Nother CarGuy

Audi has been testing vigorously the fully electric E-Tron SUV at their wind tunnel, clocking more than 1,000 hours on the test rig in order to ensure the best possible aerodynamics of their first series-production EV. The result is an impressive drag coefficient of 0.28, helping the upcoming Audi E-Tron achieve an everyday range of more than 248 miles (400km) in the latest WLTP cycle. Aerodynamics is key to an electric car’s performance, with the E-Tron featuring advanced technical solutions to help it glide through the air with the minimum resistance. Among these solutions will be the optional virtual exterior mirrors, a world-first for a series-production car. The virtual door mirrors are much narrower than standard mirrors and have a small camera integrated to them. The E-Tron’s width is reduced by 15cm when fitted with them and the captured images appear on OLED displays mounted in the transition between the instrument panel and the door. There are three views availabl...

Automotive supplier Schaeffler has created the ultimate Audi RS3 and no, it doesn’t feature a high-revving five-cylinder engine with forced induction. For those that don’t know, Schaeffler is a major sponsor of the Audi Sport ABT Formula E team. Consequently, it has fitted the electric powertrain from the FE01 open-wheel racer into the body of an Audi RS3. The finished result is 1180 hp and a 0-124 mph (km/h) time of less than seven seconds. The car, dubbed the Schaeffler 4ePerformance concept, has an electric motor at each wheel. Each motor is connected through a spur gear unit and each two motors share one gearbox housing to create an electric twin axle. The setup allows for advanced torque vectoring. The battery driving these motors has an overall capacity of 64 kWh. “For Schaeffler, this vehicle is a test laboratory on wheels thanks to its free scaling options for the drive power,” Director Special Projects Motorsports at Schaeffler, Simon Opel said. “We are currently...

The 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is shaping up to become one of the most anticipated muscular cars since the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon and the company has released a new photo of the upcoming coupe. Taken from above, the picture reveals the GT500 will be equipped with a bulging heat extractor hood. The model will also feature full-length body stripes and a large carbon fiber rear spoiler. There isn’t much else to see but the Mustang Shelby GT500 will be launched next year and compete with models such as the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and Dodge Challenger Hellcat. In order to battle these behemoths, Ford has equipped the car with a supercharged V8 engine that produces more than 700 hp (522 kW / 709 PS). Ford has been tight-lipped about specifics but the car is expected to feature a 5.2-liter flat-plane crank V8. The engine produces 526 hp (392 kW / 533 PS) and 429 lb-ft (581 Nm) of torque in the GT350 but the addition of the supercharger will enable the mill to have more power tha...

The new Honda Civic Type R has sparked a lot of controversy with its exaggerated exterior design, so we can only imagine what this pickup truck derivative would do. Created by the brand’s Product Engineering department in the UK and codenamed ‘Project P’, this concept was showcased at the annual SMMT Test Day. It’s based upon a pre-production version of the hot hatch, which had its C-pillars and roof chopped off and replaced by a roll bar. The rear seats and boot have been completely removed, making room for the open bed. As for the interior, this Honda Civic Type R study can sit two. Despite going through a massive makeover, the Project P retains the car’s body kit, alongside the rear wing, and is finished in Rallye Red. The powertrain, transmission and gearbox remain unaltered. Honda estimates that their hot hatch turned hot pickup takes less than 6 seconds to sprint from rest to 100km/h (0-62mph), and can reach a top speed in excess of 265km/h (165mph). Even ...

Say hello to the Ferrari SP38, the latest one-off to come from the marque’s Special Projects division. Based on the 488 GTB, it will be delivered to its lucky owner at Villa d’Este on May 26. As you’ll immediately notice, the body of the SP38 is totally bespoke and a dramatic departure from the 488. In fact, the exterior design of the supercar is so radical that it looks more like a concept car than a road-going model. Up front, the SP38 includes a set of small, horizontal headlights that complement an aggressive front fascia with painted and carbon fiber components. Elsewhere, the vehicle’s sides include dramatic skirts, a sharp roofline, and small side windows. Star-shaped wheels finished in silver top things off. As radical as the front and sides are, it is the rear where the real action is happening. Most notably, a traditional rear window/engine cover has been replaced by a set of body-colored louvers. Additionally, the taillights have been hidden away in the bla...

Kia released the first official information on the 2019 Sportage, ahead of its autumn launch. As expected, highlights include the addition of a new 2.0-liter diesel mild-hybrid powertrain, as well as a new 1.6-liter diesel unit that’s claiming to be “the cleanest diesel engine Kia has ever made”. Other revisions include subtle updates to the Sportage’s design, including new front and rear bumpers, redesigned front and rear lamps, revised ‘ice cube’ LED fog lamps and new wheel designs (16 up to 19 inches). Kia will also add five new paint options, with GT-Line models set to get a gloss black hot-stamped radiator grille, gloss black and silver skid plates and dual exhausts, among others. The interior of the facelifted Kia Sportage now features a new steering wheel, a revised instrument cluster and a new two-tone upholstery. The safety kit list includes Kia’s latest driving assistance systems, including Smart Cruise Control with Stop&Go, an Around View Monitor for easier p...

BMW’s all-new 2019 X5 will be more capable off-road than ever before, according to the German automaker. Therefore, it’s no wonder prototypes have been seen in places such as the Arctic Circle, Sweden, South Africa or the U.S. The fourth-generation X5 will introduce brand new suspension and chassis systems, said to be virtually unique in this segment. For starters, there’s a new Offroad Package, which is said to strike an impressive balance between high ride comfort on the road, and off-road ability. At the press of a button, you can prep the car for either snow, sand, rocks or gravel – surfaces already encountered by various X5 prototypes around the world. Another type of extreme test aced by the new X5 took place at BMW’s high-speed circuit in Talladega, USA, as well as in Germany at the Nurburgring. The 2019 X5 will boast the Adaptive M Suspension Professional and the Integral Active Steering system, which is also being offered for the first time. BMW Chairman Harald Krüg...

We’ve become accustomed by now to watching races broadcast from the Middle East. World-class racing series like F1 and MotoGP regularly hold events in Gulf emirates like Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Bahrain. But the latest announcement is a little different. The organizers of the FIA Formula E Championship have announced that, starting next season, the electric racing series will compete on the streets of Riyadh. The first event is set to kick off the start of next season, when an entirely new generation of single-seat EVs will race through the Ad Diriyah district in the Saudi Arabian capital. But it won’t be a flash in the pan, as the initial deal has been penned for a full ten years. The announcement follows just a few months after the Race of Champions was held in the same city’s King Fahd International Stadium. That marked the first international-level motorsport competition in the oil-rich country, which is evidently shifting its focus towards the future of motorized transportat...

Technical specifications for the dual-motor Tesla Model 3 derivatives have been announced by Elon Musk on Twitter . Tesla will produce two all-wheel drive Model 3s, one focused on range and the other optimized for power. The first of these two will use the same 258 HP and 317 lb-ft rear wheel motor as the regular Model 3 and also utilize a second electric motor driving the front axle. Tesla hasn’t published a combined horsepower figure, but says this Model 3 variant will reach 60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.5 seconds, a healthy 1.1 seconds quicker than the rear-wheel drive version, and will top out at 140 mph (225 km/h). As for the performance-focused dual-motor Model 3, it will be capable of launching from a standstill to 60 mph in a rapid 3.5 seconds and max out at 155 mph (250 km/h). According to Musk, the performance dual-motor Model 3 will be priced around $78,000, including all options, wheels and paint but without the optional Autopilot semi-autonomous driving aid. Musk adds ...

Meet the very first four-cylinder engine in the history of the Silverado nameplate, which for 2019, comes with six total engine/transmission combinations. The all-new 310 HP 2.7-liter turbo petrol replaces the 4.3-liter V6 as the standard power unit on LT and new RST specs. It’s said to offer 22% more torque and better fuel economy. It also results in a stronger power-to-weight ratio and is expected to account for roughly 10% of all Silverado sales. “A major focus of the next-generation Silverado is expanding the range of choices,” stated Tim Asoklis, chief engineer for the Silverado 1500. “With all-new engines and a broader model range, there’s a Silverado for everyone, whether you’re buying your first pickup or your tenth.” The 2019 Silverado 1500‘s powertrain line-up includes not only the aforementioned 2.7-liter four-pot, but also updated versions of Chevy’s 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V8 engines that are now equipped with Dynamic Fuel Management, and feature 17 different m...

Rumors about a Porsche 911 Speedster have been swirling around for months and now spy photographers have finally caught the model undergoing testing. Designed as a last hurrah for the current-generation sports car, the 911 Speedster is apparently based on the 911 GT3. While much of the design carries over, the Speedster has a unique hood and eschews the GT3’s massive rear wing. The styling changes don’t stop there as the model will adopt a unique soft top and rear deck lid. Porsche attempted to hide the changes by disguising the model as a traditional Cabrio but we can see the soft top is significantly smaller than what the company wants us to believe. The rear deck also appears to be sportier than the one used on the last 911 Speedster which arrived in 2010. If the GT3’s powertrain carries over, we can expect the model will have a naturally-aspirated 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine that produces 500 hp (372 kW) and 339 lb-ft (459 Nm) of torque. It enables the model to accele...

BMW has a new electric vehicle in the works. And it’s now provided the first official glimpse – limited though it may be – at how it will shape up. Dubbed the BMW iNEXT, the new EV is set to enter production in 2021. And it promises to incorporate “all major areas of innovation in a road-ready vehicle.” By that, we surmise the automaker means electric propulsion, (semi) autonomous capabilities, advanced safety systems, and the latest infotainment technologies. Unfortunately we don’t have much else to go on at the moment, and the solitary teaser image gives us very little. From what we can see, though, it looks more like an evolution of the i3’s design than the i Vision Dynamics and Vision Next 100 concepts we saw last year and the year before. The roofline looks like it extends to a tailgate, instead of tapering off to a trunk. So we’ll be expecting some manner of hatchback or crossover instead of a sedan or coupe. “The iNEXT project is our building kit for the future. It wi...

BMW Chairman Harald Krüger has used the company’s annual general meeting to confirm the next-generation X5 will be unveiled later this year. Speaking to reporters and investors, Krüger said “2018 will be our X year” as the company has launched the new X2 and X4. Krüger went on to say “I can reveal exclusively today” that a “successor to the X5” will arrive later this year. Krüger declined to go into specifics but reports have suggested the model could be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show which kicks off in October. This seems possible as there are only two major auto shows left this season and BMW will likely use the Los Angeles Auto Show to introduce the new X7. Regardless of when the X5 is unveiled, the model will have a more aggressive appearance as it will feature a new front fascia with a massive grille. Previous spy photos have also shown the crossover will have larger air intakes and more distinctive headlights with LED daytime running lights. The overall shape will re...

Had enough of Formula One? Check out Formula E. That goes not only for fans, but for drivers too. And now another former Grand Prix pilot is making his way to the electric racing series. Not just any driver, either: we’re talking about Felipe Massa. Arguably one of the top drivers in recent F1 history, the Brazilian has won no fewer than eleven F1 grands prix. And he came close – really close – to winning the championship in 2008, when he narrowly lost to Lewis Hamilton by just a single point. That wasn’t the only time he finished near the top of the standings, either. He placed third in 2006 behind Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher, and fourth in 2007 after Kimi Raikkonen (plus Hamilton and Alonso). Over the course of his career, he amassed an impressive 1,167 championship points. Now, having ended his sixteen-year-long career in F1 with Williams, he’s signed on with the Venturi team to drive in Formula E starting next season. The deal is for three years, so suffice it t...

Shelby introduced the Series 1 roadster nearly two decades ago and the company has finally introduced a follow up called the Series 2. Billed as a “major evolution” of the original model, the Series 2 is the result of a unique collaboration with Wingard Motorsports which bought the remaining Series 1 components from Shelby several years ago. Thanks to this partnership, the Series 2 will ride on the original aluminum honeycomb monocoque chassis that underpinned the Series 1. While the chassis will carryover, the Series 2 has been significantly improved as it will feature billet aluminum and carbon fiber components. These changes will enable the roadster to be more than 12% lighter than its predecessor. Customers will be able to order the car with an aluminum, carbon fiber or titanium body. Regardless of which material is selected, all cars will come equipped with a cantilevered suspension and a high-performance braking system which features six-piston calipers at each wheel....

Microsoft has announced the Xbox Adaptive Controller, an Xbox controller designed for people with disabilities. The device was leaked earlier this week. It has two large programmable buttons and 19 jacks that can be connected to a range of joysticks, buttons, and switches to make it easier for a wider range of people to play games on Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs. “I can customize how I interface with the Xbox Adaptive Controller to whatever I want,” says Solomon Romney, a Microsoft Store learning specialist who was born without fingers on his left hand. “If I want to play a game entirely with my feet, I can. I can make the controls fit my body, my desires, and I can change them anytime I want. You plug in whatever you want and go. It takes virtually no time to set it up and use it. It could not be simpler.” The focus is on connectivity and customizability, with players able to build a setup that works for their capabilities and needs. It won’t be an all-in-one solution for many g...

It’s called the Instax Square SQ6, and it’s an instant film camera with a 1:1 aspect ratio, which renders photos in a 2.4-inch by 2.4-inch square format. The Instax Square SQ6 has an auto-exposure control feature so that you don’t have to manually tweak the settings for a perfectly exposed photo and a sensor for detecting surrounding brightness that will adjust the shutter speed accordingly. It comes with three color filters — in orange, purple, and green — that can fit over the flash to add a different look. There’s also a selfie mode that adjusts the focus and brightness to take better close-ups. The camera has a small mirror located next to the lens that helps with capture. If you feel like taking a photo with a larger group than just yourself, there’s also a built-in ten second timer and a tripod socket so you can set up your own camera rig. You can also activate other shooting modes. By pressing the shutter button twice, you can use double exposure mode, which lets you su...

While some automakers have started ditching oil burners completely, others, such as Kia, continue to invest in new technology that helps diesels improve fuel economy and emit less CO2. The Korean automaker confirmed a new diesel mild-hybrid powertrain, which will debut in the Sportage later this year, followed by the third-gen Ceed in 2019. Christened ‘EcoDynamics+’, the new mild-hybrid powertrain is paired with a 0.46 kWh 48-volt lithium-ion battery and uses a new mild-hybrid starter-generator (MHSG) unit. The latter is connected to the diesel engine’s crankshaft by a belt, and under acceleration, it provides up to 10kW (14PS / 13hp) of extra power. Kia says the system can switch between two modes, called ‘motor’ and ‘generator’. In ‘motor’, the powertrain reduces engine load and emissions, and in ‘generator’, it harvests kinetic energy during in-gear deceleration and braking, using it to recharge the batteries. Paired with the brand’s Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) ac...

Lenovo Vice President Chang Cheng is teasing a new phone on China’s Weibo social network that’s nothing but screen framed by an ultra-thin bezel (via CNET). While Apple might claim that the iPhone X is “all screen,” its infamous notch — and the rash of Android imitators that followed — says otherwise. The sketch of the upcoming Lenovo Z5 follows the earlier release of a partial image alongside a claim that the phone would feature an impressive screen-to-body ratio of 95 percent. Cheng also says the Z5 will include four technological breakthroughs including 18 patented technologies. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait for the details, particularly around how Lenovo will handle a presumed front-facing camera. The Mi Mix 2, for example, has a 91.3 percent screen-to-body ratio, which is amongst the industry’s best, but it still requires a bezel along the bottom to host the phone’s front-facing camera. Vivo’s Apex concept uses a pop-up selfie camera to help trim the bezels, but it stil...

The latest addition to the Mercedes-AMG GT lineup is called the GT S Roadster and slots between the AMG GT Roadster and AMG GT C Roadster. It uses the same 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 to move around as the rest of the AMG GT family, only this version of the lump delivers 515 HP (522 PS / 384 kW) and 494 lb-ft (670 Nm) of torque to the ground through a seven-speed DCT. Accelerating from 0 to 60mph (0-96km/h) takes 3.7 seconds (0-62mph/100km/h in 3.8sec), which is only 0.1 seconds slower than the GT C Roadster, and 0.2 seconds faster than the GT Roadster. Top speed increases to 192mph (309km/h), just 4mph (6km/h) shy of the range-topping open-top model. The new Mercedes-AMG GT S Roadster’s performance is aided by a few other gizmos. The list includes the rear locking differential, sport suspension with aluminum wishbone axles, a high-performance composite braking system and a 47-53 percent front-to-rear weight distribution. Helping it keep its center of gravity low is the f...