McLaren’s 600LT is a low-production ‘entry-level’ supercar

McLaren pulled the covers off of its 600LT late June, a new limited-production version of its entry-level supercar with more horsepower, less weight but, contrary to its name, no long tail.

Yes, the carbon-fibre bodywork on the car does see it gain close to three inches in length over its Sports Series siblings.

But outside of an extended rear diffuser and fixed wing, this LT – the fourth-ever McLaren to wear the “Longtail” name – has a rear end that looks a lot like a 570S‘. And it’s not all that long.

However, like its namesake F1 GTR Longtail (and the newer 675LT), the 600LT is built to be an even better track-attacker than the 570S while still being road-happy. The performance ante is upped via the shedding of some 211 lbs (to a dry weight of 2,749 lbs); the addition of power, to the tune of 592 hp total; and the employment of bespoke track-focused Pirelli P Zero tires.

Nearly one-in-four parts on the 600LT are different than the 570S, and a number of them are exhaust system pieces: the 600LT sees the pipes exit the top of the car to help reduce weight. Also doing double-duty working the cool and functional angles are the carbon-fibre racing seats inside. The regular buckets are sourced from the P1 but optional are the seats from the Senna.

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First Look: 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye

 Somebody call Sergio Marchionne. Somebody needs to urgently let the CEO of FCA know the people in charge of Dodge have gotten hold of the keys to the high-performance lockers and are running completely wild. How else to explain the newest Challenger, the 2019 SRT Hellcat Redye with an eye-popping 797 horsepower?

That is no typo. At 797 horsepower, the 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye becomes the most powerful mass produced V8 in the world now that the 840-horsepower atom splitter known as the Demon has finished its production run of 3,300 cars. With 707 lb.-ft. of torque, the new Redeye launches to 98 km/h in 3.4 seconds, eclipses the quarter mile 10.8 seconds and maxes out at 326 km/h. Perhaps NASA should be notified, too.

Regular Hellcats — if the car can be even called “regular” — also get a power boost to 717 from 707 horsepower. Torque inches up 656 lb.-ft. from 650. But all Hellcats now get a functional, dual-snorkel hood that pays homage to the 1970 Dart Swinger and 1971 Demon, an era that seemed like the pinnacle of horsepower, but now, in retrospect, seems like pre-school to today’s staggering power.

The Challenger R/T Scat Pack can now be optioned with the widebody formerly limited to Hellcat cars. The kit adds 8.8 centimetres to the overall width, which should help improve handling and braking to the naturally aspirated muscle car. At the track, larger six-piston Brembo front brakes, wider wheels and tires, and suspension upgrades featured on the Scat Pack 392 Widebody equate to 2 second faster lap times, or approximately 12 car lengths at a 3.3-kilometre road course, compared with the non-Widebody Challenger Scat Pack.

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Fiat to focus on 500 and Panda family

FCA boss Sergio Marchionne has confirmed plans to realign the Fiat brand to focus on money makers like the fashionable 500 and practical Panda city cars. The news was revealed at the company’s five-year Capital Market Day presentation in Balocco, Italy. 

“Fiat in Europe is going to get redefined in a more exclusive area,” Marchionne said. “It is difficult for the mass markets to be profitable, and in our plan we have identified areas where Fiat works best.” 

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As such, Mr Marchionne announced his plans to focus the Fiat brand around models that can “recoup the cost of electric development” – phasing out slow-sellers like the ageing Punto supermini. He highlighted a total revamp of the 500 model range, with an all-new 500e due in 2020. 

It comes as part of a €9bn investment in electrification over the next five years. Marchionne expects 60 per cent of European FCA sales to be of electrified models by 2022. 

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Hyundai Creta facelift spied undisguised ahead of the official launch

Hyundai is set to launch the Creta facelift in India soon. The crossover has been spotted on many occasions and a product presentation was leaked online as well a few days ago. The Korean crossover has started arriving at the dealership already. These are images of the undisguised Creta facelift spied at a dealer’s yard prior to the official launch.

The facelift primarily involves visual updates to make the Creta appear more upmarket. This includes tweaked projector headlamps with LED DRLs and a front grille that gets Hyundai’s signature ‘Cascading’ style finished in chrome. The dual-tone bumpers get contrasting skid plates as well. The car will ride on dual-tone 17-inch diamond cut alloy wheels which look very attractive in the pictures. Apart from that, new LED lights around the fog lamps add to the crossover's style appeal. A new bumper design  at the rear with revised tailgate, newly designed taillights and reflectors is also to be expected. 

On the inside, the fabric upholstery is all new and the air-con vents will now get a contrasting metallic finish. In the dual-tone models, the contrasting interiors will be colour coordinated. Hyundai will also offer a “Smart Key Band” which was revealed in the leaked presentation. Other features include a six-way electric driver’s seat, electric sunroof in addition to cruise control and wireless charging system. However, the newly added features will be limited to the top-spec SX (O) trim. The updated Creta will be available in five trims – E, E+, S, SX and SX (O). The exterior paint scheme will get seven colour options – Polar White, Sleek Silver, Phantom Black, Stardust, Fiery Red, Passion Orange and Marina Blue. It will also be offered in two dual-tone schemes as well. 

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Bentley Flying Spur PHEV to use Panamera hybrid powertrain

Insurance database information shows that a recently spotted development car, caught on camera in London by Autocar reader Chris Thomson, is using the 2.9-litre V6 engine that’s also used by the Porsche saloon, rather than the 3.0-litre unit used in other hybrid models from the Volkswagen Group, such as the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid.

The test car's hybrid system is evident due to the fitment of two fuel filler caps, one of which has been taped over.

Bentley refrained from commenting on the car when asked why a lower-capacity engine is to be used in the Flying Spur PHEV, but Autocar understands the 2.9-litre version has been chosen because it can provide a higher maximum power output.

This is because it features a larger crankshaft (which shortens the engine’s stroke) than the 3.0-litre engine. The Flying Spur PHEV is therefore expected to be launched with at least 456bhp and 516lb ft – the outputs of the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid. The Porsche is due in a higher state of tune at a later date, suggesting the pricier Flying Spur might be offered from the off with more power.

The Flying Spur PHEV is expected to have an all-electric range of around 30 miles. This will be an essential feature if it is to comply with ever-stricter global emissions regulations, particularly in China.

The plug-in hybrid will be part of the next-generation Flying Spur range, which, as scooped by Autocar recently, will be launched next year with a more distinctive design to more clearly carve out its own identity among its range-mates.

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Performance coupe with "four-wheel-drive" to lead resurrection of 8 Series line

Will kick off its resurrected 8 Series line with the performance model, the M850i, a coupe churning out a furious 530 horsepower from a “completely redeveloped” V8 making its debut in the car.

The engine will route that power – along with 554 lb-ft of torque, developed at a low 1,800 RPM – through an eight-speed automatic to all four wheels, after its handled out back by an active locking rear differential.

The rear-focused system being able to lock the diff should make for some pretty impressive straight-line launches and fantastic traction out of corners, but handling as a whole is an almost bigger focus for this new M. Flick the switch to Sport or Sport+ modes and the quiet cruiser tweaks the dampers and Dynamic Stability Control to become a track attacker.

bmw m850i 2 BMWs new M850i will boast a 530 horsepower V8
The 2019 BMW M850i xDrive.
Wheels and tires of staggered sizes front and rear are key to this handling prowess, BMW engineers note, with “higher camber values” offering “exceptionally high cornering speeds prior to the intervention of the electronics.”

The car is currently being put through final testing before it goes on sale later in 2018. 

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Volvo S90 Ambience Concept is All About the Experience

The S90 Ambience Concept is making its debut at the Beijing Auto Show this week. It is based on the three-seat S90 Excellence executive car and is designed to make the atmosphere of that S90 even more luxurious for the passengers being chauffeured around.

The car’s ceiling transforms based on which of seven themes are selected using the smartphone app. Choices include Northern Lights, Scandinavian Fores, Swan Lake, Archipelago, Rain, Nocturnal, and Freedom. A related image is projected on the ceiling for the car. For example, pick Northern Lights, and watch the aurora borealis dance across the headliner.

Each theme also plays synchronized audio through the Bowers and Wilkins audio system and uses one of four scents created for the car by Byredo. The scents are deployed from a port in the center console to further soothe or energize the passengers, depending on which mode is chosen.

The Ambience Concept was created for China and, unlike most concepts, Volvo is hoping to bring the car to production for that market. It will make its official debut at Auto China 2018 in Beijing this week.

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