9/24/2012

TopSpeed Daily Update

Audi A3 Sportback
The iPhone 5&#39;s New Lightning Interface May Cause Fits For i-Ready-Car Owners
BMW Individual X6 Performance Edition
Porsche 918 Spyder Hits 7:14 Lap Time at the Nurburgring
McLaren MP4-12C Fire Black Singapore Edition
Lindsay Lohan Wrecks a Third Porsche
Citroen DS3 Electrum Concept
Volkswagen Amarok Canyon Special Edition
Citroen DS4 Pure Pearl Edition
Mercedes Benz SLS AMG GT F1 Safety Car

Audi A3 Sportback

Posted: 20 Sep 2012 08:00 AM PDT

The 2012 Geneva Motor Show gave way to the new generation Audi A3, and Audi is following up that release with the debut of the five-door Sportback version at the 2012 Paris Auto Show. The new model will go on sale in February 2013, with prices in Germany starting from €22,500, or $29,144 at the current rates.

When compared to the standard three-door version, the new Sportback is 73 mm longer and has a 35 mm longer wheelbase. It is also 58 mm longer compared to the outgoing A3 Sportback. This allows the new Sportback an additional 380 liters of boot space, or about 15 liters more than the three-door model.

At its launch, the Audi A3 Sportback will be offered with a choice of one TDI and two TFSI engines, with two diesel engines and one gasoline unit arriving at a later date. All engines will be offered with a standard 6-speed manual gearbox, as well as an optional S tronic transmission.

Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Audi A3 Sportback.

Audi A3 Sportback originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 20 September 2012 15:00 EST.

The iPhone 5&#39;s New Lightning Interface May Cause Fits For i-Ready-Car Owners

Posted: 20 Sep 2012 06:00 AM PDT

We understand all too well that companies tend to change things up just for the sake of change in some cases. We see it every year in the automotive world. Fortunately, in our world, this typically doesn't affect you all too much if you had a car just before a drastic and utterly meaningless upgrade occurred. You just keep on motoring.

Well, when it comes to some electronics, these changes can spell disaster if you are not well informed and prepared. Case in point is the new iPhone 5, which iFolk are iTrading their iPhone 4s like iHotcakes to get their iHands on, but there is a problem that they may run into when trying to dock up their flashy new iPhone 5 to their iPhone-ready car… The new "Lightning" interface connector will not connect, even if you just snagged up a 2013 model year.

The only way to rectify this issue is to go to the store and pick up $29 (Apple licensed) adapters for your car and the other numerous doo-dads that you hook it up to. Additionally, for those that have ever tried using cellphone adapters of any sort, please think of the last one you bought – licensed or not – that actually worked the way it was supposed to. Not too often, huh?

So this may, create a small tizzy in the automotive industry, as owners may take to the dealerships up in arms as to why the car companies had no idea that the iPhone 5 would not fit their massive 30-pin receptacle. This could result in automakers like Kia, Hyundai, Audi, and VW, all of which have the old-style iPhone connector, having to offer all of its new-car buyers these adapters – possibly free of charge to avoid legal issues.

This just shows how something as little as a change in the connector for seemingly no reason at all can lead to serious headaches for your customers. Apple really should have included the adapter with the iPhone 5 and very well may decide to retroactively do so in the future, if the issue becomes too big.

The iPhone 5's New Lightning Interface May Cause Fits For i-Ready-Car Owners originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 20 September 2012 13:00 EST.

BMW Individual X6 Performance Edition

Posted: 20 Sep 2012 05:00 AM PDT

BMW North American has announced the launch of a new limited edition, specially developed for the US market: the new BMW Individual X6 Performance Edition. The model will be limited to only 100 units, 50 X6 xDrive35i units priced at $80,800 and 50 X6 xDrive50i units carrying a price tag of $82,000. The model will be built in September and October 2012.

The new special edition X6 will feature a very cool Pearl Silver metallic paint finish combined with a new set of 20" spoke wheels and a black chrome exhaust system. For the interior, the luxury SUV gets Black Alcantara/Leather seats and door panels with Sakhir Orange contrast stitching, as well as the use of BMW Individual's Carbon Leather Wrapped Trim on the dashboard and center console.

The BMW Individual X6 Performance Edition can also be ordered with the speedier M Performance Package that will increase the xDrive35i’s output by 15 HP and by 40 HP for the xDrive50i. Customers can also opt for a Premium Package, a Cold Weather Package, a Technology Package, and a Premium Sound Package.

gallery: 2013 BMW X6

BMW Individual X6 Performance Edition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 20 September 2012 12:00 EST.

Porsche 918 Spyder Hits 7:14 Lap Time at the Nurburgring

Posted: 20 Sep 2012 04:00 AM PDT

We are all waiting with baited breath for the release of the Porsche 918 Spyder and every little bit of information we get is quickly gobbled up and processed. However, we had yet to hear any real track numbers for this awesome hybrid machine. Sure ,we know that it will boast an 795-horsepower drivetrain that uses a 4.6-liter V-8 gasoline engine and a pair of electric motors and will hit 60 mph in just about 3 seconds.

Still, that just is not enough information for us, but we just got our first taste of real life track information on the 918 Spyder and it's all good. It recently completed the Nürburgring Nordschleife lap and pulled in a time of 7:14. Depending on the fractional seconds, this will place the 918 Spyder as the fifth, sixth, or seventh fastest car to ever take on the Nordschleife lap.

In addition, this puts it a full 18 seconds faster than the touted Carrera GT that it replaced. One thing to keep in mind is that the 918 that tested on the 'Ring and got the fastest time was equipped with what Porsche calls the "Weissach package." According to what we hear, this package includes upgraded brakes, a 6-point harness, air-conditioning delete, radio delete, and other weight-saving measures, so don't go thinking that every 918 Spyder under the sun will lap the bankrupt, yet safe, Nürburgring.

Now with our whistles wet with fresh 918 details, we can rest easy for the day knowing that the 918 at least performs on the track as we have always hoped and expected.

gallery: 2013 Porsche 918 Spyder

Porsche 918 Spyder Hits 7:14 Lap Time at the Nurburgring originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 20 September 2012 11:00 EST.

McLaren MP4-12C Fire Black Singapore Edition

Posted: 20 Sep 2012 03:00 AM PDT

We envy the people of Singapore sometimes, specifically in terms of how they get exclusive special edition super cars in their country. We’ve already seen the Lamborghini Gallardo Singapore Edition, and that was pretty mind-blowing. However, at the Singapore Grand Prix, British automaker McLaren is dropping their own exclusive MP4-12C. It’s called the Fire Black Singapore Edition and it is hot!

Only three of these babies will be built, each coming with a special Fire Black base color that has been complemented by Rocket Red highlights and silver pinstripes. The color combination is absolutely stunning, and the matching interior was built to put the colors of McLaren’s Formula 1 car into the exclusive MP4-12C.

The aggressive body kit also plays into the super car’s overall appeal, The front and rear bumpers, in particular, add a fiercer profile to the car while the set of lightweight rims are the perfect fit for a car of this stature.

Needless to say, these three MP4-12C Fire Black Singapore Edition models won’t come cheap. Two have already been spoken for, so if you want to score the last available model, be ready to drop $1.28 million.

gallery: 2011 - 2013 McLaren MP4-12C

McLaren MP4-12C Fire Black Singapore Edition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 20 September 2012 10:00 EST.

Lindsay Lohan Wrecks a Third Porsche

Posted: 20 Sep 2012 02:00 AM PDT

Okay LiLo, we gave you two chances with driving Porsches. First you smashed one into a semi-truck, claiming its brakes failed, but Porsche decided to a little investigation of its own only to find out that the brakes were in top order. Next you nipped a Ford Mustang with a Panamera, leaving a scratch on the man's car, which he is claiming he will leave as a souvenir. Hmm, we wonder if he got it autographed too.

Now somehow LiLo managed to get her incompetent driving behind into the driver's seat of yet another Porsche, which she is not allowed to drive regardless, and decided to play bumper cars with a pedestrian. This time her weapon of choice was a Porsche Cayenne and her victim was a young man standing outside of the Dream Hotel in New York.

Fortunately, she hit the guy at a low speed according to the report and the guy is recovering in a hospital. Lindsay did pull off a big no-no following the accident, as after someone checked out the damage on the car, she simply pulled away, getting herself a misdemeanor leaving-the-scene ticket. From the updated report, the surveillance camera at the hotel shows that the "victim" of the accident really seemed to embellish it, so chances were she may not have even hit him. There is an investigation underway.

Regardless of if she hit him or not, how many Porsches is she going to go through before she finally learns that No. 1 she can't drive, No. 2 she’s rich enough not to need to drive, and No. 3 she needs to hire a freaking driver!

Fortunately in the latter two accidents neither any people nor any Porsche's were seriously injured.

gallery: 2011 Porsche Cayenne

Lindsay Lohan Wrecks a Third Porsche originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 20 September 2012 09:00 EST.

Citroen DS3 Electrum Concept

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 09:00 PM PDT

French automaker Citroen has been relatively coy about their plans for the 2012 Paris Motor Show, but with the event a little over a week away, we’re slowly getting a good idea on what’s in store from Citroen.

One of the models headed to Paris is the DS3 Electrum Concept, an all-electric concept that promises to take the phrase of an electric supermini to new heights.

Details have yet to be revealed, but Citroen has said that the car can run a range of up to 75 miles and will be powered by a pair of 65 kW motors that has been fitted on the front axle with a Panasonic 17.5 kWh lithium-ion battery.

The automaker also describes the DS3 Electrum Concept as a car with "an innovative and non-intrusive design," which means we’re expecting nothing short of stunning for this car.

That being said, we’re looking forward to seeing what the DS3 Electrum Concept is all about. Chances are, we’re not alone.

Note: Photo is of the Citroen DS3

Citroen DS3 Electrum Concept originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 20 September 2012 04:00 EST.

Volkswagen Amarok Canyon Special Edition

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 08:00 PM PDT

Last year at the Geneva Motor Show Volkswagen was unveiling the Amarok Canyon - a very cool concept car that did quite an impression on customers. And due to this positive reaction Volkswagen decided to come with a production version Amarok Canyon. The new version will be put on sale in 2013 in limited numbers.

The new Canyon Special Edition is based on the Trendline specification and will be offered in "Copper Orange" paintwork, offered exclusively for this model, but a choice of ’Reflex Silver’, ’Natural Grey’ and ’Sand Beige’ is also available. The model will also be distinguished by darkened rear light clusters, wheel-arches in contrasting black, a redesigned styling bar, sill sidebars and rear bumper in gleaming black, plus a new roll cover. The model will be offered with standard 17" Roca alloy wheels, but a choice of 18" wheels is also available.

On the interior the model has received a matte chrome instrument panel, partially leather seats with two-tone coloring, a three-spoke leather steering wheel and a leather-covered gear lever.

Volkswagen Amarok Canyon Special Edition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 20 September 2012 03:00 EST.

Citroen DS4 Pure Pearl Edition

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 07:00 PM PDT

Seeing as the Paris Motor Show is the home auto show of Citroen, it’s pretty obvious that they’re going to bring a whole load of vehicles to the event.

With a little over a week before the doors to the event officially open, the French automaker is slowly unveiling their Paris-bound line-up, including a pair of special edition DS models carrying the "Pure Pearl" special edition designation.

One of these models is the DS4 Pure Pearl, which, as the name suggests, comes finished with a pearlescent white body color to go with touches of gloss chrome detailing and a new set of 18" alloy wheels. Other unique features of the DS4 Pure Pearl include an interior that’s been dressed in a watchstrap-style club leather upholstery that has been complemented with blue over-stitching.

For this particular model of the DS4, Citroen decided to give it a more powerful 1.6-liter HDi 160 engine instead of the standard model’s HDi 110 engine. What that means is that the DS4 Pure Pearl Edition comes packed with a tidy 110 horsepower and 199 lb/ft of torque and mated to an automatic transmission.

It’s not going to blow a lot of cars on the road, but for a hatchback of its caliber, it sure has plenty of promise.

gallery: 2011 Citroen DS4

Citroen DS4 Pure Pearl Edition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 20 September 2012 02:00 EST.

Mercedes Benz SLS AMG GT F1 Safety Car

Posted: 19 Sep 2012 11:00 AM PDT

After upgrading the SLS AMG with a new name and better specs, Mercedes has also opted to replace its Safety Car version with the new Mercedes SLS AMG GT. The new SLS AMG GT Safety Car will be used during the 2012 Formula 1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix on September 21st, 2nd, and 23rd.

The new Safety Car will be present with an aluminum spaceframe construction that helps keep its total weight down to just 3571 lbs. It will be powered by the same V8 engine found in the standard model, which delivers a total of 591 HP and is mated to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission with optimized shift times. Next to this impressive engine, the SLS AMG GT Safety Car also received a high-performance ceramic composite brake system and weight-reduced AMG 10-spoke forged light-alloy wheels painted in matte black with a high-sheen finish.

As if all of this wasn’t enough to get the fans’ attention, Mercedes has also allowed the Mercedes SLS AMG GT Safety Car to stand out with a number of LED lights and a specially developed rear silencer that provides an even more sensational V8 soundtrack.