Nother CarGuy

McLaren isn't resting on its laurels these days – not on the race track (where it's long since fallen off its previous winning form), and not off it, either. The automotive division is in the midst of its Track22 business plan to reshape its position in the market. And that includes a rather ambitious target of launching 14 new models or derivatives within the next five years. That might not seem like a lot for an automaker like, say, Mercedes, to which McLaren was long tied. But the enterprise based in Woking is a much smaller and more specialized one, with only three model lines designed around common building blocks. The British firm recently launched the new 720S, its first second-generation model and the newest evolution in its core Super Series – which itself will yield several new derivatives. If the 650S (which it replaces) is anything to go by, we can expect a detuned version for key markets (to replace the 640C), a Spider convertible, a more extreme variant ...

A new Black Chrome package can now be optioned for customers looking into Cadillac’s 2016  ATS Coupe and Sedan  and CTS Sedan models. As the name suggests, the new optional package replaces the bright chromework on the body with a darker one, adding gloss black side window moldings and ‘After Midnight’ grey paint finish for the wheels. The Black Chrome Package is only available for the ATS Coupe and Sedan  models with the 275hp 2.0T and 333hp 3.6 V6  Luxury and Performance Collection trim levels, either with RWD or AWD. Customers will be able to choose the new option only in conjunction with the Black Raven, Phantom Grey Metallic, Red Obsession Tintcoat and Chrystal White Tricoat colours.  If  you want your CTS  with the Black Chrome pack, the same engine/powertrain restrictions apply, with Cadillac only letting you decide between three paint options: Black Raven, Phantom Grey Metallic and Chrystal White Tricoat. Cadillac asks for extra $595 for the...

The Japanese brand has just released an obscure  new teaser image  concerning an addition to its hybrid's range . The press release was laconic: " Toyota is rolling out the next mechanical marvel in the Prius lineup at 9:10 a.m. EDT, Wednesday, March 23 ". What we see are just the  taillights  that not have anything in common with those on the current Prius. since they are a long LED strip running the width of the rear end, instead of the vertical lighting units of the current Prius.  So what could it be? A  new Prius  Plug-In Hybrid, a Prius V Wagon or the replacement of the Prius C hatch? Toyota won't say, but since the 2016 New York Auto Show will open its gates for the Press next week, it won't be that long until we will find out what it has in store. 

The  new 718 Boxster  will be joined by a second world premiere from Porsche at the  Geneva Motor Show next  week, one that the company simply describes as a “a strictly limited-edition vehicle”. Porsche wouldn’t give out any other details on the surprise car, but we’ve heard from multiple sources that it’s going to be  the new 911 R , a back-to-basics performance version derived from the GT3 and GT3 RS without some of their crazy aerodynamic addenda, but more crucially, with a seven speed manual gearbox.  We’ll remind you that both the 911 GT3 and its  even more hardcore GT3 RS sibling  can only be had with Porsche’s PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission.  While some sources say that the 911 R will get a slightly de-tuned version of the GT3’s normally aspirated 3.8-liter flat-six with around 450hp instead of 468hp (475PS), others claim that Porsche may just give it the GT3 RS’ naturally-aspirated 493hp (500PS) 4.0-liter flat-six.  ...