Autooonline Magazine

2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 6 May 2015 22:57:00 +0200

Could this really be the refreshed 2016 Mercedes-Benz A-Class that's scheduled to be revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September?

The crew over at the Mercedes-Fans website who shared this photo certainly think so and if there's no Photoshop-foolery going on, they could be right.

Cosmetically, besides the green body paint that we haven't seen before, the front has been tweaked with new headlamp fixtures and revised grille and bumper designs.

From previous spy shots, we know that the mid-cycle facelift will update the interior with a new twin-dial instrument binnacle similar to the GLA, a different steering wheel and controls for the upgraded infotainment system.

Some minor improvements to the regular engine range are also expected, while there have been rumors about AMG tweaking the A45's 2.0-liter turbocharged four to deliver over 370-horsepower.

Photo via Mercedes-Fans, H/T to Fernando!

All-New Audi Q7

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 5 May 2015 22:05:00 +0200

Even though the all-new Audi Q7 hasn't really become a hit with car enthusiasts around the world, it's still a very solid and innovative SUV that's sure to impress you once you start driving it.

The new Q7 has been working out. Or better yet, has been dieting while working out, and so it has dropped 325 kg (716 lbs), tipping the scales at just 1,995 kg (4,398 lbs) - which actually makes it a lighter car than the BMW X5.

Then you've got all the gizmos and gadgets on board such as Audi's new 12.3" TFT instrument display, latest generation MMI infotainment system, Audi-branded tablets for passengers sitting behind you and so on.

It is an impressive car, especially when looking at the e-tron version. Still, some people just can't get over the fact that it doesn't look at good as most of us were expecting.

Having said that, Audi Forum Neckarsulm thought to put this particular Florett Silver Q7 on display until May 16. It's packing a 3.0 TDI turbo-diesel engine, which has 272 HP and 600 Nm (442 lb-ft) of torque - good enough to get you from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.3 seconds.

That's more power and better performance than you get from a BMW X5 xDrive30d, which also happens to weigh almost 100 kg (220 lbs) more.

Overall, we don't mind the how this particular S-line model looks. We like the color, it's typical Audi. We also like the 21" '5-arm turbine' design wheels, but let's keep in mind that the Q7 has never wanted to be the one that puts the "Sports" in "Sports Utility Vehicle". It's a proper family SUV that doesn't try to be something it's not. Or at least that's one way to make up an excuse for the way it looks.

Plus, we're fine with letting BMW and Porsche have their way in trying to out-duel each other in this segment.

Iran Wants To Build F1 Circuit On Qeshm Island

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 5 May 2015 21:54:00 +0200

The Middle East has become a most welcoming motorsport destination for both Formula 1 teams as well as their fans. Now, Iran is looking to add their name to the calendar.

Even though Iran's Cultural Heritage VP Masoud Soltanifar thinks Formula 1 racing has a "great future" in Iran, building a track on Qeshm Island and getting Bernie Ecclestone to sign off it isn't as simple as it sounds.

On the flip side, the location could be quite spectacular as it's situated in the Strait of Hormuz, only a few kilometers from Dubai. But with a stacked calendar for 2016 (at least), odds are they'll have to wait and hope they come up with a solid bid.

As Soltanifar added while being quoted by the Islamic Republic News Agency, "It has the potential to become one of the world's most beautiful destinations." Can't argue with that, especially since Iran's climate is exceptionally good for F1 racing due to its long hot summers and short cool winters.

At the moment, there are quite a few other nations trying to bring Formula 1 to their shores, such as Qatar (they already host MotoGP races), and of course there are rumors of a second Grand Prix in the U.S. It's a tough business.

Story references: planetf1

Note: Track image shows a Lotus E23 Hybrid racing in Bahrain

Mercedes-Benz C400 by Lorinser

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 5 May 2015 21:48:00 +0200

Owning a Mercedes-Benz C400 4MATIC is probably not the worst thing in the world. If you know how to configure it properly, you might end up with the best looking car in its class. But what if you could do more?

"Doing more" is exactly what the people over at Lorinser had in mind when they took a stock 333 HP Mercedes C400 and made it not just faster, but also better looking - not the easiest thing in the world when dealing with an already beautiful design.

Feel free to stare at the sporty front fascia and redesigned rear bumper, the four-tailpipe sports exhaust system, blacked out grille and 5-spoke alloys. This C400 looks exceptional. Clearly better than an AMG Line version and perhaps even better than the AMG C63.

When a C400 leaves the factory, it comes with 333 HP and 480 Nm (354 lb-ft) of torque, and that's enough to get you from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5.2 seconds. Not bad you say?

Lorinser went and gave it 55 extra HP plus another 100 Nm (73 lb-ft) of torque so that it would stand at 383 HP and 580 Nm (427 lb-ft) with all said and done.

Enough to make this a late 4 second car? Perhaps. Yet, from a looks perspective, we could think of one thing that would stop us from wanting to own one, and it's this guy right here.

story references: inautonews

2017 Volkswagen CC

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 5 May 2015 11:09:00 +0200

If you had to come up with a study for a next-gen VW CC right now, what a better place to start than the German brand's recent Sport Coupe concept?

The Geneva Motor Show concept might be a little bit too futuristic for a direct replacement, but photoshop-erRemco Meulendijk took care of that with his render that re-details the Sport Coupe to bring it closer to a production CC.

Volkswagen being…Volkswagen when it comes to designs and production reality, this speculative render could actually be very close to what the Germans are preparing for the second generation CC that will share its MQB architecture and powerplants with the roomier but less fancy looking (European) Passat.

VW had previously said that it will release the next CC sometime in 2016.

Renderings courtesy of Design.RM

Mitsubishi Concept XR PHEV II

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 5 May 2015 11:02:00 +0200

Will there be a next Mitsubishi Evo? According to Mitsubishi president Tetsuro Aikawa, the Japanese automaker has plans to create an all-new high performance vehicle. However, the exec also hints that the Evo successor will deliver a very radical departure from its current form.

“In the future, we would like to launch such a vehicle with Evo characteristics. In Japanese, when you pronounce ‘Oh’ [in Evo], it means ‘king,’" explained Aikawa to Autocar. "So we would like to launch this type of car, featuring EV and PHEV technology, which is the ultimate of its kind. ‘EV’ for electric vehicle, ‘O’ for king - Evo.”

According to reports, the upcoming Mitsubishi EVO will be based on the next-generation ASX crossover and, as the EV in EVO suggests, will feature a high-performance version of Mitsubishi's PHEV power unit. The next-gen Mitsubishi ASV was previewed at the Geneva Motor Show as the XR-PHEV II concept. The concept also featured a plug-in hybrid gas-electric unit that is expected to produce 160 bhp. No doubt, the powerplant will produce significantly larger numbers for the EVO.

“It has to be light and fast - something performance-oriented. That’s what we want,” explained Aikawa. The next generation EVO will also adopt several lessons that Mitsubishi has learned from its years of competition at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb including the recent Mitsubishi i-MiEV racing car.

Stay tuned as we learn more.

2017 Ford Taurus RS

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 4 May 2015 15:21:00 +0200

It’s safe to say that the recently-revealed all-new Ford Taurus will not be scrutinized by the folks at Ford Performance for a possible RS version.

In this form (we still don't know about the US model), the Taurus is a full-size sedan designed for the Chinese market, where rear legroom, comfort and luxury are all that matter. But if you wonder what a Ford Taurus RS would look like, then you’re in the right place.

Photoshop manipulator X-Tomi has done this exercise and virtually transformed the big sedan into a big sports sedan.

The grille has been turned into a massive air intake for the engine, while the aggressive-looking bumper features an equally big air intake as well. Big black alloy wheels were also added, as was a massive rear wing. While a Ford Taurus RS would look good (based on this rendering), it’s unlikely to happen. Still, Ford will offer aTaurus SHO model in the US, which should provide enough thrills for buyers of the big sedan.

Rendering courtesy of X-Tomi Design

Aston Martin Confirms Production of First Crossover Model

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 4 May 2015 15:11:00 +0200

No, don’t adjust your computer screens, yes, Aston Martin Lagonda has confirmed it will be putting the DBX into series production. The automaker will be expanding its Gaydon production operation (or build an entirely new factory in the US) with a £200- / $300- million investment and seems to have big plans for the future.

Half of that money has already reached the automaker, while the other half will be injected into its accounts over the coming 12 months.

Aston Martin Lagonda CEO, Andy Palmer, said “this additional long-term funding, will enable us to add extra model lines and broaden our presence in the luxury market segment by the end of the decade. The DBX concept, has generated interest far beyond our expectations. The additional investment announced today will allow us to realise the DBX and other new luxury vehicles that will form the strongest and most diverse portfolio in our history”.

He adds that their “shareholders have shown their strong commitment and confidence in the management team to execute the strategic plan.”

We don’t know the specific details (when it’s going to be launched) but we assume it will roughly be a two year wait. Hopefully, it will have an AMG engine under the hood...

2016 Mazda CX-3

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 4 May 2015 14:52:00 +0200

The 2016 Mazda CX-3 will go on sale this fall in the US with a single engine option and pricing that will start “in the low $20,000s.”

The small crossover will be offered with the 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G gasoline engine rated at 146hp at 6,000 rpm and 146lb-ft (198Nm) of peak torque available from 2,800 rpm. The engine will be offered exclusively with a six-speed automatic transmission. EPA-estimated fuel economy is not yet certified, but Mazda engineers anticipate it to achieve fuel economy “at the top of its class.”

The 2016 CX-3 will be available with Mazda’s predictive i-ACTIV all-wheel drive system and the i-ACTIVSENSE safety features, including lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, Smart Brake Support, rear camera, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) and Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC).

A standard feature for all models is the Mazda Connect infotainment system which includes Bluetooth phone pairing, audio streaming, USB ports for phone charging and entertainment connectivity and Commander control knob, as well as a 7-inch color touchscreen interface.

The crossover will be available with three trim levels (Sport, Touring and Grand Touring). Standard equipment for the Sport will include 16-inch steel wheels, premium cloth seats with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench seat, Bluetooth hands-free phone pairing and audio streaming, push-button start, AM/FM/CD player, USB input, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, air conditioning, power windows and door locks and keyless entry.

The Touring model will add 16-inch alloy wheels, a six-speaker audio system, heated exterior mirrors, mirror-mounted turn signal lamps and center armrest.

The range-topping Grand Touring will come with standard 18-inch alloy wheels, power moonroof, leather/Lux Suede seats, LED headlights, adaptive front lighting, LED fog lights, LED daytime running lamps, navigation system, BOSE premium audio system with seven speakers, SiriusXM/HD radio, automatic climate control, Active Driving Display, paddle shifters, driver and front passenger seat heaters and rear cargo cover.

Audi R8 Giving Birth To RS3 Sportback

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 4 May 2015 14:39:00 +0200

It's not that we don't love the RS3, we do; it's just that, watching an R8 "give birth" to it in such an explicit way is really weird. Hard to believe somebody actually came up with this during a board meeting.

What we have here is basically a facelifted first generation Audi R8, struggling to give birth (slowly) to what is, at first, a gooey red RS3.

Again, we like the RS3, we even showed you a great looking Nardo Grey one yesterday, but this was more about recreating a scene from Aliens, than it was about showcasing it's 0-100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration time or 367 HP power output.

Obviously we understand what Audi meant to do when they came up with this, we get the general idea, but maybe they should have tried to make it less creepy. How about going all Transformers-like and create the RS3 out of the R8's engine or something like that? Just anything that doesn't involve turning our stomachs.

The one thing we do appreciate is the visuals...technically speaking. Audi did a great job bringing all this to life - no pun intended.

Though next time, we hope they come up with something different. And for a fun couple of minutes, feel free to browse through the video's comment section.

Lamborghini Urus

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 2 May 2015 15:45:00 +0200

According to Lamborghini boss Stephan Winkelmann, if the Raging Bull is to add another model to what is right now just a two-car line-up, it will definitely be an SUV.

In a recent interview, Winkelmann told Autoblog.com that "We are working on it, but there is no decision taken. If we do a third model, then it's better to have the SUV as this is a growing segment, a more emotional segment, a segment which is very well-distributed in terms of volume all over the planet, and therefore this is a car which is more likely."

Naturally, this wouldn't be the first time Lamborghini has produced an SUV - remember the LM002? So it would be a little unfair to accuse them of venturing into uncharted waters.

We'd love for them to use the design of the Urus Concept for the production model as well. And by that we mean that we'd rather they not change the looks and make it less aggressive visually. If they can improve on it then by all means, improve away Lambo!

A Lamborghini SUV would also target supercar owners that also own sports utility vehicles, such as the Porsche Cayenne.

However, perhaps even more interesting was seeing Winkelmann bring up hybridization in his interview by saying that, "Due to packaging, due to the weight of the entire vehicle, it's more likely that the hybridization is getting in place. It's less a car which is about absolute performance. So this could be an opportunity."

This would certainly be one way to remind people that the Asterion concept they brought to Paris in 2014 wasn't just to showcase what they can do, but also what they will do.

2017 VW Scirocco

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 2 May 2015 15:37:00 +0200

There have been a number of speculative renderings of the next-generation VW Scirocco, but none of them was really convincing enough.

It’s a different case with this latest attempt from Theophilus Chin, who used as a basis the silhouette of the Audi Sport Quattro Concept, then garnished it with design elements seen on the VW Sport Coupe GTE study.

The result is quite interesting, to say the least. There have been reports that the next-generation VW Scirocco will ditch the shooting brake shape for a proper coupe body style, and Chin’s renderings do take that into account.

I for one wouldn’t mind at all if the Scirocco replacement looked like this. Even if it changes its name to Corrado, as Chin suggests.

Renderings via Theophilus Chin

Mercedes-Benz SL400

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 11:59:00 +0200

When the words 'Mercedes-Benz SL' come out of your mouth, there are a few things you need to be aware of before you go on any further.

First of all, this car is legendary, having been born 60 years ago as the famous 300SL. So if you'd like to have high expectations when it comes to it, be my guest. Second of all, and more important, you need to be aware that this is one of the most versatile luxury Roadsters ever made.

The Mercedes-Benz SL is a lot like a luxury watch brand. Not everyone can afford it, but there are plenty of different models to choose from, be it elegant, sporty, stylish and so on. You're spoiled for choice.

Such is the way with the SL line-up. It's available in 4 different versions, each of them able to directly challenge specific versions of pretty much any other luxury convertible in the world.

Of course, there are the top dogs, the SL 63 and SL 65 AMG, where both of them can knock on the door of anyFerrari California, BMW M6 Cabrio, Jaguar XKR Convertible, Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabrio, Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster and Vanquish Volante and so on. Those two are basically as good as any SL Merc can get.

However, the one I've been driving is the entry-level SL 400 - a car that can only go against the likes of the BMW 640i Cabrio, Porsche 911 Carrera Cabrio, Jaguar XK Convertible and Maserati GranCabrio. Normally, all these cars would have been SL 500 rivals, but Mercedes went and got rid of the old SL 350 and the much faster SL 400was born.

Thanks to its twin turbocharged V6 engine, this car is a lot faster and more efficient than the older naturally aspirated V6, but we'll get into all of that a bit further on.

The Looks

Let's start this chapter by talking about how the SL looks, in general, not necessarily this car right here. I think it's fantastic. I had a hard time deciding whether or not I thought it looked more sporty than elegant or vice-versa, but the SL will never make you compromise in such a way. That was true with the old generation model as well.

In comparison, a BMW 6 Series Cabrio is almost entirely an elegant car, as it doesn't look like a sporty roadster. Not even a little bit. And so it's hard not to stare at an SL Merc. It's long, wide and it just looks like it sticks to the road.

Oh, by the way, don't even think about parking anywhere where you have to drive up or down any sort of high angled ramp. The spoiler will touch the cement and you'll sweat it out until you can pull over to check it out. Take it from me.

As for the front of the car, I love the somewhat retro grille, it works great with the big headlights and the ultra aggressive hood. And those "claws" on the hood have an awesome effect on you while you're driving. You feel fast, as you should in such a car.

The somewhat modern-classic look of the SL can be found at the rear as well, where you have these elegant taillights. But the elegant look may not be to everyone's liking. The 19" AMG wheels were awesome too, with Pirelli P-Zero rubber wrapped around them.

The days I spent with this car were very revealing. I realized that there aren't many other convertibles out there that look this sporty and that don't cost way over €100,000. The BMW 640i Cabrio is just a convertible saloon. Actually all the cars I mentioned as direct SL 400 rivals are luxury GTs - except for the 911 Carrera Cabrio, definitely the most agile of the group.

The Feel

The interior of the Mercedes-Benz SL has to properly represent its €100,812 entry-level price tag. And it does, it really does. Every inch of the cabin is covered in leather, wood or aluminum, even in areas where you would expect to find a little plastic. As for when you do find plastic, it's of the highest quality - door pockets, climate control and audio system buttons etc.

The high-quality materials were even better than the ones I found in most other luxury convertibles that I've reviewed in the past, like say the Maserati GranCabrio, Porsche 911 Cabrio or Jaguar XK Convertible. But I'll let you in on a little "secret". Mercedes-Benz have some of the finest car interiors in the world. It's really hard to top them unless your name is Bentley or Rolls Royce.

The car I drove was extremely well "dressed", with pretty much all the options you can have on an SL Roadster today. The Nappa White Porcelain leather is gorgeous, while the heated and ventilated seats with massage function and Airscarf (blows warm air to the back of your neck during cooler spring/autumn days) are delightful. The seats tighten up around you as you go around corners, offering excellent lateral support, and the Magic Sky Control system darkens the roof for you during those extremely sunny days when you have your top up. That's a €2,550 optional extra by the way.

Another reason why the SL stands out as opposed to some of its rivals is the hardtop, which can open or close in less than 20 seconds. Then you've got the optional Harman Kardon audio system which offers impeccable high fidelity sound at all times.

I could go as far as to call the SL's interior a masterpiece of German engineering. Even if you demand more practicality from your roadster, there are plenty of storage places. Cup holders? Just pop open that compartment in front of the shifter. Otherwise you've got the glove box, another compartment in the armrest and another glove box behind your seat. Luggage-wise, there are 356 liters worth of room in the boot with the top up and 235 liters with the top down. Either way, not bad.

Performance

As I said in the beginning, Mercedes-Benz went from a naturally aspirated V6 (SL 350) to a twin turbo V6 (SL 400). This unit is good for 333 HP and 480 Nm (354 lb ft) of torque, which in turn means that you can go from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.2 seconds. The 7G-Tronic transmission helps too, obviously.

However, the 5.2 seconds are a bit misleading to be honest. Even with all the electronics set to 'Sport', you'll never really feel that the car genuinely takes off from a standstill. Yes, it could have used an all-wheel drive system or a more aggressive set up to its transmission and engine mapping. The SL will never let you forget that it's as fast as it is comfortable.

Still, when you do floor it, after the first 2-3 meters the twin turbocharged V6 will jump over 4,000 rpm and the asphalt beneath you is going to beg for its life - and once that happens, you'll realize just how fast this car really is. Whatever you may have thought about the 333 HP, get ready to go back to school on that one. If this wasn't a twin-turbo unit, we wouldn't be having this "conversation", but because it is and because it's so brilliant, it will make you feel like you're accelerating in a naturally aspirated V8 car.

It's magnificent. It's such an amazing engine, especially for an entry-level model - this is what boggles the mind. It's hard to extract this type of performance from just 333 HP, because when your car weighs over 1,700 kg (~3,750 pounds), you'll want to have somewhere around 400 HP in order to get to 100 km/h in about 4.8 or 4.9 seconds. The SL400 won't top the 5 second mark because of the way in which it's set up. Once you're moving though, once you're already off the line, it feels really fast. It's hard to compare this with something else, but honestly it reminded me of the E92 BMW M3 from about 30km/h to over 100km/h. Such a spectacular power unit this is.

As for the engine noise, it's really impressive. With this car, the real music comes from the engine and the exhaust, not from the speakers.

Now let's put all these performance figures into perspective:

- BMW 640i Cabrio: 3.0 liters S6, 320 HP, 450Nm, 0-100km/h in 5.5 sec, 7.9 liters/100km avg, 1,915kg

- Porsche 911 Carrera Cabrio: 3.5 liters B6, 350 HP, 390Nm, 0-100km/h in 5.0 sec (4.8 PDK), 8.4 liters/100km avg, 1,545kg

- Maserati GranCabrio: 4.7 liters V8, 450 HP, 510Nm, 0-100km/h in 5.2 sec, 14.5 liters/100km avg, 2,055kg

- Jaguar XK 5.0 Cabriolet: 5.0 liters V8, 385 HP, 515Nm, 0-100km/h in 5.6 sec, 11.2 liters/100km avg, 2,120kg

- Mercedes-Benz SL 350 Roadster: 3.0 liters V6, 306 HP, 370Nm, 0-100km/h in 5.9 sec, 7.5 liters/100km avg, 1,685kg

- Mercedes-Benz SL 400 Roadster: 3.0 liters V6, 333cp, 480Nm, 0-100km/h in 5.2 sec, 7.3 liters/100km avg, 1,730kg

As you can see, the SL 400's peak torque is a lot closer to what you get from a naturally aspirated V8 model than any regular V6. And the performance figures, along with the price tag, the fuel economy, the way it sounds, the way it accelerates and the way it looks, means that the SL 400 is pretty much a 'best-buy', looking at this group of cars.

The only reason why you'd go for a 640i Cabrio would be for some extra room (it has two seats in the back). OK yes it does cost a little less in some markets, but once you click on a few options all of that goes away.

As for the 911 Carrera Cabrio, the only reason why you'd get one over the SL 400 is the extra agility. You can argue that it looks a little better too, but it won't feel as premium as the SL, or as comfortable.

The Maserati GranCabrio, to me never felt as agile as its direct rivals. The SL feels a lot more alive on the road, since it's a lighter car as well. The Maserati however does sound much better (almost demonic) and feels stiffer to drive.

The SL 400 is very playful on the road if you're in the mood for that sort of thing. Its electronic brain will keep you honest even when you push harder than you should. Still, it's almost impossible not to lose grip when you accelerate and the steering wheel is turned either way. But that's how it should be. All of this makes the SL a very easy to drive car. Respect the fact that it has rear wheel drive and the fact that the 480 Nm of torque need a dry road in order to be happy and you won't have any problems.

But most of all, respect the comfort level and way in which it can take you from point A to point B. You can leave the transmission in ECO mode and the suspension on Comfort and you'll hardly feel some of the road bumps. It's almost like driving a C-Class.

Bottom Line

I've already mentioned the price tag - €100,812. However this particular car had all those optional extras which bumped its worth up to €128,209. It's not cheap but hey, it's an SL Roadster, not an A180 CDI.

What Mercedes-Benz has done with this car is nothing short of amazing. They've managed to build an entry-level SL that can take on cars which until recently could have been challenged only by the likes of the SL 500. The old SL 350 couldn't handle a 911 or a Maserati GranCabrio. The SL 400 can and makes it look easy.

Bottom line, well, odds are that no matter where you live, nobody's going to build you a better roadster than Mercedes-Benz in terms of value. An Aston-Martin is a lot more expensive and the Ferrari California will shake when up against the 1,000 Nm of torque of the SL 65 AMG.

As for our SL 400, all I can say is that I love everything about it. It looks great, it goes like the wind, it sounds awesome, it revs like a naturally aspirated V8, its cabin is top notch and it's as comfortable as a soft bed when you need it to be.

Now that's what I call 'value'.

Photos: Carscoops.com / Sergiu Tudose

Hennessey Delivers 1000hp Kit For Corvette C7

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 11:18:00 +0200

Hennessey Performance’s latest offer includes a Corvette C7, a big supercharger and 1000hp at the crank.

The Texan builder has developed the HPE 1000 pack for the Corvette, for those who think that a stock 650hp Z06 is tame, slow and in serious need of some horsepower. Thanks to a 2.9lt supercharger, forged engine internals and a complete new exhaust system, the Corvette HPE1000 delivers 847hp and 720lb-ft of torque at the wheels according to Hennessey’s dyno.

The apocalyptic sound is just another bonus, warning all the other street users that you are about to create big, fat clouds of tyre smoke.

I don’t know about you, but this thing has given me the goose bumps just by hearing it screaming while strapped on the dyno.

Audi's A7 Sportback in Dubai

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 10:46:00 +0200

Even though the Audi A7 seems to have come out on top after duking it out with the sand dunes in Dubai, we know there's a lot more to that type of driving than just a capable all-wheel drive system.

To be fair, the desert is no place for any type of premium four door coupe, unless you count the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe and BMW X6 in that category. But those are SUVs, no matter what the marketing people would have you believe.

We weren't expecting to see an Audi A7 Sportback kicking up sand in the desert, but we're not surprised either. At first you'd think that you would need above average ground clearance in order to even attempt to go sand dune skiing, but that's not necessarily the case.

Believe it or not, except for the all-wheel drive system (and Audi's Quattro does a great job), the most important element in such an endeavor is the driver himself. Knowing how to drive on sand can make up for anything the car might not have going for it.

For example, you can start by lowering your tire pressure in order to increase the size of your "footprint". This improves traction not just on sand but also in snowy conditions. Remember when Jeremy Clarkson did it in one of his Top Gear winter specials?

After that, try to follow a set of already-made tire tracks - which seems to be the case in this video with most of the footage. No reason to assume that the A7 was responsible for all the tracks, right?

Last but not least, when stationary, don't accelerate hard but rather go for a smooth "take off". You can apply the same philosophy to accelerating or braking. Try to be as smooth as possible in order to avoid sand build-up in front of your tires.

Maintaining speed is more important than ground clearance, so never step on the gas like you just stole the car, even if you feel like you're starting to lose traction and coming to a halt. Trust in the all wheel drive system and trust your right foot when it comes to gradually building up speed and keeping it steady.

Lincoln Continental Concept Turned Into 2017 VW Phaeton

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 10:32:00 +0200

Although VW’s C Coupé GTE study unveiled this week at the Shanghai Auto Show is believed to preview the next-generation Phaeton, the fact that it’s a four-door coupe with a low roofline may not be ideal for interior space.

This may or may not be the reason behind Remco Meulendijk’s decision to render the second-generation VW Phaeton based on the Lincoln Continental Concept rather than VW’s study.

The result is a VW Phaeton rendering that looks more conservative than the C Coupé GTE study, sporting a more traditional sedan shape.

Obviously, it remains just a speculative rendering and it’s the C Coupé GTE concept we have to look at to get an idea of what the next Phaeton will look like.

Renderings courtesy of RM Design

Vin Diesel Promises Furious 8 Will Be 'Best Movie You've Ever Seen'

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 11:00:00 +0200

Of course isn't that what the cast said about Fast & Furious 7? Still, we're excited that there's going to be yet another chapter in the F&F saga.

Not only that, but we're also looking forward to bigger and better things, and with good reason. In recent installments, the franchise has moved away from CGI. Sure, there will be the occasional "tower jump" that you obviously can't do with a real car and a rear stunt man, but other than that, everything has been done by good old fashioned hard work.

And we love that. It shows craftsmanship and respect towards fans who love cars and expect realism on the big screen, even in the most outrageous of scenes.

As for Fast & Furious 8, we'll be able to see it in theaters on April 14, 2017, and we're really excited since Vin Diesel took to CinemaCon to say "I swear to you and I swear to my brother upstairs we're going to make the best movie you've ever seen."

Furious 7 is still climbing its way up the 'highest-grossing films ever' chart, with $1.15 billion in the bag while still playing in theaters around the world. It currently sits 7th all time on this list, between Iron Man 3 and Transformers: Dark of the Moon.

Now back to Furious 8, we're not sure exactly what they're going to do in order to make the best movie we've ever seen. It probably won't be, but if their intentions are to blow us away by making something even bigger than Furious 7, then we're totally on board.

Better and crazier stunts? A more unbeatable villain? More exotic locations? All of this would probably seem like more of the same. Maybe they'll switch it up on us and deliver something we never expected.

Story references: usatoday

VW Golf R400 Could Have 420PS

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 19:29:00 +0200

It’s no secret VW wants to build the Golf R400, but new details have now surfaced about the upcoming extra-hot Golf. VW group powertrain chief Heinz-Jakob Neusser has given the first official confirmation that the Golf R400 will be produced and that it will have more than 400 hp.

“We have the Golf more sporty than ever before, since we soon will have the Golf R400 - we will do this car. We are in fact in development of it right now,” Neusser told CAR.

The VW Golf R400 will be the first production model to debut the high-output 2.0-liter turbo engine seen in theAudi TT Quattro Sport Concept.

In the study, the engine produced 420PS (414hp), and the Golf R400 may get it as such or slightly detuned. Add the four-wheel drive system in the equation and the Golf R400 (or R420) should become the world’s fastest production hot-hatch.

In terms of design, the Golf R400 will adopt the understated look of the GTI and R, but will feature a revised aerodynamic package with splitters and a new spoiler. It will also feature upgraded brakes to cope with the extra power, but the track will stay the same, allowing it to be assembled on a regular VW production line.

That’s because the Golf R400 will not be a limited edition model but rather a regular fixture in the Golf lineup. The car is expected to debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September, with first deliveries scheduled for late 2015 or early 2016. As for pricing, the R400 will reportedly cost under €50,000 (about $54,400) in Germany.

New Batmobile From Batman Vs. Superman

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 19:08:00 +0200

As good as Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight franchise was, Batman fans still had a lot of things to complain about. Next year's Batman v Superman movie might prove to be an significant upgrade.

So what was wrong with The Dark Knight? Where do we even begin...

First of all, Batman looked a little bit too much like Robocop with that silly muscle padded suit. You generally won't find that look in the Comics and you certainly won't find it in any of the animated adaptations.

Then there was the fighting choreography. The scenes were badly filmed, you couldn't make out any discernible martial arts moves and for some reason they didn't want to hire a bad-ass trained martial artist as a stunt double.

Since we don't want this piece running into tomorrow, we'll jump straight to what was wrong with theBatmobile, or the Tumbler as they called it. The Batmobile is supposed to be a car first of all. A very cool, very aggressive and futuristic looking car, not a military off-roader..or whatever that was.

This newer adaptation from the upcoming Batman v Superman film is a lot more car-like, wouldn't you say? Sure, it still looks a bit too Army-like and seems like it would be really hard to drive because it's so wide, but at least it's a car. It has four wheels, not 40.

That being said, we're beyond excited to see it on the big screen, along with Zach Snyder's take on how the Dark Knight should be. Even though Nolan has a great cinematic mind, Snyder should prove more capable at this on-screen superhero thing. The way in which he directed Watchmen was nothing short of a masterpiece.

Lamborghini Mansory Carbonado

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 16:47:00 +0200

If car-makers were more like lingerie companies, Lamborghini would be the equivalent of Victoria's Secret and this Mansory Carbonado would probably be one of the world's biggest sex symbols.

And yes, 'Carbonado' does sound a little bit too much like we're making a Pizza, but it's actually derived from 'carbon' so we'll take it. Besides it's not the first time we've seen it or written about it.

This is arguably one of the most exotic cars in the world and we're not saying that because it's a Lamborghini but rather because it's a Mansory. It doesn't get a lot more exclusive than that in the tuning industry.

Underneath all that carbon beats the heart of the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, except that now the V12 produces no fewer than 1,233 HP thanks to the two turbochargers (among other changes).

The performance figures are exceptional, with 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in just 2.6 seconds and a top speed of 380 km/h (236 mph). It's faster than the LP700-4 by 0.3 seconds, and it will do 30 km/h more. As for the new LP750-4 SuperVeloce, it's still no match for the Carbonado - even though it's hard to say how much 0.2 seconds would influence a real-life acceleration test between the two.

As for this fresh batch of images, they're the reason why we're doing this piece. The car looks simply stunning, almost out of this world, especially next to that airplane propeller.

Darth Vader’s Buick

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 16:40:00 +0200

The Buick Grand National is perhaps the proudest moment of the American motor industry during the ‘80s.

It was the car that used the period ‘turbo’ frenzy better than any other fellow American model of the same time: with a stealthy all-black exterior and an easy-to-upgrade, sneezing 3.8-litre V6 under the bonnet, the Grand National became something like an urban legend.

Regular Car Reviews pays homage to this iconic model with his weird and funny rhetoric, with the specific BuickGrand National looking absolutely gorgeous.

And yes, if you belong to the people who complain about the auto-only option, you are just missing the point.

Audi TT Gets 180PS 1.8 TFSI

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 16:28:00 +0200

Audi has announced a new engine version for the all-new TT family which will act as the entry-level model.

From July, the Audi TT will be available with a new 1.8 TFSI engine producing 180PS (178hp) and 250Nm (184lb-ft) of torque from 1,250 to 5,000 rpm.

Performance remains respectable despite the power deficit compared to other TT versions. The Audi TT Coupé 1.8 TFSI with six‑speed manual transmission sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.9 seconds (7.0 seconds with the optional six‑speed S tronic), while top speed is 241 km/h (150 mph).

The TT Roadster 1.8 TFSI with manual transmission needs 7.2 seconds to cover the 0-100 km/h sprint (7.3 seconds for the S tronic version), with a top speed of 237 km/h (147 mph).

In terms of fuel efficiency, the 1.8 TFSI Coupé averages as low as 7 l/100 km (33.6 mpg US), with corresponding CO2 emissions of 129 g/km. The TT Roadster 1.8 TFSI’s combined fuel consumption is 7.1 l/100 km (33.1 mpg US), with CO2 emissions of 132 g/km.

Prices in Germany for the entry-level Audi TT start from €32,100 ($34,455) for the Coupé and €34,500 ($37,040) for the Roadster.

Chevrolet FNR Concept

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 21:37:00 +0200

Who would have thought that out of all the car manufacturers in the world, Chevrolet would be the first to design a real life time machine, go into the future, and bring back something like this.

All jokes aside, their FNR Concept looks unbelievable. We had no idea that they would let their design team go crazy - and in a good way.

What GM have said is that this car was meant to showcase a unique and intelligent vehicle for the future, but in our eyes, they went far beyond that. This is what almost every car of the future looks like in almost every sci-fi movie with a decent-sized budget.

The FNR is menacing and futuristic at the same time, both inside and out. And to be honest, we do think that cars of the future will sort of look like this. A sleek design, very efficient, very space ship-like (for 2015 folk), and with fully autonomous features and interactive interiors.

Of course, this type of future is probably decades away, at least - from a design perspective. A lot of years will pass until car makers decide that it's time for certain shapes to go extinct like the traditional sedan. Take the 2016 BMW 7 Series for example. It comes out this year, and its life-span will carry it well into the 2020s. When they do replace it, it most certainly will be with something similar.

So design-wise (for production cars at least), times aren't exactly changing as fast as we'd expect if we were to look at how quickly new technologies tend to spring up.

Speaking of which, the Chevy FNR Concept is equipped with roof-mounted radar which can enable it to drive autonomously, iris recognition start and front seats that can swivel 180 degrees.

It reminds us of the cars we saw in Minority Report - where the action was supposed to be taking place in the year 2054, which sounds about right, at least design-wise.

Ferrari California T

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 21:07:00 +0200

Ferrari has unveiled a bespoke California T from the company’s Tailor Made program, created especially for the Shanghai Auto Show.

Illustrating the numerous possibilities for personalization, the unique California T is inspired by two great style icons: the actress Ingrid Bergman and Jacqueline Kennedy.

The car features a “Grigio Ingrid” body color named after the legendary actress who chose this exact shade of grey for the Ferrari 375 MM given to her by Roberto Rossellini in 1954.

While the exterior has an understated appearance, the cabin is rich in materials and detail, taking inspiration from the worlds of interior and furniture design as well as luxury goods.

The seats feature a reddish brown, velvety “count prestige” leather, a reference to the Kennedee chair by Jean Marie Massaud, which in turn was influenced by the style of the Kennedy family. The luxurious ambience is also enhanced by the waxed edges of the leather covering the center console and the door panels.

These vintage elements are combined with contemporary accents such as the matte grey metallic details on the dashboard and center console, as well as the black Alcantara inserts in the seats. Finally, the floor mats are made of 100 percent pure virgin wool from New Zealand with a natural jute background, a carpet normally used in luxury home interior decoration.

Zombie 222 - An All-Electric 800hp Classic Mustang

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 16:00:00 +0200

Have you ever thought that a classic Mustang would be the ideal car for an electric conversion?

Neither have I, but a guy from Texas did and followed through on his thought by building what is likely the fastest all-electric classic Mustang in the world.

Called Zombie 222, the Mustang fastback’s electric motors produce over 800hp and a monumental 1,800lb-ft (2,438Nm) of torque. It does 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 2.4 seconds and the quarter-mile in 10.7 seconds at 125 mph (201 km/h).

The silent but deadly fast Mustang was built by Mitch Medford, a muscle car enthusiast who gave up on a career in tech to start Bloodshed Motors, a company which converts classic cars into ridiculously fast electric vehicles. His first and only project so far is the Zombie 222 and you can learn more about it by watching the video that follows.

Story references: The Verge