Land Rover Releases Full UK Pricing and Specs on Range Rover Evoque 5D and Coupe [New Photo Gallery]

The first examples of the new Range Rover Evoque won’t be arriving in UK dealerships until September, but the automaker has released pricing information on both variants of its luxury crossover. The Evoque will be offered with a choice of three engines, two body styles, three design themes and a variety of options and accessories. Pricing for the five-door model starts from £27,955 for the eD4 Pure with a 6 Speed manual and 2WD, while the three-door version with the same powertrain from £28,950.

Read more »

A Quick History of the BMW 3-Series, from 1975 to Today

In 1975, BMW launched the 3-Series as a successor to the 02 series and essentially established the premium compact car segment. The company went on to produce five generation of the 3-Series selling more than 12 million cars worldwide. Even though it changed considerably from one generation to another, the 3-Series kept its core characteristics: a compact body with a classic design, rear-wheel drive, sporty handling characteristics and potent engines.

Launched initially as a two-door coupe, the 3-Series gained throughout the years new body variants such as the sedan, station wagon, coupe, convertible and even a three-door hatchback model (Compact). Scroll down to read a brief history on each generation.

Read more »

Toyota FT-86 Sports Concept II: New Pictures and Video from Brussels Photo Shoot

We’ve already seen and gone over all the juicy bits of the near-production Toyota FT-86 II sports coupe, but the Japanese automaker’s social media crew went over to the firm’s European headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, for a new photo shoot last week offering us a fresh batch of pictures as well as a behind-the-scenes video.

The second iteration of the FT-86 study made its first public outing at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month. Its main purpose is to preview actual production model that will go on sale in late 2012. The well-received styling of the original concept model evolved gaining new front and rear ends, more pronounced surfaces and a host of other fresh details, with Toyota claiming that the design changes were made for safety regulations as well as for practical reasons.

Read more »

New Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Aims at BMW M3, Available with 457HP and 487HP [40 High-Res Photos]

True to prior speculation, Mercedes-Benz has lifted the curtain on a high-performance version of its recently launched C-Class Coupe developed by its AMG division. Stuttgart’s answer to the 450HP Audi RS5 and the 420HP BMW M3 coupes is built around the revised 2012 C63 AMG saloon and sticks with Mercedes-Benz’s familiar 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 lump.

As with the sedan model, the V8 powerplant in the 2012 C63 AMG Coupe will be offered in two states of tune. The basic version churns out 457HP and peak torque of 600Nm in EU-spec, and 451HP and 443 lb-ft in US-trim, for a 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 4.5 seconds [0-60mph in 4.4 sec] and an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h [155mph].

Customers can opt for the AMG Development Package that pushes output to 487HP in the EU model and 481HP in the U.S.-spec variant, for a 0 to 100 km/h to 4.4 seconds [0-60mph in 4.3 sec] and a limited maximum speed of 174 mph [280km/h].

Read more »

McLaren Combines Forces with SPC to Create Venge Aero Road Bike

McLaren, a pioneer of carbon-fiber technology, which it successfully uses in Formula 1 and on its MP4-12C road car, has teamed up with U.S.-based Specialized Bicycle Components [SPC] for an unusual project: building the ultimate road bike.

Read more »

BMW Introduces One-Off 1-Series M Coupe MotoGP Safety Car

The upcoming BMW 1-Series M Coupe will serve as the official Safety Car for the 2011 season of the motorcycle road racing world championship (or simply MotoGP), which kicks off this weekend. The 1-Series M Coupe Safety Car is a one-off built by BMW’s M division specifically for this race series, with the Bavarian automaker stating that only the 340HP twin-turbocharged straight-six engine and the entire drivetrain were taken over unchanged from the production model, which launches in late April.

The Safety Car is lighter than its production counterpart thanks to a series of weight saving measures such as the carbon fibre-reinforced bonnet featuring additional large air vents, polycarbonate side and rear windows and the elimination of the rear seat bench. In addition, BMW’s M team developed a bespoke lightweight titanium race exhaust system that not only saves weight but also promises to delivers a much more exciting sound.

Read more »

Porsche to Tackle 24h of Nürburgring with 911 GT3 R Hybrid Version 2.0

Porsche will mark its return to this year’s edition of the Nürburgring 24 hour race on June 25 with a newer version of its 911 GT3 R Hybrid that is more powerful yet lighter and more fuel efficient than its predecessor.

The 2011 edition of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid carries the geeky ‘Version 2.0’ moniker, and keeps the general layout of the 2010 model. The racer’s hybrid powertrain comprises of a 470HP 4.0-liter six-cylinder boxer engine at the rear and two electric motors driving the front wheels.

In the Version 2.0, the output of both electric motors has increased from 60kW (80HP) to 75 kilowatts (100HP) each, meaning that seconds at a time, pilots will now have an additional 200HP at their disposal.

Read more »

Audi’s 560HP R8 GT Arrives in the States, Prices Start from $196,800

Audi has announced pricing details for its limited production R8 GT sports car at the launch of sales in the U.S. market. The flagship version of the R8 series is priced at $196,800, compared to $114,200 for the entry-level 4.2-liter V8 model and $149,000 for the standard 5.2-liter V10 variant. Nevertheless, that is considerably less than what a German would pay for the R8 GT in its home market where pricing is set at €193,000 or about US$269,300.

Read more »

New Lexus CT 200h Hybrid Hatch goes on Sale in the UK Priced from £23,845

Created with the European market in mind, the new Lexus CT 200h hybrid hatchback has made its way to UK shores. Priced from £23,485 OTR, it costs £1,380 less than the next least expensive model in the Japanese firm’s UK lineup, the IS 200d that comes equipped with a 150HP 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine.

Read more »

Introducing the Singer Design 911: Retro Cool Porsche for the iPod Generation

In 1998, the last of the air-cooled Porsche 911s rolled off the production line at Stuttgart, soon to be replaced with a newer, more modern water-cooled variant of the classic rear-engined sports coupe. Fortunately, for Porsche fans and company shareholders alike, the water-cooled 996 Series proved to be a venerable replacement for the air-cooled 993 and still commands impressively high prices on the second-hand vehicle market.

For some fans though, the only “true” Neunelfer is the original: the 911 Classic built from 1963 until 1989. Back in those days Porsches were lightweight, rear-engined and – most importantly – air-cooled. By the end of the ‘80s, however, outside concerns such as passenger safety, comfort and emissions regulations were – to some purists – killing the Porsche brand. Enthusiasts began demanding a purer 911 and, in 2009, L.A.’s Singer Vehicle Design responded.

Read more »

2012 BMW 6-Series Coupe Officially Revealed, 118 High-Res Pictures for Your Viewing Pleasure

BMW has put the top on its all-new 2012 6-Series with the presentation of the Coupe model ahead of its world premiere at the Shanghai Auto Show in China in April. The new 6-Series Coupe comes shortly after the convertible model that received its public debut at this year’s Detroit Motor Show in January.

Based on last year’s ‘BMW Concept 6 Series Coupe’, the styling of the Bavarian firm’s premium GT is the work of BMW design boss Adrian van Hooydonk, who replaced Chris Bangle in 2009. The new 6er feature s a far less controversial but somewhat more bland styling that its predecessor with a pronounced front end sporting a busy set of headlamps and auxiliary lights and a relatively low roofline.

Read more »

Italy’s Trussardi Celebrates Centennial with Limited Edition BMW 5-Series GT

Trussardi, one of Italy’s top design brands mostly known for its leather jackets, jeans, handbags and accessories, is celebrating its centennial anniversary this year with numerous events and special products, one of which includes a cooperation with BMW Italy. The two companies joined forces to design a limited edition version of the 5-Series Gran Turismo with bespoke styling cues.

The design of the 5-Series GT by Trussardi is said to have been inspired by the world of leather and gloves, which characterized the origins of the Italian brand. The emphasis was on new exterior details and a more luxurious interior treatment.

Read more »

Photo Gallery: Audi RS3 Sportback Takes to the Streets of Monaco

The 408HP A3 Sedan concept may have overshadowed the RS3 Sportback at the Geneva Motor Show, but now Audi has turned its attention to the latter. The brand with the four-ring logo released a new set of photos showing off its 340 horsepower-strong model posing on the streets of Monaco, as the company gets ready to begin shipping the first examples of the hot hatch this spring.

Read more »

Acura Release Massive Photo Gallery and Prices on 2012 TL Sedan

With the 2012MY Acura TL’s market launch set for March 18, the Japanese automaker decided to drop pricing details along with a slew of new photos of its facelifted mid-size sedan. The most significant changes for the 2012 TL concern the new front and rear styling, while Acura also added a new Sequential SportShift 6-speed automatic transmission and made the cabin quieter.

The base front-wheel drive 2012 TL, which comes with a 280HP V6 hooked up to a Sequential SportShift 6-speed automatic, starts at $35,605, while the available Technology Package that includes a navigation system and a 440-watt premium audio System, increases the price to $39,335. Opt for the Advance Package that incorporates ventilated front seats, larger wheels and a new blind spot information (BSI) system, and the price goes up to $41,535.

Read more »

Shayton Equilibrium: Slovenian Company Wants to Build a 400 km/h Supercar

In the world of extreme supercars, names like Bugatti, Koenigsegg or Pagani are instantly recognized and respected. A name you could not have thought about though is Shayton, a new Slovenian brand that plans to build a supercar, one that would “sweep the competition”, as its overly optimistic press release reads. You have to admit this is a pretty ambitious claim for a company that hasn't actually built a car.

The name Shayton means "falcon" in Sioux Indian, one of the most feared birds of prey that is also the company's logo. Their sports coupe is called the Equilibrium and will have a price tag of over €1,000,000 ($1.39 million). The Slovenian Zonda-wannabe will be powered by a V12 engine capable of 1,084 horsepower and 930 Nm of torque (686 lb-ft) at 5,000 rpm.

Read more »

Lamborghini Confirms that it has Sold More Than 12 Months’ Production of Aventador LP700-4

Last week, we told you that the first year of production of both the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 and Ferrari FF have reportedly been spoken for. Today, Lamborghini made it officially-official confirming that it has already sold more than 12 months’ production of its new flagship V12 model, deliveries of which will start in the second half of 2011.

The VW Group-owned Italian automaker also released final sales figures for last year that showed a 14 per cent drop from 2009. In particular, Lamborghini delivered a total of 1,302 units to customers worldwide in 2010, compared to 1,515 cars the previous year.

Read more »

Mercedes-Benz Drops Mega Photo Gallery of 2012 SLK Roadster

After Monday’s release on the facelifted C-Class range, Mercedes-Benz today also published a slew of photos of its brand-new 2012 SLK hardtop roadster that goes on sale in Europe at the end of this month, with the U.S. launch to follow in June.

The third-generation of the SLK keeps the two-piece folding hardtop of its predecessors but gets a fresh design with styling cues from both the SLS AMG and the new CLS. It also comes with as a new range of fuel-efficient engines, including a 1.8-liter force-fed four-cylinder with either 184HP or 204HP, and a 3.5-liter V6 delivering 306HP in Europe and 302HP in North America.

Other highlights include the addition of the panoramic vario-roof with MAGIC SKY CONTROL, which switches to light or dark at the touch of a button, and the new COMAND system with 7-inch color display and central controller. Hit the jump for the complete gallery that also includes sketches and photos of the development prototypes like the one pictured above.

Read more »

Frozen in Time: Brand New 1970s Toyotas Abandoned on Dealer Lot in Cyprus

The Green Line is a 180 kilometer-long (112 miles) stretch of land that divides the island of Cyprus and its capital city of Nicosia. It was created as a demilitarized zone or a buffer, if you prefer, between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot controlled areas of Cyprus after Turkey invaded the Mediterranean island back in 1974. Here, lies an unoccupied piece of land that seems to have been frozen in time.

Now, we know some of you may be wondering what any of this has to do with an automotive website like Carscoop, so let’s cut to the chase and get to the story.

The answer is a stunning gallery from Bo de Visser, a photographer and journalist from The Netherlands, who was able to visit the Green Line in Cyprus and discover an abandoned Toyota dealer lot with an amazing collection of new cars from the 1970s.

Read more »

Mercedes-Benz Launches New Ad Campaign for 2012 C-Class, Releases 70 Photos

Mercedes-Benz has kicked off a major advertising campaign for its facelifted C-Class series under the tagline “A Class Ahead”. The new model will be promoted across print media, TV, radio stationsa nd the Internet. While the TV advertisements are filmed in rural environments, the print ads put the C-Class in urban settings. Each advertisement highlights a specific feature of the 2012MY C-Class, such as the 20-second commercial called “Souvenir” (view below) that underlines the estate's 1,500-liter load capacity and the “Rocker”, dedicated to the interior of the car. In addition, the German automaker released a new photo gallery of the 2012My C-Class, which you can check out below.

Read more »

2011 Geneva Motor Show: A to Z Guide of New Models and Concepts

[Updated] Welcome to Carscoop's guide of the 81st edition of the Geneva International Motor Show which is shaping to be one of the most important automotive events of the year. The show will be open for the public from March 3-13, but we'll be bringing you all the world premieres during the press days on March 1 and 2.

Some of the new production models to look forward to include the stunning Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, Ferrari's first all-wheel drive model, the FF, the Hyundai i40, and Volkswagen's Golf Cabriolet, while on the concept front there's a bevy of studies such as the BMW Vision CD roadster, the Renault Captur and the Toyota FT-86 II. We'll be constantly updating the list after the break so bookmark this page and keep checking back.

Read more »