Sunday, May 31, 2015

Vegas-Based PSC Motors Promises a 1,700HP Hypercar

BOLD RIDE

 
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There’s no shortage of people and companies that believe they can do it better than Ferrari and Lamborghini. Every year countless say they are going to make a Ferrari killer for half the price.

 Or that they will build the world’s fastest car, which has a billion horsepower and made out of adamantium and unicorn tears. Ultimately, after the initial hype and design reveal, we never hear from these alleged ‘supercar’ manufacturers again.
 
But one Vegas-based startup thinks they can follow in the footsteps of Koenigsegg and Pagani. They call themselves PSC Motors, and what they’re planning on delivering should have other supercar companies keeping a close eye out.




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Now PSC Motors is all new, so don’t worry if you’ve never heard of them. Until today, no one really has. The company is out of Las Vegas, Nevada, and they are hopefully to bring about a supercar that will go up against the LaFerrari, 918 Spyder, the P1, and the Koenigsegg Regera. The new car is called the SP-200 Sin, and according to the company, uses a 9.0-liter V8 engine that produces roughly 1,000 horsepower.
 
But that’s not all, PSC Motors is also including a 700 horsepower electric motor attached to the rear axle to give the car a total of 1,700 horsepower. The company also states that the curb weight of the car will be around 3,100 lbs and says that the power to weight ratio is good enough for the SP-200 Sin to reach 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds and reach a top speed of over 280 mph.
The complete vehicle is said to be revealed on Monday, so we’ll be sure to update you.
Hypercar

 
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Would Anyone Buy This Paceman Pickup if Mini Built It?

BOLD RIDE

Copyright © 2015 Bold Ride LLC.

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Pickup trucks are handy; sporty little cars are fun. Combine the two and you’d seemingly have a best-of-both-worlds situation. Just look at Australia’s popular utes. 
 
Last year, Mini must have thought the same thing, because to the glee of fans, it carved a pickup truck bed into the rear of its zesty little Paceman crossover. It looks mean, rides high, and with the moniker “Mini Paceman Adventure” – its mission is fairly obvious.

 But here’s a question. If Mini actually built this Paceman concept, would anyone really buy it? Share your thoughts below.



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If the Paceman Adventure concept feels like a young, hip product, that’s because it is. The concept evolved from a collaboration of Mini apprentices at BMW’s Munich and Dingolfing plants. The budding engineers began with a standard Paceman Cooper S, equipped with Mini’s ALL4 all-wheel-drive and turbocharged 184-horsepower engine, and then set about giving it some utilitarian chops.
 
As a result, the passenger compartment ends behind the front seats, leading into a diamond plate bed in the rear, and the Mini Paceman’s suspension gets a lift and overhaul. A roof rack complete with tire carrier and headlight bar find a home up top, and join a full-functioning snorkel intake in driving home the off-road looks.


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Mini made it fairly clear at its debut that the Paceman Adventure concept had no future plans for a series production. Despite a questionable market for the vehicle, I doubt that I’m the only one left a bit saddened by that. What say you, Internets? Would you buy one if Mini built it?



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2016 Camaro ZL1 Rendering Looks Hardcore

BOLD RIDE

 
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It’s only been a short while since the sixth-generation Camaro was revealed to the public. And so far it’s been welcomed with open arms. The new Camaro is lighter, faster, and better looking than the previous generation. But already, some individuals aren’t content with the normal Camaro trims.

Our friends at TopSpeed got together a rendering of a pretty hardcore Camaro ZL1 concept. Using the sixth-generation Camaro’s architecture, artists put their heads together and attempted to render out what the next generation Camaro ZL1 would look like. We have to admit, it looks like it could be spot on.


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While we’re still unsure of what performance variants Chevy will offer for the new Camaro, there will most likely be at least a few that cross over from the last generation to the current. Things like this ZL1 rendering will most likely make production, as will another Z/28. Though, both possibilities come with a certain set of challenges in their design and execution.

Take for example the ZL1 concept pictured above. The new Camaro SS doesn’t use the same LS3 found in the last generation, but rather the new LT1 found in the C7 Corvette. For the ZL1 to go supercharged, it would seem unlikely Chevy’s LT4 would find its way into the Camaro, just due to the power and use in the Corvette Z06 and the Cadillac CTS-V. 

While unlikely, it could still happen. But seeing as Chevy’s engineers have been on a roll as of late, we wouldn’t put anything past them when it comes to creating some of the best handling, and most powerful cars that money can buy at the moment.

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How Would You Like to be Picked Up in a McLaren P1 Taxi?

BOLD RIDE

Copyright © 2015 Bold Ride LLC.
 
mclaren p1 taxi photo

Whether you phone a taxi service or press a button on your phone for Uber, you pretty much know what you’re getting into beforehand. The car will likely be either a 1999 Ford Crown Victoria or a Kia Soul with weird stains in the back seat.
 
But what would happen if you called for a taxi and all of a sudden a supercar showed up? Or better yet, a brand new hypercar complete with taxi sign? You’d probably pee your pants. Well, if you want that chance, start saving for a trip to Taiwan.


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According to Wesley Cars Photography, this Volcano Yellow McLaren P1 is a real life taxi. It gives rides, and takes people around the town. This is reminiscent of the Gallardo taxi we saw a few months ago, except this is a real life hypercar with 900 horsepower and a top speed of well over 200 mph.
 
So I have to ask, how much do you think a taxi ride in a McLaren P1 would go for? I doubt it would be the same rate of charge as a normal Crown Vic. Our best guess — at least a couple hundred bucks depending on where you want to go. Which still seems like a heck of a deal.

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Saturday, May 30, 2015

Yes, You Should Buy This V10 Formula 1 Car Right Now

BOLD RIDE

 
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When it comes to racecars, older iterations, depending on the vintage, tend to be astronomically expensive. Not only in terms of sale price, but also maintenance and getting ready for a track day. That said, we think we found one of the best deals of the last few years, if not the last two decades.
 
Here is a 1990, Williams-Renault Formula 1 car— and right now, it could be yours for the low, low price of just $184,105. And just to be clear, this isn’t a limp wristed copy, or wall mount Formula 1 car without the engine or components. Nope, this is a full-fledged, V10 Formula 1 racecar, and it’s itching for a new owner who will properly flog the hell out of it.


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The 3.5-liter Renault V10 that powers this car was good from anywhere between 640 horsepower to a massive 710 horsepower during its Formula 1 days. And through this car’s lifespan, its best finish was 3rd at the US Grand Prix. In other words, you’d be getting a 700 horsepower, V10 Formula 1 car, for the price of a spec’d out Porsche 911 Turbo, or the new McLaren 570S. We know what we would do, but what would you do?

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Watch Vossen’s BMW i8 Duo Take Over the Port of Miami

BOLD RIDE

 
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Typically, a major port is anything but still. And if cars are around, they’re usually boxed in— literally, being loaded in and out. But Vossen Wheels, based in Miami, thought it’d be a perfect spot for a shoot. After a dealing with a slew of permits, rules, and restrictions, Vossen was able to take two gorgeous BMW i8s and turn the port into an industrial playground.
 
The shoot was originally intended to focus on the white model, which is owned by @LordMcdonnell and is an Instagram star in its own right. But Vossen was able to grab another i8 from Miami exotic car rental Lou La Vie to bring the two together for a unique custom walk off.




So let’s talk specifics. Both cars are wearing 22×9″ and 22×10.5″ wheels. McDonnell’s is wearing the the flashy red Vossen Precision Series 304s while the black is wearing contrasting white VPS-301s. The wheels are wrapped in Pirelli 245-30-22 and 285-25-22 tires, and both models have been lowered on H&R Springs.
Watch the full video and see more photos of the duo here.


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This 1980 Toyota TX22 is a Coachbuilt Rarity: Your Ride

BOLD RIDE

 
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When is an ‘80s Toyota Celica… not just an ‘80s Celica. Answer: when it’s one of these. Meet the 1980 Toyota Celica TX22 Sport – the targa-topped Toyota hatchback you never knew existed but now desperately want. 
 
Its story begins with the Griffith Company, an aftermarket car conversion firm, which between 1979 and 1981 took brand new Celicas from the Toyota factory and, well… chopped their tops. Three different models made the ‘cut’ – the Sunchaser, Legato, and TX22 – all in low volumes, and Toyota enthusiast Larry F. was lucky enough (and determined enough) to snag one of them.

Exact production numbers are hazy, but Larry’s TX22 is one of 25 to 50 built in total, and is believed to be the last one still running and driving in the US. A rare car indeed. We caught up with Larry, and here’s what he had to say about the Celica.

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How did you first come across the Celica?

 I searched eBay, wanted ads on craigslist, and looked through forums for almost eight years in order to find one. Finally, a gentleman contacted me saying his aunt had given him this car, as she could not drive it anymore. Him being a Porsche fan, he didn’t exactly want to keep the car, so when he found my ad, he sold it to me. It was a genuine little old lady, one-owner car.


Have you had to replace or modify anything over the years?

 Luckily I have restored or replaced very little to get it back to as-delivered condition from Toyota. It needed almost nothing when I got it, apart from a good detailing. The only accessories I’ve added are the extremely rare side louvers and rear louvers. The car came with a high-end stereo system with a cassette. I’m going to swap it out for a working factory 8-track player soon.




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What does it feel like to drive?

 It takes me back to the ‘80s when I had a 1980 Supra. It’s still a fine driving car – tight, brakes great, handles really well for 35 years old – and it gets as many, if not more, looks and thumbs up as my 1969 Camaro ever did!


It’s also surprisingly peppy. As far as the drivetrain and specs go, they are the same as the regular Celica GT with 90 plus horsepower, five-speed gearbox, and A/C. Nothing spectacular by any stretch, but the fact that the automatic version of these got 35 mpg highway is really impressive though.



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Just how rare is the TX22 Sport?

 Back in the day, Griffith made three variations of the Celica. Most are familiar with the Sunchaser, a targa-top version of the Celica Sport coupe, and the Legato, which was a targa-top Celica Supra. I have tried to find build counts, but the numbers are all over the place even from people that worked for Griffith. I believe total of 5,000 to 10,000 Sunchasers were made and about 1,000 Legatos.


As for the TX22, which is the Celica hatchback targa-top, I was told “not many” were built. The conversion added $3,000 to the price of an $8,000 car. I am sure people just bought a Supra instead – it’s a big price for just going topless. Over the years I’ve found 15 TX22s worldwide but I have only ever seen two in person – and I own both. My other one is a one-of-one United States Grand Prix TX22 Sport edition.

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What Do You Think of This Brown and Yellow BMW i8?

BOLD RIDE

Copyright © 2015 Bold Ride LLC.
 
BMW i8 Front

It seems that those in Abu Dhabi simply will not be content with any kind of standard factory paint color on their car. Instead, they’re drawn to unique combinations that are sure to make their already standout cars even bigger standouts in a desert sea of very expensive supercars. This BMW i8 is the lastest car to get a special look.
 
You’ll find this one-of-a-kind BMW sitting on the showroom floor of the BMW Abu Dhabi showroom. It has been given a light brown foil wrap which is a car color people either immediately love or immediately hate as some throwback to the 1970s. Add black and bright yellow accents and the car is complete.



BMW i8 Profile

The most striking bit of yellow is boldly placed on the hood, but the color also sneaks in beneath the side view mirrors, along the sides, and integrated into the rear of the car. Even the badges get attention “eDrive” and “i8″ getting some yellow accents.
 
It’s definitely not a color combination for everyone, but it does have a certain appeal. The i8 is a car you don’t see everyday and brown is a car color you don’t see everyday. At the very least, if they parked one in your driveway and handed you the keys, you’d probably be perfectly happy no matter the color.



BMW i8 Rear

 
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Friday, May 29, 2015

This Stunning McLaren F1 GTR Longtail Needs a New Home

BOLD RIDE

Copyright © 2015 Bold Ride LLC.

This Mini Cooper is the World’s Slowest Plane

BOLD RIDE

Copyright © 2015 Bold Ride LLC.
 
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In terms of having the coolest company car in town, this must surely rank near the top of the pile, somewhere behind the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile and in front of the Red Bull can car. It’s quite obviously a Mini Cooper hardtop with wings, which makes it either the world’s slowest plane or most airworthy hatchback. 
 
Flight-readiness aside, this smile-inducing Mini Cooper could be yours. For some reason that escapes me, the owner has listed the winged Mini up for sale online. If interested, don’t spend too long at the gate, because this auction will close its doors and prepare for departure on Friday morning.


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In the past, Delta Airlines has manned a small fleet of liveried and winged Mini Coopers, most opting for the standard white-and-blue design while others came dressed in the airline’s white-and-pink Breast Cancer Awareness color scheme. The listing would suggest this to be one of the latter designs, given its final image, though that isn’t confirmed.

Beyond the add-on wings, jet engines and rear section, it would appear to be an everyday 2004 Mini Cooper, which is to say a good thing. Showing 50,777 miles, the Cooper draws 115 horsepower from its 1.6-liter four-cylinder and positions those ponies at the front wheels, albeit via a CVT gearbox. Its cousin, the Cooper S, did one better with a supercharged 163hp.


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In its day, the Cooper was good for zero to 60 mph in around eight and a half seconds. Not terribly fast but peppy enough. Keep your foot planted on a runway and you might even takeoff, though we don’t suggest trying.

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Weird Car of the Week: GM’s Hydrogen-Powered Handi-van

Copyright © 2015 Bold Ride LLC.
GM Electrovan 2

Think the hydrogen fuel cell is a new invention? Think again. The first hydrogen fuel cells were developed in London in 1838, and it took over a century before they were commercially used in NASA’s 1962 Gemini mission.

But what many people don’t know is that soon after NASA’s Gemini mission, General Motors used that very same technology to power…a van? More accurately, an Electrovan.


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What Makes It Unique?

The initial concept was drawn up by GM engineer Craig Marks after seeing the success of the Gemini mission. But it took a team of over 250 designers and engineers to figure out exactly how it worked.

Union Carbide supplied them with the fuel cell and the body was from a standard GMC Handi-van. Combining the two, Marks and his team of engineers were able to create the world’s first passenger hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, complete with 550-feet of piping throughout, and room enough (barely) for two people.

Total output of the vehicle was 32kw (42 horsepower), and top speed was a blistering 70 mph. Arguably the most impressive feature of all, though, was the estimated range of 150 miles. That’s more than some electric cars on the road today.



Handivan Interior
 

What Happened To It?

After GM showed off the concept to press and potential customers in 1966, the entire project was scrapped. GM attributes lack of infrastructure at the time and expensive development costs to the death of this concept. Not to mention an exploding hydrogen tank that left many questioning its safety.

GM made one more attempt with a hydrogen-powered Corvair, but ultimately, the idea was scrapped for many years. GM reintroduced the concept of a hydrogen-powered vehicle in 2002 with the Hy-Wire sedan, and has since gone on to produce a fleet of hydrogen-powered SUVs.
But it all started with one little Handi-van.




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1-of-1 ‘Need for Speed’ Shelby GT500 Comes up for Auction

BOLD RIDE

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The Shelby name carries with it a fine racing pedigree, spanning numerous decades and generations of car lovers. This particular car, the 2011 Shelby GT500 Need for Speed Edition, is likely remembered best by the latter of those generations. 
 
The custom creation featured on the cover of Need for Speed: The Run, as well as in the videogame, and one lucky person will be able to own its real world, one-off equivalent – noted to be the last custom build attributed to the late Carroll Shelby himself.

 Need it? It crosses the block today on eBay, with all proceeds benefitting the Carroll Shelby Foundation.


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Built by Shelby American, the bespoke Need for Speed Edition Shelby surely looks the part of a cover model. The GT500 comes dressed in Wimbledon White paint accented with Charcoal stripes, and features a number of unique styling additions, including 20-inch HRE competition wheels, a Shelby-designed fiberglass hood, menacing Super Snake badges, and a custom black and white interior. Better still, it has been signed off with Carroll Shelby’s own signature on the airbag cover.

Good looks indeed, but it should go like stink too. The GT500 features a 750 horsepower Super Snake package, which catapults all that power from the supercharged 5.4-liter V8 to the rear wheels through a performance aluminum driveshaft. Handling comes courtesy of uprated brakes, adjustable dampers, tuned stabilizer bars, and lowering springs from Ford Racing.



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It’s a car that ought to feel at home on the street and on the track, and it would appear this one hasn’t seen much action in either venue – it shows only 2,000 miles on the odometer. If interested, the charity auction requires bidders to prequalify, though we suggest you get a move on. The auction ends today, May 26th at 3pm Eastern Time.

Photo Credit: eBay Motors

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Thursday, May 28, 2015

Watch the Koenigsegg One:1 Set a New Track Record at Suzuka

BOLD RIDE

 
Koenigsegg One 1 Suzuka


Most of us will never get the chance to see a supercar like the Koenigsegg One:1 on the track, much less ride in one. But with this video, here’s your chance to see what it’s like to be inside a Koenigsegg One:1 as it does what it does best — drive fast.
This video is shot primarily from inside the car. There are no sweeping shots as it takes a corner or lets loose in a straightaway.

It’s all about experiencing the power and adrenaline rush of being inside the car as it hits deliciously fast speeds in the hands of a skilled driver who won’t wrap the thing around a tree.



Koenigsegg Suzuka

 
That driver is Robert Serwanski, a Koenigsegg test driver, and he takes the car through the Suzuka Circuit in Japan. The first lap is a warm-up and the second lap is at full tilt. It looks completely effortless, but Serwanski is working it and managed to set a new unofficial track record.

The official record is held by the Nissan GT-R, which posted a time of 2:18:36. Koenigsegg’s data-logging system which is attached to the car, recorded 2:17:57. Even then, they managed this with little prior exposure to the track, no special setup for the car, and a passenger riding shotgun. Just imagine what this car could do if Koenigsegg truly aimed for a record.







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GM CEO Mary Barra Ordered a Murdered-Out Corvette Z06

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GM CEO Mary Barra Ordered a Murdered-Out Corvette Z06
 
Mary Barra Corvette Z06

CEOs of big companies are usually pretty boring. Their no-nonsense hard-working attitude typically relates to their success. But every so often, these CEOs shed their dorky vestiges and do something fun, and it makes us respect them that much more. That’s exactly what happened when we heard this next story.
According to Corvetteblogger, Mary Barra, CEO of GM, has gone out — or rather, probably just picked up a phone — and ordered an all-new, all-black-everything Corvette Z06 Convertible.



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Pictures began leaking out last week of the murdered-out Z06 that was reportedly headed to Barra’s garage. The black-on-black Corvette Z06 features yellow brake calipers, a Z07 Performance Package, and the all new 8-speed auto. And just to refresh your memory, it has 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque under the hood. It’s an absolute animal.

Let’s just hope that Barra isn’t afraid to rip off some donuts in the GM parking lot.

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A 505HP Cadillac ATS-V May Be on the Horizon

BOLD RIDE

 
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If you like your compact executive cars with a V8 rumble and a bit of a bite… then you might want to keep an eye on Cadillac in the coming months. According to a Motor Trend report, Cadillac is readying a V8 engine to supplement its impressive six-cylinder ATS-V. Better yet, it’s rumored to be the track-proven 7.0-liter LS7 V8 from the Camaro Z/28 and C6 Corvette Z06. 

If shoehorned inside the Cadillac with no power modifications, that naturally aspirated LS7 could produce the same crushing 505 horsepower and 481 lb-ft of torque as in the current track-taming Camaro. Its new name? MT suggests it’ll be known as the ATS-V+.



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While not officially confirmed by Cadillac, the alleged V8-powered ATS-V+ would help the brand fend off the likes of the BMW M3 in on-track performance. In its current guise, the 2016 ATS-V will arrive sporting 3.6-liters of twin-turbo V6, rated at 464 horsepower and 444 lb-ft of torque. The jump in power between the turbo V6 and the 7.0-liter V8 is not large, but the V8 features less mechanical complexity, and likely weighs less and revs higher – three notable pluses for track-driving purity.

Admittedly, many fans would have hoped for the Corvette’s supercharged LT4 V8 under the hood of an ATS-V+. Those fans will get their wish in a way, but will have to spec-up one rung to the 2016 CTS-V, which does tote the 6.2-liter ‘Vette engine. According to MT, fans of rowing their own gears will be able to find a seven-speed manual in the ATS-V+, complementing an eight-speed automatic and followed by a dual-clutch unit later in its life.

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The 2016 Volvo XC90 is Simply a Great Place to Be: First Drive

BOLD RIDE

 
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When the original XC90 made its debut for 2003, it was a big deal. American SUV shoppers went wild and made it Volvo’s most popular model for seven years in a row. Now, that aging model will depart dealer lots in favor of its newfangled Swedish successor. So is this one worth getting just as excited about? 
 
Well, yes. Quite.

The 2016 Volvo XC90 is less evolution and more revolution for the brand. It heralds an all-new family of engines (Drive-E), a new scalable brand architecture (SPA), and a sculpted new design language. Those are all interesting talking points on their own, but when molded together they create a compelling package – something you realize the instant you sit behind the wheel.

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That power. Gone are the five, six, and eight-cylinder engines of old, now replaced with Volvo’s boosted four-cylinders. But don’t worry about displacement, they pull hard. In the US, the XC90 ships with both T6 and T8 engine configurations. Spec-up the T6 and you’ll receive 316 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque from the turbocharged and supercharged four. Select the T8 and Volvo adds a plug-in hybrid system, 400 horsepower, an expected range of 17 pure electric-only miles, and a whole lot of go.

Prod the throttle in both cars and the XC90 will leap – 5.3 seconds to 60 mph in the techy T8, 6.1 seconds in the T6. Keep your foot hard down and you can feel the supercharger whine as the eight-speed transmission heaves on its gears. Ease it back and the gearbox rifles through its cogs briskly and unobtrusively. The straight-line urgency in the T8 is even more pronounced thanks to its hybrid torque curve, aided by a slightly quicker throttle response, presumably down to the T8’s shift-by-wire system.



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On road and in the bends, both XC90s feel planted and athletic. The steering feel is light and responsive and the optional four corner air-suspension does a nice job of sopping up bumps, without losing too much road feel. Blasting around in the torquey T8 hybrid is a unique occasion worth experiencing… again, and again.

But performance is only part of Volvo’s equation. Safety is another. The XC90 comes equipped with a full suite of active and passive safety features, including a collision avoidance system, which I nearly put to the test. An audible warning and slight dab of the brakes alerted me to a precariously merging pickup truck in a construction zone. Luckily I didn’t have to test some of Volvo’s other safety features – cyclist and pedestrian detection, and run-off road protection. A key option worth spec-ing up?

The Vision Package with blind-spot alerts and a 360-degree birds-eye camera view – tight parking lots have never felt so spacious.



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Inside and out, the XC90 really shines in its appearance and form. The seats – which took an alleged seven years to develop – are exceedingly comfortable, and using Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system is as easy as negotiating an iPhone screen, which is to say very intuitive. Volvo tells us Apple CarPlay will become available in fall of 2015, with Android Auto coming as an addition to Sensus in spring 2016. Also worth a mention is the Bowers & Wilkins 19-piece stereo system, which is an auditory treat, though it does carry a rather significant premium when optioning up.

All things considered, Volvo hit another home run with its new XC90. People who want to buy a BMW X5 will buy an X5. People who want to buy an Audi Q7 will buy a Q7, so on and so forth. But for every cross-shopping luxury SUV buyer, you honestly owe it to yourself to take a test drive in one of these.



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The non-hybrid T6 remains my takeaway favorite for its balance of price (starts at $48,900), engine performance and poise. For those looking for a little more get-up, or rather electric-only abilities, the next-level T8 fits the bill.

Specs:

Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged, supercharged straight-four
Horsepower: 316 (T6) / 400 (T8)
0-60: 6.1 (T6) / 5.3 (T8)
Base Price: $48,900 (T6) / $68,100 (T8)


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Wednesday, May 27, 2015

If Leaked Prices Are Accurate, New Mustang GT350 is a Steal

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GT 350 MSRP price photo

According to some cracks in the armor over at Mustang6G.com, the 2016 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 will start at $47,870 and the GT350R will open up at $61,370. Considering the performance and power of these cars, those are both pretty incredible deals.

Although we’re waiting official confirmation from Ford on this, a 6G forum member posted these two pricing lists, saying, “It was posted on a Facebook page. The gentleman said he had just received this from his Ford dealer he has a down payment with.”

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Additionally, you can see that the Technology Package retails at $7,500, the Track Package comes in at $6,500, and the Electronics Package retails at $3,000. This is apparently the Canadian pricing:


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As a quick refresher, the GT350 will have more than 500 horsepower and more than 400 lb-ft of torque with additional aero and a tuned suspension. The GT350R will be an even hotter version of that. Time for that early summer garage sale.

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