CARSCOOP |  |
- Three Words: Russia, Crane and Tank
- Head-Scratching Fast GMC Syclone from 1991 Pops Up for Sale, Interested?
- GM Names Mary Barra as New CEO, First Woman to Head a Major Automaker
- Tesla Model S Not Exactly Bought With Bitcoins
- Leonardo DiCaprio Teams up With Venturi and Enters Formula E World
- Honda Teases Next-Gen Ridgeline Pickup, Will Launch in Two Years
- MT Gets Creative with Bentley Flying Spur vs. Rolls Royce Ghost
- Leaked SAE Paper Says 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Will Get Optional 8-Speed Auto
- First Ice Falling on Cars Videos from this Winter
- Vorsteiner Releases More Photos of its 2014 BMW M5 Tune
- Five Pieces of Performance Tech That Trickled Down To Regular Cars
- German Manufacturers Look Abroad, as Home Market Is Still Inconclusive
- Drift Off Between New Mercedes S63 AMG and Nissan 200SX
- KTW's…TechArt Tuned Porsche 911 Carrera S
- Is This an Official Teaser for New BMW M3 and M4, and Will They Be Unveiled on Thursday?
- Hyundai Teases New Intrado Fuel-Cell Concept, Looks Like a Small or Compact SUV
- 2014 Opel Cascada Available to Order with New 197HP Engine, Priced from €24,490 in Germany
| Three Words: Russia, Crane and Tank Posted: 10 Dec 2013 05:18 PM PST  Be honest now: haven't you already figured out what's going to happen in the following scene caught on camera by some admittedly insensitive by-standers from the title and the snap shot? Why, of course you have after watching all these marvelous videos coming out from the land of mother Russia and the surrounding regions. There's no mention if someone was hurt here – we'd like to assume that if there was a causality, it would have been noted by the person who filmed it. If you haven't done so already, proceed below the jump to watch the video for yourself.        |
| Head-Scratching Fast GMC Syclone from 1991 Pops Up for Sale, Interested? Posted: 10 Dec 2013 04:56 PM PST  The GMC Syclone is an unusual product, being a kind-of American interpretation of a Subaru Impreza WRX – that's why it's a pickup truck with twice the displacement but the same power. With its 4.3-liter turbocharged and intercooled V6 that was capable of 280 hp, it was quoted as completing the benchmark sprint in under five seconds – as low as 4.3 seconds according to tests run back in the day or on par with the Corvette at the time. If you want one of the 2,995 Syclones ever built, there are still a few for sale online, with prices ranging from $10,000 to over $22,000. At least that's the case made by the seller of this $12,500 example posted on eBay. Fully-repainted, and clocking a claimed 71,000 miles, it's reportedly in great shape, with a few fairly minor problems to tackle. Oxidation is present one of the alloy wheels, the AC needs to be recharged and there's no "Syclone" badge on the glovebox lid, but other than that it's fine. The aftermarket radio won't necessarily suit all tastes, but I don't think this is the kind of vehicle where that could be a problem, as long as the sound it provides is better than that of the stock unit (which was cassette-fed anyway, so it's useless now). By Andrei Nedelea             |
| GM Names Mary Barra as New CEO, First Woman to Head a Major Automaker Posted: 10 Dec 2013 04:35 PM PST  General Motors today announced that Dan Akerson will retire as chairman and CEO of the company on January 15, 2014, and will be replaced by Mary Barra, who will become the first ever woman to hold this position at any global carmaker. Barra, 51, currently executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain, was elected by the Board of Directors to become the next CEO of the company and will also join the GM Board. Akerson, 65, pulled ahead his succession plan by several months after his wife was recently diagnosed with an advanced stage of cancer. The Board also named Theodore Solso to succeed Akerson as Chairman. A member of the GM Board since June 2012, Solso is the former chairman and CEO of Cummins, Inc. "I will leave with great satisfaction in what we have accomplished, great optimism over what is ahead and great pride that we are restoring General Motors as America's standard bearer in the global auto industry," Akerson said in a message to employees. Barra has 33 years of experience at GM and has held a series of manufacturing, engineering, and senior staff positions. GM describes her as the mastermind behind the ongoing turnaround, with the revitalized product development process resulting in the launch of well-received new products. "With an amazing portfolio of cars and trucks and the strongest financial performance in our recent history, this is an exciting time at today's GM. I'm honored to lead the best team in the business and to keep our momentum at full speed," said Mary Barra. The reshuffled management team also includes Dan Ammann, executive vice president and chief financial officer, who was named company president and will be responsible for managing the company's regional operations around the world. GM's North America boss Mark Reuss, will replace Barra as executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain. Alan Batey, currently senior vice president, Global Chevrolet and U.S. Sales and Marketing, will replace Reuss as Executive Vice President and President, North America. Finally, Steve Girsky, vice chairman, Corporate Strategy, Business Development and Global Product Planning, will move to a senior advisor role before leaving the company in April 2014. By Dan Mihalascu            |
| Tesla Model S Not Exactly Bought With Bitcoins Posted: 10 Dec 2013 04:15 PM PST  So, it turns out that the story behind the Tesla Model S that was reportedly purchased with electronic-only Bitcoins last week is a little bit more complicated – this stems from it not actually having taken place that way at all… What CNBC uncovered was that the dealer who reportedly accepted the new kind of transaction never actually held the Bitcoins at any time, and only said yes because it meant the sale of a car, and the non-physical currency could easily be converted into US dollars before then used to pay. The process is exactly the same as the one which would have been carried out had the prospective customer offered to pay in a foreign currency. Lamborghini Newport Beach in Costa Mesa, CA, only accepts US Mint so they asked the buyer of the Model S to first exchange the Bitcoins, then bring him the real money that was required. All of the arrangements were done over the phone with the general manager, Pietro Frigerio, who put it more simply: "It's like if you come into the dealership and you want to buy a Lamborghini using gold bars… We will not accept that. We will accept U.S. dollars. You go out. You exchange it. You come back to us. That's how it worked." By Andrei Nedelea    |
| Leonardo DiCaprio Teams up With Venturi and Enters Formula E World Posted: 10 Dec 2013 03:55 PM PST  If you thought the newly created Formula E all-electric racing series lacked the prestige of the more established championships, as it did not have enough very public figures involved in its midst, the announcement that Oscar-nominated actor Leonardo DiCaprio is joining forces with Venturi in their own quest to get a place on the grid for 2014. DiCaprio was quoted as saying, "The future of our planet depends on our ability to embrace fuel-efficient, clean-energy vehicles," to which he added that "Venturi Grand Prix has shown tremendous foresight in their decision to create an environmentally friendly racing team, and I am happy to be a part of this effort." That and his face associated with Formula E having a strong positive effect on its popularity, and at least he didn't go all weird and ridiculous on us with his image, like Nicolas Cage did when he appeared in some dreadfully bad Chinese car commercials… Granted, they were all better than his movie Ghost Rider 2. In addition, the video posted below is the latest one from the official Formula E channel, not included in our previous post - it's about wireless charging and its implications in the racing series. Story References: Venturi & USA TodayBy Andrei Nedelea    |
| Honda Teases Next-Gen Ridgeline Pickup, Will Launch in Two Years Posted: 10 Dec 2013 03:36 PM PST  Honda has released a design sketch that reveals the silhouette of the next-generation Ridgeline pickup truck. Scheduled to launch in less than two years from now, the second-generation Ridgeline appears to have a more traditional shape, as well as more rounded edges. Honda doesn't say it, but judging from the teaser photo, the new model may ditch the closed-box unibody platform used by the current model. It is unclear whether the second-generation Ridgeline will continue to be based on the Odyssey minivan platform or get dedicated underpinnings. Honda didn't give any technical or size details either. However, it said that production of the current Ridgeline will end in mid-2014, with the new model to be built at the same facility in Lincoln, Alabama. Just like the current model, the second-generation Ridgeline will be designed and developed by Honda R&D Americas at its Los Angeles and Ohio research and development centers. "The next generation Ridgeline will build on Honda's role in creating new value with a new take on advancing form and function in the truck segment," said Michael Accavitti, senior vice president of automobile operations for American Honda Motor. "With a clear path forward, Ridgeline will play an even more important role in our future product portfolio and strengthen an already class-leading lineup of light trucks," he added. Honda Ridgeline sales increased 29 percent in the first 11 months of the year to 16,160 units boosted by the introduction of a new top-of-the-line Special Edition model for 2014. However, the pickup remains the segment's lowest volume seller behind competitors from Ram, Ford, GM, Toyota and Nissan. By Dan Mihalascu     |
| MT Gets Creative with Bentley Flying Spur vs. Rolls Royce Ghost Posted: 10 Dec 2013 11:42 AM PST  The 2014 Bentley Flying Spur, the new one, is more or less of a direct rival to the 2014 Rolls Royce Ghost, even if the latter is more expensive, and it addresses a different clientele. MotorTrend's recent comparison of the two reveals each model's strong points, though it does push one forth as the superior luxury cruiser – the Rolls, though it too is plagued by faults that cannot be overlooked in its price range. Both cars are put through the standard set of acceleration, quarter-mile, braking and figure eight tests that the magazine has gotten us used to, and here the two are evenly matched, though the Bentley is ever so slightly quicker to 62 mph or 100 km/h: 4.3 seconds versus the Roller's 4.4 recorded time. However, it does lose out in the quarter mile, despite the faster acceleration. The Ghost is also the more comfortable of the two, which comes in contrast to the Flying Spur's inability to make passengers and driver "not feel the road," as it's put in the video. It (I think) also has the classier-looking interior, though the reviewers are keen to point out that its use of flimsy unsubstantial plastics used for some of the switchgear is not welcome, but then again the Bentley doesn't do any better here, really, and it's criticized for being too much like a big Audi both in its driving sensation and interior ambiance. By Andrei Nedelea    |
| Leaked SAE Paper Says 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Will Get Optional 8-Speed Auto Posted: 10 Dec 2013 10:00 AM PST  A summary of a technical paper from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) disclosed that next year's 2015MY Chevrolet Corvette Stingray will get a new eight-speed automatic gearbox that will replace the six-speed auto currently offered as optional. The summary was initially published on SAE's website, but it was deleted after media outlets, including Automobile magazine, picked it up. The report says the eight-speed automatic gearbox will be able to handle up to 1,000 Nm (738 lb-ft) of torque and have an overall ratio spread of 7.0. Known as the 8L90, the new transmission should enable a quicker off-the-line acceleration as it features a shorter first gear ratio, thanks to the extra two cogs. The gearbox also promises a better highway fuel economy thanks to the engine running at a lower rpm in top gear. With the current optional 6-speed automatic gearbox, the 2014 Corvette Stingray returns 28 mpg (8.4 l/100 km) highway, which means that the new 8-speed could improve that figure towards or even over 30 mpg (7.8 l/100 km) highway. That would not be bad at all for a 6.2-liter V8 engine with 455 hp, and would even better the fuel economy of the Corvette's standard 7-speed manual gearbox, which is rated at 29 mpg (8.1 l/100 km) highway. By Dan Mihalascu         |
| First Ice Falling on Cars Videos from this Winter Posted: 10 Dec 2013 09:15 AM PST  As I've had the displeasure of finding out on a number of occasions, and as I'm sure many of you have too, dodging chunks of ice falling from buildings is one of the most terrifyingly dangerous things you can be faced with as a city dweller in a temperate climate that caters for snow. However, in my case, only about watermelon sized chunks fell close by (and still made an alarming thud then cracking sound…), whereas the videos we've posted below, show inescapable situations (for a person) and ones that involve bigger ice chunks falling, resulting in concave roofs and hoods, as well broken glass; the one from China is actually borderline-disturbing. It's a permanent problem, and that's why it's always wise to look up when walking in the winter, especially when you're surrounded by older buildings with roofs that protrude outward and leave a place for the ice blocks to form, become too heavy and fall. Some new buildings are built to prevent it gathering up, but don't rely on it to always work as designed. Check out the videos below to get your paranoia wheels turning: two are from Texas and are pretty severe, though the one previously mentioned from China shows a moving Range Rover (?) being hit by what looks like a motorbike-sized chunk from above. By Andrei Nedelea    |
| Vorsteiner Releases More Photos of its 2014 BMW M5 Tune Posted: 10 Dec 2013 08:30 AM PST  Following the preview released earlier this year, the aftermarket specialists at Vorsteiner have released new photos of their tuning package for the BMW M5 sedan. The new bodykit for the F10 M5 features lightweight carbon fiber aerodynamic components, new wheels and performance products. The most visible changes are the new aero front spoiler and aero rear diffuser, both made using Vorsteiner's pre-preg (pre-impregnated) autoclave technology. According to the company, this technology offers superior stiffness, aerospace strength and durability compared to traditional hand laid carbon fiber composites. The front add-on spoiler features a splitter, while the rear bumper features a diffuser replacement with one-piece integrated diffuser fins and two options for the exhaust system – one made of stainless steel and another made of titanium. The Vorsteiner BMW M5 also features a carbon fiber decklid add-on spoiler and an available lightweight boot lid with integrated wing profile. The tuner offers forged rims sized 20, 21 and 22 inches, plus new flow-forged wheels on 20x9J and 20x11J. For the interior, Vorsteiner has very discreet modifications including custom embroidered floor mats and trunk mat accessories. By Dan Mihalascu                     |
| Five Pieces of Performance Tech That Trickled Down To Regular Cars Posted: 10 Dec 2013 07:45 AM PST  Launch control used to be exclusively reserved for racing and rally cars, but also for high end performance models that had more power than tire, and had difficulties launching cleanly. Nowadays, you can get a pretty advanced system on even the most basic performance cars, like Renault's front-wheel drive Clio RS. It is by no means a singular example, and in fact, it shows that tech will trickle down into the lowest and cheapest of cars given time. CNET takes a look at which performance-enhancing pieces of tech have made it into mainstream cars on a wide scale. The information presented is not new, but the video posted below has a good, solid premise and clear structure, and is genuinely informative, if a bit simplistic for those who already have a more detailed view on the matter. Check it out and have your say on the selected five techs; should there be more, fewer, or different ones altogether? By Andrei Nedelea    |
| German Manufacturers Look Abroad, as Home Market Is Still Inconclusive Posted: 10 Dec 2013 07:00 AM PST  We've all seen the powerful German carmakers' incursions (mainly) into China in the past few years, though other markets are growing in importance too, like Russia, Brazil, India and even Mexico. It's funny how their overall output figure is set to rise for a fifth consecutive year in 2014, despite a shrinking home market as well as a continental recession that's not only been hitting hard but also causing attrition. Reuters explains that in spite of that, they are doing well thanks to sales around the rest of the world – really well. It reports that in China, they are looking at 17.1 million cars to be sold in 2014, and that represents a doubling of the 2009 figure, while the US is also expecting a fifty percent increase to around 15.9 million. One wonders if the automakers in this case are merely meeting demand, or actually aggressively causing it through marketing, advertising and smart investments, because growth is all that matters in this industry, even when you have to go to ridiculously globalized lengths to sustain it. I mean VW announcing that it will build seven more factories in China is clear indication for their future priorities. It would not be surprising at all for them to say, in 10-15 years' time, that they would be closing down all of their European production facilities, blaming high wages and taxes, difficult economic climate and shrinking demand, then import cheaper made cars from either China, Mexico, Brazil or any one of its 105 plants scattered across the world. The year 2014 does not announce encouraging news for Germany, where sales are expected to "drop almost five percent this year to 2.93 million, the second-lowest level since German reunification in 1990, VDA said, reflecting troubles in Europe where auto demand is hovering close to a two-decade low." There really is nothing to it, though, as Peter Fuss, the senior advisory partner for the Global Automotive Center of accountants EY (formerly Ernst & Young) explains; he puts it simply that "carmakers invest their money where sales markets grow," and rarely distance themselves from this business-saving principle as a form of self-preservation. Still, registrations in Germany may notice a rise in 2014, though; as demand is expected to grow, but Fuss said they're actually still "far away from a genuine recovery." By Andrei Nedelea           |
| Drift Off Between New Mercedes S63 AMG and Nissan 200SX Posted: 10 Dec 2013 06:18 AM PST  What do a new Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG and a Nissan 200SX race drifter have in common other than that they are both moved by turbo-charged engines driving the rear wheels? Well, they are both controlled via a steering wheel and pedals and have four tires, but seriously, the only other thing we can think of is that, given the opportunity, a true gear head would want to drift either car, which is precisely what AutoExpress magazine did. The Nissan 200SX racer comes with a highly-tuned 2.0-liter turbocharged four good for 520hp and 480Nm (354 lb-ft) of torque while tipping the scales at a featherweight 990kg (2,183 lbs). On the other…two hands, the latest Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG sports a mighty 5.5-liter bi-turbo V8 twisting out 577hp (585PS) and 900 Nm (663 lb-ft), but weighs in at just under two tonnes (1,995kg or 4,398 lbs). See the two cars on the track in the following video.    |
| KTW's…TechArt Tuned Porsche 911 Carrera S Posted: 10 Dec 2013 05:40 AM PST  While KTW Tuning may have placed a pair of black stripes with the "powered by KTW…Tuning…" wording running above the side sills of the Porsche 911 Carrera S, what you see here was built exclusively with TechArt components. The German tuner, or rather re-seller of tuning goods, didn't bother with the engine bay that keeps the stock model's 3.8 liters six cylinder boxer engine with 394hp (400PS) unchanged. Modifications were made to the exterior of the car with TechArt parts including a front apron, headlamp and exterior mirror trims, side skirts, a fixed rear wing and the powder-coated 21-inch alloy wheels. On the inside, TechArt appointments range from the exterior color-matching trim pieces on the dashboard, door panels, instrument panel surround, steering wheel and seat backs, to the red safety belts, aluminum pedals and bespoke floor mats.                           |
| Is This an Official Teaser for New BMW M3 and M4, and Will They Be Unveiled on Thursday? Posted: 10 Dec 2013 05:20 AM PST  There's a rumor going around the web that BMW will pull the internet blankets off the new production M3 sedan and M4 Coupe this Thursday, December 12. Adding to that, today, a video that supposedly teases the two high-performance models also appeared online, not on BMW's official pages, but on the YouTube channel of a one Cody0. The short video doesn't reveal anything about the M3 and M4 - the only thing it does is shine some digital lights on the outline of the cars. Besides the recent sightings of the M3 sedan wearing nothing but its new "Yas Marina Blue Metallic" paint and the production-ready M4 Coupe concept shown at Pebble Beach this summer, BMW has also released initial technical details on the two models that will share a new 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight six delivering "approximately" 424hp (430PS) and 500Nm (369 lb-ft). Story References: Worldcarfans & BMWblog    |
| Hyundai Teases New Intrado Fuel-Cell Concept, Looks Like a Small or Compact SUV Posted: 10 Dec 2013 04:56 AM PST  The 2014 edition of the Geneva Motor Show will host the world premiere of a new concept model from Hyundai named the Intrado and which is said to preview future developments for the brand. While not mentioned in the Korean carmaker's release, from the single teaser sketch, the Intrado appears to be a concept for a small (think Nissan Juke) or compact (like the Tucson / ix35) sized crossover model. What Hyundai did say is that it is built around a "super-lightweight structure made from a mixture of advanced materials and joined using a revolutionary technique that has the potential to change the way cars are constructed in the future", adding that it is powered by a next-generation of hydrogen fuel cell drivetrain that is smaller and lighter than the one used on the production ix35 Fuel Cell. In the world of automakers, a new design language is usually announced through one or more concept models before being applied on a series production car, but in the case of Hyundai's Fluidic Sculpture 2.0, it's the other way around. You see, even though the Intrado is the brand's first concept car inspired by Fluidic Sculpture 2.0, Hyundai actually debuted the design language on the production 2015 Genesis last month. Styled and engineered primarily at Hyundai Motor European R&D centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany, the Intrado takes its name from the underside of an aircraft's wing that produces lift, with the Koreans stating that aircrafts also provided the inspiration for the technical aspects of the car, such as the use of light materials and the removal of all unnecessary weight. Peter Schreyer, President & CDO of Hyundai Motor Group, commented: "Hyundai Intrado envisages a motoring future that encapsulates the efficiency and freedom associated with flying. I believe in the power of mobility to deliver emotional as well as physical connections and this car helps us find again the joy of discovery. Intrado shows that future cas can be relevant and exciting."     |
| 2014 Opel Cascada Available to Order with New 197HP Engine, Priced from €24,490 in Germany Posted: 10 Dec 2013 04:33 AM PST  Opel has announced the availability of the new 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline for the 2014 Cascada cabriolet, as well as new features like the latest generation IntelliLink system, new chassis and roof colors. The 1.6 Ecotec Direct Injection Turbo engine develops 197hp (200PS) and is the top-of-the-line unit in the Cascada engine lineup. The unit produces 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) of peak torque thanks to overboost, allowing the Opel Cascada to reach a top speed of 235 km/h (146 mph). Opel didn't communicate the 0-100 km/h time, but said the Cascada accelerates from 80 km/h (50 mph) to 120 km/h (75 mph) in 9.2 seconds in fifth gear. The average fuel consumption of the Cascada 1.6 Turbo is 6.7 l/100 km (35.1 mpg US), with CO2 emissions rated at 158 g/km. Prices in Germany for the Cascada fitted with this engine start from €24,490 ($33,615). Besides the new engine, the 2014 model year Opel Cascada is also available with new features, including two new bodywork colors (a pearlescent Emerald Green and a double-layer metallic Magnetic Silver), as well as a fourth color for the soft-top, Khaki Grey. On the inside, the tweaked Cascada gets the optional new-generation IntelliLink infotainment system, which includes navigation and voice control and is operated via a seven-inch, high-resolution color monitor that also displays images from the optional rearview camera. The system features Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming, while the top-of-the-line Navi 950 IntelliLink contains maps of all of Europe. By Dan Mihalascu        |
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