Saturday, 10 September 2016

Poll: Porsche 911 Turbo S or Lamborghini Huracan?

Poll: Porsche 911 Turbo S or Lamborghini Huracan?

Poll: Porsche 911 Turbo S or Lamborghini Huracan?

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Which flavor of speed do YOU prefer, a German thoroughbred or an Italian exotic? Vote in our latest poll to help us choose a favorite! 

The 911 Turbo S and Huracan are two cars that make enthusiasts drool, but for different reasons. Still, no self-respecting car-lover would turn his or her nose up to either one.

Starting with the Lambo, this beast of a machine features aggressive angles and sharp corners, overall it vaguely resembles a doorstop that was attacked with a hatchet … and we LOVE it.

Underneath its lightweight body, this car is built around a hybrid structure, one made of both aluminum and carbon fiber. Also disguised beneath that exotic styling is a 5.2-liter V10 engine that puts out more than 600 horsepower!

Handling shifting duties in the Huracan is a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. All told, this car can reach 62 miles an hour in just 3.2 seconds and exceed 124 in less than 10. How's that for fast?

Well, Porsche has a thing or two to say about speed. The brand's range-topping 911 Turbo S can hit 60 miles an hour in a blistering 2.8 seconds, though in the real-world this car may be even quicker than that.

Power is provided by a rear-mounted horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine. Displacing 3.8-liters, this twin-turbocharged propulsion unit puts out a heroic stable of 580 horses! Standard all-wheel drive ensures this Porsche never inadvertently spins a tire. A PDK (Porsche Doppelkupplung) dual-clutch automatic is, regrettably, the only transmission offered.

When it comes to straight-line speed the Porsche appears to have the edge, but its biggest advantage is in the pricing department. An entry-level 911 Turbo S can be had for around $190,000; the Huracan starts at nearly 240 large, though its styling is far more exotic.

So, there you have it, a brief look at a pair of top-shelf machines, but which do you prefer? Compare them back-to-back right here and don't forget to vote!

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2017 Nissan Sentra SR Turbo Finally Debuts

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The Nissan Sentra has been a mainstay of the compact-car segment for 35 years and seven generations. Unfortunately, today's model is not really one of the class leaders. 

Massively upping the fun factor, Nissan just revealed its new Sentra SR Turbo model here at the Miami Auto Show. This pint-sized bruiser is powered by a pumped-up 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. With a turbocharger, direct fuel injection and variable valve timing onboard, it delivers an impressive 188 horses along with 177 lb-ft of peak torque. Power is up by 50 percent compared to run-of-the-mill Sentras, so yeah, it should be pretty quick.

In typical Nissan fashion, a continuously variable automatic transmission is offered, but proving it understands the performance market, a six-speed manual gearbox will be offered for purists who still prefer rowing their own.

ALSO SEE: 2016 Nissan Sentra Review

Aside from the power boost, engineers enhanced numerous other parts of the car to ensure it's ready to handle that generous stable of horses.

The body structure has been bulked up in the cowl area, its steering system retuned for less effort at low speeds and more feedback on twisting roads, the front springs are 10 percent stiffer and the dampers at all four corners have been retuned, though it remains to be seen how much more fun this chassis will provide since it still features an antiquated torsion beam at the rear.

Improving the SR Turbo's refinement, engineers increased the thickness of its window glass for a quieter interior. They also improved in-cabin storage space by making the center console nearly twice as large.

As for creature comfort, this car features a standard power-sliding moonroof, LED low-beam headlamps and accent lights, plus keyless entry with push-button ignition.

Dressing things up are unique sill extensions, a rear spoiler with an integrated CHMSL – that is, a center high-mounted stop lamp – and unique 17-inch wheels with all-season tires.

So, there you go. That's a quick look at the new Nissan Sentra SR Turbo. It looks like a great update to this otherwise aging small car. I look forward to testing it in the coming months, which is when it should go on sale. Pricing information has not been made available at this time.

Discuss this story on our Nissan Forum

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2017 Nissan Rogue Hybrid Amps-Up Efficiency

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The refreshed 2017 Nissan Rogue made its official debut at the Miami Auto Show, however, this updated crossover is only part of the story the Japanese automaker is trying to tell in Florida.

The company also revealed a brand-new hybrid version of the Rogue, which benefits from many of the same upgrades bestowed upon non-electrified models, but with greatly improved economy.

These scores are not official, but Nissan estimates the hybrid model will sticker at up to 33 miles per gallon city, 35 on the highway and 34 mpg combined. Surprisingly, all-wheel-drive is available, and it does cut into those figures slightly, but you already knew that.

The heart of this vehicle's drivetrain is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Working on its own, this dinosaur-burner is rated at 141 horsepower and 144 lb-ft of torque, pretty tepid figures for a husky crossover. Fortunately, though, it's not working alone.

An extra jolt of juice is provided by a single 30 kW electric motor that brings the Rogue hybrid's net horsepower rating to a claimed 176, half a dozen more than what the regular model offers.

SEE ALSO: Next Nissan GT-R Rumored to be 800-Horsepower Hybrid

Storing and releasing electrons as needed is a compact lithium-ion battery pack. In classic Nissan form, an Xtronic CVT is also part of this drivetrain, as are two separate clutches, one of which is sandwiched between the engine and motor.

Quelling any uncouth vibration, this whole assembly is supported by three mounts including one that's both liquid-filled and electronically controlled. How fancy!

For more about the 2017 Nissan Rogue's styling, comfort and technology enhancements check out our other post here; hybrid versions benefit from essentially the same upgrades. Pricing information has not been shared at this time, but you should be able to buy one of these electrified crossovers before year's end (unless you're in Canada, because the hybrid won't be available there).

Discuss this story on our Nissan Forum

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2017 Nissan Rogue Debuts with Updated Look, More Convenience Features

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The Miami Auto Show starts this weekend and one of the biggest reveals will probably be the updated 2017 Nissan Rogue.

This compact crossover has been refreshed for the new model year and the first thing you'll notice about Rogue is its updated exterior styling. It gains a handsome new front end complete with the brand's signature V-motion grille. Its headlamps have also been revised, as have the bumpers, both front and rear.

2017-Nissan-Rogue-Interior

Speaking of the back, this family truckster can be equipped with a motion-activated liftgate for hands-free operation. Beyond this, the Rogue also offers plenty of other convenience features for 2017.

For starters, Nissan's Safety Shield suite of advanced driver-assistance goodies is on the menu. This includes the usual items like adaptive cruise control, forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring and more. You can also get remote start.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Nissan Rogue vs. 2014 Honda CR-V

Along with the availability of these options, Nissan has also spruced things up inside, making the Rogue's cabin even more pleasant. These changes are far from sweeping, but they are welcome. Giving drivers something meaty to grab hold of, there's a new flat-bottom steering wheel – that can be heated – plus a redesigned shift knob. There are new door and dashboard finishes plus a revised center console design. Additionally, the company is offering a new Platinum Reserve Interior Package for an even more premium look and feel.

2017-Nissan-Rogue-Rear

Behind that V-motion grille, there's not a whole lot going on. The only powerplant offered is a familiar 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It's good for 170 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. It's matched to an Xtronic continuously variable transmission. Front-drive models should sticker at up to 33 miles per gallon highway, but there's much more to this efficiency story, because Nissan is also offering a hybrid model for the first time ever (but it won't be available in Canada).

According to Nissan, the Rogue is expected to become its best-selling model in 2017, and with all the enhancements it's received, there's little reason to doubt that. Expect this vehicle to reach dealerships later in the year. Pricing information is not available at this time.

Discuss this story on our Nissan Forum

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Autopilot Not to Blame in Fatal Accident Involving Model S, Tesla Says

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A fatal accident involving a Tesla Model S did not have the Autopilot feature activated at the time of the incident.

The tragic accident occurred in the Netherlands earlier this week, with the Model S colliding into a tree and parts of the battery pack catching on fire. The American automaker has released a statement concerning the accident, saying that it "can confirm from the car's logs that Autopilot was not engaged at any time during the drive cycle and that, consistent with the damage that was observed after the vehicle struck the tree, the vehicle was being driven at more than 155 kph (96 mph)," Electrek reports.

SEE ALSO: Tesla to Add New Safety Features to Autopilot

Following the accident, Tesla dispatched technicians to the scene of the crash because firefighters requested assistance. Ronald Boer, spokesman for the firefighters, said: "If the car was on four wheels, the fire brigade normally has no difficulty to turn off the batteries. However, this car is completely destroyed, hampering the recovery. In this situation, you never know what can happen."

[Source: Electrek]

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Volvo’s Self-Driving Car Project has Begun Using Real People on Public Roads

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Self-driving Volvo XC90 SUVs are heading to public roads in Gothenburg.

The company has officially kicked off its Drive Me project, what it calls the "world's most ambitious and advanced public autonomous driving experiment." The first autonomous Volvo XC90 was finalized at the Swedish automaker's plant in Torslanda, and is the first in a series of self-driving cars that will eventually be used by real families in Gothenburg and driven on public roads.

Building on the current semi-autonomous technologies it already uses in production vehicles, the Volvo XC90 adds hands-off and feet-off capability in special autonomous drive zones around Gothenburg, powered by what Volvo calls the Autonomous Driving Brain.

SEE ALSO: Volvo's Self-Driving Cars Coming to the US, No Timeline Confirmed

Volvo is focused on collecting feedback and inputs from real customers using the autonomous cars in their everyday lives, and hopes that this customer-focused approach will further fine tune its autonomous driving technologies. It hopes to have it available to production vehicles around 2021.

The Drive Me customer cars will undergo a rigorous testing phase to ensure each car's autonomous driving technology functions as it should. The launch in Gothenburg is the first in a number of planned public trials, with a similar project heading to London next year. Volvo is currently assessing bids from interested cities in China to launch a Drive Me project there within the next few years.

"This is an important milestone for the Drive Me project," said Erik Coelingh, senior technical leader active safety at Volvo Cars, as he observed the final touches being put to the car. "Customers look at their cars differently than us engineers, so we are looking forward to learn how they use these cars in their daily lives and what feedback they will give us."

Discuss this story on our Volvo Forum

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