Wednesday, December 31, 2014

2014 TopSpeed Year in Review



2015 is almost upon us, car lovers, and TopSpeed has one last post to close out the year that was 2014! As this little blue green ball we all inhabit completes yet another revolution around that warm spot of fusing hydrogen hanging in the sky, we tend to revert back to the time-honored tradition of summarizing a few of the big events that transpired over the course of the year. It’s a crossroads, a time to bask in the glory of past wins, as well as learn from prior mistakes in a bid to avoid such blunders in the future.


In many ways, 2014 was a time of great change and rebirth, with both exciting successes and catastrophic failures laced throughout. We’ve seen the glorious return of heroes like the Dodge Challenger, plus the emergence of exciting new technology like in the Toyota Mirai. Unfortunately, we’ve also seen a glut of niche vehicles stretched thin between a variety of purposes, like the Mercedes GLE Coupe, as well as fatal corporate mistakes in a record-breaking year for automotive recalls.


Usually, we’re a glass-half-full kind of crowd, so we’re tempted to say, overall, this most recent spin around the sun yielded a net gain for the automotive world. Perhaps, but we suppose that’s still open for debate. Regardless, it’s been a mixed bag, no doubt about that. But don’t fret: we’re here to tie it up into one neat package for you.


Click past the jump to read our list of highs and lows from 2014.


2014 TopSpeed Year in Review originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 31 December 2014 19:00 EST.


read more










from Top Speed http://ift.tt/1B7aFvu

via IFTTT

Donkervoort D8 GTO Bilster Berg Edition

Donkervoort is set to release a new toy in the form of the D8 GTO Bilster Berg Edition. Will it be an even wilder machine or just a snazzed-up D8 GTO?


Apart from Caterham and a varying number of British kit car manufacturers building the so-called Locosts, there aren’t many people out there who can brag about offering a somewhat modern take of Colin Chapman’s Lotus Seven. Among them is Joop Donkervoort, a Lotus fan who founded the Donkervoort car brand back in 1978, transforming it since then into a bona fide family business.


Donkervoort’s latest offering in terms of ultra-lightweight sports cars is the 2012 D8 GTO, arguably the most impressive model to ever come out of the Dutch factory’s gates. Largely based on the D8 GT, the super sports model is powered by the awesome-sounding inline-five from the Audi TT-RS and RS3 that offers between 340 and 380 horsepower, which only has to move around 1,500 pounds of vehicle. With Donkervoort celebrating the fact that it recently opened a new facility in Germany, right in the heart of the Bilster Berg Drive Resort, the Dutch car maker will manufactur a limited edition of the D8 GTO dubbed the Bilster Berg Edition.


Just 14 examples of the D8 GTO Bilster Berg Edition will be ever made, a number which Donkervoort says it represents the successful year 2014 for the company. The model, which was developed on the Bilster Berg circuit itself and earned the best lap time on the circuit, features a number of updates compared to the regular model. In theory, this should make it the top-of-the-range model in an otherwise petite lineup.


Click past the jump to read more about the Donkervoort D8 GTO Bilster Berg Edition.


Donkervoort D8 GTO Bilster Berg Edition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 31 December 2014 18:00 EST.


read more










from Top Speed http://ift.tt/1vvj717

via IFTTT

Video: Aston Martin DB10 Live Unveiling



We’ve all seen and drooled over the 2015 Aston Martin DB10, which will make its on-screen debut in the new James Bond flick: Spectre. Unfortunately, we’ve already learned that the car will not become a production vehicle, nor does it preview the next-generation DB9, but it is a real car as you can see in this video of its official reveal (above).


The fact that it has no production future is a crying shame, but at least it will have a starring role in Spectre, so we can enjoy it again and again. That said, I take with a grain of salt Aston’s claim that the DB10 will not inspire a production car. Automakers have a habit of holding their cards very close to their chest and sometimes hide new products in plain sight to throw others off. So I feel there is still a chance that the DB10 could either become its own model or inspire a new-generation DB9, given its reception remains warm after the movie has come and gone.


Regardless of what one keyboard-punching auto junkie thinks, I can tell you that the car does actually exist and it was debuted at an event earlier in December. If you thought it was sexy in pictures, just wait until you get a look at it in the flesh in this video. The only thing that would make this video better would be if Daniel Craig himself would have hopped into the car and let its V-8 engine sing a song for us.


Click past the jump for more on the 2015 Aston Martin DB10.


Video: Aston Martin DB10 Live Unveiling originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 31 December 2014 17:00 EST.


read more










from Top Speed http://ift.tt/1y8xxLN

via IFTTT

Chevrolet Corvette SR-2

The oft-forgotte Corvette SR-2 is set to cross the auction block, so we decided to take a look back at its impressive life.


A chronicle of Corvette’s success in motorsports could fill several books, but the nameplate’s first contact with the world of racing is often forgotten. It all began in 1956, when Zora Arkus-Duntov set a 150-mph speed record at Sebring driving a Corvette roadster. The experiment would soon spawn the Corvette SR-2, a modified C1 Vette that featured a lengthened front end a massive, Jaguar D-Type-like wing on its trunk. Legend has it the SR-2 was born when Jerry Earl, the son of GM Styling chief Harley Earl, announced that he wanted a Ferrari. Harley immediately commission a racing Corvette that would become the SR-2, GM’s first purpose-built track car.


Nearly 58 years old in 2015, the SR-2 returns to the spotlight after years of lurking in the shadows. Having been through a complete and thorough restoration, the SR-2 is as magnificent as it has ever been and it is looking for a new racing enthusiast to take it back to Sebring, or any other American track for that matter. The SR-2 may have been overshadowed by the Ferraris and Jaguars of the late 1950s, but it earned its place in Chevrolet’s hall of fame as the first Corvette-badged factory race car. Read all about it below.


Click past the jump to read more about the 1956 Chevrolet Corvette SR-2.


Chevrolet Corvette SR-2 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 31 December 2014 16:00 EST.


read more










from Top Speed http://ift.tt/1y8xwHs

via IFTTT

Alfa Romeo 4C Spider

An odd statement referring to the Detroit Auto Show at the end of an otherwise ignorable blog post from FCA leads us to believe that the production 4C Spyder will debut in Detroit.


The 2016 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider has made its official debut at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show today and has quickly found itself atop our wish list. Based on the current 4C, the updated 4C Spider gets a host of upgrades as it moves into 2016.


The most obvious change to the car is its removable top and additional bodywork rising from the rear decklid. A naked carbon fiber roll bar hoops over the occupant compartment, as does a similar windshield brace. Beside the lack of a sloping rear window, the car keeps a similar profile to its coupe counterpart.


There are changes underneath the bodywork, however. Alfa had to add structural supports to the carbon fiber tub in order to retain the car’s rigidity. The new materials result in 132 additional pounds yet is said to not adversely affect the car’s performance. New, more traditional headlights replace the bug-eyed ones from the coupe while new centrally mounted exhaust pipes give the rear end a sportier look while leaving the lower diffuser untouched.


Power still comes from the 1.75-liter, turbocharged inline-four making 240 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. No changes are made to the only gearbox option, Alfa’s TCT twin-dry-clutch, six-speed automatic with paddle shifters.


Best of all, the car still gets 24 mpg city and 47 mpg highway on the EU cycle. Such practicality will surely make it easier to persuade your missis the $83,360 purchase is justifiable. Now if only Alfa would sell the 4C Spider inside the U.S…


Updated 12/31/2014: In a post on FCA’s blog about the arrival of the 4C Launch Edition arriving in the U.S., there was one small sentence that has gotten the industry (myself included) all worked up. At the end of the post it reads: "Of course, if you like what you see, there will be more over the next few years. Alfa Romeo plans to introduce eight new models by 2018. You’ll get your next Alfa fix at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January." This almost certainly means that the official production version of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spyder will make its much-anticipated debut in Detroit. Remember, earlier in 2014 we saw this stunning white beauty pictured here, which was a "preview" of the upcoming 4C Spyder. Stay tuned for more.


Click past the jump for all the details on the new 2016 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider


Alfa Romeo 4C Spider originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 31 December 2014 15:00 EST.


read more










from Top Speed http://ift.tt/1uwpwMD

via IFTTT

Lexus GX 460 - Driven

Christian Moe spent a week with a dying breed: a luxury, body-on-frame SUV. Check out what he thought of the GX 460 at TopSpeed.com.


The Lexus GX 460 feels like a dinosaur on the road. Much of its underpinnings are shared with the 4Runner and have been around for more than a decade. The second-generation SUV debuted in 2009 with a new and more powerful engine as well as some revised suspension and equipment pieces, but it still retained the same body-on-frame chassis that the model debuted with way back in 2002. For 2014, Toyota has taken the second-generation machine and slapped a new coat of paint on it with some small visual tweaks and the new family “spindle” grille. Our 2015 model carries on with no major visual changes, but adds some new interior technology to the mix.


With modern crossovers dominating the market, is there room on the sales floor for an old-school, 5,000-pound SUV with legitimate off-road prowess? America’s love affair with the classic SUV has long since died, but after a week with this gigantic bruiser I couldn’t quite figure out why. With a true four-wheel drive system capable of tackling the tough stuff, a solid three-ton tow rating and seating for seven, the Lexus GX ticks off every box on my list.


Continue reading to find out more about the 2015 Lexus GX 460.


Lexus GX 460 - Driven originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 31 December 2014 14:00 EST.


read more










from Top Speed http://ift.tt/1tmMYZY

via IFTTT

Shelby 50th Anniversary Cobra 427

Shelby American is celebrating the 50th birthday of the big-block Cobra with this 50th Anniversary Cobra 427. Check out all of the details at TopSpeed.com.


The iconic Shelby Cobra — based on the British-built AC Ace roadster — first left Carroll Shelby’s shop in 1962 with a 4.3-liter, V-8 engine under its hood. It took the Cobra name only a few months to become famous and Carroll quickly turned to making it equally popular on the race track. Although the 4.7-liter version was unbeatable in the U.S. racing scene throughout 1964, Carroll also wanted the Cobra to become competitive in the FIA GT class, which was dominated by Ferrari back in the early 1960s. Thus the Cobra 427 was born, a roadster that featured wider fenders, fatter tires, an upgraded chassis and a massive, 7.0-liter, V-8 engine.


Notwithstanding the fact that it missed homologation for the 1965 racing season, the Cobra 427 went on to capture the SCCA’s covered "A Production" championship. A the same time, its road-legal version rocked the sports car world thanks to its amazingly powerful engine and reduced weight, which combined helped the Cobra obliterate most of its competitors. As the 427 turns 50 years old in January 2015, Shelby American is building 50 new examples, which are dubbed the 50th Anniversary Cobra 427, to commemorate the occasion and bring back the most powerful roadster of the 1960s. Read on for the full details.


Click past the jump to read more about the Shelby 50th Anniversary Cobra 427.


Shelby 50th Anniversary Cobra 427 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 31 December 2014 12:00 EST.


read more










from Top Speed http://ift.tt/13T3N8k

via IFTTT

Mercedes Concept Car

Remember that oddly shaped car we caught under heavy cover months ago? Well, it appears as if Mercedes is set to debut it at the Consumer Electronics Show on January 6, 2014


Mercedes-Benz may have introduced the stunningly beautiful AMG GT at the Paris Motor Show, but it seems the sports car is not its last vehicle to be revealed in 2014. With the Los Angeles Auto Show less than a month away, the Germans are readying a brand-new concept car. The news just arrived in our inbox alongside a batch of spy shots sent by paparazzi stationed in Germany. The outlandish vehicle was spotted driving around a Mercedes facility and hints the Germans are bringing something unconventional to a future auto show, possibly the L.A. Auto Show.


What could it be? We honestly have no idea, but, as usual, we’d love to speculate on the matter. Things is we don’t even know whether this is just one of Mercedes’ many eccentric concept cars or a study meant to preview some sort of upcoming hybrid or all-electric vehicle. Either way, join us past the break as we try to solve this intriguing mystery.


Updated 12/31/2014: Mercedes has just revealed a teaser image of the odd concept car that we caught under heavy cover earlier in 2014 on its Facebook page. Along with the teaser image was the quote "The future will be bolder than you’ve ever imagined. ‪#‎mbCES‬." The hashtag indicates that this concept will make its debut at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show on January 6, 2015. Stay tuned!!!


Click past the jump to read more about Mercedes’ future concept.


Mercedes Concept Car originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 31 December 2014 11:00 EST.


read more










from Top Speed http://ift.tt/13T3Pgu

via IFTTT

Report: By 2017, Fewer Than Half Of U.S. Cars Will Run On Conventional Gasoline Engines

If we've learned anything from the rosy, sci-fi predictions that emerged from the Space Race of the mid-20th-century, it's that human beings can be very optimistic when thinking about their future. Decades after The Jetsons forecast flying cars and 2001: A Space Odyssey promised interplanetary travel for the everyman, we've awoken to the sobering...



from The Car Connection http://ift.tt/1rAdZ0e

via IFTTT

GMC Acadia

The GMC Acadia is the truck brand's minivan substitute, a three-row crossover utility that is aimed at families who don't need a true full-size SUV. It's closely related to today's Buick Enclave and Chevy Traverse, as well as the discontinued Saturn Outlook crossover. The Acadia can seat up to eight passengers, but it's more accurately described...



from The Car Connection http://ift.tt/1rsaqUO

via IFTTT

GMC Yukon

The GMC Yukon is a full-size SUV that’s based on the same architecture ad the GMC Sierra pickup truck. The Yukon shares most of its components with the Cadillac Escalade and the Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe. The Yukon competes with those other GM SUVs, as well as the Ford Expedition, the Lincoln Navigator, the Toyota Sequoia, and the...



from The Car Connection http://ift.tt/11khmXP

via IFTTT

Acura MDX

The sporty Acura MDX crossover is one of the oldest nameplates in the luxury and near-luxury utility-vehicle category. Among U.S. large luxury crossovers, the competition includes the Infiniti QX60, the Lexus RX, the Lincoln MKT, and perhaps the Buick Enclave. While it can seat up to seven passengers, it remains a driver's car with family-friendly...



from The Car Connection http://ift.tt/16xRBHq

via IFTTT

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT

The Mercedes-AMG GT is a two-door, high-performance luxury coupe. It’s the second car the AMG brand has built completely on its own, without a Mercedes-Benz production car as its basis, and it aims to take on the Porsche 911. The AMG GT follows the SLS AMG in terms of timing, but it is not considered a successor. The GT uses some of the...



from The Car Connection http://ift.tt/1sKqwwf

via IFTTT

Kia Sedona

The Kia Sedona is one of the handful of minivans still on sale in the U.S. It has also just been through a major model change--for the 2015 model year, the Sedona was completely reworked, with a new sliding-seat system and a stiffer, safer—not to mention more stylish—body. The Sedona is built in South Korea and sold as the Carnival in...



from The Car Connection http://ift.tt/1ps9rGe

via IFTTT

Kia K900

The Kia K900 is the biggest, most expensive sedan the Korean automaker has yet offered in the U.S.--and its most luxurious offering to date, too. A new model entry for the 2015 model year, the K900 shares its architecture with the Hyundai Equus, though the base model comes with a six-cylinder that is only available in Hyundai's shorter Genesis...



from The Car Connection http://ift.tt/1ps9qSu

via IFTTT

Rolls-Royce Wraith

The Rolls-Royce Wraith is the newest model from the venerated British luxury marque. It is the most powerful car Rolls-Royce has ever built, and the first fastback coupe from the company in decades. Launched for 2014, the Wraith has a shape and price that suggest it's a competitor for the Bentley Continental GT that really defined the ultra-luxury...



from The Car Connection http://ift.tt/1vBxENb

via IFTTT

Video: A Pair of Ferrari Enzos Rev Their Engines in Monaco

While I agree the Ferrari Enzo is a fantastic car — basically a Formula 1 racer for the road — I find it downright ugly. If you ask me, the only mainstream supercar that’s uglier than the Enzo is the Bugatti Veyron. I’m aware that the Enzo wasn’t built to win beauty contests and that looks are a matter of personal taste, but I just wanted to get that out in the open. Styling aside, the Enzo is pretty high on my "100 cars I have to drive before I die" list. The Enzo was a marvel in the world of supercars when it was released in 2002 and very few modern-day hypercars managed to rise above it performance-wise. The fact that the Enzo has become a classic only a decade since being discontinued speaks volumes about its credentials and the impact it had on the automotive realm.


Also a rare model — only 400 units were produced — the Enzo isn’t the type of car you are likely to encounter on your daily commute, unless you live in Dubai or Monaco of course, two cities that are home to a large number of wealthy people who are willing to spend millions of dollars on a single automobile. Travel to Monaco and you’re likely to see a Ferrari Enzo blow past you, just like it happened to Marchettino, Italy’s No. 1 supercar spotter. In fact, he was lucky enough to experience a close encounter with not just one, but two Enzos, one of which was equipped with a modified exhaust system. See them both in the video above and then watch Marchettino chase one of these roaring beasts through the streets of Monaco.


Oh, and if you’re wondering what’s responsible for that awesome sound coming through those tailpipes, the Ferrari Enzo is powered by a 6.0-liter V-12 that cranks out 651 horsepower and 458 pound-feet of torque.


Video: A Pair of Ferrari Enzos Rev Their Engines in Monaco originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 31 December 2014 10:00 EST.


read more










from Top Speed http://ift.tt/1x4uDWN

via IFTTT

Fiat 500L

The Fiat 500L, introduced as a 2014 model, is a compact tall wagon that's the first of several vehicles that will extend the popular Fiat 500 line into new segments. Remarkably roomy inside for its footprint, it actually shares almost nothing but a powertrain with the Fiat 500 minicar that brought the brand back to the U.S. market decades after it...



from The Car Connection http://ift.tt/1zIB4No

via IFTTT

Honda Civic

The Honda Civic is one of the best-selling, most widely recognized car lines in the world. Across almost a dozen generations, the Civic has included hatchback and wagon styles as well as the sedan and coupe now offered. With its enviable reputation for longevity and durability, the Civic also has had another trump card in its hand for most of its...



from The Car Connection http://ift.tt/Z4B0qC

via IFTTT

Honda Ridgeline

The Honda Ridgeline is the Japanese brand's first and so far only attempt at a large pickup truck. It shares underpinnings with cars and SUVs alike, making it somewhat of a hybrid-crossover truck in its construction. It may have a pickup bed, but it's less concerned with hauling lumber than it is hauling toys. The Ridgeline's unusual set of bona...



from The Car Connection http://ift.tt/YRH1mN

via IFTTT

Honda Accord Hybrid

The Honda Accord Hybrid and Accord Plug-In Hybrid were both added to the Honda range for 2014. This represents the second time the mid-size sedan has offered a hybrid option, and the first for a plug-in model. The new versions are much more mileage focused than the original, which should resonate better with green customers. The Accord Hybrid was...



from The Car Connection http://ift.tt/1rsasMz

via IFTTT

Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V is a five-passenger, compact crossover utility vehicle--and one of the top sellers in its niche. Powered by a four-cylinder engine alone, the current CR-V has good crash-test scores and reliability, making it a formidable rival for vehicles like the Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue, and Chevy Equinox. Adapted from the same...



from The Car Connection http://ift.tt/1ut0MGG

via IFTTT

Ford Expedition

The Ford Expedition is a full-size SUV with a mission in mind: to carry big families or to tow and haul their belongings in a way today's crossover vehicles simply can't. The Expedition is one of a small set of truly big utes; it competes with vehicles such as the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban, the GMC Yukon, the Nissan Armada, and the Toyota Sequoia...



from The Car Connection http://ift.tt/ZNTzyr

via IFTTT

Toyota 4Runner

The Toyota 4Runner is a mid-size SUV that is spun off from some of the same running gear that underpins the Tacoma mid-size pickup truck. That helps make it a true sport-utility vehicle, as opposed to a car-based crossover. It's not like you'd ever mistake it for a family wagon, though. The 4Runner's brutish style and rugged off-road gear make no...



from The Car Connection http://ift.tt/15zrNqQ

via IFTTT

Toyota Land Cruiser

The Toyota Land Cruiser is the most luxurious, and most rugged sport-utility vehicle Toyota sells today. As one of the brand's longest-running nameplates, the Land Cruiser is in a class with other globally known SUVs, like the Range Rover and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. While the plus-sized Land Cruiser that's sold in the U.S. is no longer the...



from The Car Connection http://ift.tt/XdxVlh

via IFTTT

Audi S8

The Audi S8 is the quickest, if not the most expensive, version of the German automaker's A8 sedan. Unlike other variants of the big A8, the S8 is offered only in short-wheelbase form. Audi added the S8 to its lineup in the late 1990s, and the current car is the third iteration. MORE: Read our 2015 Audi A8 / S8 review The first Audi S8 was...



from The Car Connection http://ift.tt/1vmqElb

via IFTTT

Kawasaki Ninja H2



The Ninja H2 is the newest addition to the Kawasaki’s lineup and incorporates the latest technologies developed by the Japanese manufacturer.


The biggest news is the introduction of the all-new liquid-cooled, 4-stroke in-line four cylinder turbo engine with a displacement of 998 cc. The engine is mated on a six speed transmission and is mounted on a trellis, high-tensile steel frame with swingarm mounting plate.


As far as wheels are concerned, the Kawasaki Ninja H2 is fitted with a pair of cast aluminum wheels which feature a star-pattern, five-spoke design. The wheels are wrapped in a massive 200/55 rear tire and a front 120/70 tire.


Other features that are worthy of being mentioned include the Öhlins Electronic Steering Damper, KQS (Kawasaki Quick Shifter), KIBS (Kawasaki Intelligent Anti-Lock Brake System), Kawasaki Engine Brake Control and the Kawasaki Traction Control.


Hit the jump for more information on the Kawasaki Ninja H2.


Kawasaki Ninja H2 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 31 December 2014 11:12 EST.


read more










from Top Speed http://ift.tt/13JM82r

via IFTTT

BMW Isetta



You would think that BMW would feel a bit embarassed at having such a humble means of transportation as part of its history, but that has never been the case when talking about the Isetta bubble car. After World War II, the Bavarian car maker was not exactly in tip-top shape in terms of financial success, with Herbert Quandt being close to selling the entire company to Daimler Benz under the pressure of management. Thanks in small part to the prosperity brought by the tiny Isetta and Quandt’s rather risky decision of increasing his stake instead of selling all of it, BMW is still an independent brand now.


As some of you know, the Isetta was actually born in Italy, not Germany, and its original raison d’être was simply to offer an inexpensive means of transport with good fuel economy. Created by Iso, which subsequently became famous afterward for its elegant sports cars in the 1960s, the original Isetta had thee wheels and a single-cylinder motorcycle engine from the Iso Moto 200. Its quirky styling, low price and great city maneuverability caught the eye of BMW, who bought the project along with its tooling and made its own version, keeping the name.


Using a BMW motorcycle engine this time, the BMW Isetta spawned two more variants and became a resounding success for the Bavarian car maker, with over 150,000 units being sold between 1955 and 1962. Part of its success was also thanks to the Suez Energy Crisis, but no one can argue with the cuteness of its bubble car design as also being a very good reason.


Click past the jump to read more about the BMW Isetta.


BMW Isetta originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 31 December 2014 09:00 EST.


read more










from Top Speed http://ift.tt/1xyiMPq

via IFTTT

7 most fun to drive cars of 2014



Polaris RZR XP 900


1.) Polaris RZR XP 900: Well it isn't really a car, but it has four wheels, a motor and has without doubt been one of the most fun to drive vehicles we have got out hands on this year. Reason? It has been built just for that purpose. Under its all of its muscle and rugged engineering, the Polaris RZR XP 900 is a beast within, and that is thanks to an 875cc 4-stroke engine that pumps almost 90PS and somewhat similar levels of torque. And that much power/torque on an off-roader that weighs just 540kg, is sure to be one helluva machine. With power-to-weight ratio better than the Audi Q7 4.2-litre TDI, 14-inches of travel and 330mm of ground clearance, the Polaris RZR XP 900 has been built to take the road less travelled.


Jaguar F-Type R Coupe

2.) Jaguar F-Type R Coupe: The Jaguar F-Type R Coupe, with its rear haunches, curvy silhouette and well designed slits and cuts all over that give it a menacing look. But that's just from the outside, once you get behind the wheel of this gorgeous looking car, it's a different world altogether. The F-Type R Coupe comes with Torque Vectoring and an intelligent electronic limited slip differential. In simpler words this system helps correct the car's line around corners thanks to which it is absolutely blissful to drive. That said, the beauty of the jaguar F-Type R Coupe is that it doesn't quite hesitate to go sideways. And then of course there is the glorious sounding 550PS V8.




Audi RS7

3.) Audi RS7: Yes it does have the same silhouette as the A7, but the honeycomb grille, flared wheel arches, large twin exhaust and the 21-inch wheels add a touch of sportiness to it. Under the hood there is the 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 that makes 567PS and insane 700Nm of torque that ensures that you don't quite feel the two ton weight of the car. Floor the throttle and you are pinned in your seat with a sweet rumble of an exhaust note. The car eagerly takes on corners and a lot of its fun factor can be credit to the RS sport suspension with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC). Moreover, the low profile tyres ensure that there is ample of feedback too. And then of course, if you have a car that can almost match a Lamborghini Gallardo in terms of performance it sure is going to be fun isn't it?


BMW M3

4.) BMW M3: The 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol powered BMW M3 makes 437PS of power and 550Nm of torque. Now, these might look like figures of any other performance oriented car, but consider the fact that it is faster than the 4.4-litre V8 M5 and you can imagine how much fun we might have had driving this little hooligan. With all the assists switched off, all the power is sent to the rear wheels makes it absolutely tail-happy. Yes a lot of people prefer the naturally aspirated engine as opposed to the turbocharged one, but on the M3 the power delivery is as linear as it can get. Peak torque comes all the way up to 5,500rpm marker and from then the 437PS of power takes over the show.




Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG

5.) Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG: Most enthusiasts have really been sceptical about the GLA45 AMG and the new inline four-cylinder engine recently developed by Mercedes-Benz. And while on paper it might not look as impressive as the rumbling V8s, get behind the wheel and you perception changes altogether. Thanks to the massive twin-scroll turbocharger, the 2.0litre petrol makes an impressive 360PS of power and 450Nm of torque, all of which is available with a single tap on the throttle. And for those who like loud pipes, the exhaust note gets sweeter as you climb up the revs.


Maruti Alto K10

6.) Maruti Alto K10: While you might wonder how the Alto K10 makes on the list of most fun to drive cars, it doesn't quite come as a surprise to us. The 1.0-litre 3-pot mill makes about 67 horses and 90Nm. Not impressive you say? How about when I tell you that it weighs just 755kg? The K10 takes on corners with utmost confidence and is supported well by the eagerness of the engine. Yes it does demand better tyres but then weirdly though the lack of grip makes it that much more fun to drive for skilled drivers.


Renault Duster AWD

7.) Renault Duster AWD: Another case of a relatively light car making it on the list. When compared to the cars in its class, the Renault Duster tips the scale at a little over 1,600kg as opposed to the New Mahindra Scorpio and the Tata Safari Storme that weigh over 2 tons. And when going off the road, it makes quite a difference. Moreover, to make off-roading that much more easier, the Duster AWD has been equipped with independent suspension springs. The gear ratios on the Duster AWD have been tweaked as well. The Duster already was a car that took on corners pretty confidently, but the addition of the All-wheel drive system makes it that much more fun to drive.






from zigwheels http://ift.tt/13SsxNX

via IFTTT

Tata Motors rolls-out 123 new AC buses in India


Tata Motors rolls-out 123 new AC buses in India

Homegrown automajor, Tata Motors, has flagged off the first batch of 123 AC buses equipped with automatic transmission in Ahmedabad under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM)- phase II scheme.


With a floor height of 900mm and a length of 12 metres, these buses are equipped with electronic display boards and pneumatic door operations which makes them comfortable for commute in an urban transport set-up. The company claims that usage of these automatic transmission buses will help save on fuel costs, due to efficiencies derived from constant engagement of both engine and transmission.


Commenting on the launch of these buses, Vernon Noronha, Vice-President, Defence and Government Business, Tata Motors said, "These air conditioned buses with Automatic Transmission are most suitable for BRTS operations and have been developed for the first time for Janmarg. Automatic transmission in buses will reduce driver fatigue, improve acceleration, manoeuvrability and overall passenger comfort and experience, and more revenue earnings per bus. With this order we are proud to partner Ahmedabad Janmarg Ltd., in efficiently and safely running their bus services, with a high degree of reliability and availability."


These new AC buses are built by Tata Marcopolo and are being operated by private operators. The company is also currently said to be working on electric hybrid buses.






from zigwheels http://ift.tt/1y6f2HJ

via IFTTT

Excise duty sops to be rolled back from January


Cars and SUVs to get costlier from January 2015

With signs of the economy recovering and auto sales getting back to the pink of health, the Finance ministry has decided to roll back the excise benefits it was offering to carmakers till now. According to ET, a senior finance ministry official said, the Government would allow interim relief, announced in February and extended once in June, to expire on December 31.


How does it affect you? If you are planning to purchase a small car (read sub 4-metre), the roll back means you pay 12 percent excise instead of 8. For a midsize car, excise duty has gone up to 24 percent from 20 percent. Premium cars will attract 27 percent excise, up from 24 percent and SUVs bear the biggest brunt, back to the original 30 percent from the present 24 percent excise duty.


What that means to you is that every car manufacturer will be forced to increase prices further from the correction in prices they announced a week ago. Compared to December prices, over cost of the cars will go up by 6-8 percent for all cars made in India since most car manufacturers had already announced a price hike in the range of 2-3 percent citing rising input costs.


Cars in the Rs 5-7 lakh range will get costlier by Rs 20,000-30,000 while those around the Rs 10 lakh range will shoot up by about Rs 50,000. The 30 percent excise duty on SUVs will pinch carmakers like Mahindra who depend heavily on them. A top of the line XUV500 for example will get costlier by over Rs 1 lakh.






from zigwheels http://ift.tt/1y6f2r9

via IFTTT

Hyundai India celebrates 50 lakh Facebook fans


Hyundai Elite i20 front three quarters static shot

Hyundai India has received 50 lakh fans on the popular social networking website, Facebook. The official page of the carmaker was launched in the year 2011 to directly engage with Indian customers, and the company managed to achieve this 50 lakh fans milestone within a short span of three years.


To celebrate this achievement the carmaker has announced an initiative on its official Facebook page which allows fans to meet its brand ambassador, Shah Rukh Khan (SRK). The application allows the 50 lakh Facebook fans to give a virtual Hi-5 to SRK by uploading a Hi-5 Selfie on the tab. The top five fans with the leading conversations around it will get an opportunity to meet the superstar at the company's next television commercial shoot.


Delighted and enthused by the response, Rakesh Srivastava, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, HMIL, said, "We at Hyundai take pride in being the fastest achievers of many milestones in the Indian car market. Hyundai is the fastest car manufacturer to roll out the 5 millionth car in the shortest timeframe. Hyundai in 2014 has also achieved the landmark of 5 million Facebook fans along with fastest domestic sales of over 4 lakh units while proudly servicing over 4.3 million Hyundai cars pan- India. We affirm our commitment to the Indian market with the aim to be the most loved and caring brand in India."


Hyundai claims that it is the only auto brand to have achieved the fastest 50 lakh fans in India in the year 2014.






from zigwheels http://ift.tt/1y6eZvx

via IFTTT

Video: Walter Röhrl and Mattias Ekström Flog an Audi S1 EKS RX

Not too many people can say that they’ve won the Monte Carlo Rally no less than four times, each time with a different car maker, but Walter Röhrl is truly one of a kind. A living legend by most accounts, the German driver has been retired from professional racing since the late 1980s, but that didn’t keep him from being active in the field of awesome driving and becoming the head test driver at Porsche.


Swede Mattias Ekström is almost half Röhrl’s age and a driving legend as well, winning two German Touring Car (DTM) championships and no less than three Races of Champions. Apart from still competing in DTM, coming in as a runner-up in 2014, Ekström has also established his own rally-cross team, fielding a 560-horsepower Audi S1 quattro. Called the EKS RX, his rally-cross team recently released some footage of Ekström and Röhrl sliding an S1 quattro around Germany’s Estering circuit.


With Walter Röhrl getting the first drive and Mattias the second, the result is rather amazing to watch, especially since the German is now 67 years old. While no lap times were published, since this was a friendly match-up, it becomes apparent that age isn’t necessarily a disadvantage for some people in their line of work. Ekström even mentions that Walter Röhrl attacked some corners even better than he did himself. The only downside of the video above is that it doesn’t show more of that bonkers Ur-quattro drifting around and showing the newer S1 what Group B was all about.


Video: Walter Röhrl and Mattias Ekström Flog an Audi S1 EKS RX originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 31 December 2014 07:00 EST.


read more










from Top Speed http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/video-walter-r-hrl-and-mattias-ekstr-m-flog-an-audi-s1-eks-rx-ar166879.html

via IFTTT

What The Top Automotive Stories Of 2014 Mean For You In 2015

If you stop by an auto dealership this week, it’s likely you’ll find it bustling. The week between Christmas and New Year’s is always one of the busiest of the year. But as sales continue to reach record levels, it’s a good reality check to remind us how far the economy and our consumer confidence has come versus just five...



from The Car Connection http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheCarConnection/~3/LMN-xa6F2xc/1096097_what-the-top-automotive-stories-of-2014-mean-for-you-in-2015

via IFTTT

The car industry: 2014 for dummies

Here's Paul Horrell with the instant expert's capsule guide to twelve months of trends and dead-ends, of comings and goings…

















from Top Gear Car News http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/426/f/417510/s/41e76432/sc/38/l/0L0Stopgear0N0Cuk0Ccar0Enews0C20A140Ecar0Eindustry0Eroundup0E20A140E120E310Dutm0Isource0Frss0Gutm0Imedium0Frss0Gutm0Icampaign0Fongoing/story01.htm

via IFTTT

2016 Opel Astra Spy Video

The sister to the next-generation Chevrolet Cruze, Opel’s new Astra, has been spotted in prototype form ahead of its launch in late 2015 or early the following year. The prototype is for the hatchback version of the new Astra but expect to see in the near future prototypes for additional versions like a sedan, Sports Tourer wagon and GTC...



from MotorAuthority http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motorauthority2/~3/GKOB4eWP1i4/1023095_2016-opel-astra-spy-video

via IFTTT