Ricciardo goes to Renault F1 for 2019 season

It has been announced today that current Redbull driver Daniel Ricciardo from Australia will be joining the works Renault F1 team for the 2019 season replacing Carlos Sainz with a 2 year contract.
This was an unexpected announcement, although it should work well for the Australian.
Where does Carlos Sainz go, who is under the Redbull umbrella?

2018 F1 season

The 2018 F1 season is great. Sebastian Vettel has won the two opening races in Australia and Bahrain for Ferrari. China is coming up this weekend. Will it be a hat trick?

Rosberg is 2016 F1 World Champion

Then he retires. Who will take his coveted seat at Mercedes AMG for 2017?

2016 Spanish GP Qualifying

How about that qualifying.... Max is working it. Maybe the driver swap was worth it? #F1

Spanish GP

Will the Toro Rosso / Redbull swap of drivers being the desired results? #F1

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk HELLCAT

It seems that FCA is preparing a Hellcat 707HP supercharged Hemi V8 Jeep Grand Cherokee for production. Rumors are that the Jeep will be called the Trackhawk, it is expected to retain 4 wheel drive and should scoot from 0-60 MPH in less than 3 seconds.

2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT

According to this, the fastest 0-60 mph is the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S which takes 3.8 seconds to do the deed. The current 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT takes 4.8 seconds with it's 470 hp.

Porsche Cayenne Turbo S

The mighty McLaren F1 took 3.1 seconds to get to pace and cleared the 1/4 mile in 11.1 seconds.

 McLaren F1 XP4

Shall the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk HELLCAT get produced, we will have a beast on our hands.

New Ferrari Dino on the way?

It has been hinted by Ferrari that and new Dino is in the works. The original vehicle known as the Dino 206 GT ( 1968 - 69 ) and then 246 GT (1969-1974 ), was named after Enzo Ferrari's deceased son and did not while it was made by Ferrari, it did not carry the Ferrari name. It was powered by a 2.0 and then a 2.4 V6.
 Dino 246 GT

A later and some would say less attractive Dino 308 GT4 with a 3.0 V8 was produced from 1973-1976 and then branded as a Ferrari from 1976 - 1980.

Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 2+2
New Dino???
Rendering by Fredrick Tjellesen
It is expected that the new Dino, will be powered by a 500hp twin turbo V6 and will run from 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds.

Will the new vehicle, if made, be known simply at the Dino, or will it be the Ferrari Dino? Time will tell, but if it looks anything like the rendering above, we say make it.

2017 Ford GT

The 2017 Ford GT has been seen testing for the first time without a paint job. The car looks somewhat sinister and is coming into shape.

Ford has said that it will be powered by a V6 eco boost engine with over 600hp. There are a few out there that are quietly hoping that the 2017 Ford Gt is released with a V8 engine. Time will tell.

Check out the photo here.

Cadillac CT6 to be unveiled March 31st 2015

Cadillac will unveil it's new flagship model the CT6 at the New York auto show on March 31st 2015.

The vehicle will be made in USA at GM's Detroit Hamtramck assembly plant and aluminum will be used to keep the weight of the vehicle down. Expect a twin turbo 6 cylinder and V8 (supercharged V model?) and maybe even an electric hybrid to power the CT6.

Cadillac is aiming at the BMW 7 series and the Mercedes Benz S class with the CT6. Prices while unannounced, may nudge the $100,000 mark.

All eyes on the 2015 New York auto show. Cadillac was once the most luxurious car company in the world, is it possible again?

 Read the report here

2016 Cadillac CTS-V

640 hp supercharged v8 

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153004659349923

Bentley Grand Convertible

The Bentley Grand Convertible displayed at the Los Angeles auto show left a lasting impression on us at @AutoReportsUSA

According to Bentley, the Grand Convertible is presented in Sequin Blue, which is a striking color, with a silver liquid metal finish to the hood and windscreen frame and a spectacularly finished interior.

The interior of the Grand Convertible is a showcase for the abilities of Bentley’s master craftsmen. 14 naturally tanned leather hides are merged together with progressive diamond quilting, with the shape of the pattern changing over the seats and doors in a cabin sized for four adults. Bright blue is used to highlight the extraordinary skill of Bentley’s trim specialists, with Sequin Blue thread cross-stitched by hand through the linen-coloured leather. The light hide is contrasted by the sleek elegance of Beluga leather around the top of the doors and extending back to the rear tonneau, framed in polished chrome.

The tonneau itself is Bentley craftsmanship at its finest. It features the largest piece of wood veneer ever applied to a Bentley. Fashioned entirely by hand, the mirror-finished and dark-stained Burr Walnut veneer is only paralleled by the creations of the world’s best furniture makers, and is finished with elegant parallel lines of chromed steel.

The Grand Convertible has an adequate 537 PS (530 bhp / 395 kW) and 1,100 Nm (811 lb.ft) of torque from Bentley’s legendary 6¾-litre twin-turbo V8 engine of the flagship Mulsanne, the Grand Convertible promises the luxury of effortless performance to match its unparalleled style. Ideal for the rock star, Grand Dad / Mother, internet entrepreneur, real estate mogul and taking the kids to school.  

Well done Bentley, you have created a masterpiece.

#BentleyGrandConvertible #LAAutoSHow #AutoReportsUSA

Ferrari confirm split with Alonso and sign Vettel for 3 years.

Ferrari and Fernando Alonso have announced that they have split after 5 years together. Alonso, who is regarded as one of, if not the best F1 driver out there, has not announced his future plans, but it is speculated that he will be heading to McLaren Honda next year. It is not known if McLaren will be sporting 3 cars on the grid for each race next year, or if Jenson Button, or Kevin Magnussen, or both will get the boot. @AutoReportsUSA hopes Button and Magnussen are both driving competitive car in F1 for 2015.

Ferrari also announced, much to everyone's surprise :-), that 4 time driver champion Sebastian Vettel has signed to drive with them for 3 years.

Photo courtesy of AP

#F1 #McLarenHonda #Ferrari

Shelby GT350 Mustang at the LA Auto show

The iconic Shelby GT350 is back in the shape of the 2015 Ford Mustang. @AutoReportsUSA was there to see it at the LA Auto show. The all new Mustang in itself is impressive, add the Shelby touch and the new 5.2-liter engine, which is the first-ever production V8 from Ford with a flat-plane crankshaft, an architecture typically found only in racing applications or exotic European sports cars, and you will be sure to start smiling.

 

According to Ford... Unlike a traditional V8, where the connecting rods are attached to the crankshaft at 90-degree intervals, this design evenly spaces all crank pins at 180-degree intervals.
The 180-degree, flat-plane layout permits a cylinder firing order that alternates between cylinder banks, reducing the overlap of exhaust pressure pulses. When combined with cylinder-head and valvetrain advancements, this permits better cylinder breathing, further extending the performance envelope of the V8.

The result is the most powerful naturally aspirated production Ford engine ever, at more than 500 horsepower, with a torque peak above 400 lb.-ft. The track capability is enhanced by the output characteristics of the engine – the 5.2-liter V8 features an exceptionally broad torque curve.

Combined with its high-revving ability, the flat-plane 5.2-liter V8 gives drivers an enormous amount of performance and flexibility within each gear of the lightweight six-speed manual transmission. A standard Ford-tuned Torsen limited-slip differential optimizes cornering grip and straight-line traction.

This is a truly good looking and exceptionally well engineered US made vehicle, which will be a delight to drive. We will report back when Ford lends us the keys.

#SHELBYGT350

Audi Prologue @LAAutoshow

 

The Audi prologue @LAAutoShow

Audi shows the benchmark of future design language in Los Angeles. @AutoReportsUSA viewed this vehicle at the show and there is no doubt that Audi has created an automobile that is futuristic and will be sought after.  An excerpt of the press release from Audi is below.
 
The technology of the Audi prologue is as sophisticated as its interior is emotion- evoking. The 4.0 TFSI, which is installed in the engine compartment like a technical masterpiece, produces 445 kW (605 hp) and 700 Nm (516.3 lb-ft) of torque; in overboost mode, which the driver can call up for around 15 seconds, a boosted torque of 750 Nm (553.2 lb-ft) is available. The sonorous biturbo V8 accelerates the two-door coupe, which has an unladen weight of 1,980 kilograms (4,365.2 lb) from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 3.7 seconds. 

The show car’s combined fuel consumption is just 8.6 liters per 100 kilometers (27.4 US mpg), which equates to CO2 emissions of 199 grams per kilometer (320.3 g/mile). One contributor to this high efficiency is a new 48-volt subsystem of the vehicle electrical system – this is a technology that will soon be introduced to production cars at Audi. The 48-volt system is supplied by a powerful belt starter generator, which turns the powertrain into a mild hybrid and has an energy recovery output of up to 12 kW during braking. An eight-speed tiptronic directs engine power to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive, which works closely with torque vectoring.

 #FAST #economical #energyrecovery

2016 Cadillac ATS-V released at the LA Auto Show.

The good looking 2016 ATS-V coupe and sedan was released at the Los Angeles auto show and @AutoReportsUSA was there on press day to see the cars in person.

The ATS-V features the first application of the Cadillac Twin Turbo engine in the V-Series, with unique features that expand its performance range and support track capability.

The more powerful iteration of the Twin Turbo 3.6L V-6 delivers an estimated 455 horsepower (339 kW) and 445 lb-ft of torque (603 Nm), and is backed by a standard six-speed manual transmission – with Active Rev Match, no-lift shifting and launch control – or an available paddle-shift eight-speed automatic transmission.

With the eight-speed automatic, the ATS-V reaches 60 mph from a standstill in only 3.9 seconds and achieves a top speed of more than 185 mph (299 kph).

The engine has unique features that strengthen the foundation to support the greater cylinder pressure that comes with turbocharging:

• Cylinder block and cylinder head castings that are specific to Cadillac Twin Turbo variants

• Lightweight, low-inertia titanium connecting rods are unique to the ATS-V’s engine and contribute to faster engine speed acceleration to match the quick spool time of the turbochargers, along with lowering the reciprocating loads on the rod and main bearings

• Machined, domed aluminum pistons with top steel ring carrier for greater strength

• An oil pan optimized for track performance

• 10.2:1 compression ratio

• Optimized direct injection fuel system for improved combustion efficiency and lower emissions

• Tuned air inlet and outlet resonators, aluminum cam covers and other features that contribute to exceptional quietness and smoothness. 

The standard TREMEC TR6060 six-speed manual transmission has a strong track record proven in the supercharged CTS-V series. It is updated for ATS-V with selectable technologies that enhance driver control to help produce optimized shifts that can lead to faster lap times:

• Active Rev Match – anticipates the next gear selection and electronically ‘blips’ the throttle to match engine speed for a seamless gear change

• No-lift shifting – Part of the Performance Traction Management system, it allows gear changes without the need for the driver to take his or her foot off the gas pedal, keeping the engine at full boost and maximum power

• Launch control – Also part of the Performance Traction Management system, it enables maximum off-the-line acceleration.

• The TR6060 transmission is used with a dual-mass flywheel and dual-disc clutch, which deliver greater shift quality and feel through lower inertia.

Paddle-shift eight-speed automatic transmission:

The new Hydra-Matic 8L90 eight-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission is available in the ATS-V. Designed and built by GM, it delivers world-class shift times that rival the best dual-clutch designs.

For performance driving, the transmission offers full manual control via steering wheel paddles. A new transmission-control system and unique algorithms deliver shift performance that rivals the dual-clutch/semi-automatic transmissions found in many supercars – but with the smoothness and refinement that comes with a conventional automatic fitted with a torque converter.

The transmission controller analyzes and executes commands 160 times per second. Wide-open throttle upshifts are executed up to eight-hundredths of a second quicker than those of the dual-clutch transmission offered in the Porsche 911.

Smaller steps between gears, compared to GM’s six-speed automatic, keep the engine within the sweet spot of the rpm band, making the most of ATS-V’s turbocharged horsepower and torque to optimize performance on and off the track.

Additional performance-enhancing features include Performance Algorithm Shift and launch control via the Performance Traction Management system.

New, available 16-way-adjustable RECARO performance front seats are the lynchpins for the driving experience, with aggressive, adjustable bolsters that help hold the driver and front passenger in place during high-load cornering. They’ve also got a luxury-performance feel, trimmed in Mulan leather with sueded microfiber inserts and seatbacks.

The rest of the interior features Cadillac’s handcrafted cut-and-sew elements, with decorative stitching and authentic materials, including carbon fiber. Three interior color combinations are offered: Jet Black, Jet Black with Saffron accents and Light Platinum with Jet Black accents.

The ATS-V also features a unique version of the 5.7-inch, three-window instrument panel cluster display, with V-Series graphics and distinctive gauge readouts. It is also equipped with the latest connectivity technologies from Cadillac, including:

• CUE with Bluetooth connectivity with natural voice recognition

• Text-to-voice that converts incoming text messages to speech and reads them over the audio system speakers

• USB, auxiliary and SD memory card ports

• OnStar 4G LTE connectivity with built-in Wi-Fi hotspot.

The Performance Data Recorder is controlled via CUE’s color touch screen and recordings can be reviewed on the screen when the vehicle is parked.

The Cadillac ATS-V is a performance car that has the BMW M3 and M4, Mercedes C63 and the Audi RS4 in it's sights. The fit and finish is up to the standard and the on paper performance is on the mark. The price and real world drivability will be the deciding factor as to how many Cadillac will sell.

Photos courtesy of © GM Co.

We are off to the #LAAUTOSHOW

@AutoReportsUSA is off to the #LAAUTOSHOW and will be reporting back to you about all the new and exciting vehicles launched. Be sure to follow us on twitter and check back soon.

Mazda CEO says no new RX in the pipeline

Mazda Motor Corporation CEO Masamichi Kogai says that there are no plans to revive the Rotary Experimental (RX) series for the time being. This is not good news for fans of the Wankel engine of which Mazda obtained a license to manufacture and pretty much perfected it. Now he could be hiding his cards, but in the day and age of costly R&D and low sales volume, as well as ever increasing emission standards world wide, we may be left to build up our own Mazda Rotary vehicles to keep the brap going. The published report is here.

                                Mazda RX3 coupe
                                  

USGP qualifying results

United States Grand Prix qualifying result in Austin Texas
1:#Rosberg
2:#Hamilton
3:#Bottas
4:#Massa
5:#Ricciardo
#Austin #F1 #USA

Mazda 110S Cosmo belonging to Jay Leno

Check out this JDM Mazda 110S Cosmo owned by automobile rock star Jay Leno

Lease a Tesla Model S

Tesla has reduced lease rates by up to 25% with a new collaboration they have with US Bank.
You can also bring your vehicle back to Tesla within the first 3 months if you are not happy, with no questions asked. You will have to pay a pass through fee if you are not happy because there is a new model they have released that you want. You can confirm your lease with no signatures ( unless your state requires ) . With the click of a button you can lease a new #Tesla. #Americanmade