Auto News – Page 406 – Automobiles Review

Mecum Auction to Present 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible and 1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Coupe

As if 1967 Ford Mustang wasn’t enough, now Mecum Auctions announced that at their first collector car auction at the Austin Convention Center Dec. 12-13 they are going to present some other beauties from Chevrolet Corvette family.

It has been estimated that 600 collector cars are going to tempt the souls of enthusiasts. The list of cars that are going to be crossing around is beyond thrilling. It depicts a perfect selection of American muscle cars, classics (Classics? Yes, please!), hot rods, Resto Mods and many more.

General admission tickets are required and can be purchased at the gate for $20 per person and are valid for a day; children at the age of 12 and younger receive complimentary admissions. Bidder registration costs $100 and offers admission for two for both auction days. The start of the event is at 10 a.m. but doors are going to be open two hours earlier.

Part of the main attractions and one of the jewels on the crown is a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible (Lot S105) which was originally owned by Mercury Astronaut Gus Grissom. Among the beauties there is the notable 1967 Ford Mustang (Lot S117) which is one of the three “Eleanor” models filmed in the 2000 remake “Gone in 60 Seconds.” Another representative is a 2,000-mile Bloomington Gold Certified 1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Coupe (Lot S130).

As the craving of collectors escalates, there are two unique private collections which are going to be offered throughout the auction. Finally, the Kisber Vintage Truck Collection, the Butch Cooley Collection of 25 classic Chevys and more are going to be presented on Friday and Saturday.

Source: Mecum Auctions

December 9, 2014

Jaguiar XE Offers Lowest Cost of Ownership

With the arrival of Jaguar XE there are going to be some really dynamic innovations and impressive results. In combination with the jaw-dropping look, the new Jaguar is just about to become a class leading vehicle.

Jaguar Land Rover UK Managing Director Jeremy Hicks commented that: “People expect Jaguars to feel luxurious, look superb and drive brilliantly, but many wouldn’t necessarily expect a Jaguar to be affordable – but we’ve worked hard to ensure the XE is just that. An enormous amount of effort has gone into developing everything from the new efficient Ingenium engines to the superb value-for-money service plans.

And he has a point for the Jaguar XE offers the lowest possible cost of ownership without, of course, compromising on the quality, efficiency and performance characteristics.

It is powered by the all-new 2.0-litre 163PS Ingenium diesel engine, with the mega law CO₂ emissions of 99g/km. XE also has lower Vehicle Excise Duty and has better fuel economy.

CAP predicts that over a period of time of three years or 30,000 miles, the XE will be able to preserve 45% of its value. As a result, this will put the Jaguar far ahead of other models from BMW and Audi.

Finally, because of its qualities, XE is said to save customers thousands of pounds in ownership expenses compared to the established competition.

Source: Jaguar

December 9, 2014

I Love the 60’s American Muscle Cars: Fisker and GAS Reveal Ford Mustang Rocket

Galpin Auto Sport (GAS) and Fisker have collaborated to create unique Ford Mustang Rocket, which is inspired by those pony cars of the 1960’s and early 1970’s. The most accurate example is the 1968 Shelby GT500. The car is characterized by hexagonal carbon fiber grill, split by a polished aluminum bar and wild horse running across the horizon. The Rocket features elongated lines, sculptured flared fenders and new rear spoiler. This tuning is definitely athletic and we must confirm that it surely pays homage to those iconic Mustangs of the 60s.

The renowned concept car builder GFMI Metalcrafters constructed the handmade carbon-fiber bodywork. It includes various functional scoops and vents that direct airflow. The front splitter draws out hot air from and makes better the engine cooling. In fact, it works simultaneously with the rear spoiler, enlarged rear diffuser and polished carbon fiber aero skirts.

As you can see Rocket’s sculptured hood has two large air intakes. Of course, they were designed to channel cooler outside air through the engine compartment. Speaking of the engine, it is the 725 hp (533 kW) V8 unit. There are also two additional scoops, mounted on the rear fenders ahead of the wheels, which help channel air to cool oversized 15-inch Brembo Grand Turismo high performance brakes.

The exterior of the muscle car looks amazing thanks to the custom mixed silver paint dubbed Éminence Grise. This design scheme is strengthened by the large 21-inch ADV.1 wheels with Pirelli P-Zero extreme performance tires. The rubbers are supported by a front and rear independent and adjustable suspension.

And the most exciting news is that this is not a one-off concept but the first example of a low-volume series. The production of the car is scheduled to begin this month and the first deliveries are expected in the beginning of 2015.

Source: Galpin Auto Sport

December 9, 2014

Toyota Releases Four-Wheel Drive RAV4 Edition-S

Toyota is releasing a RAV4 Edition-S which comes enhanced with additional equipment. The sad news is that the model will be offered only in Germany. As a standard, the vehicle comes equipped with four-wheel drive. Other optically viable identification characteristics are the silver roof rails, a hinted under-ride guard, as well as the front and rear chrome strips on the side of the vehicle. Very nice accents are also the 18-inch alloy wheels.

The car has been based on the “Edition” equipment line. This means that it adds two-zone climate control as well as Toyota Smart Key system for keyless opening and closing of the vehicle. A special technology feature is also the electrically opening tailgate “Easy Load”.

Toyota Touch with color 6.1-inch touchscreen is the multimedia system which will make driver’s life easier. There is also featured USB port and Bluetooth hands-free.

Driver and passenger will enjoy the comfort of the special seats which include optimum support with pronounced side bolsters and shoulder support. Privacy is ensured with the tinted rear windows.

When it comes to engine, this Toyota model can be equipped with the 2.0-liter D-4D diesel engine or the Valvematic petrol unit with two liter displacement. The first one produces 124 horsepower (91 kW) or 150 hp (110 kW), while the second one generates 151 hp (111 kW). Their power is transmitted onto the road via a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic.

Source: Toyota

December 9, 2014

Wald International’s Sportsline Package is Ready to Adorn the Audi A5 Sportback

Wald-Audi-A5-Sportback-Sportsline-THTUMB Earlier this year, Wald International released an aggressive body kit for the Audi A5 Sportback. The Japanese company prepared back then a “Black Bison” tuning kit, giving the S trimmed car a new look for the front air intakes. In addition to this, Wald International also supplied this Audi with a chin spoiler, side skirts and inserts for the front and rear fenders. We can not miss the wheels, nor the lowered suspension or the shadow-line black trim.

But … this was only a preview. Until now, because the tuners has finally released the official and full tuning of the car. And it simply looks breathtaking!

Let’s see what happened. Obviously, the exterior of this hatchback received a new front spoiler, the side skirts were refined and a rear bumper insert was added. If that’s not enough, Wald International has prepared for the capricious customers trunk-mounted spoiler stainless steel exhaust tips and exhaust system.

And we definitely dig the design scheme of the exterior. As you can see it is based on three colors: aggressive red, black and white as a basis. The red and accents are featured on the rear skirts, side steps, front half spoiler and the trunk spoiler.

Oh, just take a look at the multispoke red wheels fitted with low-profile tyres. The hood and roof is decided in black, so that the sporty appearance of the car can look more convincing. No changes or whatsoever have been made to the interior or engine. Because this is a Sportsback, best case scenario is that it is driven by the 3.0 TFSI supercharged V6 engine boasting 329 hp (242 kW) at the least.

Source: Wald International

December 9, 2014

Geely Releases More Information on GC9

Geely GC9 is going to be unveiled at the Beijing’s Water Cube on 15th of December. The place was home to the 2008 Olympic swimming event as well as the APEC meeting attended by President Barack Obama and other Pacific Nation leaders. GC9 was designed Peter Horbury and his team based in Gothenburg, Barcelona, Shanghai and Los Angeles. They wanted to create a vehicle which focuses on higher value, greater levels of luxury and a global design language.

The car is planned to be driven by one of these three engines: 2.4L naturally aspirated, a 1.8 direct injection turbo and a flagship 3.5L V6 engine. Each of them will be connected to a six speed automatic gearbox from Drivetrain Systems International (DSI).

GC9 used as a basis the KC Concept. The latter was revealed at the 2013 Shanghai Show. In terms of comfort and technology, this car offers independent electronic rear seat adjustability, heads up display, Harmon supplied in car entertainment systems and air purifying systems.

Safety was also a major factor in the development of the car. In fact Geely has a long history of building safe cars. Starting with the GX7 SUV – it has received a plus five star safety award in C-NCAP crash testing. Then, the Geely Panda was the first Chinese small car to receive a full star safety award from C-NCAP.

This was a big stimulus for the team to develop a car which can achieve a five star rating. So GC9 is equipped with a range of side impact, passenger and driver head, chest and knee crash protection airbag systems.

Active safety is represented by the Crash Migration Systems. It automatically applies brakes in case the vehicle should come too close to the car in front. There is also a full range of side, front, and rear camera systems that give a 360 degree view of the vehicle and also alert the driver to lane departure and blind spot awareness.

Source: Geely

December 9, 2014

Rinspeed Budii Learns and Gets Better Over Time. To be Shown at 2015 Geneva Motor Show

Rinspeed has announced that it is preparing a concept vehicle called “Budii”. It will be premiered at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show and will aim to bring about redefined relationship between man and machine. The Swiss automotive visionary Frank M. Rinderknecht is concerned, when he looks at the accident statistics. Therefore in his opinion the autonomous driving will offer the opportunity to substantially minimize some of the drawbacks of private transport. This will help for the reduction of the global traffic accidents.

Autonomous technology has its drawbacks, although it is less prone to making mistakes. And this is why the owner of the company thinks that there should be a healthy releationship between vehicle and man. In terms of hardware and soft-ware, cars could do simply anything.

In fact, he envisions that they will “do just what we do” and keep learning each day. As a consequence, they will get better and better over time and master the challenges of contemporary.

Of course, the Swiss company is already building such machine. It will show it at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. The name of the concept is “Budii” and as far as we know it will be electrically powered.

It will be attractive on the outside and include autopilot which will quickly adapt to the habits and preferences of the person inside. In addition, “Budii” will feature a host of innovations and will be capable of taking data from its environment and the “experiences” of other vehicles along its route into account.

The steering wheel of the vehicle is supported by sensitive robot arm. It enables both the driver and the front passenger to steer. What is more, if nobody feels like steering, it is simply parked in center position. Rinspeed’s “Budii” is the twenty-first proprietary concept vehicle of the Swiss “Think Tank” and “Innovation Lab”.

2015 Geneva Motor Show will take place from 5th to 15th of March.

Source: Rinspeed

December 9, 2014

Authentic 1967 Ford Mustang Eleanor from Gone in 60 Seconds Heading to Auction

Mecum Auctions has announced plans to send an “Eleanor” Mustang from the 2000 remake of 1974’s Gone in 60 Seconds across the auction block in December. The movie might not have hit the best scores in the cinematic industry, but it did one thing for sure. It succeeded in creating one ever-lasting and memorable star out of all professionals that participated in the making of the movie. I am not referring to human stars like Angelina Jolie or Nicholas Cage. What I am pointing at is the 1967 Ford Mustang Eleanor.

The Ford is powered by a 351 cubic inch Ford Racing crate engine, fitted with a high-performance fuel pump and a Holley 700 CFM 4 – barrel carburetor. Furthermore, it is connected to a four-speed manual transmission that transmits power to a Positraction rear end.

This Mustang is built buy Cinema Vehicle Services and is equipped with a customized body kit as well as 17-inch wheels. Additionally, the old beauty does not lack some extras and among other things it features air conditioning, a Lecarra steering wheel and an Auto Meter Sport Comp tachometer.

Ford Mustang Eleanor will be presented at the Austin collector car auction which begins on the 12^th of December. 1969 Corvette L88 Coupe and a 1967 Corvette Convertible owned by astronaut Gus Grissom will join the marvelous 1967 Eleanor as well.

Source: Mecum Auctions

December 9, 2014

Paris Says “NO” to Diesel Engines. London Will Follow?

Air pollution in Paris The Mayor of the French capital, Anne Hidalgo, made a statement calling for a ban on diesel cars by 2020. The main goal is to reduce the pollution of the city, since Paris’ air quality is currently one of the worst on record. She will also take other precautions such as making pedestrian-only neighborhoods in the city centre and a doubling of cycle lanes.

The Mayor was interviewed by “Journal de Dimanche” saying that this is only a plan, which would be discussed at a city council meeting on Tuesday.”I want to see the end of diesel in Paris by 2020,” said Hidalgo adding that she also plans limiting the number of the tourist buses that clog Paris streets, banning trucks and adding electric vans to the city’s car-sharing scheme.

Streets such as Champs Elysees or Rue de Rivoli, where there is a lot of traffic, could be limited to only low-emission vehicles. Since France has the highest number of diesel cars on the road in Europe, the faster pollution of big cities like Paris is no surprise. There is a serious risk for the public health and in fact statistics say that Parisians live on the average seven months less than people not exposed to the same levels of pollution. Diesel fumes include tiny particles and nitrogen oxides which are harmful to health.

Research by the World Health Organization confirmed that although diesel engines are 20 per cent more fuel-efficient than petrol ones, and therefore produce less carbon dioxide per mile, emit other pollutants which can cause health problems including cancer.

The ideas of Hidalgo have been met with hostility by the French automakers, whose diesel technologies are among the most advanced in the world. London will also follow Paris and ban diesel cars, has just been confirmed by experts. They expect that the Mayor Boris Johnson will follow the French capital and say “No!” to diesel powered cars within a decade. The most concerning fact supporting this theory is that London is the European capital which is the most polluted by nitrogen dioxide.

Source: Reuters

December 8, 2014

Lexus RC F: Dynamic Beauty

No one can deny that the styling of the new Lexus RC F coupe exhibits particular sophistication and determination in every curve. Being good on the outside is one thing, but being equally good on the inside and under the bonnet is totally different. The combination of such characteristics results in an ultimate quality which signifies efficiency and remarkable dynamic potentials. All of this is well demonstrated by the RC F.

Inspired and developed from the exclusive LF-LC and LF-CC concepts which Lexus revealed in 2013, the RC F conveys a distinguishable appearance which is confident enough to stand out in the crowd. The compelling coupe has a front end that is enhanced by a new spindle grille. This time around, it has a double-spindle effect with a graduated F-motif mesh grille which helps ventilate the 5.0-litre engine.

There is a three-LED lamp headlight design which is underlined by separate LED running lights arrayed in the Lexus L motif. Stability when driving at high speed is further complemented by the slick flow of vented air over the top and sides of the Lexus and by the aero-stabilizing fins integrated in the door frame moulding.

Finally, the RC F Carbon incudes a bonnet, roof and rear wing fabricated in lightweight Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic, reducing the coupe’s overall weight by approximately 10kg.

Lexus RC F is available to order now with a starting price of £59,995. UK customer deliveries are going to start in February.

Source: Lexus

December 8, 2014

All-new Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine: The Most Powerful and Cleanest SUV Around the World

When creating the Volvo XC90 T8, the automaker climbs one step up in the automotive industry. The car is not deprived of any quality and performance features. On the contrary, it demonstrates sufficient stability, dynamics and class.

The spacious 7-seater SUV delivers 400hp and a peak torque of 640Nm combined with ultra-low emissions of 59g/km (TBC). With such power, the SUV can speed up to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.9 seconds which is pretty impressive for a car of this size. Let’s not forget to mention that there is an 82 horsepower 240 Nm (117 lb-ft) electric motor which is placed on the rear axle and it drives the rear wheels. Yet, is the Volvo XC90 T8 as environmentally friendly as it is proclaimed to be?

Despite the lack of official data, in-house testing has demonstrated that this powertrain can produce 59 grams of CO2 per kilometer. Looking at the statement, the answer to the question above is “yes”. The family car definitely delivers the best overall fuel consumption and is eco-friendly.

Additionally, the car offers five different driving modes for unique driving experience. Drivers can choose from: Hybrid, Pure electric, Power mode, AWD and Save.

Under the hood, this Volvo features is equipped with: Drive-E engine, 8-speed automatic gearbox, crankshaft-mounted starter generator (CISG), high-voltage (270–400V) battery, delivering 65kW of power, rear electric motor, two-step braking system, one-of-a-kind cooling and climate system, pre-conditioning. The latter can be done while the car is plugged-in which really allows the battery to last as long as possible in Pure Electric Drive mode.

Source: Volvo

December 8, 2014

One-off Ferrari Sergio Arrives in UAE

Ferrari-Sergio-651 The first Ferrari Sergio has just been delivered to its proud owner in the United Arab Emirates. This makes it the first Sergio to arrive in the UAE. The supersports car has been designed by Pininfarina and more importantly, only six of this limited edition roadster will be ever built. The model was introduced as a concept at the Geneva Motor Show in 2013 and it comes to celebrate the spirit and core values of the historic Cambiano company in the 60th anniversary year of its collaboration with the Prancing Horse.

The name Sergio was the only possible choice, because it pays homage to great Sergio Pininfarina. The Ferrari Sergio is both exclusive and spare. What I mean is that every single element aboard is focused entirely on performance.

To get more precise, it features an authentic open-top and great driving dynamics. In fact, the car is based on the 458 Spider and has kept its technological content as well as its functional aspects of its cockpit.

This basically means that it is powered by Ferrari’s naturally aspirated 4497 cc V8 which produces 605 hp (445 kW). The engine ensures a sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3 seconds.

Sergio has also an extremely simple and clear style, which reflects the spirt of Pininfarina’s 1960s and 70s creations for Ferrari. For instance, the front of the car seems to penetrate the rear which itself projects forward. The two bodyshell masses are melded together via a longitudinal black insert.

The flank also gets the same black longitudinal element which serves as both a dividing and unifying element between front and rear. The two sections of the car flow effortlessly into one. Furthermore, there is a semi-floating development of the front spoiler beneath the bonnet which balances downforce and optimises heat exchange. The roll-bar is a modern take on the classic Ferrari flying buttress and negative rear window.

At the front we see classically-shaped headlights. While at the back, there are circular tail lights, which is another modern nod to Ferrari history. The two-tone theme continues on both the front bonnet and rear deck. The latter gets the iconic circular air vents typical for Pininfarina’s design.

This example, delivered in UAE, has three-layer red exterior paintwork as well as an extremely sporty cockpit with black leather upholstery with contrasting red stitching. The interior alsp gets Alcantara seat inserts, and extensive carbon dash and door well trim.

We forgot mentioning these special gold Sergio-specific forged wheels that are painted with a diamond finish.

Each one of the six Ferrari Sergios is absolutely unique, because it was configured by its owner. The result is exclusivity down to the tiniest detail which continues the tradition of creating bespoke cars minutely tailored to each client’s wishes.

Source: Ferrari

December 8, 2014

Category: Auto News