TopSpeed Daily Update |  |
- Renault Megane SUV
- Ferrari 458 Italia by Kahn Design
- Stunt Crazy
- Renault Clio RS
- State Highway 130 in Texas may receive 85 MPH speed limit
- Ford Mustang V6 RS by Roush Performance
- Toyota EV P002 Electric Pikes Peak Race Car
- Nissan Pathfinder
- A Squabble Ensues Over Carroll Shelby's Remains
- Jag Shows us What Happens to Clay Model Cars After a Design is Complete
| Posted: 11 Jun 2012 08:00 AM PDT
Most people may not remember the Captur Concept Renault unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show - we didn’t either - but AutoExpress refreshed everyone’s memory by reporting that this concept was actually a preview for a new Megane SUV that will be added to the French company’s line-up starting 2015. The Renault Megane SUV will serve as a competitor for models like the Peugeot 3008 and the Nissan Qashqai. The new Megane SUV will be built thanks to the recent collaboration between Renault and Nissan. It will share most of its design components with Nissan. The SUV will combine design elements from the DeZir concept car, the ZOE electric hatchback, and the recently unveiled Alpine concept car. Under the hood, Renault will place both petrol and diesel engines, including a 113bhp 1.2-liter turbo and a Nissan 1.6-liter turbodiesel combined with both six-speed manual and dual-clutch auto transmissions. The model will only be offered with a front-wheel drive system. Prices for the Renault Megane SUV will start from about $25,000. Renault Megane SUV originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 11 June 2012 15:00 EST.
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| Ferrari 458 Italia by Kahn Design Posted: 11 Jun 2012 07:30 AM PDT
We’re thinking that Azfal Kahn and his people at Kahn Design needed a little break from all the Range Rover programs they’ve been releasing for the past couple of months. What better way to take on a fresh project than by presenting a new styling program for the Ferrari 458 Italia. In developing the new modifications for the Italian super car, Kahn Design went for an aerodynamic body kit that features new front and rear bumper sections, both of which have been finished in a matte pearl gray finish. The program also consists of a rear diffuser, side skirts, and even a roof that also carries the same matte pearl gray paint finish. Rounding out the upgrades are a new set of 21" and 22" forged alloy wheels that come with the same - you guessed it - matte pearl gray shade. The new wheels are then complemented by new ceramic brakes and yellow brake calipers. As for the interior, Kahn has always allowed its customers to customize the cabin of their own vehicles, although the British tuner did say that this particular program will have black Daytona leather electric sports seats. Ferrari 458 Italia by Kahn Design originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 11 June 2012 14:30 EST.
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| Posted: 11 Jun 2012 07:27 AM PDT | ||
| Posted: 11 Jun 2012 07:00 AM PDT
So far, the only spy shots that have been available from Renault have been for the upcoming Renault Clio, but our spy photographers have finally captured the even more powerful RS version performing its round of testing. The spy shots taken look as though they feature a standard Clio, but a second look at them will reveal the bigger air intakes in the front bumper and the big wheels and brakes, as well as the diffuser between the twin exhaust pipes. Another noticeable difference is the LED day-driving lights and headlights. In the standard Clio, they start at the head lights and go out through the grille, but in the Clio RS, they have been moved to the upper parts of the air intakes in the bumper. Under the hood, the Renault Clio RS will get a turbocharged version of the engines to be found in the standard Clio with the output taken up to 200 HP. These engines are the 1.2 and 1.4 turbocharged tCe four-cylinders and a new 900 cc three cylinder engine. As for the diesel lineup, Renault will be keeping the 1.5 dCi i4 and adding a 1.2 L turbocharged three-cylinder engine. The official debut for the Renault Clio RS will be made in 2013. Renault Clio RS originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 11 June 2012 14:00 EST.
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| State Highway 130 in Texas may receive 85 MPH speed limit Posted: 11 Jun 2012 06:00 AM PDT
Some of you may already know this, but back in early 2007, the U.S. state of Texas banned all speed cameras and then the following year recorded the lowest ever vehicle causality rate since counting began 75 years ago. Reports are claiming that the biggest state in America is set to take another huge step to help slow the road toll even more. Some controversial research has previously shown that driving consistently at higher speeds on highways is actually safer than slower speeds as it forces drivers to be more alert. Taking into consideration the fact that the Autobahn is extremely safe with many regions not having speed limits, it wouldn't be out of the question to raise speed limits in Texas. That's exactly what the Texas Department of Transportation is planning to do. The highest speed you're allowed to legally travel in Texas is currently 80 miles per hour on select roads, but the TDOT plans to increase that to 85 mph on State Highway 130 which travels from San Antonio all the way to Austin. Understandably, many people are outraged by this proposal and before anything goes ahead, the TDOT will have to conduct extensive speed tests to make sure the road is actually safe to be driven on at 85 mph. However, speed management director for the TDOT, Darren McDaniel is confident the road is up for the job claiming it "was designed under extremely high design parameters." If the changes do go through and the results are positive, then expect other U.S. states to go down a similar route. State Highway 130 in Texas may receive 85 MPH speed limit originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 11 June 2012 13:00 EST.
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| Ford Mustang V6 RS by Roush Performance Posted: 11 Jun 2012 05:00 AM PDT
Roush Performance’s expanding 2013 Mustang line-up now has a new member to the family: the 2013 Ford Mustang V6 RS. Based on the 3.7-liter V6 Ford Mustang, the V6 RS has been treated to an array of styling and handling modifications that’s being called as the "Roush Six" package. "The RS opens a new niche for Roush Performance, offering great fuel economy, a good level of power, at an economical price, while still embodying Roush's spirit of performance," said Gary Jurick, GM of Roush Performance. On the outside, Roush Performance added a bevy of aerodynamic enhancements, including a new set of grilles, a front chin splitter, side rocker splitter, and a rear decklid spoiler. The program also features new "R" fender badges and an "R" Roush faux gas cap. As added options, you can also get a hood scoop, rear quarter window louvers, RS exterior side, and hood graphics. Finally, the package also comes with a new set of 19″ premium painted aluminum wheels, tires with Brembo brakes, and Roush lowering springs with progressive rate jounce bumper, effectively lowering the car’s ride height and reducing its center of gravity. Interior styling was also part of the program and the Roush V6 RS Mustang was no different. There are embroidered floor mats, billet performance pedals and a Roush center console badge/button that are part of the enhancements. If that’s not enough, you can also opt to include GT charcoal leather seating or Roush sport leather seating, a white or black shifter ball, a suede-wrapped performance steering wheel, and door sill plates with ambient lighting. No performance modifications are part of this package as we expect a Stage 2 kit from Roush Performance coming out soon. At any rate, this package will cost you $4,000. Ford Mustang V6 RS by Roush Performance originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 11 June 2012 12:00 EST.
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| Toyota EV P002 Electric Pikes Peak Race Car Posted: 11 Jun 2012 04:00 AM PDT
One of the most exciting races in the auto calendar is the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. You see some of the most unique race cars and you get treated to the kind of timed laps no other auto event in the calendar will give you. This year, we’ve already seen some of the race cars that will be competing in the event, and now Toyota is jumping into the fold with their Pikes Peak offering, the Toyota Motorsports EV P002 prototype race car. The EV P002 is based on the Radical sports car chassis and has been fitted with a 42-kWh lithium ceramic battery pack that’s charged by an off-board DC system, netting an output of 470 horsepower and 664 lb/ft of torque with a top speed of 149 mph. Pretty intense for an electric race car, right? The competition at Pikes Peak is pretty intense, that much we know. But these boys clearly are no pushovers, having already made a name for themselves by with the EV P002’s predecessor, the EV P001, which incidentally set the fastest EV lap at the Nurburgring last year. If the EV P001 was capable of that, it’s pretty exciting to think what it’s successor can do at Pikes Peak. Toyota EV P002 Electric Pikes Peak Race Car originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 11 June 2012 11:00 EST.
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| Posted: 11 Jun 2012 03:00 AM PDT
The Nissan Pathfinder is turning 27 years old in the 2013 model year, which is about 50 years old in car years, as it is starting to get a little long in the tooth. Fortunately, Nissan has continuously made changes to this once-compact SUV throughout the years to keep it up with the times. The 2013 model year is going to be a drastic redo for the Pathfinder, as just like Nissan did in 1996, when it changed from a compact SUV to a mid-size one, this popular SUV will be moving classes again. In this latest generational change, the Pathfinder is moving away from the shrinking mid-size SUV world and sliding right into the mid-size crossover realm, much like the Explorer recently did. This is mostly due to the fact that sitting on a smaller frame and having a more car-like ride has become more desirable than the truck-like ride given by body-on-frame SUVs. This also makes the Pathfinder a more nimble vehicle. Though the specifications are still a little bit scarce, we do have a pretty firm grasp of what Nissan is planning with this all-new Pathfinder crossover and we are going to let you in on what we know. Click past the jump to read more on the Nissan Pathfinder. Nissan Pathfinder originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 11 June 2012 10:00 EST.
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| A Squabble Ensues Over Carroll Shelby's Remains Posted: 11 Jun 2012 02:00 AM PDT
At this point, nearly a month after his death, we all assumed that Carroll Shelby was peacefully laid to rest in a plot of land or cremated, so his ashes may stay with his family or spread as he saw fit. According to a report by TMZ, neither of these scenarios are true, as his family is now fighting over who has control over his deceased body. On one side we have Shelby's children that are claiming that their father signed paperwork leaving the eldest son in control of the deceased former racecar driver's body. It looks as if Shelby's long estranged wife, Cleo, is fighting the children stating that being his wife, she has full rights to his remains. She is fighting this despite the fact that Carroll was in the midst of annulling their 14-year-long marriage citing her lying about numerous personal things, such as her assets and even her real name. She is also arguing that there is no way that Mr. Shelby could have signed any papers giving his son control, as he did not have the "physical capacity or eyesight" to read, understand, and sign off on the papers. Until this is all sorted out, Mr. Shelby's body is stuck at the medical examiner's office in a freezer, which is not the place for this automotive hero. He needs to be laid to rest in the place that he made clear he wanted to be prior to his death. If his estranged wife truly does care, she would allow him that right. There is a silver lining to this whole thing and that's that the annulment Shelby filed for in April is still pending and a judge does have the right to approve an annulment even after death. So in the end this could all be resolved with one tap of a gavel from a judge and Mr. Shelby can rest peacefully. A Squabble Ensues Over Carroll Shelby's Remains originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 11 June 2012 09:00 EST.
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| Jag Shows us What Happens to Clay Model Cars After a Design is Complete Posted: 10 Jun 2012 04:00 PM PDT
We've all seen the way that most luxury cars develop through their conception phase. They start off as a rough drawing, then become a computerized image, and finally turn into a clay model just before the design is finalized. We have often wondered what happens to these clay models after all is said and done. Do they throw them in an over-sized kiln and cook them so they remain permanent fixtures forever embedded in their designers' memories, or do they destroy them in dramatic fashion with axe-bearing employees? For those of you that chose the latter scenario – as unbelievable as it sounds – this is precisely how Jaguar rid itself of this life-sized hunk of clay that was once the design platform for the all-new XF. Jaguar didn't see it fit to just take the clay model into a back roof and hack it into bits, Godfather style, but rather film their three hitmen chopping this beautiful model into tiny bits. You can see the dramatic video of the three men demolishing the clay model above. We are starting to wonder if every Jaguar model is hacked up in such dramatic fashion, if so, that is a great way to let off some steam. Unfortunately, we are willing to bet that this is significantly dramatized, but cool as hell nonetheless. We could think of a few older Jags that could use some axe treatment. The X-Type that is the first on the list to catch an axe. No, we don't mean the clay model; an actual X-Type (A.K.A. Ford Taurus in a Jaguar wrapper). Jag Shows us What Happens to Clay Model Cars After a Design is Complete originally appeared on topspeed.com on Sunday, 10 June 2012 23:00 EST.
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