2015 Porsche 911 GTS revealed

Porsche have officially released the 911 Carrera GTS, both as a coupe and convertible. Also customers have the option of rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

The GTS features smoked bi-xenon headlights, black engine vents and a sports exhaust system with black chrome-plated tailpipes. This model also gets wider rear fenders, like the 911 Carrera 4, and 20-inch alloy wheels finished in matte-black.

There’s not much difference on the inside compared to other 911 models, with leather and Alcantara upholstery added as standard on the GTS.

Under the hood, it gets a 3.8-litre 6-cylinder engine coupled with either a 7-speed manual or a PDK transmission. The motor produces about 430 hp and 440 Nm of torque. This is good enough to send the GTS from 0-100 kph in 4.0 seconds for the coupe, and 4.2 seconds in the the cabriolet. All models are capable of hitting top speeds of just above 300 kph, with the GTS Coupe mated to the manual transmission being the fastest as it hits a top speed of 306 kph.

The Porsche 911 Carrera GTS is already available for purchase in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other GCC countries.

Keep track of the latest prices and updates in the Porsche buyer guide.

Toyota Camry RZ released in Qatar, Bahrain & Saudi Arabia

Ebrahim K. Kanoo, the exclusive distributor of Toyota and Lexus in Bahrain, recently announced the launch of the Toyota Camry RZ. It has also gone on sale in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

The Limited Edition Camry RZ comes with a glossy black front grille and spoiler, sport-tuned suspension, 17-inch glossy black alloy wheels, sporty headlamps and matte black fog lamp cover. It also comes with RZ decals on the doors and rear bumper, paddle shifters, sunroof, dual AC system, cruise control, wood trim interior, power driver seats, ambient lighting, fabric upholstery, smart keyless entry and start system, parking sensors as well as a navigation system with rear-view camera.

Engine remains the same, with the 181 hp 4-cylinder 2.5-litre motor under the hood, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

In terms of safety, the RZ comes with ABS, stability and traction control, front airbags, front side airbags and curtain airbags for both driver and passengers.

2015 Honda CR-V gets a facelift

The 2015 Honda CR-V has been refreshed. Both the exterior and interior have been improved in the new model. A new engine has been added as well.

On the outside, there is a new front grille and LED daytime running lights. In the rear, there is a chrome bar added at the base of the rear window. The alloy rims also get a redesign.

The interior has been updated with better quality materials. An optional 7-inch capacitive touchscreen is now available.

Under the hood, the engine has been updated to a new 2.4-litre engine, which is also found in the new Honda Accord, mated to a CVT automatic. Horsepower is similar to the outgoing model, rated at 185 hp, but torque figures have gone up to 245 Nm. Fuel efficiency numbers improves as well.

Tweaks have been made to improve the ride quality as well as chassis stiffness and collision performance.

Tesla Model S D (2015) goes all-wheel drive

Tesla has announced a new four-wheel drive variant of its four-door Model S electric car. Called the Model S ‘D’, the extra letter stands ‘Dual Motor’, and brings sensational performance alongside its increased all-weather traction.

Up to now, all versions of the Tesla Model S have been fitted with a rear-mounted electric motor driving the rear wheels. As their name suggests, Dual Motor variants get a second electric motor up front to power the front axle.

That means torque distribution can now be juggled front and the rear, with the computers in charge also able to meter out the torque precisely from left to right.

As a result, this is a car that promises to be quite handy on slippery roads. Never shy of making bold claims, Tesla says the all-paw Model S offers ‘the most capable road holding and handling of any vehicle ever produced’.

Three Tesla Model S Dual Motor models

Like the single-motor, rear-driven Model S (which will remain on sale alongside the new car), there’s a sliding scale of price and performance to choose from for the Model S Dual Motor.

Kicking off the range is the 60D (60kWh battery and twin 185bhp motors), followed by the 85D (85kWh battery and twin 185bhp motors).

Navistar, China's JAC diesel engine JV project put into operation

HEFEI - Chinese automaker Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co (JAC) and US automakerNavistar have announced that a joint diesel engine venture went operational on Thursday.

Celebration ceremony was held for the first diesel MaxxForce engine at the company's plantin Hefei, capital of East China's Anhui province.

Annual production is expected to reach 200,000 engines, said Joe Werth, general manager ofthe JV.

With investment of 1.8 billion yuan ($293 million), the JV was established in 2012, with onethird of its products planned for the international market.

Troy Clarke, president and CEO of Navistar, said both Navistar and JAC working on China'smost advanced clean engine technology and to upgrade diesel engines for commercialvehicles.

Source: Navistar, China's JAC diesel engine JV project put into operation

Ocon claims title, Verstappen wins race at Imola

Esteban Ocon is the first French driver to lift the title since Jules Bianchi in 2009

Esteban Ocon (Prema Powerteam) claimed the 2014 FIA European F3 title at Imola this afternoon, finishing 3rd on the road behind Max Verstappen (Van Amersfoort Racing) and Prema team-mate Antonio Fuoco. He is the first French driver to lift the title since Jules Bianchi in 2009, and he will be rewarded later this month with a Ferrari test drive to be held at Fiorano on October 29^th.

However, the race itself took on a somewhat farcical element with three Safety Car periods in total, and almost certainly more time spent behind the Safety Car than was actually spent racing. Before the start most people assumed that Verstappen would simply launch himself from pole and vanish up the road, never to be seen again by his opponents. So it was something of a surprise when Fuoco appeared in the lead, Verstappen having lost out to the tiny Italian, the Prema driver making the better start.

Safety Cars

In the pack, Tom Blomqvist (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) lost a place to Nicholas Latifi (Prema Powerteam) at the start when the Canadian squeezed him out, while behind him it all kicked off as the two Carlin camps attempted to self destruct. Ed Jones (Carlin) whacked into Antonio Giovinazzi (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin), tearing a wheel off the Italian’s car and going off into the gravel himself. The Safety Car was promptly deployed for several laps while the resulting mess was removed to a safe place.

Mercedes C63 AMG (2015) priced above M3 and RS4

Mercedes-Benz has announced UK prices and specs for the latest-generation of its steroidal C63 AMG supersaloon.

The base-model C63 saloon will cost £59,795 and the estate version an extra £1200. That prices it a little way above its natural BMW M3 and Audi RS4 rivals.

As we revealed in our original spy photo story, the C63 ditches the charismatic 6.2-litre V8 of the old 204-series C63 in favour of the twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 found in the new AMG GT sports car. In true downsizing style, it’s more powerful and yet more fuel-efficient than the larger unit it replaces.

As expected, there’s both a standard model and a more powerful S variant on offer. The C63 S saloon is priced from £66,545 and the estate version from £67,745.

Mercedes C63 AMG (2015) performance figures

The regular C63 churns out 470bhp and 479 lb ft of torque while the C63 S musters a supercar-baiting 503bhp and 516 lb ft.