CARSCOOP

2014 Toyota Supra Concept: An Artist's Take on the Japanese Firm's Sports Car
Subaru Doesn't Want Toyota's Help on Hybrid Tech, will Develop its Own System
Found For Sale: Cool 1965 Ford Mustang Shooting Brake
Report: New SUVs are Safer for Other Cars’ Occupants in the Event of a Collision
Saudi King Reverses Court's Decision to Lash a Woman for Driving her Car
English Champion Jumps Over 3 MINIS in a Promo for the 2012 London Olympics Edition [Video]
LG Wants to Ban BMW and Audi Sales in South Korea Over LED Feud
Maserati Releases Confusing Video on New Kubang SUV [Plus New Photos]
GM Idles Pickup Production Once Again to Reduce Inventory
Citroën Releases Teaser Photo of New C4 AIRCROSS
Video: Man Drives Nissan In and Out of Chinese Hospital
Obama Administration Pushes Back Announcement on 54.5 mpg CAFE Regulations
MINI Launches Special Edition Series Dedicated to the London 2012 Olympic Games
The Chevrolet Farm Truck is One Sleeper You Don't Want to Mess With… [Videos]
British carmaker Ginetta to Unveil a New 310HP, Carbonfiber Sportscar
Project Kahn Turns its Focus on the RS
SpeedART Treats New Porsche Panamera Diesel with More Power and Aero Bits
Ford Says it's Considering Building Electric Cars and Selling Lincolns in China
NFS Brings in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Models for Upcoming Game [with Videos]
It has Begun: Speedart Working on 2012 Porsche 911
Another Day, Another Shade for Ford's Transit SportVan Limited Edition

2014 Toyota Supra Concept: An Artist's Take on the Japanese Firm's Sports Car

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 05:34 PM PDT

In the years that followed after the suspension of production of the last Toyota Supra, the MkIV in 2002, we were (and still are) blasted with numerous reports and rumors suggesting that the Japanese carmaker is planning a revival of its flagship sports car.

More recently, Car Magazine cited unnamed official sources as saying that Toyota has already approved a successor to the Supra. Of course, until we hear it from Toyota, we're obliged to take everything we read about a future Supra with a grain of salt.

Nevertheless, we always welcome design proposals for future cars from talented artists like Andreas Fougner who attempted to reinterpret the Toyota Supra for the 21st century.

Subaru Doesn't Want Toyota's Help on Hybrid Tech, will Develop its Own System

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 04:58 PM PDT

When Toyota acquired an 8.7% stake in Fuji Heavy Industries [FHI] from GM in 2005, everyone expected that FHI-owned Subaru would not only benefit from Toyota's experience and economies of scale, but also utilize its new partner's expertise on hybrid propulsion systems.

This, however, does not seem to be the case as sources within Subaru have revealed that the company has decided to develop its own system and not adapt Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive to work with its boxer engines.

Found For Sale: Cool 1965 Ford Mustang Shooting Brake

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 03:51 PM PDT

Like Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster, the Ford Mustang Station Wagon is an elusive beast often spoken of but rarely seen.

The story goes that J. Walter Thompson advertising executive Barney Clark and designer Bob Cumberford commission the Italian coachbuilding firm Intermeccanica to build a one-off shooting brake in 1965. Heck, it even appeared on the cover of the October 1966 issue of Car and Driver.

This is not that car, but a very nice replica by a man named Joe Kamp. Based on a 1965 Ford Mustang hardtop, Mr. Kamp cut, lengthened and widened the roof to make the distinctive shooting brake rear end.

Report: New SUVs are Safer for Other Cars’ Occupants in the Event of a Collision

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 03:34 PM PDT

One of the most controversial issues concerning SUVs is that as their number rose during the 1990s and 2000s, they caused more injuries and deaths to occupants of normal passenger cars during crashes. The reason being that their front end had the undesirable effect of hitting normal cars much higher, where their occupants were less protected.

A study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) involving one- to four-year old vehicles shows that the situation has improved significantly in the past decade.

Saudi King Reverses Court's Decision to Lash a Woman for Driving her Car

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 02:53 PM PDT

In a surprising -but certainly welcome- turn of events, Saudi King Abdullah has overturned the sentencing of a young woman to 10 whiplashes for driving her car. The news came from Princess Ameerah Al-Taweel's twitter account.

For those of you wondering, Princess Ameerah is a member of the Saudi royal family through her husband, HRH Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal who is King Abdullah's nephew.

English Champion Jumps Over 3 MINIS in a Promo for the 2012 London Olympics Edition [Video]

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 02:29 PM PDT

England long jump champion and London 2012 Olympic Games hopeful, J.J. Jegede succeeded in his attempt to jump over three Minis in an event that took place at Potter's Field, London, to promote BMW's sponsorship of next year's Olympic games.

If you think it was an easy task because the three Minis abreast measure a little less than six meters, while in ideal conditions, a top-level athlete can manage a seven- to eight-meter jump, consider that a car's rooftop is not as forgiving as a sandbox…

LG Wants to Ban BMW and Audi Sales in South Korea Over LED Feud

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 01:46 PM PDT

Electronics companies are amongst the fiercest rivals when it comes to protecting their patents – even a lioness with her cubs seems like a purring cat in comparison. That's why in the world of high technology, lawsuits fly left and right, one of the most recent examples being the Apple - Samsung dispute over the their smartphones.

Nevertheless, we were surprised to learn today that LG Electronics and its subsidiary, the component-making LG Innotek Co., filled a lawsuit with a South Korean court seeking to block BMW and Audi from selling their cars in the country.

What is happening is that the two German luxury carmakers have been caught in the middle of a patent war between LG and Osram over LED technologies. LG seeks to stop their the German automakers' vehicles from being sold because they are equipped with Osram lighting systems.

Maserati Releases Confusing Video on New Kubang SUV [Plus New Photos]

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 01:21 PM PDT

There's no doubt the Fiat Group has done a pretty good job revitalizing Maserati since it acquired the famed brand from De Tomso in 1993.

And even though a much needed replacement for the Quattroporte sports saloon that has been on the market since 2004 has yet to be introduced, the Italians are already moving into new territory with the Kubang, the firm's first attempt in the SUV category.

GM Idles Pickup Production Once Again to Reduce Inventory

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 12:16 PM PDT

General Motors announced that it will temporarily halt production at its Fort Wayne plant in Indiana for the week starting November 7, in order to reduce its inventory of pickup trucks models.

This is not the first time that GM has stopped production at the plant where the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra are manufactured. Even though pickup sales in the US have increased from January until August by 9% to 1.1 million units, compared to the same period last year, GM seems to have badly misjudged demand for its models, resulting in an inventory of 122-days.

Citroën Releases Teaser Photo of New C4 AIRCROSS

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 11:51 AM PDT

Citroën will soon add a new model to its range called the C4 AIRCROSS. For the time being, the French carmaker released a single teaser shot of the new car adding that the full reveal will follow next Friday.

However, it's almost certain the new model will be a crossover-ish version of the C4 hatchback in the likes of the same named C3 AIRCROSSER that was unveiled last year for the South American market.

Video: Man Drives Nissan In and Out of Chinese Hospital

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 11:03 AM PDT

A security camera at a hospital in Jinzhou city of Northeast China's Liaoning province captured this amazing footage of a man driving a Nissan sedan (or so that's the kind of car being reported) into the lobby and trying to do something that resembles donuts.

After a while, the man smashed his way out of the entrance and drove off only to return and give it another try. Fortunately for the staff and patients, he didn't manage to enter the hospital the second time and was quickly apprehended.

Obama Administration Pushes Back Announcement on 54.5 mpg CAFE Regulations

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 10:35 AM PDT

The stricter fuel consumption standards that the Obama administration planned to introduce this week will be delayed, according to a report from Reuters. The government pushed hard to gain the automakers' approval, and after making some concessions, it achieved its goal.

However, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and the Transportation Department that were expected to announce the new CAFE regulations for model years 2017-2025 by the end of the week are not yet ready. Therefore, the announcement will be delayed by a month, or possibly even more.

MINI Launches Special Edition Series Dedicated to the London 2012 Olympic Games

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 10:09 AM PDT

Following in the footsteps of its Bavarian parent company, the MINI brand is celebrating next year's London 2012 Olympic Games with the release of a new limited edition series based on the three-door hatchback model.

The British firm plans to build 2012 examples of the special edition series in Cooper, Cooper D, Cooper S and Cooper SD trims, which will be available in a choice of three colors Chilli Red, White Silver or Lightning Blue.

The Chevrolet Farm Truck is One Sleeper You Don't Want to Mess With… [Videos]

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 09:18 AM PDT

Sure, there are many stupidly fast sleepers out there, but how many look like a 40-year-old rust bucket with wobbly bits and pieces hanging from the body?

Enter the world of "The Oklahoma Farm Truck", a 1970s Chevrolet C/K truck that has been modified from within to create a straight-line slayer with hugely deceiving looks.

The big-block V8-powered monster from Oklahoma comes with a nitrous punch and a huge set of slick wheels at the back.

British carmaker Ginetta to Unveil a New 310HP, Carbonfiber Sportscar

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 08:47 AM PDT

[Ginetta G40R Pictured Above]

Unless you are into boutique car manufacturers, there's a good chance you've never heard of Ginetta. Yet the British company has existed for more than half a century: it was founded by four brothers (Bob, Ivor, Trevers and Douglas Walklett) in 1958.

Since this isn't a history lesson, we'll move forwards a few decades. More specifically in 2005 when Ginetta was acquired by LNT Automotive, a company owned by businessman and racing driver Lawrence Tomlinson. Soon after, the moved the company to new premises and introduced a new car, the G50, while also announcing a one-make racing series.

Project Kahn Turns its Focus on the RS

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 08:00 AM PDT

Aftermarket British tuner Project Kahn has released a mild upgrade package for the now obsolete Ford Focus RS. The company left the hot hatch's 305HP-strong 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five intact, and concentrated on the styling aspect of the tune. Read more »

SpeedART Treats New Porsche Panamera Diesel with More Power and Aero Bits

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 07:32 AM PDT

The PS9-300D is SpeedART's newest performance package that bundles aero add-ons with modest engine upgrades for the recently introduced Porsche Panamera Diesel.

The German tuning firm starts out with the Panamera's 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 diesel that leaves the Stuttgart factory with 250-ponies and a peak torque of 550Nm (406 lb-ft) channeled to the rear wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Ford Says it's Considering Building Electric Cars and Selling Lincolns in China

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 07:05 AM PDT

Ford Motor Company's CEO, Allan Mulally, recently told Bloomberg Television that his company might build electric cars with its partner in China while the automaker is also looking to introduce the Lincoln brand into the market.

"As we move towards electrification, you're going to see more hybrids, plug-in hybrids and all-electric cars", said Mulally while on a trip to Chongqing, China, for the founding of a new transmission plant in partnership with Changan Automobile Group.

NFS Brings in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Models for Upcoming Game [with Videos]

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 06:54 AM PDT

Once upon a time, fast cars and increasingly realistic graphics were more than enough to draw in the gaming crowds but boys will always be boys and a bit of female skin is sure to set the heart racing…

With the competition in the gaming industry heating up, the creators of the Need for Speed [NFS] franchise decided it was time to call in the big guns, forming a new partnership with Sports Illustrated for their upcoming release called "NFS: The Run".

It has Begun: Speedart Working on 2012 Porsche 911

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 07:01 AM PDT

Suffice to say, it won't be long before we're flooded with bespoke creations and a sea of performance programs for the all-new 2012 Porsche 911, which just made its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show earlier this month.

One of the first tuning houses to tease its work is renowned Porsche specialist Speedart. The German firm's upcoming model is the SP91-R based on the 911 Carrera S, which in factory tune is powered by a 3.8-liter flat-six delivering 400 ponies.

Another Day, Another Shade for Ford's Transit SportVan Limited Edition

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 05:36 AM PDT

Like clockwork, Ford of Britain has just unveiled another version of its special edition Transit SportVan, this time 180 examples if the commercial model finished in a new livery with metallic silver bodywork and graphite racing stripes.

Color is the only differentiating factor among the previous versions of the Transit SportVan, which was first launched in 2007.