Saturday 31 December 2011

Spied: 2013 Fiat Panda 4x4

Fiat has begun testing the third-generation Panda 4x4 in Italy, ahead of its launch in Summer 2012.

Although this early prototype features an increased ride-height over the regular Panda, the finished article will boast chunkier bumpers, side mouldings, tyres, and skid plates.

Spied: 2013 Fiat Ellezero

Fiat is working on two new MPVs to indirectly replace the unloved Idea sub-compact MPV and directly replace the Multipla compact MPV. These pre-production prototypes, spied undergoing cold-weather testing in Serbia, appear to be longer than the Idea but still remain very compact.

The newcomer, codenamed 'L0', will underpin the new Panda III but will be sold as a derivative of the 500. Judging by the leaked photos, the car gets a 500-inspired nose, large headlights flanked by lower daytime running lights, and a simple, single-bar chrome upper grille. Chunky wheelarches, small overhangs, and a curvy rear adds style and substance that the Idea never quite had.

Spied: 2012 Peugeot 107 II facelift

Updated:05/01/12 with official photos.

With Citroën developing a new C1 city-car for 2013, one would expect that Peugeot would also follow suit, alongside Toyota. But it seems that the French brand has other ideas as it plans to launch a second facelift for 107 in 2012.

Caught during a photoshoot in an undisclosed location, the 107 facelift will adopt Peugeot's new design direction, with restyled headlights, a taller, wider 'floating grille', and reshaped fog lamps.

Video: The banned Mercedes E-Class commercial

We thought we would end the year on a high, with a banned Mercedes E-Class wagon commercial. The footage shows an attractive blonde woman walking into a library and asking for a burger, French fries, and milkshake.

Although the advertisement is old, it is still as funny as ever!

Honda Civic owners take Honda to small claims court (U.S)

When new car shoppers find out that their cars are unable to achieve official fuel economy figures, motorists are often left frustrated, however, very few do anything about it.

Call in Californian resident Heather Peters, dissatisfied owner of a 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid sedan, who says her car achieves around 20mpg U.S less than the official figure.

Available for rent: Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 for $5,500 a day!

Although there is an 18-month waiting list for the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4, a Los Angeles-based car hire company can get you behind the wheel of the Aventador LP 700-4 by tomorrow, for a small price.

You see, Black & White Car Rental has taken delivery of a white Aventador with matte black alloy wheels and is offering the vehicle for public rental. Their rates are, to some, quite reasonable considering the cost of an Aventador, starting at $5,500 (£3,500/€4,250) a day.

Friday 30 December 2011

Scrappy: Honda scraps over 1,000 flood-damaged cars

Like most people around the globe, Honda wants a fresh start to 2012, and will scrap over 1,000 Thai-built, flood-damaged cars, most of them being the new Brio city-car.

It is to ensure that no flood-damaged cars are sold to the public or refurbished, as later down the line, it may severely damage Honda's reputation.

Video: Woman tears off fuel pump

Forgetfulness is a weakness that a human can easily overcome, like forgetting to check your mirrors when moving off, but leaving a fuel pump still attached to your car is something else, especially when the outcome could be deadly.

Although, one can't be sure if the female driver of the BMW 5-Series is to blame as a couple of fuel station employees are loitering around the car, perhaps to fill it up. Either way, she should count her blessings as damage was restricted to her car and the fuel pump.

Thursday 29 December 2011

Video: Development of the 2012 Porsche 911 (991)

If you have ever wondered how car engineers conduct tests on prototypes, look no further.

German car marque, Porsche, has released this 10 minute long footage of the new 911 (codenamed 991) undergoing rigorous testing in South Africa and the Arctic Circle, to ensure every component is reliable and to avoid costly mistakes.

Video: Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano toasts on Dubai motorway

When one sees a Ferrari, of any sort, burning, it would cause some kerfuffle, but not in Dubai – the land of all thing extravagant. So when this brand-new 599 GTB Fiorano was slowing cooking on the side of a motorway, driver's barely battered an eyelid.

We don't know how the vehicle caught fire or if anyone was injured, but we hope that if the driver was inside the vehicle, others would assist.

Video: Stuck in the...sand

The first-generation BMW X3 is hardly known for its off-road abilities, as these videos after the break will show.

The male owner of the modified X3 (alloy wheels pinched from the first-generation X5) was reversing on a beach in Poland, ready to pick-up his jet ski on a trailer. Things didn't quite go to plan, causing his car to beach on the sand, quite literally. After his friends had a good laugh, he was winched out of the sea.

Tuesday 27 December 2011

Video: Close call; Truck loses control on narrow, icy road

This is one of those cases when something gets too close for comfort.

It involves two dangerous drivers, a lorry and a passenger car, wanting to overtake on a narrow, icy road in Russia. See how it goes down after the break.

Video: Flying in the sky; Renault crash lands into oncoming traffic

A driver in Russia caused a numerous-vehicle accident when his car slid off a parallel road near Lenin Avenue in Moscow.

Local media report that the 24-year-old male driver lost control of his Renault due to adverse weather conditions and crashed into an oncoming Ford car, hurling the French car off an elevated ramp. Around six vehicles were involved, with the driver of the Renault suffering from minor injuries.

Video: Cheeky; See what happends when sit on the bootlid of a car about to leave

It seems that some people have very little in the way of common sense, like this woman in the clip.

Chilling out on the bootlid of a Lada sedan in Russia with her friends, the lady is in for a shock when the driver speeds off, causing the woman to slide off the vehicle. Perhaps she will think twice before sitting on a car that is about to move off.

Thursday 22 December 2011

Video: Range Rover Evoque catches fire in UAE

A brand new black Range Rover Evoque caught on fire by the side of a motorway in Dubai recently.

Although there are no details surrounding the accident, fire and smoke is surging from the engine bay of the petrol-engined Abu-Dhabi registered model.

Wednesday 21 December 2011

Motorists want EVs to sound like conventionally powered vehicles

A study conducted by audio company, Harman Kardon, suggests that a majority of British drivers want electric cars to sound like conventionally-powered vehicles.

Answered by 2,000 participants, 57% believe the car's 'noise' should be coupled to acceleration and braking, with a conventional petrol or diesel soundtrack preferred.

Tuesday 20 December 2011

Spied: 2013 Porsche Boxster and Panamera facelift

Spies have caught both the 2012 Boxster and 2013 Panamera facelift, undergoing road-testing in Germany.

The Boxster is a pre-production prototype, wearing fake lights and light camouflage on the doors. But despite the disguise, one can see the new Boxster will resemble the new-shape 911. Additionally, ride height has decreased to allow for a sportier ride.

Friday 16 December 2011

Leaked: 2013 Kia Cerato/Forte

A supposedly leaked design sketch of the second-generation Kia Cerato/Forte sedan has been making its rounds on the Internet.

The rendering shows the next Cerato/Forte sedan to have lines and design characters inspired by both the smaller Rio and the larger Optima models.

Spied: 2013 Nissan Pathfinder

Spies have captured the first shots of the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder undergoing testing in Michigan.

Unlike the current rugged, body-on-frame model, the fourth-generation Pathfinder will sit on a unibody, front-wheel-drive chassis (shared with the new Infiniti JX35) and will essentially become a larger Murano, albeit with seven-seats. Expect easier entry to the third-row and fully-independent suspension.

Teaser: 2013 Buick Encore

Buick has released the first teaser image of its upcoming compact premium SUV, ahead of its launch at the Detroit auto show in 2012.

Slotting underneath the larger Enclave, the Encore is a five-seater that has a sculpted bonnet, xenon headlights, and a waterfall grille.

Thursday 15 December 2011

Video: Man blows up SUV while sitting inside (CA)

A Canadian man is lucky to be alive after his yellow Toyota FJ Cruiser blew up while he was sitting inside.

The man was apparently carrying a tank of acetylene in the luggage bay. The vehicle had been bumped, causing the liquid to leak. The next morning, upon smelling the acetylene, the owner decided to drive the SUV out of the garage to avoid any disasters.

Video: Behind the scenes of the Aston Martin Cygnet production line

Aston Martin has released two new videos of the new Cygnet premium city-car.

The first video shows production of the hand-built Cygnet at Aston Martin's global HQ in Britain. In the video, you will see the attention to detail that goes into producing the vehicle, taking 150 man hours to build each car.

Wednesday 14 December 2011

Teased: 2013 Ford Mondeo/Fusion

Ford has released a new application that teases the 2013 Mondeo/Fusion.

Offered exclusively on iOS and Android systems, the game demands the users drive a “digitally camouflaged Fusion on a track toward video clips that feature insights on technology and design from key Fusion team members.”

Spied: 2013 Nissan Altima

Nissan's 2013 Altima sedan has been spied undergoing final shakedown testing Michigan.

Judging by this prototype, Nissan is looking to bring a greater design link to its latest generation models. With that in mind, the radiator grille has been borrowed from the new Versa, along with substanailly noticeable character lines.

Friday 9 December 2011

Video: Fail; Mercedes fender-bender tries to outrun Nissan GT-R

The driver of this white Mercedes CLS fender-bender in Japan got his comeuppance when the vehicle he scrapped when changing lanes, a Nissan GT-R, caught up with him/her after they tried fleeing.

Before catching up with the Mercedes driver and blocking their path, the owner of the GT-R paused for a few seconds, giving the CLS driver as sense of victory. Check it out after the jump.

Spied: 2013 Seat Ibiza facelift

Updated: 13/01/12 with official photos.

Eagle-eyed passers-by have caught the new Ibiza facelift on a photoshoot in Los Angeles, CA.

Although Volkswagen has no intention of introducing the Seat brand to the U.S, it sells cars in Mexico and other parts of South America. Judging by these spy pictures, the facelifted Ibiza will have a maturer fascia, with a flatter rectangular-shaped grille, redesigned lower air intakes, and fog lamps.

Thursday 8 December 2011

Say what: Thiefs confused by manual transmission

Could having a manual-transmissioned car be a form of a security device, especially in automatic-loving countries like the U.S, China, Canada, and Japan? Two bandits in the U.S were thwarted by the presence of a manual gearbox when they tried to hijack a 2007 Nissan.

Prior to the incident, a 45 year old man dropped of his truck and was picked up by his 24 year old girlfriend. Suddenly, two men appeared on either side of the car, waving a firearm and ordering the couple out of the car, demanding money and a cell-phone; the victims could only offer the latter.

Leaked: 2013 Ford EcoSport

While Ford is busy testing the new EcoSport around the world, the firm accidentally leaked official images onto its Ford India site, where a few got some screenshots.

Aimed at emerging markets, like India, Brazil, China, Russia, and Turkey, the B-SUV will be powered by a range of naturally-aspirated and turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, all mated to either a manual, automatic, or dual-clutch (PowerShift) transmission, powering either the front wheels or all four wheels.

New car sales dip for November (UK)

British new car sales have dropped 4.2% year-on-year, but the drop in sales are not as bad as first feared.

In November, 134,027 passenger cars were registered, with the yearly total standing at 1,822,065 units, which is expected to exceed the current anticipation of 1,923,000 units.

Wednesday 7 December 2011

Teaser: 2013 Dodge Dart

Updated: 13/12/2011

Chrysler LLC has released the first teaser photos of the new Dodge Dart compact, ahead of its world debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show.

The Dart, a nameplate resurrected from the 1960s, is the first Chrysler Group model to be based on a Fiat platform, using a tweak Alfa Romeo Giulietta architecture named Compact U.S. Wide (CUSW).

Tuesday 6 December 2011

Spied: 2013 Mercedes City Van

Using a telephoto lens, spies have caught the first images of Mercedes' new compact commercial van, dubbed City Van.

The prototype is wrapped in the same disguise Mercedes use on their commercial vans, industrial trucks, and buses, and sports a set of German registered number plates. To cut development costs, the City Van will boast a slightly revised interior and fascias.

Video: Woman speeds out of Ferrari outlet and flips car

A woman driving a bright yellow Chevrolet Corvette C6 convertible was involved in a peculiar accident in Norwood, Massachusetts.

According to a eyewitness, the unnamed woman, who “races cars for a living”, stopped at a Chevrolet outlet looking for a more powerful car. Disappointed with the forecourt, she drove to a nearby Ferrari dealership for a test drive.

Monday 5 December 2011

Say what: Bentley dealership fails to regard BIN price (U.S)

Most of the time when we see a product or service we like that offers more benefits than usual, it's often too good to be true, as is this case of a customer in Washington when he saw a 2008 Bentley Continental GTC with a BIN (Buy It Now) price of $13,900 on eBay. The customer being a man called Andre Souang, an avid eBay user.

Long story short, Souang accepted the BIN price and was soon contact by the dealership selling the car, Bentley Scottsdale.

Video: Supercar accident claims 13 exotic cars

Hardcore car enthusiasts, look away now! For reading the rest of the article and watching the video will leave you feeling incredibly numb for many days to come. OK, maybe I'm going a little over the top, but this accident wasn't so OTT.

You see, a group of foreign exotics car owners had their pride and joy severely damaged in Kyushu, Japan, from Hiroshima. It was believed that a driver of a Ferrari lost control on the expressway, taking out 13 other supercars and a Toyota Prius, whilst overtaking at speed.

Sunday 4 December 2011

Spied: 2013 BMW X1 facelift

Following its launch in late 2009, BMW is currently testing the facelifted X1 compact SUV.

The white pre-production prototype sports restyled headlights and redesigned front and rear bumpers. A closer look indicates new door mirrors and redesigned alloy wheels. Later on, we'll see reworked rear LED lights and subtle alterations to the cabin.

Friday 2 December 2011

Leaked: 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser facelift

The first images of the 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser facelift have been circulating around the web.

Taken from a Japanese brochure, the large SUV will receive restyled front bumper, grille, door mirrors, and bi-xenon headlights with LEDs. For the Japanese market, a bodykit, made up of a front spoiler, revised rear bumper, and side steps, will be offered.

Video: Bentley Flying Spur 'ripping up' sand dunes

Despite Bentley's innovative all-wheel-drive system, it turns out that models equipped with the system aren't good at off-roading, unsurprisingly!

The Saudi Arabian owner of this Flying Spur learnt the hard way when he took his AWD sedan to an SUV convention that was taking place on some sand dunes in the rain. We personally think it's a case of FYL.

Monday 28 November 2011

Super-rich find Bugatti Veyron SS too expensive (CN)

With all the doom-and-gloom surrounding Europe and the U.S with financial issues, where are supercar manufactures suppose to sell their products?

In China, of course! The communist country's billionaire club grew from 189 last year to 271 in 2011, while its millionaire club grew to 960,000. That's why every supercar firm is attending the first ever Asian edition of Monaco's annual Top Marques show that's taking place in Macau, to please Asia's 3.3 million millionaires.

Spied: 2013 Jaguar XF Sportbrake

The first spy photos of the Jaguar XF Sportbrake have emerged.

Spied undergoing testing in Northern Britain, the pre-production prototype is sporting extensive camouflage from the B-pillar back. A slightly sloping roofline and high window line will lend the XF Sportback a sporty, dynamic look. At the rear, LED light clusters will be pinched from the regular XF sedan, although rumours suggest blacked-out D-pillars will feature.

Saturday 26 November 2011

Video: Smashy, smashy; Man randomly vandalises Mazda forecourt

A young, smart dressed man went on a rampage at a Mazda dealership in San Diego, CA, causing around $50,000 in damages.

Police weren't sure why the man, named locally as Edward Roth, vandalised a row of new cars and some offices within the showroom. The dealership claim they have never interacted with Roth, making the rampage even more random.

Friday 25 November 2011

Teaser: 2013 Mercedes SL Roadster

Mercedes has teased the new SL Roadster, ahead of its launch in mid-2012.

Like many new Mercedes' models, the 2013 SL Roadster will be lighter, thanks to an 89% aluminium bodyshell. The lighter bodyshell, along with a host of other lighter materials, will mean the SL saves 140kg (308lbs) over its predecessor.

Nissan awards new car to organiser's friend (AU)

Nissan Australia's Facebook page has been taken over by complaints that a brand-new Micra supermini, worth $20,000AUD, was given way in a competition to the organiser's friend.

Nissan Australia awarded the car to Zac Martin, who is listed on Simon Oboler’s, Nissan customer experience channel co-ordinator, blog as his “BFF” – “best friend forever.”

Teens prefer smartphones over cars

Ten years ago, one would never think that a car would compete with a mobile phone for a teenagers love, but that now seems true.

According to a study conducted in the U.S, teenagers are more interested in smartphones than cars.

Barack Obama tops Craigslist poll as the most-trusted

According to a recent poll from YouGov/Craigslist, Britons would purchase a used car from Barack Obama than Nicholas Sarkozy.
The poll was answered by over 2,000 online correspondents as to what politician they would trust to purchase a used car from. Alongside Sarkozy, Italy's ex-Silvio Berlusconi and Russia Vladimir Putin sat at the bottom of the poll as the least trusted.

Tuesday 22 November 2011

Spied: 2013 SEAT León

Spies have caught the clearest photos yet of the upcoming Seat León compact.

Snapped undergoing warm, chassis-testing on a test track in Southern Spain, the prototypes are sporting a sleeker windscreen, sloping roofline, and a striking the rear end with LED lights. The fascia seems to reflect the current line-up, with striking headlights, narrow grille, and large air intakes.

Video: Ice, ice baby

When the weather turns in parts of Russia, it can be a bitch.

While some motorists have very little problem driving on an ice-covered, snow-topped road, others are slipping and sliding on the streets of Vladivostok. Check out the videos after the jump.

Video: Reunited; Former-owner reunited with Chevy Impala after 30 years

Here's a video guaranteed to put a smile on your face and proves that people are emotionally attached to their cars.

Herb Younger owned a 1965 Chevrolet Impala SS and was forced to sell it in the 80's to pay for his two son's college (university) tuition. Little did Younger know that twenty years later, his sons, Jared and Derek, would spend five years searching for their dad’s old car.

Video: Woman struggles to park Smart ForTwo

Unlike the guys filming the footage, we'll hold on from having a laugh at this poor woman who has trouble parking her first-generation Smart [ForTwo] City-Coupé in a space large enough for two city-cars.

After obsessively trying to get the vehicle within the parking bay, she gives up.

Say what: Mercedes executive arrested under immigration law

A Mercedes executive was imprisoned after failing to produce relevant documents when pulled over by the police.

According to Fox News and The Associated Press, the 46-year-old man was jailed after failing to tag his rental car. Before a companion could provide the passport, visa and German driver’s license that were left in a hotel room, the executive was arrested.

Friday 18 November 2011

Volkswagen may replace dated 2.5 litre five-cylinder petrol unit in (U.S)

According to reports from the U.S, Volkswagen may replace its aged 2.5 litre five-cylinder petrol unit with a turbocharged four-cylinder 1.8 TSI engine that founds in VAG cars like the Škoda Octavia, Audi A5, and Volkswagen Passat in Europe.

Whereas the naturally-aspirated 2.5 litre unit produces 170bhp (172PS/127kW) and 240Nm of torque, the new 1.8 litre TSI will develop 158bhp (160PS/118kW) and 250Nm of torque.

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