Rolls-Royce Bespoke Porto Cervo Dawn

As you’re probably well aware, Rolls-Royce has made a habit of unveiling extravagantly customized variants of it’s already extravagant model lineup under the Bespoke customer personalization program. The latest high-profile creation is a pair of unique motor cars inspired by “the atmosphere and vibrancy of one of the world’s most exclusive and glamorous enclaves; Porto Cervo.” Part of the pair is this emerald green Dawn, a drophead coupe outfitted with a nautical-themed interior, mother of pearl, precious jewels, and white gold.

But this thing didn’t just appear out of thin air. As any artistic person will tell you, proper inspiration is needed to create anything of worth, and to that end, Rolls launched its Summer Studio in Porto Cervo, Italy, last month. The studio hopes to combine “the worlds of fashion, art and design” into a single luxurious social hub for well-to-do clientele, creating the right setting for dreaming up new applications of the Bespoke program.

Renowned British tattoo artist, Mo Coppoletta, was in attendance, and was inspired to create a pair of leather headrests that will be shown along with the two Rollers.

However, the stars of the show are the two cars. Complementing the Dawn is a custom Wraith, completing the pair’s theme, from “Dusk until Dawn.”

So then – what do you get when you combine a $335,000 convertible with unlimited artistic freedom and a hotspot of the fabulously wealthy? Read on for the details.

Continue reading to learn more about the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Porto Cervo Dawn.

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Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse Gets Silly In Idaho Highway: Video

For the record, I’ve never been to Idaho and I don’t know too much about the state besides it being the country’s biggest source of potatoes. But I do know that it hosts the Sun Valley Road Rally, a gathering of supercar owners who are afforded the opportunity to drive their cars to their full limit on a closed section of road. It’s an annual event, and over the last few years, it has hosted some of the finest exotics in the business. This year’s event took place on Saturday, July 23, 2016 and from what I’ve heard, there was one supercar that really stood out from the rest: a bespoke Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse L’Or Rouge that its proud owner affectionately calls “Hellbug.”

The name probably alludes to its red-and-black, two-tone color scheme with the fancy striping. It’s a hard car to miss when it was idle. But once it came time to actually flexing its muscle, Hellbug became an impossibly difficult car to keep up with. That’s because the driver and owner of the car was able to hit an incredible 230 mph on the road. It may not have approached the Veyron GSV’s overall top speed of 254 mph, but just watching the car’s odometer slowly go past 230 mph is a sight in it of itself.

It’s hard to imagine what it would be like going at that speed on a public road. But every year, supercar owners get to do just that at the Sun Valley Road Rally. And, just as it did at last year’s gathering when it hit 235.7 mph, Hellbug once again stole the show for all the right reasons.

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Focus RS Drift Mode Created By Accident And We're All Better For It

Accidents aren’t always bad. In 1928, Alexander Fleming accidently discovered penicillin after a petri dish was left exposed near an open window. And while the new Ford Focus RS probably won’t be wiping out any deadly, civilization-threatening bacteria any time soon, it will be fun as hell to play around with, especially with the ass-out AWD antics of Drift Mode activated – a feature that was apparently just an accident.

In a recent report from Australian publication Motoring, Tyrone Johnson, vehicle and engineering manager at Ford Performance, revealed that the crossed-up handling setting was originally discovered during the development of the RS’ AWD system, and was not part of the hot hatch’s original design plan.

Johnson said that it all started with a test session conducted by two engineers, one behind the wheel, the other in the passenger seat tweaking the AWD with a laptop.

“And they are talking and he says ‘oh let me try this out’ and he tries it and he says ‘oh that’s cool can you give me more of that’ and he gives him more and he says ‘that’s really cool’ and then it starts working,” Johnson said. “I guess it’s just because we are a bunch of crazy guys. We just do things.”

After exhibiting the benefits of Drift Mode to global technical and development chief Raj Nair, the feature was officially slated for production.

Ford says Drift Mode is not for use on public roads, but that hasn’t stopped safety groups from voicing their outrage at its inclusion on the new Focus RS. Some have even demanded that it be outlawed.

Unsurprisingly, we here at TopSpeed think the controversy is simply ridiculous. What’s more, it reveals an equally absurd (and potentially dangerous) double standard.

Read on for our defense of Drift Mode.

Continue reading for our take on Drift Mode.

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Rolls-Royce Porto Cervo Wraith

Launched in 2013, the Wraith is Rolls-Royce’s first two-door coupe that’s less than 18 feet long since the Camargue, which was discontinued in 1986. Designed by Pavle Trpinac on the BMW BMW F01 platform that underpinned the previous-generation 7 Series, the Wraith was named after a model that the company produced in 1938 and 1939 as a rolling chassis. Powered by a twin-turbocharged, 6.6-liter V-12 rated at 623 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, the Wraith was the most powerful Rolls-Royce in history at launch. A convertible version named Dawn was introduced in 2015.

Having spawned numerous special-edition models, the Wraith has received yet another makeover from Bespoke, this time in the form or a unique, one-of-one example. Part of a pair of new Bespoke cars themed "Dusk until Dawn," the unique Wraith was unveiled at Rolls-Royce’s ultra-exclusive Summer Studio event in Porto Cervo, Italy.

Created to “reflect the atmosphere and vibrancy of one of the world’s most exclusive and glamorous enclaves," the Emerald Embellished Wraith will be on display alongside a Porto Cervo edition of the Dawn, also a unique model.

Continue reading for the full story.

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Honda And SoftBank Team Up To Make Cars That Can Feel Emotion

Japanese telecoms and Internet giant SoftBank has announced that it will team up with Honda to create cars that can communicate with their human pilots on an emotional level. The proposed touchy-feely machines would utilize advanced artificial intelligence capable of reading a human’s emotional state and computing context-based awareness, effectively turning an everyday conveyance into a four-wheeled digital buddy.

According to a recent report in Fortune, SoftBank sees myriad applications for the technology, including both practical uses (offering help with parking) and psychological benefits (keeping the driver company on a long trip).

The proposal comes on the heels of SoftBank’s $32 billion acquisition of ARM Holdings, a U.K.-based computer chip design company that provides hardware for a slew of smart devices, including phones, tablets, and TVs, as well as automotive applications (ABS sensors, etc.).

SoftBank has already made significant strides in the areas of robotics and AI technology. The company’s most famous advance is Pepper, a humanoid robot introduced in 2014 that uses a slew of sensors, cameras, and microphones to “perceive” human emotion and provide “genuine day-to-day [companionship].”

Of course, Honda brings more to the table than just its expertise in building cars. The automaker also has a robot of its own – ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility), which is capable of recognizing movement, expressions, posture, and gestures, as well as moving in a bipedal, human-like manner.

Masayoshi Son, the billionaire CEO of SoftBank, had this to say: “Imagine if robots, with their super intelligence, devoted themselves to humans. And imagine that cars themselves became supercomputers or robots one day. Honda will be the first to adopt this technology.”

Continue reading for the full story.

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Acura NSX GT3 Race Car

The Acura NSX went on sale just a month ago, on February 25th, 2016, with the launch of its online configurator. With that being the case, it’s pretty easy to assume that we’ve heard the last news about the NSX for a while, but then Acura decides to throw us a curve ball. It showed up at the New York Auto Show with a GT3 variant of the new Acura NSX. Along with the debut of this new model comes Acura’s intent to homologate the model as an FIA GT3 class race car this fall.

As you probably know, this isn’t Acura’s first rodeo, as it has ran campaigns in the 1991 through1993 IMSA Camel Lights championships, the 2009 American LeMans championships – in LMP1 and LMP2 classes – and is currently running a couple of TLX GT cars with Real Time Racing in the Pirelli World Challenge. Should the NSX GT3 pass its current testing with flying colors, it will partake in GT3 racing later this year.

The NSX GT3 was initially developed by Acura’s Japanese race engineering team and has already tested on various circuits in Europe and Japan. The car is now undergoing testing in Santa Clarita, California, under Honda Performance Development – Acura’s North American race engineering group. Art St. Cyr, the president of HPD, said, “The NSX was designed as a pinnacle expression of Acura Precision Crafted Performance, and we’re looking forward to proving out its ultimate performance capabilities in GT3 racing.” He continued, “We’ll be working with the NSX engineering teams in Ohio and Japan to bring our dream of a truly world-class new Acura NSX race car to fruition.”

Given the overall acceptance and fan base of the new Acura NSX, it’s no surprise Acura is so quick to jump on the GT3 wagon. While the NSX GT3 shares a lot of commonalities with the road-going NSX, it also features its own unique differences that make it ready to take on the GT3 class. With that said, let’s take a look at the new NSX GT3 and what it will bring to the race track later this year.

Update 07-30-2016: We’ve created a new video to cover the highlights of the new Acura NSX GT3. Let us know what you think about it in the comments section below.

Continue reading to learn more about the Acura NSX GT3 Race Car.

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Next Lotus Elise to Remain True to its Roots

Lotus has been rolling out all sorts of updates for the Elise recently, but it’s also working on a new iteration of the sports car. Essentially 15 years old as of 2016, the current Elise will get a replacement in 2020. That’s the word from company CEO Jean-Marc Gales, who also revealed that the next-generation model will remain true to its engineering roots.

According to gales, work on the redesigned roadster has already begun as Lotus is developing an extruded aluminum chassis around the same technology that debuted in the original Elise S1 back in 1996. The platform underpins all of the company’s cars today, but Gales thinks it can be substantially improved by 2020. This is the key to keeping the new Elise as close as possible to the original, especially when it comes to lightness and handling.

Autocar claims that Lotus aims for a curb weight of 900 kg (1,984 pounds), exactly 175 (386 pounds) more than the original model. Although it may seem like a lot of extra weight for a significantly newer car, we need to keep in mind that the third-gen Elise will have to comply with stricter safety requirements, especially in the United States. On the other hand, a 900-kg third-gen Elise would be lighter than the current Elise Cup 250, which tips the scales at an amazing 921 kg (2,030 pounds).

As far as design goes, the new Elise will remain true to the current styling. Although this means that many of the current features will be carried over, Lotus will redesign enough elements to give the sports car a fresh look. The car could be wider though in order to meet U.S. crash ratings.

Unless Lotus decided to that it’s time for a massive change in the drivetrain department, the next Elise will also feature Toyota-sourced engines and transmissions. We expect the third-gen model to benefit from up to 250 horsepower.

Continue reading for the full story.

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BMW X5 M Typhoon by G-Power

A little over a month ago, BMW tuner extraordinaire G-Power presented a new engine upgrade for the BMW X5 M. It was noticeably missing the “Typhoon” moniker since it lacked any of the visual upgrades that the name comes from. Well, better late than never, right? Because the new Typhoon kit for the high-performance luxury SUV has arrived and it packs the same amount of power upgrades – 750 horsepower and 723 pound-feet of torque – as the the previous kit to go along with an extensive body kit.

The cosmetic upgrades are the big difference here and they make a ridiculous difference in both the X5 M’s stance and appearance. It also makes for a lighter SUV, which should pay dividends when the vehicle is blowing through the highways of the world. I’m holding off on calling it a visual upgrade because not everybody may find it appetizing to the eyes. But for those who appreciate a jacked-looking BMW X5 M with matching performance credentials, this new Typhoon kit is a feast for the senses.

Be prepared to spend, though, because G-Power’s programs don’t come cheap. That’s especially true for the Typhoon program because the wide body kit alone will cost you the equivalent of a hot hatchback

Continue after the jump to read the full story.

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All-Electric Corvette Races To New Electric Land Speed Record

The Genovation GXE all-electric Chevrolet Corvette made headlines in February 2016 when it set the top speed record for a street legal electric car when it shot to a top speed of 186.6 mph on the tarmac of the NASA Shuttle Landing Facility at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Impressive, right? Well, in a space of just five months, the Genovation EV Corvette laid waste to its “old” record by blasting to a top speed of 205.6 mph.

It’s only fitting that Genovation Cars took this quick to obliterate its own record. After all, the Maryland-based company promised back in February that more speed runs were planned in the future. It didn’t say when and where it was planning to do these runs, but as it turned out, it returned to the scene of its previous record-breaking run – the Kennedy Space Center – to tack on another 20 mph to its world record.

For those who may need a refresher on the record-breaking EV Corvette Z06, Genovation Cars achieved its incredible performance capabilities by ditching the sports car’s original 7.0-liter V-8 mill in favor of a a 44 kWh battery and a pair of electric motors. The result is an output of 600 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, which adds up to an extra 95 horsepower compared to the V-8’s output of 505 horses and 470 pound-feet of twist. The production C6 Corvette Z06 was capable of hitting a top speed of 198 mph so it’s impressive to see that an electrified version of the same car was able to to break the 200-mph barrier on its way to posting a supercar-like – and record-breaking – 205.6 mph.

Those who may be interested in owning a Genovation GXE should probably keep tabs on any announcements coming from Genovation Cars. In addition to its plan of making even more speed runs in the future, the company is also planning to bring the model to market in limited production. Unless something unforeseen happens, the company expects to begin taking pre-orders for the car in the next few months.

Continue after the jump to read the full story.

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2018 Mercedes Benz G-Class

The Geländewagen, otherwise known as the G-Class or G-Wagen, has been around for nearly 40 years. It’s served in Germany’s military forces, traversed terrible terrain all across the world, and even conquered the sophisticated streets of Rodeo Drive in California. Yep, the G-Wagen has been everything from an army grunt’s get-around to the go-to vehicle of the rich and famous.

Even AMG has its versions of the high-riding SUV, including the insanely powerful G65 AMG with its twin-turbocharged V-12 and the ridiculously large G65 AMG 6x6 with its three Portal axles and pickup bed.

Now it seems Mercedes might finally be giving the iconic G-Wagen a full makeover. And not just new body panels or an updated steering wheel. No, this appears to be a full-on generational change with new parts from the ground up. These spy photos show the SUV looking wider and longer than its current version, suggesting all-new underpinnings.

Let’s dive in and see what Mercedes is up to.

Continue reading for more information.

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Mercedes SLS AMG By RK Tuning

It has been two years since Mercedes stopped production for the SLS AMG. It doesn’t seem that long ago, but with the arrival of the AMG GTand its more powerful brothers, the AMG GT S and the AMG GT R, the SLS AMG has ascended into its rightful place as a modern-day classic. That status will live on for a long time and it’s a big reason why there are still tuners out there who are still building programs for the departed supercar. One of these tuners is RFK Tuning, which went out of its way to build a tuning kit that provided upgrades to various sections of the car, including the 6.3-liter V-8 engine that now puts out 605 horsepower and 498 pound-feet of torque.

The tuner put in a lot of work on this program, even going so far as to dress the SLS AMG up in a fancy body wrap. It also took out the supercar’s standard wheels and fitted a newer and admittedly fancier set. But the engine upgrade is the real treat here, not because of the modest power gains, but because RFK somehow managed to bring the car’s top speed north of 200 mph.

It’s not a mind-blowing program, but it is a nice one that should fit seamlessly into the SLS AMG’s flamboyant character. Even if it’s been two years since the Mercedes supercar was last seen in dealerships, it’s nice to know that there are still tuners like RFK Tuning that are willing to work on giving it the kind of aftermarket love it so richly deserves.

Continue after the jump to read the full review.

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Audi R8 Spyder

Launched in 2007, the first-generation Audi R8 was so successful that the German brand decided to keep it around for no fewer than eight model years. The Spyder, on the other hand, is a bit younger than that, having been unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show for the 2010 model year.

At first only available with the 5.2-liter V-10, the convertible also received the 4.2-liter V-8 for 2011, and a limited-edition GT model for 2012. With the second-generation R8 already in dealerships, Audi introduced the redesigned Spyder version at the 2016 New York Auto Show.

Much like its predecessor, the second-generation R8 Spyder is essentially a topless version of the R8 Coupe,using a soft-top instead of metal roof. Specs are obviously identical, meaning there’s no longer a V-8 engine and a manual transmission. Audi has yet to confirm whether the R8 Spyder will also get an e-tron version, but an all-electric drop-top is very likely to arrive by the end of 2016.

Audi’s new angular design works well with the R8 Spyder’s convertible layout and the performance is definitely strong, but does it have what it takes to compete against the bonkers Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet and McLaren’s upcoming 570S Spider? Keep reading to find out.

Update 7-29-2016: Audi has announced that the R8 Spyder will be priced from £129,990 (including destination fees) in the U.K. That translates to nearly $172,000 at current exchange rates. Check out the details as well as the options available in the Prices section below.

Continue reading for the full review.

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Mercedes-Benz E-Class All Terrain

The fifth-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class, also known as the W213, was unveiled at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show and went on sale for the 2017 model year. A significant departure from its predecessor, it uses a brand-new architecture and styling language based off the S-Class full-size sedan. More comfortable and efficient than ever before, the new E-Class also debuted a handful of new Mercedes-Benz technologies, including a semi-autonomous system. The sedan was followed by a beefed-up AMG version and a wagon variant. Two-door coupe and cabriolet models are also set to follow.

When Mercedes-Benz called 2016 "the year of the SUV" and announced a further expansion of its already large collection of SUVs and crossovers by 2020, most people expected more niche models like the upcoming Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe or the Mercedes-Maybach GLS. As it turns out, Mercedes-Benz was considering competitors for the Audi A4 and A6 Allroad as well. The news initially came straight from Mercedes-Benz vice president of sales and product managements, Matthias Luehrs, who told the Aussies from Drive that "We are looking at everything. [...] We are studying this at the moment but it’s not confirmed. We are looking obviously at E-Class and C-Class."

What was just a possibility in 2015 became certainty in July 2016, when a leaked business plan confirmed that Mercedes-Benz is planning to launch a rival for the Audi A6 Allroad.

Dubbed E-Class All Terrain in the leaked document, the new vehicle follows in the footsteps of Audi’s midsize Allroad model, blending the styling of the utilitarian, yet still sexy E-Class wagon with the taller ride height and cladding of a crossover. According to the company’s business plan, the All Terrain will hit public roads in 2017, which means it could be unveiled by the end of 2016. That may seem unlikely since we have yet to see actual prototypes on the road, but it’s not unlikely for its development to happen away from our paparazzi’s curious eyes.

Until we find out more about it, we put together a speculative piece with details about what this E-Class wagon on stilts might bring to the table. Stick around for updates.

Continue reading for the full story.

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Is Ford Already Working on a Special Edition Ford GT?

Despite all the work that engineers put into designing the new Ford GT, not even Ford was prepared for the insane attention the car has gotten since its debut. In fact, the car spawned so much interest that Ford application system was practically overwhelmed with people everywhere wanting to get their hands on the best thing Ford has created in a long, long time (save of the Focus RS, of course.) Needless to say, we already know just about everything there is about the GT – aside from how it actually drives, since Ford has yet to send us one (hint, hint.)

That being the case, can someone please explain to me why a Ford GT rocking swirly camo was caught just cruising down a Michigan Interstate near Detroit? To be honest, it could be any number of reasons, but it’s clearly not in “finalized” form. Check out all the random carbon fiber, and what is with those extra-long exhaust pipes? I don’t recall hearing any rumors of some one-off edition or any other variant of the GT, so what is this guy doing driving one?

I honestly wish I could tell you for certain. I contacted Ford’s PR department for information but have yet to hear a response. That tells me one thing. Either someone is playing a cruel joke, or Ford is up to some kind of secret mission. Either way, it’s sure to turn up some interesting news eventually.

Keep reading for the rest of the story

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McLaren 650S GT3 to get Special Livery for 2016 24 Hours of Spa

One of the three examples of the McLaren 650S GT3 that will race at this years 24 Hours of Spa will wear a special livery, the British firm announced today. The car run by customer team Garage 59 will wear a unique paint job based on the original logo that adorned the early race cars of the Bruce McLaren Motor Racing team.

Created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the last competitive outing for the original squad with Bruce McLaren himself at the wheel, the livery features the distinctive red, white, and green paint job seen on early 1960s cars. Designed by British illustrator Michael Turner, it was also the first to feature the famous "Speedy Kiwi." The latter will also be present on the 650S GT3’s roof.

The iconic badge was also featured on the 1965 McLaren M2A single-seater prototype and a number of Group 7 sports cars. The most famous of the cars which ran the "Speedy Kiwi was the McLaren M1A, which scored the first podium for the team on its debut at the Canadian circuit Mosport in September 1964.

The special 650S GT3, which will wear No. 60 and make a one-off appearance at Spa, will be driven by Bruno Senna, Luis Felipe Derani, and Duncan Tappy. Garage 59 is the leader of the Team’s Championship in the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup with two wins from the first three events of the 2016 season.

The 2016 24 Hours of Spa is set to begin at 16.30 CST, Saturday, July 30.

Keep reading for the rest of the story.

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BMW Pickup

News recently surfaced of BMW Australia’s Managing Director, Marc Werner, saying, “never say never” in regards to BMW’s entry into the pickup segment. As we reported, this is far from an official commitment by BMW, but it certainly creates opportunity for the automaker to expand its market reach.

And what’s more, archrival Mercedes-Benz is preparing its first-ever pickup while newcomer Tesla has an all-electric pickup on the drawing board. Furthermore, GMC has its Canyon Denali headed for dealers in 2017, so it seems the premium midsize pickup segment is about to explode.

So we at TopSpeed decided to run with the idea of a BMW pickup truck. This rendering shows a midsize pickup based on the X5 platform. Like the Honda Ridgeline, it would use a reinforced unibody chassis designed to handle extra hauling and towing duties, while still maintaining a crossover-like ride. And with it being a BMW, the truck would surely handle well for a pickup. Could this be the “Ultimate Driving (and hauling) Machine?”

Let’s see.

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Skoda is Filing Trademarks in the U.S. like They're Going out of Style

Almost two months ago we brought you news that Czech automaker and member of VW group, Skoda, had filed trademarks for the Superb, Octavia, and Yeti – three of Skoda’s best-selling models. Then, Skoda filed for the use of the name “Skoda H-Tec,” adding even more fuel to the fire. Now, Skoda is at it again, this time filing a trademark application for “VRS” – a badge that is reserved for the performance variant of the Octavia.

This being the case, it seems almost unlikely that Skoda isn’t coming to the U.S. at some point in the future. Sure, the brand could just be protecting the names the use in other markets, but there’s probably something more to it. Think about this for a minute. Skoda hasn’t sold a vehicle in the U.S. since the 1960s. Now, here we are in 2016, and the trademarks with Skoda’s name on them are piling up fast. On top of that, Skoda is the best-selling brand globally under Volkswagen’s umbrella with the exception of Porsche and Audi. In June, the brand sold nearly 100,000 models and, for the first half of 2016, that brand set a company record with just over 569,000 examples sold.

Obviously, Skoda is doing pretty well these days, and the U.S. market could certainly increase its revenue even further. Plus, this could be a strategic move by VAG. Keep reading to hear my thoughts on that.

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Tesla Autopilot Could be at Fault for Fatal Crash After All

Tesla’s launched it’s brand-new Autopilot system with much fanfare, but the advanced system is causing the American company a great deal of trouble. Elon Musk’s firm is not only dealing with three crashes in only a couple of months, but also a fatality that occured in May after a Model S collided with an 18-wheeler semi. The case has been under investigation for quite some time and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued its preliminary report into the crash. The agency claims that the car was speeding while using the Autopilot function.

According to system data downloaded from the Model S, the sedan was going 74 mph in a 65 mph zone while on Autopilot. This is interesting to say the least, as the system is supposed to prevent the car from speeding. On the other hand, the NTSB’s preliminary report didn’t provide any information on why the collision occurred or why the automatic emergency braking didn’t apply the car’s brakes to avoid the collision.

Granted, this is a preliminary report and a final verdict is far from being released, but the fact that the vehicle was speeding while in Autopilot pilot contradicts Tesla’s initial claims that it was the driver’s fault. Aside from the fact that the company openly admitted that the autonomous system didn’t "see" the truck.

As a brief reminder, the accident occurred when a semi truck drove across the highway perpendicular to the oncoming Model S, which struck and passed underneath the trailer. The sedan collided with a utility pole after coasting for some 300 feet before coming to a complete stop. A team of five investigators conducted the on-scene investigation and is still collecting data from the vehicle to further analyze the crash.

Continue readying for the full story.

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Hyundai Announces "Project IONIQ" Lab and 12 Future Megatrends

These days, it seems like everyone is gazing into their crystal ball to try and sort out what the car industry will look like in the not-so-distant future. Hyundai is certainly no exception, but rather than churning out some rendering or one-off concept, the Korean automaker has announced the creation of Project IONIQ Lab, a collection of top academics tasked with exploring the future of mobility. Hyundai first announced Project IONIQ at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, framing it as a long-term R&D venture to help the brand innovate and generate new technologies, and now, Project IONIQ’s recently revealed Lab division has disclosed 12 “megatrends” that have the potential to transform the car industry in the next 15 years.

The Project IONIQ Lab is made up of 20 researchers and consultant experts, and is led by Dr. Soon Jong Lee, professor at the Seoul National University and head of the Future Design & Research Institute.

The Lab will focus its efforts in four primary areas: “freedom to use mobility whenever and wherever,” “freedom to connect to everyday life while on the move,” “freedom from accidents and inconveniences,” and “freedom from environmental pollution and energy exhaustion.”

So then – what exactly are these 12 megatrends, but what do they have to do with cars? We’ll give you the rundown on each, plus our take on what they really mean.

Continue reading for the full story.

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BMW 4 Series Convertible

The BMW 4 Series made its global debut in 2013, right after the German brand decided to split the two- and four-door version of the 3 Series under different nameplates. While the 3 Series kept the sedan body style, the coupe and convertible were rebadged as 4 Series models. Despite the different name, the 3 Series and 4 Series shared everything from platform and drivetrains to exterior design and interior features. A convertible version of the 4 Series followed later in 2013, while M4 variants of both body styles were launched in 2014.

After some three years on the market, the 4 Series Convertible is getting its first mid-cycle update. Spotted on public roads shorty after the 4 Series Coupe and M4 Coupe were taken out for a spin, the drop-top appears to be in for similar upgrades styling-wise. Much like any BMW facelift, changes are limited to certain exterior features, but more updates are expected to occur inside the cabin and under the hood.

Look for the revised convertible to make its public debut by the end of 2016 and go on sale for the 2017 model year. Until that happens, let’s have a closer look at the spy shots in our speculative review below.

Continue reading to learn more about the BMW 4 Series Convertible.

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New Leak Provides More Info About The Mid-Engined Corvette Zora

A new leak from Katech, General Motors’ racing partner, suggests that the long-rumored, mid-engined Chevrolet Corvette Zora is indeed underway. According to numerous sources on the Interwebz, Katech’s website had a section dedicated to the "C8 Corvette ZR1/Zora LT5". We say "had" because the company has since removed the page. Fortunately enough, the folks over at Corvette Forum were quick enough to take a screen shot of what could be the best confirmation to date about the first even mid-engined Corvette.

The web page didn’t provide much information, but it did say that a "C8 Corvette ZR1/Zora" is "in development." Also, it provided information as to when it might arrive, saying it’s a "2018+" model year. The section also included a photo showing a sharp, aggressive nose with a wide grille, angular headlamps, and a massive bulge and V-shaped vent built into the front hood. On the other hand, this image isn’t exactly new, having been unveiled in early 2015, when a film crew for the Velocity show “Americarna” visited a General Motors design studio to document how concept cars become reality.

The removed page also provides additional hints about Chevy’s strategy for the upcoming car. Based on the name listed by Katech, the super Corvette will be offered in two versions. A "base" ZR1 and a higher-performance Zora trim. Also, the "LT5" refers to the engine that will motivate the sports car. GM previously used the "LT5" denomination for the engine in the C4-generation Corvette ZR-1, but it’s not unlikely for the name to return in the future.

Can we take this as official confirmation of the C8’s development? Not exactly, but the fact that GM’s racing partner had a page about the long-rumored Corvette adds credence to rumors that Chevrolet is already working on a mid-engined Corvette.

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Volkswagen Gets Initial Approval On $15 Billion Settlement

For almost all automakers, a fine adding up to $14.7 billion would be the equivalent of a death knell. But for the biggest automaker in the world, it’s the first step in putting a debilitating scandal behind it. That’s the position Volkswagen AG finds itself in after a federal judge granted preliminary approval for the German automaker to begin putting its billion-dollar settlement to action.

U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer gave his initial approval of the deal, allowing Volkswagen to begin the initial process of settling all the claims levied against it. According to a VW attorney, the automaker plans to hire as many as 300 people to oversee the processing of the settlement claims. In turn, 40 employees from Volkswagen Group of America would oversee the proceedings.

The settlement covers a wide range of items that were laid out in June 2016 in a joint announcement made by Volkswagen and the Environmental Protection Agency. In total, owners of around 475,000 diesel-powered vehicles are likely to be part of the settlement. Depending on their specific situations, the owners have the option of either selling back their cars, have them repaired by the company to make them compliant with U.S. emissions standards, or have their leases terminated at no cost to them. Owners will also be paid additional compensation amounting from $5,100 to $10,000 regardless of what option they take. In addition to the settlements, Volkswagen is also required to spend $4.7 billion in investments towards green vehicle technology.

Despite the initial approval granted by Judge Breyer, the settlement is still subject to final court approval, which could happen as early as October 18, 2016. Once that is granted, the settlement proceedings are expected to follow shortly. Owners affected by the emissions scandal will be notified of the options available to them through various means, including traditional mail, emails, website and media advertisements, and a hotline.

Continue after the jump to read the full story.

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Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster

The Mercedes-AMG GT was introduced in 2014 as a successor to the SLS AMG. The second sports car developed entirely in-house by AMG, the GT is the first vehicle to wear the "Mercedes-AMG" nomenclature and the first to use the brand-new, twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V-8 engine. Although it replaces the SLS AMG, the AMG GT is actually smaller and aimed at a different market, with the Porsche 911 being its most important competitor.

Now that the coupe has already hit the streets and Mercedes has launched the hotter GT R version, a roadster version is expected to arrive sometime in 2017. Although at some point it was rumored that Mercedes will skip on building an AMG GT Roadster in order to protect its slow-selling SL-Class Roadster, the new spy shots we just received from our paparazzi confirm that a GT Roadster is well underway.

This isn’t surprising though, mostly because Mercedes-AMG developed the GT with the Porsche 911 Turbo in mind. With Stuttgart also offering a drop-top version of its range-topping model, Mercedes is compelled to do the same in order to remain competitive. When the Roadster arrives, count on the same greasy bits to be under the bodywork, including the twin-turbocharged, 4.0-liter V-8. Like the coupe version, the roadster would likely share the two distinct outputs, allowing for model separation and an extra level of prestige for top-tier buyers. But more on that in my speculative review below.

Update 07-28-2016: The Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster was caught testing yet again, and this time we can get a look at it from all angles. Check out the new images below.

Continue reading to learn more about the Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster.

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Bugatti Exec Shoots Down Possibility Of A Chiron Roadster

The Bugatti Chiron may one day break all the records that its predecessor, the Bugatti Veyron, set on its way to becoming the world’s fastest production car, but there is one thing that the Veyron had that the Chiron is apparently not getting: a roadster or convertible version.

The bombshell was dropped by Bugatti’s sales and marketing boss Dr. Stefan Brungs in a conversation with Autocar at the opening of the automaker’s first and only showroom in the U.K. Brungs didn’t shoot down the possibility that the Chiron will get different variants, but none of these prospective versions will be configured as either a roadster or a convertible. For now, the company’s focus is to sell 500 models of the Chiron before discussing the model’s expansion opportunities. To date, Bugatti already has more than 200 orders for its new supercar with 15 alone coming from the U.K.

Brungs also took the time to confirm that the Chiron is already being prepared to make a run at the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport’s world record top speed of 268 mph. Very little details were given as far as the preparations are concerned, but a previous report indicated that once the Chiron is fully up to speed and Bugatti is confident of what it can offer, the world record attempt will happen sometime in the next few years.

Continue after the jump to read the full story.

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

The third-generation A-Class has been around for only four years as of 2016, but Mercedes-Benz is already working on a brand-new model. That’s not exactly surprising though, as the Germans are looking to replace each model after a six-year cycle in the future. This means that a new A-Class should arrive for the 2018 model year, and you shouldn’t be surprised that the Stuttgart-based company is already testing the fourth-generation model on public roads.

Spotted stretching its wheels somewhere in Southern Europe, the upcoming compact appears to be in its early testing phase based on the heavy amount of camouflage covering its body. And even though some elements are far from finalized, the prototype provides quite a few hints about the changes Mercedes-Benz made to the hatchback.

The interesting thing about the upcoming A-Class, aside from the usual upgrades involving sportier looks, a refined, roomier interior, and more powerful and efficient engines, is that Mercedes is rumored to be considering two body styles. The five-door hatch could be joined by a four-door sedan, but this information has yet to be confirmed and word has it could be a China-model only.

We should find out more about that in due time, including specific details about a public debut. The fourth-gen A-Class is expected to break cover at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, but we’ll be back to update this date as soon as we get confirmation. Meanwhile, have a look at our speculative review for more info on the new compact.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

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Scheduled Factory Shutdown Has Again Delayed Deliveries Of This Popular Hot Hatch

At this point, everyone seems to be on board with the belief that Ford struck gold with the Focus RS. The hot hatch is so in demand that Ford has had to delay deliveries or cancel orders altogether just so the hot hatch’s production can keep up with the demand for the car. The most recent development apparently involves Ford having to delay a number of orders for the 2016 Focus RS because the firm’s production facility in German couldn’t keep up with the demand before its scheduled summer factory maintenance shutdown.

According to The Truth About Cars, roughly 220 orders of the 2016 Focus RS have been cancelled and would be moved into the 2017MY with priorities being placed on those who would have to wait a little longer to get their hands on the hot hatch. It’s also interesting to note that a Los Angeles-based dealership that had three of its pending Focus RS orders cancelled were told that the delay in production was tied into issues in Europe that included the company’s plant in Germany, which isn’t scheduled to reopen until August 25, 2016.

A lot of people, specifically those who had their orders cancelled or delayed, are understandably peeved at having to wait longer to take delivery of their cars. That’s the downside of this delay. The silver lining is the hot hatch’s incredible popularity and the staggering public demand for the car is a sign that Ford did something right with the Focus RS. If for nothing else, the Blue Oval can take comfort knowing that the delay is happening largely because there are too many people who want to buy the Focus RS and there’s just not enough space and resources to accommodate them in time for a summer release.

Only time will tell if this delay stretches out longer than anticipated.

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