2017 BMW 5 Series Touring Unveiled

BMW just revealed the 2017 5 Series Touring model, giving the recently debuted seventh-gen mid-size 5 Series line an extra dose of usability and practicality. The new model gets the same styling outside as the updated 5 Series sedan, plus new interior technology, the latest driver’s assists and safety features, and enhanced infotainment.

Four engine options are on the table at launch, all of which are turbocharged. On the gasoline front, there’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 252 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, mated to a standard eight-speed automatic transmission and posting a 0-to-62 mph time of 6.5 seconds. There’s also a 3.0-liter six-cylinder and eight-speed auto combo, plus AWD, which lays down 340 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque for a 0-to-62 mph time of 5.1 seconds.

It you prefer oil burners, you can get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel with 190 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, which mates to a six-speed manual transmission as standard (the eight-speed is optional), and gives a 0-to-62 mph time of 8 seconds. Finally, there’s a 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel with 265 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque, offered with either RWD or AWD, plus an eight-speed automatic. All that twist yields a 0-to-62 mph time of around 5.6 seconds with AWD grip added.

BMW says it’ll add further engine and drivetrain options, including both RWD and AWD models, throughout the year.

Additional aluminum was used to reduce overall weight, including in the side members and the tailgate, cutting up to 100 kg (220 pounds) compared to the outgoing model. The suspension incorporates a rear air ride system as standard, while Dynamic Damper Control, an Adaptive Drive system, Integral Active Steering, and M Sport suspension are all optional.

Outside, you’ll find active grille shutters in the nose, plus standard LED headlights.

In the cabin is a Wi-Fi hot spot, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a color heads-up display, gesture control, voice control, and wireless phone charging. The seats also get eight massage programs, while the rear cargo space is up to 570 – 1,700 liters (20 – 60 cubic feet). Safety features include steering assist, lane keep assist, lane change assist, cross traffic warning, and wrong-way warning.

Look for the new 5 Series Touring in the metal at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show this coming March. Sales will commence in June. No word on whether or not BMW is planning on bringing this thing stateside, but odds are against it. And that’s a shame, because the U.S. could absolutely use more wagon hotness, don’tcha think?

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Hyundai Sonata

The current-gen Sonata hit the market in 2015 with Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language, which resulted in a more conservative look to help generate interest in Hyundai’s home market, South Korea. The new generation featured a large amount of DNA from the HCD-14 concept but also got some cues from the Hyundai Genesis. Whether or not the new design was successful in South Korea remains to be seen, as figures aren’t readily available, but here in the U.S. and over in Canada, sales actually dropped in 2015 compared to 2014. Currently three years into its life cycle, Hyundai is planning a mid-cycle facelift for its resident mid-size that should bring some slight tweaking to the grille, exterior lamps, and fascias, while the interior should get some fresh materials and, at the very least, an upgrade to the infotainment system as well. I wouldn’t expect any changes under the hood as a result of this update, but that’s not why you’re interested in the Sonata anyway, so no big deal there.

We’re getting our first early look at the updated Sonata, which was caught playing in the snow and well covered with camo and padding to help conceal the changes that lie underneath. That means we don’t have a whole lot to go by, but there are a few things that we can make out on this tester. And, it’s set to make its official debut later on in 2017, so let’s hurry up and talk more about it before Hyundai beats us to the punch and spills the beans.

Expect a debut during the latter half of 2017.

Continue reading to learn more about the facelift Hyundai Sonata.

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Audi SQ5

Unveiled for the 2017 model year, the second-generation Audi Q5 received the performance treatment at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show. Highlighted by an "S" badge and a more aggressive exterior design, the SQ5 also benefits from all the updates that came with the new-generation crossover, including a revamped interior with new technology.

Audi entered the SUV market in 2005 with the Q7, and three years later it launched the Q5. The crossover was developed to tackle the successful BMW X3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLK (renamed the GLC). It took Audi another four years to introduce the 2014 Audi SQ5 and bring it to the U.S. with a supercharged V-6 engine.

The new-generation model aims to be sportier and more luxurious than its predecessor and its new features, as well as brand-new, turbocharged engine recommend it as a proper competitor for its BMW- and Mercedes-badged rivals. How does it compare to Germany’s finest crossovers? Find out in the comprehensive review below.

Continue reading to learn more about the Audi SQ5.

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Nissan Rogue Hybrid

Nissan first started production of the Rogue in 2007, officially dropping cover at the Detroit Auto Show. Since then, the model has enjoyed several updates, including a new generation that was unveiled in 2013 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Throughout its lifespan, the Rogue has always been equipped with a four-cylinder gasoline engine for motivation. But these are greener times than what we saw in 2007, and as such, Nissan just released the face-lifted Rogue with the option for a hybrid powerplant. In addition to fewer stops at the pump, the new Rogue Hybrid also promises “virtually no compromise” when it comes to the compact SUV’s performance, interior space, and cargo room, as compared to the standard Rogue.

Unveiled recently at the Miami International Auto Show, the new Rogue looks poised to topple the Altima mid-size sedan in terms of average sales across Nissan’s model lineup. With momentum like that, it makes sense to offer an eco-friendly alternative to broaden the crossover’s appeal. After all, Toyota is already doing it with the RAV4. Of course, Toyota is no stranger to hybrid technology (it gave the world the Prius, for goodness sake), but neither is Nissan at this point. Paired with crossover sales that continue to show strength year after year, the Rogue Hybrid should have what it takes to perform. Right?

Updated 01/31/2017: We’ve added up-to-date pricing information, as well as more info on competing models.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Nissan Rogue Hybrid.

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McLaren Teams Up with BMW to Develop Next-Generation Drivetrains

British sports car manufacturer McLaren has announced a new strategic partnership to design and develop technology for its next generation of powertrains. The new project, which is part of the company’s "Track22" business plan, includes six different partners, including the BMW Group.

Details are scant as of this writing, but McLaren’s brief statement on the matter talks about "new combustion technology that will deliver a higher output per capacity than currently possible." The British brand also aims to further reduce CO2 emissions, while simultaneously increasing engine output.

Supported and partly-funded by the British Government through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), the collaboration also includes Ricardo, McLaren’s existing engine manufacturing partner. Grainger and Worrall will join in to deliver complex, lightweight casting technology, while Lentus Composite will contribute knowledge in specialist composite structure. Finally, the University of Bath will bring its advanced research and development capabilities in internal combustion engine systems efficiency.

"This is an exciting project that plays to the strengths of all partners. McLaren Automotive has an exceptional reputation for building the world’s finest engines, as showcased by our M838T and its previous category wins in the International Engine of the Year awards. We will continue to independently design and build our own engines, and the benefits of this project will help us accelerate the development of our next generation of powertrain," said Mike Flewitt, CEO of McLaren Automotive.

The result of this collaboration will most likely motivate all future McLarens, including the successor to the P1 supercar and the next-generation Super Series.

Continue reading for the full story.

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2017 Rolex 24 at Daytona - Race Report

This year’s Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona was akin to a waterslide which picked up speed in the last couple of hours, with the big splash being in the very last minutes that decided the twice-around-the-clock race in three of the four classes. While at times lackluster due to the extended periods of rain that put proceedings under lengthy safety car periods, the longest race in IMSA’s Weathertech Sportscar Championship did not fail to deliver at the end in both excitement, drama, and controversy.

Daytona is where we’ve seen many formulas stage their debut. It was where the then-new 3.0-liter open-top prototypes kicked off, as well as the World Sportscar prototypes that replaced the GTPs in 1994. Then, in 2003, the Daytona Prototypes also had their first start at the 24-hour-long race. We were all looking back at the positive debuts and the not so positive ones trying to figure out how 2017’s edition will look. But, if anything, it was very hard to read into these 12 new prototypes. Seven of them were US-bound DPis while five were FIA/ACO-spec LMP2s and, after the December Test and the Roar, it was hard to pick a clear favorite. Certainly, the Cadillacs would be a feature but returning Swiss squad Rebellion Racing were also serious bidders for Victory Lane.

The GT classes were no pool of certainty either, new machinery also featuring in both GT-LM and GT-D. Porsche came with their first ever (or first since 1998, if you wish) mid-engined 911 while, further down, it was Lexus and Acura that debuted new cars. Mercedes-Benz was also on its IMSA debut, facing its first ever 24-hour race at Daytona. Perhaps the only certainty was that the Prototype Challenge was going to start in its last season of IMSA competition and a diminished grid of just five ORECA FLM-09s proved it.

Last but not least, weather was potentially preparing to throw a curve ball to add to the race’s equation in the form of rain between Saturday and Sunday. So, how was it all going to play out? We’d all find out in the course of 24 long hours.

Continue reading for the full story.

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Volvo S90 Inscription – Driven

Volvo has been around for 90 years and made some pretty impressive vehicles. I’d dare to say the S90 Inscription has eclipsed them all. Let me back up. Volvo’s new quest for dominance in the luxury segment has yielded two very impressive results – the second-generation XC90 SUV that debuted for the 2015 model year and the new-for-2017 S90 sedan. They both share a number on components, from the T5 and T6 four-cylinder engines to the chassis architecture. Best of all, they both share a similar design style that exudes a sense of reserved affluence.

I recently spent a week with the 2017 Volvo S90 fitted with the range-topping Inscription package and several high-end options. Though the S90 carries a base price in the mid $40,000 range, my tester felt like it cost double that, though somehow it didn’t. A rich interior is key in this positive deception, with padded leather, open pour wood accents, and aluminum trim pieces covering every inch of touchable space inside the cabin. What little plastic remains is high-quality and coated in a piano black finish.

Technology also abounds in this machine. An impressive infotainment system and digital gauge cluster further perpetuate the feeling of luxury and its merger with technology. The T6 powertrain is a marvel of modern internal-combustion engine design. And of course, a slew of active and passive safety systems continue proving Volvo remains a leader in vehicle safety.

So what’s it like to live with the S90? Keep reading for the full details.

Continue reading for the full driven review.

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Kia Stinger GT Plus

Kia surprised a lot of people when it debuted its new Stinger GT thanks to the performance and luxury DNA that Kia developed for its first big step into such a popular segment. Set to compete against models like the Audi A5 Sportback, Mercedes C-Class, BMW 3 Series GT, and the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, Kia’s new halo car has a lot to live up to. But, Kia isn’t done writing the Stingers story just yet as Product Market Boss, Spencer Cho, has said that the Stinger will become electrified in the future. Meanwhile, a high-performance version could be on the table as well, thanks to the Stinger’s excessively strong chassis. With that concept in mind, we tapped into our resident artist to put together a rendering of what a high-performance Stinger just might look like.

As a high-performance model, Kia will build on the car’s current profile by adding more aggressive features on the outside, to go with a few minor updates inside, and a significant power bump under the hood. It’s pretty likely that it will eventually happen, but what we don’t know is what Kia will do to increase the performance of the Stinger. Will its future hybrid plans play a role in the performance model or will it be all computer remapping and hardware upgrades? Well, we have a few theories, so let’s talk a little more about the rendering and the possibilities in my speculative review below.

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Eagle Spyder GT

Back in March of 2015, we ran a quick little article on “The Most Beautiful Cars Ever Built” wherein each TopSpeed staff writer was asked to submit their personal pick for the honorary title. Mine was the Eagle E-Type Speedster, because as I said in the piece, “every angle is heavenly. The body panels transcend time. On looks alone, the Brits have done it right here.” I still think that’s true, but now, Eagle is at it once again with this angelic creation – the Eagle Spyder GT. First announced at the London Classic Car Show in 2016, the Spyder GT is a lot like the rest of Eagle Special Edition lineup. It’s essentially a highly customized Jaguar E-Type, melding old school prestige with modern hand-built excellence. It’s lightweight, comfortable, packed with modern suspension, topped with a foldable fabric roof, and quick off the line thanks to a straight-six engine with over 300 horsepower. It’s also endlessly gorgeous to look at.

You could call it a “restomod,” but I think that’s a bit like calling Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night” a picture. This thing is a masterpiece, a rolling piece of artwork in every sense, and absolutely worthy of your lust and respect.

In case you were unaware, Eagle is a custom auto builder based out of the U.K. with more than three decades of experience creating bespoke E-Types. Out of that history, four Special Edition models have emerged, including the original Eagle E-Type, the Eagle Speedster, the Eagle Low Drag GT, and now this; the Eagle Spyder GT.

Each of the Eagle Special Edition models is destined for extremely low production numbers, and the new Spyder GT is no different. Given the level of customization Eagle can perform, customers have a huge range of options to choose from when it comes to suiting this thing to personal taste.

Ready to learn more? Let’s go.

Continue reading to learn more about the Eagle Spyder GT.

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Will There be a Wait List for the Kia Stinger?

When Kia came to the U.S. market, it became known as a producer of affordable but reliable cars that were fairly comfortable and looked decent. But, none of the models were really anything to write home about, and certainly couldn’t be compared with models like the BMW 3 Series and 4 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, or anything else outside of the affordable segment. When the 2014 Detroit Auto Show kicked off, Kia Debuted the GT4 Stinger along with a promise to bring such a model into production and, three years later, Kia kept its promise and debuted the Kia Stinger at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show. Offered in the U.S. with a 255-horsepower four-banger or a 365-horsepower, twin-turbo, V-6, along with a very comfortable and upscale interior and a sexy exterior shell, the Stinger was a show stopper for the Korean brand as it steps into the luxury performance market. But, now that the world knows about the Stinger, it has raised a pretty interesting question: Will there be a wait list for the Stinger when the books officially open?

There’s really no way of telling quite yet, but outside of small shortages for models like the Kia Sportage, it’s hard to recall of any significant waiting period for any Kia model in the past. But, the new Stinger is a completely different breed of car that comes to offer a significantly cheaper alternative to more expensive luxury and performance models. Should Kia actually lock in even a small portion of those that are really interested in the car, it could find itself unable to keep up with demand. It comes down to a couple of factors that include when production officially starts, when the order books officially open, and that initial demand.

As of the time of this writing, neither its release date or pricing point has been officially announced, but a price tag in the range of $35,000 to $40,000 is expected while the order books should open sometime in the fall or early winter of 2017. That expected price point puts the Stinger at roughly $4,000 cheaper that the entry-level C300 from Mercedes, $6,000 cheaper than the entry-level 4 Series Gran Coupe, and a staggering $9,000 cheaper that the entry-level BMW 3 Series GT. With comparable comfort, luxury, and technology, it should be a no-brainer for those who aren’t overly loyal to the Stinger’s German competitors – as long as their willing to give the brand’s first performance luxury vehicle a chance, that is.

So, with such a low price point in comparison to its competition, the Stinger could see a lot of initial interest that could lead to a sizable waiting list. As such, it’s quite possible that dealers will find themselves in a predicament they aren’t used to: dealing with customers that want to take delivery today but simply can’t. We all saw how that went for Ford with the Focus RS, so hopefully Kia has a plan in place, just in case.

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Taking On Ze Germans… In A Camry?!

You know, you can buy a lot of car for not a whole lotta money these days. For example, if it’s straight-line muscle you’re looking for, the Dodge Charger Hellcat and Dodge Challenger Hellcat will put over 700 horsepower at your disposal for a mere $65,000. That’s pretty insane if you ask us, but what about something on the either side of the spectrum, where comfort and style rule supreme? Well, around these parts, you could opt for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the German’s mid-size luxury four-door that comes jam-packed with high-tech goodies, top-shelf opulence, and upper-crust flair. Or, as an alternative, consider the new eighth-generation Toyota Camry. No, seriously.

Suffice to say, we’re big fans of the new Camry. So much so, we feel comfortable comparing it to one of Merc’s best luxury barges. The updated Toyota just dropped cover at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, and we’re convinced it’s got the goods to punch way above its weight.

But maybe we’re overstepping things a bit. Maybe we’re completely off in the deep end. Maybe. It’s certainly a possibility. But after the response we got when we compared the Camry and the BMW 5 Series, we shrugged our shoulders and went for it anyway.

Continue reading for the full comparison.

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Genesis Rolled Out The Goods For The MVPs Of The Pro Bowl

The countdown to Super Bowl LI is filled to the brim with events spread throughout what is now referred to as “Super Bowl Week.” One of the highlight events of this week is the Pro Bowl, which the AFC just won over the NFC, 20 to 17. Two players in particular, the Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce and the Buffalo Bills’ Lorenzo Alexander, stood out from their peers, earning themselves the offensive and defensive MVP awards, respectively. But Kelce and Alexander didn’t just win trophies for their efforts; they’re also each taking home a Genesis G80 sedan.

It’s a pretty sweet incentive when you a Genesis G80 is on the line. Kelce and Alexander did just that with the Chiefs tight end winning the offensive MVP award after racking up 36 yards and a touchdown to lead the AFC over Alexander and the NFC. For his part, the Bills linebacker made a good show for himself too, finishing the the game with eight tackles to notch the defensive MVP award.

For their efforts, Kelce and Alexander both get a luxury sedan that’s being touted as a legitimate competitor to the BMW 5 Series and the Audi A6, two German stalwarts that have dominated the mid-size luxury sedan segment for years. The G80 is no slouch of a luxury sedan itself. It features a design that’s at home in this segment as any of its German rivals. It also has a well-appointed interior and just as important, it comes with Hyundai’s award-winning 5.0-liter "Tau" V-8 engine that’s good for 420 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque.

Best of all, the G80 comes with 107.7 cubic feet of passenger volume, more than what the 5 Series, Cadillac CTS, Lexus GS, Infiniti Q70, and Mercedes E-Class all have to offer. For two larger-than-life athletes who need all the in the interior space they can get, the G80 is a solid car to address those needs.

Give credit where it’s due. Both Kelce and Alexander balled at the Pro Bowl and for their efforts, they’ve been rewarded with a luxury sedan that’s fighting its own battles for supremacy.

Continue after the jump to read the full story.

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The Koenigsegg Regera Turns Dark In Raven Black

Let’s face it – the Koenigsegg Regera looks great in just about any color. Whether it’s dressed in purple or burgundy finishes like the two previous examples we’ve seen so far of this admittedly awesome exercise Koenigsegg’s doing, the Regera speaks for itself in more ways than one. That being said, take a good look at this beauty. This Regera rendering is the work of Koenigsegg’s art director, Lisa Johansson, and like somebody who leads some of the most creative minds within Koenigsegg, Johansson’s interpretation of the Regera is a work of understated style and class.

There is an obvious appeal to an all-black look for a car, especially when the car in question is a supercar. It creates a perfect contrast to the car’s incredible and attention-grabbing power and performance capabilities. You might even say that the black finish from nose to tail helps undersell the Regera’s hardcore abilities. Most of all, black is just sexy as heck no matter what era it’s from. It’s a timeless finish that fits in well with the enduring character of the 1,500-horsepower supercar.

Johansson’s all-black Koenigsegg Regera is without question a decidedly different approach from the Prince-inspired purple Regera we saw two weeks ago and the Bordeaux-finished version last week. These three different Regera renderings create three different aesthetic interpretations. It certainly goes without saying that whichever of the three you prefer, you’re not going to hear too many complaints from us.

They all look fantastic and Johansson’s all-black interpretation of the Regera puts some pressure on the next rendering to keep this design exercise’s momentum going. Like I said last week, keep it going, Koenigsegg!

Continue reading for the full story.

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Does Your Engine Need To Warm Up Before Driving? Get A Few Facts In This Video

It’s cold out right now. Up here in the mountains of Northern California, a recent rash of storms laid many feet of snow on the ground, and although it’s great if you’re into snowboarding, the frosty weather can be hard on a car. So the question is this – when you fire up your ride in the morning, should you let it idle and warm up before driving off? The Internet is full of opinions on the matter, but Engineering Explained took the time to make this three-minute video on the pros of not doing a warm-up period for fuel-injected engines.

When you first start your engine and the temperature is low, the air-fuel mix will go rich in order to provide enough combustible vapors to keep it running, as cold temperatures lead to poor fuel atomization. When this happens, the extra fuel will eat away at the oil on the pistons and cylinder walls, leading to more wear and tear on your engine.

Engineering Explained contends that the longer your engine is cold, the longer it goes without that protecting oil coating the cylinders. The fix is to simply drive your car, as it’ll more quickly put heat into it, and thus, reduce the damaging effects of the cold. Just wait around 30 seconds, then go, but drive it lightly, as it needs to reach optimal operating temperature before you can start hammering it.

Apparently, the “myth” of letting your car warm up on cold mornings stems from the days of carbureted engines, when the air-fuel ratio wasn’t automatically adjusted based on temperature.

It’s an interesting video, and definitely worth a watch if you live in colder climates. But we wanna know – do you let your car warm up before driving? Tell us in the comments.

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Worried About Self-Driving Cars Going Rogue? Looks Like Russia Has Had That Problem for Years

Naturally, the concept of fully autonomous has shed at least some light on the concern that cars could, in theory, go rogue and do things they aren’t intended to do. It doesn’t help that there have been many complaints of cars like the Tesla Model S, for example, choosing to accelerate on its own and smash into things. More recently, there was a Chevy Bolt owner that claimed his car magically turned on and smashed itself into a wall. Most of the reports of Tesla vehicles have been disproven and chalked off to owners trying to pass off blame for their own stupidity, but there is still a real fear there for some.

But, it doesn’t necessarily take self-driving technology for cars to go rogue. In the video you’re about to watch, which is mostly video from Russian dash cams, proves exactly that. Of course, most of them are the result of the owner not setting the parking brake, but there are a few that are quite questionable and look like the cars actually had a mind of their own. And, there’s a really weird clip at 6:08 that involves some creepy girl, a car, and a poor parking lot attendant that probably needed a fresh pair of boxers. You can try to make sense of that one when you see it, though.

With that said, go ahead and click play to enjoy 10 minutes of cars moving on their own.

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Is This The Upcoming Mercedes Hypercar?

In case you didn’t hear, Mercedes is currently very busy working on a new hypercar. It’s tagged with the codename “Project One,” and it’s basically an out-and-out race car for the road, boasting huge aero on the outside and even a four-figure, F1-derived powertrain on the inside. Sounds tempting, no? Mercedes has teased the Project One before, giving us little more than a vague silhouette and a smattering of details. A full reveal is expected later this year, but in the interim, we may have just got a new, broad-daylight look at what’s coming in the above press image.

The picture is taken from a recent press release Mercedes issued that outlines the efforts of its design studios. The title of the press release is “Advanced design: Working on the future,” and it talks about show cars like the F015 Luxury in Motion, the Concept IAA, and the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6.

The release doesn’t mention the Project One by name, but we think the ultra-wide, ultra-low, black and white model we see parked in the background could, at the very least, be some kind of early prototype design. If it’s not, well… maybe it should be.

Read on for more info on the Project One, and why this image in particular could be so important.

Continue reading for the full story.

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Rolls-Royce Phantom Specially Commissioned By Stephen Hung

Rolls-Royce prides itself on being at the absolute pinnacle of automotive luxury. It’s a position that the British car brand has cultivated with utmost dedication to its craft, and the results definitely speak for themselves. Today, Rolls-Royce holds a candle to no one in its segment, and the automaker has also become the go-to brand for luxurious establishments who are in need of a fleet of luxury vehicles. Take for example the soon-to-open “The 13” super luxury hotel in Macau.

Not content with building a $1 billion property in the heart of Macau, the hotel’s joint chairman, Stephen Hung, has ordered 30 bespoke Rolls-Royce Phantoms to serve as the hotel’s official guest transportation. Take those shuttle buses elsewhere, fellas. The 13 is rolling its guests in a lap of luxury, right down to its chauffeur-driven luxury rides.

As you can probably expect, the 30 Phantoms are all customized to the hilt and filled with just about every bespoke feature Rolls-Royce can fit on them. They’re collectively known as the “Phantom Specially Commissioned by Stephen Hung” series and all 30 vehicles represent the largest single commission Rolls-Royce has done in its own long and esteemed history. Seems appropriate then that Hung paid around $20 million for the order. At the very least, it’s in line with the extravagance of a hotel that itself comes with 200 multi-level suites, highlighted by the 30,000-square foot Villa de Stephen.

Hey, if you can order 30 highly bespoke Rolls-Royce Phantoms at a drop of a hat, you can have a villa named after you too.

Continue after the jump to read more about the Rolls-Royce Phantom “Specially Commissioned by Stephen Hung” Series.

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The Alfa Romeo Giulia And Stelvio Are More Similar Than You Think

There once was a point when the auto industry could go through an entire cycle of years without Alfa Romeo being mentioned. Part of the Italian automaker’s obscurity can be attributed to the fact that it had no models to stand its legs on. But now, that has changed with the arrival of the Giulia sedan and the Stelvio SUV, two models that Alfa Romeo has high hopes for. You might even say that the company’s future could depend on how successful these two models are. In lieu of that, it’s equally important to know that both the Giulia and the Stelvio, despite coming in two different sizes, are more alike than you think.

From the design to the engines, both the Giulia and Stelvio rely on a number of shared qualities that could help propel Alfa Romeo to a more prosperous future or sink the automaker further down into the abyss of irrelevancy. Go ahead and check out what these similarities are.

Continue after the jump to read the similarities between the Alfa Romeo Giulia and the Alfa Romeo Stelvio.

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Ride Shotgun in the McLaren F1 During its Record-Breaking Run in 1998

The McLaren F1 is the legend of legends and is still considered by some to be the best car ever made. It was engineered by a team of hand-picked masterminds with a focus on reduced drag, increased downforce, and mind shattering performance all wrapped up into one sexy package that effectively raised the bar for all supercars that came after it. Not only was it pleasing to look at, but the design itself was pure genius as it accommodates enough downforce that there was no need for a big, bulky spoiler or wing on struts in the rear. With a curb weight of around 2,500 pounds and a 6.1-liter, BMW, V-12 that had 627 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque, the McLaren F1 took a dominating toll on the record books in the early 1990s. And that folks, is what brings me to the topic at hand: the F1’s crazy top speed record of 240.1 mph.

To this day, the F1 is still the fastest naturally aspirated road car ever built and is still one of the most exclusive cars in the world. It’s top speed record has since been beaten, but a recently revealed video of the F1s record-breaking speed run comes to remind us of just how amazingly fast the F1 was in a time where fast didn’t come quite as easy as it does today. In the video you’re about to watch, you’ll see Le Mans winner Andy Wallace make several passes at the Ehra-Lessien proving ground, eventually pushing the F1 to the very threshold of its limits. All told the F1 actually hit 391 km, which is 242.956 mph, but because records average out two runs in opposing directions, the record was officially set at 240.1 mph.

In the video, you’ll see the in-car footage of this crazy record being set and can even hear everything Wallace had to say during the process. Once the car creeps over the 220 mph mark, you’ll finally get to see just how scary it really was for Wallace as the car was quite literally ready to take flight and even the slightest wrong move would have ended in disaster. But, that didn’t happen, and now we have the glory of sharing that experience with the man who pushed the F1 and himself to the limit. Click play and enjoy!

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Think You Have the Ultimate Street Car? Well, Here's Your Chance to Prove It

Over the past three years, Optima has hosted its Search for the Ultimate Street Car competition in conjunction with the Ultimate Street Car Association, and this year it kicks off on March 17th at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. But, don’t start detailing and prepping your street machine just yet – you need to hop over to USCA’s official web page to register for the event (in the source field below.) But, rest assured, you’ll be welcomed regardless of what you drive, even if it’s a modified 1978 Honda Civic or something much newer. That’s right, the competition is open to all years, makes, and models as long as your car is a street-legal performance machine, and sports a major OE manufacturer factory affixed production tag or plate. If you own a kit car or modern reproduction model, however, you’ll just have to sit this one out.

Back to the news at hand, each event scheduled for this year’s run will be split into five key segments: design and engineering, road rally, speed-stop, autocross, and road course. These segments will allow the judging panel to make an informed decision as to who owns the ultimate street machine in a balanced manner, with an emphasis on high-quality fit and finish, innovative and cutting edge ideas/parts, features that retain its ability to perform as a daily driver, and performance on the track. And, don’t think you can get by with trying to pass off a vehicle not suitable to be a daily driver here folks because the road rally event is designed to ensure that each vehicle meet that criteria with a road cruise that covers anywhere between 25 and 100 miles with or without stops

Meanwhile, the speed-stop segment will test your ability to accelerate and stop quickly, and the Autocross competition will time you as you attempt to negotiate tight turns, short straightaways, slow-speed maneuvers, and your ability to stop within a designated spot. Finally, the road course competition will time your car’s performance and your ability to perform on real road racing conditions with the lowest times receiving the highest score. Registration is open now, so get over there and register your whip before it’s too late.

Keep reading for more details

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Nerf Nitro Is The Car Blaster Toy We Never Knew We Wanted

We all know that Nerf has created some pretty awesome toys in the past. The super soaker guns, in particular, evoke fond memories from people who grew up with them. But the latest produce to come out of the Hasbro-owned company just might be the best one it’s invented yet. It’s called the Nerf Nitro and it uses the traditional toy guns we’ve come to enjoy from Nerf and combines it with cars. Foam cars, sure, but cars nevertheless.

The whole gist of the Nerf Nitro is that these foam cars can be fired from the guns and into an obstacle course that’s also included in the whole thing. Why hasn’t anybody thought of this before?

Players, be it young or old, can set up obstacle courses using plastic tires, barrels, and boxes, some of which come with the sets. From there, they can load up their guns, pull the trigger, and watch as the foam cars blast off into the obstacle course with little regard for their own safeties. It’s the combination of Hot Wheels and Demolition Derby we didn’t know was possible in such an environment.

Even better, Hasbro is actually designing 48 unique car designs for the new toy, which means that we can get our fill of the different shapes and sizes they’re likely to come out in. Don’t expect any actual car look-alikes, but that’s neither here nor there. The Nerf Nitro looks a lot of fun to not only buy, but to open up and play with the rest of the family.

The product goes on sale later this year – around the summer time – with the price of the sets varying from $9.99 to $49.99. Whatever the cost, I’m sure it’s going to be worth all the fun of playing this new game from Nerf with the rest of the family.

Continue after the jump to read the full story.

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BMW M2 Raze by RevoZport

Remember when I called the BMW M4 one of the most tuner-friendly cars in the market today? While that’s still true, there’s also an alternative truth to it and that alternative truth is this: the BMW M4 may no longer be the favorite BMW M model among aftermarket tuners. A case can be made that the M2, the M4’s younger brother, has that distinction. It’s hard to argue against that assertion because the M2 presents a strong and compelling case. Unlike the M4, the M2 has only been around for a little over a year and yet, there are already a good number of tuners that have developed and unveiled programs for the small performance coupe.

One of these tuners is RevoZport, who some people might remember presented a program for the BMW 1M Coupe back at the 2012 SEMA Auto Show. But that’s in the past now because RevoZport has turned its attention to the M2 with a program that includes, among other things, engine upgrade program that helps elevate the coupe’s output to the vicinity of 500 horsepower.

Yes, there’s such a thing as a 480-horsepower BMW M2 that achieved that figure with only software engine upgrades to speak of. Remember that figure for later on because it beats out a significant number of competing tuners and comes close to matching what other tuners did using more components at their disposal.

Beyond the impressive power gains, RevoZport’s new kit for the M2 also focuses on a sophisticated aerodynamic body kit that helps improve the coupe’s cosmetic and aerodynamic characteristics. It might not look the part based on the photos you see, but this M2 means serious business. RevoZport made sure of that and the results are all there, waiting to be enjoyed by anybody who’s willing to get it for their BMW M2s.

Continue reading to learn more about the BMW M2 Raze by RevoZport.

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DS Sports Car Concept Could Get A Production Future

With so many concept debuts happening in any given year in the automotive world, it’s hard to keep track of all these prototypes. There are a few though that stick in our heads, either because of their dramatic good looks or their impressive performance credentials. Then there are those that hit us squarely on both spots and these are the concepts that we actually look forward to seeing production guise. The DS E-Tense Concept from the 2016 Geneva Motor Show counts as one of these concepts and according to Autocar, we might end up seeing a production version of the electric supercar a lot sooner than we had hoped for.

Apparently, DS, the luxury division of the PSA Group that was born out of French automaker Citroen has filed a trademark for the E-Tense name, a sign that the automaker has bigger plans for the concept that stole the show in Geneva last year. Granted, filing a trademark doesn’t automatically mean that the name in question will be used in production form. We’ve seen automakers file trademarks in the past before, only to not do anything with them.

But there are reasons to believe that DS has plans to use the E-Tense name in the future. For one, PSA boss Carlos Tavares has made his opinions clear of a performance car acting as a halo model for DS. The man thinks that there’s enormous potential for the car if it does end up going to production. The French auto giant even took the E-Tense Concept out on the streets of Paris shortly after its debut in Geneva to gauge public reaction for the car. Then there’s the fact that despite being labeled as a concept, DS actually built the model to production car standards, allowing it to be used as technology demonstrator to showcase all of its wares in real-world settings.

Read the tea leaves and there is cause to be optimistic about the E-Tense Concept’s chance of making it to production. Just don’t expect it to happen right away because the priority within the DS brand is to introduce an SUV to the market by 2018. That’s the more pressing concern at the moment. Once the SUV is out though, look for the buzz surrounding the E-Tense Concept to pick up once again.

Continue reading for the full story.

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Gazoo Performance Brand Grabs Hold Of Toyota's New Supra Hybrid Sports Car

There’s been plenty of talk surrounding the long-awaited return of the Toyota Supra. That’s to be expected for a car that a lot of people have been waiting for. But the return of the sports car isn’t just about a once-famous nameplate coming back to the spotlight; it’s also about looking into the future and what that future has in store in the evolution of the Supra name. It’s already been reported that the 2018 Supra will actually be a hybrid performance model. Now we’re told that the Supra won’t actually be sold under the Toyota brand, but will instead be the first car to be sold under Toyota’s newly launched Gazoo road performance division.

That bombshell comes from no less than Gazoo Racing chief Koei Saga, who told Autocar that the Supra would be one of the first of many performance models that will be sold under the Gazoo name. It’s still unclear if that shift will end up with the sports car carrying a different name altogether – Gazoo Supra and Toyota Supra Gazoo are two names being thrown around – but the important thing here is that Toyota’s now creating a separate performance arm that will include the Supra hybrid sports car.

For now, the Gazoo Supra (let’s call it that for the time being) will cede a lot of the attention to the three-door Gazoo Yaris hot hatchback, which technically counts as the first production model under the new Gazoo brand. The hot hatch is scheduled to make its debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show this coming March where it will showcase a lot of its wares, including a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that spits out more than 210 horsepower.

Once the Gazoo Yaris is introduced to the world, look for Toyota and Gazoo to turn their focus on putting the finishing touches on the Supra hybrid sports car as it prepares to make its own world debut in 2018, presumably with a different name that what we’ve been expecting.

Continue after the jump to read the full story.

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Is this The Upcoming McLaren 720S?

The newest member of the McLaren Super Series and replacement for the McLaren 650S is scheduled to debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. But, so far, McLaren has done pretty well about keeping the new model, which is codenamed internally as the P14, under wraps. Of course, that’s excepted by the teaser released earlier this month that showed off a bit of the car’s new rear wing, but outside of that and a few spy shots, there’s been very little word about the car. Now, a mysterious (and low-quality) photo of the new P14, or 720S as we’ll all come to know it, has made an appearance on Instagram. But, is this the real P14/720S, or is there more to this story that we just don’t know about?

Well, the photo was posted by Instagram user Woppum in the wee hours of the morning (for East Coast U.S. residents) and has been making rounds ever since. According to the poster, who has a strong fascination for cars and 69.5-thousand followers, this is the P14/720S in Volcano Orange. The spoiler that was recently teased appears to be non-existent here or, at the very least, out of the camera’s view, but you can see hints of the legendary McLaren F1 and some of the P1. You can even see some 570S cues in there, but there’s also some new bodywork that separates it from the 650S as well – all signs that this is the next model and not just an upgrade or special edition of an existing model.

So far, it’s seen some 1,500 likes, but it’s also seen some mixed opinions. Outside of the general design, which some see as gorgeous while others say it’s not exactly the prettiest car they’ve seen, the fact that it’s surrounded by a bunch of older gentlemen under heavy lighting adds fuel to the fire that points toward this being the real deal. After all, McLaren is known for hosting its own private debuts for loyal customers long before it officially announces new models to the rest of the world.

Keep reading for the rest of the story

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