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Motor Authority has released some spy shots taken of the new 2013 Audi R8 coupe which reveal more never before seen details of the supercar.

The new face-lifted R8 both in a coupe and convertible version is expected to be unveiled later this year, most likely at the Paris Auto Show in September. This means it is likely to hit all showrooms at the end of 2012, making it a 2013 model.

With a completely brand new model due out in a couple of years, Audi is keeping the changes to the current R8 at a minimum. Designers have appeared to have made only minor tweaks to the exterior of the car which is expected for the interior as well.

The biggest and most apparent change to the R8 is at the front, which adopts a new bumper and revised headlights. All-LED elements can be seen in the headlight unit, and the overall shape of the lights appear to feature a sharper look similar to what was seen on the 2010 e-tron Spyder concept.



The engine lineup should still consist of a base 4.2-litre V-8 and range-topping 5.2-litre V-10. However, output may be increased slightly to better align with the competition and the 5.2-litre V-10 model seeing as much as 540 horsepower for this facelift.

Rather than increasing output significantly, Audi engineers are believed to be focusing on shedding weight. This may be achieved through the use of thinner glass, carbon fibre and aluminium constructions and lightweight carpeting.

The big news is that with this facelift, Audi may finally do away with its clunky R tronic sequential manual gearbox in the R8, replacing it instead with an S tronic dual clutch arrangement.

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Chrysler has announced that it will offer wireless charging in its new 2013 Dodge Dart.

Provided that mobile phones are fitted with a special case, the charger will work with MP3 players and iPhone, Android and BlackBerry devices.

The official press release explains that ”easy access, a seamlessly integrated power bin, measuring 8.27 inches by 9.5 inches by 3.25 inches, is installed just below the center stack and in front of the center console. The bin has a built-in charging grid that is activated when customers place in their battery-powered device. The unit begins to charge when the vehicle is started.”



The Pentastar claims that the new accessory, developed by Mopar, is the first of its kind although wireless charging has been offered as a third-party solution for some time now. However, this is the first such offering from an official branch of an OEM. Rather than a factory option, the new wireless charging hardware is offered as a dealer-installed accessory. This means that buyers will either have to pay for installation or do it themselves.

Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand said that ”At Mopar, we look for every single opportunity to make our customers’ lives easier. Our industry-first in-vehicle wireless charging system is the perfect solution for those connected customers who are always on the go.”

Chrysler will be introducing the new technology throughout its dealers in the U.S.  - now that is a first.

Watch a video of the wireless charging technology in the video below:


Source: Auto Blog

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The Mercedes Benz G-Class has recently received a few more design tweaks and drivetrain updates to keep it fresh. Pictures of the facelifted vehicle can be seen in the snap shots below.

The tweaks don’t fiddle too much with the G-Class’s original form in order to maintain its original character. LED daytime running lights and new door mirrors feature on all G-classes, and AMG versions are treated to a bespoke grille and front bumper with englarged air intakes. Red brake callipers hiding behind 20-inch wheels pack even more punch into the AMG’s visual arsenal.

As for the interior, the G-Class completes its transition from military-spec transport to a full luxury vehicle.  New colour displays in the centre console and between the freshened dials provide access to the G-Class’s wealth of infotainment features, via the familiar Mercedes Comand system.



The United Kingdom will receive a two-model G-Glass range with both receiving the full interior and exterior makeover. The familiar G350 BlueTec remains, with its 208bhp/398lb ft V6 diesel motor and updated seven-speed automatic transmission that’s good for 25.2 mpg. there is also a 536bhp, 560lb ft G63 AMG, featuring the new 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8.

In addition, the vehicle offers stop/start capability to contribute towards a claimed 20.4mpg.

Source: Car Magazine

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Bugatti has created and released the official promotional video of its new Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse – the world’s fastest production convertible.

According to Bugatti, its latest supercar will jump from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.6 seconds and pass a speed of 124mph (that’s almost 200km) in 7.1 seconds. The vehicle can reach a top speed of 255mph – that’s just 13 mph shy of the world record breaking Veyron Super Sport’s Vmax.

This is not entirely surprising considering that the Vitesse received the same engine tuning as the Veyron Super Sport which means an an 8.0-litre, quad-turbo W-16 engine good for 1,200 horsepower and 1,106 pound-feet of torque. The standard Grand Sport chassis has been reinforced to cope with the additional power, which comes courtesy of larger turbos.



Pricing on the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse starts at a cool .3 million.

Watch the promo video below:


Source: Motor Authority

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Nissan is beginning a series of videos that will chronicle the step-by-step development of the Deltawing, an experimental racecar project.

The video below, is the first in the series and features the car’s preparations before, during and after its 3000 mile trip to the Windshear wind tunnel facility in Charlotte, North Carolina in the U.S.

The Deltawing is scheduled for its European test to begin next week in preparation for its debut at the Le Mans 24 hour race in June. The vehicle will be competing outside race classifications.

It uses a Nissan sourced 1.6-litre DIG-T (Direct Injection Gasoline – Turbocharged) engine that generates 300hp (224 kW / 304 PS) and will feature technology that will eventually find its way into the brand’s street legal cars.

Watch the video below:


Source: World Car Fans, Images: Zer Customs

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The latest version of the Ferrari California that was launched at the Geneva Motor Show has now been filmed taking a spin out on the hills of Maranello in Italy.

This the very place where Ferrari engineers developed and test drove the new vehicle which is an updated version of the California with a more powerful engine and “new ‘Handling Speciale’ suspension package”.

The video provides a good idea of the “sound of the car’s new V-8 engine, which still displaces 4.3 litres but now develops 490 horsepower and 373 pound-feet of torque. That’s a rise of 30 horsepower and 26 pound-feet over the previous model, courtesy of revised exhaust manifolds and ECU tuning”.

In addition the torque curve is now higher across the engine’s rev range.



In terms of speed, the new engine jumps from 0 – 60mph in just 3.8 seconds, 0.2 seconds less than the previous model’s 4.0 seconds.

As mentioned, the new ‘Handling Speciale’ package includes Magnetorheological dampers controlled by an even faster ECU running patented Ferrari software, stiffer springs for more precise body control and faster turn-in with smaller steering wheel angles.

Ferrari has also made sure that the vehicle looks as good as it handles with even more choices of colours to choose from developed by the Ferrari Styling Center with three-layer paint and two-tone finishes.

Watch the 2013 Ferrari California in action in the video below:


Source: Motor Authority 

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Here is the latest evidence that proves that the guys from studio “Vilner” are able to transform everything wheeled into something luxurious and even the rugged Land Rover Defender is no exception with its new facelift. The specialised Bulgarian tuning company has transformed this Land Rover into something special.

The interior of the vehicle has been covered in dark brown and black Nappa and Alcantara leather. The leather features on the doors, the dashboard, the new sport seats, the grips on the headliner and the sun visor. Alacantra even appears on the exterior covering the rear view mirror and the third brake light.

According to Vilner, the direction in which to take the floor, “was an eccentric decision” with wooden floor panels fitted to create a unique feature.



The Vilner Sound System ensures it entertains passengers –  a multimedia system with the power of 600w and the installation of 15-inch LCD screens connected to the DVD-player. In order to ensure maximum sound without disturbing other drivers on the road,  the car’s cab has been fully soundproofed.

View the gallery of the Land Rover Defender below:

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Following the announcement of a limited production run of its Juke-R supercar crossover, Nissan has also released a new video online to promote the new vehicle. The short film entitled “Desert Nemesis”, is of the Nissan Juke-R racing against a Lamborghini Gallardo, Mercedes SLS AMG and Ferrari 458 Italia in the streets of Dubai with Lucas Ordonez behind the wheel.

Available on a built-to-order basis, Nissan is promising that the new Juke-Rs will be even more powerful than the original concept car. The Juke-R concept accelerated from 0-100 kph in 3.7 seconds reaching a top speed of 57kph. However, the new Juke-Rs will feature the upgraded drivetrain and chassis of the model year 2012 GT-R which packs 545 hp (406 kW / 553 PS) and 463 lb-ft (627 Nm) of torque.



Gareth Dunsmore, Marketing Product Manager for the Juke, said that “The Juke-R was originally intended as a one-off concept to marry two of Nissan’s most innovative models. But the reaction we had to the car in Dubai was amazing – people were making offers for the original on the street!”

Nissan has already received three firm orders for the Juke-R supercars to be built, two of which have come from a high-profile member of Dubai society.

About the video, the official press release writes that “In Desert Nemesis, award-winning film director, Rob Kaplan, captured the noise and excitement generated by the muscular Juke-R and a street race against its loudest, most acclaimed adversaries.”

Watch the short film below:


Source: World Car Fans

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Watch one of the latest videos from Chris Harris as he takes the Lotus Exige S for a track test.

“Despite difficulties in deciphering anything tangible within the madness of new racing cars and bizarre road car strategies over the past two years”, says Harris, Lotus makes some of the best sports cars in the world, when it has the time and money to do so. And so Harris decides to put all negative thoughts behind him and visit the home of Lotus at Hethel to test drive the Exige S, arguably one of the best Lotus road cars ever made.

The Exige S is the Exige with a different back end on it, new rear suspension, modified chassis and body and fitted with an Evora S powertrain, the super charged Toyota motor with 350 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

Watch Chris Harris in action in the video below:

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With the upcoming launch of the X1 sub-compact SUV in the U.S., BMW has released a pack of 100 photos of the face lifted vehicle that will be available in multiple models with a long line of options and trim packages.

The official press release states that “The talented Sport Activity Vehicle of the premium sub-compact segment will make its US market debut armed with state-of-the-art powertrain technology, innovative features, selective design modifications and extensive interior refinements.”

The first choice one has to make with the new X1 is between the four cylinder or six cylinder engine. The two-litre, turbocharged four cylinder engine offers 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque and is available exclusively with an eight-speed automatic with rear-drive (X1 sDrive28i) and all-wheel-drive (xDrive28i) also available.



The N55 inline-six cylinder delivers 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque and is available exclusively with a six-speed automatic and all-wheel-drive.

In terms of packages, BMW will be offering two separate lines for the X1, xLine and SportLine, as well as an M Sport package.

The exterior has undergone only minor changes  and includes a new front bumper, slightly remodelled headlights and side mirrors.

The X1 also offers a number of additional features including BMW’s Servotronic steering, iDrive, Xenon headlights and LED taillights, a panoramic sunroof, a rear parking camera, and BMW Apps compatibility.

Available in authorised BMW centres, the BMW X1 will sell for a starting price of ,545 (approximately R306, 891 at the current exchange rate).

View some of the images released by BMW in the gallery below:

Source: Auto Blog, Images: World Car Fans

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