Monday, 23 November 2015

New BMW Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo Arrives with 600 HP

New BMW Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo Arrives with 600 HP

New BMW Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo Arrives with 600 HP

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If the BMW M5's 560 horsepower isn't good enough for you, perhaps the Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo will satisfy your hunger for performance.

Powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, the Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo packs 600 hp and 590 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to go 0-62 mph in 4.2 seconds. The powerplant is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with Alpina Switch-Tronic technology and has a top speed rated at 204 mph.

It's not just the extra performance that makes the Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo such a hot sedan or wagon. The company also focused its attention on adding a stylish aero kit, suspension upgrades and a mechanical limited-slip differential built by Drexler Motor Sport.

SEE ALSO: Hybrid Alpina Models Possible in the Future: CEO

On the inside are subtle signature touches from Alpina include a hand-finished steering wheel and individual production plaque. Seating comes in the form of full leather Merino upholstery while the instrument panel has also been covered in leather, further accented by elegant Alpina piano lacquer interior trim.

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Fiat 124 Spider Headed for Rally Racing in 2017

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The Fiat 124 Spider may have just made its debut at the 2015 L.A. Auto Show, but the Italian automaker already has plans to take it racing.

According to a report from PistonHeads, Abarth will ready a race version of the 124 to compete in a new sports car category in World Rally Championship (WRC) around 2017, the same time the 124 Abarth model will go on sale.

Rumor has it that the Abarth version of the 124 Spider will actually use different sheetmetal rather than just more aggressive styling to set it apart from its Fiat counterpart. Considering the Fiat 124 Spider packs 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, don't be surprised if the hotter Abarth version nears the 200-hp mark when it debuts.

SEE ALSO: Fiat 124 Spider Revealed: Think of it as the Miata's Italian Cousin

Abarth will also reportedly offer a 124 Spider variant with a matte black hood and hardtop, paying homage to the Abarth-tuned 124 Stradale homologation car built in the early 1970s to satisfy entry requirements for the 124 rally car.

Fiat hasn't competed in world rallying since the late 1970s and early 1980s, when it won WRC three times with the iconic 131 Abarth.

[Source: PistonHeads]

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VW Considering Shutting Down Phaeton Plant

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Volkswagen is looking into shutting down its Phaeton plant in Dresden as it seeks to reduce costs.

The plant is known for its architecture and the German automaker calls it "Glaeserne Manufaktur," German for transparent factory. According to a recent report, the plant builds just eight Pheatons a week and new Volkswagen CEO Matthias Mueller wants to close the factory next year, moving Phaeton production to another plant that builds similar Audi and Porsche models.

The company's supervisory board will discuss the future of the factory on Friday as part of Volkswagen's next spending and investment program. If the plant does shut down, expect Volkswagen to transfers its 500 employees to other plants in Germany.

The next-generation Phaeton is due to arrive showrooms around 2019-2020 and will be offered exclusively as an electric vehicle.

SEE ALSO: Volkswagen Acknowledges V6 Diesel Engine Also Cheated

The Dresden plant was opened in 2002 as a futuristic production showpiece and is highly regarded as an architectural gem. It is often used as a backdrop for events, ceremonies, concerts and operas.

Volkswagen hasn't confirmed or denied the report, but did say that "various scenarios" are under consideration for the plant and it could still be part of the plan for the next-generation Phaeton.

[Source: Automotive News]

Discuss this story on our Volkswagen Forum

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Help Us Rank the 10 Best Porsche Models of All Time

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Porsche is one of the best sports car manufacturers of all time.

Forget about the brand's recent foray into SUVs and sedans, its names like 911, 356, Cayman and 959 that has really solidified Porsche's name in the mind and hearts of driving enthusiasts around the world.

SEE ALSO: Top 10 Best European Sports Cars of the '80s

But what are the 10 best Porsche models of all time? Well that's a hotly debated topic. So rather than sit here and pretentiously spout off our personal rendition of the top 10 Porsches ever created, we're turning to you. We want you to vote on which of these iconic Porsches are the best to have ever been created. Democracy rules.

 

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Ford Recalls 450K Fusions Over Fuel Leak

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Ford is calling back about 450,000 Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans over a potential fuel tank issue. 

According to the brand, Fusions and Milans from the 2010 and 2011 model year both have a canister purge valve that does not work properly. This flaw can lead to internal pressure changes which may crack the tank, leading to a fuel leak.

Of the total 450,000 vehicles, about 411,205 are in the United States, 33,605 are in Canada and 7,055 are in Mexico. Ford says that it is not aware of any injuries or fires related to this issue.

SEE ALSO: 2017 Ford Escape Video, First Look

To fix the problem, the powertrain control module software will be updated and the purge valve and fuel tank will be inspected and replaced if necessary.

Ford also issued another tiny recall for just 13 F-650 trucks from the 2016 model year. In the affected units, the park position mechanism can fail, causing the vehicle to roll away. The steering column and instrument panel will be replaced to fix the issue.

Discuss this story at our Ford Fusion Forum

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Cadillac Compact Crossover Due in 2018

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Cadillac is working to bring out a family of crossovers, the next of which will arrive in 2018. 

The recently revealed Cadillac XT5 is the first of four new crossovers coming from the American luxury brand, with a sub-XT5 set to be released next. Likely named the XT4, the new compact crossover will enter into a booming market which has seen a 49 percent sales increase year-over-year. With the XT4, Cadillac is looking to take on the BMW X3 and Lexus NX.

SEE ALSO: 2017 Cadillac XT5 Ushers in New Series of Luxury Crossovers

A gap between the XT5 and full-size Escalade SUV will also be filled by Cadillac with a new crossover that competes with the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90. "I think a very well-executed, three-row crossover could fit in quite nicely," said Cadillac boss Johan de Nysschen. "It's an important segment with a lot of volume." This larger crossover would arrive sometime after the compact, likely in 2019.

Finally, the last crossover in the lineup is thought to be a subcompact model to fight against the BMW X1 and Audi Q3.

[Source: Automotive News]

Discuss this story at our Cadillac Forum

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