A couple of days after police in Marseilles, southern France pulled over a microcar with a pony riding shotgun, authorities near Lyon had to deal with another kind of horsecrap a hot-rodder who thought he could evade the law via raw horsepower, but who also forgot to top off his gas tank.The citys Gendarmes de la Drôme explained via Facebook that it was prepared to hand out a red card to the driver of a Mercedes-AMG C63 in the late evening November 30 after clocking him doing 206 km/h in an already generous 130-km/h zone.“(The Valence motorway’s squad) caught up with said vehicle five kilometers (from the Pont de l’Isère on the A7) in a 90 km/h-limit zone where the vehicle was now clocked driving at 240 km/h. The Mercedes’ driver then used all the performance of his automobile to outrun patrolmen, but the latter did not give up,” reads the post, translated here into English.“The car is spotted 60 kilometers further, still traveling at crazy speeds. He will finally be found, stopped on the emergency shoulder, out of fuel because of its very high (fuel) consumption.”Indeed, despite the navy blue two-door coups sleek aerodynamics, the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 must have sipped all 66 liters in its tank much faster than its driver planned.Finding the powerful car out of gas, sitting by the curb side after such a folle course-poursuite, would have been enough for the officers to impound this aspiring-Alain-Prost driver and his bolide.Thats when the offenders doubled down on their trouble. Sitting in the back seat, they told police the front passenger and driver had already fled on foot, leaving them behind. Nice try.“On December 4, after investigations that determined the role of each, the driver, a 32-year-old owner of a Saint-Etienne mechanic’s garage, is placed in custody for three crimes: Repeated excessive speeding (since he was already convicted for a more-than-50-km/h offense); refusal to comply with police orders, and so endangering others; and tampering with the vehicle anti-pollution device.” The police investigation also found the C63 unfit for public roads the cars engine control unit had been opened illegally, the exhaust system modified and a replacement alternator improperly installed. The Gendarmes figured the car was making well above its stock 503 horsepower, and thanks to its wonky alternator, was liable to have burst into flames at any point.The drivers will face a total five infractions when he appears in Criminal Court in June. Until then, hes banned from driving for six months. Authorities still have his AMG at the impound lot, too, according to the post, leading one commenter to suggest the police keep the car anyway, it is the right color just add flashing lights. And a larger fuel
Origin: This French garagiste flees the police at 240 km/h in a Mercedes-AMG C63… only to run out of gas
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America’s only airworthy vintage flying car heads to Barrett-Jackson
The only airworthy and road-worthy vintage flying car on the continent will cross the block at Barrett-Jacksons January 2020 sale in Scottsdale, Arizona, where its expected to fetch close to a million dollars.The vehicle was hand-built in 1954 by the Taylor Aerocar company. Designed in 1949 by engineer Moulton Taylor, there were actually more than a few of them built.Doing double-duty driving the wheels and supplying thrust-in-air is a Lycoming 0-320, a 320-cubic-inch four-cylinder boxer engine. It sends power to the front wheels via a three-speed manual transmission, or to the rear-mounted prop.While most flying cars are really just planes with engines that turn the wheels, this one actually leans a little more on the car side all the plane parts can be removed, in fact, and you can choose to tow them behind you, or not. If you were to just drive it around like a regular car, you could do that. Want to take it out for a day of flying? Just hook up your little trailer of wings and things and youre good to go.When the vehicle is in car mode, its actually quite stylish. Being from the 1950s, it has a neat European look to it. Of course, theres nothing as stylish as falling in style that is, flying. Amazingly, this is not the first flying car auctioned at Barrett-Jackson. The firms previously sent across the block a 2004 Panoz Esperante converted into an airplane by none other than fabricator Jesse James.This particular Aerocar was up until recently on display at an air museum in Minnesota, and previously listed for US$895,000. Barrett-Jackson is offering the vehicle with no reserve. it is fully FAA-certified and has flown 781 hours since
Origin: America’s only airworthy vintage flying car heads to Barrett-Jackson
The MX-5 is only the beginning of Mazda’s restoration program
HIROSHIMA, Japan When Mazda was developing the first-generation MX-5 Miata, known as the NA, the development team bought classic cars an MGB and a Datsun 240Z as muses for the upcoming sports car. They wanted to drive and test the classics alongside the new car to ensure it captured the same joy as roadsters once did. Speaking with Nobihuro Yamamoto, a lead engineer when the original Miata was in development, I asked him which classics had been brought in to develop the latest, ND MX-5.And with a smile, he replied simply, the NA.The car meant to carry on the legacy of the classics has become a classic itself. Introduced in 1989 for the 1990 model year, the oldest NA Miatas are now 30 years old. A victim of their own fun-to-drive an easy-to-use nature, many of even the best cared-for NAs have succumbed to the perils of age. So, a devoted crew within Mazda felt something needed to be done. So, the Mazda MX-5 restoration program was created to deepen the bond between you and your NA, says the brochure detailing this service. For roughly $58,000 Canadian, a team of craftsmen and experts will go over literally every single part on your MX-5 and make it new again. The level of detail goes down to remaking the soft-top with the exact same grain as the 1989 unit. Sure, aftermarket soft-tops are still available, but theyre not a 100 per cent match of the old pattern the ones Mazda uses are custom-made and sourced from the U.S. And if that wasnt enough, the original Bridgestone SF-325 tires have long been out of production, but Mazda has gone through the effort of remaking them exactly as they were, with the notable deviation of using a more modern and grippier rubber compound for the tire itself.Mazda is also very selective about the cars theyll restore and the people who own them. The program had 54 applicants and those were whittled down to a waiting list of 15 cars. Cars can be rejected for being too rusty or being in an advanced state of disrepair. But more importantly than the car itself, Mazda is looking for owners who are good ambassadors for the brand they want people that have a strong bond with their car, and not necessarily just someone with a lot of money to spend. The first restored car went to a famous Japanese actor who bought his beloved Miata brand-new.Can you buy one? Sadly, the program is limited to Japan right now, but that might change. Mazda wont say anything concrete, but they may expand the restoration efforts to Europe and North America after a while. But what they did say in the meantime, is that theyre currently studying expanding the program to RX-7 models. We want to make that dream happen, Yamamoto said, adding that the potential program is currently being studied for second- and third-generation RX-7s known as the FC and FD, respectively, by the way. Still not excited enough? After the RX-7, the next car Mazda is considering is the Eunos Cosmo from the early 1990s, a three-rotor technological tour-de-force that was never sold outside of Japan. Why? Yamamoto says its important to allow people to keep enjoying (the cars). Before launching the Miata restoration program, Yamamoto travelled to Germany and studied similar programs run by Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. An invitation was extended to Ferrari Classiche, but they declined.But its not just a restoration program. Mazda is backing this up by adding 1,100 parts to their catalogue to support fans doing their own, likely less intensive MX-5 maintenance. And its worth noting that the restoration program is not limited to total restorations of a complete car theyll refurbish your Miatas interior, engine, or exterior, instead of the whole package, if you so choose. As for us Canadians, Mazda Canada is very interested in supplying NA Miata owners in Canada access to these parts, and are currently working on a deal with Mazdas U.S. division thatll allow Canadian dealers to order these parts from any North American distribution centre.On a small test track at Mazdas sizeable Hiroshima facility, I sampled two freshly restored NA Miatas. Gleaming in the late afternoon sun, you can really see how deep these restorations go: Every tiny rubber seal and plastic fitting are perfect and new, and every single part looks flawless. Ive driven many NA Miatas and some were very nice, but nothing was as nice as these. For the first time in my life, I drove a brand-new 1989 Miata. This is a special car, and you cant help but smile. For motivated and devoted owners, this is like pressing a big reset button on their favourite little car. Im jealous, and I cant wait to see where this program
Origin: The MX-5 is only the beginning of Mazda’s restoration program
Chevrolet’s finally building an EV crossover — but only for China
Theres hardly a car company on the planet that wont jump at the opportunity to add another crossover or SUV to its ranks. Even the mighty Aston Martin and Ferrari are getting in on the game.Given that, it shouldnt be much of a surprise to anyone the new vehicles being shown off by Chevrolet at an auto show in China are utilities.Called the Menlo and apparently built off the bones of a Bolt EV, this car is the first all-electric Bowtie-branded vehicle in China. The company is calling it a sedan for reasons unknown, but this new rig certainly takes the shape of a crossover or SUV.According to GM, the Menlo has a range of 410 kilometres when fully charged and measured under the New European Driving Cycle. Even if that system is slightly more generous than North American tests, it still suggests a driving range not far off that provided by the Bolt.If youve a set of eyes, its easy to tell the Menlo is part of the GM crossover family, with a pair of headlights bookending a thin strip of chrome and resting atop a very familiar bumper. Around back, the Menlo EV would fit exceedingly well in a parking lot full of Equinox and Blazer vehicles.Speaking of Blazer, Chevrolet also showed a three-row version of that trucklet at the same show in which it introduced the Menlo EV. Such a vehicle is not expected to make the jump to America, as it would have the propensity to cannibalize sales of other similarily-sized Chevy three-row rigs. Weve asked GM Canada about whether there are plans to bring either to dealerships here, and it told us the Menlo EV isnt going to be sold in Canada as we speak emphasis ours. Doesnt that sound like it leaves open a small window it might come here eventually?The company says it will have more details about the Menlo EV at this years Guangzhou Auto Show, a soire which runs from November 22 through December 1. Its expected the car will go on sale in China during the first half of calendar year
Origin: Chevrolet’s finally building an EV crossover — but only for China
Driver of Nissan SUV impaled by logs suffers only ‘minor injuries’
The driver of a Nissan Xterra that saw its windshield impaled by several large logs loosed from the trailer of a logging truck not only survived but, according to a local TV news channel, got away with minor injuries.The lumber went through the windshield and all the way to the SUVs rear hatch, seemingly right through the space where the drivers head should be, looking at photos the Whitfield Country Fire Department in Georgia posted to Facebook before they were picked up by the Associated Press.But apparently it wasnt as bad as it looks. The firefighters say the driver was successfully extracted immediately following the October 11 accident, which happened in the Cohutta region, northwest of Atlanta.Local station WTCV-TC even reports the driver got away with only minor injuries, which we find completely baffling. If he had to guess, that persons first step outside those hospital doors is to someplace they can buy a lottery
Origin: Driver of Nissan SUV impaled by logs suffers only ‘minor injuries’
Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet is only mainstream convertible SUV
Volkswagen is carving itself a new niche with the unveiling of the T-Roc Cabriolet, the only mainstream crossover with a fully convertible roof. Claimed to bring an “extroverted and emotive design” to the brand’s range, it indirectly replaces the Golf and Beetle cabriolets and will bear the burden of being the only drop-top Volkswagen for the foreseeable future. It’s due to go on sale early next year after a Frankfurt motor show public debut in September, with first deliveries in the spring. Far from chopping the roof off a standard T-Roc, the cabriolet’s body and structure are mostly new, with 37mm added to the wheelbase and a 34mm increase in overall length. As well as the absence of rear doors and a unique rear-end design, there is structural strengthening in the underbody, windscreen frame, side panels, cross members and doors. Engineers are confident that it would achieve a similar five-star score as the hard-top T-Roc in Euro NCAP crash tests. The soft-top itself features a mechanism similar in concept to the outgoing Golf Cabriolet’s, with the roof stowing in an exposed compartment above the boot rather than under a panel. This allows it to be one of the fastest-opening roofs on sale, retracting in just nine seconds via a switch on the centre console or the key at vehicle speeds of up to 19mph. The T-Roc Cabriolet’s roof design is also space efficient, allowing for two usable rear seats with enough leg and head room for six-footers to be comfortable on short journeys and a well-shaped 284-litre boot (161 litres down on the standard crossover). VW claims noise levels are kept low by specially developed door and roof seals. Only two engines, both petrol, will be offered with the cabriolet at launch: a 113bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine and a 148bhp 1.5-litre four-cylinder unit. The 1.0 has a six-speed manual only, but the 1.5 can be mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. VW has yet to release official performance and efficiency figures or confirm the kerb weight of either variant. There are no plans for diesel engines to be offered. Two trims – Design and R-Line – will be available in the UK. Options will include a wind deflector, mounted over the rear seats, that stows in its own compartment under the boot floor. Prices will be announced next year, but bosses claim it will start from “well under” £30,000. QA with Jurgen Stackmann, VW board member for sales, marketing, aftersales There’s lots of talk about this car being an expression of Volkswagen’s emotive side, rather than a pure business decision. Is that the case? “The concept only has reason to exist because of that. The convertible is the ultimate expression of emotional mobility. It’s got lost in the last few years. The (sales) momentum for convertibles is over. “The opportunity to combine what people really want now – a C-UV (C-segment utility vehicle) – with a cabriolet that has a long-standing tradition in the Volkswagen brand was a great opportunity. For us, it had to look good, so we decided after seeing the first prototype to build it. From a rational side, you would never go into the cabriolet market.” Will this be the only convertible model from Volkswagen that we’ll be seeing for now? “Purely from a convertible point of view, that’s our car. It’s meant to please customers in the UK and Germany (the two biggest drop-top markets). If there’s anything ‘open’, it’ll be very different. It’ll be things we’ve discussed like the ID Buggy.” Will you do an R version of the T-Roc Cabriolet? “R is about high power, high performance and four-wheel drive, and we don’t think any of those are right for this. It would have very limited appeal on the market, so we
Origin: Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet is only mainstream convertible SUV
Most IPace drivers only need two charges a week according to Jaguar app
Most I-Pace drivers only need two charges a week according to Jaguar app The Go I-Pace app monitors car usage to see how an EV would fit user needs Almost 90% of potential Jaguar I-Pace owners could cover their weekly mileage with a maximum of two charges per week, according to data gathered by the company’s Go I-Pace app. The app measures daily car use, and helps show users how an I-Pace would fit their driving needs. Information from those already using the system show that 87% of drivers would only need two full charges a week to cover their required mileage, while 52% of drivers would only need to charge once a week. More than 35,000 trips have been logged by the app, with an average user covering 216 miles per week, and an average journey of 8.4 miles. Jaguar’s I-Pace has a WLTP range of 292 miles on a single charge. Joanna Hewitt, Digital Innovations, Jaguar Land Rover said: “The Go I-Pace app was designed to demonstrate how EV ownership can benefit drivers, particularly in understanding journey impact on range and how often they would need to plug in. Looking at the data we have had so far it is clear to see that not only is I-Pace ownership cost-effective, it is extremely convenient too.”
Origin: Most IPace drivers only need two charges a week according to Jaguar app
This new out-of-this-world Land Rover is for astronauts only
Land Rover’s most recently unveiled new model is a Range Rover Autobiography you can only buy if you’ve been to space. Sort of. The Astronaut Edition is based on a regular Range Rover Autobiography and mostly offers the same comfort and convenience features, but there are also a few touches to let everybody know you’ve seen the upper atmosphere—or at least, that you will, as a member of Virgin Galactic’s Future Astronaut Community. The community is made up of people who have signed on to be among the first space tourists on the suborbital spaceflights that Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic plans to offer in the next few years—yes, space tourism. It’s a thing now. Prime among the special features on the Land Rover are the Zero Gravity Blue paint, inspired by the beautiful effects of the night sky; aluminum door handles with the Future Astronaut Community constellation design; and a ‘DNA of Flight’ graphic on the seats, headrest and console. The puddle lamp when you open the door is even in the shape of the Virgin Galactic spaceship—how cute. The vehicle even has a custom-crafted cupholder that features pieces from the front landing skid of Virgin Spaceship Unity’s first space flight on December 2018. Land Rover vehicles have been part of daily life for the Virgin Galactic team since the launch of the partnership in 2014, says Gerry McGovern, chief design officer of Land Rover. The Astronaut Edition Range Rover is the next step on this journey and the chance for the Future Astronaut Community to celebrate our two brands’ shared values of pioneering spirit and true sense of adventure. This vehicle really will take them Above and Beyond. Two versions of the vehicle will be available, a 400e plug-in hybrid powertrain model; or a model with a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 that makes 525 horsepower. Astronauts with the Virgin Galactic Future Astronaut community can also choose to have their initials stitched onto the
Origin: This new out-of-this-world Land Rover is for astronauts only
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