Bugatti’s upcoming Chiron may be one of the first Volkswagen Group vehicles to use electric turbochargers.
The Veyron replacement will reportedly carry over the 8.0-liter W16 engine, but with direct engine and two electrically-driven turbochargers — alongside two traditional compressors — to bring power output up to 1,500 horsepower, according to Automobile.

Torque is expected to remain mostly unchanged, around 1,100 lb-ft, but the electric motors will help bring boost up at lower rpm. A lighter curb weight will likely help improve the power-to-weight ratio, potentially bringing the top speed up to 288 mph and the 0-62 mph sprint down to below 2.5 seconds.

The Chiron is said to be built upon existing architecture, but the vast majority of parts are expected to be completely new or significantly redesigned. The interior may bring the biggest aesthetic changes, potentially with a more comfortable driving position and improved visibility, though engineers and designers are still believed to be debating several door configurations.

Bugatti is expected to unveil the Chiron in 2016. In the meantime, several Speedster models are allegedly under consideration to fill the gap after the Veyron sold out.

Mazda has detailed new bioplastic technology that will eventually eliminate the need for paint on certain exterior components.
The company has been developing the plant-derived materials for years, slowly improving the technology to serve as a replacement for traditional plastics and fibers.

One of the bioplastics is said to be finally suitable for exterior use. The material can be dyed — eliminating the need for painting — in a process that is claimed to result in a deep hue and mirror-like finish “of a higher quality” than painted plastic.

Initial developments have focused on interior components as engineers continued to work to improve weather-, scratch- and impact-resistance for use in harsher outdoor environments. A recent breakthrough is said to have finally found the proper mix of moldable bioplastic, additives and coloring agents to compete with painted ABS parts in term of durability and finish.

The improved bioplastic will first be used for interior parts on the all-new MX-5 Miata before making its way to exterior components of other production models.

Lamborghini is bringing its Winter Accademia program to North America for the first time.
The Raging Bull brand will bring its all-wheel-drive Aventador and Huracán to the Aspen Motorsports Park in Woody Creek, Colorado, where drivers will receive instruction and time behind the wheel.

Course subjects include emergency braking, drifting, and completing a full-lap on the snow-covered road course.

“The program has been designed to give the participants a maximum of driving time, starting early in the morning and continuing all day long,” the company said in a statement.

The program costs $5,995 for each driver, covering lodging and a photo/video package. Two sessions will be offered, one from February 5-7 and the second from February 6-8.

Chrysler has announced that its Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat has achieved an EPA rating of 22 mpg for highway driving.
The rating is not quite a surprise, matching the fuel economy of the Charger’s two-door cousin, the Challenger SRT Hellcat. Both must be outfitted with Chrysler’s eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission for the highest numbers.

The Charger fuel consumption is not as impressive in the city, where drivers can expect to get 13 mpg.

“The new 2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat is a multidimensional phenomenon. It is the quickest, fastest, most-powerful sedan ever produced – the world’s only four-door muscle car,” said Dodge and SRT brand chief Tim Kuniskis. “Factor in its affordable price and 22-mpg highway fuel-economy rating and it’s clear that the Charger SRT Hellcat competes in a class all by itself.”

The Hellcat-powered Charger boasts 707 horsepower, bringing an 11-second quarter-mile on street tires, a 0-100-0 mph run in less than 13 seconds and a top speed of 204 mph.

Toyota has released the first official teaser image of its next-generation Tacoma pickup truck. The new Toyota Tacoma, which will be branded as a 2016 model, will be unveiled at the 2015 Detroit auto show.
The teaser image doesn’t give too much away, but it is clear that the 2016 Tacoma’s styling will be influenced by the larger Tundra. The tailgate of the Tacoma shares a pronounced indentation with the Tundra and the two trucks also sport a similar rear bumper design. Like its bigger brother, the Tacoma has its name stamped into the rear of the truck.

The model seen here could be the upcoming TRD Pro trim level. Launched for the current Tacoma, the TRD Pro package is intended for off-road use and includes beefier wheels and tires to go along with a handful of styling tweaks.

With more than 140,000 sales through November, the Tacoma is easily the best selling truck in the mid-size segment. However, Toyota will face fiercer competition in the coming months and years courtesy of General Motors’ smaller trucks, the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon.

Be sure to check back for more information on the 2016 Toyota Tacoma as we get closer to the kick off date of the Detroit show.