Monday, 9 November 2015

Ferrari 488 GT3, GTE Race Cars Unveiled in Italy

Ferrari 488 GT3, GTE Race Cars Unveiled in Italy

Ferrari 488 GT3, GTE Race Cars Unveiled in Italy

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The new Ferrari 488 GT3 and GTE race cars were unveiled this past weekend in Italy.

The Italian automaker hosted its Finali Mondiali event at Mugello Circuit, where it pulled the covers off the race variants for the new 488 GTB. The new race cars will replace the current 458-based variants at the start of next season and includes the GT3 and GTE versions, with the latter designed for the World Endurance Championship. Although specifications on the race cars weren't announced at the event, the 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 engine will carry over from the production model to the race track. Don't expect it to have the same 660 horsepower output, however, as regulations will limit the amount of power the 488 can make based on their class and race series.

SEE ALSO: Ferrari Unveils Limited Edition F12tdf with 770 HP

Now that Ferrari has unveiled the 488 GT3 and GTE race cars, expect the automaker to follow it up with a new Challenge variant to accommodate Ferrari's own spec racing series.

Also making an appearance at Finali Mondiali was the new Ferrari F12 tdf. The company also confirmed that next year's event will take place at Daytona International Speedway from December 1-4, 2016. It also marks the first time that Finali Mondiali will be hosted in the U.S.

Discuss this story on our Ferrari Forum

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Special Edition Audi A3, A4 Unveiled for Year-End Sales Event

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The Season of Audi year-end sales event will celebrate the holidays with special edition A3 and A4 models.

The annual event began November 4 and will run through January 8, 2016, and will also offer specials on the Audi Q5 and A6 models. As for the A3 Special Edition model, it has been enhanced with a black optic package that includes high gloss black exterior elements, as well as S line exterior features, sport suspension and 18-inch five-arm rotor wheels finished in matte black. Also available as an option are 19-inch five-arm wing design wheels. Rounding off the A3 Special Edition offering are Audi music interface, advanced key and heated sets.

SEE ALSO: 2015 Audi S3 Review

Similar to the A3, the A4 will come standard with features such as power sunroof and leather seating surfaces, Sirius XM Satellite Radio trial and xenon headlights. The Special Edition package outfits the sedan with heated front seats, rearview camera with sensors, MMI navigation plus, Audi connect and Audi Advanced Key. On the outside, the A4 Special Edition gets black optic exterior elements and 18-inch Audi Sport 5 double-spoke wheels or 19-inch Audi Sport 5 V-spoke wheels in titanium.

Pricing for the Special Edition A3 and A4 models was not announced.

Discuss this story on our Audi A4 Forum

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2017 Cadillac XT5 Ushers in New Series of Luxury Crossovers

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Cadillac has officially introduced a new series of luxury crossovers with the XT5.

The first-ever Cadillac XT5 will arrive as a 2017 model year vehicle after production begins in the U.S. and China in spring 2016. But first, Cadillac will let drivers get a closer look when the XT5 premieres at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show and the 2015 Dubai Motor Show this month. As a completely new model, the XT5 sits on a unique chassis and structure that allows the crossover to weigh 278 pounds less than the outgoing SRX. Despite being seven inches longer, the XT5 is also 100 lbs less than the Audi Q5 and more than 650 lbs lighter than the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. Also compared to the SRX it replaces, the XT5 offers 3.2 inches more rear-seat legroom.

SEE ALSO: 2016 Cadillac CT6 Flagship Priced at $54,490

For the U.S. market, the 2017 Cadillac XT5 will be powered by a new 3.6-liter V6 engine that debuted earlier this year on the ATS and CTS models as well as being used in the new CT6. The powerplant features 310 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, while Cadillac's new start/stop technology helps enhance fuel economy and reduce emissions. For the Chinese market, Cadillac will offer a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine.

Standard for the luxury crossover will be an eight-speed automatic transmission that also debuts Electronic Precision Shift, the first electronically controlled transmission shifter for a Cadillac. The technology helps reduce noise and vibration.

"The all-new XT5 not only enters the most popular segment in the worldwide luxury auto market, it is the first of four new crossovers from Cadillac," said Cadillac president Johan de Nysschen. "It's pivotal to our ongoing growth, which is why we've developed XT5 from the inside out to provide customers more space, more technology, more luxury and more efficiency."

Discuss this story on our Cadillac Forum

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2016 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Gets Slight Price Bump

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The 2016 Hyundai Genesis Coupe gets a small price increase along with the addition of a new six-inch color center-stack display.

Coming standard with a 3.8-liter V6 engine sporting 348 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, the 2016 Hyundai Genesis Coupe will be priced from $26,950, excluding destination and delivery fees. That's an increase of $200 compared to the 2015 model, while the R-Spec model with a manual transmission will start at $29,900, a $400 increase. At the top of the 2016 Hyundai Genesis Coupe range is the 3.8 Ultimate model priced from $33,750, making it $350 more than the outgoing 2015 model.

The standard transmission is a six-speed manual while an eight-speed automatic is available as an option for $1,200 additional on the Base and Ultimate models. An automatic transmission is not available for the R-Spec trim.

SEE ALSO: 2017 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Adopting 3.3T, AWD

According to the Korean automaker, the only major change for the 2016 model year is a new, premium six-inch color display to the center stack. The center stack multi-gauge cluster on the Genesis Coupe displays instantaneous mpg, torque level and oil temperature and is standard on all trims.

Discuss this story on our Hyundai Genesis Coupe Forum

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Volkswagen Launches ‘Goodwill Package’ to Give TDI Owners $1,000

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Volkswagen has launched a cash incentive program in an attempt to appease owners of diesel cars rigged to cheat emissions testing.

VW will give eligible drivers who own one of the TDI cars affected by the diesel emissions scandal $500 loaded onto a prepaid Visa card and $500 that can be redeemed at Volkswagen dealerships. Three years worth of 24-hour roadside assistance has also been thrown into the package, which VW hopes will help restore trust in the company.

ALSO SEE: Volkswagen Diesel Fixes to Begin in US in February

Although Volkswagen has not yet revealed how it will fix the affected cars, a source close to the matter says the German automaker will begin recalling vehicles in the U.S. in February. The same source says that VW has put aside $4-billion to fix the cars and to fund the goodwill package.

Volkswagen has previously given financial assistance to dealerships because they have been hugely affected by a stop-sale on diesel cars, meaning dealerships have loads of unsalable inventory. The cash incentive program is the first step VW has taken to appease TDI car owners.

Currently, the cash incentives are only available to owners of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine from 2009 to 2015 model year cars. Owners can see if their car is eligible by entering their VIN on this VW website, www.vwdieselinfo.com. If they are eligible and apply for the package, they should receive their cards within four weeks, and then they must take their cards to the dealership to activate. For more information on the process and eligibility, visit VW's FAQ site here.

Last week, the EPA said that some of VW's 3.0L V6 diesels were equipped with the same illegal software, but Volkswagen has so far denied these cars are affected. Audi is also working on its own similar incentive program, which will launch Nov. 13.

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Subaru Confirms New 3-Row Crossover for 2018 will be Built in U.S.

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Subaru will bring an all-new three-row crossover to market in 2018, and the SUV will be built in Indiana.

The new crossover will replace the discontinued Tribeca, but will be bigger and have full third row capability. The SUV hasn't been named yet, but it could have a look inspired by the Viziv Concept (pictured above) unveiled recently. We can expect the crossover to have permanent, symmetrical all-wheel drive, obviously, and it will likely boast a full suite of autonomous technology and driver assistance technology. It could even have a hybrid powertrain.

SEE ALSO: Subaru VIZIV Future Concept Looks Great, Drives Itself

The new crossover will be the largest one in Subaru's lineup, as the Japanese automaker doesn't currently have one with three rows. The Tribeca was bigger than the Outback, but neither SUV has a third row.

Subaru has has seven consecutive years of sales records and sales have tripled since 2007. The Indiana production plant also makes the Legacy, Outback and the new Impreza sedan and hatch will be built there as well.

Discuss this story on our Subaru Forum

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