CARSCOOP

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• BMW Has Already Sold All i8 Models Allocated for 2014
• Road Surface Severely Blistered by Broken Russian Water Main
• Lamborghini Grinds Our Gears with Gallardo's Replacement Facebook Sharing Teaser
• Official: PSA Hires Renault's Ex-COO Carlos Tavares to Lead Company in 2014
• Chevrolet Kicks Off Sales of Corvette Stingray Convertible with Premiere Edition
• Noble Founder Aids Arrinera in Honing new Hussarya Supercar from Poland [w/Video]
• Review of New Porsche Panamera 4S Puts New Force-Fed V6 to the Test
• VW Group Pledges to Invest €84.2 Billion in New Models and Technologies by 2018
• Forza 5 Reviews Are In: Impressions Are Good Despite Fewer Courses and Cars than Before
• Former Renault COO Tavares May Run PSA from 2014, Say Rumors
• Opel Ascona Helps Demolish Brick Shed in Belgium Rally
• China Development Bank Loans $800 Million to Volvo
• Tesla Releases Video to Assure Owners of Model S’ Winter Worthiness
• Loder1899 Gives Fiesta ST 232HP and 335Nm, Shortens 0-100 KM/H Time to 6.5 Sec
• New Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake Spied on the Road
• Hyundai's All-New Genesis Revealed in Korea, Will Be Available Worldwide [100 Photos]
• Russia's X Driving Files: Was a Man Ejected from the Trunk in this Rear End Crash?
• 2015 Mustang to Say Good Morning America on ABC's TV Show on December 5
• New BMW X6 M Design Edition Parades its Colors, Only 100 Cars to be Made
• All-New 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe to be Revealed at Detroit Auto Show
• Volvo Unveils Global Production Versions of S60 and V60 Polestar with 345HP
• Ferrari Customer Orders One-Off 458 Italia Dedicated to Niki Lauda
• BBR Turbocharges Mazda MX-5 to 268HP in the UK, Does 0-60 MPH in 4.9 Sec
• Spied: Audi Preparing to Freshen Up the A7 Sportback
• Grandpa Tries to Take Grandson Off-Road in Ferrari F12b in Belgium; Tree Blocks Way

BMW Has Already Sold All i8 Models Allocated for 2014 Posted: 26 Nov 2013 04:37 PM PST We knew BMW's new i3 got off to a good start, but it looks like the more expensive i8 plug-in hybrid sports car is doing well too. According to the carmaker's global sales chief, Ian Robertson, BMW has already sold the 2014 supply for the i8. However, the executive didn't say how many units of the i8 sports car (due to be introduced in mid-2014) will be sold next year. The BMW i8 is priced from €126,000 in Germany, while in the UK it has a base price of £99,125. In the United States, BMW will offer the i8 from $135,700. Robertson told Reuters news that there are nearly 10,000 orders for the i3 electric car, for which deliveries started in mid-November in Germany. The BMW i3 will arrive in U.S. dealerships in the second quarter of 2014. As a reminder, the BMW i8 features a plug-in hybrid powertrain featuring a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder twin-turbocharged petrol engine developing 231 PS (228hp) and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque that drives the rear wheels via a 6-speed automatic gearbox and a synchronous electric motor developing 96kW (129hp) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque that turns the front wheels via a two-stage automatic transmission. There's also a 5 kWh lithium-ion high-voltage battery with liquid cooling. The car's combined system output of 362 PS (357hp) and 570 Nm (420 lb-ft) allows it to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 4.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). Average fuel economy is estimated at 2.5 l/100 km (113 mpg UK, 94 mpg US) – obviously, including the use of the battery. By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY

Road Surface Severely Blistered by Broken Russian Water Main Posted: 26 Nov 2013 04:01 PM PST High-level public corruption seems to be a way of life in Russia, and while people might be accustomed to things run like this, they suffer the consequences on an everyday basis – especially when it comes to poorly maintained roads. This can cause mildly-amusing incidents such as the one you see portrayed in the video posted below. At first, it looks like any old intersection, but as soon as the tarmac starts swelling up and seeping what appears to be filthy sewage water while a car is on top quickly stops being funny. It must have been a shocking "what the heck is going on" moment for the driver of the trapped car, who is trapped on the newly-created steaming mound of tarmac… All I can say is that all involved should be thankful for this not being a gas main incident. VIDEO

Lamborghini Grinds Our Gears with Gallardo's Replacement Facebook Sharing Teaser Posted: 26 Nov 2013 03:54 PM PST It's only been 24 hours since the last Gallardo rolled off Lamborghini's assembly line on Monday, and the Italian sports carmaker has already kicked off an online campaign for its replacement, rumored, but not officially confirmed yet, to be named the Cabrera. That's all fine and dandy, but there's something very frustrating about the way Lamborghini has chosen to promote the unveiling of the car through a microsite that brings you to an icon of an engine starter and the following caption: "Listen to your instinct. Discover the roar of the new creature from Lamborghini. That will be just the beginning." To open the microsite, you have to "like" the page on Facebook and accept the fact that Lamborghini will have access to your profile and friends -which I hesitantly did for researching purposes, but the thing is, even if you do accept, nothing happens… On Lamborghini's FB page, member Dominic C. posted: "I left my mail and shared to my facebook but seems nothing works yet," to which the Italians replied, "You just have to wait and keep sharing. The more you share the faster you discover!". Really Lamborghini; "the more you keep sharing"? No thanks, think I'll pass… Update: To make it work and hear the five-second engine roar after you "like" the microsite on FB, you have to return to the front page (or just click here)and hit the start button. To do so again, you have to refresh the page as the start button disappears... PHOTO GALLERY

Official: PSA Hires Renault's Ex-COO Carlos Tavares to Lead Company in 2014 Posted: 26 Nov 2013 03:12 PM PST French carmaker PSA Peugeot Citroën has made an official announcement on the nomination of former Renault executive Carlos Tavares to its Managing Board from January 1, 2014, before he takes over as CEO later in the year replacing 61-year old Philippe Varin, who plans to retire in 2014. Tavares, who left his position as Renault's chief operating officer just this past August after more than three decades with the French company and its Japanese affiliate Nissan, will have the daunting task of fixing PSA's troublesome finances during a recession in its home market of Europe, while also expanding the automaker's operations in other regions. Thierry Peugeot, President of the Supervisory Board, stated : "By chosing Carlos Tavares, reknowned automotive industry professional, to succeed Philippe Varin in 2014, the Supervisory Board ensures that the strategy of recovery and development to overcome the current crisis, a strategy that has been carried out for several years, will continue to be executed over the long term." In the same statement, PSA said that Varin will remain at the helm of the company during the transition: "During this period Philippe Varin will continue his mission as President of the Managing Board, in particular with the responsibility of carrying out strategic discussions begun with the various partners. Carlos Tavares will begin his induction into the company and its challenges, and will work with the Managing Board on the action plans aimed at continuing the recovery of the Group." By partners, we suspect that PSA means the ongoing talks it has China's Dongfeng Motor to grow their existing collaboration, as well as with GM, albeit for the opposite reasons… Thanks to all who sent in a tip! PHOTO GALLERY

Chevrolet Kicks Off Sales of Corvette Stingray Convertible with Premiere Edition Posted: 26 Nov 2013 02:47 PM PST To mark the U.S. sales debut of the 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible, Chevrolet has launched a limited series called Premiere Edition. Production will be limited to 550 units, all in an identical configuration: top-of-the-line 3LT models with Lime Rock Green exterior paint and Brownstone suede interior. The Convertible Premiere Edition also features suede-wrapped interior trim, carbon fiber accents, variable tuned performance exhaust system, Z51 Performance Package and Magnetic Selective Ride Control. Other standard features are the wheels with "Stingray"-logo center caps, "Stingray"-logo interior sill plates and a five-piece set of Corvette-branded luggage from Thule – all from the Corvette Accessories catalog. Each of the 550 units will have a unique VIN (vehicle identification number) sequence and unique dash plaques to mark their limited-run status. The 2014 Corvette Stingray Premiere Edition Convertible will cost $77,450 (€57,142), including destination and delivery fees. Deliveries begin in early 2014. If that's too expensive, Chevrolet has also released a list of nine other Corvette gifts for the holiday season, starting from a $12 Corvette Stingray Rollerball Pen and ending with a $5,000 Corvette Heritage Neon Sign. Other suggested gifts are a Monopoly Empire Game ($20) featuring a 2014 Corvette Stingray game piece to travel around the board, a 1:18 2014 Corvette Stingray ($38.50), a book about the seventh-generation Corvette ($40), Fisher Price Power Wheels Corvette ($275), a Corvette watch ($775) and Corvette Stingray Luggage ($910). By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY

Noble Founder Aids Arrinera in Honing new Hussarya Supercar from Poland [w/Video] Posted: 26 Nov 2013 02:00 PM PST Currently in rolling chassis form, the first supercar to come out of Poland bearing the Arrinera badge will be called the Hussarya. It promises a power figure of 650 hp, from its mid-mounted 6.2-liter V8 driving the rear wheels, a benchmark sprint time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed in excess of 200 mph or 320 km/h. The company was started in 2008, but up until this point, all we had to go on were promising announcement videos and announced promises that have yet to materialize; we last heard about them in a meaningful way more than a year ago… However, the project is far from dead, and the Hussarya is currently undergoing testing in rolling chassis form, in order for its driving behavior and characteristics to be honed and dialed in. Thankfully, they're not only accessing the limited Polish knowledge bank of supercar handling to achieve it, and have brought in help from abroad, in the form of Lee Noble, the man who gave his name to the now familiar supercar manufacturer and also aided Arrinera from the very beginning. It's a well-known fact that Noble-badged cars are renowned for their handling, and this will definitely reflect in the Hussarya, when (if) it comes out in production form. By Andrei Nedelea VIDEO

Review of New Porsche Panamera 4S Puts New Force-Fed V6 to the Test Posted: 26 Nov 2013 01:15 PM PST By now, you've probably seen many pieces dedicated to the Porsche Panamera, both in text and video form. They all rave about it being comfortable yet sporty, and sufficiently roomy in the back to make it a pleasant long-distance cruiser, even if it's no match for the real luxury sedans, that in turn aren't really a match for it in terms of the sporty stuff it trumps all the others on… MotorTrend does have a fairly important mission to fulfill in their own latest video review of one of the most recent additions to the Panamera range, the new V6-powered all-wheel drive 4S; before, it had a naturally-aspirated V8 that by all accounts was a good performing and characterful engine. The new six-cylinder makes 416 PS or 410 hp, from a displacement of three liters, with the help of two turbochargers. On paper, that puts it above the old unit in every single way, being both more powerful and offering more torque, while also posting better acceleration times and economy figures, as well. However, the engine is found to be a bit flat-sounding and not responsive at low rpms, not really being in tune with the sporty Porsche character, being rated as a far less entertaining drive than before. By Andrei Nedelea VIDEO

VW Group Pledges to Invest €84.2 Billion in New Models and Technologies by 2018 Posted: 26 Nov 2013 12:45 PM PST The Volkswagen Group has announced a total investment of €84.2 billion ($113.85 billion) in its Automotive Division between 2014 and 2018, with over two-thirds of the amount to go into the development of efficient vehicles, drives and technologies, as well as environmentally friendly production. Of the total amount, €63.4 billion ($85.7 billion) will be invested in property, plant and equipment, with average annual investments in this area to be around €0.5 billion ($0.67 billion) less than in the previous planning. VW says this is due among other things "to the postponement of construction projects and capacity optimization." €41.2 billion ($55.8 billion) of the total amount to be invested in property, plant and equipment will go to the Automotive Division for modernizing and extending the product range for all its brands. Obviously, the focus will be on new vehicles and successor models in almost all vehicle classes, all of which will be based on the modular toolkit technology and related components. Investments are significant in powertrain production as well, with VW switching to Euro6 engines and to new generations of powerplants. A particular attention will be given to hybrid and electric motors. More than half of the investments in property, plant and equipment (almost 60 percent) will be made in Germany, with VW sending a strong message that its home locations will continue to play a key role in the company. Europe's largest carmaker will also make cross-product investments of €22.2 billion ($30.1 billion), including spending to expand capacity, in press shops and paint shops, development, quality assurance, sales, genuine parts supply and information technology. VW's plans also include capitalized development costs of €19.5 billion ($26.4 billion) and other investments including for financial assets amounting to €1.3 billion ($1.75 billion). By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY

Forza 5 Reviews Are In: Impressions Are Good Despite Fewer Courses and Cars than Before Posted: 26 Nov 2013 12:00 PM PST Despite having less tracks and vehicles for players to choose from compared to its appreciated predecessor, Forza 5 still makes a good first next-gen impression on Microsoft's new and slightly buggy Xbox One that just hit store shelves earlier this month. Reviews for the driving game are generally quite positive, though none fail to mention the lower diversity and the fact that the game's career mode can feel a bit like "grinding" in an online roleplaying game – it's repetitive and only the Top Gear commenters' amusing interventions keep it from becoming a chore; Naturally, most of the reviewers' attention is drawn to the new graphics that are a noticeable improvement, though some models are carried over and merely updated from the previous title. Still, it's not as bad as Gran Turismo's Premium and non-Premium cars distinction, but it's reportedly noticeable for those familiar with Forza 4. What it all comes down to is its driving physics which are said to be better than before, the graphics which we can see are better and the experience as a whole; this is where Forza 5 delivers, despite not being as complex a title as it could have been, leaving a big gap for later downloadable packs (DLCs) to correct it, like the developers have been saying a long time ahead of the actual launch. It just feels like a game held back in order to be improved at a later date and at extra cost. By Andrei Nedelea VIDEO

Former Renault COO Tavares May Run PSA from 2014, Say Rumors Posted: 26 Nov 2013 11:15 AM PST Renault's former COO, Carlos Tavares, will apparently not be spending too much time on the automotive industry sideline, as he is reportedly going to head PSA Peugeot-Citroen as of next year. If the report proves true, Tavares would first serve under the leadership of the current first executive of the company, Philippe Varin, then take full control as the latter steps down in 2014. Bloomberg says the information is almost official, but that it has yet to be confirmed in an official manner. Tavares will be PSA's third CEO in seven years, a period when the French automaker's offerings have not been the most enticing, and even now, aside from the RC-Z and 208 GTi, it's really hard to want any of their cars as more than adequate transportation… Even the much talked about all-new 308 is nowhere near as good as it could have been, and it's as if they are unable to make a well-rounded car that not only looks good or has quirky styling features – their most recent cars have even lost that, yet are not any better at the practical side (or quality for that matter). Hopefully, this will bring about positive change within PSA, otherwise they are in serious trouble when it comes to short- to mid-term future prospects. By Andrei Nedelea PHOTO GALLERY

Opel Ascona Helps Demolish Brick Shed in Belgium Rally Posted: 26 Nov 2013 10:25 AM PST Rally events supply us with all sorts of funny videos, most of them involving low-speed crashes. While we do take accidents seriously, some of them are too funny not to share with you – of course, we're talking about those that don't result in injuries or, God forbid, victims. Such a crash happened during a Belgium rally, where the driver of a second-generation Opel Ascona lost control of the car on some mud trails and ended up hitting a not very well-made brick shed. Although the car didn't carry too much speed at the moment of the impact, the wall that was hit collapsed completely, much to the amusement of spectators. No one was hurt, but the owner of the shed may be facing a dilemma: should he charge the rally crew money to repair the building or should he actually pay them for helping him demolish the poorly-built shed? By Dan Mihalascu VIDEO

China Development Bank Loans $800 Million to Volvo Posted: 26 Nov 2013 09:10 AM PST A report from Reuters officially confirmed an $800 (€590 or £495) million loan that the China Development Bank awarded to Volvo. It's not the first one they've taken out of the PRC, and this one's amortization plan has been stretched up until the year 2021, by which time the Swedish manufacturer will have doubled its global sales figure to 800,000 units sold annually, if things go according to plan. The money was justified as going into financing the creation of new models that may in fact, be aimed at ensuring Volvo a bigger slice of the growing Chinese market. It happens to be their top market too, according to data gathered over the last two months. Whatever they do with the money, the fact of the matter is we're still expecting the all-new XC90 that will finally replace the 11 year-old model we have now to arrive next year. It's the first production model to use Volvo's new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), and it will be followed by the replacement for the equally old S80 sedan which we expect will be a keen seller in China too – it's the next series model they will reveal after the SUV/crossover. By Andrei Nedelea PHOTO GALLERY

Tesla Releases Video to Assure Owners of Model S’ Winter Worthiness Posted: 26 Nov 2013 08:38 AM PST If you ever wondered whether the retracting door handles of the Tesla Model S would be able to break the ice that forms over them if you leave the car stationary overnight in icy condition, apparently they can. Not only that, but the all-electric sedan is reportedly very capable on snowy roads, even without all-wheel drive, thanks to its advanced traction control system. That makes quite a bit of sense, and is emphasized in the official video released by the manufacturer to quell winter related fears that new owners may be having. You may remember the electric Mercedes SLS AMG video that explains the benefits of torque vectoring for battery-powered cars – it was instant and much more controllable, therefore allowing much finer adjustments than those that would be possible for a conventional internal combustion engine. Moreover, some Norwegian reviewers put the Model S through its winter paces earlier this year, and it passed their tests with no problem, looking like it was a lot of fun in the snow too… By Andrei Nedelea VIDEO

Loder1899 Gives Fiesta ST 232HP and 335Nm, Shortens 0-100 KM/H Time to 6.5 Sec Posted: 26 Nov 2013 08:03 AM PST Aftermarket specialist Loder1899 has developed a new performance package for the Fiesta ST that lifts power by 51 hp (52PS) and torque by 95 Nm (70 lb-ft). In order to squeeze extra juice from the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, the tuning firm used a combination consisting of a new intercooler, exhaust system, chip tuning and a sport catalytic converter. The Fiesta RS fitted with the Loder1899 upgrades thus produces 232hp (235PS) and 335 Nm (247 lb-ft) of torque, and sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.5 seconds – 0.4 seconds quicker than the standard car. Top speed also increases by 15 km/h (9 mph) to 235 km/h (146 mph), while average fuel consumption is slightly worse at 6 l/100 km (39.2 mpg US), compared with 5.9 l/100 km (39.8 mpg US) on the standard Fiesta ST. The tuner offers an improved braking system with 318mm (12.5in) discs, a 25mm (0.98in) lowered suspension thanks to new springs and a Bilstein suspension kit, plus two new alloy wheel models. While Loder1899 didn't touch the Fiesta ST's styling, it offers a body kit for regular Fiesta models including new bumpers, sills, wheels and an integrated exhaust system. By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY

New Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake Spied on the Road Posted: 26 Nov 2013 07:33 AM PST Here's our first and admittedly, very revealing look at the upcoming addition to Mercedes-Benz's range, the CLA Shooting Brake, which will join the sleek sedan model sometime next year, though, it's still not clear if the Germans will release the estate in the United States. As predicted, the CLA Shooting Brake follows the same styling philosophy as its bigger, much pricier and more luxurious brother, the CLS Shooting Brake, with a curvy roofline and heavily slanted rear hatch for a more dynamic appearance than your traditional station wagon model. Besides its more practical and roomier body style at the back, everything else is shared with the front- and all-wheel drive CLA saloon, including the engine range of four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline and diesel mills. The question remains whether Mercedes will offer an AMG 45 version with its pumped 355hp (360PS) 2.0-liter force-fed four on the CLA Shooting Brake. Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS PHOTO GALLERY

Hyundai's All-New Genesis Revealed in Korea, Will Be Available Worldwide [100 Photos] Posted: 26 Nov 2013 07:16 AM PST Following the leaked photos from an internal presentation that surfaced on the web earlier this month, Hyundai has officially lifted the veils off its all-new, second-generation Genesis premium sedan in South Korea. The rear-wheel drive executive sedan brings a completely overhauled design that gives the car a more refined and sportier appearance. The new Genesis is the first Hyundai to feature the brand's "Fluidic Sculpture 2.0" styling language, which consists of simple and harmonious design with refined fluidic elements. The highlights of the car are the hexagonal front grille, dynamic character line running along the flanks of the car, and the sporty rear end design. With an overall length of 4,990mm (196.5in), overall width of 1,890mm (74.4in) and overall height of 1,480mm (58.2in), the Genesis is slightly longer (+4mm) and taller (+5mm) than its predecessor. The wheelbase has been extended by 75mm (2.95in) to 3,010mm (118.5in), increasing cabin space, especially on the back seat. The new Hyundai Genesis brings new technologies such as the CO2 cabin sensor control, and safety features such as Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Blind Spot Detection system with integrated Head-Up Display and radar-controlled Advanced Smart Cruise Control, among others. The sedan also debuts a new HTRAC All-Wheel-Drive system and new multi-link rear suspension, while all four V6 and V8 gasoline engines (3.0-, 3.3-, 3.8- and 5.0-liter GDI) have been upgraded, offering better low-mid torque and improved performance. The latter is the most powerful, delivering 425PS (419hp) and helping the Genesis sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.4 seconds. All engines are linked to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Hyundai says it has already received 3,500 orders on the first day pre-orders began in Korea last week, with a sales target of 62,000 units globally next year - 30,000 of which overseas. The result of over four years of development and an investment of approximately 500 billion Won ($471.5 million), the Genesis will be rolled out following its Korean debut in major markets worldwide next year, including North America, Middle East, China, Europe and Russia. By Dan Mihalascu Photos via Hyundai and [Live] Kaablog Hat tip to Bong Soo! PHOTO GALLERY

Russia's X Driving Files: Was a Man Ejected from the Trunk in this Rear End Crash? Posted: 26 Nov 2013 06:38 AM PST Yes, we have yet another mystery from Russia's roads in our hands, one that calls for an explanation. We'll try our best to offer one, but feel free to watch the following dash-cam video and provide your own. If you fast-forward the clip (we already did it for you), you'll see an older generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class W124 saloon crashing into the rear end of what looks like a Lada (mind you, we could be wrong on this one) with a man seemingly ejected from the car's trunk! Don't worry, it doesn't look like he was hurt or anything as he immediately got up all by himself and ran back to the car to check out the driver and passengers. What you do think happened here? Do share your thoughts below in the comments. VIDEO

2015 Mustang to Say Good Morning America on ABC's TV Show on December 5 Posted: 26 Nov 2013 06:17 AM PST Ford is pulling out all the stops for one of its biggest reveals in recent memory, the completely new and re-imagined 2015 Mustang. Today we learned that the Blue Oval will reveal the car on ABC's Good Morning America ("GMA") morning talk show in New York. As pointed out by the crew at Mustang6G, the television show is set in Times Square in Manhattan and runs from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM EST, so if you happen to be there, you might as well get a live peek at it (if you do, you know our email…). We'll remind you that the Detroit carmaker has confirmed that the 2015 Mustang will be unwrapped at 12:01am on December 5, 2013. The unveiling will take place simultaneously in six cities on four continents, including, Dearborn, MI; New York, NY; Los Angeles, CA; Barcelona, Spain, Shanghai, China; and Sydney, Australia. Thanks to MRiley for the tip! VIDEO

New BMW X6 M Design Edition Parades its Colors, Only 100 Cars to be Made Posted: 26 Nov 2013 05:39 AM PST If you're looking to get yourself inside a more bespoke BMW X6M and don't want to bother with the brand's Individual division, the Bavarians have just announced the launch of a new limited production version of the high-powered crossover named X6 M Design Edition, of which only 100 examples will leave its factory in South Carolina. The individualization concerns the aesthetics and aerodynamic properties of the X6 M beginning on the outside with the black kidney grilles and mirror caps, carbon fiber front lip and boot spoilers, black rear diffuser, 21-inch alloy wheels and optionally, the "M" sub-brand's traditional stripes on the bonnet and fender edge, bumper corners and profile. The car can be had in three colors, named Alpine White, Sapphire Black or Melbourne Red metallic. Inside, the special edition comes dressed in full Merino leather, including a bi-color instrument panel in Black/Mugello Red with Mugello Red contrast stitching, and individual interior trim in Piano Black with an edition-specific badge. The X6 M's standard powertrain with a 4.4-liter bi-turbocharged V8 with 547hp (555PS) paired to a six-speed M Sport automatic transmission and xDrive all-wheel drive remains untouched. Pricing is to be announced. PHOTO GALLERY

All-New 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe to be Revealed at Detroit Auto Show Posted: 26 Nov 2013 05:24 AM PST With the ATS already poking a dent in the compact luxury segment against German and Japanese rivals like the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4 and Lexus IS, Cadillac is ready to move on to the next phase with the reveal of a coupe model. According to an Edmunds report citing insiders, the new ATS Coupe will make its world premiere at the upcoming 2014 Detroit Motor Show in mid-January before it goes on sale first in the U.S. next summer and then in the rest of the world. Spy pictures of the car reveal a more streamlined and conventional look for the ATS Coupe compared to the slightly larger CTS Coupe, which we're still not sure if it will be replaced. The two door model is expected to feature a similar engine lineup to the sedan with a choice of a standard 202hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, or the optional 272hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and 321hp 3.6-liter V6 units. A top "V" high-performance model will come at a larger stage with more than 400-horses to challenge the BMW M4. Spy Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS , Rendering Copyright Carscoops/Josh Byrnes PHOTO GALLERY

Volvo Unveils Global Production Versions of S60 and V60 Polestar with 345HP Posted: 26 Nov 2013 05:02 AM PST Following a mysterious teaser earlier this month, we now know what Polestar was preparing for today: the world debut of the Volvo V60 and S60 Polestar production cars. Based on the pre-facelift S60 Polestar for Australia, with which they share the powertrain, the new Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar also sport the latest restyling of Volvo's mid-size sedan and wagon. Obviously, the big news is the V60 Polestar, which Volvo considers a successor to the racing 850 BTCC. The wagon retains the styling cues of the standard V60, but adds muscular features like the aggressive bumpers with splitter at the front, 20-inch Polestar wheels, rear spoiler and diffuser. The same aerodynamic package is seen on the S60 Polestar as well, with the exception of the rear spoiler, which is obviously placed on the boot and not on the roof. The interior sports an understated theme, bringing new details, materials and Polestar colors on the steering wheel, seats and more. The new S60 and V60 Polestar are powered by the six-cylinder turbocharged T6 engine that produces 345hp (350PS) at 5,700 rpm and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque from 2,800 rpm. The unit is mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox featuring a new paddle shift system that sends power to all four wheels through the Polestar developed Haldex four-wheel drive system. Performance comes as a natural consequence of the above-mentioned figures, with 0 to 100 km/h taking 4.9 seconds for both models and top speed being limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). Volvo says the gearbox, four-wheel drive system and traction control system have been recalibrated to provide "an active driving experience and maximum grip in all situations." Other upgrades include 80 percent stiffer springs compared to the S60/V60 R-Design, high-performance Öhlins shock absorbers, 371-mm (14.6-in) ventilated front brake discs and six-piston Brembo calipers, among others. The two high-performance models will go on sale on four continents starting next year, in countries including Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the USA. Further markets and final production numbers will be revealed next year. Deliveries start in June 2014. By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY

Ferrari Customer Orders One-Off 458 Italia Dedicated to Niki Lauda Posted: 25 Nov 2013 03:04 PM PST The timing couldn't have been better: just weeks after the premiere of the "Rush" movie that depicts the rivalry between Niki Lauda and James Hunt during the 1976 Formula One season, Ferrari has revealed a very special 458 Italia. A customer of Ferrari's Tailor Made personalization program decided to customize his new 458 Italia in the livery that featured on the Maranello F1 cars back in the mid-Seventies, when the Scuderia took three consecutive Constructors' titles and two Drivers' – both of them thanks to the very determined Niki Lauda. The car features a red paint with a white roof that includes the Italian flag going longitudinally across it. The gold rims add to the 458 Italia's special feel, as do the white painted door sills and front deflectors. The car was prepared with this exclusive design by the Commercial Department at Ferrari as part of the Tailor Made personalization program, with the collaboration of a personal designer from the Maranello Style Centre. The interior features the same motif of the Italian flag, which can be seen on the seats and central tunnel. The racing look is underlined by the sports seats with red motif stitching, the dashboard, instrument panel and the steering wheel with LEDs, as well as the F1 type gear shifts. Ferrari says the mysterious owner of this 458 Italia (which remains standard in terms of performance) wanted to make it unique by "paying tribute to one of the happiest and most productive eras in the history of the Scuderia." What do you think of it? By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY

BBR Turbocharges Mazda MX-5 to 268HP in the UK, Does 0-60 MPH in 4.9 Sec Posted: 25 Nov 2013 01:42 PM PST Despite the huge popularity of the Mazda MX-5 all around the world, somehow its factory-fitted engines never supplied enough power to make it worthy of the sports car label. Luckily, aftermarket specialists saw an opportunity and developed power upgrades for the MX-5. One of the most important tuners is UK-based Brodie Brittain Racing (BBR), the creator of the original turbocharged Mazda MX-5 from 1990, which has just launched the most powerful power upgrade for the popular roadster. The GT270 package gives the Mazda MX-5 268hp (270PS) and 227 lb-ft (307 Nm) of torque, thanks to the fitting of a Garrett GT25 turbocharger, exhaust manifold and intercooler, as well as advanced electronic upgrades. Based on the standard 2.0-liter Sport Tech Roadster Coupe, the GT270 brings not only 108 more horsepower and 88 lb-ft (119 Nm) more torque, but optional chassis enhancements as well. BBR promises a "dramatic" improvement in terms of dynamics over the base model and the specs seem to support their statement. The MX-5 GT270 sprints from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 150 mph (241 km/h). For comparison, the base 2.0-liter Sport Tech Roadster Coupe accelerates from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 7.9 seconds and tops at 136 mph (219 km/h). The car also features specially developed switchable ECU functions, including launch control, full throttle shift and auto throttle blip on down-change. Furthermore, in order to handle the significant torque increase, the car was fitted with an uprated Exedy clutch with a higher clamping pressure. On the outside, the car looks just like the standard 2.0-liter Sport Tech Roadster Coupe it's based on, except discreet "BBR Turbo" badging and BBR branded exhaust tailpipe trims. BBR will only build 100 units, each priced at £29,995 (US$48,500 / €35,800) on the road. By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY

Spied: Audi Preparing to Freshen Up the A7 Sportback Posted: 25 Nov 2013 12:16 PM PST Our spy photographers have just grabbed a few shots of Audi's elegant rival to the BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe and Mercedes-Benz CLS, the A7 Sportback, with half of its body clad in camouflage, which means only one thing: there's a facelift brewing. They only managed to get pictures of the A7's rear end and profile (before having to…leave), in which we see the new and more integrated exhaust tips, revised tail lamp cluster and graphics – and lets not forget, the larger than life, third stop light that takes up the entire width of the rear hatch. The rest of the changes remain unknown, but Audi may follow a similar recipe with the facelifted A8 luxury sedan gifting the A7 with improved engines, new tech features such as the Matrix LED headlights along with minor interior updates to keep the car relevant in the market. Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS PHOTO GALLERY

Grandpa Tries to Take Grandson Off-Road in Ferrari F12b in Belgium; Tree Blocks Way Posted: 25 Nov 2013 11:36 AM PST The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta has so much horsepower that we're not even going to mention the exact figure here – it's a lot for two wheels, no matter how wide, to handle, particularly in the wrong hands. Thankfully, it looks like it's pretty safe when the imminent crash does happen, as the video below reveals. It shows the aftermath of a pretty severe-looking accident in Belgium, where a grandfather and his grandson were out and about in the now wrecked F12 – the ahem loaned wrecked F12berlinetta, that is… Apparently, the older gentleman overcooked one of the corners, and completely unsurprisingly, the back is believed to have broken loose and landed the front-engined supercar on its side, leaning against a tree. As previously stated, the car withstood the (probably relatively) low-speed crash well, and both the driver and passenger walked away unscathed; physically, that is, as grand pappy's wallet will never be the same again. By Andrei Nedelea Video: YouTube/FotoMiche, Story References: Regio14 via Jalopnik VIDEO

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