Saturday, October 31, 2015

Merkel: ‘VW is Working On This With All of Its Power’ – Including Asking Workers to Roll Over

On her weekly podcast, German Prime Minister Angela Merkel said Volkswagen's scandal hasn't harmed the German automobile industry's image, but that the automaker would need to conduct its investigation with transparency to restore faith in the country's industry. "A lot will depend on how Volkswagen deals with the issue," Merkel said, according to Reuters. Separately, […]

The post Merkel: 'VW is Working On This With All of Its Power' – Including Asking Workers to Roll Over appeared first on The Truth About Cars.



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Volkswagen Buying Back Bad Diesels From Dealers At Pre-crisis Prices

Volkswagen told dealers that it would buy back some of its unsellable, used diesel cars withering on their lots at fixed prices to help dealers cope during the automaker's growing diesel scandal, Automotive News reported. The cars that dealers are accepting on trade-in, but can't sell due to their illegally polluting engines, have sat on lots while […]

The post Volkswagen Buying Back Bad Diesels From Dealers At Pre-crisis Prices appeared first on The Truth About Cars.



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Friday, October 30, 2015

20 Late-Model Cars Destined to Become Classics

-While the breadth and quality the classic-car market may be at an all time high, so are the prices. In an era when muscle cars can bring seven figures and televised collector auctions are considered quality entertainment, it's hard not to become at least a little cynical. To help take the edge off, we compiled a list of late model vehicles that we feel have a good shot of becoming classics in every sense of the term.   To narrow our list to manageable size, we limited our choices to vehicles from the 2010 model year or newer, and those with retail prices of below $100,000 when introduced. While none of these models can be considered -2011 BMW 1-series M Coupe-2013 Ford F-150 STV Raptor Supercab-2013 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG-2012 Nissan GT-R-2015 Chevrolet SS-2000 Honda S2000-2012 Porsche Cayman R-Saab 9-5 Aero-2013 SRT Viper GTS-2010 Mazda RX-8-2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350-2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe GXP-2013 Corvette 427 Convertible-2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI hatchback-2012 Audi TT RS-2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat-Lotus Elise/Exige-2011 Cadillac CTS-V wagon-It's achievement that separates a classic car from one that's merely old. And that's why the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution—the Evo to any reasonable person—is guaranteed to become a future collectible. Combine the car's racing achievements with the likelihood that Mitsubishi will never again build anything like it, and it's a can't miss proposition.   In its constant quest to find a compelling image for itself, Mitsubishi got serious about rallying in the late 1980s with the turbocharged, all-wheel drive Galant VR-4. But while the Galant VR-4 had some success, it was too big. So basically what Mitsubishi created the first 1992 Lancer Evolution I by shoving that car's powertrain into the smaller Lancer sedan.   Mitsubishi's bulletproof, iron-block 4G63T 2.0-liter turbocharged four could take tremendous amounts of turbo boost. While early production Evo models were rated at well under 300-hp, in competition dress 500-hp was easily obtained. Using Evo III, IV, V, and VI models, in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999 Finland's Tommi Mäkinen won four consecutive World Rally Championships.   The changes between Evo (IV or V or whatever number) models were often slight. But it's those differences that are likely to only magnify the cars' collectibility in the future. Well, those and the Evo VII's starring role in 2 Fast 2 Furious and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.   The final Evo—the Evo X, the only one not powered by the 4G63T—debuted in 2008 and never was campaigned by Mitsubishi in the World Rally Championship. Despite excellent performance and handling, its lack of racing luster and the passing of the sport-compact craze let it fade in the marketplace. What a damn shame. It left production after 2014.   Perhaps the greatest challenge for Evo collectors of the future will be finding one that hasn't been beaten to death or modified poorly. —John Pearley Huffman-2012-Ford-Mustang-Boss-302--

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Spooky-Kooky: Scion Bringing “Gyrating” and Smoke-Blowing iA to SEMA

Skybound-Entertainment-Robert-Kirkman-Outcast-Scion-iA-concept-PLACEMENT

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When horror-flick pioneer George Romeo set out over 30 years ago to make his full-color, society-gone-mad splatter-fest known as Dawn Of The Dead, the zombie genre was barely on the public's radar. Beloved primarily by members of the fringe element who found the excitement of venturing into otherwise forbidden neighborhoods to catch rare midnight showings an integral part of the experience, it seemed the living dead would never be ready for prime time. Fast-forward to 2015, and it's nearly impossible to get through a day without at least one zombie reference sneaking into casual conversation or to scroll through the channels without inadvertently witnessing gruesome zombie action of some sort. So it should come as no surprise that carmakers like Scion—as previously seen with the Hyundai Elantra, Veloster, Santa Fe and Tuscon­—now actively court the creators of zombie sagas to create vehicles for promotional purposes. The latest entry in the zombie-vehicle sweepstakes is the Scion iA from Skybound Entertainment, which was built as a rolling tribute to Walking Dead author Robert Kirkman's Outcast comic book. Fittingly, the theme of the orange-, black-, and green-toned car is demonic possession, and it will "gyrate, smoke, change colors, and emit eerie sounds." In other words, all of the behaviors typically displayed by cars when operating under demonic possession. Skybound Entertainment/Robert Kirkman Outcast Scion iA concept As you might expect, relying on the supernatural to perform these functions on cue (this is show business people!) proved to be highly frustrating, so the creators called in Trou Sumitomo and Geoff Curtis from Five Axis to outfit the iA with the gear needed to dutifully and reliably run through a two-minute presentation on demand. While the specifics have not been disclosed, the end product includes automatic opening of the rear doors, fuel filler, and glove box; movement of the steering wheel and front and rear wheels and suspension height; and animation of the front bumper and rear taillamps. The grand finale, of course, is the car filling with smoke from the HVAV vents, and the projection of blood splatter graphics on the windows.

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Get past all the kooky spooky aspects, and it's just a friendly Scion iA underneath. The 18-by-7.5-inch aluminum wheels are from FIVE:AD; the tires are 225/40 Toyo Proxes R1R front and rear; the paint, pinstriping, and aero kit are from Five Axis. We're on the record with our appreciation of the technically not-a-Scion iA, and prospective buyers will want to remember: When there's no more room in hell, the dead will roam the earth in efficient and reliable sub-compact automobiles. Skybound-Entertainment-Robert-Kirkman-Outcast-Scion-iA-concept-REEL 2015 SEMA Show Full Coverage

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Spooky-Kooky: Scion Bringing “Gyrating” and Smoke-Blowing iA to SEMA

-Skybound Entertainment/Robert Kirkman Outcast Scion iA concept-Skybound Entertainment/Robert Kirkman Outcast Scion iA concept-Skybound Entertainment/Robert Kirkman Outcast Scion iA concept-Skybound Entertainment/Robert Kirkman Outcast Scion iA concept-Skybound Entertainment/Robert Kirkman Outcast Scion iA concept-Skybound Entertainment/Robert Kirkman Outcast Scion iA concept-Skybound Entertainment/Robert Kirkman Outcast Scion iA concept-Skybound Entertainment/Robert Kirkman Outcast Scion iA concept-Skybound Entertainment/Robert Kirkman Outcast Scion iA concept-Skybound Entertainment/Robert Kirkman Outcast Scion iA concept-Skybound Entertainment/Robert Kirkman Outcast Scion iA concept-Skybound Entertainment/Robert Kirkman Outcast Scion iA concept-Skybound Entertainment/Robert Kirkman Outcast Scion iA concept--

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Scion Announces Un-Lame FR-S Release Series 2.0, Just 1000 Will Be Built

2016 Scion FR-S Release Series 2.0

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Even as sales taper off, the Scion FR-S—and its Subaru BRZ twin—are speaking to car enthusiasts and purists around the globe. The simplicity of design, the straightforward front-engine, rear-drive layout, and the choice of a rev-happy, naturally aspirated engine have turned it into something like the fixed-roof equivalent of a Mazda Miata.

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But alas, Subaru and Toyota (the FR-S is marketed as the Toyota GT86 elsewhere) may have taken the purist approach a bit too far. The interior is clad with hard plastic parts; the noise, vibration, and harshness characteristics leave much to be desired. As a result, all but the hard-core enthusiasts have stayed away from the sporty twins.

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With the FR-S Release Series 2.0, a special edition of which 1000 units will be built, Scion is addressing that issue. The Release Series 2.0 is fitted with "luxurious appointments and premium features" such as black microsuede-upholstered seats and uplevel camel-colored trim on the armrests and door panels. It also packs additional equipment such as dual-zone air conditioning, HID xenon headlights, and a keyless ignition with pushbutton start. Outside, the Release Series 2.0 is denoted by its Lunar Storm paint, special 17-inch wheels, and front and rear spoilers.

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2016 Scion FR-S Release Series 2.0

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Those refinements don't come cheap; the price jumps from $26,895 for a base FR-S to $30,305 for the Release Series 2.0 (add $1100 for the automatic). And while the features are otherwise not available at Scion, most of them are included in the Subaru BRZ Limited.

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Although it may seem somewhat disingenuous to make a sports car noted for its purism slightly less purist, we do applaud Scion for fixing some of its glaring issues—in a way that doesn't detract from the vehicle's performance. Despite Scion's claims, the modifications don't turn the FR-S into a "lap of luxury." But the treatment may prompt a few more drivers to take a well-deserved closer look at this fun and cheerful sports car. And that's not lame at all.

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Scion Announces Un-Lame FR-S Release Series 2.0, Just 1000 Will Be Built

-2016 Scion FR-S Release Series 2.0-2016 Scion FR-S Release Series 2.0-2016 Scion FR-S Release Series 2.0-2016 Scion FR-S Release Series 2.0-2016 Scion FR-S Release Series 2.0-2016 Scion FR-S Release Series 2.0-2016 Scion FR-S Release Series 2.0-2016 Scion FR-S Release Series 2.0-2016 Scion FR-S Release Series 2.0-2016 Scion FR-S-2016 Scion FR-S-2016 Scion FR-S-2016 Scion FR-S-2016 Scion FR-S-2016 Scion FR-S-2016 Scion FR-S-2016 Scion FR-S-2016 Scion FR-S-2016 Scion FR-S-2016 Scion FR-S-2016 Scion FR-S-2016 Scion FR-S-2016 Scion FR-S-2016 Scion FR-S-2016 Scion FR-S-2016 Scion FR-S-2016 Scion FR-S-2016 Scion FR-S-2016 Scion FR-S-2016 Scion FR-S-2016 Scion FR-S-2016 Scion FR-S-2016 Scion FR-S-2016 Scion FR   -S 2.0-liter flat-4 engine--

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