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Euro Hatchling Gets Worked Over But Still Won’t Come Over

It has been brought to our attention that there are many Americans besides just us who wish they could more easily get their hands on the sort of two- and four-door hatchbacks that Europeans buy by the truckload. Not only that, but we also dream of having access to the full range of clever four-cylinder gas and diesel engines our Old Country brethren take for granted.

In yet another example of such forbidden fruit, we traveled to Berlin, Germany this month to drive the latest “F20″ four-door version of the car considered by many to be the first hatchback to take the premium European compact genre big-time. Admittedly, that judgment call is a bit of a toss-up between the 1 Series and the Mini Cooper and Audi A3, but the 1 Series has done BMW proud selling nearly 1.3 million units worldwide in a single generation since late 2004. This success story is not unlike that of the X3 compact crossover that is just now entering its more sophisticated second generation.

For this drive, we had a matte corral red 118i with 1.6-liter TwinPower Turbo inline four-cylinder at our disposal. The N13 engine’s 168 horsepower were ably complemented by 184 pound-feet of torque available between 1,500 and 4,500 rpm. This powerplant is actually a heavily adapted and retuned longitudinal version of the transverse N18 1.6-liter found in the Mini Cooper S. To go with this single twin-scroll turbocharged unit, buyers will need to choose between an optional eight-speed Steptronic automatic or the happy little car seen here with the same six-speed ZF manual found in the fantabulous 1 M Coupe.

Continue reading 2012 BMW 1 Series Five-Door

2012 BMW 1 Series Five-Door originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In response to automakers – in particular, the Detroit Three – crying foul over the Obama Administration’s proposed CAFE target of 56.2 miles per gallon by 2025, the powers that be will reportedly ease standards for the fuel economy of future trucks and SUVs, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The WSJ reports that as part of an effort to break the stalemate between government regulators and automakers, the White House is considering a proposal that allows for the fuel economy ratings of full-size trucks and SUVs to improve at a lesser pace than required for passenger cars. Word is that small trucks, compact SUVs and crossover vehicles will still be required to meet the 56.2-mpg target, but even that seems open for debate. The report further claims that several proposals are in the works, with one calling for the fuel economy of small trucks and SUVs to advance at a rate of 3.5 percent per year, well below the five percent requirement for cars.

Government regulators hope to finalize a proposal by early next week and issue formalized rules by September.

Obama Administration to ease CAFE standards on full-size trucks, SUVs originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

When does a mid-size sedan become a top-notch competitor to the Toyota Camry? The answer is apparently whenever said competitor begins stealing market share from America’s top-selling sedan.

Bloomberg reports that Toyota North America Chairman Yoshimi Inaba called the Hyundai Sonata “a very honorable contender in the market” during an interview earlier this week. Inaba adds that Toyota has great respect for the strong-selling Hyundai, and we’re guessing they’re not the only automaker keeping an ever closer eye on Camp Hyundai. Sales of the Sonata soared by 35 percent in 2010 to 196,623 units. Meanwhile, 2010 Camry sales dropped by 31 percent to 327,804 units. To make matters worse for Toyota and the Camry, supply disruptions stemming from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami have further hurt Camry sales while the Sonata continues to attract new buyers. In fact, the Sonata outsold the Camry in May, in part because of Toyota’s production issues.

But while the Sonata has been gaining on the Camry, that trend could reverse itself with an all-new Camry set to arrive later this year. Toyota President Akio Toyoda already told U.S. dealers in June that the new model will feature a more contemporary design, and we’re hearing rumblings of a hugely improved interior, as well.

Toyota NA chairman Inaba calls Hyundai Sonata “honorable contender” originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Infiniti is getting ready to unveil its latest crossover at Pebble Beach in August, and has just released a second teaser shot to give us a glimpse of what to expect.

The JX will join the svelte EX and FX models in Infiniti’s crossover range, but offer seven seats in a larger package. This second teaser of the taillight and part of the left flank follows the previous front-end crop and the profile rendering that preceded it, showing us that little bit more as Nissan’s luxury division prepares to take a bigger chunk out of Lexus in the premium family hauler game.

Infiniti releases second JX teaser originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Back in the early ’90s, Renault and Williams were dominating Formula One, and their success spilled over into one of the most celebrated hot hatches of all time. And now that the two are getting back together for the 2012 season, rumors are afoot that they’ll collaborate on a revival that could prove one very tasty beast indeed.

Keen to avoid simply cashing in on – or cheapening – the name, Renault isn’t likely to slap on a new coat of paint and some special badges (much as it did with the Gordini brand) and call it a day. Instead, word on the street is that the new Clio Williams could pack as much as 240 horsepower.

That’s significantly more than the current Renaulsport Clio’s 197 horses, and comes within striking distance of its big brother, the 247-hp Renaultsport Megane. The package could also include a chassis setup based on the RS Clio Cup, but with the Sachs dampers from the more hardcore 2005 Clio Trophy and the brakes and rolling stock from the Nürburgring-conquering Megane Trophy.

With an all-new Clio coming around the bend next year, the Williams edition could prove the ultimate send-off for one of Europe’s favorite hot hatches.

Renault and Williams to team up again for new 240hp Clio hot hatch? originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Unless you’ve been living in tech-exile for the last 24 hours, you’re undoubtedly aware of Spotify’s launch in the U.S. The music streaming service has been going strong in Europe for the last two years and after a series of protracted negotiations with the music industry, Stateside audiophiles can finally get their all-you-can-eat fix by joining the service with free, $5 or $10 monthly plans.

Part of Spotify’s revenue model is advertising, and Chevrolet has hopped in to be one of the services first supporters – and the only automaker to partner with the company at launch.

While that doesn’t mean much from a music-consumption point-of-view, General Motors’ place on the Spotify bandwagon is a clear indication that the automaker is actively interested in bringing new music streaming services to its vehicles. Spotify integration would be a huge leap forward and we wouldn’t be surprised to learn that the forthcoming Sonic will be the first product from the General to incorporate the service. Full details about Chevy’s partnership with Spotify in the press release below the fold, and hit up the Sonic’s Facebook page for a free invite to the service.

Continue reading Chevrolet backs Spotify’s U.S. launch, integration imminent

Chevrolet backs Spotify’s U.S. launch, integration imminent originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

No matter what part of the world you hail from, there’s really nothing quite like the Targa Newfoundland. Held on a beautiful island off the Eastern coast of Canada, the course is over 1,350 miles long and winds through small towns, open spaces and deep forests for some of the most challenging and varied stages of any competition on the continent. As a result, competitors come wielding sheetmetal from every conceivable corner of the globe and era of automotive history. It’s a buffet of horsepower at wide-open throttle, and this year, we’ll be in the hunt ourselves.

The good people at Flyin’ Miata have been so kind as to offer us a much-coveted co-driver seat in their supercharged 2006 MX-5. Nancy, as our valiant stallion is affectionately known due to her NC chassis, started life as an abused orphan of the Mazda press car fleet. After a little massaging by the Flyin’ Miata crew, the car now rocks a 2009 front fascia, the company’s proprietary supercharger kit, springs and sway bars as well as a set of Tokico Shocks. All told, the car produces somewhere around 240 horsepower, which should be enough to help us keep up with the rest of the Grand Touring Class.

Yours Truly will doing his level best to keep from confounding Bill Cardell as he whips Nancy across the Canadian landscape. Those familiar with the Miata scene know Cardell as the founder and owner of Flyin’ Miata, so if anyone knows how to properly cane an MX-5, it’s this guy. I’m honored to have the chance to share the cockpit with him.

This year, Flyin’ Miata is actually campaigning two vehicles. While Cardell, myself and Nancy are set to go the distance in the Grand Touring category, Keith and Janel Tanner are also taking to the Targa. The husband-and-wife team will once again helm the same 1994 MX-5 Miata that they drove in the 2008 Targa Newfoundland, with one big change. This year, the car rocks a General Motors L33 V8 conversion that cranks out 400 horsepower to the rear wheels thanks to a set of LS6 heads and a trick cam. All of that power is funneled through a T56 six-speed transmission and a Getrag differential with a clutch-pack limited slip. Needless to say, the Tanners will be taking on the Open Class to do battle with the quickest metal of the event.

Interestingly enough, Flyin’ Miata wouldn’t have been able to head to the 2011 Targa Newfoundland at all without the help of the company’s fans and supporters. The team tried to seduce large sponsors to help fund the trip to Canada before turning to the Miata nation for help. To date, they’ve raised over $14,500 to help put the cars on the first stage. It’s a testament to just how faithful Miata owners can be.

Given that my navigation experience is limited plotting the quickest path to the Dippin Dots stand at the local amusement park, I’ve got some serious work to do before the race gets started on September 10. Stay tuned for updates on my Targa education.

Autoblog to compete in Targa Newfoundland with Flyin’ Miata originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

We all have trouble getting out of bed in the morning once in a while. Some more often than others. But when you’ve got a lot full of Mercedes-Benz AMG muscle sedans to play with, you jump up with a little more spring in your step.

That is, assuming you actually need sleep at all, because some say these drivers from Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands in Surrey, England, aren’t quite human. At least, not if they are who they look like. Mercedes calls them their Silver Arrows, and if you thought one Stig was good, just follow the jump to check out what kind of antics a whole team can get themselves into. Let’s just say it involves plenty of tire spinning and opposite lock.

Continue reading The Silver Arrows are Mercedes-Benz World’s private army of Stigs

The Silver Arrows are Mercedes-Benz World’s private army of Stigs originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Monterey car week is just a month away, and we’re starting to get a good idea of what’s in store for us come August. One of the highlights of the week are the auctions, particularly the one put on by RM Auctions, and the lineup of cars going across the block is looking very impressive. We’ve already told you about a beautiful 1935 Bugatti Type 57 Grand Raid Roadster and a 1955 Ferrari 750 Monza, and now a pair of ex-Steve McQueen cars have been added to the list.

First up is a 1970 Porsche 911S that was delivered to McQueen while he was on the set of the movie Le Mans. The car actually made an appearance in several of the movie’s opening scenes and is in mostly original condition with just 12,400 miles. In addition to belonging to McQueen, this particular Porsche has also passed through the collections of Otis Chandler and Jerry Seinfeld, who is the current seller of the car.

Next up is a 1953 Siata 208/S Spider that was purchased by McQueen in 1956. Since then, the car has passed through several owners and has most recently taken to the show circuit with appearances at the Pebble Beach Concours, Quail Motorsports Gathering and Concorso Italiano. The Siata has recently been refurbished with period-correct components, including the 2.0-liter V8 producing 115 horsepower.

We’ll have live photos of each of the cars come August, but until then, check out the pair of galleries below or read more about the cars after the jump.

Continue reading Ex-Steve McQueen cars to be auctioned off in Monterey

Ex-Steve McQueen cars to be auctioned off in Monterey originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The much-anticipated 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 debuted at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this year, putting Ford’s Shelby GT500 squarely in its sites. While official horsepower numbers weren’t released at the time, Chevrolet did state that the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 would “produce an estimated 550 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque,” putting it on par with the Shelby.

Now, a new report states that the official horsepower rating of the ZL1 could be “north of 570 horsepower,” placing it in between the Cadillac CTS-V (556 hp) and the Corvette ZR1 (638 hp). While this will surely give the flagship Camaro a slight edge compared with the current GT500, Ford isn’t quite ready to hand over the muscle car crown quite yet, though. A 620-hp version of the GT500 is rumored to be in the works for 2013 or 2014 with suspension tuning done on the Nürburgring. It appears that the muscle car wars are far from over.

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 to debut with 570+ horsepower originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Aston Martin DBS has only been on the market now for five years, but the DB9 on which it’s based has been around for eight. That’s a fairly long life-cycle for any car, but it seems the DB9/DBS will have to soldier on a bit longer. Its replacement – based on new architecture – isn’t due to arrive until 2015 at the earliest. In the meantime, Aston is planning a fairly comprehensive facelift for the DB9 family.

The changes are tipped to arrive first on the higher-end DBS before trickling down to the rest of the family. Design touches are expected to be borrowed from the One-77 supercar, bringing the influence of the company’s design boss Marek Reichman to overshadow that of his predecessor, Ian Callum, now at Jaguar.

Among those touches are expected to be a new fascia that, surprisingly, ditches the company’s trademark shape in favor of a new single grille opening, coupled with hood vents and sharper lines all around.

A refreshed interior is also expected, as is an upgraded engine with about 20 more horsepower to draw on from the 5.9-liter V12, up to 530 hp in DBS trim. Expect the revised DBS to arrive sometime late next year, with the new DB9 to follow shortly thereafter.

Aston Martin to launch updated DBS late next year originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Well, at least the JetBlue was offering $4 flights across Los Angeles. Not surprisingly, all of the seats on the special deep-discount flights are now officially booked and completely sold out in just two hours.

In an effort to give the city’s motorists another option to avoid the much-dreaded interstate 405 closure, the airline came up with a simple plan: offer $4 flights from Burbank to Long Beach. Fliers could also choose to come back the same way for an additional four bucks. Total flying time is around 45 minutes, excluding nightmares like security, delays and the infamous “last mile” dilemma, and for an extra dollar, participants could enjoy treats like boarding early and enjoying more overhead storage room for their carry-on luggage.

Flights from Burbank to Long Beach will leave at 12:20 p.m. and 6:35 p.m., while those traveling in the opposite direction have the option of taking off at 1:50 p.m. or 7:55 p.m. on Saturday, June 16. The airline is only planning to run the flights for one day, so file this one under “Clever Marketing Stunt.”

JetBlue’s $4 flights over LA’s Carmaggedon completely sold out originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

When Volkswagen launched its 2012 Passat, we were a little disappointed to hear that American buyers probably won’t be able to dive into a wagon version and that the company’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system wasn’t slated for the option sheet either. Volkswagen’s engineers said that the platform simply wasn’t suited to putting power to all four wheels, despite the fact that the body tray clearly has a center tunnel to accommodate a driveshaft. Now Autobild is reporting that the German manufacturer may be considering the creation of a Passat-based crossover that would offer all of the storage and go-anywhere goodness of a Passat Wagon 4Motion.

According to a poorly translated report, the vehicle will boast a taller ride height and plenty of plastic body cladding to protect it from the slings and arrows of errant rocks and sticks. All-wheel drive will be an option as well, though there are no solid details on what to expect from the engine or transmission departments.

Do we like the idea of jacking up the Passat to make it fit into the crossover crowd? Some of us do, some of us don’t. Either way, we’re guessing that the vehicle would be little more than a spring-and-damper swap away from riding as low as its four-door counterpart. Still, all of that plastic body cladding doesn’t seem to fit with the typically clean design language, but we’ll take a Passat wagon of any sort, even if it’s been given the Allroad treatment. It’ll take some time to find out whether there’s any meat to these rumors, of course, and it’ll likely take more time still to figure out if the rumored model might see North American dealers. In the meantime, head over to Autobild to see a full rendering of the vehicle.

Volkswagen CrossPassat in the wings? originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

While crossovers dominate the American highway, that role is taken up overseas by estate wagons. And few are as enticing as the Audi S6 Avant.

Offering all the creature comforts of the Audi A6, the S6 Avant ups the ante with all the cargo space you’d expect in a crossover with a rip-roarin’ engine under the hood. In the case of the new model, we’re expecting an all-new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 driving some 450 horsepower to all four corners through an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive.

In other words, that Porsche driver will never know what hit him, but with this latest batch of spy shots, we now do. It’s the clearest look we’ve had at the upcoming new model yet, revealing the quad exhaust tips, full aero body kit, big-boy wheels and no cladding. All it needs are a set of S6 badges and it’s off for a record-setting school run. Check it out in our high-res gallery for a closer look.

Audi S6 Avant looks ready to smoke your crossover originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Losing your two front teeth… it’s a basic right of passage for anyone in the single-digit age group. And in today’s world, there are much better ways to remove a tooth than the tried-and-true tie-it-to-a-door-handle method of yesteryear. Why be so crude when there are so many unique and interesting options at one’s disposal?

Our current favorite? The motorcycle-tooth-removal method.

As you’ll see in the example after the break, it requires one big sister (with bad breath, if possible), roughly 20 feet of string and a small dirt bike (gas or electric is fine). For best results, capture the action from multiple angles, using at least one camera that can record footage in slow motion and one mounted on the back of the dirt bike.

Wrap the entire event up with an appropriate letter to the tooth fairy, and await payment. See the process demonstrated perfectly in the video after the break.

Continue reading Perfecting the motorcycle-tooth-removal method

Perfecting the motorcycle-tooth-removal method originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Getting Back To Being A Credible Car For The Times

Volkswagen’s choice of Berlin for the launch of its 2012 Beetle inevitably struck us Yanks as curious – and not just because of the horrible abundance of construction projects in the city that makes driving a relative concept at best. The last time a Beetle was unveiled to massive acclaim in Berlin was 1938 and, well, you can finish that story for us. What is most pertinent in that remark, however, is how the original Beetle transcended politics and worldwide upheaval to thrive on its own merits.

The original Volkswagen Beetle sold over 21.5 million cars worldwide, with almost a quarter of those sales coming from the United States. More recently, our roads have been clogged with the 1998-2011 “Type 1C” New Beetle. We have our lingering opinions on the merits of that outgoing car, but regardless, it sold 1.2 million units globally – a figure not to be sniffed at. That said, if we’re being honest, it was never a particularly serious and significant car for its times, despite all of the initial hubbub. We always wanted much, much more from a model whose original had succeeded in marking an entire era of rebellion and liberation. To be honest, though, we in the U.S. have been hoping for much, much more from Volkswagen as a company since long before the New Beetle.

Well, we’re finally getting some of what we’ve been asking for. Volkswagen North America has Wolfsburg’s undivided attention at last, and this “A5″ Beetle is targeted squarely at the U.S. market. How will it resonate with 21st-century American buyers? Can it rival the Mini Cooper? Supplant the love we’re cultivating for the Fiat 500? Steal sales from larger volume and less image-heavy cars like the Ford Focus and Mazda3? So much is yet to be discovered.

Continue reading 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo

2012 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo

Chrysler has finally released a few more details on its Mopar Jeep JK-8 pickup conversion. Wrangler Unlimited owners can purchase the kit for a $5,499, though installation by the dealer will set you back additional coin. Fortunately, the automaker says that any skilled do-it-yourselfer can stitch the pieces onto their vehicle with a little patience.

The conversion includes a steel bed, inner and outer bed sides, sport bar extensions and a fiberglass half-top and bulkhead among other necessary pieces. Jeep says that the kit should help satiate brand loyalists who also want a pickup truck.

Considering that a base Wrangler Unlimited will set you back $25,545, those customers will likely also find themselves wanting a winning lottery ticket. All told, buyers are staring down the barrel of a $31,044 entry price – if they do the work themselves.

It’s fairly clear that the JK-8 is meant to share more blood with the CJ-8 Scrambler than a legitimate mid-size pickup, but that doesn’t stop it from being pretty cool in our book. Maybe Chrysler will let us help put one together sometime. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Jeep announces new Wrangler Unlimited Pickup… in kit form

Jeep announces new Wrangler Unlimited Pickup… in kit form

If this story sounds familiar to you, it’s because something very similar happened just ten months ago. Chrysler employees at the Jefferson North Plant in Detroit were busted for drinking beer during their lunch breaks, and the automaker subsequently fired 13 of the workers involved.

Now, the same behavior has been observed at Chrysler’s Trenton Engine Plant. The news crew at FOX 2 Detroit investigated many tips sent in from workers at the Trenton, MI plant, citing that employees were spending their lunch breaks drinking and smoking (and we aren’t talking about cigarettes) at a nearby park.

When FOX 2 showed the investigation to Chrysler, Scott Garberding, the automaker’s Senior Vice President of Manufacturing, said that he was “both hurt and angered” over what the cameras captured, adding:

“The employees that we identify, as soon as we understand who they are, will be suspended indefinitely without pay and anybody else involved will be dealt with swiftly. It’s very frustrating to us, we take it very seriously.”

Follow the jump to watch FOX 2 Detroit’s official investigation.

Continue reading Chrysler employees caught drinking, smoking during lunch break… again

Chrysler employees caught drinking, smoking during lunch break… again

If you were watching the British Grand Prix this past weekend, you may have noticed a little friction in the Red Bull Racing team. And we’re not talking about Sebastian Vettel and his team’s jammed wheel gun that cost him the race.

In the closing laps of the race, Mark Webber had closed in right on Vettel’s tail in a close fight for second place. But then the team radioed Webber and instructed him to back off. Webber ignored the team orders and kept pressing, and while he didn’t manage to get by and didn’t cause either to crash, it undoubtedly caused some consternation on Red Bull’s pit wall.

Now rumor has it that the team is so angry with their No. 2 driver that they’re preparing to give him the boot. In his place, according to reports, the reigning champions are planning on bringing in Kimi Raikkonen.

Of course this isn’t the first time Raikkonen has been linked to an F1 return with Red Bull Racing. The 2007 champion left F1 a couple of years ago after Ferrari shoved him out the nest (with a big golden parachute, mind you), competing since in the World Rally Championship and in NASCAR, but has never ruled out a grand prix comeback.

Kimi’s long been sponsored by Red Bull (the energy drink company that owns the F1 team in question), and apparently has close personal ties to Vettel. But few people know for sure whether the team orders incident at Silverstone was enough to break the proverbial camel’s back in the often strained relations between Webber and RBR’s management.

Raikkonen to replace Webber at Red Bull?

Our friendly allies from Britain are known to have designed some truly beautiful automobiles over the years. Sadly, for all their inventive engineering and design talents, one thing that British cars have never been known for is reliability. Or rather, perhaps we should say that British car were never known for their reliability – the once mighty auto industry of the UK is something of a lion in winter these days.

Of course, that doesn’t mean cars aren’t still bought and sold in the UK – heck, a bunch are even still built there, but they aren’t generally assembled by companies with English ownership. Of course, reliability can be a rather hit-or-miss issue no matter where a car is built. To highlight this fact, the blokes from Warranty Direct have put together a so-called Monster MK1, an imaginary car made up of the worst parts of what their data says are the least reliable cars on British roads.

Starting with the drivetrain, the Nightmare Car boasts the engine from an MG TF mated up to the transmission from a Land Rover Freelander. Suspension bits come from the BMW M3, which means it ought to handle pretty well… until it doesn’t any more – apparently, nearly 40 percent of M3s in Britain need suspension repairs each year.

Moving on, the Volvo C70 donates its steering gear and the Mercedes-Benz V-Class van gives up its shoddy ignition. Wiring and electronics come from the Renault Megane, 40 percent of which will five up the ghost, while the air conditioning and various heating and cooling bits come from a pair of SEAT models. Bringing it all to a halt, assuming it actually got moving in the first place, are the brakes from an Audi R8.

See the horrid conglomeration of haphazard workmanship in its full high-res glory by clicking on the image above. Alternatively, you can read all about this absurd piece of garbage in the press release after the break.

Continue reading PSA: This is what Britain’s least reliable car would look like

PSA: This is what Britain’s least reliable car would look like