McLaren-Alpine 2018 Livery Study Really Has Us Wondering Pretty Interesting

After three extremely difficult seasons, McLaren and Honda have finally parted ways, with the former signing a partnership with Renault, which will come into effect next season.

According to reports, Renault will supply McLaren with the same engines it provides for its own factory team, as well as currently, Red Bull Racing, while Toro Rosso will make the switch to Honda.

But what does this mean for McLaren in terms of branding and liveries? Are they going to stick with their new orange theme? Revert to black? Mix Renault colors with their own? One designer might have a solution.

These renders were drawn up by Sean Bull Design, and represent a McLaren-Alpine race car, where on one hand you've got McLaren colors in the orange and black, but also a lot of blue, which is associated with Renault.

Naming the team McLaren-Alpine instead of McLaren-Renault is pretty interesting, although whether the British outfit will agree to make Renault such a huge part of their brand identity (like they did with Mercedes), remains to be seen.

Whichever way they decide to go, we can at least hope that their struggles in keeping up with the rest of the field might come to an end, since an all-round decent power unit should turn the focus back on aerodynamics - which is something McLaren has excelled at.

PHOTO GALLERY

Thanks for your visit on our site...!

Gorgeous EXP12 Speed 6e Heading To Production As Bentley’s First EV In 2019

Bentley

Bentley‘s first all-electric vehicle will be based on the beautiful EXP12 Speed 6e EV concept shown in Geneva this year. 

The electric two-seater roadster could go into production as early as 2019, after Bentley ditched its plans for a smaller than the Bentayga SUV. 

Bentley’s CEO Wolfgang Durheimer said to Autocar about the company’s decision: “What I can say is that a small SUV is no longer on the scheme. We’re favouring a car with full electric powertrain.”

Bentley’s first electric model will most probably share Porsche’s dedicated EV platform of the Mission E model. The company targets a driving range up to 300 miles, along with all-wheel drive, courtesy of dual electric motors. 

Bentley has also confirmed that they’re going to launch three plug-in hybrids in the near future: the already confirmed Bentayga V6 PHEV which is expected to hit the market first, followed by the Continental GT and Flying Spur. 

PHOTO GALLERY

Thanks for your visit on our site...!

Producing Just 209 Units - Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta Sells For $9.98 Million

Ferrari Laferrari

The final Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta has sold for a staggering 8.3 million euros ($9.98 million) at auction.

Ferrari initially intended on producing just 209 units of the droptop LaFerrari, nine of which would remain within the company for promotional use. However, it decided to build a 210th example to raise funds to benefit the Save the Children charity.

Compared to all other LaFerrari Apertas, this example is adorned in Rosso Corsa paint accented by white stripes on the hood and engine cover. Inside, it is covered in beautiful black Alcantara upholstery, gloss carbon fiber and red stitching.

Prior to the auction, RM Sotheby’s estimated the car would sell for between 3 and 4 million euros but that was obviously conservative from the get-go, especially considering the final LaFerrari coupe sold for $7 million late last year.

PHOTO GALLERY

Thanks for your visit on our site...!

New BMW X7 iPerformance Concept With Feature a Fuel-Cell Powertrain

BMW X7

BMW promised to unveil something pretty big at the Frankfurt Motor Show and they weren't kidding as the company will introduce the new X7 iPerformance concept.

Designed to preview the upcoming production model, the pictures provided by Wheelsage show the concept is a massive crossover with an enormous grille that is gaudy enough to make an Escalade blush. The bold styling is visible elsewhere as the concept has vertical styling elements in the front air intakes and an impressive amount of metallic trim.

Moving further back, we can see flush-mounted door handles and an electric charging port on the front fender. Designers also installed massive alloy wheels and a panoramic glass roof. Rounding out the styling features are a ventilated rear bumper and slender taillights.

The cabin takes a different approach as it appears much more luxurious and subtle than the exterior. Details will be announced on September 8th but we can see the concept has two-tone leather seats, wood trim, and bright accents. Technology will also pay a major role as drivers will be surrounded by a digital instrument cluster, an iDrive infotainment system, and a futuristic steering wheel.

While rumors initially suggested the concept would feature a fuel-cell powertrain, that doesn't appear to be the case. Instead, the X7 iPerformance will likely use a plug-in hybrid powertrain like the 740e iPerformance which has a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is backed up by an electric motor and a 9.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

The production model is slated to be offered with at least three different engines including a 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder with 335 hp (250 kW) and a 4.4-liter TwinTurbo Turbo V8 developing 445 hp (332 kW). There could also be a diesel-powered X7 xDrive 40d but a U.S. launch remains uncertain at this point.

PHOTO  GALLERY

Thanks for your visit on our site...!

2017 September - New Ford Ranger

Ford Ranger

Ford is celebrating the success of the Ranger, which is Europe's top selling pickup truck in July, with 23,100 units sold, by launching a new Black Edition. 

Pricing has yet to be announced, but the automaker says that it's based on the Limited series, and it's coming in just 2,500 units, all of them in a Double Cab body style. 

The Ford Ranger Black Edition sets itself apart by featuring a de-chromed body, finished in Absolute Black, and by carrying a dark finish for the grille, sports bar, alloy wheels, and other exterior detailing. 

Standard equipment specification includes the Ford SYNC 3 infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen display, reversing camera, satellite navigation, dual-zone climate control, leather seat trim, power-foiling heated side mirrors, and front parking sensors. 

"Ranger customers appreciate the vehicle's tough, go-anywhere capability, and its rugged good looks, and we expect this attractive new limited series to be snapped up within weeks", said Ford of Europe's General Manager for Commercial Vehicles, Hans Schep. 

Ford will have the new Ranger Black Edition on display at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, from September 12. 

PHOTO GALLERY

Thanks for your visit on our site...!

2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Arrives With New Standard Equipment and Several New Options

2018 Alfa Romeo

The Alfa Romeo Giulia got off to a bit of a rocky start but the company is hoping for greater success this year.

As part of this initiative, Alfa Romeo has introduced the 2018 Giulia which comes with new standard equipment and several new options.

Starting with the equipment, the Giulia and Giulia Sport gain chrome speaker surrounds on the doors to add a splash of style to the cabin. The Giulia Ti goes in a slightly different direction as the model now has 18-inch polished aluminum wheels with a double Y-spoke design. Lastly, the range-topping Giulia Quadrifoglio gains a host of new standard features including a Harmon Kardon premium audio system and a forward collision warning plus system.

On the options front, all models can be equipped with a cargo convenience package as well as an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The Giulia and Giulia Sport also offer a Harmon Kardon audio system, an infotainment system with an 8.8-inch display, and a new driver assistance package. Customers can also order a new two-tone leather interior with dark gray accent stitching.

The Ti Sport, on the other hand, offers two new 19-inch aluminum wheel options as well as a Ti Sport Performance Package. The latter item adds an active suspension as well as a limited-slip differential.

Rounding out the changes is a light walnut wood trim option on the Giulia Ti Lusso and a Driver Assistance Dynamic Package on the Quadrifoglio. The package includes automatic high-beam headlights, adaptive cruise control plus with full-stop, and a lane departure warning system.

PHOTO GALLERY

Thanks for your visit on our site...!

Honda Has Only Sold Two NSXs Since Last Year's Launch In Australia

Honda Acura NSX

  The Acura / Honda NSX is truly an impressive machine but there's no hiding the fact that demand has tapered off since the supercar was launched.

While Honda recently announced plans to increase its allocations to the United Kingdom due to overwhelming demand, it seems the country is an outlier especially compared to Australia.

CarAdvice reports Honda confirmed they have only sold two NSXs in the country since the model was launched last year. To put that number into perspective, Audi has sold 21 R8 V10 plus models this year alone. The numbers don't look any better when you compare NSX sales to other vehicles such as the Mercedes-AMG GT or Nissan GT-R Nismo as the automakers have sold 72 and 21 units, respectively.

Despite the slow sales, Honda doesn't seem concerned as public relations manager Neil McDonald said the NSX is halo vehicle and it "wasn’t positioned, nor was it expected, to chase outright volume sales." McDonald went on to say "[The] NSX has allowed Honda to raise the profile of the brand here through its hybrid technology, performance, exclusivity, and ultimately the type of driving experience that evokes memories of the original NSX, but through a 21st century execution.” 

As a result, Honda is happy with the response and notes three new orders are in the works. When that occurs, Honda will have more than doubled sales of the NSX in Australia.

PHOTO GALLERY

Thanks for your visit on our site...!

Kia To Cough Up $373 Million In Unpaid Wages Started in 2011

KIA

Kia has been ordered to pay roughly 420 billion won ($373 million) in unpaid wages following a long-running pay dispute with workers.

The pay dispute first started in 2011 when workers alleged that the South Korean automaker had underpaid them by 659 billion won, a figure that now equates to over 1 trillion won ($888 million) with interest.

In the claim, workers asserted that regular bonuses should be included as part of a base pay that determines compensation for unused annual leave, overtime, severance pay and all other payments. The workers asked the judge at Seoul Central District Court for 1 trillion won.

During court proceedings, Reuters reports that Kia claimed it would be “inappropriate” for the country’s economy if it were ordered to cough up unpaid wages. The judge disagreed.

Kia has suggested that it may appeal the decision.

PHOTO GALLERY

Thanks for your visit on our site...!

Waw, Amazing! Ford And Domino's Working On Autonomous Tech For Pizza Delivery

Amazing Ford

Ford, together with pizza giant Domino's Pizza are teaming up to better understand what role self-driving vehicles might have in pizza delivery.

During tests, both companies will investigate customer reactions to interacting with an autonomous vehicle during the food delivery process.

"As delivery experts, we've been watching the development of self-driving vehicles with great interest as we believe transportation is undergoing fundamental, dramatic change," stated Domino's president and CEO, Patrick Doyle.

"We pride ourselves on being technology leaders and are excited to help lead research into how self-driving vehicles may play a role in the future of pizza delivery. This is the first step in an ongoing process of testing that we plan to undertake with Ford."

Ford is currently on track with their plan to begin building self-driving cars in the year 2021.

"As we increase our understanding of the business opportunity for self-driving vehicles to support the movement of people and goods, we're pleased to have Domino's join us in this important part of the development process," said Ford VP of autonomous and electric vehicles, Sherif Marakby. "As a company focused on the customer experience, Domino's shares our vision for a future enabled by smart vehicles in a smart environment that enhance people's lives."

Over the next several weeks, random Domino's customers in Ann Arbor will get the change to receive their delivery order from a Ford Fusion Hybrid Autonomous Research Vehicle. There will however be a Ford safety engineer behind the wheel, and other researchers riding on-board.

Customers wanting to participate in these trial runs will be able to track their order through GPS using an upgraded version of Domino's Tracker. Once the car arrives, the customer receives a text message with a unique code needed to unlock the Heatwave Compartment inside the car.

Domino's is also looking to find out how customers will react to having to go outside in order to get their food. The pizza giant will also gauge people's reactions to having the car pull up in their driveway or next to the curb.

PHOTO GALLERY

Thanks for your visit on our site...!