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jeudi 30 juin 2016
NHTSA to 300,000 Honda, Acura owners: Don't drive cars until airbags are replaced (breaking)
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2016 Honda Pilot: Our long-term fuel economy so far
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Honda Accord Turns 40, 2018 Kia GT Spied, 2018 Nissan Sentra: What’s New @ The Car Connection
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Automakers want to dial down EPA's 2025 goals, but energy advocates & consumers push back
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2008-2009 Audi A4, A5, Q5 recalled to fix failing airbags
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Honda Accord's turns 40, somehow still looks better than the rest of us
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mercredi 29 juin 2016
Route 66 is getting solar panels
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Why We Can't Have An Event Like Goodwood In The U.S.
The Goodwood Festival of Speed (GFoS) is an amazing event (in case you missed it, you can check out our preview here, and watch a replay of Sunday’s live coverage on YouTube here. Click “Photos” to see all the images.) This annual orgy of hot-blooded machinery spans the entirety of the four-wheeled spectrum, bringing together like-minded adrenaline junkies to revel in the wonders of stuff that’s fast. No matter where your gearhead allegiance may lie, it’s definitely worth a spot on your bucket list. The problem is, those of us living across the pond will never, ever see anything like it here in the states.
This year, the fastest time up the hill was once again set by Olly Clark and the “Gobstopper II,” a 780-horsepower time-attack-tuned Subaru Impreza WRX STI built specifically for domination at events like Goodwood. Clark posted a time of 46.29, crossing the finish line at over 140 mph.
In a close second was former Indy 500 winner Kenny Brack and the McLaren P1 LM, posting a time of 47.07. Yes, a Subaru beat a McLaren!
For more information on the top 10 FoS hill climb results, click here.
There was also plenty of star-spangled influence on hand, like Mike Skinner in his NASCAR Toyota Tundra, and Ken Block in his Gymkhana 8 Ford Fiesta.
But beyond quintessentially ‘Merican pastimes like race trucks and burnouts, the GFoS won’t see a parallel in the U.S. More than that – it can’t. But don’t worry – we can still have our own FoS, it just might look a little… different.
Continue reading for the full story.
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Bentley Chief Talks Shop About Possible New SUV & Sports Car Models
Bentley has made no bones about expanding its lineup. What was once a company that only had the Continental as a model, Bentley has slowly built up a lineup that now includes the Mulsanne, Flying Spur, and the recently launched Bentayga SUV. With all four models already in the market, the British automaker is looking ahead to a fifth, and possibly sixth model. The only question, which one is going to come first. Autocar caught up with Bentley chief Wolfgang Dürheimer to discuss which of the two models – a sportier version of the Bentayga, or a production version of the EXP 10 Speed 6 concept – is Bentley preparing first.
According to Dürheimer, no decision has been made on that front but he did indicate that both models could be developed one after the other. For a long time, it was believed to be that the sporty SUV was the next model up for Bentley. But the success and overwhelmingly positive reception the EXP 10 Speed 6 Concept received at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show has given Bentley a good problem on its hands.
Fortunately, we won’t have to wait too long for an answer as Dürheimer promised an answer “by the end of the year.” And for what it’s worth, the automaker is already working on both, but finances and manpower prevent them from doing both models at the same time. Still, it’s good to know that Bentley isn’t making an “either-or” choice on the matter. It plans to build both; it just depends on which model it wants to do first.
Either way, expect both the sporty Bentayga SUV and the sports car, reportedly named the Barnato, to both arrive by 2020. That timetable ties into the company’s plan to grow its sales volume to 20,000 sold units per year by 2025. Likewise, the timetable for both cars figures into Bentley’s other plan of investing £840 million in infrastructure, processes and technical equipment by the end of 2018.
The wheels are definitely spinning over in Crewe, U.K. as Bentley continues to ramp up its long-term plan of becoming a bigger player in the premium markets of the auto industry.
Continue after the jump to read the full story.
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Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster
The Mercedes-AMG GT was introduced in 2014 as a successor to the SLS AMG. The second sports car developed entirely in-house by AMG, the GT is the first vehicle to wear the "Mercedes-AMG" nomenclature and the first to use the brand-new, twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V-8 engine. Although it replaces the SLS AMG, the AMG GT is actually smaller and aimed at a different market, with the Porsche 911 being its most important competitor.
Now that the coupe has already hit the streets and Mercedes has launched the hotter GT R version, a roadster version is expected to arrive sometime in 2017. Although at some point it was rumored that Mercedes will skip on building an AMG GT Roadster in order to protect its slow-selling SL-Class Roadster, the new spy shots we just received from our paparazzi confirm that a GT Roadster is well underway.
This isn’t surprising though, mostly because Mercedes-AMG developed the GT with the Porsche 911 Turbo in mind. With Stuttgart also offering a drop-top version of its range-topping model, Mercedes is compelled to do the same in order to remain competitive. When the Roadster arrives, count on the same greasy bits to be under the bodywork, including the twin-turbocharged, 4.0-liter V-8. Like the coupe version, the roadster would likely share the two distinct outputs, allowing for model separation and an extra level of prestige for top-tier buyers. But more on that in my speculative review below.
Updated 06/29/2016: The upcoming Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster was caught testing for the first time.
Continue reading to learn more about the Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster.
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Smart Fortwo Cabriolet
Smart took the automotive world by surprise when it unveiled the ForTwo Cabrio at the 1999 Frankfurt Motor Show. A year later, the Germans launched the smallest production cabriolet, taking the micro car industry into a new era. It’s been 15 years since then and Smart has revealed the third-generation ForTwo Cabrio, which is set to break cover officially at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
Based on the third-gen 2015 Smart ForTwo we already saw in 2014, the ForTwo Cabrio has been redesigned from the ground up. The styling is all-new inside and out, the chassis has been rebuilt for greater comfort, while the drivetrains are both more powerful and fuel-efficient.
"Our new smart cabrio really exudes joie de vivre in the city – which is what our brand stands for", said Dr. Annette Winkler, head of the Smart brand. "I am sure that we will delight our present 220,000 cabrio customers and win lots of new fans with this successful lifestyle icon."
The micro convertible will arrive on U.S. soil in the first half of 2016, a few months after it goes on sale in Europe. By the time it hits showrooms on this side of the Atlantic, it will join the ForTwo coupe, set to reach U.S. soil at the end of September 2015, and the 2015 Smart Fortwo Brabus Tailor Made program the brand announced earlier this year.
Update 06-29-2016: Mercedes has announced pricing for the 2017 Smart Fortwo Cabrio. Check out the prices section below for details.
Continue reading to learn more about Smart ForTwo Cabrio.
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Lewis Hamilton In Discussion With Mercedes To Design Limited Edition AMG Sports Car
It’s no secret that Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton has some sway with Mercedes-Benz. After all, the British Formula One driver and reigning World Champion has won two world championships for the German automaker. So if Lewis Hamilton expresses his desire to develop an “extreme version” of a Mercedes-AMG sports car, Mercedes has to listen.
In a recent conversation with Motoring, Hamilton admitted that he wants to have a hand in building the car, projecting it as a limited edition model under the “LH Series” name. It’s quite obvious what the “LH” stands for, so it does appear that Hamilton wants to have his own line of cars at some point in the future. Talks are apparently already under way between the driver and the automaker and Hamilton promised to be hands-on if and when the development of the limited-run sports car begins.
The news comes a few days after Mercedes unveiled the AMG GT R, a more performance-oriented version of the AMG GT S. According to Hamilton, he had some ideas on how to improve the car, but Mercedes had already designed it by the time it was shown to him. So with that opportunity missed, the two sides are now working on something to give Hamilton an opportunity to be involved in the design of a more extreme sports car.
It’s still unclear how this arrangement will play out but you can be sure that Mercedes will listen to Hamilton’s ideas and consider his input with the seriousness it deserves. That’s one of the perks of not only being a Formula One driver for Mercedes, but one who is primarily responsible for winning the Silver Arrows’ first two F1 world titles.
Continue after the jump to read the full story.
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Check Out The Tech In The New Porsche Panamera
Porsche just dropped details on the 2018 Panamera, a four-door that supposedly combines the comfort and practicality of a luxury sedan with the speediness of a thoroughbred sports car. All opinions aside, that kind of combination requires a good deal of technology to make it work correctly, and of course, Porsche says the new Panamera brings the goods. But the question is – does it really?
When it comes to innovation in the pursuit of lap times, Porsche certainly knows what it’s doing. But the Panamera is supposed to be more than a track monster. It’s also supposed to be a mile-munching GT car with some semblance of practicality, which can make for a rather tricky balancing act. Throw in a price tag of $101,040 for the base-model Panamera 4S, and you’re left with one very pricey jack-of-all-trades.
So then – what’s the new Panamera bring to the table in terms of technology, both in the cabin, and under the hood? Read on to find out.
Continue reading to learn more about the technology in the new Porsche Panamera.
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Honda Civic Type R
The current Civic Type R isn’t old – having been released in 2011 – but Honda is already working on the next iteration. Our spy photographers snagged several revealing photos of the next-generation Honda hot hatch as it powered around the Nürburgring and the surrounding area.
So let’s cut to the chase: the best news surrounding this (presumably) 2017 Type R is its availability in the U.S. Yep, Honda has already promised the turbocharged, front-drive Civic will be sold Stateside. That announcement happened at the 2015 New York Auto Show.
What we don’t know are all the details. These spy shots give some indication as to what changes are coming, but only visually. The important drivetrain details an interior design remain a mystery. But there’s still plenty to look at.
Updated 06/29/2016: The upcoming Civic Type R was caught testing around the Nurburgring race track. Hit "play" to hear the engine of the Type R in all its glory.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Honda Civic Type R.
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2017 BMW M2, 2017 Porsche Panamera, 2017 Smart ForTwo Cabrio: What’s New @ The Car Connection
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Toyota Prius, Prius Plug-In, Lexus CT 200h recalled for airbag problems: 482,000 vehicles affected
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Ford F-150, Explorer, Focus Electric, Transit Connect recalled for brake, transmission, other issues
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mardi 28 juin 2016
More Problems Brewing Around Top Gear
The previous incarnation of Top Gear may have had its fair share of controversies, but one thing that it also had was the undeniable chemistry among the three hosts of the show. Like them or not, Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond complemented each other perfectly and that played a huge part in Top Gear becoming the hit that it was until they left the show. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the current iteration of Top Gear as the show has been engulfed with rumors of discontent from the current crop of hosts. A lot of the rumors appear to have lead host Chris Evans at the center of it, and the latest whispers have it that co-host Matt LeBlanc is threatening to quit the show if Evans isn’t booted out first.
Apparently, the gulf between Evans and the rest of the hosting crew is getting wider to the point that the atmosphere between the hosts have become “frosty.” Evans, it seems, has been the biggest headache among the bunch for allegedly being rude, cold, and very hard to work with. If that’s not enough reason to worry, Evans is also rumored to be jealous of the reception that Chris Harris and Rory Reid have received and has become distant with the rest of the cast. And now, LeBlanc is rumored to have had enough of Evans to the point that he’s ready to throw in the towel if his co-host decides to stay on for the next season.
Even if these rumors are proven to be untrue, there’s no doubt that the current crop of hosts don’t have the same kind of chemistry that their predecessors had and that has translated itself directly into the episodes. So far, five episodes have aired and they have been largely maligned for a number of reasons, not the least of which for being an oversized copycat version of the old Top Gear.
Clearly, the BBC has a lot to think about before filming for the next season starts in September 2016. There’s no point on going back this season because the episodes are all in the can already. But next season is another story and the BBC needs to do a lot of in-house cleaning to address the growing number of controversies engulfing the show.
Continue after the jump to read the full story.
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Chevrolet Announces Plans For 50th Anniversary Of The Chevrolet Camaro
Chevrolet had a big year in 1966, and it had everything to do with a car that played an important role in defining what American performance cars meant back then. I’m talking about the Chevrolet Camaro. The pony car is celebrating its 50th anniversary this summer with a series of events lined up during the Woodward Dream Cruise presented by Chevrolet.
It’s only fitting that Chevrolet made the announcement 50 years to the day – June 28, 1966 – when Chevrolet first announced the Camaro’s name. Obviously, both the name and the model have endured and remain, to this day, important parts of the U.S. automotive industry. The Camaro’s status is a big reason why Chevrolet is organizing these events to pay homage to the model that helped usher in the muscle car era.
The Camaro 50th Anniversary Celebration is scheduled to kick off on August 18 at the Lansing Grand River plant in Lansing, Michigan. Here, Chevrolet will play host to Camaro owners and aficionados with a car show, heritage display, a tour of the plant, and meaningful discussions with current Camaro team members, including the car’s chief engineer, Al Oppenheiser.
The very next day, August 19, will see Chevrolet host a “Camaros and Coffee” meet at the Joe Louis Arena Riverfront parking lot in downtown Detroit. Owners of the Chevrolet Camaro are welcome to join in on the festivities, which will be highlighted by a Camaro Rally that will be led by the 50th Anniversary Edition Camaros that Chevy unveiled in March 2016.
The three-day extravaganza will conclude on August 20 with a special Camaro heritage display at the company’s site for the Woodward Dream Cruise. Befitting the purpose of the event, Chevrolet will display rare and milestone examples from the Camaro’s six generations. Among those that will be a part of the heritage display are two of the latest Camaros to hit dealerships, the all-new 2017 Camaro ZL1 and 1LE models.
Chevrolet also noted that reservations are not required, especially for the tours, but registration is required on site. There’s a lot to be thankful for with this incredible milestone and those who are interested to join in on the festivities can learn more information about them at Chevrolet’s dedicated website, www.camarofifty.com.
Continue after the jump to read the full story.
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Lister Jaguar Stirling Moss Edition Prototype
Racing was very competitive back in the 1950s and had far fewer regulations as to the limitation of car modification. As such, Brian Lister needed to stay ahead of customer cars on the track, so he created the “Works” Knobbly racing cars that featured a truly lightweight body made out of magnesium – a material that is lightweight, but expensive to source and extremely hard to shape and manipulate. In 1954 Brain Lister met Sir Stirling Moss and the two immediately became friends, with Moss racing for Lister on three separate occasions in one of these “works” Knobbly cars. Moss took pole at Silverstone on July 19th of 1958 and secured a win in a magnesium-bodied Lister that wore the number plate “MVE 303.” Because of this win, Lister is now offering up a limited-run continuation of the “Works” Knobbly.
This continuation of the model comes after a continuation of the Knobbly with an aluminum body, but will only be limited to 10 examples, all of which will be heavily targeted by historic racing fans. The most important part about the Lister Knobbly Jaguar Stirling Moss continuation model is the fact that it too has a hand-formed magnesium body, which also adds even more value to this continuation model, as no magnesium-bodied Listers from the 1950s have survived thus far.
Lawrence Whittaker, the CEO of Lister Motor Company, said, “The launch of these Stirling Moss editions represents a truly unique opportunity. None of the original magnesium-bodied ‘works’ Lister Knobblys survived from the 1950s, so the fortunate few who get to own a Stirling Moss edition will be getting a period-correct continuation ‘works’ Lister made using the same techniques as the original. Secondly, as magnesium is such a difficult-to-source material and requires incredible skill and craftsmanship to form, the Lister Jaguar Knobbly Stirling Moss edition will be the only magnesium-bodied car you can buy – either as a road or racing car – anywhere in the world.”
Adding even more fluff to this continuation model is the fact that this is only the second time that Stirling Moss has put his name on a car, and it is expected to be an instant classic. With that said, customer deliveries are expected to Fall of 2017, so let’s take a closer look at the Lister Jaguar Stirling Moss Edition before all examples are snatched up.
Continue reading to learn more about the Lister Jaguar Stirling Moss Edition Prototype.
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Fast 8 Shows Off "Ice Cars" For Iceland Location
Since it was announced that Fast 8 would have segments of the movie filmed in Iceland, a lot of people have wondered if the production team would have a specific set of cars for Dominic Toretto and his motley crew. It took a few months, but now we have an answer. The menu of cars that will apparently be used includes a highly modified Dodge ‘Ice’ Charger that looks to have had better days judging by the production photos and a suspension-juiced Rally Fighter that appears to have been set up to tackle the icy conditions.
Suffice to say, the roster of cars is as varied as anything we’ve seen from the Fast & Furious franchise. Obviously, Toretto (Vin Diesel) will be behind the wheel of the Ice Charger, as is with Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) in the Rally Fighter. Other than those two cars, the vehicle lineup also includes a pair of military vehicles – the Ice Ram and the Ripsaw – and an out-of-its element Lamborghini Murcielago that will be driven by the team’s automotive Liberace, Roman Pierce (Tyrese Gibson).
It certainly not surprising that one of the military vehicles will be driven by Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) given his penchant for going for the biggest and most badass ride he can get his hands on. And as far as Tej (Ludacris) is concerned, he’s going to control the Ripsaw, a developmental unmanned light tank. Considering that, don’t be surprised if Tej, being the tech guy of the group, finds a way to control the Ripshaw from a safe distance.
The lineup of cars is definitely eclectic, though that sounds like a conservative observation. Then again, it’s not like the franchise hasn’t set a precedent for going a tad overboard with the cars that have been used in the past seven movies. After all, this is the same franchise that thought it was physically believable to launch a Lykan Hypersport from one building to another…and another.
Continue after the jump to read the full story.
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Hyundai Santa Fe Team Wiggins Edition
Sir Brandley Wiggins is a seven-time Olympic medalist and was the first Briton to win the Tour de France. In the 2014 road cycling season, there was speculation that Wiggins would found a new team as part of his preparations for the 2016 Olympic Games. Sure enough, by the end of 2014, Team Wiggins had been formed. For 2016, Team Wiggins has partnered with Hyundai, who is providing a fleet of five different vehicles as a mobile support squad during 2016 Tour of Britain and other European races during the 2016 racing season. To commemorate this partnership, Hyundai is releasing a limited-production Santa Fe, dubbed Team Wiggins Edition. There is nothing major about the limited-run model, but this special Santa Fe is equipped quite well, sports some subtle Team Wiggins badges, and is actually priced to sell.
Hyundai’s marketing director, David Pugh, said, “We’re proud to be supporting Team Wiggins this year. Sir Bradley is one of Britain’s sporting icons, and his team is innovative, dedicated and full of perseverance. We share that ethos at Hyundai, and it’s great to be able to celebrate this successful partnership by issuing a desirable twist on one of our own icons, the flagship Santa Fe. The Team Wiggins Edition is packed full of equipment, looks the part but crucially offers great value too. Buyers will need to be quick to snap up the 500-car run.”
That value that Pugh is talking about is the official price of this limited-run flagship. It is based on the Santa Fe Premium SE, but is actually priced about £700 (about $943) less than the standard model and is being produced in just 500 examples. When speaking of the partnership between the team and Hyundai, Sir Bradley Wiggins said, “It’s great to be working with Hyundai this year – the company is a great fit with a really positive spirit and attitude. The diversity of the cars at our disposal has already proved invaluable in the Tour of Yorkshire, and the Santa Fe has been a big hit with the team. I’m very proud to put my name to this limited run of special Team Wiggins Edition models and am looking forward to putting the range through its paces over the summer racing season and beyond.”
With just 500 examples being produced, it is sure to be snatched up quickly – if not by cycling fans in Europe, it will certainly be snatched up by those looking to save a little money over stepping up to the Premium SE trim level. So, with that said, let’s take a better look at the Santa Fe Team Wiggins Edition.
Continue reading to learn more about the Hyundai Santa Fe Team Wiggins Edition.
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Acura NSX Type R
The second-generation Acura NSX was introduced in 2015, eight years after the Japanese firm announced that a new supercar is under development. The new NSX succeeds the original sports car that was produced in Japan from 1990 to 2005, but unlike its predecessor, the second-gen car uses a hybrid drivetrain and a significantly more upscale interior.
Despite the new 2016 Acura NSX having been somewhat outshined by the 2017 Ford GT at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, the model’s sleeves are still filled with a few more aces. The most important one will obviously be the expected Type R variant, which was somewhat officially confirmed by Ted Klaus, the chief engineer in charge of the second-generation Acura NSX. Set to arrive in late 2016 or early 2017 at the latest, the new Acura NSX Type R will probably give nightmares to the engineers in charge of the Nissan GT-R R36, which is also currently in development.
The "regular" 2016 NSX puts out a total of 573 horsepower and 623 pound-feet of torque. The mid-mounted V-6 mill delivers 500 ponies and 406 pound-feet, while the electric motor between the engine and transmission cranks out an additional 47 horsepower and 109 pound-feet of torque. Two motors on the front axle each generate 36 horsepower and 54 pound-feet. With the additional power that would come with the additional of a Type R badge, the Type R should be one hell of a ride.
The 1991 to 2005 NSX spawned a Type R version about two years into the product-cycle, first as a Japan-only Honda and then as an Acura in the United States as well. With over 250 pounds of weight removed compared to the standard NSX, the Type R offered blistering track performance but a much more low-tech cabin due to its lack of air conditioning and less sound-deadening materials. The new NSX Type R will probably not be as barebones as the first generation though, with most of the performance additives coming from the improved hybrid technology sported by the model.
Updated 06/28/2016: Based on the recent rumors, we decided to create a rendering for the upcoming NSX Type R. Let us know in the comments section below what do you thin about it.
Continue reading to find out more about the Acura NSX Type R.
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Pagani Zonda MD
The Zonda debuted at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show as Pagani’s first production model. Under development since the late 1980s, the Zonda’s design was inspired by jet fighters and the Sauber-Mercedes Group C race cars. The car was first tested at the Dallara wind tunnel in 1993, and in 1994, Mercedes-Benz agreed to supply Pagani with V-12 engines. Pagani launched many developments of the Zonda throughout the years, offering updated aerodynamics and engines. While the prototype’s 6.0-liter V-12 generated 389 horsepower, the final 760-series models came with a larger 7.3-liter V-12 that cranked out 760 horsepower. Releases included track-ready and track-only versions, as well as an array of one-off variants built to unique specs.
Although the nameplate was officially retired in 2011, when the Huayra was introduced as a replacement, new Zondas, mostly unique cars with expensive options, kept rolling out from Pagani’s shop. The latest to see the light of day is the Zonda MD, which was completed and delivered to its lucky owner in June 2016.
Whether this is the last Zonda to leave Horacio’s shop or not is a mystery only time will solve, but given Pagani’s tradition as a bespoke car manufacturer, I wouldn’t be surprised to see new models hitting the streets later this year. But until that happens, let’s have a closer look at Horacio’s latest Zonda project, the MD. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, those two letters are the initials of the owner.
Continue reading to learn more about the Pagani Zonda MD.
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Lincoln offers pickup & delivery service on new models, starting this fall
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Lincoln offers pickup & delivery service on new models, starting this fall
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A different 'American made' index puts Toyota & Honda on top
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2017 Mini Cooper, 2019 Mid-Engine C8 Chevy Corvette, VW Diesel Settlement: What’s New @ The Car Connection
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Jeep's Mike Manley Spills News on Compass, Patriot Replacement
Jeep Brand CEO Mike Manley recently divulged details regarding several of Jeep’s upcoming models, including the long-overdue replacement for the Compass and Patriot compact SUVs, known internally within Jeep as the C-SUV.
Speaking with Automotive News, Manley said the yet-unnamed crossover will debut in late September in Brazil, followed by a U.S. launch in November at the LA Auto Show. The small crossover will retain either the Compass or Patriot names and arrive in showrooms early within 2017. The Brazil debut was chosen to help celebrate FCA’s new Pernambuco assembly plant. The facility will also build the Renegade for Latin American counties.
Manley then divulged engineering news regarding the C-SUV’s structure. He says the new crossover will share the Renegade’s chassis, its FWD-based drivetrain, and the disconnecting rear axle on 4WD units. Engine choices are still unknown. Manley also revealed U.S.-spec versions will be built in Toluca, Mexico. This is a departure from the Compass’ current birthplace in Belvidere, Illinois – perhaps allowing Jeep to build the upcoming Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer SUVs.
Speaking of those, Manley mentioned the pair shouldn’t be thought of as separate vehicles, but rather a trim levels. This is counter to many reports suggesting the Grand Wagoneer would be lager than its less-luxurious brother.
The iconic Wrangler was also mentioned, with Manley saying, “To be honest with you, I’m delighted in the way it’s turning out, not just from a styling point of view, but from an overall point of what Wrangler stands for, I’m very pleased.” Manley admitted large changes are coming to the Wrangler in terms of fuel economy, weight, and aerodynamics. Thankfully he reassured Wrangler loyalists, saying, “…at the end of the day, it needs to be recognized as Wrangler.”
Continue reading for more information.
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VW reaches $15.4 billion settlement, but Dieselgate is far from over
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Chevrolet Corvette Plant Gets $290 Million Upgrade From General Motors
General Motors is putting its money to good use by infusing another $290 million into its production facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky, otherwise known Corvette plant. The move is seen as GM’s way of improving the technologies in the facility and improving existing processes, all to create a more efficient production framework for the Corvette.
It’s still unclear how General Motors plans to divvy up the large investment within the facility, but it is reported the assembly line is going to get a sizeable share of the funds as GM seeks to improve production beginning this summer. A significant portion of the funds, $153 million in total, is also being made available to the Kentucky Business Incentive, a program that encourages businesses from different industries to move to Kentucky or, in cases of those that are already planted in the state, to remain there.
It’s not uncommon for General Motors to loosen the purse strings to help add improvements into its Bowling Green facility. Back in May 2015, the automotive giant invested $439 million in facility upgrades, including the plant’s paint shop. As part of that investment, improvements were made to allow robots to use paint more efficiently, LED lighting to improve inspections, less energy-intensive baking ovens, and technology to eliminate sludge water, among other things.
The combined sum of $729 million in investments is part of the automaker’s three-year, $5.4-billion plant upgrades that it announced in 2015. All this maneuvering is tied into GM’s desire to invest as much as it can to ensure that the Chevrolet Corvette remains competitive against a growing number of rivals in the U.S. and foreign markets. It’s hard to argue against GM’s methods here, especially when you consider the increasingly competitive sports car segment in a lot of the world’s biggest markets.
Continue after the jump to read the full story.
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Alfa Romeo Stelvio
With Alfa Romeo finally selling its 2014 Alfa Romeo 4C within U.S. borders after several years of delays and setbacks, it appears the Italian brand is getting its vehicle development plans into high gear. Alfa says it will launch eight fresh models by 2018, two of which will be SUVs. The first SUV will debut sometime in 2016 and compete against the likes of 2017 Audi Q5, 2017 BMW X3, and 2015 Lexus NX.
The trio will provide plenty of competition, but Alfa – under the direction of the FCA team – plans to offer a wide range of drivetrains that will cover anything from fuel-efficient gasoline and diesel versions to high-performance haulers.
Though FCA is still mum on the details, sources close to Alfa Romeo claim the SUV will be based on the Giulia sedan. According to Automotive News, European sales are likely to commence in September or October 2016 with a U.S. launch to follow about three months later.
As it is the case with all automakers that jumped on the SUV bandwagon recently, Alfa Romeo hopes the new rig will help increase its global sales. Specifically, the SUV is part of a business plan that includes eight new vehicles and global annual sales of 400,000 units by 2018. In 2014, Alfa Romeo delivered fewer than 70,000 cars.
Updated 06/28/2016: Our spy photographers caught the upcoming Porsche Panamera out for a new testing session, and for the first time they also managed to take some shots of the interior.
Continue reading to find out more about the upcoming Alfa Romeo SUV.
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Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang
Ford gave birth to the GT350 nameplate in 1965, the same year when Carroll Shelby was commissioned to build high-performance versions of the first-generation Mustang. Built in 1965 and 1966, the initial GT350 was not just lighter than a regular Mustang, but more powerful too. Originally rated at 271 ponies, the ’Stang’s 4.7-liter V-8 was uprated to deliver 306 horsepower at Shelby American’s shop, where it would also be equipped with heavy-duty rear axles, larger rear drum brakes, and front disc brakes. All 1965 models were painted Wimbledon White with Guardsman Blue stripes, while the 1966 model year brought more colors to the car. The GT350 continued in 1967, 1968 and 1969 with more cosmetic changes that performance updates. The GT350 moniker disappeared until 2011, when it returned for the fifth-generation Mustang. As the redesigned pony rolls into dealerships for the 2015 model year, the Shelby GT350 has made yet another comeback as a track-prepped version of the sixth-gen Mustang.
Introduced for the 2016 model year, the first Shelby Mustang GT350 to feature an independent rear suspension is Dearborn’s answer to the Chevrolet Camaro Z/28. The body panels were reshaped into a more aerodynamic and aggressive shape, including a completely new front section, while the GT’s standard 5.0-liter V-8 was replaced by a slightly larger unit specifically developed for this muscle car. But enough with the spoilers. Keep reading to find out everything there is to know about the new Shelby GT350.
Updated 06/28/2016: Ford dropped a new video featuring David Patterson "That Dude In Blue" tackling the GT350 Time Attack at the Ford Performance Octane Academy. Hit "play" to watch the new video.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2016 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350
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