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• Pop Quiz: Which Detroit Motor Show Debut is Hidden Behind this New Teaser Photo?
• KBB Reveals its Resale Value Winners for the 2014MY, Only One German Model in the List
• Would You Let this Artist Hand-Paint Your Lamborghini?
• NATS Waves Its Tuning Wand on Suzuki Turning it Into Mini Toyota Supra
• Kiwi PSA on Speeding Will Make You Think Twice Before Pressing the Gas Pedal
• Skoda Looking Set to Sell 1 Million Cars in 2014, 1.5 Million by 2018
• First Video Review of New 2014 Nissan Qashqai Is Out and It’s Very Positive
• Mugen Goes Extra Wild with New Vezel Concept at Tokyo Auto Salon
• BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe Shows its Two Other Doors in New Rendering
• Watch Terrifying Footage of Plane Crash from the Inside
• Updated Kia Sportage Available from £17,495 in the UK
• Audi's Compact Crossover Concept Breaks Cover, Looks Like a Shooting Brake-Style TT on Stilts
• Merged Fiat-Chrysler Company May Be Listed in NYSE and Based in U.S., Report Says
• Bob Lutz's VL Automotive to Debut Fisker Karma-Based Convertible in Detroit
• New Tuning Renders for 2015 Ford Mustang
• Carbon Fiber Mini Ducktail Spoiler Now Available for Tesla Model S
• Chevy Dealer Employee Crashes Camaro ZL1 During Joyride, Owner Still Looking for a Car…
• Man Plays Racing Game on the Same Track He's Being Driven Around in Megane RS
• VW Wants to Move Ahead with New SUV as Brand's U.S. Sales Fall 7 Percent in 2013
• 1961 Porsche 718 RS Spyder Going to Auction – Could Fetch $3.2 Million
• Insecure BMW Tries to Sell Us the i8 Hybrid on Looks and Performance
• Nissan Micra Subcompact Hatch Returns to Canadian Market
• Subaru Reveals Nürburgring 24H-Ready WRX STI Racer
• Hey, Move Over Miley Cyrus, Here Comes Super Twerky Toyota Tundra

Pop Quiz: Which Detroit Motor Show Debut is Hidden Behind this New Teaser Photo? Posted: 10 Jan 2014 05:54 PM PST While we've done our best to keep you fully updated and…visually informed about all the world premieres (and the North American debuts, but those don't really matter, do they now) set to take place at the Detroit motor show on Monday, some production cars and concepts have eluded us. That doesn't mean they will all remain hidden from plain sight until Monday, or at least not in their entirety, as this cropped teaser photo that was just released by automotive spy Chris Doane proves. We're guessing that the rear diffuser shot comes from a surprise premiere or a car that has been announced but not shown yet, and we have plenty of those, including the Corvette Stingray Z06, Ford F-150, GMC Canyon, Acura TLX and the Toyota Mirai sports concept. So, what do you think it is? PHOTO GALLERY

KBB Reveals its Resale Value Winners for the 2014MY, Only One German Model in the List Posted: 10 Jan 2014 05:20 PM PST The Kelley Blue Book (KBB) 2014 Best Resale Value Awards have named their victors in the 22 individual sections, as well as the best brand and best luxury brand distinctions. It ranks 2014 model-year (MY) the vehicles based on their second-hand performance, after the initial five-year time span of ownership – for the 2013MY, the overall winner was the Toyota's FJ Cruiser. This year, its twelfth one, it was Toyota and Lexus that won the brand awards, and the top was strangely lacking in German brands (only the Audi A5 Coupe made it in the list)– it was dominated by Japanese and American names. Models from the ranges of the Lexus and Toyota brands also managed to snap up 18 of the 22 specific model sections, the rest being filled in by the likes of Honda, Jeep and Chevrolet (with the Camaro V6 and Corvette), Dodge and Subaru. Eric Ibara, director of residual value consulting for KBB said: "While both Toyota and Lexus continue to deliver incredible resale value, we also are impressed with the strides made by Chevrolet, which tops domestic automakers with five combined awards, and Subaru with its Impreza making its way back to the top spot in its segment." According to KBB, an average 2014 model-year vehicle only will retain about 39.7 percent of its original value after a five-year ownership period. What this mean is that a new car priced $50,000 today will only be worth somewhere close to $19,850 after five years. However, some models retain their value better than others. The complete list of all categories can be found by scrolling down to the gallery below. By Andrei Nedelea Correction: In our original post, we erroneously noted that no German car made it in the list. As pointed out by our readers, one did and that was the Audi A5 in the luxury car segment. PHOTO GALLERY

Would You Let this Artist Hand-Paint Your Lamborghini? Posted: 10 Jan 2014 04:05 PM PST Miami-based artist Alexander Mijares has hand-painted a Lamborghini Gallardo for Art Basel Miami 2013, an international art show for modern and contemporary works. The Gallardo's beautiful blue paint wasn't compromised however, as the car was previously vinyl wrapped by Superior Auto Design. Mijares changed the look of the car using only a paintbrush and black paint – however, the result of his work isn't as dramatic as BMW's art cars. As most of Mijares' works, the Gallardo features figures seemingly from puzzle pieces. The entire painting process is documented by the following video, so make sure you watch it if you're considering something similar for your car or you simply want to learn how to paint an automobile. By Dan Mihalascu VIDEO

NATS Waves Its Tuning Wand on Suzuki Turning it Into Mini Toyota Supra Posted: 10 Jan 2014 03:39 PM PST It's not the Supra that Toyota fans have been patiently waiting for ages (there's still hope that the Mirai sports car concept scheduled for an unveiling at the 2014 Detroit motor Show could be a forerunner to the next Supra), but at least NATS placed a smile to all those visiting it's booth at the 2014 Tokyo Auto Salon. The Child Speed 660GT is a mini-me replica of the last generation Toyota Supra based on the Suzuki Cappuccino kei-segment hardtop roadster (built from 1991 to 1997) created by university students. We lack full details on the study, but it looks like the Cappuccino's 0.66-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine with 63-horses (64PS) was left intact. At last year's edition of the Tokyo Auto Salon, NATS had built an Audi R8-like version of the Scion FR-S / Toyota GT 86. PHOTO GALLERY

Kiwi PSA on Speeding Will Make You Think Twice Before Pressing the Gas Pedal Posted: 10 Jan 2014 03:10 PM PST Speeding causes many traffic accidents globally, with authorities around the world trying to reduce fatalities by making drivers aware of the need to travel at safe speeds. In New Zealand, for instance, 83 people were killed and 408 were seriously injured last year in speed-related crashes, according to the government. The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) says speed is a contributing factor in 20 percent of all fatal and serious injury crashes on the country's roads. So what can drivers do about this? The most sensible thing is to drive at speeds that leave room any potential errors from other drivers. That's the main idea behind NZTA's latest public service announcement video, which will hopefully make you think twice before stomping on the gas pedal. By Dan Mihalascu VIDEO

Skoda Looking Set to Sell 1 Million Cars in 2014, 1.5 Million by 2018 Posted: 10 Jan 2014 02:44 PM PST VW's Czech subsidiary Skoda Auto is on track to sell 1 million cars worldwide for the first time in 2014 thanks to the addition of the new models and increased production of existing ones. Skoda spokesman Jozef Balaz said sales exceeded 900,000 vehicles in 2013, although final figures are not yet available. Skoda aims to reach annual sales of 1.5 million by 2018 as part of VW Group's plan to become the world's largest carmaker. "The trend of a build-up of orders should continue, at least in the next months, so the preconditions are there that we could reach this step (of selling 1 million cars in 2014)," Balaz was quoted as saying by Reuters. "We view that million as a logical step to meeting the (longer-term) target," he added. Skoda has yet to announce 2013 revenues, which were affected in the first half by the switch to a new generation of the Octavia model. However, an increase in sales in the second half has put it back on track, with Octavia making up about half of Skoda's total 2013 sales. The Czech carmaker is focusing on eastern markets like Russia and China to meet its 1.5 million annual target. By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY

First Video Review of New 2014 Nissan Qashqai Is Out and It’s Very Positive Posted: 10 Jan 2014 02:15 PM PST The Qashqai has been somewhat of a phenomenon for Nissan, having sold very well since it was introduced in 2007 and up until it was replaced by an all-new model. That car has not been on the market for long, but it's already been reviewed by WhatCar, and the conclusion is that it's still a strong contender for the class laurels. It's strong points are the efficient and punchy Renault-sourced diesel engines, the revised interior which looks (and apparently feels) much better than before and is also above average when it comes to shutting out wind and road noise too. However, while all well and good, the review, which is posted below in video form, recommends that prospective buyers stay away from the dim-witted continuously variable gearbox which "sometimes feels out of sync with the engine." Scroll down and click play to watch it for yourself. By Andrei Nedelea VIDEO

Mugen Goes Extra Wild with New Vezel Concept at Tokyo Auto Salon Posted: 10 Jan 2014 01:50 PM PST Honda's in-house tuner Mugen brought not one, but two modified versions of the new Vezel small SUV to the 2014 Tokyo Auto Salon that kicked off on Friday. The first one is the production tune that we've already seen and which is offered for sale (third photo in the gallery) in Japan, while the second model is wearing a conceptualized aero kit. It's essentially a far more aggressively styled add-on package to the production outfit that widens the Vezel through the use of large extensions with contrast paint that attach to the wings, allowing the fitment of bigger 20-inch alloy wheels and tires. It also includes a matching front apron, a new rear apron with different exhaust outlets, a honeycomb grille, and a roof wing that clips on the existing spoiler. The only changes under the body are a lowered sports suspension, a complete exhaust system and more potent brakes. The new Vezel in regular trim will be sold in Europe as well as North America and other markets around the globe. PHOTO GALLERY

BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe Shows its Two Other Doors in New Rendering Posted: 10 Jan 2014 01:24 PM PST You can now get so many variants of the 3-Series that traditional BMW buyers and drivers are left dazed and confused when confronted with the current lineup. They have tried to mix things up a bit by calling the two-door version the 4-Series, but now it's all becoming rather jumbled with the upcoming 4-Series Gran Coupe, seen here in rendered form courtesy of IndianAutosBlog (IAB). As you'd expect, it's the front and rear sections of the new coupe from BMW, with the middle that strongly hints at the larger 6-Series Gran Coupe. This rendering is based on IAB's information that it won't be receiving an extended wheelbase over the two-door, with the engineers reportedly resorting to shortening the doors so as to be able to fit four of them where only two were needed before. That sounds like a big compromise in regards to its practicality… However, that's not what we've heard, as our intel says that the 4-Series Gran Coupe will ride on the 3-Series GT's extended wheelbase, which at 2,920mm (115 inches) is a 110mm longer than that of the 3-Series sedan (2,810mm or 110.6 inches). If you ask me, it does look good and sleek in the photos below, but it's still just as pointless as when they first announced they were going to do it. By Andrei Nedelea Story References: Indianautosblog PHOTO GALLERY

Watch Terrifying Footage of Plane Crash from the Inside Posted: 10 Jan 2014 12:48 PM PST The fear of an airplane crash is instilled within many people, even though flying is actually the safest mode of transportation available today – the chances of being involved in an airplane accident is 1 in 1.2 million, while the odds that you'll be killed in one is 1 in 11 million compared to 1 in 5,000 for cars. Nevertheless, it does happen, and while we usually only get footage from the outside, one passenger who was involved in a dramatic plane crash that killed one woman in Hawaii last month, kept his cool and recorded the incident. In fact, watching the video shot by Ferdinand Puentes, 39, who was aboard the 2002 Cessna Grand Caravan when it crashed into the water off the coast of Hawaii on December 11, shows that all passengers remained remarkably calm, considering the circumstances. "There wasn't panic or anything. It was very orderly. It wasn't like any of the movies or the TV shows," passenger C. Phillip Hollstein Jr. told the Associated Press. Fuentes even managed to get some footage while out in the water. "The water was rough. The pilot was trying to get everybody together but it was kind of impossible because of the waves," Rosa Key, another passenger, told KITV, according to ABC News, which obtained the footage you see below. The passengers credited the pilot Clyde Kawasaki, for managing to keep his head and land the plane on its right side up, which allowed them to get out and save their lives. "The way how he handled the flight and everything, he kept his calm, it's just amazing how he did it," Puentes said. "He is my hero." Video courtesy ABC News VIDEO

Updated Kia Sportage Available from £17,495 in the UK Posted: 10 Jan 2014 12:21 PM PST The lightly updated 2014 Kia Sportage is now available for pre-order in the UK. Priced from £17,495, it comes with subtle styling upgrades that include a reshaped "tiger nose" grille with painted or chromed surround and a new mesh design, as well as revised rear lights that feature LEDs on top spec models which also receive a shark fin antenna in place of the conventional one. Inside there are new instruments that now flank a 4.2-inch display in between, plus new and more premium-feeling materials used throughout. Prospective buyers can now also specify a heated steering wheel and a six-way power adjustable driver's seat. Some models also come with a 4.3-inch touchscreen unit mounted in the center console which views the feed from the rear-view camera as well as taking care of navigation and entertainment too. The latter can be improved through the selection of an Infiniti audio system, which up until now had only been available on the Optima sedan. It comes with seven speakers and a subwoofer. Engines wise there's really nothing to talk about, really, though they have reshuffled the trims a bit, and now they are selling what are called the entry-level all-wheel drive model as well as a top-spec front-wheel drive one as well. The first uses a 2.0-liter diesel, while the second makes do with the 1.7-liter oil burning unit. Check out the full list of prices and specifications below. By Andrei Nedelea PHOTO GALLERY

Audi's Compact Crossover Concept Breaks Cover, Looks Like a Shooting Brake-Style TT on Stilts Posted: 10 Jan 2014 11:46 AM PST Only a few days before its grand premiere at the 2014 Detroit motor Show, photos of the new Audi Compact Crossover have surfaced online. While Audi didn't say anything about a production model in its previous release on the car, after looking at these photos and seeing how its design and details in general are much closer to a production than a concept vehicle, one can't but wonder about what the future holds for this study. Ingolstadt has said that the concept's styling "combines a host of visual elements from future models with the Audi-typical allroad concept and independent 'Shooting Brake' body style", to which we agree, adding that we also see a lot of elements from the TT line, both on the exterior and the dashboard that's almost identical to the cutout of the 2015 TT currently on display at CES. Roughly around the same size as an A3 hatchback, the Compact Crossover comes with a e-tron labeled hybrid powertrain, full details of which should follow in the coming days. Photos: Audi via Autowp PHOTO GALLERY

Merged Fiat-Chrysler Company May Be Listed in NYSE and Based in U.S., Report Says Posted: 10 Jan 2014 11:20 AM PST Fiat's recent acquisition of 100 percent of Chrysler has eliminated a major hurdle that prevented the two carmakers from merging into a single global automotive player. However, even though the Italian company has bought the American one, the seat of power of the new merged company may move to the U.S. rather than remain in Italy. This hypothesis is supported by a Reuters report that quotes two sources close to Fiat as saying the merged company is likely to move its primary listing to New York as early as 2015. That would clearly indicate a shift of focus that reflects the operating facts. Had Fiat not owned a majority stake in Chrysler, the Italian carmaker would have posted a €501 million ($690 million) loss in the first half of 2013 instead of a €435 million ($593 million) profit. Slumping sales in Europe have seriously affected Fiat, whose plants in Italy work at only 41 percent capacity. Analysts say that listing the new merged company at the New York Stock Exchange would allow Marchionne to convince a larger number of investors that the newly formed company can rival with GM and Ford. A New York listing would likely mean that the global headquarters of the merged company would be in the U.S. as well, a move that will alarm the Italian government, which wants to protect jobs in the country. Marchionne may follow a similar strategy for the merger as the one used to combine Fiat Industrial with CNH to create a U.S.-listed manufacturer of agricultural vehicles. CNH Industrial has a primary listing in New York and a secondary one in Milan. Fiat has declined to comment on what will happen to Fiat-Chrysler after the merger. By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY

Bob Lutz's VL Automotive to Debut Fisker Karma-Based Convertible in Detroit Posted: 10 Jan 2014 10:55 AM PST Leave it to Bob Lutz to take an (almost) dead-company's products and breathe new life into them. After grabbing our attention with a Corvette ZR1 V8-powered Fisker Karma saloon at the 2013 Detroit auto show, VL Automotive, co-founded by Gilbert Villarreal and Bob Lutz, will debut a new conceptual convertible version of the car at the 2014 Detroit motor Show next week. Few details have been shared about the Destino Convertible, but the design of both the two-door exterior and four-passenger interior seem to be closely related to the sedan and consequently, the Fisker Karma. If you're wondering about the "Katzkin" name in the photos, the interior specialist is one of VL Automotive's main partners and helped dress the cabin, something that Lutz pointed out in his comments. "A beautifully designed car like the Destino deserves an exceptional interior," said Bob Lutz, former General Motors vice chairman and currently a senior advisor to Katzkin. "By providing a fully customized Katzkin interior, we bring a custom-tailored design to the vehicle and its owner." We'll soon know more about the Destino Convertible concept and whether it will be powered by the Corvette ZR1's 638hp supercharged V8 or another powertrain. PHOTO GALLERY

New Tuning Renders for 2015 Ford Mustang Posted: 10 Jan 2014 10:34 AM PST Since we're a long time away from the happiest place in world for anyone interested in tuning the new Mustang, the 2014 SEMA Show in Las Vegas this November, the forum members at Mustangt6G have started beefing out Ford's pony car on their laptops and computers with the help of editing programs like Photoshop. These renders are on the subtle side, but make no mistake; it's only a matter of time before we see more aggressive takes on the 2015 Mustang – it's in the car's and its fans' nature… For now, you can head past the jump to check out this first batch of Mustang tunes in the gallery that follows. Story References: Mustang6G PHOTO GALLERY

Carbon Fiber Mini Ducktail Spoiler Now Available for Tesla Model S Posted: 10 Jan 2014 10:00 AM PST The rear of the Tesla Model S is nicely designed, modern and houses a big boot that can even take two rear-facing kid seats. However, because of the fastback-style short boot, a mini ducktail spoiler like the one you see above seems to go really nicely with it, if you have the cash… It's the product of a new company called EV Autosalon, and it's actually their very first product. They won't focus exclusively on Teslas or the Model S and will release mods for other EVs and hybrids. The spoiler itself fits nicely with the outline of the deck, and even if we don't have a shot of it taken from further away (so as to see how it affects the lines of the entire body), it looks like it works cosmetically. Don't forget, though, that the Model S is a car designed to be as slippery through the air as possible, and EV Autosalon had better make sure it doesn't affect high-speed stability and/or range – the one that Tesla officially offers and can be ordered with the car is claimed to improve on the former. Going for $1,200 in carbon fiber (glossy or matte) and $600 out of fiberglass, this aftermarket one is the kind of thing your must really want and like in order to buy, as it's a bit on the pricey side. By Andrei Nedelea Story References: green.autoblog via teslamotorsclub PHOTO GALLERY

Chevy Dealer Employee Crashes Camaro ZL1 During Joyride, Owner Still Looking for a Car… Posted: 10 Jan 2014 05:11 PM PST If you're attached to your car, you probably have the same feeling as most of us do when we leave our keys to someone else outside our circle – think dealer, parking attendant etc. And all for good reason as there's an abundance of stories about company employees taking cars for joyrides, sometimes with disastrous results. You can add John Hooper to the list of owners who came to experience this first hand when he left his 2012 Camaro ZL1 with around 10,000 miles to Georgetown, Delaware, dealer "1st State Chevrolet" in the middle of December 2013. On Monday, December 16, he received a dreaded phone call from the dealer informing him that one of the company's employees had crashed the car after taking it for a joyride on Sunday. While it's pretty obvious that Hooper should be reinstated, he has run into problems with the dealer and the insurance companies and has yet to replace his ride, three weeks after the accident. The Chevrolet dealer posted this on their website: "Recently 1st State Chevrolet had an employee enter the dealership on Sunday December 15th and take a customer's Camaro without authorization and subsequently totaled the customer's car in an accident. Our business is closed on Sundays and was locked as is usual procedure. The employee acted on his own in this unfortunate event. This is an awful situation for both the customer and the dealership to deal with. We have been in contact with the customer and apologized for this situation at length. Both parties' insurance companies are working to handle this claim in a satisfactory manner. Hopefully this situation will be settled in the very near future. -Robert L. Hansen President 1st  State Chevrolet" The issue at hand is that Hooper and 1st State Chevrolet can't come to an agreement for the replacement. You'd think that the dealer would want to keep the client happy and compensate him for his loss and time as well, while also avoiding any negative publicity by offering a new ride, but they want to give him a used model of equal worth, and that's where they disagree. As reported by the CapeGazette that followed the story, the dealership offered Hooper two used Camaro ZL1s, but he declined both on the ground that they were not comparable to what he lost. The first one was said to have had two previous owners, while Hooper's wife Debbie found out that the car also been in an accident, while the second one was the same year model but had 3,000 miles more. While the issue drags on, Debbie Hooper said that the couple will continue to make payments on the car. They also met up with an attorney who told them that they are not "entitled to pain and suffering, lawyer or court costs". "It's going to end up costing us more money if we go forward with the attorney," she said. For the time being, they're driving a loaner car from 1st State Chevrolet with a cracked windshield since the ZL1 went into the shop for the paint problem. "We're losing sleep over this, time off from work, and this still isn't resolved," John Hooper said. "This is so ethically and morally wrong it isn't funny." As for the employee responsible for this whole mess, Delaware State Police charged Eric Peterson, 42, of Georgetown with careless driving and failure to have insurance identification in possession. The man was also fired from the dealership. Police told Debbie Hooper that she could not file theft or any other criminal charges against Peterson as the car was in the dealer's possession when the crash occurred. Take a look at two postings that John Hooper made on the Camaro5 forums below, and tell us what you think should happen in the comments. John Hooper's original posting on Camaro5 forums in December: "On Sunday, December 15, 2013, my prized 2012 Camaro ZL1 took its last breath at 4:47 pm. The car was at the dealer in Georgetown, DE for paint issues (under warranty). It had been locked in the service bay over the weekend. On Sunday afternoon, an employee of the dealership (service writer) entered the locked building, removed the keys to my car from the service department, and went on a joyride. The car was totaled when he lost control and sheared off a telephone pole. The dealership informed my wife and I on Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. of our loss. Yes, they waited over 16 hours to tell us about our car. I am sure they discussed the incident with their attorneys prior to calling us. It is now Friday, the car has been officially totaled by the insurance company, and the dealership is telling us it is not their problem. They even refuse to provide my wife and I (and our insurance company) with their insurance information. I traded in my 2011 SS2 Camaro and sold my 1969 Camaro SS in pristine condition to buy the ZL1. I will never be able to afford another new ZL1, and basically I don't think I should have to be put in the position to have to buy a new one. We trusted the dealership to use vigilance while our car was in their possession. We can't even have charges pressed against their employee for theft because the car was not in OUR possession when stolen. Something about this whole thing just doesn't seem right. What would you do if this was your baby?"   A second post from John Hooper on Camaro5 forums: "1. When cop arrived, only driver was in the car. Driver/thief/service writer swore to the cop that he was my best friend and I had let him take the car. Cop never questioned this statement, nor did he call to find out if it was true. Note, this is the same cop who shot an unarmed man in his 83 year-old mother's living room 8 times, including the last shot to the groin. All true. Happened August 1, 2013. Read the Cape Gazette, Delaware news. 2. Dealer became involved after the accident when the driver/thief/service writer called his service manager. Service manager was on a plane on the way to Atlanta for a conference. Service manager called dealer owner. Dealer owner did not contact us until the following morning--after he called his attorney, etc. 3. The state police told us on Monday morning that WE could not press charges--only the dealer could--because the car was not in our possession at the time of the theft. The dealer could press charges for "unauthorized use" not theft. To my knowledge, no charges have been pressed. 4. The cop involved was off duty from Sunday night until 6pm on Wednesday. I met with him then, and he told me what happened regarding the accident. He indicated he had not completed his investigation and it would not be completed until he was back on duty, which would be on Friday. Wow, cops must have banker's hours. 5. Our insurance company (GEICO) is treating this as a theft. However, the owner of the dealership refuses to give his insurance information to GEICO. GEICO has informed us that they will attempt to get damages from the dealer but this will all take time. 6. We live in a small town, and we have only lived there 9 years. To most folks born there, we are still outsiders. The good-old-boy network is apparently in place. The cops all stick together, and considering the dealership is practically next door to the state trooper barracks, I guess they are all sticking together. We plan to file a complaint against the trooper who has so obviously mishandled this situation, but I don't know how far it will get. Especially since his shooting an unarmed man 8 times didn't get very far. Anything is possible, and unfortunately it is true in this situation. John" PHOTO GALLERY

Man Plays Racing Game on the Same Track He's Being Driven Around in Megane RS Posted: 10 Jan 2014 08:45 AM PST This is a bit of an odd one. It seems that in the quest to see just how realistic modern racing games are (probably, as we found no other motivation for this experiment), it was decided that strapping a racing wheel, a 19-inch screen and a gaming console into position for the passenger of a Renault Megane RS was a good idea. The plan was to have a pro racing driver race around a track, while the passenger would be playing a game, using the same road/car combination. The result must have been a disorienting one for the virtual driver, who felt the forces of the car moving around the corners before or after he approached them on the screen. However, what's surprising is that it was neck and neck right until the end. Scroll down and click play after the virtual jump, courtesy of Viagame. By Andrei Nedelea VIDEO

VW Wants to Move Ahead with New SUV as Brand's U.S. Sales Fall 7 Percent in 2013 Posted: 10 Jan 2014 08:20 AM PST Perhaps the safest way to increase sales in the U.S. market these days is to enhance your range with SUVs, crossovers and pickup trucks. The more, the merrier, as they say, and this is what Volkswagen is contemplating to improve its presence in the States after sales tumbled 7 percent in 2013, when the overall market rose 8 percent to 15.6 million. VW currently offers the Tiguan compact and the Touareg mid-size crossovers in America, but has recently shown two possible additions for the range in the form of the sportier CrossBlue Coupe and the bigger and roomier 7-seater CrossBlue Crossver concepts. While company spokesman Mark Gillies told Reuters that the brand has not yet reached a decision on the CrossBlue SUVs, another, unnamed source familiar with the matter said that the carmaker may announce a plan to build the vehicle as soon as next week's Detroit auto show. The same source said VW prefers to manufacture the SUV at its Tennessee factory over a Mexican plant. Leaving aside the decision on the SUV, the report says that VW's deteriorating sales in the States also have to do with quality issues and poor judgment on what American consumers want from their cars. Gillies admitted that VW has had problems with quality: "We're making good progress (on quality) but there is more work to be done," he told Reuters adding that warranty claims were dropping. "VW executives are so deeply in love with their over-engineered cars that they simply haven't been taking U.S. customers seriously," said Ellinghorst, an autos specialist with International Strategy & Investment. Jim Ziegler, an independent consultant to U.S. auto retailers, told the news agency that VW didn't understand the market and tried to "sell German engineering in austere cars with austere interiors". "I'm an American - give me bells, give me whistles," Ziegler said. "Americans will buy a pretty car faster than they will buy a well-engineered car." Story References: Reuters PHOTO GALLERY

1961 Porsche 718 RS Spyder Going to Auction – Could Fetch $3.2 Million Posted: 10 Jan 2014 07:55 AM PST The 718 Spyder was the natural evolution of the more famous 550, being built by Porsche between 1957 and 1962 in small numbers. It was moderately successful in its racing career and was quite advanced for its day, with fully-independent suspension on all corners, four disk brakes and a low-mounted 1.5-liter flat-four engine that at first pushed out under 150hp, but was gradually improved over the years. RM Auction has announced that an RS version of the 718 (with 178 hp), built in 1961, will be going under the hammer close to the middle of this month. It's one of just fourteen RS models built that year and it has been expertly restored using only original parts – they say it's even "ready for track action…" However, since the car itself is so rare, and a Porsche racer and restored the proper way, it is pretty darn expensive and is expected to fetch between $2.8 - $3.2 (€2 - €2.4) million. Scroll down and check out the photos. By Andrei Nedelea PHOTO GALLERY

Insecure BMW Tries to Sell Us the i8 Hybrid on Looks and Performance Posted: 10 Jan 2014 07:30 AM PST The i8 is a strange car for BMW in that it's a hybrid and mid-engined, yet it also promises to offer the same qualities that buyers of their cars expect, like sports car performance and looks, plus a dash of the futuristic. All of that with claimed low fuel bills. However, BMW has seemed insecure about both it and the i3 ever since they were revealed, and all their literature and videos put out have been kind of aggressive in bringing the message that it is a real sports car that looks good across to the audience. It just happens to also be efficient and a hybrid… The two videos posted below are no exceptions and in the one about performance, it (the i8) gets personified as a she. Also, they chose a black car  that's not all that well lit for this presentation, in order to hide the weird shapes that immediately pop out on white examples Scroll down and expect facts, figures and epithets to be thrown your way, in the hopes that you're one of the people who really do want to spend all that money on an i8. It even has a flashy key if you're still not bent on sealing the deal. By Andrei Nedelea VIDEO

Nissan Micra Subcompact Hatch Returns to Canadian Market Posted: 10 Jan 2014 07:05 AM PST After more than two decades of absence, the Nissan Micra small hatchback will be offered once again for sale in Canada, the Japanese automaker announced. The latest version of the low-cost subcompact is the same as the one sold in Europe and other regions around the world, and will be formally introduced to Canadian consumers at the upcoming Montreal Auto Show on January 16 "After 21 years, the Nissan Micra is returning to Canada to change the automotive landscape," said Christian Meunier, President, Nissan Canada. "[The] Micra will provide Canadians with the unbeatable value, Japanese quality, European bold styling and fun driving experience that they deserve in a small car." Nissan did not provide any other details on the Canadian market Micra, so we don't know if it will be available with the brand's smaller displacement three-cylinder units or the bigger 1.6-liter engine offered on the related Versa sedan. PHOTO GALLERY

Subaru Reveals Nürburgring 24H-Ready WRX STI Racer Posted: 10 Jan 2014 06:45 AM PST Subaru will continue to participate in the Nurburgring 24-Hour race that will be held this year in June with the new WRX STI racing car that made its world premiere at the Tokyo Auto Salon. The production / road going version of the WRX STI will be revealed in the metal at the Detroit motor show. Extensively worked on and engineered by both Subaru and their in-house tuners STI, the racing model will use a two-liter boxer-four engine with a turbocharger and be eligible for the SP3T class for displacements of between 1.6- and 2.0-liter. The road car will use a bigger 2.5-liter variant. The road-going WRX STI, in its traditional colors, looks nice, and so does this track-honed racer. However, the official rally-bred version is what all Subaru motorsport fans are waiting for – I know I am… Scroll down and check out the photos of the Nürburgring racer, below. By Andrei Nedelea PHOTO GALLERY

Hey, Move Over Miley Cyrus, Here Comes Super Twerky Toyota Tundra Posted: 10 Jan 2014 06:25 AM PST If a former Disney Channel television star like Miley Cyrus can do it and cash in on the fame and fortune, is there any reason why a full-size pickup truck like the Toyota Tundra can't give twerking a go? In the rare instance that you're not familiar with the term, Google and Wikipedia define twerking as "a type of dancing in which the dancer, usually a woman, shakes her hips in an up-and-down bouncing motion, causing the dancer's buttocks to shake, 'wobble' and 'jiggle'." Now, if only some talented digital media artist could find a way to make the Tundra stick out its tongue, we'd be all set for this season…. VIDEO

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