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Sunday, January 31, 2016
Honda-Powered ESM Prototype Powers To 2016 Daytona 24 Hours Victory, Corvette Takes GT Class
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Super Bowl 50: Acura NSX - What He Said: Video
Previews of Super Bowl commercials from manufacturers are flying onto YouTube faster than ever. Here we have two commercials from Acura for your viewing pleasure. One is 30 seconds long, and the other is 60 seconds. The best part is that at the heart of both commercials is the companies soon-to-be-released supercar, the Acura NSX.
I’ve always thought of the NSX as more of a “she,” with those beautiful lines and loving soul, but it looks like the new NSX is slated to be a “he,” as Acura’s slogan for the NSX in these two commercials is “what he said.” Undoubtedly, Acura is speaking of that roar from the NSX’s 3.5-liter, twin-turbo, V-6 engine. That engine is said to put out 500 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, and – in combination with the electric drivetrain – can put out a maximum of 573 horsepower and hit an approximate top speed of 191 mph.
Power and good looks aside, Acura is planning to let us start building our own starting on February 25, 2016. That in itself is more than enough to be excited for. Even if you don’t have the cheddar to buy one yourself, the NSX is bound to become one of the most lusted for vehicles out there, so quit wasting time and feed your desire by watching the two short videos. Fair warning: use headphones if you’re in a public place, and turn up the sound. You’ll want to absorb as much of that soul-rattling roar of the NSX as you can.
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Dodge Dart Vs. Volkswagen Jetta: Compare Cars
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Autocar Takes The 2016 Ford Focus RS On Road And Track: Video
A lot has already been said about the all-new Ford Focus RS and almost everyone I’ve talked to about the car shares the same sentiment. The Focus RS is the hot hatchback we’ve all been waiting for. Now I know that some might find that statement sprinkled with a bit of hyperbole, but the truth is, there was no need for any form of exaggeration.
One person who agrees with my assertion is Autocar Deputy Reviews Editor Vicky Parrott. Not that she actually told me that she agreed with me, but she did get the opportunity to take the new Focus RS out for a spin on the proverbial road and track combination and as expected, she had nothing but heaping praises for the hot hatch. I’m not going to spoil the full episode because Parrott makes some great points in her review of the car and I wouldn’t want to pre-empt any of it. It’s better if you watch the episode in full yourselves.
In the event that you’re in the market for a hot hatch and you’re browsing through countless websites trying to figure out which one to buy, you should also watch this video and trust me when I tell you, once you’re done watching it, the Focus RS will be on your short-list. Why, you ask? Well, let’s just say that there’s a reason why a lot of people, Parrott included, are calling this hot hatch the new benchmark of its segment.
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After Successful Start, DeltaWing Suffers Crash At 2016 Rolex 24 At Daytona
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EVO Looks Back At The Lamborghini Countach: Video
In the annals of Lamborghini’s long and storied history, no car stirred the imaginations of children quite like the Countach. From its outlandish design (at that time) to its incredible 4.0-liter V-12 engine, the Countach was, and still is, the supercar of our dreams. Throughout the course of its life, the Countach spawned numerous versions, none more special than the 82-unit Series III LP400 S.
One of the 82 Series III LP 400 S models is now in the headlines because it’s set to be auctioned off by RM Sotheby’s at its auction in Paris on February 3, 2016. It’s expected to sell for at least $490,000 and it’s history is as unique as the model itself. According to RM Sotheby’s, this yellow Countach Series III LP 400 S was originally built with a red paint finish for a customer in Switzerland. The car somehow found itself in the U.S. after that, before once again crossing the Atlantic, finding itself in the U.K. It’s had quite a globe-trotting experience, and yet, the mere sight of it is enough for bidders to feverishly make attempts at scoring the car in the upcoming auction.
But, before it finds a new owner, Evo Magazine found itself in possession of the car and, not one to let an opportunity like this pass, it went about and took it for a spin. By the standards of modern supercars, the Countach falls woefully short in a number of aspects. It’s a little harder to drive, the brakes aren’t as good, and the cabin design leaves a lot to be desired. But, none of that matters because this is the Lamborghini Countach, and this particular one is a rare example of the iconic model.
It’s the real definition of a legacy car that introduced Lamborghini to a new generation of car aficionados. I should know because I’m one of those who had posters of this breathtaking exotic in the walls of my bedroom back in the 90s.
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Motor Trend Lines Up The Mercedes-AMG GT S And The Jaguar F-Type Coupe R: Video
The 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S and the 2016 Jaguar F-Type Coupe R are two of the most talked-about sports cars today. Not only do they look drop-dead gorgeous, but they also come with heavy-hitting engines. The F-Type may have the advantage in power - 550 horsepower to 462 horsepower - but the AMG GT S’s combination of unmatched handling and state-of-the-art tech has made it the quintessential sports car for the discerning enthusiast. Either way, both cars are great choices, making it more difficult to pick which of the two is the better sports car.
To help answer that conundrum, Motor Trend lined up the AMG GT S and the F-Type Coupe R in its latest episode of Head 2 Head. MT Senior Features Editor Jonny Lieberman took up the task of giving a rundown of the two cars, including some new features for the new 2016 models. Here’s a little spoiler of sorts: the biggest addition in the F-Type Coupe R is so important it turned the entire script on the car’s driving experience. But, was it enough to convince Lieberman that the Jag is a better overall sports car than the Mercedes-AMG?
As usual, I’m not going to reveal the synopsis of the episode because it’s better if you hear the verdict from the horse’s mouth itself. Ok, just one more teeny-tiny spoiler. Lieberman did have his choice, but it was so close that he had to enlist the help of race car driver and Head 2 Head staple Randy Pobst to perform practical exams, including hot laps, on both the AMG GT S and the F-Type Coupe R at Willow Springs.
Check out the video to see which of the sports cars ended up getting the stamp of approval.
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Watch How The Aston Martin Vulcan Is Being Built: Video
Remember when I wrote about an Aston Martin Vulcan that’s currently up for sale for $3.4 million? Well, I don’t know if it’s a simple coincidence or a sign that I should buy the car, but less than a day after that Vulcan hit the news, out comes a video from Carfection that tackles the build process of the most powerful Aston Martin ever created.
Ok, I’m not really going the buy the car under any circumstances considering that I don’t have $3.4 million. But, it is funny to think about the timing of these two separate media items covering the same 800-horsepower track-day supercar. The video itself is pretty informative, and if my hearing serves me right, I think that’s XCar’s Alex Goy doing the voice-over in the video. In it, Goy talks about the nitty gritty details on the construction and development of the Vulcan, right down to the generous amount of lightweight carbon fiber used on the car and the incredible downforce it generates, thanks in large part to the rather massive aerodynamic components fitted into the track car.
It’s safe to say that the Aston Martin Vulcan is a clear departure from the company’s luxury meets performance reputation. I say that because the Vulcan is just a purely bred annihilator on the race track, the kind of car that can gleefully let other cars pass by and then catch up to them without even breaking so much as a sweat. And, as good as it looks - I mean, look at that piece of beauty! - the Vulcan is also largely defined by its thunderous 7.0-liter V-12 engine that pumps out in excess of 800 horsepower. It’s rather interesting that Aston Martin hasn’t released the full performance details of the Vulcan, but just hearing the spine-tingling roar of that V-12 engine at the end of the video is all we need to know about the track car’s breathtaking capabilities on any racing circuit it finds itself in.
If you just happen to be inspired enough by this video that you’re itching to own one, you can check out that Vulcan that’s currently up for sale over at Cleveland Motorsports. You’re going to need $3.4 million to own it, but who knows, if you can string up and save your money for God-knows-how-long, you could find out first-hand exactly why the Aston Martin Vulcan is everything it’s been hyped up to be.
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2016 Auto Expo: Mercedes-Benz to unveil 4 new cars
Mercedes-Benz had quite a year with 15 launches gracing our roads in 2015. The sales were up significantly from 2014 so it was only natural that Mercedes-Benz would want to put its best foot forward at the 2016 Auto Expo. The German automaker has promised much for this Expo and we hope it will be an Expo worth attending.
Mercedes is bringing its all new GLC compact SUV which is based on the C-class sedan and is easy to see its inspiration if you look at the identical headlamps and the twin slat grille. The GLC is 30mm shorter than the sedan but has a longer wheelbase which should translate to more space in the cabin. In the cabin it will feature gesture controlled touchpad for the infotainment system. It will come woth two engine options a 220d and a 250d. The 220d will come with a 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine whereas the 250d will be powered by a 2.0-litre motor.
Also present at the Expo will the S-class cabriolet, a massive two-door cabriolet based on the super luxury saloon. It boasts of a three layer soft top roof which can be deployed till speeds of 60kmph. It will come in both S500 and S63 AMG guises just like the coupe and will be powered by the same engines that power the coupe.
Merc is also getting its 4.5tonne completely armour plated VR9 S600 Guard to the Expo. Dubbed the safest car in the world it is powered by a massive V12 engine and boasts of windows over 65mm thick and capable of withstanding constant fire from AK 47 assault rifle.
These are the cars that will be there for sure but Mercedes has an uncanny affinity for surprises. So in all probability even the new E-class might be showcased at the expo. The E-class is the most popular Merc in India and the Expo is the best platform to tempt potential customers especially when it is one of your best products yet. The new E-class was first shown to the world at the Detroit Motorshow and it promises to be the best car in its segment. The design is now much closer to the flagship S-class, it is longer, wider and comes with much more tech than ever before. To give you an idea, Mercedes has announced that owners will be able to update the software of the E-class wirelessly which will include maps and even telematics. It is also more aerodynamic and also boasts of a brand new diesel engine which will offer best in class efficiency and lowest in class CO2 emissions.
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Saturday, January 30, 2016
video with the Mercedes-AMG S 65 Coupe: Video
As racing video games become more and more realistic these days, it’s become very important for game developers to come up with a feature that can differentiate itself from other games. That’s especially true for games like Driveclub, which doesn’t have the same amount of following as Gran Turismo and Forza Motorsport.
On that end, Driveclub did just that by releasing its first-ever 360-degree video of a Mercedes-AMG S 65 Coupe racing around with its fellow Silver Arrows brethren. The video is fantastic for a couple of reasons, and the best part about it is how you, as a viewer, can rotate around using the direction buttons on the upper-left end of the screen.
Doing this lets you watch the race from a complete 360-degree angle, allowing you to look at the race from all conceivable angles. Combine that with the impeccable graphics and the all-too realistic environment and you have a unique video game experience that really brings the action to life.
It’s an incredible glimpse of what you can experience when you play Driveclub. Now, I’ve had my time with the game and I can attest to the incredible attention-to-detail it possesses. But, I’ve yet to try out this 360-degree view and, while it does seem difficult to navigate both the car and the camera angle, it’s something that I’m definitely excited to check out.
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Nissan Alpha G R35 GTR By AMS Performance
Gideon “Gidi” Chamdi is known in the U.S. drag racing scene as one of the most passionate owners of some of the most incredible drag-tuned supercars. If you’ve heard of AMS Performance, chances are you’re familiar with its staggering builds for the Nissan GT-R. Well, put one and one together and you can see where I’m going here, right?
See, Chamdi is the proud owner of just about every iteration of AMS Performance’s Alpha-tuned GT-Rs. He has the Alpha 10, Alpha 12, Alpha 16, and the Alpha 20. The last of those cars - the Alpha 20 - even became known as the fastest and most powerful Nissan GT-R in the world, a distinction it earned until it met an untimely demise when it crashed at an event back in August 2015.
With the Alpha 20 gone, Chamdi returned to AMS Performance, looking to replace his dearly departed GT-R with something that’s faster and more powerful than anything AMS Performance has built for the Japanese supercar. The result, or at least the partial result, is this monstrosity. It’s been labeled as the Alpha G and it promises to take the capabilities of the Alpha 20 and take it up to new heights.
Continue after the jump to read the review.
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Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Villa D'Este Coupe
In the Italian spirit of naming cars after the engines in them, the Alfa Romeo 6C nameplate was applied to a huge range of 6-cylinder cars from 1927 all of the way up to 1954. Some of these were race cars, some were road cars, and a lot of them had very little in common with one another. Even narrowing it down to the 6C 2500 means we’re still talking about 11 different models of just the road-going version. So the significance of the 6C 2500 SS Villa d’Este might sometimes get lost in the shuffle of keeping all of these cars straight.
The Villa d’Este was one of the most expensive cars in the world when it was introduced in very limited quantities starting in 1949. It was one of the last 6C road cars and the last Alfa Romeo to be hand built. It was the most powerful of the non-racing 6C 2500 varieties, and had the shortest and most sporting wheelbase of the 2500s. It is named after a former royal residence on Lake Como in northern Italy. The annual Concorso d’Eleganza held there is one of the most important in the world of collector cars.
Continue reading to learn more about the 1951 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Villa D’Este Coupe.
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FCA's Marchionne Makes Slip, Reveals Jeep Wagoneer
We’re growing ever more fond of Sergio Marchionne’s style of news dissemination. The Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO’s recent “realignment” of the automaker’s five-year plans is making massive waves, thanks to details on a renewed focus on trucks and SUVs, while killing off slow-selling sedans. However, Marchionne’s latest confession has us more excited than before.
In an interview with Automotive News, Marchionne made the statement, “I think it’s important for us to have found a home for the Grand Wagoneer family – both the Grand Wagoneer and the Wagoneer – in whatever shape they come, and that we find that space without creating additional production capacity.”
Did you catch that? This is the first mention of a Jeep Wagoneer from FCA. We’ve known about the Grand Wagoneer project for some time now, and it’s task to compete with the Range Rover in the high-end luxury SUV segment. But what’s the Wagoneer? Sadly, there were no further details or slips to come from Marchionne’s interview, or subsequent calls to Fiat Chrysler.
The addition of the Wagoneer aligns well with FCA’s plans of concentrating on SUVs and trucks. What’s more, Marchionne has said in the past how Ram has room to make a SUV based on the Ram 1500 pickup. Such a body-on-frame SUV would compete with the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, their GMC counterparts, and the Ford Expedition. Perhaps the Wagoneer is the Jeep-branded version of this Ram vehicle.
Whatever the Jeep Wagoneer turns out to be, it’s definitely exciting times to be a jeep fan and truck enthusiast. We will certainly keep you informed of any further information slipping from FCA.
Continue reading for more information
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Ralph Gilles Sketches A Possible Chrysler Pacifica Hellcat
Let’s be honest, the minivan segment has pretty much fizzled away, much like the station wagon did a while back. With the invention of the crossover and the drop in the price of gasoline in recent years, the desire for larger, gas-sucking family haulers is going stronger than ever. The minivan segment refuses to die, however, as a few manufacturers are still pushing the hope that soccer moms everywhere will continue to persuade their husbands into keeping a minivan in the driveway. That was made pretty clear earlier this month when FCA pulled to covers off of the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica.
What if the minivan became more of a “guy’s ride,” though? Would it revive the minivan segment and drive up sales in an otherwise struggling segment? Well, FCA’s Head of Design, Ralph Gilles, has apparently been wondering that himself. Just a couple days ago, the man behind FCA’s design team sat down for dinner and ended up sketching his vision of what a Chrysler Pacifica Hellcat would look like with nothing more than a crayon and some brown paper.
Looking at his Instagram post, where the sketch went public two days ago, the idea has been pretty well accepted by a lot of his followers. Comments like “This needs to be a thing!,” “This has SEMA written all over it. Do it do it,” and “Oh I beg you to make it” fill the comments section below the post that, at the time of this writing, has more than 650 likes. It is no indication that a 707-horsepower minivan is in the works by any means, but now that we’ve seen the Hellcat-powered Grand Cherokee testing, there is no telling what might come next.
Continue reading for the full story.
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Porsche Panamera
The Panamera has been around since 2009 and has only one restyling under its belt, having been mildly reworked for 2013. That’s about to change for 2017 as Porsche is clearly working on its successor. Our spy photographers were able to snag several shots of the updated Panamera as it trotted over German roads wearing almost no camouflage.
The bare-bodied test mule affords us a rather unobstructed view at the Panamera’s future styling. Most of the changes are held within the front and rear fascias, as well as the side windows and character lines running along the doors. Its overall shape remains largely unchanged.
While Porsche is understandably shy with the details, rumors suggest a new set of powertrain options will be among the generational changes. The rumors, a year old at this point, speculate an all-new V-6 and V-8 powerplant will replace the aging engines in the current car.
We suspect the 2017 Panamera will make its official debut sometime in early 2016, possibly at the Geneva Motor Show. Pricing is likely to increase only slightly, keeping it competing against its current competitors.
Updated 01/29/2016: The upcoming Porsche Panamera was caught out for a new testing session. Hit "play" to have a glimpse at Panamera’s new navigation/hybrid screen.
Click past the jump to read more about the Porsche Panamera.
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Porsche 718 Cayman
The mid-engined Porsche Cayman was launched in 2005. Essentially a coupe version of the Boxster, the Cayman has become increasingly popular with customers as a more affordable and balanced proposition to the range-topping 911. The first-generation coupe came with 2.7-, 2.9-, and 3.4-liter, flat-six engines with as many as 321 ponies and 273 pound-feet of torque. A facelifted Cayman was introduced in early 2009, while the redesigned model arrived in showrooms in 2013, this time powered by 275-, 325- and 340-horsepower engines. As we’re moving closer to the 2017 model year, the Germans are preparing a mid-cycle refresh for the still-new Cayman.
As with most Porsche facelifts, the Cayman was originally expected to receive minor exterior and interior changes, as well as a mild output increase. However, now that Porsche has already unveiled the facelifted Boxster, it has become clear that the Cayman is in for a more comprehensive update.
Aside from the usual upgrades inside and out, Stuttgart’s entry-level sports car will receive a pair of brand-new engines and a name that harkens back to one of the brand’s most iconic race cars. Specifically, the Cayman will drop its flat-six engine in favor of turbocharged, flat-four units and will be marketed as the 718 Cayman starting 2017.
There’s no official word as to when the updated coupe will make its debut, but an unveiling will most likely occur in the first half of 2016. Until that happens, have a look at our speculative review and brand-new rendering of the upcoming Cayman.
Updated 01/29/2016: Based on the recently launched 718 Boxster, we decided to create a rendering for the upcoming 718 Cayman. Let us know what do you think about it in the comments section below.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Porsche Cayman.
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Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 IROC RSR
In October 1973, twelve of the top drivers in the world were invited to compete in IROC, the International Race of Champions, an event penned by the legendary Roger Penske. The drivers were selected from the four major racing series at the time, Formula One, NASCAR, SCCA, and USAC, and included names such as Mark Donohue, George Follmer, A.J. Foyt, Richard Petty, and Bobby Unser. All were to drive the same car, as the goal of the event was to reduce variables such as the vehicle and its modifications and to put emphasis on the skill and race strategies for the drivers. Penske’s vehicle of choice was the Porsche 911 RSR.
Based on the RS 3.0 road car, the RSR had a wide body that allowed for Fuchs wheels shod in fat tires and a large, fiberglass whaletail instead of the ducktail seen on the stock models. The 3.0-liter engine was tweaked to deliver 315 horsepower instead of 231, but the standard five-speed transmission was preferred to the close-ratio units used on the racing versions. Only 15 were built and unleashed in a series of four races held at Riverside Raceway and Daytona Speedway in 1973 and 1974. The championship was won by Mark Donohue, who scored a $54,000 prize, the equivalent of nearly $300,000 today.
Most IROC-spec Porsches were sold following their service in the IROC series, including this bright yellow example that has spent its recent years in Jerry Seinfeld’s collection. A fervent collector of Porsche-badged vehicles, the actor has decided to part with this rare IROC racer, which will be auctioned at the Amelia Island Auction by Gooding & Company on March 11th, 2016.
The race car once driven by Peter Revson and George Follmer is part of a lot that also includes a 1955 550 Spyder and a 1958 356A GS/GT Carrera Speedster, also owned by Seinfeld. The RSR is estimated to fetch in excess of $1 million, but we’ll be back with the actual figure as soon as the hammer drops.
Note: All images copyright and courtesy of Gooding & Company
Continue reading to learn more about the 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 IROC RSR.
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Super Bowl 50: Hyundai Commercial Will Feature Kevin Hart and Ryan Reynolds
Those who plan to watch Super Bowl 50 on February 7, 2016 will be treated to not one, not two, not three, but four commercials from Hyundai. The automaker recently announced its full slate of ads during the big game, totalling four commercials, including two 60-second ads and two 30-second spots. The first of the two 60-second ads will run during the pre-game show while the second 60-second ad will be shown in the pre-kick off time slot, traditionally one of the most-watched segments of the Super Bowl. The two 30-second ads will run in the first and second quarters of the game, respectively.
Hyundai also said that it has tapped some Hollywood heavy-hitters for the 60-second spots. The first one, called “First Date”, will feature comedian Kevin Hart. Without diving into the details of this commercial, Hyundai simply described it as Hart using the Genesis sedan’s Hyundai Blue Link Car Finder feature to ensure that his daughter gets home safely after her first date. Knowing Hart’s comedic genius, this commercial should be a ball of laughter.
Meanwhile, the other 60-second ad, called “Ryanville”, will star no less than Deadpool himself, Ryan Reynolds. Taking the spot as his co-star will be the all-new 2017 Elantra and its advanced safety features that will come into play as a pair of women drive through “the most distracting neighborhood ever”. Sounds like Reynolds will be one of those distractions.
As far as the two 30-second spots are concerned, neither will have any celebrities in them. Instead, Hyundai will take the opportunity to focus the ads on the brand itself. The first one, called “Chase”, will highlight the Elantra’s voice-activated Blue Link Remote Start feature, while the second spot, titled “Better”, will have a more emotional tone to it as it captures the company’s mission to improve consumer experience through “human-focused technology, distinctive design and uncompromising workmanship”.
You can catch all four commercials in the lead-up to and during Super Bowl 50. With an expected 120 million people tuning in for the game, I don’t think it’s going to be difficult missing out on any of Hyundai’s four commercials.
Continue reading for the full story.
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Next-Gen Jeep Wrangler Will Get Diesel And Hybrid Versions
Anticipation is growing for the next-generation Jeep Wrangler – the last, true SUV with go-anywhere capabilities and removable body panels. Well FCA has announced the all-new Wrangler, due out for the 2018 model year, will come with both a diesel and hybrid version. It seems the rough and tumble off-roader is getting more high-tech.
In the recently announced revisions to its five-year plans, FCA spoke candidly about the Jeep and other Chrysler, Ram, and Alfa Romeo vehicles. Sergio Marchionne, the automaker’s CEO, says efforts and resources will be reallocated from small sedans to more popular models like trucks, crossovers, and SUVs. That means the Wrangler will have a larger role to play in FCA’s lineup.
Fiat Chrysler has been quiet on major details concerning the upcoming Wrangler, but we do know it will retain its body-on-frame design and solid axles. We suspect the removable doors and roof will return, while the fold-flat windshield will not. Efforts to make the Wrangler more fuel efficient will likely change the squared-off Jeep into something slightly more streamlined, though without losing its iconic character.
As for its powertrain, the hybrid system is expected to be a 48-volt, mild hybrid system that supplements a gasoline engine. FCA says it’s currently developing new engines, so details on these new engines are non-existent. We do suspect a more efficient version of the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 will return.
The diesel will likely be an updated version of the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 currently found in the Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Both gasoline and diesel powerplants will feature Stop/Start systems as a standard feature. Regardless of engine, the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission will be offered, though the Wrangler will still offer a do-it-yourself manual transmission.
Continue reading for the full story.
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Forza Motorsport 6 Gets New Alpinestars Car Pack
Forza Motorsports 6 gamers are in for a treat with the announcement that a new car pack has been released in time for the start of the motor racing season. Taking from that cue, the new content, aptly called the AlpineStars Car Pack, features six new cars of varying attractiveness depending on what you feel about the Pontiac Aztek. But, fret not, because the pack also comes with a 2015 Ford #02 Chip Ganassi Racing Riley Mk XXVI Daytona Prototype. That’s the car that won the 2015 24 Hours of Daytona and will be part of the field for the 2016 race to defend its title on January 30, 2016.
In addition to the Daytona-winning race car and the less-than exciting Aztek, the pack also comes with a unique collection of race cars, classic cars, and a few others in between. Really, if you want variety in the strictest sense of the word, the AlpineStars Car Pack has it in spades. In fact, it comes with another car that has won its fair share of races, including in Daytona and Sebring. It may not be as recognizable as the Ford racing prototype, but there should be a pocket of gamers out there who will remember the 1990 Mercury #15 Whistler Radar Cougar XR-7.
In any case, owners of the Forza 6 Car Pass can acquire the AlpineStars Car Pack at no extra cost but those who don’t have the pass will have to purchase the pack separately for $6.99. Those who prefer to buy the cars individually also have that option, a choice I think a lot of people will make just to stay as far away from the Aztek as possible. Then again, I wouldn’t be surprised if some gamers buy the ill-fated vehicle (is it even an SUV?) because of it’s association to our favorite chemistry teacher, Walter White.
Continue reading for the full story.
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Lamborghini Huracan LP640-4 Superleggera
Any time Lamborghini releases a new model, there are two special versions that are all but guaranteed to follow: a roadster and a lightweight Superleggera version. With the Huracan Spyder having hit the roads in 2015, it is just a matter of time before the Italians launch the lighter Superleggera variant.
Likely to follow in the footsteps of the Gallardo Superleggera, the Huracan Superleggera will bring a lower curb weight and a nice power boost, giving Lambo’s entry-level supercar better straight-line speed and more agility. There is still no timeline for the Huracan Superleggera, the number of test cars that keep showing up on public roads suggest that an official launch is due very soon, most likely at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.
Details are still scant as of this writing, but putting together the pieces of the puzzle and getting a good idea of what this model will bring to the table is simple. Find out more in my speculative review below.
Updated 01/29/2016: Our spy photographers caught the upcoming Huracan LP640-4 Superleggera out for a new testing session, this time during cold winter conditions.
Continue reading my speculative preview of the Huracan LP640-4 to see what I think it’ll have to offer.
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Next Ram 1500 Will Go Hybrid
Fiat Chrysler are planning a hybrid version of its popular Ram 1500 full-size pickup truck once the truck enters its next generation for the 2018 model year. The news comes as FCA makes headlines over its revised five-year plan that includes ending production of the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 sedans. CEO Sergio Marchionne confirmed to Automotive News that FCA will be making room in its factories for more crossovers and SUVs – a move that is counter to what many automakers are doing in preparation for the looming CAFÉ standards of 2025 and 2050.
However, FCA’s plans for a hybrid Ram 1500, along with other hybrid crossover and SUV models, is the automaker’s path to achieving the government-mandated CAFÉ benchmark. While meeting CAFÉ is obviously imperative, the automaker sees this move as appealing to current market trends and inexpensive fuel – both of which FCA says it views as “permanent” trends.
Market forecasts aside, FCA says it is developing new global small- and medium-engine architectures, along with 48-volt mild hybrid systems, for placement in its upcoming vehicles. Included in the bunch are the next-generation Ram 1500 and Jeep Wrangler.
Further details beyond that are not currently known, but it’s expected that an updated version of the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 will debut, boasts a higher compression ratio and more efficient exhaust-gas recirculation system. FCA’s current eight-speed automatic transmission will continue, along with the proliferation of Start/Stop systems in each vehicle. We also expect the Ram’s 3.0-liter EcoDiesel to receive efficiency updates as well.
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Car Infographics: 2015 Auto Industry: From Recession to Recovery to Record Sales
The last few decades in the auto industry have certainly seen their ups and downs. The auto industry went from selling 17.3 million vehicles in 2000 to only moving 10.4 million units in the “Great Recession” of 2009. That’s fewer sales than in 1993 when the auto industry sold 13.9 million new vehicles. Slumping sales appear to be behind us, thankfully, as 2015 posted record numbers. Some 17.5 million new vehicles found homes last year.
Deals and incents can take some credit. Taking a look at the infographic down below, you’ll see incentives rose 3.9 percent per vehicle between 2014 and 2015, despite the average transaction price per vehicle rising some 2.5 percent from 2014 to $33,188.
The infographic also shows a telling story about buying practices as well. More drivers are leasing than ever before. In fact, 29 percent of new car sales are through a lease option. That represents a mere two percent rise over 2014, but a whopping 13 percent rise since 2005.
Buying trends are also in flux. Truck, crossover, and SUV sales are growing, while the car market is slowing dropping. Crossovers hold the highest growth, up 18.5 percent, followed by trucks at 13.1 percent and SUVs at 10.7 percent. The car segment lags behind, dropping 2.2 percent. Hard numbers tell a different tale; truck sales rose to more than 9.7 million new units, well above the dropping 7.7 million cars sold in 2015. Leading truck sales, of course, is the venerable Ford F-Series.
There’s plenty of factors and explanations for these facts, so be sure to check out the full infographic further down the page. Just click “continue reading.”
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2016 Auto Expo: Toyota to display Mirai, new Prius and TS040 hybrid racecar
Toyota Mirai: Toyota Mirai is a fuel cell vehicle (FCV) which generates power from a chemical reaction achieved by combining hydrogen and oxygen to produce energy that is used to run the motor and provide driving power to the vehicle. In a FCV, the only by-product which gets emitted is water vapour making the Mirai a very environmentally friendly car. Toyota has been working on the FCV project for over three decades now, and the Mirai is the manufacturer latest testament.
New Toyota Prius: Toyota will be displaying the fourth generation Prius at the expo. The Prius is one of Toyota's most successful hybrid cars in the market. The new Prius gets a 1.8-litre petrol engine which the company claimed to be 40 per cent more efficient than the out-going version. The hybrid components are now smaller, including a new lithium-ion hybrid battery which now is placed underneath the rear seats instead below the luggage area in the trunk. The new Prius has a futuristic design on the exterior and adopts a mid-sized interiors in a compact manner.
Toyota TS040 racecar: The TS040 is a racecar that was developed by Toyota in 2012 for 24 Hours Le Mans. The TS040 was the first petrol-powered hybrid car by the Japanese manufacturer to participate in FIA World Endurance Championship. The racecar is powered by the 3.7-litre petrol engine which is coupled to electric drives to produce a combined output of whooping 1000PS. The TS040 hybrid racecar will be the showstopper on display at the Toyota pavilion.
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First 2017 Acura NSX Sells For $1.2 Million At Charity Auction
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2016 Auto Expo: Chevrolet Cruze facelift launched
The Chevrolet Cruze has been given yet another mild facelift for the 2016 model year and has been launched in India at a price of Rs 14.68-17.81 lakh, (ex-showroom, Delhi). The new car will get minor upgrades both on the interior and exterior front but will continue to get the same diesel engine with both automatic and manual gearboxes and no petrol engine just yet.
On the exterior front, the new Cruze is differentiated with a new grille with horizontal chrome stacks and a new daytime running light console just under the new projector headlamps. The new car also gets a rear lip spoiler in an attempt to spice up the rear end. The new Cruze will also get updated interiors that include added features like internet radio, Bluetooth, automatic climate conteil and a SIRI voice recognition interface.
That said, the updated Cruze could come as a disappointment to a fair few customers who were expecting General Motors to launch the brand new Cruze which has already been launched a few months ago in both the China and the United States market. In fact, we here at ZigWheels were certain that GM would showcase the all-new Cruze at the 2016 Auto Expo too. Now though, expect the new car to come to India later in the year to go up against the likes of the Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Jetta and the Skoda Octavia amongst others.
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