Lamborghini Huracan Superleggera Spotted Testing At The Nurburgring

The much awaited Lamborghini Huracan Superleggera has been spotted testing at the Nurburgring.

The Lamborghini Huracan Superleggera was seen testing in the body of a regular Huracan coupe

Although we expect a some design changes to make the supercar look more aggressive, the test car seemed to have almost no changes at all. The body was still the same as the regular coupe. The only change was at the rear, which was camouflaged a little bit suggesting a new exhaust system. The photographer also said the car was louder and sharper than the regular Huracan. The test mule also had outside rear-view mirrors finished in black.

This is the first time that the hardcore version of the Huracanhas been seen testing. For now, it appears to use the body of a regular Huracan but a more aggressive body is expected. The Huracan is also expected to shed a lot of weight and its engine will now develop more power pushing the output to 610 bhp or 620 bhp, just like its predecessor, the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, which was a stripped out, lightweight hardcore version of the regular car. The car could be launched by the end of the year or sometime next year.

The Superleggera is lightweight, more powerful version of the regular car

Launched at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, the Lamborghini Huracan is powered by a 5.2 litre naturally aspirated V10 engine producing 602 hp and 560 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a 7-speed LDF dual-clutch transmission and power is sent to all four wheels. The supercar accelerates from a standstill to a 100 kmph in 3.2 seconds and goes on to a top speed of more than 325 kmph. A convertible version based on the coupe was launched at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show. A less powerful RWD versionis also available. It produces 580 bhp and 540 Nm of torque. The supercar accelerates from a standstill to a 100 kmph in 3.4 seconds and goes on to a top speed of more than 320 kmph.

The supercar could arrive by the end of the year or sometime next year

In India, the Lamborghini Huracan starts at INR 2.99 crores (ex-showroom, New Delhi) and goes up to INR 3.43 crores (ex-showroom, New Delhi). It competes with the Audi R8, Ferrari 488, Porsche 911 Turbo S and the Mclaren 650S.

Lamborghini Huracan Superleggera spy shots image gallery

Source – Autoblog

Bentley Bentayga To Launch In India On The 21st Of This Month; One Unit Imported

Bentley is all set to launch the Bentayga SUV in India on the 21st of this month.

Deliveriesof the Bentley Bentayga First Editions began recently at the British company’s headquarters in Crewe. Zaubashows that one unit of the SUV has been imported into the country.

Deliveries of the Bentley Bentayga First Edition began recently

Bentley has allocated 20 units of the Bentayga for India for 2016 and according to some company sources, all of them have been sold. The first customers are most likely to be Bentley owners and brand loyalists, who were given first preference. The base price of the car is expected to be around INR 3.75 crores (ex-showroom) while the optional equipment could see prices cross INR 5 crores (ex-showroom). Deliveries of the high-end SUV is expected to begin in June.

The Bentley Bentayga was launched at the 2015 IAA Frankfurt Motor Showand it is the fourth product from the company after the Continental GT, Flying Spur and the Mulsanne. The cabin is one of the most luxurious and it can rival cars like the Mulsanne and even a Rolls-Royce. It comes loaded with a 1920 watt 21-channel amplifier Naim audio system and driver assistance systems including night vision. It even gets a very expensive optional mechanical Breitling clock that costs $170,000. It is powered by a re-engineered version of the 6.0-litre W12 engine producing 600 bhp and 900 Nm of torque. It is mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox and power is sent to all four wheels. The SUV accelerates from a standstill to a 100 kmph in 4.1 seconds and it goes on to a top speed of 301 kmph. The Bentley Bentayga rivals the Range Rover Autobiography and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S.

The Bentley Bentayga will be launched in India on the 21st of this month

Source – Autocar India

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Toyota Etios To get Updates In Brazil, Leaked

It looks like the Toyota Etios is due to get some updates in Brazil and these updates have been leaked.

The images show that the only change to the exterior of the car are new alloy wheels. On the inside, it gets a new digital instrument cluster and just like in the current model, it continues to be placed above the centre console. It also gets features like cruise control, ISOFIX child seat mounts and rear seat headrests and three-point seatbelts for the middle passenger.

For the Brazilian market, the Etios is offered with a 1.3-litre Dual VVT-i engine and a 1.5-litre Dual VVT-i engine. The 1.3-litre engine gains 8 bhp and it now produces 97 bhp while the 1.5-litre engine gains 10 bhp and it now produces 106 bhp. The sedan also gets a new 6-speed manual transmission and a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Although it has not been confirmed, some of these changes like the new digital instrument cluster could make it to the India-spec Toyota Etios.

In India, the Toyota Etios is available with a 1.5-litre petrol engine producing 88 bhp at 5,600 rpm and 132 Nm of torque at 3,000 rpm and a 1.4-litre diesel engine producing 67 bhp at 3,800 rpm and 170 Nm of torque at 1,800 rpm. Both the engines are paired to a 5-speed manual transmission and power is sent to the front wheels. The petrol car returns 16.78 kms to a litre of fuel while the diesel car returns 23.59 kms.

The Toyota Etios starts at INR 6.19 lakhs (ex-showroom, New Delhi) and goes up to INR 8.62 lakhs (ex-showroom, New Delhi). It competes with the Mahindra Verito.

Toyota Etios update leaked in Brazil image gallery

Source – Autos Segredos

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Although most of the next Porsche Boxster/Cayman range will use 4cyl turbo engines, the current flat-six could return after all

The next Porsche Cayman and Boxster are in line to get four-cylinder turbocharged engines in a move that mirrors the shift to turbo power in the latest facelifted 911.

are in line to get four-cylinder turbocharged engines in a move that mirrors the shift to turbo power in the latest facelifted 911. While the mainstream versions will go turbo, performance orientated versions like the Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder could retain their naturally aspirated engines.

Boxster and Cayman boss Dr Stefan Wechbach said feedback on the existing Cayman GT4and Boxster Spyder’s 3.8-litre naturally aspirated engine was “overwhelming”, prompting talks of continuing atmospheric engine production for the hottest models in the next generation of cars.

“Maybe it’s even a point of differentiation that Porsche can still use naturally aspirated engines if the competition doesn’t in the future”, he said at the Frankfurt Motor Showthis week.

Wechbach acknowledged the engineering challenges of offering both four- and six-cylinder engines in the same models, but mentioned some customers have asked Porsche about plug-in hybrid models too. “We have to deal [with these challenges] and we are dealing with them”, he said.

The move to smaller capacity turbocharged engines has been prompted by emissions, although turbo engines will: “offer the advantages our customers want: performance, acceleration, high speed and torque,” according to Wechbach.

He also rejected claims that there must be a big gap between the Cayman andin terms of price and performance. “There has been a discussion if the Cayman must have significantly less performance than the 911 Carrera. This is a fair point, but if you have a closer look at the cars, on the one hand you have a two seat, mid-engined car. On the other hand you have a 2+2 rear engined car.

“We’ve discussed it a lot with customers. If someone wants to have a 911, he will go for the 911. It doesn’t matter if the Cayman GT4 is faster or cheaper, the 911 is the icon of our brand and the overlapping of the customer groups is quite small.

“So we decided with the GT4 and the Boxster Spyder that we could have more performant models with the Boxster and Cayman range which are touching, but not overtaking, the 911 Carrera in terms of performance.”

He also denied the introduction of four-cylinder engines would increase the gap between the Boxster/Cayman and 911. “We will always offer the sportiest model in each segment, that’s why we wouldn’t go for a down shift [in market positioning] with the next generation of Boxster and Cayman,” he said.

Read all of the latest news from the Frankfurt Motor Show 2015 here.

The 10 Best Interiors Of 2016, According To WardsAuto

As drivers, we spend most of our time inside our cars, so it’s no surprise that interiors are one of the most important, yet sometimes neglected, aspects of any vehicle.

Every year,editors take to the streets driving new cars in the United States, seeking to find the 10 best interiors that raise the bar for each brand and vehicle's segment.

For 2016, the editorial staff selected 10 winners from a field of 47 vehicles with new or significantly improved interiors, based on their overall design, materials, ergonomics, safety, comfort, value, fit-and-finish and the user-friendliness of the so-called human-machine interface.

One thing we should take from this year’s awardsis that, for the first time, luxury automakers dominated the list, capturing six out of 10 spots. In previous years, only as many as three luxury brands had made it to the top.

The publication argues though, that this was due to the overwhelming number of new luxury models, as 19 out of the 47 eligible vehicles this year hailed from premium brands, citing the examples of Audi which had five new cars, including the A4, A6, Q7, S7 and TTS, while BMW and Lexus each had three entries.

Even so, WardsAuto says that all non-premium brand models in the list lean toward the luxury side of the aisle, integrating lots of soft surfaces, upscale materials, warm ambient lighting and the latest connectivity and safety features typically associated and found in premium cars.

"It's important that the Wards 10 Best Interiors list include mainstream, affordable vehicles," says Drew Winter, director-content at WardsAuto . "But the average price of a new vehicle in the U.S. has risen past $33,000, which is forcing us to reconsider how we define mainstream, affordable vehicles."

With all that said, how about we see the winners below? After you’re done checking them out, tell us which car has the best interior overall in your opinion.


The most impressive thing about Audi’s new sports coupe was the clutter-free dash with the fully-digital instrument panel that also incorporates the infotainment and navigation displays, as well as the integration of “buttons and climate controls in clever places on the instrument panel, freeing up space and resulting in a cabin that feels less cramped.” It also scored points for the quality of materials and trim.



BMW’s latest flagship sedan was praised for its design language and for incorporating “enough electronic wizardry to entertain a member of the Geek Squad for hours”, all while maintaining “enough familiar aspects to keep brand loyalists happy, such as the horizontal array of audio and climate controls in the center stack”.


A successor to the SRX, Cadillac’s new XT5 luxury mid-size crossover won editors with its “first-rate materials” and “generally flawless fit-and-finish”. Wards also pointed out “how comfortable and ergonomically correct the XT5 is, whether in the reclining second row or seated in the driver’s seat, where the shifter and all controls are within easy reach”.



GM’s second car to make the list is the new Chevrolet Camaro, with the editorial team stating it comes with “enough significantly upgraded materials and flare to set a new standard for an interior in this segment”.



The new Pacifica is Chrysler’s stylish replacement to the well-regarded, but rather square, Town and Country minivan. Wards says it was impressed by the lavish appointments and its spaciousness, with even the third row of seats being quite comfortable for an adult.



The 10th generation of Honda’s popular Civic may be the least-expensive car in this year’s list, but Wards says its interior “hardly qualifies as cheap”, sporting a modern design and a suite of available tech features that help it “stand apart from its segment rivals”.



For the past 20 years, Lexus has dominated the mid-size luxury SUV segment, with Wards saying the new RX continues the tradition of offering an “impeccable fit-and-finish” while not forgetting its “utilitarian purpose” with “second-row seats [that] fold nearly flat, exposing a massive cargo”.



Formerly known as the GLK, Mercedes’ brand-new GLC makes a great first impression with its modern yet elegant design language that follows in the footsteps of the C- and S-Class models. The editors added that it’s “supremely comfortable in the front row” and offers a long list of tech and comfort features.



Wards says it was highly impressed with the eighth generation Maxima’s spacious cabin that “makes a brilliant first impression with expert craftsmanship” delivering “a warm, inviting interior that competes with significantly more expensive vehicles from luxury brands”.



It took Volvo nearly 13 years to come up with a replacement for their XC90, but the new model makes up for the lost time with an interior that the editorial staff say, “makes the most dramatic styling statement in this year’s competition” with “far-reaching elements seen only in concept vehicles, particularly the 2-tier center console”.


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Volvo Further Tweaks XC90 T8 Twin Engine To 2.1 L/100 KM And 49 G/KM

Volvo has released final specifications of its range-topping XC90 T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid SUV, which is described by the automaker as “the world’s most powerful and cleanest SUV”.

Obviously, it’s not the most powerful SUV on sale, but it definitely is the cleanest, as it returns a combined 2.1 l/100 km (112 mpg US or 134.5 mpg UK), with corresponding CO2 emissions of 49 g/km (according to the NEDC driving cycle for hybrids.) Furthermore, pure electric range is 43 km (27 miles).

That’s not bad at all for a big 7-seat luxury SUV with a combined output of 407hp and a combined peak torque of 640Nm (472lb-ft) from a 320hp Drive-E four-cylinder turbocharged and supercharged engine and an 87hp electric motor. You may notice that the XC90 T8 Twin Engine is actually more fuel-efficient than initially announced, which is due to further tuning. The 0-100 km/h acceleration has also been improved to 5.6 seconds (previously 5.9 seconds).

The Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine offers five different driving modes: the default Hybrid mode, Pure Electric mode, Power mode for maximum performance, AWD mode for constant all-wheel drive and Save mode, which allows the driver to “freeze” the battery level and save it for later use.

The plug-in hybrid SUV will arrive later this spring in Volvo showrooms.


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WardsAuto Names its 10 Best New Interiors for 2014 – What do you Think?

Everybody loves a Top 10 list and WardsAuto delivers two of the more prestigious annual awards of the kind in the industry, one for the best powertrains and the other for the top new interiors (see the magazine's 2012 picks here and the 2013 here ) .

) . This week, Ward's released its 10 top interior choices for 2014 from "a pool of 41 new or redesigned vehicles" already available or set to go on sale soon in the USA.

Ward's says its team of editors drove each vehicle on a daily basis and submitted a ranking for each cabin based on specific criteria such as materials, ergonomics, comfort, safety, value, fit-and-finish, overall design and user-friendliness.

"This year's list is the most diverse we've ever had, from affordable compacts to ultra-luxury cars such as the $375,000 Rolls-Royce Wraith" commented WardsAuto Editor-in-Chief, Drew Winter.

"In each case, the interior plays a pivotal role in establishing the vehicle's brand character, and making it intensely desirable to buyers. Massaging seats, headliners that turn into a planetarium and autonomous driving features are just a few features that make this year's 10 best interiors really special."

The Top 10 list includes cars priced from as low as $24,010 for the 2014 Kia Soul , all the way up to $372,800 for the Rolls-Royce Wraith Coupe.

In detail the winners (sorted by price as tested from low to high) for 2014 are:

By John Halas

Story References: WardsAuto

2014 Kia Soul+ ($24,010)

Kia's boxy sub-compact in its second generation won Ward Automotive's editors with its "groovy" design accented by a two-tone scheme as well as its "outstanding comfort, space, ergonomics and value". Brownie points were given for the Soul +'s upscale features like the 8-inch navigation screen, back-up camera, panoramic roof and Infinity audio system.

2014 Mazda3 ($30,415)

The new Mazda3 was the only Japanese car to make this year's list. The testers found that its cabin "combines premium appointments with sporty functionality", adding it's not often that an "entry-level model can be had with beautiful interior styling", nifty tech gadgets like the central controller for the infotainment system and plenty of advanced safety features.

2015 Volkswagen GTI (Est. $30,695)

The Golf Mk7 GTI isn't available yet in the U.S. but was included in the list because it will soon go on sale this year. Wards Auto's said the GTI's stylish and elegant interior "demonstrates VW’s desire to execute well-appointed, sporty cabins that don’t break the bank".

2015 Chrysler 200C ($31,470)

Chrysler's brand-new 200 replacement was received warmly by Wards Auto's editors who said it’s the brand's best mid-size offering in decades, with the upper-level 200C's interior being if not the, one of its greatest attributes, offering modern styling, a host of standard comfort and tech features. They also found that it is "extremely spacious, and the back seat is roomy enough for even Klaus Busse, Chrysler’s chief interior designer, who stands tall at 6-ft.-7-ins. (2 m)".

2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited ($37,525)

The Chrysler Group's second entry in the Top 10 list is the new gen Cherokee with its controversial exterior design in Limited trim. The magazine said its interior has more character in styling than the "risk-averse CUV pack", while also scoring points in ergonomics.

2014 GMC Sierra Denali ($56,685)

Ward's found the cabin of the GMC Sierra Denali to be slightly better than the very similar Chevrolet Silverado High Country, with "excellent build quality, rugged practicality, a no-nonsense urban flair with brushed metallic trim and several electrical sockets and USB plugs".

2014 Hyundai Equus Ultimate ($68,920)

Plenty of praise was given to Hyundai's top offering, the full-size Equus Ultimate , with the magazine stating among other things that it was made "for a billionaire with a strong sense of value" offering an impeccable finish, all the latest electronic and safety features, plus immense space and all sorts of comfort features for the rear passengers like the elaborate massage function.

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray ($71,960)

After years of bashing for its interiors, GM finally got many things right with the seventh generation Corvette Stingray . According to the publication, the design and trims make the Corvette interior "highly competitive with more-expensive rivals from Porsche and Jaguar".

2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 ($122,895)

Perhaps one of the least surprising entries in this list is the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class , which Ward's says, "rewrites the interior playbook not only for its own brand but perhaps for all German luxury cars" as it "exudes richness and style for the tech-savvy driver without being intimidating".

2014 Rolls-Royce Wraith ($372,800)

The last vehicle is the new Rolls-Royce Wraith Coupe that costs more than the first eight cars in this list put together ($351,680). What surprised editors is the more youthful design compared to Rolls Royce interiors of the past with the Wraith "exuding a high-octane youthful energy".

Most ‘Artistic’ Classic Porsche 911 Race Car Heads To Auction

Chassis No.300617 was originally delivered on March 1965, painted in Light Ivory with a black/grey interior with the only options fitted to it to be the Webasto gas heater and a set of Dunlop radial tires.

This is not your average classic 911 race car, but then again, how average can the iconic Porschereally be?



The car was handed over to Peter Klasen to create the project ‘007’, which was completed in 2009. Art cars rarely show up in auctions, with Janis Joplin’s own psychedelic painted 356recently sold for a hefty $1.76 million.

Under the unusual paintjob, this 911 is a fully prepped race car with a FIA HTP plus it’s only one of the 3,154 911s built in 1965. The 2.0-litre boxer makes 190hp with the kind help of two triple-throat Weber 40 IDS carburetors while the gearbox is a five-speed manual.

The car will be auctionedin RM Sotheby’s Monaco event on May 14 without reserve.


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The revised MINI Convertible offers a blend of economy and poke in Cooper form

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Hyundai Genesis G80 Spotted On Bangalore Roads

The show car had a 3.8-litre V6 petrol engine in it and it produces 311 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 397 Nm of torque at 5,000 rpm.

The Hyundai Genesis G80 sedan, which was showcasedat the Auto Expo, was spotted driving around in Bangalore.

The show car had a 3.8-litre V6 petrol engine in it and it produces 311 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 397 Nm of torque at 5,000 rpm. The luxury sedan comes with a power tilt-and-slide panoramic sunroof, rake and reach adjustable steering wheel, auto-dimming wing mirrors, Lexicon 14-speaker sound system, ventilated front seats, powered rear sunshade and manual rear side shades, LED fog lights and a full-colour heads-up display. A Lexicon 17-speaker sound system is available as an option.

On the safety front, the sedan gets the advanced Genesis Smart Sense, which includes Highway Driving Assistance, Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assistance System. Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Active Blind Spot Detection and Driver Attention Alert.

The Genesis G80 was launched recently as a replacement for the Genesis sedan and it competes with Audi A6, Jaguar XF, Volvo S80, BMW 5-series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The name has become a separate luxury brand for Hyundai. No launch details have been confirmed yet so it is surprising to see the car on Indian roads. Perhaps this could mean that the Korean brand could soon be seen in the country.

Genesis also has a larger, more luxurious sedan called the G90. It competes with Jaguar XJ, Audi A8, BMW 7-series and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Genesis G80 spotted in Bangalore image gallery
Genesis G80 sedan at the Auto Expo image gallery

Source – Team-BHP

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Even The Bugatti Veyron Gets Recalled

Looks like some of the most expensive and fastest cars on the planet are not immune to recalls.

Looks like some of the most expensive and fastest cars on the planet are not immune to recalls. The Bugatti Veyron has been recalled for three separate issues. Cars manufactured between 2006 and 2014 are being recalled. The recall has been listed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the US. It is unknown if the recall affects Veyrons in other countries as well.

The La Finale is the final Bugatti Veyron built

The first reason is a faulty fuel gauge that “may cause a driver to unexpectedly run out of fuel and the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.” The fuel gauge might show more gas than there actually is. 72 cars have been affected. The affected cars are Veyrons manufactured between 3rd October 2006 and 17th January 2010 and Veyron Grand Sport vehicles manufactured between September 29th 2009 and 30th June 2010. Dealers will replace the fuel tank control unit and upgrade the software.

The second reason is a battery cable in that corrodes and “may result in the battery positive cable overheating, increasing the risk of a fire.” 13 cars have been affected. The affected cars are Veyrons manufactured between 3rd October 2006 and 22nd December 2006. The dealers will replace the positive battery cable and alternator.

The interior of a limited edition Bugatti Veyron

The third reason is an issue with the jacking plates corroding and falling off. If this happened while on the move, it could result in shrapnel hitting neighbouring cars, causing them to crash. 87 cars have been affected. The affected cars are Veyrons manufactured between 10th March 2006 and 9th March 2012, Veyron Grand Sport manufactured between 29th September 2009 and 14th October 2014 and Veyron Super Sport manufactured between 18th February 2011 and 17th August 2012. The dealers will rivet and seal the underbody plates.

The Veyron 16.4 coupe was launched in 2005 and it immediately became the world’s fastest car with a lot of interesting trivia facts. It is powered by an 8.0-litre quad turbo W16 engine producing 1001 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 1,250 Nm between 2,200 rpm and 5,500 rpm. The engine is paired to a 7-speed dual clutch DSG automatic gearbox and power is sent to all four wheels. The hypercar accelerates from a standstill to a 100 kmph in 2.5 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 407 kmph. The Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport is a convertible version of the Veyron 16.4.

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport is the fastest production car in the world

Five years later, Bugatti launched the more powerful and even faster Veyron 16.4 Super Sport. It gets the same drivetrain as the regular car but it now produces 1,200 bhp at 6,400 rpm and 1,500 Nm between 3,000 and 5,000 rpm. The hypercar accelerates from a standstill to a 100 kmph in 2.5 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 415 kmph. The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse is the convertible version of the Super Sport. The Veyron Super Sport currently holds the record as the fastest production car in the world.

The Bugatti Veyron has been replaced by the Bugatti Chiron, which was launched at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. The Chiron continues to be powered by the same engine but now packs more power.

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The Singer 911 Is A Hand-Made Answer To Our Prayers

We all know just how special the re-imagined 911s by Singer really are but that doesn’t mean we had enough of them.

Evo had the opportunity to driveone right-hand example in the UK, giving us the chance to admire this stunning creation and fill our keyboards with overflowing saliva.

This is after all considered to be the king of 911s, the holy grail for every serious -and very wealthy- Porsche collector, the car which combines absolutely the best ingredients of what makes the 911 a 911.

Almost 4000 hours of labour go into every car, in a meticulous procedure to transform a modest 964 into this jewel of a car. Every body panel -bar the doors- is made out of carbon fiber dropping the weight by around 250kg, the engine is a hand-built 360hp 3.8-litre naturally aspirated flat six made by Cosworth, the suspension uses adjustable Ohlins dampers, everything is bespoke and tailored in order to create the most special Porsche of them all.

All of this comes at a very steep price, with the UK car we see in the video costing his owner an eye-watering amount of money, close to £450,000. Is it worth the money? If you are like us, then yes, it deserves every penny.


VIDEO

New MINI JCW Convertible gets 228bhp and goes from 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds

It gets the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine as the MINI JCW hatchback, which gives it 228bhp and 320Nm of torque.

The new MINI John Cooper WorksConvertible has been revealed at the New York Motor Show2016.

hatchback, which gives it 228bhp and 320Nm of torque. That means it's about 20bhp up on the previous-gen JCW Convertible and 39bhp up on the MINI Cooper S Convertible.

Image 2 of 19

The MINI JCW convertible is 105kg heavier than the hatchback thanks to the extra strengthening required for a convertible car, which makes it about 0.3 seconds slower from 0-62mph: it will manage the sprint in 6.6 seconds with its six-speed manual gearbox, or 6.5 seconds with the optional 6-speed automatic and will go on to a top speed of 150mph.

The manual model manages 43.5mpg, and the automatic 47.9mpg, a significant improvement over the previous-gen JCW Convertible.

Styling additions include bigger cooling vents near the grille, sportier-looking sills, LED headlights and taillights, JCW badging and an optional Rebel Green paint that's only available on John Cooper Works models. The rest of the JCW hatch's styling upgrades are carried over too, including the large bonnet scoop, red detailing on the grille and striking lightweight alloy wheels.

Image 5 of 19

The soft-top roof can be opened at speeds up to about 19mph, and takes 18 seconds - plenty of time for onlookers to get a look at the optional Union Jack design.

Standard equipment includes air-conditioning, parking sensors, sports seats and stainless steel pedals. 17-inch wheels are standard, but you can also get 18-inch versions.

What do you think of the new MINI JCW Convertible? Let us know below...

Clarion’s Restomodded BMW 2002 Is One Of The Finest Examples Out There

Vintage and delicious BMW metal brought up to modern standards?

Vintage and delicious BMW metal brought up to modern standards? Yes please.

This BMW 2002 is one of the nicest buildsyou’ll ever come across and you can thank Clarion USA for that.

The car audio company’s Builds department took a 1974 BMW 2002and performed a frame-off restoration but instead of getting the car back to its original seventies’ mechanical condition, they upgraded almost everything to make it perform in a more modern way, still retaining though its vintage feel and goodness.

We are used into seeing way more powerful and newer powertrains in restomod projectsbut in this case, Clarion Builds kept the original 2.0-litre M10 engine which was carefully upgraded to perform with more zest.

Similarly, the five-speed manual gearbox comes from a later 3-Series model while the suspension now utilizes a full Koni custom setup with adjustable shocks, beefier sway bars front and rear. The brakes are now Wilwood discs on all four corners, with four-piston calipers up front. It even has period-correct BBS RS wheels, which were sourced from Japan.

Clarion USA used this car as a demonstrator of course, adding one of its own advanced audio systems in there, with the rest of the cabin featuring the Europe-only lux interior pack with the upholstery redone in leather.

The car was eventually sold at an auction for $125,000, with all the proceedings going to charity.

Matt Farrah drives this beautiful machineboth on road and on track. If you want to listen to one of the nicest and healthiest four-pot soundtracks out there you know what to do.


VIDEOS

The entry-level car has all the character of its more powerful stablemates.

Driving
The One uses a 1.4-litre jointly developed with Peugeot-Citroen.

The One uses a 1.4-litre jointly developed with Peugeot-Citroen. It musters 95bhp, which sounds weedy – but it’s not a disaster against the clock. 0-60mph comes up in 10.9 seconds, and the smooth, free-revving all-aluminium motor backs this up with decent cruising ability. The availability of generous torque low down in the rev range means the Brit is surprisingly relaxed over extended periods behind the wheel. The gearbox is slick and precise, too. And out on the road, the MINI uses its long, wide stance to stake a claim as a real driver’s car. Through faster corners it feels stable and balanced and the electrically-assisted steering is precise and nicely weighted. Stiff suspension keeps any body roll in check and provides sharp responses, although the downside is a ride that isn’t as supple as the best.

Marketplace
The One is the entry into the ultra-popular MINI line-up. Apart from the badge, it’s often hard to distinguish from more expensive variants – normally because buyers indulge in the lengthy extras list and variety of trendy roof decals. It has an unmistakable chrome grille and body profile. If you’re looking for more power, you’ll move up to costlier Coopers and Cooper S variants – the One is there to provide an accessible price for MINI fans, who may also be considering the Fiat 500, VW Beetle, smart fortwo or Daihatsu Materia. All, like the MINI, will help set them apart from the usual small-car crowd.

Owning
Look inside and the MINI is like Dr Who’s Tardis in reverse, because its long wheelbase and commanding exterior dimensions hide a poorly packaged interior. There’s plenty of room up front, but even shorter rivals are a more than a match when it comes to back seat space, and usually provide a better boot, too. However, you don’t buy a MINI for practicality – where it excels is the feelgood factor. To set itself apart from the crowd, the MINI relies on a bank of retro-style toggle switches, a distinctive centrally positioned chrome-ringed speedo and body-coloured accents. Build quality is excellent too, though equipment levels aren’t great. Even air con is extra. The pay-off is some of the best retained values in the business, plus support from MINI’s excellent aftersales network. The tlc all-inclusive servicing pack is also a winner – and there’s no arguing with a diesel-like 53.3mpg on the combined cycle, either!

German Authorities’ Investigation Shows Only VW To Have Cheated Emission Tests

The Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) completed its investigation on diesel vehicles, with their results showing that only Volkswagen has cheated the official emission tests.

According to Reuters , the study found irregularities during on-road testing of emission levels in other cars but these were within the legal limits.

The investigation included more than 50 diesel models from 23 brandsand started in last September, after VW admitting manipulation of the emissions tests, using the so-called defeat devices for up to 11 million vehicles worldwide.

The German newspaper Handelsblatt also wrote that the full report of KBA will be released in late April, with a spokesman from the Transport Ministry saying "the final results will be published after the end of the investigation".

VW has seen its sales dropping by 12.5 per cent in the United Statesfor the first quarter of 2016, with Audi’s and Porsche’s remaining unaffected in the region by the emission-cheating scandal.


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Mercedes Diesels Gunned By US Owners, Lawsuit Filed Over Emissions

In the latest chapter of the now infamous Dieselgate , owners of Mercedes-Benz diesel cars from 13 states in the US have filed a class action lawsuit against the automaker in the District Court of New Jersey, New York.

Despite German authorities concludingthat VW Group diesels were the only ones fitted with emission cheating devices, not all are of the same mind.



They state the automaker "deceived consumers by knowingly programming its BlueTEC vehicles to release illegal levels of emissions in virtually all real world driving conditions" - and they claim they have substantial evidence.

“When put to the test of real world conditions, Mercedes’ ‘clean’ diesel cars fail at nearly every opportunity to live up to the ecofriendly branding Mercedes plastered onto these vehicles,” said Steve Berman, managing partner of law firm Hagens Berman who represents the owners. “According to our research, all signs point to Mercedes installing a defeat device, similar to what Volkswagen implemented, to cheat emissions tests. We intend to unveil everything Mercedes knows.”

Mercede-Benz USA denied all accusations: " We consider this class action lawsuit to be unfounded. Our position remains unchanged: A component that inadmissibly reduces emissionsis not used in Mercedes-Benz vehicles ".

On their part, the owners cite a study conducted by TNO for the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment showing that, in real world testing, the C-Class 220 emits much higher NOx than in controlled dynamometer tests, adding that “in most circumstances arising in normal situations on the road, the systems scarcely succeed in any effective reduction of NOx emissions.”

Moreover, they claim that, at low temperatures and variable speeds, BlueTEC diesels produced emissions as high as 30.8 times the standard and, thus, not only does Merc break several laws, but its practice "constitutes breach of contract and fraudulent concealment."

The law firm advises owners of the ML 320 and 350, GL 320, E320, S350, R320, E-Class, GL-Class, ML-Class, R-Class, S-Class, GLK-Class, GLE-Class and Sprinter fitted with a BlueTEC diesel engine to contact it and learn more about the case.


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2017 Subaru Forester Gains Revised Styling And More Safety Features

Subaru revealed the 2017 Forester which now comes with modest styling updates, more safety features and slightly improved fuel efficiency.

For the US-bound MY2017Forester’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology with new color cameras for a wider and longer field of vision and Lane Keep Assist. Other new features include Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Naturally aspirated models also gain a revised front bumper and a new grille while all models getredesigned headlights with a black inner bezel and a new C-shaped lighting signature. Similar changes apply to the rear LED lights as well.

Subaru has added a new Sepia Bronze color option, exclusive to the Touring trim level and two new alloy wheel designs featuring a black/machined finish. Touring models also get new Saddle Brown perforated leather upholstery option with contrast stitching as an option with matching door panels and other details.

The company added more soundproofing for a more comfortable experience, including thicker glass for the doors, an acoustic windshield and revised door seals and underfloor insulation.

The 170hp 2.5i CVT versions now offer an EPA fuel economy of 26mpg city / 32mpg highway / 28mpg combined, improving on the 24mpg city / 32mpg highway / 27mpg combined of the outgoing model.

The turbocharged 250hp 2.0XT models gain the Active Torque Vectoring feature which debuted in the latest WRXand WRX STI models. Other revisions include a quicker steering ratio for a more immediate response to the driver’s inputs.

Subaru hasn’t released more photos of the new North American 2017 Forester yet but watch this space.


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Refreshed Mercedes CLA Coupe And Shooting Brake Available For Order In Germany

The cheapest model is the CLA 180 Coupe (Merc talk for the sedan), which costs €29,250.20 ($33,145), or €36 ($40) more than its predecessor, while the most powerful model, the CLA 45 AMG 4Matic is priced from €56,822.50, which equals $64,385 at the current exchange rates.

Following their premiere in New York last month, Mercedes-Benz has published prices for the 2017 CLAin Germany.



Buyers looking into fuel efficiency can order the CLA 180 d BlueEfficiency Edition, which comes with an output of 109 PS (107 HP) and it's available with a manual transmission only. Prices for this version start from €31,535 ($35,730) for the Coupeand €32,130 ($36,405) for the Shooting Brake.

The options list is generous and includes, depending on the selected version, an 8-inch media display with new cover glass, for €190.40 ($215), which is fitted as standard with the Comand Online (€3,522.40/$3,990). Hands-Free Access is part of the Keyless-Go Convenience Package, priced from €773.50/1,094.80 ($875/1,240) for the Coupe/Shooting Brake, Smartphone Integration package with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto costs €357 ($405) and buyers can also select the LED High Performance headlamps, for €1,041.25 ($1,180).

Full pricing info for the entire range available below is for the German market and it includes tax.






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Powerful Renault Kwid 1.0-litre and AMT variant launch in June

Renault Kwid to become more appealing with a powerful engine and AMT.

Renault Kwid 1.0-litre SCe at the Delhi Auto Expo

According to a report, Renault Kwidpowered by a 1.0-litre engine along with AMT will be launched in June. These cars were shown at the Delhi Auto Expoin February and will be added as a variant to the already successful 800 cc engined Kwid’s.

The Renault Kwid has seen tremendous response from Indian customers with the booking nearing the 1.25 lakh mark since it’s launch 7 months back. The two most important factors giving it such distinct numbers is its SUVish looks and rock bottom pricing. The Kwid begins at Rs 2.7 lakh ex-showroom and does not really have a competition with the kind of equipment levels on offer.

The automatic transmission on Renault Kwid

The Renault Kwid 1.0 SCe comes with a 1.0-litre engine with 4-valve DOHC layout. The power output is not known as of now. The automatic transmission variant will be called Kwid Easy-R and come with shift control dial with three modes Reverse, Neutral and Drive. The crawl function helps move forward and backwards slowly without any throttle input. The AMT version is expected to be priced at around 3.20 lakh which will be substantially lower than it’s nearest rival Maruti Alto K10 AMT which costs over  Rs 4 lakh.

The current version of the Kwid hatchback is powered by a 799 cc, three-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 53 bhp and 72 Nm of torque. It is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and power is sent to the front wheels. The hatchback weighs just 669 kgs. This allows it to return an efficiency of 25.17 km’s to a litre of fuel.

The equipment list consists of features like 2-DIN audio system with USB, AUX, AM, FM and Bluetooth, two speakers, a touchscreen system, GPS navigation, digital instrument cluster, front fog lamps, front power windows, dual tone interiors, fabric seat upholstery, air conditioning with heater, speed sensing door locks, and driver airbag.

Related Posts

Mercedes-Benz CLA Gets The Wide-Body Treatment By Fairy Design [w/Video]

Although Fairy Design is not very well known outside Japan, in its home country it has made a name for itself when it comes to modifying luxury imports such as Mercedes, Porsche, Maserati.

Who would’ve thought that a wide-body, Liberty-Walk styleCLA could look so good?



Moreover, the tuning company collaborated with Liberty Walk on the Gran Turismoproject we featured not that long ago, making good use of their expertise.

Liberty Walk’s wide-body kits are very popular nowadays, but not everybody can get their hands on a high-end exotic to sport the desirable look. Other companies out there (like Pandem and TRA-Kyoto) appeal to the common motorist, but the “Rocket Bunny” kits are race-inspired (and somewhat crude), so Fairy Design probably tried its luck with a mild posh-car that's not getting much attention.

The kit for Mercedes' compact sedan consists of a front lip spoiler, a rear diffuser, a trunk spoiler and, of course, widened wheel flares. The end result combines the vehicle’s slanted roofline with a widened stance, and the tuner asks approximately $9,909 if the kit made from carbon fiber. Is it worth the buck? That's up to CLA owners to decide.


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VIDEO

G-Power Customizes BMW 7-Series E65's Cabin

Even though the BMW 7-Series E65 generation went out of production in 2008, G-Power proves that the car can still remain a relevant and coveted choice.

Even though the BMW 7-Series E65 generation went out of production in 2008, G-Power proves that the car can still remain a relevant and coveted choice. Especially the 760Li variant, which comes with the highly-desirable V12 engine at its disposal, and represents an exotic option – missing from the current BMW line-up.

In order to make it even more luxuriant and lavish, G-Power adornedthe car's interior to match its size and the beast under the hood. The German tuner says that there’s no spot in the automobile’s cabin that hasn’t been touched by its style, and that the “painstaking work carried out by hand goes far beyond simply upholstering”.

And when you look at the interior, it does seem like the company put a lot of craftsmanship into it, even though the final result might not be on everyone’s cup of tea. Still, the attention to detailsis magnificent, especially as G-Power actually re-shaped the seats.

An intriguing element fitted to the car’s compartment is the espresso machine, implemented so that the customers can opt for a freshly brewed alternative, instead going for the cool champagne in the car’s fridge.

Exterior-wise, G-power kept the car squeaky clean, upgrading it with a set of wheels and bespoke badges only.


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G-Power Modifies BMW's Tri-Turbocharged X6 M50d

With a 3.0-litre, tri-turbocharged, six-cylinder diesel pumping out 389 PS (376 HP) and 740 Nm (546 ft·lbf) of torque under its belt, the X6 M50d can be called anything but under-powered.

The BMW X6 M50d might not be a true blue-blooded Motorsport model, but G-Poweris willing to fix all that.

With a 3.0-litre, tri-turbocharged, six-cylinder diesel pumping out 389 PS (376 HP) and 740 Nm (546 ft·lbf) of torque under its belt, the X6 M50d can be called anything but under-powered. Even so, compared to its bigger, angrier sibling – the full-fat X6 M – it doesn’t appear to be an extraordinary potent vehicle.

But if anybody really wants, for some reason, a more powerful diesel, luxury, four-door-coupe crossover, then G-Poweris will offer them a 455 PS (449 HP) variant, with 870 Nm (641 ft·lb) of torque.

The impressive power upgrade was achieved using a power module – called the Bi-Tronik 5 V1 – which was placed between the factory ECU and the engine. What makes this solution very interesting, is that it remains inactive under partial load, but stick “the pedal to the metal” and it instantly triggers the unique fueling and boost mapping for that additional 74 PS (73 HP) and 130 Nm (95 ft·lb) of torque.

But that’s not all, because the German tuner also offers the D-Tronik 2 V1 upgrade – a bespoke remapping of the factory ECU, customized after each customer’s needs regarding the throttle response and power delivery.

Also optional is the serial top speed restriction removal – which G-Power saysit’s possible, without getting into further details. Naturally, a set of 11.0x23-inch “Jet Black”, “Gun Metal Grey”, “Stardust Silver” or “Diamond Cut” HURRICANE RR forged wheels are in order – to subtly signal the grunt under the hood.


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We get behind the wheel of the fastest MINI ever, the new 215bhp John Cooper Works GP II

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Electric Car Registrations Reach Record Highs In The UK

During the first three months of the year, a total of 10,496 plug-in cars have hit UK roads, while one statistic shows that one plug-in electric vehicle is being sold every 13 minutes.

According to Go Ultra Low, there have been more than 115 electric cars registered every day during the first quarter of 2016 in the UK, which represents a record-high.



If the demand for EVs keeps growing this way, 2015's record total will most certainly be surpassed, and that was a year where more plug-in cars were registered than in the previous five years combined.

Additionally, the first quarter of 2016 also represents a 23% improvement over the same period last year. Taking advantage of the Plug-In Grant, over 58,000 customers have bought an EV during the first three months of the year - three times as many as last year between January and March.

"These record figures show that hundreds of people every week are coming round to the fact that plug-in cars are cleaner, greener and cheaper to run," said Transport Minister Andrew Jones. "The UK is a world leader in the uptake of low emission vehicles and our long-term economic plan is investing £600 million by 2020 to improve air quality, create jobs and achieve our goal of every new car and van in the UK being ultra-low emission by 2040."

In March alone, there were 7,144 new electric cars on UK roads, a clear improvement over last year's 6,104 units. For the past 12 months, the UK itself stands as the biggest major market, and second only to the Netherlands in total EV registrations - while representing 1/5 of the EU's collective EV sales.


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Can You Focus On BMW’s M2 With Gigi Hadid Around?

BMW feels pretty confident that their new M2 can hold its own against a hot presence like Gigi Hadid, and to prove it, they’re challenging viewers to focus on the lady in red as she jumps into one of five identical Laguna Blue M2s.

“Only have eyes for Gigi? Or did the M2 just stealyour heart? Packed with pure power and performance, when you see the M2 in action, it’s hard to focus on anything else,” says BMW.

The playful campaign includes two videos, a regular and a 360-degree interactive version, with viewers then being asked to visit a special site at eyesongigi.com to figure out in which of the five cars the 20-year old American fashion model was riding in.

The new M2 is on sale now, with US pricing starting from $51,700, significantly less than the $65,700 M4 Coupe. It gets its mojo from a 3.0-liter straight six producing 370PS (365hp) and 465Nm (343 lb-ft) of peak torque catapulting it to 100km/h (62mph) in 4.5 seconds when your row your own gears, and in 4.3 seconds when you leave the electronics of the dual clutch transmission do the work for you.


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Mitsubishi UK Looking to Raise Awareness of Ultra Low Emission Vehicles

Having said that, it's a known fact that the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV - the world's first 4x4 plug-in hybrid SUV - has become the UK's best selling plug-in hybrid vehicle.

MitsubishiMotors UK has joined the Go Ultra Low campaign, set to increase awareness of ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) among British motorists.

In the UK, the benefits of owning a ULEV include low running costs and government incentives, which is why Mitsubishi is joining the likes of Audi, VW, BMW, Nissan, Renaultand Toyotain this endeavor.

- the world's first 4x4 plug-in hybrid SUV - has become the UK's best selling plug-in hybrid vehicle. Which is a very good starting point to any conversation about raising awareness.

According to the SMMT (the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders), ULEV registrations in 2014 grew by more than 300%, to 14,518 cars.

"More UK car-buyers are realizing the advantages of owning an ultra-low emission vehicle, and the aim of the newly-expanded Go Ultra Low consortium is to share the multiple benefits with a wider audience. We've discovered that once people learn more about the benefits of these cars and vans, they're keen to take action - and once they've tried them, they're hooked." stated Go Ultra Low spokesperson Hetal Shah.

In the UK, the government currently offers up to £5,000 of the price of ULEVs as a tax benefit, while the cost of driving them is as little as 2p per mile, compared to at least 10p per mile for a typical petrol or diesel car.

The Go Ultra Low campaign is the first of its kind, as it brings together the Department for Transport, the Office for Low Emissions Vehicles, SMMT as well as a consortium of seven car manufacturers.


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Is BMW’s New M2 Better Than The M4? [w/Poll]

With its compact dimensions, a turbocharged straight-six and a chassis honed by the BMW M wizards, everything is possible, but can the M2 actually get close and perhaps even beat its larger and more expensive M4 sibling at its own game?

The BMW M2 Coupe is arguably one of the hottest ridesyou can buy right now.



The numbers suggest that the M2 shouldn’t be near the M4 in terms of performance - even those of you who thought that the smaller size equals to a lot less weight than the big brother, ought to think again: BMW announces a 1,570kg kerb (3,461 lbs / empty) weight which means that a manual M2 is only 20kg (44 lbs) lighter than a manual M4.

Priced from $51,700 in the USA, the M2 is motivated by a turbocharged 3.0-litre straight six producing 370PS (365hp) and 465Nm (343 lb-ft) of torque, capable of completing the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint in 4.5 seconds (4.3sec with the DCT gearbox).

The M4 costs $14,000 more at $65,700 for the base model, and it gets a different 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight six, rated for 431PS (425hp) and 550Nm (406lb-ft), reaching the 100km/h (62mph) mark in 0.2 seconds faster, at 4.3 seconds for the manual model and 4.1 seconds for the DCT version.

But the story might have some more depth to it than what some cold numbers might point to, and that’s why Motor Trend brought the two models together to find out which one is not only faster on a track, but also which is better choice for the playful enthusiast.

Is it possible for the new BMW M2to be better than the mighty M4? Let’s find out in the video, and while we're at it, how about you cast your vote on which one you'd buy in the poll that follows?

Poll: Which BMW M would you take?


VIDEO


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Lexus Chief Engineer Shares Thoughts On LC 500h

With a total output of 359 PS, the LC 500h is able to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in under 5 seconds, which makes it only half a second slower than the V8-powered LC 500 .

The reception for the Lexus LC 500h and its new hybrid propulsion systemhas been fairly positive since the car made its debut at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.



Of course, when it comes to hybrid models, the focus is always on efficiency as much as it is on performance and according to chief engineer Koji Sato, the two shouldn't be mutually exclusive.

"In the past, people associated hybrid with 'eco'. We wanted to change that perception and create a true high-performance package," said Sato during a recent interview with Lexus Europe.

"We've taken our pioneering Lexus Hybrid Drive to the next level, combining a V6 petrol engine and motor generator with an automatic transmission. This was how we could engineer a system that responds much more directly to driver inputs, while still delivering all the smoothness and efficiency characteristic of a Lexus full hybrid."

And yet, this hybrid & eco association has all but gone extinct now that we know of several hypercarsthat showed us how efficiency no longer has to be the enemy of performance.

When asked what he expects new LC 500h drivers to experience the first time they get behind the wheel, Sato went on to praise the car's dynamic abilities.

"The car will do exactly what the driver wants. If they are in a sporty mood, they can take advantage of the instant and linear torque delivery. In fact there is more torque at start-up than with our V8 hybrid and you can drive at higher speeds on electric power, thanks to the Multi Stage Hybrid System."

He interestingly points out that "this is the first Lexus hybrid that can spin its rear wheels which is a sign of the amount of power on demand," which is exactly the type of thing sports car enthusiasts love to hear.

When quizzed about the four-gear transmission, Sato explained that with the LC 500h, rhythm was everything. "We wanted the LC 500h to have the same fundamental philosophy as the V8-powered LC 500 (which uses a 10-speed automatic transmission). We We came up with 10 speeds as the result of our search for the perfect rhythm – it could have been 11 or nine, but 10 felt best during the many test drives we made."

As for the prospect of having the new Multi Stage Hybrid System end up on other Lexus models, Sato won't confirm it in so many words, but he did say that his company expects the drivetrain to be "used on larger front-engine/rear wheel-drive Lexus models in the future."


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Let's Hope The Production 2017 Ford GT Will Sound Just Like This Prototype

Ford is taunting us with its new 2017 GT model for the better part of a year now, but the American carmaker’s plans regarding its supercar are slowly materializing.

Although Ford recently launched its GT configuratoronline, there are only a handful of these cars in existence – primarily used for testing, so seeing a pre-production model revving its heart out and flaunting its stealth jet-like looks out in the open is a big treat.

Marking the 50th anniversary of Ford’s first Le Mans victory, in 1966, the reborn GT is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 EcoBoost engine producing "more than 600 hp", according to the Blue Oval.

This particular model featured in the video was created for track testing purposes and it comes with plenty of carbon fiber goodies, a monocoque, as well as front and rear aluminum sub-frames. That makes it weight around 3,200 pounds (1,450kg), which in combination with its potent six-cylinder engine, should make it a solid performer in this demanding category.

We've already heard how the racing-dedicatedvariant sounds, but now it’s time to hear one more closely related to the production-spec version that will follow..


Video

Lexus LC 500h Hybrid Pops Up Before Geneva Auto Show Premiere

Revealed officially with minor tweaks on the outside and a fresh blue color, the brand new Lexus LC 500h promises " enhanced driving pleasure, more performance and greater efficiency ", putting the next-gen hybrid Multi Stage Hybrid System to the test.

The second addition to the LC couperange is called the LC 500hand it's a hybrid.



While the "regular" LC 500makes 467hp from a 5.0-liter V8, there's no word yet on the "h" powertrain. It would not be too far-fetched to presume it will use the 3.5-liter V6 that's coupled to with a water-cooled permanent-magnet electric motor from the GS 450h. In the luxury sedan, it's good for 340hp, although the LC might get some juice to stay in line with its sports coupe credentials.

Full details on the new modelwill be announced on March 1, at 11:30 CET, at the company's stand in Hall 4, Palexpo, at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, where it will make its world premiere.

Toyota's luxury brand will also showcase the LF-FC Conceptat the same event, which " is a visionary new vehicle that offers a peak into the design and technology direction of Lexus' future flagship sedan" . The study was first presented at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show and uses a high output fuel cell system along with automated driving tech and human machine interface (HMI).


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Sporty, stylish and capable crossover is the perfect car for adventurous families

Families are buying a different kind of car these days.

Families are buying a different kind of car these days. Where a few years ago space was everything, with estates and MPVs dominating the sales charts, now tastes have changed.

People want a car that can not only transport their family in comfort, but also fit in with their active lifestyles. And at the same time, that car has to be fun, dynamic and sporty to drive, plus stylish to look at.

An SUV ticks all these boxes, and stands out with its high driving position, sense of security on the road and impressive ability off it. But SUVs have always been for buyers with bigger budgets. That’s why the crossover has become such big news; models in this class dilute a lot of the appeal of an SUV into a more accessible, compact, road-based package.

Image 5 of 7

The market for Crossovers has been booming for years and now Renault builds some of the best. In fact, it’s fast becoming recognised as the crossover brand with its hugely capable Captur and brilliant new KADJAR.

The recently launched KADJAR has made a big impression on the market with its striking design. An aggressive grille and athletic shoulder line help it stand out, while neat details like the C-shaped the C-shaped lighting signature add to the appeal. Elements such as the muscular wheelarches and the optional chunky 17 or 19-inch alloys hint at the KADJAR’s rugged potential, too; this is a car designed for the great outdoors.

Families will be discovering exactly that as the holiday season approaches. The car scores with its big boot space; even when the rear seats are in place, the KADJAR has a practically shaped load bay with a 472-litre capacity.

So mums and dads wanting to go on a spontaneous family day out or even a short-notice short break can easily load up with camping gear, or body boards and wet suits. This crossover will swallow the lot, with room to spare.

Plus, there’s a load of neat featuresto boost its versatility. If you’re only using the front seats, the one-touch folding operation on the 60:40-split back seats allows you to free up a massive 1,478-litre maximum load volume in a flash. There’s also a retractable tow bar that can be slotted into place to take a bicycle rack or hook up a small boat trailer; the car has a towing capacity of up to 1,800kg.

The KADJAR will bring out the family’s sense of adventure, especially when additionally equipped with four-wheel drive. The optional system offers a choice of 2WD, Auto and Lock modes – it’s designed for light off-roading, and owners are likely to leave the car in 2WD mode most of the time, so they won’t encounter the kind of steep fuel bills associated with SUVs.

Even so, when you switch to Auto, the quietest, grassiest corner of the campsite will hold no fear, as the system automatically sends up to 50 per cent of the torque to the rear wheels if it senses a loss of traction. Plus, adventurous dads can turn the dial to Lock and drive on to beautiful beaches like Black Rock Sands in Porthmadog, Gwynedd. With torque split by 50:50 between front and rear wheels at up to 25mph, they know the 4WD-equipped KADJAR will get through the loose sand like a hot knife through butter.

Not that you need to hit the beach to have fun in this Renault. The key attraction of crossovers like the KADJAR is their car-like driving experience, and as it’s considerably lighter than an SUV, it feels sporty from behind the wheel. The controls are well weighted, with precise steering, lots of grip and little in the way of body roll in corners.

There’s plenty of technologyin the KADJAR to help families every day. The optional Active Emergency Braking system, which provides an alert if it detects an imminent collision with the vehicle ahead. If the driver doesn’t respond and the collision becomes unavoidable, the car automatically applies the brakes to prevent the collision or limit its impact. An optional park assist system called Hands-Free Parking also takes the hassle out of tricky parallel parking manoeuvres; it operates the steering, leaving the driver to simply control the throttle and brakes.

Other driving aids include optional blind spot warning, which flashes an alert in your wing mirror when another vehicle moves into your blind spot; as well as an optional lane departure warning system that operates above 45mph to tell you if you’ve strayed over the white lines on a motorway, for example. Plus, there’s a traffic sign and speed recognition alert set-up that provides a useful visual reminder next to the speedo if you’re exceeding the limit.

But while all that technology is working away under the skin, owners will get hands-on with the R-LINK 2 infotainment system (Available on Dynamique trims and above) in the KADJAR every day. This intuitive, fully connected and customisable seven-inch touchscreen provides access to a range of features, from vehicle settings to navigation and multimedia. When they’re parked up, owners can even use the screen to play back videos of their family adventures, captured on their mobile phones. Plus, they can download a range of apps from the R-LINK store – everything from music streaming to eco coaching – to enhance their experience behind the wheel.

The optional R-LINK screen adds to the upmarket feel throughout the KADJAR’s interior. From the soft-touch dashboard and the chrome air vent surrounds to the top-stitched leather and the stunning panoramic glass sunroof, the Signature Nav model in particular has the air of a classy, high-quality product. The chunky interior design provides a sense of solidity, too; the KADJAR feels built to stand up to the rigours of family life, whether it’s going on holiday adventures in the great British outdoors or crawling through traffic on the school run.

And on every journey, drivers can enjoy an SUV-style sense of security. The high seating position gives a great view of the road for everyone on board, the raised suspension provides a comfortable ride, and access to the interior is easy. The practical, sporty and stylish Renault KADJAR is the perfect demonstration of why crossovers are so popular and will continue to be so.

2016 Nissan X-Trail Hybrid First Drive Review

The Nissan X-Trail has been around since 2000 globally.

The Nissan X-Trail has been around since 2000 globally. This was Nissan’s first Crossover SUV. Nissan got it into India in 2005 and in fact the X-Trail was the very first model to be sold here by the Japanese giant. Sold as a CBU, the X-Trail was one of the better 4×4 Premium SUVs then.

Nissan showcased the latest generation of the X-Trail at the 2016 Auto Expo recently. They got the Hybrid version of this SUV which would be launched in the Indian market later this year. If the question is… ‘Why Hybrid’? Then the answer would be… partly because the Delhi Government is banning Diesel engines above 2000cc, so the car makers are either downsizing their engines or shifting to Petrol engines. Nissan is doing something different by getting the Hybrid version, which would return fuel efficiency of the Diesel, yet Go Green. Along with the Nissan GT-R that we drove at the BIC race track, we also got an exclusive chance to drive the X-Trail Hybrid on the same day. Read on to know the very first drive of what would be the first Hybrid SUV for India when launched.

2016 Nissan X-Trail Hybrid Exteriors:

The outgoing X-Trail was a good looker when launched, but with time it looked dated, boxy and flat. The latest generation looks extremely trendy and well-proportioned. The new shape looks well in time and has just the right amount of muscularity in its styling. The front end is primarily styled with the Nissan family V- style grille, surrounded by a honeycomb mesh-styled grille, flushed angular headlights with LED DRLs and projector beams in it, along with the neatly sculpted and muscular looking front bumper.

Fog lamps come with black housing and chrome surround inserts around them. The lower front end gets a wide air dam along with a skid plate styled in chrome. The bonnet gets a pair of soft crease design lines on the extreme outer sides that flow backwards towards the windshield. The sides get a soft creased waistline that flows towards the tail section of the SUV. Wheel arches get a touch of unpainted fiber inserts, and so does the lower section of the doors and the running board. This enhances the off road capability and look of the SUV.

The 5 multi-spoke alloy in silver looks neat and suits the overall character of this machine. The Nissan X-Trail Hybrid comes with made in Japan Dunlop STBO 225/60R100 tubeless tyres. The wing mirrors also get the soft and round design language and come with integrated LED turn lights on them. The door handles get the chrome treatment along with key less entry. There is a thin chrome garnish that runs around the window line along with the blacked out window pillars. The quarter glass looks neat as it is placed at an angle and has a nice edgy cut to it along with the chrome garnish. The roof rails come in silver finish and the radio antenna in black is placed on the rear part of the roof top.

The rear section gets a set of crystal finish, neat-looking tail lamps flushed in the body along with a pressed area on the center of the boot lid reserved for the license plate with a neat-looking chrome strip on it. The boot lid comes with a body colored spoiler with air dams in glossy black next to the rear windshield. The rear bumper is low slung extending the loading area into the boot. The lower section of the boot is unpainted to go with the overall looks of the sides and the front. Overall the Nissan X-Trail Hybrid is a smart-looking SUV, extremely fresh and sporty. With the CBU units built in Japan, the quality and fit finish is very good. And yes, it has a lot of road presence.

2016 Nissan X-Trail Hybrid Interiors:

Just like the fresh-looking exteriors, the interior of the Nissan X-Trail Hybrid also gets trendy and sparklingly fresh. The cabin is in an all-black color theme and the dash gets a multi-layered styled dashboard. The instrument cluster is a round twin pod affair with a LCD display screen in the middle. This is where you see the actual Hybrid work detail (Energy Flow) and also come to know on what power the car is running at that time.

The steering is a 3-spoke design one with silver inserts and multi-function buttons placed on it. The center dash comes with an infotainment system that can play CD, Radio, AUX, USB, Bluetooth connectivity etc. The X-Trail comes with a dual zone climate control in it. The seats get all black leather upholstery while the driver’s seat can be fully adjusted electrically. The front and the rear seats offer good levels of comfort and are well-cushioned.

The boot lid can be opened and closed electrically at a press of a button which is a convenient and much needed feature, the boot can also be opened by just waving your hand under the sensor while having the key remote on you. The overall boot capacity is of 550-liters, which can be further increased when needed, by folding down the rear seats. Overall quality on the cabin is good, the quality of plastics and switches, door pads, seats, dash is excellent and there is tons of place all around for storage etc.

2016 Nissan X-Trail Hybrid Engine, Drive and Transmission:

The Nissan X-Trail Hybrid comes powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine that makes 144PS of power and has 200Nm of torque on it. Being a hybrid you also have an electric motor complementing this Petrol engine. This Electric motor is powered by a Lithium-ion battery that on its own makes 40.8PS of power and has 160Nm of torque on tap. It’s a combination of both the Petrol engine and the Electric motor that together or one by one power the X-Trail, depending on the throttle response and the need. The transmission on this SUV is a CVT type unit with tiptronic drive mode also being available.

On the move, the 144PS + 40.8PS power work together to surge ahead this SUV with sheer pace. Power delivery is good and the engine feels very responsive. It is only when you see the MID display on the instrument cluster that you see what is driving you, engine or the motor. When you need extra power at times, both the units work together to give out maximum power. The CVT shifter has the inherent rubber band effect, but the engine power delivery overshadows it.

Drive with a light foot and the petrol engine shuts off, while the battery unit now takes full control saving lots of fuel. Once the battery charge level goes down, the petrol engine comes to life to power the car, and also charge up the battery… all this while being on the move. While braking too, the battery gets charged. The drive quality is excellent, very typical Nissan and feels very silent.

The suspension is tuned very nicely to absorb all the bad roads and speed breakers with utmost ease. The steering feels nicely weighted and tuned more on the lighter side. The feedback on the steering builds up as the speed increases. The brakes are good with just the right amount of sting on them. Overall, the Nissan X-Trail Hybrid has an excellent and comfortable drive on offer.

2016 Nissan X-Trail Hybrid Verdict:

Nissan plans to launch the X-Trail Hybrid later this year. This will be India’s first Hybrid SUV. This is a very well-built product which would be a full import from Japan so expect it to be priced slightly higher as compared to the rivals of the segment the Hyundai Santa Fe and Honda CR-V. We expect Nissan to price the X-Trail Hybrid between Rs. 35-40 lakhs being a CBU Hybrid.

2016 Nissan X-Trail Hybrid Photo Gallery:
Pics: Ritesh Madhok

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Infiniti Releases First QX Sport Inspiration SUV Concept Teaser

This is our first look at a concept that previews Infiniti’s new mid-size premium crossover.

Named the QX Sport Inspiration, it’s demonstrating the brand’s “Powerful Elegance” design language, though this first rendering is obscure and doesn’t really show much.

What we can see are the oversized hallmark grille, slim headlights, vertical side air intakes in the front bumper and the heavily sculpted bonnet.

“The QX Sport Inspiration expresses a power and purpose that is uniquely Infiniti”, said Infiniti Executive Design Director Alfonso Albaisa. “With a flowing, natural aesthetic, this concept demonstrates how Infiniti can offer something new and exciting with future QX SUV models.”

Our best guess is that the production car will come sometime next year and will serve as a replacement to the ageing QX70that might have been revampedrecently but actually dates back to 2002.

According to Infiniti, it features floating A-pillars, extra-wide wheel arches and toned shoulders similar to that of the Q60 concept. Its debut is scheduled for the Beijing Auto Show on April 26, though more teasers will probably come our way before that.


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Faster, more hardcore Lamborghini Huracan Superleggera is spotted by our spies testing on track

Lamborghini has a history of offering lighter, more powerful versions of its cars, and it looks like the Huracan supercar will be getting the same treatment.

will be getting the same treatment. Our spies have caught what looks like a new Huracan Superleggera testing on the Nurburgring.

The rear of the car in our pictures shows the most obvious changes, with a new bumper section housing the quad exhaust pipes. It's likely that in the production car, the new exhausts will sit up higher in the blanked-off section, inspired by the Huracan GT3 racers - and simialarly a fixed rear wing will add some downforce for track use.

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As with previous Superleggera models the new Lamborghini will likely shed around 100kg of weight compared to the standard car as well as getting a slight power boost for its 5.2-litre V10 engine. The current car has 602bhp and goes from 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds, so expect blistering performance from this new, more hardcore model.

The price is likely to be north of £200,000, with an even bigger premium for an eventual soft-top version, also spotted in our spy pictures. We expect to see the new lightweight Huracan at the Paris Motor Showtowards the end of 2016, with an eventual release in 2017.

Are you a Lamborghini fan? What are you expecting from this new lightweight model? Let us know below...

Friction Reported Between New Top Gear Hosts Before Show Debuts

The soap opera that is Top Gear takes more turns, now with news that the new stars of the BBC car show might hate each other already.

According to British tabloid The Sun , the relationship between Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanchas disintegrated further following the Cenotaph controversylast month.

A source said: "Matt was never Chris’s choice — it was a decision forced upon him to attract the US market.

"He accepted it and was desperate to strike up a bond when they were filming, but the spark just wasn’t there.  Since the Cenotaph, their relationship’s deteriorated. Chris thinks Matt severely damaged the brand.

"Behind the scenes it’s very frosty between them."

On Wednesday, LeBlanc tweetedthat he thought he and Evans were still "pals."

I'm at war with @achrisevans?
That's funny , I thought we were pals.

— Matt LeBlanc (@Matt_LeBlanc) April 13, 2016For the past year, BBC's Top Gear has been at the center of controversy since former host Jeremy Clarkson's assault on a producer and subsequent firing – and the resignation of the other two hosts as a result. The hiring of radio personality Chris Evansalso raised eyebrows, but not as much as the announcement this year actor LeBlanc – best-known for his roles on comedies Friends and Episodes – would join Evans. The on-set tension between the two reportedly stems from Evans, who feels LeBlanc was hired simply to please American viewers.

While Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May were never said to be the best of friends, they did have a chemistry on and off screen. And with the production of the rebooted Top Gear already bruised by production problems, the last thing the show needs is a deep feud going between the two stars before it reaches air or Netflix.

At least it has a namealready.


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The Tesla Model 3 Has Officially Been Revealed [50 Pics & Official Video]

Tesla held an unveiling of the Model 3 at its Los Angeles facility, offering rides to media that attended.

The Tesla Model 3peeks its way into the world Thursday night, the first appearance of the so-called volume model from the California electric car company.

Tesla held an unveiling of the Model 3 at its Los Angeles facility, offering rides to media that attended. It followed the opening of online ordering an hour prior to the showing, and a full day of customers lining up at Tesla storeswho put down a $1,000 deposit to be among the first to get the new car. But Tesla says deliveries won't begin until the end of 2017.

"It takes multiple iterations and economies of scale before you can make it affordable," Musk said at Thursday's event.

Tonight, we can see the Tesla Model 3 wears a different look up front than the existing Model S and Model X, devoid of a "grille" (it's electric, after all) and some striking new headlights. The new styling reminded me of a Porsche Panamera's front, which is no bad place to start. The side profile, however, is much more reminiscent of a shrunken Model S. It's a refinement of Tesla's current design characteristics, but on the basis of what's been shown, it works very well on this smaller car.

Inside, there's a new design for the interior, as well. With a wider tablet to control the vehicle functions, the Model 3 has a sportier look than the Model S. But it's still very simple and devoid of most physical controls.

What the company's founder, Elon Musk, is pledging at this point is that the Model 3 will cost from $35,000 before government tax incentives. The company promises a minimum EPA-rating of 215 miles on a single charge, with other versions planning to exceed that. Musk says the slowest version will get from 0 to 60 mph in six seconds.

"At Tesla, we don't make slow cars," he said.

Still, both stats best the claimed 200-ish mile range of the Chevrolet Bolt EV, which will beat the Tesla Model 3 to showrooms by about a year when it goes on sale later in 2016.

Musk says five passengers will be able to sit comfortably, thanks to a repackaged interior that pushes the front occupants further up and slims the dashboard. Autopilot hardware will be standard, as well as a glass roof that aims to cure the claustrophobia. But expect the Model 3 to be sized comparably to an Audi A4, BMW 3-series or Mercedes-Benz C-Class – all three of its prime competitors in its price range.

When the Model 3 officially goes on sale, prepare for a wait – even if you were one of the more than 115,000 who put down a deposit today. Deliveries start with West Coast customers, then expanding to the rest of the country and the world. And naturally, Tesla will trickle out more details will be released as the production start date grows closer. But it's obvious from Thursday's event Tesla and Musk are serious about making the Model 3 mainstream transportation, insisting the future of the planet depends on it.

"It's very important to accelerate the transition to sustainable transport," Musk said.

Photo Gallery


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Marvel & DC Superheroes Finally Get Their Own Cars

We've seen superhero wraps for cars , and we've even seen cars that reveal their inner-superhero once exposed to warm water , but what we have here is a whole different story.

This year is going to be an extremely superhero-heavy movie season, with "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" already out and "Captain America: Civil War", "X-Men: Apocalypse", "Suicide Squad", "Doctor Strange" and even "Gambit" coming up.

Of course, not all superheroes are worth getting their own personal car theme. Some, however, like Superman, Batman, Spider-Man or Iron Man certainly do deserve one, while you could also make the case for Wonder Woman, Hulk, Captain America, Wolverine and of course, Deadpool - everyone's favorite mercenary with a dirty mouth.




Batman's BMW M2


The Dark Knight is getting a BMW M2 and at first, it seems a bit odd, doesn't it? There's no compact Batmobile, so if anything, Batman's Bimmer should be something like an M6 Coupe right? Well, perhaps, but how many of you would pick the M6 over the M2?

This "Dark M2" comes with bat-shaped kidney grilles, ear-like fins which at the same time pay homage to the classic CSL racer, and even a side-mounted grappling hook for "comically tight turns", says the artist responsible.



Superman's Bugatti Chiron


It is somewhat fitting for the Man of Steel to get what is arguably the most imposing production car in the world. The Chiron would intimidate just about any rival, as does Superman (unless your last name is Wayne), so matching them up makes sense. Unlike the M2, this car is more about the color than a specific design theme, but we're OK with that and we reckon Lois would be too.



Wonder Woman's Lamborghini Huracan


It's strange but we've never actually considered what car would best represent Wonder Woman. The red, blue & gold theme is obviously a good start when it comes to this Lamborghini Huracan, but what stands out here is the WW logo embedded across the front fascia. Also, notice the "crown" it  wears right above the windshield.



Aquaman's Toyota Mirai


Uh, this one is a bit of a downer in terms of performance, but Toyota's Mirai does run on hydrogen emitting only water, so that kind of ties in with Aquaman.  The artist also mentions how the Mirai is waterproof, bulletproof and extremely silent.



Captain America's Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R


We all know what Cap is about. The guy likes his flags red white and blue, and his language as PG-13 as possible. The shield resting against the hood scoop is neat, while the Vibranium alloys probably couldn't give a hoot about potholes.



Iron Man's Chevrolet Corvette Z06


Yes, yes, Tony Stark is an Audi R8 type of guy, but that doesn't mean his alter ego has to stick to just one brand. This wide-body Z06 is allegedly powered by an arc reactor, while the crimson and gold paint makes it really easy for comic book fans to identify who this car belongs to.



Spider-Man's Ferrari 488 Spider


Forget it; Peter Parker can't really afford this thing. It's one thing to sell us on Captain America rolling in a Mustang, but a Ferrari on a photographer's salary? He'd have to walk around as Spider-Man with a selfie stick in front of his face for a whole decade in order to convince J. Jonah Jameson to give him that much money. Still, the theme works really well and the headlight surrounds do sort of look like Spidey's eyes.



Wolverine's Audi R8


This is the all-new R8and if we had to guess, we'd say it's the V10 plus - where 'plus' stands for excess hair. Seriously, this thing needs some urgent manscaping by the looks of it. Aside from that, the Adamantium claws work like a charm on that front spoiler, while the side mirrors remind us of his original X-Men costume, which is something we hope Hugh Jackman starts keeping track of.



The Hulk's Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6x6


It's about time somebody finds a proper way to utilize this monster of a car - give it to a monster of a superhero. The connection was staring us in the face all along. Like the Hulk, this G63 6x6 comes with radioactive green paint and purple wheel arches (like his pants) while looking perfectly equipped to...SMASH.



Deadpool's Ford Fusion/Mondeo


If this one isn't your favorite, you've probably already had your fill of Chimichangastoday. This is the most creative and funniest design of the pack, and we're not just talking about the swords or the not-so-subtle hint about somebody being in the trunk.

What's cool about this Ford Fusion is that the white taillights, together with the color accents, makes it seem like the rear of the car resembles Deadpool's face (with the mask on). But in order for your "laugh out loud" moment to be complete, make sure to read the message written on the rear spoiler.

Thanks to Carwowfor the pictures


PHOTO GALLERY

2016 Ford Endeavour Road Test Review

With Ford having a good lineup of SUVs globally, in India the Endeavour has been its biggest and most well known true blue SUV.

With Ford having a good lineup of SUVs globally, in India the Endeavour has been its biggest and most well known true blue SUV. Originally it was sold as the Everest in other countries. It is based on the Ford Ranger four-door pickup. The Endeavour has been around since 2003 and has since seen three generations. Ruling as the king of its class, it had no competition in India at that time, until its rivals began to appear. Even today it has a lot of loyal fans who swear by its robustness and its ability to go to places where not many other vehicles can go.

Ford is ready with its latest generation 2016 Endeavour that would be launching soon in India. We got our hands on the 2.2L and the 3.2L Ford Endeavour to find out everything that has changed in it. And to find out if this beast can rule the SUV market here in India. So sit back and read on the exclusive road test review of Ford’s latest.

2016 Ford Endeavour Exteriors:

First glimpse of the New Endeavour and you are instantly struck by its gigantic size and proportions. With an overall length of 4892mm, width of 1860mm, height of 1837mm and a wheelbase of 2850mm, this beast has intimidating proportions and road presence, making you feel diminutive in front of it! Least said the New Endeavour has a ground clearance of 225mm. Upfront you have the dominating and large-sized hexagonal grille in thick chrome with four slats running across. A XXL-sized Ford logo in blue sits handsomely in the middle of its mammoth face.

Headlights get the swept-back styling and are neatly integrated into the body line with their designing. You get projector headlamps with HID and also LED day time running lights placed on the lower part of the headlights that add to the glitz. You also get headlight washers placed on the bumper. The front bumper is a dual-toned affair with body color on top and silver painted section on the inner lower section. This is a very muscular looking bumper with rectangular shaped fog lamps placed on them. The skid plate section gets silver finish. The bonnet comes with deep, chiseled and very strong-looking body lines that give a feeling that the New Endeavour is a regular at the gym.

Coming to the sides, the wheel arches and fenders get the flexed, muscular bulge and look very well in place. The fenders come with a chrome surrounded mock air intake panel with the engine type written on it either 2.2 or 3.2. There is a good gap between the tyres and the wheel arch, which speaks of the travel that the wheels can do while off-roading. The Endeavour drives on 265/60 R18 MRF Wanderer tyres mounted on six-spoke silver alloys. The wing mirrors are also in XXL proportions and come with chrome body housing and integrated turn lights on them. Door handles get chrome on them and the windows get blacked-out masking on them.

The foot board gets a mix of fiber and metal on it, making it strong enough to take a lot of weight on it. The roof has stylish-looking integrated roof rails. You also have a panoramic sun roof on the fully loaded 3.2L version of the New Endeavour. The tapering D-pillar is rounded and looks very neat. The rear gets a thick chrome strip that runs across the mid-section with ‘ENDEAVOUR’ boldly inscribed on it. A large rear spoiler is in place with integrated stop lamps.

The tail lights are rounded in shape and come with an LED glow on them. As with the front bumper, the rear bumper too gets the body color with the silver lower section theme that looks very macho. The rear bumper also gets stop-lamps placed on them. The spare wheel now goes under the SUV and not on the tailgate like its predecessor. The tailgate opens upwards now unlike the older one that opened sideways.

Unlike the outgoing Endeavour, the new one looks very well proportioned and a lot more rounded. The body panels look neatly finished with this being a CKD import. The fit, finish and paint quality is very impressive and gigantic, befitting a true blue American Truck.

2016 Ford Endeavour Interiors:

For getting in to the driver’s seat of this huge SUV, you need to step on the foot board then grab the handle that’s mounted on the A pillar and then swing inside on the seat. Once you are in, you are cocooned nicely in the large and spacious cabin area. The cabin comes in dual tone shades with beige and black playing the main lead. The dash gets its upper half in stitched brown leather, while the lower part is in light beige. The AC vents, door opener levers etc. get a good metal finish on them making them look strong and built for life.

The instrument cluster is a uniquely designed one, with the speedometer in the center with the typical Ford blue needle and two LCD color screens on each side of this meter. The screen on the left displays the phone connectivity and entertainment, outside temperature, time and compass etc., while the display on the right gives you a very colorful display of the fuel meter, RPM meter, digital speedo, Distance to Empty (DTE), trip meter, various settings and the various drive modes (Terrain Response) along with the off-road parameter readings. The steering wheel comes with a neat and soft leather wrapping; you can manually adjust the steering for height. You get all the needed multi-function control buttons mounted on this 4-spoke steering with a generous insert of metal too, to make things look more interesting.

The center console gets a TFT color touch screen that also acts as the reverse camera when needed. You can control the Bluetooth connectivity, phone connectivity, FM stations, USB etc from this screen. The screen also shows a digital compass at all times. You also have SYNC 2 on the New Endeavour that can take your voice commands like phone calls, read out text messages, select music or control the climate control. It is mated to 10 speakers spread across the cabin, and the audio output will please even serious audiophiles.

You get a dual zone climate control with AC vents for the middle and the third row too. You can control the rear AC settings using the front 8-inch LCD screen. The center console gets the automatic shifter and the Terrain response shifter dial placed in front. You get a closable arm rest along with storage space underneath and a lot of cubby holes and storage bins spread around the cabin.

The seats come in full leather and are in beige. The driver’s seat gets full electrical adjust while the front passenger seat can be adjusted manually. You also have lumbar support adjust on the driver seat. The front seats are large in size and offer very good comfort and support. The middle row seat is a 40-60 split-fold seat. You can slide the middle row seats for best comfort seating and also set the back incline to suit. The middle row seats are also very comfortable and offer excellent support and loads of headroom and legroom.

For getting into the third row, you need to tumble down the middle row and then hop in. The third row seat is surprisingly large thanks to the huge cabin and SUV dimensions, with good headroom and legroom. You can fold down the third row seats electrically into a flat floor (on the 3.2L Titanium). On the 2.2L version, the third row seats can be folded manually. You get a boot space of 450 liters with the third row up which swells up to 750 liters when you fold down the third row seats, and if you still need some more space, then simply fold down the middle row seats too, making way for 2010 liters of flat cargo area. The tailgate can be opened and shut electrically. This is a very handy feature and makes the Endeavour feel premium.

The cabin on the New Ford Endeavour is stylish, premium and feels very trendy. Loads of space is the key USP, adding to the comfort level in a big way. Quality of materials used is excellent and feels well put together.

2016 Ford Endeavour Engine, Drive and Suspension:

The New Ford Endeavour when launched will come in two diesel engine options, 2.2-litre and 3.2-litre. The 2198cc 4-cylinder diesel engine makes 160PS of power at 3200RPM and hits out 385Nm of torque while the larger 3198cc 5-cylinder diesel engine belts out 200PS at 3000RPM with 470Nm of torque. Both these motors get mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. You also have an option of 6-speed manual transmission but only on the 2.2-litre version.

We tested the automatic variants – the 2.2L with 4×2 and the 3.2L with a full-blown 4×4 system. Start the engine and you won’t hear the idle noise easily. This is partly because of something called noise cancellation used by Ford where mics placed in the cabin assess noise levels and the system plays low frequency sounds from the speakers to negate the engine hum; and partly because the car has been engineered exceptionally well in terms of sound deadening. The 2.2L feels a bit quicker than the 3.2L initially and that is because of the lesser weight. The cabin on both the engine versions is super-silent. The torque is spread across nicely and both the engines feel very spirited in urban and highway conditions. Both the engine versions are tuned so well, that they can cruise all day at 150Km/hr effortlessly.

The gear shifts are smooth and go unnoticed. Ford is using the 6R80 Automatic transmission from its lineup and they claim this to be the best they currently have. This is an intelligent automatic torque convertor transmission that studies the driver’s driving style and adjusts accordingly to suit it. Steering is tuned very light and it’s a boon as you can effortlessly maneuver this beast in traffic conditions and also while parking. There is slight amount of body roll but then that’s expected on a vehicle this large and tall.

The ride quality is impressive too. The Endeavour absorbs everything that we threw to it… bad roads, potholes, speed-breakers, any and everything that came in its way, the Endeavour glided over it. Unlike the older Endeavour, this one likes to be thrown into corners and come out of them smiling. The Terrain response system reminds you of the one on the Range Rover but then Ford once owned Range Rover. You get the Normal mode, Sand mode, Snow/Mud mode and Rock mode at a flick of a dial on the 3.2L version. There also is hill assist and hill descent mode and 4×4 low mode for the fun of true off-roading. The New Ford Endeavour is based on the body on ladder frame chassis and so real off-roading fun is still very intact. We experienced just that while off-roading with the 3.2L 4×4 versions, not forgetting the 800mm of water-wading that this beast is capable of.

2016 Ford Endeavour Safety:

The New Ford Endeavour comes with 7 airbags (includes a driver knee airbag), ABS with EBD, electronic stability program, traction control, Ford Emergency assist, Ford MyKey to name a few.

2016 Ford Endeavour Verdict:

Ford got the initial Endeavour into India when it had no competition then. Now times have changed and the New Endeavour is just perfect to face today’s competition. It has all the pluses, comes loaded with all the needed features and a lot more. The SUV looks stylish, is well-built and drives well. And yes, it is a mean off-roader too. You also have options of choosing between 2.2L or a 3.2L engine and also between automatic or manual for the 2.2L. Should you buy it? Well yes, why not, if you are looking out for a premium true blue SUV, making this one the perfect choice. The All New Ford Endeavour would be launching on the 20th of January and we expect it to be priced at around Rs. 24 lakh for the base 2.2L variant and around Rs. 29 lakh for the range topping 3.2L version. This one is surely going to give the Toyota Fortuner many a sleepless nights.

2016 Ford Endeavour Photo Gallery (188 photos):

Pics – Ritesh Madhok

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