Cars Tips: May 2013

Friday, May 31, 2013

Epic Drag Race Fail When Toyota Driver Forgets Truck In…Reverse!

Many things can go wrong during a drag race, but we cannot think of anything more embarrassing than heading towards the opposite direction once the green light comes on.

It all happened earlier this week when a Toyota pickup truck driver was performing the traditional tire-warm up procedure by sprinting back and forth. Unfortunately for the Toyota driver, he forgot to get the gearbox out of reverse the last time he did it before the race, so once it started, instead of going forward…he went backwards!

Renault has issued a statement denying plans of a potential tie-up with Mitsubishi, contrary to a report from the Le Figaro newspaper. The French daily wrote that a partnership with Mitsubishi was being discussed in order for Renault to expand in Asia.

“Renault has had discussions in the past with Mitsubishi, for limited cooperation, as we have had with other carmakers. These discussions did not lead to any decisions. There is no cooperation between Renault and Mitsubishi,” reads Renault’s press release.

If you're not a fan of pointless teasers made only to generating some buzz around a new product without offering any substance, then we'll suggest that you skip this post altogether and if you haven't done so already, take a look at these revealing shots and these follow up renderings of the 2014 Toyota Corolla. Read more »

Report Claims Next Mazda2 will Use Shortened Version of CX-5 Platform

Mazda is going to use a variation of its CX-5 platform to underpin the next generation Mazda2 / Demio supermini, according to a report from Just-auto.

The Japanese crossover was the first to get the brand’s SKYACTIV philosophy imprinted into its engineering and construction, while the Mazda6 sedan is the first vehicle which embraces it from the ground-up – both cars share lots of mechanical components and have received positive reviews since launch.

Tesla wants to expand its sale operations for the the Model S (and future models), as according to the Chinese media, the Silicon Valley-based automaker is bringing the all-electric sedan to the Chengdu motor show, in September. Already a pretty expensive car, the Model S could end up costing a lot more once it’s all-taxed up and legal in the country. This is important because its appeal hinges on it. Read more »

Acura Releases Prices as Well as New Photo Gallery and Video on 2014 MDX

Acura is moving fast with its third generation MDX, as two months after its world premiere at the New York Auto Show in March, and about a month before sales start in July, the Japanese automaker announced pricing for the seven-seater luxury SUV. Read more »

Nissan Sells 10,000th Leaf Electric Hatch in Europe

Nissan announced the delivery of its 10,000th Leaf in Europe this week to a French customer. The owner is a nurse who will be driving the Nissan Leaf on visits to elderly patients and using it with her family at the weekends. The car was sold by Nissan’s Mantes-la-Jolie dealership near Paris. Read more »

Ford GT 40 Replica Crash in Germany Kills Passenger

We’re never happy to report an automotive related death, especially one involving a rare classic car. Well, not exactly classic, but definitely rare, because it’s a Ford GT40 replica that crashed on a country road in southern Germany, while heading to the ADAC Bavaria Historic (vintage car event).

Apparently, conditions were wet and after a sharp bend, the 49 year-old driver lost control and planted the car into the base of a tree – the 43 year-old passenger died in the impact, but the driver survived, albeit with serious injuries.

When an automaker releases a facelift for a model that has only been on the market for less than a year, it means it’s not happy with the way the public and the press alike received said car. This is the case with General Motors and the 8th generation Chevrolet Malibu that was introduced in the States in the second half of 2012.

General Motors rushed to update the Malibu for the 2014 model year with some light styling changes, while also improving interior space, and tweaking its powertrains and chassis.

Renault revived their prestigious Gordini badge in 2010, and have since used it on several special editions of their hot Clio RS and Twingo RS hatcbacks. However, these featured nothing more than cosmetic upgrades and a price hike, without any performance gains.

Now, according to PistonHeads, which recently had a chat with Renault boss Carlos Tavares, we can bring you more positive news about a change of attitude that took place in the meantime.

The E30 M3 is probably BMW’s most iconic and most discussed model of modern times. Its perfect handling and balance makes it a favorite amongst BMW enthusiasts worldwide, as does its timeless styling. But how does its performance stand the test of time? More specifically, is it still fast enough to outpace a modern day regular BMW 3 Series diesel?

UK magazine Auto Express thought the only way to find out was to pit an E30 M3 Roberto Ravaglia edition against an F30 BMW 320d in a drag race. It’s important to mention that the E30 M3 Roberto Ravaglia edition has 212 bhp and 250 Nm of torque, while the 320d has 184 bhp and 380 Nm of torque.

General Motor as well as AOL Autos (the latter on its Facebook page - we don't know the hows and whys) have shared photos of the first Cadillac ELR range-extended electric coupe as it was rolling off the line at General Motors’ Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant this week.

However, as pointed out by AOL-owned Autoblog.com, this is a pre-production version of the ELR not made for customers, but for GM engineers who will use these first examples for testing purposes alone. Series production of the ELR will begin towards the end of the year with sales to start in early 2014.

Hydrogen fuel cells have always presented an interesting alternative to conventional battery-powered EVs. They offer the advantage of having an on-board power station that mixes stored hydrogen with oxygen from the air, creating water and a small electric charge that is captured and used directly to propel the vehicle. Nothing harmful is emitted, aside from water vapor.

Now, according to British magazine Autocar, Audi will begin trials this August for a fuel-cell-powered A7, though, it is not the first manufacturer to have done so.

And this is why they don't use real Porsches, Ferraris, Lamborghinis or any other expensive sports cars during the filming of street racing scenes in films like the Fast and Furious or the upcoming Need for Speed flick…

B(r)ought to you by the crew from ThatRacingChannel (TRC), who for legal reasons cunningly state that, "The following video was digitally created in Mexico on a closed course," is this incident and almost costly accident that occurred when a heavily modded Ford Mustang drag raced a 997-generation (that’s the previous one) Porsche 911 on a public highway.

Chrysler will reportedly move production of the next-generation Dodge Journey and its Fiat Freemont clone from Toluca, Mexico, to Sterling Heights, Michigan.

According to a report published by WardsAuto/AutomotiveCompass that was cited by the Detroit Free Press, U.S. production of the next-generation crossovers will begin in January 2016. The next generation of the Chrysler 200 sedan, which will go on sale next year, will also be made in Sterling Heights, a Detroit suburb.

Tesla’s Superchargers are an excellent way to try to dispel prospective buyers’ fears regarding the range and charging opportunities, and they offer free fast charging to all Model S owners. Currently limited to eight such stations in California and New York, the network is set to grow exponentially within the next two years, according to a video announcement by Elon Musk. Read more »

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Watch the Tesla Model S Reach its Top Speed of 133MPH or 213KM/H

The Tesla Model S is turning into a success story for the Silicon Valley-based automaker, having received praise for many qualities and not only for being a good EV, but a good all-round practical car. All owners of the all-electric sedan seem to be into their cars, and I haven’t seen a vehicle catch people’s attention like this in a while, especially for a relatively new brand like Tesla. Read more »

First Photos of 2014 BMW X5 M Sport and X5 M50d, Plus Brochure Catalogue

Just yesterday, BMW released photos and preliminary details on its new generation X5 Series. Among other bits of information, BMW told us about the availability of the optional M Sport package and the M50d performance diesel variant, but it did not share any pictures of these particular X5s.

If you're curious to see what the X5 M Sport and the X5 M50d look like, here's your chance as we got our hands on the first photos of these two models or rather the trim line and the diesel sports version, as well as on a fresh set of images of the regular X5s and the official brochure.

If you live in the UK, you are very fortunate to be able to buy the Vauxhall VXR8 Tourer, which is basically a rebadged version of the HSV-prepped Holden Commodore SS SportWagon. This means it gets a 6.2-liter V8 engine with 408 hp, rear-wheel drive and a manual six-speed gearbox, all with plenty of boot space to carry as many of your possessions as you can throw in. Read more »

Williams Drops Renault Engines, Will Be Powered by Mercedes-Benz from 2014

If you like Formula 1, you probably know that major changes will happen next season, with the most important being the switch from normally aspirated 2.4-liter V8 engines to turbocharged 1.6-liter V6 hybrid units.

Following McLaren’s announcement that it will switch to Honda engines from 2015, the Williams F1 Team said it reached an agreement with Mercedes-Benz, which will supply engines from 2014. Williams currently uses Renault powerplants.

Just when I was most tempted to say I’ve seen it all when it comes to surreal moments caught by Russian dash cams, here comes this mind-boggling footage.

It shows a man crossing the street together with a small boy, who we assume to be his son. Suddenly, the man stops in the middle of the crosswalk, pulls out a gun and fires a shot towards a car that denied him passage moments ago. He then continues to cross the street holding the boy’s hand, who witnessed it all.

BMW has made the 5-Series more appealing with important additions to the European range – two at the very top, along with an entry level model, the 518d, which “minimizes buying and operating costs.” The first two are the M5 and M6, fitted with the new Competition Package, which ups the power to 567 hp (575 PS) and “also adds Sport suspension settings, Sport steering, Sport exhaust with Black Chrome exhaust tailpipes and exclusive 20-inch Double-spoke M light-alloy wheels.” Read more »

2014 Could Spell the End for Mitsubishi, Volvo and Road&Track in the US, Says Report

The modern business world is so competitive, that it is no longer an advantage to be one, or eight, steps ahead of the competition – it is a survival requirement. According to a report from financial news publication 24/7 Wall St., ten important brands may disappear from the US scene in the coming 18 months, three of which are automotive-related.

They say that Mitsubishi, Volvo and the Road&Track publication could bite the dust in the States due to “the brutally competitive nature of certain industries and the importance of not falling behind in efficiency, innovation or financing.”

Michael Bay, the director of the first three installments of the Transformers franchise who had said that the third movie of the series, dubbed Dark of the Moon, would be his "last one", is…back again to produce a fourth film, which has yet to be named but is scheduled for release in June 2014.

The teasing for Transformers 4 kicked off on Wednesday with the release of four images, which showed the new custom-built Optimus Prime, a Bugatti Grand Sport Vitesse and a 2014 Corvette Stingray along with an abstract picture. Today, Bay dropped another photo, this time of the Bumblebee Autobot character as a wide body 1967 Camaro SS.

Maserati has seen that there is room in its future lineup for two distinct two-door models. One will continue in the mold of the current GranTurismo and GranCabrio models as GT cruisers with seating for four, while the other, dubbed the Gran Sport, will be a lighter, smaller and strictly two-seater model. Read more »

Russian Mercedes-Benz AMG TV Spot Takes it Easy

All those crazy dash-cam videos from Russia that are circulating on the internet would lead you to believe that any car footage related to the land of vodka, babushkas and caviar would entail a crash or at least someone pointing a gun to a motorist. Read more »

Disgruntled Serbian Fiat Employee Reportedly Vandalized 31 500Ls with a Screwdriver!

A Serbian assembly line worker from Fiat’s Kragujevac plant has reportedly vandalized 31 half-assembled 500L MPVs with a screwdriver. The worker scratched curse words and offensive messages on the cars’ bodies.

The exact content of the messages was not disclosed, but it appears the curses were aimed at the management of the plant, including the general manager and the workers’ Italian supervisors. Recently there have been tensions between management and workers as parts shortages delayed production, with trade unions saying workers had been forced to work long hours and had been denied cigarette breaks.

For various reasons, some people don't want to be seen in expensive, flashy cars, but at the same time, they also don't want to give up on the luxuries that such vehicles are equipped with.

This is why bespoke luxury vehicle specialists from Carisma Auto Design are offering a customizing package for the Mercedes-Benz Viano that really makes the large German van an S-Class of its category. The aftermarket company basically finishes off what Mercedes-Benz started in 2011 with the Viano Vision Pearl Concept.

Fiat is negotiating with a series of banks to borrow as much as $10 billion to buy the Chrysler Group stake it doesn’t own and refinance both automakers’ debt at lower rates.

According to a report from Bloomberg, which cited people familiar with the matter, Fiat wants to buy the 41.5 percent of Chrysler held by the United Auto Workers’ retiree health-care trust with money borrowed from banks including Bank of America, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs and BNP Paribas.

Here's a story that's being making the news rounds in Thailand today, and all for good reason, because, while it's not uncommon for exotic supercars to catch fire on the road individually, having four of them turned into useless scrap metal on a transport trailer is a rare occasion, to say the least.

Yet it happened on a road in the resort district of Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima, in Thailand when a fire that is said to have started on a BMW, which spread on a Lamborghini Mucilageo and then onto a Ferrari F430 and a Bentley Continental. A motorist from the opposite lane purportedly alerted the driver of the truck about the fire.

Almost 60 years (57, to be precise) since the launch of the original Lotus Seven in 1957, and 40 years after Caterham brought the rights to the lightweight sports car from Lotus founder Colin Chapman, the saga of the Seven continues with its current owner announcing today the upcoming release of a new model. Read more »

Discrepancy Between Real-World Economy Figures and Manufacturer Data On the Rise

We are all aware that the advertised economy figures for new cars are nearly impossible to match or surpass under normal driving conditions. It is something you factor in when looking for your next purchase, especially if you want it to be a particularly efficient one.

Now, according to a study published by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), the discrepancy between the declared and real-world numbers has risen to around 25 percent, up considerably from 10 percent a decade ago.

The Audi A1 Quattro is a limited-edition model built in only 333 units that showcases the brand’s engineering expertise and also serves as a tribute to the iconic Audi Quattro. Rare and expensive, the A1 Quattro is basically a pocket rocket that Audi built just to show it could.

The crew from XCar in the UK managed to get their hands on an A1 Quattro for a test drive and were absolutely impressed by it. I mean, who wouldn’t be impressed with an all-wheel drive B-segment premium car that is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine developing 252 bhp?

Dacia's foray into the small SUV segment with the affordable Duster has proven successful, but the Renault Group-owned Romanian brand refuses to rest on its laurels and is working on a light facelift, which could be revealed as early as this fall at the Frankfurt Motor Show or alternatively, at next year's Geneva Salon in March. Read more »

Chris Harris Calls Morgan Three Wheeler and Caterham Seven the “Essence of Driving”

We’re grateful that cars like the Morgan Three Wheeler and Caterham Seven still exist, and have only taken from modern technology that which doesn’t detract from what made them so popular over the years. Both are very old in their design and concept, but have been brought up to date with modern brakes, engines, gearboxes and some electronics. Read more »

Hamann Releases New Range Rover Mk4 Mystere Onto the Market

There are many ways to make your fourth generation Range Rover stand out from a sea of luxury SUVs, but if you're not sure how, just ask the tuners over at Hamann Motorsports. Following the world premiere of the German company's Range Rover “MYSTÈRE” at the March 2013, Geneva Auto Salon in Switzerland, Hamann has now made the package available for order.

Naturally, the first thank that catches your eye on the Mystère is the pink tinted chrome body wrap, which Hamann says, is "a color that exhibits nothing more but self-confidence".

Ford announced today that its subcompact EcoSport SUV will be sold in 62 markets worldwide by 2017, but the United States is not going to be one of them.

According to a report from The Detroit News, Ford’s executive vice president of global marketing, sales, service and Lincoln, Jim Farley, said the automaker is studying “very closely” the possibility of selling the small SUV in the States. However, he added that the immediate market does not warrant selling the car in Ford’s home market.

It seems that the corruption of crosswalks is not limited to the vast expanses of Russia, and it actually affects all countries around the world. While in Russia you get to walk on the hood of offenders’ cars, in Romania you aren't given a chance to by the police. What I mean by that is that they may run you over before you get a chance to make a statement, as the video posted below eloquently illustrates. Read more »

Honda Slashes Fit EV's Monthly Lease Price by a Third, Down to $259

The battery-powered Honda Fit EV has just become more affordable for American consumers as the Japanese carmaker has reduced the monthly lease price by more than 30 percent, from $389 to $259 a month for new as well as existing lessees beginning from June 1.

Honda's new three-year lease offer comes with no down payment and includes unlimited mileage, routine maintenance, collision coverage and a 240 volt EV home charging station equipment –albeit excluding installation- from Leviton.

Peugeot is ready for the “Race to the Clouds” after the 208 T16 Pikes Peak has successfully finished its first and only test “in the wild” ahead of the Colorado event.

Sébastien Loeb drove the 208 T16 Pikes Peak in the south of France on Mont Ventoux, famous for hosting a stage of the Tour de France cycling race. It was the first time the 875-hp car rolled outside Peugeot Sport’s factory or a closely guarded circuit.

Future Cars: Envisioning the 2015 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe

Ever since the launch of the successful Cadillac ATS sedan, I've humbly admired its presence and determination for going toe to toe with its German rivals. Styling alone gives the competition cause for concern, as it appears striking, balanced and well refined. From the well sorted proportions to its svelte, yet simple surfacing, the ATS is a welcome progression from the hard-edged and boxier designs of recent Cadillac past.

This all bodes well for something else to be derived off the ATS platform; yes that's right - a rather luring Coupe version.

This is just one of those stories that make you smile, before you get serious only to smile again. You don’t really know if it’s funny, serious, or both. Have you ever heard about gephyrophobia? Neither had I, until today, when I learned that it is the medically attested fear of bridges. Apparently it is very real, and it is not a naturally occurring mental disorder, but is actually always caused by a traumatic event involving a bridge (or tunnel, because apparently the subconscious links/associates them). Read more »

One-Off 2013 SRT Viper GTS Reportedly Built for Marchionne Goes to Auction

SRT has built a one-off 2013 Viper GTS that will be sold at an auction benefiting the Sons of Italy Foundation. Unveiled at a gala organized by the foundation that represents men and women of Italian descent, the car features a special pearl white paint, black vapor chrome wheels and custom interior enhancements that “pay tribute to Italian heritage”, according to SRT’s description of the video posted on YouTube. Read more »

New 2014 BMW X5 Officially Unveiled in All its Evolutionary Glory [70 Photos & Videos]

The first leaked photos of the new 2014 BMW X5 that surfaced on the internet earlier today left few doubts about the path that the Bavarians would follow with the third generation of their premium midsize SUV, or as the brand with the blue and white roundel likes to call it, SAV for Sports Activity Vehicle.

If you were talented enough on the drawing board to imagine the current X5 with various styling elements from the latest 3-Series sedan and the X3, what you would get is the new X5, which is clearly an evolution of the outgoing model with a more upright and serious face dominated by the twin kidney grilles and the extended headlamp covers.

In a similar fashion, the interior styling of the X5 has evolved to incorporate the latest styling trends at BMW like the four round gauges on the instrument panel and the oversized 10.2-inch Control Display Monitor.

At the rear, the folding backrest of the second-row seat can now be split 40:20:40, which allows load capacity to be increased in stages from 23 cu.ft. to 66 cu.ft. (650 – 1,870 liters), based on EU measurements, which BMW says represents up to seven percent more volume than its predecessor.

We just learnt through Michael Bay's official website that the cast of cars in the upcoming sci-fi action movie Transformers 4 will gain two all-new members, along with a “completely upgraded” and “custom built” version of Optimus Prime.

The first is a Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse – undoubtedly a cool sight to see it turn into a robot. The second car is a striking electric green Corvette Stingray, which director Michael Bay says is a “special race-inspired” model .

If for any reason you find some twisted kind of joy in watching sports cars overpowering dynometers with catastrophic results, then by all means, you should take a look at the following video footage.

YouTube author Yan Yaya tells us that this incident was filmed at the Expo Performance 24 in Sherbrooke, a city in southern Quebec, Canada.

Following the reveal of the Chevy Silverado High Country, GMC has released the first photos of the 2014 Sierra 1500 Denali full-size pickup that will launch this fall in the United States. The third generation of the Sierra Denali will be available with a 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8 engine that produces approximately 420 horsepower and 450 lb-ft (609 Nm) of torque, figures that will make it the most powerful light duty truck on the market. Read more »

Hamann Tycoon II M is a BMW X6M Turned Up to Eleven!

The BMW X6M is an SUV with a coupe profile, four seats and one very powerful engine. It has more than enough performance to meet all needs, with a claimed 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint time of 4.7 seconds and an electronically-capped top speed of 155 mph (248 km/h).

Yet there seems to be a bit of room for improvement, and Hamann is only too happy to oblige with their latest kit for the vehicle, called Tycoon II M – I won’t make fun of its name, but it’s not the best they could have come up with.

Few, if any of you, will be surprised to learn that the next generation of the Mini hatchback (also known as the Hardtop) will keep the same basic exterior shape and styling as the two previous models developed under the ownership of the BMW Group. The retro design language defines the Mini brand, and its German owners do not intend to mess around with a successful formula. Read more »

Friday, May 31, 2013

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

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