• GM’s Opel previews Geneva-bound hot hatch

    February 1, 2014
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    General Motors’ Germany-based Opel division has detailed the Astra OPC EXTREME that will greet the public for the first time at next month’s Geneva Motor Show.

    The Astra OPC EXTREME is billed as a follow up to the similarly-named Astra OPC Xtreme that bowed in Geneva in 2001. It will be loosely based on the regular-production Astra OPC but it will be significantly lighter thanks to the widespread use of carbon fiber panels including the roof, parts of both bumpers and the sizable roof-mounted spoiler.

    Interior pictures were not published but Opel promises the car will pack sport seats with six-point harnesses and an integrated roll cage. The carbon fiber treatment will likely be extended to the cockpit and several key components will be crafted out of the lightweight composite material.

    Opel is keeping official technical details under wraps until the car’s debut, but expect the Astra OPC EXTREME to pack a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that sends over 280 horsepower and 295 lb-ft. of torque to the front wheels via a manual transmission and a limited-slip differential. The hot hatch will reach 60 mph from a stop in about six seconds.

    Unlike its one-off predecessor, the Astra OPC EXTREME will join the Opel lineup as a limited-edition model shortly after its sdebut. Like all members of the Opel family, the Astra on steroids will wear a Vauxhall badge in the United Kingdom.

  • Review: 2014 Audi RS 7

    February 1, 2014
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    Audi’s alphabet, as far as enthusiasts are concerned, begins with R and ends with S. And its magic number might very well be 7, at least as far as the brilliant RS 7 is concerned.

    This ultra high-performance version of Audi’s delightfully stylish and practical A7 is one of those vehicles car geeks might eventually put up there with BMW’s E39 M5 and the Cadillac CTS-V wagon. If those cars don’t mean much to you, neither will the RS 7.

    What is it?

    The RS 7 starts life as an A7, the decidedly more shapely – and cargo-friendly – version of Audi’s A6 midsize sedan. But make no mistake, this is not a sedate luxury sedan. Slotted under its hood is a 560 horsepower turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, which makes the RS 7 a heck of a lot more impressive than its already likeable siblings. Moreover, it’s worth noting that the Euro-spec RS 7 has a 198 mph top speed (American models are limited to 174 mph, which still seems plenty fast).

    The expected adjustable air sport suspension, quattro all-wheel-drive, eight-speed automatic gearbox and upsized 21-inch (an optional upgrade) alloy wheels and aero-enhancing body kit further set the RS 7 apart. Inside, unique sports seats and a host of standard and optional technologies.

    Our particular RS 7 was further upgraded with a $5,900 Bang & Olufsen audio system, $2,800 worth of heads up display and night view camera tech, adaptive cruise control, a snarling sport exhaust and a host of cosmetic goodies. At $122,545, it is more than double the price of a standard A7. But it’s nearly double the car.

    What’s it up against?

    Audi suggests that the RS 7 should be cross-shopped against the BMW M6 Gran Coupe and Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG, but we’d also throw the Porsche Panamera Turbo onto your list if you’re in the market for this kind of thing. You lucky dog, you.

    What’s it look like?

    It’s hard to improve on the standard A7′s svelte aero-back profile, but the company’s sport tuning arm has worked wonders. Subtle but clearly more aggressive, it’s clean enough looking to be incognito – at least to those who don’t know exactly what it is. Luckily, the RS 7 has a great starting point: The hunch-backed A7 with its raked rear windscreen is one heck of an attractive vehicle.

    Bigger air intakes up front and optional 20-inch alloy wheels help make the RS 7 stand apart from its siblings. It’s a cliché, yes, but with 560 ponies on tap, it’s safe to say that most will only see the RS 7′s big tailpipes.

    And on the inside?

    Audi does interiors well – this is a fact. But we do think the leather stitching on the RS 7 takes things a little too far, even if it does match the pattern used on the car’s grille. In contrast to the subtlety of the exterior, the RS 7′s inner trappings are noticeably less restrained. Optional layered aluminum and black wood inlays fitted to our test car struck us as more classy than the upholstery, but virtually nothing felt out of place for $122,000.

    Again, this super sedan builds on a solid foundation. Though the center console is button-heavy, what controls are there are generally easy to navigate without having to take your eyes from the road ahead. A control knob just aft of the gear lever accesses the RS 7′s infotainment system (MMI in Audi-speak), a generally intuitive system that displays information on a pair of high-resolution screens – one that deploys from the top of the dash and one located in the instrument cluster.

    Our particular RS 7 was further optioned up with a mega-buck ($5,900) Bang & Olufsen audio system that sounded good – but not six grand good.

    RS 7 offers up plenty of space inside and out for people and cargo. Fold its rear seats and it’s easy to put a bicycle (front wheel removed) in there. That’s something you can’t say about most nearly 200 mph hot rods.

    But does it go?

    Of course it does. The RS 7 rockets to triple digits in the blink of an eye, but it never feels anything short of genuinely luxurious while doing so. Never disturbed over even the most undulating terrain, this big five-door eats up the miles with aplomb, whether the road is curvy, arrow straight or something in between.

    A spin and a click or two of the MMI control knob brings up a host of individual settings that let drivers alter the car’s steering, throttle response, transmission behavior and suspension. We left the throttle and transmission in a less aggressive setting but turned up the wick elsewhere, which beefed up the steering and gave us a ride suited to all but the roughest roads. Firm, yes. Stiff, no.

    At around 4,500 lbs. unladen, the RS 7 isn’t a lightweight even though it makes use of a good deal of aluminum. Defying that tonnage is a decidedly lithe feel amplified by its quick-reacting steering.

    The 4.0-liter V8 offers up its full 516 lb-ft. of torque almost as soon as the accelerator pedal is tapped, thrusting the RS 7 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. A stomp of the throttle also awakens the optional sport exhaust, and although it doesn’t emit the bellow of an Italian supercar or even a Detroit-bred muscle machine, the RS 7 does growl and snarl with a solid degree of authority. Even with the fast-shifting transmission left in standard mode, downshifts come with a pair of delightful pops that made us feel as though we were competing at Le Mans.

    One thing the V8 doesn’t do, however, is use a lot of fuel. For a 560 horsepower car, a 27 mpg highway rating is nothing short of impressive – that’s better than some midsize sedans. Around town, it sips fuel at a rate of 16 mpg, however, which means that highway figure comes mainly because the eight-speed gearbox keeps revs sufficiently low.

    Leftlane’s bottom line

    Easily the world’s most practical supercar, the Audi RS 7 delivers performance on par with exotics in a shape designed for humans – and their cargo.

    One of the best devices ever built to eat up miles, this one.

    2014 Audi RS 7 base price, $104,900. As tested, $121,150

    Metallic paint, $500; Wood/aluminum interior inlay, $1,300; 21-inch wheels, $1,000; Innovation Package, $2,800; Driver Assistance Package, $2,800; Bang & Olufsen audio, $5,900; Matte aluminum optic package, $950; Sport exhaust, $1,000; Destination, $895.

    Words and photos by Andrew Ganz.

  • Ford offering $6,000 cash back on Focus Electric

    February 1, 2014
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    After trimming $4,000 from the MSRP of its Focus Electric earlier this year, Ford is now offering up to $6,000 cash back and 0 percent financing for up to 60 months on its plug-in hatchback.

    Although not listed on Ford’s consumer Web site, several dealers across the country are offering a manufacturer-backed $6,000 rebate on the Focus Electric. Buyers can also qualify for up to 60 months of 0 percent financing on the 2014 Focus Electric. Both deals started on January 16 and run through February 3.

    Ford has not responded to our request for comment.


    With a starting MSRP of $35,170 for 2014, that means a Ford Focus Electriccan now be had for just $29,170. The Focus is also eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit, dropping the price to $21,670. Several states also offer credits for electric vehicle purchases, meaning in states like California the Focus electric can be purchased for under $20,000.


    Ford’s cash back program puts the Focus Electric about on par with the Nissan Leaf. Nissan slashed $6,000 from the price of its entry-level Leaf last year, resulting in a starting MSRP of $29,650.


    Although the price drop for the 2014 model year Focus Electric appears to be temporary, there has been speculation that $29,170 could be the plug-in’s new starting price for the 2015 model year.

  • Ontario requires new tests for elderly drivers

    February 1, 2014
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    Ontario, Canada’s Ministry of Transportation has announced new assessment tests for seniors. The new rules will affect any drivers aged 80 and over, requiring them to complete a vision test, driver record review, group education session and in-class screening exercises before renewing their license.

    The exercises include a drawing test that asks drivers to draw the hands of a clock at 11:10, and to cross out letter “H” each time it appears in a row of random letters. The approach is said to use “evidence-based methods to test the ability to drive safely,” says Susan Eng of the senior advocacy group CARP.

    As expected, not everyone supports the revised assessment program. The new exercises replace a simple written knowledge test that was also controversial, however lengthening life expectancy has brought increased concern over accidents caused by seniors who may no longer meet the standards expected of new drivers.

    “These changes will help seniors stay on the roads safely with a more streamlined renewal process, while also better flagging those who shouldn’t be driving,” said Minister of Transportation Glen Murray.

    The new rules go into effect on April 21.

  • BMW celebrates Chinese New Year with $460K M6 "Horse Edition"

    February 1, 2014
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    BMW is celebrating the Chinese New Year by offering a few “Horse Edition” M5 and M6 cars. Both have been produced in limited quantities, just six M6 Gran Coupé and 30 M5 units, with respective prices of 2.77 million yuan (~$460,000 USD) and 1.98 million yuan (~$330,000 USD).

    The mark the Year of the Horse, each car will have the Chinese character for “horse” embroidered on the headrest.

    The special editions are also loaded with the Competition Package, bringing the twin-turbo V8 up to 575 horsepower, along with sport-tuned suspension and exhaust, though these options are available on the standard M5 and M6 packages.

    The Horse Edition M-series cars are expected to go on sale in China later this year, before the marketing program is brought to the company’s 3- and 7-series models in the fourth quarter, BMW China VP of marketing Clyde Zhu told Bloomberg.

    Chinese buyers already pay a premium for imported vehicles, however the limited-edition BMWs are particularly striking examples. US buyers can purchase four base-model M6 Gran Coupés for the same price as one of the Horse Edition variants.