Nother CarGuy

Skoda has finally unveiled the Kodiaq RS, a performance-oriented SUV that can seat as many as seven people. Aside from showing off the vehicle at the 2018 Paris Motor Show, the Czech automaker is also quite ready for us to know just how quick their sporty, yet highly practical SUV really is. The new Kodiaq RS is powered by a 2.0-liter TDI biturbo, with 240 PS (237 HP) and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque. It’s Skoda’s most powerful diesel engine ever, and it works together with a 7-speed DSG automatic and an all-wheel drive system. On a straight line, the Kodiaq RS can go from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7 seconds flat, before maxing out at 220 km/h (136 mph). However, when compared to the flagship version of the VW Tiguan Allspace, which is equipped with the very same engine, the Skoda is slower to 100 km/h by 0.3 seconds and has a lower top speed by 8 km/h (5 mph). Yet, you won’t be forgetting this isn’t your regular Kodiaq, especially since the RS comes with Skoda’s co...

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...

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...

On the eve of the Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes introduced new C- and E-Class plug-in hybrids. Set to go on sale this summer, the models will be equipped with a four-cylinder diesel engine, a nine-speed automatic transmission and a third-generation hybrid system. Mercedes was coy on specifics but confirmed the models will have a 13.5 kWh lithium-ion battery and an electric motor that produces 122 PS (90 kW) and 440 Nm (324 lb-ft) of torque. This will give the models an electric-only range of approximately 50 km (31 miles) and a total torque output of 700 Nm (516 lb-ft). The cars will also be able to hit speeds of up to 140 km/h (87 mph) while being driven by electricity. Speaking of electric power, the plug-in hybrids will be equipped with a new on-board charger which doubles the charging rate from 3.6 kW to 7.2 kW. Thanks to the improved system, the battery can be fully recharged in approximately two hours when used in conjunction with the company’s new Wallbox charger. Howe...

Say hello to the new Ford Ranger Raptor, an off-road-ready version of the pickup truck that slots under the popular F-150 Raptor. “The Ford Performance team is excited to extend the Raptor name from our flagship off-road performance F-150 to Ranger,” said Jamal Hameedi, chief engineer, Ford Performance. “Just like the F-150 Raptor, the Ranger Raptor builds upon the core capability of the range of vehicles it comes from and carries the unmistakable Ford Performance DNA appearance.” Powering the Ford Ranger Raptor is a new 2.0-liter twin-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine. It develops 210hp (213PS) and 369lb-ft (500Nm) of torque, pushed to the all-wheel drive system through a 10-speed automatic gearbox that’s co-developed by Ford and GM. Enhancing its go-anywhere abilities are the long-travel Fox suspension with rear coilovers, extra underbody protection, and 17-inch rims shod in BF Goodrich all-terrain tires. Stopping power is coming from the 332mm (13in) front and rear brake...

Eager to cement its position as a leader in the industry, Volvo has announced that every new vehicle it launches from 2019 will have an electric motor. In a statement, the Swedish automaker revealed that between 2019 and 2021, it will launch five fully-electric cars, two of which will come from the company’s performance division, Polestar. These models will then be supplemented by a selection of petrol and diesel plug-in hybrid and mild-hybrid vehicles with 48-volt power supplies. Volvo says the move marks the moment it will start to phase out internal combustion engines from its vehicles as it looks to embrace the dramatically-changing face of the market. According to Volvo president and chief executive Håkan Samuelsson, the move comes on the back of demand from customers. “This is about the customer. People increasingly demand electrified cars and we want to respond to our customers’ current and future needs. You can now pick and choose whichever electrified Volvo you wish...

Chinese automaker Techrules believes that it has a real shot at the supercar segment with their first production model - the Ren. Displayed in Geneva in a world premiere, the exotic machine is available in three configurations, with two, four, and six electric motors, and a patented diesel-fueled turbine (TREV) charging system. Get ready to be blown away by the official output, as it sits at 1,305 PS (1,287 HP) and 2,340 Nm (1,725 lb-ft) of torque in the range-topper, which uses two electric motors at the front and four at the rear. This configuration allows the 0-100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration to be made in just 2.5 seconds; top speed stands at 320 km/h (199 mph). If these numbers scare you, then the supercar can also be had with 870 PS (858 HP) and 1,560 Nm (1,150 lb-ft) of torque in the four-motor version, while the two-motor one comes with more down-to-earth figures of 435 PS (429 HP) and 780 Nm (575 lb-ft) of torque. Coming to provide the necessary juice are three batte...

The Ford F-150 is not only the  top-selling truck in America , but also the country's hottest-selling vehicle of any kind – and has been for the past 40 and 35 years, respectively. Rolling out  updates  to such a pivotal model, then, is a big deal for Ford, but that's just what it has in store for the  Detroit Auto Show  this week. For the 2018 model year, the F-150 returns with updated styling, enhanced safety systems, and new powertrain options – all of which stand to make Dearborn's light-duty, full-size pickup an even more compelling option over its lagging competitors. As you can see, the 2018 Ford F-150 bears a new front grille design, flanked by new headlights and capping a restyled bumper. The rear bumper has been redesigned as well, along with the tailgate, with designs catered to individual trim levels – from the base XL model to the top-of-the-lie Limited. Naturally there are fresh wheel designs available as well, but the bigger news is what lies u...

Joining the likes of the Canyon and Sierra 1500 this fall as the third model in GMC's  limited-edition All Terrain X series , the Sierra HD All Terrain X is said to be the most off-road-capable truck in the Sierra HD lineup. Aside from its 6.0-liter petrol-powered V8, the Sierra 2500HD crew cab 4WD will also be available with the all-new next-generation  Duramax 6.6-liter V8 turbo-diesel , sending 445 HP (332 kW) and 910 lb-ft (1,234 Nm) to all four wheels. "The new Sierra HD All Terrain X's powerful attitude reflects a popular trend in very capable off-road trucks, executed with a range-topping level of refinement — a combination of attributes GMC has cultivated for years,"  said Duncan Aldred, VP of GMC sales & marketing.  "And with the new, available Duramax 6.6L, this truck more than matches its bold good looks with true professional-grade capability." Visually, the All Terrain X stands out thanks to its 18" black-painted aluminum wheels, 275...

The VW Group’s embarrassing diesel scandal hasn’t deterred Bentley from creating its first ever diesel-powered vehicle based on their… first ever SUV, the Bentayga . Aptly (and some would say, very  mainstream-ly ) named the Bentagya Diesel, it shares the  related Audi SQ7’s triple-charged 4.0-liter V8 diesel  lump that exploits a pair of twin-scroll turbochargers and a so-called “e-booster” 48v electric supercharger to produce the same 435PS (429 HP) and 900Nm (664 pound-feet) of torque.  We don’t know if we should be surprised that Bentley announces the same 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time as the Audi SQ7 at 4.8 seconds, but instead of limiting the SUVs top speed at 155mph (250km/h) like the Germans, the Brits allow the Bentayga Diesel to reach a loftier 168mph (270km/h), which in turn, lets them brag about it being the “fastest diesel SUV in the world”. Again, as with the SQ7 (see a pattern here?),  the Bentayga Diesel  mates the V8 oil-burner to a ZF e...