March 30, 2016

VW. The Shit Show continues, in fact, it gets worse for VW. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has filed suit against Volkswagen Group of America for false advertising. VW pounded its "clean diesel" mantra into consumers' heads for years through print ads, TV commercials and on the Internet while insisting that their diesel-powered cars were the greatest things since sliced bread when the opposite was true. VW's "clean diesels" were in fact cheater cars generating excess emissions far outside the legal limits. The FTC suit, filed in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, stated that U.S. consumers suffered "billions of dollars in injury" as a result of VW's calculated actions, and that the FTC was seeking a court order requiring Volkswagen to compensate U.S. consumers who bought a polluting vehicle, as well as an injunction to prevent future similar conduct by Volkswagen. A giant steaming bowl of Not Good.

(Audi images)
The Audi Tradition exhibit at this year’s Techno Classica in Essen - the world’s biggest classic car exhibition, expecting around 190,000 visitors from April 6 to 10 - will center around rarities from the company’s history. Highlights at the company’s booth include the still stunning Audi Avus quattro, the Audi quattro Spyder and the extremely rare Audi Group S rally prototype. The company presented the Avus and quattro Spyder prototypes for the first time in 1991. The mid-engine, V6-powered Audi quattro Spyder weighed in at just 1,100 kilograms (2,425.1 lb) with its aluminum body.  Just one month later, Audi exhibited a even more radical concept supercar, the mid-engine Avus quattro, at the Tokyo Motor Show with its shimmering, highly polished aluminum body. Audi development engineers planned a 509HP 12-cylinder engine in a "W" arrangement for the machine. The Audi Group S, developed for rally racing, is largely unknown. This one-off car produced in Essen was intended for racing in 1987 but was never put to use. Audi decided to withdraw for safety reasons from the World Rally Championship during the 1986 season that was already underway. A serious accident at the 1986 Portugal Rally – which did not involve an Audi – ultimately prompted the international sport authority FIA to eliminate Group B and the planned Group S from championship racing for the 1987 season. The technical features of the exhibited prototype? Tubular steel frame, plastic body and four-valve turbocharged mid-engine.

(NewspressUSA images)
Editor-In-Chief's Note: This is the Hyundai Genesis brand's "New York Concept." Yes, it's only a concept, but it's striking evidence that Hyundai is extremely serious about making its new Genesis luxury division a player in the market heretofore dominated by Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus. Given the evidence of the level of Hyundai's commitment in terms of the talent in design and engineering that it has assembled to work on its new luxury brand, I expect that Genesis will be a force to be reckoned with within three years. -PMD

(Mazda images)
Mazda unveiled the Mazda MX-5 RF (For “Retractable Fastback”, not "Rat Fink") in New York, "Making the roadster experience accessible to a broader range of drivers," according to the manufacturer. The power roof opens and closes with the press of a button while moving at speeds of up to 10km/h. The MX-5 RF offers the same trunk space as the soft-top model, but no word on the weight penalty. The automotive media went ape-shit over it, because they go ape-shit over anything Mazda does. It's not the show stopper they make it out to be, however.

(Lincoln images)
Lincoln unveiled the all-new Navigator Concept in NYC. Lincoln's design team "drew inspiration from luxury sailboats and yachts when designing the new concept" according to the manufacturer. They also drew inspiration from Range Rover and the Bentley Bentayga. Expect to see a production version at the Detroit Auto Show next January.

The sparse but elegant interior design is a huge step forward from the current Navigator.

No, the zoomy gull wing doors will not be on the production Navigator. That's why it's called a "concept." The fact that too many so-called auto "journalists" forgot to mention that those doors would never see the light of day was typical of the stories written after the unveiling.

(Jaguar images)
To us, this was the most important announcement at the New York show: Jaguar will build its famous XKSS as an ultra-exclusive continuation model. Nine new cars will be hand built by Jaguar Classic to the exact specification as they appeared in 1957, replacing the cars lost due to the famous Browns Lane factory fire. Tim Hannig, Director Jaguar Land Rover Classic, said: "The XKSS occupies a unique place in Jaguar's history and is a car coveted by collectors the world over for its exclusivity and unmistakable design. Jaguar Classic's highly skilled team of engineers and technicians will draw on decades of knowledge to ensure each of the nine cars is completely authentic and crafted to the highest quality."
The original cars were earmarked for export to the USA, however, just 16 were completed before the disastrous Browns Lane factory fire. Each one of the continuation XKSS cars will be hand-built at Jaguar's new 'Experimental Shop' in Warwick. Every car will be constructed to the same specifications as those first sixteen made in 1957 - every aspect fully certified by Jaguar. The price will be in excess of £1 million (apparently five are already spoken for). After Jaguar scored three consecutive wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1955, 1956 and 1957 with its sensational D-Type, Sir Williams Lyons took the decision on January 14, 1957, to convert the remaining 25 D-types into road-going versions with several external modifications including the addition of a new higher windscreen, an extra door on the passenger side, taking away the divider between the driver and passenger and the removal of the famous fin behind the driver's seat. The first deliveries of the new continuation Jaguar XKSS will commence in early 2017.

(Audi)
The all-new 2017 Audi R8 Spyder has the same naturally aspirated 5.2-liter 540HP V10 engine and seven-speed S-tronic® dual-clutch transmission as the R8 V10 coupe, which means it's quick. As in 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 3.6 seconds quick. With the added bonus that the roof opens or closes in 20 seconds at speeds of up to 50 km/h (31.1 mph). Pricing and availability will be announced at a later date.

(GM/Chevrolet images)

We'll let Mark Reuss, executive vice president of GM Global Product Development and Chief True Believer explain the all-new 2017 Camaro ZL1: “The Camaro ZL1 is designed to excel at everything. It’s a 2+2 coupe offering incredible performance – acceleration, handling and braking – with the highest levels of technology and perfect chassis damping, making it suitable for everyday driving. It will compare well to any sports coupe, at any price and in any setting.” The Good Stuff? The ZL1 is powered by the supercharged LT4 6.2L V-8 Small Block engine, with intake and exhaust specifically tuned for Camaro. It is rated at an estimated 640 horsepower (477 kW) and 640 lb-ft of torque (868 Nm). The LT4 is backed by a standard six-speed manual transmission or all-new, available paddle-shift 10-speed automatic that has a 7.39 overall ratio for smaller steps between gears. It enables the LT4 engine to remain at optimal rpm levels during acceleration, particularly when exiting corners, for quicker laps and ultra-quick responses on both up- and down-shifts. Aero? The lower grille opening offers greater airflow compared to the Camaro SS, and the upper grille incorporates a new version of the “flow-tie” open bowtie insignia. There’s a ZL1-specific hood, with a carbon fiber insert and heat extractor that pulls hot air from the engine compartment. Additional changes include a larger front splitter, unique rockers, a wing-style rear spoiler and wider front fenders – all tuned to improve aerodynamics for greater high-speed stability.

The ZL1 comes standard with Recaro front seats, along with a sueded flat-bottom steering wheel and shift knob. Chevrolet’s Performance Data Recorder is available.

Other ZL1 features include an updated Magnetic Ride suspension, Performance Traction Management, electronic limited-slip differential, Custom Launch Control and Driver Mode Selector. It also weighs 200 pounds less, while offering approximately 60 more horsepower and 80 more pound-feet of torque for a jacked-up power-to-weight ratio. The 20-inch forged aluminum wheels have Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires with a compound and construction developed exclusively for the Camaro (285/30ZR20 front and 305/30ZR20 rear). And? Brembo brakes with six-piston monobloc front calipers – featuring the ZL1 logo – and massive, 15.35-inch (390 mm) two-piece front rotors.

Reuss added: “Driving the Camaro ZL1 is best described as ‘fast with finesse.’ It is beautifully balanced, with perfect damping and isolation for optimal performance and driver confidence in virtually any situation – from the Pacific Coast Highway to Willow Springs to Pomona.” We add: Hell, Yeah! The Camaro ZL1 goes on sale late this year. Here's the video. 

(Chevrolet)
And in case you're wondering, yes, a 2017 Camaro ZL1 Convertible will be available complete with fully automatic soft top and hard tonneau cover; and modular under-body bracing to allow the same sharp reflexes as the coupe. The fully automatic top can be raised or lowered with a single button while driving up to 30 mph, or lowered remotely with the key fob.

(Mercedes-Benz)
This is the new Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe. Calling it "the sports car among Mercedes-Benz's mid-size SUVs" Mercedes apparently feels compelled to mimic everything BMW does when it comes to crossovers on the odd chance they might be left out somehow. The GLC Coupe, which is 3.2-inches longer and 1.6-inches lower than the GLC, has a "sporty-dynamic character" according to Mercedes. It features standard sports suspension as well as more direct sports steering, DYNAMIC SELECT and 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive with a 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission. "The GLC Coupe reflects our iconic Mercedes-Benz coupe design while symbolizing the diversity of our brand – it is both 'hot and cool'," said Gorden Wagener, Head of Design at Daimler AG. "With its design idiom of sensual purity, it perfectly embodies our styling philosophy while at the same time representing contemporary luxury." Sensual purity? WTF? You just can't make this shit up, unfortunately.

(Mercedes-Benz)
This is the Mercedes-AMG GLC43. The details? 3.0-liter V6 Biturbo engine with 362HP and maximum torque of 384 lb-ft, 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission with shortened shift times and AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive (configured with a rear bias). Big-ass brakes, 20 inch wheels and a bunch of other stuff. Zero to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph, according to Mercedes. The new Mercedes-AMG GLC43 will be on sale in US dealerships by the end of 2016.

 (Mercedes-Benz)

Editor's Note: “The Decision” is the first of five video shorts from the Ford Motor Company about the development of the Ford GT. It features Bill Ford Jr., Raj Nair, Dave Pericak and Edsel B. Ford II, who attended the 1966 race with his father, Henry Ford II. The shorts will culminate in one long-form documentary that will follow the development of both the Street Car and Race Car version of the Ford GT from the decision to build the cars to the return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. (The Autoextremist makes a cameo appearance as well.) Watch it here. -WG