Pagani isn’t waiting until Pebble Beach to reveal the new Huayra Roadster BC. At least, not to reveal it in digital form. Marking the first time a car company has debuted a new vehicle in a mobile video game, the latest supercar from the luxury automaker has landed in the video game CSR Racing 2, which was developed by San Francisco-based Zynga, the same company that created the popular mobile game Words With Friends. The Roadster BC is an open-top track-focused beast and the latest display of Horacio Pagani’s German-powered Italian-inspired genius. Pagani teased the car on social media recently, calling it “a tremendous science and design challenge,” likely referring to the work done to keep weight down. Now we’re getting a full look — on our cell phones. “When Horacio Pagani first began designing cars 44 years ago, it would have been impossible to imagine that a car like the Roadster BC would ever be unveiled to the world in a mobile game,” Michael Staskin, Managing Director of Pagani Automobili America, said in a statement. “We chose to partner with CSR2 on the reveal of the Roadster BC because we are both leaders in our respective industries, we both show incredible attention to design and detail and we both continue to disrupt what is considered normal in the automotive industry.”CSR Racing 2 is free to download on the App Store or Google Play. The Pagani Huayra Roadster BC is expected to debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance later this
Origin: New Pagani Huayra Roadster BC debuts in mobile video game
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Mini’s first all-electric Cooper debuts, arrival date in North America uncertain
Mini took the covers off its all-electric Cooper SE early July, showing off a hatchback designed to make city driving emissions-free.Sporting classic Mini styling, you probably wouldnt notice at first glance that the Cooper SE is an all-electric vehicle.The EV makes a respectable 181 horsepower and 199 lb.-ft. of torque from its 135-kW electric motor; thats enough to dodge and weave through downtown traffic.Its also enough to get the small hatch to 96 km/h from zero in 7.3 seconds, which is about the same as a turbocharged three-cylinder Mini.The Mini is based on the older i3 platform, which BMW says fits perfectly where the engine used to be. The 32.6-kWh battery will help the SE reach a range of about 183 miles, which is slightly down on what were seeing with other brands recent EVs. The battery can be charged up to 80 per cent in 35 minutes or less when using a fast charger, and can also be charged using a standard 120-volt house outlet or Level 2 charger. Inside the cabin, the Mini is standard fare: not much has changed in here except for some colour-matched switches and lights. The large central information screen is still there, with touchscreens available in 5.5-, 6.5- and 8.8-inch sizes. Apple CarPlay and wireless charging are also available.While Mini has said we should expect the Cooper SE to show up on North American shores, it hasnt released a timeline for when thatll happen. As for the price? We arent sure yet, but we expect it to be a little more expensive than the Cooper S. Think of all the money youll save on
Origin: Mini’s first all-electric Cooper debuts, arrival date in North America uncertain
The 2020 BMW X6 debuts with more tech and more power
Everybodys favourite SUV-coupe is all-new for 2020: yes, the BMW X6 just debuted with tons of technology and more power.And, as if having a massive kidney grille wasnt enough for this generation of BMWs, the X6s also lights up.The X6 now rides on BMWs new Cluster Architecture, borrowed from the X5.The base model sDrive40i and xDrive40i receive BMWs trusty twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six, which produces 335 horsepower and 330 lb.-ft. of torque, sent to either the rear wheels only or all four depending on the trim.For added performance, there is also the X6 M50i, which uses BMWs 4.4-litre V8, this time with two turbochargers spinning it up to 523 hp and 554 lb.-ft. of torque. Those ponies help the X6 get to 96 km/h from zero in just 4.1 seconds.Theres a new off-road package available for the xDrive40i as well, which includes air suspension for both axles, an electronically-controlled rear differential and four off-road driving modes: snow, sand, gravel or rocks. Inside, the X6 is as comfortable as you would expect, and its loaded with tech. A 12.3-inch touch screen and 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster feature BMWs updated seventh generation of Live Cockpit with iDrive. This means the Hey, BMW voice assist, gesture control, wi-fi, wireless charging and Apple CarPlay are all available.Safety features are also huge on the X6: BMW Active Assistant, blind-spot detection, forward collision warning and park distance control are all standard. Lane-keep assist, automatic lane-change assist and side-collision avoidance are all available as extras.In the U.S., the BMW X6 starts at US$64,300; Canadian pricing and availability have not been
Origin: The 2020 BMW X6 debuts with more tech and more power
News Roundup: Tesla gets wet, the Kia Telluride debuts strong and Ford confirms a hybrid Bronco
Welcome to our weekly round-up of the biggest breaking stories on Driving.ca from this past week. Get caught up and ready to get on with the weekend, because it’s hard keeping pace in a digital traffic jam. Here’s what you missed while you were away. Watch a Model S drive down a flooded street, water up to its door jambs If this isn’t a commercial for Tesla then I don’t know what is. pic.twitter.com/Fid0A9L2lr Richard Richter (@Ricardo_Lee_) May 3, 2019 Just because a Tesla could drive through a flood doesn’t mean it should. In fact, as Driving’s in-house mechanical expert Brian Turner points out, the fact that the machine is basically one giant electrical system on wheels means it definitely should not be driven through water. Yet there’s this recent Twitter video showing a Model S driving down a flooded street, submerged in water at least a foot high. Not only are the risks of imminent failure high, says Turner, but there may be long-term effects as well, as “a wet connector can play havoc with these signals, and the water-shielding will keep moisture in…” So, don’t try this at home. People are making Tesla autopilot porn now A modified Tesla Model X drives in the tunnel entrance before an unveiling event for the Boring Co. Hawthorne test tunnel in Hawthorne, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018. Elon Musk unveiled his underground transportation tunnel on Tuesday, allowing reporters and invited guests to take some of the first rides in the revolutionary albeit bumpy subterranean tube the tech entrepreneur’s answer to what he calls soul-destroying traffic. (Robyn Beck/Pool Photo via AP) Robyn Beck / AP If it’s larger than a breadbox and contains an atmosphere with even a little bit of oxygen, people will find a way to have sex in it. It was only a matter of time, then, that Tesla’s Autopilot feature was used to turn the interior of one of the brand’s EVs into a rolling porno set. That moment arrived earlier this week when ‘Tesla’ became the top search term on popular porn site Pornhub thanks to a new video featuring adult entertainer Taylor Jackson, some guy and a Model X with Autopilot engaged. And judging by the viral nature of the upload, it’s pretty safe to say this won’t be the last Autopilot porn we see. Did Pornhub just get a new category? The 2020 Telluride leaves a lasting first impression 2020 Kia Telluride Nick Tragianis / Driving The world doesn’t need just another SUV, but it may need this one. Driving’s Nick Tragianis was in Banff, Alberta recently to test out the new three-row truckster from the South Korean company. After falling for its peppy and hearty-sounding V6 engine and convenient AWD setup, immensely spacious interior with generous infotainment system, and reasonable price range, he came to his conclusion: “Kia will sell every single one of these.” Ram’s getting a new midsize truck is in the works, and it’s not going to be built on the Gladiator Even older pickups – like the Dodge Dakota that’s been discontinued for quite some time – can still charm pickup buyers. Handout / Dodge Ram has set its sights on a new midsize truck to help fill out its lineup. Automotive News reports that Ram boss Mike Manley is aware of the “clear hole in (Ram’s) portfolio” and promises the team is “focused” on finding the solution. Contrary to previous rumours, it appears the new product won’t be based on the Gladiator platform. And in other good news for Ram fans, the popular and more affordable Ram Classic will remain on sale through 2019. Missouri HOA says this truck is too old, threatens to foreclose on owner’s home Some people have no taste. Like members of the Missouri HOA, for example, who recently threatened to foreclose a man’s house over his truck, which allegedly shows “severe body damage”—parking such a heap in his own driveway goes against HOA rules, they argue. But the truck’s owner claims the 1965 Ford F-250 runs perfectly and is “beautiful the way it is.” Take a look and you tell us: is the old Ford pickup wearing ‘charming patina’ or ‘severe body damage’? Overloaded Chevy sedan sparks outrage on Ontario highway This is not how you carry wide loads in a car. David Fafinski / Facebook Innovative? Perhaps? Dangerous? Absolutely. Video of a Chevrolet Lumina sedan driving along in the right lane of a major highway near Burlington, Ontario with its rear doors and trunk open and bursting with what appears to be various pieces of large furniture and building supplies has inspired our columnist Lorraine Sommerfeld to pull out her soapbox and megaphone. Preach, Lorraine, preach! Should this person be applauded for their innovation and organizational skills, or arrested for stunt driving? You know where Lorraine stands, now put on your own Judgy-Pants and vote in our online poll here. There will be a 2020 Ford Bronco hybrid A teaser image of Ford’s upcoming production Bronco off-road SUV. Ford / Ford Ford is taking another step toward its goal of electrifying
Origin: News Roundup: Tesla gets wet, the Kia Telluride debuts strong and Ford confirms a hybrid Bronco
Production-spec Porsche 911 Speedster debuts in New York
2019 Porsche 911 SpeedsterHandout / Porsche What is it? With a nod and wink to the Porsche 356 Speedster that debuted in 1948, Porsche presented the production version of the 911 Speedster — a lightweight roadster with 502 horsepower and a sumptuous shape — at an exclusive event in New York City April 16. And, wow, is the car ever gorgeous, a fitting tribute to the original Speedster that helped define the brand. Only 1,948 will be built. Powered by a 4.0-litre flat-six that will scream to 9,000 rpm producing 346 lb.-ft. of torque, the 911 Speedster is based off the 991 version of the formidable GT3 Coupe, receiving the same engine and chassis but several modifications to make it unique, such as a low cut front and side windows and a manually operated lightweight fabric top. Two “streamliners” made of carbon fibre composite on the rear deck harken back to the original car. Why does it matter? Porsche has a long and distinguished history of building cars that cater to drivers and enthusiasts. The 911 Speedster builds on that by offering only a six-speed manual transmission (saving 4 kilograms over a seven-speed manual), throttle bodies from the GT3 R race car, and an intense focus on light weight. The hood, front fenders and rear deck lid are all made of carbon fibre. 2019 Porsche 911 Speedster Handout / Porsche Lighter and more powerful carbon ceramic brakes are standard, the roof has no power components, air conditioning and a stereo are options. All in, the 911 Speedster weighs 1,465 kilograms — light enough to help it reach 100 km/h in four seconds flat. Dynamic engine mounts from the GT3 should also enrich the driving experience, but expect the top be characteristically fussy to open and close. When is it coming? The 2019 911 Speedster should be available for order starting next month, at a price of $312,500, with deliveries late in 2019. Should you buy it? If you’re already a Porsche 911 owner, the Speedster could make for an exquisite compliment and will always remain unique. If you’re a collector, the performance and limited numbers of the 911 Speedster will ensure it always holds value. But if you simply want a high performance and personalized Porsche, the 911 Cabriolet S is more advanced and can be custom designed in more than a hundred different ways for a lot less money, and it will have a much more user-friendly top. It just won’t be one of 1,948 cars with those very cool
Origin: Production-spec Porsche 911 Speedster debuts in New York
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