CARSCOOP

---

• VW Gets Adventurous with New Beetle Dune Concept for Detroit Show
• Audi RS7 Takes on Porsche Panamera Turbo in Latest Head 2 Head
• Mercedes Beats BMW and Gets U.S. Luxury Sales Crown for the First Time since 1999
• Pope Francis Gives Hitchhiker a Holy Ride in the Popemobile
• Matt Farah Says Ford Fiesta ST Better Than a Used BMW M3 E46
• Cubans Gain Right to Freely Buy Cars…But a Peugeot 508 Costs $229,000 or €169,000!
• Russian Driving Mayhem: The Grandmother Edition
• UK: Restyled Peugeot 5008 Priced and Detailed
• New Leon Cupra is Most Powerful Seat Ever with Up to 276HP [w/Video]
• Porsche Puts New Macan on Display at Harrods in London
• Rolls-Royce Officially Reveals Built to Order Ghost V-Specification
• Report Suggests Hotter Ford Fiesta RS Still on the Table
• 2015 Lexus RC F Coupe Officially Unveiled, Eyes BMW's New M4 [w/Video]
• This is What Really Happens When You Shoot a Dodge with a Gatling-Style Machine Gun
• New VW Passat BlueMotion Concept with 1.4 TSI Delivers up to 42MPG
• Porsche Confirms New 911 Targa for Detroit, Drops First Video Teaser
• Ferrari F12 N-Largo by Novitec Has Wide Body Kit, Extra Power and Sound
• New Lexus RC F Performance Coupe with 460HP V8; First Photos
• New VW Golf R Will Arrive in the U.S. in Q1 2015 with Less Power and Only as a 4-Door
• Spied: New Citroen Jumpy May be Inspired by Tubik Concept
• Formula E Car Does Public Demo at Las Vegas CES
• Buick Sets New Sales Record in 2013 with Over 1 Million Global Deliveries
• 2015 Chrysler 200: Feast Your Eyes on New Batch of Official Photos [Updated]
• Opel Reportedly Registers Calibra and Cascada Names in the US

VW Gets Adventurous with New Beetle Dune Concept for Detroit Show Posted: 08 Jan 2014 09:02 PM PST Volkswagen's second concept announcement for the 2014 Detroit motor show after the frugal Passat BlueMotion 1.4 TSI is the new Beetle Dune. If the name and styling of the concept previewed in the sketches rings a bell, it's because the Germans exhibited a similar study based on the previous Beetle back in 2000 (see photos below). The newly interpreted Beetle Dune sports a tougher, crossover-like appearance with details such as the flared wheel arches fitted with black moldings, modified bumpers and side sills featuring protective plates and chunky wheels over a new set of rims. Inside, the makeover includes the use of bright yellow accents and the replacement of the glove box in the passenger side with a handle. Power is sourced from VW's familiar 210PS (207hp) 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine paired to a six-speed DSG dual clutch transmission. While VW claims that the Dune is only a study for now, German magazine AMS says we could see a production model on the road as early as 2015. Note: Second row photos are of the 2000 VW Beetle Dune Concept PHOTO GALLERY

Audi RS7 Takes on Porsche Panamera Turbo in Latest Head 2 Head Posted: 08 Jan 2014 04:40 PM PST Both are German, all-wheel-drive, turbocharged, V8-powered super sedans. Well, sort of, as none of them really respect the definition of a sedan and can be better described as five-door liftbacks. The Porsche Panamera Turbo and the Audi RS7 are also from the same automotive group, so the duel staged in the latest Head 2 Head episode is even more interesting. They're both staggeringly fast, and that's unsurprising given their powerplants. The Audi is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with 560 horsepower, while the Porsche's 4.8-liter twin-turbo V8 unit produces 520 horsepower. The two models are driven on the test track and a canyon road to see which is better overall and it turns out they are close in terms of performance. However, the Audi RS7 is about $60,000 cheaper than the Porsche, which begs the question: is the Panamera that much better? You'll have to watch the video below to find out. By Dan Mihalascu VIDEO

Mercedes Beats BMW and Gets U.S. Luxury Sales Crown for the First Time since 1999 Posted: 08 Jan 2014 04:09 PM PST The year that just ended proved to the best-ever for Mercedes-Benz in the U.S. as it propelled the brand on top of the luxury segment, ahead of archrival BMW. It's the first time Mercedes-Benz finished on top since 1999, ending Lexus' and BMW's domination. Mercedes-Benz reported 312,528 sales, up 14 percent from 2012. In December, brand sales rose 17 percent to 33,007. The Stuttgart-based carmaker ended the year 3,248 units ahead of BMW, which sold 309,280 units in the U.S. in 2013, up 10 percent over 2012. In December, BMW surpassed Mercedes-Benz selling 37,389 units helped by incentives. Lexus was No. 3 in 2013, up 12 percent to 273,847 vehicles. According to Steve Cannon, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, the sales performance is due to fresh products. In the fall of 2013, the carmaker launched the CLA compact sedan and the redesigned S-Class flagship sedan, with the facelifted E-Class range launched earlier in the year. Sales were also boosted by improved customer service, Cannon said. "The volume is a validation of what we are doing in the marketplace and what we are doing with our dealers and our focus on customer experience," Cannon was quoted as saying by Automotive News. The CLA did very well, with Mercedes-Benz selling 14,113 units in 2013, an important contribution to Mercedes' win over BMW. Furthermore, the S-Class and E-Class outsold the competing 7-Series and 5-Series. The CLA helped bring people into the showrooms and even aided C-Class sales, as buyers coming for the CLA often changed their minds and bought a C-Class instead, according to Cannon. By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY

Pope Francis Gives Hitchhiker a Holy Ride in the Popemobile Posted: 08 Jan 2014 03:46 PM PST While driving through the crowds at the Vatican on Wednesday, Pope Francis surprised everyone when he stopped to pick up an enthusiastic man giving him a ride in his glass-canopy Popemobile. According to The Catholic News Service (CNS), the Vatican press hall identified the thrilled hitchhiker as Fr. Fabian Baez of Buenos Aires, pointing out that Pope Francis told his aides that the priest is "a great confessor." After travelling alongside the pope, the Argentinian was given special seating at the start of the audience and even had a brief chat with the head of the Catholic Church. VIDEO

Matt Farah Says Ford Fiesta ST Better Than a Used BMW M3 E46 Posted: 08 Jan 2014 03:10 PM PST The debate will probably never stop raging on in regards to which is the best option: buying a new car for a set budget, or looking for different second-hand model that was more expensive when new yet is now in the exact same price bracket and usually better performing. Matt Farah of TheSmokingTire recently put two of these apparently mismatched contenders to the test, in order to find out which side of the argument would win based on the important criteria of fun and usable performance; he chose a brand new 2014 Ford Fiesta ST and pitted it against an all-time favorite, the E46 M3 from BMW. [ed. Note: Spoiler Alert] Surprisingly, it's the smaller car that wins out in the end, helped by the easier access to its turbocharged performance, as well as the multitude of newfangled gizmos and options that allow you to connect your gadgets to it. The M3 needs to be revved much harder to access its performance, plus it's more difficult to drive fast. Granted, when you do manage to get into a rhythm with it on a moderately twisty road, it will still outpace the Fiesta… However, Farah says that with better steering feel than the M3, more supportive seats and the aforementioned ease of access to the performance of the 1.6-liter turbo engine make it the better all-rounder, even with the extra-stiff suspension that it comes with and the less supple ride compared to the BMW. The latter would still make for an excellent choice for those who do visit the track regularly, though. Check out the video below. By Andrei Nedelea VIDEO

Cubans Gain Right to Freely Buy Cars…But a Peugeot 508 Costs $229,000 or €169,000! Posted: 08 Jan 2014 02:40 PM PST As part of a more widespread reform of the Cuban communist system, the automotive market that includes both new and used vehicles has been liberalized (kind of). The state still controls all sales of vehicles, though, regardless of age, and even second hand ones end up costing as much as ten times more than what they are actually worth. Reuters says the problem are the huge markups added by the state which promises to reinvest some of the money it makes in this way back into the old, decaying public transport system. Still, there's no justification for new 2013 Peugeot 206+ (yes, they still make it) to cost the equivalent of almost $80,000 or the 508 sedan to go for $229,000… As previously mentioned, this affects older cars too, and Cubans whose monthly average wage equates to just $20 are asked to part with as much as $36,400 in exchange for a 2011 Kia Rio, or $44,000 for a 2010 VW Jetta. Even the tiny 2003 Peugeot 106 costs the best part of $15,000. This means that most will stick to their pre-1959 cars and only those who have managed to create a successful business in the island nation or those with well-established relatives abroad will be able to get anywhere near these cars. Now, scroll down and check out the list of prices we posted below. It's from CaféFuerte and lists the cars available for sale as well as their price in the local currency; each Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) is worth about 0.87 US dollars, so you can imagine that those numbers don't really go down that much when you do the math. By Andrei Nedelea PHOTO GALLERY

Russian Driving Mayhem: The Grandmother Edition Posted: 08 Jan 2014 02:10 PM PST Here's a video compilation of incidents starring elderly female pedestrians from Russia, with all of them purportedly having taken place during 2013. Russian roads aren't easy…or forgiving for pedestrians in general, and it's even more challenging for people in their third age. However, we will admit that, it's not always the drivers' fault, as some recorded incidents show, like when a grandmother tried to cross a busy highway at night dressed in black (not that it matters what she was wearing given the circumstances…). The video awaits you after the virtual break. VIDEO

UK: Restyled Peugeot 5008 Priced and Detailed Posted: 08 Jan 2014 01:50 PM PST The Peugeot 5008 has been made ever so slightly more attractive after having received a facelift, and while it didn't have an image problem as poignant as that of the smaller 3008, it's welcome. Now it's available for order in the UK, where it promises the same seven-seater practicality with high levels of adjustability for each seat, but with more equipment and gadgets on offer than before, plus nine new color choices, all for the starting price of £18,800 for an Access trim model with the 1.6-liter petrol engine and 120 hp. If you want a diesel, the 1.6-HDi, with 115 hp starts at £20,495. It comes with a snappy six-speed manual gearbox as standard, but should you want a robot to do the gear changing for you, then there's that option too, available in the £21,345 e-HDi FAP model. It promises to return 65.7 mpg and emit 113 g/km CO2; the conventional manual only manages 56.4 mpg UK and pollutes slightly more, but it will definitely be the more satisfactory means of swapping cogs. There's also a turbocharged petrol variant on offer too, drawing its power from a 1.6-liter THP unit with 156 hp. It too uses a six-speed manual and can achieve a claimed 40.4 mpg UK on the combined cycle. Other novelty features include the LED daytime running lights, along with the reversing camera; when buying one of these note that the fitting of PSA's head-up display is not a bad way to part with a few hundred of your pounds, should you run out of options boxes for necessities and still remain within budget. By Andrei Nedelea PHOTO GALLERY

New Leon Cupra is Most Powerful Seat Ever with Up to 276HP [w/Video] Posted: 08 Jan 2014 01:30 PM PST Following yesterday's leaked photos, Seat released official details of the new top model of the Leon range, the Leon Cupra, which is available in two flavors, one with 262hp (265PS) and the other with 276hp (280PS). The latter is the most powerful series production car ever made by Seat (the 310PS Leon Cupra R Limited Edition was created by Seat Netherlands and offered only in 100 units). In both states of tune, the engine produces 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque. Available from the start as either a five-door or three-door, the new Leon Cupra is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged TSI petrol engine with dual injection and variable camshaft timing. The Cupra also benefits from other features including a front differential lock, the DCC dynamic chassis control, progressive steering and the Cupra Drive Profile. The latter consists of three different driving modes: Comfort, Sport and Cupra. The top Leon Cupra 280 with optional DSG transmission sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5.7 seconds (5.8 seconds with the manual gearbox) and reaches a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). The base Leon Cupra is only marginally slower, needing 5.8 seconds to reach 100 km/h from a standstill (5.9 seconds with manual transmission). Seat says the new Leon Cupra is also more fuel-efficient than its predecessor thanks to the start/stop and brake energy regeneration systems, with both variants averaging 6.4 l/100 km (36.7 mpg US) when fitted with the DSG gearbox and 6.6 l/100 km (35.6 mpg US) with the manual gearbox. CO2 emissions vary between 149 and 154 grams per kilometer. Design-wise, the Cupra stands out from regular Leon models thanks to larger air intakes, rear skirt with diffuser effect, rear spoiler, the two oval end pipes, tinted side and rear windows, exclusive 18- or 19-inch wheels in titanium finish and red brake callipers. Inside, the Leon Cupra features a new sports steering wheel with shift paddles for the DSG transmission, sports seats in dark grey Alcantara with white stitching and aluminum pedals and entry sills. The car will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, with full pricing to be announced closer to launch. In the UK, the Leon Cupra will start from £25,690 (€30,930). By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY VIDEO

Porsche Puts New Macan on Display at Harrods in London Posted: 08 Jan 2014 01:06 PM PST Aston Martin has done it with the short-lived and not-much loved Cygnet, and so has Hyundai with the iX35 and Mini with the Rolls-Royce inspired Goodwood hatch, just to mention a few automakers that have placed their rides behind a window in London's luxury department store Harrods. Now it's Porsche's turn. The German sports car maker rented a front window from January 6 to February 5, 2014, display to showcase the new Macan crossover to Londoners and tourists alike before it goes on sale this April. While the Macan takes up the main exhibit, Porsche also brought along the latest 911 Turbo S and the Panamera SE Hybrid to keep it company. Porsche's official video of the display follows below. VIDEO

Rolls-Royce Officially Reveals Built to Order Ghost V-Specification Posted: 08 Jan 2014 12:45 PM PST Rolls-Royce has announced the launch of the Ghost V-Specification, a limited series model of the Ghost and Ghost Extended Wheelbase. The special model will only be available for customers to commission from January to June 2014. Thanks to a 30hp power increase for a total of 593 hp (601PS), the Ghost V-Specification sprints from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.7 seconds (a tenth of a second faster than the standard Ghost). The carmaker says the 6.6-liter V12 engine delivering 80 percent of its power from idle. The Ghost V-Specification is also slightly more fuel-efficient than the standard model, 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 limited series model features subtle aesthetic upgrades including the hand-painted coachline featuring the V-Specification motif, optional visible chrome exhausts and 21-inch part-polished wheels. It is available with five new exterior colors (Graphite, Black Sapphire, Black Kirsch, Arctic White and Infinity Black), and if those aren't enough, customers can choose from Rolls-Royce's 44,000 hue palette. The handcrafted interior also features the V-Specification motif engraved to the treadplates, embroidered to the rear armrest and hand-applied to the front multimedia screen lid. The interior is completed with an exclusively designed clock with a black crown surrounding the face. "This limited series celebrates one of Ghost's defining characteristics; the exquisite 6.6 litre Rolls-Royce V12 engine," said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. The Rolls-Royce Ghost V-Specification may be the final Ghost model before the facelifted one appears sometime this year. The special edition model is listed at a German authorized Rolls-Royce dealer for €330,820 ($450,480), 19 percent VAT included. By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY

Report Suggests Hotter Ford Fiesta RS Still on the Table Posted: 08 Jan 2014 11:58 AM PST We hear from AutoExpress that the magazine's inside sources claim Ford is pondering the production of a hotter version of its hot Fiesta ST – an RS model. It is apparently in the same state of development as the Focus RS (product planning phase) and if it were to materialize, it would be the fastest supermini-based hatch you could buy. The power hike it's expected to benefit from bumps the figure up to 230 hp from 180 hp using the same basic engine, so expect an acceleration time to sixty that is on par with that of the Focus ST, if not a bit quicker provided they don't make it excessively heavy. Also, expect a custom and beefed up body kit somewhere along the lines of that worn by the old Focus RS, as well as bigger wheels and interior modifications to make the owner feel more special; lots of RS badges are sure to adorn it both inside and out. Speculation has it that the Fiesta RS could debut as early as next year, though we're skeptical as to that actually being the case. Take it with a grain of salt. Note: Ford Fiesta ST pictured By Andrei Nedelea PHOTO GALLERY

2015 Lexus RC F Coupe Officially Unveiled, Eyes BMW's New M4 [w/Video] Posted: 08 Jan 2014 11:15 AM PST After catering to the needs of supercar buyers for a couple of years with the V10-powered LFA, Lexus has moved down a few steps on the ladder with a new sports coupe based on the soon-to-be released RC, which itself is built around the latest IS sedan. Its name is the RC F and it will go head to head with the likes of the BMW M4, Audi RS5 and the future Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe and Cadillac ATS V Coupe. While Lexus did provide official photos and a video of the 2014 Detroit motor show-bound 2015MY RC F, we don't get a lot of things in the way of information, and in particular, about the powertrain, though, as noted in our previous post, a leaked invitation from the company mentioned a new V8 with 460 horsepower, up from the outgoing IS F four-door sedan's 416hp V8. The Japanese luxury carmaker said that the RC F coupe is "styled to support the most powerful V8 performance car ever developed by Lexus". From what we understand, the RC F will be offered exclusively with an automatic transmission with paddle gear shifters. Besides the uprated mechanical and handling-related software components, compared to the regular RC, the F model comes with wider wheels and tires housed under swollen fenders, an active rear wing that deploys at approximately 50mph (80km/h) and retracts when the speed is less than 25mph (40km/h), additional air scoops and cooling ducts, plus available carbon fiber parts. Lexus has applied some subtle changes to the interior, with unique components including the instrument panel with a single central meter and customizable display, steering wheel, body hugging seats, trim ornamentation and pedals. PHOTO GALLERY VIDEO

This is What Really Happens When You Shoot a Dodge with a Gatling-Style Machine Gun Posted: 08 Jan 2014 10:34 AM PST Regardless of your feelings about guns, you have to admit that, when used for purely recreational and non-life (of any form) threatening purposes in a safe and controlled environment, they can be an impressive sight to behold. Richard Ryan from RatedRR has a knack for firearms and in his latest webisode on YouTube, he tried to recreate a similar scene from the 2013 war film "Lone Survivor" written and directed by Peter Berg and starring Mark Wahlberg, in real life. His team used a helicopter fitted with a Dillon Minigun M134 with Gatling-style rotating barrels that's capable of shooting a whopping three thousand rounds per minute. The target? A 1990s Dodge Neon sedan. See what happened in the video that follows. VIDEO

New VW Passat BlueMotion Concept with 1.4 TSI Delivers up to 42MPG Posted: 08 Jan 2014 10:01 AM PST With the Passat BlueMotion Concept that will premiere at the Detroit Auto Show next week, Volkswagen wants to show that non-hybrid gasoline engines can deliver low fuel consumption even when mounted on a mid-size sedan. The Passat BlueMotion study is based on the U.S.-spec Passat sedan, but is powered by the 1.4-liter EA211 TSI engine with cylinder deactivation. Mated to a DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, it delivers an estimated highway fuel economy rating of 42 mpg (5.6 l/100 km). VW says this is a best in class rating among non-hybrid, gasoline-engined mid-size cars. Featuring direct injection and turbocharging, the 1.4-liter TSI engine is the world's first inline four-cylinder unit with cylinder deactivation. The Active Cylinder Management (ACT) technology, also used on European VW Polo and Golf models, deactivates the valvetrain on cylinders two and three when the driver only applies light throttle pressure to maintain specific city speeds. The VW Passat BlueMotion Concept comes with the coasting function, used on the Jetta Hybrid. This further increases fuel efficiency when the driver releases the accelerator pedal, as the DSG transmission decouples the engine, allowing the car to roll with the lowest possible mechanical drag from the other moving components. Another fuel-saving measure is the addition of a stop/start system. Although it's only a 1.4-liter, the engine delivers 150 horsepower and 184 lb-ft (249 Nm) of torque. VW didn't reveal acceleration times or top speed, but said the study's Reef Blue Metallic paint will be introduced on other Passat models, too. Given that the study looks very much like a production model, we wouldn't be surprised if VW decided to build it in the near future. By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY

Porsche Confirms New 911 Targa for Detroit, Drops First Video Teaser Posted: 08 Jan 2014 09:31 AM PST Porsche has confirmed the world premiere of an all-new 991-generation 911 Targa at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. Although it offers no information about the car or photos, we're expecting the new 911 Targa to look similar to what we've seen in the leaked patent images last month. There is, however, one supposedly leaked photo (featured above), said to have been scanned from the latest issue of Quattroruote magazine, and which came to our attention via Inautonews. We don't know if it's real or not. It shows that, unlike the previous 997 generation, the new 991-based 911 Targa will go back to its roots, sporting a folding soft top replacing the previous model's glass roof that slid under the rear window, a thick B-pillar and a wraparound glass rear window – a tribute to the original 911 Targa from the late 1960s (pictured below). As usual, the 911 Targa will be the choice of those who want something halfway between the 911 Cabriolet and the coupe. The new Porsche 911 Targa is expected to offer two engine choices, a base 345hp 3.4-liter flat six and a more powerful 395hp 3.6-liter unit in "S" guise. It's uncertain whether the new model will be offered only with four-wheel drive as the previous 997 model or if it will be available with rear-wheel drive as well. Besides the 911 Targa, another Porsche world premiere in Detroit will be the Cayenne Platinum Edition. Scroll down to watch the…unrevealing video teaser of the new 911 Targa. By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY VIDEO

Ferrari F12 N-Largo by Novitec Has Wide Body Kit, Extra Power and Sound Posted: 08 Jan 2014 09:02 AM PST The Ferrari F12 is for all intents and purposes, a supercar. Sure, it's engine is not behind the driver, but it's behind the front wheels and only powers the rears. Should you need more from your F12, though, there are kits like the N-Largo by Novitec to help you achieve that, at least visually. The most noticeable part of the package are the wider fenders which are very noticeably flared and filled by wider wheels measuring 21 inches at the front and 22 inches at the back. There's also a new front bumper, different bonnet and a rear spoiler all of which are made out of carbon fiber so as to not add much more weight. Power is slightly upped too, reaching 770 hp (781 PS) via an ECU remap and a new exhaust that makes it sound sweeter and louder than stock, as the video posted below proves; official photos are also attached. By Andrei Nedelea PHOTO GALLERY VIDEO

New Lexus RC F Performance Coupe with 460HP V8; First Photos Posted: 08 Jan 2014 08:36 AM PST Lexus' first ever attempt to create a two-door rival to the BMW M4, formerly known as the M3, is the RC F, the first photos of which surfaced online today courtesy of Road&Track magazine. While the publication reports that it doesn't know details about the car's powertrain, a previously leaked invitation from Lexus for the Detroit auto show revealed that the RC F will sport a new V8 engine producing 460 horsepower, up from the outgoing IS F four-door sedan's 416 horsepower. From the press shots, we see that Lexus grafted more aggressive details to the body of the RC Coupe, including blistered wheel arches, new bumpers with the front sporting extra air intakes and the rear a diffuser incorporating stacked tailpipes. We'll know more about the RC-F soon, but until then, check out the photos below. PHOTO GALLERY

New VW Golf R Will Arrive in the U.S. in Q1 2015 with Less Power and Only as a 4-Door Posted: 08 Jan 2014 08:12 AM PST Following the world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September last year, the U.S. premiere of the VW Golf R will take place at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show. The most powerful Golf ever to be sold in the United States, the Golf R, is powered by the most advanced version of the EA888 four-cylinder turbocharged, direct-injected 2.0-liter TSI engine. Producing an estimated 290 horsepower (some 6 hp less than the Euro-spec model rated at 296hp or 300 PS), the new Golf R has 34 hp more than the previous version, which was sold as a 2013 model. The engine produces 280 lb-ft (391 Nm) available between 1,800 to 5,500 rpm Naturally, it is faster too, covering the 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint in 5.3 seconds with the six-speed manual (0.4 seconds quicker than the old car). When fitted with the six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox, the Golf R completes the sprint in 4.9 seconds. Despite being more powerful, the Golf Mk7-based Golf R is also significantly more economical. On the European cycle, the car gets a combined figure of 33 mpg US (7.1 l/100 km) with the manual gearbox, up from 28 mpg US (8.4 l/100 km). Just like its predecessors, the new Golf R features a 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, this time with a fifth-generation Haldex coupling. There's also a new sport suspension, progressive steering and a stability control system (ESC Sport) that can be deactivated for track driving. VW also offers the DCC dynamic chassis control system as an option. As its European brother, the U.S.-spec Golf R features specially designed bumpers, side skirts, 18-inch alloy wheels, standard Bi-Xenon headlights with LED DRLs and four chrome exhaust tips, among other upgrades. Inside the Golf R gains sport seats with leather seating surfaces, leather-wrapped three-spoke sport steering wheel and R-specific instrumentation. The VW Golf R will be launched in the U.S. in the first-quarter of 2015 in four-door form only. By Dan Mihalascu PHOTO GALLERY

Spied: New Citroen Jumpy May be Inspired by Tubik Concept Posted: 08 Jan 2014 07:35 AM PST It's only a test mule for now, but the Citroen prototype for a Jumpy replacement in the small commercial van and people carrier category that was nabbed by our spies suggests that the French automaker may very well draw inspiration from the impressive Tubik concept van displayed at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The test mule seen in these shots is wearing a very Tubik-like stubby face with higher-placed headlamps on the modified body of a current Jumpy. While the production model won't be as avant-garde as the concept, it will have a more distinct character than the rather plain-looking current model. Our spies tell us they've heard rumors that Citroen may even use the Tubik moniker on the passenger version of the van, much like VW does with the Caravelle and Multivan versions of the T5. The new Jumpy should be ready for production sometime next year. Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS PHOTO GALLERY

Formula E Car Does Public Demo at Las Vegas CES Posted: 08 Jan 2014 07:15 AM PST The new Formula E car took part in a public demo, entertaining crowds around the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Sounding and looking like a big RC car, the all-electric racer, known as the Spark-Renault SRT_01E, did a few donuts and drove past the camera a couple of times whining away all the time – being quiet is actually the last thing that could be said about it, and while it doesn't beat repeated explosions, at least it's something… Now, preparation for the start of the very first season is almost complete, and as Alejandro Agag, CEO of series promoters Formula E Holdings explained, "since the FIA launched Formula E just over a year ago, the progress and interest in the series has been overwhelming". "When we started we had no cities, no teams, no broadcasters and no car. Now we have all these things so to be able to showcase our new car to everyone involved, and of course the fans, is a very proud moment," he added. "2014 is a very big year for Formula E with the championship starting in September so it's important to be starting on such a positive note." It definitely won't be the most popular form of motorsport in the US, though the country has given it two teams, two cities (Los Angeles and Miami) and a broadcasting deal with FOX Sports. Time will tell if people take a liking to it or not. By Andrei Nedelea VIDEO

Buick Sets New Sales Record in 2013 with Over 1 Million Global Deliveries Posted: 08 Jan 2014 06:57 AM PST In 2013, Buick sold the most vehicles in a single year in the brand's 110-year long history with 1,032,056 deliveries, and you can mainly thank China and its veracious appetite for any car wearing the waterfall grille for that. The previous sales record was 1,003,345 units set in 1984. All told, Buick sold 809,918 cars in China in 2013, up 15.8 percent over the previous year, 205,509 vehicles in the United States (+13.9%), 14,310 units in Canada (+9.5%) and 2,319 cars in Mexico (+106.6%). Buick's bestselling nameplate was the China-exclusive Excelle compact. The Excelle GT and Verano compact sedans combined globally to deliver a 16.3 percent growth, while sales of the Excelle XT hatchback, offered only in China, were up 17.5 percent. GM mentioned that sales of the new Encore small crossover reached 97,311 units globally in 2013, while the eight-passenger Enclave saw sales grow 6.5 percent in North America. PHOTO GALLERY

2015 Chrysler 200: Feast Your Eyes on New Batch of Official Photos [Updated] Posted: 08 Jan 2014 05:43 PM PST The pictorial floodgates on the new 2015 Chrysler 200 have opened wide releasing a sea of new images of the mid-size sedan model on the internet, following yesterday's release of a single picture and preliminary specifications. These new shots afford us a complete view of Chrysler's bread-and-butter sedan, including the rear-end that may or may not remind you of other models (anything from a posh Aston Martin DB7 to a Tesla Model S or a more down to earth Ford Fusion), as well as of the interior with the large infotainment screen on the center console. From the leaked press release snippet we learned that the 2014 Detroit motor show-bound Chrysler 200 will be offered with both front- and all-wheel drive configurations and a choice of two powerplants, a 184hp 2.4-liter inline-four and a 295hp 3.6-liter V6, both paired to a 9sp automatic. When it hits U.S. dealer lots later this year, prices will start from $21,700 excluding a $995 destination fee. PHOTO GALLERY

Opel Reportedly Registers Calibra and Cascada Names in the US Posted: 08 Jan 2014 06:17 AM PST While Opel may not be actively selling cars in the US, the name is still being used to register trademarks for future models, as they reportedly did back in the days of the Saturn Astra before it went on sale. Now, MotorTrend magazine tells us that the names they registered with the US Patent and Trademark Office on December 19 of last year are Calibra and Cascada – the first designates an old 1990s coupe that was based on the Vectra of the time, while the second is a new four-seater convertible. However, this by no means represent a sign of Opel moving to the US to counter their European decline, but rather a way for GM to secretly reserve these names for possible future Buick models. This theory would make sense, since it's a clearly stated goal of GM's to better align Buick with Opel by bringing in models from the old continent, changing their grille and badges and adapting them for the specific demands of US customers. If it does materialize, the Calibra could be the coupe version of the Cascada, and with the infusion of new style, perhaps one of the nicer looking Opels in years. By Andrei Nedelea PHOTO GALLERY

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