Auto News For Friday, November 20, 2015 - Subaru XV Crosstrek Is Now The Subaru Crosstrek

Here are the six must-read, must-watch auto news stories, recalls and videos for Friday, November 20, 2015.

SUBARU
Once upon a time, Subaru decided to really shake things up by referring to the flop that was the B9 Tribeca as simply the Tribeca, sans B9. Fast forward to model year 2016, and the success that is the XV Crosstrek is losing its XV preface.

VW
Outside of the costs already incurred by Volkswagen and the damage done to the brand’s reputation, at least one of the recalls the brand will soon begin won’t be nearly as costly as you likely expected. “The technical fixes for the 1.6-liter diesel engines require installing a 10-euro ($10.74) sensor inside the air filter and a software update,” Reuters says.

SUPERCAR LIVING
You’ve often dreamed of one day owning a proper supercar. But would you really want to live with one on a daily basis? CAR Magazine is going to spend six months with a McLaren 650S Spider. “No-one would dream of running a 458 Speciale as an everyday car, but with its greater refinement, flawless ergonomics and versatile Proactive suspension, the 650S promises to be a supercar you can use like a supermini.” 

RECALL
Hyundai is recalling 304,900 copies of the 2011 and 2012 Sonata because, "the brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the stop lamp switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released.”

Toyota is recalling 30,812 copies of the 2013-2015 Avalon and the 2013-2015 Lexus ES350 and Lexus ES300h because, "the Pre-Collision System may unexpectedly activate and apply the brakes when the radar detects a steel joint or plate in the roadway as an object.” 

WATCH
We’ve been waiting, and it’s finally here. 52 minutes of Chris Harris, Tiff Needell, and Marino Franchitti hustling the Ferrari LaFerrari, Porsche 918 Spyder, and McLaren P1 around the circuit at Portimao is how you’re going to spend the next 52 minutes of your day.


WATCH MORE 
It’s been more than two years since we spent two weeks with the third-generation Acura MDX. Now it’s time for an Alex On Autos video review of the 2016 MDX.

Auto News For Thursday, June 11, 2015 - Adrien Brody Directs New Dodge Commercials

Here are the six must-read auto news stories, reviews and videos for Thursday, June 11, 2015.

FUTURE
Road & Track lists six things you need to know about the new 2016 BMW 7-Series, the luxury limo that, even in a good month, sells half as often as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

INSIDE THE AUTO INDUSTRY MARKETING BUSINESS
Guys don’t get much cooler than Adrien Brody. The star of The Pianist is now directing ads for… BMW? Alfa Romeo? Tesla? No. Try Dodge.

REVIEW
Want a van alternative? Thus far, Ford Transit Connect Wagons have proven either too small or too costly for most minivan buyers. But there’s a new candidate on the way, a midsizer that’ll float between the Transits and Sprinters and the Transit Connects and NV200s. It’s the rear-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz Metris.

SUPERCARS AND BIG MACS
Driving.ca’s Lorraine Sommerfield drove a McLaren 650S to Ronald McDonald House so sick kids could get a drive in a hot car. And what a car it is.

RECALL
No new recalls since those detailed in yesterday's news.

WATCH
AutoGuide videos have focussed on one-on-one comparisons of late, which means there’s no Honda Odyssey in this test, nor is there a Dodge Grand Caravan. Instead, it’s a race between the Toyota Sienna, America’s current best-selling minivan, and the Kia Sedona, an all-new upstart.

MCLAREN F1 SELLS IN LONDON FOR RECORD HIGH PRICE

Over a decade ago, the silver McLaren F1 you see here left the factory and became part of a fraternity of what many still call the greatest supercar ever. Slightly slower than a Bugatti Veyron, outlived by upper-echelon Porsche 911s, and out-produced by most every other supercar, the McLaren still engenders unique sentiment among all enthusiasts.

Check out other results from the October 29 auction at RMAuctions.com 

and read more about McLaren here

Though 1997 may mean nothing to you, it clearly combined with the McLaren F1 to mean something to some very wealthy individual at the RM Auctions/Sotheby's London event. That certain someone paid more than double what was expected for the McLaren at £2,530,000. Converted to USD (a practice not recommended for new cars if you're looking for exact MSRPs), that sterling price would be $4,008,174.91 as of the moment of writing or €3,155,447.13 or $4,775,649.88 CAD. 

That's expensive. To put in perspective, were Lewis Hamilton to repeat as world champion in the 2009 Formula 1 season, McLaren has promised him the keys to an especially rare McLaren F1 LM. I gotta say, it seems easier to come up with $4,008,174.91 than it does to win two F1 championships. But apparently it's not too dissimilar. The F1 sold at this auction was pretty much a £1,000,000 when new and has never been sold before.