Monthly Archives: April 2016
Spy Shots Of 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 Leaked
Everyone thought that Porsche was testing a more extreme version of the latest 911 GT3 when spy photos of a new prototype resembling the car came out. However, the company clarified that it’s an early tease for the 2018 Porsche 911 GT2.
Andreas Preuninger, 911’s chief engineer, confirmed through a report that the 911 GT2 will be part of the 991-series 911 family. The company, in fact, already has mules out on the streets for the next generation car.
At the front, this car would most likely have a larger intake than those on the GT3 RS while at the rear, the hidden vents are on either side of the bumper, typically indicating a turbocharged engine. These cannot be found on the GT3 RS.
We can expect the GT2 to have the same engine as the 911 Turbo, albeit with more power. If it will have the latest Turbo S, which can now deliver 580 horsepower from the twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-six, then the GT2 could crank up to 620 hp.
The release of a GT2 would be late, in all honestly, so some are even expecting Porsche to just skip ahead to the GT2 RS. If the brand does this, it should be ready to power the GT2 RS with a capacity of 660 hp. The previous GT2 RS already had 620 hp, remember.
All of this power can be found on the rear wheels, and via a most likely seven-speed manual clutch transmission. Since the 911 models have four-wheel steering system, the GT2 will probably also come packed with this feature.
There were talks that the GT2 would officially come to the end of its production, especially because the Turbo models are offering better performance than previous GT2s. The rear-wheel-drive layout of the GT2 can also be a challenge for some people, but aren’t we glad Porsche didn’t give in to the temptation.
The GT2 will be released in 2018.
Manhart Racing Introduces F300 Program For The 2016 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works
Mini Cooper may be known for all the cutesy models it released in the past few years, but the John Cooper Works it introduced made us believe Mini can actually compete performance wise. Although the JCW was a welcome development from the company, there are still a lot of things that can be tweaked here.
Enter the Manhart Racing, the German tuner that is celebrating its 30th anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, it unveiled the F300 program for the JCW. The kit’s main focus is in improving the car’s performance and handling credentials, as well as upgrading the exterior and interior.
The JCW is an eye candy by itself, but Manhart Racing decided to tune more of the cosmetics. It gives a new color combination to the body—British Racing Green with gold accents and decals. It also has gold racing stripes that run the length of the car and side stripes that then become checkered flags before the rear-wheel arches.
The tuner also installed a set of 19-inch gold alloy wheels with a F300 badging throughout the car.
If you find the tuning of the exterior a little brash, then prepare for this to continue in the car’s interior. It has a generous trimming of premium leather and Alcantara. The steering wheel also has gold contrast stitching to complement the styling of the car’s exterior. For the floor mats, the tuner used velour with Manhart’s logo.
The drivetrain of the Manhart Racing Mini JCW will remain the same, except for the new intercooler and a Remus stainless steel sports exhaust system with an optimized ECU unit.
The toughest competition would be the Renault Clio 220 Trophy EDC by Waldow Performance and the Alfa Romeo 4C Centurion 1Plus by Pogea Racing.
There’s no price tag released yet, so better wait for the tuner to reveal these details.
2017 Lincoln Continental Pricing Released
Lincoln finally revealed the price for its 2017 Lincoln Continental, which a lot has been anticipating for. According to the company, it would cost $45,485, including a $925 destination charge. For a sedan as space generous as the Continental, that’s pretty neat, right?
This price is several thousands higher than the starting price for a standard MKS, which the Continental replaced. Still, it is below most rivals in the segment. Cadillac’s CTS is even more expensive as it has a starting price of $46,555.
There are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to the aesthetic appeal of the Lincoln Continental. In fact, it is being offered in one of four trim levels—Premiere, Select, Reserve and Black Label.
There are also three V-6 engines you can opt for, with one of these unique to Lincoln. The base unit can crank up to 300 horsepower with its 3.7-liter V-6 engine. Customers can also choose a more powerful 335-horsepower turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6 engine or the Lincoln-exclusive turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine that can power up to 400 hp.
That $45,485 price tag will get you the Continental Premiere with a 3.7-liter V-6 engine and front-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive, if you opt for that, will cost you an additional $2,000 across the board.
According to reports, the Continental will go on sale starting this fall. Around 40,000 potential buyers have already made their interest known since the car debuted at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show.
Lincoln’s release of the Continental is triggered by the fact that the company also believes the buyers are now looking for big sedans that offer both comfort and luxury. This is clearly evident in the response to the releases of the Audi A6 and the Mercedes Benz E-Class—both the main competitions of the Lincoln Continental.
2016 W Motors Fenyr SuperSport Finally Revealed
Dubai-based supercar maker W Motors has revealed its second production hypercar—the Fenyr SuperSport—after wowing the world in 2012 with its Lykan Hypersport.
The first production car of the brand was a foundation of some sorts. It got the 770-horsepower, flat six engine that was built by RUF. It also got a radical design and has a top speed of 245 mph. It might be because it costs an astounding $3.4 million, but W Motors only produced five units of the Lykan Hypersport that, among others, come with titanium, diamonds, and sapphires integrated into its fancy headlamps.
The W Motors Fenyr SuperSport has an even more radical styling and more powerful engine. It was developed with Magna Steyr and RUF Automobile just like the Lykan.
The Fenyr SuperSport has a full carbon-fiber body and a lightweight aluminum chassis that makes it only 1,200 kg. It comes packed with a flat 6-cylinder 4.0-liter twin turbo, mid-rear engine that was engineered in Germany by RUF. The performance of this supercar will be boosted by a seven-speed double clutch gearbox that is complemented by 900 horsepower and 1,200 Newton-Metre torque.
Because of such powerful engine, it can go 0-to-100 mph in less than 2.7 seconds. It also has a top speed of 400 km/h.
On the exterior, you can find a supercar with an armored vehicle design. It also has an aggressive front fascia with LED headlamps and massive air intakes, a ventilated hood, and protruding side skirts.
W Motors has yet to release information about the interiors for the Fenyr, but it will definitely be similar to the Hypersport, except for the removal of the gold stitching and the Virtual Holographic Display.
The Fenyr SuperSport will most likely make its debut at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show in China. Production won’t be as limited as the Lykan Hypersport, and it will be cheaper than its predecessor, although it would still be a multimillion car. Production is set to begin by 2017.
2016 Rolls Royce Comes Up With Wraith Nautical Edition
When Rolls Royce revived the Wraith name for a two-door luxury car back in 2013, it remained significantly quiet about its sales for the next three years despite the car being the fastest in the brand’s 100-year history. Its Bespoke division came back with the Wraith Black Badge in March 2016, and finally, the Wraith Nautical Edition, which was inspired by classic racing yachts.
According to a source, the 2016 Rolls Royce Wraith Nautical Edition was designed with luxury racing yachts in mind. It has an interior that pays homage to classic decks seen on yachts and a unique exterior paint and dashboard not used on the standard model.
The focus was given to the car’s exterior design through custom paints, leather and wood veneers.
Outside, it has a sporty design enhanced by the special paint scheme of Arabian Blue. The side body panels and bumper were colored the same blue paint while English White was used on the grille surround, engine hood and roof. The pinstriped coachline with a white anchor motif furthered that yacht-inspired theme the car has.
Inside, the “nautical” theme of the car is even more evident. It has an authentic dashboard veneer that pays homage to the classic decks found on cruiser boats. The seats and door panels are made of brown Forest Fall leather with Navy Blue piping. Its two-tone scheme is also clearly seen on the dark blue carpet.
What’s more, the Nautical Edition is fitted with a Starlight Headliner, a Bespoke tradition that turns the roof into a starlit sky. The brightness of the “star” can be adjusted—whether it is needed to be bright enough for reading or dim for a relaxing grow.
To create that “constellation,” the leather is perforated with 800 to 1,600 holes.
There are no details yet on the drivetrain, but it looks like the Nautical Edition will come with a 6.6-liter V-12 that can produce 623 turbocharged horses and 590 pound-feet of torque. This is enough for the coupe to go from 0 to 60 mph in only 4.4 seconds and get a top speed of 186 mph.
Volkswagen Released a Teaser of the 2017 Polo R WRC
Volkswagen has just released the teaser of its 2017 Polo R WRC, representing a third-generation design for the VW rally car that will be a contender in the 2017 World Rally Championship.
Since it returned in 2013, Volkswagen has been the dominant force in the World Rally Championship. It won the title every year since then, but it’s not simply contented with that as it comes out with details of the first WRC car for 2017.
According to a source, the car is based on the Polo subcompact. However, every component will be changed as opposed to the current model. The race car is lighter, wider and more powerful, thanks to the new regulations released. In addition, the design team got more free hand on this model in terms of aerodynamic regulations.
The 2017 Volkswagen Polo R WRC will have a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that can produce 375 horsepower, up from 315 horsepower on the current car. Its weight is reduced by 25 kilograms to 1,175 kilograms from 1,200 kg. The width of the car, thankfully, increased by 50 millimeters.
There are other adjustments made in the car such as the addition of an electric center differential, a broader front spoiler, and a large rear wing. The exterior details are still being finalized, so don’t expect the Polo R WRC to look exactly as teased. There may be some adjustments by the start of the new season—at the Rally Monte Carlo in January 2017.
Volkswagen Motorsport boss Jost Capito said that the new regulations for the WRC made technical innovations possible. These regulations made the car more dynamic but safer as well.
Next season, we should expect more competition from other rally car makers, Toyota especially. Plenty is at stake for these rally cars as soon as the new season opens. Volkswagen is expected to tweak its 2017 rally car even further.
2017 Tesla Model S Gets Minor Facelift
After Tesla discontinued the Roadster, it also released the new Model S that has recently become widely popular. In fact, it has generated such good sales that Tesla extended its offering of vehicles—the Model X and the upcoming Tesla Model 3.
After years of changes that only included the drivetrain and energy efficiency, Tesla has finally noticed the need for the Model S to get a facelift, according to a report.
The Model S was initially offered as a rear-wheel drive that has a range of 265 miles. It received several updates in the past years that included a new front motor that made all-wheel-drive variants available, plus Autopilot, and Ludicrous mode. In addition, it went up to a range of 295 miles.
This year, the aesthetics design is getting a facelift too, albeit just a minor one. There aren’t many changes, except for the fact that Tesla updated the current model with a sportier appearance.
The same hood and corner vents can be found up front, as well as the size of the headlights. However, the lens changed as it now sports an LED strip that lines the top and outer side of the lens. There’s a smaller LED strip that hangs from the upper edge as well.
The nose has been redesigned. While the previous model has a big chrome strip, Tesla has removed this altogether. It put a vent into the area below the front hood with the Tesla emblem right in the middle.
The sides and the rear have no changes at all. The Tesla Model S is offered with four different sets of wheels—from the 19-inch, 10-spoke Silver Slipstream wheels to the 19-inch, 10-spoke Cyclone wheels. Furthermore, you can opt for the 21-inch, 10-spoke Turbine wheels in gray or silver.
The standard Model S has a body-colored roof, although you can choose the all-glass panoramic roof for $1,500. For body color, Solid Black and Solid White are available for no additional cost while for $1,000, you can get Titanium Metallic, Midnight Silver Metallic, Obsidian Black Metallic, Deep Blue Metallic, or Silver Metallic. Pearl White Multi-coat and Red Multi-coat will cost an extra $1,500.
The Model S 70D starts out at $84,000.
Audi Releases 21-Foot, 6-Door A8 L Extended
The past years have seen a number of automakers rolling out limousines straight from their factories. We previously enjoyed the S600 Pullman from Mercedes-Maybach and the Mulsanne Grand Limousine from Bentley.
Now, it’s time for Audi to amaze us with the A8 L Extended.
Measuring 20.9 feet between its bumpers, the Audi A8 L Extended can carry up to six people according to a report. It has six doors, allowing each passenger to enter and exit the car to their convenience. This isn’t a strategy usually employed by other limousine carmakers.
Inside the limousine, you’ll find all seats facing the front and luxuriously lined in extra-supple Valcona leather. The first two rows are electrically adjusted individual seats. In the third row, you can find a center console with some included amenities such as an entertainment package and a cool box.
Suffice is to say that those seating at the back will most likely feel the luxury of riding in the limousine.
Creating the Audi A8 L Extended took almost a year. According to Audi, the main challenge has been ensuring the safety and the rigidity similar to their sedans or shorter wheelbase models.
The major changes in the A8 are the aluminum spaceframe architecture that include thicker side sills, extruded aluminum sections for the center tunnel, additional aluminum tubes and cross-braces for the roof, as well as a double rear bulkhead separating the passenger and luggage compartments.
These changes pushed the weight of the car to 5,330 pounds, although this is still lighter than the curb weight of the G90 of Hyundai’s new Genesis luxury line. That one weighs 5,335 pounds.
For the drivetrain, the A8 L Extended has a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that can produce 306 horsepower on an 8-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. This might be an average engine at best, but even with its size, the A8 L Extended can accelerate from 0-62 mph in mere 7.1 seconds. Top speed is at 155 mph.
Audi has so far made only one A8 L Extended for a customer in Europe. It’s more or less looking like the brand will just build the limo by orders, though Audi said there might be more of the car in the market in the coming months.
2017 Porsche Boxster 718 Facelifted, Has New Energy-Efficient Engine
First introduced in 1996, the 1997-2004 Porsche Boxster was an entry-level, mid-engine sports car that wasn’t warmly welcomed until enthusiasts slowly grew to love it. That was until the Cayenne SUV was launched in 2003.
Twenty years forward, the Boxster is receiving a facelift. According to sources, the Boxster will ditch the naturally-aspirated engine for turbocharged units much like the 911 Carrera. It will help reduce its emission and improve efficiency. It will also be the first Porsche sports car to use a four-cylinder engine in decades.
With these changes, the Boxster will now be called the 718 Boxster. This may be new to the Boxster, but this isn’t new to the Germans who used the nameplate for a lightweight sports car built between 1957 and 1962.
For the exterior, every panel of the new Boxster will be redesigned, except for the luggage compartment lids, the windshield, and the convertible top. Major changes include a wider front end with a new bumper section, as well as larger side intakes, mounted LED daytime running lights, reshaped center grille, Porsche’s new bi-xenon headlamps, and the optional units with four-point DRLs.
At the back, there are new taillights because of the 3D LED technology. In addition, there are four-point brake lights, a black strip with the Porsche lettering, and the 718 Boxster badge, of course.
Porsche has yet to release new details about the 718 Boxster, but it looked like it would be available in Lava Orange hue as seen on the 911 GT3 RS.
Inside, not much has changed, except that the Porsche added a standard Communication Management System featuring cell phone integration, audio interfaces, and a 110-watt Sound Package Plus.
Clients also have the option to add a navigation module with voice control, as well as the Connect Plus module for access to a wide array of online services.
The drivetrain is where Porsche made radical changes. The base 718 Boxster will have turbocharged, 2.0-liter producing 300 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharging will make the 718 Boxster 14 percent more efficient.
That base model can go 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds for manual and 4.7 seconds with the PDK. The 718 Boxster S will be more impressive, if that’s even possible.
The new 718 Boxster starts from $56,000, while the 718 Boxster S retails from $68,400.
2016 Trans Am SE Bandit Edition Comes Back
If you’re a big lover of Smokey and the Bandit, then listen up. Trans Am Depot has built an iteration of one of Pontiac’s most beloved line of cars—the Trans Am.
The Trans Am SE Bandit Edition, as it was aptly called, is the modern interpretation of the 1977 Trans Am SE featured in the movie “Smokey and the Bandit.” Based on the source, there will only be 77 units built of this car, but they will all come packing the signature features of the original car. It will also be endorsed by Burt Reynolds himself.
This year, the American auto industry saw the discontinuation of such historic brands as the Chrysler’s Plymouth, the GM’s Oldsmobile, and Pontiac’s GTO, Firebird and Trans Am models. Fortunately, Trans Am Depot was founded in 2011, and was given the rights to restore or build iterations of the Pontiac Trans Am and GTO from the fifth generation Camaro.
The Bandit Edition will have a V-shaped nose with the Pontiac badge, twin grille, and two horizontal vents in the bumper. But instead of square units, it would have round quad-headlamp configuration.
The similarities don’t stop there. Both cars have the Trans Am lettering and honeycomb wheels with gold highlights, a big trunk lid spoiler, a wraparound bumper, wide taillights with three horizontal clusters with reverse lights on each side of the license plate recess. They also have a shaker hood and T-top roof, both of which are essential features of a Trans Am.
And to further prove this is the “same” car as the one in the film, the Bandit Edition will have gold accents on the nose, rear fascia, and waistline. Of course, it will feature the “screaming chicken” decal on the engine hood.
The Trans Am Bandit Edition didn’t scrimp on the drivetrain, too. Under the 840 Extreme Performance Package, you will find a 7.4-liter LSX V-8 engine and a 2.9-liter twin-screw supercharger. It also includes a bespoke cold air intake, performance spark plugs, 80cc injectors, a 79mm pulley and belt, and performance 8mm plug wires and boots.
The Trans AM SE Bandit Edition will have a starting price of $115,000.