Tag Archives: news

Tesla Model S P90D Vies With Porsche Taycan Turbo For Electric Saloon Supremacy

The Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan are the two most accelerative electric sedans currently on the market and, as Lovecars recently discovered, they are quite evenly matched.

Tesla has, of course, been producing the Model S for much longer than Porsche has been building the Taycan. In fact, the Model S has been in production since 2012, whereas Porsche started rolling out the Taycan last year.

Watch Also: There’s No Chance The Porsche Taycan Turbo S Can Defeat The 918 Spyder, Right?

Back in 2015 and 2016, Tesla’s Model S range was topped out by the P90D Ludicrous, complete with two electric motors and pumping out the equivalent of 762 hp and 1,013 lb-ft (1,373 Nm) of torque. While this variant has since been superseded by the P100D and more recently the Model S Performance Raven, Lovecars decided to pit the P90D against a new Porsche Taycan Turbo for a drag race.

We’ve seen the flagship Taycan Turbo S racing the flagship Model S Performance Raven in the past and the two were very close, although the Porsche seems to have a slight advantage. As it turns out, it is the same case here.

Off the line and racing in extremely wet conditions, the Tesla and Porsche got near perfect starts and accelerated at near identical rates. However, as the speeds started to increase, the Taycan Turbo stormed away from the Tesla, taking a relatively easy win.

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2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost To Be “Future-Focused” With A “Minimal Aesthetic”

Rolls-Royce has released a new teaser video for the 2021 Ghost, the second in a four-part series of animations.

This teaser is dubbed ‘What Ghost Taught Rolls-Royce About Rolls-Royce’ and outlines the various lessons the company learned with the previous-gen Ghost, which ended up becoming the best-selling product in its 116-year history.

In the video, Rolls-Royce explains that in the U.S., owners of the Ghost want to actually drive the car rather than be chauffeured, even those that ordered the extended wheelbase model. Rather than owners enjoying the added space, they let their family and friends sit at the back.

Watch Also: Rolls-Royce Drops The First Teaser Of The 2021 Ghost

In Asia, Rolls-Royce says its Ghost owners prefer to be chauffeured and make use of all the vehicle’s technology. Ghost owners also use their vehicles for business during the week and recreation over the weekend. According to Rolls-Royce, the new Ghost will be “future-focused but a minimal aesthetic, truly a car of the times.”

When recently discussing the car in an open letter to customers and the media, Rolls-Royce boss Torsten Müller-Otvös said: “Ghost is the purest expression of Rolls-Royce yet, it distills the pillars of our brand into a beautiful, minimalist, yet highly complex product that is perfectly in harmony with our Ghost clients’ needs and, I believe, perfectly in tune with the times in which we are all living.”

The new Rolls-Royce Ghost is expected to have the same aluminum underpinnings as the Phantom and will likely be sold with a 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12 with 563 hp and 663 lb-ft (900 Nm) of torque. It will be unveiled in the coming months.

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The 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible Oozes Sex Appeal

The 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible is one of the best-looking cars currently on sale, and in this video from Doug DeMuro, we get to hear his first take on what the car is like.

Much like the LC 500 Coupe, the Convertible is powered by a naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 with 471 hp at 7,100 rpm and 398 lb-ft (539 Nm) of torque at 4,800 rpm. Naturally-aspirated V8 engines are becoming a rarity, so Lexus should be celebrated for not going down the forced induction route – at least not yet.

Coupled to the engine is a 10-speed Direct-Shift automatic transmission that allows the LC 500 Convertible to hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.6 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 168 mph (270 km/h).

Read More: 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible Arriving This Summer With $102,025 Base Price

In addition to chopping off the LC’s roof, Lexus has added a new torsion box at the rear, a new suspension tower brace, and a new V-brace to improve the car’s handling stability and its responsiveness. Lexus also reinforced the chassis with Laser Screw Welding and through the use of high tensile-strength steel. It also relocated various structural braces and has tweaked the suspension setup to account for the added weight.

A good portion of DeMuro’s review focuses on the interior of the LC 500 Convertible and there’s a good reason for that: the LC has one of the most beautiful interiors on the market. It truly is a sight to behold and having spent a week with the LC 500 Coupe last year, we know firsthand that it is indeed a very nice place to spend time in.

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Average Age Of Vehicles In The U.S. Increases To 11.9 Years, And It Could Get Worse With COVID

The average age of vehicles on U.S. roads is on the rise, a new study from IHS Markit has revealed.

While analyzing the average age of vehicles, HIS Markit discovered it has increased to 11.9 years in 2020, a 24 per cent increase over the average age of 9.6 years from 2002. It is also well up on the average age of 10.3 years reported in 2009.

“A lot of it has to do with quality of the vehicles on the road,” aftermarket specialist with IHS Markit, Todd Campau, explained. “They are comfortable keeping that vehicle longer than they would in the past. In the mid-’90s, 100,000 miles was about all you would get out of a vehicle. Now, at a 100,000 miles a vehicle is just getting broken in.”

Read Also: Road Trips Set To Make Up 97% Of All Travel This Summer

The study revealed the average age of cars is already 12.4 years, while it currently sits at 11.6 years for light trucks.

IHS Markit believes that the coronavirus pandemic alone could see the average age of vehicles increase by four to six months as millions of people are now traveling less and working from home. Consequently, they are expected to hold on to their vehicles for longer. It is also reported that many consumers who may have been considering the purchase of a new vehicle are instead likely to continue driving their old car or trading it in for a used vehicle, Reuters reports.

“We definitely expect to eclipse the 12-year barrier,” added Campau. “IHS Markit anticipates significant upward pressure on average age in 2020 and subsequent years as consumers work toward a new normal both economically and in how they use their personal vehicles in a post-COVID-19 era.”

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Should You Go For The “Regular” BMW M2 Instead Of The M2 Competition?

Both the BMW M2 and M2 Competition have been widely praised since they hit the market, and even though the regular M2 is no longer available new, it is a very compelling prospect on the used car market. Knowing just how good the M2 is, YouTuber Seen Through Glass decided to see if it is actually better value than the M2 Competition.

The black M2 featured in this clip has 15,000 miles (24,140 km) on the clock and is currently up for sale for £31,990 ($40,537). By comparison, the orange BMW M2 Competition present here is also a used model but has just 1,500 miles (2,414 km) under its belt and an asking price of £44,990 ($57,011). That’s quite a big difference, so it’s understandable why someone may find the regular M2 more appealing.

Read Also: World’s Only BMW M2 Convertible Is Faster Than A M2 CS Around Sachsenring

In terms of power, the M2 is driven by the N55 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder that produces 365 hp at 6,500 rpm and 343 lb-ft (465 Nm) of torque between 1,450 and 4,750 rpm. The car was offered from the factory with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch that directed power solely to the rear wheels.

By comparison, the M2 Competition hit the market with a detuned version of the S55 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight-six used by the F80 M3 and F82 M4. This engine is good for 405 hp between 5,370 rpm and 7,200 rpm and 406 lb-ft (550 Nm) of torque between 2,350 rpm and 5,230 rpm.

Which of the two is the best to drive and the better value? Watch the review in full to find out.

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Genesis Confirms It Will Ditch The G70’s Manual Gearbox Option

Genesis has revealed it will abandon the manual transmission option in the 2.0-liter G70 for the 2022 model year.

It was only back in March that Genesis announced the 2021 G70 would continue to be available with a six-speed stick shift but the automaker has since decided this will be the final model year such a transmission will be offered.

Speaking with Road & Track, a Genesis spokesperson said the company only sold roughly 100 manually-equipped models for the 2020 model year in the U.S., representing just 0.8 per cent of overall sales. While it’s sad to see the manual go, it is hardly a surprise considering just how few customers prefer it over the standard 8-speed automatic.

Read Also: Driven – 2020 Genesis G70 3.3T Sport Makes For A Truly Compelling Proposition

The 2.0-liter model of the G70 that could be optioned with the manual is good for 252 hp and 260 lb-ft (353 Nm) of torque. The manual has been rated at 18 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. Meanwhile, the 8-speed auto model returns 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined.

There is some thought that this 2.0-liter is on its final legs and will be replaced with the larger 2.5-liter turbo-four of the GV80 when the entire G70 family is facelifted. Topping out the G70 range continues to be the company’s 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that is offered in rear- and all-wheel drive configurations and sold exclusively with the eight-speed automatic.

This engine is also believed to be under threat for the car’s facelift and may be ditched in favor of the company’s more powerful 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6.

The Final Tesla Roadster Built Is Available In Switzerland For Almost $1.5 Million

The final Tesla Roadster built has emerged for sale in Switzerland with an eye-watering price tag of 1.39 million Swiss Francs or about $1.49 million at current exchange rates.

Tesla only ever built 2,500 examples of the Lotus-based Roadster. The most valuable example is probably the first one built but rather than keep it in his collection, Elon Musk instead sent it to space a couple of years ago. As the final Tesla Roadster, this is most certainly the next most valuable and the original owner clearly only ever intended to keep the car and sell it for a profit.

Watch Also: This Is How The Tesla Roadster’s Rockets Could Work

A look at the listing on Car For You reveals the vehicle has never been registered and has spent its life sitting on foam tire pillows in a garage with marble floors. It has just 124 miles (200 km) on the clock and has been routinely plugged into a charger to stop the battery from discharging.

A host of unique touches distinguish this Tesla Roadster from most others. For example, it is finished in a special shade of white and includes a black and white leather interior. It is also equipped with a carbon fiber rear diffuser and a host of carbon interior trimmings, including on the kick plates, door panels, and dashboard. The steering wheel and mechanical handbrake still feature their protective wrapping.

In addition, the open-top model that’s based on the Lotus Elise chassis has a special plaque on the firewall that denotes it is one of just four ‘Roadster Sport Final Four’ examples delivered in Europe and Asia. It also features the signatures of various Tesla staff that helped in its construction.

PHOTO GALLERY

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What Just Happened Here? Minivan Is Suddenly Tossed Into The Air In Japan

A scary dashcam footage has emerged out of Japan that shows a white minivan being propelled off the pavement while driving through a ferocious storm.

According to the description of the video posted on Twitter, the incident happened close to Gifu Park in the town of Gifu, near the city of Nagoya. It shows a white minivan making a right-hand turn when a sudden gush of water fills the screen and the rear end of the vehicle is lifted high off the ground.

Watch Also: Seconds From Disaster – Flying Reliant Robin Plummets To The Ground

When watching the video for the first time, we were left truly stunned at what we had seen, unable to explain why the minivan was lifted off the ground the way it was. It’s as if it was pulled into the air by a piece of string. However, a bit of digging on social media posts about the video might explain what happened here.

One possible answer is that the storm drain running under the road likely became flooded, leading to a build-up of pressure and water. It appears all this air and water escaped from a manhole cover just before the minivan started to make the right-hand turn. It looks to have then driven directly over the hole and been blown upwards from all the air pressure.

Making the incident all the more weird is the fact that, just as the minivan is lifted off the ground, a ladder flies up out of the manhole cover before falling to the pavement.

Marvel At Hennessey’s 850 HP C7 Corvette Z06 Showing Off

If you happen to own a C7 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 or plan on buying one, Hennessey has just released an upgrade package that promises to lift the sports car to new heights.

Dubbed the HPE850, the package sees a handful of modifications made to the Z06’s 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine, which ordinarily produces 650 hp at 6,400 rpm and 650 lb-ft (881 Nm) at 3,600 rpm, and lifts it up to 850 hp and 715 lb-ft (969 Nm).

Hennessey has been able to make these gains thanks to upgraded cylinder heads, valve springs, camshafts, intake system, and exhaust. It also tweaks with the ECU to ensure the car runs just as it should and doesn’t suffer from any reliability issues that could be caused by the horsepower and torque gains.

Watch Also: Why Wait For A ZR1 When When You Can Have A Twin-Turbo Corvette C8

The Texas tuner says that a Corvette Z06 equipped with the HPE850 package is capable of hitting 60 mph (96 km/h) in a mere 2.6 seconds while also being able to sprint down the quarter-mile in just 10.3 seconds at 136 mph (219 km/h).

With the exception of some badges, few visual changes have been made to the car, meaning you’ll be able to shock other Z06s, plus lots of exotics, on the street with this Vette’s performance.

Finally, this is going to be a limited run, as Hennessey plans on just offering 100 examples of its HPE850 upgrade package to customers.

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Why Wait For A ZR1 When When You Can Have A Twin-Turbo Corvette C8

A company by the name of Late Model Racecraft has just built one of the craziest C8 Corvette Stingrays anywhere, adorning it with a bespoke twin-turbo setup that will be able to handle upwards of 1,200 hp.

The first twin-turbo package we saw for the C8 Corvette a few months ago came from Hennessey Performance. That kit, as well as others in the market, has seen the turbos mounted low and directly behind the rear bumper. By comparison, Late Model Racecraft has created a top-mount setup where the turbos sit directly above the engine.

Watch Also: Twin-Turbo C8 Corvette Delivers 736 HP At The Wheels

This solution arguably looks better than hiding the turbos behind the rear bumper but does appear more complex. For example, there is an air-to-water intercooler system that sits just above the exhaust and slightly protrudes into the rear storage compartment of the sports car. All of the associated piping with the twin-turbo setup fits neatly under the engine cover but does get very close to some of the exposed carbon fiber parts in the engine bay.

The upgraded engine is coupled with a custom catback exhaust system that the tuner has built. This exhaust works regardless of whether the C8 remains naturally aspirated or is twin-turbocharged. For now, the car retains the Corvette’s standard ECU but that will soon be tuned to complement the addition of the turbochargers.

It’s important to keep in mind that it is still early days in the world of C8 Corvette tuning. As more examples reach the hands of customers, we can expect to see new and exciting upgrade packages hit the market.

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