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Recharge Wrap-up: Tesla Model X towing drag race, Porsche 918 salvage auction

Watch an Alfa Romeo 4C drag race against a Tesla Model X towing an Alfa Romeo 4C. The ridiculous (or, perhaps more appropriately, ludicrous) race appeared in MotorTrend's Instagram, which was then shared on Facebook by Tesla Motors Autopilot Program Director Sterling Anderson, along with the comment, "Fun fact: many high-performance cars cross the quarter mile line faster when towed by a Model X than they do on their own four wheels." While we can't quite see the actual results of the drag race in the video, it appears to be a close one. Check it out in the video above, and read more from Electrek. A Porsche 918 Spyder has gone up for auction. Unfortunately, it's a salvage auction, and said performance plug-in hybrid is totally mangled. The gut-wrenching photos reveal an even sadder detail, as the car's odometer shows it only logged 92 miles before being involved in what appears to have been a terrible wreck (though the listing describes the miles as "not actual"). The current bid on the Copart auction site is up to $106,000, and the listing shows a $600,000 repair estimate. The very expensive hunk of metal and carbon fiber is located in Long Island. Check out the listing for yourself, or read more at MotorAuthority. GKN Driveline says that German drivers are more interested in plug-in hybrids (especially with all-wheel drive) than conventional hybrid cars. In a poll of more than 1,000 drivers commissioned by GKN, 75 percent preferred PHEVs to standard hybrids, while 61.2 percent said that 50 kilometers (31 miles) of electric range is enough for their daily driving duties. About 81 percent are "wary of hybrids," most believing them to be a poor value. 52 percent said their ideal car would combine a plug and all-wheel drive. "We believe that plug-in hybrids with all-wheel drive make sense," says GKN Automotive President of Engineering Peter Moelgg, "and the public's positive response to vehicle programmes that offer this combination – like the Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine, BMW i8, and Porsche 918 Spyder – can only continue to grow." Read more in the press release below. NEW RESEARCH REVEALS GERMAN DRIVERS PREFER PLUG-IN HYBRIDS Lohmar, Germany, 22 March 2016: Drivers now consider plug-in hybrid vehicles to be more attractive and practical than conventional hybrids, a survey commissioned by GKN Driveline has revealed.

On Broughams and Alfas | Autoblog Podcast #501

On this week's podcast, Mike Austin and David Gluckman discuss the odd history of the oft-recycled Brougham name. (Did you know some people pronounce it "broom" and they're not wrong?) There is of course discussion of what they've been driving lately, and things wrap up with Spend My (Your) Money buying advice to help you, our dear listeners. The rundown is below. Remember, if you have a car-related question you'd like us to answer or you want buying advice of your very own, send a message or a voice memo to podcast at autoblog dot com. (If you record audio of a question with your phone and get it to us, you could hear your very own voice on the podcast. Neat, right?) And if you have other questions or comments, please send those too. Autoblog Podcast #501 The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience. Topics and stories we mention 2017 Honda CR-V 2017 Porsche Macan GTS 2018 Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Brougham the guy and Brougham cars Used cars! Rundown Intro - 00:00 What we're driving - 02:51 Brougham - 37:39 Spend My Money - 47:28 Total Duration: 01:07:02 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Feedback Email – Podcast at Autoblog dot com Review the show on iTunes Podcasts Alfa Romeo Cadillac Honda Porsche alfa romeo giulia alfa romeo giulia quadrifoglio porsche macan gts

Porsche 911 GTS gets Rennsport Reunion Edition

Porsche is taking over Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca this weekend to celebrate Rennsport Reunion V. In addition to some beautiful cars on display, it's giving the brand's superfans something extra special by unveiling the 911 Carrera GTS Rennsport Reunion Edition there. Limited to only 25 examples, they're exclusively for customers in North America. As the model's name implies, this special edition is mechanically based on the 430-horsepower 911 GTS, and gets a manual gearbox and PASM Sport Suspension. Porsche Exclusive then applies special styling bits to each one. For the exterior, paint is a custom shade called Fashion Grey, with black-and-red decals applied to the hood, roof, decklid, and doors. To complete the fashionable look, gloss black adorns the radio antenna, around the LED headlights, the lower part of the mirrors, and 20-inch Sport Classic wheels. The interior offers some sportiness with carbon fiber dashboard trim, a SportDesign steering wheel, and 18-way Adaptive Sport Seats Plus. A little extra flash comes from Carmine Red for the seatbelts, tachometer and much of the stitching. As a nod to the event, a Rennsport Reunion V logo is also on the center console lid. With such a low production run and a price of $149,330 with the $995 destination charge, this is a way to proclaim a serious passion for Porsche. Related Video: PORSCHE 911 CARRERA GTS RENNSPORT REUNION® EDITION DEBUTS IN MONTEREY 25/09/15 Special edition model limited to 25 units worldwide built by Porsche Exclusive Atlanta, Georgia. In honor of the fifth Rennsport Reunion®, Porsche has unveiled a special edition of the 911 Carrera GTS at this year's gathering at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The Rennsport Reunion Edition is limited to 25 units worldwide and will be sold exclusively in North America. Built by Porsche Exclusive, the Rennsport Reunion Edition is based on the 430 hp 911 Carrera GTS. The limited edition production model is painted in the custom color Fashion Grey. Decorative black and red decals cover the front hood, the roof, and the rear decklid. The driver and passenger doors are decorated with black and red decals featuring the PORSCHE logotype. 20-inch Sport Classic wheels painted in high-gloss black give the Rennsport Reunion Edition a very striking appearance. The lower exterior trim of the side mirrors as well as the satellite radio antenna are also finished in high-gloss black. LED headlights in Black including PDLS Plus complete the black accents on the exterior.