Carscoops Newsletter

Ford Facelifts 2015 Focus ST; Europe Gets All-New ST Diesel Variant

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 06:37 PM PDT

The Blue Oval yanked the covers off the facelifted 2015 Focus ST prior to the car's dynamic debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed's hill climb. As one of Ford's global models, most changes are common on both sides of the Atlantic. What isn't is the availability of a new diesel-powered version that was not mentioned in the company's North American release. Read more »

BMW Would Like You to "GO" in their 2015 X4

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 05:48 PM PDT

When we first published official images and details about the 2015 BMW X4, many of you shared strong opinions of it. There were criticisms about its appearance, its lack of passenger room, its lack of cargo room, its frivolity, and its appearance again. Read more »

Rumor: Will Ferrari Offer a Stunning 458 Speciale Spider?

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 05:16 PM PDT

There is an uncorroborated rumor that Ferrari is developing a Spider version of its thrilling 458 Speciale – the highest-performing variant of the 458 lineup. Read more »

These Are Five Lesser Known Driving Mistakes that Can Turn Outrageous

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 04:40 PM PDT

This is not your usual CNet-style video, since it doesn't focus on anything tech related, looking instead to point out five driving outrages that piss off presenter Brian Cooley, and probably many of you, as well, when you experience them. Read more »

Android Auto Debuts; Brings Google-Apple Battle into Your Car [w/Video]

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 04:43 PM PDT

At the Geneva Motor Show in March this year, Apple revealed CarPlay, an interface for a vehicle's infotainment screen. Google, Android developer and general Apple rival, swiftly announced a competitor, which officially debuted Wednesday. It is called Android Auto, and promises seamless device-to-car integration for the roughly 80 percent of global smartphone users on the Android system. Read more »

Mercedes Remembers the 240 D 3.0, the First 5-Cylinder Diesel Production Car

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 03:06 PM PDT

Four decades ago, Mercedes-Benz launched the 240 D; the most powerful and fastest diesel car of its day and the world's first series-production car with a five-cylinder oil burner. The Mercedes-Benz 240 D 3.0 launched in 1974 was powered by a 79hp (80PS) five-cylinder engine. Read more »

Audi RS5 TDI Concept is an Enticing Sporty Diesel

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 02:20 PM PDT

With 380 instant horsepower and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) on tap, Audi's RS5 TDI concept sounds like a proper sports car. No, really, it actually does, with an engine note that you'd not normally associated with a V6 oil burner. Read more »

Ford Makes its 15-Passenger Transit Van Safer with Industry First Full Length Side Airbag

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 01:48 PM PDT

Ford wants you to feel safe while you're traveling in the back of their fifteen passenger Transit van, and thus they've introduced the industry's first full-length curtain airbag. It has been specifically designed to "help provide enhanced head and neck protection in rollover and side-impact crashes." Read more »

Fiat Starts Building 2015 500 Abarth and 2015 500 Turbo with 6-Speed Auto in Mexico

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 12:59 PM PDT

Fiat has announced that production of the 2015MY versions of the 500 Abarth, 500 Abarth Cabrio and 500 Turbo that are available in North America with an optional six-speed automatic transmission has begun at its plant in Toluca, Mexico, with deliveries beginning later this summer. Read more »

1950s Ford Custom Deluxe Coupe is a Finn’s Dirt Drifter of Choice

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 12:26 PM PDT

Have you ever seen a more impressive spectacle involving an unusual car going sideways on a loose surface, with grace and poise? If you have, then the video posted below should still be among your favorites. Read more »

Scoop: Why This Mercedes C-Class Prototype is Likely a Test Mule for the Next E-Class

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 12:00 PM PDT

Test mules are the chameleons of the automotive industry; they allow carmakers to evaluate the underpinnings of future models in real world conditions during the early development stages, without giving away their appearance. But, how can you tell that the C-Class body prototype caught by our spies here might be a test mule for the next generation E-Class? Read more »

New Land Rover Discovery Sport to be Built at Halewood Plant in the UK

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 11:40 AM PDT

The all-new Land Rover Discovery Sport will be built at the Halewood plant in the United Kingdom, following an investment of more than £200 million (€249 million). Read more »

Stop-Start System Now Standard on Chrysler 200 2.4 and Jeep Cherokee 3.2

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 11:10 AM PDT

Chrysler has expanded the availability of its Engine Stop-Start (ESS) system on the Chrysler 200 fitted with the 2.4-liter Tigershark engine and the Jeep Cherokee with the 3.2-liter Pentastar V6 unit (both mated to a 9-speed automatic). Read more »

Nope, That's Not a Breast Warning Sign…

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 10:45 AM PDT

When Russian drivers themselves are dumbfounded by the condition of some of their country's roads, you can understand how bad the situation is. Read more »

VW Introduces Genuine Accessories for Facelifted Polo

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 10:23 AM PDT

Volkswagen has released a series of genuine accessories for the recently facelifted Polo, ranging from style-enhancing elements to practical equipment. For those who want to make their Polo look sportier, VW offers a roof spoiler, exhaust covers, stainless steel pedal caps and mirror trims in carbon look. There's also the 16-inch Syenit alloy wheel in anthracite which features five pairs of spokes. Read more »

Cadillac's Re-Grilled and -Badged 2015 CTS and ATS

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 09:56 AM PDT

With the first (behind-the-scenes) television spot and picture of the 2015 Cadillac ATS and CTS saloon (respectively) out in the open, it's only a matter of time before GM goes official with the faintly revised models, both of which gain the brand's new corporate grille and emblems. Read more »

First Saleen-Modified Tesla Model S Spotted

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 09:31 AM PDT

While the extent of the work done by Saleen on the Tesla Model S won't go as far as rebuilding the entire car with higher performance bits, it is expected to make the all-electric sedan noticeably faster. Read more »

VW Golf GTI Performance Drag Races Vauxhall Corsa VXR Clubsport

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 08:59 AM PDT

With 230PS (227hp) from a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine, the Performance Edition is the most powerful stock VW Golf GTI. The smaller, lighter Vauxhall / Opel Corsa VXR Clubsport is also the most potent model of the series, with 203hp from a 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. Read more »

Fiat 500L Gets Sporty Abarth Look via Rendering

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 07:30 AM PDT

It would not be at all out of place if Fiat made this exact car, a sportier variant of the already released 500L, the family-friendly child seat-bearer with a cute Italian face. The maker's history is peppered with mundane cars that gained fame by dropping their Fiat badge and adopting an Abarth one, along with performance mods. Read more »

Opel's Evolutionary-Styled New Astra 5d Spied

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 06:34 AM PDT

"Evolution" seems to be the key word in play for Opel and the successors to the brand's two most popular models, the B-segment Corsa and C-segment Astra. It won't be long before we see what Opel came up with for the Corsa, but for the next Astra, we'll have to wait until mid-2015 to early-2016. Read more »

Mercedes and Infiniti to Announce Joint Production of Compact Cars in Mexico on Friday

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 06:00 AM PDT

Daimler AG, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, and Nissan, the owner of the Infiniti luxury brand, have reportedly finalized a joint venture deal to build future Mercedes and Infiniti compact cars in Mexico. Read more »

Man Gives Homeless People a Ride in a Lamborghini – Good Deed or Selfish Tease?

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 05:38 AM PDT

YouTube deed- and prank- (see second clip with the Mercedes McLaren) master Dennis Roady took a white Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder to Santa Monica in California and picked up a number of homeless people giving them a quick ride in the Italian supercar. Read more »

Renault Launches Rally-Ready Clio RS R3T

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 05:05 AM PDT

Renault has officially made its new Clio R3T available for purchase. It's a rally-ready variant of the hot hatch, and one that ditches the 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine of the regular Clio R3, replacing it with a development of the 1.6-liter turbo engine from the road car. Read more »

Peugeot Previews 208 30th Anniversary Model with 208 HP and LSD

Posted: 26 Jun 2014 04:41 AM PDT

As promised earlier this month, Peugeot blew the covers off a special edition model of the 208 GTi to mark the 30th anniversary of the brand's GTi badge. Scheduled for a preview at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and a debut at the Paris Auto Show this autumn, the Peugeot 208 GTi 30th Anniversary is a more radical version of the standard model. Read more »