Watch a Robot Play Basketball Thanks to Fiat Chrysler

Watch a Robot Play Basketball Thanks to Fiat Chrysler
Ferrari FXX K Already All Sold Out
Ford Breaks 1M Annual Sales Mark in China
Mercedes Bringing C450, GLE450 AMG Sport Models to Detroit
Willys AW 380 Berlineta Pays Tribute to Alpine 108
GM Replacing Keys on New SUVs, Trucks

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What does a robotic arm that can shoot three-pointers have to do with automakers?

Fiat Chrysler-owned Comau SpA has developed just that – a robot that's capable of shooting three pointers from beyond the arc and demonstrated it in action alongside San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Marco Belinelli. In the video below, you can see the robotic arm in action, spinning a basketball on its faux fingertips and even besting the Italian Belinelli in a three-point shooting contest.

The focus of the project is to demonstrate what's capable with the company's smaller-scale "Racer" robots, which are actually being shipped to customers after being in development for a couple of years. The robots are capable of arc welding, assembly, machine tending and a handful of other jobs and can be controlled by a human using a remote control.

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  [Source: The Detroit News]
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Ferrari FXX K Already All Sold Out

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The limited production LaFerrari FXX K is already all sold out.

Ferrari revealed at the vehicle's official launch that all units of the extreme LaFerrari FXX K have been spoken for, which is believed to be less than 40 units priced at €2.5 million ($3.07 million) each. In addition, the Italian automaker shared that the LaFerrari FXX K is a full five seconds faster than the standard LaFerrari on the company's Fiorano test track. The production LaFerrari laps the track in 1:19 while the LaFerrari FXX K clears it in 1:14.

The LaFerrari FXX K has a total system output of 1,036 hp with torque coming in at over 664 lb-ft. Combine that with the fact that the FXX K weighs close to 200 lbs less than the regular LaFerrari and you can see why the more extreme FXX K is not only sold out, but built for track use only.

[Source: Top Gear]

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Ford Breaks 1M Annual Sales Mark in China

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Ford has reached a new sales milestone in China.

The American automaker has announced that it eclipsed the one-million annual sales mark with one month to go this year, the first time the company has sold over one-million vehicles in China. According to Ford, it has sold 1,007,425 vehicles through November which marks a 20-percent increase compared to the same period last year. Helping contribute to the record sales in China is the Mondeo, which posted an 83-percent increase this year.

Despite the growth for Ford, it's only selling one-third as many vehicles as General Motors, which sold its three-millionth vehicle for the year in mid-November. The company is looking to continue growing in China having introduced its luxury Lincoln brand this year and aims to sell 150,000 units annually by 2020.

"Crossing the million vehicle mark is a significant milestone for Ford in China, and it demonstrates the appeal of our portfolio of high-quality, safe, fuel-efficient and smart vehicles," John Lawler, CEO of Ford Motor China, said in a statement. "We look forward to continued growth as we expand production capacity and introduce great new Ford vehicles to serve our Chinese customers."

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Mercedes Bringing C450, GLE450 AMG Sport Models to Detroit

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Mercedes will launch its more affordable range of AMG Sport models at next year's Detroit Auto Show.

The German automaker will unveil the C 450 AMG Sport and the GLE 450 Coupe AMG Sport with additional models being added to the lineup in the near future. According to Tobias Moers, chairman of AMG, the AMG Sport models will have their dynamics handled entirely by AMG which means its steering, front and rear axle and handling are all covered by the performance arm. Though specifications on the two models won't be revealed until the Detroit Auto Show, AMG confirms that they will have more performance, standard all-wheel drive and special chassis components and brake systems from traditional AMG models.

It would be a safe bet to expect both models to debut with around 360 hp from a 3.0-liter V6 engine with more aggressive styling compared to their non-AMG counterparts. And similar to BMW M Performance and M models, the styling will also differ slightly to further differentiate the more extreme of the two sub-brands. Expect more details to be revealed on AMG Sport as we get closer to the Detroit Auto Show.

[Source: Auto Express]

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Willys AW 380 Berlineta Pays Tribute to Alpine 108

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Making its debut at the Bologna Motor Show is the Willys AW 380 Berlineta, which pays tribute to a classic Alpine sports car.

Built by Maggiora and Carrozzeria Viotti, the AW 380 Berlineta is heavily inspired by the Alpine 108, which was built under license in Brazil by Willys-Overland – the same automaker that helped make Jeep popular. That sports car was named the Willys Interlagos and the Willys AW 380 Berlineta is a modern rendition of the Interlagos sporting a 3.8-liter BiTurbo engine with 610 hp and 612 lb-ft of torque giving it a top speed of 212 mph. Thanks to its carbon fiber body, the AW 380 Berlineta tips the scales at a scant 2,976 lbs.

Up front, the AW 380 Berlineta rolls on 19×9-inch wheels while the rear features a larger and wider 20×12.5-inch setup. It will come standard with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires along with carbon ceramic brakes with six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston calipers in the rear. Production on the AW 380 Berlineta will be limited to just 110 units and carries a hefty price tag of $467,325 (€ 380,000).

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GM Replacing Keys on New SUVs, Trucks

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GM is having more problems with keys.

In all new full-size GM trucks and SUVs, which covers the 2014-15 Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe and Suburban along with the GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon and Yukon XL, the shift column can come into contact with the head of the key, causing the vehicle to shut off. This is only possible when the steering column is adjusted to its highest position.

GM is not conducting a recall over this issue, as investigators determined it is not a safety defect as it only happens when the driver has his or her foot on the brake and the vehicle is not moving. A technical service bulletin was issued on November 6 of this year along with instructions for dealers to replace the keys of owners who complain about the issue. Redesigned keys began production in February of 2014.

This year alone, GM has to recall 2.6 million vehicles for faulty ignition switches and an additional 11 million for other ignition-related issues.

[Source: Automotive News]

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Car Reviews

Saturday, 6 December 2014

Watch a Robot Play Basketball Thanks to Fiat Chrysler

Watch a Robot Play Basketball Thanks to Fiat Chrysler

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