floor. All we know is the unfortunate event forced officials to cancel the air show and prompted the obligatory investigation. More details will definitely arise, but we're particularly curious to hear the driver's story, or at least more witness reports about what exactly they saw happening. By Andrei Nedelea Story References: The Star via Worldcarfans    |
| One of the Original Eleanor Mustangs from Gone in 60 Seconds Hits the Auction Block Posted: 08 Oct 2013 12:29 PM PDT  Nicolas Cage's career may have gone downhill faster than you can say 60 seconds, but the car he drove in the 2000 action film "Gone in 60 Seconds", which itself was a remake of the 1974 H.B. Halicki film of the same name, remains a popular culture icon. A total of eleven 1967 Ford Mustang Eleanors were built for the needs of the movie, only three of which were used as "hero" cars in scenes involving the actors, and one of them, is now set to rock the proverbial block at the Schaumburg Convention Center this Saturday, October 12, for Mecum's Chicago 2013 auction. Said Eleanor Mustang with VIN #7R02C173895 was built by Cinema Vehicle Services and comes with all the signature performance and styling cues, including the distinctive two-tone Silver and Charcoal paint and the go-baby-go shifter, along with a letter of authenticity. The current owner of the Ford Racing 351 cubic inch (5.8-liter) V8 crate motor-powered 1967 Mustang sent the car to Chicago from his home in the United Kingdom via air transport. Whether this example will sell for a cool $1 million as another Eleanor Mustang from the movie did at Mecum's Indianapolis 2013 auction earlier this year, remains to be seen. Photos by David Newhardt, Courtesy of Mecum Auctions                |
| SsangYong Reportedly Readying New Compact Crossover for Geneva Motor Show Posted: 08 Oct 2013 11:58 AM PDT  The UK's AutoExpress tells us that SsangYong is putting its plan of global domination forth, with the purported launch of a Nissan Juke rival, which is to be shown at the 2014 edition of the Geneva motor show, then go on sale the following year. The Geneva-bound example will be a concept variant of sorts, though, as is the trend nowadays, it will actually be very close its final production form. Styling will apparently be somewhat similar to that of the 2011 XLV-1 concept, and considering their previous unanimously accepted, unsuccessful attempts at design (Actyon and Rodius), it's definitely for the better – the refreshed Korando doesn't look half-bad, either, I think. It will sit on a new platform, and be powered by a couple of 1.6-liter engines, one diesel, all of which are coming courtesy of an injection of cash from parent company Mahindra & Mahindra, and moreover, when it does come out, it will most likely be one of the most competitively-priced models of the Juke-sized crowd, possibly rivaling Dacia's (larger) Duster for value. Note: SsangYong's XIV-1 Concept pictured below By Andrei Nedelea         |
| Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz to Corner BMW X3 and Audi Q5 with New GLK Posted: 08 Oct 2013 11:31 AM PDT  Our scoop photographers have snapped a second look at the upcoming replacement for Mercedes-Benz's GLK premium compact SUV less than a week after their first encounter with a prototype model. The second iteration of the GLK will be Mercedes' first SUV / crossover to sit atop the firm's newly developed and lighter MRA platform (Modular Rear-drive Architecture) that will also underpin the next C-Class series of models. Since they're related, the two Mercedes models will share a common engine lineup of diesel and gasoline mills, and possibly a hybrid powerplant down the line. Much like in the case of BMW with its X1 and X3, the arrival of the smaller A-Class-based GLA has allowed the brand with the star to increase the dimensions of the GLK and better position it against its newest rivals. Mercedes officials have argued that it was a mistake not to offer the current GLK in right hand drive versions, something that has been taken into account in the development of the new model that will arrive sometime in late 2015. Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS           |
| Anchorman's Ron Burgundy Endorses the Dodge Durango Posted: 08 Oct 2013 10:59 AM PDT  Having celebrities promote new cars has been a widespread practice among automakers for decades, but choosing a fictional celebrity to do that is not too common in the auto industry. Dodge is using Ron Burgundy (played by actor Will Ferrell) from Anchorman to promote its Durango SUV in a funny way. The new ads are part of the buzz for "Anchorman 2, The Legend Continues" movie, which is the sequel to the "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy", which will premiere in the U.S. on December 20 As a person who comes from the 1970s, Ron Burgundy isn't too familiar with new technology, so he sticks to what he knows best: stating the obvious. He compares the Durango's 360 horsepower with that of a… real horse and praises the SUV's glove box as a key feature of the Durango, surprisingly offered as standard equipment! Scroll down to watch the commercials. By Dan Mihalascu    |
| Mopar Prepping 20 Chrysler Group Concepts for SEMA, Including New Cherokee Posted: 08 Oct 2013 10:28 AM PDT  Another year, another SEMA Show extravaganza for the Chrysler Group and its Mopar performance and accessories division that will be heading down to the Las Vegas Strip in the beginning of November with 20 uniquely tuned cars from the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Fiat and SRT brands. We're not going to lie – it's the new Jeep Cherokee-based tuning concept(s) that we're mostly waiting to see, with Mopar providing a cropped glimpse of the SUV in one of the four drawings it released today. The other three pictures show the Chrysler 300, Fiat 500L and Ram truck. Nothing else was released about the group's SEMA show cars. "We developed these Mopar-modified vehicles to inspire ultimate customization," said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar. "With catalogs full of proven, quality-tested performance parts and accessories, Mopar is a one-stop shop for factory-engineered personalization."        |
| Volkswagen to Produce New Golf in Brazil Posted: 08 Oct 2013 10:08 AM PDT  Following last month's inauguration of a new plant in China that will build the new Golf, VW said it will manufacturer the popular compact car in Brazil as well. Volkswagen will invest €170 million ($230 million) to expand its existing Curitiba plant in the South American country to make room for the seventh-generation Golf. The facility currently produces four variants of the VW Fox - Band Fox, Fox BlueMotion, CrossFox and SpaceFox – and will also make the Audi A3 Sedan in the future. "Brazil is becoming one of the world's largest vehicle production and sales markets. With the Modular Transverse Toolkit (MQB), we are now bringing our most advanced production technology to Brazil, too," said Dr. Michael Macht, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG responsible for Group production and the South America region. The expansion of the Curitiba plant will increase its daily production capacity by up to 30 percent. Until local production starts, the new Golf will be imported to Brazil from Germany. As you probably know, VW will build the new Golf in Mexico as well, starting from the first quarter next year. VW's most successful model in Brazil is the Gol, which was the best-selling car in the country in 2012 for the 26th consecutive year. Volkswagen is also the largest exporter in the Brazilian automotive industry, with more than 3 million vehicles exported last year. By Dan Mihalascu         |
| This is What Can Happen When You Don't Give Way in Russia Posted: 08 Oct 2013 09:32 AM PDT  There's a great debate going on in the United States on the matter of weapons and whether the right to bear arms should really be as inviolable as the NRA would like it to be. Now, if you thought gun-carrying cowboys always prepared to show off their arms in public are limited to this part of the world, you're hugely mistaken. Looking at the first seconds of the dash-cam footage, you're be right to think that the driver of the black Lada was acting up by not allowing the burgundy colored Hyundai to enter the lane. What followed, however, should not be applauded… The man in the Korean sedan jumped out of the car, opened the (Lada) driver's door and pulled a gun on him – luckily, without using it… And oh, you might want to wait to see what happened next in the video.    |
| New 2015 Cadillac Escalade Shipping to Europe Next Year Posted: 08 Oct 2013 09:01 AM PDT  If you reside in Europe and the brand-new 2015 Cadillac Escalade tickled your fancy during the official unveiling event in New York City last night, then, as the great Professor Farnsworth would say, "Good news, everyone!". Cadillac, through its parent company GM, announced that the fourth generation Escalade will go on sale in Europe towards the end of 2014 at as of yet undisclosed pricing. It won't come cheap, though, as the entry-level version of the current Escalade starts from around €78,500 (US$106,000) in countries like Germany and France, while in more heavily taxed nations like Greece and The Netherlands, it climbs to €131,150 (US$178,200) and €125,693 (US$170,000) respectively. In Holland, the top trim Platinum model retails for a ridiculous €166,526 or US$226,300. As for the U.S., the current model's prices (excluding State taxes and delivery fees), range from $63,060 to $87,670 (€46,400 to €64,500). Europe will get the same wheelbase and drivetrain options, as well as the standard 6.2-liter V8 engine as North America.                                |
| Ford Celebrates 100th Ann. of Moving Assembly Line with New Plans [w/Videos] Posted: 08 Oct 2013 08:32 AM PDT  Ford released initial details on a new plan to expand its manufacturing capabilities and boost global production on the 100th anniversary of the moving assembly line developed under the leadership of the brand's founder, Henry Ford. By 2017, the U.S. automaker wants to produce on average four different models at each plant around the world in order to increase adaptability based on customer demand. Ford also wants 90 percent of its plants around the world to run on a three-shift or crew model by 2017, which will help increase production more than 30 percent. In the same year, virtually all Ford vehicles will be built off nine core platforms in order to boost efficiency. Today, Ford builds cars on 15 different platforms. The automaker says that its recent expansions in global manufacturing and production have helped to retain 130,000 hourly and salaried jobs around the world. They also contributed to Ford being on track to produce 6 million vehicles this year – that's about 16 vehicles every 60 seconds around the world. These announcements were made on the same day that, one hundred years ago, Henry Ford and his team at Highland Park assembly plant launched the first moving assembly line. The invention simplified assembly of the Ford Model T's 3,000 parts by breaking it into 84 distinct steps performed by groups of workers as a rope pulled the vehicle chassis down the line. Thanks to the new process, the assembly time for a single vehicle dropped from 12 hours to about 90 minutes. This allowed Ford to reduce the price of the Model T from $850 to less than $300, making it affordable for the masses. Eventually, Ford built a Model T every 24 seconds and sold more than 15 million worldwide by 1927, roughly half of all automobiles sold at the time. By Dan Mihalascu        |
| Poor Exotics: A Recent Gallery of Crashed Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren Supercars Posted: 08 Oct 2013 08:01 AM PDT  From Saudi Arabia to Britain, and from the USA to China and back to China again (evidently, the country's increasing wealth has resulted in more and more supercars on the road), exotic supercars are being slaughtered on a daily basis. Sometimes it's the drivers fault, sometimes another motorist is to blame, sometimes it's a bit of both, and sometimes it's just fate playing its part. Whichever the case, the result is the same, and quite often, these cars are decommissioned as insurance companies are quick to write them off when the repair cost is more than the value of the car itself. Below you will find a gallery of recently crashed exotics with a couple of less fancy sports cars like the Corvette and Tesla Roadster thrown into the mix. Photos via Wreckedexotics and for the California images No2, No3 and No4, Zero2turbo                              |
| Mercedes Adds Two 'Engineered by AMG' Versions to Euro CLA Range, Plus Base Diesel Posted: 08 Oct 2013 12:15 PM PDT  Mercedes-Benz is sweetening the deal for those looking to buy one of their swoopy front- and all-wheel drive CLA sedans, as they are adding two additional sporty versions and one very frugal one to the European range as of now. The latter is called the CLA 180 CDI, and just like the A-Class, it gets power from a Renault-sourced 1.5-liter diesel that puts out 109hp and averages a claimed 3.9 l/100km, or 60.3 mpg US / 72.4 mpg UK – it starts from €31,178 in Germany. The two other new versions all get their power from the same two-liter turbocharged engine that puts out 208 hp. Called CLA 250 Sport and Sport 4MATIC, they are reportedly associated with the "engineered by AMG" catchphrase, and as their names suggest, they basically offer the same thing, but one adds Mercedes' own all-wheel drive system into the mix. It brings with it a price bump over the fwd variant, and if you want the extra traction, you'll have to pay €44,506 – the regular model sells for €42,304. Along with the updated CLA range, the German automaker is also giving A-Class hatchback buyers more choice by offering an A 250 Sport 4MATIC version of that starts from just under €40,000. Both sporty models get unique 18-inch AMG rims, speed-sensitive steering, "special engine and transmission configuration, as well as modified ESP intervention. The exhaust note is also more emotional thanks to a modified exhaust system." Final noteworthy fact about the model update, is the addition of live traffic updates to the multimedia system, which it too has seen improvements. iPhone users will also find pairing their phone very easy, and there's also a new feature to access key car functions using the phone's built-in Siri voice commands. By Andrei Nedelea              |
| Scoop: New BMW 2-Series Briefly Filmed on the Road Posted: 08 Oct 2013 07:09 AM PDT  Whichever way you look at it, the upcoming BMW 2-Series isn't really much of a secret anymore, as we've seen it completely undisguised and we know for a fact that it will share its platform, interior and engine range from the latest 1-Series hatchbacks. That doesn't mean we don't have questions, as besides BMW's pricing policy, for example, we'd also like to know whether the Bavarians have green-lighted a thoroughbred M model to replace the M 1-Series Coupe. The tester seen in this short video filmed on a European highway, is, of course, a regular 2-Series, likely a four-cylinder model, judging by the twin exhaust pipes on one side – as opposed to the single pipe on both corners of the bumper on the six-cylinder 235i with or without the M performance badge. Both the coupe and convertible editions of the 2-Series are expected to launch next year. Video via YouTube/Fl0214n Thanks to George L. for the video tip!    |
| Mitsubishi Teases New SUV and MPV Concepts for Tokyo Motor Show Posted: 08 Oct 2013 06:43 AM PDT  Mitsubishi has announced it will display three world premiere concept cars at this year's Tokyo Motor Show (November 23 – December 1). According to the Japanese automaker, the three studies incorporate "a new design identity that symbolizes the sense of security and functionality of an SUV." The three concept vehicles also highlight Mitsubishi's next-generation technologies that are focused on "environmental responsibility, driving pleasure, toughness and safety." All studies are said to feature a futuristic design, with common elements being the long horizontal headlights and the wide grilles. The first one, featured in the middle of the group photo, is called the Mitsubishi Concept GC-PHEV. It is described as a next-generation full-size SUV that uses a high output plug-in hybrid electric vehicle system. The automaker says the study combines the dynamic drivability of an SUV with "class-leading environmental performance." The GC-PHEV features the brand's S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control) system, next-generation preventive safety technology and driver support technology through wireless connectivity. The second study is the Concept XR-PHEV (the first from the left), a next-generation compact SUV that features a lightweight PHEV system with "dramatically enhanced environmental performance." It looks like it's the sleekest of the three, with its body style resembling a sport coupe, and promises to offer nimble drivability. Finally, the third study, called Concept AR, is a next-generation compact MPV that offers both the mobility of an SUV and the interior space of an MPV, always according to the automaker. Powered by a downsized direct-injection turbocharged engine, the Concept AR offers an "enveloping interior design" and many seat arrangements. By Dan Mihalascu        |
| It's Raining Boats, Tires, Horses and Idiots in Russia Posted: 08 Oct 2013 06:12 AM PDT  Every day seems like a new adventure on Russian roads, and thanks to the all-seeing dashboard cameras, we often have the opportunity to re-live these offbeat occurrences and situations from the comfort of our desk. This time, we have not one, but four different and unrelated incidents from mother Russia, beginning with a boat tied on the roof of a car that – you guessed it, decided to go air-borne on the highway. The next video comes from Moscow showing a car losing a…wheel on the freeway and spitting plenty of sparks on the road in the process, while the third clip takes us to the city of Orenburg where drivers were confronted by a band of horses – and not of the singing type, mind you… As for the last scene, it's more serious, but luckily, not fatal, with an asshat of a driver speeding around in the city before slamming into a pedestrian, who reportedly sustained non-life threatening injuries.    |
| Carisma Gives Cadillac Escalade an Automotive First Class Treatment Posted: 08 Oct 2013 05:47 AM PDT  We've all heard about flying first class, but have you ever heard about driving first class? That's the kind of experience that UK-based Carisma Auto Design promises to offer owners, or rather passengers, of its new Cadillac Escalade (evidently the outgoing model) tune. You may remember the brand from some of its more recent products based on the Land Rover Defender and Mercedes-Benz Viano van. Carisma says that the Cadillac Escalade conversion was designed and built for an unnamed Middle Eastern business man, who also had the giga-size SUV fully armored to B4 level. Behind the pitch black windows, the Escalade has been re-trimmed from top to bottom and front to back, with Carisma dressing the secluded passenger area in medium tan Connolly leather and real wood veneer insets, while adding two full sized, forward facing armchairs with electronic tilt and lumbar support controls, a refrigerator, a WIN8 PC, and a television screen. According to Carisma, "From start to finish, the bespoke conversion required 75 square metres [807 sq.ft] of leather, 1 km [0.6 miles] of wiring, 600 electrical connections and involved 700 hours of labour." Clive Drake, Sales Director, Carisma Auto Design, commented: "This has been our biggest project to date and is a great example of the range of elements we can offer in a conversion – from state-of-the-art technology, to the finest handcrafted wood and leather. No two Carisma vehicles are the same and are limited only by the customer's imagination."
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| Aston Martin Pulls the Plug on Cygnet After Selling 150 Cars Instead of…12,000 Posted: 08 Oct 2013 09:00 AM PDT  Aston Martin's most embarrassing production car ever is no more, as the British brand has finally admitted defeat ceasing production of its Japanese-English patient, the Cygnet. Many had seen this coming, given that the Cygnet was nothing more than a glorified and re-trimmed Toyota iQ (Scion in North America) with an Aston Martin-worthy starting price of £31,000 (US$50,000 or €37,000), with some editions costing close to £50,000 mark (US$81,000 or €60,000). An Aston Martin source told Reuters that decision to kill the Cygnet was made after it "sold less than 150 units" in three years, when the brand had originally stated that it had hoped to sell 4,000 Cygnets a year to "environmentally conscious city dwellers" and at the same time, help reduce the company's CO2 emissions to meet the more stringent EU rules. The British company, which is celebrating its centenary, isn't doing so well overall having posted a 16 percent fall in full-year profits, while its global vehicle sales have dropped from 110,000 units in 2007 to 67,500 cars.
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