Sunday, 2 October 2016

2017 Volkswagen I.D. Concept Video, First Look

2017 Volkswagen I.D. Concept Video, First Look

2017 Volkswagen I.D. Concept Video, First Look

Posted:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Volkswagen is hoping to turn the page from its diesel scandal by focusing on electrification.

The German automaker hopes to sell 25-million electric cars by 2025 and is showing off its initiative with tie I.D. Concept at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. Sporting an entirely new design DNA that Volkswagen plans to use with its electric cars, the I.D. Concept features an electric motor with 167 horsepower that is capable of traveling between 248 to 372 miles.

The inside of the concept boasts what Volkswagen calls Open Space, a fairly bare bones interior that offers plenty of free room for its passengers.

2016 Paris Motor Show Coverage

According to Volkswagen, the production version of the I.D. will arrive by 2020, and a fully self-driving version will be on sale by 2025. In autonomous mode, the steering wheel will tuck back into the dash.

Discuss this story on our Volkswagen Forum

Loading, please wait...

Lexus UX Concept Video, First Look

Posted:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Lexus is looking to take advantage of the booming crossover segment.

Aimed to slot under the existing Lexus NX, the concept feels wild styling and has an even more angular take on the Japanese automaker's current design language. It appears the production model will share a platform with the Toyota C-HR and you can expect an offering of convention gasoline engines and hybrid powertrains when it arrives.

But what made the Lexus UX Concept stand out at the 2016 Paris Motor Show was its futuristic interior featuring a flexible material that is woven around a skeleton, making the seats appear more like hammocks.

2016 Paris Motor Show Coverage

The four-seat crossover is aimed at younger enthusiasts seeking a coupe-like driving experience but with the capabilities of an SUV. Look for more information in the next year when Lexus is expected to release a toned-down version of the concept as a production model.

Discuss this story on our Lexus Forum

Loading, please wait...

A Brief History of the Mazda MX-5 Miata: Exploring Four Generations of Driving Joy

Posted:

With over 1,000,000 Mazda Miatas and MX-5s sold over the years, there's a very good chance you've seen at least one of the four generations of roadsters. These cars have a cult-ish following and for a very good reason.

Over the four generations of Miata, there's one thing you can count on: it's going to be a lot of fun to drive. That all started with the first generation car, called the NA, which was sold from 1989 to 1997. It weighed practically nothing, just around 2,100 lbs. and under the hood was a small four cylinder engine. You can always tell a first generation model apart thanks to its pop-up headlights. Early models came with 1.6-liter four cylinder engines making around 115 horsepower, while later models came with a bigger 1.8-liter engine that made around 130 horsepower.

That doesn't sound like much, but like that's the point of the MX-5, its low power and low weight was paired to a rear wheel drive platform and convertible body style, making it one of the most fun cars on the road.

The process continued in 1998, when the second generation "NB" Miata debuted. Easily identifiable by its fixed headlights compared to the first gen's pop-ups the second generation was also slightly bigger. It also looked a bit sleeker, but still packed that 1.8-liter four cylinder engine that, at its peak, made 146 horsepower. That's good enough for this little roadster to hit highway speeds in under 8 seconds.

One interesting thing to point out about the second generation model is that you could also get a turbocharged version, straight from the factory. These Mazdaspeed models make a whopping 180 horsepower, helping them reach highway speeds in a little over 6 seconds.

In 2005, Mazda tinkered a tiny bit with the formula for the NC or third generation Miata. Now called the MX-5, it grew in proportions, and now featured a 2.0-liter four cylinder engine, that peaked at 167 horsepower.

Mazda also introduced a new model of MX-5, with a power retractable hard-top. This top could open or close in about 12 seconds and helped the MX-5 reach a whole new audience.

The fourth generation vehicle arrived in 2016 and returned to its roots, by offering a smaller, less powerful engine, but also arriving with less weight. Base 2016 models weighed in at around 2,300 lbs, and use a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 155 horsepower. Despite the lower power, this car was still very fast. Around the AutoGuide test track it managed to set a lap time that was three seconds faster than the outgoing model.

For 2017 Mazda is bringing back a hard top model, but this time it has a bit more flair. Called the RF for retractable fastback, this upcoming model is an absolute stunner. You can get your hands on it early next year.

With over 1,000,000 Miata's and MX-5s sold, it's the most popular convertible ever, and based on our experiences on the Millionth Miata Tour, it's clear that the enthusiasm of this car knows no bounds. One thing is for sure, over the years, Mazda hasn't dared stepped away from the winning formula of its roadster, and each generation of the car delivers pure driving enjoyment.

The Millionth Miata Celebration Tour concludes this Saturday and Sunday at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. For full details on tour's last stop, check out our Millionth Miata Celebration Tour Hub. And if you take photos, you can become a part of the conversation by sharing them here and on Instagram using the #MX5Movement hashtag.

Loading, please wait...

Gallery: Millionth Miata Celebration Tour Concludes At Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

Posted:

The Millionth Miata Celebration Tour has come to an end, with the final stop being the awesome Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California.

Taking place during the Miatas at Mazda Raceway event, attendees could not only sign the Millionth Miata, but hit the epic race track as well.

Miata love was everywhere, with over 500 Miatas and owners at the event. All generations were well represented, and there were plenty of unique, customized rides too. Mazda even brought out their pristine-condition 15th production Miata for everyone to see and admire as well.

For full details on tour's last stop, check out our Millionth Miata Celebration Tour Hub. And if you took photos, become a part of the conversation by sharing them here and on Instagram using the #MX5Movement hashtag.

Loading, please wait...

2017 Audi Q5 Video, First Look

Posted:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

The Audi Q5 has been redesigned for the 2017 model year.

Bowing at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, the luxury crossover has grown in size but has also managed to shed as much as 198 pounds from its body. For European customers, the 2017 Audi Q5 will have a wide variety of engines available, with the range-topping diesel option being a 3.0-liter V6 with 286 horsepower. Those opting for standard gasoline gets a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 252 hp.

2016 Paris Motor Show Coverage

Like other vehicles in Audi's lineup, the new Q5 benefits from the optional Audi Virtual Cockpit, which features a 12.3-inch display that replaces the traditional instrument cluster.

Look for the 2017 Audi Q5 to go on sale in Europe early next year and will also head to U.S. showrooms in 2017. Expect pricing to be announced closer to its launch.

Discuss this story on our Audi Forum

Loading, please wait...

2017 Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta and GTC4Lusso T Video, First Look

Posted:

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Over three years after the LaFerrari's premiere at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the Italian automaker has dropped the top in Paris.

The Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta made its debut at the 2016 Paris Motor Show and helps commemorate the company's 70th birthday. It comes standard with a soft top, but buyers can opt for a carbon fiber top at an extra cost. Like the LaFerrari coupe, the Aperta variant has a hybrid powertrain featuring a 6.3-liter V12 engine with 789 horsepower on its own. That powerplant is paired with a 161-hp electric motor for a total system output of 950 hp.

2016 Paris Motor Show Coverage

Along with the LaFerrari Aperta, the company showed off the GTC4Lusso T, sporting a 3.9-liter turbocharged V8 engine with 602 hp and 561 lb-ft of torque.

Discuss this story on our Ferrari Forum

Loading, please wait...
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)