All posts in “Cars”

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport Breaks Cover

A Track-Only Model to Thrill You

Prepared by Porsche Motorsports, the new 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport is a track car that offers supreme performance chops. Porsche offers it in two forms: the “Trackday” model for amateur racers and the “Competition” model for national and international racing. 

The Cayman GT4 Clubsport features natural-fiber composite material. This is a first of any production race car ever to use natural-fiber. Porsche crafted the doors and rear wing from an organic fiber mix. The company makes this mix from a unique blend of agricultural products. This gives the composite similar characteristics to carbon fiber. 

Around the back of the vehicle is the 3.8-liter flat-six engine that powers the car. It makes 425 hp, which is a boost of 40 hp from previous models. 

The Trackday version of the car gets non-adjustable shock absorbers; ABS, ESC, and traction control settings that are more forgiving; air conditioning; and some additional safety features. Porsche equipped the Competition model with three-stage adjustable shocks, 115-liter safety fuel tank, adjustable brake balance, integrated air-jack system, automatic fire extinguisher system, and a quick release racing steering wheel.

Both versions of the cars are available for order now and can be shipped anywhere in the world. The Trackday version starts at 134,000 Euro (about $152,000). The Competition version starts at 157,000 Euro (about $178,000).

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 ClubsportPorsche 718 Cayman GT4 ClubsportPorsche 718 Cayman GT4 ClubsportPorsche 718 Cayman GT4 ClubsportPorsche 718 Cayman GT4 clubsportPorsche 718 Cayman GT4 clubsportPorsche 718 Cayman GT4 ClubsportPorsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport

January 4, 2019 / Comments Off on Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport Breaks Cover
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2019 BMW X7

BMW just unveiled the X7, the German automaker’s first humongous radiator grille with a car attached to it. Just kidding. But look at that thing, it’s huge! No surprise it’s designed to compete with the full-fat Range Rover or the Mercedes GLS.

The car is 5,151mm long, 2,000mm wide, and 1,805mm tall, making this seven-seater monster BMW’s biggest SUV thus far. The biggest car you can ever own, at least in the UK, is a Range Rover. The BMW X7 is much, much larger.

The BMW X7 comes in two models, but both will feature three rows of seating for six or seven people depending on what configuration you choose. The first model will feature a 3.0L inline-six engine that’ll produce 335 horsepower while the second model will bump that up to 456 horsepower thanks to its 4.4L V8 engine. The former can hit zero to 60 in just 5.8 seconds while the latter can hit in just 5.2 seconds. Both cars, however, are limited to a speed of 130mph. AWD comes as standard.

You’ll also get a bunch of driver assist systems like Blind Spot Detection and Lane Departure Assist. If you want to take it even further, you can pay extra for optional additions like semi-autonomous systems, Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound, and the BMW Digital Key, which turns your smartphone into a car key for unlocking and starting your car.

Pricing starts at $73,900. Deliveries are expected to begin March 2019. Make sure to check back with Men’s Gear as we learn more.

LEARN MORE HERE

Photos courtesy of BMW

January 4, 2019 / Comments Off on 2019 BMW X7
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Driving Gloves: a History and Buying Guide

When cars debuted in the 1890s, long-distance travel became more accessible to a wider audience, but the physical act of driving was no easy task. Roads were unpaved and cars lacked windshields and hardtops. Drivers were exposed to the weather and they needed specially designed clothes and accessories to make driving more comfortable and safe. Retailers quickly realized the monetary potential of this new apparel sector full of wealthy people. One advertiser wrote, “You may have perfectly good tires and lots of gas and oil… but if you are not comfortable yourself, you don’t enjoy riding.” Then they pushed their apparel: “you need proper motoring clothes” (The Clothier and Furnisher, ’63).

Proper motoring clothes consisted of heavy, waterproof coats, hats, boots, goggles and gloves. Imagine cranking a car to get it started, then gripping a metal steering wheel with no power steering in the winter. Drivers often traveled with two pairs of gloves, one for gripping the steering wheel and one for changing tires. They were essential to early drivers and started out looking much different than they do today. Since steering mechanisms and logistics were rather crude, gloves were made of thick leather, sometimes lined with wool, that reached all the way back to cover the cuff of your coat. (Think Robin Hood.) Once a driver was off the road, these gloves weren’t very practical, so they would leave them in the aptly named glove box.

During the 1930s, heating in cars began to effectively keep drivers and passengers warm. So the profile of the driving glove developed evolved into a more popular, tight-fitting and shorter shape made of thin leather. The gloves often featured extra stitching on the palms for enhanced grip and perforations to keep your hands from sweating. These features kept drivers comfortable and allowed them to use less grip strength when grasping the wheel. They also became a status symbol: you were considered high class if you had light-color gloves that were kept clean, which indicated you were able to afford a pair for work and one for presentation.

As heating systems became more efficient and the technology that was incorporated into cars improved, the popularity of driving gloves began to decline. Non-slip, rubberized steering wheels were easy to grip with bare hands and power steering meant the wheel was much easier to turn. Stylish men like Steve McQueen and characters like James Bond continued to wear driving gloves, so they stayed part of mainstream culture even though they were no longer needed for everyday driving.

Nowadays, driving gloves have been featured prominently in movies that focus on driving. The characters in Drive, Spectre and Baby Driver all wear driving gloves so they can operate their car with precision, sticking precisely to the wheel and gear shift. People who own vintage and racing cars are typically the demographic that wears gloves now.

Driving gloves today are typically unlined and made out of soft, grippy leather. They can be machined or hand sewn, with or without fingertips, with or without knuckle holes, in a wide range of colors and back styles. Below you’ll find the styles we like best.

Buying Guide

Chester Jefferies The Drive Gloves

Pickett London Men’s Leather Driving Gloves

Autodromo Stringback Driving Gloves

Fort Belvedere Driving Gloves in Lamb Nappa Leather

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.
January 4, 2019 / Comments Off on Driving Gloves: a History and Buying Guide
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Thinking of Buying a Tesla? The Most Affordable Model Is a Few Months Away

Over the past year, Tesla’s trajectory has been uncertain. Guessing whether the company would end 2018 as a success or see its total downfall was like trying to follow an EKG tracking a haywire pacemaker. One week, Elon Musk would be flirting with FTC investigations, the next he’s smoking a joint on camera or tweeting supposed LSD-fueled rants. Then, in the middle of the year, Tesla 3 production was building momentum and the company posted a profitable quarter. Now, it looks like another dip is on the way, but the long-awaited affordable version of the Model 3 might be the light at the end of the tunnel.

To offset the $7,500 EV tax credit expiring late last year, Tesla cut the prices of all its current cars by $2,000. In combination with the $3,750 tax credit you can still apply for, there’s still a big chunk of change to be saved. “Customers can apply to receive the $3,750 federal tax credit for new deliveries starting on Jan. 1, 2019, and may also be eligible for several state and local electric vehicle and utility incentives, which range up to $4,000,” according to Tesla. Even with the all the available incentives applied, the Tesla Model 3 will cost more than the long-promised $35,000.

Which isn’t great news, especially if you own stock in Tesla. After the announcement — which also included news that since demand for the more expensive Model 3 is slowing — TSLA took a dive. That doesn’t mean interest in the Tesla 3 is dead altogether. Customers who put deposits on the more affordable model are just waiting. And if you didn’t put a deposit down but are still turned on to the idea of the most affordable Tesla (despite being more than $35,000), you’ll have to wait until April.

In the grand scheme of things, three months is hardly a long wait and compared to the $46,000 base price of the next level Model 3; you’re still saving a few thousand dollars. It’s not the bullseye we were all hoping for, but the Model 3 will be the best looking and performing EV option anywhere near that price range.

January 3, 2019 / Comments Off on Thinking of Buying a Tesla? The Most Affordable Model Is a Few Months Away
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Could BMW i8 Replacement Come Soon?

A New Electrified BMW Supercar? Yes Please

It seems BMW’s affinity for electrified powertrains will extend to new supercars in the future. There have been a few rumors of BMW working on a new EV supercar, but now it seems more likely. BMW R&D boss Klaus Froehlich sat down with Autocar and one of the topics he discussed is an electric supercar or at least a hybrid supercar much like the i8. 

“If you are an engineer, once in your life, you want to make a super-sports car,” Fröhlich told Autocar. “I think partial electrification will enable that.”

He pointed to the fact that BMW has the ability to build high-powered electric drive units, super light carbon fiber chassis, and high-performance gasoline engines. He said those three elements could be combined to make a supercar. 

What Will it be Like?

According to Autocar, the new model could compete directly with Ferrari and McLaren. It would have a much larger gasoline engine paired with high-powered electric motors and a carbon fiber chassis much like the i8’s. The car should have 700 hp so it can edge out the M8’s 620 hp and put the car at the top of BMW’s M-Division lineup. 

2011 BMW i8 Concept Gallery2011 BMW i8 Concept Gallery
An i8 replacement would be much more powerful.

That 700 hp mark sounds like a lot until you consider that Froehlich told Autocar the electric motors BMW produces should make 197 hp and 378 lb-ft of torque. Froehlich also said that BMW’s M-Division will eventually go fully electric, but that hybridization will play an important role moving forward.

With all that Froehlich said during the interview in mind, it’s clear that BMW sees electric cars as the future for high-performance vehicles. While BMW hasn’t officially released anything that explicitly says the i8 will be replaced by a much more powerful supercar, Froehlich’s interview is a clear sign of where things are heading. 

January 3, 2019 / Comments Off on Could BMW i8 Replacement Come Soon?
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BMW Needs to Admit It Has a Problem

According to a recent report from AutoCar, we can look forward to a four-door M2 on the road later this year. A more practical version of the best car the brand currently builds? Fantastic. Can’t wait. But with BMW’s current naming convention, it’ll hit showroom floors as the ‘M2 Gran Coupe,’ which is unnecessary and shines a light on the problem with the brand’s naming convention as a whole.

Of Course, BMW isn’ the only brand to commit the offense of abusing the word ‘coupe.’ Mercedes and Audi are big offenders, but Honda joins the party too, with its C-HR. ‘Coupe’ is French for a carriage with a fixed roof and two doors, or a ‘cut’ version of a four-door, which naturally translated to cars. BMW started using this naming scheme with the 6-Series Gran Coupe, a four-door version of a coupe it now no longer makes. It then applied the Gran Coupe modifier to the 4-Series, which started as a two-door version of the four-door-only 3-Series. I understand words and their meanings evolve, but it’s getting a bit ridiculous.

This constant splintering of new model lines and individual model names is getting out of hand. But, there’s a simple and obvious fix, and it’s something BMW used to do and stopped: trust its customers can count without assistance. From 1975 to 1997, the BMW 3-Series came in two- and four-door flavors, their badges offering no indication of how many doors they featured. In ’97 BMW tacked a ‘C’ into the names of coupe models, then immediately stopped doing that for the following generation. And since ’13, it’s gone nuts and built entirely new lines of cars with new made up names and unnecessary numbers.

Now we have four-door versions of two-door versions of four-door cars. It’s all a convoluted mess, and while BMW isn’t the only offender, it’s undoubtedly the main perpetrator. The company seems to be going through its entire lineup and renaming cars it already makes and by adding models by changing styling only slightly – and then continue to build both. If there’s one trend in the industry that needs to die a quick death, it’s this one.

January 3, 2019 / Comments Off on BMW Needs to Admit It Has a Problem
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Shoes By Berluti And Ferrari

No bigger news came out of the Paris Fashion Week than Berluti and Ferrari launching a new shoe collection. One that apparently takes inspiration from “gentlemen drivers,” as the luxury automaker puts it.

The two have joined forces for three new shoe models, a slip-on, an Oxford and a Chelsea boot, complete with signature stitching and Ferrari Red piping detail in the heels. The shoes are available November from select of Berluti stores and online.

Because carbon fiber is heavily implemented into Ferrari cars, especially the more recent ones, the shoes have received a similar treatment. And every element, like detail and styling, takes inspiration from Ferrari vehicles. That includes the sculptural, sinuous shapes and stitching. The shoes evoke Ferrari’s instantly recognizable exterior styling and exquisite interiors.

“These are the lightest shoes that Berluti has done ever. These are shoes which have real technology in them, with carbon fiber that is used for cars for driving,” says Ferrari chairman John Elkann. “It’s a very special grip that you have on the sole and this is taking inspiration from the engine.”

The idea was to try and capture the vibe of the gentleman driver back in the ‘60s. We won’t be glamorizing the ‘60s here, of course, especially when its ills and errors reverberate to this day. But there’s something notable about the simpler, more refined design inclinations of that era. Which is especially in the automobile sector. We understand why Berluti and Ferrari have such a fascination for the decade.

The Berluti and Ferrari collection coincides with the release of the Monza SP1 and SP2. Both were inspired by vintage models but outfitted with modern technology.

MORE INFO HERE

Photos courtesy of Ferrari

January 3, 2019 / Comments Off on Shoes By Berluti And Ferrari
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Essential Gear for Car Owners: Be Ready for the Road

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January 3, 2019 / Comments Off on Essential Gear for Car Owners: Be Ready for the Road
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2019 Chevrolet Camaro In Shock Yellow

Chevy just unveiled a refreshed 2019 Chevrolet Camaro called “Shock” for the Speciality Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show. In a lustrous new Yellow colorway, no less. This Camaro SS coupe comes with a slew of new accessories that customers can buy directly from Chevy dealers throughout the country.

The most notable thing about the car is how Chevy describes its new features. The Michigan automaker says something like “concept front-end styling,” referencing the bowtie emblem relocated from the bumper beam to the upper grille. The center beam is now comes in the car’s body color instead of black. This adds a bit more flair to an already incredible-looking car. You’ll also find extra graphics on the hood and fenders. In effect, you get what’s essentially production car with a slightly tweaked front end.

We have to be honest here. The look of the original 2019 Chevrolet was somehow, well, aesthetically disappointing. It’s not exactly a terrible presentation for a vehicle, it’s just that we’ve definitely seen better coupes. This version corrects that design faux pas and shows that Chevrolet is actually listening to customer feedback and is implementing changes accordingly. And we do like the results.

As for the new accessories, we’re looking at Recaro seats, emissions-legal cold-air intake kits, a Brembo six-piston front brake kit, and suspension upgrade parts from the racy 1LE models. In terms of styling, you get a black rear wing, a carbon-fiber fuel-filler door, and black Camaro badges. This Shock Yellow Camaro variant goes on sale starting early 2019.

MORE INFO HERE

Photos courtesy of Chevy

January 2, 2019 / Comments Off on 2019 Chevrolet Camaro In Shock Yellow
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The Jimny Black Bison Edition by Wald International is Aggressively Awesome

Suzuki produces the Jimny, a small, simple, and supremely capable off-roader. There are no plans to sell the new version in the United States, which is a shame. I think there’s a niche for it in the American market, undercutting the Jeep Wrangler on price. As evidence in support of that argument, I offer the Suzuki Jimny Black Bison edition from Japanese tuner Wald International.

American car buyers love nothing more than black paint and detailing. Virtually every car on the market, from the ZR2 to Alfa Romeo, offers some form of “Midnight” or “Nero Edizione” package to meet this demand. Off-road buyers love nothing more than aggressive flair. The aftermarket has exploded to the point where dealers have begun offering those customizations in-house.

These trends combined can be over the top. It’s a fine line between in-your-face awesomeness and teenage hooligan. But, with the Jimny, incorporating these trends works. The Black Bison mods cancel out the cuteness. They convert the Jimny from a surprisingly great off-roader to advertising what the Jimny is out front. Do you need aero scoops on a Jimny? Absolutely not. But, since when does need come into it?

The Jimny pickup may take the mania a step too far for American tastes. But, the Black Bison edition gets it just right. Waiting 25 years to import one just got a bit harder to swallow. But, hey, egregious online fawning brought the Defender back to the U.S. Maybe there’s hope?

For more Jimny, read Andrew Connor’s review of the last-generation Jimny, which he named the “best worst car” he’s ever driven. Or, wallow in misery with Tyler Duffy as he laments that the United States suffers from a distinct lack of Jimny.

January 2, 2019 / Comments Off on The Jimny Black Bison Edition by Wald International is Aggressively Awesome
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Video: SSC Tuatara flexes and revs for the camera

Hennessey is not the only American car company in the 300-mph conversation. SSC North America is currently holding its finger up saying, “Hold up, don’t forget about us!” Its upcoming hypercar, the 1,750-horsepower Tuatara, was recently the focus of a walkaround video that included startup and revs of its 5.9-liter V8.

Youtube car videographer WVM3 Dream Drives recently hit the jackpot when he showed up to Miller Motor Cars in Greenwich, Connecticut. In addition to the scores of high-end luxury sedans and supercoupes, which included Bentleys, Aston Martins, a Ferrari LaFerrari, and the Pagani Huayra “Scozia,” the Tuatara was in attendance. According to the videographer, this was the second preproduction prototype.

SSC reentered the performance conversation this year when it showed the Tuatara at the Pebble Beach Concept Lawn. It’s a car that was first unveiled back in 2011, but that was just a concept at the time, whereas this year’s car is a prototype with years of extra research and development. We’re skeptical of any boutique supercar, but the company’s history with the Ultimate Aero and the car’s specs pique interest.

SSC claims the Tuatara’s coefficient of drag is an astounding 0.279, compared to the Koenigsegg Agera‘s 0.33 and the Bugatti Chiron’s 0.36. Pushing it through the air is a twin-turbo 366-cubic-inch (5.9-liter) V8. SSC claims the Tuatara can make 1,750 horsepower on E85 flex fuel or 1,350 horsepower on premium 91 octane fuel. With a seven-speed “computerized manual,” and an 8,800 rpm redline, it should be an absolute screamer.

Regardless of whether the car will actually be able to reach 300 mph and claim the throne as the fastest production car in the world, the bodywork itself is a display of incredible engineering. Eat it up with your eyes in the video above.

Related Video:

January 2, 2019 / Comments Off on Video: SSC Tuatara flexes and revs for the camera
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Bertone to Reveal Full Electric Supercar with 800hp

The legendary design houses are really getting behind EV. With Pininfarina working on their own EV projects, Bertone appears to be making a comeback with its work on an electronic supercar startup. The Dianchè BSS GT Cube carries the Bertone name, however, following the liquidation of the original Bertone company, the tie up is nothing more than a licensing agreement.

Dianchè’s parent company, Flymove, secured a license to use the name from the company who purchased the rights to the Bertone brand, AKKA Technologies. The design can only be said to be inspired by the work of the legendary design house then.

The name BBS refers to Dianchè’s unique selling point, the Battery Swap System. The idea is that instead of waiting for the batteries to charge, you simply swap them out for a fully charged set. Dianchè anticipate that this will take just 3 minutes with a network of battery stations.

For the BBS GT Cube, Dianchè are claiming a 2.2 second 100 km/h sprint time and 217 mph top speed. Power comes from a 300kW motor which generates 600kW (804 bhp) through all four wheels.

Dianchè are also working on the Bertone BSS GT One sports car and City Car BSS Cube. The One will be the first to market, carrying two 150kWh motors and a top speed of 186 mph. Dianchè are currently projecting deliveries of the sports car will begin in 2020 with development throughout this year.

January 2, 2019 / Comments Off on Bertone to Reveal Full Electric Supercar with 800hp
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The 2020 Land Rover Defender May Be an Incredible Disappointment

The Land Rover Defender is an icon. The rugged off-roader traveled the Globe with the British army. It was a vehicle fit for both queen and commoner. The world bid a fond farewell to it when its 67-year production run ended in 2016. The Defender is also a cultural phenomenon. It has become one of the most exclusive vintage cars.

Prices inflate in the U.S. We’re limited to imports and survivors from a limited U.S. production run that ended in 1998 when we unworldly Yanks decided to require front airbags. But, even factoring that in, vintage Defenders fetch ludicrous prices. Clean versions, whatever the mileage, can run $70,000 to $100,000 – enough to buy a new Range Rover. Custom resto-mods can run much higher.

Land Rover believes it can capitalize on that phenomenon. The company will relaunch the Defender in 2020, and that SUV will be sold in the U.S. The new Defender will be one of 2019’s most anticipated car debuts. That debut could be an incredible disappointment.

The engineering challenge is enormous. Reinventing the Defender is more than just a square peg/round hole problem. You can convert a boxy, body-on-frame truck into a unibody, shared platform vehicle that meets modern safety and emissions standards. The trick is doing so while retaining the original vehicle’s charm. Jeep has never resolved this dilemma with the Wrangler. The company’s solution has been punting the problem as far into the future as it can. It’s easy to aim for a Wrangler, make a few necessary compromises, and end up with something more akin to Renegade, much easier than getting it right.

Land Rover must nail the styling. The Defender’s appeal has nothing to do with everyday performance. Those sought after originals, being completely honest, were janky, uncomfortable and underpowered. It’s all in the chic appearance and exclusivity. The Defender dream is having ECD Automotive Design build a more comfortable, reliable car with a Land Rover shell.

The new Defender can be as luxe and off-road capable as Land Rover can make it. But, it has to look appealing and, just as important, distinctive. There’s little margin for error. If the new design doesn’t grab us immediately, the car will blend right into the Land Rover background.

It’s not clear where the Defender’s market niche will be. Like the Wrangler, Land Rover will make their money with the four-door version. The trouble is Land Rover already dominates the four-door, upscale, stylish, off-road specialist SUV market. Variations of that exact car are Land Rover’s entire lineup. The Defender’s base price will probably come in where the Wrangler market tops out. Will the new Defender lure Jeep buyers to spend more? Or, will it be luring away drivers from the rest of the Land Rover stable?

Pulling off a complete Defender overhaul that recaptures the original and meets expectations will require a bold feat of engineering and design innovation. That’s not really Land Rover’s element. You don’t go to Barbour to redefine the jacket for the modern era.

We may get the perfect fusion of past and future for the modern off-roader with the new Defender. I’d put my money on it only being a slightly boxier Discovery. I hope I’m wrong.

January 1, 2019 / Comments Off on The 2020 Land Rover Defender May Be an Incredible Disappointment
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2019 Panamera GTS Sport Turismo

The 2019 Porsche four-door Panamera is getting a huge upgrade in the form of its very own GTS Sport Turismo variant. The ride, boasting a 4-liter twin-turbo V8, has 20 more horsepower and 73 lb-ft of torque than the standard model. It also features Porsche’s dual-clutch PDK transmission.

That means an acceleration of zero to 60 in just 4.1 seconds, with eight gears sending power to all four wheels. You can opt for the Sport Chrono Package to boost acceleration even further to zero to 60 in just 3.9 seconds. On top of that, you’re also getting an active air suspension with a reworked Active Suspension Management system. Plus a 10mm lower ride height and larger brakes on the front and rear. And don’t even worry about speed because this thing is fast. The top track speed is 179mph.

There’s also a new HUD system available inside, in addition to Alcantara-trimmed interior with aluminum accents throughout, giving the inside of the car a classic yet badass feel. Two models are available, the Panamera GTS and GTS Sport Turismo. Both models carry the SportsDesign package as standard, complete with distinctive front and rear fascia.

The adaptive rear spoiler of the Panamera GTS splits after extending, which in turn makes it much broader and ensures the lift in the rear axle is efficiently reduced. The GTS Turismo, on the other hand, features an adaptive roof spoiler to ensure exceptional driving stability. You can even opt for “GTS” logos on the lower edge of the front doors to complete the overall sporty look.

LEARN MORE HERE

January 1, 2019 / Comments Off on 2019 Panamera GTS Sport Turismo
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Top 14 Car Dash Cams

E

veryone, hands up if you’ve ever been in a road accident. Okay, keep those hands up if it was your fault. None of you? Really? We’re sorry, we’re sure you’re all excellent or at least pretty good drivers, but we find that hard to believe. If only there was a device that could determine whether or not you’re telling the truth. Well, there is…car dash cams.

You might remember these from the ten-thousand or so bizarre videos from all over the world that always seem to capture the very worst moments of someone’s life. While that’s (mostly) very amusing, the car dash cam’s actual purpose is supposed to provide unarguable evidence in the event of a crash, accident, or traffic violation.

This provides the owner with protection when challenged over the truth – as long as it’s not their fault.

This is great news for the careful and responsible drivers among us. Meanwhile, it could be an issue for the less talented drivers among us. That’s right, we know who you are!

If you’re tired of being blamed for accidents that weren’t your fault, however, car dash cams will help you out. Heck, you could even exert some revenge on those who’ve wronged you by following them all day to capture proof of their depravity.

That said, buckle up and join us to check out the best car dash cams on the market today.

What are the main things to consider when buying a dash cam?

We see you’ve decided to purchase a dash cam. Congratulations, from now on you’ll never need to worry about the back and forth uncertainty of ‘He said, She said.’ Plus, you’ll never need to feel concerned about how safe your car is and you’ll also pick up a couple of hilarious videos along the way.

Before you settle on which car dash cam is the best one for you, there’s a couple of things you’ll need to consider first. This will help you out by making sure you don’t get taken for a ride.

Resolution:

In the 21st century, everything is high definition, perhaps too high definition sometimes. Whatever car dash cam you choose to buy, you can rely on it having a satisfactory image resolution. However, there’s still a range of different image qualities that you’ll notice when it comes to car dash cams.

The most common to run across is 720p, 1080p, and 1440p.

You may not know what this means, which is totally cool, few do. These same things can be seen in computers and televisions too. That said, what does 1080p, for example, actually mean? The “P” in the example stands for “progressive.”

You may see 720i as well, where the “I” stands for “integrated.”

Both are the same type of thing, it’s simply the way pixels are laid out. In the P version of things, pixels are up and down. Meaning from the top of an image to the bottom, pixels are formed. This gives an HD, defined image or video that you might see a movie in.

Meanwhile, the I version has pixels that go from side to side. This offers a crisp, sharp image or video. The P version is often better at these things which is why it’s used for car dash cams.

The higher the resolution is, the more likely the video will catch the smallest of details.

Looping:

Car dash cams with looping capabilities allow you to avoid the need for switching the camera on or off. The reason for this is due to the loop allowing the camera to automatically turn on. It’ll begin recording as soon as you switch your car on thanks to hardwiring.

If you’re somebody whose memory isn’t as great as you’d like, this is essential. Even if you have a great memory, it could be insanely useful. Plus, it’ll be another thing you won’t have to worry about.

Night Vision:

Cameras with great night vision will save you a lot of stress if an accident occurs in low-light conditions. Night driving is in some ways safer due to there being fewer cars on the road, but this is not 100% true at times. It’s also a time where people feel perfectly happy to not only hit but also run.

Hey, think about it, it’s dark, nobody saw!

Unfortunately for them, if you have a dash cam when you’re involved in a nighttime collision, they can’t truly get away. Some cameras have better night vision recording than others, however. That means you need to be sure to find one that provides as clear an image as possible once the sun goes down.

G-Sensors:

Finding and purchasing a car dash cam with G-sensor capabilities is essential for protecting your footage. It’ll help keep it perfectly fine in the event of a crash or collision without it getting overwritten by the newer footage. Cameras with G-Sensor technology will automatically switch off when they recognize the car’s ignition has been turned off.

It will then ‘lock’ the footage to ensure that is doesn’t disappear into the ether.

Driver Assistance:

Sometimes there’s a lot going on while your driving, but you’re a good driver, right? It may not matter. Clearly, you can’t be expected to do this successfully all the time sadly. In fact, you might not notice something until it’s too late.

To prevent this, the car dash cams come with collision and pull-out alerts.

This recognizes potential disaster before it happens.

Not only will you have some proof after an accident, but you’ll also be able to prevent accidents altogether. This pretty much makes you a superhero. Who needs the Batmobile anyway?

Parking Mode:

Worried about your car at when you’ve parked it? Maybe there’s been a spate of vandalism around the neighborhood recently? You’re not going to sit up all night waiting to catch the perp, after all, you shouldn’t have to.

Why do all the work when your dash cam can act as a lookout for you?

Parking mode operates using motion sensors, so you don’t need to worry about wasting the battery overnight. If someone comes within range of the car, the camera will switch on. This is sure to catch crooks and idiot kids and hopefully makes sure they don’t cause any more damage.

You might also get the occasional curious critter, but we can live with that.

Rear Camera:

Finding a car dash cam with both front and rear camera functionality ensures you get the widest range of protection possible. You can drive wherever you please without fear of possible accidents they are not caught on camera. Clearly, the best cameras can give you this.

However, it can be a bit more expensive…so you need to think before you buy.

Do you need a rear cam? We’d say it could sure offer more protection in the event an accident occurs…especially in the back of the vehicle you happen to drive. However, the normal car dash cams can do a lot for you too. That said, this will just depend on how much you’re willing to spend.

Storage:

Most car dash cams will have a built-in memory function that’ll record and subsequently save any footage that’s captured during your drives. However, what will you do once you run out of space? By using high definition video, you’ll be treated to excellent and clear footage that will identify culprits without a shadow of a doubt.

The problem is that this awesome quality also means a lot of storage space is used up. Those files can get pretty large. Cameras with high-capacity storage will be a great asset to you, without a doubt. You may also want one that can install a microSD card for even more space.

This will save you the hassle of deleting footage all the time, without much time in-between.

What are the main benefits of car dash cams?

Car dash cams are tremendous for most. The reason is mostly due to what they provide the average, every day, driver. Think about it this way, your protection and how people believe your story could hinge on these things. Car dash cams have gotten police officers out of hot water as well as fired.

That is some major power to hold.

Imagine too if you’re a young black man in America. Traffic stops are routine for them, as well as Hispanic men (even if you do nothing wrong). Most tend to go well, but at times things can get really bad.

Car dash cams can be maneuvered to get the entire ordeal on tape if something goes bad.

It’s your word against the officer’s word, which means your word is useless without proof. However, this tape you happen to have will help exponentially prove he or she was in the wrong. Heck, even the presence of one will help. This is useful for a number of other instances too, so let’s go over them.

Accidents:

Many of us have suffered an accident, been on the wrong end of a fender bender, or encountered some douchebag who thinks he owns the road. However, if we had a car dash cam, we could have had an excellent way to prove that we were, in fact, in the right.

Memories might be pretty clear, but there’s no substitute for video evidence. It’s an eyewitness that doesn’t blink, so take advantage while you can.

Peace of Mind:

Even if we have a good idea of where our vehicle is, we may still worry if it’s safe. It could be the area you’ve parked in, it could be the place on the road, it could just be that you’re very protective. Maybe too protective perhaps? With a car dash cam, any fears will be (mostly) alleviated.

The dash cam won’t necessarily save your car from damage when you leave it parked somewhere. However, it will help you identify who was responsible. This will help the local law enforcement hunt them down, then you’ll finally get the justice you deserved all along.

Fraud Prevention:

The unfortunate truth is that some drivers will go out of their way to cause collisions, accidents, and other inconveniences. They will then try to make it look as if you were at fault for their mistake. How horrible, right?

With car dash cams, you can become a hero of the road.

Well, you’ll be your own superhero. You won’t be a Batman or Green Arrow out there or anything…this is only a dash cam. However, you’ll help you avoid dealing with people who try to make you look at fault. These frauds need to be stopped and you can do just that.

Not Just a Camera:

Well, it still is a camera, but the dash cam is so much more. It can act as a parking assistant, provide collision alerts, and parking protection. Furthermore, most cameras will also have GPS capabilities. This will not only pinpoint exactly where an accident occurs but will also show your speed.

This will allow you to make sure you never go over the speed limit. We know you will, but at least you’ll have an idea of the speed limit in areas you are not familiar with.

That GPS thing is pretty handy, for sure.

The Memories:

Car dash cams are mostly associated with covering you or somebody else in the event of an accident. However, you can also use them to record your road trips! Seriously, you can.

This is pretty awesome if you ask us.

If you like packing up your stuff, jumping in the car and saying goodbye to the city for a couple of days, the dash cam will be there. It’ll catch everything so you can watch how things went when you’re done. You can check out the gorgeous scenery and marvels of nature you came across.

Heck, you can even put together in a travel video as a memento that won’t go anywhere.

Pure Entertainment:

We’ve all seen those hilarious/interesting videos captured by the sheer luck of a driver having a dash cam. If you haven’t seen them, trust us, you’re sorely missing out. While entertainment was not the intended purpose of car dash cams, you can have endless hours of weird and wonderful examples.

You can come across some of the strangest goings on in everyday society, especially when people don’t think they’re being watched. Just remember not to use these powers for evil. That’s not cool, dude.

Is it easy to set up and install car dash cams?

It really should be easy to set up car dash cams. However, that is not exactly the case regardless of how good it would be. There are certain rules regarding placement and other issues that you really need to pay attention to.

Not doing so could result in footage not working well or even become useless in court under certain situations.

Heck, you could even be breaking the law! To avoid your jail time, we wanted to make sure we made you aware of key things you need to know about. Check this out.

Where can you mount it?

Dash cam mounting isn’t as simple as the everyday hands-free mount you’ve used with your smartphone for years. Instead, it must be placed behind the rear-view mirror. This allows the image to be perfectly centered and it captures the widest angle of the road.

This includes both lanes, as well as any signs that you pass along the way.

‘But what about the cables?’ you lament while ignoring everything we’ve just said. Well, hold on a second. Car dash cam wires are long enough to reach a power source. This ensures there’ll be no issues with connectivity.

What kind of mount, though?

Car dash cams come with either a suction-mount or one that employs double-sided tape. Both work well, but the suction cup is much more reliable than the double-sided tape version. This is mostly due to it being easy to reset and start over if you put it somewhere wrong.

It can also go from vehicle to vehicle without much issue.

Remember, with every incorrect mounting with double-sided tape, you’ll lose precious adhesiveness. That could result in your camera tumbling from its perch, probably just before an accident occurs. With that being said, we’d advise the suction version.

How do you connect it?

Your car dash cam will come with the aforementioned wires that’ll connect to ports within your car. This will more than likely be the cigarette lighter port. However, you can elect to hardwire your camera, which will connect it to the main electronics of the car.

There are a few benefits from this, including having the wires hidden. It can also turn on whenever you switch on the ignition so you’ll never forget. Most car dash cams can be hardwired, but you can’t do it yourself. This means you’ll need to employ a professional to make sure it’s done correctly.

That said, it’s an extra expense you may or may not want.

What are the laws related to car dash cams?

Car dash cams were mostly designed to help you in the event of collisions. However, you need to be careful about whether or not you’re using them in a legal way. Remember, laws are a bit annoying but we must follow them. We know, we thought they just handed out chocolate bars too.

Why can’t we just take them, right?

That said, we put together a guide on a few nations and their laws regarding car dash cams to help you out a bit. Take a look.

United States:

In the United States, car dash cams themselves are not technically illegal. However, in the majority of states, windshield obstruction is, in fact, illegal. As long as you’re not impeding your own view of the road, then you should be okay.

We’d suggest getting in touch with a lawyer, police officer, or local DMV just to be on the safe side.

There’s also the issue of data protection, which would inhibit the privacy of anyone traveling in your car. A solution to this, though, is to either turn off the audio recording or simply inform them that they’re being recorded. Some states do not have any laws on recording someone.

This is the same for video and audio recording, as there are not as many specifics.

In many states, only one side has to know of a recording. That means, since you’re the one side, you’re good. Not every state is the same, so call up local police stations or a DMV to see what they suggest.

However, you truly want to tell someone even if you don’t have to. Proper ethics, of course.

Canada:

There are no laws about installing a car dash cam of any kind in the country of Canada. In fact, recording your journeys on the road is perfectly fine as they are considered public areas. This means you’re not intruding on anyone else’s privacy.

However, if the camera is not mounted correctly, you could suffer similar charges to those in the United States.

Obviously, you don’t want to operate one while driving, as this is very illegal in Canada as it is in America. This falls under the same type of charge as using cell phones while driving. It may be a bit minor, but too many can add up.

United Kingdom:

Car dash cams are perfectly legal in the United Kingdom, throughout every single area. However, if it is mounted incorrectly, you could face fines from local police who see this.

You could even have any footage you’ve recorded deemed inadmissible in a courtroom setting.

If you work for a ride-sharing company like Lyft or Uber or even just as a taxi driver, then you need to inform the passenger that they’re being recorded. This is technically needed in both Canada and the United States in states or provinces that have such rules.

Anywhere Else?

In case you’re planning a trans-continental trip, we should mention that you’re prohibited from having a car dash cam at all. This includes countries such as Switzerland, but could also apply elsewhere in the world.

Before going anywhere, do your research and save yourself the hassle.

Most of the time, taking car dash cams overseas or to nations close by would be weird. After all, there are a lot of rules on rental cars and most airports won’t let you take stuff like this on a plane. That said, avoid assuming it’s okay. You honestly don’t need it in many nations.

Simply use a normal camera if you’re worried things might get bad somewhere.

1) Rexing V1 Car Dash Cam

The Rexing car dash cam is designed to blend in seamlessly with the car to keep your focus squarely on the road, as well as ensure that it doesn’t look too obvious for other drivers. This model offers plenty of features to get excited about.

One of them is the full HD recording, which ensures crystal-clear images both day and night. Furthermore, the 170-degree lens achieves an incredibly wide angle, which manages to get nearly every inch of the road.

For increased protection and driver safety, there’s also accident auto-detection.

This will activate long before you’ve even realized something is up. This should offer a minor alert to allow you the ability to avoid possible accidents before they happen. Of course, this should allow everyone to make it to their destination with very few issues.

Now, isn’t that what we all want from car dash cams? We think so.

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2) Garmin Dash Cam

Garmin is a major leader for the technology you’ll use in or for your vehicle. It comes as a shock to no one that they made excellent car dash cams too. The video quality is better than most normal cameras, which is saying a lot. Filming at a remarkable 1440p, you’ll never be straining to see the content in videos again.

This will make you the best eye-witness on the road.

Also included are exceptionally accurate lane departure and collision warning systems. This is sure to save you and others from potential crashes during the busiest times of the day. Furthermore, voice-recognition software means the whole camera is entirely hands-free.

This allows you to switch it on and off with simple voice commands. Don’t focus on pictures on a screen, focus on the road and let the camera do the hard work for you.

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3) Lukas LK-7900 Car Dashboard Camera

The Lukas HD car dash cams come with a provided 16GB of internal storage. Included is an array of awesome and incredibly useful driving features you’ll absolutely love. With 1080p HD video, the footage is exceptional and clearly capable of getting every detail.

Meanwhile, the powerful auto exposure feature means that regardless of the weather conditions, you’ll always have perfectly viewable images.

There are also four different recording modes that can be adapted to suit your preference on how you want to record something. These modes include continuous recording and motion detection. This will surely come in handy when the car is parked overnight, at the game, or out to dinner.

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4) Anker Roav Dash Cam

With motion activated sensors and extreme temperature resistance, the Anker Roav Dash Cam is a superb product. It is able to withstand all elements, situations, and conditions. It isn’t just designed for your annual adventure across Antarctica sadly.

We know, “technology,” right?

The camera delivers more than enough features to keep you and your car protected no matter where you drive it.

Its Nighthawk Vision means that you’ll receive awesome, clear videos during the darkest of nights. Meanwhile, the built-in WiFi smartphone transfer means it’s never been easier to view your videos. This will be filmed in expansive panoramic views to capture as much as possible.

Anker gets it done with several other products, but their car dash cams are absolutely stunning.

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5) Vantrue N2 ProDual Dash Cam

Offering nearly 360-degrees of coverage, the Vantrue N2 ProDual Dash Cam is an awesome choice for anyone. Especially those who wish to get home safe or like to capture crazy people on the road.

This camera provides you with both road camera and interior camera viewership.

This ensures you capture as much as possible so you are always able to back up any claims. We have to agree with the late Billy Mays who once said, “wait, there’s more!”

These car dash cams are also equipped with a 24-hour parking mode. This will detect motion should someone or something get a little too close. Meanwhile, the G-Sensor and looping mechanism ensure that you can set it and never worry if it’s recording. It surely will be.

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6) Garmin Dash Cam 35

Garmin is back again, this time with the Dash Cam 35 model. This car dash cam provides accurate forward collision warnings and G-Sensor incident detection. This guarantees constant vigilance on the road and protects your footage as soon as something happens.

Along with this, you’ll also have a dash cam player. This allows for clear playback of anything that does happen, without having to upload it to another device.

There’s also a red light and speed camera warning system. However, you do need to pay extra for this privilege. It fits comfortably above the rearview mirror and the suction cup is very reliable, even on the most uneven roads or during heatwaves.

Be sure you’re aware that there are no audio recording capabilities. This is good and bad. While you won’t be recorded as you belt out your favorite tunes, it also won’t record audio in the case of an incident during a traffic stop.

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7) Transcend 32GB Drive Pro Car Video Recorder

With a 32GB internal memory, you can record hours of road trips. Even if it’s just to and from the office (although we recommend you get out more, dude). Overall, the Transcend Drive Pro allows you to do exactly that.

You can drive like a pro without being concerned it won’t work or back you up in the case of an accident.

This is due to the built-in G-Sensor that’ll protect any recordings upon a crash, as well as snapshot features to capture the clearest images possible. For your convenience, these car dash cams also have access to the exclusive DrivePro520 application.

This means you can download and stream all your adventures, then identify when that idiot pulled out in front of you without warning.

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8) Z-Edge Z4 2K Dash Cam

The perfect camera to give you the edge over other drivers on the road, this Z-Edge Z4 Dash Cam comes with 2K video capabilities. It truly is an awesome camera that will hang nice and discreetly from your windshield. It’s also packed full of useful features that make it more than a simple camera.

This includes collision detection, 150-degree wide angles, and parking monitor motion sensors. All of this combines to give you some of the best protection available from the sea of car dash cams. The Z-Edge also comes at an excellent price when compared with other cameras and ensures (essentially) endless hours of recording.

Just remember to overwrite existing footage. Otherwise, you may run out. That endless thing isn’t exactly infinite apparently.

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9) KDLinks DX2 Super Wide Angle Car Dash Cam

If you’re looking for the most complete coverage you can possibly find, the KDLinks super wide front and rear dash cam is the product for you. With 290-degrees of filming capability, it uses a 2-lens system that makes sure to capture every single detail.

Meanwhile, the superior F1.6 six-glass lenses provide night vision capability unseen anywhere else in the world.

Along with this, these car dash cams also come with emergency lock buttons to protect footage. This also comes with an auto-switch to turn the dash cam on as soon as you turn on the ignition. This ensures that you’ll always be protected even on those days where your brain hasn’t caught up to your body yet.

With so much high-quality coverage, the KDLinks DX2 is the answer to getting every angle you need. Plus, it could lower those insurance premiums a bit.

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10) THINKWARE F800 PRO 2 Channel HD Dash Camera

The THINKWARE F800 PRO may very well offer the car dash cams that are perfect for the thinking man. It contains both front and rear filming capabilities, but this is just the tip of the filming iceberg. It’s designed to offer you the utmost coverage and protection from both sides of the road.

It also provides incredibly crisp night time footage that will keep your car alert even when you’re not driving it.

The THINKWARE makes this possible with its reliable motion sensors that activate whenever someone walks too close. As for the performance on the road, there’s advanced driver assistance.

This will recognize when hazards are present and let you know before it’s too late.

Meanwhile, you can also keep an eye on everything from afar by using the mobile viewer. Sure it’s on the expensive side, but for those of you who are truly “in love” their cars, money isn’t an object.

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11) Transcend 16GB DrivePro 200 Car Video Recorder

The Transcend 16GB is a high-capacity piece of tech that’ll ensure you won’t have any mysteries during your drive-time. Coming with a 16GB microSD card, you’ll have more driving footage than Top Gear and maybe even more entertaining shots too.

The camera comes with a free app and WiFi connectivity. This makes it easier than ever to view, stream, and share your footage with the world.

Well, at least the relevant authorities.

With a 160-degree angle lens, you can ensure you’ll get greater coverage than you thought possible. Meanwhile, the G-Sensor is more sensitive than other cameras and will have your back in the event an accident with emergency recording.

Unfortunately, these car dash cams don’t come with parking mode or GPS. However, for a budget product, there’s still a lot to give you peace of mind while driving.

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12) TomTom Rider 550PAPAGO Car Dash Camera

The PAPAGO Car Dash Camera boasts incredible HD recording footage that ensures you’ll capture every little thing possible. Along with top quality images, there’s 64GB microSD support that’ll capture hours of video. Plus, all of this can be viewed with the complementary app.

Unfortunately, this app is only compatible with Android, for now at least. However, if you’ve embraced Android over Apple, then this is perfect. You also get two different mounts to suit you and your car, which is pretty cool. It also comes with a Driver Assist feature that goes that extra mile to keep you protected and keep that insurance low.

If you’re looking for good car dash cams that more than provides what you need at a reasonable price, the PAPAGO is a tremendous option.

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13) YI Compact Dash Cam

If compact is your style, then the YI Compact Dash Cam might feel like it’s been designed especially for you. One of the cheapest products on our list, it still boasts a range of great features that feel like it should cost much more.

These features include high-quality day footage and even good footage for night time recordings.

Despite its size, it’s also very sturdy and should withstand knocks or tumbles with ease. On the software side, the app is relatively straightforward to use. It also provides the opportunity to look back on exactly what happened in any situation you run into.

For those in warmer areas, the built-in cooling system will keep it protected against the sun. However, there have been some instances of melting, so be careful.

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14) APEMAN 1080p Dash Cam

Our final choice for the best car dash cams is the APEMAN Full HD Dash Cam. It lives up to its name with high-quality video footage that allows for seamless video recording. It even does this during the day and night, both with clear results.

While the camera doesn’t technically have night vision, it still offers F1.8 exposure that’s ideal for low-light situations.

These car dash cams also come with a built-in G-Sensor that recognizes exactly when a crash occurs and locks the footage for your protection. Meanwhile, the 170-degree wide angle lens captures the majority of the road, so even the most inconspicuous happenings are recorded.

Our only real issue is that you can only mount up to a 32GB microSD card. This is a good amount, but we’d like it if there was potential for just a little bit more storage. Otherwise, feel free to go ape-man, over the APEMAN

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On a Collision Course, Or Maybe Not…

With so many car dash cams on the market it can be a challenge to choose one that’s right for you. However, you know your driving, know your area, and know which is the best for your needs. When it comes to car dash cams, it doesn’t need to be the best, the brightest, the fanciest.

Instead, it needs to be something that you trust will keep you protected in the event of a collision.

The thing about car dash cams is that they’re not just there to place the correct blame. In fact, they’re also there to keep you honest too. It’d be great if everybody drove like they had a car dash cam, but we all know that’s not the case.

Instead, it’s up to people just like you to do your bit in keeping yourself and others in check.

We’re all prone to the odd bout of road rage every now and again. However, with proper car dash cams, perhaps things will be a little different. Why not shift into a different gear and take it a little bit easier?

It would make the road a much more peaceful place to be.

December 31, 2018 / Comments Off on Top 14 Car Dash Cams
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Holden Time Attack Concept Racer

Holden ventures forth into the future with its latest concept car, called the Time Attack. The ride boasts a powertrain consisting of four 250kW Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Electric Motor Drives. That gives it a simulated top speed of 480kmph and an acceleration of zero to 100 in just 1.25 seconds.

Holden envisions the Time Attack as a single-lap tearaway, pitted against the clock unlike its endurance cars. It was developed using a smattering of technologies, including simulation spearheaded by the clever people inside GM Holden’s Melbourne Design Studio. They were able to simulate not only how the car moves, but also how it looks.

“We have the ability to simulate a car’s appearance, technology and dynamics in convincing animations, which enables us to deliver better designs in a shorter time. This concept is a digital advertisement for the advanced skills, capability and technology of the GM Holden team,” says GM Holden Design Director Richard Ferlazzo.

Concept cars aren’t new to Holden. They’ve been doing this since the Hurricane concept of 1969. And each concept since then has been as impressive as the last, if not more. It used to be that traditional motor shows were the perfect place where these cars could make their debut. However, as things have changed, so has Holden’s approach to developing cars. With motor shows in Australia slowly coming to a halt, Holden had to turn to virtual technology to serve up its latest ideas.

As such, the final design you see above was developed using a digitally-printed 3D model. Holden might not have the luxury of showing off at Australian motor shows anymore. But at least it can still make these concepts using high-end tech.

GO TO HOLDEN

December 31, 2018 / Comments Off on Holden Time Attack Concept Racer
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GTspirit Car of the Year Awards 2019 – The Winner is…!

Traditionally we unveil our GTspirit Car of the Year during the last moments of the year. This year the battle was particularly fierce as we returned to a one-group-winner-takes-it-all award.

All luxury and performance models that saw their first customers deliveries in the last 12 months made it onto our initial list of nominees. Our editorial team than had a chance to vote for their top 5 favorites which generated a list of five overall finalists. A second round of voting determined the overall winner and the winner is…

GTspirit Car of the Year 2019 – Mercedes-AMG G63

The G-wagon is an iconic car and remains true to its 1979 original. This year it saw the first major relaunch since the 1980s and our team praised the successful evolution of the ‘G’. Everything has taken to a new level while staying true to the square and raw looks and emotion of the old G.

Runner-Up – Porsche 911 GT2 RS

When we talk about iconic cars there is only that rivals even the G-class and that is the 911. This year also saw the launch of the most powerful 911 variant to date; the 991 GT2 RS. It is a true autobahn and track warrior claiming both Nurburgring records as well as setting new acceleration and topspeed benchmarks for the 911.

Third Place – Ferrari 488 Pista

Launched at the Geneva Motor Show this year it stole the hearts and minds of Ferrari fans and car enthusiasts alike. It is one of the sexiests new cars of the year and one that now received the acknowledgement from our team.

Now it is time to wish all our readers, fans and partners around the world a great New Year’s Eve and all the best for 2019! We can’t wait to see and drive all the contenders for next year’s GTspirit Awards!

December 31, 2018 / Comments Off on GTspirit Car of the Year Awards 2019 – The Winner is…!
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Hennessey hires John Heinricy as chief engineer for Venom F5

Hennessey hasn’t yet shown the world a finished prototype of its Venom F5 hypercar. For a car like no other in its history, the Texas tuner is taking new steps, such as hiring ex-General Motors engineer John Heinricy as the full-time chief engineer for the Venom F5 program. Heinricy, who earned the nickname “Heinrocket” over a lengthy competitive career, has worked with Hennessey since 2010 as a consultant and test driver for both Venoms, the original GT and now the F5. The boutique maker credits Heinricy with helping the 1,244-horsepower Venom GT set a Guinness World Record for acceleration with a road-legal car, getting from standstill to 186 miles per hour in 13.63 seconds.

Heinricy’s “office” career includes 38 years at General Motors, starting as a college-graduate-in-training in 1970 to his retirement in 2008 as head of the GM High Performance Vehicles. In that latter role, he headed development of heavy metal like the C6 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and Cadillac CTS-V. In between, he worked with Mark Donohue and Roger Penske in Can-Am, set three land speed records in 1990 Corvette ZR-1, served as chief engineer for the Chevy Camaro and Pontiac Firebird, has done more than 1,000 laps at the Nürburgring, and took a second-gen CTS-V to the first sub-eight-minute lap around the ‘Ring in a production four-door sedan.

On the racing side, Heinricy didn’t hit the track competitively until he was 37, but won his first race in 1984 in a Chevy Citation X-11. Two months ago, as part of a race resume spanning more than 240 races, including thirty-five 24-hour events, he won his 14th and 15th SCCA National Championships at Sonoma. The man knows how to put a car together and make it go fast.

Beyond development, testing, and production issues, Heinricy’s new job will be to make the Venom F5 go faster than any road-legal car in history. The goal is 300 mph, and all the hardware’s been built for the job. The all-original Venom F5 uses a steel tube-frame chassis, carbon fiber body panels, custom 7.6-liter twin-turbo V8 with 1,600-plus horsepower and 1,300 pound-feet of torque. Along with the billet aluminum block, Hennessey says those gargantuan turbos cranking out 24 psi of boost use billet aluminum compressor wheels. The entire package is said to weigh just 2,950 pounds.

The only question seems to be the tires. Michelin, which shod the Bugatti Veyron during its top speed record runs as well as the quintuple-record-setting Koenigsegg Agera RS, said it’s “knocking on the door” of capable rubber. Even so, with buyers having already reserved 17 of the 24 Venom F5s, at $1.6 million each, breaking the record while knocking on the 300-mph door might be good enough. You can watch Heinricy talk to Hennessey about the past and the new job in the video above.

Related Video:

December 28, 2018 / Comments Off on Hennessey hires John Heinricy as chief engineer for Venom F5
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This Is the New 2020 Land Rover Defender, and It’s Coming to America

FYI:
Pricing: TBA
On Sale: 2020 (possibly late 2019)
Status: Extreme terrain/weather/altitude testing underway
Camo comes off: 2019, date TBA

After a few weeks of online buzz and sightings of the camouflaged prototype on U.S. shores, Land Rover formally announced today that it would bring its storied Defender back to the U.S. The company released images of the off-roader, still in camo, while teasing that the full reveal would come sometime in 2019.

Nevertheless, there’s still much that can be learned about the coming vehicle by peering at the spy shots and the released images. Of course, the Defender – sold here for just over a decade until 1997 – was valued for its iconic, straight-edge and boxy design, and its prioritization of utility over comfort. The new Defender clearly won’t have quite that same aura. Though definitely boxier than the already boxy Range Rover, it will be a bit thicker at every surface than previous Defenders thanks both to meeting U.S. regulations and to the market’s preferences for luxury and comfort.

So it feels at the outset like perhaps a slightly more rugged Range Rover, and it clearly carries the design cues from its stablemates. The language of the teaser release, extolling the versatility and rawer virtues of the previous generations, bears that out: “With an all-new exterior and interior design, as well as a suite of the latest driver assistance and connectivity features available, the next-generation Defender will be a revolutionary product for Land Rover with even broader public appeal. When it debuts in 2019, the new model will represent 70 years of innovation and improvement in just one model year, honoring the model’s history for rugged durability, while thoroughly remaining a Defender for the 21st century.”

Many will likely find that need to serve two roles – luxury and utility. Disappointing, especially because Mercedes proved you can still build a vehicle faithful to its own vibe and heritage when it released the second-generation G-Class last year. In the Mercedes lineup, that SUV is clearly the odd man out, which is precisely how its fans like it – though even that SUV had to still ride the luxury wave, and neither is necessarily the kind of machine that you’ll rip around your sheep farm in all day then hose it out in the evening. But the Defender looks, at first blush, like it will be visually very similar to the Discovery, Range Rover, Evoque, etc. On the other hand, it does appear to sit lower and wider than other current Land Rovers, and is a bit more vertical, as well. So perhaps the vehicle will have a rougher edge to it despite the need to still rank as a “luxury” ride. Once the camo comes off later in 2019, prior to going on sale in 2020, we’ll know for sure.

December 27, 2018 / Comments Off on This Is the New 2020 Land Rover Defender, and It’s Coming to America
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