1974 Porsche 914 2.0 on 2040-cars

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Translogic 166: Porsche 918 Spyder

In the same month that Porsche announced that its 918 Spyder is sold out, Translogic is getting its first (and likely last) shot at the plug-in hybrid hypercar. Our drive starts off in a very civilized fashion as we tour the 918 Spyder's e-power and hybrid modes, but the fun really starts when the naturally aspirated 4.6-liter V8 engine roars to life in sport and race hybrid modes, augmenting the electric motors with an additional 608 horsepower for a total of 887. We even attempt an impromptu 0-60 test to see if we can match Porsche's gobsmacking official time of 2.5 seconds, but sadly we don't have the room to make a run on its 214-mph top speed. Watch as Translogic host Jonathon Buckley pilots this Porsche around an airstrip in Irvine, CA, with a focus on the many driving modes that set the 918 Spyder apart from anything else in the storied automaker's history. Follow Translogic on Twitter and Facebook. Click here to subscribe to Translogic in iTunes. Click here to learn more about our host, Jonathon Buckley.

What driving data is Android Auto collecting from us?

In-car solutions like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto make using your smartphone while driving increasingly easy, by replicating most of the gadget's functions on a vehicle's infotainment screen. In fact, they rank among the favorite automotive features available today by Autoblog editors. While there's certainly added convenience, Motor Trend claims Google is collecting a huge array of data during trips, as well. Although, that might not actually be the case. In a rundown of the upgrades for the newly refreshed Porsche 911, Motor Trend asserts that the iconic coupe doesn't have Android Auto because of alleged privacy concerns. Reportedly, Porsche elected to only include CarPlay because the Google tech collected info on a vehicle's speed and other data. The German company didn't want to share all of that vital info with another corporation. Google opposes the allegations, though. "We take privacy very seriously and do not collect the data the Motor Trend article claims such as throttle position, oil temp and coolant temp," the company said in a portion of a statement to TechCrunch. Android Auto does use a vehicle's GPS system for location info, and checks whether it's in Park or Drive to enable some features. Also, users must opt-in to sharing the first time that they connect their phone. There might be an explanation for this confusion, according to TechCrunch. Allegedly before Android Auto launched, Google did want more vehicle data, but the company eventually changed course. Porsche may have based its decision on this earlier version. This case just shines a light on the growing question of automotive privacy and Google's potential role. The government has been unhappy with how automakers have handled this responsibility, so far, though.

EVO "2012 Car of the Year: The Track Battles" is a sports car salmagundi

EVO has come out with another gotta-watch-it video, throwing its 2012 Car of the Year contestants around the UK's 1.5-mile Blyton Park track. It's actually a 15-minute teaser for the full-length DVD detailing the magazine's Car of the Year selection, but the tease is worth every penny free second.
Tiff Needell and sports car racer Richard Meaden handle the wheel duties, the two driving five pairs of sports cars: Lotus Exige S vs. Porsche Boxster S, Morgan Three-Wheeler vs. Toyota GT86, BMW M135i vs. Porsche 911, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series vs. Alpina B3 GT3, the marquee event pits the McLaren MP4-12C vs. the Pagani Huayra. After a head-to-head lap with commentary during drifts, Meaden takes each car out to set a representative lap time.
You'll find the verdicts, lots of tire smoke, and lines like "Anything you can do sideways I can do sideways" in the video below.