Cars Tips: February 2013

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Another Alfa Romeo 6C Sports Coupe Design Concept

Even though Alfa Romeo been heavily neglected over the years, it continues to have a special place in the heart of car enthusiasts as well as people already working (Ferdinand Piech, we're looking at you) or aspiring to work, in the auto industry.

There's something about Alfa's past, which blends a rich racing heritage with some of the most beautiful and, arguably, better handling production cars ever made. Throw in the fact that, for the most part and unlike other Italian sports car makers, its vehicles were/are affordable to the masses, and you can see why its hard to turn a blind eye to the brand.

Arab sheiks watch out because Mercedes-Benz is coming (once again…) after your petrol dollars. If the new twin-turbocharged V8 and V12 AMG versions of the refreshed 2013 G-Class aren't special or capable enough, the brand with the star has prepared a zanier iteration of its classic off-roader, aptly named the G63 AMG 6x6, but feel free to call it "das tier"…

In case you didn’t notice it in the pictures, the "6x6" refers to the new model's six driven wheels. Benz didn't exactly design the SUV from scratch, as it is based on a special military version of the G320 CDI made for the Australian army and which is in use since 2011, according to an Autoweek report.

Look out Mazda because Toyota is getting ready to step into your turf with an MX-5 challenging convertible version of its GT 86 or, as we know it in North America, the Scion FR-S.

Toyota has previously shown a rendering of the conceptual FT 86 Open Top model, while we also got a peek at the actual car through a not-so-well guarded facility in South Africa about two weeks ago, but now it's time to share an official photo gallery of the 2+2 seat model that is one step before production.

Earlier today, we shared an announcement from Audi saying that it will host the world debut of five new cars at the Geneva motor show, four of which we already knew about, and asked you to tell us what you think the fifth car could be.

The mystery of the fifth model has just been solved as the brand with the four-rings released information on the new A3 Sportback g-tron, which is the flex-fuel cousin of the petrol-electric hybrid A3 Sportback e-tron that will also break cover at the Swiss car show.

Finding a low mileage BMW M3 E92 Coupe is a walk at the park (or at your local dealer, if you want to be precise…); an E46 generation model (2001-2006), not so much, but still doable.

Basically, the further back you go in time, the harder it gets, and while stumbling upon an unmolested E36 generation M3 (1992-1999) is considerably easier than finding an E30 (1985-1992) as the latter was produced in much smaller numbers, it’s a one in a million chance to discover such a low mileage example as we did on Autotrader.

When Skoda confirmed the world debut of the estate version of the new, third generation Octavia at the Geneva Auto Salon on March 5, it did so by releasing only two pictures of the car, leaving the rest to our imagination and our previous viewings of the liftback model. Read more »

New Volkswagen e-Co-Motion Concept Hints at a Smaller Transporter Model

A new rendering of a Volkswagen concept van named "e-Co-Motion" has emerged online ahead of a rumored world premiere at the Geneva Auto Show, something we have not yet independently confirmed. Read more »

Citroën Creates an Amazing Scale Rally Scene On Top of a DS3

The French really outdid themselves with a detailed diorama molded on top of a Citroën DS3 hatchback, created to celebrate Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena’s nine FIA World Rally Championship titles. Read more »

And This is Why Russians Use Dash-Cams

With all those videos circulating on the net, you shouldn't be wondering why such a large number of Russian drivers and fellow motorists from neighboring countries opt to use dashboard-mounted cameras, but if you must, here's another example of why they do. Read more »

Audi to Host Five World Premieres in Geneva, What's the Fifth Model?

Only five days left for the opening press day of the 83rd edition of the Geneva International Auto Show, and Audi has us wondering today about one of the cars it plans to debut after releasing a press statement saying that it will have "five world premieres on offer". Read more »

New 2013 KTM X-BOW GT Puts on a Pair of Shades but Doesn't Look Cool

It's been a long time since we last heard from KTM about its X-Bow, but at next week's Geneva Motor Show, the Austrian company will release a new version of its back-to-basics sports car named the GT that gains an odd looking windshield wrap, which for some strange reason, reminds us of the shades used on Jalopnik's older logo… Read more »

Ferrari Teases F150 with Lousy Shot, Confirms Geneva Motor Show Debut

When it comes to Ferrari and new cars, it's all about its select clientele and not the press or fans of the brand. The Maranello-based carmaker has already shown the new F150-codenamed successor to the Enzo to potential owners, but for the rest of the world, all we get is this crude shot that looks like a photo taken with a poor camera phone from the past decade. Read more »

Oops…Rolls Royce Recalls Phantom Because Fuel Filler May be Missing a Safety Component

The Rolls-Royce Phantom may cost upwards of $400,000, but it's not immune from recalls, which in this case, is somewhat embarrassing for the British carmaker as it discovered that one of its suppliers forgot to add a safety component. Read more »

Skoda's New Citigo Sport is All About the Looks and the Suspension

Skoda is broadening the range of its Citigo mini in Britain with the introduction of a new Sport trim grade that adds some styling flair and lowered suspension to the VW Up!'s Czech cousin, while keeping the regular model's 59hp (60PS) 1.0-liter MPI petrol engine mated to a five-gear manual gearbox. Read more »

Angry Ukrainian Woman Goes Need for Speed Crazy After Skoda Pulls in Front of Her

Seriously now, who needs Hollywood when we have dash-cams? Just look at this insane video of a woman driver from Ukraine who goes nuts after a Skoda Octavia made the mistake of pulling in front of her car to turn at a light. Read more »

New Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Freshly Visualized

Not that it's difficult to envision what the promising Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG will look like after seeing the regular model with the AMG styling package, but if you prefer a photo from using your imagination, photoshop specialist Khalil Bouguerra has provided us with precise CGI (computer generated image) of the performance sedan. Read more »

BMW Tries to Woo Japanese Buyers with Limited Edition 116i Fashionista

Japanese consumers are often treated with special edition versions of European premium cars, some of which are collectibles, like the 1996-1999 BMW 840CiA Individual, and others not so much.

BMW's latest Japan market-only special is the 116i "Fashionista" that will be offered exclusively in a five-door body style priced at ¥3,460,000 (US$37,500 or €28,500), with production capped at 370 units.

Land Rover Electrifies Classic Defender for the Geneva Motor Show

If you've ever had the opportunity to drive the classic Land Rover Defender on the road, you'd be right to think that it's, if not the, one of the most outdated new vehicles in the world. Take it for a spin off the road, however, and we're pretty sure that you will quickly change your mind, which is why the British firm continues to offer a vehicle that can trace its roots back to the original 1948 model.

Still, as capable as it may be when the going gets tough, a replacement is long overdue, which is why Land Rover presented last year's DC100 Concepts. Until the next Defender is ready, though, Land Rover wants to use the current model as an experimental vehicle to test a new electric powertrain.

What an oxymoron; a MINI monster truck. As you can see for yourself, the only thing really "mini" about this strange-looking automotive creature that we found for sale on eBay is the shell and the interior of the classic 1965 MINI Cooper.

Right under the metal skin there's a Jeep Wrangler YJ frame (built from 1987 to 1995), upgraded with a 6-inch lift kit and an assortment of other aftermarket parts, while the tall engine bay is home to a brand-new 350 cubic inch (5.7-liter V8) crate motor.

Widely considered as the world's biggest tuner of VW Group cars, ABT Sportsline will head to next week's Geneva Auto Show with a collection of four new models.

No doubt, one of the highlights at ABT's stand will be the firm's tune for the new seventh generation VW Golf hatchback, previewed here in a rendering, in which we get a taste of the cosmetic applications that include an assortment of aero parts, headlamp and mirror trims, and a new alloy wheel design from the ER-X line.

Take a good look the above photo and tell us; does the young man standing in the middle with a smirk on his face look like he just smashed the red Ferrari 458 Italia seen on his left side?

We don't know if it has to do with his bank account, the fact that nobody was hurt or if the car happened to be a rental or a lease, but Dutch DJ Nick van de Wall, more commonly by his stage name 'DJ Afrojack', seems to be pretty joyous for someone involved in an accident with a very expensive car he had picked up only a few hours before the crash.

If you had any hopes of getting into one of the Italianized versions of the Nürburgring-record setting Dodge Viper ACR, Zagato's Alfa Romeo Stradale TZ3, you may as well put them to rest as the last of the nine-hand built cars rolled off the brand's assembly line and will be presented by its new owner at the 18th annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance field on Sunday, March 10. Read more »

Aston Martin Annoyed by Sexy Used Car Ad, Lawyers Up and Demands Image Take Down

For a Britain-based carmaker, Aston Martin sure lacks a sense of humor – at least when it comes to fan-made ads, because as far as cars are concerned, the company showed its funny side by slapping its cherished winged logo on a Toyota iQ and naming it the Cygnet…

Why are we telling you all this? Because we just received a letter from Lewis Silkin LLP, a law firm that represents Aston Martin, and which demands the takedown of an image/ad we shared on our site of a young lady posing on a kitchen bench with the tagline, "You know you're not the first. But do you really care?", for the brand's used car division, and which cloned an older BMW commercial.

German aftermarket specialist AC Schnitzer will highlight two new BMW tuning proposals at next month’s Geneva Auto Salon, for the 6-Series Gran Coupe and 3-Series Touring models equipped with the M-Technik sport packages. Read more »

Dacia Confirms Two World Premieres for Geneva Motor Show

Visitors to the 83rd edition of Europe's largest annual (the Frankfurt and Paris auto shows are bi-annual) car event that takes place in Geneva from March 5 to 17, will have the chance to see two new Dacia models for the very first time, the company's German arm announced. Read more »

Volkswagen Hands Out a €7,200 Bonus to German Employees

Good news for Volkswagen's German workforce as Europe's largest carmaker is sharing some of the record profits the company delivered in 2012 with its employees.

VW said on Wednesday that it will pay German workers a bonus of €7,200 or a little over US$9,400 at the current exchange rates for 2012, which is about 4 percent less than what the company handed out in 2011 (€7,500), despite the fact that its preliminary net profit rose to €21.72 billion in 2012 from €15.41 billion the previous year.

Talk about horsing around. Two men were captured on camera on a Romanian highway leading to Bucharest drag racing their…horse buggies.

A large commercial van with its rear tailgate open and a black BMW 3-Seires sedan with its alarms blinking were following on from behind – though, we can't say for sure if they were part of the racing crew or annoyed road users waiting for the enlightened duo to finish their 10 minute quarter mile race.

The new Note won't be the only European-built Nissan model making its debut at the Geneva International Auto Show next week, as the Japanese carmaker will also display the updated Leaf. Read more »

Geneva Preview: Maserati Adds Two-More Seats to GranTurismo MC Stradale

When Maserati launched the GranTurismo MC Stradale back in 2010 at the Paris Motor Show, its goal was to create a more performance-orientated version of the Pininfarina-designed coupe, with more power, less weight and a stiffer suspension, which is why the Italians dropped the rear seats.

Now, Maserati is getting ready to premiere a new sub-version of the GranTurismo MC Stradale that keeps the regular model's four-seat configuration at next week's Geneva Motor Show.

Designer Dreams of Alfa Romeo 6C Sports Coupe Concept to Rival Mustangs and Stingrays

Alfa Romeo's comeback with the 4C coupe at the Geneva Motor Show next month is a welcome move from the Fiat-Chrysler alliance, but it's only a single model and a limited production one at that.

If the Milanese firm is serious about catching up with the rest of the world, and by that, we mean German, Japanese and even American carmakers; its needs to follow up with more proposals, and especially ones that capture the hearts and souls of car enthusiasts.

Land Rover will be displaying a new 9-speed automatic transmission for use on its passenger cars and SUVs at next week's Geneva International Auto Show. The new ZF 9HP gearbox was developed by transmission specialist ZF with Land Rover being a lead partner in the project – or so the British company says. Read more »

2014 VW Golf GTI Revealed in Production Guise, Available in 220PS and 230PS Trims

Welcome to the new-old, or what Volkswagen prefers to call the seventh generation of the Golf GTI, which was unveiled today in final production trim following the release of a thinly disguised concept study at last year's Paris Motor Show.

As with the regular Golf MK7 hatchbacks, you'll be forgiven if you're having a hard time telling the new GTI apart from the current model, as VW has followed an extremely conservative evolutionary approach with the design.

We're all for teaching yours children how to drive from a young age, but only under the right circumstances and in a safe, and controlled environment, not on a public highway with patches of ice…

If this video of an 8-year old girl driving her father's Audi A6 in Russia at speeds of up to 100km/h (62mph) is true and not some sort of a hoax, then her parents, both of whom were reportedly in the car at the time, need some lessons (of a different kind) themselves.

We've already seen the 2014 Jeep Compass here in the States as it was unveiled at last month's Detroit auto show, and now it's time for European consumers to get a taste of the updated model as well at the Geneva Auto Salon that opens its gates for the press on March 5. Read more »

U Spy: Kia's New Quoris Flagship Basking Under the Californian Sun

For some unexplained reason, Kia won't give us a definitive answer on when it's spanking new, rear-wheel drive Quoris flagship sedan will go on sale in North America, with officials simply stating that the car is currently being "evaluated" for the United States.

Given this fresh sighting of a Quoris (marketed as the K9 in South Korea) wearing nothing but its tuxedo black paint job in California by Carscoops reader Tom H., we'd say the frustratingly long evaluation process continues.

It's almost time for BMW's 5-Series range of sedans, Touring and GT models to receive their mid-cycle facelift, which could explain the appearance of an undisguised 2014MY 535Li on Chinese website Auto163. Read more »

Latest Nissan Altima Becomes the New Teana for China [w/Video]

Nissan and its Chinese partner Dongfeng Motors lifted the veils off their new local market Teana sedan during a press conference in China on Tuesday in front of more than 1,000 (!) journalists and dealers from all over the country.

If the mid-size sedan looks eerily familiar, it's because the Teana is the same car as the North American Altima with some barely noticeable changes such as the added chrome strips on the lower sections of the doors and rear bumper, and the front grilles, the white markers on the headlamps and the revised tail light graphics.

Good news for European current or future owners of Chevrolet Aveo, Cruze and Trax models fitted with the brand's MyLink technology, who ponder about things like whether Siri is married and what the virtual personal assistant thinks about their spouses, Samsung phones and God, as the system will soon be compatible with their cars. Read more »

Wonky Tank Falls Off Truck Platform in Belarus

It cannot get more embarrassing for a soldier than this; experiencing a mishap while the public is gathered around watching, taking pictures and, of course, videos, which they then distribute to the always hungry for fails internet crowd...

This unusual incident happened in the Belarusian city of Grodno, which is situated close to the borders of Poland and Lithuania, reportedly earlier this week.

This week, General Motors and its Shanghai-GM passenger vehicle joint venture with SAIC began manufacturing the new Cadillac XTS sedan at a plant in Shanghai, with all cars to be sold in China. A GM factory in Oshawa, Ontario, started production of the XTS last summer for sale in North America. Read more »

BMW 850Ci Art Car Homage for Sale on eBay

Some BMW 8-Series owners prefer to keep their coupes as garage queens, and some like to turn them into convertibles, while others have really no idea what they're doing…

This particular owner of the pictured 1993 850Ci that we discovered on eBay decided to convert the German sports tourer into a weekend track racer on the inside, and a rolling piece of art on the outside.

At a press conference at Nissan's Yokohama plant on Monday, the Japanese carmaker announced that the re-born Datsun brand is set to return to South Africa, with the first passenger car to be launched onto the market at the end of 2014.

The announcement follows a global decision in 2010 to re-introduce the Datsun brand as part of the Japanese company's "Nissan Power 88" mid-term plan, which calls for an 8 percent global market share and 8 percent operating profit by fiscal year 2016.

We can't comment on how it sounds in Korean, but after Facebook's Bing-based translator went through Kia's posting on the new "K-dic" (we swear that we did not make the name up) follow-me home, smart lighting system, what came out on the other end will have you either rolling on the ground laughing or blushing from shame…

Here's what we read on Kia's Facebook page:

"[K-dic] love is not something to make sure it would. You come when I'm glad heart light. You can be sure my love."

Audi has released UK pricing and specifications for the A3 hatchback fitted with a revised and updated 1.2-liter force-fed TFSI petrol engine. Prices for this model start from £17,905 OTR for the base SE manual variant and rise to £22,760 OTR for the range-topping S line version with the S tronic twin-clutch transmission. Read more »

Lancia Delta Also Gets New "S by MOMODESIGN" Edition

Five years after the latest iteration of the Lancia Delta broke cover at the Geneva International Auto Salon, the Italian hatchback is returning to the Swiss show with a new special edition model named "S by MOMODESIGN". Read more »

Swimming on Your Car's Roof Doesn't Really Protect it from Hail…

There are times in life when you just have to admit defeat and understand that saving a little bit of your dignity is probably better than nothing.

It's anybody's guess why this man thought that lying on the roof of his car and imitating a swimmer would save the vehicle from hail damage, but he did it nevertheless and for quite some time.

It’s one of the big moments car fans have been waiting for these past few months: how fast is the new McLaren P1 that will challenge the likes of the upcoming Ferrari hypercar codenamed F150?

Without any further delay, here are the performance numbers: 0 to 100km/h (62mph) will take less than 3 seconds, 0 to 200 km/h (124mph) under 7 seconds, and 0 to 300 km/h (186mph) in no more than 17 seconds, or 5 seconds faster than the famous McLaren F1. The P1's top speed is electronically restricted to 350 km/h (217.5 mph), which falls short of the F1's 386km/h (240mph).

After South Korea, Toyota's U.S.-assembled Venza vehicles will soon be exported to Russia and Ukraine as well, the Japanese carmaker announced today.

Toyota said that once production begins at the company's Georgetown, Ky. plant in April 2013, it expects to ship around 5,000 Venza crossovers to the two countries during the first year of sales.

Nissan Confirms New High-Performance GT-R NISMO Edition for Next Year

If there's one car in Nissan's range that doesn’t really need, but should have a Nismo edition for a number of reasons, the most important of which has to do with improving the sub-brand's image, it is the GT-R flagship, and today we learn that it will indeed happen.

The announcement was made during the official opening of the new Nismo global headquarters and development center in Yokohama, Japan.

The Government Employees Insurance Company –you all know it as GEICO- has promoted its business through many quirky television ads that usually encompass the tagline, "15 minutes could save you 15 percent or more on car insurance", and which have starred a number of different characters, ranging from a caveman to an anthropomorphic Day Gecko, and more recently, Maxwell the Pig.

Most people perceive the commercials as funny, but one particular ad with Maxwell the Pig has earned the wrath of a Mississippi website named "One Million Moms", run by conservative Christian group American Family Association (AFA).

Thursday, February 28, 2013

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Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Monday, February 25, 2013

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