Nother CarGuy

Details and images of the 2020 Ford Puma have emerged online thanks to the company’s British website, seemingly a little earlier than Ford had planned on revealing the new crossover. The first thing which will likely strike you about the new Puma is its size. It is small. Very, very small. Ford has yet to release measurements for the Puma but it appears to only be slightly larger than the popular Fiesta hatchback. As this is a crossover, however, its design is quite different to that of a Fiesta and it supports a higher and more-upright driving position. Preliminary photos of the Puma show the vehicle in ST-Line X grade where LED headlights and taillights are featured. The front also supports a large black grille and if there was ever a vehicle with a front fascia which looks like the smiley face emoji, this would be it. The Puma is available with two small hybrid engines both pairing a small 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder EcoBoost engine with an electric motor. Powe...

The all-new Kia Ceed family has become bigger with the introduction of the first-ever XCeed. Billed as a compact crossover, it’s based on the hatchback and looks like a jacked up version of it. However, that’s not entirely the case because aside from the front doors, every other body panel is new. The vehicle sports longer front and rear overhangs, by 25 and 60 mm (1-2.4 in), respectively, it’s 26 mm (1 in) wider and has an extra 42 mm (1.7 in) of ground clearance compared to the Ceed hatchback. At 2,650 mm (104.3 in) long, the wheelbase remains identical to the rest of the Ceed models. The rest of the exterior has been beefed up (visually, at least) with plastic cladding, a more arched roofline behind the B pillars, different lighting units, restyled bumpers, updated grille and silver roof rails. You can choose from 12 exterior colors including the new Quantum Yellow that’s unique to the XCeed, and two wheel sizes: 16- and 18-inch. The cabin layout has mostly been carried ...

The Audi Q7 has been given a comprehensive facelift for the 2020 model year and is set to initially launch in Europe in mid-September. Styling alterations have been made across the SUV’s exterior. At the front, for example, there are new headlights with a contoured design and optional HD Matrix LED technology with laser lights. Audi has also tweaked the rear of the Q7 and fitted a chrome strip connecting the taillights. The lights themselves also feature different graphics. Of more significance than the styling changes are the advancements found beneath the skin. Electromechanical active roll stabilization is available as an option to reduce body movements on uneven roads when driving in a straight line. When the car is cornering, the system reduces body roll significantly. The new Audi Q7 can also be equipped with all-wheel steering which turns the rear wheels by up to 5 degrees in the opposite direction to the front wheels at low speeds and turns them in the same directio...

In a future where people will be able to choose between being driven by their vehicle and driving their vehicle, BMW is looking to reassure us that their models will continue to focus on actively engaging the driver. The Vision M Next concept was unveiled at BMW Welt, where the automaker is also showcasing its latest technological advances in the fields of design, autonomous driving, connectivity, electrification and services. “The BMW Vision M Next provides a glimpse into the future of sporty driving,” stated the company’s senior design VP, Adrian van Hooydonk. “Where the BMW Vision iNEXT illustrated how autonomous driving is set to transform life on board our vehicles, the BMW Vision M NEXT demonstrates how state-of-the-art technology can also make the experience of driving yourself purer and more emotionally engaging. In both models, the focus is firmly on the people inside. Design and technology make the ‘EASE’ and ‘BOOST’ experiences more natural and more intense.” Wha...

Shortly after images of the all-new Peugeot 2008 leaked online, the new SUV has been officially presented by the French car manufacturer. As those leaked images indicated, the vehicle looks very much like a smaller version of the 3008 and Peugeot will hope to emulate the success of that model with the smaller 2008. Much like the new 208, the new Peugeot 2008 will be offered with a selection of petrol, diesel, and electric powertrains. In terms of petrol units, customers will be able to opt between three different 1.2-liter PureTech three-cylinder powertrains pumping out 99 hp, 128 hp, and 153 hp respectively. A 1.5-liter BlueHDI diesel version with 99 hp is also on offer with a manual transmission. Perhaps of even more importance than the petrol and diesel models is the e-2008, the all-electric version. Powering this model is a 50 kWh battery pack and an electric motor with 136 hp. This powertrain supports 100 kW rapid charging which means its battery can be topped up to 80 p...

Following last week’s teaser, Porsche has introduced the new 718 Boxster Spyder and the 718 Cayman GT4. Designed to be the pinnacle of the road-going 718 lineup, both models are equipped with a newly developed 4.0-liter boxer engine. The six-cylinder is naturally aspirated and produces 414 hp (309 kW / 420 PS) and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm) of torque. The engine is connected to a six-speed manual transmission which enables both models to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.4 seconds.  The top speeds are slightly different as the 718 Spyder maxes out at 187 mph (301 km/h), while the 718 GT4 tops out at 189 mph (304 km/h). Speaking of the latter, the 2020 Cayman GT4 can lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife ten seconds faster than its predecessor. Despite the focus on performance, the engine has been equipped with an adaptive cylinder control system that “temporarily interrupts the injection process in one of the two cylinder banks” to reduce fuel consumption. The engine also h...

The BMW 8-Series lineup is growing as the company has unveiled the all-new Gran Coupe variant. Looking significantly more attractive than the 6-Series Gran Coupe, the 8-Series has a familiar front fascia that closely echoes the standard model.  As a result, the car has a wide grille that is flanked by adaptive LED headlights with laserlights. Despite the familiar design, the Gran Coupe has a less rakish windscreen and a taller roof. The model also has two rear doors and a pronounced shoulder line.  A panoramic glass moonroof will come standard, but the M850i xDrive Gran Coupe will eventually be offered with an optional carbon fiber roof. Compared to the Coupe, the Gran Coupe is 9.0 inches (228.6 mm) longer, 1.2 inches (30.5 mm) wider and 2.2 inches (55.9 mm) taller.  The wheelbase has also been stretched by 7.9 inches (200.7 mm) to allow for more practical rear seats. Speaking of the latter, the model has an extra 3.4 inches (86.4 mm) of rear seat headroo...

Aston Martin‘s upcoming mid-engine hypercar, the AM-RB 003, will be officially known as the Valhalla. The car is named after the warrior’s paradise as it was celebrated in ancient Norse mythology, while also helping the British automaker carry on its long-standing tradition of V-named models. Only 500 Coupe examples of the hybrid hypercar will be built, every single one of them made completely out of carbon fiber. Aston’s V car naming strategy goes back seven decades. In 1951, the Vantage designation was given to high performance variants of the DB2 (at the time), and while that badge was never actually applied back then, the name stuck around (it became a model line in 2005). “Aston Martin model names always attract a lot of attention. They do so because they invariably capture an emotion or tell a story. In following the Valkyrie we knew the Aston Martin Valhalla needed to make a strong statement of its own, yet also offer continuity and a clear connection,” said Aston Marti...

Europe’s best-selling electric vehicle, the Renault Zoe, has reached its second generation and promises to be better overall compared to its predecessor. A rival of sorts to the likes of the Peugeot e-208 and Opel/Vauxhall Corsa-e newcomers, the 2020 Zoe gets a 52 kWh battery that ensures a WLTP-certified range of up to 242 miles (389 km). With a 30 percent bigger capacity over the old one and identical dimensions, this lithium-ion battery also supports fast charging. Using the new 50kW DC charging option for 30 minutes will give it a range of around 90 miles (145 km), whereas plugging it in a 22kW public charger for 1 hour results in a 78-mile (126 km) range. Charging it from 0-100 percent is an overnight process when using the 7kW Wallbox, which takes 9 hours and 25 minutes. Another big update is the addition of the R135 motor, which delivers 100 kW (135 PS / 133 hp) and 181 lb-ft (245 Nm) of torque, hooked up to a single-speed gearbox. In this guise, the new Zoe takes 10...

Following a handful of teasers, Alpine has taken the wraps off the new A110S. Billed as an “intense sports car,” the range-topping model has a modestly revised exterior with 18-inch GT Race wheels that feature a dark finish and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires. They are backed up by a Brembo braking system with orange calipers and 12.6-inch (320 mm) discs. Elsewhere, designers installed black Alpine badging and a flag detail that features carbon fiber accents. An assortment of options will be available including lightweight alloy wheels, a matte paint job and a carbon fiber roof which is 4.1 lbs (1.9 kg) lighter than the conventional roof. The unique styling continues in the cabin as drivers will find Sabelt sport seats with black Dinamica upholstery and orange contrast stitching. Other highlights include carbon fiber trim, aluminum pedals and a Focal audio system. Last but not least, there’s a leather and Dinamica steering wheel with an orange centering strip. Motivation ...

Just hours after leaked photos of the 2020 BMW 3-Series Touring surfaced online, the car has been officially presented by the car manufacturer. The new 3-Series Touring is slightly larger than its predecessor, measuring 4709 mm (185 inches) in length, 1827 mm (72 inches) in width and 1470 mm (57.8 inches) in height. The wheelbase has also been extended by 41 mm to 2851 mm (112 inches). Much like the sedan, the new 3-Series Touring adopts a sharp front end with aggressive headlights, large kidney grilles and horizontal T-shaped front air intakes in the Sport Line and Luxury Line models. Roof rails also come standard. Inside, the new car includes a newly-designed leather sports steering wheel as standard. Occupants in the new 3-Series Touring will be welcomed with additional shoulder room in the front, improved headroom for all passengers and greater legroom for those in the rear. Other important features of the car include an automatic tailgate and a load compartment which is ...

The long-awaited 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB has just been launched as the latest addition to the German car manufacturer’s huge fleet of SUVs. As its name implies, the Mercedes-Benz GLB slots nicely between the GLA and the GLC with its 111.4-inch long wheelbase. The SUV will be available as a seven-seater but Mercedes is still referring to the vehicle as forming part of its “global compact car family.” Speaking of seven seats, customers can opt to have two retractable individual seats installed in the third row. There are also side window airbags for third-row passengers as well as two drink holders between the back seats and a number of stowage compartments which include USB-C ports. If customers don’t need seven seats, they can purchase the GLB as a five-seater with a second row which can be folded in a ratio of 40:20:40 and includes seats with backrest inclination adjustment. As we expected, the exterior design of the GLB is virtually identical to the recent concept. Consequ...