New Subaru Levorg STI Sport Wagon Is Kind Of A Bummer

The good news is that Subaru finally introduced the STI version of their Levorg wagon today; the bad news is that it’s not a true-blue STI we were expecting, but rather a wishy-washy shade of blue.
The one thing STI fans really want from a car bearing Subaru’s motorsport and tuning outfit’s name is more power, but there’s nothing of the sort on the Levorg STI, as the Japanese carmaker left the regular 168hp (170PS) 1.6-liter and 296hp (300PS) 2.0-liter turbocharged engines that are paired exclusively to a Lineartronic CVT automatic untouched.
Instead, Subaru pulled some STI parts off the shelf and combined them with a few styling and handling upgrades.
The only true performance improvements were made to the chassis with a specially tuned version of Subaru’s DampMaticII variable damping suspension with new Bilstein shocks, the modified electric power steering system, and the 18-inch STI alloy wheels.
On the outside, the Levorg STI Sport gets a new front bumper and grille, LED fog lamps, chrome exhaust tips and the addition of an optional WR Blue Pearl paint, while inside, there are two-tone black and dark-red leather seats with STI logos embroidered in the headrests and dark-red contrast stitching on the steering wheel, gear lever and door panels.
The new Levorg STI Sport will be available exclusively in Japan with prices set at 3,488,400 Yen (equal to $32,500) for the 1.6T and 3,942,000 Yen ($36,700) for the 2.0T.

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Facelifted Opel Mokka X Goes On Sale In Germany, Starts At €18,990

Opel have started taking orders for the refreshed Mokka X in Germany, where the SUV costs €18,990 ($21,099) for the entry-level version.
From €21,690 ($24,099), the Edition variant becomes available, with 17-inch alloy wheels, OnStar personal connectivity and service assistant, Radio R 4.0 IntelliLink, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, air conditioning and leather-wrapped steering wheel.
For an extra €1,250 ($1,390), consumers can order the new lighting system, which is standard on the Innovation and Color Innovation versions, adding AFL+ (Adaptive Forward Lighting) LED headlamp technology, a system that features nine different functions/lighting patterns. The options list counts the front ergonomic seats too, available for €685 ($760), which can be combined with the premium leather package, priced at €1,620 ($1,780).
The engine lineup includes several gasoline, diesel and LPG units, with outputs ranging between 110 HP and 152 HP, burning 7.6-3.9lt/100 km (30.95-60.31mpg US) in a combined cycle and emitting 159-103 g/km of CO2. The range-topper powertrain is the 1.4-liter direct injection turbo that sends 152 HP to the adaptive all-wheel drive through a six-speed automatic transmission. Accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 9.7 seconds in this model and top speed stands at 193 km/h (120 mph). Prices for this version kick off from €26,690 ($29,655).

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Official: BMW M3 “30 Years M3” Edition

This summer the automotive icon that is the BMW M3 turns 30. That is obviously something the manufacturer has to celebrate, and they’re going to, with a special edition. The celebratory model is called 30 Years M3 and it’s limited to 500 units worldwide.

That means BMW M3 “30 Years M3” is going to sell out in a matter of minutes when the order book are opened. But don’t despair, you are not missing out much here. Yes, it’s a special edition M3, but the car is, in essence, a Competition Pack M3 with a fancy paint job. You can do a lot better than that, and probably at lower cost, by going aftermarket.

At any rate, BMW M3 “30 Years M3” comes in Macao Blue metallic with the Competition Package as standard, adding 19 hp to the output of the car’s engine, bringing it up to a nice and round 450 horsepower. Also included in this package are Adaptive M suspension, new springs, dampers and stabilisers, modified characteristic curves of the three modes Comfort, Sport and Sport+ as well as a correspondingly modified standard Active M differential.

You also get a set of 20-inch M light-alloy wheels with 666 M star spoke design with the M3 30 Years borrowed form the M4 GTS. BMW Individual High Gloss Shadow Line exterior package and full leather Merino trim in bi-colour Black/Fjord Blue or optionally in Black/Silverstone are among the other highlights. BMW M3 “30 Years M3” costs 10,000 Euros more than the regular Competition Pack M3.

2017 Nissan GT-R Nismo Revealed

For the nth consecutive year the GT-R continues to be present in the market with the same shape as it came out nine of ten years ago, and it’s the same story with its high performance variant. This is the new 2017 Nissan GT-R Nismo and it’s pretty much identical to the last year’s model.

Of course, there are a few changes here and there as featured on the latest iteration of the GT-R, but they are not substantial enough to make the car look or feel new. There is the fancy new bumper, enlarged dark chrome V-motion grille, and some other bits and bobs here and there to make the thing more aero dynamic.

The same goes for the interior. The 2017 Nissan GT-R Nismo gains a refreshed interior with redesigned dashboard, steering wheel and center armrest are covered with Alcantara, a new 8” display in the dashboard, and a new Display command control. Despite all of this, the cabin still looks as it a decade ago which is not particularly exciting.

In fact, the whole GT-R thing has ceased to be exciting long ago. Sure, the latest Nismo model has 600 horsepower and they have refined the chassis with stuff like Bilstein DampTronic driver-adjustable system to such an extent, it is now capable of going through a slalom course 2 percent quicker than the previous model. But it’s not really desirable anymore. You know what, we’re going to stop writing about it right now.

Official: Renault Clio RS 16

So what we introduced you a few days ago as the new Clio KZ 01 has now been officially revealed as the new Renault Clio RS 16. This hard-core version of the little hatchback is one of maddest cars to be launched later this year, boasting a massive-for-its-size 275 horsepower and 36 Nm of torque.

That power comes from, as we mentioned in the previous post, a Megane RS Trophy-R 2.0 liter Turbo engine which Renault engineers have somehow squeezed under the bonnet of the Clio. What’s more, in the Renault Clio RS 16 that engine is also fitted with a special Akrapovic twin exhaust system for a distinct sound.

Distinctiveness continues with the way this pocket rocket looks. Compared to a normal model, Renault Clio RS 16 comes with a wide body kit which adds 60mm to the width of the car, sport bumpers with larger air intakes, 19-inch wheels, LED R.S. VISION chequered-pattern lighting signature featuring exclusive multi-faceted reflector technology.

Another highlight of this car is the Renault Sport Formula One Team’s R.S.16 F1 racing livery it is sporting, consisting of  Liquid Yellow combined with gloss black. You will be able to see this amazing car in action at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed on June 23-26.

Official: New Peugeot 3008 SUV

Peugeot revealed the first photos and details of their new SUV, the 3008, ahead of the car’s official debut at the Paris Motor Show later this year. Pitched as the “most advanced vehicle offered by the Brand to date,” Peugeot 3008 is designed to be at the top of the crossover game.

That means the car is compact on the outside, but pretty spacious inside, offering a luggage capacity of 520 liters and considerably more space for the rear passengers compared to the previous generation. Peugeot 3008 also benefits from the latest generation of the firm’s celebrated i-Cockpit cabin with two “environment ambiances” including ‘Boost’ focused on an energised driving experience and a ‘Relax’ mood for a more relaxed driving environment.

Being French, the 3008 comes with, as part of the i-Cockpit malarkey, with a fragrance diffuser, multi-point massage embedded in the seats, variable intensity for ambient lighting and the colour screens, and various musical ambiance settings. The fragrances include ‘Cosmic Leather’, ‘Aerodrive’, and ‘Harmony Wood’. Other highlights of the cabin include 2/3 – 1/3 ‘Magic Flat’ seats for a flat floor and a top-notch infotainment with features such as 3D connected navigation and wireless phone charging.

As for the technicalities, the new Peugeot 3008 is on average a 100kg lighter than its predecessor and baosts a range of fuel efficient Euro6.1 petrol and diesel engines. The most notable units are the 1.2L PureTech 130 PS and the 1.6L THP 165 PS from the petrol range and 2.0L BlueHDi (120 and 150 PS) and 2.0L BlueHDi 180 PS from the diesels.