Bentley rear-drive Continental GT3-R?

Coupe, convertible or Flying Spur sedan: no matter what body-style you get, or what engine you specify, the Bentley Continental comes with all-wheel drive. It's been that way since the model line was first introduced a dozen years ago. But that looks poised to change... at least for one notable exception.

According to Auto car, Bentley is all but certain to launch a rear-drive version of the Continental GT3-R sometime next year, ditching the front half of the drive train to cut a good 440 pounds off the curb weight to make it the lightest Continental yet.

The Continental GT3-R launched last year with less weight and more power, along with a stiffer suspension, upgraded brakes and a titanium exhaust. It drew its inspiration from the Continental GT3 racer, but unlike the competition version, kept the AWD drive train in place.

"A lot of people expected the GT3-R to be a proper rear-wheel-drive sports car," Bentley's chief engineer Rolf Frech said to Auto car, "but the problem was timing. We needed the car at the end of the first season of our GT3 racing car, and to do a proper change of the complete power train needed longer than we had. But we have the concept in our mind, so why not?"

Denuded of its all-wheel drive, the Continental GT3-RS – assuming Porsche doesn't mind lending the name to its sister company – would be the most hardcore version of the go-to luxury coupe, and would promise to cut its already blitzkreig 3.6-second 0-60 time down even further. Especially if the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 were tuned to deliver even more than the 572 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque it already kicks out in the existing GT3-R.

Chances are it'd be even less accessible, though: the 99 examples of the Continental GT3-R that are coming to the States out of the 300 total to be made already carry a $337k sticker price, and the rear-drive model would likely push the production:price see-saw even higher to the right.

Mercedes plans to launch its first pickup by 2020

Daimler's Mercedes-Benz unit plans to launch its first pickup truck by 2020, targeting sales at the European, Latin American, Australian and South African markets. Mercedes has not decided yet whether to sell the pickup in the U.S, Volker Mornhinweg, head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, told the Wall Street Journal. The pickup will have about 1 metric ton of payload capacity and will be built by Mercedes-Benz's commercial van division. "The Mercedes-Benz pickup will contribute nicely to our global growth targets,” Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche said in a statement Friday. "We will enter this segment with our distinctive brand identity and all of the vehicle attributes that are typical of the brand with regard to safety, comfort, power trains, and value." Mercedes said more and more pickups are being used for private purposes. It also said that commercial as well as private users are increasingly asking for vehicles that have car-like specifications. Luxury rival Lincoln has taken two shots at the U.S. pickup market, the world's biggest. The Lincoln Blackwood delivered fewer than 3,500 U.S. sales during its brief run in 2001-03. The Lincoln Mark LT, viewed as a rival to Cadillac’s Escalade EXT sport-utility pickup, was sold in the United States from 2005 through the 2008 model year. Mark LT sales totaled 36,187. Ford Motor Co., Lincoln's parent, continued to build the Mark LT for the Mexican market through 2013. The Cadillac Escalade EXT, an upscale version of the Chevrolet Avalanche, was introduced in the U.S. in 2001 but discontinued when General Motors launched its current-generation full-sized pickups and SUVs -- code named K2XX. Cadillac sold 72,897 Escalade EXTs in the U.S. between 2001 and January 2015, with deliveries peaking at 13,494 in 2002.  

German push 

Mercedes-Benz's plans to enter the pickup market underscore a push by German premium automakers that have built their reputations on refined sedans to enter segments traditionally dominated by mass-market competitors as they compete for volume. After SUVs became popular years ago, the addition of a pickup would open a new front in the battle among Germany's premium brands for the No. 1 spot in luxury car sales. Mercedes, the world's third-largest premium automaker, plans to overtake Audi and market leader BMW in sales by the end of the decade. The race for the lead has prompted Audi to roll out the A1 subcompact hatchback and BMW to add the 2-series Active Tourer and 2-series Gran Tourer compact minivans. Volkswagen launched a similar pickup strategy to Daimler's several years ago with the Amarok. Its commercial van business developed and built the midsize pickup in Argentina for Latin America and Europe, while avoiding the U.S. market and its punitive"chicken tax." The tax imposes a 25 percent duty on goods such as light trucks  imported into the U.S. in retaliation for tariffs on U.S. chickens once imposed by several European nations.

Easter Jeep Safari

Every year, the Easter Jeep Safari takes over Moab, Utah, and brings with it a host of new concepts from Jeep. 

For 2015, seven custom concepts have been put together by the brand. Many of the parts used are currently available through Mopar, though some are prototypes. A small team of dedicated engineers put together this group of custom Jeeps, each one of which is fully functional.

This Wrangler-based concept is inspired by the 1970s Jeep Cherokee and is tailored to fit the west-coast surfer lifestyle. Finished in Ocean Blue, the Chief gets a custom razor grille that was made famous by the original Wagoneer, halogen headlights, removable sides, chrome front and rear bumpers and 17-inch slotted mag wheels.

Two inches were taken off the doors and windshield, while the Chief has been lifted by two inches and fitted with Dana 44 locking axles, a cold air intake and Rubicon rock rails. Power comes from the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 mated to a six-speed manual.

Inside, pink, blue and white flowered cloth along with leather wrap the seats while surf stickers dot the center console and door handles. The front-passenger handle has been replaced with Rosewood and of course the 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen is present.

A salute to the legendary military Jeeps, this Wrangler-based concept comes fitted with basic steel wheels, small fender flares, a stretched canvas roof and bench seats. A Sandstorm paint finish keeps the exterior true Jeep’s military heritage, just like the removal of the doors and b-pillars. Round headlights, Jeep J8 front and rear bumpers, fender-mounted blackout lamps and a rear-mounted spare tire and gas can complete the look.

A little added performance comes from Dana 44 locking axles and a two-inch lift.

The interior features just two bench seats along with an integrated roll cage and a painted steel floor.  An integrated cooler is also built in to this concept, made from an old wooden artillery box.

Power for the staff car also comes from the Pentastar V6 hooked through a six-speed manual.

Jeep wants to go on safari with the Wrangler Africa. A high-clearance steel front bumper with a winch, power step rock rails, a vented hood and an exteneded rear body with a high-top roof prepare this concept for duty. Fender-mounted fuel cans, 17-inch body color steel wheels and big 35-inch BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires complete this concept.

Power comes from a 2.8-liter diesel engine hooked to an automatic transmission. A two-inch lift kit complete with Fox shocks and Dana 44 axles are found on the Africa, while the cargo area, inner roof and floor are all coated with a spray-in truck bedliner.

The Overlander is based on the Grand Cherokee and is meant to show the SUVs capability for off-roading and camping. A one-off front fascia, tow hooks, flared fenders, SRT taillights and hood, off-road rock rails and skid plates make sure that the Overlander is ready to get you into the wilderness.

On the roof, a two-person hard-shell tent is fitted and ready to keep you protected in the wild.

A 3.0-liter V6 diesel powers this concept.

Jeep didn’t forget about the new Renegade compact crossover when it was putting together these concepts. Called the Desert Hawk, this special edition gets off-road rock rails, a skid plate, a hood decal that shows the Fins and Things Moab trail in detail and is finished in Desert Tan.

Inside, Mopar Katzkin seat covers are found along with body color bezels and Mopar all-weather floor mats.

Power is delivered by a 2.4-liter Tigershark engine hooked to a nine-speed automatic.

This Cherokee is ready to tackle Moab thanks to JPP off-road rock rails, a two-piece fuel tank skid plate, two-piece underbody skid plate, oil pan and front suspension skid plates, along with concept 17-inch painted wheels with BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A tires.

The Canyon Trail is finished in Desert Tan, accented by a Satin Black hood with a topographical map decal showing Hell’s Revenge, a famous Moab trail. Inside, Katzkin leather seat covers, embroidered logos on the headrests, body color accents, a cargo tray mat, all-weather floormats and a Moab off-road bag can all be found.

The 2.4-liter Tigershark powers this concept, sending its juice through a nine-speed automatic

Finally, we have the Jeep Wrangler Red Rock Responder. This concept was put together to tackle an emergency situation in a remote area and is packed with spare parts and tools to get the job done. To get there, the Responder packs a four-inch lift, Fox shocks, Dana 60 axles front and rear, a cold-air intake, off-road rock rails and a Warn winch.

Side cargo boxes make sure that the Responder can do its job once it arrives, housing a hi-lift jack, fire extinguisher, road side accessory kit, first aid kit, snap-on tools and a small air compressor complete with air hose and accessories.

Steel front and rear bumpers along with high top fenders are fitted while the Responder Red paint job finishes the look. 17-inch beadlock wheels with a body color beadlock ring are also included.

The Jeep Wrangler Red Rock Responder is powered by the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine mated to an automatic transmission.

Spring Time Activities

Now that the weather is warming up, you have the perfect chance to spend some quality time with your family in the great outdoors. There are tons of activities to do this spring that don’t require torturing fish or other animals for “sport” or using them for food. Here are my favorite things to do in spring:

1.) Go Camping

Find the perfect campsite in your area. Make sure that you have a tent and some sleeping bags and bring enough vegan food to last on your trip. And don’t forget the bug repellant. (Try Burt’s Bees Herbal Insect Repellent.)

2.)Go to the Beach

Head off to the nearest beach. Depending on the distance, this excursion could be a daytrip or an entire vacation. Either way, be sure to stock up on animal-friendly sunscreen.

3.)Go Kayaking

If you want to get a good arm workout, kayaking is the activity for you. And when you get tired, you can give the kiddos a turn.

4.)Go Hiking

There are most likely numerous gorgeous hiking spots near you. Why not pack a picnic (try this mock-tuna sandwich recipe), and take your family on a walk in nature. You can use it as a time to talk about the local wildlife and how to protect it.

5.)Fly a Kite

What kid wouldn’t want to fly a kite on a nice windy day? You can even have a competition to see who can go the highest. But be careful around trees! You wouldn’t want to disrupt a bird’s nest unintentionally.

6.)Set Up an Outdoor Scavenger Hunt

This activity may take a little more work, but the kids will love to find clues that you’ve hidden for them. Perhaps you can make it animal-themed!

7.)Go Canoeing

If there’s a lake nearby, you can rent a canoe and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery.

8.)Take a Bike Ride

You can use your own bikes or rent them. And remember always to be safe by wearing a helmet and other protective gear.

9.)Go Miniature Golfing/

A little putt-putt is the perfect game to teach your children patience.

10.)Start a Garden

The perfect flowers to plant in early spring are pansies, forget-me-nots, and primroses. In late spring, gladiolas, begonias, dahlias, daylilies, and daisies work best. If you’d rather plant vegetables, try tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, beans, and cucumbers in late May.

What are your favorite cruelty-free springtime activities?

Springtime Auto Tips

Spring is one of the prime times for auto maintenance. That first wash-n-wax on a warm Saturday afternoon is liberating. Winter's gloom (to say nothing of grit and road salt) is literally washed away. Take out the snow shovel, the gloves, and heavy boots and store them 'til next season. Surely summer can't be far away.

Some preparation now will help ensure that your summer driving plans go as smoothly as you envision then now. 

• Read the owner's manual and follow the recommended service schedules.
• Have hard starts, rough idling, stalling, etc. corrected before hot weather sets in.
• Flush and refill the cooling system (radiator) according to the service manual's recommendations. The level, condition, and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically.
• If you are not a do-it-yourselfer, look for repair facilities that employ STG-certified automotive technicians.
• The tightness and condition of belts, clamps, and hoses should be checked by a qualified auto technician.
• Have a marginally operating air conditioner system serviced by a qualified technician to reduce the likelihood of more costly repairs.
• Change the oil and oil filter as specified in owner's manual. (Properly dispose of used oil.)
• Replace other filters (air, fuel, PCV, etc.) as recommended.
• Check the condition of tires, including the spare. Always check tire pressure when the tires are cold.
• Inspect all lights and bulbs; replace burned out bulbs.
• Replace worn wiper blades and keep plenty of washer solvent on hand to combat summer's dust and insects.

1955 Chryslers

MEET AMERICA’S MOST SMARTLY DIFFERENT CARS

We feature a lot of Chevrolet-affiliated films here, mostly because a pre-war General Motors seems to have tossed Jam Handy Productions a blank checkbook and instructed the studio to make wacky films on everything from differentials to precision manufacturing.

But other automakers were eager to use the wonder of moving-picture technology to get their product in front of the American consumer, as we saw in a recent Lincoln Continental spot. Today’s reel is actually a series of brief commercials for the revolutionary 1955 Chrysler model lineup; we’re not sure if these spots were run in theaters or if they were beamed directly into living rooms and screened on shiny new Philco 4406 Phonoramas.

With the introduction of the so-called “100-million-dollar look,” also known as the "forward look," these '55 Chryslers really were radical departures from the previous year’s models. Their sweeps and swoops and modest (at least initially) fins erased the last vestiges of bulging prewar fenders and upright passenger cabins. This new styling direction was previewed by the Virgil Exner-penned 1952 Chrysler Imperial Parade Phaeton. But it took a few years for the split grille and long, low style to reach production.

These ’55 Chryslers are massive cars, but they wear their lines well and never come off as bloated. And they were packing near-modern power; the top-of-the line New Yorker Deluxe’s V8 produced 250 hp, which means you could feasibly pilot one of these beauties on today’s roads with a reasonable amount of confidence.

Audi All Electric Suv

The electric crossover segment might become a hot market in just a few years. In addition to the rumors of an electric Jaguar F-Pace and obviously the Tesla Model X, Audi is now confirming an EV "sports activity vehicle" for early 2018. The Germany luxury brand even showed off a rendering (pictured above) of it during the company's annual press conference.
Audi technical development boss Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg made the announcement during his portion of the conference but largely avoided hard details. What he said was tantalizing, though. The still un-named model was claimed to offer over 311 miles of driving range and ride on the brand's upcoming MLB 2 platform. Although, Auto Express suggests that it could be called the Q6 E-Tron. Dr. Hackenberg also promised a "new, very attractive design, which we are developing especially for the E-Tron range and for battery-electric vehicles." The rendering showcased a fairly squat crossover design with bold fender flares dominating the styling in profile. The images also suggested almost coupe-like proportions. Thankfully, the wait for more details about the model might not be too long. Dr. Hackenberg told Auto Express that Audi would have a presentation soon about the new model. He also hinted at a little of its tech by suggesting next-gen batteries offering 50 amp-hours and 90 kWh could be enough for sufficient range even in such a large model. With recent unveiling's like the R8 E-Tron and Q7 E-Tron, Audi is rapidly moving towards offering more plug ins and electric models. With this latest announcement, that expansion only appears to be accelerating.

25 Green Spring Cleaning Tips

After being cooped up in a stuffy house all winter long, it’s finally time to fling open the windows, shoo away the cobwebs, and take on your annual spring cleaning. But often, the chemicals found in conventional cleaning products can be more dangerous than the dirt they’re intended to clean. And the way we clean (with lots of disposable paper towels) is not exactly earth-friendly. Thankfully, there are many alternatives available that can help you make your home squeaky clean—and green.

Green cleaning products
The last thing you want to do is dump toxic chemicals into the environment in the name of cleaning, right? These days, you don’t have to make a special trip to the natural foods store to seek out environmentally-sensitive cleaning products. Seventh Generation, Method and Biokleen are three companies that make full lines of household cleaners, and you can find them in just about every store. These products work just as well as their conventional counterparts. Or you can stock your natural cleaning kit with homemade cleaners—making them yourself is super easy.

The basic supplies you’ll need to make your own green cleaners include:

• Distilled white vinegar (sold in the cooking section of most super markets
• Baking soda
• Olive oil
• Borax (sold in a box in the laundry aisle)
• Liquid castile soap (like Dr. Bronner's brand, found in most natural foods stores)
• Essential oils (super concentrated natural plant oils found in natural foods stores, usually in the cosmetics section)
• Microfiber cleaning cloths
• Newspaper

Here are a few basic “recipes” and techniques to get you started:

• Glass: Mix 1/4 cup vinegar with 1 quart of water in a spray bottle. Spray on glass and wipe clean with old newspaper or a lint-free cloth.
• Countertops and bathroom tile: Mix 2 parts vinegar and 1 part baking soda with 4 parts water. Apply with a sponge, scour, and wipe away.
• Floors: Mix 4 cups of white distilled vinegar with about a gallon of hot water. If desired, add a few drops of pure peppermint or lemon oil for a pleasant scent. After damp mopping the floors, the smell of vinegar will dissipate quickly, leaving behind only the scent of the oil.
• Wood furniture: Mix equal parts of lemon juice and olive and oil. Apply a small amount to a cloth, and rub onto the furniture in long, even strokes.
• Toilet bowl cleaner: Sprinkle a toilet brush with baking soda and scrub away! Occasionally disinfect your toilet by scrubbing with borax instead. Wipe the outside of the toilet clean with straight vinegar.
• Disinfectant: Mix 2 teaspoons borax, 4 tablespoons vinegar, 3 cups hot water, and 1/4 teaspoon liquid castile soap. Wipe on with dampened cloth or use a spray bottle. Wipe clean.
• Mold and mildew: Wipe with straight vinegar.
• Air freshener: Sprinkle essential oil on a cotton ball, and stash it in a corner of the room. If you have kids, make sure it is out of their reach as essential oils are very strong and could irritate their skin. Lavender is a relaxing scent that is great for bedrooms, and cinnamon, clove, and citrus oils are great for the rest of the house. You can stash a few in the car too—try peppermint, which may help you to stay alert.

GTA Spano

The GTA Spano is a Spanish super car built in Valencia by the company GTA Motor, a sister company to GTA Motor Competition. It began as a secret project in 2005, and was first released to the public in 2008 when the model was presented under the name of GTA Concept. The first units were manufactured and delivered at the end of 2010. The latest version of the car was featured at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show with a 900 bhp (671 kW) engine with 1000 Nm of torque, which has been electronically limited. The GTA Spano played a role in the 2014 film Need For Speed. The chassis was made by combining carbon fibre, titanium, and Kevlar, making it a benchmark in the industry. The Spano is powered by a supercharged version of the Dodge Viper's V10 engine,mounted in a rear longitudinal position and puts out 820 hp and 960 Nm of torque. The Spano is characterized by the exclusivity of its lines and its high performance. The car is known to reach an unofficial top speed in excess of 350 km/h (217 mph), and 0–100 kp/h takes less than three seconds. The Spano has a good power-to-weight ratio of .62 hp/kg (using bio-ethanol) and large wheels, namely 255/35R19 in the front and 335/30R20 at the rear, with Pirelli PZero tires as a standard option. Braking is carried out by six-piston calipers from AP Racing with a pneumatic ABS system and carbon-ceramic discs 380 mm in diameter.

Lexus LF-SA

These reportedly official images, which were first published on a Russian news website, clearly show
Lexus' planned Mini and Audi A1 rival. Though so far Lexus has only officially revealed just a veiled image of the car,  and confirmed the concept will be called Lexus LF-SA, these latest images confirm the three-door hatchback will come with contentious styling cues, distinctive alloy wheels and an integrated spoiler at the rear. The LF-SA's spindle grille design could also become a future design cue for the brand. A relatively spartan cabin, with digital dashboard and infotainment controls incorporated into the centre console, can also be seen. A company statement adds: "The LF-SA has been conceived as a luxurious, driver-focused vehicle, designed to address a future world that is more influenced by technology and virtual experiences. "The new concept reflects Lexus's passion for new design trends and explored unexpected territories for the brand." Senior Lexus officials told an Australian website last year that it planned to introduce a sub-CT200h model in Geneva. Global head of Lexus design Tokuo Fukuichi revealed the plans, saying a smaller model was something the company was "seriously considering". The LF-SA is expected to be based on the Toyota Yaris’ platform and should come to market as an entry-level Lexus option in 2018, soon after the second-generation CT range is revealed. A range of engine options, including downsized turbocharged petrols and at least one hybrid version, is expected. Lexus will also showcase its GS F performance car and LF-C2 roadster concept at the Geneva show.