Mercedes-Benz G-Class - Special Edition

Mercedes-Benz has just released two special editions as well as for the G-Class. Both special editions are the G-Class Final Edition Ba3-based G-Class short wheelbase. While the next special edition is G-Class Edition Select using the base G-Class long wheelbase.

Final Ba3 special edition will be available in two variants namely the G-Class G 350 BlueTEC is equipped with 6-cylinder diesel engine and has the power 211 hp and 540 Nm of torque.

The next model to receive a special edition Final Ba3 this is G 500. Namely variant G-Class 5500 cc engine that uses gasoline-powered V8 388 hp with 530 Nm of torque.

Both G-Class special edition Final Ba3, fitted with permanent four-wheel drive system with off-road ratio and has automatic transmission 7G-TRONIC seven speed. In addition, this special edition model to adopt electronic traction control system 4ETS, then applied to the ESP and three differential locks.

Standard features like the phone system on the armrest, carpet and rubber floor of the compartment there is also cover a host for storage.

To redeem G-350 BlueTEC Ba3 Final edition, Mercy selling price of 90.511 euros (USD 1.14 billion) while the G 500 - Ba3 Final edition can be redeemed with the tag of 100.685 euros (USD 1.27 billion).

While the special edition model "Edition Select", Mercy emphasizes the element of a special two tone color scheme adopted for the G 500 Station Wagon with a long wheelbase.

This is another distinguishing the use of 18 inch rims 5 bolt design twin, underguard, and exhaust system from AMG.

While the interior of this special edition model, seen loaded with two tone color shades on the blend color leather upholstery and black designo porcelain.

If consumers want to display the Select cabin G 500 Edition is more unique again, Mercy provides a package worth 6735 euros (USD 85.4 million) in order to obtain a series of optional features and single-colored leather upholstery tone designo black.

Among the optional features of the cabin ambience lamps, chrome accent panels that were given on the gear lever, the regulator controls the position of the seat, and front door speakers.

Mercy reveals Ba3 edition Final Edition is the last special edition for G-Class model with a short wheelbase.

Mercy Reveals SLS AMG Roadster

Mercedes-Benz has revealed the new model display SLS AMG Roadster are now under development and testing phase. When this phase of its development is being prioritized in terms of strength body structure and dynamic driving. Also tested the power of the canvas roof and NSV (Noise, Vibration and Harshness), or detecting the level of noise, vibration and disturbance that may arise from this model.

Shaped roadster, SLS AMG open roof type is practically lost gullwing doors that became his trademark in attendance at the SLS AMG coupe supersport model. And replace the hardtop roof with a canvas roof.

Meanwhile, according to Mercy, side sill SLS redesigned AMG Roadster not only aims to fulfill the legal regulations for highway alone in facing the possibility of accidents. But also to improve the performance in terms of driving.

Super roadster body strength is also aligned to give extra strength to support the windshield and dashboard of the center console that try to be presented with a cross strut brace.

In addition there are also strut bar that lies between the roof with a fuel tank. The weight of the body structure SLS open roof AMG version is almost equal to his brother who roofed hardtop. That has a weight of 243 kg while the coupe bodyshell weighs 241 kg.

Canvas roof of the roadster can be folded with the formation of Z, and if opened will be stored neatly behind the seats. This canvas roof cantilever construction using the material combination of steel-aluminum-magnesium which also ensures lower gravity point and designed to be able to be driven up to its highest speed is electronically limited 317 km / hour.

Canvas roof can be folded and into the compartment within 11 seconds via a touch button. Time of 11 seconds to fold the roof is claimed by the manufacturer can do although when the vehicle accelerated to 50 km / hour.

SLS latest AMG Roadster so far have experienced various forms of severe testing. Including testing in wet conditions and in the 16 criteria to test the feasibility of the road at various seasons.

Now Mercy focuses increase overall vehicle quality and durability test on these cars will begin soon.

According to an official statement from the Mercedes-Benz, test endurance testing for the new SLS Roadster AMG will use advanced software simulation testing and test driving a highway across the continent. So the super-powered 571 hp roadster is getting ready to slide on global markets starting later this year. For continuity, the new Mercedes roadster will appear at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2011.

Prepare Porsche 961

Porsche is reportedly preparing a new model of middle-engined V8 with supercharger and prepared to fill slots limited segment of the model 918 Spyder and above segment 911.

The model is estimated named 961 was also prepared to withstand this onslaught of 458 Italian Ferrari and McLaren MP4-12C in the supercar segment.
The price range will be set by Porsche is £ 170,000 (USD 241.7 million).

This 961 model code had previously been used on racing cars in 1986 and based on Porsche 959. At that time, 961 is a racing car group B and only made 1 unit just before the Group B supercars racing competition was abolished.

Now, 961 will be present not as a race car again and certainly not prepared on the basis of the old 959. Estimates he will have a body design similar to the 918 and also borrows some design elements of other Porsche models. Including those mentioned is like the Cayman coupe roofline with a few lines of the body design 911.

Most likely spoiler model 961 also has automatic pop-ups located behind the engine is in the middle.

In the event that brings sports model with a light weight, no need to doubt anymore that Porsche is one of the leading product in this sector
Another thing is the 961 will appear in the form coupe and roofed hardtop, and allegedly will adopt a powerful engine of about 600 dk. Strong candidates, the machine unit which would be expected to power 961 is the engine of the Porsche Panamera and Cayenne Turbo V8 namely a capacity of 4800 cc Turbo twin-turbo V8.

But there might also be applied to other machines such as RSR racing 918's engine with a smaller capacity ie 3400 cc V8.

Porsche indicates this model will be ready for the market to target in 2013, almost in unison with the market launch of the 918 Spyder.

Merc A-class concept 'realistic'

Mercedes’ Vision A concept is virtually identical to the final production version, expected next year, according to the company’s design director, Gorden Wagener.

“What you see is realistic,” he told Autocar. “Obviously the real thing is a five-door and we will make changes to the window line, headlights and grille, but that’s it.”

See pics of the Mercedes Vision A concept

Wagener also promised that the show car’s rakish roofline would stay virtually the same and said that while some of the concept’s more outlandish interior details would go, the basics — such as the large display screen and ‘jet turbine’ air vents — would remain.

Wagener also promised that build quality would be much improved over the current cars, promising that “the quality of materials and fit and finish will be above the current C-class”.

The A-class is likely to be the first production car to have the ability to download apps, so that buyers can upgrade infotainment technology during their ownership of the car.

The Vision A show car is powered by a 210bhp, four-cylinder turbo petrol engine with a new dual-clutch seven-speed gearbox. Merc technical boss Thomas Weber promised that all of the A-class’s petrol powerplants would be turbos from the new family of transverse engines, of differing capacities. The dual-clutch ’box will be an optional extra, with a manual as standard. There will be no conventional automatic gearbox option, and stop-start will be standard on all variants.

Weber also promised a hot AMG version, as previously revealed in Autocar. It’s likely to be powered by a more powerful version of the four-cylinder turbo and will probably be four-wheel drive, although Weber conceded that this was still being decided as it adds another 60kg to the weight.

Volvo rules out S-class rival

Volvo has no plans to build a rival for the Mercedes S-class, according to its boss Stefan Jacoby.

“It’s too early for us to enter that segment,” he said, “so it’s not in our mid or long-term plans. We won’t build anything larger than the [China-only] S80 L.”

Volvo's show car at last week's Shanghai motor show, Concept Universe, had been tipped to show a large new saloon, but instead it showcased a potential future Volvo design direction.

See pics of the Volvo Concept Universe

The big saloon was one of the most hotly debated cars at the show, thanks to controversial front-end styling that includes a major nod to classic Volvos, like the PV544. Design chief Peter Horbury admitted, “We’ll be discreetly asking people nearby during the show: ‘Do you think this could be a Volvo?’ We’ve been deliberately brave here.”

Volvo released few technical details about the show car, but it’s understood to be built according to the firm’s forthcoming Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA). Designed to support future models from the S40 right up to the Chinese-market S80 L, the new set-up is scheduled to be introduced at the Frankfurt show this coming autumn.

Jacoby also said Volvo is better off being wholly owned by Geely, instead of being part of a joint venture, such as those employed by many other European brands in China.

“There will always be different interests there,” he says. “We are in the same boat but we are also rowing in the same direction. As the Chinese partners expand, there could be problems for some of those OEMs in joint ventures.”

Volvo S60 gets 321bhp

Volvo announced at the New York motor show that its 2012 R-design Volvo S60 and XC60 versions will feature more power than the outgoing version when they go on sale at the end of summer in America.

The revised turbocharged T6 petrol engine for both models produces 321bhp and 354lb ft of torque – up by 21bhp and 29lb ft – with maximum torque delivered from 3000 revs.

See pics of the 2012 Volvo R-design S60 and XC60

Power is driven through all four wheels via the firm’s second-gen six-speed automatic gearbox, which has also been fettled with for less friction and smoother changes.

Other upgrades for the new hardcore 2012 versions include changes to the chassis, strut brace under the bonnet and ‘monotube’ dampers for the S60 R-Design, which replace the previous version’s twin-tube dampers. Suspension is also lowered for a more aggressive stance.

Volvo's North America chief Doug Speck said: “The jump in performance will re-define these two R-Design models. Along with styling and suspension features that set them apart from other versions, our two newest R-Design models will have a higher 'fun-to-drive' quotient. I see that as a positive thing, and so will car buyers.”

Prices for the revised R-design Volvo S60 start from $42,275 (£25,720), with the XC60 starting from $43,150 (26,250). No word has been given yet by Volvo of the more powerful engine's arrival to the UK market.

Mini to use Goodwood like JCW

The Goodwood name look set to become Mini’s flagship brand for high-end, customer-specified luxury versions, company sources have revealed.

The long-awaited super-luxury ‘Mini Inspired by Goodwood’ was unveiled at the recent Shanghai show, a venue that reflects the likely importance of the Chinese market as a sales destination for the car.

The Goodwood badge is set to be used on other luxurious Minis in the same way that the John Cooper Works badge represents its high-performance models.

Limited to a run of 1000, the Goodwood will go on sale from spring 2012 and will, say BMW sources, cost 47,000 euro in mainland Europe, which is expected to translate to around £42,000.

The Goodwood comes in a single specification in either the Rolls shade of Diamond Black metallic or Mini’s Reef Blue metallic. Oddly, the cars will not be individually numbered but instead have a console plaque with the legend ‘One of 1000’.

Read more on the Rolls-Royce Mini

Mini says the Goodwood has been designed “in close collaboration” with the Rolls design team at the Goodwood factory and reflects “typical British understatement”. Overseen by Rolls-Royce designer Alan Sheppard, the Goodwood interior uses the same materials and suppliers as the interiors of Rolls’ own cars.

The entire dashboard, centre console and seats are finished in Rolls Cornsilk leather and the dash’s wood veneers come from Rolls. The Rolls-Royce typeface is also used on the instruments.

Under the skin, the Goodwood gets the 1.6-litre, twin-scroll turbocharged, 181bhp Cooper S engine and either a six-speed manual or a six-speed auto ’box. Adaptive xenon lights and a Harman Kardon hi-fi are standard.

Vauxhall Astra GTC unveiled - Frankfurt motor show 2011

Vauxhall’s new Astra GTC has kept the sharp styling of the GTC Paris concept, judging by these official renderings of the final production car.

Order books for the three-door model will open on June 7, when Vauxhall will also confirm full pricing and technical details of the GTC line-up.

See official renderings of the new Vauxhall Astra GTC

Renderings of the VXR version of the GTC were leaked earlier this year, and the standard car shares much of the visual impact of Vauxhall’s new “halo model”.

They include sharp creases that emerge from the door handles and run across three different panels to the edge of the tail-lights, and a particularly complex tailgate shape.

Read Autocar's scoop on the new Vauxhall Astra VXR

While the near-300bhp VXR version will be launched at the Geneva motor show next year, the standard GTC only has to wait until Frankfurt in September for its show debut.

It’s likely the engine range of the GTC will mirror its more conservative five-door sibling. But the chassis will be significantly modified, benefiting from the HiPerstrut front suspension of the VXR. Lotus is rumoured to be involved in the GTC’s chassis development, too.

MG Motor

An all-new sports car, a crossover, a replacement for the MG ZT/Rover 75 and a hybrid are among many models that Shanghai Automotive (SAIC) is developing for the reborn MG marque.

There are also new engine ranges on the way, including downsized, turbocharged petrol engines co-developed with GM, as well as new 2.0 and 2.4-litre four-cylinder units. SAIC is also debating whether to offer an MG version of the electric city car revealed at the Beijing motor show last spring.

See Autocar's renderings of the MG sports car and crossover

That decision depends in part on government incentives and the roll-out of infrastructure. But a hybrid version of the MG 6 is definitely on; it will appear towards the end of 2013 following a facelift.

The two-seat sports car, which is very likely to be rear-wheel drive, is not scheduled to appear until 2016.

Read Autocar's first drive of the MG 3

SAIC’s product planning boss, Liu Tao, admits that the firm has not yet devised a way of being able to offer the model because it has no suitable platforms. But SAIC recognises that a sports car is very important to the MG marque and says it will work hard to provide the model.

The MG SUV, which is unrelated to the Roewe W5 launched at the show, is a monocoque crossover aimed at the Nissan Qashqai. Codenamed AS21, it is due in 2014 and will come with a 2.0 petrol turbo and a dual-clutch transmission. No diesel version is currently planned, despite European market tastes.

Read Autocar's scoop on the new MG sports car

A year later the MG 7/Roewe 750 replacement will appear, some 15 years after the debut of the Rover 75 on which both cars are based. A coupé-like four-door, this model will be powered by a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine and a 1.9-litre diesel, both with dual-clutch transmissions.

Most of these new models will be designed and engineered in Longbridge in the UK, and Anting in China, and some could be assembled in Birmingham as well.

New 542bhp Porsche Panamera Turbo S

This new Turbo S model is the fastest, most powerful variant of the Porsche Panamera yet.

The twin-turbo 4.8-litre V8 super-saloon has had a power hike over the Turbo model on which it is based, from 493bhp to 542bhp, taking it beyond its Mercedes S63 AMG (518bhp) and BMW 760Li (537bhp) rivals. The Turbo S’s top speed is 191mph, 3mph higher than the standard Turbo, while its 3.8sec 0-62mph time makes it quicker than a 911 GT3 RS (4.0sec).

See the official pics of the Porsche Panamera Turbo S

Porsche engineers have fitted titanium-aluminium turbine wheels to the turbochargers and revised the engine control management of the Turbo S to boost power and performance. Torque is also up in the S over the standard Turbo, from 510lb ft to 553lb ft when driven in Sport and Sport Plus modes, and up to 590lb ft is available with an overboost function.

These increases have been made without sacrificing economy, which stays at 24.6mpg combined, due to the lighter weight and lower inertia of the turbine and compressor wheel in the turbochargers.

Full road test of the Porsche Panamera Turbo

Several dynamic systems are offered as standard on the Turbo S. Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control boosts cornering stability, while Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus works with an electronically controlled limited-slip differential to apply a variable torque split to the rear wheels for greater traction and agility. A Sport Chrono Package Turbo revises suspension and engine controls for a more “sporting” drive in Sport Plus mode.

Styling changes include new 20-inch Turbo II wheels, a sports exhaust and a two-tone leather interior. The Turbo S goes in sale in June, priced from £122,623, a near £20k hike over the standard Turbo.

Ferrari FF 6.3 V12

The FF is a car you’d happily drive serious distances in

Next to the 599 GTB perhaps it doesn’t feel quite so insanely ballistic in the lower gears

The 450-litre boot easily swallowed all of our camera and video equipment

The 651bhp 6.3-litre V12 engine is a development of the one used in the Enzo and 599 GTB

Like the 458, much of the FF's controls are contained on its steering wheel

The interior is comfortable and spacious and the packaging is very successful

On our seven-hour test drive, three people remained in comfort throughout

Ferrari FF 6.3 V12

Price: £227,026; 0-62mph: 3.7sec; Top Speed: 208mph; Engine: V12, 6262cc, petrol; Power: 651bhp at 8000rpm; Torque: 504lb ft at 6000rpm; Economy: 18.3mpg; CO2: 360g/km; Transmission: 7-spd dual clutch transmission (rear axle) + 2spd (front axle)

Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 CGI BlueEfficiency

Enthusiast drivers would be forgiven for having mentally docked the Mercedes SLK under ‘humdrum boulevard special’. And it’s true that the first SLK (back in 1996) was known more for its revolutionary folding hard top than for its abilities on winding roads.

This, third generation, model is again more of a tourer than a sports car, but Mercedes is promising a much greater emphasis on agility. Described as being ‘70 per cent all-new’ the SLK uses the same base platform as before, adding slightly increased width and claimed improved rigidity, partly thanks to a fibre-reinforced rear bulkhead.

The more aggressive SL-style exterior gets an aluminium bonnet and aluminium wings. The SLS-style interior is relatively plain, but clear and well screwed together. Although there’s a raft of sophisticated extras available (including a Reactolite-style glass roof panel option, adaptive damping, a variable rate steering rack and Torque Vectoring Brakes), there’s a strong argument that this base model could be the best SLK of the new line-up.

See pics of the Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 CGI BlueEfficiency

What’s it like?
Most impressive is the new 1.8-litre turbocharged engine. Equipped with a very sophisticated high pressure injection system and twin balancer shafts, it gives a remarkably tractable and diesel-like response, delivering its significant maximum torque from just 1800rpm to 4600rpm. Indeed, this flat torque delivery means that changing up as the engine approaches the redline can result in a most unexpected surge of acceleration as the motor spins back down into the very punchy mid-range.

It’s seems pretty frugal, too. According to the trip computer, this manual SLK200 was about twice as economical as the V6-engined, autobox, SLK350 I drove on the same demanding mountain roads. And, in truth, it didn’t feel significantly slower.

The new SLK now has quicker steering and this model, rolling on standard-issue steel springs and dampers, was decently agile in that typically restrained Mercedes way. The driver needs to put some effort in to extract the best from it, pushing the car hard into bends. But it’s pretty easy to place and resists understeer well.

Should I buy one?
This is a very pleasant machine. It’s an enthusiastic, compact, neat handling and brisk all-weather roadster with a particularly impressive and punchy four-cylinder engine. It’s also well-made and as capable of tackling a mountain road as it is happy to bowl down to the shops. It’s not for serious enthusiasts, but it’s easy to see the attraction.

Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 BlueEfficiency
Price: £29,970; Top speed: 149mph; 0-62mph: 7.3sec; Economy: 44mpg; Co2: 149g/kml; Kerbweight: 1435kg; Engine type: 4cyls turbopetrol, 1796cc; Power: 181bhp; Torque: 200lb ft at 1800-4600rpm; Gearbox: 7-speed manual

BMW's new car-sharing scheme

BMW has launched a new car-sharing scheme in Germany that it hopes will create one million new customers for the brand by 2020.

The new scheme, called DriveNow, is a 50-50 joint venture between BMW and Germany’s biggest car rental firm Sixt. DriveNow will launch in Munich on 1 April with 300 Minis and BMW 1-series available to rent and a launch will follow shortly after in Berlin, which will have 500 cars.

Drivers will be able to book cars parked around the cities using the internet or a smartphone app, and will then access them using a chip embedded in their driving licenses.

Read more on BMW's new i range of cars

BMW sales and marketing boss Ian Robertson said the firm was always looking at launching new businesses and adding new customers to the brand. The scheme will extend to other European cities and potentially other continents. New cars will also be added to the scheme according to demand, including BMW’s i range of electric cars from 2013.

Robertson said the scheme would offer people living in cities an alternative to car ownership that allowed people to use a car “on the spur of the moment” without many of usually associated costs.

Similar schemes are offered in cities around the world by Peugeot, Citroen and Mercedes.

Every C-class will be hybrid

The next-generation Mercedes C-class will have hybrid technology on virtually every model in an attempt to drive average fuel consumption down to supermini levels, say company sources.

Expected to be launched in late 2013, the new C-class family is being developed to demanding CO2 targets. According to one insider, the most frugal diesel-engined model in the range is targeting average emissions of just 100g/km, while the most economic petrol version will come in between 110g/km and 120g/km.

Early prototypes are now being tested, but Autocar understands there is still some debate as to whether three-cylinder engines will be fitted. Another possibility is that the new cars will use four-pot engines equipped with cylinder deactivation technology, allowing the motors to occasionally run on just two cylinders.

As well as these downsized engines and electrical assistance from hybrid transmissions, the new C-class cars will benefit from greatly reduced friction in the engine, gearbox and wheel bearings. The cars’ overall weight, despite the addition of a small battery pack, electric motor and power electronics, will be reduced by around 10 per cent.

Land Rover Range_e review

Accurately controlled supply of torque means it can actually benefit off road use

This car is one of only five examples, with a production version yet to be confirmed

In theory it can hit 70mph without troubling its diesel motor

Only when accelerating on to a faster road through an uphill slip road did the diesel motor fire

Come 2013 you will be able to buy a conventional hybrid Range Rover

Rang_e produces 322bhp and 561lb ft of torque

Land Rover Rang_e
Price: na; 0-60mph: 8.0sec (est); Top speed: 124mph; Economy: na; CO2 emissions: 89g/km; Kerb weight: 2745kg (est); Engine layout: V6, 2993cc, turbodiesel, plus electric motor; Installation: Front, longitudinal, 4-wheel drive; Power: 322bhp; Torque: 561lb ft at 1350-3000rpm; Gearbox: 8-spd automatic

See also Super Sport Car

Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi

The mid-range 138bhp 2.0 CDTi Ford Focus. We have already found out that the new Ford Focus remains one of the best family hatches out there, but in the guises we’ve so far tested it has lost some of the precision and energy that its predecessors specialised in. Predictably the same can be said of this model, which that we’re testing here for the first time.

See pics of the Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi in action

What’s it like?
Expected to account for less than 10 per cent of sales in the UK this motor does have some very worthwhile strengths over the 114bhp oil burner that will be the volume seller.

Peak torque of 236 lb ft arrives from 1750rpm through to 2750rpm, which allows it to sit in high gears around town with relative ease and respond well without requiring much stirring of the well-judged and solid-shifting six-speed manual (the Powershift ‘box is an extra £1250).

It avoids the inertia that the smaller, lower powered diesel engine suffers from, spinning freely and responding quickly enough to the throttle. Work it hard and it can become vocal, but in general use it’s tyre noise that is the more intrusive background hum, with the engine settling to an impressively subdued hush when in its lower rev range.

The result is that this is one of the more pleasant Focus models to drive, particularly for long motorway miles. Yes, the artificial-feeling steering and merely composed rather than engaging dynamics are a disappointment but in most ways the Focus is exactly what it needs to be. Stable, refined and calming.

Should I buy one?
This 2.0 TDCi engine is available in Zetec trim or above, and is priced competitively against the obvious rivals – noticeably cheaper than the Golf. In terms of how it drives this is one of the best engines in the Focus range and one of the best cars in the class. The equivalent Golf’s marginally better economy in GT trim (or vastly superior in 2.0 TDi Bluemotion form) could swing many in VW’s favour, but the Focus still has the ability to make extremely ordinary travel thoroughly enjoyable.

See also Super Sport Car

Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi Titanium
Price: £20,745; Top speed: 129mph; 0-62mph: 8.9sec; Economy: 56.5mpg; Co2: 129g/km; Kerbweight: 1421kg; Engine type: 4cyl, 1997cc, turbodiesel; Power: 138bhp at 3750rpm; Torque: 236lb ft at 1750-2750rpm; Gearbox: 6spd manual