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Showing posts from August, 2018

Watch a late model Stock Car race around the Nürburgring

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Dale Lomas knows every inch of the Nürburgring. As a founder of the website BridgeToGantry, Lomas has covered all sorts of 'Ring events, shuttled folks around in Ring Taxis, and raced in many VLN and other 'Ring racing events. So to see him surprised by a certain vehicle that appeared recently at the German racetrack is a big deal. That's why...

Drive with Mercedes EQ app to check whether electric cars suit you

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Drivers around the world will need more information and education on electric cars if automakers are to realize zero-emissions goals. Mercedes-Benz has taken a creative step to show drivers that they may be ideal candidates for a switch to the electric lifestyle. The German luxury brand is testing the waters with its "EQ Ready" smartphone app in...

Tesla works on tech to flash indicators when drivers forget

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The turn signal is one of the most essential passive safety measures onboard every single new car. Yet, millions of drivers choose to ignore the ability, and let's face it, the decision puts other drivers at risk. Tesla appears ready to flick the indicators whether a driver likes it or not. The Silicon Valley-based electric car manufacturer has...

Total seclusion: Rolls-Royce Privacy Suite turns Phantom into rolling meeting space

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Elites will have no need to wait until their destination to discuss pressing matters, at least not when they're in the back seat of Rolls-Royce's Phantom. On Friday, the British ultra-luxury marque debuted its new "privacy suite" for the extended-wheelbase Phantom at the Chengdu auto show currently on in China. The rear cockpit features...

New Ferrari CEO Camilleri relaxes F1 team's stance on quit threats

Ferrari has stepped back from open threats to quit Formula 1, with its new CEO Louis Camilleri confident a deal to extend the team's commitment beyond 2020 can be reached

Carlos Sainz Jr hopes F1 can eventually drop 'dangerous' DRS

Carlos Sainz Jr hopes Formula 1 eventually drops its "dangerous" DRS after it caused Marcus Ericsson to suffer an Italian Grand Prix practice crash his rivals called "crazy" and "scary"

Williams driver Stroll had seat fitting in 2018 Force India F1 car

Lance Stroll has had a seat fitting in this year's Racing Point Force India VJM11 Formula 1 car

2019 Chevy Camaro, Next Ford Mustang, 2020 Ford Electric SUV: The Week In Reverse

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We drove the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro Turbo 1LE; possible details regarding the next-generation Ford Musang surfaced; and the 2020 Ford electric SUV was spied. It's the Week in Reverse, right here at 'Motor Authority.' We slid behind the wheel of the turbocharged 2019 Chevrolet Camaro 1LE and found it to be a real athlete, but the car still has...

Texas Motor Speedway hits out over 2019 Austin F1 race/NASCAR clash

Texas Motor Speedway has hit out at Formula 1 after its 2019 calendar created a clash between the circuit's NASCAR Cup series race and the US Grand Prix

Tesla has a surprise reveal for Grand Basel show; is it the production Roadster?

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The Grand Basel show in Switzerland will play host to a new Tesla reveal, the electric car manufacturer confirmed Friday. Tesla sent invites to owners declaring it has a "surprise" to showcase at the show that celebrates all things design, as well as "automotive masterpieces." Noting the show's theme, the production version of the Tesla's...

New Ferrari CEO Camilleri says no decision yet on Raikkonen for F1 2019

Ferrari's new CEO Louis Camilleri insists no decision has yet been taken about Kimi Raikkonen's future with its Formula 1 team

Sauber thinks it has found DRS fix after Ericsson's Monza crash

Sauber thinks it has a proper solution to the problem that caused Marcus Ericsson's huge crash at Monza after sacrificing performance to implement a quick fix during Friday practice

Afzal Kahn-designed TX4 Last of Line Edition cab revealed

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Rolls-Royce-inspired flourishes mark run-out, five-unit special before electric model takes over Afzal Kahn’s TX4 Last of Line Edition has been revealed, with Rolls-Royce -inspired features making the car far more luxurious than its passenger-ferrying standard form. Only five will be made. Inside, the car gets quilted nappa leather upholstery, bespoke door sills, a piano black instrument binnacle, privacy glass and leather trim across the cabin. The seatbelts are finished in a matching colour.  The headlining is finished with a Rolls-Royce-inspired Starlight feature. Badging marking out the model's limited production run features throughout. Under the bonnet, the TX4’s standard 100bhp 2.5-litre diesel engine has been given a bump in power. The TX4’s signature grille has been replaced by a slatted grille in the style of Rolls-Royce ’s signature piece. Revised performance figures haven’t yet been released by Kahn. The exterior remains largely unchanged, although its standard b

Hennessey's 808-horsepower Heritage Mustang hits the dyno

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Hennessey Performance Engineering in August unveiled the 2019 Heritage Edition Ford Mustang to celebrate hitting the 10,000-build milestone. The fiery red car, which features a design inspired by the livery of a 2018 Ford GT Heritage Edition supercar owned by Hennessey boss John Hennessey, is based on a Mustang GT and features the tuner's HPE800...

Audi S6 spied, Bugatti Divo detailed, Koenigsegg Ragnarok rumored: Today's Car News

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The next generation of Audi's A6 Avant has been spotted. The performance wagon is expected to downsize from a V-8 to a V-6 for its latest redesign, and while we may not see the wagon here the same mechanical package will appear in an S6 sedan heading our way. Bugatti has a coach-built car based on the Chiron platform and called a Divo. Limited to...

Sauber waiting on Ferrari Raikkonen/Leclerc call for '19 F1 line-up

Sauber says it will wait for Ferrari to decide what to do with Charles Leclerc and Kimi Raikkonen before it makes a call on its second 2019 Formula 1 driver

VIDEO: Drag race - BMW M5 vs Litchfield Nissan GT-R vs 911 Turbo S

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Litchfield's tuned GT-R takes on the German establishment in a good old-fashioned quarter-mile drag race Porsche 911 Turbo s have been drag racing Nissan GT-R s for a decade. In this latest instalment, the 911 Turbo S meets a tuned Litchfield GT-R . We’ve also thrown in one of the fastest super saloons of the moment, the BMW M5 . Get ready for a close one.

Rolls-Royce reveals soundproofed, isolated rear cabin

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Privacy Suite insulates rear passengers from front occupants as well as the outside world Rolls-Royce has shown a new option at the Chengdu motor show  that allows owners to create a completely private space in the rear of their car, sealed off from both the outside world as well as the driver.  The Privacy Suite option adds a privacy screen between the rear passenger area and the two front seats, as well as increased acoustic insulation to block out sound from the passenger area for added privacy. An intercom system allows communication between the front and rear occupants, at the rear passengers' discretion. The driver can call the rear compartment, but the occupants can choose to reject the call. The privacy screen is made of electrochromatic glass, which can be rendered opaque at the flick of a switch. Rolls-Royce has also fitted a small opening in the divider to allow objects to be passed between the front and rear areas. This is illuminated so that the objects can be s

Italian GP FP2: Vettel fastest in F1 session delayed by Ericsson crash

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel set the fastest time in Friday's second free practice for the Italian Grand Prix after Sauber driver Marcus Ericsson survived a high-speed crash

Drag Race: BMW M5 vs Litchfield Nissan GT-R vs 911 Turbo S

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Litchfield's tuned GT-R takes on the German establishment in a good old-fashioned quarter-mile drag race Porsche 911 Turbo s have been drag racing Nissan GT-R s for a decade. In this latest instalment, the 911 Turbo S meets a tuned Litchfield GT-R . We’ve also thrown in one of the fastest super saloons of the moment, the BMW M5 . Get ready for a close one.

2018 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix preview

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The 2018 Formula 1 World Championship continues this weekend with the Italian Grand Prix at the legendary Autodromo Nazionale Monza. The Italian event is typically the last of the European rounds, as is the case this year, and it's always a great race to attend, thanks in part to thousands of Tifosi there to celebrate their home team. And then...

Late rear-wing change is Formula 1's best vision compromise

The late decision to raise the rear wings on Formula 1 cars next season was reached because it is considered the best compromise to improve drivers' rearward vision

Volkswagen deliveries halted by WLTP emissions certification

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VW has confirmed that only half of its models have gained type approval ahead of 1 September deadline Volkswagen says just half of its existing models have gained type approval under the latest emission regulations, following delays in a new certification process. From 1 September all new cars sold within the European Union are obliged to fulfil tough new regulations as part of the so-called Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) developed to provide a more realistic measure of fuel consumption and emissions. However, Volkswagen ’s head of sales and marketing in Germany, Thomas Zahn, has confirmed the company has only achieved type approval for seven of the 14 model lines sold in Europe. “The new tests are more cumbersome and take two to three times longer than in the past. Even limited edition models need to be tested separately,” Zahn said in a conference call with journalists this week, adding, “The coming months will be challenging for us.”   Significantly,

Mercedes, Honda become title sponsors for home F1 races

Formula 1 manufacturers Honda and Mercedes will be the title sponsors of their respective home Grands Prix in Japan and Germany

Rolls-Royce Privacy Suite adds isolation for rear passengers

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Privacy Suite insulates rear passengers from front occupants as well as outside world Rolls-Royce has shown a new option at the Chengdu motor show  that allows owners to create a completely private space in the rear of their car, sealed off from both the outside world as well as the driver.  The Privacy Suite option adds a privacy screen between the rear passenger area and the two front seats, as well as increased acoustic insulation to block out sound from the passenger area for added privacy. An intercom system allows communication between the front and rear occupants, at the rear passengers' discretion. The driver can call the rear compartment, but the occupants can choose to reject the call. The privacy screen is made of electrochromatic glass, which can be rendered opaque at the flick of a switch. Rolls-Royce has also fitted a small opening in the divider to allow objects to be passed between the front and rear areas. This is illuminated so that the objects can be seen

2019 Audi S6 Avant spy shots

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Audi engineers are hard at work developing a redesigned S6 and more have just been spotted, some without any camouflage gear. The prototypes are for the wagon body style, referred to by Audi as an Avant. Audi revealed the new A6 Avant (shown below) earlier this year, which means the sportier S6 Avant can't be far. It should debut alongside a...

Ferrari: Engine legality case on SF71H F1 car 'completely closed'

Ferrari considers the issue of the legality of its 2018 Formula 1 car to be "completely closed" following the checks conducted by the FIA earlier this season

Koenigsegg yet to deliver any engines to Spyker

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Dutch sports car marque Spyker announced in March 2017 that it will start using V-8 engines for its flagship C8 line sourced from Sweden's Koenigsegg, instead of the aging Audi units that have powered the C8 since the nameplate's launch in 2000. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to have been any progress beyond the original announcement, which...

2019 Formula 1 calendar revealed with 21 races scheduled

Formula 1 has revealed a draft 2019 calendar, featuring 21 races with the German Grand Prix getting a place on the schedule

This is how Lamborghini's Countach got its name, and it's not what you think

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It seems like most Lamborghini model names are associated with bullfighting. That's not true with all of Lamborghinis though, as the most famous example of moniker derivation lies with the Countach. Bertone designer Marcello Gandini is the man responsible for some all-time great automotive styling. He penned the Bugatti EB110, the Alfa Romeo...

Formula 1: Perez heads Raikkonen in Italian Grand Prix practice

Sergio Perez set the pace in opening practice for the Italian Grand Prix as heavy rain early on Friday led to a jumbled order in FP1 at Monza

Italian GP: Hulkenberg to start at back of grid after engine change

Nico Hulkenberg is set to join Daniel Ricciardo at the back of the Italian Grand Prix grid after taking a complete new set of Renault Formula 1 power unit elements

Tesla to show new model next week at Grand Basel show

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Invite shows sleek-looking model, expected to be the new Roadster, set to make its public debut in Switzerland Tesla  is set to reveal a new model at next week's Grand Basel motor show, with the long-awaited new Roadster  the most likely candidate.  An invite sent to owners reveals a part of the car's side profile, which looks to be lower and sleeker than any saloon or SUV we've seen from the brand. Given the "automotive masterpieces" theme of the show, the brand's flagship model is expected to bow in when doors open next week at the Swiss car event.  The  Model X is the current flagship of the range, and no further luxury models are planned in the near future, meaning the possibility of the Basel-bound car being a limousine-like flagship is slim. Electrek showed the preview image and accompanying text, with the image giving typically little of the car's identity away. Full styling of the Roadster was revealed last year, and the production version i

Every Bentley built in 2019 can celebrate brand's centennial

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Bentley turns 100 in 2019, and instead of letting only a few buyers celebrate the occasion with a run of limited-edition cars the brand will offer special touches commemorating the centennial on every car it builds throughout the year. The special touches are known as the Centenary Specification and represent a chance for buyers to create a car...

Williams: Formula 1 driver swaps unlikely before Russia

Force India and Williams agree no driver line-up changes will happen until after the next race in Singapore, but Williams is anticipating a move before the season's end

Production 2019 Tesla Roadster to be shown next week

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Grand Basel invite shows a fragment of a secret new Tesla; the event celebrates “automotive masterpieces” Tesla 's upcoming Roadster is tipped to be revealed at the Grand Basel motor show, with an invite sent to owners revealing a glimpse of the reborn drop-top.  Given the "automotive masterpieces" theme of the show, the brand's flagship model is expected to bow in when doors open next week. The Model X is the current flagship of the range, and no further luxury models are planned in the near future, meaning the possibility of the Basel-bound car being a limousine-like flagship is slim. Electrek showed the preview image and accompanying text, with the image giving typically little of the car's identity away. Full styling of the Roadster was revealed last year, and the production version is expected to remain true to the prototype's look.  Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed after the pre-production car's reveal that the new Roadster is a "base model&qu

Michelin rules out swift return to F1 ahead of tyre tender deadline

Michelin has decided against an immediate return to Formula 1 after ruling out applying for the new tyre tender process

Lynk&Co 03 saloon revealed: new pictures show interior

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Geely-owned brand shows third model based on modular platform shared with Volvo, which goes on sale in China this year Lynk&Co 's third production model, the 03 saloon, has been detailed in new images after its public debut at the Chengdu motor show.  The new batch of shots reveals the all-new car's cabin, which shares design cues with the latest Volvo models as well as the 03's siblings. It sits on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) that Lynk&Co co-developed with fellow Geely-owned brand Volvo , and is due on sale in China from October. The four-door saloon will at first be focused on the Chinese market, the home of Lynk&Co's parent, but it could reach Europe at a later date. If it does, it will follow the 01  and 02  SUVs, which have already been confirmed for launch here in late 2019. The 03 will be offered in China with 1.5-litre three-cylinder and 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged  petrol engines, while a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version that’s

Mercedes-AMG G-Class G63 2018 UK review

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Firebrand AMG flavour is, for now, the only one in which the G-Class comes in the UK. It's as absurd as ever, but now much better-mannered and more luxurious with it In a market in which there seems to be another six-figure ‘super-SUV’ coming along every other week, with everyone from Aston Martin to Rolls-Royce gearing up to launch one, what future is there for the pumped-up, AMG-engined Mercedes Gelandewagen? Will anyone be willing to part with upwards of £140,000 for this boxy throwback, you might wonder. If you’re looking for luxury, capability, convenience and conferred status from an exotic SUV, you could have a Bentley Bentayga for the same money, a Range Rover Sport SVR for a lot less or a Lamborghini Urus for not much more.Well, you might wonder. For a while, at least — until the new G63 rolls into the car park in which you’ve been waiting, side-exit exhausts burbling hilariously and brooding with enough visual charisma and Tonka toy menace that it could have been driven