CARSCOOP

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• Watch a BMW M3 with Winter Tires Run Circles Around a Subaru Forester with Summer Rubber
• Leaked Invitation Confirms 460HP V8 Engine for the Lexus RC-F Coupe
• A Documentary on the UK's Fast & Furious Drivers
• German Thieves Drive Car into Apple Store, Steal Christmas Presents
• VW Group Announces Sale of More Than 100,000 Diesels in the US
• Autotrader Lists Its 20 Most Popular New Vehicles of 2013
• Renault Shows Off its Self-Driving Tech Called PAMU
• New Toyota Harrier SUV Suits Up for 2014 Tokyo Auto Salon
• Survey Finds Half of US Drivers Condone Speeding
• This is What Happens When You Over Inflate a Huge Truck Tire
• Peugeot Rumored to Be Working on Mercedes CLA Rival
• What a Ditch! There Goes Another New Corvette Stingray C7…
• BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe Patent Drawing Pops to Life with Colors
• The [NSFW] Reason Why You Want an Older Lotus Elise
• Spied: Mercedes-Benz Working On Updates for CLS Series
• James Glickenhaus Announces New SCG003 Road and Racing Car Project [w/Video]
• SuperBowl Ads? Audi Tells BMW, Lexus and Merc Buyers that New A3 Sedan is the Shameless Choice
• Report Says Turbocharged Ferrari California Replacement is Due this Spring
• Subaru Announces Prices and Launch Dates for New JDM Levorg, STI Concept Coming to Tokyo
• Watch Two Inattentive Russian Drivers Get Themselves in a Mess
• Velvet-Wrapped Porsche Panamera GTS Feels Oh So Cuddly and Soft
• This Horacio Pagani Interview is Simply Inspirational
• Suzuki's New Hustler and Spacia Custom Concepts for Tokyo Auto Salon
• Qoros Teases Its Second Production Model, Will Debut in Geneva

Watch a BMW M3 with Winter Tires Run Circles Around a Subaru Forester with Summer Rubber Posted: 27 Dec 2013 05:01 PM PST One of the biggest myths in the automotive world is that the only thing you need to conquer snowy and frozen roads during cold winters is an all-wheel drive car, preferably a tall-riding SUV with fancy chrome roof rails, tough-looking plastic cladding and big "AWD" badges. Does all-wheel drive help? Without going into technical details, sure it does, depending on the condition of the road and the situation you're in, as well as the type of four-wheel drive system fitted on your car. However, what most car salesmen won't tell you is that, the biggest single factor in driving safely and secure on paved roads during winter months is the type of rubber mounted on your wheels. Yes, the all-wheel drive Subaru Forester can be very capable in the snow, but not when it's rolling on summer tires that start losing their grip once temperatures fall under 40 degrees Fahrenheit or 5 degrees Celsius (the exact opposite applies for winter tires – they don't deliver above these temps). And while a rear-wheel drive BMW M3 of the E46 generation may sound like a bad idea on the snow, try driving it with a set of four (always on all four corners, not only the driving wheels) dedicated winter tires, and you'll be surprised how good it can be – just as long as you don't try to defy the laws of physics… If you can afford it, you can have the best of both worlds by having specific winter and summer tires, preferably fitted on different rims (eBay, Craigslist and brand-specific forums can be very useful for buying affordable, used or remanufactured OEM rims), which you can swap towards the end of fall and the beginning of spring. As for all-weather tires, even though many tire specialists like to call them "no season tires" because of the inherent compromises in their design and build, they can be useful in certain regions without heavy winters and overly hot summers. In the videos below, you can see how well a powerful RWD car like the M3 behaves on the snow with dedicated winter rubber and how it compares to other cars, along with two relative clips from TireRack. VIDEO

Leaked Invitation Confirms 460HP V8 Engine for the Lexus RC-F Coupe Posted: 27 Dec 2013 04:10 PM PST Following two teasers of the all-new Lexus RC F Coupe that will be unveiled at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, an official invitation for the Lexus booth at the show has been leaked, revealing one of the most important aspects of the new car – its powerplant. According to the invitation, the high-performance Lexus RC-F gets its mojo from a V8 engine producing 460 horsepower. That is good news, considering that the IS-F had 416 horsepower. However, the engine in the RC-F is likely to be different from the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 that powered the IS-F, as Lexus officials have hinted in the past that the unit wouldn't be used in future models as it doesn't meet emission standards across the world. Performance-wise, the RC-F should be quicker to 60 mph (96 km/h) than the IS-F, which is rated at 4.6 seconds. It should also reach a greater top speed than the IS-F's electronically-limited 170 mph (274 km/h). Based on the 2014 Lexus RC Coupe, the RC-F is rumored to feature carbon fiber hood, roof and trunklid to reduce weight, as well as a speed-sensitive rear spoiler like the Lexus LFA. By Dan Mihalascu Story References: Lexus via Autoblog.com PHOTO GALLERY

A Documentary on the UK's Fast & Furious Drivers Posted: 27 Dec 2013 03:21 PM PST In the UK, if your car is louder than everybody else's and the paint scheme you've chosen still blinds you at night, then you will be branded a "boy racer." It's a vague term that does in no way justice to the depth of car culture going on in the country, as the Vice documentary posted below tries to illustrate. It goes straight into the action, and follows a group of boy racers and their cars, as they cruise the British road network at night, trying to blow off steam and show off their unique creations; not all are tasteful, but there are definitely good examples of tuning too. Naturally, the police see it as a bad phenomenon that needs to be stopped, though the two representatives of the force followed around for the purpose of the documentary seem to be open-minded fellows who get the scene and don't futilely target those who are not a danger, knowing the vagueness of the boy racer term. They are aware that it encompasses a wide range of types, from working, law-abiding citizens who just want to floss in their tricked out Scooby for a few hours on the weekends, maybe do a doughnut in a parking lot, to those who have a complete disregard for their well-being and the safety of others, driving like lunatics through traffic. Scroll down and check it out. By Andrei Nedelea VIDEO

German Thieves Drive Car into Apple Store, Steal Christmas Presents Posted: 27 Dec 2013 02:50 PM PST It seems that the Christmas spirit is definitely strong in Germany, and more specifically in Berlin, where we learned that several thieves used a car to ram into an Apple store, making off with enough glossy gadgets to make an estimation of their total value currently impossible. Apparently, this is not the first instance of this happening this month, as similar incidents were also reported on December 9 and 18. Reports indicate that the culprits used a stolen Opel Corsa as the rock to break the window, though unlike a rock, it got them out of the store in time to evade the cops (possibly for a third time this month). Their identities remain a mystery as of yet, and the only thing that's left to see is the aftermath of their deed. It can be checked out via the RT video posted after the virtual jump, below. By Andrei Nedelea VIDEO

VW Group Announces Sale of More Than 100,000 Diesels in the US Posted: 27 Dec 2013 02:14 PM PST The Volkswagen group has just announced that sales of diesel cars in 2013 in the US have exceeded the 100,000 mark. The figure includes both VW- and Audi-branded models ranging from the familiar Jetta TDI to the puffed-up estate that is the Audi Q7, and everything in-between. Scott Keogh, Audi of America president said "The past year has shown that American consumers clearly recognize the benefits of clean diesel TDI vehicles," adding that "They understand now more than ever that this is a technology delivering real answers to society's concerns about fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions without compromises." Some studies prove him right. Moreover, the people's car (brand) is also quite proud of selling 75 percent of all passenger diesels in the country; it now offers 12 distinct options (7 of which are VW-badged), and since they were among the first to propose the concept to US buyers back in 1977, they also have a head start when it comes to image. By Andrei Nedelea PHOTO GALLERY

Autotrader Lists Its 20 Most Popular New Vehicles of 2013 Posted: 27 Dec 2013 01:27 PM PST With 2013 rapidly approaching to an end, we're curious to see which new vehicles attracted the most attention from buyers (see 2012 results here), but we'll have to wait a week or so for automakers to crunch out the official sales numbers. Until then, we can take a look at a list with AutoTrader's 20 most popular new vehicles of 2013. For those of you who are not familiar with AutoTrader, it's one of the major online marketplaces for both new and used cars in the U.S. The list was determined by examining the number of car shoppers who click on a posting for a new car up for sale on the website, which receives around 16 million monthly visitors, and does not take into consideration actual sales. Unsurprisingly, the best-selling vehicle in the States, the Ford F-150 truck, took up the number one spot. While we anticipated many of the other cars and trucks listed in the Top 20, there were plenty of surprise participants, such as the Jeep Wrangler in second place, the Ford Mustang that came in fourth and the Chevrolet Corvette in ninth spot. "Corvette's place on the list is a bit deceiving, because interest declined through most of the year as shoppers waited for the 2014 model, but once listings for the all-new vehicle were posted on the site interest skyrocketed, and it was among the top three most popular vehicles on the site for the last three months of the year," explained Isabelle Helms, vice president of Research and Market Intelligence, AutoTrader. Ford was the most represented brand in the Top 20 list with six vehicles, including the year's biggest mover, the Ford Fusion that climbed 16 spots compared to 2012, while Chevrolet was next with four. Half of the entrants were pickup trucks. "The full-size truck segment is historically the most popular vehicle segment on our site, but it grew this year to garner more than 20 percent share of shopper interest," said Helms. "We believe this is due to a combination of growth in the housing and construction sectors and the number of models that were all-new for the 2013 and 2014 model years." PHOTO GALLERY

Renault Shows Off its Self-Driving Tech Called PAMU Posted: 27 Dec 2013 01:02 PM PST Nissan's knowhow in the field of autonomous driving tech was bound to trickle down to group partner Renault, as the symbiosis between the two is very strong. The rhombus manufacturer chose a Fluence ZE all-electric sedan, which it filled with electronic wizardry that made the PAMU system possible. The name stands for Advanced Urban Mobility Platform and to me, it sounds a lot like the one Volvo demonstrated some time ago via a self-parking V40 – they are calling it a valet service. Exactly how it works can be seen in the video posted below, though, I don't really know how scripted everything was, and whether it needed extra preparation like the Mercedes autonomous drive or not. Either way, it shows Renault's future intentions to venture into this section of the market among the first, even if it's currently lagging behind the pack a bit in terms of active safety systems like autonomous emergency braking or active cruise control. By Andrei Nedelea VIDEO PHOTO GALLERY

New Toyota Harrier SUV Suits Up for 2014 Tokyo Auto Salon Posted: 27 Dec 2013 12:28 PM PST As one of the freshest models in Toyota's Japanese lineup, the new Harrier SUV that went on sale in regular guise a couple of weeks ago with a hybrid version to follow next year, will have a prominent place in the brand's 2014 Tokyo Auto Salon stand with two tuned editions. The first is the Harrier Sportivo Concept that comes courtesy of the team at Toyota Racing Development (TRD for short), which based it on the 2WD version adding a prototype lowered sports suspension, a ground effects kit, new front grille, 18-inch alloy wheels and a sports muffler. The blue-colored Harrier Modellista is based on the 149hp (151PS) 2.0-liter petrol engine model with 2WD and a CVT with the dress up content including a protruding front apron, side skirts, rear apron, 19-inch alloys, tailgate spoiler and a chrome kit, plus the use of LED lamps inside and a lowered suspension. Both studies will likely end up being offered as standalone trim models in Japan. PHOTO GALLERY

Survey Finds Half of US Drivers Condone Speeding Posted: 27 Dec 2013 12:05 PM PST The topic of speeding is a little more delicate than it may seem at first, but it should not always be thought of as a bad thing. I mean, aside from the displeasure some people feel when breaking the law, oftentimes speed limits are just plain too low, they impede your own movement and the flow of traffic. If you like to regularly exceed the limit, then in the US, you're one in five as a recent survey carried out for the National Survey of Speeding Attitudes and Behavior by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA. They quote the 10,000 deaths recorded per year in the US and attribute them to speeding; in the decade spanning from 2002 through 2011, it was also said to be the main cause for one third of the recorded accident fatalities (123,804 lives in total). "We all have places we need to go, but it's never the right decision to put ourselves, our families and others in harm's way to get there faster," said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. He added, "this is another reminder, as the busy holiday season approaches, to obey speed limits, reduce speed in inclement weather conditions and allow plenty of time to arrive safely." It's funny, how the survey reveals that 91 percent of those questioned said the speed limit should be obeyed because "it's the law," not because it enhances their safety and the safety of others. Furthermore, 48 percent of surveyors shared their wish that something should be done about all the speeding that goes on in the country; males were found to be more prone to speeding than females, as were young and inexperienced drivers aged 16 to 20. Finally, 16 percent of those asked said that "driving over the speed limit is not dangerous for skilled drivers;" while a quarter said, "I enjoy the feeling of driving fast." By Andrei Nedelea Story References: NHTSA via Forbes VIDEO

This is What Happens When You Over Inflate a Huge Truck Tire Posted: 27 Dec 2013 11:32 AM PST If you're filling up a tire with air, common sense says you should always keep at least one eye on the pressure gauge. Overdo it, and you could end up being blasted in the face and thrown up into the air like a rag doll. This applies to all types of tires, but understandably, the bigger the wheel, the stronger the explosion if you go over the limit. The guy in this video, possibly filmed at a Russian garage, had one foot on the truck tire when it burst out like a bomb shooting the man several feet in the air. The poster of the security camera footage says the man sustained a couple of bruises and torn ligaments in his knee. The funny thing (well, not really, but you get what we mean) is that, if you watch the video, one of the other men in the garage approached him and pointed towards the tire, likely warning him about the pressure. Guess he had to find out the blasting way… Thanks to Jalopnik for the heads up! VIDEO

Peugeot Rumored to Be Working on Mercedes CLA Rival Posted: 27 Dec 2013 11:00 AM PST Peugeot is a bit out of touch with what's currently happening on the Old Continent in terms of buyers' demand for interesting new vehicles. Along with parent company PSA, it believes that the solution is to make a crossover out of every single darned hatchback that they have, and even the larger cars – the results of that tactic can be ghastly (don't buy a 3008, really) or no more than average. However, after seeing that the luxurious yet trendy Germans over at Mercedes are having a field day selling their front-wheel drive sedan, the CLA, a vehicle also based on a hatchback, Autobild suggests that the French too want a piece of the action and are readying a rival for the swoopy sedan called the 408 GT – a Peugeot-badged Citroen DS 5LS? As its name suggests, this new model would slot in between the 308 and 508, while the GT part hints that they can look even further over the fence, way into the backyard of BMW and its similarly-branded models. In addition, while it is not directly mentioned in the source article, I suspect that this 408 GT would share its underpinnings with the 308, modern torsion beam rear suspension and all. Engines would be carried over too, and may go all the way up to 266 hp if need be. By Andrei Nedelea PHOTO GALLERY

What a Ditch! There Goes Another New Corvette Stingray C7… Posted: 27 Dec 2013 10:33 AM PST Things have been strangely quiet on the 2014 Corvette Stingray C7-accident front since the last occurrence that we came to know about during the Texas State Fair in the middle of October, but now, we have another incident that surfaced online. The forum member who shared the picture on the Reddit site wrote: "My friend crashed his Corvette. He sent me this. At least he's okay." You never know with Reddit, but if the original poster is sincere about the car being owned by one of his buddies, then let's just say he's being uncool in a cruelly (albeit humorous) way with his friend's misfortune. But at least he didn't name him, so we guess that counts for something… If you know more about the crash, please do tell in the comments or via email. PHOTO GALLERY

BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe Patent Drawing Pops to Life with Colors Posted: 27 Dec 2013 10:09 AM PST If the grey-scale patent drawings of the upcoming BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe that we shared with you on Thursday left you wanting more, then perhaps this colored version (complete with wheels and courtesy of Autofans) of one of the profile images can help you form a better picture of the Bavarian brand's four-door coupe. We have nothing new to add in the way of information at this point, as BMW isn't talking about the car, but we should learn more in the coming months, since the 4-Series Gran Coupe is scheduled to debut at an international auto show sometime next year. The 3-Series-based saloon with the 4-Series-esque look will be the sixth globally available body style of BMW's extended range of compact executive models after the 3-Series sedan, Touring and Gran Turismo, and 4-Series Coupe and Convertible. Story References: Autofans PHOTO GALLERY

The [NSFW] Reason Why You Want an Older Lotus Elise Posted: 27 Dec 2013 09:35 AM PST The Lotus brand has always carried deep and positive significance for driving enthusiasts, and the Elise launched in 1996 is thought of by many as being one of the best and newest examples of why that is. It was never the fastest sports car to begin with, nor was it well made or comfortable, yet it still offered petrolheads something they craved, as the video posted below tries to point out; it's a… different review with some NSFW moments of bad language, but it may help you make more sense of what the Elise is about, if you have not done so already. It's a tricky car to peg down, as it has few direct rivals that could match it for lightness and the precision of its controls, but then again, it's not hard to go faster in a straight line, for less second hand money, even if you insist on using rear-wheel drive to do it. Outright power is not key here, yet the car still looks like it goes 200 mph, particularly the post 2005 model that had a notable style update. Scroll down and click play - just make sure no kids are watching… By Andrei Nedelea VIDEO

Spied: Mercedes-Benz Working On Updates for CLS Series Posted: 27 Dec 2013 09:05 AM PST No, we haven't turned back the clock to the spring of 2012 when Mercedes-Benz was still testing partially camouflaged prototypes before the summer release of the new CLS Shooting Brake. What's pictured here is a CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake tester sporting some of the changes that the Germans are preparing for the entire range, including the sedan model of the second generation CLS that was launched in early 2011. Sources from Germany suggest that the CLS will soon gain newer LED headlamp units along with some subtle styling revisions to the front grille, both bumpers and exterior trim, plus new design elements and updated tech features in the cockpit. It's not full-blown facelift, but more of a model year update for all CLS body styles and AMG editions, which should be announced within the next 12 months. Rendering Copyright: Carscoops PHOTO GALLERY

James Glickenhaus Announces New SCG003 Road and Racing Car Project [w/Video] Posted: 27 Dec 2013 08:43 AM PST James (Jim) Glickenhaus garnered a lot of attention with his custom Pininfarina-bodied P4/5, a Ferrari Enzo-based car built back in 2006 with a unique shape matched by few other supercars for sheer panache; he even got it eligible and took it racing a few years later and it was successful there, as well. Now he's just announced a new project, dubbed the SCG003, and given the history, we're definitely interested. The press information promises a new car with an exclusive chassis, V6 engine with twin turbos and a goal of unveiling it at the 2015 Geneva motor show, before racing it at the Nürburgring 24H race the same year, in the new SPX Class. This time he's asked for help from a company called GranStudio – they've been working on the car since last July, but the design was only finalized in September, with Glickenhaus choosing one of two proposals. Paolo Garella will be overseeing the project, and since we really (and probably everybody else) like his New Stratos (based on a Ferrari F430), we're very eager to see what the resulting car will be like this time. Check out the teaser video and shots below! By Andrei Nedelea PHOTO GALLERY VIDEO

SuperBowl Ads? Audi Tells BMW, Lexus and Merc Buyers that New A3 Sedan is the Shameless Choice Posted: 27 Dec 2013 08:17 AM PST Audi has set in motion a rather antagonistic campaign for the U.S. launch of its all-new 2015 A3 sedan that will begin arriving in dealer lots early next year with prices starting from $29,900 for the base 170hp 1.8-liter model. The new spots aim against rivaling brands BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz, declaring that the 2015 Audi A3 is the car of choice for buyers who are looking for a compact executive sedan that won't bring forth feelings of shame and remorse – if that makes sense. "Don't give in to the temptations to settle for the wrong luxury car," reads one of the four ads, while another one says, "Father knows best -- especially when it comes to saving yourself for the right luxury car." We haven't confirmed this yet, but there's a very strong possibility that the four fresh spots found on Audi's YouTube page hidden from plain site (locked) could be the brand's 2014 Super Bowl ads – it's not uncommon for companies to release them early, and perhaps Audi is testing the waters online before it airs them on TV. Thanks to Jason from A3forums for the tip! VIDEO

Report Says Turbocharged Ferrari California Replacement is Due this Spring Posted: 27 Dec 2013 07:44 AM PST While it may not be an official bit of confirmed information, the rumor that Ferrari will be turbocharging the replacement for the California folding-hardtop coupe has grown roots, as we've heard it so many times – it would make sense in the general context of things too. Now, MotorTrend adds more to it by announcing a possible release period for the new car. It quotes information from Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa who told them that the car would not only get two turbochargers strapped onto a V8, but that this new car would see the light of day in the spring of next year. The engine itself would apparently be a modified version of the one that powers the Maserati Quattroporte, which has 523 hp. The car it will power will have the same basic ingredients thrown in - including the roof, but the exterior would be new, as would the inside (we think it could be the vehicle depicted in these patent drawings). A new Chrysler UConnect-based infotainment system is speculated to go in, as well. It is suggested that, by saying "spring", Felisa was referring to the Geneva motor show, in March, so until announced otherwise, we're looking forward to that. Sales of the car would start during the latter part of 2014, if said scenario of a spring reveal plays through. By Andrei Nedelea PHOTO GALLERY

Subaru Announces Prices and Launch Dates for New JDM Levorg, STI Concept Coming to Tokyo Posted: 27 Dec 2013 07:13 AM PST One of the more interesting new models to debut at last month's Tokyo Motor Show was the Subaru Levorg sports estate, which while dubbed a concept, was as production ready as they get, something that the Japanese automaker itself admitted today via the release of pricing information on the car. Offered only in Japan (at least for now), Subaru will begin accepting orders for the Levorg on January 4, 2014, with the first cars to arrive in the hands of their new owners in May and June, depending on the trim level. The Levorg comes with a choice of two powertrains, a new 1.6-liter direct-injection turbocharged gasoline boxer engine pushing out 168hp (170PS) and a similar unit displacing 2.0-liters and a peak output of 296hp (300PS), with prices ranging from 2,667,600 to 3,564,000 Yen, or about US$25,700-US$34,300 at the current exchange rates. At the upcoming 2014 Tokyo Auto Salon, Subaru will give prospective owners a look into some customization options for the Levorg with the unveiling of five prototypes, one of which will be prepared by Subaru itself, one by STI, and the rest from the company's tuning partners. The automaker has not released any photos of the new concepts. PHOTO GALLERY

Watch Two Inattentive Russian Drivers Get Themselves in a Mess Posted: 27 Dec 2013 06:43 AM PST No matter how many times you view the two following incidents recorded on dash-cams in Russia, you won't be able to justify the actions of the two drivers, who simply put, weren't paying any attention on the road and ended up crashing their rides. In the first clip, a distracted young lady in a pre-facelift Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe veered to the right side of the road and smashed her car into...a pole, fortunately, without sustaining any injuries. The Honda driver in the second video suffered from the same state of mind, but his inattentiveness also caused damage to another car waiting in traffic. See both incidents in the videos below. VIDEO

Velvet-Wrapped Porsche Panamera GTS Feels Oh So Cuddly and Soft Posted: 27 Dec 2013 06:15 AM PST Apparently, there's a growing trend towards velvet wraps (preferably in black, but we assume more colors should be available) for high-end luxury and sports cars in Europe. We've already witnessed a Ferrari 599 GTB wrapped in the woven tufted fabric that feels soft to the touch, and now we have a new Porsche Panamera GTS sporting the same material on its body. The pictured car has British license plates, but Autogespot forum member S.F. Photography says he actually snapped the shots of the velvety Panamera in Düsseldorf, Germany. For sure, taste is subjective, but personally, I get a kind of a…comic-book feeling when I see these velvet-covered cars on the road. Thoughts? Photo credits: S.F. Photography via Autogespot PHOTO GALLERY

This Horacio Pagani Interview is Simply Inspirational Posted: 27 Dec 2013 05:50 AM PST Horacio Pagani knew from a very young age he was going to build supercars for a living. But it's not only strong determination that helped him become one of the very few people on Earth who have built from scratch his own car manufacturing business. Pagani also had the calling and the willingness to work very hard. And he loved to work with his hands. To be able to better understand the man, one must know that he was chief engineer at Lamborghini at one point in his career. While many would have settled for that comfortable position at one of the world's most famous sports car manufacturers, Pagani left when he couldn't do things his way at Lamborghini. He founded Pagani Automobili in 1992 but it took him seven years to complete his first supercar, the Zonda. The crew from XCar visited Pagani at his headquarters in Modena, Italy, and had him tell the story of his life and his company. It's a wonderful inspirational interview that you definitely have to watch. By Dan Mihalascu VIDEO

Suzuki's New Hustler and Spacia Custom Concepts for Tokyo Auto Salon Posted: 27 Dec 2013 05:29 AM PST Two days after announcing the production version of its Hustler Concept that was seen at the Tokyo Motor Show in November, and following Mazda's launch of a re-badged version of the mini crossover named "Flair", Suzuki has come forward with a new study of the car that will premiere alongside the Spacia Custom-S Concept at the 2014 Tokyo Auto Salon on January 10. The Hustler Custom prototype previews a styling package for the tall and narrow Kei Car model, comprising different front and rear bumpers with carbon fiber aprons, side skirts, painted wheel arch extensions, a new front grille with extra lights and bigger wheels finished in white. Suzuki said that the car also gains new interior appointments and features such as the body-hugging Recaro sport seats. The brand's second model for the upcoming Tokyo Auto Salon is the Spacia Custom S-Concept that adds a sportier flair to the Kei Car model through a two-tone paint job, aero mods, suspension upgrades and a new set of wheels and tires. PHOTO GALLERY

Qoros Teases Its Second Production Model, Will Debut in Geneva Posted: 27 Dec 2013 05:01 AM PST Qoros Auto has released two teaser photos of its second production model that will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2014 and will go on sale in China later in the year. While the carmaker didn't reveal the model's name, it's likely to be one of the two models Qoros previewed at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show alongside the 3 Sedan: the 3 Cross Hybrid and 3 Estate. By comparing photos of the two pre-production studies with the two teaser photos (especially in the area of the taillights), I'm inclined to say Qoros' second production model is the crossover rather than the wagon. In concept guise, the 3 Cross Hybrid featured a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine linked to an electric motor mounted above the rear axle and a second electric motor (the Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) located in between. Depending on conditions, the system offers three driving modes, including petrol-engine front-wheel drive, electric motor rear-wheel drive, and an all-wheel drive mode. Qoros says the new model "echoes the high specification and European quality standards of the Qoros 3 Sedan and is designed to appeal to the young, modern, 'always connected' metropolitan customer". Among the car's features there's the innovative QorosQloud infotainment system accessed via an eight-inch touchscreen. Qoros' second model will share the modular platform with the 3 Sedan, which means it should score well at the Euro NCAPcrash tests. Scheduled to go on sale in China in 2014, the new production model will be built at the company's Changshu plant alongside the 3 Sedan. By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY

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