The Auto World

While enthusiasts tend to acknowledge that modern automatic and dual-clutch transmissions are faster than manuals, there remains the presupposition that they once weren’t. In the latest Cammisa Ultimate Drag Race, the Mercedes 500E proves that autos were fast, even in the ’90s. Admittedly, the video only addresses the 1992 super sedan’s ability to run through the quarter-mile, not the corners. However, against the manual-equipped 1994 Audi RS2 and BMW M5 Touring, it trounces the competition. Of course, the transmission isn’t the only advantage the 5.0-liter V8 Mercedes has . The BMW is powered by a 3.8-liter inline-six, while the Audi has just 2.2 liters and five cylinders to go to war with. Read: New BMW M3 Touring Is Just Too Quick For The Audi RS4 Avant However, the RS2 is turbocharged, meaning it makes a healthy 311 hp (232 kW/315 PS). Meanwhile, the Euro-spec M5 makes 335 hp (250 kW/340 PS), which is actually more than the Mercedes, which only churns out 322 hp (240 kW/326...

If you’ve ever dreamt of diving into the lap of luxury but your wallet is more of the “economy class” variety, we’ve got something that might pique your curiosity. Feast your eyes on this peculiar specimen – a vintage VW Beetle dressed up in a Rolls-Royce disguise. It’s currently listed for sale in Palo del Colle, Italy, and it’s got us wondering: why on earth would anyone do this to a poor Bug? The build seems to have its roots in a 1972 VW Super Beetle Convertible, a model originally crafted by Karmann. Somewhere along the way, someone decided to give it a drastic makeover, transforming it into what they hoped would resemble a Rolls-Royce . The extensive modifications include a boxy nose made of fiberglass, with a custom Pantheon grille and the “Spirit Of Ecstasy” ornament proudly sitting on the top. The front and rear fenders have been extended, while the headlights were replaced by dual round units in a faux chrome frame. Another sedan-inspired feature is the big trunk at the b...

The automotive market looks very different today than it did even as early as three years ago. Between a pandemic impacting production, the rise of EVs, and changing consumer habits, automakers have to do more than ever with less. For instance, since the pandemic, more consumers are piling into the luxury vehicle market . Although that may seem like a good thing for automakers — these vehicles cost more and have higher margins — the segment still only accounts for 20 percent of the market. Despite that, there are nearly as many brands competing for that 20 percent of sales (22), as there are competing for the other 80 (27). Similarly, rising investments in the production of electric vehicles puts further pressure on automakers. S&P Global predicts that there will be 200 electric models on sale by 2026, and that they will reach a crossover point with hybrid and internal combustion sales by 2029. After that, EV are expected to start taking over, but for now, that means more model...

German tuner Barracuda Racing has taken what was once a standard Mazda MX-5 Miata and transformed it into something that would be just as well-suited to an autocross course as it would be to be displayed at a car show. The owner of this MX-5 Miata has set out to make it as light as possible and as such, turned to Barracuda to get a set of lightweight wheels that would suit it just perfectly. He has opted for a set of rims with a matte bronze finish that measure 17×7.5-inch at the front and rear. These wheels weigh just 7.5 kg (16.5 lbs) each and are wrapped in 205/40 tires. With the wheels sorted, Barracuda installed new coilovers from Vmax that have the potential to completely transform the way that the beloved sports car handles. A new set of H&R sway bars have also been fitted. Watch: Is Tuning And Modifying The Mazda MX-5 A Good Idea? Some work has also been done on the car’s aerodynamics. The first upgrade is a massive Aerodynamics GT-Flex wing that may be at odds wit...

We love older cars , but we’re not so naive to dispute that modern ones do most things better. Compared with a car from five, 10, 20 or 30 years, a 2024 model is generally faster, safer, greener and more relaxing over long distances. And we haven’t even touched upon the technology that lets us stream music and even videos to our cars, or enables us to use our smartphones to pre-heat them in the morning or remotely park them in a garage at night. But are new cars really better in every respect than new cars? You can probably all think of some feature or design element that you loved about older cars, but which has disappeared on newer ones. Maybe it was something that made the a vehicle more fun to drive, like a manual transmission, or maybe it’s why the styling was better to your eyes, or the car was just easier to live with. We want to hear your thoughts on what old-car features need to be brought back, and to get you started, we’ve canvassed the Carscoops team and come up with a ...

A thrilling return to the hot hatch segment for Toyota, the GR Corolla combines an impressive 300 hp three-cylinder engine with an advanced all-wheel-drive system and aggressive performance parts. And that’s only the start of it. Here’s how America’s GR Corolla buyers decided to spec their vehicles. Toyota has so far sold a total of 3,927 GR Corollas during the 2023 model year in the U.S., it revealed to Carscoops. Of those, 2,538 were Core models, 1,208 were Circuit Editions, and 181 Morizo Editions. Since America was allocated 200 examples of the last trim level, that means that 15 of the most uncompromising examples of the car (four are not for sale) remain to be purchased. For the Morizo Edition, which deletes the rear seats, the rear window regulators, the rear speakers, and adds 12 lb-ft (16 Nm) of torque, the most popular color was Wind Chill Pearl. Of the 181 buyers , 97 chose the white paint color, and 84 chose Smoke. Read: Toyota GR Corolla Morizo Edition Discontinued F...

What do you do if you own a fleet of exotics but don’t want to store them at home? Well, if you live in Florida, you can store them at an exclusive facility known as ‘The Hangar,’ an establishment made up of privately owned storage spaces and dwellings that will keep your cars safe. The Hangar is the brainchild of Scott Cunningham and first opened a facility in Riviera Beach. This site is home to 41 individual units where owners can store cars, motorcycles, and any other prized possessions they may have. The Hangar is now building a second facility near Palm Beach International Airport that will be five times the size and serve as the ultimate playground for wealthy locals. Speaking with Robb Report , Cunningham says he got the idea for The Hangar while at a private airport hangar in Florida. Owned by his friend, the hangar didn’t just have planes but also cars and other memorabilia. Cunningham wanted to replicate the feel of this hangar and provide car collectors an alternative t...