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We’ve become accustomed to seeing various renders of the upcoming C8 Mid-Engine Corvette but invariably, they are presented as flat 2-D images. One enterprising designer named Bjorn Daniel Svavarsson who goes by the name bdsvavars on the Corvette Forum decided the new C8 Corvette needed more perspective and we are happy to share this rotisserie-style 3-D view of the 2020 Mid-Engine Corvette.

Continue reading [VIDEO] Watch this 360-Degree Render of the 2020 Mid-Engine Corvette at Corvette: Sales, News & Lifestyle.

If your wallet can’t afford to buy a 2019 Corvette ZR1, then Chevrolet Performance has the next best thing for you.

Chevy will be unveiling three of its newest crate engines in a trio of classic vehicles at the SEMA Show set for Oct. 30-Nov. 2, including the 755-horsepower LT5 monster that powers the new ZR1.

Continue reading The Corvette ZR1’s 755-HP LT5 V8 is Now Available as a Crate Engine at Corvette: Sales, News & Lifestyle.

Porsche’s first fully electric vehicle, the Taycan, is set to go on sale sometime next year, and we already know most of the specs. It will be an all-wheel-drive sports sedan with more than 600 hp and a 0-60 time under 3.5 seconds. But while we knew it would more or less be aimed at the Tesla Model S, Porsche hasn’t said much about pricing until now.

Speaking to Automotive News, Robert Meier, product lead for the Taycan, said, “We’re expecting a price somewhere between a Cayenne and a Panamera.” In the U.S., the Cayenne starts at $66,750 including destination, while a base Panamera costs $86,050. For comparison, the Tesla Model S starts at $77,800 with destination, while the Jaguar I-Pace will run you a minimum of $70,495.

But because Tesla has already sold more than 200,000 electric cars, a Model S purchased in 2019 will no longer qualify for the full federal tax credit, and by 2020, it won’t qualify for the credit at all. On the other hand, the Taycan should qualify for both federal and state tax credits for the next several years.

Since it’s a Porsche, don’t expect the Taycan to only be offered with a single powertrain. According to Automotive News, Lutz Meschke, Porsche’s CFO, wants to offer other versions with even higher performance. If Meschke gets his way, we may see top-of-the-line Taycans selling for more than $200,000.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription required)

The post Porsche Taycan Will Probably Cost Less Than $85,000 appeared first on Motor Trend.

At this year’s Geneva motor show, Porsche showed off a new twist on the electric Mission E concept we first saw back in 2015. Called the Mission E Cross Turismo, Porsche’s latest concept looked a lot like a lifted version of the Panamera Sport Turismo. At the time, Porsche admitted the Cross Turismo would go into production, but it wasn’t clear when that would happen. Based on these spy shots, though, the production version is nearly finished.

The prototype our photographer caught on camera doesn’t look quite as futuristic as the concept, but that’s to be expected. The production Cross Turismo was probably never going to get contrasting fender flares or blue wheels. Not that we’d complain if Porsche decided to offer any of its Taycan variants with optional blue wheels. That would actually be super cool.

It also looks like this prototype has a lower ride height than the concept did, which could signal Porsche’s plans to position the production Cross Turismo as a more conventional station wagon. But since the concept had an air suspension capable of raising and lowering the vehicle several inches, the prototype could also simply be operating at its on-road height.

Whether it’s sold as the Cross Turismo or the Sport Turismo, expect the long-roof Taycan to use the same electric powertrain as the sedan. That means two motors sending a combined total of more than 600 hp to all four wheels and the ability to hit 60 mph in less than 3.5 seconds. And while it’s expected to only have about a 300-mile range, the Taycan’s 800-volt charging system should allow it to add up to 250 miles of range in as little as 15 minutes.

Source: Porsche

The post Spied! Possible Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Prototype Caught in the Wild appeared first on Motor Trend.

The good news: 350 more customers can buy a Ford GT supercar with the announcement today that production will be extended another two years to build 1,350 cars through 2022. The bad news: If you thought you had one of the sold-out total run of 1,000, your exclusivity factor took a small hit.

Order banks for the additional 350 units, to be built between 2020 and 2022, will open November 8 for the U.S. and select markets around the world. The order window will remain open for 30 days, said Hermann Salenbauch, Ford Performance director. New would-be owners can apply to FordGT.com, and those who applied before can re-submit. The successful applicants will hear back in the first quarter of 2019.

This summer Ford announced another GT Heritage Edition for the 2019 model year for those who want something more than the $500,000 base model. It wears Gulf Oil livery to pay homage to the GT40s that swept Le Mans from 1966 to 1969.

Ford has built 300 GTs to date, notable for its carbon fiber body and twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 engine. Production began in December 2016. Only 141 were built in the first year with some ramp-up and growing pains with Multimatic, the Canadian carbon fiber specialist that is making the vehicles. The bugs have been worked out, and the Markham, Ontario, plant is now making one a day or 250 a year, Salenbauch said. “We anticipated it would be faster but this year is very stable,” he said.

When the car was first unveiled, the plan was to make 250 a year for two years, but by August 2016 the automaker said it would extend production to four years and double the output to 1,000 vehicles. That now creeps up to 1,350—still far shy of the 6,500 who expressed initial interest in 2016. Salenbauch said the increases don’t hurt exclusivity, but at least one owner reacted to the news with dismay on Thursday.

Ford Performance is in the midst of delivering on its promise of 12 new performance vehicles by 2020. In addition to GT, there is the GT350 and the pending GT500. There is the F-150 Raptor for North America and the Ranger Raptor for the rest of the world. There are still no plans to offer the Ranger Raptor in the U.S. where F-150 Raptors turn in 20 days or less, Salenbauch says.

Performance is good business for Ford, which had only a few offerings and 133,000 annual sales in 2013. It has increased that 70 percent to 205,000 annual sales today with a far more robust lineup that will continue to grow.

The Ford Edge ST is a new addition to the stable, and a Ford Explorer ST will follow next year.

All these vehicles create a halo for the brand, Salenbauch said.

The post Ford GT Production Increasing Again appeared first on Motor Trend.

After revealing five Mustangs that will debut at the 2018 SEMA Show, Ford is now previewing its crossovers and SUVS that will appear at the event. Custom versions of the Edge ST, EcoSport, Explorer, and Expedition will be among the more than 50 vehicles Ford will display in Las Vegas later this month.

Blood Type Racing Edge ST

Of all its crossovers, the Edge ST is the most natural choice to receive performance upgrades. Ford keeps the Edge ST’s 2.7-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6, adding a BTR custom dual intake system, Mishimoto intercooler, and MRT exhaust to make an even more robust vehicle. An air suspension and special 22-inch wheels are also included.

To boost aerodynamics, Ford installed a custom splitter lip kit. It also gets special mud flaps, a blue body wrap, and a Ford Accessories rear bumper protector. Inside the cabin, look for a carbon fiber steering wheel, a Kicker Bullfrog portable audio system, cooler bag, tablet cradle, and other goodies.

Tucci Designs Big Adventures EcoSport

Ford’s smallest crossover just became a little more compelling with these upgrades. Along with custom 3D-printed fender flares, the model receives a custom rear diffuser and front and rear tubular bumpers from Tucci. The model adds to these upgrades with an improved suspension and beefy Maxxis Bravo AT tires. An integrated winch and a bike rack contribute to its adventurous vibe. There is also a special lighting kit with amber fog lights, white and amber rock lights, and a Chase brake light.

This model is based on the EcoSport SES trim with all-wheel drive. The 2.0-liter inline-four powertrain has been upgraded with a K&N air filter and a Borla custom Ford Performance exhaust.

MAD Industries Explorer

This Explorer’s glossy red and black paint job goes well with a number of performance upgrades. Based off the 2018 Explorer Sport with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6, this vehicle receives a cat-back exhaust with quad tips, an Eibach Pro-Plus performance handling package, and a JMS Pedal MAX and BoostMAX plug and play performance solution. To improve braking, the model has high performance cross drilled and slotted rotors and beefier brake pads.

The MAD Industries Explorer sits on blacked-out 24-inch wheels. Hop inside the cabin and you’ll find black leather seats with red stitching, aluminum racing pedals, and a Rockford Fosgate audio system.

Hulst Customs’ 2018 Destination Expedition

This Expedition takes the Limited trim to the next level. Riding on 26-inch Lexani wheels, this long-wheelbase model also features a special grille insert with aluminum, and graphics across the lower portion of the doors. Other updates include a black greenhouse, aluminum exhaust tips, special lighting, and a snowboard carrier on the roof. Inside, there is special ambient lighting and a full-floor center console vehicle safe.

LGE*CTS Expedition Classic

This Expedition adopts a vintage look, inspiring its name “Expedition Classic.” It gets old-school 18-inch steel wheels, special front and rear bumpers, a Ford Licensed Accessories Napier tent, and a 20-inch light bar. Performance updates include a Borla cat-back exhaust, a self-leveling suspension, and front and rear sway bars. It’s ready at any time to pull vehicles to safety with a Ford Performance by WARN Industries Recovery Kit that includes a 22-foot blue recovery strap. Interior upgrades include custom leather seats, a portable audio system by Kicker, vehicle safe, and a first aid and roadside assistance kit. This model is based off the Expedition XLT trim with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6.

The post Ford Dresses Up its SUVs for SEMA appeared first on Motor Trend.

Off-roading isn’t usually so quiet, yet as I traverse a rocky trail in Wyoming, the 2019 Rolls-Royce Cullinan’s hushed cabin makes an impression. While the SUV gives me a massage, I sneak a peek out the windows to admire the Grand Tetons before regaining my focus, doing my part to maneuver an SUV half a foot longer than a standard Escalade off-road. Rolls-Royce’s first-ever all-wheel-drive vehicle is a 210.3-inch SUV that doesn’t make sense at first, but the more you drive it, the more it feels true to the brand.

An enormous 12-cylinder SUV with a $330,350 starting price (including destination and gas guzzler fees) is overkill for off-roading, but the Cullinan’s basic trail-ready credentials help justify its place in Rolls-Royce’s lineup. Most American buyers won’t take their super-luxury SUVs off-road, but should such a situation present itself, simply press an off-road button to optimize the Cullinan’s performance for the trail that leads to your luxurious hillside hideaway.

The Cullinan is a Rolls-Royce first and an SUV second, however, which means the new model’s styling, interior richness, and on-road behavior are arguably more important than its off-road abilities. First impressions are strong; the blocky, imposing presence of the Ghost and Phantom sedans extend naturally to an SUV body style. Cullinan drivers enjoy a commanding view of the road ahead, highlighted by the Spirit of Ecstasy at the edge of the hood. Rolls-Royce remains one of the very few luxury automakers that can pull off a hood ornament that will command respect and not ridicule.

The deal-maker/breaker of a design feature is the way the rear windshield meets the pushed-back liftgate lid, which is said to pay homage to early 20th century Rolls-Royces that still held luggage in an actual trunk behind the passenger compartment. From the side, Rolls-Royce’s distinctive front-mounted rear door handles catch your eye, as does the thick stainless steel trim that extends in one piece from the base of the D-pillar over the top of the doors to the A-pillar.

In the U.S., 22-inch wheels will be standard with 21s and winter tires offered, as well. Unless you need winter tires, stick with one of the 22-inch options to maximize curb appeal every time you approach the valet. Even with the larger wheels, the Cullinan retains the smooth ride you expect of a Rolls-Royce thanks in part to an updated self-leveling air suspension and special tires designed to keep road noise to a minimum. The SUV’s eight-speed automatic, 563-hp V-12 with 627 lb-ft of torque, and brakes are all tuned for smoothness; those 12 cylinders will move the three-ton Cullinan with authority at wide-open throttle, but the engine never yells.

Even with a four-wheel steering system, the Cullinan carries itself with a heaviness that communicates its preference for a more comfortable pace. Want a sporty six-figure super-luxury SUV? Get a Bentley Bentayga. But if your goal is total comfort in a spacious interior, the far more expensive Cullinan may be a better fit. Rolls-Royce expects most Cullinan owners to actually drive their own SUVs—something you wouldn’t find as much in the Phantom flagship sedan.

Even that level of brand recognition can’t make up for the Cullinan’s lack of Apple CarPlay, a feature that—no matter your income tax bracket—facilitates audio, navigation, and text messaging functions. Rolls-Royce says it wants to introduce the feature only after Apple and the automaker can make it work from the rear-seat touchscreens in addition to from the front. Although future Cullinans could add that feature, current rear-seat passengers may be too impressed by the view from the large side windows and all the room to stretch out to notice.

Also impressive: The Cullinan makes the laborious task of closing doors a thing of the past. Once inside, front and rear passengers need only press and hold a switch and watch as the door pulls itself shut. Upon exiting the car, press a button on the door and the door shuts itself. Although having to hold the door-close button from inside isn’t as convenient as pressing a button once, this virtual chauffeur service is still cool. (Rolls-Royce says holding the button down is a safety feature that prevents the door from closing on you.) Other niggles: The lane departure system merely warns but doesn’t keep the SUV centered in its lane as on less expensive cars, and the metal trim on the doors and on the center console shines in your eyes in just the right light. Focus instead on the huge panels of wood trim and leather headliner around the edges of the panoramic roof. Or remind yourself why this SUV carries a six-figure price tag by running your fingers across almost every surface, including the especially solid-feeling stainless steel door handles or air vents.

Most U.S. buyers are expected to go for the Cullinan’s five-seat option—the three-across seating makes the Rolls-Royce a family-ready option for those who find Escalades and Range Rovers too common. A four-seat option with two reclining and massaging rear seats is also available. Whichever model you get, Rolls-Royce has largely delivered with the Cullinan. And once owners drive their SUVs beginning at the end of this year, they’ll find a Rolls-Royce that absolutely deserves its place in the garage next to the rest of the family fleet.

The post 2019 Rolls-Royce Cullinan First Drive: A True Rolls or Brand Dilution? appeared first on Motor Trend.