Rolls Royce Recalls Phantom Because Fuel Filler May be Missing a Safety Component

The Rolls-Royce Phantom may cost upwards of $400,000, but it's not immune from recalls, which in this case, is somewhat embarrassing for the British carmaker as it discovered that one of its suppliers forgot to add a safety component.

In particular, Rolls-Royce told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that certain 2013MY Phantom vehicles manufactured from November 2, 2012, through January 18, 2013, might not have anti-misfueling devices mounted on their fuel-filler necks. According to the company, the devices prevent misfueling and discharge static electricity.

"Without the anti-misfueling device, there is an increased risk of fire from static electricity," Rolls-Royce told the NHTSA, adding that it has not received any report nor is it aware of any accidents or injuries related to this issue.

The recall affects 27 cars sold in the United States. Rolls Royce said its dealers inspect the gas tank and replace any affected fuel filler necks, free of charge.

Ferrari Teases F150 with Lousy Shot, Confirms Geneva Motor Show Debut

When it comes to Ferrari and new cars, it's all about its select clientele and not the press or fans of the brand. The Maranello-based carmaker has already shown the new F150-codenamed successor to the Enzo to potential owners, but for the rest of the world, all we get is this crude shot that looks like a photo taken with a poor camera phone from the past decade.

Along with this single image of the Prancing Horse logo, Ferrari also confirmed what we already knew from other sources, that the limited edition special series will receive its public premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show on Tuesday, March 5.

What we learned about Maranello's hypercar after details from a private viewing were leaked online is that it will feature hybrid powerplant pairing a V12 engine red-lining at 9,200 rpm to an electric motor for a combined system output of 950-horses, and that it will tip the scales at 1,270kg (2,800 pounds), with pre-tax prices starting from around €1 million (US$1.31 million at today's currency rates).

New 2013 KTM X-BOW GT Puts on a Pair of Shades but Doesn't Look Cool

It's been a long time since we last heard from KTM about its X-Bow, but at next week's Geneva Motor Show, the Austrian company will release a new version of its back-to-basics sports car named the GT that gains an odd looking windshield wrap, which for some strange reason, reminds us of the shades used on Jalopnik's older logo…

KTM won't say anything else about the X-Bow GT until the presentation at the Swiss show, though, when contacted by the French crew at Motorsport-Magazine, a company spokesman said the new model is based on the more hardcore "R" version with the Audi-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged engine detuned to deliver 281hp (285PS), down from 296hp (300PS).

Until we learn more, head past the jump to check out the official photo gallery of KTM's latest creation.

Audi's Fifth World Premiere for Geneva is the New A3 Sportback g-tron

Earlier today, we shared an announcement from Audi saying that it will host the world debut of five new cars at the Geneva motor show, four of which we already knew about, and asked you to tell us what you think the fifth car could be.

The mystery of the fifth model has just been solved as the brand with the four-rings released information on the new A3 Sportback g-tron, which is the flex-fuel cousin of the petrol-electric hybrid A3 Sportback e-tron that will also break cover at the Swiss car show.

The g-tron is powered by a specially-developed version of the conventional A3's 1.4-liter TSI four-cylinder engine modified to run on Audi's own e-gas, regular Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or unleaded gasoline.

Among other highlights mentioned by Audi, are the g-tron's twin tanks positioned under the luggage compartment, each of which can hold 7kg (15.4 pounds) of CNG at a maximum 200 bar pressure, while each weighs 27kg (59.5 pounds) less than a conventional diesel of gasoline tank.

Another special feature is the electronic gas pressure regulator that reduces the high pressure of the gas flowing from the cylinders down to around five to nine bar in two stages, and can automatically switch over to gasoline operation when the pressure in the tank drops under ten bar.

According to Audi, the 1.4-liter turbocharged unit develops 109hp (110PS) and 200Nm (147 lb-ft) of peak torque, regardless of the fuel used. The five-door model completes the standards sprint to 100km/h (62mph) in 11.0 seconds before it tops out at 190km/h (118mph). It consumers on average less than 3.5 kilograms per 100 km of CNG or Audi e-gas, while in gasoline mode, it emits less than 95g of CO2 per km.

"The CO2-neutral e-gas from Werlte will power 1,500 new Audi A3 Sportback g-tron vehicles 15,000 kilometers (9,320.57 miles) every year," said Audi in a statement, without getting into any more details about availability and prices.

First Official Photos of New Toyota FT 86 Open Top Concept

Look out Mazda because Toyota is getting ready to step into your turf with an MX-5 challenging convertible version of its GT 86 or, as we know it in North America, the Scion FR-S.

Toyota has previously shown a rendering of the conceptual FT 86 Open Top model, while we also got a peek at the actual car through a not-so-well guarded facility in South Africa about two weeks ago, but now it's time to share an official photo gallery of the 2+2 seat model that is one step before production.

Other than the absence of the roof, the necessary changes to the windshield and bonnet design, and the fitment of new wheels, the exterior of the FT86 Open Top is identical to the coupe model. The car clearly gets a soft top, but we don't know yet if its electrically operated or manual.

The interior of the FT86 Open Top adds some welcome premium touches such as the extended, two-tone blue and white leather upholstery with contrast yellow stitching and the fitment of the GT86's engine logo in what appears to be a cell phone holder on the center stack.

Toyota hasn't said yet what powers the concept, but we assume it’s the same or perhaps an improved version of the coupe's 2.0-liter flat-four gasoline unit.

The convertible concept will make its first public appearance at the Geneva Motor Show next week.

Another Alfa Romeo 6C Sports Coupe Design Concept

Even though Alfa Romeo been heavily neglected over the years, it continues to have a special place in the heart of car enthusiasts as well as people already working (Ferdinand Piech, we're looking at you) or aspiring to work, in the auto industry.

There's something about Alfa's past, which blends a rich racing heritage with some of the most beautiful and, arguably, better handling production cars ever made. Throw in the fact that, for the most part and unlike other Italian sports car makers, its vehicles were/are affordable to the masses, and you can see why its hard to turn a blind eye to the brand.

We're not trying to paint a beautiful picture of Alfa Romeo, as it’s no secret that for many decades, the Milanese company's cars were some of the most unreliable pieces of metal ever put together, while when Fiat took over in 1986, it diluted the brand almost beyond recognition.

Still, there's enough magic left in the name to inspire young designers like Alex Imnadaze and Ignacio Cuesta Grandío to imagine new products for the Italian carmaker, both of whom, prepared a sports coupe named 6C Concept.

We've already shown you Imnadaze's study, but Grandío, a design student at the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia in Spain, told us about his own 6C Concept that you can see for yourself in the photos below.

Bertone Revisits Aston Martin Vanquish Jet 2 for the Geneva Moto Show

Next up on Bertone's Geneva Motor Show menu after the announcement on the one-off shooting brake-style Rapid Jet 2+2 is an updated version of the Italian design house's 2004 Vanquish Jet 2 concept car.

Bertone says it used the running gear and 210mm (8.2 inches) longer platform of the original 2004 study, dressing it up in a newer body with styling elements from the latest Vanquish coupe, while also adding a second pair of seats at the back.

In a press statement, the coachbuilder said the new Aston Martin Vanquish Jet 2 was created for the company's president, Lilli Bertone.

"The exposed model in Geneva was especially set up for the president of the Company, Mrs Lilli Bertone, with trimmings personalized by Foglizzo Leather (a prestigious Italian Brand founded in 1921) and special paint," said Bertone.

More details on both cars are to be released at the Swiss show next week.

New Renault Captur Puts a Crossover Twist to the Clio Platform

Making its first public appearance today in front of a crowd at the Geneva Auto Salon, is the brand-new Renault Captur, a sub-compact crossover based on the Clio's familiar "B-Platform", which also underpins the Nissan Juke, with which it will compete in the European market.

The French carmaker says the Captur combines "the best of the MPV, SUV and hatchback worlds" in a single package, one that measures 4.12m long, 1.77m wide and 1.57m tall, with a ground clearance of 200mm.

Unlike the Juke, the Captur is offered exclusively with front wheel drive and an initial selection of three engines, a 1.2-liter turbocharged TCe petrol in either 89hp (90PS) or 118hp (120PS) versions, the latter only with a dual-clutch EDC (Efficient Dual Clutch) transmission, and an 89hp (90PS) turbo diesel, which can be optionally equipped with the EDC.

One of the highlights of the Captur is the ability to customize its appearance through two-tone paintworks, exterior décor graphics, the color of the wheels, the interior trims and a range of eight, interchangeable, 'Zip Collection' zipped seat covers.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Updated Hyundai i20 WRC Looking Good for the Geneva Motor Show

While Kia has chosen to build and sell actual sporty versions (the Cee'd and Pro_Cee'd GT) of their regular road-going cars, in order to boost the sporting credentials of their brand, sister-brand Hyundai has chosen a slightly different approach in order to achieve the same basic goal – participation in the World Rally Championship.

Their i20 WRC is being worked on and incrementally-improved in preparation for the car's official debut onto the world rally stage, which is set to take place next year.

First revealed at the Paris Motor Show, last year, the i20 WRC has since received several upgrades, and while it's not really finished, it really looks the part with the latest body upgrades and a revised livery, which combines Hyundai's trademark light-blue color with traditional Korean script.

Aside from the cosmetic and aerodynamic alterations, the car has also had its suspension setup retuned, under the supervision Michel Nandan – a WRC veteran. He now heads the newly-created Hyundai Motorsport GmbH, which operates out of Alenzau, Germany and has developed the car along with Hyundai's own research and development team, based in Namyan, Korea.

No technical specifications have been released, but it will most likely be powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, with just under 300 hp, powering all four wheels. Private test sessions will be arranged at various locations around Europe later in the year and more details will be provided along the way.

Renault Itself Test Drives the New Clio RS 200 EDC

The all-new Clio RS 200 EDC is a very important car for Renault, and the French manufacturer is keen to point out the improvements over the previous generation car with an in-house test drive of its hot hatch. It is of course a biased review of the Clio, but since the first customer cars are set to be delivered in mid-March, this is all we have to go on until the car becomes available to the motoring press.

The Renault “reviewer” talks about how the new car is a more practical, economical and usable compared to the car it replaces. It is now bigger, has two more doors and its 1.6-liter turbocharged engine has more torque at low revs and some 20 percent more fuel-efficient than the outgoing model’s screaming naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter unit.

The car has also been fitted with an intake resonator, like the one found on the new Ford Focus ST, which amplifies engine noise, without making it overly-intrusive. In addition, if the owner opts for the optional R-Link touchscreen infotainment system, a wide assortment of engine noises can be chosen, and the sound will be piped through the car's sound system - we say that's a bit of a gimmick, which will most likely not be appreciated by hot hatch purists.

Following in the footsteps of the VW Polo GTI and the Skoda Fabia vRS, Renault has ditched the six-speed manual gearbox used in the old model, in favor of a modern dual-clutch setup with paddle shifters they call EDC (Efficient Dual Clutch) - a manual version is not offered at all. This coupled with the engine's flat torque curve should make the Clio a more relaxing car to drive when not in ‘hoon-mode’.

For the full detailed “review”, check out Renault's video after the jump.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Hamann's New BMW M5 Mi5Sion Begs the Question

We're guessing Hamann Motorsports has no time for games when it comes to its new BMW M5 styling kit named Mi5Sion, which offers the high-performance sedan the most…serious face we've ever seen on an F10.

And if you're not convinced by its facial expression, the Mi5Sion also brutes up the rest of the car with elongated front and rear fender extensions, matching side skirts, a new vented rear bumper with quad exhaust pipes, plus boot and roof spoilers, and new set of black alloy wheels.

If the Mi5Sion is too much too swallow –don't be shy to admit it, Haman has prepared a more subtle cosmetic package that leaves the headlamps alone, concentrating on the bumpers, wheel arches, skirts and the rear bumper. It also gets a pair of wings at the back and different rims.

Regardless of the exterior components, Hamann customizes the interior of the M5 with bespoke trims on the dash, door panels and center stack, a new flat-bottom steering wheel and aluminum pedals.

New Chevrolet Trax to go on Sale in the UK with a Lower Starting Price than the Mokka

British buyers will soon be able to choose from two slightly different flavored versions of General Motors' new small crossover, as the new Chevrolet Trax will join the already available Vauxhall (Opel for the rest of Europe) Mokka in July.

The two models feature a different body detailing and a dashboard design, but beyond that, they are the identical. On Friday, Chevrolet released initial pricing for the Trax that starts from £15,495 for the base petrol-engine LS trim, and £17,495 for the better specified LT that includes Chevy's MyLink technology.

Vauxhall's Mokka starts at £15,995, though; the carmaker has pointed out that this model is geared more towards fleet customers.

The available powertrain options for the Trax are the same as on the Mokka and include an 113hp (115PS) 1.6-liter petrol paired to 5-speed manual, a 138hp (140PS) 1.4-liter turbo'd petrol linked to a 6-speed manual, and a 128hp (130PS) 1.7-liter diesel with either a 6 speed manual or 6 speed auto.

All manual transmission variants come with Stop/Start technology, while buyers will be able to choose between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) variants.

Detailed pricing will be released closer to launch in July.