What’s more M than M? Why, an M Performance Edition of a BMW M car of course. Confused? You should be.
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The AutoGuide News Blog is your source for breaking stories from the auto industry. Delivering news immediately, the AutoGuide Blog is constantly updated with the latest information, photos and video from manufacturers, auto shows, the aftermarket and professional racing.
Along with concerns like range anxiety, many potential electric car buyers express concerns about high voltage electric shocks.
With the Nissan Leaf being an entirely new type of vehicle, before it came to market engineers sat down and postulated all the possible “what ifs” of things that could go wrong, making sure to test the electric car in new ways never even dreamed of before.
After recent ads featuring Ving Rhames and Shaquille O’Neal, Buick is moving from strength to sexiness in its latest ad, employing the talents of supermodel Marisa Miller.
Sharing some body camouflage from its big brother the Cayenne, our photographers have just snapped these spy photos of the upcoming 2014 Porsche Macan.
The Ferrari 458 is being recalled again, but not for catching on fire this time.
A small group of Ferrari 458 models, as well as convertible California models have been issued a recall notice by the Italian exotic automaker due to an issue with the engine crankshaft. In total, 206 cars did not receive a properly finished crankshaft, which could result in excessive vibration and eventually damage to the engine.
Owners are being contacted and will be asked to visit their Ferrari dealer in order for the necessary recall work to be done.
[Source: AutoCar]
Formula 1 is a lucrative career no matter how you place. It’s even more so if you’re a seven-time World Champion.
In fact, according to a new list released by the Sunday Times, Michael Schumacher has earned a total of $823 million during his career that has stretched from the Benneton team back in 1991 to the Mercedes-Benz team of today – plus a hugely successful stint in between as the man at Ferrari.
Schumacher’s earnings are not, however, enough to rank him as the sports world’s highest earner; that title goes to Tiger Woods, who edges out the F1 champ by $46 million.
By comparison, Schumacher (and Woods) easily best others in the running, including Michael Jordan at $516 million, Roger Federer at $316 million and David Beckham at “just” $258 million.
As for other Formula 1 starts, both Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen have billed for roughly $161 million during their careers while World Champions Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button tally $89 million and $85 million respectively.
The state of Nevada has just become the first to issue a driver’s license to a car.
The vehicle in question is Google’s autonomous Toyota Prius, which company engineers have been testing on California roads for the past two years, logging 140,000 miles with just one traffic-incident. That accident, caused when a car driven by a person bumped into the back of the autonomous car, is just the sort of thing Google intends to dramatically reduce or even eliminate with its revolutionary technology.
The car uses video cameras as well as radar and laser sensors to “see” as well as impressive computing power to control the vehicle’s next function, adapting to a rapidly changing environment. During the entire testing process Google engineers have been on hand in the vehicle in case human intervention became necessary.
Google’s driverless car has been issued a red license plate, with an infinity sign on it next to the number 001.
While the first, Nevada may soon be joined by California, which recently introduced similar legislation to introduce autonomous driving to the state’s busy freeways.
[Source: BBC]
The Durango has been a hit for Dodge, bringing back SUV buyers to a brand that has shed numerous products over the past few years.
While equipped with a standard (and efficient) 3.6-liter V6 engine, as a truck (and a sizable one at that), rising gas prices could send potential buyers away from the Durango and into something smaller. In order to keep pace with such changes Dodge is moving up the introduction of the 2014 model, which will see a several mile per gallon improvement thanks to a transmission with two extra gears.
According to one source the 2014 Durango will launch in May of 2013, sporting the same 8-speed automatic transmission that is already being used in the Chrysler 300 and which is expected to make its way under the hood of the Jeep Grand Cherokee soon.
In addition to that update, also look for the addition of the Chrysler brand’s larger 8.4-inch LCD screen as a part of the Uconnect system.
[Source: JeepGarage.org]
First unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year, Acura then showcased its new NSX Concept at the Beijing Auto Show in a more dramatic shade of red.
While the show is long over, we just stumbled across these live shots of the red NSX on the Honda press site (which oddly never made the rounds online) and couldn’t resist sharing.
Exact details on the NSX aren’t yet known but it does use a mid-mounted 3.5-liter V6 engine and what Acura calls a Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system (similar to that in the new RLX), with electric motors in the front wheels.
GALLERY: Red Acura NSX Concept
With a flood of Scion FR-S reviews (including our own) hitting the net recently, now is as good a time as any to take a look back at the inspiration to that car, the Toyota Corolla GT-S.
Light weight, well-balanced and rear-wheel drive the GT-S is one of the few sports cars in Toyota’s history, and part of an even smaller group of enthusiast focused vehicles. Looking to bring back some of that passion to the brand is the Scion FR-S. For the sake of comparison, the GT-S makes 112 hp at 6600 rpm from a 1.6-liter DOHC inline 4-cylinder in a package that weighs between 2200 lbs and 2400 lbs. The FR-S on the other hand makes 200 hp at 7000 rpm from a 2.0-liter boxer 4-cylinder in a 2,758 lb car.
Need a better look back? Then watch the video below: an incredibly cheesy ad for the car from the era of ripped jeans and short shorts. Enjoy.
AutoGuide recently got back behind the wheel of the Scion FR-S. Having tested the car first on track in Japan, we then had the opportunity to drive it on public roads here in America with a proper road test that looks at more than just how good it handles.
Catrinel Menghia, the lingerie model who starred in the Fiat brand’s sexy Super Bowl ad is back in several new spots for the Italian automaker.
Helping promote the new Fiat 500 Abarth performance model, the ad was a clear indication of a change in gears from the automaker, after dropping its female US brand boss and its female-targeted J-Lo ads for some sex appeal directed right at a male audience.
Are they as good as the original? Are you going to watch them anyway no matter what we say? Of course you are. So stop reading and start watching below:
There remains to be no official word on a higher-horsepower version of the Scion FR-S, however, those looking for some added cornering performance and style are in luck.
At a recent drive event in Las Vegas (read our Scion FR-S Road Test here) Scion announced a long list of TRD goodies that will be made available for the FR-S, and even has a prototype car on display to show them off. Included in the list of goodies are larger front brakes, performance brake pads, larger sway bars, new springs and shocks, big 18-inch wheels, a TRD exhaust and thicker sway bars.
Also set to be offered as a dealer-installed accessory is the Five Axis aero kit. Five Axis, it should be pointed out, is the same company that designed the original FR-S concept.
Of note, the photos shown here feature a suspension drop much more severe than the TRD springs will deliver and the wheels shown are custom 19s, not the 18-inchers TRD will offer.
See more photos below and watch a short video of the FR-S complete with TRD exhaust sounds.
With the launch of the Scion FR-S as a Toyota AE86 successor, the return of the Supra might not be far off.
According to the most recent reports, a reborn Supra continues to await final production confirmation at Toyota, based on the GRMN (Gazoo Racing Meister of Nurburgring) Sports Hybrid Concept II. After completing testing and appearances at several low profile events since it was first introduced as an original concept car, it’s appearance at both the Tokyo Motor Show and Tokyo Auto Salon are strong hints by the Japanese auto giant that a relaunch is close.
While a top-tier sports car in the same vein as the Supra, this more modern performance machine is significantly different, sporting a mid-engine V6 powertrain as well as electric motors at the front wheels.
If given the green-light, the new Supra could arrive as early as 2015 with an asking price in the $60,000 range.
GALLERY: GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept II
[Source: MotorTrend]
With Google’s driverless cars making headlines, the public sentiment towards autonomous driving technology appears to be on the rise with a new J.D. Power study revealing that 37% of American vehicle owners are interested in such systems.
Part of the findings in the larger 2012 US Emerging Technologies Study, it’s less of an endorsement of cars that drive themselves completely, and more of a reflection of how consumers regard partial-autonomus driving aides where the car, at times, takes over control. Examples of such technologies include Volvo’s Full Auto Brake feature that can bring the car to a complete stop if a potential crash is detected, or even Lane Keeping and Blind Spot systems that will pull a car back into its lane in certain cases.
When owners were informed that the cost of such technologies could add $3,000 to the price of a car 20% still said they “definitely would” or “probably would” purchase such features in their next vehicle.
In the land of frivolous lawsuits, one man is taking a hard line with BMW, suing the company for giving him a 20 month erection.
The cause, insists, Henry Wolf of Sausalito, isn’t because of the beautiful lines of the new BMW M5, but rather because of his 1993 BMW motorcycle.
The suit, filed in California Superior Court in San Francisco last week charges that both BMW and seat maker Corbin-Pacific are to blame for Wolf’s “severe case of priapism (a persistent, lasting erection)” that began in September of 2010 after a four-hour ride on his 1993 BMW motorbike.
According to the suit, Wolf, “now is unable to engage in sexual activity, which is causing him substantial emotional and mental anguish.” Wolf is looking for compensation for his distress, discomfort, medical expenses and even lost wages.
Honda has been criticized plenty for having lost its passion, building cars that lack the “fun to drive” experience of their predecessors. After the 2012 Civic Si was generally panned it seemed as though Honda got the message, announcing it would revamp the car ahead of schedule.
Another positive sign came when Honda unveiled a new Civic Si race car at last year’s SEMA Show, more recently committing to the SCCA World Challenge series as part of an increased motorsports presence.
This past weekend Honda flexed its motorsports muscle at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah, with involvement from not just dedicated racers, but even from the folks behind the desks. In the inaugural running of the new B-Spec series for sub-compact cars, topping the podium in the third of three races was none other than Sage Marie. Unlikely to be a household name even amongst the most dedicated motorsports enthusiasts, Marie just so happens to be the recently appointed head of Honda public relations in America.
“It’s remarkable that the cars from so many manufacturers were so close right out of the box, and it’s fantastic that the folks at World Challenge
put this class together,” said Marie to AutoGuide.com. “HPD put a great package together for the Fit, and clearly the Honda was the best car today!”
Extolling the virtues of the series, Marie commented that, “It’s a great way to get into pro racing in a competitive, low cost and low maintenance format, and World Challenge puts on a great show.”
Marie was far from the only Honda driver on the podium this weekend with Todd Lamb in the No. 71 HPD Honda Civic Si placing first, third and then second in the three races, while his Compass360 Racing teammate Ryan Winchester in the No. 72 HPD Honda Civic Si placed second, second and third in the three races.
As a result of the strong weekend finish, Honda now sits first int he manufacturer points race in the Touring Car series with 39, followed closely by Mazda with 34. Driver’s Lamb and Winchester sit second and third respectively in the Drivers’ Points.
With its first true sports car heading to dealerships in June, Scion is looking to beef up its motorsports presence admits brand boss Jack Hollis.
Speaking at a press launch for the new rear-wheel drive FR-S in Las Vegas, Hollis commented Scion’s continued presence in Formula Drift and how the FR-S is making the brand more “authentic.”
“Let’s be honest,” said Hollis to the gatherer journalists, “with the TC we’ve done more than we authentically should have” referring of course to its transformation into a rear-drive NASCAR V8 powered drift machine. Scion now campaigns the FR-S in drifting, Greddy-built FR-S driven by Ken Gushi.
As much as the drifting scene suits the Scion brand’s sport compact origins, many motorsports enthusiasts consider it to be less of a form of motorsports and more of a spectacle. With the FR-S having all the makings of a budget road racer, when pressed, Hollis elaborated on the future of Scion in motorsports.
“Drifting is something we’ve been enjoying,” he said, and commented that Scion will take the next step into traditional competitive motorsports thanks to the FR-S. “We’re expanding our lineup and you should expect that we will expand our racing teams’ influence and participation.”
When the Dodge Dart hits dealers later this year it will be the first Fiat-based Chrysler product to go on sale in America and will also offer competitive fuel economy.
While not quite segment leading, the new numbers are near the top of the pack, with the entry-level 160 hp 2.0-liter Tigershark 4-cylinder rated at 25 mpg city and 36 mpg highway with the six-speed manual, and 29 mpg combined.
Available after launch will be a 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbocharged 4-cylinder (shared with the Fiat 500 Abarth) also making 160 hp mated to a dual-clutch transmission making 27 mpg city and 39 mpg highway, though it will still get a 29 mpg combined rating. Dodge also plans to launch a fuel economy package “aero” version of the Dart with “at least” 41 mpg highway, which will arrive in the the Fall.
In addition, Dodge will offer a 184 hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder model, though no fuel economy numbers have been announced for that package yet.
The 2013 Dodge Dart will go on sale in June starting from $15,995.
GALLERY: 2013 Dodge Dart
Discuss this story at DartForums.com
First came rumors of the return of the MINI Cooper JCW GP, then came the spy photos. Now it would appear as though MINI is also planning a GP version of its new Coupe model.
Give-aways on this car include the same rear diffuser as we saw on the GP version of the hard top Cooper model, as well as the same 18-inch wheels – which we’re not a fan of. Absent, however, is the large rear spoiler, which makes some sense as the Coupe has its own retractable unit.
The move only makes sense as the Coupe is positioned as the highest performance model in the MINI lineup. When it does arrive, look for an even higher output version of the John Cooper Works turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder making around 200 hp.
With the original MINI GP model limited to just 2,000 units, expect this car to also be in short supply.
GALLERY: MINI Coupe JCW GP
Rear AutoGuide’s 2012 MINI Coupe Review and watch our Video Review Here
For years now the decline of the V8 engine in traditional passenger cars has been well documented. Even sports cars are moving away from the hulking powerplants. But could the V6 see a similar fate?
It certainly will at Mazda, confirms Robert Davis, the brand’s US boss, commenting in a recent interview that the company has no plans to build new V6 engine using the brand’s new Skyactiv engineering philosophy.
Introduced in the 2012 Mazda3, Mazda’s first Skyactiv 4-cylinder engine makes use of numerous fuel saving technologies from lighter components and lower friction surfaces, to direct injection, variable valve timing and an ultra-high compression ratio.
In the past, only the Mazda6 and CX-9 were available with a V6 powerplant. Mazda has been quiet on plans to build a turbocharged 4-cylinder, although it’s likely one is in the works. Another possibility is a hybrid 4-cylinder that could deliver V6 power with exceptional fuel economy. Plus, there’s the strong possibility that Mazda will offer a Mazda6 diesel, as previewed in the Takeri concept (above).
In addition, Davis did confirm Mazda is currently exploring the future of the Rotary powerplant, both for conventional use and also as a rang extender to help charge a battery pack for an electric motor.
[Source: Car & Driver]
A seemingly pointless video released on the official Mercedes-Benz YouTube channel might not be so irrelevant after all. The video features fashion critic Luke Leitch commenting on design and style… the suit making the man and all that.
There are plenty of shady shots and clips of materials being cut and sewn. Most are traditional Mercedes-Benz stuff and then, at the every end, there’s a quick shot (above) of some rather wild black Alcantara with neon green piling and stitching.
The video comes our way just ahead of an important date, the start of this year’s Avant/Garde Diaries event in Los Angeles, which according to Mercedes will host, “the artistic staging of the Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe.” Presumably, that coupe is the baby CLS, known as the Mercedes CLA (or CLC). And possibly (yes, we’re working with a lot of assumptions here), that black and neon interior is that of the CLA/CLC.
With the event set to begin April 20th and run until May 6th, look for a reveal of something provocatively new from Mercedes soon.