Stick And Move: Porsche reveals all-wheel-drive 911 Carrera 4 lineup

By Jonathon RamseyRSS feed

Posted Aug 27th 2012 3:00AM

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Now that the rear-wheel drive Porsche 911 has clapped its thunder, it's time for the 991-generation all-wheel drive Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S to roll forth in coupe and cabriolet forms. The meat of the transformation is the Porsche Traction Management system, and it's as much as 143 pounds lighter than the previous 997 C4S, despite being about 1.7 inches wider in back with rear tires that are a third of an inch broader. Detail changes include the cross-light connecting the taillamps moving up a bit and going what appears to be all LED illumination.

The new model has also brought less obvious benefits like better gas mileage than its predecessor, even with more power and speed. The 400-horsepower C4S Coupe, the quickest of the bunch, can dash from zero to 62 mph in 4.1 seconds, max out a whisper beyond 185 mph and return almost 26 mpg combined if fitted with the optional seven-speed PDK dual clutch gearbox (the seven-speed manual comes standard).

Ushering in new tech that will become available for the entire 911 range, the C4S receives adaptive cruise control, a sliding glass sunroof and, on manual-equipped cars with the Sport Chrono pack, automatic double-declutching during downshifts in Sport Plus mode.

We'll see them on the Porsche stand at next month's Paris Motor Show and they'll go on sale in Germany later this year, finally arriving in U.S. showrooms next February. Not including $950 for destination, it will take take $91,030 to get in the all-wheel-drive 911 C4 Coupe. The C4 Cabriolet breaks the six-figure barrier at $102,930, trumped by the C4S Coupe at $105,630 and the C4S Cabriolet another high-jump away at $117,530. Have a look below at the press release with more information, get a preview of the lust on the way in our high-res gallery.

2014 Nissan GT-R spied testing at Nürburgring

By Jeffrey N. RossRSS feed

Posted Sep 12th 2012 4:32PM

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Every year since the Nissan GT-R was released it has either gotten more powerful or more expensive (or both), and the 2014 model year looks to be more of the same. Some new spy photos have surfaced showing the 2014 GT-R testing around the Nürburgring. While details on the new Nissan are a bit scarce, we can't help but wonder whether this will be the GT-R to break the 600-horsepower mark and the six-figure price tag.

According to the Godzilla fans at the North American GT-R Owners Club forum, this car is performing tire tests. The site also makes mention of numerous interior upgrades for the GT-R, including a two-tone steering wheel and red leather seats.

Based on the black tape found on this tester's front and rear fascias, we see that Nissan may be planning some mild styling and/or aerodynamic changes for the car as well.

Report: Mitsubishi official says Evo franchise is dead

By Aaron RichardsonRSS feed

Posted Mar 2nd 2011 12:40PM

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2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR – Click above for high-res image gallery

According to Gayu Eusegi, head of global product development for Mitsubishi, the Lancer Evolution X will be the last Evo the Japanese automaker ever builds. Eusegi says the move is part of a shift in strategy to put the company's product focus and ethos on leadership in EV technology.

To that end, Autocar indicates that Mitsubishi will release eight fully-electric or hybrid-electric cars by the time 2015 rolls around, and make a grab for a big portion of the CO2-reduction market share. It goes without saying that the fun-yet-fuel-swilling Evo just doesn't fit that mindset, particularly since it apes a rally car that no longer exists.

Despite the Evo's huge popularity, Mitsubishi apparently isn't scared of the step and says it's confident that consumers will glom on to the idea and rally behind the brand. By killing the Evo, they're making their intentions plain to an increasingly environmentally-conscious car-buying public.

Eusegi killed dead any notion that the brand would roll out a performance-oriented hybrid as well. "Maybe the world can change, and maybe someday we can do a motor race by electric vehicles. Maybe then we can enter the market agian," he said.

This report of the Evo's death would seem to stand in contrast to multiple reports that an Evo XI is in the works with a hybrid drivetrain. We're taking this latest Autocar missive with a few grains of salt, as we can see how Eusegi may have simply meant that an Evo that relies exclusively on internal combustion is dead – a hybrid Evo would seem to offer a nice technological bridge to Mitsubishi's more electrically minded future.Hat tip to Dennis!

Pics Aplenty: 2013 Mini JCW Countryman hits the road

By Steven J. EwingRSS feed

Posted Sep 10th 2012 3:30PM

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If the 2013 Mini John Cooper Works Countryman gets you all hot and bothered, you're in luck. Mini has just released 191 high-resolution images of its largest JCW offering, sporting its signature black paint job complete with contrasting red stripes, mirrors and roof. We're sure it'll be a total hoot to drive.

And why wouldn't it be? After all, this hotted-up Countryman is powered by a boosted version of Mini's 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four good for 218 horsepower and a 207 pound-feet of torque, even capable of pumping out 221 lb-ft during momentary stints of overboost. That grunt runs to all four wheels (Mini's All4 all-wheel-drive system is in action here) via either a standard six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission. Sprinting to 62 miles per hour will take just seven seconds.

There are plenty of upgrades on tap that make this Countryman fitting of the JCW badge, including a sport suspension with MacPherson struts up front and a model-specific central-arm rear axle, upgraded brakes, strengthened anti-roll bars, a 10-millimeter drop in ride height and lightweight 18-inch alloy wheels (19s are optional).

A unique aero kit has been added to ensure that the JCW Countryman looks the part, and inside, the same red-and-black motif has been carried over. Customers will be able to spec optional lounge leather sport seats, and just like the standard Countryman, both the two- and three-passenger rear seating arrangements (read: two chairs or a proper bench) will be offered.

Scroll through the gallery above to see the full smattering of high-res images, and click below for the nitty-gritty details in Mini's press release.

These are the best-selling cars in wealthy zip codes

By Jeff SabatiniRSS feed

Posted Aug 9th 2012 10:45AM

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Perhaps the most frustrating thing about being mired in the 99% is that due to the prevalence of reality-distorting TV and the booming personal security business, we really have no idea what it's like to be Mitt Romney, Donald Trump or one of the Koch brothers. At least in the olden days, we plebs could point and stare, mouths agape as the robber barons rode through city streets in their jewel-encrusted carriages. But today? Good luck catching a glimpse of Trump's platinum-dipped Maybach or the plutonium-burning hovercrafts that the Koch's use to fly to their secret Tea Party Illuminati meetings.

What's that? Rich people buy their cars at dealerships just like we do?

Yep, and according to a new study from TrueCar, Mr. and Mrs. Moneybags don't go in for luxury models nearly as completely as you'd think. TrueCar has released a list of the top 10 most popular cars in the wealthiest zip codes in the U.S. and, shockingly enough, half the vehicles on it are mainstream models fromToyota, Honda and Volkswagen.

As you would expect, a Mercedes-Benz is indeed at the top of the list, but note that it's the E-Class rather than the S-Class. Runner-up was the BMW 3 Series, just ahead of the C-Class. Fourth place went to theLexus RX, and fifth to the Toyota Prius. Then the real commonplace models take over, with the Volkswagen Jetta in sixth, the Honda CR-V and Accord in seventh and eighth, and the Toyota Camry taking ninth. TheBMW X5 wraps up the list in 10th place.

What this tells us is that the rich are clearly not stupid, choosing to buy the same sorts of vehicles that the rest of us do, models with good reputations for quality and value. Either that or they're paying their servants in cars.