New AutoCars News: Sport Cars

Honda HR-V Crossover

The all-new HR-V features a lower profile fuel tank mounted under the front seats in order to free up the underfloor space beneath the rear seats, enabling the use of their 60:40 split Magic Seats - which can adopt several configurations.

New BMW i3 Model

BMW will keep improving the two i vehicles it already sells, and we presume they too will feature an LCI (facelift) at some point which will also improve some of the technical aspects as well as update the styling, gadgets and interiors.

2016 Infiniti QX50

The updated 2016 Infiniti QX50 has a wheelbase increase of more than three inches, creating additional rear legroom and interior volume as well as new front and rear fascias, newly designed alloy wheels, side sills, and a slightly higher ride stance.

2016 Hyundai Tucson

The All-New Tucson has a bold and athletic presence achieved through refined, flowing surfaces, bold proportions, sharp lines and most importantly, our newest generation hexagonal grille – our brand signature.

2016 Toyota Avalon

The fourth generation Toyota Avalon first saw the light of day back in 2012 when it became an overnight hit with mid-size car buyers across the continental United States.

All-New SuperB Skoda

The All-New Superb is a bigger, more elegant-looking and tad more luxurious car than Skoda's existing Octavia, with the two cars positioned slightly below and above the mid-size segment respectively.

Kia Sportspace Concept

The study is a stylish estate created for long distance driving, with Kia saying it has been designed "for fast and efficient travel with maximum comfort and minimal stress, in the best grand touring tradition of the weekend getaway."

New Alfa-Romeo Sedan

The sedan still hasn’t got a name, although it has constantly been referred to as the Giulia. Alfa Romeo will also offer a high-performance model.

2016 McLaren 570s Coupe

McLaren 570S Coupe McLaren says that its new coupe is able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.2 seconds, to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 9.5 seconds, while top speed is 328 km/h or 204 mph.

Showing posts with label Sport Cars. Show all posts

2017 Ford Fusion Sport Variant

6:03 PM

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Starting with that new variant, it is dubbed the Ford Fusion Sport and utilises a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. It manages to pump out a total of 325 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque and as Ford is happy to point out, is more powerful than the BMW 340i. Power is transmitted through all four wheels but at this stage, no performance times have been announced.

Beyond its powerful engine, the Ford Fusion Sport comes complete with continuously controlled damping and a pothole detection system which can adjust the shocks the instant the car hits a pot hole, to dramatically reduce the impact. Compared to other Fusion models, the Sport can be picked out due to its more menacing styling which includes enlarged air intakes, 19-inch wheels, a gloss black mesh grille, rear spoiler and quad exhaust pipes.

Elsewhere in the range is the Fusion Hybrid, Fusion Energi and Fusion Platinum, utilising the same powertrains as before. That means the Fusion Energy has a 7.6 kWh lithium-ion battery which offers a 19 mile range of all-electric power. It can then be used in conjunction with the 2.0-liter petrol engine for a range exceeding 500 miles. On the technology side of things, Ford has installed the facelifted Fusion with its SYNC 3 infotainment system that includes voice recognition, a touchscreen display, improved performance and an easier-to-understand graphical interface.

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The third generation EA888 engine now uses features like a water-cooled exhaust channel to the turbocharger and variable valve timing with dual camshaft adjustment. 0-62mph now comes in 6.3 seconds for both manual and DSG versions, with the top speed limited to 155mph. It's the 40th anniversary of the iconic Golf GTI and VW marks the occasion with the launch of the Clubsport Edition 40.

DSG-equipped models come with launch control as standard while VW says that the unladen weight figure is a fairly lightweight 1375kg. Other features include the electronic differential and the retuned suspension. But the most important new feature of the new Golf GTI Clubsport is the new aero suit it's wearing, offering for the first time real downforce on both axles. A completely new front bumper, side sills, rear diffuser and a roof spoiler are specially designed to push the new Clubsport firmer on the tarmac.

The cabin hosts a pair of optional bucket seats, finished in Alcantara and cloth while the dashboard and door cards are decorated with special "Honeycomb 40" trim strips. Customers will also get the option of a black-painted roof. The UK market will receive just 1,000 units of the new Golf GTI Clubsport which is available for order now, starting at £30,875 for the three-door manual model.

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During discussions with Auto Express just before the Detroit Auto Show, Ford's executive vice president of global marketing, sales and service, Steve Odell, revealed that there is room to expand the RS brand. "The RS brand is really valuable. People race it. People collect it. I believe there is room to expand", he said. Odell remains tight-lipped about what the next RS-badged model from Ford could be. According to reports however, it seems highly likely that it will be a hardcore, performance-focused variant of the Fiesta.

Speculation as recent as late December claims that the Fiesta RS will arrive sometime in 2017 and be powered the same 1.6-liter turbocharged engine as the Fiesta ST. While the ST has 197 hp on tap that's arguably more than enough for a hatchback of the Fiesta's size, that figure could jump to 246 hp for the RS. Unlike the latest Focus RS which requires all-wheel drive, the entry-level RS model will retain front-wheel drive. No need to worry, though: Ford has proven time and again it can tune the chassis and suspension to make powerful FWD cars handle with aplomb.

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The announcement that the Civic Coupe would be revealed in LA was made no more than a week ago, which meant that it was only a matter of time before we got to see the production version of that surprisingly sporty Civic Coupe Concept shown in New York earlier this year.

Before we get into any specifics, let's talk about what we see and don't see. For starters, the car isn't as aggressive as the NY concept, that much is obvious. Gone are the tiny mirrors, the body kit, the blacked out grille (though there's still room for these things to make their way onto sportier versions), as is the massive rear wing and the central exhaust tip.

Now, what Honda does want us to know is that the 2016 Civic Coupe will be launched officially in March 2016, boasting a sporty new chassis, a more spacious and quieter cabin and according to the Japanese manufacturer, even class-leading crash safety ratings.

Just like its sedan sibling, the 2016 Civic Coupe will feature two engines, one of which is the first-ever turbocharged engine of the Coupe, with more power, better performance as well as fuel efficiency. Lower spec models will be powered by a 2.0-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine, good for 158 HP and 138 lb-ft (187 Nm) of torque with anticipated fuel-economy ratings of 31/41/35 mpg (city/highway/combined), or 7.5/5.7/6.7 liters/100 km.

This engine will also be paired with a 6-speed manual transmission on these lower spec cars. Mid and high spec models are powered by a new 1.5-liter DOHC direct-injected turbocharged engine (a first for the Civic Coupe), good for 174 HP and 162 lb-ft (219 Nm) of torque. Anticipated EPA ratings sit at 31/42/35 mpg, basically identical to 2.0-liter i-VTEC unit.

In terms of styling, Honda made sure to produce significant upgrades for the new Civic Coupe, where the exterior does share a lot of the concept's sporty and premium character thanks to the bold front fascia, fastback profile and the aggressive detailing.

Inside, the overall room has grown by 8.4 cubic feet (237 liters) while the rear seat legroom is increased by more than 5 inches (12.7 cm), compared to the outgoing Coupe model. Throughout the cabin, you'll notice a soft-touch instrument panel with molded stitching, more premium seat fabrics and a new TFT center meter.

All new Civic Coupes, starting with the LX version and moving to the top of the line Touring model, feature upgraded interiors with solid standard equipment levels that include auto on/off headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, acoustic glass windshield, automatic climate control (dual-zone in upper trims), Electric Parking Brake with Brake Hold and Walk-Away auto door locks.

New features such as the LED headlights, remote engine start, heated front seats and side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, full-color TFT center meter and seven-inch Display Audio touchscreen are also available.

As for audio and connectivity features, the new Civic Coupe comes with a new Android OS-based 7" Display Audio touch screen interface, and a whole bunch of streaming audio options such as Pandora, SiriusXM and HD Radio. Versions with Display Audio are also compatible with both Android Auto as well as Apple CarPlay platforms, while the highest spec models will feature Honda's new Satellite-Linked navigation system, developed together with Garmin.

Since Honda is also bragging about the 2016 Civic Coupe's safety characteristics, it's important to note that the car has a next-gen Advanced Compatibility Body Structure and the available new Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety tech. Thanks to these features, Honda is targeting the highest available US safety rating from the NHTSA and a top safety pick rating from the IIHS.

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8:27 PM

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The range-topping Audi TT is going to be offered exclusively with the same, seven-speed dual-clutch unit found in the latest Audi RS3 as the German company decided to stop pairing a manual gearbox to the turbocharged 5-cylinder 2.5-litre engine according to this Car&Driver report.

We have already heard that the next TT-RS will likely produce close to 400 ponies instead of the 362hp this engine makes under the bonnet of the RS3 which is expected to reach the US shores in a sedan body rather than the hatchback available in Europe. The new Audi TT-RS is expected around the second-half of 2016.

If you are curious about how the new Audi TT-RS will look like, your best chance is to have a second glimpse on the TT Quattro Sport concept from the 2014 Geneva Motor Show which was wearing a more aggressive bodywork and an updated aero agenda.

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Nothing changes under the hood compared to the standard Golf R models, which means power comes from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 276hp (280PS) - that’s 20hp less than the European-spec model for hot climate reasons. The engine is mated as standard to a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission which sends power to all four wheels via the 4Motion all-wheel drive system. Other Golf R-specific equipment includes adaptive shock absorbers, oversized brakes and quad exhausts.

Fitted as standard to the wagon and priced at AU$1,750 for the hatch, the Wolfsburg Edition treatment adds leather trim, black-painted 19-inch alloy wheels, black door mirrors and a historic crest badge on the tailgate. Other features include driver aids such as adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking and blind spot monitors.

Compared to the Golf R hatch, the Golf R Wagon offers an additional 262 liters (9.2 cu-ft) of storage space for a total cargo volume of 605 liters (21.3 cu-ft). It is however 74 kg (163.1 lbs) heavier, which translates into a slower 0-100 km/h time of 5.2 seconds (5.0 for the hatch).

The VW Golf R Wagon Wolfsburg Edition is priced from AU$58,990 (plus on-road costs), AU$2000 more than an equivalent Golf R hatch fitted with the limited Wolfsburg Edition package.

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6:27 PM

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As you may have heard, for the 2015 model year Dodge has added a new Viper GT model that sits above the base Viper SRT, as well as a Time Attack 2.0 Special Edition version. The 2015 Dodge Viper GT gets a GTS hood, red Brembo calipers with two-piece StopTech rotors, Nappa leather seats with Alcantara inserts, two-mode sport suspension, five-mode ESC and a six-way power adjustable driver's seat.

The Time Attack 2.0 Special Edition adds a striking Aero Package including competition front lower dive planes and rear spoiler for added downforce, two-piece Brembo rotors with black Brembo calipers and performance brake pads, Matte Black "Sidewinder" wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Corsa rubber, and assorted carbon fiber parts and TS badging.

The Viper GTS continues as the range-topping model – unless you count in the Viper ACR street-legal track special. All models are powered by an all-aluminum 8.4-liter naturally-aspirated V10 engine producing 645hp and 640lb-ft (867Nm) of torque, mated to a Tremec six-speed manual transmission that sends power to the rear wheels.

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8:50 AM

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RS 7 nicknamed "Bobby" completed a driverless lap on the Hockenheim circuit at speeds up to 240 km/h (149 mph). The new generation of the car is called "Robby," has the same power output (560PS or 552hp, but is around 400kg (882lbs) lighter than its predecessor. Obviously, Robby delivers better performance than Bobby.

The new RS7 Piloted Driving Concept took just 2:01.01 minutes to complete the 4,050-meter (2.5 mi) circuit. "In Sonoma, we took the Audi RS7 piloted driving concept to its physical limits lap after lap, and it handled the task with uniform precision. The car turned in lap times that were better than those of sports car drivers," said Thomas Müller, who is responsible for the development of brake, steering and driver assistance systems at Audi.

Audi will be offering piloted driving for the first time in the upcoming generation of the Audi A8. That's why company is also testing piloted driving in real road traffic. Earlier this year, an Audi A7 prototype called "Jack" drove on public highways from Silicon Valley to Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

Later on, the same car drove autonomously on German autobahns at speeds up to 130 km/h (81 mph). Audi says its piloted driving technology will increase safety, time savings, efficiency and convenience. The systems can take control of the car during parking or in stop-and-go traffic on freeways at speeds up to 60 km/h (37 mph).