That 7:18 ’Ring Time For the New Porsche 911 Turbo S Is Real—Sort Of

 

When Porsche announced at the Detroit auto show that the new 911 Turbo S is capable of lapping the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7 minutes and 18 seconds, we were genuinely surprised. Not because of the time itself, which is well within the frame of reference for Porsche’s megafast machinery, and which means that the four-wheel-drive Turbo S is quicker around the ’Ring than the GT3 RS. But because we thought there was supposed to be a moratorium on manufacturers announcing times from the 12.9-mile circuit, which currently has two speed-restricted sections, imposed after a fatal crash in a race last year.
As to the first charge, the 911 Turbo’s engineering boss, Erhard Mössle, only smiled when we talked to him about it on Porsche’s stand at NAIAS, but he also admitted that there’s some digital simulation in that number.
“Some parts are driven and compared to the previous 911 Turbo,” he explained, “and the [speed-] limited sections where you’re not allowed to do top speed are calculated. We will then go and check it later this year in spring when the speed limits are removed. But the 7:18 we are sure to meet; we are normally very conservative with times and that time was set on the standard tires, not sports tires.”
"That`s Why We Call Porsche INSANE POWER MACHINERY".

 

Henrik Fisker's new supercar is a brash, bold, and unapologetically loud

 

(BI Graphics) One of the biggest stories to come out of the 2016 Detroit Auto Show was somewhat unexpected. Henrik Fisker — who made a splash several years ago with a gorgeous Tesla competitor, the Fisker Karma, and startup car company that later went bankrupt — staged a comeback with the debut of his Force 1 V10 supercar.

The Force 1 is the flagship of VLF Automotive. It's essentially a Fisker-designed shell laid over a Dodge Viper. The V10 engine makes 745 horsepower, the 0-60 mph will probably be around 3 seconds, and the interior thoughtfully included a Champagne rack between the seats. 

Fisker says that its an American supercar, selling for $300,000, that embodies American values. One of those values is clearly the American freedom to enable Danish car designers to pull out every riff in their grandiose playbooks. There's really nothing subtle about the Force 1, starting with the name and extending through the various heavily amplified and distorted power chords rippling across its silvery surface. This is a car that's fully intended to rattle your teeth and grab you in the guts. It is not a cerebral undertaking. It is blunt and brash and arrogantly cool. It's what a comeback is supposed to look like.

 

Adopted And Total Refurbished Ignored Ford`s 1970 Mustang

 

Sometimes people don’t know what they have, which is how amazing finds end up hidden away in attics or rusting to bits in a junkyard. This 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 was left to end its life in the junkyard, but was saved from a rusty demise.

According to Mustang360, the Ford was sitting in a junkyard back in 1975 and was discovered by Keith Clark’s brother-in-law. The engine had been stolen, but he still bought the car for $2,000 along with a 429 CJ that was throw in for free.

 

That might sound like a steal, but remember it was 1975, so that was a chunk of change. The car was then used like any other car doing the rounds around town until he found a Boss 429 engine to put under the hood after two years. When the brother-in-law decided to get married, the car found its way to Clark.

He did loads of work to refurbish the car, but still drove it like any other car without paying particular attention until he saw its value steadily increase. He says he’s been offered over $100,000, but he turned it down. It’s worth more to him as a car he can drive than money in the bank.

 He did loads of work to refurbish the car, but still drove it like any other car without paying particular attention until he saw its value steadily increase. He says he’s been offered over $100,000, but he turned it down. It’s worth more to him as a car he can drive than money in the bank.

 

10 Cars With The Worst Resale Values

Depreciation is one of a new-car buyer’s largest long-term expenses, and savvy shoppers look for models that hold onto their value steadfastly to bring in more money at trade-in time. Resale value is especially important to those leasing a car, as monthly payments are largely based on what a vehicle will be worth two or three years down the road.

Predictions of future value for any depreciating asset, however, are essentially educated guesses, albeit ones based on assorted economic factors, historical data including used-vehicle auction values and supply and demand projections. Having already highlighted the rides that generate the highest rate of return in an earlier story, we move on to consider the other end of the spectrum, namely new cars that are expected to lose their values the quickest. This data is according to a study recently conducted by the used-vehicle website Carlypso.com, based on an analysis of over 46,000 wholesale transactions among pre-owned model-year 2015 vehicles.

1. Nissan Leaf

The full-electric Leaf tops the list of models that lose their original values the quickest, as compiled by the website Carlypso.com. Rankings are based on an analysis of over 46,000 wholesale transactions among pre-owned model-year 2015 vehicles.  Already taking a hit by virtue of a $7,500 federal tax credit and recent price reductions, the Leaf’s resale value further suffers the sting of cheap gas; it’s predicted to lose 48% of its original MSRP in its first year on the road.

2. Dodge Charger

Full-size sedan sales are in the doldrums these days, with big trucks and SUVs picking up the slack, which helps explain why this modern-day muscle car is expected to lose 45% of its original MSRP after one year.

3. Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Mercedes’ $84,000 flagship roadster is a truly sporty and opulent two-seater, but it bleeds money once it’s driven off the dealer’s lot, losing 41% of its original MSRP after one year.

4. Chevrolet Camaro

With a redesigned Camaro not being released until 2016, and a revamped Ford Mustang kicking its posterior in the meantime, 2015 models can be expected to lose 39% of its original MSRP after one year.

5. Kia Cadenza

It’s a nice enough ride, but Kia’s near-luxury large sedan has never resonated with buyers, with the relative few that are sold being subject to a 38% hit in resale value after one year.

6. Volkswagen Beetle

Where the latter-day version of VW’s iconic coupe once turned heads, it’s now just one more model on a dealer’s lot, and is further tarnished by the automaker’s diesel emissions scandal. Expect the Beetle to lose 37% of its original MSRP after one year.

7. Chevrolet Express

The only truck on Calypso’s worst resale values list is Chevy’sfull-size van. Offered in cargo and passenger versions it’s a hard worker, but has been around a long time in its current version, and has since been overshadowed by newer products at Ford and Ram. It’s expected to lose 37% of its original MSRP after one year.

8. Mitsubishi Lancer

While sales of Mitsubishi’s crossover SUVs are growing, its passenger cars remain a tough sell, with the compact Lancer losing 35% of its original MSRP after one year.

9. Kia Optima

Slotted directly below the aforementioned Cadenza in Kia’s lineup is the midsize Optima sedan; it’s roomy and comfortable, and comes powered by either of two fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines; updated for 2016, the 2015 versions are expected to lose 35% of their original MSRP after one year.

10. Cadillac CTS

Redesigned for 2014, Cadillac’s sporty midsize sedan came with many updates, including a jarringly higher price; generous sales incentives have helped ease the sticker shock, which is one reason why the CTS is expected to lose 34% of its original MSRP after one year.

 

Some One You Like Is Bad For You
Altough you may think someone in your heart great for you but it is not always great for you.Also once it find your weakness as you love him or her she will use you as much as it can be protect must be immediate.No matter it cost`s you blood or life.History has proved human`s are not in the case applicable to be believed whom we like with our heart and that`s the super weakness of world.

The Kurtis 500 is a Car That Deserves to be Remembered

You might not remember the name Frank Kurtis the same you do Carroll Shelby or Enzo Ferrari. But the American-born race car builder deserves recognition for the accomplishments he amassed over his longstanding career as much as anyone. One of the last, and most beautiful platforms Frank Kurtis ever built, was the 500KK, and following 500SX.

The year was 1955, and after a long career of building midget race cars and Indy cars, Kurtis turned his attention to one last creation. The 500KK was born out of a need to be even faster, even more advanced than the rest of the field.

 

It was a tubular chassis with torsion bar rear suspension, and an x cross-brace smack dab in the middle. The body was designed by Jack Sutton in California, and was built completely out of aluminum, featured small front and rear overhangs, and a wraparound plexiglass windshield. To call this car unique for the time would be an understatement.

Engine choices were plentiful; buyers could opt for either a Ford flathead, a Chrysler Hemi, or a Cadillac V8. All of which suited the personality and style of the car with raw, unfiltered performance.

 

In total, 60 examples were built, with a few complete vehicles sold by Kurtis himself under the 500S moniker. But it wasn’t until the development of the 500SX Roadster that the platform was utilized to its full potential.

Only 12 Kurtis 500SX models were ever developed. Six were sold simply as rolling chassis, while four sold as kits—or so the story goes. Though there is some confusion as to the exact number sold and developed, history tells us that as many as four 500SX’s were completed by the factory, developed for racing.

But it wasn’t just some done-up 500S—it was a completely revamped chassis.

It was stiffer, more precise, and focused purely on track performance. The left suspension bracket was able to rotate while the right remained fixed firmly in place. It featured a fully tubular frame, a widened cockpit (per FIA rules), and both the battery and fuel tank placed as far back in the vehicle as possible to improve weight distribution. All said and done, the cars weighed 2,200 pounds, and cost $6,000 without the engine.

Today, finding a pristine Kurtis—let alone a 500SX series–will set you back as much as $500,000.

2016 Volkswagen Beetle Dune Deserves At Least a Little Respect: First Drive

 

Having an iconic car in your lineup is no easy task. And if you don’t think the Volkswagen Beetle is an automotive icon, think again. It’s been around since 1934, and though it may have a—ehem—questionable history, there’s no denying that enthusiasts love the bug probably more than some family members.

But the idea of an iconic car, and keeping up with the enthusiast demand, is something that Volkswgen doesn’t take lightly. Even with that serious attitude, though, the Beetle seems to be something of a dying breed. So when Volkswagen announced the Beetle Dune, enthusiasts perked up their ears and were curious as to what Volkswagen had to show.

 

Baja’s Back, Baby!

From a design perspective, it’s very likable. Admittedly much hasn’t changed from the standard formula. Some key distinguishers include graphics, edgier wheels, a revised fascia, and an even more quirky interior. The style, while not as extreme, heralds back to the iconic baja bugs that enthusiasts still drool over to this day.

For baja bug owners, it may seem like a bit of a stretch to give this beetle a similar name, and similar style, but going too extreme may have ostracized the buyers looking for the history, but not so much the extreme personality. The interior gets a shouty yellow trim, with black and grey cloth seats. It’s a cool place to be, and matches the exterior well with a few fun accents and unique trimming.

RELATED: See Photos of the 2014 Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept

 

Straightforward and Simple

We won’t be shouting on the hilltops singing praise of Volkswagen’s electronics. The updated 6.3-inch touchscreen system works well enough when you figure everything out. It’s clean, has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and puts to use a number of easy-to-find features on the home screen.

RELATED: Which Beetle is Better, Stanced or Baja? 

True To Its Roots?

Driving the Beetle Dune feels like, well, just driving an ordinary Beetle. The ancient 1.8-liter turbocharged engine is peppy enough with 170 horsepower on tap, but doesn’t hold speed very well. At 65 mph, you still have to keep your foot pressed heartily into the gas pedal, otherwise it feels like it wants to just give up.

Steering is tight, and even in some tough mountainous stuff it refuses to show everyone that it’s actually a front-wheel-drive car. Which brings us to our next point…

Yes, the Beetle Dune is still front-wheel-drive. Before we get a hoard of angry emails: we fully understand that not even most classic Baja Bugs were converted to all-wheel-drive. Even then, it seems like something buyers really would have enjoyed, given the naming and all. Even more disparaging, it doesn’t come with a manual gearbox. Nonetheless, it’s a Beetle, and it drives like a Beetle. That’s not a bad thing.

RELATED: Is This the Wildest Volkswagen Karmann Ghia in the World?

The Verdict

It’s not the most exciting car on the planet, nor the best driving. But there’s something to like about the Beetle Dune. Aside from its thrifty, middle-of-the-range pricing ($23,995), it’s a sign that Volkswagen still actually cares about the enthusiast.

With the rest of the VW range leaning more towards vanilla, the Beetle Dune adds a swirl of fun that not even the most hardcore gearhead can resist. It’s quirky, it looks cool, and it’s a pretty good deal. We wouldn’t turn it away if it had nowhere to go.

Specs

Engine: 1.8-liter Turbo
Horsepower: 170
Torque: 184 lb-ft
Price: $23,995

Positives

Fun styling
Affordable
Comfortable on long trips

Negatives

Lack of all-wheel-drive
Plain driving dynamics