Opel Grandland X Gets New Diesel Engine With 8-Speed Auto, "Ultimate" Trim

Opel have expanded the Grandland X family by launching a new diesel version and a novel, range-topping trim.

Opel Grandland X Gets New Diesel Engine With 8-Speed Auto, "Ultimate" Trim

The engine is a 2.0-liter unit, which is mated to a new 8-speed automatic transmission and puts out 177PS (175hp) and 400Nm (295lb-ft) of torque. According to Opel, this version of the Grandland X will sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 9.1 seconds and top out at 214 km/h (133 mph), while turning out an average fuel consumption of less than 5 lt/100 km (56 UK mpg / 47 US mpg).

Pricing for the Grandland X equipped with the new oil burner and automatic gearbox starts from €37,320 ($44,227) in Germany, tax included.

As for the new grade, its called the "Ultimate" and is billed as a premium trim that sits at the top of the new crossover's range. Pricing starts from €34,240 ($40,577) in Germany, with other markets to follow shortly.

Setting the Opel Grandland X Ultimate apart from the rest of the models are 19-inch alloy wheels, silver roof rails and diamond black roof and side mirrors on the outside, while in the cabin there are new seats, leather trim, a Denon premium audio system, OnStar personal connectivity and service assistant and smartphone integration.

Renault Kwid EV Plugs Into The Digital Realm

Renault's head honcho Carlos Ghosn has already confirmed that the French automaker will introduce a zero-emission version of the Kwid, and here's a take on how it might look like.

Renault Kwid EV Plugs Into The Digital Realm

Penned by Kleber Silva, it sets itself apart from the regular models by getting redesigned headlights, fog lamps and a new front bumper, in addition to the plug port that's positioned of the brand's diamond logo.

Of course, the artist should have also removed the fuel filler car, as the electric Kwid won't have an internal combustion engine. There are, however, new taillights with a clear pattern, new alloys and a special badge to the tailgate to emphasize its zero-emission status.

Τhe Kwid EV will be sold exclusively in China, where prototypes are already being tested, but if everything goes as planned, then it will be launched, at a latter date, into emerging markets such as neighboring India and Brazil.

Apart from the Kwid, Renault is also developing, together with Nissan and Mitsubishi, several zero-emission cars for Western markets as well, which will share the same platform, electric motors, and batteries between them, though each is supposed to have its own identity.

1954 Jaguar D-Type Le Mans Racer Is Expected To Fetch More Than $12 Million

Major collector-car auctions take place around the world and throughout the year. Scottsdale is surely one of (if not the) highlight of the year, though – and this car is bound to be the toast of next year's events.

1954 Jaguar D-Type Le Mans Racer Is Expected To Fetch More Than $12 Million

This Jaguar D-Type was the lead car in the British automaker's effort at Le Mans in 1954, driven by the legendary Sir Stirling Moss.

Unfortunately, it didn't make it to the finish line, retiring in the middle of the night with brake trouble - but before it did, it set a new record when it reached 172.97 miles per hour down the Mulsanne Straight.

Pictured here by Patrick Ernzen for RM Sotheby's, OKV 2 went on to compete in numerous other events, but arguably even more important was the role it played in developing Jaguar's future Le Mans winners. For the next three years, subsequent D-Types would go on to complete a hat-trick of victories in the famous endurance race, cementing Jaguar's place in the history of motor racing.

With so much history behind it, RM Sotheby's projects this D-Type will sell for more than $12 million when the gavel drops at the Arizona Biltmore on January 18-19. And the auction house should know, having sold another of its kind just last year for over $20 million.

The Next Toyota Supra Might Not Even Be Called 'Supra'

We know that a next-generation Toyota Supra is edging closer to becoming a reality but according to the Japanese automaker, the sports car may not even be dubbed the ‘Supra’.

The Next Toyota Supra Might Not Even Be Called 'Supra'

While at the LA Auto Show, group vice president and general manager of Toyota, Jack Hollis, revealed that the Supra name isn’t set in stone for the new vehicle.

“Yes, we have other ideas, and yes, the Supra name is in consideration.

“I think that there is some discussion because the heritage of Supra is so strong. The name decision will not be made until next year as well. There are some other candidates for some other reasons that are really pretty strong,” Hollis revealed to Auto Guide.

Hollis’s statements perhaps indicate that Toyota has some trepidations about using the Supra name for its new sports car, just in case it fails to live up to its predecessor.

Nevertheless, Hollis did say that the Supra name is a “leading candidate” and reiterated what we already suspected, the release date of the new sports car remains undetermined.

According to Hollis, Toyota has yet to even settle on a two-to-three-month window to unveil the car but did confirm that more information about the vehicle will be released in 2018.

Half Of Porsche Sales To Be From Plug-Ins By 2025

More than half of all Porsche sales will be from plug-ins by the time 2025 rolls around. According to Porsche North America president and chief executive Klaus Zellner, demand for the company’s six plug-in hybrid models will result in a dramatic expansion of its EV portfolio.

Half Of Porsche Sales To Be From Plug-Ins By 2025

Speaking to Green Car Reports, Zellner said half of Porsches sold in 2025 will either be plug-in hybrids or all-electric vehicles. Of those, approximately 70 to 75 per cent will be plug-in hybrids but further down the road, “battery-electric vehicles will take over,” he said.

A key component of Porsche’s EV future will be the Mission E, its first all-electric vehicle. Zellner has revealed that the sedan will be offered in two configurations, one of which will feature fast-charging that can recharge the battery to 80 per cent of its capacity in just 20 minutes.

Making such rapid charging possible will be powerful charging stations, set to be initially introduced to all of the company’s 189 dealerships in the United States before the Mission E arrives.

Additionally, the VW Group is embarking on a $2 billion project to build charging infrastructure across the United States. Porsche will also take a leaf out of Tesla’s playbook by introducing destination chargers at hotels, restaurants, and other locations throughout the United States.

VW Wants To Build EVs In The U.S.

Volkswagen says it wants to build some of its future all-electric vehicles in North America.

VW Wants To Build EVs In The U.S.

During discussions with members of the media at the LA Auto Show, the German automaker said that it would like to build the production-spec I.D. Crozz in the U.S., as well as a fleet of future derivatives.

“The idea from the beginning is to have a high utilization of manufacturing, (making sure) one plant is fully loaded before you go on to additional capacity somewhere else,” said Volkswagen North American Region & Volkswagen Group of America chief executive Hinrich Woebcken.

“Of course we also are looking into this most likely option of industrialization in the United States. (But) nothing has been finally decided yet.”

VW will initially start constructing its I.D. range of models in Germany with the entry-level hatchback model in 2019. A number of other vehicles that also use the brand’s MEB platform will be built in the brand’s home country.

Speaking about the possibility of constructing certain MEB-based models in North America, executive vice president and chief engineering officer for the North American region, Matthias Erb, said a decision has yet to be finalized.

“We (in) the North American region are fighting to get production here. Obviously, there would be more potential in terms of delivery times from the factory and so on. I think we can make it happen,” Erb said.

While the company’s Chattanooga factory is the most likely candidate, it is possible that the facility in Puebla, Mexico could be tasked with building the I.D. Crozz and other models.

BMW's Huge X7 iPerformance Concept Arrives In LA

Alongside the BMW i Vision Dynamics Concept at BMW’s LA Auto Show booth sits this, the X7 iPerformance, unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

BMW's Huge X7 iPerformance Concept Arrives In LA

As the name implies, the concept has been created as a preview for the impending X7 and bring with it an eye-catching design radically different than any current production SUV built by the automaker.

The front is unquestionably the most talked-about aspect of the vehicle. BMW designers have fitted a truly ghastly chrome kidney grille which may actually make you feel sick in the stomach. The huge grille has divided opinion among those to see the concept in person and we can’t help but think it needs to be refined for the production model.

Looking beyond the questionable grille, the rest of the X7 iPerformance’s exterior design is quite appealing. It includes slim headlights, big wheels, thin A-, B-, and C-pillars, and a seductive rear-end with narrow LED taillights.

While we don’t know how similar the road-going X7 will look to the concept, we understand that the SUV will be sold with at least three different engines, including a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with roughly 445 hp.

Camaro Moves Closer To Aussie Launch With Trademark Application

It seems increasingly likely that the Chevrolet Camaro will be sold in Australia, following confirmation that General Motors has filed to trademark the Camaro name in the country.

Camaro Moves Closer To Aussie Launch With Trademark Application

As discovered by Car Advice, GM’s trademark application covers all basis, from protecting the Camaro name for use on stationery through to clothing, footwear, advertising, and most importantly, for the use of the name on vehicles.

While it is not uncommon for car manufacturers to trademark model names simply to protect them from other companies, the extent to which GM has ensured it holds the rights to the Camaro name indicates that it is serious about launching the pony car Down Under.

In early October, reports surfaced indicating that Holden had been spurred on by the local success of the Ford Mustang and wanted a slice of the pie. Consequently, it is thought that the Camaro will be shipped to Australia and converted to right-hand drive by HSV, Holden’s high-performance sub-brand.

While this is sure to thrill local Camaro fans, it will come at a cost. In fact, the Camaro SS could cost as much as $90,000 AUD, over $30,000 more than a Ford Mustang GT.

GM To Introduce Fully-Autonomous Ride-Sharing Fleet By 2019

General Motors has detailed some of its ambitious self-driving plans, revealing its intent on launching a fully-autonomous ride-sharing service by 2019.

GM To Introduce Fully-Autonomous Ride-Sharing Fleet By 2019

The American carmaker has yet to provide specifics about its plan but says the self-driving fleets will be introduced in “multiple cities.” If the targeted launch year is achieved, GM will have a significant head start on its rivals, including Uber.

GM currently operates a pilot programme in San Francisco through its Cruise Automation unit that allows employees to take test rides in the fleet of self-driving prototypes. However, these prototypes require a GM engineer behind the wheel at all times but by the time 2019 comes around, GM hopes to eliminate the need for a human driver as backup.

Beyond announcing its plans for an autonomous ride-sharing fleet, the brand’s president, Dan Ammann, said the cost of proprietary sensors that will make a car self-driving could eventually fall to as little as $300, thanks in part to GM’s recent purchase of LiDAR specialist Strobe.

According to Ammann, autonomous cars are the biggest business opportunity since the invention of the internet.

Porsche's Panamera Hybrid Wagon Is An Impressive Piece Of Tech

The Porsche Panamera lineup continues to grow as the company has introduced the new Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo.

Porsche's Panamera Hybrid Wagon Is An Impressive Piece Of Tech

Besides having one of the longest names in Los Angeles, the car packs a high-tech plug-in hybrid powertrain that consists of a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine, a 14.1 kWh lithium-ion battery, and electric motor that develops 136 PS (100 kW). This enables the car to produce a combined maximum output of 680 PS (500 kW) and 850 Nm (626 lb-ft) of torque.

Those are impressive performance figures for a plug-in hybrid and they show at the track as the all-wheel drive wagon can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3.4 seconds before hitting a top speed of 310 km/h (192 mph).

Those aren't the only good numbers as the model consumes 3.0 L/100 km (78.4 mpg US / 94.1 mpg UK) and can travel up to 49 km (30.4 miles) on electricity alone. Of course, to get the best mileage, owners will have to keep the battery charged and that can take between 2.4 and 6 hours.

While the car's powertrain carries over from the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, the real advantage of the Sport Turismo variant is its larger luggage compartment which can hold 1,295 liters (45.7 cubic feet) of cargo when the rear seats are folded down. The car also has a "4+1 seating configuration" which is a fancy way of saying the rear seat can accommodate up to three people.

The Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo will begin arriving at U.S. dealerships next spring and pricing starts at $188,400.