Saturday 18 January 2014

1957 Porsche 356A Speedster "Outlaw" Was Built with Parts from the Future


Most people would say it’s a crime to modify a classic Porsche 356 coupe, but what do you do when you have one so full of rust that you can’t restore to its original form? Well, if your name is Chuch Olenyk, then you start transforming it into a Speedster.

Using only original Porsche parts, including from 911 and 912 models, Olenyk converted his rusty 356A into a 356A Speedster “Outlaw” in his home garage, all by himself over a period of seven years.

The car is nicknamed the “Outlaw” because it uses parts that weren’t available at the time it was originally built – you know, from the future.

The result is spectacular to say the least: the car looks more aggressive with its Speedster windshield and lower ride height. And it drives and sounds pretty good too, as Jay Leno found out towards the end of the video.

By Dan Mihalascu


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Report Insists that Future SUV is the First of Many Hybrid Bentleys


There are reports on the web that bestow the future Bentley SUV with an electric motor to help its large gas-guzzling engine provide swifter yet more efficient progress.

According to UK magazine Autoexpress, the VW-owned manufacturer has already confirmed that it is indeed the case, adding that a plug-in hybrid variant of the new utility vehicle could hit the market in 2017; precisely one year after the regular one, previewed by the EXP 9 Concept, makes its debut.

It goes on to predict that it won’t be the sole Bentley hybrid, and that it is, in fact, a sign of things to come. From what we understand, the entire range bar the Mulsanne will follow suite.

The tech used would be similar to that used by another of the group’s luxury brands, Porsche, in the Panamera and Cayenne hybrid models.

This rumor seems very likely, but we won’t know for sure until the SUV makes its debut sometime next year, before going on sale one year later. Hopefully, they can at least get the design right this time…

By Andrei Nedelea


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Britain Set to Overtake France in 2013 Car Production for the First Time Since 1966


The UK’s motor manufacturing industry is on track to build more cars than neighboring France for the first time since 1966.

Rising sales of UK-made cars, both domestically and in key export markets, are expected to drive manufacturing to a new record level, which would mean France would be relegated from third to fourth place in Europe’s car production rankings, behind Germany, Spain and Great Britain.

Industry bosses estimate 2013 UK car production to reach 1.55 million cars, up from 1.47 million in 2012 and 1.35 million in 2011. At the same time, France’s car production is expected to fall to around 1.54 million cars for 2013, down from 1.66 million in 2012 and 1.88 million in 2011.

“We’re currently neck and neck with France but Britain’s car production is on an upward trend. France’s is on a downward trend. We’re about to cross. It could well be that the new figures will show that 2013 is the year in which we overtake them,” a spokesman for Britain’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

Auto industry chiefs forecast UK car production to continue its accelerated growth towards 2 million within three years, as a consequence of the investments made to increase production in the country.

2013 production growth was boosted by mainstream British-brands such as Jaguar, Land Rover, Mini and Vauxhall as well as super-luxury carmakers like Rolls-Royce and Bentley. Japanese carmakers including Nissan, Toyota and Honda also had a major contribution to production growth through their UK factories.

As for France, the fall in production is due to problems with the Euro, overcapacity, a stagnating domestic market and a lack of business confidence under the current government.

By Dan Mihalascu


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Friday 17 January 2014

How Does the Alfa 4C Stack Up Against the Toyota GT 86 / Scion FR-S and Porsche Cayman?


As the newest arrival and first sensibly priced (affordable might be kind of a stretch) rear-wheel driven Alfa Romeo since, well, the days of the Spider in the 1990s, the new mid-engine 4C has attracted some well-deserved attention from the press and gearheads alike, but does it make the cut against the competition?

That's what Autocar magazine's Steve Sutcliffe set to find out, at least partially, and by that, we mean on a twisty track.

Taking into consideration its mechanical layout and entry price in the UK at £45,000 (equal to $73,900 / €54,600), the 237hp Alfa 4C's direct competitor is a no brainer: the £41,616 ($68,400 / €50,500) Porsche Cayman (you can see how Carscoops readers voted in a poll between the two models here).

Just to shuffle things up and make the video review a bit more intriguing, Sutcliffe also brought along the Toyota GT 86 (Scion FR-S in North America). While not a real challenger to the 4-cylinder Alfa, it does have an excellent fun-to-price ratio that's really hard to overlook.

Since you don’t like spoilers, we'll just let take a look at the video below and then by all means, head to the comments for your thoughts.

Screenshots via Autocar/YouTube


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Redditor Shares Guide to In-Dash Integration of Nexus 7 Tablet in BMW 3-Series E46


A recent Reddit post from forum member Brake_L8 elaborates on how it was possible to transplant a Nexus 7 Android tablet into the center dash of a BMW 3-Series E46. The photos provided prove it looks pretty good once done up and it apparently works really well too.

The author goes into more detail about how it uses custom software that is activated upon turning the ignition key, as well as the need to move the climate control unit to make room for the touchscreen.

It looks fairly easy to do, but make sure you know what you’re doing before you set out to dismantle your dashboard. If you’re not sure of how, explain your idea to somebody who is more handy (i.e. a friend or a professional audio installer) and pay them a menial amount to do it for you.

The problem with buying an older car, say from the early 2000s, is that while it may still be desirable today and still competent from an engineering standpoint, it will lack most of the connectivity features that are now commonplace.

Any car similar to the E46 is still a nice, modern car to own, however the same problem of nonexistent infotainment persists (not limited to BMW) and given the more unusual shapes of the center stack’s openings, a great solution is difficult to find – plopping a tablet in in this way is definitely one way to go!

By Andrei Nedelea

Story References and Photo Credits: Reddit/Brake_L8

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Get a 2015 Mustang Revell Model Kit for Free at Ford's Detroit Auto Show Stand [w/Video]


Visitors of the Detroit Auto Show who can’t afford a real 2015 Ford Mustang won’t go home empty-handed. That’s because toy manufacturer Revell is giving away the first official 2015 Mustang model kit free of charge to those who visit Ford’s booth.

To commemorate 50 years of Mustang, Revell will host a “Make ’n Take” event at the Ford stand during the show. At the event, children of all ages (yes, you too) and enthusiasts will be able to build and take home their own free Auto Show Edition 2015 Ford Mustang model before the real pony car even hits the road.

“For nearly 50 years, kids of all ages have been configuring and building their own personal full-size and small-scale Mustangs, and now they can build a new dream car and take it home,” said Steve Ling, Ford car marketing manager.

Revell’s 2015 Ford Mustang model kit can be easily assembled in minutes.

“I am thrilled Revell has the opportunity to work with Ford this year and provide kids and enthusiasts a chance to make and then take our 2015 Ford Mustang models home with them,” said Lou Aguilera, Revell vice president and general manager.

Revell introduced its first scale model of the Ford Mustang in 1968 and has produced more than 3 million small-scale Mustangs ever since together with sister brand Monogram, in scales ranging from 1/64 to 1/12.

The Detroit Auto Show is open for the public from January 18 to January 26.

By Dan Mihalascu


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Revell 2015 Ford Mustang Model Kit

Meet the World’s First Drivable Pickup Truck Made of Ice


To demonstrate that its Motomaster Eliminator Battery will resist temperatures of minus 40 degrees Celsius (-40 Fahrenheit), retail chain 'Canadian Tire' mounted the battery on a pickup truck made of blocks of ice.

The truck was built by Hensall, Ontario-based Iceculture, a company specializing in ice sculptures, using a real truck chassis and running gear. The team then welded the suspension solid and used 11,000 pounds (4,989kg) of blocks of ice to shape the bodywork.

What’s interesting about the ice pickup truck is that it’s drivable – or at least it was before it melted…

On December 12, 2013, the truck set a world record for “the first self-propelled ice creation to drive”, covering a mile (1.6 kilometers) at an average speed of 20 km/h (12.4 mph).

Scroll down to see the commercial and then to watch an interesting behind the scenes documentary on how the truck was built. There’s also a video of the truck’s testing, another of its world record attempt, and, finally, a reverse video of it… melting.

By Dan Mihalascu

Story References: Canadian Tire via Autoblog-com


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Nissan Has Plans to Double Sports Car Range in Coming Years


Nissan’s Andy Palmer recently announced on the sidelines of the Detroit motor show that the Japanese manufacturer was on track to double its sports car range in the next few years, up from two to four models. The plan is to have new versions to replace the current GT-R and 370Z, as well as a couple of additional cars, previewed by the two IDx and Bladeglider concepts.

Palmer was quoted as saying:

“The IDx will be at one end of the spectrum and the Bladeglider at the other, and in the middle we will have a lower-end sports car and a new GT-R. With the GT-R, we will do a renewal each year and there will be a new one. It will retain the mechanical look of the current car, but with more of the cues from the latest Nissan design. It will still be very aggressive."

In regards to the successor to the 370Z, he said that its powertrain had already been lined up and that it would employ smaller displacement and turbocharging. “There will be normal and Nismo versions” too, he said. The Bladeglider would be a full-electric vehicle, while the production IDx’s possible powertrain choices have already been detailed.

The move on Nissan’s part was reportedly prompted by the strong response they got from the two concepts and the desire from within the company to “find a way of re-engaging with youth who are not interested (in driving and getting their license) at all. I don't want to make these cars attractive to me but to them," according to Palmer.

By Andrei Nedelea

Story References: Just-Auto

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