Tag Archives: Scoops

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Rumored Porsche 911 Sport Classic Prototype Coming With Retro Styling Cues

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For the 997 generation, Porsche introduced a retro-styled version of the 911 called the Sport Classic. Produced in very limited numbers, the car was said to be inspired by the 1973 Carrera RS 2.7 of Porsche fame. Now, after skipping the 991 generation, it appears as if the Sport Classic nameplate will make a return for the current 992 911.

We’ve seen prototypes of this car floating around before, but our spy photographers were able to capture it again testing out on public roads in Germany.

See Also: Mysterious 992 Porsche Prototype Could Be New 911 Sport Classic

Styling-wise, the car appears to share its front and rear bumpers with the 911 Turbo S, though its widened fenders are absent of any cooling vents. It also seems to borrow blacked-out versions of its center-lock wheels, although they’re expected to be replaced by a Fuchs-style set upon this car’s eventual debut.

That being said, the prototype isn’t just a parts-bin special, as it has a few unique styling elements in the form of a channeled hood, double-bubble roof, and a sleek ducktail spoiler finishing off the silhouette at the rear. And for what it’s worth, both that double-bubble roof and ducktail spoiler were present on the previous Sport Classic, which only solidifies even further that it is in fact what this car is.

Related: Porsche 911 Safari Spied Again Showing Its Adventurous Rally-Bred Spirit

As for the powertrain, power is speculated to come from the Carrera GTS‘s 3.0L twin-turbocharged flat-six, which makes 473 hp (480 PS / 352 kW) and 420 lb-ft (569 Nm) of torque. The car would also likely adopt a similar philosophy to the 991 R and previous 997 Sport Classic, placing a heavy focus on driver engagement with a lower curb weight, rear-wheel drive, and a manual transmission.

Only 250 units of the previous Sport Classic were ever produced, and while this new one isn’t expected to be as scarce, production is rumored to be capped at a relatively low 2,000 cars. A reveal is expected in February 2022 as a 2023 model year vehicle. And if everything surrounding this car is to be believed, and a new Sport Classic is truly on the way, then it would make perfect sense to have a debut scheduled for the 2023 model year, which would also be the Carrera RS 2.7‘s 50-year anniversary.

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Image Credits: CarPix for CarScoops

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2021 VW Polo Facelift Caught With Minimal Camo Ahead Of April 22 Debut

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VW may have dropped the first teaser for the facelifted Polo today but our spies also spotted a minimally disguised test car to give you a better idea of what to expect.

The silver test car featured some cleverly positioned tape to mask the new design features around the bumpers, leaving exposed the revised headlights and the full-width LED lightbar, which we got to see in the official teaser image.

Read Also: 2021 Seat Ibiza Facelift Revealed With A New Interior And A Sharper Infotainment System

The rear end is also expected to get new LED taillights that mimic the design of those found in the bigger Golf, ditching the almost square shape for L-shaped units. Adopting a full-width front LED lightbar falls in line with the VW Polo’s mission to offer a Golf-like experience in its segment, at least on the visual front. The big news however is expected inside.

Just like its Spanish cousin, the recently revealed SEAT Ibiza, the facelifted VW Polo is expected to adopt a new dashboard design that will match the latest infotainment system and its larger touchscreen display. In the Ibiza, the new system uses a larger 9.2-inch display that’s no longer integrated into the dash, with the central air vents migrating just below it.

The new infotainment system in the facelifted VW Polo will also feature an extended range of connected services while the instrument cluster will be entirely digital, at least on the more expensive trim levels. Expect to find more driver-assistance systems too, with a Level 2 semi-autonomous system also making its appearance.

The engine range will most likely remain unchanged, at least in the European market. The range-topping GTI model will continue using a 2.0-liter turbo-four petrol with around 200 HP and hopefully will offer the option between a manual and a DSG transmission option, while lesser models will offer the choice between petrol, CNG, and diesel to cover every need.

Stay tuned for the reveal of the updated VW Polo on April 22.

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Image Credits: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien for CarScoops

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BMW Still Believes In Minivans, Readies All-New Second Gen 2-Series Active Tourer For 2021

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While minivans continue losing ground to crossovers and SUVs, BMW is one of the automakers that still keep them in their lineup.

One such model is the new 2-Series Active Tourer compact minivan, which has been in development for some time now.

The model was spied recently with less camo at the back, showing what seem to be the production taillights, which will bring it in line with the brand’s latest vehicles. We can also see a discreet rear diffuser and new LED headlights with incorporated DRLs at the front. The grille appears to have slightly grown in size over the current generation, but it looks that it won’t follow BMW’s latest trend of huge kidney grilles but be more modestly sized.

See Also: 2021 BMW 2-Series Active Tourer Should Look A Little Something Like This

Even though the new spy shots don’t show it, we’ve already caught a glimpse of the interior, which sports a big curved display that combines the digital instrument cluster and the infotainment system. The HVAC controls will be accessed via the middle screen, and there will also be new buttons for the drive mode selector, auto-hold and parking sensors in front of the center armrest, as well as a thicker steering wheel.

The all-new 2-Series Active Tourer will sit on the UKL2 platform that also underpins the X1, X2 and 1-Series. It should grow slightly in size, considering that the 2-Series Gran Tourer will reportedly bite the dust, and should launch with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains. It will also be available with a six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic transmission, as well as the xDrive all-wheel drive system in upper grades, while lesser variants will be front-wheel drive.

A 2020 debut for the BMW minivan seems unlikely at this point, so we expect it to launch next year.

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Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops

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Hyundai’s i20-Based Crossover For Europe Spotted For The First Time

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Hyundai was caught testing what looks like their upcoming i20-based small crossover model for the first time.

The new model will become Hyundai’s smallest crossover in the range, at least in Europe, based on the new i20 sub-compact hatchback. Unlike the previous-gen i20 Active, which was just a lifted version of the regular hatch with added plastic fenders, Hyundai’s new crossover model is expected to feature its own unique bodywork.

Read Also: 2021 Hyundai i20 N Shows More Of Its Muscles During Nürburgring Training Session

From the spy shots, we can notice some resemblance with the regular i20, particularly at the front, but the rear looks completely different, featuring a longer roof and a more wagon-esque aesthetic. The taillights are also new units that reach over to the D-pillar instead of the hatchback’s horizontal ones, with a separate set of lights left visible lower on the bumper.

The interior was also covered by a semi-transparent cover but since we have already seen the cabin of the new i20, it’s pretty easy to see that Hyundai uses the same dashboard design here as well. The 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster is paired with an equally sized touchscreen display for the infotainment system, which will feature both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The new i20-based crossover will slot under the Kona in Hyundai’s European model range, offered there instead of the Venue that’s on sale in North America and other regions.

It will be available only with front-wheel-drive and will share most -if not all- the powertrains that are available with the i20. That includes the 1.0-liter T-GDI petrol engine, which is offered with two power outputs -100 PS and 120 PS- and paired with a mild-hybrid 48-volt system. Transmission options will include both a six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Given that most of the bodywork under the heavy camouflage looks production-ready, we expect Hyundai to reveal its newest crossover model sometime towards the end of the year.

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Image Credits: CarPix for CarScoops

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Is This The Upcoming Facelifted Portofino Or Is Ferrari Readying An Even More Powerful Version?

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Three years ago, Ferrari replaced the California T with the Portofino, a 2+2 open-top GT with a front mid-engine and rear-wheel drive layout, and now it seems natural that this model will receive a mid-life cycle refresh.

The facelifted iteration should bring the usual revised front and rear ends, but the prototype spotted testing recently had neither, save for what seems to be a new diffuser, despite the vinyl stickers covering the whole exterior. So, what are we looking at?

Watch Also: Ferrari Portofino Is A Dream Ride You Can Enjoy Each And Every Day

One possibility could be the rumored more powerful version of the Portofino, understood to add 20 HP to the 592 HP 3.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8, which would make it as powerful as the Roma. An eight-speed dual-clutch transmission also appears to be on the cards, with an extra gear over the current Portofino, and besides being a tad faster, it will allegedly be more efficient too, returning 16/23/19 mpg (14.7/10.2/12.4 l/100 km) in city/highway/combined.

The second, and most likely, possibility is that this an early test mule for the updated Portofino that has yet to receive the new bumpers and lighting units, alongside other possible upgrades.

In any case, we should find out in a few months what the Prancing Horse has in store for the Portofino. In the meantime, the current model has 592 HP (600 PS / 441 kW) at 7,500 rpm and 561 lb-ft (760 Nm) of torque from 3,000 to 5,250 rpm. It sprints to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 3.5 seconds, to 124 mph (200 km/h) in 10.8 seconds and hits a top speed in excess of 199 mph (320 km/h).

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2021 Cupra Ateca Performance SUV Gets Styling And Tech Upgrades, Retains 296 HP Powertrain

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Exactly one week ago, SEAT officially presented the facelifted 2021 Ateca lineup, though one important member was missing.

We’re talking about the Cupra-badged performance variant, which the Spanish automaker has now unveiled as well. Unsurprisingly, the 2021 Cupra Ateca adopts all the new styling elements from the regular model, throwing some of its own into the mix as well.

Updates include the reshaped headlights that bring the Ateca in line with newer products like the Leon and Tarraco, new Cupra grille inspired by the Formentor crossover coupe, a more aggressive front bumper with bigger air intakes, LED taillights with dynamic indicators, and new 19-inch alloys with copper accents.

See Also: 2020 Formentor Unveiled As Cupra Brand Exclusive Coupe-SUV

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Inside, the facelifted Cupra Ateca gains the new 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit, an upgraded infotainment system featuring a new HMI interface with re-positioned 9.2-inch touchscreen, and new leather-wrapped steering wheel. Copper accents, new materials and upholstery choices are also part of the mid-cycle update.

The 2021 Cupra Ateca continues to feature a 2.0-liter TSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the hood, mated to a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard 4Drive AWD. The power and torque ratings remain unchanged at 300 PS (296 HP) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft), respectively.

Despite that, Cupra managed to improve the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration by fine-tuning the AWD system to maximize traction and performance. As a result, the benchmark sprint now takes 4.9 seconds – 0.3 seconds less than before. The top speed stays the same at 247 km/h (153 mph).

As before, Launch Control and Adaptive Chassis Control (DCC) are standard, while the steering calibration and throttle response have been updated “to give the vehicle maximum agility and enhance feedback for drivers.” An Akrapovič exhaust system continues to form part of the package, while ventilated 18-inch Brembo brakes are available as an option.

As far as safety is concerned, the 2021 Cupra Ateca gains new advanced driver assistance systems, including Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control, Side and Exit Assist, Front Assist with Pre-Crash braking, and Travel Assist.

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