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vendredi 31 juillet 2015
2016 Kia Sedona, 2016 Cadillac CTS-V, Quiet-Car Noise Rules: What's New @ The Car Connection
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2014-2015 Audi SQ5 Recalled For Software Glitch That Could Deactivate Power Steering
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2013-2016 Cadillac ATS Sedan Recalled Again For Sunroof Problem: Over 82,000 Vehicles Affected
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jeudi 30 juillet 2015
Hyundai Sonata Vs. Kia Optima: Compare Cars
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Get $1,000 If You Convince A Friend To Buy A Tesla Model S (Note: You Have To Own A Tesla, Too)
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2016 Cadillac XTS, Average Vehicle Age, 2016 Ford Focus RS Price: What's New @ The Car Connection
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Audi A4 Vs. BMW 3-Series: Compare Cars
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Toyota Camry Vs. Honda Accord: Compare Cars
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2015 Ford F-150: IIHS Gives Aluminum Body Mixed Crash Test Scores & Says It's 26% Pricier To Repair
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Porsche 904 Carrera GTS
After having withdrawn from Formula One at the end of 1962, Porsche decided to focus on sports car racing and develop a successor to the 718. The result of this decision was the 904, officially called the Carrera GTS. The race car debuted in 1963 and began its racing career in 1964. Porsche also produced a road-legal version in order to comply with homologation regulations of the era.
The 904 was one of the most innovative cars of its era. The body was built from fiberglass, after a decade of development and consultation with aircraft manufacturers, and bolted onto a stamped-steel chassis. The car tipped the scales at only 1,433 pounds and had tremendous aerodynamics, which allowed it to achieve top speeds that weren’t possible with earlier Porsche race cars.
The 904 was also the final significant application of the Fuhrmann-designed four-cylinder engine, which had a complex but very durable design and was used in no fewer than 34 Porsche models. The tiny racer became famous within a matter of months after its introduction, being entered in races and rallies all over the world. By the end of its career, the 904 had entered 1,300 races, achieving more than 300 class wins and 145 outright victories.
Five decades later, the 904 has become a highly sought-after collectible. Some models, like the factory race car shown above, are worth millions of dollars. Let’s have a closer look at the Porsche that marked the beginning of a series of racers that culminated in the mighty 917.
Continue reading to learn more about the Porsche 904 Carrera GTS.
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The 5 Most Important Cars in the Evolution of the Hot-Rod
The world today is full of all kinds of incredible hot rods. Open the pages of any magazine, and you’ll see everything from low-buck, stripped-down street thrashers that specialize in straight-line acceleration, to mega-dollar, high-tech dyno queens set for glory on the autocross. You might see a brand-new fuel injected Camaro side-by-side with a primer-gray Chevy Nova, or a chromed-out rail job parked next to a monochrome musclecar. On the surface, these vehicles seem to share very little in common, other than the fact that they’re all hot rods.
This hobby has evolved quite a lot over the years; it’s split and schism’d enough times to have a real family tree, with each modern hot rod having a distinct genealogy of its own, True, some of the branches of the family tree wound up pretty short. But other progenitors went on to sire long and proud family lines.
Here’s my list of the most important hot rods of all time; the ones that changed history, created new forks on the family tree, and left a bit of their DNA behind in all that would follow.
Continue reading for the full story.
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McLaren F1 LM Specification
Any McLaren F1 is a unicorn, but the ultra-rare F1 LM-Specification cars are unicorns among unicorns. How rare? Only two were ever built. On average, ‘standard’ F1s routinely clear $10 million at auction, which is nothing to sneeze at, but the two LM-Specification cars could each be worth north of $15 million. In other words, you don’t have enough kidneys.
You’re probably familiar with the ultra-rare 1995 McLaren F1 LMs — five F1s built at the factory (plus one XP1 prototype) with upgraded engines, stripped-out interiors and McLaren’s Extra High Downforce Package. The ‘LM-Specifications’ are a bit different. Both chassis numbers 018 and 073 started life as a road-specification F1s and were later fitted with the more-powerful V-12 and high downforce aero package from the LM at the McLaren factory, but unlike the purebred LMs they retain the road car’s more-livable interior.
Chassis 073 never actually left the factory in its original specification. Originally built in 1998, its owner specified AMG Green Velvet paint with a two-tone tan and green interior, but instead of taking delivery of the car, the owner asked that it be kept at McLaren’s factory in Woking to be fitted with new LM bodywork, unique multi-spoke 18-inch wheels and upgraded engine. It was also painted in the brilliant orange metallic color pictured above.
Less is known about the origins of 018, but this metallic-silver example was originally built in 1994 and is fitted with the same five-spoke wheels as the LM. It currently lives in Auckland, New Zealand.
Continue reading for the full story.
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Next Generation Honda Civic And Accord Will Be More Attractive
Takahiro Hachigo — the new president and CEO of Honda Motor Company — has a vision that will fuel some new designs for Honda Automobiles. With advancement of the automaker’s global operation structure and the development of new products, Hachigo plans to step up the competition going forward. Plans are even in the works for a new “baby NSX”, but until that becomes a reality, the sporty design of the all-new Civic and the effort put into redesigning the 2016 Accord gives insight into just what Honda has in store for us.
If you were lucky enough to see the 2015 Honda Civic Concept at the New York Auto Show earlier in 2015, then you already have an Idea of the new sporty design. The look of the 10th-generation 2016 Honda Civic is the most commendable manifestation of Honda’s new design so far. It will feature tight body lines, and while it will be toned down a bit from the concept, it will still sport an aggressive front end that will discourage even the heaviest customizer from needing an aftermarket body kit. The new Civic is designed to be more sporty than anything, so don’t expect a large trunk opening to go along with the liftback-like design. I wouldn’t expect the large spoiler shown on the concept either, but you can bet the option will be there for a smaller fin on the rear end. The Civic will be offered in various trim levels, including a Type-R and a Si variant. Following the competition, the new Civic will have a new turbocharged, four-cylinder engine that is mated to either a short-throw, six-speed transmission or a CVT transmission for those who like to simply go. When properly equipped, the Civic will should still get more than 40 mpg when cruising the interstate.
The 2016 Accord also goes to show that Hachigo and his engineers aren’t playing around. Expect to see more stylish front and rear bumpers, a new grille, and new lights all the way around. I wouldn’t expect the front end to look as aggressive as what we’ll see on the Civic, but it will be a nice step up from the years before in terms of snarl. If you look for the touring model, you’ll see the multi-element headlamps similar to the LED lights seen in a lot of Acura models – hopefully something we’ll see on the new Civic as well. The Accord Sedan will sport more of a fastback design, providing a sporty look not previously seen in previous models. The new Accord will likely see direct fuel injection and may share a new nine-speed automatic transmission with the 2016 Honda Pilot.
Continue reading for the full story.
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Cadillac Plans To Offer Full Range Of Cars In Europe
Cadillac is launching a new assault in Europe that will include an expanded model lineup, right-hand drive, new diesel engines and a new flagship sedan that will sit above the 2016 Cadillac CT6. GM president Dan Ammann confirmed the new strategy to Autocar and said the new approach in Europe will take advantage of its current position as a niche brand in the continent and will include “exceptional service.”
General Motors’ luxury arm has been pretty much phoning it in to Europe over the last few years, and currently only offers the 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe and 2014 Cadillac ATS Sedan, 2015 Cadillac CTS, 2014 Cadillac SRX and the 2015 Cadillac Escalade, which couldn’t be less appropriate for narrow European streets. What’s more, Cadillac only offers left-hand-drive cars in the U.K., where cars on lots have reportedly been collecting dust. Cadillac is banking that a new right-hand-drive option, expanded lineup and improved service network will help move a few more units in Europe.
Continue reading for the full story.
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Smart ForTwo Brabus Caught Testing Before Frankfurt Debut: Spy Shots
Introduced in 2014, the third-generation 2015 Smart ForTwo arrived with massive improvements over its predecessor. The overhaul included a modern and more appealing exterior design, a fancier interior, and a new engine lineup. For 2015, the third-generation model is set to receive its highly anticipated Brabus suit, which will turn the city car into a slightly more aggressive rig. First spotted testing in July 2014, the upcoming 2015 Smart ForTwo Brabus just came out for more testing, and our trusty paparazzi were once again in the right place at the right time.
Not surprisingly, the prototype received a handful of changes since we last saw it, at least on the outside. Interior updates are still a mystery, as is the drivetrain, as it is not yet clear whether the Brabus will use the 0.9-liter, three-cylinder or the bigger 1.2-liter four-banger. However, the likely scenario is the performance city car will use a retuned version of the turbocharged three-pot with some 120 horsepower and 115 pound-feet of torque on tap. For reference, the current most powerful Smart ForTwo has 90 horses and 99 pound-feet.
We will learn more about the powerplant motivating the ForTwo Brabus as soon as the vehicle breaks cover at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Meanwhile, let’s have a look at what we already know about this souped-up city car.
Continue reading for the full story.
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Tesla Wants Its Powertrain To Last One Million Miles
Tesla is confident in everything it does. Back in 2014, for instance, the company made a bold move to extend the warranty on the battery pack – an eight year, infinite mile warranty – to the powertrain as well. Now, a blog post by Elon Musk on July 17, 2015, indicates the company is working on making a powertrain that will last at least a million miles. Only time will tell if he will ever meet that goal, but working toward that goal has led Tesla to develop an advanced smart fuse. This so-called smart fuse has allowed Tesla to increase battery output by 200 amps. Channeling this extra amperage to the powertrain makes the Model S hit a 0 to 60 mph sprint in only 2.8 seconds.
Continue reading for the full story.
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Ford Mustang In Action At The Lommel Race Track: Video
The sixth-generation 2016 Ford Mustang is a revolutionary model for the iconic nameplate in many aspects. Its most important feature is arguably the new independent rear suspension, a first for the Mustang since its introduction in 1964. It’s also a lot sportier now, as it was designed as a true sports coupe rather than a muscle car. Moreover, it’s the first-ever Mustang to go global, which makes it a big deal for both Ford and enthusiasts the world over.
As the new pony is finally on its way to European dealerships, Ford Europe is busy promoting it through a series of short videos. The latest episode of "Ford Mustang arrives in Europe" shows the muscle car stretching its legs on the Blue Oval’s test track in Lommel, Belgium.
Footage of a Mustang GT being put through its paces on the track is backed by Raj Nair, Ford Group vice president, and Joe Bakaj, vice president of European product development, talking about the development process and the main features of the car. There’s a lot of info in there, but the conclusion is that the new Mustang was built to match the nameplate’s iconic DNA.
As a brief reminder, the new Mustang comes to Europe with two engines. The 2.3-liter, four-cylinder EcoBoost rated at 317 PS (312 horsepower) and the 5.0-liter V-8 generating 421 PS (415 horses). Until you can get your hands on one, check it out in action on the Lommel test track.
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Cadillac Prepares More Surprises For The Future
Between 2015 and 2020, Cadillac has some major plans – plans it hopes will help it compete better with German automakers. Cadillac looks to redesign most of its lineup and add some new models along the way. It all started this year with the launch of the third-generation 2016 Cadillac CTS-V, and the push to start production of the 2016 Cadillac CT6 by the end of the year. This may not be too exciting for fans of the brand, but there is much more to come as we creep up on the end of the decade.
Let’s talk Crossovers and SUVs for a minute. Currently Cadillac has the 2014 Cadillac SRX crossover – soon to be redesigned and named the 2017 Cadillac XT5 – and the 2015 Cadillac Escalade. By 2017, expect to see the release of a compact crossover and a full-sized crossover. They will likely be named the 2018 Cadillac XT3 and the XT6, respectively. Eventually, by the end of the decade, Cadillac will launch a subcompact crossover that will probably answer to the name of XT1. There are no plans to discontinue the Escalade anytime soon, as it will be re-engineered by 2018 and will continue to serve as the only SUV in the lineup.
There appears to be at least two new sedans coming by 2020 also. A small, entry-level sedan, which we suspect will be named the 2017 Cadillac CT2, is currently on the drawing board. It should compete with the 2015 Audi A3 Sedan and the 2014-2015 Mercedes CLA, but unlike either, it will have rear-wheel drive. Expect to see this baby sometime in 2018. The biggest edition to the lineup will come in the form of another large sedan – called the CT7 – that will be the flagship and finally allow Caddy to compete with BMW’s 7-series and the Mercedes S-Class.
Along with the list of new models to come, Cadillac expects to release not only a hybrid version of the CT6 but a diesel version as well. Eventually, the ATS will be refreshed, and a convertible version will be available shortly thereafter.
Continue reading for the full story.
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New Kia GT Concept Will Preview Production Version
Kia unveiled its rear-wheel-drive 2011 Kia GT concept at the Frankfurt Auto Show back in 2011. Since then, Kia has revamped a few things and plans for it to be ready in time for the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show, or the North American International Auto Show early in 2016. The GT concept has been modified for U.S. crash safety standards and is said to be production-ready. It will most likely lose the suicide doors, and exhibit other minor changes that will tone down the body design a bit. Kia expects the U.S. to be the largest market for the new GT sedan when it goes into production.
Continue reading for the full story.
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Jaguar C-Type
It was 1950, and the postwar sports car racing scene was beginning to heat up. In some ways the scene wasn’t too different from now: the only way to be taken seriously as a purveyor of sporty vehicles was to go racing. Jaguar’s lovely XK120 was in the performance spotlight, thanks to its 120-mph top speed making it the fastest production vehicle of its day, and so it was only natural that the car hit the track.
Three nearly stock XK120s entered the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1950, modified by the factory but helmed by private drivers. The cars were reasonably successful, with one getting as high as second place before retiring while running third, and the other two finishing 12th and 15th. William Lyons, managing director of Jaguar, was impressed with the showing, and speculated that with a more rigid body and a significant weight drop, the cars would be even more competitive. The key to racing success was a dramatic makeover. Jaguar designed an aerodynamic lightweight body over a tube-frame chassis, retuned the engine, transmission and front suspension, and the XK120C, later known simply as the C-Type, was born.
Three C-Types entered Le Mans in 1951, and one of them won the race outright. Jaguar set record race speeds along the way. A more ambitious effort in 1952 fell flat, but in 1953 Jaguar won Le Mans again, with its three entries coming in first, second and fourth. The effort was more impressive because of Jaguar’s low-key approach; the factory team didn’t show up with a lot of fancy equipment like Ferrari or Alfa Romeo, and quietly went out and beat the established marques. This racing success didn’t just cement Jaguar’s reputation as a force to be reckoned with on the track; it also catapulted Jaguar to international fame. The C-Type is arguably responsible for Jaguar’s legendary status. A total of 53 C-types were produced from 1951 to 1953, and replicas are still being built today.
Continue reading to learn more about the Jaguar C-Type.
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Rights To The Saleen S7 Supercar Now Up For Sale
Depending on who you ask, the first American supercar was either the 1911 Mercer Raceabout or the 1992 Vector W8. However, when it comes to production supercars, the 2001 Saleen S7 is widely regarded as America’s first effort in that direction. It’s been 15 years since Saleen introduced the S7 and 11 since it was discontinued, and all the remaining inventory, parts, memorabilia, molds, designs, and intellectual property related to the supercar are up for sale.
The offer also includes the 2001 Saleen S7R race car, as well as the 2008 Saleen S5S Raptor Concept the American brand designed in 2007. The assets and intellectual property to all three cars can be purchased via GA Global Partners, which is currently accepting bids on the whole bundle.
The sale comes amid financial troubles for Saleen Automotive, but the actual seller of the assets is Hancock Park Associates, the private equity firm that has controlled the brand for a few years. The company held onto some Saleen products when founder Steve Saleen regained control of the brand.
According to GA Global Partners, the assets, which include the six remaining chassis and frames from the S7 supercar, have been kept in safe storage for the past five years.
Continue reading for the full story.
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Toyota 86 Yellow Limited
Toyota is offering another limited edition of its Hachi Roku successor, the GT 86, and it comes in three forms that progressively add tweaks to the car’s interior upholstery, exterior styling, and handling performance. It’s called the Yellow Limited, and it’s only available to Japanese customers.
The three iterations include the base Yellow Limited, which comes with new details on the inside and outside, the Yellow Limited aero package, which throws on a wing big enough to need navigation lights, and the Yellow Limited aero package FT, which adds new components to the suspension.
Toyota says the special edition was created to “highlight the sporty feeling” of the GT 86 (aka, Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ here in the states), and on paper, I’d say highlight is an understatement. This thing is practically dipped in neon, depending on the desired specification.
But does it work? Is it worth extra outlay? Or is it just another limited run without any real substance?
Continue reading to learn more about the Toyota 86 Yellow Limited.
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Dodge Challenger Hellcat Dyno Tested at Hennessey Performance: Video
Hennessey Performance is the type of company you go to when what you get from the factory isn’t as powerful as you want. The Texas crew isn’t the only one to offer aftermarket tuning, but it’s among the best in the business and it covers a wide range of vehicles from Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler. For 2015, Hennessey’s offer is about to get larger and include a couple of packages for the awesome 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat. As this video shows, the tuner just got its hands on a Hellcat and tested it on the dyno, as usually happens with all new cars set to receive Hennessey updates.
It sounds pretty crazy to want to squeeze more oomph from the car’s 707-horsepower, supercharged V-8, but the Hellcat X is solid proof as there’s no such thing as too much horsepower.
There aren’t many details available yet, but Hennessey’s website says there are two upgrades in the pipeline — the HPE800 and the HPE850. The first one will increase output to 805 horsepower (as much as the Hellcat X), while the second one will have 852 horses on tap. That’s 98 and 145 horses more than the standard Hellcat. No word on performance, but both should be stupid fast. Drivetrain upgrades aside, the Hennessey Hellcat will also feature "Hennessey" head rests and emblems, "HPE" badges, and numbered dash plaques.
We’ll be back with more info as soon as Hennessey Performance spills the beans.
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Mercedes-Benz SLC
In recent years, Mercedes has been rumored to be using the SLC name on the SLS AMG and later the AMG GT, and while these rumors have proven to be just that, the classic moniker (originally used from 1971 to 1981) will officially make its return to the Mercedes lineup later this year as a renamed and refreshed update of the existing SLK-Class. Mercedes has yet to say when or where the 2017 Mercedes SLC-Class will be revealed, but judging by a recent set of spy shots, it’s very likely we will see a debut in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
It’s obvious that the changes are little more than a mid-cycle update to the current third-gen SLK, which was introduced for the 2012 model year, so it isn’t likely that there will be too many surprises popping up on this SLC-Class. The new name does fit in with Mercedes’ new naming convention that has marked the return of the S-Class Coupe as well as an almost completely renamed SUV lineup.
Updated 07/24/2015: Youtube user cvdzijden caught the upcoming SLC testing on the famous Nurburgring race track. Enjoy!
Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC-Class.
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mercredi 29 juillet 2015
Subaru WRX Vs. Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG: Compare Cars
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2014-2015 MINI Cooper Recalled To Improve Crash Protection
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Average Age Of U.S. Vehicles Hits Record High: 11.5 Years
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2016 Hyundai Equus, VW Outsells Toyota, Ferrari 488 Spider: What’s New @ The Car Connection
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mardi 28 juillet 2015
Vroom.com Asks: Would You Buy A Used Car If You Knew You Could Return It?
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Apple Serious About Cars, 2016 Cadillac CTS, 2016 Mazda MX-5: What’s New @ The Car Connection
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Despite Big Stumbles In The U.S. & China, Volkswagen Is Outselling Toyota (For Now, Anyway)
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lundi 27 juillet 2015
Apple Is Getting Very Serious About The Whole Car Thing
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Audi Q5 Vs. Lincoln MKC: Compare Cars
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2016 Acura RLX, 2016 Lexus IS, Mitsubishi Shutting Factory: What’s New @ The Car Connection
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2012-2015 Ram Pickups Recalled To Fix Seatbelts, Airbags; 1.9 Million Vehicles Affected
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