CARSCOOP |  |
- BMW M4 vs Lexus RC F, Which Super Coupe Would You Take? [w/Poll]
- Frazer-Nash's Range Extended Electric Metrocab Wants to Reinvent the London Taxi [w/Video]
- See the New Lexus RC F's Digital Gauges in Action with Bonus Sound Track
- 2015 Nissan Micra Lands in Canada, Only Available with 1.6-Liter Engine [w/Video]
- Rumor Mill Keeps Turning… Mazda Rotary Sports Car Speculated for 2016
- Fiat to Focus on Alfa Revamp after Merger with Chrysler, Lancia will be Reduced to Italy Only
- Audi Issues Pricing for A3 Sedan, 2.0 TSI Starts at $32,900, Just $900 Less Than A4, But Offers AWD
- Take a Trip Down NASA’s Memory Lane with 2014 Corvette Stingray
- Spy Shots: Audi Gives 2015 TT Coupe the Winter Exam
- Jaguar C-X17 Concept Wears Red for the Brussels Motor Show
- Lightly Refreshed Opel Meriva Debuts at the Brussels Auto Show
- Halfwit Attempts to Stop Rolling Infiniti by…Stomping the Gas Pedal
- 2015 Chrysler 200 Configurator Hits the Web for Play Time
- First Photos of New Lexus RC F with Carbon Package
- Hyundai, Kia Forecast Slowest Sales Growth in Eight Years
- New Ford EcoSport Gets Mixed Review from Auto Express
- 2015 Subaru WRX STI Reimagined as a Coupe; Should it be Made?
- U.S. Sales of EVs and Plug-In Hybrids Up 84 Percent, Diesels Rise 10 Percent in 2013
- Chilling Junior WRC Fiesta Crash will Bring NSFW Words Out of You
- GM Sold 9.71 Million Vehicles Globally in 2013, VW Breathes Down its Neck with Over 9.7 Million
- Spied: New BMW 7-Series Sedan Coming Next Year
- Ferrari Telemetry Is the Answer to Corvette's Performance Data Recorder
- Gallery of 2014 Corvette Stingray C7 on HRE Wheels
- 2013 Adam Sales Helped Opel Increase Market Share in Europe
- Brave Driver Tries to Help Dizzy Skunk with a Cup Wedged on its Head on the Road
| BMW M4 vs Lexus RC F, Which Super Coupe Would You Take? [w/Poll] Posted: 16 Jan 2014 05:35 PM PST  It is hard to imagine a wilder interpretation of Lexus' answer to the BMW M4 Coupe, the RC F. Based on an already daring design, the RC coupe, the RC F is the type of design that you either love or hate. One can tell designers were given a free hand to make the car as aggressive as possible and my opinion is that, they did a fine job. The BMW M4 Coupe, on the other hand, features an aggressive styling as well, but seeing the two cars side by side (albeit only in photos) makes it clear to me that the RC F looks more dramatic. To put it another way, I'm sure that if the two cars were to be driven down a crowded boulevard in quick succession, there would be more people turning their heads after the Lexus than the BMW. Sure, design will always be a matter of personal taste and one could argue that the BMW's understatement is more appealing and the RC F's aggressiveness is just too vulgar. Also, let's not forget that tradition is way more important for BMW than Lexus, with BMW M cars usually featuring more restrained, understated lines than their competitors. On the other hand, Lexus designers were not constrained by anything other than their imagination and this is why the RC F looks so dramatic. Furthermore, they had a wilder car to work on from the beginning - the standard Lexus RC. Another difference between the two cars that can't be spotted in the photos is that the M4 Coupe features a 425hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six engine, while the RC F is powered by a naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 unit with "more than 450hp". Scroll down to take a look at the shots of the two cars put side by side and let us know which car is your favorite in the poll that follows. By Dan Mihalascu  Poll: Which super coupe gets your vote?                                                      |
| Frazer-Nash's Range Extended Electric Metrocab Wants to Reinvent the London Taxi [w/Video] Posted: 16 Jan 2014 04:40 PM PST  Following Nissan's NV200-based London taxi, Frazer-Nash and Ecotive have revealed their Range Extended Electric (REE) Metrocab taxi, also designed for the UK capital. Designed, engineered and built in the UK, the Metrocab is a range extended electric-powered taxi for London inspired by the silhouette of the iconic black cab. It has six passenger seats plus an optional front passenger seat. The vehicle has been in development since the mid-2000s with several prototypes built and over a million kilometers of engineering tests completed. Powered by two 50kW electric motors mounted to each of the rear wheels, the Metrocab sources energy from a 12.2kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack. It also has a Euro5-compliant 1-liter petrol range-extender engine coupled to generator unit for when the battery is depleted, with combined range exceeding 560 km (348 miles). Frazer-Nash and Ecotive claim the Metrocab averages more than 75 mpg UK (3.77 l/100 km), making it over three times more fuel-efficient than comparable current London taxi. CO2 emissions are rated at under 50 g/km, which is 75 percent less than comparable current London taxi. Despite a kerb weight of 1,750kg (3,858 lbs), the cab can reach an electronically-limited top speed of 80 mph (129 km/h). The Metrocab fully complies with London Public Carriage Office (PCO) regulations, including the 7.62m (25ft) turning circle. Frazer-Nash aims to sell the vehicle to taxi companies in London and other key cities in the UK and internationally. By Dan Mihalascu                   |
| See the New Lexus RC F's Digital Gauges in Action with Bonus Sound Track Posted: 16 Jan 2014 04:00 PM PST  You may be tempted to believe that the following footage was shot outside with the new 2015 Lexus RC F thrashing its 5.0-liter V8 on the road, but it was, in fact, filmed at the brand's Detroit Auto Show stand. We assume the sounds we hear were pre-recorded and coupled to the instrument panel, which is two-thirds digital, and one third analogue with backlighting, the latter limited to the speedometer. Lexus says the RC F's combination meters that differ from the regular RC coupe are a further development of those used in the V10-powered LFA while also referencing aircraft cockpit instruments. On the center you'll find a large tachometer that alters according to drive mode and which incorporates a digital speedometer and lap time recorder, while on the left hand side, there's a screen that shows differential torque vectoring monitor, G-Force meter, oil and water temperature gauges, mileage information and a stopwatch. Pretty impressive stuff, don't you think? You can watch the video, which comes to us courtesy of YouTube user Kaizen Factor, right below the jump.    |
| 2015 Nissan Micra Lands in Canada, Only Available with 1.6-Liter Engine [w/Video] Posted: 16 Jan 2014 03:37 PM PST  As previously announced, Nissan launched the 2015 Micra on the Canadian market at the Montreal International Auto Show (January 17-26). The Micra returns to Canada after a 20-year hiatus. The 2015 Micra for Canada is the same car offered on European markets. Available in three models, the Micra S, SV and top-of-the-line SR, the Micra will be offered with a single engine, a 109hp 1.6-liter 4-cylinder unit mated to either a 5-speed manual transmission, or a 4-speed automatic transmission. The engine is the same used by the related Nissan Versa sedan. Nissan says it has no plans to bring the car to the U.S. adding that it has been "extensively tested and perfected for the Canadian driver". The car features heated outside mirrors, rear heater ducts (…to keep backseat toes warm), 60/40 split rear seats and either 15- or 16-inch wheels (sizes that are widely available as snow tires). Pricing has yet to be announced. "Micra will truly be a car for every Canadian. It's been specifically designed for this market and has been thoroughly tested right here in Montreal in driving conditions Canadians typically face," said Nissan Canada president Christian Meunier. Alongside the Micra, Nissan's stand at the show includes two other Canadian debuts: the 2015 Juke Nismo RS and the NV200 Taxi. By Dan Mihalascu                                                 |
| Rumor Mill Keeps Turning… Mazda Rotary Sports Car Speculated for 2016 Posted: 16 Jan 2014 03:03 PM PST  We really don't know where Autocar is getting its information from, because all the recent reports on Mazda's future use of rotary engines have been about the brand not going for them anymore, possibly using them only as range extenders. The British publication, however, insists that while the official version of the story is that a sporty rotary-powered model is off the table, "privately, executives admit that the car and a new rotary engine are under development and that a launch date has been included in Mazda's long-term product plan." They predict that this spiritual successor to the old RX-7 will arrive by the end of the 2016 fiscal year bearing a Wankel, along with four other new models. Regarding its name, it has neither been confirmed nor denied that this new car would be called RX-7. What the report does point out with a high likelihood of materialization is the styling similarity between this purported new RX-7 and the smaller MX-5. However, the use of a naturally aspirated Wankel instead of a turbocharged one, in two years' time seems unlikely; power output is estimated at below 300 hp. Don't take any of the above for granted, but in case it does hold true, it does sound like a car worth looking forward to. By Andrei Nedelea         |
| Fiat to Focus on Alfa Revamp after Merger with Chrysler, Lancia will be Reduced to Italy Only Posted: 16 Jan 2014 02:34 PM PST  Now that Fiat has full control of Chrysler and a green light for the complete merger, Sergio Marchionne says the Italian carmaker will focus on revamping its Alfa Romeo brand. Production of new models from the iconic marque will remain in Italy, as Fiat wants to revive its European operation and protect jobs. In an interview with Italy's La Repubblica newspaper, Marchionne reassured unions and politicians that Italy will continue to play an important role in Fiat's plans. "Just as the Jeep is sold in the whole world but is American to the bone, so Alfa's DNA has to be authentically all Italian. It will indeed remain at home," the CEO said. Marchionne added that the sporty Alfa Romeo brand can be successful globally, something the Fiat brand cannot. Furthermore, Alfa Romeo has the potential of far greater sales than Maserati. The full acquisition of Chrysler will allow Fiat to direct investments into underutilized Italian plants and help reinstate the thousands of workers on temporary layoff schemes, the executive added. Fiat will exit the low and medium segment of the market, instead focusing on developing models within the Panda and 500 families, Marchionne said. He added that Lancia would become a brand for the Italian market only, which can only mean a slow death for the once famous rally-brand. The Fiat boss said the Mirafiori plant would built "something else" besides the Maserati SUV, but didn't go into details. As for the other Italian plants, the Melfi facility will produce the Fiat 500X and the baby Jeep, while Pomigliano will continue to make the Fiat Panda and "maybe a second vehicle". The Cassino plant is seen as the most suitable for an Alfa Romeo relaunch. As for the rumored New York listing of the merged Fiat-Chrysler company, Marchionne said a potential move of the listing or headquarters outside Italy was symbolic and did not mean production would be transferred away. By Dan Mihalascu Story References: La Repubblica via Reuters                |
| Audi Issues Pricing for A3 Sedan, 2.0 TSI Starts at $32,900, Just $900 Less Than A4, But Offers AWD Posted: 16 Jan 2014 02:14 PM PST  Following last year's announcement on the starting MSRP for the new Audi A3 sedan, Audi disclosed full pricing today for the two launch models of the series in the United States. The base MSRP for the front-wheel drive 170hp A3 1.8 TFSI will start at $29,900 and the 220hp 2.0 TFSI, at $32,900, not including an $895 destination and handling fee for either model. The 2.0-liter A3's price is just $900 less than the base A4 sedan ($33,800) with the same 220hp engine, but while the former comes with standard all-wheel drive quattro, the latter is front-wheel drive. If you want quattro and an automatic transmission on the A4 2.0 TFSI ($35,900), the difference climbs to $3,000. Audi's direct rival in this segment is the 208hp 2.0-liter turbo Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 that has a starting MSRP of $29,900. Regardless of engine choice, a 6-speed S tronic automatic transmission comes as standard on the A3 as do leather seats, an MMI infotainment system, a panorama glass sunroof and bi-xenon headlights. There are three trim levels beginning with the Premium and moving up to the Premium Plus that adds 18-inch alloy wheels, an aluminum interior package, and keyless entry for an additional $2,900, while at the top there's the Prestige Package that enhances the A3 with an S Line exterior kit, Driver Assistance package, Bang & Olufsen Sound System, MMI navigation plus, Audi Connect, Convenience package and full LED headlights for $8,800. If these two versions don't do the trick for you, the A3 sedan will be joined later in 2014 by the A3 Cabriolet, A3 TDI clean diesel, the S3 sedan and in early 2015, the A3 Sportback e-tron gasoline electric hybrid (PHEV).                            |
| Take a Trip Down NASA’s Memory Lane with 2014 Corvette Stingray Posted: 16 Jan 2014 01:35 PM PST  Astronauts have had a special relationship with the Chevrolet Corvette since the 1960s, when GM's halo sports model was the undisputed car of choice for NASA's most envied employees. The latest episode of Motortrend's Epic Drives looks back at that era through the windshield of the seventh-generation Corvette, the Stingray. Host Arthur St. Antoine has astronaut and Corvette fan Walt Cunningham talk about those years and revisit the shrines of America's space program nearly 46 years after the astronaut's historic Apollo 7 flight. The two men drive the Corvette from Florida's Kennedy Space Center to Houston's Mission Control, with Cunningham sharing some interesting things about NASA's and astronaut's glory days. However, the video is worth watching even if you're not a big fan of space exploring, as St. Antoine and Cunningham visit a Houston Corvette collector who lets them pick two of his vintage Vettes for a drag race with the C7. By Dan Mihalascu    |
| Spy Shots: Audi Gives 2015 TT Coupe the Winter Exam Posted: 16 Jan 2014 01:00 PM PST  After showing the next TT's interior at the CES show in Las Vegas last week and a conceptual crossover version of the car with the Allroad Shooting Brake moniker at this week's Detroit Auto Show, Audi officials also confirmed the venue and date for the unveiling of the coupe: the Geneva Motor Show this March. That doesn't mean the new TT is completely ready, as Ingolstadt engineers continue to test prototypes on a variety of roads, conditions and countries. There's a lot going on with the camouflage on this tester spied in Northern Europe, but combined with the knowledge we obtained from the Allroad Shooting Brake, we can safely say that the new TT will evolve the current model's styling theme adding more aggressive and manlier, if you will, lines and details to the familiar shape. We've already seen the pre-production interior of the TT, so there's no questions there, with Audi's more minimalistic and futuristic approach to ergonomics and the gigantic 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster that also incorporates the MMI infotainment display making up the highlights. As a vehicle based on the VW Group's (lighter) MQB platform, the powertrain lineup will be similar to other brand models, with the exception of the five-cylinder RS version that will follow later on. Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS          |
| Jaguar C-X17 Concept Wears Red for the Brussels Motor Show Posted: 16 Jan 2014 12:32 PM PST  Jaguar's C-X17 Concept debuted with a blue paint at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year, then switched to gray for the Dubai Motor Show and finally went for a brown-gold hue at the Guangzhou Auto Show. If you thought Jaguar's search for the perfect color has ended, think again, as for the Brussels Motor Show (January 16-26), the crossover concept made its appearance wearing a flashy Italian Racing Red paint job. Compared to the study displayed in Guangzhou that featured a 5-seat configuration, the Jaguar C-X17 has now reverted to its original 4-seat concept. No other changes were made to the sporty crossover concept, which Jaguar still insists it has created to showcase its all-new advanced aluminum architecture. The new platform will debut in 2015 on Jaguar's upcoming entry-level sedan, which means we'll have to wait even longer for a production C-X17. So Jaguar, I give up: the C-X17 looks great in red too. When are you going to build it? By Dan Mihalascu                  |
| Lightly Refreshed Opel Meriva Debuts at the Brussels Auto Show Posted: 16 Jan 2014 12:05 PM PST  The updated Opel Meriva made its world premiere at the Brussels Motor Show (January 16-26) following the release of the first official photos in October. The facelifted Meriva features subtle changes compared to the model launched in 2010, including a wider grille with more chrome, redesigned darkened headlights with available LED daytime running lights, and smoked LED taillights with a rearranged interior design. The small MPV also gets chrome trim highlighting the window wave-shaped beltline and newly-designed 17- and 18-inch wheels. The cabin gets the new IntelliLink infotainment system with integrated navigation and voice control. The system's 7-inch display also serves as a monitor for the newly-available rear-view camera. Opel's FlexRail central console was redesigned for improved functionality, while legroom for the central rear passenger is now increased thanks to shorter rails. In terms of powertrains, the facelifted Meriva gets the new generation 1.6-liter CDTI diesel unit that debuted in the Zafira Tourer. The engine produces 136 PS (134hp) and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque while averaging 4.4 liters per 100 km (53.4 mpg US) and CO2 emissions of 116 g/km. Emissions are reduced by 10 percent compared to the engine's predecessor, the 130PS (129hp) 1.7-liter unit. Opel says one upcoming 109hp (110PS) version of the same engine will enable fuel consumption as low as 3.8 l/100 km (61.9 mpg US), with CO2 emissions of 99 g/km. All engines available in the restyled Meriva comply with the Euro 6 emissions standard. Like the diesel, the 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline units (120PS and 140PS) are now also offered with a reworked low-friction six-speed automatic transmission. The facelifted Opel Meriva is already available to order, with deliveries starting after the Brussels Motor Show. Prices start from €15,990 ($21,790) in Germany. By Dan Mihalascu                          |
| Halfwit Attempts to Stop Rolling Infiniti by…Stomping the Gas Pedal Posted: 16 Jan 2014 11:38 AM PST  As if exiting a car while it's still rolling without securing it in some way, be that by turning off the engine and placing it out of drive/gear while using the handbrake as well, isn't a daft move in itself, trying to stop it by pressing the gas pedal takes you to a whole new league of foolhardiness, now, doesn't it… Possibly filmed in Russia, though, we can't be entirely sure as there is no description on YouTube, the man behind the wheel obviously mixed the pedals when he jumped into the Infiniti FX to attempt to bring it to a halt before it hit the adjacent parked vehicle. The result can be seen in the following dash-cam video.    |
| 2015 Chrysler 200 Configurator Hits the Web for Play Time Posted: 16 Jan 2014 11:03 AM PST  Automakers these days pay increased attention to the online world and waste no time to get their webpages up and ready for approaching launches to entice buyers. Chrysler's new 200 mid-size sedan won't arrive in dealer lots until the second quarter of 2014, but you can play around with the official configurator that went live just after the car was presented to the press in Detroit. You won't get any extra views of the exterior of the car, or even a glimpse of the interior, for that matter, in the preliminary configurator. What you do get is the color palette, available options and full pricing for the 200 sedan that ranges from $21,700 for the 184hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder, front-wheel drive LX to $30,195 for the 295hp 3.6-liter V6 all-wheel drive "200C", not including $995 for destination. You can check it for yourself by visiting this link. Thanks to Taylor M. for the heads up!                  |
| First Photos of New Lexus RC F with Carbon Package Posted: 16 Jan 2014 10:32 AM PST  One of the options boxes you may want to tick if you're interested in the new Lexus RC F high-performance coupe is the Carbon Package. We read about it when the Japanese brand introduced the car at the Detroit auto show earlier this week, but we hadn't seen what it looked like in full dressing. The available package offers a clear-coated carbon fiber roof, engine hood and active rear wing. Like us, you may have noticed that, in the following photos, aside from the white RC F that gets the full treatment, there's also a blue-colored model with the carbon fiber roof and rear spoiler, but what looks like a regular hood. We're not sure yet, as information remains limited, but it could be that Lexus may offer buyers the option of a painted or clear-coated carbon fiber bonnet. Regardless if you order the package, the RC F will come with the same 450+ horsepower 5.0-liter V8 hooked up to an eight-speed Sports Direct Shift (SPDS) automatic transmission turning the rear axle.                                  |
| Hyundai, Kia Forecast Slowest Sales Growth in Eight Years Posted: 16 Jan 2014 10:08 AM PST  Sister companies Hyundai and Kia forecast their weakest sales growth in eight years due to increasing competition and the stronger Korean won. Chung Mong Koo, chairman of both automakers, said Hyundai and Kia's combined deliveries will increase 4.1 percent to 7.86 million vehicles in 2014. That's the slowest growth since 2006 and falls short of the 8 million units projection based on the average estimate of five analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News. Chung said the carmakers will invest in improving vehicle safety and technology as competition intensifies and the global economy reaches a "low growth era". The Korean won gained about 8 percent against the dollar and 13 percent versus the Japanese yen in the past six months, affecting sales. Hyundai plans to increase sales by 3.8 percent to 4.9 million vehicles this year, while Kia targets increased deliveries by 4.7 percent at 2.96 million units. Last week Hyundai named David Zuchowski, its former U.S. sales boss, to lead its U.S. unit after the automaker lost market share in the country, the company's biggest market after China. Hyundai's U.S. sales rose 2.2 percent in the first 11 months of 2013, while Kia's sales fell to 501,548 units from 518,421 units. Hyundai's sales in China rose 24 percent to 931,330 units in the first 11 months of 2013 and the carmaker is on track to exceed its annual target of 970,000 units. Kia beat its full-year target of 500,000 with a month to spare, selling 526,525 vehicles from January through November. By Dan Mihalascu     |
| New Ford EcoSport Gets Mixed Review from Auto Express Posted: 16 Jan 2014 09:43 AM PST  Ford's take on the small urban SUV, the EcoSport, embodies an obvious contradiction: although it looks like an off-roader (yes, I'm referring especially to the location of the spare wheel), it only comes with front-wheel-drive. Ford's decision to place the spare wheel on the tailgate may have been dictated by practical terms (boot volume), but as the Auto Express review points out, it's neither good-looking nor practical, adding 200mm (7.9in) of length to the car. Furthermore, the large swinging rear door hinders access to the boot, especially in tight spaces. On the inside, the quality of plastics used on the dashboard and door panels is not as high as what rivals like the Peugeot 2008 and Renault Captur have to offer. It's worth mentioning, however, that the car tested was a pre-production prototype. There are good things about the EcoSport: it drives well thanks to its Fiesta underpinnings, it has a spacious interior and is quite entertaining when opted with the 123hp 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine. If you're curious to find out more about the EcoSport make sure you watch the video review posted below. By Dan Mihalascu    |
| 2015 Subaru WRX STI Reimagined as a Coupe; Should it be Made? Posted: 16 Jan 2014 09:06 AM PST  As far as Subaru STIs go, the rarest and most wanted model in the series has to be the 1998 Impreza 22B STI, a widebody coupe produced in just 424 units, only two of which were ever delivered to the States. Given Subaru's overly tiresome evolutionary approach with the WRX and WRX STI Impreza-based models, I'd say the introduction of a two-door model of the latest version introduced in Detroit this week actually sounds like a great idea to shake things up and provide fans of the brand with a new object of desire since the WRX Concept never materialized. This rendering of a 2015 WRX STI Coupe made by X-Tomi hits several sweet spots simultaneously, and could get better if there was a more limited edition in the likes of the 22B with an even wider body and more aggressive aero bits. Thoughts? Story References: X-Tomi     |
| U.S. Sales of EVs and Plug-In Hybrids Up 84 Percent, Diesels Rise 10 Percent in 2013 Posted: 16 Jan 2014 08:34 AM PST  U.S. sales of full electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles rose 84 percent in 2013 to more than 96,000, boosted by price cuts and new model launches, according to a report from the Detroit News citing data obtained from Wards Auto. Automakers sold nearly 49,000 plug-in hybrids, up 27 percent over 2012, and 47,600 electric vehicles – up 241 percent compared to last year. For comparison, in 2011 U.S. consumers bought 18,000 EVs. Traditional hybrid sales rose by a more moderate rate of 15.3 percent to 489,413 units, making 2013 the best-ever year for hybrid vehicle sales. The lion's share went to Toyota, with its hybrids making up 60 percent of all hybrid sales. Diesel sales also increased 10 percent to nearly 450,000 in 2013. The spectacular increase in sales of electrified vehicles was due to the fact that nearly all automakers cut prices significantly last year. An exception was Tesla Motors, which saw increased demand for its Model S sedan, with about 18,800 units being sold in 2013. Nissan also saw increased sales for its Leaf EV by 130 percent to 22,610 units. Sales have jumped since the carmaker dropped the base price by 18 percent, to $28,800 for the 2013 model year. Nissan also increased cargo room and added an on-board charger that reduces electric charging times by 50 percent. Sales of the Chevrolet Volt fell 1.6 percent in 2013 to 23,094, despite GM cutting the base price by $5,000 in August, while sales of Toyota's Prius plug-in hybrid fell 5.2 percent to 12,088. Ford, which has reduced the price of the Focus EV by $4,000 for the 2014 model year, only sold about 1,500 units in the first 11 months of 2013. By Dan Mihalascu              |
| Chilling Junior WRC Fiesta Crash will Bring NSFW Words Out of You Posted: 16 Jan 2014 08:03 AM PST  This video footage from a crash that occurred during the Sigdalsrally in Norway this past weekend is a testament to the safety provided by modern day racing cars. Nonetheless, it has the ingredients to scare the bejesus out of the most professional of drivers… Junior-WRC pilot Marius Aasen and co-driver Marlene Engan were speeding through the snow during the rally when they hit a bump at "approximately 150km/h" (93mph), which sent their racing Ford Fiesta into a crazy roll over (we counted at least four complete turns in the video) before it landed upside down in a frozen river. As scary as it looks, the car kept the two young men safe and sound, and they were able to get out and reach the river bank virtually unharmed. "Here is a video from our really bad crash in Sigdalsrally this weekend!," wrote Aasen on his Facebook page. "Unfortunately, there is nothing left of the car, but I'm glad the safety in the car is good, and we both are ok" Now the team is looking to get their vehicle back to racing form. "There is not much left of the car, and this is how it looks like at the moment," said Aasen. "We are working hard to get back into a rallycar."      |
| GM Sold 9.71 Million Vehicles Globally in 2013, VW Breathes Down its Neck with Over 9.7 Million Posted: 16 Jan 2014 08:13 AM PST  General Motors announced that it sold 9,714,652 vehicles worldwide in 2013, which is very close to figures released by VW that said it delivered more than 9.7 million unit. However, both GM and VW are expected to be surpassed by Toyota as the world's largest carmaker. GM said its 2013 sales were up by more than 400,000 vehicles (+4.5 percent) from 2012. VW reported a growth of nearly 5 percent, but said it won't release precise figures for at least two weeks, with spokesman Carsten Krebs saying the race for second place will be "very, very close." GM's biggest market last year was China, with sales of 3.16 million vehicles, followed by the U.S. with 2.79 million deliveries (+7.3 percent). Sales in Brazil hit 649,849 (+1 percent), while UK deliveries reached 300,977 (+11 percent). An equal growth rate was posted in Russia, where sales totaled 257,583. In Europe and South America GM posted declines of 3 percent and 1 percent, respectively. With 4.98 million units, Chevrolet made more than half of the group's 2013 total, followed by Opel/Vauxhall (1.06 million), Buick (1.03 million) and Cadillac (250,830). At the VW Group, the VW Passenger Cars brand 5.93 million vehicles in 2013, followed by Audi (1.58 million), Skoda (920,800), VW Commercial Vehicles (551,900), Seat (355,000) and Porsche (162,100). VW Group's largest market was also China, with 3.27 million sales, followed by Germany (1.16 million), Brazil (682,200), United States (611,700) and Russia (317,700). By Dan Mihalascu Story References: GM, VW via Detnews    |
| Spied: New BMW 7-Series Sedan Coming Next Year Posted: 16 Jan 2014 07:02 AM PST  Before we get into details about the new G11-codenamed BMW 7-Series, allow us to make a correction noting that, as some of you rightfully pointed out, the prototype model we scooped last November and mistakenly believed to be the 5-Series replacement, was indeed the new 7-Series with the regular wheelbase. The Touring model, however, was the 5-Series. What can we say; without a tape measure, it's not always easy these days to separate same body-style offerings from German luxury brands and being on a trailer doesn't help either… With that out of the way, let's see what BMW's new breed of luxury is bringing on to the table. From these photos, the new 7-Series appears to continue the much welcome downward trend in bulkiness that began with the current F01. The G11 will not only be slimmer to the eye, but to the scales as well, since it will be the first regular BMW after the i3 hatchback and i8 hybrid sports coupe to adopt the use of carbon fiber along with aluminum and steel in its construction, dramatically cutting down in weight over the current version. Combine that with a new suit of technologies and revised powertrains, and the 7-Series will offer significant reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emission figures. Besides the usual array of turbocharged straight-six, V8 and V12 engines, we hear that BMW may follow Mercedes' and Audi's lead offering a force-fed 4-cylinder unit at the bottom of the range – possibly a hybrid powertrain. BMW officials are also warming up to an M7, which if realized, will be the first in the model's four-decade long history. The new G11 7-Series should break cover at the 2015 Frankfurt motor show in Germany. Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS           |
| Ferrari Telemetry Is the Answer to Corvette's Performance Data Recorder Posted: 16 Jan 2014 06:32 AM PST  Following Chevrolet's presentation earlier this month of the Performance Data Recorder available on the Corvette Stingray, Ferrari has unveiled a similar system called Ferrari Telemetry. Available for the F12berlinetta, 458 Speciale and LaFerrari sports cars, Ferrari Telemetry is a real-time telemetry system aimed at improving driving skills and helping owners re-live their on-track and off-track exploits. The technology allows drivers to monitor the car's position and analyze its performance by recording driving sessions and displaying the main data on the instrument binnacle. However, unlike the Corvette's PDM, a high-resolution camera kit is only offered as an option by Ferrari Telemetry, adding simultaneous video recordings of the route and driving technique. Ferrari says the system provides drivers "exactly the same technical support" as F1 drivers Fernando Alonso and Kimi Räikkönen get during test sessions on the track and in the actual grands prix themselves. Thanks to the huge amount of data available and a special Ferrari Telemetry App, drivers can compare their car's performance over a series of different laps or even the same road route driven several times. You can see how the gadget works in Ferrari's official video presentation posted below. By Dan Mihalascu    |
| Gallery of 2014 Corvette Stingray C7 on HRE Wheels Posted: 16 Jan 2014 06:11 AM PST  Imagining your ride on a different set of aluminum wheels isn't the easiest, let alone, the most accurate way to know if the choice you made agrees with your taste buds. The only other realistic option you have aside from heading down to a shop and fitting them on your car is to see the wheels on other driver's rides in pictures. In this instance, we have the new 2014 Corvette Stingray C7 featured in a number of shots with HRE Performance Wheels. To be frank, we first saw the white painted P101 rims on a matching color C7, which does look different – we will give it that, but we also found other choices for the less adventurous when it comes to colors, all of which can be seen in the gallery below.                                                           |
| 2013 Adam Sales Helped Opel Increase Market Share in Europe Posted: 16 Jan 2014 05:52 AM PST  Rising sales of the Adam city car in 2013 helped Opel and Vauxhall increase their market share in Europe in 2013, despite a declining auto market. In recent years, Opel has struggled to maintain market share because of a lack of new products and management disruption. The carmaker launched the Adam a year ago hoping to revive sales in Europe, where buyers now prefer smaller cars that are cheaper to buy and run. Opel said that its European market share (including sister brand Vauxhall) was 5.61 percent in 2013, up from 5.59 percent in 2012, according to preliminary sales data. In Germany, the brand expanding its market share from 6.9 percent to 7 percent. The introduction of the Opel Adam had an important role in the brand's increased deliveries last year, according to with Peter Christian Kuespert, Opel's vice president of sales and after-sales. In Germany, Opel sold 21,000 Adam city cars last year, while sales of the Mokka compact crossover reached 20,000 units. The subcompact segment represented the biggest slice of the market in 2013, totaling about 25 percent of new car registrations last year, according to data from JATO Dynamics. Opel still has to replace the Corsa subcompact, which is one of the oldest products being offered in Europe. Launched in 2006, the Corsa competes with more modern vehicles like the Renault Clio, Ford Fiesta and Peugeot 208. Corsa sales declined 14 percent in 2012. By Dan Mihalascu Story References: Reuters        |
| Brave Driver Tries to Help Dizzy Skunk with a Cup Wedged on its Head on the Road Posted: 16 Jan 2014 05:32 AM PST  It's a potentially stinky (beyond belief) situation, one that most people would avoid like the plague, but not YouTube user Jeremi Lorenti, who after some consideration, bit the bullet and jumped out of his car to help a poor skunk that had its head stuck in a cup and was doing circles on a road with vehicles passing by. Skunks are notorious for their anal scent glands that can spray a highly offensive and extremely difficult to get rid of smell as far as 10 feet (3 meters). The mixture can even cause temporary blindness if you're hit in the face, so this wasn't exactly a walk in the park… To see how it all went down, hop over the break and click play on the video.    |
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