Nother CarGuy

Chelsea have qualified for next season's Champions League after a 3-0 win at Everton on Sunday afternoon following a year of no European football. Pedro's stunning goal set Chelsea on their way at Goodison Park as they earned more than the point they needed to clinch a return to the Champions League. Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink's Chelsea failed to secure any European football last season after a disastrous season saw the Blues finish in 10th place only a year after winning the title. Chelsea remain favourites to win the Premier League title but Roman Abramovich's minimum expectation for his side this season was to qualify for the Champions League again. Qualification is financially important for Europe's top clubs and Chelsea will compete for a share of the €1.3 billion prize fund for clubs. Chelsea will earn a least €12.7 million from UEFA for their participation next season, but that could rise to a maximum of €57.2 million if they win the competitio...

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has revealed the first teaser image of the company's upcoming semi truck during a TED Talk in Vancouver, Canada. Video of the talk hasn't been posted but pictures from the event suggest the semi will be relatively aerodynamic and feature vertical LED headlights. That's not much to go on but Musk hinted the truck will "out-torque any diesel semi" and be agile “like a sports car." The outspoken executive also said "If you had a tug of war competition, the Tesla semi will tug the diesel semi uphill." Details are still limited at this point but the semi will be unveiled in September and promises to significantly reduce the costs of shipping cargo. Tesla has previously stated the truck will be safer than traditional semis and be fun to drive. Besides talking about the semi, Musk revealed the company is planning on driving a Tesla across the United States in fully autonomous mode. As he explained by “November or December of ...

Kia updated the Forte lineup more than a year ago at the Detroit Auto Show by giving the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback an array of cosmetic tweaks, along with a new S trim, and a 2.0-liter engine. The sleeker Forte Koup was supposed to receive just about the same goodies later in the year, but it never happened. Now we know why. Speaking with CarsDirect, Kia spokesperson James Hope revealed the Forte Koup is going to be axed after the 2016 model year. That means new orders are no longer being taken for the model, but if you’ll hurry, you may still be able to find one in stock at a discontinued price. The EX with the 173-hp 2.0-liter engine is listed on the company’s website with a $19,890 MSRP starting price before destination and handling fees whereas the SX fitted with the beefier 201-hp 1.6-liter turbo is $20,690. In reality, you’ll pay considerably less than that since there’s a $2,500 rebate applicable right now and the dealer might throw in an extra discount as w...

Lamborghini doesn't need big showrooms. After all, it only produces two model lines, with the third soon to come. But that hasn't stopped it from opening its largest location yet... and you can probably guess where it's at. If you guessed the United Arab Emirates, you are correct. Dubai, specifically, at exit 41 on Sheikh Zayed Road (otherwise known as the E11, or the longest highway in the UAE). The facility encompasses nearly 20,000 square feet of floor space – nearly half an acre – on three levels. What the Raging Bull marque needs that much space for, we have no idea. One floor for each model line? The Middle East ranked as Lamborghini's sixth largest individual market in last year's sales, after the United States, Japan, the UK, Germany, and Canada, but ahead of China. And you can bet that the lion's share of those sales are taking place along the shores of the Persian Gulf, not in Syria or Iraq. We wouldn't be surprised, either, to see the Mid...

It’s the 30th anniversary of Techart this year and to celebrate, the German Porsche tuner is launching a special ‘Edition 30 Years’ edition of the Magnum Sport, which is how Techart is calling their heavily modified Porsche Cayenne. Known for creating one of the most, err, distinctive tuned versions of the Cayenne, Techart is giving the Magnum Sport a more special treatment for its birthday, throwing a handcrafted interior into the mix of the German SUV. The cabin now features a combination of leather, Alcantara, carbon fiber and other lacquered details. The instrument faces are now bespoke, as well as the Sports Chrono dials with the three-spoke steering getting a thicker rim with a different shape. The exterior shape remains the same with the regular Magnum Sport models which in turn look like what would happen to a regular Cayenne Turbo S after it was attacked by a thousand bees. Adding a wide body kit, complete with a set of new bumpers, a comically bulging hood, a huge re...

Hyundai has released new details and a teaser image of their upcoming Kona small crossover. Set to debut this summer, the subcomapct Kona will have a "progressive appearance" which highlights the brand's new design identity. The teaser image doesn't reveal much but Hyundai says the model will have a cascading grille which is flanked by separate lighting units that sound similar to the controversial setup found on the Jeep Cherokee. It's still too early to judge their appearance but Hyundai revealed the LED daytime running lights will be positioned above the LED headlights. This could make the front end look a little busy but the company insists the separated lights will "deliver a confident, progressive appearance with sleek and sharp shapes." Hyundai didn't have much else to say about the crossover but confirmed the model will have an elevated seating position and an optional four-wheel drive system. Customers can also look forward to bes...

A single image and a number of specifications have been released about Mazda’s next SUV, the CX-8. While news of the vehicles comes out of the blue, it has been confirmed that the CX-8 will be offered in Japan, at least initially, and have six- and seven-seat configurations. Also, the new model will join the CX-4 as Mazda's second SUV offered solely in Asia. The CX-8 is believed to be based around the same platform as the CX-9, as it shares its 2,930 mm (115.3 in) wheelbase with its bigger and older sibling. However, the CX-8 is 115 mm (4.52 in) shorter in length, is 129 mm (5.1 in) narrower and 17 mm (0.7 in) shorter height-wise than the CX-9. As the largest Mazda SUV isn’t available in Japan, the CX-8 will sit at the top of the company’s local SUV range. In terms of powertrains, Wheels Magazine says the CX-8 will exclusively receive the 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine from the Mazda 6, potentially delivering the same 172 hp and 309 lb-ft (420 Nm) of torque. It remains ...

After confirming that the brand new Karoq compact SUV will be properly unveiled on May 18th, Skoda has now shared more details about the model's styling, features, powertrains and market launch. The Karoq will hit markets in the second half of 2017, following its May 18th world premiere in Stockholm. Offering a choice of four new engines, the Czech automaker's new compact SUV will also come with up to five driving modes and a special off road mode. Still, before we talk powertrains, let's run through the Karoq's appearance and dimensions. It's clear that Skoda applied its new SUV design language to the Karoq, characterized by dynamic lines with numerous crystalline elements. Full LED headlights with clear-lens optics will be available as an option, starting with the Ambition spec, whereas the new interior LED ambient lighting in the decor strips of the doors and dashboard can be set in ten different colors. In terms of size, the Karoq measures 4,382 mm (1...

La Liga announced on Tuesday the worldwide launch of its first ever football academy. The Spanish top flight has decided that UAE will be the first location of its academy which will open its doors in September 2017. The academy will be the only scouting institution in the region with a team of UEFA pro-certified La Liga coaches conducting operations. In addition to the level of training that will be provided, youth enrolled in La Liga Academy also have the opportunity to be scouted to play professional football or land full football scholarships at leading universities in the United States and Europe, where they can continue their higher education while carrying on their football development. Speaking about the Academy, Fernando Sanz, La Liga General Director MENA and Head of International Sports Projects, said, “We are proud to launch La Liga Academy and to establish the first academy worldwide right here in the UAE. "At La Liga Academy, youth from across the UAE wi...

Uber is hoping to break its streak of bad news by announcing plans to launch its much-hyped flying taxi service in 2020. Announced at the Elevate conference in Dallas today, the ride-hailing giant has teamed up with the cities of Dallas-Fort Worth and Dubai to begin the new initiative. The Verge reports Uber will also be working with Hilwood Properties to identity potential heliports, dubbed “vertiports" in Uber speak, for the service in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The company has partnered with five different manufacturers to design and develop vertical takeoff and landing aircrafts which are lightweight and electrically powered. Before you decide to write the idea off, there are some big names involved including Bell Helicopters and Embraer. Unlike traditional flights, the service promises to be relatively affordable as Uber Chief Product Officer Jeff Holden told Reuters the company can get costs down to "$1.32 per passenger mile" in early operations. That mak...

The unprecedented expansion of Mercedes-AMG shows no signs of relenting with confirmation that a number of new AMG-dedicated dealerships are in the works. AMG’s first exclusive dealership opened in Tokyo back in January alongside the announcement that one would open its doors in Sydney as well. Now, AMG boss Tobias Moers has confirmed that Shanghai, Abu Dhabi, the UK and an undisclosed city in Germany will also get AMG showrooms. If these dealerships follow the lead of the Tokyo location, they can be expected to house the brand’s most popular models and will offer a distinctive buying experience in facilities inspired by the brand’s focus on performance. The performance division of Mercedes-Benz is currently enjoying its most successful period to date and in 2016, saw global sales skyrocket by 44 per cent to almost 100,000. According to Autocar, sales are expected to again rise by double digits this year and will steady out until the company’s next-generation models arrive in ...

Jaguar are getting ready to welcome a new member to their family - the 2018 XF Sportbrake. Teased on a couple of occasions, by having its silhouette painted into the Wimbledon Center Court, and by revealing it from above, the wagon will use the same aluminum architecture as its four-door sibling. Challenging the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate, BMW 5-Series Touring, and Volvo V90, the latest Jaguar XF Sportbrake will also share most (if not all) of its entire engine lineup with the second-generation executive saloon. This includes the 2.0-liter diesel that will likely be offered as an entry-level solution, alongside the usual 3.0-liter V6 units, and the new 2.0-liter four-banger petrol, which is also expected to join the lineup, as part of the Ingenium family. Lesser models will have to do with a six-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive, but the most potent grades will get an eight-speed automatic and four-wheel drive. Jaguar will shed more light on the case...

Following the introduction of the 570S, 540C, and 570GT, McLaren's Sports Series family is now getting ready to welcome its fourth member - the 570S Spider. After speaking with the company's chief, Mike Flewitt, Autocar reports that the drop-top model will be launched this year, and just like the larger and defunct 650S Spider, it should use a folding hard-top. Even though it will add a few kilograms on top of its fixed roof sibling, the new McLaren 570S Spider is believed to be able to match the coupe's naught to 100km/h (62mph) sprint of 3.2 seconds, and will probably come close to its 328km/h (204mph) top speed as well. The 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8, which is the core of every modern McLaren, except for the 720S, where its displacement has increased by 200cc, will be able to push the same 570PS (562hp) and 600Nm (443lb-ft) of torque as in the 570S. The Woking-based car company won't make a convertible version of the lesser 540C, Flewitt confirmed, while addi...

Jaguar will unveil the road-going I-Pace at September’s Frankfurt Auto Show, just six months after the concept’s European premiere in Geneva. The British carmaker’s design chief, Ian Callum, has revealed that the styling of the concept is about 80 per cent production ready, meaning the finished product will inevitably benefit from the same spacious cabin and short front and rear overhangs. In terms of the I-Pace’s powertrain, it should remain almost identical to the concept. That means that it will combine two electric motors with a 90 kWh battery and be capable of travelling at least 300 miles (482 km) on a single charge. It will also churn out 395 hp and 700 Nm of torque. The batteries, developed in-house by Jaguar, can charge to 80 per cent capacity in 90 minutes and 100 per cent in a little over two hours when plugged into a 50kW DC charging point. As with most electric cars, the I-Pace won’t be light. In fact, Auto Express thinks it will weigh approximately 2,100 kg (4,60...

Remember in Geneva last month when Pininfarina unveiled a hybrid sedan concept for a Chinese automaker? Well that turns out to have been just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, as the two have teamed up again to reveal another couple of electrified concepts at the Shanghai Auto Show. Only this time they're SUVs. Following hot on the heels of the H600 sedan (now marking its Asian debut in the manufacturer's home country), the Hybrid Kinetic Group presents the K550 and K750 – both designed, once again, by Pininfarina. Pictured in silver, the K550 is a five-seat (two-row) crossover concept, while the larger K750 (in the same bronze shade as the sedan) sits taller and stretches longer to accommodate seven occupants (across three rows of seating). Both embody similar design cues to the H600, but applied to larger forms. Also like the H600, they're powered by a conceptual electric powertrain being developed by HKG and supplemented (not unlike the mouth-watering Jaguar ...