Welcome to the Hooniverse News! As always, this is a weekly recap of some of the biggest stories in the automotive industry without the fluff or bull. There’s also just a little opinion of mine because I can. This week:
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BMW debuts fourth-generation X5
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Audi reveals long-rumored Q8
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Kia drops more details on Niro EV
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Porsche brings back two classic liveries for Le Mans
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FIA reportedly meeting with manufacturers for ‘hypercar’ GTP class in WEC
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What’s your automotive news?
Update: June, not January. Greg is fired until Monday. -KK
2019 BMW X5
The SUV Sports Activity Vehicle that started BMW’s obsession with the art of making pigs fly is getting a thorough makeover for its fourth generation on the market. The press release contains words like ‘sculpted’ and ‘dynamic’ multiple times, so yep it’s definitely a new BMW.
Its redesign follows the same formula as seen on the smaller X3 with a more upright face, bigger kidney grilles, new headlights (with available Laserlight technology… just maybe not in the US). Additional design features are added if you opt for the “rugged” xLine package (which adds underbody protection, matte aluminum roof rails and window surrounds, and some pearl-effect chrome accents because that screams ‘rugged’) or the sportier M Sport package (which brings the usual sportier accents and bigger wheels).
The already large X5 grows in every dimension; it has a 1.6″ longer wheelbase, 1.1″ increase in length, an additional 2.6″ of width, and is an inch taller.
The interior is also new and stuff. It was designed to feel more open and have a more exclusive ambiance to it. The gauge cluster is fully digital and sort of connects to the center screen in the instrument panel. An updated infotainment system, new ambient lighting, available Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System with 20 speakers and 1,500-watt output, and new rear-seat entertainment options (also known as a smart phone). Multi-function front seats with massaging, heating, and cooling are available. There’s new leather upholstery and colors to pick from too.
BMW brings back familiar but lightly updated engines for the X5, starting with the 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo straight six in the X5 xDrive40i. It now produces 335 horsepower and 330 lb.-ft. of torque. The X5 xDrive5oi comes with a range-topping (until the M model arrives) 4.4-liter TwinPower Turbo V8 with 456 horsepower and 479 lb.-ft. of torque. That one can do 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds.
All models come equipped with an eight-speed automatic and a new xDrive all-wheel-drive system which can basically go full RWD when needed as with the new M5. Opt for the Adaptive M Suspension and it’ll get new active roll stabilization for added #dynamism. Another big update is rear-axle steering for extra agility and low-speed mobility. There’s also a new air suspension system at both axles for greater ride comfort.
There’s a bunch of other updates too but most of you – like me – probably don’t care enough to read more. Pricing will be announced closer to its on sale date which is whenever they start appearing outside of your local Macy’s.
[Source: BMW]
Audi Q8
The long-rumored Audi Q8 was revealed this week with plenty of pictures but few details. All you need to know is it’s another “coupe-like” SUV aimed at the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE and it arrives later this year. You’ve been warned.
[Source: Audi via Autoweek]
Kia Niro EV
When Kia debuted the Niro a few years ago, it was a compact crossover-lookin thing that was touted as being designed as a hybrid from the ground up. From the moment they started engineering it, they knew they’d be coming out with different variants with greater efficiency and work their way up to a full battery-electric vehicle. In Busan, that goal was realized when they rolled it back out with some specs to finally talk about.
It’s source of power is either a 64kWh battery pack that can provide up to 236 miles of driving range per charge or a 39.2kWh pack good for 149 miles. Fast charging is available when needed. On the big pack at least, an 80% charge takes just under an hour with a 100kW charger.
The interior is mostly the same but gets a few updates to fit the needs of the all-electric version. The center console is reworked a bit and the screens get their own special EV settings such as a charging station locator. The exterior looks about the same minus the new filled-in grille cause look I’m an EV and some additional blue accents.
South Korea will be the first to get the Niro EV later this year but global sales will follow later in 2019.
[Source: Kia via Autoblog]
Porsche Wins Le Mans With Retro RSR Liveries
Porsche will have two factory-backed 911 RSRs decked out with retro liveries at next weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. The famous Pink Pig and the old school Rothmans colors are coming back home.
The #91 Porsche has probably the prettiest livery in the GTE Pro field with the iconic blue and white two-tone design with red and gold striping. Those colors were perhaps best known on the 959 that won the Paris-Dakar rally in 1986 and on the 956 C and 962 C prototypes that dominated their eras. And if you race in Assetto Corsa or Project Cars 2 on PC, the modding community already has you covered – Henky SA has a skin for AC and my buddy Abe has one for PC2.
The #92 Porsche brings back another fan favorite – the Pink Pig. This design harks back to the 917/20 that ran Le Mans in 1971. It even includes the labeled butcher-style cuts.
This was Porsche’s crop – honest
The other two factory-backed 911 RSRs in GTE Pro will run the factory black and red over white liveries as usual. In total, ten 911 RSRs will compete in this race. It’s going to be a loud one.
[Source: Porsche]
FIA Reportedly Confirms New ‘Hypercar’ Class for WEC
The future of the current LMP1 regulations in the FIA World Endurance Challenge has been up in the air since its biggest manufacturers pulled out over inflating costs, but a report published by motorsport.com seems to confirm our suspicions and one of my predictions earlier this year. A GT1-like class is coming back and Toyota, McLaren, Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Ford are the ones at the table while the decision making takes place.
The working title of the class is GTP which would indicate a GT-based Prototype that we can assume is based off the current batch of hypercars making the rounds at auto shows. Think Aston Martin Valkyrie, McLaren Senna, Toyota GR Super Sport Concept, and whatever hypercar Ferrari has by then. Ford being at the table is interesting as well because the GT road car is only in production for a few more years – what’s going to follow?
Though not official, the cars will likely still use hybrid power as the current LMP1-Hs do but manufacturers will be able to pick a spec setup rather than develop their own. Other cost-saving measures will be enforced but a general freedom of design based on their road-going hypercars will still be promoted. Ideally, the FIA wants to retain LMP1 levels of performance but at a quarter of the cost.
Whether or not it works, my body is ready.
[Source: Motorsport.com via Autoweek]
What’s your automotive news?
That’s all I’ve got for you this week, so now it’s your turn. If you saw anything, fixed something, broke everything, or otherwise did anything even remotely car related that you want to share with your fellow hoon, sound off in the comments.
Have a good weekend.
[Image © 2018 Hooniverse/Greg Kachadurian]
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