CARSCOOP |  |
- Carscoops' A to Z Guide to the 2014 Detroit Motor Show
- BMW M235i in Alpine White Snapped Up in Germany [w/Video]
- Posh Chinese Wedding Convoy Made Up Exclusively of Super- and Luxury Cars
- Virtual Gymkhana Attempt Sees Oncoming Cars Used as Obstacles
- There May be a Video of Schumacher’s Skiing Accident – Prosecutor Looking to Obtain It
- Nissan’s NV200 Taxi Puts on a New Face for London [w/Video]
- Prospective Buyers Preview Citroen C4 Cactus Concept
- Study Forecasts Continued Domination of Gasoline-Powered Vehicles Through 2040
- 1970 Ford Torino GT Coupe is One Badass Ride
- 2015 Corvette Stingray Will Offer Performance Data Recorder [w/Videos]
- Footage of Airplane Crashing on Dragstrip Just Before a Race Begins
- BMW Shows Off New M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe in Individual Fittings
- Watch NAIAS Unveiling of New Corvette Stingray Z06 and C7.R Racer Here on January 13
- BMW Explains the Design of the i8 in New Video
- Spy Shots: Hyundai to Challenge Mercedes-Benz's Sprinter with New Van
- Some Possibilities for After the Closure of Holden
- Rolls-Royce Quietly Unveils Limited Edition Ghost V-Specification with 593HP
- Cop Steps Out to Stop Speeding Motorcyclists, Causes a Crash
- Another View of Infiniti's New Q50 Eau Rouge Performance Concept
- Mazda Says Next-Gen Skyactiv 2 Will Further Improve Efficiency by 30%
- Florida Auto Transporter Borrows Corvette to Impress Girlfriend, Lands in Jail
- 1986 BMW 325es with Only 11,700 Miles for Sale
- Bose Offers Chip With Sound Cancelling Capability for Installation in Any Car Audio System
- There's Enough Snow on Chicago Highway to Use a…Snowmobile
- Eterniti Motor's $340k Coachbuilt Porsche Cayenne Artemis Spotted on the Road
| Carscoops' A to Z Guide to the 2014 Detroit Motor Show Posted: 06 Jan 2014 05:39 PM PST  From January 13 to 26, the city of Detroit and the overhauled Cobo Center will host the biggest annual automotive get-together on this side of the world, the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) 2014. There's already plenty buzz about this year's event that is also known as the Detroit motor show, and in this section, we'll be presenting all the confirmed and rumored world and North American production and concept car premieres. Some of the most anticipated debuts include the replacement to the best-selling vehicle in the United States, the Ford F-150 truck, the high-performance Corvette Stingray Z06, the new Cadillac ATS Coupe, the next generation Chrysler 200, Subaru's 2015 WRX STI and Nissan's Sports Sedan Concept, said to hint at a new design direction for the Maxima. Below you will find the preliminary list that will be updated daily before, during and after the press days of the show (January 13-14).         |
| BMW M235i in Alpine White Snapped Up in Germany [w/Video] Posted: 06 Jan 2014 04:43 PM PST  We didn't really have a problem with the way the BMW 2-Series looked, and in one of our earlier posts we even called it schön. Even though the comments in that post revealed that not everybody saw it as pretty as I did, I'll still praise the looks and spot-on proportions of this Alpine White M235i, which was snapped up by AutoGespot in Munich, Germany. Sporting its sublte M badge on the front fenders, large wheels, twin tailpipes and subtle boot spoiler, you can easily spot it as a special model with considerably more aggression to it than the regular one. Coupling the looks with an acceleration time to 62 mph (100 km/h) of less than five seconds and a price tag starting at the attainable side of $40,000 in the US, the M235i is definitely one of the hottest sporty coupes on the market. Scroll down and check out the photos and video below. By Andrei Nedelea Story References: Autogespot via BMWBlog            |
| Posh Chinese Wedding Convoy Made Up Exclusively of Super- and Luxury Cars Posted: 06 Jan 2014 04:02 PM PST  Despite the fact that pedal power is still the way most of China's huge and mostly impoverished population gets around, there is, of course, the other extreme, which keeps them riding rickshaws and bikes while it attends uber-lavish weddings that will only have you invited if you've really taken advantage of the benefits of the newly-freed market. Apparently, all these rich folk fully aware of the decadent capitalist ways of globalization made their money in the manufacturing and real estate business locally, and now they're showing it off in the cars that they drive, promoting strong, Western values in the process. Shot in the city of Wenzhou, the convoy is completely made up for supercars and uber-luxury barges. Apparently there were around 25 of them in total, of which 10 (or more) were Rolls Royce and two are Ferrari F12 Berlinettas, plus many Lambos. I thought communism stood for different, more… egalitarian values than this; here's to creating one of the most expensive traffic jams in the world! Scroll down and check out the photos, brought to you courtesy of CarNewsChina - they are not the last, we are told... By Andrei Nedelea           |
| Virtual Gymkhana Attempt Sees Oncoming Cars Used as Obstacles Posted: 06 Jan 2014 03:35 PM PST  While Gymkhana star Ken Block mostly likes powersliding around (under and over) stationary objects, there are ways in which the formula could be enriched, without losing the attraction. For instance, you can use a bunch of Kia Ceed'ds have them drive in one direction around a track and then do your best to drift around and not crash into any of them. That is a bit difficult and dangerous to pull off in real life, so we're thankful for the realistic eye candy offered by Forza 5, a game used to enact exactly what was mentioned in paragraph one. A tricked out all-wheel drive Ford Focus ST is used for the job, a job which it seems to do very well. There may have been some editing involved, but the final video is definitely entertaining and takes full advantage of Froza's Drivatar actual people-mimicking artificial intelligence system that has virtual drivers swerving at the last moment to avoid impact. The video lies below, after the virtual jump. By Andrei Nedelea    |
| There May be a Video of Schumacher’s Skiing Accident – Prosecutor Looking to Obtain It Posted: 06 Jan 2014 02:59 PM PST  As Michael Schumacher, who just turned 45, continues to lie in the coma induced to protect his brain cells from degrading, an entire press phenomenon has been created around his unfortunate skiing accident. After we heard of a member of the press dressing up as a…priest to try and gain access to the F1 champ's room, another twist in the story has been added: allegedly, there's a mobile phone video of the very moment he crashed, and now the French prosecutors working to find out what happened are determined to get their hands on it. German publication Der Spiegel says it was contacted on Sunday by a man who claimed to be in possession of said footage; he apparently caught Schumi's fall as he was filming his girlfriend come down the slope, in the resort of Meribel, in the French Alps. Meanwhile, for the fans waiting outside of the hospital where he is currently being held, there is no additional news. He is still stable yet in critical condition, as it's been put by most of the press, quoting the doctors. However, that's basically the doctors being evasive and doesn't really mean anything. So far, he's been operated on twice to remove blood clots from his brain. The doctors have decreed, though, that they will speak again via an organized press conference when they have notable developments to report – hopefully, they will be of the good kind. By Andrei Nedelea    |
| Nissan’s NV200 Taxi Puts on a New Face for London [w/Video] Posted: 06 Jan 2014 02:27 PM PST  Nissan has unveiled the new face of its NV200-based Taxi for London, with the van…suffering extensive aesthetic surgery in order to look similar to the city's iconic black cabs. Compared to the initial NV200 London taxi first unveiled in August 2012, the final version looks radically different, as Nissan listened to feedback from the London Mayor's office, Transport for London and other key organizations that have backed the new taxi. The NV200 cab for London is part of Nissan's global taxi program, which also includes New York, Barcelona and Tokyo. Unlike the NV200 taxis for these cities that sport a similar look, the London edition gets a bespoke design, including round headlamps and re-modelled grille mirroring the traditional black cab "face", LED lighting for the taxi sign and completely new front bumper panels. Another London requirement was that the NV200 adhered to the strict TfL regulations governing Hackney Carriages, including the required 25-foot (7.6-meter) turning circle. Developed for London in London by Nissan Design Europe (NDE) in Paddington, the new taxi will be launched in December 2014 with a 1.6-liter petrol engine mated to an automatic gearbox. Nissan says it has chosen this engine because it is "far cleaner, with lower levels of NOx and particulates" compared to current diesel London taxis. In 2015, Nissan will also launch a zero emission electric version of the NV200 Taxi for London. The Nissan NV200 Taxi for London will be sold exclusively by franchised dealer group Glyn Hopkin from a purpose-built showroom in Canary Wharf. By Dan Mihalascu                |
| Prospective Buyers Preview Citroen C4 Cactus Concept Posted: 06 Jan 2014 01:56 PM PST  Since the C4 Cactus Concept will be spawning a production model, it deserves more than a second look, as it's a distinctly funky looking car; even by Citroen's high oddness standards… It's even retaining the rubber padding on the doors, known as Air Bumps, as well as that family of three favorite, the bench front seat. The Air Bumps are designed to protect the side of the car from impacts with shopping trolleys, and as the prospective buyers explained to British magazine Whatcar, they fit nicely into the design; one person goes as far as to say he would not picture it without them. The C4 Cactus promises to be a great family companion, with a fuss-free but elegant interior (that some found a bit cramped in the back) packed full of the latest gadgets. If only they could nail down the dodgy driving dynamics that keep plaguing all of their models, it would definitely help their cause. Check out the first impressions video, below. By Andrei Nedelea    |
| Study Forecasts Continued Domination of Gasoline-Powered Vehicles Through 2040 Posted: 06 Jan 2014 01:33 PM PST  Despite the fact that studies tend to get less accurate the further away into the future they aim to predict, this one seems realistic to me, given the current state of the car market in the US. The Detroit News quotes information put out by the Energy Information Administration that reads that "gasoline-powered vehicles will continue to dominate the market through 2040." The report announces a notable rise in all vehicles' efficiency – the jump will be made from 2012's average of 21.5 mpg to 37.2 mpg by 2040. By that time, it's also expected that the overall energy consumption for everything that is included in the transport sector will also go down by 4 percent – this seems insignificant, given just how many billions are being poured into green tech development nowadays… Also falling by 4 percent will be the number of gas-powered vehicles. Currently making up 82 percent of all vehicles on US roads, it's expected to drop to 78 percent by the aforementioned year. We will apparently be more into micro-hybrids "and other advanced fuel technologies" – 42 percent of all vehicles. However, the study doesn't really see full hybrids making a big enough impact, and their share of the total market will rise from today's 3 percent to 5 percent; popularity of diesels will double from today's 2 percent share. All of this is put into context by the expected rise in the price of gasoline too, from today's $3.28 per gallon to around $3.90, while diesel is also expected to become more dear, at $4.73 per gallon, up from the current $3.87. Keep in mind, again, that this is not actual information, but mere predictions based on the (downward) trend exhibited by the industry and the politicians who govern what it can and can't do. By Andrei Nedelea                      |
| 1970 Ford Torino GT Coupe is One Badass Ride Posted: 06 Jan 2014 12:57 PM PST  When you talk about Ford sports cars from the 1970s, most people will immediately think of the Mustang, but the Blue Oval's stable included other models like the Gran Torino series, which gained fame through the Starsky & Hutch television series. The model used by fictional character Starsky was the 1975–1976 Gran Torino. Personally, I find the stealthy-faced 1970-1971 and to a lesser extent, the gaping-grille 1972 models the best looking of the Gran Torino lineup. The one you see here is a 1970 Torino GT Coupe with a 429 cu.in. (7.0-liter) Cobra Jet V8 engine rated for 370hp with matching numbers that has been meticulously restored from the ground up to its original glory. According to the seller's description, "It was built on January 29, 1970 at the Atlanta Plant Research Unit…There were ONLY 913 429 CJ's built and ONLY 412 had the 4 speed. ONLY 34 were black, ONLY 3 had white interior and ONLY ONE had the power front disc brakes. That one of one car is this car and is FULLY documented by the Elite Marti Report as well as the original letter from Ford Research Unit." No word on the original mileage, but the car has travelled only 752 miles (1,210 km) since it was restored. While there are many things I like about this 1970 Torino GT, there's also one thing to hate and that's…the dealer's (Catsexotics) asking price of $84,888. By John Halas                                                          |
| 2015 Corvette Stingray Will Offer Performance Data Recorder [w/Videos] Posted: 06 Jan 2014 12:31 PM PST  Chevrolet today announced an industry-first Performance Data Recorder for the 2015 Corvette Stingray at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Featuring integrated video, audio and motorsport-inspired telemetry recording capability, the system enables users to record high-definition video, with telemetry overlays, of their driving experiences on and off the track. The PDR system includes three major components. First up is a 720p, high-definition camera mounted within the windshield header trim, which records the driver's point-of-view through the windshield. A dedicated microphone in the cabin is responsible for audio recording. The second component is a self-contained telemetry recorder, which uses a dedicated GPS receiver operating at 5 hertz, or cycles per second. That's five times faster than the in-dash navigation system, thus allowing more precise positioning and corner traces. The recorder is connected to the Stingray's Controller Area Network (CAN) to access vehicle information, including engine speed, transmission-gear selection, braking force, steering-wheel angle and others. Finally, the third major component is a dedicated SD-card slot in the glove box for recording and transferring video and vehicle data. An 8-gigabyte card can record approximately 200 minutes, while a 32-GB card stores up to about 800 minutes – more than 13 hours of driving time. Recorded videos can be viewed on the Corvette Stingray's 8-inch color touchscreen when the car is parked, or downloaded to a computer. Developed in cooperation with Cosworth, the Performance Data Recorder will be available later in the third quarter of 2014 with the start of regular 2015 Corvette production. Chevrolet will announce pricing closer to launch. Until then, you can see how the system works from the official videos posted below. By Dan Mihalascu                |
| Footage of Airplane Crashing on Dragstrip Just Before a Race Begins Posted: 06 Jan 2014 12:00 PM PST  Authorities from Iceland have released dramatic footage of an incident that occurred on August 5, 2013, when a small Beechcraft King Air plane crashed at the end of a dragstrip before a qualifying race was about to begin. Three people were aboard the ambulance airplane when it smashed into the ground, including the captain and a paramedic who were both instantly killed, and the co-pilot, who (amazingly) survived with injuries. According to an internal investigation, there was nothing wrong with the airplane, but local news station MBL reported that the final report has yet to be released as authorities are still looking into the cause(s) of the accident.    |
| BMW Shows Off New M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe in Individual Fittings Posted: 06 Jan 2014 11:25 AM PST  Not that there's anything wrong with a Silverstone Metallic exterior shade and a beige or black interior for your BMW M3 sedan or M4 coupe, but if you find the regular color combos done to death and are looking to stand out from the crowd, then the Bavarian firm's Individual program is the way to go. To give us an early taste of what prospective owners of the two new M models can achieve through this program, BMW dropped a collection of photos showing the M3 finished in the Individual Azurite Black metallic paintwork on the outside and Merino leather in Amaro Brown inside, while the M4 boasts the Individual Frozen Brilliant White metallic and leather upholstery in Nutmeg. Depending on where you live, you may have to nag your local dealer or even try asking a different shop to make use of this option that opens a colorful new door for exterior and interior hues, materials and trim options.        |
| Watch NAIAS Unveiling of New Corvette Stingray Z06 and C7.R Racer Here on January 13 Posted: 06 Jan 2014 10:57 AM PST  In exactly one-week's time from now, on the opening press day of the 2014 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit on January 13, Chevrolet will slip the covers off two new Corvette Stingray models, the high-performance Z06 and the C7.R racing car. If you won't make it to Detroit, bookmark this page that includes the video player below and save the date as Chevrolet will live-stream the launch of the two Corvette Stingray models beginning at 9:30 a.m. EST with a special event that will lead to the actual reveal at 10:00 am EST. GM has been hush about which powertrain it chose for the performance version of the 2014 Corvette Stingray series with the Z06 moniker. For the record, one of our sources told us last year that that the new Z06 may be the first GM model to use the production version of the 4.5-liter turbocharged V8 previewed on the Cadillac Elmiraj concept.    |
| BMW Explains the Design of the i8 in New Video Posted: 06 Jan 2014 10:29 AM PST  There is no question that the BMW i8 is one of the most unique designs to come out from Bavaria in the past decade. Its concept car looks make it impossible to ignore on the street. The long wheelbase, short overhangs, sweeping roofline and strong surfaces give the BMW i8 a dynamic stance. There are so many intricate design elements that it will probably take owners quite a while to discover each and every one of them once they take delivery of their i8. Details like the scissor doors with hidden handles and different layers of materials used both inside and out make the BMW i8 look like nothing else on the road today. I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of the BMW i3's styling, but when it comes to the BMW i's range-topping model, it's hard to find an angle from which the car looks awkward. Check it out for yourself in the official BMW video posted below. By Dan Mihalascu    |
| Spy Shots: Hyundai to Challenge Mercedes-Benz's Sprinter with New Van Posted: 06 Jan 2014 09:58 AM PST  Our spies were caught by surprise in Germany when they spotted a heavily camouflaged LCV (Light Commercial Vehicle) coming out of one of Hyundai's local facilities and followed it around. The large van with the extended roof height appears to be a competitor for similar versions of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and the related VW Crafter, as well as a number of other models including Renault Master, Opel Movano, Nissan NV400, Ford Transit, Fiat Ducato, Citroën Jumper, Peugeot Boxer and Iveco Daily. While information remains scarce at this point, Hyundai will most likely follow the example of the competition offering the upcoming van in several different lengths, heights and body style configurations, such as a pickup truck and a minibus. We'll update you as soon as we find out more about the Korean company's new van series. Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS         |
| Some Possibilities for After the Closure of Holden Posted: 06 Jan 2014 09:30 AM PST  The upcoming closing of the Holden's Adelaide factory has apparently sparked interest around the world and Motoring reports that many companies are eyeing the site after the year 2017 when it's all planned to go quiet – funny how GM thinks it's irrelevant and found shutting it down as being the best bet… It's been noted by the South Australian Premier, Jay Weatherill, that he's had meetings with industry leaders to find solutions for the absorption of the 1,600 layoffs. "We're receiving unsolicited propositions from a range of companies and others that we've gone out and pursued ourselves. We're obviously working through them," he noted, adding that it's not only automotive companies that are interested in the plant, as "there's also armored vehicle manufacturers and other whole sectors that have completely different industry opportunities, for instance in the food industry… All of those things are on the table and they're being given consideration, too." The SA Premier is confident that they could even create a surplus of jobs in the "tens of thousands" if the plan is carefully thought out, realistic and actually aimed at supporting the people, instead of just treating them as numbers in a statistic. Another idea would be to create "world-class" LPG conversion facilities in three major cities (Melbourne and Geelong aside from Adelaide). This one was put forth by Victoria's Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) and Gas Energy Australia. The Victorian Premier, Denis Napthine, conceded that "there is a new game in town. It's the closure of Holdens. It does mean that we have to consider things that perhaps haven't been considered before," concentrated on the "augmentation of the infrastructure around water or transport or electricity or gas, they may actually be able to make their investment decision… We want to identify and accelerate that." Do check out the spoof video below, before you go; it's based on the concept of the official "We're here" promo released by the company not so long ago… By Andrei Nedelea    |
| Rolls-Royce Quietly Unveils Limited Edition Ghost V-Specification with 593HP Posted: 06 Jan 2014 09:00 AM PST  Rolls-Royce has quietly released the Ghost V-Specification, an upgraded model bringing more power and luxury to its entry-level model. The most powerful Ghost ever made is powered by an uprated version of the twin-turbocharged 6.6-liter V12 engine producing 593 hp (601PS), 30 hp more than the standard Ghost. Despite producing more grunt, the engine is slightly more economical than the standard version, averaging 13.6 l/100 km (17.3 mpg US) compared to 14.1 l/100 km (16.7 mpg US). CO2 emissions are also smaller: 327 grams vs. 329 grams. The increase in power is accompanied by a series of discreet exterior and interior upgrades. Available with five new exterior colors (Graphite, Black Sapphire, Black Kirsch, Arctic White and Infinity Black), the Rolls-Royce Ghost V-Specification features a hand-painted coachline that incorporates the V-Specification motif. The car also gets 21-inch Part-Polished wheels, available for the first time on the short-wheelbase Ghost, as well as optional visible chrome exhausts. On the inside, the limited edition Ghost gets a bespoke tread-plate bearing the car's motif, which is also present on the custom-made covering for the entertainment system. There's also an exclusive new clock design with a distinctive black crown surrounding the face. Additionally, the leather upholstery features contrast piping and stitching. Rolls-Royce says the Ghost V-Specification will be produced for a limited period of time. German authorized Rolls-Royce dealer Procar lists the car for €330,820 ($450,480), 19 percent VAT included. The carmaker is expected to debut the facelifted Ghost at a major auto show this year, possibly in Geneva. By Dan Mihalascu Story References: Rolls-Royce via AutoblogNL                     |
| Cop Steps Out to Stop Speeding Motorcyclists, Causes a Crash Posted: 06 Jan 2014 08:38 AM PST  We're not saying that police officers shouldn't enforce the law especially when motorists and motorcyclists place themselves and others in danger, but popping out of the bushes and stepping onto the road to surprise and stop a biker isn't exactly the safest or most sensible of practices…. This incident, which reportedly occurred in Britain, was captured on film by several cameras, including from a police officer and the two motorcycles involved in the crash that happened after the cop tried to stop the first one for speeding. The problem was that the biker coming from behind was caught by surprise (partially due to the low visibility caused by the fog and the fact that he was going faster than what the conditions allowed), and as a result, crashed into the first motorcyclist. Video follows below.    |
| Another View of Infiniti's New Q50 Eau Rouge Performance Concept Posted: 06 Jan 2014 07:58 AM PST  Even though Infiniti plans to debut the new Q50 Eau Rouge performance concept in the U.S. at next week's 2014 Detroit motor show, it's the brand's European arm that is feeding us with a new photo of the car revealing its profile lines. According to the Japanese carmaker, the Q50 Eau Rouge's comprehensive body kit "draws inspiration for aerodynamic design from the technical collaboration between Infiniti and four-time Formula One World Champions Infiniti Red Bull Racing". Besides the aero-mods and liberal use of carbon fiber on the roof, mirror caps and spoilers, the concept comes with 21-inch alloy wheels through which we see the new Brembo-branded brakes. Unfortunately, the new photo doesn't give us any information on what's lurking under the vented hood. ![Infiniti-Q50 Eau Rouge -1[7]](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sB6TAcNjP3w/UsrOCnQRXiI/AAAAAAAPm-c/IfpCA_-JoTY/s1600-h/Infiniti-Q50%252520Eau%252520Rouge%252520-1%25255B7%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg "Infiniti-Q50 Eau Rouge -1[7]") ![Infiniti-Q50 Eau Rouge -1[1]](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yWu0hTOzZ2Q/UsrOFYBmuhI/AAAAAAAPm-s/RAHqiUCI4Q8/s1600-h/Infiniti-Q50%252520Eau%252520Rouge%252520-1%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg "Infiniti-Q50 Eau Rouge -1[1]")  ![Infiniti-Q50 Eau Rouge -1[3]](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7ebTY43KxKg/UsrOKIsdLPI/AAAAAAAPm_M/3ejJM_lN3SU/s1600-h/Infiniti-Q50%252520Eau%252520Rouge%252520-1%25255B3%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg "Infiniti-Q50 Eau Rouge -1[3]") ![Infiniti-Q50 Eau Rouge -1[4]](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EfbecifnPIY/UsrOMF_1kEI/AAAAAAAPm_c/PS3sWcWeWhk/s1600-h/Infiniti-Q50%252520Eau%252520Rouge%252520-1%25255B4%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg "Infiniti-Q50 Eau Rouge -1[4]") ![Infiniti-Q50 Eau Rouge -1[5]](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ft77UNJvCTA/UsrOOsulR0I/AAAAAAAPm_s/QZA_qpJ9h80/s1600-h/Infiniti-Q50%252520Eau%252520Rouge%252520-1%25255B5%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg "Infiniti-Q50 Eau Rouge -1[5]") ![Infiniti-Q50 Eau Rouge -1[6]](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BnYgb0MArrs/UsrOQ_QQ21I/AAAAAAAPm_4/t8U47q-jyQE/s1600-h/Infiniti-Q50%252520Eau%252520Rouge%252520-1%25255B6%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg "Infiniti-Q50 Eau Rouge -1[6]")    |
| Mazda Says Next-Gen Skyactiv 2 Will Further Improve Efficiency by 30% Posted: 06 Jan 2014 07:40 AM PST  Mazda really ought to be appreciated for not mindlessly following the hybridization trend, choosing instead to perfect the art of building a traditional, conventional car via its Skyactiv program. Now, AutoNews tells us that the Japanese manufacturer will continue to go in the same direction in the future, and that by the year 2020, Skyactiv 2 will have made its debut on the market, with efficiency improvements in the order of thirty percent compared to what we have now. The way in which they plan to achieve this is via complete and clean burn of the (diesel or gasoline) fuel so that the engine is both more efficient and less polluting. According to Mitsuo Hitomi, the executive officer in charge of powertrain development at Mazda, "If we want to dramatically improve fuel economy from here, the only route is through lean burning," adding that "the next step is the 2020 European regulations" (95 g/Km CO2). One specific way through which the automaker aims to achieve its goals for gasoline engines is by raising the compression ratio, something that it has already done with the current crop of Skyactiv motors that run at 14:1 (very high compared to industry average) – they apparently want to raise that to 18:1. Aside from that, they also want to employ what is called HCCI or homogenous charge compression ignition, which uses pressure to ignite the fuel/air mixture, instead of a traditional spark – it would burn petrol yet function along the same lines as diesel engines, basically. The current problem with HCCI is that engines running in that way don't really like to rev, mimicking the behavior of a diesel. This must be overcome, along with higher operating temperatures and pressures that will put extra strain on the entire system, require higher strength parts and ultimately end up being too expensive to be viable en masse. Following the second gen Skyactiv will be Skyactiv 3, in the year 2025. The goal will be lowering emissions further to 65 g/Km CO2, and bringing a proportional increase in efficiency too. By Andrei Nedelea    |
| Florida Auto Transporter Borrows Corvette to Impress Girlfriend, Lands in Jail Posted: 06 Jan 2014 07:20 AM PST  While temptations are everywhere, that does not mean you should give into them, otherwise, you may end up in a pickle like this Florida auto transporter who borrowed a 2011 Chevrolet Corvette C6 he was transferring to its new owner to go out on a date with his girlfriend. The driver, 49-year-old Ronald Francis Kelly of Sebring, Florida, had a two-day layover in Pearland where he was supposed to pick up additional vehicles headed for the sunshine state. To kill some time, he parked the truck at a Walmart store and took down a 2011 Corvette that was already inside the trailer and used it for two days. The joy-ride ended at around 9:15 p.m. on New Year's Day when Pearland Police pulled him over for a traffic violation where it was discovered that Kelly wasn't the real owner of the car. The man told police that he was a driver for an auto transport company and that he was allowed to use the Corvette. However, when officers contacted the transport company and the vehicle's owner, they told them that Kelly was only authorized to load and unload cars from the trailer. Subsequently, felony charges were filed for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. According to the Pearland Journal, Kelly was taken into custody and is currently held at the Brazoria County Jail on a $20,000 bond. Story References: Pearland Journal via Corvetteblogger     |
| 1986 BMW 325es with Only 11,700 Miles for Sale Posted: 06 Jan 2014 06:45 AM PST  It's not the most desirable non-M3 version of BMW's E30 3-Series (I'd say that distinction would go to the 320iS and the 325i M Sport facelift models), but with only 11,736 miles or 18,883 km on the odometer, this 1986 BMW 325es should capture the interest of U.S. fans of the model. The 325es (the 's' stands for the sport package) comes with a 2.7-liter straight-six gasoline engine with 120hp at 4,250rpm and 230 Nm (170 lb·ft) at 3,250rpm that was geared more towards fuel economy than performance compared to the smaller displacement, but higher output, 2.5-liter unit of the 325i with 168hp at 5,800rpm and 222 Nm (164 lb·ft) at 4,300rpm. This example is fitted with a 4-speed automatic and comes with front and rear spoilers, M pin stripes, plus sport seats and steering wheel. The eBay seller states: "This car is a true beauty and 11,000 miles makes it the RAREST e30 in the country. Some minor scratches in the paint, 2 minor dings on the hood, bumper has a few minor scratches, undercarrage is 100% rust free and looks brand new, interior looks absolutely gorgeous, vinyl is in amazing condition looks brand new! Dash does have 2 cracks in it, comes with a new dash crack free." Last we checked, the highest bid was US$5,600, but the reserve had not been met.                        |
| Bose Offers Chip With Sound Cancelling Capability for Installation in Any Car Audio System Posted: 06 Jan 2014 06:25 AM PST  Active noise cancelling is something that few cars have, and those that do are usually in the more luxurious side of the spectrum, and therefore out of the general reach of the majority of people. However, now, anybody can theoretically enjoy the benefits of the technology, via a chip that has just been launched on the market from Bose. It's a "a software solution integrated on a chip from NXP Semiconductors N.V" that works on any sound system, regardless of it being a Bose unit or not. The way it works is by picking up sounds from inside the cabin, via specially placed microphones, then emitting the exact opposite of the sounds they pick up, therefore giving the impression of quietness (by making more anti-noise – it's the negative torque of sound…). We're curious to see how well it works once actual people get their hands on it, and try it out in their average car that isn't a luxury one. Do also check out the videos posted below, which show how such arrays work. By Andrei Nedelea Story References: Bose via Autoblog-com   |
| There's Enough Snow on Chicago Highway to Use a…Snowmobile Posted: 06 Jan 2014 06:06 AM PST  Here's something you don't (and probably shouldn't…) see often; a snowmobile passing cars on a highway, and in particular, Interstate 94 (I-94), during the winter storm that has plagued the eastern half of the U.S. with plenty of snow and dangerously cold temperatures. The YouTube author says the footage was purportedly shot somewhere near Chicago, but we have seen the same video posted elsewhere saying it was recorded in Detroit. You may be surprised to know that in some States and under certain circumstances, you can operate a snowmobile on a highway and we quote Michigan's Department of Natural Resources: A Snowmobile May Operate on a Public Highway
A Person Shall Not Operate a Snowmobile:
   |
| Eterniti Motor's $340k Coachbuilt Porsche Cayenne Artemis Spotted on the Road Posted: 06 Jan 2014 05:46 AM PST  Porsche Cayennes of any generation are a dime a dozen in cities these days, which is probably why companies like Eterniti Motors exist. The British start-up offers a very limited coachbuilt version of the German model named the Artemis that was recently captured on camera by an Autogespot forum poster in London. When Eterniti presented the Artemis in 2012, it had said that it has received five orders for the heavily modified Cayenne from China, but evidently, it has started delivering cars in Europe as well. The Artemis is based on the Cayenne Turbo with the 4.8-liter V8 engine tuned to deliver more than 600PS (+592hp) for a 0-100km/h (62mph) acceleration of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of over 290km/h (180mph). Factory prices start from £210,000 (US$334,000 or €253,000) excluding taxes, with Eterniti producing only a few dozen cars each year. Photo Credits: NAME    |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Carscoops To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
