Tag: 2014

Report: BMW dishes on ‘lightweight’ 2014 M4

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, BMW

BMW’s M cars are not what we’d call featherweights. Sure, the big, bruising twin-turbocharged V8s deliver a lot of power, but the fact of the matter is that more weight often equates to less fun.

Which is why we’re so excited over a recent sit-down the blokes at Top Gear had with BMW’s product manager for small and medium cars, Matt Collins. The chat led to talk of the M3 Coupe replacing M4. Collins confirmed that, yes, the new M4 would be turbocharged. The new engine will also be a six-cylinder, which should make purists happy.

“What we’d like is more focus on lightweight engineering.” -Matt Collins

But what really peaked our interest was the talk of weight savings for the M4. Collins told Top Gear, “What we’d like is more focus on lightweight engineering.” It gets better, TG also reports Collins as saying, “The philosophy will be around delivering performance through improved use of materials – lightweight alloys, lots of carbon fibre etc – rather than simply trying to make the engine more powerful to move the same kind of car, or scaling it back too far so that it loses its M3 roots.” This left us smiling.

Citing the experience gleaned from the i3 and i8 projects, including the use of carbon fiber, lead to talk of a lightweight, hardcore M4 – a car that could, perhaps, wear the letters C, S and L on the back. Collins followed the party line, though, stating in the interview, “There are no plans at the moment to build a lightweight CSL version of the M4, but there weren’t any plans to do the last-generation CSL either. We have to see what the customers think, and if there’s potential for an even more lightweight version, we’ll do it.”

As for availability, Collins indicated that BMW’s past schedule of bringing out an M variant about 18 months after the debut of a 3 Series Coupe, should hold up for the 4 Series and M4. If that timing is true, we can hope to see a production M4 at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show.

BMW dishes on ‘lightweight’ 2014 M4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2014 BMW i3

Filed under: Hatchback, BMW, First Drives, Electric

A Purer Than Ever Sort Of Driving Pleasure

2014 BMW i3

This all started back in 2007 when the megacity urbanization trend hit full stride and BMW began brainstorming the 2020 future of mobility. The product was thus originally called the BMW MegaCity vehicle. Then the ‘i’ division of BMW was officially born in 2011, and we have since been exposed to various “leaked” images and official prototype unveilings of both this i3 and the i8 eco sports car. The latter (called i12 in the halls of Munich) was originally called the Concept Vision Efficient Dynamics and presented as a diesel-hybrid.

The time is now upon us for the market launch of the plug-in i3 (called i01 internally). The wider motoring public already has its opinions and BMW is listening to all of them, so there’s a bundle of nerves around these limited drives of the i3 for a select few members of the media, Autoblog included. We came to an airfield outside of Munich and were handed an i3 test car to drive around a set course filled with blue- and white-striped cones. BMW tech experts were everywhere and some of the discussions around the various technical displays even got a little heated.

After our vast amounts of coverage during the gestation period of this new i3, we are well aware of the vocal – or at least written – sentiment of doubt among many computer users and BMW faithful. Not that this undertow of nay doesn’t have its place in BMW’s execution of the deliberately gradual i3 information rollout, but Munich and Leipzig (where the production center for i is located) are almost exclusively focused on customers who are new to BMW. These customers lack preconceived notions of BMW as a performance brand, and also crave the latest and greenest expression of their environmental concerns, preferably in an insanely networked and connected premium package. BMW i representatives have announced publicly that interest in the i3 is huge among newbies. Could the i3 become the Toyota Prius Plug-in for the no-Toyota-thank-you crowd?

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2014 BMW i3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Jul 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2014 Mazda3

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Mazda, First Drives

The Cure For The Common Corolla

2014 Mazda3

I hate the Toyota Corolla. I’m not talking about the new 2014 model; I can’t yet judge a car I haven’t driven. I’m referring to the current, old-as-dirt sedan. As an appliance, I get why people buy it, but it represents everything that I, as a car enthusiast, dislike. I don’t like looking at it, I don’t like sitting in it, and I really don’t like driving it. There is absolutely no amount of emotion dialed into any part of the Corolla experience and every other vehicle in the segment is a far better choice. But still, somehow, Toyota sells ’em like hotcakes.

Thankfully, there are a lot of people who agree with me. And for folks like us, companies like Mazda exist. This small Japanese automaker places emotion and driver involvement as its top priorities when creating new products, and mostly – especially in recent years – the end results have been great. The new CX-5 crossover is a doll, to say nothing of the rakish and lovely new Mazda6 that launched earlier this year. And let’s not forget the Miata…

It’s a shame, then, that Mazda’s sales numbers have never correlated with how we enthusiasts feel about the products, though a lot of that simply has to do with the company’s weaker advertising efforts, not to mention a less robust dealer network. Mazda continues to build cars that are great to drive above all, and the automaker is slowly but surely getting its refinement issues and infotainment technologies in order. This new 2014 Mazda3 aims to offer the best of the brand’s new Skyactiv powertrain DNA, housed in a package with features and technologies that stand up to every other car in the highly competitive C segment.

It is everything the Corolla is not. And it’s fantastic.

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2014 Mazda3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Jul 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Mark Webber to quit F1, join Porsche for 2014 Le Mans

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe

Pro driver Mark Webber

Mark Webber has announced he’s leaving the Red Bull F1 team to join Porsche in that company’s quest for victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Australian has signed a contract that will keep him with his new employer for the next “several years.” Porsche says Webber will helm the company’s new LMP1 sports prototype at Le Mans and will also compete in the World Endurance Championship. This won’t be his first go at the legendary 24-hour race – Webber has competed at Le Mans twice before. Now he’ll be joined by Porsche works drivers Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas.

Meanwhile, Kimi Raikkonen is likely to fill Webber’s seat at Red Bull. The team originally wanted to pull Jenson Button from McLaren, but was unable to lure the British driver from his seat. Toro Rosso drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne are other possibilities for the open slot at Red Bull. You can read the brief Porsche press release on the move below for more information.

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Mark Webber to quit F1, join Porsche for 2014 Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Jun 2013 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: 2014 Ford F-150 Tremor adds some sport to shake things up

Filed under: Performance, Truck, Ford

2014 Ford F-150 Tremor - front three-quarter view

Like most quakes, the 2014 Ford F-150 Tremor caught us by surprise. We weren’t expecting Ford to offer up another version of its best-seller so soon before the truck’s full redesign, but that’s exactly what the company is doing.

While Ford calls the Tremor a “performance truck,” the new pickup doesn’t play on the same level as the SVT Raptor does on dirt, or even the long-gone SVT Lightning did on pavement. Think of it as a parts bin sport truck that probably does a better job looking the part than acting it. The Tremor utilizes the same twin-turbo, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 available across the F-150 lineup, producing 365 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, but matches it with a 4.10 rear axle – the shortest final drive ratio you can get in an F-150 – for the strongest possible acceleration.

The Tremor does do a decent job looking the part. Available only in short-wheelbase, regular cab configuration with your choice of two- or four-wheel drive, it struts around wearing the F-150’s FX Appearance Package, flat black accents, 20-inch black wheels, HID headlights and a special exterior graphics package. The Tremor is the only regular cab F-150 with a flow-through center console, which means it also gets a floor-mounted shifter and bucket seats that are covered in black leather with red piping. Some brushed metal accents and steering wheel with red stitching round out the interior upgrades.

Ford has yet to release pricing for the 2014 F-150 Tremor, but you can read the company’s official line on its latest model below.

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2014 Ford F-150 Tremor adds some sport to shake things up originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Jun 2013 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2014 BMW 4 Series convertible spotted

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Performance, BMW, Luxury

2014 BMW 4 Series convertible spy shot - front three-quarter view, red

We’ve seen a few spy shot packages featuring the upcoming BMW 4 Series Convertible already, but never with the car quite so naked as in this latest batch. Nabbed just outside the BMW Nürburgring workshop in Germany, this Melbourne Red 4 Series also shows the M Sport package for the first time.

With all of the cladding removed, we can see that the convertible shares the 4 Series coupe’s great-looking nose and front end, though the resolution of that folding hard top into the rear bodywork remains a bit harsh.

With the 4 Series coupe now completely official, we have a pretty good idea of what the powertrain lineup for the ‘vert will be. We’ll be pretty surprised if a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbo aren’t the go-to engines at launch. Production of the droptop is likely to begin at the end of the year, so start bugging your local BMW dealer.

2014 BMW 4 Series convertible spotted originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Jun 2013 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: 2014 Honda Odyssey revamp only costs an extra $150*

Filed under: Car Buying, Minivan/Van, Honda

Honda has released pricing on its 2014 Odyssey. Buyers can take home the revamped minivan for $28,825 (excluding an $830 destination fee). That price marks a $150 increase over the 2013 model, but that extra Benjamin and a half buys you a whole slate of updates. Those include a new six-speed automatic transmission in all trims, revised exterior styling and a few tweaks to the instrument cluster and dash controls. Honda’s familiar 3.5-liter V6 engine provides 248 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque, and the new gearbox helps the van return 19 miles per gallon city and 28 mpg highway.

Of course, those who opt for the top-shelf $44,450* Touring Elite trim will get to play with the new HondaVac vacuum cleaner system. The handheld vac is built into the van’s rear cargo area and recharges using the onboard 12-volt electrical system. The little vacuum features a removable debris canister as well as a replaceable filter bag and can run for eight minutes between charges. Check out the full press release below for more information.

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2014 Honda Odyssey revamp only costs an extra $150* originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Jun 2013 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Exclusive: Live pics of 2014 Mazda3 from NYC, sedan on its way

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Mazda

2014 Mazda3

Here it is, ladies and gentlemen, straight from the memory cards of our own cameras. As you can see, the only version of the 2014 Mazda3 that the automaker is showing off at the moment is the hatchback, but we’ve gotten confirmation from Mazda that the sedan version will be shown sometime within the next five weeks.

So far, Mazda isn’t commenting on whether or not we can expect a higher-performance Mazdaspeed3 version of the car, but we’ve got our fingers crossed. In any case, we’re quite drawn to the appearance of this new hatchback from Mazda, with its flowing lines and character creases setting it apart from the rest of the compact segment in which it competes.

We also appreciate the sound engineering that went into the new 3. Despite boasting a wheelbase that’s longer than the car it replaces, we’re pleased to see that Mazda has kept its exterior size in check – it’s actually shorter overall than the last-gen model – while also reducing weight by about 200 pounds. That’s bound to be good for the new 3’s dynamic properties.

Have a good look at our live image gallery above, click here to read about the car’s new specs, and let us know what you think of Mazda’s latest compact hatchback in the Comments.

Live pics of 2014 Mazda3 from NYC, sedan on its way originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Jun 2013 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2014 Maserati Ghibli

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Maserati, First Drives, Luxury

Italy Passionately Returns To The Sport Sedan Game

2014 Maserati Ghibli

In its 99-year history, Maserati has arguably never made a vehicle as important as this all-new Ghibli.
Of course, there have been countless styling breakthroughs, mechanical advances and technical innovations, but no single passenger car has been required to bear the weight of the Italian company like its brand-new sport sedan. If the Ghibli succeeds, Maserati will welcome tens of thousands of new customers and, most importantly, celebrate a rekindled relationship with demanding North American buyers. If the Ghibli fails – well, the truth is, nobody has written an option for failure.

Maserati officially introduced the Ghibli at the Shanghai Motor Show earlier this year, promising a driver-focused sedan that was smaller and more agile than its redone Quattroporte flagship, one capable of battling BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz in quality, performance and most importantly, price.

After months of staring at the pictures and poring over the specifications, it’s finally time to drive it. To end the speculation, I boarded a new 747-8 and flew one-third of the way around the world to land in beautiful Tuscany. My task? Put the all-new sport sedan with a heart built by Ferrari through its paces on Europe’s demanding asphalt.

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2014 Maserati Ghibli originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Jun 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Breaking: 2014 Mazda3 breaks cover early, in Euro-spec at least [UPDATE]

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Europe, Hatchback, Mazda, Diesel

2014 Mazda3 - front three-quarter dynamic view

We’re set to get a closer look at the US-spec 2014 Mazda3 later today, but AutoExpress has the first peek at the machine’s European cousin (after initial leaks reportedly came from a Czech outlet). The photos show a compact that’s taken plenty of design inspiration from its older sister, the Mazda6. That’s excellent news, as the larger car’s dynamic front fascia, accentuated fender arches and long nose translate well to the Mazda3. Inside, there are are new and improved material choices, and the longer wheelbase means occupants get to enjoy more room than before. There’s also a larger trunk with 12.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity.

Buyers in the EU can get their hands on a 1.5-liter Skyactiv-G gasoline engine with 99 horsepower, though the old 2.0-liter four-cylinder will still be available in either 118 hp or 163 hp configuration. A 2.2-liter diesel tops out the engine choices.

The 2014 Mazda3 is lighter than its predecessor and boasts disc brakes and a multi-link rear suspension on every trim. That means this thing should be fun to shuffle around. Stay tuned for details on the US-spec variant later today, including a lot more images of the good-looking hatch.

UPDATE: We’ve just received word from Mazda that the photos seen here do, in fact, show the global Mazda3, and not merely a European version. So the good-looking hatch in our gallery is one that you can look forward to in your dealership before too long. Expect to see full US specs, and even more images of the 3, later today.

2014 Mazda3 breaks cover early, in Euro-spec at least [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Jun 2013 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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