Monthly Archives: May 2016
Spy Video Teases 2017 Peugeot 3008
Earlier spy photo of the 2017 Peugeot 3008.
As we’re waiting for the official presentation of the 2017 Peugeot 3008, we may have to content ourselves with a spy video released on video sharing platform YouTube. There is not much to see, but better this than nothing, right?
The video shows the production-ready Peugeot 3008 passing by in a fleeting moment of ecstasy for those waiting for its final release. The low-resolution video didn’t reveal anything in terms of how the car would look like up front, but it did give us a clear glimpse of how attractive this is from the back.
First, let’s talk a bit about the front. It has a considerably different façade from the other cars churned out by the brand. It features an aggressively styled grille with the company’s lion badge at the center. On the side, it has slim headlights on the wide front bumper finished with the silver faux bash plate.
Because of such features, experts are pointing out to the possibility that the new 3008 might be taking after the recently previewed Peugeot Quartz concept, shown at the 2014 Paris motor show.
The short and blurry video also teased us with a brief shot of the car’s sides—the wheels’ arches and side skirts are clad in black plastic. This gives the 3008 a more SUV-like appearance. Topping the sides aesthetics are new alloy wheels filling the wheel arches.
The video might not be able to show the car’s interior, but it should have a futuristic cockpit as previewed by Peugeot’s i-Cockpit last month. This features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display.
Previous reports said the new 3008 would be revealed at the Paris motor show this coming September, but it looks like we might see this sooner than that. France’s Automobile Magazine is reporting it will be revealed on May 23.
Audi To Launch 300-Mile Fully Electric SUV In 2018
It’s that time of the year again when Audi starts churning out reports on deliveries—said to be 1.8 million cars in 2015 and 620,100 in the first quarter of this year)—as well as big investment plans for the future. Prospective plans will start at €3billion in property and technology in 2016.
Then, of course, there’s also news of a new car. Audi revealed it will begin launching a new EV every year starting 2018. The initial plan is to launch a sporty SUV that claims to have a range of more than 500 kilometers (310.69 miles). That’s more than what the Tesla Model S, which currently stands at a highway range of 303.2 miles, can do. That is according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.
But this isn’t much of a surprise since Audi announced at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show the arrival of the E-ton Quattro Concept, which will be in production in a few months’ time. What’s even better is that the production car will be patterned perfectly after the concept, which will have two electric motors—one for each axle with a combined 503bhp.
Audi also claims it would have 4.6 secs to 62 mph, 131 mph and that 310-mile range.
Although this isn’t a surprising development, it’s still nice to see Audi keeping its word.
Audi hinted of a new A8 too, which would be one of the 20 “new or upgraded” Audis to come out this year. The A8 is going to be the first car in the brand’s history capable of “piloted driving.”
Details are not exactly out there yet, but it looks like the A8 will be able to drive itself temporarily on motorways at speeds of up to 37 mph—a technology already available in the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class. It remains to be seen how Audi is going to utilize this same technology on its cars.
2018 Jaguar F-Pace SVR To Come Soon?
The 2016 Jaguar F-Pace.
Supercars cannot simply stay as they are. Customers are requiring much more in terms of performance, reliability and technology. Brands such as Porsche, Bentley, Maserati and Lamborghini have all answered the call for a sporty SUV. Now, Jaguar has also heard the need for it and recently unveiled plans for the F-Pace SUV.
But rumor has it that there’s a new player in town—a V8-powered called the SVR. This is a quick turnaround for Jaguar considering it has just started production of the SUV.
If it becomes a real thing, we should see the SVR being unveiled as early as next year’s Geneva International Motor Show.
Outside, the Jaguar F-Pace SVR is expected to be more muscular than the existing crossover SUV. The front bumper would have larger intakes with a chrome accent along the lower center grille and a glossy black insert.
Although the LED-equipped headlights would remain the same, the hood would get black vents. The tail-side of the front fenders would also have vents in all-black. Other features would include a front splitter, side skirt extensions and rear diffuser.
Inside, the sporty SVR would expectedly have a luxury-laden cabin that uses high-end materials and high-tech amenities. The infotainment system would include the InControl system—navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and smartphone app support.
To control it, you would have to use the large touchscreen on the center console. There are also some buttons on the three-spoke steering wheel. Options would include new upholstery colors, plus driver’s aides like automatic braking, lane-keep assist, parking assist, and carbon fiber trim.
The current F-Pace has three options, but the SVR would naturally require more in the tune of two additional supercharged cylinders in Jaguar’s tried-and-true 5.0-liter V-8. The output levels should match the Range Rover at 542 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque.
Expect the SVR to hit 60 mph in the low four-second range with a top speed of 160 mph.
The regular F-Pace starts at $40,990 and goes up to $56,700. The SVR would most likely add $20,000 on the base model.
Volvo V40 Hinted On Snapchat
Volvo has been working on an overtime lately. Either it’s launching new products or cranking up the research on new technology, the company has certainly been very busy. Its latest pronouncement proves it is laying the groundwork for future production cars.
Its most recent V90 wagon was highly impressive, as well as the 2017 S60 Polestar sedan and its long-roof sibling, the 2017 V60 Polestar wagon.
On its latest Snapchat tease, the upcoming Volvo V40 and XC40 were hinted, a pair of smaller models that will take the lead into bringing Volvo’s return to the premium small car segment, which has been dominated by the likes of Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA.
There is not much we can get from the hints that came across as via the Internet through Snapchat. All Volvo deemed we deserve to know are the phrases “Teasing the future of Volvo” and “Not your daddy’s Volvo” followed by a couple of emoticons (a smiley, a kiss and a father-like shedding a tear).
We’re lucky enough to find a single promo shot of the new Volvo without the caption and the smiley. The vehicle will officially be called the “Volvo Concept 40.” Based on the teaser, it will have the same handsome design language of the new S90.
Reportedly, the concept will be unveiled at the company’s headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden. Surely, we will have more information after the unveiling, and we’ll see if it looks good in person as it does on these photos.
The new Volvo will use the brand’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), which is also expected to be used by other Geely products. The concept might be the brand’s future come 2018, so look for it then. As we can well remember, the last 40-series Volvos left the US market in 2011 after several years of declining sales.
Its return might just be as memorable.
Subaru Confirmed Levorg STI Version
Subaru Tecnica International, Subaru’s performance arm, just confirmed the company’s plan to launch a high performance version of its Levorg wagon. According to a source, it will be based on the Levorg STI concept introduced during the 2016 Tokyo Auto Salon.
The concept is due to start production this summer, but it won’t be coming to the United States market since the Levorg was never really offered there.
Unlike the previous BRZ tS, the Subaru Levorg STI won’t be another lame duck attempt. Instead, it will more likely offer dedicated performance like the WRX STI, which was celebrated when it was launched.
Subaru is basically claiming this would be a more mature performance car. It is launching the vehicle to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the brand’s love for horizontally-opposed “boxer” engines. The release seems to be an appeal also for consumers who lamented the company’s decision to end the production of the hatchback body style of the current-generation WRX STI.
No other details have been released by Subaru, although reports are pointing out to a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, which we saw on the original Levorg STI concept. What we saw on the concept is that it’s also fitted with 18-inch wheels, especially-tuned dampers and an elegant interior with two-tone leather trim.
The concept also featured a CVT.
All of these features were included in the wagon as an attempt by Subaru’s design team to come up with a performance car for the older and more conservative types who were unimpressed by the WRX STI.
There’s no actual detail yet on when Subaru is planning to introduce the Levorg STI to the market, but the company has been hinting since 2011, when it launched the Advanced Tourer concept, of such a vehicle. Let us expect the Levorg STI wagon anytime soon.
FJ Cruiser To End Production This August
Toyota has just confirmed it will end the production of the retro-inspired FJ Cruiser this August. This is a sad news for the handful of markets that still manage to get their claws on the two-door SUV.
If you can remember, the FJ Cruiser was first introduced at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show as an off-roader inspired by Toyota’s cult classic FJ40 Land Cruiser.
Toyota has already pulled out the FJ Cruiser from North American markets about two years ago. But its sales have continued in markets that favor rugged-type SUVs such as Japan, China, Australia and the Middle East, among others.
In the United States and Canada, Toyota decided to focus on its four-door 4Runner, which has surprisingly been popular among North American consumers. The current 4Runner was launched in 2009, but it was updated for the 2014 model.
Both models, the FJ Cruiser and the 4Runner, share most of the designs and performance features—running gear and their body on-frame construction. However, they are assembled in different plants.
In most markets, the two models are priced very close to each other. But in the US, the 4Runner is generally a bit more expensive than the FJ Cruiser.
Usually, when Toyota stops a production for a car model, it first creates a special edition—kind of like a souvenir for that particular model’s fans. In particular, it did that for the high-feature Ultimate Edition offered to American consumers in 2014 before the SUV closed its market.
For the FJ Cruiser, the company has yet to announce any such plans. Of course, how ironic was it that car enthusiasts are mourning the end of the FJ’s production when it didn’t receive that much love when it was first launched.
Remember, we used to think it was a bit on the unsightly side until Toyota made some improvements on it designs?
2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia QV Carabinieri Is The New Police Car
How cool is it that in some parts of the world supercars are being used as police cars? Some departments actually have the Maserati GranCabrio Politie and the entire lineup of Lamborghini, particularly the Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4 Polizia, as cop cars.
But with the entrance of the 2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia QV Carabinieri, the list of police lineup just got a bit longer. The catch is, the supercar isn’t going to be used as traditional police cars. Instead, it will transport blood or organs during medical emergencies, according to a report.
Outside, the Giulia QV and the Carabinieri version don’t look very different. They have the same fascia and body design, although the Carabinieri is decked out with new LED flashers at the top of the innermost vents of the fascia. Of course, there’s also the traditional police-issued LED light bar on the roof.
The car is designed with full police livery—a red stripe on each side of the hood, and the word Carabinieri in white lettering sprawled along the forward edge of the hood.
Inside, there are standard police features such as radio system, portable cooling units, and a defibrillator. It appears there’s also a Samsung Galaxy Tablet installed on the passenger side of the dashboard. This might be for the Odin system the police department uses.
On the armrest of the front doors, there is a LED flashlight that can provide easy access to officers if they ever need supplemental lights. There might also be a storage for a long gun hidden somewhere in the cockpit.
Supposedly, the Carabinieri will have more power than the production car. That is usually the case for police cars. Since there’s no word on it yet, let’s take the Carabinieri for what it is. It has a 2.9-liter BiTurbo engine delivers 510 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque.
Even without the tuning, it can hit 62 mph in 3.9 seconds, and is also fuel efficient.
Seven Is Named As Latest Special Edition BMW Mini
The mk3 BMW Mini is getting another special edition model. Called the Mini Seven, it was named after a Mini 1950s model bearing the same name.
Over the years, Mini has released a number of special editions that have become such a hit for lovers of this instant classic. It managed to leave the third-generation hatchback, launched two years ago, alone but that didn’t stop the brand from churning out special editions every now and then.
But this year, Mini will be trying out a new theory. It will be upgrading the ever-so-popular hatchback that has become a dream car for many of the younger generation. Named after the 1959 Austin Seven, the first ever Mini, the new Seven is a fresh update of its mk3 supermini, according to sources.
Outside, you’ll get surprised by the paint job, called the Lapisluxury Blue by the Mini brand. Designers described is as “the most intensive” ever applied to one of their cars. But if blue isn’t your cup of tea, you can choose from a variety of other colors such as Pepper White,Midnight Black and British Racing Green. You may also opt for the stripes design.
The three-door Seven version will start at £18,545 while the five-door costs £19,145. Both of these are offered in Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper D and Cooper SD trims, so we can expect them to go anywhere from 134 to 189bhp.
The Seven will up the price by £3,000 from the standard Mini. But with the price surge, you’ll get a lot of nicer things like the special 17-inch alloy wheels, half-leather trim, Bluetooth, and the sportier gauges that define Mini’s Excitement Pack. You can also find special edition badges and kick plates.
Reportedly, this is just the first in the long line of mk3 special models. Let’s hope Mini would follow up with some incredible upgrades after the Seven.
2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 Coupe Priced At $43,000
The all-new 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 Coupe, the entry-level C-class two-door, is priced at $43,575, according to sources. But what most people don’t know is that they can save $500 off that price by simply exchanging the standard 18-inch wheels for the 17-inch ones.
Chopping off that $500 means the new rear-wheel drive Mercedes-Benz C300 Coupe will start at $43,075 with destination. This is the same option available for the all-wheel drive 4MATIC coupe, which sells for $2,000 more. But for this, the downsizing wheels is not an option because the C300 sedan is already fitted with the 17-inch wheels.
Aside from the 18-inch wheels, the C300 Coupe also comes with such standard equipment like the Bluetooth, HD radio, a 7.0-inch display, eight-way power seats, aluminum trim, and forward-collision alert with automatic braking.
As for the drivetrain, there’s the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 241 horsepower and a seven-speed automatic transmission.
If you’ve got deeper pockets, you can go for the Premium 1 package for $2,300. The inclusions? A backup camera, blind-spot monitoring, keyless entry and push-button start, six months of SiriusXM, and a 13-speaker 590-watt Burmester stereo.
The Premium 2, costing $4,500, will bring to your C300 Coupe the Premium 1 goods plus an 8.4-inch screen with navigation and a touchpad, three years of map updates, live traffic and weather, ambient lighting, illuminated AMG door sills, power-folding mirrors, and a power-closing trunk with foot-gesture controls.
If active safety features are important for you, then get the Premium 3 package for $7,400. This will come with an adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and Brake Assist Plus that uses the Pre-Safe system that can prep your car if someone rear-ends you.
This package also includes automatic high-beams, traffic-sign recognition, LED headlights, and a perfume atomizer for the air conditioning.
Additional (but separate) features are priced as follows: heated front seats ($580), leather upholstert ($1,620), and ventilated seats ($1,030).
The Sport package, priced at $1,675, can be combined with any of the other Premium packages. This includes summer rubber tires, cross-drilled front brake rotors, a stiffer suspension, aluminum pedals, MB-Tex on the dash, and a more aggressive body kit with chrome “diamonds” on the grille.
Then, there’s also the Night package, which includes the Sport package but with black exterior trim and wheels for $300 more.
You can also opt for the Parking Assist package ($1,290) that brings 360-degree cameras, automatic parallel parking, and front and rear parking sensors.
Other features you can choose from are the Airmatic suspension ($1,190), a head-up display ($990), an illuminated star ($550), and the rear-seat side airbags ($670).
2017 Jaguar F-Type Comes With New Infotainment System and Engine
Jaguar‘s sporty two-door F-Type has been making waves since 2013 as a roadster and as a coupe. But although it has always been quite able, it is not time for an update.
The new F-Type is expected to be revealed next year at the Geneva Motor Show, according to TopSpeed. Although there are no exact details yet, spy shots of the new sports car at Nurburgring brings some vague but incredible upgrades that should apply on both the coupe and the convertible.
The F-Type’s greatest strength is in its styling, which was an original by British car designer Ian Callum. The low-slung and wide and long hood line with the angled roof are all perfect sports car designs. The overall styling combines elegance and athleticism.
The new F-Type won’t go too far from the original. There’s a downsized grille, covered intakes in the sides of the bumpers, and dual, blade-shaped inlets.
The spy shots’ camo wrap doesn’t let us see more, but the new units appear larger, moving horizontally towards the edge of the fenders. It adds an extra visual width to the front end.
We expect the headlights to be reshaped, and converted to LED daytime running lights plus an option for adaptive high/low beams.
No major changes are expected on the sides and tails, except for the taillights and few alterations on the rear bumper.
Inside, the F-Type has a two-seat layout while the driver can enjoy a three-spoke, multi-function steering wheel, plus well-bolstered sports seats in premium leather.
Minor upgrades are expected on the interior layout with the dashboard possibly being reshaped. The major change would come in the form of the centrally mounted touchscreen and the driver’s into screen in the gauge cluster.
Since there are no details yet on the drivetrain, we are expecting the current lineup–a 340-horsepower V-6 in the base model and Premium, a 380-horsepower V-6 in the S and S AWD, a 550-horsepower V-8 in the R, and a 575-horsepower V-8 in the SVR.
Options for transmission consist of a six-speed manual and an eight-speed automatic with paddles.
Currently, the F-Type range starts at $61,400 for the base coupe and $128,800 for the SVR convertible.