Daily Archives: December 5, 2017
BMW 8 Series Reveals More With Thinner Camouflage
We’ve been talking nonstop about this particular luxury coupe ever since BMW teased us mercilessly with the BMW 8 Series concept. Now, we can have a closer look at the 8 Series after the German company decided to fit it with new and thinner camouflage.
At first glance of the new BMW 8 Series spy shots, what we can tell is that the car will have a curvy and lean body, but it won’t be as aggressive as its concept version.
How The Front End Changed
Probably the biggest difference between the 8 Series concept and these spy photos is how the front of the coupe looks like. The concept showed a twin-kidney grille that sits low in the fascia, resulting to a dramatic drooping hood. The spy photos showed that the production version of the luxury coupe has a more conventional look with the grille downsized and raised up. The headlights are less squinty, the side vents in the lower fascia are toned down, the flanks on the sides are less curved, and the side vents are smaller.
What The Back End Looks Like
What remains from the concept is the long, gently sloping fastback roof. It trails into a subtle slope down the trunk lid. The difference comes in the form of a larger set of headlights on the production model rather than on the 8 Series concept. The tail is flatter, and lacks that sculpted masculinity shown on the concept. The exhaust outlets, which were integrated into the rear bumper (this was carried over), have been moved to the far corners.
When The 8 Series Finally Arrives
The production car for the 8 Series is supposed to arrive in 2020, though we’re expecting it to make its debut in 2019 because the concept was also shown a year earlier. Two other variants will be available—convertible and M variants. A racing version might be under development too.
3 Things Got Us Hyped About the Toyota Subcompact Urban Crossover
We’ve heard it again and again: Toyota, the Japanese carmaker, is planning on adding a small urban crossover SUV to its line. At the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show, we saw the third preview of the vehicle in the form of the FT-AC Concept.
There is no coincidence in this after the Japanese automaker confirmed that it will bring something new to the market in the next years. Toyota Motor North America General Manager Jack Hollis said that the Japanese carmaker plans to have more than one vehicle in each segment, especially if they differ enough in features.
1. Subcompact Lineup Teases With Third Preview Of New Concept
The FT-AC Concept is the third time Toyota teased us with the concept for a new subcompact urban crossover. Currently, the Japanese automaker has a slew of subcompacts such as the C-HR, the compact RAV4, the midsize 4Runner, the full-size Highlander and Sequioa, and of course, the Land Cruiser. All of these are worlds apart in features, performance, and driving experience. The Land Cruiser remains at the top of the range.
2. Toyota Is Testing The Water With New Concepts
The FT-AC Concept may be the third one we have seen, but the earlier two concepts can hold a candle on their own. The FT-4X Concept and the TJ Cruiser Concept, as well as the third concept, the FT-AC, all have distinct characters and attitudes. Hollis said that this was specifically done to “test the waters in the market” and see the feedback from Toyota’s loyal followers.
3. New Concepts Will Have A New Platform
Many of the features of the three new concepts are different, but they will most probably share the same platform—the TNGA platform. This means that the new urban subcompact crossover will be a unibody vehicle instead of a hardcore body-on-frame vehicle. The size would be similar to the C-HR and powered by an inline-4. It will have a front-wheel-drive system, but it will also offer an option for an all-wheel drive.
3 Exciting Things About The 2018 Bentley Continental GT First Edition
Bentley is doing the exact same tradition that the likes of Bentayga SUV and Mulsanne did—rolling off a first edition model. That means that the Continental GT First Edition will get plenty of exclusive features that would probably never be available when the line is finally launched.
Some of the exclusive “appointments” that the first edition 2018 Bentley Continental GT will have are fancy rotating displays, veneer options, and model-specific cosmetic identifiers. All of these help cement the grand tourer’s special edition status.
1. “Orange Flame”
Orange Flame—that’s what they are calling the body color that this special edition will come in. To be truly special, the 2018 GT Continental must have a truly attention-seeking visual representation, and that will begin with an exciting new color. There is no mention whether the grand tourer will only come in this color, but the online configurator shows there are 13 different colors we can choose from—Rubino Red, Sequin Blue, Peacock, and Damson, among others.
2. Rotating Display
The central feature of the 2018 Bentley Continental GT First Edition is the rotating display. The feature lets you switch through three different fascia panels, depending on your mood. The standard configuration is the 12.3-display, but you can also go for the more classical look of three analog dials or a veneer-only fascia that appears only when the car is not running.
3. Unique Contrast Stitching
Another feature that is limited to the First Edition is the diamond-in-diamond quilt stitching on the seats, the door panels, and the rear quarter panels. There’s also a unique contrast stitching available only for the First Edition. Aside from these, Bentley also partnered with Mulliner for a unique driving specification package that includes alloy foot pedals, jewel-finish oil and filler caps, and a set of 22-inch wheels that are available in bright paint, black, hand polished, or full polish finishes.
