Carscoops

Europe’s 2021 Lexus LC Coupe In Blazing Carnelian Is Oh, So Orange

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 14:03:42 GMT

Lexus has introduced a new color for the 2021 LC Coupe in Europe, the Blazing Carnelian.

Joining the 30 different shades featured across the range, which include the Naples Yellow, Sonic Silver and Sonic Titanium, among others, the new Blazing Carnelian exterior color “evokes the agile driving performance of the latest edition of the flagship coupe”, according to Lexus.

“When developing a new color, I see so many shades of paint that sometimes I can’t see straight at the end of the day”, said Lexus color designer, Megumi Suzuki. “Every time I meet someone, or walk into a shop, or go into someone’s house, I check out the colors and materials. There are many people like me in our division.”

Our Review: 2019 Lexus LC500 Limited Edition Is A Master Of All Trades

The multi-layer paint finish, which counts different high saturation base coats and an additional mica base, is offered in combination with an equally striking color for the cockpit: Manhattan Orange. The new tone was inspired by the famous Manhattan Henge, a natural light effect that happens twice a year when the setting sun aligns perfectly with the grid pattern of the streets. Used on the seats, headliner, and door panels, it “creates an exclusive and avant-garde feeling”.

Lexus’ Europe division hasn’t announced any more upgrades for the 2021 LC Coupe, but the U.S.-spec has already been presented a few months ago. Among the changes, it features a revised color palette, new wheels, revised suspension and transmission and the introduction of Android Auto, as it already supported Apple CarPlay.

The LC 500 starts at $92,950 and the LC 500h at $97,510. For the LC 500 Convertible, you are looking at a minimum of $101,000, whereas the LC 500 Convertible Inspiration Series can be had from $119,800.

Head Over To Salon Prive Next Month, See The Stunning Koenigsegg Gemera In The Flesh

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 13:31:15 GMT

Koenigsegg has announced the UK premiere of the Gemera “mega GT” at the Salon Prive, which is scheduled to run between September 23 and 26, unless the coronavirus pandemic throws a spanner in the works.

The organizers of the event at the Blenheim Palace will take all necessary health safety measures, so visitors will have their temperature tested upon arrival and one-way systems across the lawns will be set up.

There will also be multiple food points and bars to remove queuing, as well as self-service drinks on all tables and hand sanitizers, while a medical team and an isolation room will be on site. Should the Government impose a maximum number of guests, then ticket buyers will be refunded, on the last-in, first-out basis.

A true hypercar for the family, with four seats and carry-on luggage space, the Gemera packs a tiny 2.0-litre three-cylinder engine with dual turbochargers that pumps out 600 HP and 442 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque. If that sounds puny for a Koenigsegg, you’re right: total system output increases to a neck-snapping 1,700 HP and 2,581 lb-ft (3,500 Nm) of torque when the three electric motors kick in.

The plug-in hybrid powertrain will let drivers smoke not only some of the fastest machines on four wheels known to man, but also super bikes, as the 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) acceleration is estimated at a mere 1.9 seconds and the top speed at 248 mph (400 km/h).

“The Gemera is a game-changing model for Koenigsegg, and we can’t think of anywhere better than Salon Prive to give the car its UK debut”, said founder and CEO Christian von Koenigsegg. “It’s grown into an essential event for the motoring world’s greatest brands, and we’re excited to show off the Gemera to its discerning guests.”

“More and more premium brands are choosing Salon Prive to launch new models, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome Koenigsegg and the revolutionary Gemera to Blenheim Palace”, added the event’s director, David Bagley. “This year is shaping up to be one of the most spectacular gatherings of hypercars and supercars ever held, and we have no doubt that the unique Gemera will play a central role in that.”

2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible Regatta Edition Is Only For Europe

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 13:01:57 GMT

Lexus has presented a limited edition of the LC 500 Convertible in Europe, which is dubbed the Regatta.

Set to go on sale this fall, it boasts yachting-inspired looks inside and out, thanks to a new special color combo. Finished in Structural Blue, a shade originally developed for the fixed-roof LC, the LC 500 Convertible Regatta Edition has a Marine Blue folding soft top, and that is where the exterior changes end.

Open the door and you will see white as the dominant color, found on the headlining, door cards, lower parts of the dashboard, center console, steering wheel, seats, pillars and so on. The dark blue shade featured on the upper part of the dashboard, seats and door panels provides a nice contrast. Pricing will be announced in due course.

Watch Also: The 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible Is Worth Every Penny – If You Can Afford It

Toyota’s luxury car brand has released a generous photo gallery depicting the new special edition from nearly every angle, but before moving on to it, we will remind you that the Euro-spec model has also gained the Blazing Carnelian exterior paint finish for the 2021 model year, which is offered with the Manhattan Orange interior.

The changes have stopped there for the car on the other side of the ocean, but in the United States, the 2021 LC 500 boasts more upgrades, including revised suspension and transmission. It also gets Android Auto, alongside the already available Apple CarPlay, as well as new colors and wheels, which should make it more appealing to buyers.

Speaking of which, the LC 500 has an MSRP of $92,950, whereas the LC 500 Convertible bumps the price to at least $101,500. The LC 500h and LC 500 Convertible Inspiration Series start at $97,510 and $119,800, respectively.

2021 Buick Envision S And Envision S Avenir Go On Sale In China

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 12:32:12 GMT

Buick has further blurred the line between traditional and premium SUVs by launching the new Envision S and Envision S Avenir in China.

Available in three versions and priced between RMB 219,900 and RMB 259,900 ($31,521 – $37,255), the Envision S sports full LED headlamps and 20-inch five-spoke aluminum wheels. A selection of features have been integrated into the cabin, including premium materials such as leather-wrapped surfaces, fine stitching and soft materials.

It also boasts a big panoramic roof and can be ordered with ambient lighting, while being the company’s first model to get the eCloud tech that supports over-the-air updates and can handle up to 4.5 terabytes per hour. A 10-inch infotainment system, 8-inch digital gauges, voice assistance, smartphone integration, Bose premium audio, and dual-zone air-conditioning are included as well.

The looks can be enhanced with the optional Sport Package, which brings black mesh grille, window frames, roof rack and mirror caps.

Power comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine making 233 HP (237 PS / 174 kW) and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) of torque. In combination with the nine-speed Hydra-Matic transmission, the power plant enables a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) acceleration of 7.5 seconds and an average fuel economy of 32.7 mpg US (7.2 l/100 km). The Envision S is also equipped with MacPherson front suspension and five-link independent rear suspension, and drivers have the Sport, Snow and Comfort modes to choose from.

With a local starting price of RMB 279,900 (equal to $40,122), the Envision S Avenir adds the black mesh grille, 20-inch wheels with pearl nickel finish, clear lenses taillights, Avenir badging and sill plates, plus the exclusive Avenir Mellow color.

Customers will have several shades available for the interior, including Jet Black for the first time. Elsewhere, the model is equipped with the latest-generation continuous damping control, an electric tailgate and wireless phone charging. Drivers have four driving modes at their disposal: Sport, Comfort, Four-Wheel Drive and Off-Road.

Hyundai Accent Hatchback Bites The Dust In Canada Because Of "Crossovervirus”

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 12:04:07 GMT

The Hyundai Accent hatchback will be killed off in Canada after the 2020 model year, the automaker announced.

In a statement, the Korean company said it will no longer offer the Accent as its product portfolio “continues to grow at an unprecedented rate…with even more to come.” The announcement comes as a surprise, as the subcompact hatchback was redesigned in September 2017. It is not common for a carmaker to retire a nameplate only three years after a redesign.

Unlike the United States, where the Accent is only available as a four-door sedan, Canada gets the Accent exclusively as a five-door hatchback, following the sedan’s demise in 2019. In the U.S., however, the Accent hatchback was axed in 2018 as consumers were increasingly flocking to crossovers.

Watch Also: CR Finds 2018 Hyundai Accent Competent, A Good Buy In Lower Trims

Hyundai Canada said the Accent 5 Door has been particularly successful in the province of Québec, where the brand continues to hold its strongest market share in the country. Apparently, that was not enough to keep the model on sale.

A company spokesman told AutoNews Canada that the announcement only applies to Canada as he couldn’t speak for the Accent’s fate in other markets. Dropping the Accent is a big decision for Hyundai Canada, as the nameplate sold 462,494 units in the country through June 2020 since it was first introduced to market in September 1994.

The Accent retained the No. 1 spot in the subcompact car segment in Canada for 10 consecutive years, from 2009 to 2017. However, Hyundai Accent sales fell 54 percent from 2017, the year before the Kona crossover launched, through 2019. At the same time, Hyundai Kona sales rose 78 percent to 25,817 units in 2019.

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Gains More Power And A Black Edition In Japan

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 11:16:25 GMT

The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado has just become more appealing in Japan thanks to several updates.

The first one regards the 2.8-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel engine which gets a healthy power increase courtesy of a larger turbocharger. The peak output has grown from 177 PS (175 HP) to 204 PS (201 HP) in the process. This power gain will definitely come in handy both on and off the road but Japanese buyers are in for even more updates.

The Land Cruiser Prado’s Toyota Safety Sense suite gains improved functions. Those include an expanded detection range of the pre-crash safety system to “see” pedestrians at night and bicyclists during the day, lane departure alert with yaw assist function, road sign assist (RSA), and advanced vehicle start notification function.

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Black Edition can also be had in white

Furthermore, TZ-G and TX “L package” models now feature the a Rear Cross Traffic Alert system as an option. Another new optional extra is the 9-inch Display Audio infotainment system with smartphone connectivity. Additionally, the range-topping TZ-G model gains paddle shifters for the standard 6 Super ECT six-speed automatic transmission.

On top of these content upgrades, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is now available in Japan in a special edition called TX “L Package Black Edition”. Based on the TX model with the “L package”, the Black Edition features a dark exterior and interior finish.

On the outside, the Land Cruiser Prado Black Edition sports a jet black treatment for the grille, headlights and tailgate garnish, while the mirror caps and roof rails are painted black. Also part of the package are a large black fog lamp bezel and black 18-inch alloys. Inside, the special edition model gets a silver-painted ornament panel and black center cluster panel.

Prices in Japan start from 3,621,000 yen ($34,250) for the base model and 4,261,000 yen ($40,300) for the Black Edition.

2022 BMW X3 LCI Spied: Time For The Premium Compact SUV To Be Facelifted

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 09:44:18 GMT

Around three years after production of the third generation started, the BMW X3 is getting ready for its first mid-cycle refresh, or LCI in BMW speak.

A prototype of the premium compact SUV has already been spotted testing in Europe, and despite having the front and rear ends covered up, it’s not hard at all to spot the changes. The bumpers will be redesigned, sporting cleaner looks and a slimmer lower air intake under the new grille that seems to have become a bit bigger.

The taillights on this prototype have different graphics and the headlamps carry over, although this is just an early tester and the production models will get new units.

Watch Also: Sporty Compact SUV Brawl – BMW X3 M40i Vs. Volvo XC60 Polestar Vs. Audi Q5 55 TFSIe

Do not expect any major upgrades in the cabin other than the infotainment system that might get a new software and perhaps a slightly bigger screen, as well as the center console which could get a new gear selector and iDrive controller.

A challenger to the likes of the Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Jaguar F-Pace, Volvo XC60 and Alfa Romeo Stelvio, the facelifted BMW X3 is expected to soldier on with the same gasoline and diesel engines, as well as the plug-in hybrid. Nonetheless, some (or all) of these powertrains could be upgraded to keep carbon dioxide emissions in check. To that end, new electrified mills could join the lineup, which will otherwise be topped by the X3 M and its 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight-six that pumps out 473 HP as standard and 503 HP in Competition spec.

The official unveiling date of the revised X3 is unknown, though it is estimated that it will premiere in the second half of next year, which would make it a 2022MY.

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops

2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S Vs. McLaren 720S Might Not Turn Out As You Expected

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 01:01:25 GMT

For the past couple of years, the McLaren 720S has been the benchmark for supercar performance. However, can it hold onto its crown in a head-to-head sprint down the quarter-mile against the new Porsche 911 Turbo S?

To find out, CarWow hit the track in the two cars. If you were to simply look at the specs, one may think the 720S would smash the Turbo S in a straight line. However, in this case one shouldn’t rush into conclusions.

Powering the 911 is a 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six with 641 hp and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque. By comparison, the McLaren 720S has 710 hp and 568 lb-ft (770 Nm) of torque from its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. It is also roughly 200 kg (440 lbs) lighter than the Porsche.

Watch Also: 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S – The Perfect Sports Car Is Now Even Better

However, the 911 features an all-wheel drive system and Porsche is renowned for making the best launch control systems on the market. In these tests, it was the all-wheel drive and launch control that gave the Turbo S the edge.

In both of the races held, the Porsche launched off the line much quicker than the McLaren, finishing the quarter-mile in 10.1 seconds compared to the 10.4 seconds needed by the McLaren. Tests from other publications show the 720S can complete the quarter-mile in 9.9 seconds, but we suspect that is very hard to repeat time after time due to its rear-wheel drive setup. By comparison, the 911 Turbo S is much more consistent off the line.

The second half of the video is focused on rolling drag races. We won’t spoil the results of these, but you may be surprised at how closely matched the two are.

Gloss Carbon Lamborghini Centenario Roadster Is A $2.7 Million Treat

Sun, 02 Aug 2020 23:49:35 GMT

This 2017 Lamborghini Centenario Roadster that’s currently up for sale in Canada is the closest thing to a Batmobile you can drive on the street.

Lamborghini only ever built 40 examples of the Centenario split evenly between the Coupe and the Roadster versions. Customers had the option to spec out their vehicles in almost any way they wanted, and the original owner of this car was clearly looking to make a Centenario that looks meaner than most.

The entire exterior is clad in gloss carbon fiber and is matched with carbon-spoked wheels. While we’ve seen brightly-colored Centenario models in the past, like this bright blue example, we happen to think the all-carbon finish looks even nicer.

Watch Also: Lamborghini Centenario Is One Heck Of A Way To Celebrate Christmas

Inside, things are extremely bright thanks to red Alcantara across the seats, door panels, dashboard, steering wheel, and center console. Also found within are black leather accents with red contrast stitching, aluminum pedals, and a mixture of gloss and matte carbon fiber, while a look at the odometer reveals the car has just 594 km (369 miles) on the clock.

The Centenario Roadster is powered by a naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 with 759 hp and 507 lb-ft (690 Nm) of torque. Consequently, it can hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in a mere 2.8 seconds and reach a 217 mph (350 km/h) top speed.

This example is up for sale from Grand Touring Automobiles in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada with an asking price of CA$3.7 million (US$2.75 million), excluding taxes and fees.

Pickup Design’s Mercedes-Benz X-Class Is As Sumptuous As It Gets

Sun, 02 Aug 2020 22:40:48 GMT

The Mercedes-Benz X-Class you see might just be the most intriguing looking example we’ve ever seen. It comes from Pickup Design, the truck-focused division of Carlex Design, and has received a multitude of exterior and interior modifications.

The first thing you notice is the two-tone paint scheme. The X-Class’s body has been painted in gloss white, apart from the upper portion of the body which sports a shade of brown. A host of other brown accents are visible across the exterior, including a strip along the doors that denotes the vehicle as the ‘Yachting Edition.’

At the rear, Pickup Design has clad the bed in high-end wood. While the wood would be more prone to damage than the truck’s regular bed liner, we doubt the car’s owner will ever actually load something into the back.

Inside, this X-Class looks unlike any other. For starters, the tuner has applied wooden accents on the dashboard and steering wheel. Next, elements such as the seat bolsters, shift knob, handbrake, center console, and parts of the door panels have been clad in brown leather. Other surfaces, like the upper door trims, upper dashboard, and the steering wheel grips are clad in brown Alcantara.

Rounding out the interior changes are custom seats with black Alcantara center sections and wooden floor mats both up front and in the second row.

These modifications might not be the most practical for a tradesman that could use the X-Class for work, but it is definitely one way to attract attention at the worksite.

At $59,950, Would You Be Tempted By This 20k Mile 2001 BMW M5?

Sun, 02 Aug 2020 21:30:52 GMT

A 2001 BMW M5 painted in a rare shade of Royal Red is currently up for sale in Bellevue, Washington with an asking price of $59,950.

The E39-generation M5 has arguably the most timeless design of any M5 and pristine examples like this one are starting to fetch quite a lot of money. Adding to the desirability of this example is the fact that it has 20,241 miles (32,574 km) on the clock, which are relatively little for a vehicle of this age. It is also said to be one of just eight examples with this paint color and a black interior.

Watch Also: Tiff Needell Samples Every Single BMW M5 In History – But Which One Is Your Favorite?

Responsible for selling this car is Park Place Ltd, who states that it has only ever had one owner from new. It has been fitted with a Dinan carbon fiber cold air intake, Dinan stainless steel exhaust, and a protective front bra. It also includes a selection of optional factory equipment such as Burl walnut wood trim, power rear window sunshade, metallic paint, and lockable fold-down rear seats.

Despite the vehicle’s age, it left the factory with a host of nice luxury items. For example, there are Xenon headlights, daytime running lights, heated wing mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, and heated 16-way power sports seats. The paint looks to have been very well cared for and it is the same story with the interior. In fact, with the exception of some creases in the leather seats, the cabin barely looks a day old.

Powering the E39 M5 is a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 with 394 hp and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S Is Faster On The Track Than The Audi RS5, Ford Mustang Bullitt

Sun, 02 Aug 2020 20:20:43 GMT

Much like its predecessor, the regular versions of the new-gen Mercedes-Benz CLA spark little to no interest to driving enthusiasts, but the Mercedes-AMG models are true adrenaline shots on wheels, especially in the top-spec 45 S guise.

Not only it boasts a whopping amount of power for a 2.0-liter four-pot, namely 415 HP (421 PS / 310 kW) and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque, but the AMG-tuned chassis and all-wheel drive system, combined with the fast-shifting eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, make for a really special package.

Watch Also: Is The 2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S A Dream Car In A Small Package?

SportAuto’s Uwe Sener learned this when he unleashed the CLA 45 S at the Hockenheim-GP circuit. At the end of the timed lap, the sports four-door coupe posted a 1:59.50, which makes it two tenths of a second quicker than the Audi RS5 Sportback and three tenths of a second faster than the Ford Mustang Bullitt and Porsche 718 Cayman. It was also quicker than the Alpine A110 S, Porsche Panamera GTS and first-gen Audi R8 4.2 V8, which completed the course in 2:00.00, 2:00.20 and 2:00.65 respectively.

Sener also posted a 2:00.70 in the Mercedes-AMG A45 S, which is the same car with a different body. According to FastestLaps, the CLA 45 S was just as quick at the German track as the BMW Z4 M40i, and slower than the Renault Megane RS Trophy-R and Toyota Supra Mk5, which did it in 1:59.20 and 1:58.80 respectively.

Nissan Sentra Slams Into A Tesla Model X Waiting At A Red Light

Sun, 02 Aug 2020 19:10:52 GMT

A huge crash involving a white Nissan and a Tesla Model X has been caught on dashcam – and it is really horrifying.

The crash happened in South Abington Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania and the dashcam shows a white Nissan Sentra speeding into view and slamming into the rear-quarter of a Tesla Model X that was waiting at a traffic light.

In the moments before the Nissan hit the Tesla, a rear-facing dashcam appears to show the white sedan skip over a curb and a strip of grass, propelling it into the air before it smashed into the dark blue Tesla.

The impact was so severe that the Sentra flipped over onto its roof before sliding back onto its wheels. Meanwhile, the Model X was pushed into the air and the driver’s side rear quarter was destroyed. The crash also saw one of the falcon-wing doors slowly pop up.

It is claimed that the driver of the Nissan was able to exit their vehicle through the windshield and had a number of cuts to his head, while a female passenger in the Tesla is also said to have suffered some minor injuries. Fortunately, paramedics quickly arrived on the scene.

Driven: 2019 Honda Civic Type R Does What No Other Hot Hatch Can

Sun, 02 Aug 2020 17:48:32 GMT

The Honda Civic Type R is a legend in the world of hot hatches and has been a staple the segment since the late 1990s.

A brief history

Honda first introduced the ‘Type R’ nameplate on the Civic with the EK-generation launched in 1997. It was an instant success, but it was only the start. In 2001 Honda released its next Civic Type R, this time based around as the 7th generation car and dubbed the EP3. Outfitted with a high-revving, 2.0-liter K20 VTEC engine, many consider it to be the finest Type R model the Japanese marque has ever produced.

In 2006 came the FD2 Civic Type R for the Japanese market and the FN2 Civic Type R for international markets. The FN2 was lackluster and failed to live up to the hype of the EP3 and arrived at a time when Honda had seemingly lost its mojo and was becoming soft. Few were sad when production ceased in 2011.

As the hot hatch segment heated up during the mid-2010s, a new Civic Type R was launched: the FK2. It was unique as, for the first time, it came outfitted with a turbocharged 2.0-liter and, even though it was short-lived, it met (and exceeded) most expectations.

A real head-turner

That brings us to the current day and the fifth-generation, FK8 Civic Type R. Yes, the car has been around for three years now and in the U.S., recently received a facelift for 2020. But when Honda Australia offered us the chance to drive a 2019 model for a week, we simply couldn’t say no.

One look at the FK8 model and it is clear that it means business, regardless of whether or not you like the boy-racer styling. Personally, I’m quite a fan of how the car looks, particularly from the front thanks to the wide stance, faux carbon fiber splitter and aggressive headlights.

The rear end is slightly less appealing, as the shape of the Civic hatchback remains a little odd and slapping a massive rear wing on it makes it even more questionable. Nevertheless, if you want a hot hatch that makes a statement on the road, the Type R is it. No VW Golf GTI, Hyundai i30 N, or Renault Megane R.S. can match it for road presence.

Sliding into the driver’s seat and the car’s driver-focused nature becomes obvious. Honda has installed brilliant bucket seats up front that are both beautifully supportive yet remain compliant and comfortable on long journeys. Taller drivers like myself will also be pleased to know the seats adjust down very low. There is no other hot hatch on the market with a better driving position.

With the exclusion of some fake carbon fiber trim and red accents, the cabin of the Type R is largely the same as lesser Civic variants. That means it has the same steering wheel, albeit wrapped in black and red leather, the same digital instrument cluster and the same 7.0-inch infotainment system. For me, the leather on the steering wheel was too hard (I’m sure the Alcantara wheel of the 2021MY is much better) and the infotainment system is very slow. However, you forget about all that when you start driving.

The first thing you feel when starting up the car is the gearbox. Oh, that lovely six-speed. Honda (as well as Porsche), have long offered the finest manual transmissions on the market and the gearbox of the FK8 Civic Type R is one of the best out there. For starters, there is a metal shift knob with a tactile feel. Next, there’s a remarkably short throw between the gears as well as a great sense of engagement when you make a shift. Combined with a perfectly-weighted clutch pedal, shifting in the Honda is a real joy.

An engine (almost) as great as Honda’s legendary N/A four-cylinders

Honda’s decision to ditch its high-revving naturally-aspirated VTEC engines for a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder was controversial, to say the least. It pumps out 306 hp (228 kW) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque and as impressive as though figures are, they only tell part of the story.

So many small-displacement turbocharged engines on the market run out of puff at 6,000 rpm. Not the Type R’s. In fact, the redline sits at 7,000 rpm and even though peak torque is found between 2,500 rpm and 4,500 rpm, the 2.0-liter loves to be revved and feels just as intoxicating as wringing out a K20 to over 8,000 rpm.

Unlike some of its rivals, Honda hasn’t paired the engine with an exhaust that crackles and pops at every opportunity. Instead, there’s almost no exhaust sound from the driver’s seat and just a nice induction noise from the engine. During my week with the car, I decided to drop the rear seats, curious to see if that would allow me to hear the exhaust note more clearly. It made a huge difference. With the rear seats folded flat, you can hear the unique whooshing sound of the exhaust. It is not a throaty sound and more akin to a fighter jet firing up its engines and getting ready to take off.

Handles like it’s on rails

Much has been written about how the Type R handles on the twisty stuff and it performed just as well as I’d hoped. The sticky 245/30 Continental tires provide excellent front end grip and allow you to breeze through corners at a decent pace with very little fuss. Interestingly, Honda has engineered in quite a bit of lift-off oversteer, which took me by surprise at first, but as I got used to it, only added to the driving experience.

In a straight-line, the car is a weapon. Funneling over 300 hp through the front wheels is usually a recipe for mountains of torque steer and yet, the Civic Type R doesn’t even have a hint of it thanks to the car’s helical limited-slip differential and unique suspension geometry. While there is no torque steer, the front wheels love to lose traction, regardless of whether it is wet or dry. In the wet and without even trying, the wheels can start spinning in third gear. In dry (but cold) conditions, you’ll be fighting traction issues at the top of first and second.

Three driver modes are available; Comfort, Sport, and +R. As the hatch features adaptive dampers, it is plush when driven in Comfort, soaking up any bumps and imperfections in the road. If you want to have a little more fun, you can switch it into Sport, tightening everything up and making it that little more aggressive. And then there’s +R.

When driven in this mode, the Type R feels like a caged tiger just waiting to be unleashed. The suspension firms up, the throttle response is sharpened and the steering gets much heavier. It may be too much for some on the street, but I found it perfect, primarily switching between Comfort and +R and rarely using Sport mode. While the suspension is firm in +R, it retains an inherent suppleness and is not as jarring as the Renault Megane R.S. 300 Trophy I recently drove.

The full package?

For how great the current Honda Civic Type R is, there is one issue that stands out: the lack of a customizable drive mode. Pretty much all serious hot hatches on the market allow drivers to configure systems like the steering, suspension, engine, and exhaust note to their individual tastes. It is odd Honda hasn’t done this and it hasn’t rectified the issue with the 2021 model. Ideally, I’d want to drive the Type R with the engine in +R mode, the suspension in Comfort, and the steering in Sport.

In Australia, prices for the Honda Civic Type R start at AU$51,148 (US$36,329) including on-road costs, although that figure may increase slightly for the 2021 model. That makes it roughly AU$3,000 (US$2,130) more expensive than the Megane R.S. 300 Trophy and about AU$13,000 (US$9,233) pricier than a Hyundai i30 N.

Jarring looks aside, this is a serious bit of kit that requires an experienced driver to get everything out of it on the road. It is razor-focused and the track-oriented nature of the car is apparent from the moment you step inside. Despite this, the Type R is more easy to live with than its rivals.

How does it compares to the competition?

I’ve had quite a lot of wheel time behind the Hyundai i30 N, Renault Megane R.S. 300 Trophy and Honda Civic Type R over the past few months. All three have their own unique personalities. At one end of the spectrum sits the i30 N, a car that feels like it’s been designed solely for fun and putting a smile on the face of the driver. At the other end of the spectrum is the Civic Type R, a ferocious performer with a serious demeanor and outstanding abilities. Sitting somewhere in the middle of the Hyundai and Honda is the Renault, a car that is one part fun-factory and one part track-tuned monster. All three are great and should be considered for anyone looking for a potent hot hatch.

Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/CarScoops

BMW M3 CSL E46 Manual Conversion Kit Rectifies The Car’s Only Flaw

Sun, 02 Aug 2020 16:30:56 GMT

Regarded as one of the best driver’s cars ever, the E46-gen BMW M3 CSL did, however, have one major flaw: its automated manual gearbox.

The SMG was not the most smooth- or fast-shifting transmission out there, and did not do justice to the sports coupe. Luckily, one can fit their M3 CSL with a stick shift by choosing one of the different conversion kits available for it, such as the one provided by Everything M3s.

The British company will remove the gearbox from the vehicle, replacing the electrohydraulic element with a traditional clutch pedal and stick shift arrangements. Then they will add a self-centering shifting mechanism, new clutch and flywheel. The engine management is then recoded for a manual transmission and the car is good to go.

Watch Also: BMW’s E46 M3 CSL Is Rightfully One Of Its Best Performance Cars Ever

Converted using 180 genuine BMW parts, the kit can already be ordered in the United Kingdom. It starts at £3,500 ($4,537), and while there is a waiting list, “lead times are reasonable”, the company says.

“While we appreciate every iteration of M3, I was annoyed that the CSL – in my opinion the best of the best – never had a manual gearbox, so I decided to engineer my own”, said Everything M3s founder and ex-Formula 1 mechanic and engineer Darragh Doyle. “It is easier to live with in traffic and around town, while giving total control on a racetrack. A manual M3 CSL is the car that BMW should have always built.”

If you are worried that the manual conversion kit will affect the value of the car, don’t be, because the work is fully reversible, and all parts can be retained and refitted, thus returning it to the original state whenever desired.

VW Tiguan X Is Set To Become The People’s Audi Q3 Sportback

Sun, 02 Aug 2020 15:18:29 GMT

VW’s upcoming Tiguan Coupe variant has been in the news since March, with the moniker Tiguan X being thrown around very early on.

Fast forward to last week, and we saw several undisguised images of a Tiguan X (name uncomfirmed), which will make its official debut in China later this year. The Tiguan X is reportedly based on the longer-wheelbase Allspace variant, also known as the Tiguan L in China.

The first prototype we saw happened to be fully camouflaged, so aside from its overall shape and a few front fascia features, there wasn’t much else to discern.

Still, that didn’t stop Kolesa from publishing their take on the Tiguan X, which at the time seemed somewhat accurate, at least as far as its design language was concerned. The thing is, that was May and this is July, and thanks to last week’s leak, we have a pretty good idea what VW’s new SUV Coupe is going to look like.

This particular render has the same origins as the first one, yet is based on the leak and also adds the “R” trim, which gives it a sportier appearance. The biggest change is at the rear, which now presents a full-width light unit and production-ready graphics, as per the leak.

Tasked with building the Tiguan X is SAIC Volkswagen, who will reportedly offer the crossover with two different turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engines. The entry-level unit will put out 184 HP (186 PS), whereas the more potent one should offer 217 HP (220 PS).

Note: These are individual illustrations made by Kolesa and are in no way related to or endorsed by VW

1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Is Expected To Fetch Close To $1 Million

Sun, 02 Aug 2020 14:10:58 GMT

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster is one of the German brand’s icons and one will be auctioned off by Gooding & Company during an online event running from August 3-7.

This model is a 1961 example and was one of roughly 270 fitted with disc brakes and the iron-block engine before Mercedes-Benz introduced an alloy-block version of the 300 SL’s engine. The car was most recently purchased by a postwar Mercedes collector in 1993 and was one of two that he bought for his sons.

Adorning the exterior of the car used to be a White Gray finish, but the seller decided to repaint it in a period-correct color of Ivory. In addition, it was outfitted with a new navy blue top.

Although the car has never been fully restored, the listing states that it has been “religiously maintained” and on an almost annual basis has been handed over to the well-respected Paul Russel and Company for routine servicing, maintenance, improvements, and repairs.

Complementing the Ivory paint is a red leather interior. There is also an Ivory-colored dashboard and shift knob as well as a classic three-spoke steering wheel with a wooden rim. The listing reveals the car will also be sold with its original hardtop that remains in a crate from the factory.

The auction house expects this lovely Mercedes-Benz to sell for between $850,000 and $950,000.

This Mazda RX-7 Was Bought In Japan For $1,500 – And Then It Was Modded

Sun, 02 Aug 2020 13:00:20 GMT

The FD-generation Mazda RX-7 is one of the many iconic performance cars out of Japan from the 1990s and early 2000s and thanks to the 25-year rule, examples have started to arrive in the United States.

During its production run, Mazda produced a touch under 69,000 examples of the FD RX-7 and it is well revered in enthusiast circles. This particular example has an interesting history, not least because of how cheap it was for the current owner.

In a recent episode of Hoonigan Autofocus, the owner reveals he purchased the car back in 2013 while he was a part of the armed forces and stationed in Japan. He paid just $1,500 for it, barely anything for a car with this sort of cult following as well as one that was fully functional and driveable.

Watch Also: Seeing The Evolution Of The Mazda RX-7 Makes Us Yearn For A New One

While he owned the car in Japan, it was fitted with a host of modifications and received a brand new paint scheme in the same color of blue as a Honda CR-Z. When it came time to import it into the United States, he had to remove some of the aftermarket parts so it would slide through the ports without attracting too much attention. Once it landed in the U.S., it was overhauled with a plethora of upgrades and looks absolutely extraordinary.

As standard, the RX-7 left Mazda’s factory with a 1.3-liter twin-turbocharged twin-rotor engine producing 252 hp and 217 lb-ft (294 Nm) in JDM specification. This example, though, features a host of powertrain modifications and offers up much more power than that.

Do New Rims And A Lower Suspension Improve The Ferrari 812 Superfast’s Looks?

Sun, 02 Aug 2020 11:40:37 GMT

One might argue that the Ferrari 812 Superfast has a pretty ~~silly~~ unimaginative name, but this doesn’t detract from the fact that it is a magnificent piece of machinery that will go down in history as one of the last (and best) naturally aspirated V12-powered supercars.

The red example depicted here sports a few aftermarket mods that give it a personalized touch without ruining the looks. These are a lowered suspension signed by Novitec and new glossy black Vossen wheels, measuring 10×21 inches at the front and 12.5×22 inches at the rear.

Watch Also: Ferrari 812 Superfast Is An Ode To V12-Powered Supercars

Those two round up the changes made to Ferrari’s ultimate grand tourer. Then again, it isn’t as if the 812 Superfast needed more power, for example, as it stands true to its name by boasting 789 HP (800 PS / 588 kW) and 530 lb-ft (718 Nm) of torque from its 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12. Directing the output to the rear wheels is a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with short and very fast gear changes.

Despite having a curb weight of 3,845 pounds (1,744 kg), the F12 Berlinetta’s successor is blistering fast, as it can sprint from zero to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 2.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 211 mph (340 km/h).

You can further explore this front mid-engine, rear-wheel drive Italian supercar in the image gallery and the video right after the jump, all of which came courtesy of Vossen.

Watch And Listen To The 2022 Range Rover Testing On The Nurburgring

Sun, 02 Aug 2020 10:20:35 GMT

The fourth generation Range Rover may still look modern inside and out, but it has been around since 2012 and, as far as automotive life-cycles go, that means that its replacement is coming.

Spied undergoing testing on the Nurburgring just last week by our spy photographers, the luxury off-roader has been snapped on video as well, lapping the German track for a couple of minutes in the company of the new Land Rover Defender, which might or might not be the upcoming V8 version.

Taking a closer look at the license plate has revealed that this was the same prototype as the one seen a few days ago, with thick camo disguising the changes compared to the current model, such as the big grille, new front and rear lights, more pronounced shoulder line, redesigned tailgate, roof-mounted spoiler and an exhaust system with four tailpipes.

We’ve already caught a glimpse of the interior, which will boast a new steering wheel with lots of buttons. A digital instrument cluster should be part of the offering, as well as a new infotainment system, whereas the rest of the cabin will continue to be dominated by lots of high-quality materials as this is, after all, the pinnacle of the Land Rover company.

Based on the MLA (Modular Longitudinal Architecture), the 2022 Range Rover will sport the usual internal combustion engines, which will be joined by mild- and plug-in hybrid units. Fully-electric powertrains are also in the pipeline, but we will find out everything about them either in future leaks/reports, or when the vehicle debuts, which is gonna happen most likely next year.