Continental AG Wants in on the Apple iCar

Continental AG Wants in on the Apple iCar
BMW M4 GTS to Debut with Water Injection System
2016 Ford Focus RS Makes 345 HP
2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Production Begins
Next Audi A8 Will Drive Itself on the Highway
Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Boss Revealed

Posted:

Whether or not Apple is really working on a car remains to be confirmed, but there are already companies interested in partnering up.

According to a recent Reuters report, Continental AG's CEO Elmar Degenhart has expressed an interest in partnering with Apple if the tech giant does decide to develop and manufacture a vehicle. "Apple has an excellent reputation on information and communications systems and has incredible financial strength," said Degenhart during an earnings call.

SEE ALSO: Apple iCar Rumors Resurface

In recent weeks, rumors of Apple developing an electric car have come out of the woodwork, although the company has remained quiet on the speculation. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has also gone on the record saying that Apple has been attempting to hire its employees, offering big cash incentives and signing bonuses.

[Source: Reuters]

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BMW M4 GTS to Debut with Water Injection System

Posted:

The hardcore BMW M4 GTS will debut this year in August with a cooling technology that will be new to the car.

In continuing the tradition of offering a track-spec variant of its M4 – previously known as the M3 coupe – BMW will present the M4 GTS concept during this year's Pebble Beach weekend of automotive festivities. Although details on the M4 GTS are light, it is expected to benefit from the water injection system that debuted on the M4 MotoGP Safety Car as well as receiving revised suspension, weight reduction and stickier tires.

As for the water injection system, it is developed to help cool the engine charge intake that is especially beneficial under track conditions. Similar systems have been used by other automakers in turbocharged vehicles, such as the Subaru WRX STI. BMW hasn't confirmed the degree of improvement the system provides on the M4, but it revealed previously that the MotoGP car has a 1.3-gallon water tank in the trunk and injects the water through the three injectors in the intake plenum.

[Source: Car and Driver]

Discuss this story at our BMW forum

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2016 Ford Focus RS Makes 345 HP

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The Ford Focus RS will have 345 HP, making it significantly more powerful than both of its most direct rivals: the Volkswagen Golf R and Subaru WRX STI.

Posted on the Geneva Motor Show section on Ford.ie, the company included a short info section that reads, "as for power, a specially tuned 2.3-liter EcoBoost petrol engine delivers 350 PS (345 hp)." So far, Ford has only officially announced that the Focus RS will make "in excess of 315 hp."

SEE ALSO: Ford Focus RS Details

All-wheel drive helps the RS deliver its power to the ground, allowing torque to be split from side-to-side and from front to rear. Up to 70 percent of total engine power can be diverted to the rear axle while 100 percent can be sent to either rear wheel.

Other features of the new RS chassis include stiffer spring rates and bushings, larger antiroll bars and two-mode switchable dampers. A choice of Michelin tires can be fitted to the Focus RS including the optional Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.

Ford did not immediately respond to an e-mail inquiry about the apparently leaked number.

Update: Ford spokesman Aaron Miller responded, insisting that the number published on the European Ford retail site is inaccurate. In his reply, Miller says that "we are still in testing phases, but we are guaranteeing it will at least be over 315 hp. Our final numbers will come closer to launch."

Discuss this story on our Ford Focus RS Forum

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2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Production Begins

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Production has begun on the latest version of Mazda's lightweight sports car.

The new 2016 MX-5 is being built at the brand's Ujina Plant No.1 in Hiroshima, Japan. The first cars to roll off the line are destined for the Japanese market and will hit showrooms there in June. Rollout of the car to worldwide destinations will begin after that, so expect the new MX-5 to show up in the latter half of 2015 in the United States.

The new MX-5 is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 155 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque, hooked up to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. In world markets, the car will also offer a smaller 1.5-liter four cylinder.

Discuss this story at our Mazda MX-5 Miata forum

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Next Audi A8 Will Drive Itself on the Highway

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Audi will make sure owners of the next-generation A8 don't dread highway driving.

The German automaker revealed to Digital Trends at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show that the new A8 will feature a self-driving system called "Traffic Jam Pilot" that will take over driving duties on congested highways while the car is between the speeds of 37 and 50 mph. The production system will be based on the same technology found in the self-driving A7 that recently made the trip from Silicon Valley to Las Vegas for CES.

It uses externally-mounted 3D cameras, radar and infrared sensors to monitor the road and traffic ahead, while the interior will monitor the driver's eyes with a pair of cameras. The vehicle will even alert the driver if they begin to fall asleep, look away from the road or if the car needs to be taken control of for any reason. If the alarm doesn't work or the driver doesn't respond, the A8 will bring itself to a stop.

In other words, the self-driving technology won't make it easier for drivers to read their cell phones or take a nap in traffic while the vehicle operates itself. The car will just take care of the hard work – steering, braking or accelerating through stop-and-go traffic.

[Source: Digital Trends]

Discuss this story at our Audi forum

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Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Boss Revealed

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A new special edition version of the Chevy Colorado has been revealed.

Called the Trail Boss, Chevy put this truck together to get off the pavement. Available as an extended or crew cab with a choice between long or short cargo bed, the truck starts with the beefed up Z71 suspension setup and adds bigger tires and updated style.

Enhancements include the G80 automatic locking rear differential, a transfer case shield on 4WD models, front recovery hooks, black, three-inch round rocker steps, a spray-on bedliner, projector beam headlamps, front fog lamps and all-weather floor mats with Z71 logo. New style comes from black fender flares and front and rear black Chevy bowtie logos.

SEE ALSO: 2015 GMC Canyon Long-Term Review

There are also Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac 265/65R17 all-terrain tires and 17-inch dark argent metallic painted cast-aluminum wheels. Some GearOn accessories are thrown in as well including moveable cargo tie-down rings along with a load bar and cargo divider.

A price tag of $31,825 will be attached to the cheapest Trail Boss model.

Discuss this story at our Chevy Colorado Forum

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Car Reviews

Friday, 6 March 2015

Continental AG Wants in on the Apple iCar

Continental AG Wants in on the Apple iCar

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