CARSCOOP |  |
- Check Out the 2015 Mustang in New Official Videos, 63 Photos Plus Live Configurator
- 2015 Ford Mustang Finally Revealed in HD Official Photography
- Writer of "Top 5 Reasons Why I’m Glad Paul Walker Is Dead" Allegedly Hiding After Threats
- First Video of 2015 Mustang Gives Us a Studio Look at the Coupe
- Idea of Renault-Nissan Co-Developed Mitsubishi Lancer Still Lacks Clarity
- CNET Checks the Tech on a Hemi-Powered 2014 Dodge Durango Limited
- Ford Website Says 2015 Mustang Goes On Sale Late Next Year with 3.7 V6, 5.0 V8 and 2.3 Turbo 4
- Updated 2014 Honda Civic Starts from $18,190 in the U.S.
- November Was Best Month for U.S. Auto Sales since February 2007
- Nissan Lets World’s Strongest Man Pull 12 of its Notes to Set Guinness World Record
- 2015 Ford Mustang GT Shots Out in the Open
- Spied: VW Rolls Out 2015 Passat B8, And This Time, It's New for Real
- Don’t Like What Modern Cars Stand for? Make Your Own Off-Road Buggy!
- Scoop Video: Mercedes-Benz Gives Next GLK a Modern Makeover
- GM Exec Says Lincoln Is No Longer a Competitor for Cadillac
- Watch These Rides Roll On Colossal Wheels
- First-Gen Ford Focus With V8 Swap and RWD is for Sale
- 2015 Corvette Z06 Teased Ahead of the Detroit Auto Show
- A Simple Video Incursion Into Forza Motorsport 5
- New 2015 Ford Mustang Photos Hit the Web; What Do You Think of it Now?
- New BMW 4-Series Coupe Puts On Its Hamann Shoes
- Mitsubishi Slashes $6,130 Off 2014 i-MiEV’s Price, Adds More Standard Kit
- Is Ferrari Testing its 2014 Turbocharged V6 F1 Engine on a LaFerrari Mule?
- Woman Doesn't Know When to Stop After Early Thanksgiving Binge Drinking
- BMW i3 Customers Must Wait up to 5 Months... for a Test Drive
| Check Out the 2015 Mustang in New Official Videos, 63 Photos Plus Live Configurator Posted: 04 Dec 2013 10:32 PM PST  It's just past 1:00am, and we all know what that means; Ford has pushed the start button on the reveal-process of the new 2015 Mustang after introducing the car to some 2,500 guests in six cities across four continents tonight – and all for good reason as it will be the first model in the car's 50 year old history to be officially offered for sale globally. So, after a marathon of posts dedicated to the Mustang, what else have we to show you now? Well, we've gathered over 60 photos, including the first of the Convertible and some we took from the official configurator that just went live (play with it here), as well as four promo videos. Ford's initial press blurb may be long, but it doesn't go into all the nitty-griities, nor does it really add anything new to what we've already told you today and in the past. If you insist, however, we'll mention that Ford confirmed the availability of upgraded versions of the current 3.7-liter V6 and 5.0-liter V8 mills, and the addition of the new 2.3-liter EcoBoot four-cylinder turbo. The Blue Oval said that the base V6 will produce "at least" 300 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque, with the V8 that comes with an upgraded valvetrain and cylinder heads, more than 420 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque. As for the inline-four turbo, it will have a project output of more than 305 horsepower and 300 lb.-ft. of torque. "This EcoBoost engine delivers where a Mustang driver expects it to, with a broad, flat torque curve that pours out when you stand on it for easy passing or hustling down a twisty road," commented Dave Pericak, Ford Mustang chief engineer. Transferring power to the rear wheels will be an updated manual gearbox or a reworked automatic transmission that now features new steering wheel-mounted shift paddles. The Mustang's global aspirations forced Ford to finally develop an all-new integral-link independent rear suspension, with the car sporting an also new double ball-joint front MacPherson strut system. European models will come with standard 19-inch wheels. Drivers will also be able adjust steering effort, engine response, and transmission and electronic stability control settings through the available Selectable Drive Mode system controlled via toggle switches on the console. "We already set a very high standard for Mustang's dynamics with Boss 302, and our goal was to go above and beyond that with this new car," said Pericak. The independent rear suspension setup is also said to help improve passenger and luggage space, though, don't expect miracles. Ford's release dedicated some space to the new tech that comes to enhance the car's more modern character, including the Blind Spot Information System with cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control, Track Apps, MyColor gauges and new Shaker Pro audio system. One last thing we'll mention before we let you have some fun with the pictures, videos and, of course, the comments area, is that the Mustang Coupe and Convertible will reach U.S. dealerships in late 2014, with the rest of the world, including Australia (yes, it will be sold in RHD) and Europe, to follow in 2015.                                                                        |
| 2015 Ford Mustang Finally Revealed in HD Official Photography Posted: 04 Dec 2013 07:19 PM PST  Yes, at last, we have a respectable set of official and high-definition photos of Ford's brand new pony car, the 2015 Mustang, which hopes to become a global name with the sixth generation version. I'll admit, it looks much better in these images than it did in the previously leaked batch of scans and pictures, but that might have something to do with the fact that this is the 5.0-liter V8 GT model that adds some extra visual punch over the plain V6 (or four-cylinder turbo) version that we saw before, including bigger wheels, a boot lid spoiler, and more aggressive details up front. I'm still debating about the snorty snout, but I like what Ford's designers did with the fastback-style rear end and the classic trio of vertical tail lamps. Nevertheless, I think it could do without that cheap-looking, aftermarket-style painted section of the rear diffuser. And the interior? From what I've seen, it gives me the impression that it doesn't know if it wants to be modern (center console) or retro (the rest of the dash), but I'll refrain from making additional comments until I see more. Check out all photos for yourself below. By John Halas Hat tip to Mustang6g !                       |
| Writer of "Top 5 Reasons Why I’m Glad Paul Walker Is Dead" Allegedly Hiding After Threats Posted: 04 Dec 2013 06:08 PM PST  Ever heard of a writer and self-proclaimed "American semi-amateur journalist, alternative model and national spokeswoman for Goths For Christ," Adora Bull or the website she writes for, Modern Woman Digest (MWD)? Probably not, but now you will after she wrote an editorial-style piece titled "Top Five Reasons Why I'm Glad Paul Walker Is Dead" that is about to go viral - if it hasn't already. Her December 3, 2013, post received some 1,139 comments (last we saw), which frankly, is quiet amazing considering it's practically a startup site with an Alexa score of 1,721,106 (the higher the number, the lower the popularity of the site, and basically, anything over the 100,000 mark is invisible peanuts in the world web). Among these comments, some were hostile, while she reportedly received a "flood of death threats from Paul Walker fans", according to a posting from MWD editor Jane M. Agni , "a professional journalist residing in the rain-soaked city of Portland, Oregon". "In light of recent events here at Modern Women Digest Headquarters, a member of our staff has been taken into police protection and moved to a secure location pending the official investigation multiple death threats aimed at the author," wrote Agni in her follow up post. "Police currently have her under suicide watch, as Ms. Bull has been witnessed threatening her own life after the recent influx of hate mail surrounding her and her journalism career. We at MWD Headquarters are still unsure as to where they have taken Ms. Bull, but have been assured by the local police Chief that she is in good hands and in a safe location," she added. As for Bull, about 4 hours ago, she left the following post on her FaceBook page: "I'm on a short recess from police surveillance, they're allowing me 5 minutes of personal time online to check my emails. I've been spending the past few hours performing a séance with Paul Walker's ghost. He wanted me to relay a message to you all, that he's all very proud of all the harassment, bullying, verbal abuse, death threats, and rape threats you've all sent my way. He said he's so glad you're his fans, and he's smiling down at you from heaven as you exact justice on his honor in the same way he would have done if he were still alive to do it. God bless you all." You can read Bull's article in full here, but the five points she made about why she's glad the Fast & Furious actor died in the Porsche Carrera GT crash are : 1. No More Fast & Furious Sequels. I, for one, strongly believe everyone is entitled to freedom of speech, regardless of their opinion on the topics under discussion, just as long as it really is an opinion and not a dishonorable attempt to provoke reactions by angering people and playing around with their feelings for web hits, sales, publicity and/or for prank purposes. I don't have enough information in my hands yet, nor can I confirm the threats and the involvement of the police, but my first hunch is that there's something odd or at least very questionable about a site that posted its first article on October 13, 2013, and has since uploaded a mere total of 17 pieces, or less than three a week, one of which was titled "How Video Games Are Turning Your Children Into Homosexuals", again from Ms. Bull. That or I have become too suspicious when it comes to certain internet stories… By John Halas     |
| First Video of 2015 Mustang Gives Us a Studio Look at the Coupe Posted: 04 Dec 2013 04:37 PM PST  Not an hour has gone by today – and we mean that in a literal sense – without some sort of leak involving the 2015 Ford Mustang. After screen shots, documents, surveys, magazine scans, public websites and revealing photo shoots, we have the first video of the car, courtesy of the Wall Street Journal. The clip contains official studio footage of the red Mustang along with commentary from the business daily, which sums up the main highlights of the sixth generation model that goes on sale in North America late next year, followed by the rest of the word in 2015. The most important things you need to know about the 2015 Mustang is that Ford has reinterpreted the design to give it a more modern and less retro feel; the inclusion of a 2.3-liter twin-turbocharged four in the range; the global availability of the car; the new rear independent suspension and upgraded technology features.                      |
| Idea of Renault-Nissan Co-Developed Mitsubishi Lancer Still Lacks Clarity Posted: 04 Dec 2013 04:15 PM PST  Confirming a previous report that Mitsubishi was extending its partnership with Nissan (and Renault) in order to create more common models gets additional confirmation from Australia, via Motoring. It quotes the words of the company's Head of Product Projects and Strategy, Ryugo Nakao, who says the immediate priority is not the C-Segment Lancer replacement, but rather a larger D-segment sedan to go up against the Mazda6, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord and VW Passat. Currently, the talks stand far away from having reached a conclusion, but the larger sedan is deemed as being considerably more important for the US market, while the smaller car would have greater relevance in Australia and other markets that share its buyers preferences. Mitsubishi clearly doesn't want to pull a Suzuki and call it quits in the US, despite it sometimes looking that way, so there's a very high likelihood of the (probably) Samsung SM5-based Toyota Camry rival to beat the next Lancer into showrooms. Since it would most likely be based on existing mechanicals, its development won't take a ridiculous amount of time, primarily because they sometimes give the impression that they may not have a lot of it left… By Andrei Nedelea Note: Chinese market Renault Talisman sedan pictured; built by Samsung in Korea too        |
| CNET Checks the Tech on a Hemi-Powered 2014 Dodge Durango Limited Posted: 04 Dec 2013 03:50 PM PST  The latest Dodge Durango, released in 2011 and recently updated for the 2014 model year, is basically a Grand Cherokee underneath, and one that you can option up with a big Hemi V8, just like you can the SRT Jeep. It's an interesting proposition, in the form of a 5.7-liter unit with cylinder deactivation and 360 hp / 390 lb-ft or 528 Nm which can be had on the upmarket Limited model, the one recently tested by CNET. The tech-oriented approach serves the new Durango well, as it comes with lots of features to endorse it, from the capable yet unusually square-screened touchscreen infotainment unit (the larger optional 8.4-inch one), to the snappy voice command system along with the heated steering wheel, automatic SOS calls in the event of a crash and adaptive cruise control. Reviewer Brian Cooley does, however, mention that the Durango is based on what is basically an old Daimler platform that ensures it's comfortable and secure on the road under regular driving conditions. However, it's by no means a safety trademark for swift direction changes which have the bad habit of really unsettling the (car-like, not ladder-framed) chassis. Scroll down to see the video review after the jump. By Andrei Nedelea    |
| Ford Website Says 2015 Mustang Goes On Sale Late Next Year with 3.7 V6, 5.0 V8 and 2.3 Turbo 4 Posted: 04 Dec 2013 03:23 PM PST  Ford's 2015 Mustang public site has partially gone live and even though the pictures are currently blocked, it does provide some new details while also confirming others, including the availability of a 3.7-liter V6, a 5.0-liter V8 (see shots of the GT here) and soon after, a 2.3-liter EcoBoost twin-turbocharged four-cylinder mill. Both the convertible and the coupe version of the new sixth generation Mustang, which is described as a "fastback", will go on sale late in 2014. Other notable mentions include the fully independent rear suspension that promises to improve handling and comfort, and several new tech features such as the blind-spot and in-car communications systems. The initial color palette will include 10 shades, which are pictured in the print screen below. Story References: Ford via Mustang6G      |
| Updated 2014 Honda Civic Starts from $18,190 in the U.S. Posted: 04 Dec 2013 02:40 PM PST  The refreshed 2014 Honda Civic range went on sale today in the U.S. following its debut at the SEMA and Los Angeles shows last month. The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) is $18,190 (€13,420) for the Civic LX Coupe and $18,390 (€13,567) for the Civic LX Sedan, excluding a $790 (€583) destination charge. As you probably know, Honda made a series of updates to its Civic lineup for the 2014 model year, including revised exterior styling for the Civic Coupe and Civic Si Coupe, interior upgrades for all Civic models, a new available CVT, increased engine performance on all models except Natural Gas and Hybrid, as well as several new available features. The most important of these are the 7-inch capacitive touch-screen Display Audio, LaneWatch blind spot monitor and Smart Entry with Push Button start. The 2014 Civic also brings the HondaLink Next Generation connected-car technology, an application-based platform that allows a seamless integration between a user's smartphone and the car, providing access to online and cloud-based content and information. For the 2014 model year, the Coupe and the Sedan also feature an all-new Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that provides quicker and smoother acceleration and improves fuel efficiency. The Honda Civic Coupe is available in LX and EX trims with a 5-speed manual transmission or the new CVT and EX-L and EX-L Navi versions with CVT. The Civic Sedan comes in LX 5-speed manual or CVT and EX, EX-L and EX-L Navi with CVT. A Civic Sedan HF with CVT is also available. By Dan Mihalascu                               |
| November Was Best Month for U.S. Auto Sales since February 2007 Posted: 04 Dec 2013 01:57 PM PST  November was the best month for U.S. auto sales since February 2007, with most automakers reporting strong growth thanks to discounts and the popularity of big pickup trucks. The past month, sales rose 8.9 percent to 1.24 million units. The industry's seasonally adjusted annual sales rate reached 16.41 million vehicles last month up from 15.3 million a year earlier and exceeding analysts' expectations for a rate of 15.75 million. All U.S. automakers posted sales increases, with GM leading the way with 212,060 units (up 14 percent). The GMC brand posted the highest gain at 20 percent (35,727 units). Ford sold 189,705 vehicles last month, an increase of 7 percent over November 2012, with the Lincoln brand posting a 17 percent increase to 6,727 units. Chrysler deliveries rose 16 percent to 142,275 units, with the Ram brand gaining a whopping 25 percent (31,225 units). The Fiat unit, however, disappointed with a 15 percent decline to 3,075 units. It was a good month for foreign automakers as well, with Toyota posting a 10 percent sales increase to 178,044 units. Lexus rose 13 percent to 25,611 units. Nissan sales rose 11 percent to 106,528 units, while Honda stagnated at 116,507 units. Things were worse for Volkswagen, which saw its sales decline by 8 percent to 48,695 units, despite the fact that its luxury brands all posted gains (+13 percent for Audi, +51 percent for Bentley, +5 percent for Lamborghini and +3 percent for Porsche). With a drop of 16 percent to 30,727 units, the VW brand was the one that influenced the most the group's results. Hyundai, on the other hand, posted a healthy 7 percent rise to 101,416 units. As for luxury carmakers, Daimler rose 14 percent to 37,345 units (36,386 of which were Mercedes-Benz vehicles), surpassing rival BMW, which stagnated at 36,411 units. BMW's result was affected by a 13 percent drop in Mini sales, while the BMW brand and Rolls-Royce rose 2 percent and 6 percent, respectively. Finally, Jaguar Land Rover posted a 37 percent gain to 6,047 units, with the Jaguar brand increasing by 103 percent to 1,446 units. By Dan Mihalascu Sales data sourced from Autonews             |
| Nissan Lets World’s Strongest Man Pull 12 of its Notes to Set Guinness World Record Posted: 04 Dec 2013 01:21 PM PST  Lithuanian Zydrunas Savickas is known as the world's strongest man and that means he can do many things guys like you and me can't. For example, the most recent thing he did was to pull 12 Nissan Notes weighing in at a total 12,941 kg (28,530lbs). In doing that, he set a new Guinness world record for the "Most Cars Pulled By One Man". The five-time World Strongest Man champion, widely regarded as one of the greatest strongmen of all time, only had one attempt to set the new record. Wearing a special harness and rope arrangement, the 170kg (374.8lbs) man pulled the 12 Nissan Notes over a distance of five meters (16.4 feet) in a staggering 32.9 seconds. The record attempt took place in Druskininkai, Lithuania, with Nissan providing Savickas with the 12 cars for a welcome publicity stunt. "It is always great to set a new record, once I got into my stride pulling the 12 Nissan Notes was fine. Obviously, a big thank you to Nissan for helping me set the record and making it all possible," said Savickas. You can watch him setting the record in the video posted below.        |
| 2015 Ford Mustang GT Shots Out in the Open Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:43 PM PST  Remember the red 2015 Mustang from the scanned Autoweek article and the real life shots from Times magazine that surfaced on the net during the past 24 hours? Well, unless we're mistaken, the lack of badges suggest that it was either the naturally-aspirated V6, or (less likely) the new turbo-fed four-cylinder model, while these latest print screens secured by Mustang6g show the V8-powered GT model. It won't sit at the top of the range, but the GT, which in its current state features a 420hp 5.0-liter V8, will offer speed thrills without breaking the bank. In a leaked questionnaire for the 2015 Mustang, it was noted that the new GT would come with a 4.9-liter V8 churning out 430hp and 396lb-ft (536Nm), but this has not been confirmed. Either way, we'll find out in hours from now when Ford officially reveals the car. Shout out to Robert T. for the submission!        |
| Spied: VW Rolls Out 2015 Passat B8, And This Time, It's New for Real Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:28 PM PST  When Volkswagen introduced the revised Passat to Europe at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, it told us that it was a new, seventh generation (codenamed B7) model, but between you, me and the entire world outside of the brand's marketing and press departments, we all knew that it was a facelift of the B6. The upcoming B8 seen in the following spy shots, however, is an entirely different and new story as it is a clean sheet design based on an extended version of the VW Group's MQB platform, which will help the Germans save money and increase their profits, while also cutting down the car's weight by up to 100kg (220 pounds). It's not clear if the same design will eventually trickle down to North America or if VW will continue to offer separate models, but the European Passat seen here sports an evolutionary styling with more chiseled detailing. A more efficient use of space will allow the Passat to offer a roomier cabin for passengers and increase the cargo capacity on both the sedan, as well as the successor to the Estate (station wagon). Don't let the huge integrated exhaust trims fool you into thinking that this Passat comes with enough power to blow away a Ferrari, as behind them, you'll find very small tailpipes for the newer range of turbocharged gasoline and diesel units used in other recent group models. Besides the regular front-wheel drive versions, VW will also offer its 4Motion all-wheel drive system on select engines. A hybrid model is rumored to join the range later on. Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS             |
| Don’t Like What Modern Cars Stand for? Make Your Own Off-Road Buggy! Posted: 04 Dec 2013 12:00 PM PST  Some of the best automotive-themed videos one can find online I think are those portraying the very passionate people that build their own vehicle, either based on something already existing or all-new and from scratch. That's basically the story of Joey Ruiter, a product designer based in Michigan who does genuinely seem to have a pretty good idea about where the industry as a whole is heading and exactly why he doesn't want to be a part of it or promote its values. He took the long road to pleasing himself with a custom vehicle that really defines the term. Dubbed the Reboot Buggy, it's the squarest vehicle you've ever seen, but the simple shape does in no way detract from the appeal it has. It's a street-legal machine with under 500 hp, and its nature will make the experience of having it valet parked an interesting one, and different every time. However, our word's don't do a good enough job of conveying Joey's thoughts and (positive) mentality, so we'll let him do the talking. Check out the video posted below. By Andrei Nedelea Story References: Autoblog.com   |
| Scoop Video: Mercedes-Benz Gives Next GLK a Modern Makeover Posted: 04 Dec 2013 11:31 AM PST  Mercedes-Benz might have had the right idea with the introduction of a smaller SUV than the ML-Class when it introduced the GLK back in 2008, but the execution lacked imagination. It's too square for its own good on the outside, and outdated on the inside, and the 2012 facelift, marketed as a 2013MY in North America, didn't really help to change that perception. Mercedes hopes to fix these shortcomings with the presentation of the second-generation model that will shed its boxy exterior looks while also obtaining a far more modern, roomier and better quality interior borrowed directly from the next C-Class series (see it here in our scoop shots), with which it also shares its underpinnings and engine range. In the following video, courtesy of Germany's Autobild magazine, you can catch a glimpse of the 2016 GLK in prototype form on the road.    |
| GM Exec Says Lincoln Is No Longer a Competitor for Cadillac Posted: 04 Dec 2013 11:07 AM PST  GM's vice president of global design, Ed Welburn, had some interesting things to say about Ford's luxury brand Lincoln. In an interview with Car & Driver magazine at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Welburn said GM no longer considers Lincoln a competitor to Cadillac. "In the luxury category, everyone is looking for designs that evolve over time, that don't shift the design language radically every few years," said Welburn. "Customers in the luxury category don't respect brands that change their spots every few years. They want a design that has deep roots, that they can respect for the long term," he added. When asked whether Lincoln is one of the brands that made a radical styling change, Welburn told the publication: "No, I'm not going to comment on Lincoln design. But I don't consider Lincoln to be a competitor for Cadillac." The exec explained: "They're not a global luxury brand. I don't consider them a competitor. Are they a competitor for Buick? Quite possibly. But not for Cadillac." That's an interesting point of view coming from a top-level GM executive, especially since he admitted Infiniti is a competitor for Cadillac in terms of design. Welburn also talked about Cadillac's future vehicles, saying the carmaker has "more vehicles under development today than at any other time in the history of the brand". While he didn't mention specific models, he did point at the Elmiraj concept as one of the cars considered for production. "I'm very interested in it. We're very interested in bringing it to production, if possible. But I'm not announcing that we are. Just to be clear," Welburn said. By Dan Mihalascu         |
| Watch These Rides Roll On Colossal Wheels Posted: 04 Dec 2013 10:38 AM PST  Reactions about the heavily customized cars you're about to watch in the following clips will likely be either positive or negative, depending on which side of the fence you pump your fist, but something tells us you won't be indifferent. At times you'll hear them being described as "Hi-Risers", but the terms "donk," "box" and "bubble" also apply, depending on the model and the style of customization. Carscoops readers are no strangers to these distinctively painted and tuned models riding on massive wheels, sometimes over 30-inches in diameter, usually classic American cars from the 1970s through the 1990s. In this posting, however, we've included some creations (courtesy of AceWhips) based on European and Japanese cars as well as and a modern Buick.    |
| First-Gen Ford Focus With V8 Swap and RWD is for Sale Posted: 04 Dec 2013 10:01 AM PST  The first generation Ford Focus, launched around the year 1998 world-wide, had advanced independent suspension at all corners and a well-judged chassis and steering, qualities which ensured it excellent credentials for both ride and handling. However, those things are of little importance when you drastically modify such a car, and turn it into a rear-wheel drive V8 muscle-hatch, like the person selling the 2000 model-year car you see below, from Craigslist. It runs a lightly modded crate GT40 302 motor that puts out a claimed 340 hp which, as previously mentioned, is directed at the rear wheels via what appears to be a solid rear axle… The transmission is another Ford-sourced part, a C4 automatic transmission with three speeds. No actual performance numbers are provided, though theoretically, it could hit sixty in under six seconds (pessimistic estimate), if it's properly set up and calibrated. That gearbox does not sound appealing either, in this combination; a manual gives extra control and you need it in a car like this. Check out the photos and have your say after the jump. By Andrei Nedelea Story References: Bringatrailer          |
| 2015 Corvette Z06 Teased Ahead of the Detroit Auto Show Posted: 04 Dec 2013 09:27 AM PST  Those super fat tires engulfing the black alloy wheels you see pictured above and below are from the upcoming 2015 Corvette Z06 that was confirmed today for a world premiere at the 2014 Detroit motor show in January. Given all the positive publicity and press reviews that the regular 455hp (460hp with the optional sports exhaust) C7 Corvette Stingray has received in both base and Z51 trims, the expectations are rather high for the more hardcore Z06 model. Not surprisingly, GM isn't sharing much info on the new model at this point, simply stating that, " it will be the most track-capable Corvette ever, designed to deliver supercar levels of performance through unique powertrain, chassis and aerodynamic features". There has been a lot of speculation on what type of engine will power the C7 Corvette Stingray Z06, but earlier this year, one of our sources told us that it could use the production version of the 4.5-liter turbocharged V8 previewed on the Cadillac Elmiraj, in which it produced around 500-horses.     |
| A Simple Video Incursion Into Forza Motorsport 5 Posted: 04 Dec 2013 08:59 AM PST  Both the new Xbox One and Forza Motorsport 5 that's made to run on it have been designed in such a way so as to make uploading of videos to YouTube and general internet-related usability very easy - so long as you don't use foul language while you're recording and it, ahem, hears you… But many have succeeded in bypassing the swear filter, and what they show to those who don't have access to this new technology is a (virtual) world of V8-swapped twin-turbo VW Beetles and artificial intelligence (AI) that fools you into thinking it's not artificial at all. The train of cars that always took the same line around any corner and felt kind-of scripted is gone. In its place, developer Turn 10 has rolled out Drivatar, an evolving cloud-based system that players and reviewers alike are reporting as being a revelation over previous iterations in the series. Moving on, it seems that the extra effort also spent detailing and refining the car upgrades and customization menu also paid off, as it allows for the creation of pretty much any kind of tarmac-biased car you could possibly think of. Aside from the aforementioned Beetle, which you'll be able to see drifting below in the videos, you can make front-wheel drive cars all-wheel drive, swap out their engine, add your choice of forced induction methods, then tune. Oh, and remember the Stig's digital cousin? Many believe he is unbeatable, but he's not, at least not if you have a faster old Ferrari than he has. You will see all of the above (and a lot more) highlighted in the generous selection of videos posted after the virtual jump, so do scroll down. By Andrei Nedelea              |
| New 2015 Ford Mustang Photos Hit the Web; What Do You Think of it Now? Posted: 04 Dec 2013 08:40 AM PST  The interwebs are providing us with our best look yet at the all-new 2015 Ford Mustang Coupe with a trio of shots that appeared on Time Magazine (photographed by Thomas Prior), with Mustang6G forums sharing the same images in higher resolution. While our first impressions are that the interior doesn't seem like a huge design departure from the current fifth generation Mustang (though, we will wait for better photos to be sure), the exterior is a whole different story, one that has caught up with some, but not with others. Perhaps these new images will help you decide if you're leaning towards liking, being indifferent or simply hating the new exterior styling that was penned with a global audience in mind for the very first time in the Mustang's 50-year old history. Tell us what you think below. Photo Credits Thomas Prior / Time Magazine Thanks to Mustang6G for the tip!                 |
| New BMW 4-Series Coupe Puts On Its Hamann Shoes Posted: 04 Dec 2013 08:08 AM PST  With the 2014 BMW 4-Series Coupe steadily arriving in the hands of new and quite often, extremely eager for customization-options buyers, the tuning industry is shifting into high gear to keep the crowds satisfied. In this posting, we have fresh photos of the F32-codenamed coupe in M Sport guise wearing Hamann Motorsports' lightweight alloy wheels. There are two available designs on offer at this moment, the matte silver Anniversary Evo, and the matte black Anniversary Evo Black Line, both currently offered in two sizes for the 4-Series, in 19-inch and 20-inch forms. We expect to hear more from Hamann on the 4-Series Coupe and Cabriolet models soon.    
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| Mitsubishi Slashes $6,130 Off 2014 i-MiEV’s Price, Adds More Standard Kit Posted: 04 Dec 2013 07:51 AM PST  Mitsubishi has announced a significant price reduction and expanded standard equipment for the 2014 i-MiEV electric vehicle. The 2014 model year i-MiEV ES now starts at $22,995 (€16,920), a price reduction of $6,130 (€4,512) over the previous model year vehicle. Furthermore, if the Federal tax credit of $7,500 is deducted, the net MSRP of the 2014 Mitsubishi i-MiEV drops down to $15,495 (€11,410). California customers can get a further reduction of up to $2,500 from the local government, which means the 2014 i-MiEV can be purchased there for as low as $12,995 (€9,562). The 2014 i-MieV also brings a more comprehensive standard equipment package, including driver and front passenger heated seats, CHAdeMO DC quick charge port, battery warming system, heated side view mirrors, rear door speakers, 8A/12A switchable Level 1 charging cable and charge port lamp. Other upgrades include new aluminum wheels, front fog lights, new DRLs and black-out door sash trim, while interior enhancements consist of leather-covered steering wheel and shift knob, passenger-side vanity mirror with lid and new decorative color and trims. Since the car's launch, Mitsubishi says it has sold more than 30,000 i-MiEV and i-MiEV-based production vehicles (Peugeot iOn and Citroen C-Zero) around the world. By Dan Mihalascu     |
| Is Ferrari Testing its 2014 Turbocharged V6 F1 Engine on a LaFerrari Mule? Posted: 04 Dec 2013 07:28 AM PST  While the Ferrari LaFerrari has a hybrid powertrain, it still sounds like a proper hypercar, thanks to its naturally-aspirated 789hp (800PS) 6.3-liter V12 powerplant. You'll be more than surprised then to hear the whistling sounds of a LaFerrari filmed during testing at Ferrari's Fiorano track in Maranello. The uploader of the video asks whether the camouflaged LaFerrari is testing the turbocharged V6 engine that will be used in Formula 1 next year - a question we'd like to see answered as well. Judging from the high-pitched sound of the engine, especially during the hot lap at the end of the video, it looks like some sort of forced induction is involved. Scroll down to listen to the unusual soundtrack of the LaFerrari prototype and tell us what engine do you think Ferrari is testing under the camouflaged bodywork. By Dan Mihalascu Story References: YouTube via Jalopnik   |
| Woman Doesn't Know When to Stop After Early Thanksgiving Binge Drinking Posted: 04 Dec 2013 07:17 AM PST  It's no secret that people tend to drink more and act foolishly during holiday seasons, nor that some choose to get behind the wheel of their cars instead of taking a taxi home or having a designated driver, which brings us to 25-year-old Sally E. Kurgis from Ohio. The 25-year-old woman led the police on a wild…turkey chase in the early morning hours of Thanksgiving day through Bexley, Ohio, and it was all caught on the dash-cam of a police car. Kurgis first ran a red light at around 2:00 am and when a police officer attempted to stop her, she just ignored him and drove away before pulling into a residential driveway and ramming into the cruiser three times. The chase continued, but with the help of a few more officers , one of whom pulled a pit maneuver on her, they were able to stop her. According to MyFoxPhilly, Kurgis is now facing nine charges including felonious assault, failure to stop after a crash, failure to comply, resisting a traffic enforcement official and reckless operation of a motor vehicle. See the raw footage from the chase in the video below.   |
| BMW i3 Customers Must Wait up to 5 Months... for a Test Drive Posted: 04 Dec 2013 06:41 AM PST  BMW may already have more than 10,000 orders for the i3 globally, but the success of the electric vehicle does not come without logistical problems. The Bavarians are reportedly struggling to keep up with demand for test drives from potential customers, as over 100,000 people registered for i3 test drives. "We have waiting lists into months for test drives. These cars need to be charged between each test, which takes some time. Dealers are working hard to satisfy the demand," BMW Board Member for Sales and Marketing Ian Robertson told AutoExpress magazine. According to the report, in the UK alone there are 6,500 people waiting to try out the i3, with only 1,500 of them having an appointment confirmed. Since the i3 launched on November 16 in the UK, nearly 1,000 people have driven it, at a rate of around 300 per week across the 47 BMW dealers that sell i3s. At this rate, someone registering today for a test drive will get to drive the car in…five months from now. Things are not looking great for people who want to order an i3 either, since they have to wait at least six months for their cars to be delivered. According to a BMW spokesperson in the UK, for a BMW i3 with range extender ordered today, delivery could be in June next year, while a standard i3 will probably not be available earlier than October 2014. Don't think delivery times are shorter for the much more expensive BMW i8 though. BMW already has orders for the entire 2014 production, which means the wait will stretch into 2015. By Dan Mihalascu         |
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