CARSCOOP |  |
- 2015 Mitsubishi Eclipse R/SD Concept is a Realistic-Looking Design Study [w/Video]
- Consumer Reports Drives 2014 Cadillac ELR, Recommends…Tesla Model S Instead
- Death of the Car Salesman? Company Inaugurates 24-Hour "Vending Machine" for Used Vehicles
- No, This Isn't Your Typical Grandma's Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser Wagon…[w/Video]
- Russian Cops Don’t Give a Damn in Hit-and-Run Incident
- Scoop: New Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe Loosens Up on the Camo
- First Static Review of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Praises Interior Quality
- Skoda May Build SEAT SUV in Czech Republic, Says Report
- Can You Tell The Car Under This Converse Chuck Taylor Sneaker-Style Cover?
- Honda CRV 1.6 Diesel Driven with a Light Right Foot Achieves 77.86mpg UK or 3.6l/100km
- Porsche’s Le Mans Prototype Features a 4-Cylinder Petrol Engine Hybrid Powertrain
- New 2014 Acura RLX Recalled Over Fear of Untightened Rear Suspension Bolts
- Texas Teenager Kills 4 while Drunk Driving, Gets Away with Probation Because He’s...Rich
- Close to 200,000 Cars Per Year Have Their Odometers Rolled Back in the U.S.!
- Renault and Dongfeng Motor Set Up Joint Venture in China, Will Build Crossovers from 2016
- WTF? NY Police Officer Threatens Man for Washing His Car on His Driveway!
- Ford to Launch 23 New Products in 2014, Build Three Plants and Add 11,000 Jobs Globally
- Tesla's BMW 3-Series-Price Rivalling Model E will Debut at 2015 Detroit Show
- All-New 2015 Lincoln MKC Priced from $33,995 for Base 240HP EcoBoost Model
- BMW Group Breaks Ground in Brazil; Will Produce 1-Series Hatch, 3-Series, MINI and More
- Spanish Cop Runs to Break a Fight, Ends Up Running to Save His Car…
- Michelin Recalls 1.3 Million Tires Over Safety Concerns, Were Used on Certain Ford Vans
- GM Dishes Rumors About Killing Holden Name After 2017
- Holy Deutsch Cannoli! Boba's Insane 1,150HP VW Golf Mk2 4MOTION
- 2014 Toyota Verso is Powered by BMW, Receives Some Other Updates Too
| 2015 Mitsubishi Eclipse R/SD Concept is a Realistic-Looking Design Study [w/Video] Posted: 16 Dec 2013 05:32 PM PST  Any way you look at it, Mitsubishi has been on a downward spiral for years now (remember this comment?) and things aren't looking too bright for the sixth biggest Japanese automaker and the sixteenth biggest in the world based on production numbers. While the company now believes that its future lies in SUVs, crossovers and cheap transportation modes like the Mirage hatch, it wasn't always like that; besides the legendary Lancer EVO series, once upon a time, Mitsubishi also did coupes like the 3000GT/GTO, FTO and the Eclipse. The latter inspired car modeler Steel Blake from the far away land of Kyrgyzstan in central Asia along with the help of Zhikharev Eduard and Mike Kinikhin to create a rather realistic-looking concept model dubbed the 2015 Mitsubishi Eclipse R/SD. Blake took the last, fourth generation of the series (produced from 2006 to 2011) as a canvas for the study. While there are no coupes in Mitsubishi's immediate future, it would be interesting to hear your thoughts about Blake's concept in the comments. Designer: Steel Blake , Thanks to Autofilou for the heads up!                                      |
| Consumer Reports Drives 2014 Cadillac ELR, Recommends…Tesla Model S Instead Posted: 16 Dec 2013 04:45 PM PST  The 2014 Cadillac ELR is without a doubt a car that attracts attention thanks to its show-car looks, and Consumer Reports believes those who are going to buy it will do so mainly because of its design. Simply put, the ELR doesn't make too much sense considering its very steep starting price of $75,995 (€55,170) – even if that's before tax credits. CR's Tom Mutchler argues that for a comparable amount of money a consumer could choose the Tesla Model S, which is a lot roomier, more practical and "greener", as it runs exclusively on electricity. Sure, the Cadillac ELR has a beautiful, luxurious interior with wood trim and suede on the doors, and it's nice to drive too - it's quiet and it offers a good ride despite being fitted with 20-inch wheels. But there are downsides as well, aside from the price: the Cadillac CUE infotainment system that Consumer Reports doesn't like at all, the poor visibility and the cramped back seats. Watch the review in full in the video after the jump. By Dan Mihalascu    |
| Death of the Car Salesman? Company Inaugurates 24-Hour "Vending Machine" for Used Vehicles Posted: 16 Dec 2013 04:07 PM PST  While some automakers are still reluctant of selling their cars online, a used car sales company has inaugurated a dealership that employs no salespersons at all… "Carvana" is the name of the first 24-hour automobile "vending machine" in the U.S., inaugurated in Atlanta, Georgia, earlier this month. Backed by the DriveTime Automobile Group, which operates over 100 conventional used car dealerships across the country, the service will be expanded nationwide. The location allows customers to either pick up cars they've purchased on the company's website, or to buy one of the vehicles in stock without having to interact with a salesperson. While informational representatives are available on site, all transactions are done via computer. Basically, customers can buy a car on the internet and have it delivered the next day to their home. Local delivery is free inside a 75-mile (121-km) radius of Atlanta, while buyers outside that area pay a fee between $199 (€145) for up to 250 miles (402 km) and $1,000 (€725) for a coast-to-coast shipment. The company says that by not having to pay salesperson salaries, it is able to sell cars $1,500 (€1,090) cheaper on average than traditional dealers. All cars are offered with a 100-day warranty and 7-day money-back guarantee, but the customer will have to chip in the cost of return shipping. You can see how the system works in the video below – make sure you also check out the second video that uses a funny remake of Snow Patrol's "Chasing Cars" song to describe the advantages of not having to deal with used car salespersons. By Dan Mihalascu Story References: Fox News   |
| No, This Isn't Your Typical Grandma's Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser Wagon…[w/Video] Posted: 16 Dec 2013 03:32 PM PST  When it comes to super-spacious station wagons of the elderly kind, the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser produced from 1971 through 1992, and its GM kin from Buick, Chevrolet and Pontiac, were king. These automotive dinosaurs reached new lengths – literally, with the 1976 model measuring a gasping 231.0 inches (5,867 mm) long and 80.0 inches (2,032 mm) wide, before dropping to 217.5 inches (5,524 mm) and 79.7 inches (2,024 mm) respectively in the third last generation model (1989-1992) seen here. While a lot of things have stayed stock on this 1991 example of the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser Limited Edition, the lowered stance combined with beefy 245/40 low profile rubber encompassing 18-inch American Racing chrome wheels, large chin spoiler and the oversized hood scoop, should tell you that there's something…dark going on with this estate (…and now you know why they use this term). That something is a ferocious Chevrolet Big Block Ram Jet 502 cubic inch (8.2-liter) V8 crate engine (priced $13,263 new), which GM says produces 502-horses. The seller of the car at Art&Speed in Tennessee, doesn't provide output numbers, but it should be close to the official figure released by GM. The Olds wagon has a sale price of $21,900 (€15,900 at today's rates). A plethora of high-res photos and a growling video tour of the car can be found below.                                       |
| Russian Cops Don’t Give a Damn in Hit-and-Run Incident Posted: 16 Dec 2013 02:59 PM PST  If you thought American cops have weird ways of reacting to crises, then the Russian answer, or lack of it, rather, may be surprising… So there's this black Lada Granta driver who comes into view of the dash cam out of nowhere (from the right side) and hits both the camera car and a white Subaru Impreza (?). Then, as the two drivers get out to assess the damage, the instigator's intentions become clear, as he wrestles the wheel to get his sub-Logan sedan out of there and not take responsibility for the mess. He manages to do so, and immediately after his disappearance from the frame, the driver of the dash cam-equipped car rushes forward to ask for police assistance, from the cop car conveniently waiting up ahead. However, the cops don't seem to give a damn, as the driver uses extensive gesticulation and pointing to get his message across (in vain, it seems). By Andrei Nedelea    |
| Scoop: New Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe Loosens Up on the Camo Posted: 16 Dec 2013 02:32 PM PST  While taking one of the S-Class Coupe prototypes out for winter testing in northern Sweden, Mercedes' engineers peeled off the annoying full-body camouflage wrap of the previous cars and replaced it with patches of black covers, affording us a slightly better view of the final production model. These pictures confirm previous reports from British magazine Autocar, which spoke to senior Mercedes designer Jan Kaul, who said that minimal changes will be applied to the concept's exterior, including a 10mm (0.4 inches) higher roof, a 20mm (0.8 inches) narrower body and a 30mm (1.2 inches) more upright and "less of a shark nose" front. We don't need to tell you that the concept's sleek mirrors and 21-inch wheels are gone – though, we suspect that the latter will be offered on the S-Class Coupe's optional list for a hefty price. Nevertheless, overall, the production S-Class Coupe will look almost identical to the concept exhibited at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show. Kaul had said that the concept's interior was "slightly further from production", so expect it to be toned down a notch or two losing some of the more futuristic elements and approaching closer to that of the S-Class sedan, with which it will share its underpinnings and V8 and V12 powertrains, in both regular and AMG performance trims with up to 621HP. Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS            |
| First Static Review of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Praises Interior Quality Posted: 16 Dec 2013 02:02 PM PST  You've seen the official photos and videos of the all-new 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class and now it's time to watch the first review of the car. While some may argue it's not really a review if the car isn't driven, AutoExpress calls it one, as tester Paul Bond had the opportunity to touch the car and check out its interior in a photographic studio in Germany. While the exterior is obviously influenced by the styling of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (not that there's anything wrong with that, it looks elegant and fluent), the interior is described as a "quantum leap" compared to the previous generation model. The reviewer was impressed by the quality of the materials, the minimalist layout and the fine details, all reminding of the fit and finish of the S-Class. Thanks to the increase in size, the C-Class is also roomier, especially in the back. As expected, it features a massive amount of technology as well, even adding air suspension as an option – a first in the segment. But you can find out more about the car by watching the video posted below. By Dan Mihalascu    |
| Skoda May Build SEAT SUV in Czech Republic, Says Report Posted: 16 Dec 2013 01:40 PM PST  One of the perks of being a giant automotive group with so many brands and plants around the world is flexibility, with the VW Group being able to direct resources where they're most needed. If the report from AutomobilWoche is accurate, VW has decided to build the future Seat SUV at Skoda's plant in Kvasiny, Czech Republic. According to the German newspaper that quotes company sources, the Seat SUV will be built in the Czech Republic alongside the next-generation Skoda Yeti compact SUV because production costs there are significantly lower than at Seat's local plant in Martorell, Spain. The Martorell facility builds another SUV, the Audi Q3, but since that one is a premium model with larger profit margins, the Spanish plant's production costs make it cost-effective for Audi to build it there. Seat is the only VW Group volume brand that doesn't have an SUV in its lineup and the brand suffers because of that, with sales of these type of models booming in Europe and elsewhere. Seat president Juergen Stackmann said the SUV would be an important model in the automaker's push to increase sales in Europe. According to the executive, Seat is developing an SUV that would "fit the brand and develop another European sub-segment" for the carmaker. However, he said no decision had been made yet on the SUV's production. The Seat crossover is likely to feature design cues from the 2011 IBX concept (pictured) and to be based on VW's MQB architecture. By Dan Mihalascu         |
| Can You Tell The Car Under This Converse Chuck Taylor Sneaker-Style Cover? Posted: 16 Dec 2013 01:13 PM PST  After admiring the imagination the owner of this car who ordered a custom-made cover styled after the world's most famous sneaker, the ageless Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars that have been around since 1917 (!), we then tried to figure out what make and model is hiding under it. While give you a few moments to think about it before you turn in your answers in the comments, let us tell you that this picture was shared on Lingenfelter Performance Engineering's FaceBook page. The custom-cover was made by the folks over at CoverKings. A quick look at their site didn't provide an answer on the sneaker-style car, but we did find a few more bespoke covers of interest, and in particular, "exact graphical replicas" of the Fiat Abarth, Chevrolet Camaro Mk5 and Corvette C6 and the Ford Mustang Mk5, for the respective models, you know, to be able to see your ride when tucked away, just as long as you can swallow the $1,250 price pill...                                             |
| Honda CRV 1.6 Diesel Driven with a Light Right Foot Achieves 77.86mpg UK or 3.6l/100km Posted: 16 Dec 2013 12:40 PM PST  Honda is very proud of its new 1.6-liter diesel engine that's more in tune with the times than their traditional 2.2-liter unit that was often shunned in markets that taxed cars on displacement. The smaller unit now equips the Civic, Civic Tourer and CRV, and even in the latter, which is noticeably bigger than the first two, it still achieves excellent economy figures in real world conditions. Recently, it was put through a "rigorous independent test," the MPG Marathon, in the UK, which took it on a 509-mile (819 km) drive in mixed conditions with the aim of achieving the best possible economy. By the end of the run, the car's trip computer was displaying a figure of 77.86 mpg UK (3.6 l/100km or 64.8 mpg US). It noticeably exceeds the manufacturer claimed figure of 62.8 mpg UK (4.5 l/100km). Keep in mind though that, while Honda doesn't explicitly mention this in their official release in regards to the achievement, the vehicle used was front-wheel drive, not all-wheel drive and used a manual gearbox. In a similar test conducted not long ago, the British-built Civic powered by the same small diesel hit 84.87 mpg UK or 3.4 l/100km (70.6mpg US), finishing third overall in the aforementioned test – the manufacturer-claimed figure is 78.5 mpg UK or 3.6 l/100km. By Andrei Nedelea                 |
| Porsche’s Le Mans Prototype Features a 4-Cylinder Petrol Engine Hybrid Powertrain Posted: 16 Dec 2013 12:20 PM PST  A lot of people were wondering what kind of powertrain will Porsche use in its LMP1 race car for the 2014 World Endurance Championship. There were rumors about a diesel engine, but that would have been a too direct threat to Audi, the other VW Group brand involved in the sports car endurance series. The mystery has been solved now, as Porsche revealed that the prototype features a "very efficient, high-performance hybrid drive" consisting of a four-cylinder petrol engine with direct injection and two energy recuperation systems. The recovered energy is stored in a battery until retrieved by the driver, with a powerful electric motor providing additional drive to the front axle. Porsche says the development of its "highly-efficient drive" will influence the development of similar systems for its road cars. The factory team ended its 2013 test program with the new LMP1 racecar on the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve near Portimão, Portugal, with former F1 driver Mark Webber driving the car for the first time ahead of early 2014 tests. Red Bull Racing let the Australian drive the Porsche LMP1 racer, despite Webber still being under contract. "My first day in this fascinating project was an intense experience for me. I would like to thank Red Bull Racing for giving me the chance to join the project so early. This is a major and important step for us all. It allows me to integrate with the team quicker and to contribute to further developing the LMP1 race car. We have a long way to go and it involves a lot of hard work. I have no misconceptions about this," said Webber, who will officially join the Porsche factory team from January 1, 2014. By Dan Mihalascu              |
| New 2014 Acura RLX Recalled Over Fear of Untightened Rear Suspension Bolts Posted: 16 Dec 2013 11:59 AM PST  Some nine months after sales of the brand-new 2014 Acura RLX began in the States and the Japanese carmaker has issued a voluntary recall for 7,387 cars to replace rear suspension bolts that may not have been tightened properly. We checked the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) website today, and while there's no mention of a recall, we did find a complaint from an owner of the car that we believe is related, possibly even sparking the issue at hand. The unnamed owner says the incident described below happened on October 5, 2013: "I was driving down the freeway when the back-end of the car became very loose and out of control. The car was swerving back and forth violently. I was able to gain control avoiding the cars to the left of me and the ditch to the right. I was able to get the car under control and I slowed the speed way down," the owner wrote in the complaint listed on NHTSA's website. "I pulled off the highway and into a driveway to inspect. I found the passenger rear tire tilted inwards towards the car at about a 20 degree angle and found the tie rod that connects the car to the new all wheel steering device disconnected and laying on the ground. The bolt either came out or sheered off. The car was towed to the dealer and inspected. They told me it was a defect and repaired it under warranty. Acura client care received the photos and a description from the dealer. I was informed the bolt probably vibrated loose." In a press statement, Acura said, "no customer crashes or injuries have been reported related to this issue" (we asked Acura about the complaint and are waiting for a response). Acura added that during assembly, one or more of the eight bolts that attach several rear suspension components might have not been tightened properly. "A bolt that is not properly fastened could loosen over time and fall out, possibly allowing a portion of the rear suspension to move out of proper alignment, increasing the risk of a crash," said the automaker.                                |
| Texas Teenager Kills 4 while Drunk Driving, Gets Away with Probation Because He’s...Rich Posted: 16 Dec 2013 11:23 AM PST  A teenager from Texas got away with only 10 years of probation after killing four people and severely injuring two in a drunken driving accident. If you're wondering how is that possible, it's because a Texas judge was convinced by the wealthy teenager's lawyers that he suffers from "affluenza", a so-called condition which means that his parents let him get away with everything all his life. Following this logic, State District Judge Jean Boyd ruled that he should not deal with the consequences of his actions, saving 16-year-old Ethan Couch from up to 20 years of jail time. Basically, the judge just continued the irresponsible behavior of the boy's parents. "He never learned that sometimes you don't get your way. He had the cars and he had the money. He had freedoms that no young man would be able to handle," Gary Miller, a psychologist assigned to Couch, said in court. According to the defense, this led to his irresponsible behavior on the night of June 15, which ended in tragedy. Couch stole beer from a Walmart with his friends, jumped into a Ford F-350 pickup truck along with seven other passenger and smashed into a car that had broken down on the side of the road in Burleston, Texas, killing four people that were near the car. The trial revealed that Couch's blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit. The teenager admitted that he was drunk while driving and lost control of his pickup. He pleaded guilty to four counts of manslaughter by intoxication and two counts of assault by intoxication causing bodily injury. On top of the four deaths, two teens that were in the bed of the truck were seriously injured, one of which cannot move or talk. So what do you think about this? Frankly, I believe this sets a dangerous precedent as people with more money than common sense will be encouraged to engage in similar behavior knowing that they can get away with it. By Dan Mihalascu Story References: Star Telegram via Time    This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Close to 200,000 Cars Per Year Have Their Odometers Rolled Back in the U.S.! Posted: 16 Dec 2013 10:56 AM PST  Remember that low mileage example you were eyeing in the classifieds; what are the chances its odometer might have been tampered with? Well, higher than what you may have originally anticipated, according to a new study from Carfax, which is an online service company that supplies vehicle history reports to individuals and businesses on used vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. Carfax researchers scoured through their database and arrived to the conclusion that more than 190,000 cars have their odometers rolled back every year in the States, causing car buyers potential damages in excess of $760 million in lost value and unexpected repairs. The data indicates than there an estimated one million (!) vehicles with rolled-back odometers in every state, with consumers in California, Nevada, Massachusetts, New York and Texas running the highest risk of buying one of these vehicles. "Odometer fraud is a calamity for car buyers," says Larry Gamache, communications director at Carfax. "There are serious problems that can arise from a rollback. Older, deteriorating parts lead to unexpected repairs while unperformed maintenance for the true mileage may compromise the safety and performance of these cars. Not to mention, each victim loses thousands of dollars because they pay much more than these cars are really worth." According to the researchers, most rollbacks have at least 50,000 miles (about 80,000 kilometers) shaved off their odometer, with 14 to 15 year old cars being the most susceptible to this practice. "Professional con men likely are taking advantage of longer vehicle lifespans and readily-available devices to dupe unsuspecting consumers," says the report. "An odometer correction tool is easily found online and can be used to illegally alter digital odometers. Many rolled-back cars are sold through online classifieds and private sales, but some criminals attempt to trade them in at dealerships as well." According to Carfax, potential buyers worried about tampered odometers should keep in mind the following tips when buying a used vehicle (…including, of course, checking / buying a report from the website – they also have an odometer odometer fraud section at www.carfax.com/odo):
From these tips, we'd say the most important is No2, regarding the service records. Not only can you confirm the mileage, but you can also make sure that the car has been taken care of and see what problems it had in the past. We'd also advise owners of cars to keep their service records and receipts, as having something like this increases the value of the car. And from prior experience, I'd say don't take everything you see on Carfax for granted, as there have been instances where the Carfax comes out clean, yet the car has been in an accident; just use it as one piece of a much bigger puzzle needed to be solved.     |
| Renault and Dongfeng Motor Set Up Joint Venture in China, Will Build Crossovers from 2016 Posted: 16 Dec 2013 10:21 AM PST  There has been a lot of talk recently about the intention of China's Dongfeng Motor to take a stake in PSA Peugeot-Citroen. Until that deal is official, the Asian carmaker has announced a new joint venture with Renault, France's other major automaker. Renault and Dongfeng Motor will invest €870 million ($1.2 billion) to build cars in a new plant in Wuhan, China. The facility will have an initial production capacity of 150,000 vehicles annually, with the potential for a double output in the near future. The first vehicles from their joint-venture will roll off the assembly line in 2016. Located in the capital of the Hubei province, the plant will cover a total area of 95 hectares and will lead to the creation of 2,000 new direct jobs. Called Dongfeng Renault Automotive Company (DRAC), the new 50/50 joint venture company has been granted final approval by the National Development and Reform Commission of China (NDRC) on December 2. At first, the plant will manufacture crossover vehicles under the Renault brand, but plans also include a range of products under a local brand at a later stage. Renault has been present on the Chinese market with imported cars such as Koleos and Fluence. This year, Renault expects sales to exceed 30,000 in China, especially thanks to the success of Koleos. Renault is also developing its dealer network, which will grow from 92 outlets in 2013 to 120 by 2016. By Dan Mihalascu        |
| WTF? NY Police Officer Threatens Man for Washing His Car on His Driveway! Posted: 16 Dec 2013 09:50 AM PST  We understand the concept and importance of obeying the law, but sometimes you can't but question the people that came with up some of these rules. A man in New York was left puzzled when a sour neighbor called in the cops because he was…getting ready to clean his car on his driveway! The man, who uses the YouTube handle "JokRKidd", seems like he was expecting something to go down as he and his friend had their camera set on record as soon as the police officer walked on their driveway. When they see the cop, they ask him, "What's the problem officer?" to which he replies, "The problem is that your neighbor doesn't like you". According to the cop, it is illegal to wash motor vehicles in a public area, and the man's driveway is considered as such. Without more details regarding the city where this took place, we can't comment on the violation (we don't know for example if the driveway is indeed considered a public place or if the law is an environmental one). See the video below the jump and if you have something to add, proceed to the comments.    |
| Ford to Launch 23 New Products in 2014, Build Three Plants and Add 11,000 Jobs Globally Posted: 16 Dec 2013 09:22 AM PST  Ford says 2014 will be its busiest year in half a century, with plans including the launch of 23 global products, the opening of two plants in Asia Pacific and one in South America and the addition of 11,000 new jobs – 5,000 of which in the United States. From the 23 launches, 16 will be in North America, including the Ford Mustang, Ford Transit Connect, Ford Transit and Lincoln MKC. Ford expects to have about three times the number of product launches next year in North America than in 2013. Production of the all-new Transit will begin in second-quarter 2014 at Ford's Kansas City Assembly Plant, where the carmaker is investing $1.1 billion to retool and expand the facility. More than 2,000 jobs will be created at the plant to support demand for Ford F-150 and production of the Transit family of commercial vehicles. In all, Ford will create more than 5,000 new jobs in the United States next year, including 3,300 salaried positions. More than 80 percent of the new salaried jobs will be technical professionals who work in product development, manufacturing, quality and IT. In the rest of the world, Ford will open three new manufacturing facilities: Changan Ford Assembly Plant No. 3 and Changan Transmission Plant in Chongqing, China, and Camaçari Engine Plant in Brazil. The new assembly plant in China will increase Ford's production capacity by 300,000 units next year. Ford will hire more than 6,000 employees in Asia next year, mostly hourly employees. The company also announced it will launch two new EcoBoost engines next year – a 2.3-liter unit that will debut in the Mustang and one that will soon be named. Ford plans to expand the offering of fuel efficiency technologies, with the Auto Start-Stop to be offered on more vehicles in North America. The carmaker wants to offer the system on 70 percent of its North America volume. By Dan Mihalascu                   |
| Tesla's BMW 3-Series-Price Rivalling Model E will Debut at 2015 Detroit Show Posted: 16 Dec 2013 08:41 AM PST  In the same interview Tesla designer Franz von Holzhausen told Autobild magazine that he is "unimpressed" with BMW's efforts in the electric car segment (a.k.a. the i3 hatch), he also mentioned that the brand's upcoming affordable entry in the compact luxury sedan segment will likely be displayed for the first time at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show. Reported to start under $40,000 (less than €30,000) in base trim, thus entering the highly competitive compact luxury segment with rivals including the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, Cadillac ATS and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, just to mention a few, the all-electric car, which as pointed out by Gas2, is currently dubbed the Model E, is believed to offer a driving autonomy of around 200 miles (~320 km). The Model E will likely go on sale a year after its motor show debut in 2016. It will be preceded by the production version of Tesla's second model in the range, the Model X crossover with seating for seven, due to launch next year. Note: Tesla Model S and Model X Prototype shown in photos Thanks to Frisco for the tip! ![Tesla-Motors-7[2]](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kd9rqXvUTDI/Uq8sv0vgCqI/AAAAAAAPeHk/7opw-HnqU6k/s1600-h/Tesla-Motors-7%25255B2%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg "Tesla-Motors-7[2]") ![Tesla-Motors-8[2]](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-W5r2YNuReRc/Uq8syZumYeI/AAAAAAAPeH0/AdLbL8W1rKM/s1600-h/Tesla-Motors-8%25255B2%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg "Tesla-Motors-8[2]") ![Tesla-Motors-2[2]](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EnYErL4XA1A/Uq8s1DL5hfI/AAAAAAAPeIE/HVc7u4T-6gg/s1600-h/Tesla-Motors-2%25255B2%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg "Tesla-Motors-2[2]")    |
| All-New 2015 Lincoln MKC Priced from $33,995 for Base 240HP EcoBoost Model Posted: 16 Dec 2013 08:03 AM PST  Lincoln has announced that the 2015 MKC crossover will be priced from $33,995 (€24,680), including destination and delivery charges, when it goes on sale next year. Ford says the MKC has the most accessible starting price point in the segment. Available in three trim levels (Premiere, Select and Reserve), Lincoln's first entry in the small premium utility segment is offered as standard with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine producing 240 hp, with the other available engine being the all-new 2.3-liter EcoBoost producing 275 hp and 300 lb-ft (406 Nm) of torque at 3,000 rpm. The 2015 MKC introduces Approach Detection, a standard feature that senses when an owner is near and responds by illuminating "welcome mats" on the ground next to both front doors, while headlamps, taillamps and door handles glow with soft lighting. Also standard are the push-button gear shift that controls the automatic transmission, electronic parking brake, Hill Start Assist, LED headlamps and taillights, 18-inch painted aluminum wheels, dual zone climate control, Lincoln Premium Sound System with nine speakers, subwoofer and single-CD/MP3 player, cruise control, Sync with MyLincoln Touch and many more. Available features include the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine ($1,140), all-wheel drive with continuously controlled damping (CCD) suspension ($2,495), park out assist, Deepsoft Bridge of Weir leather, Vista Roof, 19- or 20-inch wheels, voice-activated navigation, hands-free liftgate and a series of driver-assist technologies. The 2015 Lincoln MKC will be built at Louisville Assembly Plant and will arrive in Lincoln showrooms in summer of 2014. By Dan Mihalascu              |
| BMW Group Breaks Ground in Brazil; Will Produce 1-Series Hatch, 3-Series, MINI and More Posted: 16 Dec 2013 07:33 AM PST  German luxury car-making group BMW continues to direct the proceeds toward enhancing operations and continuing its global expansion with a new plant in Brazil. On Monday, the BMW Group hosted an official ceremony to begin the construction of the €200 million (about US$275 million at today's rates) project in Araquari, Santa Catarina, with the participation of several Brazilian officials, including Michel Temer, the Vice President of the country. Scheduled to commence operations in the fall of 2014, BMW's first-ever automotive plant in South America has a target of assembling at least 30,000 vehicles annually, including the MINI Countryman, BMW 1 Series 5-door model, BMW 3 Series Sedan, BMW X1, and BMW X3. It will comprise a body shop, a paint shop and an assembly facility creating approximately 1,300 direct jobs, and according to BMW, many more within the supplier network of the new factory. Harald Krüger, Member of the Management Board of BMW AG, responsible for Production, commented in Munich: "Today, we are laying the cornerstone for the BMW Group's first automotive plant in South America. The new plant in Brazil will be an important element in our international production network and will make a significant contribution to the BMW Group's profitable and globally balanced growth. Our strategic principle of "production follows the market" has previously proven effective in markets such as the US and China and will also ensure our success in Brazil as an important future market." Upon completion of the new Brazilian plant, the BMW Group's global manufacturing network will reach 29 production and assembly sites in 13 countries on four continents.       |
| Spanish Cop Runs to Break a Fight, Ends Up Running to Save His Car… Posted: 16 Dec 2013 07:01 AM PST  It looks like a scene from a hilarious comedy, but this incident is real, which we guess, makes it all the more funny for those of us watching it from our desks, phones and tablets. The event took place in Spain when a local police officer came in to break a fight between some youngsters. The cop jumped out of his patrol car and in his hurry, he overlooked to secure the vehicle by placing it into gear (or park, if it was CVT/Auto) and pulling the hand brake. Maybe our Spanish-speaking readers can translate, but we assume that everyone heard yelling in the short clip was telling the cop about his car rolling down the street… Watch the video right after the break.    |
| Michelin Recalls 1.3 Million Tires Over Safety Concerns, Were Used on Certain Ford Vans Posted: 16 Dec 2013 06:32 AM PST  We all know how important tires are for our safety, so when a manufacture issues a recall, it's time to pay attention. On Monday, Michelin said that it is recalling approximately 1.3 million units of its LTX M/S commercial light truck tires sold primarily in North America, because the tread might come apart. Citing a Ford spokesman, the New York Times reported that Ford used the Michelin LTX M/S tires as original equipment on the 2010 through 2013 models of its E-Series vans. Michelin said that it reported the recall to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) because "an increasing number of tires are experiencing tread loss and/or rapid air loss." According to the French tire company, the U.S. customer returns for these conditions "are currently 0.015 percent of the total population, or less than 200 tires. No returns for tires with these conditions have been reported outside the U.S." Of the 1.3 million LTX M/S tires in size 225/75/16 that are affected from the safety issue, around 1.2 million were sold in the United States and the rest mostly in Canada and Mexico. Michelin said that these tires are typically used on vehicles such as commercial light trucks, full-sized heavy duty vans, small RVs and some larger pickup trucks. Photo via Michelin / Tirerack      |
| GM Dishes Rumors About Killing Holden Name After 2017 Posted: 16 Dec 2013 06:06 AM PST  A GM spokesman dismissed reports about killing Holden altogether after 2017, when it shuts down its manufacturing and other operations in Australia - at least as a brand name, since it will become nothing more than an importer and distributor of numerous GM vehicles,. Speaking to Autonews, GM spokesperson Greg Martin said that the company will build Holden-branded cars and trucks in other countries and export them to Australia and New Zealand. He added that GM is currently working on a plan to set up a new Holden business for the sales service and distribution of the vehicles, and repair parts. While Martin would not comment on the future of current GM products built in Australia and exported to the U.S., the termination of Holden's Elizabeth plant means nothing less than the death of the Holden Commodore-based Chevrolet SS sports saloon and the Holden Caprice-based Chevrolet PPV (Police Pursuit Vehicle) and Detective versions. Whether GM will replace these cars remains a mystery at this time.            |
| Holy Deutsch Cannoli! Boba's Insane 1,150HP VW Golf Mk2 4MOTION Posted: 16 Dec 2013 05:41 AM PST  Talk about a wolf pack in sheep's clothing. Heck, this VW Golf deserves a spot right there under the definition of a sleeper car. Just look at it; there's nothing telling about this 1980s VW Golf 4MOTION Mk2 unless you pop up the hood and take a look at the intricate mods. Created by German tuner Boba Motoring, the three-door Golf hatchback has an insanely modified 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is said to produce a Bugatti Veyron-rivaling 1,150PS (1,113HP) and 1,034Nm (762 lb-ft) of torque at 58psi and E85 fuel. It reaps the benefits of 1980s lightweight construction tipping the scales at just 1,120kg (2,469 pounds), accelerating from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 2.6 seconds and from 100 to 200km/h (62-124mph) in a mind blowing 3.6 seconds. Watching it go from 80 to 250km/h + (50mph to over 155mph) in the videos below will surely leave you impressed (especially since you're not the one paying for is maintenance…).    |
| 2014 Toyota Verso is Powered by BMW, Receives Some Other Updates Too Posted: 16 Dec 2013 05:14 AM PST  The 2014 model year Verso compact MPV is the first Toyota model to adopt a BMW-sourced engine, two years after the two automakers made the announcement as part of a broader agreement that include the collaboration in the development of hybrid systems, diesel engines and even a sports car for the two brands. In the case of the lightly refreshed 2014 Verso, the minivan gains BMW's 110hp (111PS) 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four diesel that replaces Toyota's 124Hp (126PS) 2.0-liter D-4D, with the Japanese automaker stating that it offers better efficiency, emissions, flexibility and NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) performance, along with a 20kg (44 pounds) weight saving. Maximum output in the 1.6L unit is 110bhp (82kW or 111PS) at 4,000rpm and peak torque is 270Nm (199 lb-ft), available between 1,750 and 2,250rpm. Paired to a six-speed manual gearbox, the German diesel accelerates the Verso to 62mph (100km/h) in 12.7 seconds and offers a top speed of 115mph (185 km/h). In terms of fuel economy, the 1.6L BMW unit is eight per cent better than the 2.0 D-4D engine, with 62.8mpg UK (52.3mpg US or 4.5 l/100km) combined cycle consumption. CO2 emissions are also lower by 10g/km at 119g/km. Toyota added that it's European engineers have made changes to the suspension on the 1.6L model "to ensure levels of body control and ride comfort consistent with the rest of the range", which includes two petrol units, the 1.6-liter with 130Hp (132PS) and a 1.8-liter delivering 145Hp (147PS). For 2014, Toyota's compact MPV also introduces a new Trend grade, with a "floating roof" effect similar to that of the Yaris offering, plus the latest version of the Toyota Touch 2 with Go multimedia and navigation system, front parking sensors and 17-inch alloys for the rest of the range. European sales of the 2014 Verso will begin in March next year, with pricing to be announced around February.
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