Lincoln Continental Concept Revealed! (It is Already Headed for Production)

Take a Ford Taurus, rub it sparingly with the sad ham of luxury appliqué, and you get the Lincoln MKS. In reality, there may not have been a automobile more cynical in Ford’s repertoire given that post-Malaise downsizing of the 1980s. Finally, Lincoln has decided to erase this blight upon its name, and if the new Continental idea car is not the blocky, presidential pomp machine the fashionably tattooed were hoping for, it is undoubtedly a step away from the baleen-waterfall-stache visual grammar Lincoln has been selling of late.

Officially, the Continental is a notion. But you will see a production version next year. Our sources suggest that the new Conti will not ride on the MKS/Taurus platform, which is also shared with the Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex, but rather on an enlarged version of the CD4 platform, which underpins the Fusion and MKZ.

Ford is playing coy with regards to the concept’s powertrain specifics beyond the reality that it makes use of a 3.-liter EcoBoost V-6, a slightly enlarged variant of the 2.7 Nano. However, we hear that the 2.7 would be a base engine, at least here in the United States. China would likely get an even smaller sized 4-cylinder option. The thrilling bit is that the Continental is rumored to use the very same trick all-wheel-drive system employed in the new Ford Concentrate RS.

We presume the emphasis is on certain-footedness rather than out-and-out stoplight drags or gymkhana-fied acrobatics. Throughout the car’s unveiling at a preview in New York, FoMoCo honcho Mark Fields and Lincoln chief Kumar Galhotra repeated Lincoln’s “quiet luxury” mantra ad infinitum. So considerably so that we identified ourselves lulled into an alpha state by the sense memory of Matthew McConaughey’s laid-back twang. It is all just sounds, man. It is not even like . . . words.

One look at the back seat affirms this. Tap the underside of the chromed handle sticking out of the windowsill and the door pops open. It is a big honking door. It is a Maybach-ian, Chinese-energy-broker-grade door. The sunroof is electrochromatic—changing from opaque to clear at the press of a button—and Ford has taken out 50 patents on the seats in this point. The seats function 30-way adjustment, and a single of the joys is an outer side bolster that deflates to aid ingress and egress. Also, we want a girlfriend produced of the plush, plush carpet. Or at least a cat—a cat would almost certainly be a lot more acceptable. The complete interior therapy, resplendent in dark blue and chrome, suggests the glory of the jet age without having getting slavishly retro. We dare Lincoln not to dumb it down any much more than is necessary to pass crash standards for production, since it is as good as anything south of $ 200,000.

The exterior has its moments. In profile, it’s somewhat Mulsanne/Phantom-esque. From the rear, it’s aces. We specifically like the quad exhaust with asymmetrical outer guidelines. The front finish screams Jag-ura, with its RLX-style headlamps and XE/XJ-mimicking grille. Even though it’s a far better appear than the prior remedy, it is a lot more Euro-Japanese derivative than we’d like to see from an American brand. We do, even so, really like the peaked hood. The headlamps, by the way, are of the matrix-LED style that Audi can’t sell to us maybe an American organization futzing with the tech can lastly get it legalized.

All in all, the new Continental comes off as a slightly mixed bag. That is an improvement more than the MKS, which was not the sort of bag that James Brown would ever have been pleased to own brand-new. But this Continental? He may well just have liked this.

View Photographs View Photographs

Lincoln Continental Concept Revealed! (It is Already Headed for Production)

Buick Envision Crossover Caught Testing in the U.S.—Is It Headed Right here?

Nearly as quickly as Buick revealed the all-new Envision mid-size luxury crossover for the Chinese market, we had been of the thoughts that it would make an outstanding addition to the brand’s U.S. portfolio. Rumor has it that Buick is thinking the exact same point, and we now have further evidence that strategy is at least below consideration: this camouflaged Envision roaming our Ann Arbor, Michigan, environs.

For reference, the Envision is a 2-row mid-size crossover along the exact same lines as the Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain, Nissan Murano, and Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The vehicle has been on sale in China given that final year, and it rides on Basic Motors’ next-generation transverse-engine, front-drive-based Delta platform. (The identical architecture sits beneath the 2016 Chevy Volt, as nicely as the subsequent-generation Cruze.) It is a handsome-hunting thing, with a sturdy familial resemblance to other Buick items like the Regal and Verano.

Thanks to its larger footprint, the Envision’s overall aesthetic is more reminiscent of the 3-row Enclave than the stubby and cartoonish—but nice to drive—Encore. The prototype pictured right here appears identical to the Chinese-market place Envision, save for its stand-in lighting units, deleted Buick badges, and hodgepodge camouflage job. Amusingly, for all the disguise perform, Buick’s trademark VentiPorts weren’t removed from the hood.

In China, the Envision is powered by GM’s corporate turbocharged 2.-liter 4-cylinder engine. A 6-speed automatic is standard, as is all-wheel drive we wouldn’t be shocked if the exact same powertrain produced it stateside, although it’s highly likely that Buick would offer you a base front-drive version, possibly even with GM’s naturally aspirated 2.5-liter 4-cylinder. A hybrid model is also a robust possibility.

---

---

Because we haven’t heard much about the Envision since last year, we contacted Buick for an update but have been told only that there are no current plans to bring the SUV right here. It is also worth noting that significantly of the Envision’s engineering took spot on American soil, so seeing 1 parked in Ann Arbor doesn’t specifically indicate intent on Buick’s portion. But the brand could certainly use another crossover to fill the gaping hole between the Encore and the Enclave, and we wouldn’t be at all shocked to see it confirmed for the U.S. later this year as a 2016 model with a beginning price just above $ 30,000.

Buick Envision Crossover Caught Testing in the U.S.—Is It Headed Right here?

Buick Envision Crossover Caught Testing in the U.S.—Is It Headed Here?

Nearly as soon as Buick revealed the all-new Envision mid-size luxury crossover for the Chinese market place, we were of the thoughts that it would make an exceptional addition to the brand’s U.S. portfolio. Rumor has it that Buick is pondering the very same thing, and we now have further evidence that program is at least below consideration: this camouflaged Envision roaming our Ann Arbor, Michigan, environs.

For reference, the Envision is a 2-row mid-size crossover along the same lines as the Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain, Nissan Murano, and Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The car has been on sale in China since final year, and it rides on Common Motors’ next-generation transverse-engine, front-drive-based Delta platform. (The identical architecture sits beneath the 2016 Chevy Volt, as properly as the subsequent-generation Cruze.) It is a handsome-seeking issue, with a sturdy familial resemblance to other Buick products like the Regal and Verano.

Thanks to its larger footprint, the Envision’s general aesthetic is far more reminiscent of the 3-row Enclave than the stubby and cartoonish—but good to drive—Encore. The prototype pictured here appears identical to the Chinese-marketplace Envision, save for its stand-in lighting units, deleted Buick badges, and hodgepodge camouflage job. Amusingly, for all the disguise function, Buick’s trademark VentiPorts weren’t removed from the hood.

In China, the Envision is powered by GM’s corporate turbocharged 2.-liter 4-cylinder engine. A 6-speed automatic is standard, as is all-wheel drive we wouldn’t be shocked if the very same powertrain made it stateside, despite the fact that it’s extremely most likely that Buick would offer you a base front-drive version, possibly even with GM’s naturally aspirated 2.5-liter 4-cylinder. A hybrid model is also a robust possibility.

---

---

Because we haven’t heard significantly about the Envision considering that final year, we contacted Buick for an update but have been told only that there are no existing plans to bring the SUV right here. It is also worth noting that significantly of the Envision’s engineering took place on American soil, so seeing a single parked in Ann Arbor doesn’t specifically indicate intent on Buick’s component. But the brand could undoubtedly use one more crossover to fill the gaping hole between the Encore and the Enclave, and we wouldn’t be at all shocked to see it confirmed for the U.S. later this year as a 2016 model with a beginning value just above $ 30,000.

Buick Envision Crossover Caught Testing in the U.S.—Is It Headed Here?

Buick Envision Crossover Caught Testing in the U.S.—Is It Headed Right here?

Nearly as soon as Buick revealed the all-new Envision mid-size luxury crossover for the Chinese market, we were of the mind that it would make an excellent addition to the brand’s U.S. portfolio. Rumor has it that Buick is thinking the same thing, and we now have further evidence that plan is at least under consideration: this camouflaged Envision roaming our Ann Arbor, Michigan, environs.

For reference, the Envision is a 2-row mid-size crossover along the same lines as the Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain, Nissan Murano, and Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The vehicle has been on sale in China since last year, and it rides on General Motors’ next-generation transverse-engine, front-drive-based Delta platform. (The same architecture sits beneath the 2016 Chevy Volt, as well as the next-generation Cruze.) It is a handsome-looking thing, with a strong familial resemblance to other Buick products like the Regal and Verano.

Thanks to its larger footprint, the Envision’s overall aesthetic is more reminiscent of the 3-row Enclave than the stubby and cartoonish—but nice to drive—Encore. The prototype pictured here looks identical to the Chinese-market Envision, save for its stand-in lighting units, deleted Buick badges, and hodgepodge camouflage job. Amusingly, for all the disguise work, Buick’s trademark VentiPorts weren’t removed from the hood.

In China, the Envision is powered by GM’s corporate turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. A 6-speed automatic is standard, as is all-wheel drive; we wouldn’t be surprised if the same powertrain made it stateside, although it’s highly likely that Buick would offer a base front-drive version, possibly even with GM’s naturally aspirated 2.5-liter 4-cylinder. A hybrid model is also a strong possibility.

---

---

Since we haven’t heard much about the Envision since last year, we contacted Buick for an update but were told only that there are no current plans to bring the SUV here. It’s also worth noting that much of the Envision’s engineering took place on American soil, so seeing one parked in Ann Arbor doesn’t specifically indicate intent on Buick’s part. But the brand could certainly use another crossover to fill the gaping hole between the Encore and the Enclave, and we wouldn’t be at all shocked to see it confirmed for the U.S. later this year as a 2016 model with a starting price just above $ 30,000.

Buick Envision Crossover Caught Testing in the U.S.—Is It Headed Right here?

Personal the Rambo Lambo: Immaculate 1989 Lamborghini LM002 Headed to Auction

6 years ago in Iraq, when American soldiers wired explosives to a cruddy old pickup, they unwittingly chose to bomb the rarest and most Italian 4×4 to ever pound sand. It was a Lamborghini LM002, and whilst the planet wasn’t weeping over the loss of one of Uday Hussein’s personal vehicles—or Uday himself, 1 of Saddam Hussein’s sons who was killed by U.S. troops in 2003—exotic-vehicle enthusiasts winced.

Subsequent month, a far tidier example of the super truck will be provided for sale by RM Auctions. Listen to the money, even though, and you will uncover the LM002 to be a substantially undervalued Lamborghini, not only for its sheer insanity as a V-12 dune buggy but also as the precursor to the automaker’s next SUV, the Urus, slated for 2017. When our personal Brock Yates tested a single of the initial U.S. models in 1987—he nicknamed it the “Rambo Lambo”—the LM002 was $ 120,000 to start, or about a quarter-million bucks in today’s dollars. According to Hagerty’s, the average cost of an LM002 hovers about $ 95,000. The red 1989 model you see right here recently sold for $ 122,000, and it’s unlikely to bring considerably much more than that at auction.

This is a 6780-pound hulk that, in its day, was twice as fast as a comparable Range Rover ( to 60 in 7.7 seconds) and stopped shorter than most compact sedans. It came with a 5.2-liter Countach V-12 mounted up front, a 5-speed manual, a 2-speed transfer case, and 345-width Pirellis reinforced with Kevlar. It took nearly 3 decades prior to other 12-cylinder SUVs like the Audi Q7 V-12 TDI and Mercedes G65 AMG hit the scene. Who wouldn’t want a piece of history, that, as Yates place it, threw each and every other luxury auto “to the trash heap of social obsolescence”?

Amongst modern day collectors, it is merely not hot sufficient. Robert Meyer, who owns a shingle business in Washington state, sold this cherry LM002 in September since of its poor appreciation. Plus, it’s nigh impossible to uncover components and almost as challenging to service. Hence, to drive an LM002 is to threat grounding it indefinitely. Even when we tested one particular new, the electronics had been currently failing, a water line was rubbing against a fan belt and the clutch created a “Peterbilt feel like a Civic.” There’s also the issue of feeding the 76.6-gallon tank.

We tested this Lamborghini LM002 for our the October 1987 issue.

Meyer’s LM002, gifted to himself right after a divorce, is one particular of the luckier LM002s. Compared to the 6-carb model Yates drove 2 years earlier, the 1989 models came with fuel injection, an air-conditioning compressor that functioned, and myriad improvements that created the 444-hp beast less complicated to drive. Meyer did his own repairs and had small go wrong—he only place 10,000 miles on it more than 18 years—but beyond some seals for the transfer case and headers, “there’s nothing at all out there,” he stated. That goes for the aluminum and fiberglass physique, the Pirelli Scorpion tires, and something involving the 4-wheel-drive technique. Meyer had the front driveshaft removed, effectively underscoring the “2” in LM002, due to the fact that’s the portion that gets removed for each and every oil modify. According to Meyer, Lamborghini made the engine to run on 6 cylinders in case of catastrophic failure, and in that procedure, duplicated many of the components below the hood. As you might surmise, an LM002 is “sort of a pain in the ass when you are trying to function on it.”

Like most all pre-Audi Lamborghini models, the LM002 almost bankrupted the Sant’Agata company. The prototype 1977 Cheetah, created by an American defense contractor, didn’t win more than military commanders when it debuted at the Geneva auto show. The mid-mounted Chrysler V-8 gave the best-heavy Lambo nervous handling, and a year later, BMW cut ties with Lamborghini right after the organization allegedly funneled cash from the M1 to the Cheetah project. A completely revised LM001 debuted at the 1981 Geneva auto show, and before long, the LM002 was born as “just the factor for touring the front of the Iran-Iraq war,” according to Yates.

---

---

The final LM American models came with the Diablo’s 492-hp V-12, however even with such frippery, none have observed the surging rates observed by the early to mid-1980s Countach. When the Urus debuts, may well LM002 owners comprehend the treasure on their hands, being aware of they guard the direct lineage to what will be a 200-mph SUV? “I could care much less about the new one,” stated Meyer. “It’s just another piece of high-tech shit.”

Personal the Rambo Lambo: Immaculate 1989 Lamborghini LM002 Headed to Auction

Killer Vs: 2015 Cadillac ATS-V Headed to L.A. Auto Show, 2016 Cadillac CTS-V Follows Hot on its Heels at Detroit

August 17, 2014 at 2:21 pm by Eric Tingwall | Photography by Chris Doane Automotive and KGP Photography

2015 Cadillac ATS-V (spy photo)

Cadillac is lacing up its boxing gloves for the upcoming auto-show season as it prepares to deliver a a single-2 punch with new V-series functionality vehicles. The 2015 Cadillac ATS-V, America’s 1st sincere shot at the BMW M3, will debut at the 2014 Los Angeles auto show, which kicks off on November 19. 2 months later, the 2016 Cadillac CTS-V will bow at the carmaker’s hometown auto show in Detroit. Each vehicles will go on sale in 2015.

Our spy photographers have currently snapped a preview of what to expect with the ATS-V, but the official reveal will expose the complete extent of the modifications inside and out, as nicely as under the hood and at the 4 corners. We do know the V-series ATS will supply a huge injection of thrust to an already-outstanding chassis. A twin-turbo 3.6-liter V-6—the very same engine that is used in the CTS Vsport—should turn out about 420 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic is a provided, but it’s still not clear whether a manual transmission will be on the menu because the present do-it-oneself ATS box only has the torque capacity to handle the output of the car’s 4-cylinder turbo.

2016 Cadillac CTS-V (spy photo)

A single can only wonder how potent the ATS-V could be if Cadillac planners had stuck with their original powerplant choice—reportedly derailed by none other than former GM CEO Dan Akerson—the 505-hp 7.-liter LS7 V-8 from the existing Camaro Z/28 and previous-gen Corvette Z06. Regardless, the V-ified V-6 ATS set to seem in Los Angeles will be a 4-door sedan, with the ATS-V coupe coming later.

---

---

Our hopes are equally higher for the CTS-V, as the functionality experts on the V group had the benefit of beginning with a 10Best–winning auto. When the CTS-V debuts in January at the 2015 Detroit auto show, we’ll locate a variant of the LT4 supercharged V-8 below the hood. That engine tends to make 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque in the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. We anticipate that the CTS-V may well have a slightly reduce output, but we nonetheless anticipate roughly 600 horsepower from the king Cadillac. As with the ATS, an 8-speed automatic is guaranteed. In this larger, more luxurious car, nevertheless, a 6-speed manual gearbox seems significantly less likely, although the versatile Tremec manual box would match. Spy pictures suggest that the CTS-V will adopt a vertical grille and a raised trunk lid along with the requisite beefy wheels and tires.

Other Stories You May well Like

---

Killer Vs: 2015 Cadillac ATS-V Headed to L.A. Auto Show, 2016 Cadillac CTS-V Follows Hot on its Heels at Detroit

Killer Vs: 2015 Cadillac ATS-V Headed to L.A. Auto Show, 2016 Cadillac CTS-V Follows Hot on its Heels at Detroit

August 17, 2014 at 2:21 pm by Eric Tingwall | Photography by Chris Doane Automotive and KGP Photography

2015 Cadillac ATS-V (spy photo)

Cadillac is lacing up its boxing gloves for the upcoming auto-show season as it prepares to provide a one particular-2 punch with new V-series functionality automobiles. The 2015 Cadillac ATS-V, America’s first sincere shot at the BMW M3, will debut at the 2014 Los Angeles auto show, which kicks off on November 19. 2 months later, the 2016 Cadillac CTS-V will bow at the carmaker’s hometown auto show in Detroit. Both cars will go on sale in 2015.

Our spy photographers have already snapped a preview of what to anticipate with the ATS-V, but the official reveal will expose the complete extent of the modifications inside and out, as nicely as beneath the hood and at the 4 corners. We do know the V-series ATS will give a enormous injection of thrust to an already-outstanding chassis. A twin-turbo 3.6-liter V-6—the same engine that’s utilised in the CTS Vsport—should turn out about 420 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic is a provided, but it’s nevertheless not clear regardless of whether a manual transmission will be on the menu due to the fact the existing do-it-yourself ATS box only has the torque capacity to deal with the output of the car’s 4-cylinder turbo.

2016 Cadillac CTS-V (spy photo)

One can only wonder how potent the ATS-V could be if Cadillac planners had stuck with their original powerplant choice—reportedly derailed by none other than former GM CEO Dan Akerson—the 505-hp 7.-liter LS7 V-8 from the current Camaro Z/28 and previous-gen Corvette Z06. Regardless, the V-ified V-6 ATS set to seem in Los Angeles will be a 4-door sedan, with the ATS-V coupe coming later.

---

---

Our hopes are equally higher for the CTS-V, as the functionality experts on the V team had the benefit of starting with a 10Best–winning automobile. When the CTS-V debuts in January at the 2015 Detroit auto show, we’ll find a variant of the LT4 supercharged V-8 below the hood. That engine makes 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque in the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. We anticipate that the CTS-V may possibly have a slightly reduced output, but we nonetheless count on roughly 600 horsepower from the king Cadillac. As with the ATS, an 8-speed automatic is assured. In this bigger, far more luxurious car, however, a 6-speed manual gearbox seems significantly less most likely, even though the versatile Tremec manual box would fit. Spy pictures recommend that the CTS-V will adopt a vertical grille and a raised trunk lid along with the requisite beefy wheels and tires.

Other Stories You May well Like

---

Killer Vs: 2015 Cadillac ATS-V Headed to L.A. Auto Show, 2016 Cadillac CTS-V Follows Hot on its Heels at Detroit

Super Charger: Dodge’s 707-hp Hellcat V-8 is Headed for the Charger Sedan

2015 Dodge Charger R/T

The whompin’, stompin’, 707-hp supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat V-8 from the Challenger SRT Hellcat appears poised to make its way into an additional Dodge’s engine bay. Anybody surprised? The Hellcat’s second application has been offered away in papers filed with the Society of Automotive Engineers that describe engine information for a Hellcat-powered Dodge Charger sedan.

For these keen on cold, bizarre-sounding titles to technical papers, the SAE filing in question is called “J1349 Certified Energy Engine data for Chrysler as employed in 6.2L SC HEMI (Hellcat) 2015MY Dodge Challenger 6.2L SC SRT 2015MY Dodge Charger 6.2L SC SRT – Level 1.” Enable us to simplify that wordy mess to what we suspect the production auto will be known as: “2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat.”

So it appears like we have a 707-hp supersedan on the way sometime throughout the 2015 model year, at which point it will become the most horsepower-drunk production 4-door in the planet. Go ‘Murica. Mission accomplished. Bust out fireworks and the stars and stripes.

---

---

But wait—what does Dodge have to say? So far, the automaker has been mum on the topic, even dodging the question (pun not intended) when we asked them about the notion of a Charger Hellcat at the current initial drive system for the 2015 Challenger. But if we were bettin’ folks, we’d say you could count on the automobile to appear in dealerships by the end of 2014.

Pricing need to fall within burnout distance of the Challenger SRT Hellcat’s $ 60,990 MSRP. Now that Dodge appears to be spreading the Hellcat really like, might we suggest tossing the supercharged V-8 into, say, the Chrysler 300? Or perhaps the Viper . . . ?

Other Stories You Might Like

---

Super Charger: Dodge’s 707-hp Hellcat V-8 is Headed for the Charger Sedan