The VW Scirocco R is the right choice for anyone looking for a hatchback with a classy design and impressive performance. Unlike its close sibling, the VW Golf R, the Scirocco R sits closer to the road and looks more aggressive. Traditionally independent design and upholstery elements characterise the Scirocco R. This is equally true for the design of the front, rear and for the wheels. In particular the three large, glossy black air inlets, the standard bi-xenon headlights, the LED daytime running lights and the LED indicators attract attention at the front. At the side, this includes the door mirror housings in "matt chrome", the side sill extensions with "R" styling and the brake calipers painted black with "R" logo. Powering the Scirocco R is a 2.0-litre TSI unit with an impressive 206 kW (276 hp). Paired with the unit is a six-speed manual or DSG gearbox. The power unit consumes 8.0 l/100 km, which is more efficient than the previous model. Similar to the exterior, the interior of the Scirocco R is marked by the hand of Volkswagen R GmbH.
We鈥檝e been talking about the Volkswagen ID family for what feels like an eternity, but we鈥檙e finally getting a glimpse at an upcoming production model. Previewed by the original ID concept, this prototype is a hatchback that is expected to be called the ID Neo. The model was snapped in South Africa by Twitter user Theo Calitz (@Theolitz) and first noticed by The Drive. While the prototype is heavy camouflaged, we can see it will follow in the footsteps of the concept. Despite this, the hatchback has a rounder front bumper and a more traditional lower air intake. The headlights are also more conventional, but they retain the concept鈥檚 distinctive LED daytime running light ring. The profile and greenhouse appear to be nearly identical to the concept, but the production model appears to have a slightly thicker rear pillar. We can also see familiar bodywork, but designers installed traditional side mirrors and door handles. While many entry-level electric vehicles are front-wheel drive, Volkswagen has already confirmed most of the ID family will be rear- or all-wheel drive. The automaker has also revealed the ID family will use a modular battery pack that allows for ranges between 321 km and 547 km according to the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure. Volkswagen has been coy on performance specifications, but the original ID concept had a 168 hp electric motor which enabled the car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in less than eight seconds. Volkswagen has previously said the production model could have more or less power.
The Cayman GT4 is Porsche's highly desirable track focused version of the already extremely capable Cayman. Porsche had to tread carefully with this cars performance placement, sitting it somewhere in between the Cayman GTS and the 911 GT3, and what a car they have produced. Outside the GT4 receives much more, down force generating, aggressive styling with additions such as the protruding full width front splitter, bulging side air intakes and the rather conspicuous adjustable rear wing. The Brake setup is pinched straight from the GT3 as is much of the adjustable suspension/roll-bars, dropping the car 30mm lower than the standard Cayman. All these manually adjustable settings really allow the track day enthusiast to dial their car into different circuits and get hands-on with the mechanical workings of this track day weapon. The GT4 ticks all the boxes of a driver focused sports car, manual 6-speed gearbox, stiffened chassis, full bucket seats, the list goes on. The engine is a revised version of the 3.8L Flat-6 from the 911 Carrera S revving out to 7,750rpm and providing plenty of grunt and driver engagement. All the track business aside, this car still has the necessary creature comforts to make this a usable everyday car on UK roads.
FRANKFURT, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Daimler and BMW deepened their alliance on Thursday to share spiraling development costs for highly automated driving technologies, even as each carmaker pursues separate efforts to develop fully self-driving cars. The enormous cost of designing and building computer-powered vehicles has already prompted Honda to pool its efforts with General Motors, while Volkswagen is pursuing talks with Ford about an alliance on autonomous cars. BMW and Daimler deepened their alliance for similar reasons, said Michael Hafner, head of automated driving at Mercedes-Benz research and development said in a blog post which accompanied a joint press release by the companies on Thursday. 鈥淲e have learned that the development of these systems is a bit like climbing a mountain,鈥?he said. 鈥淭aking the first few meters from the base station to the summit seems easy. It made sense to distribute the technological and financial challenges of automated driving, Hafner said, so BMW and Daimler will jointly develop technology to enable automated driving on highways.
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