McLaren is definitely stepping up its game with the new
MP4-12C, but that doesn’t mean the company isn’t planning other new models, in order to become a proper, large scale supercar company.
We’ve already heard the company is working on a successor to the iconic McLaren F1 hypercar, as well as on a smaller model, designed to compete against the Porsche 911.
Now, according to a brand new report, McLaren will launch five new models in the next five years. You can be sure that the aforementioned all-new cars will be a part of those five and, with a few logical deductions, the other two might be based on the MP4-12C.
A dedicated race car will no doubt appear, in order to please customers that are really into racing, while the other one might be the rumored 2+2 four-seat version of the new supercar.
Still, these are just speculations at the moment, but given McLaren’s new appetite for the sportscar market, you can be sure that the next few years are going to be very interesting.
Read More: "McLaren might launch five new models in five years"
It’s been a long time coming, but Chrysler has officially revealed the company’s newest SUV, the
2011 Dodge Durango.The Durango is among the new and improved Pentastar products, which include the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee or the refreshed 2011 Jeep Wrangler.
As you can see, the Durango looks thoroughly aggressive, and is certain to duke it out with the new mid-size SUVs like the 2011 Ford Explorer. The car also packs three rows of seats, meaning extra room for bigger families.
The interior looks thoroughly good, from the single shot that was released, and seeing as how it was created by the same team who did the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, future Durango owners will be in for some luxury. Also on the inside you will see the new Dodge emblem, as the old one is now exclusive to Chrysler’s Ram pickup brand.
Under the hood, customers will get either the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 or the 5.7-liter HEMI V8. Both versions can be equipped with either front- or all-wheel drive.
Check out the new 2011 Dodge Durango in the high res photo gallery below.
Photo Gallery: 2011 Dodge Durango
Read More: "2011 Dodge Durango officially revealed"
The
Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is one impressive beast, but that doesn’t mean the Blue Oval can’t further improve its off-road ready pickup with more options and interior space.
That’s what the 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is all about, as the new model even boasts a SuperCrew version, with two extra doors for when you want to take your family hooning across desert dunes or off road trails. The SuperCrew is 12 inches longer than the regular Raptor, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to enjoy throwing it around.
Customers will have just one engine option, the massive 411 HP 6.2-liter V8, as the older 5.4-liter V8 has been eliminated from the range. Still, we’re pretty sure nobody will complain having 434 lb-ft of torque available when you go off-roading.
A few extra improvements were made in terms of customization options. The new Ingot Silver Metallic paint job (pictured above) is now available, as are matte black decals for the hood. A 4.2-inch display is also available with the 2011 model year.
The 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor will be arriving in dealerships later this year, so you’d better get your orders in as soon as possible.
Read More: "2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor gets SuperCrew and loses 5.4-liter V8"
Insurance company
Allstate has charted the safest driving cities in the USA by studying the number of insurance claims and recorded accidents from the last 12 months.
This data was compiled, and it resulted that Fort Collins, Colorado, is this year’s safest city to drive in. According to the data, drivers in that city will get into an accident every 14.5 years, which is 31.2 percent better than the national average.
The last spot is occupied by Washington D.C. Inhabitants of the country’s capital city are subject to an accident every 5.1 years. One spot above is Baltimore, Maryland, where inhabitants filed for insurance claims every 5.6 years.
Hit the jump to see a video from Allstate with the results and a few tips for safer driving. Check out the complete results at Allstate’s website
Read More: "Video: Allstate charts America’s safest driving cities"
As the
Paris Motor Show is fast approaching,
Lotus‘
surprises are being rumored all around the web.
We already heard about the two new Evora models that will be presented, the Evora S and the Evora IPS. We’ve also heard some talk about a revived Esprit supercar, possibly with the V10 engine from the Lexus LFA.
Now, it seems that the British sportscar manufacturer is also preparing two hybrid models for a Paris debut.
Unlike the Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid we saw in Geneva, these new hybrids will have a front-mounted engine. Don’t expect a V8 or something like that, as rumors say that power will come from a 47 HP 1.2-liter gasoline three-cylinder, specifically designed to charge up the batteries that will power the electric motor.
Nothing else is known at this moment, but at the end of the month, when the Paris convention opens its doors, all will be clear.
Read More: "Lotus might bring two front-engine hybrids to Paris"
Hyundai is set to present a brand new model at the upcoming
Paris Motor Show, a compact MPV, which will take the company’s new ‘fluidic’ design language one step further.
The Hyundai ix20 is set to attract those who want the practicality of an MPV but aren’t looking for a full-sized one. The model has only been pictured in the sketch above, and was designed at Hyundai’s Russelsheim research and development center in Germany.
Alongside the ix20, the South Korean carmaker will also launch a revised i10 city car, with a refreshed design as well as the new 1.0-liter gasoline engine, capable of just 99 g/km of CO2 emissions.
Expect more details about Hyundai’s European offers when the Paris Motor Show will start, at the end of the month.
Source: Hyundai
Tuning company
Wraptivo wants to showcase its innovative vinyl wrap technology at the upcoming SEMA Show in Las Vegas, and as such, it has presented the first render of its showpiece, the
Honda CR-Z Type-F.
As you can see, Honda’s sporty hybrid has received a matte black with carbon fiber accents wrap, as well as Volk TE37 wheels and other impressive exterior accessories.
The real surprise is on the inside, as the CR-Z wimpy 1.5-liter engine has received a new supercharger, as well as a custom exhaust and an optimized ECU. A Tein suspension, as well as new HKS components are also fitted to the Type-F.
In terms of interior, Wraptivo threw in a pair of Recaro bucket seats, new Alcantara trim and a sports shift knob.
Wraptivo’s Honda CR-Z Type-F will also be showcased on the track, not just on the SEMA Show floor. It will participate in the Source Interlink annual Super Lap Battle, which will take place after the show closes its doors.
Overall, it seems that Wraptivo may have a winner with this tuned Honda CR-Z. What do you think? Check out the render above and share your thoughts below.
Read More: "Wraptivo Honda CR-Z Type-F prepares for SEMA debut"
Kia has just announced a brand new recall, affecting the
2010 Soul and
2011 Sorento models
It seems that the vehicles in question have a problem with the wiring of the interior lighting fixtures. In the Soul, the wires power the lights in the front speakers, while in the Sorento, they power the lighting in the front and rear doors.
In total, 35,185 vehicles will be called back to dealerships by Kia. If left unattended, these wires may wear out, eventually leading to a short circuit or even a fire. Owners will be notified in the following weeks about the problem. You can contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542 for more details.
Source: NHTSA
Top Gear USA, the Yankee version of the famous British car show is shaping up to be rather interesting, to say the least.
We’ve already seen a trailer depicting some of the stunts and cars the three hosts, Adam Ferrara, Rutledge Wood and Tanner Foust, will be driving in the first series of the show.
Now, the History Channel has provided a sneak peek at Top Gear USA’s Lamborghini special, where the guys will drive a Murcielago LP 670-4 Super Veloce, a Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera and a Gallardo LP 550-2 Balboni.
Needless to say, you should check out the video after the jump to see this impressive sneak peak at Top Gear USA.
Read More: "Video: Top Gear USA teases its Lamborghini special"
After a lot of
burning Ferrari 458 Italia supercars were reported all over the world, from
France to
Switzerland or even
China, the Italian automaker has decided to issue a voluntary
recall.
It seems that the fire-prone supercars suffer from a faulty adhesive, used to attach a heat shield under the rear fender. In high temperatures, that adhesive might ignite, causing a fire in the rear of the car. That is where almost all of the recent fires originated from.
Ferrari 458 Italia owners are advised to head over to dealerships as soon as possible so that a free fix can be implemented, via a new heat shield which is secured by rivets.
Read More: "Ferrari 458 Italia officially recalled over fire risk"
Word on the street is that Volkswagen is tasking its
R performance division with cooking up a special version of the new
2011 Touareg SUV.
The Volkswagen Touareg R will drop the old 5.0-liter V10 TDI diesel engine, which isn’t meeting emissions standards in Europe, and replace it with a tuned version of the 4.2-liter TDI, already available in the Touareg, as well as the Audi Q7 ranges.
The oil burner will, of course, have its output increased, from the current 340 HP to around 380 HP. Torque will also reach impressive figures to ensure adequate acceleration.
With the new Touareg R, VW also plans to offer the performance SUV on the US market in an unprecedented move. It seems that it diesel SUV sales are finally healthy enough for such an investment to return a profit for VW. The reported launch date is around the end of 2012, with the Touareg R appearing as a 2013 model year.
Still, take all these rumors with a grain of salt, as Volkswagen has yet to declare anything about a performance Touareg SUV.
Read More: "Volkswagen Touareg R to get 380 HP 4.2-liter V8 diesel, might arrive in the USA"
Running a red light is an extremely dangerous thing to do, as it can often result in serious damage not only to the cars involved, but also to the passengers and drivers.
Luckily for the guy in the video below, it seems his timing was near impeccable, as he ran a red light in a busy intersection. Even though a few horns were pressed, the guy made it out alive and no one was hurt.
Hopefully though, next time he’ll just stop at a red light and won’t temp luck a second time. Check out the video after the jump.
Read More: "Video: Lucky driver escapes running a red light"
Most of you have probably forgot about the
Aston Martin Cygnet city car, which is basically a customized Toyota iQ with a jacked up price tag and wearing the classic Aston Martin grille.
Sadly, it seems that the British company is still invested in the project, so we shall see it in the near future patrolling the city streets of Europe.
That’s not all though, as a new report, coming from Automotive News, cites that the Aston Martin Cygnet might also reach US shores, as early as 2012. This is extremely risky, as US customers haven’t exactly welcomed premium city cars with open arms (we’re looking at you, Smart ForTwo).
The Cygnet will share the same 1.3-liter engine with the Scion iQ, also getting ready to be launched in the USA.
Frankly, we’re a bit skeptical of this report, but, if real Aston Martin customers would demand the compact model to arrive on US shores, we’re pretty sure Aston would satisfy their demands (for the right price, of course).
Read More: "Aston Martin Cygnet might arrive in the USA in 2012"
The
Chevrolet Volt has been heavily hyped in the last few months, as we’re rapidly approaching the launch date of the extended-range electric vehicle.
Now, General Motors has finally pinned a date on when the official production will start at the Detroit-Hamtramck. On November 11, the first car, Job 1, will officially roll off the assembly line.
Currently the plant still manufactures pre-production Volt models, which will be used by GM in its private fleets and tested by its employees. The model is currently undergoing evaluation and rating by the EPA and other federal bodies, but everything should go along smoothly.
With production starting in November, expect the Volt to be available around December in the first preferred markets. These include California, New York, Washington and Texas. The Chevrolet Volt will be sold with a starting price of $41,000.
Read More: "Chevrolet Volt production officially starts on November 11"
Subaru is well known for quite a lot of things, going from the symmetrical all-wheel drive to the rally-ready Impreza WRX STI. But true petrol heads recognize the Subaru brand through its signature
Boxer engine, currently available in two versions, a 2.0- and a 2.5-liter.
The old engine has been around for quite some time, so it seems that Subaru is finally preparing to upgrade the technology in order to make it more efficient and capable of meeting strict new emissions standards all around the world.
A new report suggests that the next generation Boxer engine might arrive as early as the end of the year, on the Forrester crossover. It would then expand to models like the Outback, Legacy or Impreza, as well as other models which are sold around the world.
The engine is expected to keep its 2.0 and 2.5-liter versions, and it might be offered with a choice of transmissions, including a CVT one.
Read More: "Subaru to launch next generation Boxer engine"
