According to a recent report by Car Magazine, Bentley will enter the 2013 Dakar Rally to promote its upcoming crossover.

The report says that Bentley will be buying back VW’s Race Touaregs, previously sold to private racing teams, and will update the SUV racers into modified versions of the EXP 9 F concept in order to have them ready for the 2013 competition.

Although the EXP 9 F was only just unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show and is likely a few years away from production, both the Bentley and its platform-sharing Lamborghini Urus SUV are “crucial to their respective brand’s future fortunes and both are production certainties”.

Like the Race Touaregs, the Bentley versions would be bare-bone off-roaders although it is likely that they could have a body shell that more closely resembles the production model.

Source: World Car Fans

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Porsche’s 918 plug-in hybrid prototype is back and it certainly looks different from the last time it made an appearance with its 770 horsepower.

The powerful vehicle with new polished black and white skin, blasted its way past 100 kilometres of terrain for every three litres of petrol. To acheive this fuel efficiency, it pairs a combustion engine with two independent electric motors.

It also features a carbon-fibre reinforced-plastic monocoque shell, rear-axle steering and unique upward-venting exhaust system.

Wolfgang Hatz, Member of the Executive Board Research and Development of Porsche AG said in the official press release that  ”What we are doing with the 918 Spyder is redefining driving fun, efficiency and performance.”

The 918 Spyder is expected for an initial production run starting in September 2013.

Source: Endgadget

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Here are a few spy shots of Porsche’s 2014 Macan snapped by Motor Authority.

The Macan was first announced by Porsche as the name of its upcoming compact crossover SUV at the Geneva Motor Show that took place earlier this year with production expected to begin in late 2013.

On the performance side, “the Macan is expected to feature torque-sensing and torque-vectoring differentials, a wider track than the Q5, and both manual and PDK transmissions. A sport-tuned suspension with an optional adjustable ride system is also likely”.

According to Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller, the sales volume estimates range from 50,000-55,000 units per year.

View the gallery of the Porsche Macan below:

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This is the new BMW M135i, a 316bhp hatch and the fifth model to emerge from BMW’s new M Performance Automobiles tuning arm. While the new vehicle made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show this year as a concept car, the production version comes out slightly differently.

The M135i is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six producing 316bhp and 332lb ft sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. The BMW also offers a chunky front spoiler, grey strakes in the front bumper and door mirror caps, bigger sills, a new rear bumper with two exhausts and 18″ wheels that come standard.

As for the interior, the M135i sports both cloth and Alacantra trim and a new steering wheel, gearstick and handbrake.

The vehicle also features “an upgraded cooling system on the 135i, a unique ECU and special engine sound tuning” with an overhaul on suspension as well.

View the official pictures in the gallery below:

BMW recently revealed that it has begun work on its 1-series convertible that will be introduced in 2014 as a 2-series model.

Source: Car Magazine

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2012 V12 Vantage GT3

Aston Martin has officially entered the 24 Hour Nurburgring endurance race that is scheduled to take place this coming weekend in Germany.

Two of the four cars that Aston Martin will be racing  include V12 Vantage GT3 racers. Just like in the production car, the racer has “aluminum VH architecture with a lightweight dry-sumped 6.0-litre V-12 engine”. However, to optimize weight balance, the engine will be set even further back in the vehicle.

The lead Vantage GT3, with the #007 designation, will be driven by Johannes and Ferdinand Stuck, the sons of triple Nürburgring 24 Hour winner Hans-Joachim Stuck, alongside Dennis Rostek and Aston Martin Racing factory driver Darren Turner. Stephan Mucke, Tomas Enge, Fredy Barth and Oliver Mathai will drive the second #006 racer.

In addition to the two Vantage racers, Aston Martin will return with the V12 Zagato. Rounding up the four factory-backed vehicles will be the V8 Vantage.

2012 V12 Zagato

Source: Motor Authority

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Cadillac has installed their latest vehicle, the 2013 XTS, with its very own iPad. The iPad serves to explains to customers with the use of tutorials how to get the most out of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) System.

With the inclusion of the iPad, each Cadillac dealer is required to have not one, but two, ”certified technology experts” on duty. But that’s not all – dealers are also required to have  a CUE call center for owners, an online media team looks for CUE questions to answer and a mobile CUE specialist who makes house calls.

The new CUE system, says the press release from Cadillac is “a comprehensive in-vehicle experience with an intuitive design for information and media data control”. Features include 10 airbags, an 8-speaker Bose audio system, and dual-zone climate control.

Available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive models, the XTS is powered by a direct-injected, 3.6 litre V6 engine producing 300 horsepower and 264 foot-pounds of torque.

The XTS comes with a price tag of $44, 995 in the U.S. (Approximately R363, 559 based on the current rate of exchange)

For more about Cadillac’s CUE, watch the video below:

Source: Auto Blog

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It has been revealed that BWM is currently working on its 1-series convertible that will be introduced in 2014 as a 2-series model.

The F23 2-series, is similar to the 1-series hatch in transmission and engines. A source at BMW predicted for Car Magazine that “four engines will be unique to the 2-series family, all of them 2.0-litre four-cylinders in differing states of tune.” They are:

•  216i (2.0 petrol, 150bhp)
• 218i (2.0 petrol, 177bhp)
• 225i (2.0 petrol, 218bhp)
• 220d (2.0 turbodiesel, 214bhp)

Power will be sent to the road through either a six-speed manual or an optional eight-speed automatic with BMW’s dual-clutch transmission being available only on the 235i and upcoming M cars.

It is also speculated that the new 2014 2-series range may be offered in xDrive guise to compete against Audi’s A3 Quattro and Mercedes Benz’s A-class 4Matic.

2012 1-Series cabriolet and coupe

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Monster World Rally Team driver, Ken Block and Mötley Crue rock drummer, Tommy Lee met at the Willow Springs Raceway in California  for a seat swap in Block’s 600 horsepower 2012 Gymkhana World Tour Ford Fiesta.

During the video, Tommy Lee is clearly enjoying the adrenaline rush as the car drifts, spins and speeds around the track.

The pair then headed to Las Vegas for a ride in Tommy Lee’s 360 Drum Roller Coaster at a Mötley Crüe show at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Rock on!

Watch them in action in the video below:

Source: The Wheel Deal

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With the upcoming launch of the X1 sub-compact SUV in the U.S., BMW has released a pack of 100 photos of the face lifted vehicle that will be available in multiple models with a long line of options and trim packages.

The official press release states that “The talented Sport Activity Vehicle of the premium sub-compact segment will make its US market debut armed with state-of-the-art powertrain technology, innovative features, selective design modifications and extensive interior refinements.”

The first choice one has to make with the new X1 is between the four cylinder or six cylinder engine. The two-litre, turbocharged four cylinder engine offers 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque and is available exclusively with an eight-speed automatic with rear-drive (X1 sDrive28i) and all-wheel-drive (xDrive28i) also available.

The N55 inline-six cylinder delivers 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque and is available exclusively with a six-speed automatic and all-wheel-drive.

In terms of packages, BMW will be offering two separate lines for the X1, xLine and SportLine, as well as an M Sport package.

The exterior has undergone only minor changes  and includes a new front bumper, slightly remodelled headlights and side mirrors.

The X1 also offers a number of additional features including BMW’s Servotronic steering, iDrive, Xenon headlights and LED taillights, a panoramic sunroof, a rear parking camera, and BMW Apps compatibility.

Available in authorised BMW centres, the BMW X1 will sell for a starting price of $31,545 (approximately R306, 891 at the current exchange rate).

View some of the images released by BMW in the gallery below:

Source: Auto Blog, Images: World Car Fans

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Here is the latest evidence that proves that the guys from studio “Vilner” are able to transform everything wheeled into something luxurious and even the rugged Land Rover Defender is no exception with its new facelift. The specialised Bulgarian tuning company has transformed this Land Rover into something special.

The interior of the vehicle has been covered in dark brown and black Nappa and Alcantara leather. The leather features on the doors, the dashboard, the new sport seats, the grips on the headliner and the sun visor. Alacantra even appears on the exterior covering the rear view mirror and the third brake light.

According to Vilner, the direction in which to take the floor, “was an eccentric decision” with wooden floor panels fitted to create a unique feature.

The Vilner Sound System ensures it entertains passengers –  a multimedia system with the power of 600w and the installation of 15-inch LCD screens connected to the DVD-player. In order to ensure maximum sound without disturbing other drivers on the road,  the car’s cab has been fully soundproofed.

View the gallery of the Land Rover Defender below:

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The latest version of the Ferrari California that was launched at the Geneva Motor Show has now been filmed taking a spin out on the hills of Maranello in Italy.

This the very place where Ferrari engineers developed and test drove the new vehicle which is an updated version of the California with a more powerful engine and “new ‘Handling Speciale’ suspension package”.

The video provides a good idea of the “sound of the car’s new V-8 engine, which still displaces 4.3 litres but now develops 490 horsepower and 373 pound-feet of torque. That’s a rise of 30 horsepower and 26 pound-feet over the previous model, courtesy of revised exhaust manifolds and ECU tuning”.

In addition the torque curve is now higher across the engine’s rev range.

In terms of speed, the new engine jumps from 0 – 60mph in just 3.8 seconds, 0.2 seconds less than the previous model’s 4.0 seconds.

As mentioned, the new ‘Handling Speciale’ package includes Magnetorheological dampers controlled by an even faster ECU running patented Ferrari software, stiffer springs for more precise body control and faster turn-in with smaller steering wheel angles.

Ferrari has also made sure that the vehicle looks as good as it handles with even more choices of colours to choose from developed by the Ferrari Styling Center with three-layer paint and two-tone finishes.

Watch the 2013 Ferrari California in action in the video below:

Source: Motor Authority 

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Nissan is beginning a series of videos that will chronicle the step-by-step development of the Deltawing, an experimental racecar project.

The video below, is the first in the series and features the car’s preparations before, during and after its 3000 mile trip to the Windshear wind tunnel facility in Charlotte, North Carolina in the U.S.

The Deltawing is scheduled for its European test to begin next week in preparation for its debut at the Le Mans 24 hour race in June. The vehicle will be competing outside race classifications.

It uses a Nissan sourced 1.6-litre DIG-T (Direct Injection Gasoline – Turbocharged) engine that generates 300hp (224 kW / 304 PS) and will feature technology that will eventually find its way into the brand’s street legal cars.

Watch the video below:

Source: World Car Fans, Images: Zer Customs

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Bugatti has created and released the official promotional video of its new Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse – the world’s fastest production convertible.

According to Bugatti, its latest supercar will jump from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.6 seconds and pass a speed of 124mph (that’s almost 200km) in 7.1 seconds. The vehicle can reach a top speed of 255mph – that’s just 13 mph shy of the world record breaking Veyron Super Sport’s Vmax.

This is not entirely surprising considering that the Vitesse received the same engine tuning as the Veyron Super Sport which means an an 8.0-litre, quad-turbo W-16 engine good for 1,200 horsepower and 1,106 pound-feet of torque. The standard Grand Sport chassis has been reinforced to cope with the additional power, which comes courtesy of larger turbos.

Pricing on the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse starts at a cool $2.3 million.

Watch the promo video below:

Source: Motor Authority

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The Mercedes Benz G-Class has recently received a few more design tweaks and drivetrain updates to keep it fresh. Pictures of the facelifted vehicle can be seen in the snap shots below.

The tweaks don’t fiddle too much with the G-Class’s original form in order to maintain its original character. LED daytime running lights and new door mirrors feature on all G-classes, and AMG versions are treated to a bespoke grille and front bumper with englarged air intakes. Red brake callipers hiding behind 20-inch wheels pack even more punch into the AMG’s visual arsenal.

As for the interior, the G-Class completes its transition from military-spec transport to a full luxury vehicle.  New colour displays in the centre console and between the freshened dials provide access to the G-Class’s wealth of infotainment features, via the familiar Mercedes Comand system.

The United Kingdom will receive a two-model G-Glass range with both receiving the full interior and exterior makeover. The familiar G350 BlueTec remains, with its 208bhp/398lb ft V6 diesel motor and updated seven-speed automatic transmission that’s good for 25.2 mpg. there is also a 536bhp, 560lb ft G63 AMG, featuring the new 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8.

In addition, the vehicle offers stop/start capability to contribute towards a claimed 20.4mpg.

Source: Car Magazine

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Chrysler has announced that it will offer wireless charging in its new 2013 Dodge Dart.

Provided that mobile phones are fitted with a special case, the charger will work with MP3 players and iPhone, Android and BlackBerry devices.

The official press release explains that ”easy access, a seamlessly integrated power bin, measuring 8.27 inches by 9.5 inches by 3.25 inches, is installed just below the center stack and in front of the center console. The bin has a built-in charging grid that is activated when customers place in their battery-powered device. The unit begins to charge when the vehicle is started.”

The Pentastar claims that the new accessory, developed by Mopar, is the first of its kind although wireless charging has been offered as a third-party solution for some time now. However, this is the first such offering from an official branch of an OEM. Rather than a factory option, the new wireless charging hardware is offered as a dealer-installed accessory. This means that buyers will either have to pay for installation or do it themselves.

Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand said that ”At Mopar, we look for every single opportunity to make our customers’ lives easier. Our industry-first in-vehicle wireless charging system is the perfect solution for those connected customers who are always on the go.”

Chrysler will be introducing the new technology throughout its dealers in the U.S.  - now that is a first.

Watch a video of the wireless charging technology in the video below:

Source: Auto Blog

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