Monthly Archives: December 2016
2018 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS vs 2018 Audi TT-RS vs BMW M2
The redesigned Porsche Boxster, which was first introduced back in 2012, took styling cues from the 911 and the 918 Spyder. Aside from that, this model also has a more rigid chassis and a revised engine lineup that includes smaller, turbocharged flat-four powerplants.
The spy shots did not reveal much of the Porsche 718 Boxster GTS design but if we are basing our judgment on the previous model, we can expect that the car would have a more aggressive front fascia with larger air intakes below the headlamps. A wider lower grille can also be expected because it would work on improving the roadster’s aerodynamics.
We didn’t see the new bumper yet but if the spoiler lip is any indication, it looks like Porsche is getting ready to treat the car to a better downforce. All of these should be finished with dark matte gray color.
Audi TT-RS
The Audi TT-RS made use of the company’s latest styling language, which has more angular lines and sportier stance compared to the previous design. The TT-RS definitely isn’t as sleek as the Boxster GTS, but fans of a massive “singleframe” grille and big bumper intakes should be happy to note these on the Audi. The race-inspired look of the TT-RS is menacing, to say the least, and that’s also thanks to the carbon-look mirror caps, massive spoiler, and muscular wheel arches.
BMW M2
The M2 is bigger than the Boxster since it is essentially a smaller M4 with better proportions. It has a more compact size, though, than the M4. This makes the coupe look lighter, faster, and easier to handle. The M2 is sportier than the TT-RS, but it still might fail in comparison to the Boxster GTS because the Porsche has that race-car layout of putting the engine in the rear. It’s all a matter of taste, really. Plus, we haven’t seen the convertible model of the M2 yet.
2018 BMW 6 Series Convertible vs Mercedes SL Roadster
Let’s get this out of the way: the 2018 BMW 6 Series Convertible has a whopping price tag of $85,100, which comes very far from the likes of the Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet and the Audi S5 Cabriolet. Because of that, we’re pitting this against the SL Roadster, which is very much its competitor, price-wise in particular.
Based on the spy shots, the 6 Series is sporting a new fascia, grille, and headlights. The front end will have slightly wider kidney grilles, sleeker and slimmer headlights, and some other minor restyling. There could also be some changes in the overall bodyline.
There are two different trims available for the US market. The 640i and the 640i xDrive will get the 3.0-liter, twin-turbo, inline-6 while the 650i and the 650i xDrive will get the 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V-8. The 3.0-liter should produce around 350 horsepower and 340 pound-feet of torque while the 4.4-liter should cough up at least 475 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque.
Each engine will be paired with a “sport” automatic transmission while xDrive models get an all-wheel drive. Non-xDrive models get a rear-wheel drive.
Mercedes SL Roadster
If you’re planning to spend $90,000 on a car and don’t really need a backseat, then you can check out the Mercedes SL Roadster. It’s an evil little car in terms of sportiness, power, and speed. Currently, it’s available in four trim levels—the entry-level SL450 at $86,950 can deliver 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque thanks to the 3.0-liter V-6.
On the other end is the AMG SL63 and SL65, which are priced at $151,250 and $219,850, respectively. The SL63 makes use of a 5.5-liter V-8 machine that comes up with 577 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. The SL65 has a 6.0-liter engine that produces 621 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque.
The 2017 Mercedes SL Roadster has many improvements on the exterior and interior, but none is better than what it changed outside. This model now has a power-folding hardtop that has a speed of 40kph or 25mph. It has a redesigned front and rear fascia, with the former coming with large air inlets under the new LED headlights, chrome or carbon fiber accents. You can choose from either a 10-spoke or five-spoke designs for the 19-inch wheels. Aside from the existing color palettes, the 2017 model welcomed two more colors—Brilliant Blue and Selenite Grey Magno.
3 Things To Look Out For In The 2017 Rolls-Royce SUV
Finally, Rolls-Royce is joining the SUV party. It’s better late than never, and we expect nothing but great things from Rolls’ Project Cullinan.
The production model of the Rolls-Royce SUV will be tested at the Arctic Circle by the end of this month. After proving itself in the coldest place in the planet, it will head to the Middle East where its ability to combat extreme heat will be challenged.
1. Exterior
Based on the spy shots released by Rolls itself, we can deem that the company will not be trying to revolutionize the way SUVs are made. This is, after all, their first foray in the segment and they want to be as safe as possible. Through the camouflage, we can see that the SUV will sport the same massive chrome grille and a pair of slim headlamps similar to the Ghost and Phantom sedans. What differs this are the larger bumper and skid plate placed below the grille.
The rear end will differentiate Rolls from all the other SUVs in the market. It used a wagon-like roof and tailgate, the latter supporting larger, horizontal taillights. So it can ride higher, the Rolls will feature 22-inch (if not larger) wheels.
2. Interior
What we can expect from the interior is that it will be draped in leathers and Alcantara with wood veneers and aluminum slapped on the dashboard and door panels. No Rolls Royce owner ever drives their own car (right?), so we can expect the backseat to mirror a first-class plane seating. All the features in the cabin will be customizable and Rolls’ Bespoke division will allow buyers to configure the SUV to their liking.
3. Drivetrain
A lot can still change here since it will be a while before Rolls releases the SUV, but we can expect a V-12 engine, as well as Ghost’s twin-turbo, 6.6-liter mill mated with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. This pairing can produce 600 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque, making it the second most powerful Rolls Royce after the Wraith.
Unfortunately, you have to be really, really, incredibly rich to afford the Rolls Royce SUV, which will most likely have a price tag of around $350,000.
4 Special Things To Note About The 2017 Ford Mustang Blue Edition
In an aim to better target the European market, Ford developed a special edition of its Ford Mustang that will suit Europe’s roads and emission requirements. The Blue Edition, in a sense, pays tribute to the eye-popping colors Ford offered in the late 60s to the early 70s.
Roelant de Waard, vice president of Ford Europe, said Mustang drivers will surely be turning heads when they drive by in the Blue Edition.
Here are the four key features of the special edition Mustang based on a report:
“Go Fast” Black Stripes
Grabber Blue is used on all Blue Edition Mustangs. This is one of the two blue hues used on the sixth-generation coupe. Choosing the Grabber Blue won’t cost you extra and it doesn’t make it special, too. What makes the 2017 Ford Mustang Blue Edition special is the double “go fast” black stripes, which have a “dissolve effect” as it nears the grille. It is even more complemented by the black-painted, 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels.
Remember the 1969 Shelby GT350 and GT500 models that used the Grabber Blue? That’s exactly what Ford is aiming for here. The Mustang, as you well know, depends on its heritage and that Mustang nameplate is a testament to that.
Added Options Indoors
In the cabin, the Blue Edition enjoys a number of features, which include heated and cooled seats, a premium audio system, and Ford’s SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system. This system comes with an eight-inch touchscreen and cool apps that enables drivers to locate cafes, parking lots, and gas stations.
Two Engines Available
Under the hood, you’ll find two options for the Blue Edition. You can choose between 2.3-liter EcoBoost and 5.0-liter V-8 engines. Looking for the V-6? That is only available for the American market. The 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder can produce 317 horses while the 5.0-liter can churn out 421 horsepower. Either engine can be paired with six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
Pricing Nears Standard Model
Ford has yet to release the prices for the Blue Edition, but we believe it should stray too far from the standard model. In the UK, EcoBoost has a starting price of £31,745 while the GT costs £35,745 and up.
4 Things To Know About The 2018 Ford Expedition Drivetrain
Spy photos showed that the 2018 Ford Expedition is currently in the development stage. Traditionally, the Expedition is based on the F-150, which Ford worked tirelessly to improve. However, in recent model years, that distinction has grown distant in terms of suspension and exterior and interior styling.
On the front exterior, the spy shots revealed that the 2018 model year for the Expedition has a new look that will mirror the design styling of the current F-150 pickup. It will have that muscular chiseled look that is reminiscent of the first-ever F-150, including the numbered keypad on the driver’s side, of course.
Here are four items you should check about the 2018 Expedition based on a report from TopSpeed:
1. It Will Carry The 3.5-Liter EcoBoost
The new Expedition is bound to have the same 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine we see in the 2017 F-150 truck. Because this is the EcoBoost’s second generation, it can create bigger power with 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, which is essentially coming close to a V-8 engine. In fact, that is more than General Motor’s 6.2-liter V-8 that can be found under the hood of the Cadillac Escalade and some versions of the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL.
2. It Has A 10-Speed Automatic Transmission
The engine is going to be paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which was developed together with GM and is the first-ever volume-production 10-speed automatic in the world. Compared to the previous six-speed automatic transmission, this new system will deliver better performance and acceleration. The Expedition will be offered in both RWD and 4WD.
3. It Has A V-6 For A Standard Engine
According to reports, there will also be a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 for the 2018 Expedition… and it will come as a standard engine! It packs 325 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque. It may fall behind the 3.5-liter engine, but it would be able to handle the all-aluminum Expedition with no problem.
4. It Might Have A Turbodiesel Option
There is no confirmation yet, but it looks like Ford is working to develop a small turbodiesel option for the F-150, and we might just see this under the Expedition’s hood, too. Certainly, that would explain why the spy shots have a massive exhaust pipe.
Spy Shots Gallery
3 Pointers You Need To Know About The 2018 Ford Fiesta
Ford Motor Company unveiled its new redesigned seventh-generation Ford Fiesta last Tuesday. The car is expected for a market launch in the United States by late next year.
There are no extensive details released yet about the new Fiesta as Ford is saving the remainder of the information for the sedan’s formal debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March. What we do know for now is that the new Fiesta will be available with a turbocharged inline-3 and cylinder deactivation in some markets.
1. “Evolutionary” Design
In terms of design, the new Fiesta has clearly evolved from the current model. It has a more upmarket look and feel, probably to compensate for the very basic looks of its predecessor. This is especially true for some models confirmed for the European market like the Vignale. Ford has also confirmed a soft-roader model called the Active while the sporty ST model is still in the works. Overall, the new car is slightly wider and more squat than the current Fiesta.
2. Elegant Interior
The interior is nothing to rave about, except for the fact that it’s a major improvement from the outgoing model. The dashboard used soft-touch materials for that sophisticated feel. In the middle, you can find a large touchscreen display for the Sync 3 infotainment system. Ford said the new Fiesta will even come packed with an available B&O PLAY sound system.
3. Cylinder Deactivation
As mentioned above, the car’s inline-3 will come with cylinder deactivation. This means that during low-load situations, the engine can “switch off” one of the three cylinders by stopping valve operation for that particular cylinder. Fuel delivery will stop, too. This ability can be done in just 14 milliseconds. It can turn the cylinder back on at the same amount of time. And because the car is also designed to counteract the vibrations, this switching on and off of the cylinder is imperceptible to the driver.
Fuel savings for the new Fiesta is pegged at around 6 percent.
4 Things To Know About The 2018 Volkswagen Arteon
Volkswagen confirmed on Monday that it now has a successor for the CC sedan. Called the Volkswagen Arteon, the automaker has been testing prototypes for the car for close to a year now, but assured that it will be more handsome (design-wise) than its predecessor.
1. Concept
The design of the Volkswagen Arteon will be slightly similar to the Sport Coupe GTE concept that was revealed during the 2015 Geneva Auto Show. Based on the concept, the German automaker is planning a more dynamic look for the Arteon so it can stand on its own despite almost coming very close to looking like the more mainstream Passat.
The flexible MQB platform will be stretched to an overall length of 190 inches and a wheelbase of 119 inches to accommodate the Arteon. This means we can expect a more spacious cabin compared to the CC, which only measures 189 inches in length and has a wheelbase of 107 inches.
2. Powertrains
If you are familiar with the Passat being sold overseas, then you’ll find the same powertrain options for the Volkswagen Arteon. It’s a series of turbocharged inline-4s with the range topper being an Arteon GTE plug-in hybrid model.
It can be recalled that the Sport Coupe GTE concept also featured a plug-in hybrid that combined a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine with a pair of electric motors. Like many other automakers, VW hopes this would create a “through-the-road” hybrid all-wheel-drive setup. The Arteon GTE, however, will most probably come with a turbocharged 1.4-liter inline-4 and single electric motor.
3. Release date
The 2017 Geneva Auto Show in March would most likely be the place where we’ll finally get to see the 2018 Arteon. Currently, VW isn’t sure yet if this will be brought to the US or if it will stay in European shores since the CC was never really a big hit in the US. Still, the German automaker needs to fill the sedan segment in the country.
4. Spy Shots
Here are some spy shots from Autoblog of the upcoming car:
4 Things To Check Out About The 2019 Toyota Supra
Toyota has yet to confirm the arrival of another Supra, specifically for the 2019 model year. But if the new spy shots are to be believed, it looks like the Supra name is making a comeback for this sports car, which will particularly be marketed in Europe.
In 2011, the Japanese automaker announced that it signed a deal with BMW to develop a sports car platform. This is supposedly that car. BMW, for its part, is using the platform as replacement for the Z4, which is believed to be a new model called the Z5.
1. It Is Smaller Than The FT-1 Concept Car
These spy photos reveal that the 2019 Toyota Supra will be relatively smaller than 2014’s FT-1 concept car, which already previewed the design. It did borrow a host of other elements from the concept, mainly the double-bubble roof, the protruding nose, the muscular rear fenders, the jet-fighter style glasshouse, and the ducktail trunk lid.
In some of the shots, there is also a glimpse of the new liftback. There are still few details about the Supra, seeing as there’s still plenty of time before Toyota takes this to the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show.
But what we do know is that the new platform features a front-midship layout and a low center of gravity based on the very low hood and roof. It might also boast of a multi-material construction, probably using more carbon fiber to take off the weight and boost speed and strength.
2. There Will Be At Least Two Powertrains
The Supra might have two powertrain choices. The range-topper is a hybrid powertrain that combines a twin-turbocharged V-6 engine with an electric motor or two. There is still no confirmation about the base model. The V-6 engine will be able to power the rear wheels while the electric motors will bring power to the front wheels. This should create a “through-the-road” hybrid setup. We saw this same setup in Toyota’s Hybrid-R concept back in 2013.
3. It Will Have A Mid-$50K Price Tag
The system might sound good on paper, but it also means a hefty price tag of mid-$50,000 for the base model. That is higher than a Corvette, the standard of classic sports car in the US. That price will quickly rise with modifications and a higher-range model.
There is a fear, of course, that the price tag will pull the sales down, so Toyota may offer an entry-level powertrain that will pack either a twin-turbo V-6 engine or a turbocharged inline-4.
4. Spy Photos
Check out the spy photos of the car below, which were provided by Car and Driver:
