Articles by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

Nissan recently confirmed that its next NISMO model will be a more extreme version of the GT-R, and now we have the first spy shots of a prototype of just that car, caught while undergoing testing on Germany’s Nurburgring and some of the race track’s surrounding roads. The GT-R NISMO will be the flagship of Nissan performance partner NISMO and is expected to make its debut at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show in late November before hitting showrooms next spring, as a 2015 model. Helping with the car’s development is none other than the Williams F1 Team, well, the team’s technology offshoot, Williams Advanced Engineering. Their area of expertise is aerodynamics, simulation and material science (read advanced composites). A massive GT wing is seen in some of the shots and there are also new spoilers located around the car. Engineers have also added new intakes at both ends and it looks like the exhaust tips are new. Lighter weight and improved aerodynamics will be key to the car’s performance. NISMO product chief Hiroshi Tamura describes the aim of the GT-R NISMO project as being the pursuit of “pure” performance. Look for a stripped-out cabin, carbon fibre panels and plenty of handling mods. However, there will also be a healthy boost to power levels from the car’s twin-turbo V-6. The 2014 GTR is producing 406 kW r but this GT-R NISMO is tipped to have more than 425kWh and be capable of setting a new production car lap record at the Nurburgring (the GT-R’s current ‘Ring time of 7:18:6 is outmatched by cars like the Gumpert Apollo Sport, Lexus LFA and Dodge Viper ACR). In this initial round of testing the prototype has already achieved a sub-7:30 lap time, according to our photographer. The GT-R NISMO has even been reported to be capable of accelerating from 0-100kmh in approximately 2.0 seconds, faster than any production car in history, though the actual figure is more likely to be a Bugatti Veyron-like 2.5 seconds. Nissan has also said the GT-R NISMO would draw on lessons learned from racing the GT-R in various motorsport categories around the world, particularly in GT3 competition. In fact, Nissan’s GT-R NISMO GT3 race car is said to have directly influenced the aerodynamics package of the new model as well as the chassis. Look for the car’s six-speed dual-clutch transmission and suspension to have had significant work done. The car looks to be much closer to the ground than the regular GT-R, suggesting a very aggressive tune for the suspension. The wheels, brakes and exhaust are also NISMO-specific items. We’ll update the story as development progresses and stay tuned for the 2015 Nissan GT-R NISMO's full reveal in the coming months. www.motorauthority.com  

Land Rover’s Discovery has received a raft of updates that bring the go-just-about-anywhere SUV into line with the latest additions from the British automaker. The Discovery is a rugged, luxurious large SUV that offers more practicality and space than any other option within the Land Rover lineup, and it now benefits from fresh styling, a new engine and more tech features.The changes to the styling are hard to notice but they consist of a new front grille, a new front bumper, new headlights with Land Rover’s modern LED daytime running lights, two new alloy wheel designs, and a revised version of the Land Rover badge.Under the hood, Land Rover has replaced the thirsty, naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 with its latest supercharged 3.0-litre V6 engine. The engine delivers 250kW of power and 450Nm of torque -- which is slightly down on the 276kW/510Nm of the V8 -- via an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.The 0-100km/h time is said to be around 8.1 seconds, which is not bad for a vehicle that weighs around 2.5 tonnes. We’ll have to wait until the Discovery’s next generation to see it adopt the lightweight aluminium construction that the new Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models benefit from.The rest of the Discovery range carries a pair of 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesels: the 155kW/600Nm TDV6 and the 183kW/600Nm SDV6 -- both mated with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and promising 8.8L/100km fuel economy.Inside, designers have added more premium touches to align the Discovery with other Range Rover vehicles. These include more soft-touch materials, an available Meridian premium sound system, Wade Sensing technology, Blind Spot Monitoring, Closing Vehicle Sensing, Reverse Traffic Detection and T-junction Cameras.Look out for the debut of the updated Discovery at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show next week, and expect it in showrooms towards the end of the year as a 2014 model.www.motorauthority.com

Volkswagen's latest Golf R performance hatch is due to hit showrooms early in the new year alongside the seventh-generation Golf. We were recently treated with a first look at the track star but now we have a full gallery and even a video. The Golf R makes its world debut next week at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show and is expected to go on sale overseas mid-2014 as a 2015 model. Powering the car is the same turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder found in the 2015 Audi S3, and as the video above confirms it has a meaty sound that should see the Golf R stand out from other Golf variants including the GTI. The engine delivers 221kW of power and 380Nm of torque, although Australia's hotter climate always meant the Golf R we got here was detuned. Australian-spec Golf Rs produced just 188kW and 330Nm, compared to the European-spec 200kW/350Nm. The new R’s extra power brings a performance hike, with the 0-100km/h time claimed to be 4.9 seconds with the six-speed twin-clutch auto and 5.3 seconds with the six-speed manual. Driving the car in the above video is VW’s star rally driver Sebastien Ogier, who is currently leading the points table in the 2013 World Rally Championship.  It appears he’s equally at home in the new Golf R as he is in his Polo R WRC car. Like the MkVI Golf R this new MkVII replaces, a Haldex-based all-wheel-drive system is standard, as is a cross differential lock (XDS) for both the front and rear axles. The car’s stability control system can also be fully deactivated for track driving, alleviating one of the major downsides of the previous Golf R. Watch the video here. www.motorauthority.com  

Toyota is committed to launching an affordable fuel cell vehicle by 2015 and has already previewed it with the original FCV-R concept first shown in 2011. At the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show next week, Toyota will present an updated version of its FCV-R concept that’s said to more closely resemble the upcoming production version.The FCV-R is essentially an extended-range electric car with a hydrogen-powered fuel cell stack serving as the range extender instead of a conventional internal combustion engine. Toyota believes such as a solution is ideal for the challenges of energy sources and emissions, as the vehicle produces zero emissions during operation and hydrogen is abundant.Of course, how clean it actually is will depend on where its initial charge of electricity and hydrogen are sourced from. There are both hydrocarbon-intensive and clean methods for generating both fuel sources.The FCV-R stretches roughly 4.7m in length and is said to seat four adults comfortably. Initial testing has shown a driving range of about 675km with zero emissions. The only by-product of the fuel cell is water vapour.According to Toyota, the FCV-R’s fuel cell has the highest power density of production-based design--3.0kW per liter. This has allowed designers to downsize the unit so that much less interior space is required. Remember, more space is taken up by the car’s onboard battery (a 21kw/h unit), a pair of hydrogen storage tanks and the electric drive system that actually turns the wheels.Having first shown the FCV-R concept in 2011, Toyota has continued to make progress towards its planned introduction of a production version by 2015. Cost issues have also been tackled, with the current fuel cell system, including the stack and high-pressure hydrogen tank, one-tenth the cost of that used in previous prototypes, though it’s still around $100k. Toyota aims ultimately to reduce this by a further 50 per cent before starting sales to the public, so figure on a pricetag of about US$50k.Despite there being a serious lack of hydrogen fuelling stations around the globe, and by the looks of things that won’t be changing anytime soon, Toyota thinks fuel cell vehicles will sell in the tens of thousands annually during the next decade.While other automakers may not have the same level of confidence in the technology, they’re still hedging their bets by developing fuel cell vehicles of their own. BMW has partnered with Toyota to develop the tech, while General Motors and Honda have formed a partnership and so have Ford, Nissan and Mercedes-Benz.www.motorauthority.com 

Rumblings about a Jaguar SUV or crossover date back several years but never really made the headlines until a few weeks ago when it was revealed the British automaker was planning a landmark announcement at the upcoming 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show. There’s little doubt as to what Jaguar is planning to announce anymore, as the automaker has confirmed plans to reveal a new crossover concept at the German show, which commences September 10.We won’t have to wait that long to see the covers come off, however, as the new concept, officially labelled the C-X17, will be revealed online the night before. This teaser image gives us an idea of what to expect: a muscular crossover with a tail-light design similar to that found on Jaguar’s F-Type sports car.But the C-X17 hints at more than just Jaguar’s future model plans. Underpinning the vehicle is a modular platform composed of lightweight aluminium. This platform is believed to be a variation of Jaguar Land Rover’s Premium Lightweight Architecture (PLA) that debuted in the latest Range Rover SUV and should also feature in a new Jaguar sedan aimed at the BMW 3-Series as well as the next XF.While Jaguar has been quiet on production plans, we’ve already seen a test mule for the 3-Series rival and similar test mules for Jaguar’s crossover have also been spotted in the U.K. recently. What the vehicles will be called is still up in the air, though we know Jaguar has registered “XQ” and “Q-Type” with the European Union's trademark agency. Given the automaker’s naming cadence, the new sedan is likely to be called the XQ while the crossover should get the Q-Type moniker.www.motorauthority.com 

The all-new 2015 Audi A3 compact has already been revealed as a three-door Hatch, five-door Sportback and four-door sedan. Now we have a new batch of spy shots of an upcoming fourth variant, the A3 Cabriolet.The car’s only direct rival will be the upcoming 2-Series Convertible from BMW, which replaces the current 1-Series Convertible. And, with many buyers in the luxury market looking for smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles, the new A3 Cabrio could prove an increasingly popular alternative.The A3 Cabrio will be virtually identical to the A3 Hatch, A3 Sportback and A3 sedan up until its A-pillar, after which most of its sheet metal will be unique. Its overall length will be similar to that of the A3 sedan, which measures in at 176 inches in length. Underpinning the car is the Volkswagen Group’s flexible MQB platform, which also underpins the 2015 Volkswagen Golf and the rest of the A3 range.A key advantage of the MQB is lightweight design, which should make the new A3 Cabrio more fuel-efficient as well as more dynamic than the outgoing model. The car’s MQB platform has also been developed around a range of fuel-efficient drivetrains.Expect it to be initially available with the 2015 A3's 1.8-litre TFSI, rated at 127 kilowatts. A sporty S3 variant is also planned and will feature a 2.0-litre TFSI with 221 kilowatts on tap. Transmission options will include a regular manual, as well as automatic and S tronic dual-clutch units, depending on the model. Customers will also be able to choose from front- or all-wheel drive as well as either xenon or full-LED headlights. Note, the S3 Cabrio will come standard with quattro all-wheel drive.Inside the new A3 Cabrio, owners will find nice round dials and air vents, plus plenty of leather. Audi's latest MMI interface system will handle the media and navigation functions, with displays of either 5.8 or 7 inches available. 4G LTE broadband connectivity should also be offered.The interior from the A3 sedan gives you an idea of what the new A3 Cabrio's cabin will look like. Stay tuned for updates as development continues, and look for a reveal of the new Audi A3 Cabrio at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show in March, with sales to commence overseas in the second half of that year, followed by arrival here.www.motorauthority.com 

The development and launch of the current R35 Nissan GT-R was an epic achievement for the Japanese automaker. After all, Nissan was able to design and engineer a sports car capable of outperforming exotic supercars with pricetags twice as high, as well as make it seat four adults in relative comfort and be easy to drive every day. A series of updates has kept the car competitive but eventually a successor, an R36, will have to be launched. Though it was previously thought the successor wouldn’t arrive until 2018, giving the R35 a 10-year lifespan, a new report is claiming that we may see the R36 as early as 2015, as a 2016 model. Speaking with Motor Trend, a Nissan representative confirmed that a new Nissan GT-R would be launched for the 2016 model year, which, given Nissan’s cadence for the GT-R, would mean a reveal late in 2015. No other details about the car were revealed but there’s a strong possibility it will introduce some hybrid technology. A trademark application from Nissan for a new "R-Hybrid" label recently surfaced, suggesting the automaker is planning to launch a new range of high-performance hybrids. Marking the new R36 as the first R-Hybrid model would be a great way to promote the technology. Moreover, rivals such as Honda and Toyota are planning high-performance hybrids of their own, so it wouldn’t be completely surprising if Nissan followed suit. But before the arrival of the alleged 2016 GT-R, Nissan will launch a new GT-R NISMO for the 2015 model year, potentially the last update for the R35. This car is expected to be revealed later this year and promises to deliver some epic performance figures, just like its predecessors. Stay tuned for an update. www.motorauthority.com  

Richard Ferlazzo, the man responsible for 2006’s stunning Efijy concept (pictured above), has been promoted to head of design at Holden. He replaces Andrew Smith, who heads to North America to run the design team at Cadillac as part of a major shakeup taking place across the various design studios of General Motors Company.Australian-born Ferlazzo will work on projects for Holden as well as other GM brands, and has previously worked at studios in Detroit working on projects for Chevrolet and Cadillac.One of his first major projects as Holden design chief will be a next-generation Commodore. He will be able to draw from more than two decades of experience at Holden, having first joined the team as far back as 1988. One of his more recent projects was the design of the VE and VF Commodores -- which were also exported to the US as the Pontiac G8 and Chevrolet SS, respectively.“Holden is in my blood and I’m looking forward to the challenge of ensuring Holden vehicles continue to evolve to meet the needs of our customers now and in the future,” Ferlazzo said in a statement. “I see my new role as integral to helping shape the Holden brand of the future and driving global collaboration for future product development.”www.motorauthority.com

Volvo yesterday showed off a bold new coupe concept that previews the styling direction the Swedish automaker will take for its future lineup. The first of these new-generation Volvos will be the 2015 XC90 due at the end of next year.Earlier this year, Volvo laid out some of the safety technology that will appear on its new XC90 and now we have our first look at the design of the actual vehicle, which was previewed yesterday during a presentation made by Volvo chief designer Thomas Ingenlath, where these photos were taken.Ingenlath showed how elements of the just revealed Concept Coupe, such as the T-shaped daytime running lights, lower intake wings, and tail-light graphics, will transfer from concept to production, using the 2015 XC90 as an example. We don’t get to see the whole vehicle but can clearly make out its new face, tail-light design and some of its interior controls.It appears the XC90 will be getting a chiselled and slightly more aggressive appearance look for its second generation. During the presentation, it was also revealed that Volvo’s S80 flagship sedan will be replaced by a new S90 model after the 2015 XC90 is launched, and that a ‘versatile’ V90 model is also planned as a successor for the current V70.The models will all be based around the automaker’s modular SPA platform, which will eventually underpin Volvo's lineup for all models sized from about the S60 up. For its smaller models, Volvo will use a second modular platform it is developing with its Chinese parent Geely. Power across the board will come from a new generation of engines grouped under the Drive-E heading. They will all be four-cylinder units but will be able to rival V-8s for performance with hybrid technology.www.motorauthority.com  

The guys from Tax The Rich are back, this time with a video of a Jaguar XJ220 taken for a joyride on a farm. Rather than drive along a scenic road or head to a track for some high-speed action, the mysterious driver of this Jaguar XJ220 heads to a farm and at one point drives at speed through a field of trees.DON'T MISS: Watch A Pair Of Ferrari F50s Throw Dirt, Then Play Tug Of War: VideoAt this point you must be wondering why. It’s because Tax The Rich is a Youtube group whose mission is to bring you footage of supercars being used in the most unlikely manner. Previously, they’ve brought us video of a pair of Ferrari F50s in a game of tug of war, a Ferrari Enzo driven through the mud like a rally car, and a Rolls-Royce Phantom being flung through muddy grass fields.Last year saw the Jaguar XJ220 turn 20, which is quite amazing considering the car still looks modern and its performance not far off the pace of the latest breed of supercars. Power came from a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V-6 rated at 400kW and 644Nm of torque, and all of this was channelled to the rear wheels via a five-speed gearbox. The end result was a 0-100km/h time of less than four seconds, and an unofficial top speed of 350 km/h, or 220mph -- hence the name “XJ220”.Watch the video here.www.motorauthority.com