AutoGuide Answers: We Pretend We’re Ballers and Pick Monterey Auction Cars to Buy

AutoGuide Answers: We Pretend We’re Ballers and Pick Monterey Auction Cars to Buy
Genesis Cars Can Now be Controlled with Amazon Alexa Voice Commands
Ford Launches Virtual Reality App to Get you Closer to the Action
Bentley Recalls Continental Flying Spur for Sunroofs that can Fly Off
Uber, Volvo Partnership Aims to Put Self-Driving SUVs on US Roads by Year-End
VW Set to Debut 300-Mile Electric Vehicle Next Month

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It's Monterey Car Week, which means there's a ton of automotive eye candy to be found rolling around coastal California. However, the auctions are just as interesting, and many rare and collectable vehicles are being sold off for the highest bid.

A quick look through the Mecum lots left us all discussing what we'd take if we had unlimited funds. Some of our editors choices are quite surprising. Here's what they said:

1996 Chevrolet Corvette Gran Sport – Dan Ilika, Road Test Editor:

If I had to pick just one, I'd go with the 1996 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport coupe. There isn't a vehicle that reminds me of my childhood love affair with the automobile (outside of my parents' minivan) more than the '96 Grand Sport. It was 1997, and we all piled in the van to make the pilgrimage to Cooperstown, NY, home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. After a couple days spent wandering the Hall, we stumbled upon a since-shuttered Corvette museum where I fell in love. There it was, in all its Admiral Blue glory. I didn't know much about the car at the time other than the fact I wanted it. And I still do. The color scheme – the white center stripe, red fender hash marks and black wheels – still gives me chills, and not just because it bears a striking resemblance to a Buffalo Bills home jersey. Now if only I can convince the bosses that I need a raise in time for the auction…

1965 Shelby GT350 – Jodi Lai, Managing Editor:

"I've never had to answer such a difficult question before in my life. I love all kinds of cars from vintage beaters to modern supercars to little micro cars with double-digit horsepower and high-brow marques to blue collar favorites, so looking at the lots up for auction, it took me forever to come up with what I really wanted.

I'd love to pick up a vintage muscle car, however. There's an amazing 1965 Shelby GT350 Fastback for sale in the classic blue and white that gets me really excited. It's highly original, has seen only three owners, and is incredibly well taken care of. The one catch is that it could fetch more than half a million bucks! After that, I'd buy a modern day GT350 in the same colors.

My parents used to have a Mach 1 Boss, and I love old Mustangs because of that."

1935 Auburn 851 SC Boattail Speedster – Craig Cole, Associate Editor:

"If money were no object, my "pick-of-the-litter" from Mecum Auctions would be this oh-so-lovely 1935 Auburn 851 SC Boattail Speedster. Normally I detest convertibles and even sunroofs, but with a body this sexy I can make an exception (and pack some Coppertone SPF 18,000). My reason for selecting this creamy-yellow beauty is that NOTHING looks like this anymore; no car in production today has lines and forms that rival this Auburn, plus its supercharged Lycoming flathead inline-eight is undoubtedly a gem of an engine. The suicide doors, exposed exhaust pipes and voluptuous fenders seal the deal for me. Now to scrounge up a million bucks so I can make a bid…"

1960 Mercedes-Benz 190SL – Sami Haj-Assaad, Features Editor:

"While not as rare or expensive as my colleagues choices, I simply can't take my eyes off this baby-blue Benz. Sure, the purists and collectors may scoff at my choice, because it's not the amazing Gullwinged 300 SL, but there's a different vibe that just exudes elegance with this convertible. The previous owner certainly took great care with this example being put up for auction, giving it a full restoration before hitting the auction block. Add in those stylish white-wall tires and a tan soft-top, which completes the cars overall design and I'm in love."

1936 Ford Custom Pickup – Stephen Elmer, News Editor:

"What can I say, I'm a sucker for a pickup truck. This gorgeous 1936 Ford Custom Pickup would get all of my auction bids. Besides having a classic look which is soul stirring, under the hood lives a modern Ford V8 that makes 345 horsepower hooked to a five-speed manual. That means I get the gorgeous style without the hassle of a classic engine. To top it off, it's finished in British Racing Green, a famous hue which brings a feeling of elegance to the truck."

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione– Jason Siu, News Editor:

"While it's totally tempting to choose a McLaren P1 or an SLS as my car of choice, I would actually spring for something cheaper: The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. It's one of the rarest cars to ever hit U.S. soil, and it's one of the few cars that looks absolutely exquisite from every angle. Sure, the Alfa Romeo's front end styling isn't for everyone, but I feel like the 8C is modern, but isn't too modern where electronics and fancy tech gadgets take over the spirit of driving. It's also quite a bit different in a sea of Ferraris, Lamborghinis and even McLarens in today's supercar world. It may not be the fastest, most powerful or the most expensive, but something about the Alfa Romeo 8C just makes it a work of art in my eyes."

1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta – Michael Accardi, News Editor (GM Inside News and All Ford Mustangs)

"I pick this 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta because it's automotive hipsterism at its finest, sprinkled with a dash of elitism.

Since 1970 this 275 GTB was owned and maintained by a Ferrari mechanic– although self immolation will always be a risk.

Steve McQueen also owned one, which instantly makes it cool even if most hip kids don't know who Steve McQueen is or what that the little horsies are for and who put this extra pedal here?"

MECUM MONTEREY

1949 Volkswagen Hebmuller Type 14A Cabriolet – Sebastian Bell, News Editor (VWvortex, Fouritude and Swedespeed)

"The Type 14A was an early attempt at turning the Beetle into a sports car. Volkswagen tasked coachbuilder, Hebmüller, with building a 2+2 convertible and the result was this beauty.

Sadly, shortly after production began in 1949, a fire broke out in Hebmüller's paint department and the cost of rebuilding was too much for the uninsured coachbuilder. Karmann finished the last of the Type 14As in 1953, but now it's estimated that only about 100 of these premium Volkswagens are left.

Ultimately, the Hebmuller kind of doesn't make sense. You can still feel the tension between the idea of a premium car and the reality of post-war Germany. My favorite line from the ad is: "Luxuriously fitted with roof insulation." Well, la-dee-da."

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Genesis Cars Can Now be Controlled with Amazon Alexa Voice Commands

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Genesis has inked a new deal with Amazon that will allow users to control some aspects of their vehicle remotely.

Available on the Genesis G80 and G90, the new Amazon Alexa skill will allow these cars to be setup and controlled using voice commands. To use the system, owners must have a compatible iOS, Android or Fire device, which will receive and send spoken commands from anywhere to the vehicle.

For example, a customer can say "Alexa, tell Genesis to start my car at 70 degrees," to make sure their car is started and at the right temperature inside. Using the system, owners can also unlock their cars, stop and start the engine, flash the lights, sound the horn and more.

"The Amazon Alexa skill for Genesis demonstrates our progressive commitment to technology that is intuitive and customer-focused. It aligns with our belief that time and convenience are the ultimate luxuries," said Erwin Raphael, general manager of Genesis in the U.S. market. "From remotely locking your car from your living room, to starting your G90 and setting the temperature from your bedroom, the Alexa skill for Genesis offers a new level of ease for owners."

Owners must have Genesis Connected Services, which comes complimentary for three years, and an Alexa-enabled device to use the system. Before any voice commands are obeyed, Alexa will ask the user for a personal identification number.

Discuss this story at our Genesis Forum

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Ford Launches Virtual Reality App to Get you Closer to the Action

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Ford is getting into the world of virtual reality with a new app.

The American automaker is launching the app for iOS and Android users in the U.S., with the first feature bringing the viewer behind the scenes of the Ford GT's return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The VR app is available to anyone with a device that supports it, though it is better enjoyed using a virtual reality headset which immerses the viewer into the world presented inside.

The app was designed by Tool of North America, an established virtual reality content producer.

Next up will be a feature showing Hoonigan Racing's Ken Block and his Focus RS RX race car. Users will be notified when new content goes live.

Ford says that the technology is also being studied for other applications. "On top of sharing virtual reality stories about our innovative products, we are also looking to bring mobility issues to the forefront," says Lisa Schoder, Ford digital marketing manager. "As we expand our business to be both an auto and a mobility company, we are pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility."

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Bentley Recalls Continental Flying Spur for Sunroofs that can Fly Off

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Bentley is calling back a small group of Flying Spurs over an issue that can cause the sunroof to detach.

The issue was identified by the supplier after the company changed changed its manufacturing process, resulting in glass that was not properly secured to the roof frame, allowing it to become disconnected. If this happens while the vehicle is moving, the glass can fly off and become a hazard on the road.

The affected vehicles were built between April 15, 2007 and October 31, 2008. Bentley dealers will inspect the affected models and apply new adhesive to the sunroof to make sure the connection is strong.

The recall is supposed to begin this month.

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Uber, Volvo Partnership Aims to Put Self-Driving SUVs on US Roads by Year-End

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Volvo has announced a new partnership with Uber that will see the ride sharing service put a fleet of 100 self-driving XC90 SUVs on U.S. roads in the next four months.

Volvo will produce a new "base" vehicle for Uber that will be able to use the latest in autonomous driving technology, up to and including being fully self driving. These base vehicles will be sold to Uber, where they will be outfitted with Uber's own self-developed autonomous systems, though Volvo will also use the same base vehicle to develop the next generation of its self-driving technology. Uber has already announced that it is buying 100 XC90 SUVs from Volvo right off the bat.

According to Uber, the XC90s will be on the road before the end of 2016 in the Pittsburgh area. For now, an attentive driver is expected to be behind the wheel. Both Volvo and Uber have contributed a combined $300 million to the project.

Volvo and Uber call the alliance "the beginning of what both companies view as a longer term industrial partnership."

The XC90 is built on the brand's Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), a key factor in why Uber wanted it. Since the beginning, SPA was developed to incorporate the latest in self-driving technology. Uber will outfit the XC90 with its own self-driving systems, including lidar, radar and a suite of camera, though Volvo engineers will help with the process.

"Over one million people die in car accidents every year. These are tragedies that self-driving technology can help solve, but we can't do this alone," said Travis Kalanick, Uber's chief executive. "That's why our partnership with a great manufacturer like Volvo is so important. Volvo is a leader in vehicle development and best-in-class when it comes to safety. By combining the capabilities of Uber and Volvo we will get to the future faster, together."

Discuss this story at our Volvo Forum

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VW Set to Debut 300-Mile Electric Vehicle Next Month

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Volkswagen is focusing on electrified vehicles as it tries to move past its diesel scandal.

The German automaker will reportedly head to the 2016 Paris Motor Show in late September with a 300-mile electric vehicle in tow. The news comes from Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess, who mentioned it in an interview with German publication Wirtschafts Woche. Volkswagen's new plan is to build two- to three-million electric vehicles a year by 2025, along with unveiling 30 new electric vehicles by then. One of those cars will bow in Paris.

In the interview, Diess said that the new model is capable of traveling between 400 to 600 kilometers on a single charge, although that is likely on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), which is more generous than the EPA's estimations. Still, that should be good for a 300-mile range in the real world, enough to compete with the Tesla Model S and beaty other offerings in today's marketplace including the Nissan Leaf.

The new model will be about the size of a Volkswagen Golf, while offering the cargo space of a Passat, added Diess. The prototype that will make its debut in late September will be close to production, which is currently scheduled for 2018-2019.

[Source: Electrek]

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Car Reviews

Thursday, 18 August 2016