Daily Archives: July 6, 2016
Sightings of the 2018 BMW Z5 Give Details of What’s to Come
When BMW and Toyota announced their partnership in January 2013, many were speculating the revival of the Toyota Supra and the development of the next-generation BMW Z4.
But these recent spy shots confirmed what has long been a rumor—that instead of a next-generation Z4, the BMW-Toyota partnership will instead replace the Z4 with the Z5.
The Z5 recently made its first public appearance as a camouflaged prototype. The roadster was being tested in cold weather, suggesting that the German automaker has been working on this model for quite some time.
Based on these spy shots, it looks like the new roadster will have a new architecture that’ll make it sportier than the Z4.
On the outside, the Z5 has a long hood, a short rear deck, shorter overhangs and a low driving position. Compared to the Z4, the Z5 prototype seems to be slightly longer and wider. And instead of a soft top, the Z5 will have a folding metal roof.
It also has a lowered nose, bigger grille and larger headlamps. The sides don’t offer much, except that it might be missing a belt line, though we expect to see more once it is launched.
On the rear end, not much can be seen as well. The trunk lid looks similar to the Z4 with an integrated spoiler while the license plate recess has been moved upper into the right fascia.
There are no details yet for the interior, though we can expect premium feel and excellent fit. Seats should be made with premium leather with option for sportier seats on higher end models.
As for the drivetrain, we should expect a turbocharged four-cylinder with the higher range having a 3.0-liter inline-six. There are rumors that the Z5 would have a hybrid option, though some said it might divert from that route to differentiate itself from what Toyota is planning.
Customers will have an option of either manual transmission or dual-clutch automatic gearbox. An all-wheel drive might be in the works too.
We’re expecting the BMW Z5 to be unveiled in either late 2016 or early 2017. The Toyota counterpart, which will be different in looks and will revive the Supra nameplate, should be launched around the same time.
No information on prices yet, but the Z5 could go as high as $55,000 before options.
2016 Renault Captur Refreshed, Adds New Range-Topping Model
The Renault Captur was finally upgraded for 2016, and with it comes a new range-topping model. The Captur also gained a new powertrain to go along with its premium styling.
The 2016 Capturs in Dynamique or Nav spec are now coming out with Renault’s turbocharged 1.2-liter TCe petrol engine in manual gearbox. This new powertrain reportedly produces 118bhp, and has an output of 51.4mpg and 125g/km of CO2.
Capturs with this powertrain, which was only previously available with the dual-clutch EDC automatic gearbox, will have a starting price of £16,575.
That same engine with the EDC automatic gearbox will now have a base price of £18,075.
The Dynamique Nav and Dynamique S Nav models, meanwhile, can now be ordered with Flame Red metallic paint and a contrasting Diamond black roof for £595. If you want more interior-speaking, you can add a matching red color pack for £100.
There are four trim levels available for the new Captur range. The trim levels will go along with two diesel and petrol engines. If you want the new range-topping model—called the Iconic Nav Special Edition—to go along with these trim levels, you’ll have to shell out £14,575 to £19,175.
The new model will only come Arctic White pearlescent paint with a Diamond Black roof and door mirror covers. It will also get 17-inch wheels with the lower front and rear bumpers painted.
The interior is all about elegance, thanks to its part-leather upholstery, aluminium pedals and Renault’s R-Link Evolution infotainment system, which now comes packed with European mapping for the sat-nav as well as reverse parking camera view.
It gets Renault’s Grip Xtend pack too as standard. This adds a unique traction control system and special mud and snow tyres that will improve grip on slippery surfaces.
Reports said that orders are now being accepted for the 2016 Captur range. Rivals of the Captur include the Kia Soul, which starts at £12,800, and the Nissan Juke, which starts at £13,995.
Spy Shots of the 2017 Honda CRV Surface
The Honda CRV was, and remains to be, one of Honda’s most popular vehicles ever. Now, it looks like we have seen a prototype of this SUV for the next model year.
This will be the fifth generation of the popular compact crossover SUV, and it’s looking to be the most radical of the lot. Based on the spy photos, the new CRV will be larger than its predecessor (remember that the first generation CRV was a very compact SUV in form), but this makes sense for Honda since they already have the HRV for the smaller SUV segment.
Because of its size, we’re expecting that the new CRV can handle third-row seats, which will turn it into a direct competitor of the three-row Volkswagen Tiguan.
In truth, the new CRV is looking like it’s going to be based on the platform introduced in the 10th-generation Civic, though this one’s a little stretched. This platform is lighter and stiffer than anything we have seen from Honda. It should benefit the CRV’s dynamic qualities, too.
Aside from the Civic platform, the CRV will also be sharing other elements such as the turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder and CVT. When fitted on the Civic, this engine can deliver 174 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. A higher output can be expected from the CRV.
Some may also be happy to know that a naturally-aspirated engine will be an option for the 2017 Honda CRV. It will also have a front-wheel drive system as standard while the all-wheel drive will remain as an option.
The 2017 Honda CRV is being geared for a debut late this year or early next year. Prices will reportedly begin very close to the $24,645 price tag the current model has. Of course, options for next year’s model will soon be released, so we’ll know soon enough the base and top-of-the-line price range..
Check out the spy shots in the gallery below:
Spy Shots Of The 2017 Opel Ampera-E Released
The Opel Ampera might be a flop when it was first released, failing to live up to the expectations, but for some reason, Opel thinks this new Ampera-E is going to be different. But the truth is, the Ampera-E is practically the same as the Chevy Bolt EV, which was announced back in January. Don’t expect anything new here aside from what we already saw in the Bolt EV.
On the exterior front, let’s not go into too much detail. The Ampera-E basically looks like the Bolt EV, except that with the camo on the headlight units, taillight units and the upper rear quarter, it makes us think there are minor differences there.
The Bolt EV’s headlights mesh seamlessly into the strip that runs along the car’s waistline. But since the Opel has this covered up, we’re thinking something new might come out when the camo is off. The Ampera-E logo would, of course, be positioned on the fender just beyond the taillight.
There are no spy shots of the car’s interior, but we’re betting it would look like the Bolt EV too with its three-tier console with an armrest at the rear, and the shifter in the middle. It also has a large horizontally-oriented infotainment screen in the center stack that goes well with the various HVAC controls.
Other things that would look similar to the Bolt EV are the digital instrument cluster, the steering wheel, and the center insert (which will have the Opel or Vauxhall insignia). The seats are two-toned—the front and the outside edges are in a lighter color, as well as the dashboard and the insert around the door handles.
You want space? The back seat can be laid down to provide more cargo space.
The 2017 Opel Ampera-E will be priced at $40,000 with taxes, options and destination fees.
Check out the spy shots of the car from Top Speed:
First-Ever Shelby Cobra Headed For Auction
Any self-respecting car enthusiast would tell you that Carroll Shelby is one of the most influential personalities in the auto industry. And now, it looks like you can get a piece of the legend, or at least, his creation. If you’ve got money to spare, you may be interested to know that the original Shelby will be up for auction at RM Sotheby’s Monterey Auction on August 19, according to a source.
We can now all begin wagering how much action and money this car is going to generate.
The CSX 2000 is the only car in the world created by Carroll Shelby himself, and it heralded the Shelby legacy that we still know of today. The first Cobra was created in 1962 when Shelby fitted the AC Ace with a 260-cubic-inch Ford V-8 engine. The V-8 was huge for that time but paled in comparison with the subsequent V-8s used in future Cobras.
Still, the technology was unique that time, and Shelby was the very first one to dive into it. The CSX 2000 became a sensation in the motorsports industry, especially because it was used as a promotional tool for many more Cobras that came after it. Shelby was so clever, in fact, that he painted the CSX 2000 many different colors to appear as if there was more than one Cobra out in the market.
So popular is the Cobra that Shelby’s company still makes “continuation” Cobras today, long after its creator passed away.
The original CSX 2000 remained with the company until it recently announced that it will be offered for the first time to the public. Unknown to many, Shelby and Rob Myers, RM Sotheby’s founder, were good friends. They made an agreement before that the CSX 2000 would eventually be up for auction, and Myers’ company will be the one to manage it.
Estimates said the Shelby Cobra could raise $10 million or more.
Bicentennial Edition Cadillac Eldorado Relives ’76 Convertible Spirit
In the 1970s, threats of air pollution and government safety regulations almost put an end to the convertibles. By 1975, only GM Motors was the lone producer of full-size convertibles, but it didn’t last long as the next year saw the departure of its sole surviving US convertible—the Eldorado.
This year marks the bicentennial anniversary of the 1976 Cadillac Eldorado, and GM wouldn’t let this year pass without something to commemorate it. According to a report, the final 200 units of the 1976 Eldorado convertibles were Bicentennial Edition cars. They are identical to the convertibles of the past, except for the California-emissions equipment choking the 500-cubic-inch V-8.
The Bicentennial Edition comes in triple white—Cotillion White exterior, a white top, and white leather interior with contrast red details such as the seat piping, dash, seatbelts and carpet. Red and blue pinstriping are on the hood, as well as red pinstriping on the sides.
Instead of the standard black, the wheel covers have white centers, giving the car an uber retro vibe. The car is packed with everything you can expect of a regular Eldo; options also remain the same. But for the Bicentennial Editions, you’ll find a gold dash plaque: “This 1976 Fleetwood Eldorado is one of the last 200 identical U.S. production convertibles.”
With GM keeping the last unit for itself, this means there are 199 Bicentennial Editions of the Eldorado out there. Most of these are assuredly in the hands of collectors, ready to show them to the world once convertibles became truly extinct.
Of course, that’s unlikely to happen anytime soon. You can walk into any dealership now and get yourself some modern top-down convertible, though that cannot diminish the charm and wonder of owning a ’76 Eldorado with its long hood and utter disregard for space utilization.
The Bicentennial Edition will most certainly not come cheap. It might two to three times the price of a standard Eldo.
