We still cringe upon hearing marketing types utter the phrase "four-door coupe." It's inherently a lie, a scam. Who are they trying to fool? It's not a four-door coupe, it's a sedan with a sloping roof – generally one that's missing a middle rear-seat. And there's nothing wrong with that. But, just like automakers the world 'round bend over backwards corrupting the language to avoid calling a station wagon anything but a station wagon (Sportback, Avant, Sportcombi, etc.), the oxymoronic four-door coupe appears to be here to stay. Where's George Carlin when you need him? With that rant out of the way, the 2009 Volkswagen CC is the best four-door coupe we've ever driven – at least this side of a Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG, which is three times the price.
Good looking isn't even the right word for VW's rebodied Passat. Handsome, exquisite, sharp, revolutionary and awesome all spring to mind. But, let's just settle on two: segment busting. Not only that, but the CC renders the current Passat about as desirable as a late-model Ford Five Hundred. Which is to say, not at all. In fact, with the exception of third rear-seat, we can't think of a single reason to choose a Passat over the CC. Not one.
Review: 2009 Volkswagen CC Sport is a mid-size segment buster
Potential deal points leaked concerning Tengzhong's purchase of Hummer
As the Opel transaction takes on Biblical intrigue, the Hummer exchange goes on in another dark corner, laboriously, like the gestation of an elephant. The latest report from a Chinese news website states that General Motors and Tengzhong "might sign an agreement" this week, but that strikes us as exceedingly optimistic seeing that there's been no word on the government approving the deal yet.
Slightly more believable are the supposed deal points that would guide Tengzhong's initial ownership of Hummer : Tengzhong will own all of Hummer's intellectual property rights and sales network, but would not build Hummers in China and would operate the company as an off-shore entity based out of Detroit or Nashville. General Motors would continue to build Hummers until 2012 and provide "technical services," and Tengzhong would continue to fund research and development, while the "off-shore" Hummer team (read: probably the folks doing the job now) would be responsible for launching the new H3 and H4. As for that H4, though, the article lists them as "CUV models." If the H4 is a CUV, we hope they manage to make it look like the 2008 Hummer HX concept shown above.
First Drive: 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
I'm barely three turns into my first lap, and already my brain has automatically activated its auxiliary data logger, the one reserved for "extra-special events." I don't want to forget a nanosecond of this. Partly, it's a result of the venue. For the first time in my career, I'm driving on Germany's 13-mile-long Nurburgring Nordschleife, a.k.a. "The Green Hell," the most fearsome, challenging, and dangerous racetrack in the world. But my highly elevated pulse is also due in large measure to the screaming, whirling vehicle at hand. I don't entirely know what it looks like -- the prototype's bodywork is still masked by tape and cardboard camouflage -- but if these first few blitzkrieg corners are any indication, the all-new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG "Gullwing" is going to disrupt the supercar pantheon when it hits American roads next spring.
We journalists love "firsts," because via benefit of a good "first" or two the copy flows easily, the headlines write big, and in no time our report is posted and we're headed to the bar, job done. Alas, no wood-paneled celebratory saloon for me -- I'm writing this at 37,000 feet -- but as "firsts" go, the new SLS boasts so many I should be finished writing this piece before the next spellbinding serving of warm mixed nuts.
First Drive: Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport is a temple of Zen
Just like the last time, when we drove the Bugatti Veyron, it began with an e-mail from Bugatti's PR firm: "Give me a call when you have a moment." And then, again, just like the last time, there came the question: "We have a Grand Sport. Can you do something with it?" Let. Me. See.
And that's how we ended up spending a day with the roofless Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport on a reference-resetting trip from Los Angeles to San Diego and back. Although you'll read many words after the jump to describe it, we really only need one word, and we'd draw it out in the same kind of smiling stupor we get when the dentist pumps us full of happy gas: "Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh...."
The Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport is a violent, taunting, confounding and punctiliously engineered maelstrom. It is a handmade wonder built in a castle, and yet resembles a slightly squashed jelly bean. It has a $30,000 stereo, but it's too much work to actually listen to it. The 16-cylinder, quad-turbocharged engine with 1,001 horsepower and 922 lb-ft of torque is programmed not to let you damage it, but in just one afternoon, the leather-trimmed coachwork on the doors will be a mess of shoe marks. The car's brake rotors are chaperoned by 28 brake pistons, but using them forcefully is like begging someone to plow into the aforementioned engine. The car will cost you €1.6 million (roughly $2.24M USD), for which you get, as a soft top, an umbrella. That's right, an umbrella. Own it and you'll be master of the quickest accelerating production car in the world, and yet you'll probably never remember what that acceleration is like.
First Drive: Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport is a temple of Zen
Just like the last time, when we drove the Bugatti Veyron, it began with an e-mail from Bugatti's PR firm: "Give me a call when you have a moment." And then, again, just like the last time, there came the question: "We have a Grand Sport. Can you do something with it?" Let. Me. See.
And that's how we ended up spending a day with the roofless Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport on a reference-resetting trip from Los Angeles to San Diego and back. Although you'll read many words after the jump to describe it, we really only need one word, and we'd draw it out in the same kind of smiling stupor we get when the dentist pumps us full of happy gas: "Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh...."
The Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport is a violent, taunting, confounding and punctiliously engineered maelstrom. It is a handmade wonder built in a castle, and yet resembles a slightly squashed jelly bean. It has a $30,000 stereo, but it's too much work to actually listen to it. The 16-cylinder, quad-turbocharged engine with 1,001 horsepower and 922 lb-ft of torque is programmed not to let you damage it, but in just one afternoon, the leather-trimmed coachwork on the doors will be a mess of shoe marks. The car's brake rotors are chaperoned by 28 brake pistons, but using them forcefully is like begging someone to plow into the aforementioned engine. The car will cost you €1.6 million (roughly $2.24M USD), for which you get, as a soft top, an umbrella. That's right, an umbrella. Own it and you'll be master of the quickest accelerating production car in the world, and yet you'll probably never remember what that acceleration is like.
BMW X1 Officially Released with HD Video
BMW has released official details of the new BMW X1 SUV (SAV). The smallest X vehicle in the range is 4.45 metres long, has a wheelbase of 2.76 metres, is 1.545 metres high and the lightest model weighs in at 1,615kg (EU). It is designed to have a low-slung rear window to make it look the sporting car that it is, and it features wide wheel arches for an aggressive squat. The signature kidney grille is as bold and muscular as it is on the 7 Series. Standard wheels coming with the range are 17-inch alloys.
Contours and sharp lines are evident all the way to the sides and back, including the "Hofmeister kink" at the C pillar. Further confirming that this is a true BMW design are the L-shaped rear lights clusters with sharp jagged edges.
First Test: 2010 Roush 427R Ford Mustang
Twist the key and the exhaust erupts with a ferocious bellow. In enclosed garages, it is a fearsome explosion that sets off car alarms and nasty looks. Out in the open, its thunderous note turns heads and raises eyebrows.
"This can't be legal" is your first thought.
The idle is too lumpy, too raspy, too loud. It's a dull rumble that becomes a guttural roar -- at quarter throttle. Declutch a cold engine and coast to a stop, and the exhaust crackles and sizzles -- the sound of raw fuel hitting hot metal.
"I'm going to jail" is the next thought, but this one comes with an evil grin.
Hot or Not? 2010 Chevy Camaro RS with factory accessories
Jaguar has just unveiled its new XJ flagship to the public in a celebrity-filled extravaganza hosted by everyone's favorite car guy -- Jay Leno -- in London (watch the video below for the presentation). We got an embargoed sneak peek a bit ahead of time of the new Jag flagship, which is set to hit U.S. shores this December, beginning from the top floor of one of those photogenic English manors in the suburbs of London you see in Victorian-period-piece movies.
This location allowed design chief Ian Callum to show off the new luxury sedan's plan view and thus its most controversial feature, its piano-black trim. While piano black is almost a cliche on luxury-sedan dashboards, you don't find it outside...until now. The 2010 Jaguar XJ features a piece of the trim on the roof rails connecting the C-pillar to the other edge of the rear quarter-window.
New Lotus Esprit set for Release in 2012
Artists have provided us with this rendering of the 2012 Lotus Esprit, a potential competitor to the Audi R8. The British automaker had previously confirmed plans to bring the iconic sports car to market for the first time since 2004, if they sell enough current models to pay for the project.
First produced in 1976, the original Lotus Esprit was based on the 1972 Italdesign concept shown at the Turin Motor Show. Created by legendary designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Lotus Esprit was released as a well handling, but underpowered sports car. It gained in popularity through an appearance in The Spy Who Loved Me when it served a dual-purpose as a submarine. With each successive model, the car gained more power, leading to the 350 hp Lotus Esprit V8. In its 28 year run, 10,675 units were sold.
In 1982, Audi introduced its redesigned 5000 to the world and unwittingly influenced the shape of sedans to come. The 5000's smooth flanks, disk wheels and flush-mounted side glass were replicated by a generation of cars over the next two-and-a-half decades, and when its successor debuted in 1994, the A6 grew some curves while retaining Audi's patented blend of staid Germanic modernity.
The 2009 Audi A6 isn't nearly as revolutionary. It sits atop the same C6 platform we've known since 2005, and last year, the automaker gave its upper mid-sizer a mild makeover consisting of new front and rear fascias, light clusters and a few interior tweaks. Maybe that's why Audi thought it need to commission actor Jason Statham to star in a multi-million dollar Super Bowl advert to boost the A6's image. Well, that and to highlight the automaker's all-new supercharged 3.0-liter TFSI V6 – the same engine due to be fitted to several new Audis, including the 2010 Audi S4. How does the restyled A6 fair during a week of testing? And more importantly, is this new blown V6 a suitable replacement for Audi's 4.2-liter V8? Find out after the jump.
Aston Martin Rapide caught undisguised in parking lot
Finally, we can now show you pictures of a completely uncovered Aston Martin Rapide, thanks to photographer Simon Gregg. Gregg submitted the photos to the good folks at CAR Online, who quickly posted the pics online.
Aston Martin Design Director Marek Reichman once said, "We wanted to make the most beautiful four-door sports car in the world." The British automaker seems to have come very close to achieving their goal.
Although the car is not expected to be introduced to the public until September's Frankfurt Motor Show, these photos show a car that will be stiff competition with rival Porsche. The $89,000 to $132,600 Porsche Panamera luxury sports car was recently introduced to the public with a 3.6 liter six cylinder generating 300 hp, a 400 horsepower 4.8 liter V8 engine, and a 500 hp turbocharged V8.
Review: 2010 Lincoln MKZ makes a name for itself in the middle
The Lincoln MKZ began life as the Zephyr. It was bland-looking and far too underpowered to compete in the increasingly competitive entry-level luxury class. Ford updated the mid-size sedan back in 2007 with a more powerful engine, some cosmetic updates, and a new alphanumeric moniker. Despite the alterations, the least expensive Lincoln still didn't stack up with the competition in many areas, let alone in terms of image or "wow" factor.
Understandably, Lincoln is looking to reverse the fortunes of its MKZ for the 2010 model year, with a thorough makeover on the inside and some major cosmetic tweaks on the outside. Has Lincoln improved its volume sedan entry enough to make the MKZ a consideration for car shoppers? Hit the jump to find out how the 2010 Lincoln MKZ fared in our Autoblog review.
First Drive: Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport
It's the noise. I got into the new Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport feeling pretty cynical, wondering how Bugatti could possibly justify charging $280,000 on top of the Veyron coupe's eye-watering $1.7 million -- plus local taxes and delivery -- for a convertible with less than half the stiffness of the closed-cockpit car, weighing 224 pounds more and a couple tenths slower to 60 mph. Afterthought open tops like this are always worse, right? Floppy, pointless and purely for poseurs?
And then I pressed the starter button. One of the many astonishing things about the Bugatti Veyron is the way it takes such an extreme power output -- way in excess of a modern Formula 1 car -- and puts it into a docile, driveable, reliable package. But you don't realize just how well-insulated the coupe is until you start the Grand Sport with the roof off. The driveline is unchanged, but now at standstill and at low speeds you hear from behind you the constant mechanical hum of that open-air engine's 16 cylinders and 64 valves spinning, by some miracle, in perfect synchronicity. Even at low speeds -- town speeds, under 30 mph -- the hum is punctuated by a loud, fierce hissing from the wastegates of the four turbochargers every time you ease the pressure on the throttle. You might think you're a purist, and prefer the uncorrupted induction and exhaust note of a naturally aspirated engine, but I defy you not to love this noise and not to sacrifice the smooth progress the Grand Sport is perfectly capable of making in favor of a little gentle, deliberate kangarooing to get the engine sounding like a riled cobra.
Review: Yamaha FZ6R arrives as a rational sportbike
Before even throwing a leg over the new 2009 Yamaha FZ6R, we couldn't help but think that this bike fits neatly into the burgeoning entry-level sportbike category and is just the kind of motorcycle that most Americans would be better off purchasing than a bike from the more popular supersport category. Generally speaking, though today's crop of 600cc race-replica motorcycles are tons of fun to ride in a proper setting, there are few if any circumstances where it's necessary to have a machine capable of topping 160 mph or accelerating to 60 in around three seconds on public roads. With this in mind, we had very high hopes for Yamaha's latest middleweight sportbike. Did it meet our lofty expectations? Read on to find out.
In the past, many basic sporty motorcycles were let down by a distinct lack of technology, performance and looks. That's no longer the case today as bikes like the Kawasaki Ninja 650 and ER-6n, Suzuki GSX650F, SV650 and Gladius and Yamaha's FZ6 and FZ6R all offer a reasonable amount of horsepower, attractive designs and a relatively low cost.
Pics aplenty: 2010 Audi TT RS is ready for its closeup
Audi has released a plethora of new beautiful photographs of the Audi TT RS Coupe and Roadster, and it just makes us want them to change their mind about bringing the car to the United States even more. After all, what's not to love? The 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder puts out 340 horsepower and 332 lb-ft torque running through a six-speed manual transmission and Audi's quattro all-wheel drive system.
It also comes with other goodies like a stiffer suspension, five-spoke 18-inch wheels, more aggressive exterior styling, Alcantara /leather sports seats, and more. Why wouldn't we want a TT that has all that?
A Pure Driving Machine developing 340 bhp
Audi is once again producing a five-cylinder engine – and a very special one at that. Arriving at dealerships this summer, the TT RS has a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with direct gasoline injection; it produces 250 kW (340 bhp) and 450 Nm (331.90 lb.-ft.) of torque. The blazing five-cylinder engine enables the TT RS to perform extraordinary feats. In conjunction with quattro permanent all-wheel drive and a high-performance chassis, the engine makes the compact Audi TT RS a top-notch sports car – available as a coupé or roadster.
Review: 2009 Lexus IS F pursues perfection, might need more personality
The Lexus IS F is the sole Japanese contender in a crowd of compact high-performance sport sedans. Boasting a full complement of performance upgrades, including a 5.0-liter V8 mated to a quick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission, the 416-horsepower sedan blasts to 60 mph in well under five seconds. But the stats only tell part of the tale. Do the sum of the IS F's parts make it a contender against the best from Germany and America? Let's find out.
The first Lexus IS rolled into showrooms about a decade ago. The rear-wheel drive sedan sported a silky 3.0-liter inline-six (2JZ-GE) and went head-to-head against the standard BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4. A fine compact sedan under anyone's scrutiny, the first-generation IS only offered one engine. Lacking a factory-tuned performance variant, it was forced to sit on the sidelines and watch as the competition's high-performance M3, C43, and S4 frolicked through America's canyons and race circuits.
New ABT AS3 based on Audi A3 Facelift Revealed
ABT has released a tuning kit for the facelift Audi A3. The tuner calls it AS3 and it's more than just a cosmetic surgery. Getting into the exterior detail first we see that ABT has modified a few components such as the front grille, the bonnet, the fenders and the front bumpers. Even the front LED lights have changed shape form the standard bulbs.
The rest of the bodywork is made up of new side skirts, a front spoiler insert, fender inserts and a rear apron. ABT's recognisable four tailpipe unit gives the cars more presence. ABT AR or BR alloy wheels measuring 18 or 19-inch are recommended for the AS3. The suspension has been lowered by 35mm to improve handling and agility.
Auto Review: 2009 Land Rover LR2 HSE is naughty by nature
Land Rovers have always gone their own way – often literally. While off-roading demands a low center of gravity and muddy trails would seem to warrant hose-out interiors and body-on-frame-construction, the British automaker has long contented itself building tippy-looking unibody boxes with tall greenhouses and opulent cabins – the anti-Humvee, as it were. Further, in recent iterations, they've packed their products with immense electronic systems, air suspensions, dial-a-topography Terrain Response controller, and so on... the very sort of complexity that ought to be enough to send English sports car enthusiasts running back to their therapists' offices.
And yet, the formula has always worked – vehicles like the Range Rover and Discovery (now LR3) have somehow managed to earn both Kalahari-traversing credentials and valet stand privileges. Other companies have attempted the leather-lined off-roader thing before (Lamborghini, Lexus, Hummer, Porsche, and LaForza come to mind), but while some have added the trappings of luxury to their SUVs, exactly no one has been as successful in marrying their vehicles to the notion of aristocracy – the sort of "Lord and Master of All That I Survey" quality that has remained Solihull's historic preserve. In short, Land Rovers have always been a gloriously and uniquely British contradiction on wheels – a fact that goes some way toward explaining why your author remains more than a little conflicted when it comes to this LR2.
First Drive: 2010 Buick Regal
How's this for culture shock? I'm driving a German-designed Buick alongside a Korean-designed Chevy through the streets of a Chinese city. Welcome to the future of General Motors. GM plans to double its sales in China over the next five years, to two million units. "China remains the centerpiece of our global growth strategy," GM Asia-Pacific boss Nick Reilly said at the Shanghai show, where the GM stand featured 37 models, including the German-designed Buick and Korean-designed Chevy.
The Buick is the 2010 Regal. It's an old American nameplate for a brand-new car -- a rebadged version of the Opel Insignia, a stylish Fusion-size sedan that's selling to critical acclaim in Europe, having recently been voted 2009 Car of the Year there by a jury of 59 European auto writers. The Opel-based 2010 Regal replaces the old W-body model that has been sold in China since 2003. Like its predecessor, it's built in China by Shanghai-GM, the joint venture company operated by General Motors and Chinese automaker SAIC. GM is currently selling 5000 new Regals a month in China. (Here's a startling contrast: Buick hasn't sold 5000 a month of anything in the U.S. for some time.)
Pics Aplenty: Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce
We haven't necessarily had a shortage of photos of the Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce. In addition to the first batch of press photos released by Lamborghini, we also captured the super-Murcielago on the show floor in Geneva and once again here in the United States when it stopped by at one of our favorite weekly car gatherings. Even so, our salivary glands went into overdrive when we saw this latest batch of photos of the SuperVeloce. There' s just something about the outrageous over-the-top styling that takes us back to being a teenager.
Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce – the new king of the bulls is even more powerful, lighter and faster.
The Lamborghini Murciélago is one of the most extraordinary super sports cars of all time. Automobili Lamborghini has now expanded its model range with a new, exceptionally purist and even more extreme top model – the Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce is even more powerful, lighter and faster than the Murciélago LP 640. With the output of the 6.5 liter V12 increased to 670 hp and a weight reduction of 100 kg (220 lbs), the Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce boasts a power-to-weight ratio of 2.3 kg (5.1 lbs) per hp. This catapults it from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a breathtaking 3.2 seconds and powers it on to a top speed of around 342 km/h (212 mph). Distinctive design refinements ensure that each of this 350-unit limited edition series conveys its full potential from the very first glance.
First Drive: 2009 Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic
Marcello Mastroianni has been reincarnated as the Maserati Granturismo S Automatic. Suave good looks. Smooth, effortless acting. This big, handsome sport coupe is the cinematic black-and-white Mastroianni, wearing a tipped fedora and dark shades of Fellini's "81/2" or "La Dolce Vita."
As its name suggests, the Granturismo S Automatic tosses out the Granturismo S' six-speed twin-clutch paddle-shifted manual for a six-speed paddle-shifted ZF. It also dismisses the S' passive damping suspension for the base Granturismo's Skyhook suspension, "perfect tradeoff between handling and comfort on board," with its aluminum gas dampers. The suspension offers two settings, with a "sport" button that stiffens things up while opening an exhaust flap that turns up the volume on the lovely, throaty-brappy Italian V-8 soundtrack. Nino Rota would approve.
2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Facelift Official Details Released
Mercedes has officially unveiled the facelifted 2010 Mercedes S-Class less than 24 hours after we first published pictures from a leaked brochure.
From the front the facelifted model boasts a more pronounced grille, a revised bumper with chrome inserts in the air intakes, as well as LED daytime driving lights, indicators and marker lights for the S 400 HYBRID and S 600 (They are part of a package on the other S-Class models). Out back the changes are less noticeable as the only modifications are the addition of new LED taillights and a revised exhaust system that is integrated into the rear bumper.
Despite the minor makeover, the big news is the launch of the S 400 HYBRID which boasts a fuel economy rating of 7.9L/100km and emits just 186 grams of CO2 per kilometer. Set to become the world's first production vehicle to combine a hybrid powertrain with a lithium-ion battery, the S 400 HYBRID uses a 3.5-liter petrol engine that produces 205 kW (279 hp) and an electric motor that cranks out 15 kW (20 hp).
The world's fastest BMW coupe? 230 mph G-Power M6 Hurricane CS
The G-Power crew is constantly striving to produce the most insane BMWs on the planet, combining forced induction with thoroughly revised suspensions and aerodynamics to attain completely unreasonable speeds. It's latest creation, the BMW M6 Hurricane CS, takes the standard set by its M5-based Hurricane RS, and straps a duo of superchargers onto the 5.0-liter V10, boosting the coupe's output to 740 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque.
Combined with a remapped ECU and a titanium exhaust, along with carbon fiber seats and a few other tweaks to reduce the curb weight by around 100 pounds, the CS can run to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, to 124 mph in 9.6 seconds, 187 in 26 seconds and on to a claimed top speed of 230 mph – making it the fastest road-going BMW coupe on Earth.
In addition to the twin superchargers and bespoke body-kit, G-Power fitted the CS with carbon ceramic brakes at all four corners, with the front discs measuring in at 380mm and clamped by six-piston calipers. A coil-over suspension with nine adjustable settings joins front and rear anti-roll bars, and for a scant 390,000 euros, it can be yours. All the details can be found in the press release below the fold.
BMW 760Li & 760i Revealed with Newly Developed 6-Liter V12 Twin Turbo Engine
BMW has officially unveiled their new 760i and BMW 760Li which are powered by a brand new twin-turbo V12 that produces 400 kW (544 hp) and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) of torque. Directly aimed at the 5.5-liter biturbo V12 Mercedes S600 with 380 kW (517 hp) and 829 Nm (612 lb-ft) of torque, the new BMW 760's have more horsepower but less torque.
The new all-aluminum 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 was designed from the ground up and features the latest technology such as high precision fuel injection, infinite double-VANOS camshaft adjustment, and a volume flow-controlled oil pump. BMW went to great length to specifically design the two exhaust gas turbochargers so they would provide unparalleled power and performance worthy of the wealthy owners who typically flock to this high-end model. Despite the fact that the car boasts more power than its predecessor, the new 760i actually features a 4.5 percent increase in fuel economy for an estimated rating of 12.9L/100km (21.9mpg UK / 18.2mpg US). In the terms of performance, 0-100 km/h comes in just 4.6 seconds while the top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).
2010 Mercedes E63 AMG Unleashed
Official information regarding the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG sedan has been released along with the first batch of official photos. The E63 AMG now makes 518bhp (386kW) and 465lb ft (630Nm) of maximum torque compared to the current car's 507bhp (378kW) and the same amount of torque. Mercedes-Benz is sticking AMG's 6.3-litre naturally aspirated V8 on this one. Performance should be similar to that of the outgoing E63 with figures of 4.5 seconds for the 0 - 62mph sprint and a top speed of 155mph (249km/h).
Despite the minimal increase in power the car is said to quaff 12 percent less fuel resulting in an average consumption of 22.4mpg. One of the components credited for this is the Speedshift MCT 7-speed gearbox found in the SL63 AMG. It has four driving modes namely Controlled Efficiency, Sport, Sport Plus and Manual.
Arrival: 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD
For 2009, Acura made drastic changes inside and out to its fourth-generation Acura TL. With edgy, albeit polarizing exterior styling and a sporty, tech-laden interior, the new TL shows no signs of getting lost in the entry-luxury crowd. Long Acura's best-selling model, the TL is now available in either front- or all-wheel-drive configuration, with the former offering a 3.5-liter, 280-horse V-6, the latter a bigger 3.7-liter rated at 305 ponies. Both are backed with a five-speed automatic; a slick six-speed manual will be available with the 3.7 for the 2010 model year.
Per Acura's usual approach, the TL comes in base trim or with a $3730 Technology Package that adds a 440-watt ELS audio system, navigation with traffic rerouting and Zagat restaurant reviews, Bluetooth, and a decklid spoiler with backup camera. For another grand, the all-wheel-drive TL, dubbed SH-AWD for its "Super Handling All-Wheel Drive," can be had with high-performance summer tireson 19-inch alloys (versus 18s).
Nissan Skyline Crossover Announced For Japan Launch this Summer
Nissan has announced plans to launch the new Skyline Crossover in Japan this summer.
Essentially a Nissan badged Infiniti EX, the new crossover features Skyline inspired styling with a wagon-like twist. While the exterior is all Skyline, the interior is completely different as it adopts a more luxurious cabin with a unique design and higher quality materials.
Although Nissan failed to provide technical details on the new Skyline Crossover, the press release states that power will be provided by a "VQ37VHR engine with VVEL technology." This engine is already available in Europe for the Infinti EX37 making 310hp while the U.S. EX35 comes equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 297 horsepower and 253 lb-ft of torque.
RMR Hyundai Genesis Coupe starts Formula D season with Nissan power
When Rhys Millen debuted the new Hyundai Genesis Coupe at the season's first Formula Drift event at Long Beach, not all was what it seemed. When the factory-supported drift program was announced in February at the Chicago Auto Show, it was still in its formative stages. The original press release noted that the car would be powered by a stroked and turbocharged 4.1-liter version of Hyundai's Lambda V6 cranking out 550 hp. However, Hyundai didn't give final approval for the drift program with Millen's team until mid-January, at which point work began in earnest.
The car shown in Chicago and later at the press introductions for the Genesis Coupe was a stock car with modified bodywork to show what the race car would look like. As it turns out, the three month span between program approval and the Long Beach event wasn't enough time to get a brand new car and powertrain ready. A reader sent us a tip letting us know that the car that ran in California did not, in fact, have a Hyundai engine installed.
New York Auto Show 2009: Acura ZDX aimed squarely at BMW X6After a few weeks of teasing, Acura has finally revealed the ZDX, its new four-door, luxury
After a few weeks of teasing, Acura has finally revealed the ZDX, its new four-door, luxury crossover "coupe" that is clearly aimed at the similarly proportioned BMW X6. The ZDX wears the now familiar shield grille and sharp styling that has spread across the entire Acura lineup. To further emphasize the crossover's coupiness, Acura designers have hid the rear door handles in the base of the C-pillar. The ZDX rides tall on 20-inch, 9-spoke wheels and also glints under the lights thanks to a number of chrome trim pieces including a pair of shiny dual exhausts out back. Inside you'll find typical Acura luxury with high quality materials arranged in a high-tech package that includes a new multi-view rear camera system with both a wide angle and top down view. The production ZDX will be V6-powered and kept in line by Acura's superb Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system.
Feel free to poke around the ZDX in our high-res gallery below. It's the best expression yet of Acura's new design language, which has taken some getting used to on its current lineup of sedans. This segment-busting crossover should arrive in dealerships by the fall of 2009, according to Acura.
First Look: 2010 Subaru Outback
A week after unveiling its bigger and better Legacy, Subaru is now letting the other shoe drop. Or should we say letting its hiking boot drop. Since 1994, the Outback has been the Legacy's rough-and-tumble alter ego. Their Indiana Jones to the Legacy's tweedy Dr. Henry Walton Jones, Jr. And like Harrison Ford himself, the Outback has gained in both savvy and physical size since his swashbuckling debut, though neither one appears to be any less willing to tackle genuine adventure.
As with the Legacy's architecture, the 2010 Outback has swelled in size. Its wheelbase has added 2.8 inches, it's been widened by 2.0 inches, and its height has been elevated by 4.0 inches. The consequence is an interior that's ballooned by 8 cubic feet of passenger room (up 7.6 percent), while cargo volume (with folded rear seats) is up 8.4 cubic feet. Aging whip-crackers will appreciate its additional 3.5 inches of front hip room (1.3 in the back) and 4 extra inches of rear legroom in which to straighten arthritic knees. Although the Outback's overall length has actually contracted by nearly an inch, those gains in width and height give it a much more imposing visual presence.
Officially Official: 2009 Volkswagen Golf GTI coming Stateside this summer
he 2009 Volkswagen Golf GTI (Mark VI) is upon us, and as suspected, the thinly-veiled "concept" shown in Paris is an exact duplicate of the production model we'll be getting in the States this summer.
With redesigned front and rear fascias, artfully sculpted haunches and Scirocco-inspired headlamps, the Mark VI is a subtle evolution of the outgoing model that lends a bit more aggression to the three- and five-door hatch. Power is provided by a tweaked and turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four putting out 210 horsepower (10 hp more than its predecessor) and 206 lb-ft of torque beginning at 1,800 rpm. The run to 60 mph comes in at 6.9 seconds with a top speed of 149 mph.
A six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch gearbox are available, along with a standard sport suspension, DCC adaptive damping (with settings for Normal, Sport and Comfort) and an XDS electronic differential that monitors traction and sends power to the outside wheel. The interior remains largely unchanged, with standard plaid seating (leather is optional), along with stainless-steel pedals, aluminum shift knob and a flat-bottom leather-wrapped steering wheel.
BMW 135i tii up against V8 supercar, F1 racer at Australian Grand Prix
BMW's little 1 Series has proven itself to be a credible performer that's able to hang with nearly anything else it likely to encounter on the road. But against an Australian V8 Supercar and BMW's own Formula 1 racer? Not a chance. Regardless, these three vehicles will indeed face off at the upcoming F1 season opener Down Under. To help level the playing field, each vehicle will start with a handicap, so the real excitement will begin near the end of the lap when the three cars close in on one another as they sprint to the finish line.
The 1 Series that's taking part in the event will be equipped with the German automaker's potent 3.0L twin-turbo inline six and will wear 18" alloys bolted up to a tuned suspension set up with cross-drilled brakes. A set of tii decals and a full BMW Performance aerodynamic body kit top things off. The race will be repeated 5 times starting on Thursday, March 26th.
Spycam: 2011 Ferrari F450
It was five years ago that the current Ferrari F430 debuted at the 2004 Paris Motor Show and the storied Italian sports and racing car manufacturer is currently hard at work creating a successor designed to both increase power while decreasing emissions and fuel consumption at the same time. Dubbed the F450 by virtue of its enlarged 4.5L V-8 reportedly based on the present 4.3L unit, speculation has power surpassing that of the 430 Scuderia at 500 horses or more.
While the mule our spy shooters caught undergoing winter testing is still wearing modified F430 bodywork, the larger fenders, air scoops, and exhaust system all hint at the need for a wider stance and increased breathing -- no doubt, for a car that will be creating more power. The F450 will also reportedly receive Ferrari's new dual-clutch gearbox that debuted in the California. The new gearbox features quicker, smoother shift action than the automated manual presently used in the F430.
Spy Shots: Production 5 Series GT revealed via BMW TV
As expected, BMW is obviously pretty far along with the production version of the 5 Series Gran Turismo concept that debuted earlier this month at the Geneva Motor Show. While show-car details like the thin metal blades connecting the side mirrors from the concept have been replaced with more conventional bits, the general shape of the new GT has been left almost exactly intact. The same can't be said about the interior, which seems to have lost its artful air in exchange for BMW's typically Germanic sobriety.
We'll reserve final judgment for when the production version makes its official debut, likely at an undetermined auto show later this year. Click past the break to see the production BMW 5 Series GT on a video capture of BMW TV, along with the car's German-speaking project leader, Hans-Jurgen Branz.
First Test: 2009 Nissan Cube 1.8S
Quick, what do bulldogs, sunglasses, and Jacuzzis have in common? If you're thinking 1980s beer commercials, you'd be wrong (Spuds MacKenzie was a bull terrier). In fact, these three seemingly disparate elements are all design inspirations for the latest B-segment box van, the all-new 2009 Nissan Cube.
Nissan says the stance and front end of its softly curved box car invokes a "bulldog in sunglasses." They may have a point: The Cube's pinched grille and headlights combine with a jutting front bumper and small wheels pushed to the corners to create a look as awkwardly cute as, well, a slobbering lapdog in shades. Inside, the Cube's soft contours and layout are supposed to reflect a "Jacuzzi lounge," an effect bolstered by a water-droplet motif drizzled throughout the interior details.
BMW Developing 6-Series GT, Z2, 3 Series Supersports & New Mini Variant
We've got some exciting news on the BMW front. Sources over at Germancarzone, say BMW is planning a GT version of the next-gen BMW 6 Series. They also claim BMW is working on a Z2, to be introduced later this year, a 3 Series Supersports, and a new MINI model.
Just a short while after the introduction of the BMW 5 Series GT, the German automaker looks to be in the concept development stage of a BMW GT 6. This concept would be based on the platform for the new 6 Series, expected to hit the market at the end of 2010. Look for it to have some design cues similar to the on-again-off-again BMW CS Concept, with suicide doors in back. The rear-hinged doors should make entering and exiting the car very easy for backseat passengers, while maintaining a flowing look thanks to the elimination of the B-pillar. If it goes to dealerships, a 6 Series GT would be a natural competitor to the Audi A7 Sportback, the Mercedes-Benz CLS, and the forthcoming Porsche Panamera.
First Look: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL "Gullwing" is one of the coolest sports cars of all time. So named because of its unique, roof-hinged doors, the Gullwing was the Enzo of its era: stupendously fast, outrageously expensive, and styled to make an entrance. Clark Gable owned one; Andy Warhol painted one; Ava Gardner crashed one. No Mercedes sports car since, not even the Mercedes-McLaren SLR, has come close to matching the Gullwing's iconic appeal.
The SLR was a bastard-child of a supercar that neither McLaren nor Mercedes-Benz engineers truly felt was their own. McLaren's Gordon Murray, designer of championship-winning Brabham and McLaren grand prix racers, driving force behind the McLaren F1 supercar, thought the SLR overweight and overwrought; the antithesis of his personal automotive design philosophy. For their part, the Mercedes-Benz engineers were uneasy with McLaren's free-wheeling, fast-moving development culture, and skeptical of its methods. The culture-clash car that resulted was blindingly fast and supremely robust, but oddly styled and strangely uninvolving to drive.
Geneva Motor Show 2009: Bleu who? Mansory Linea Vincero more our style
The Bleu Centenaire wasn't the only limited edition Veyron on the floor at the Geneva Motor Show. While Bugatti has created a wide array of individualization programs for its supercar, German tuner Mansory saw fit to create its own and displayed a revised version of the Veyron dubbed the Linea Vincero. We got our first look at the car back in December when it was mysteriously pictured on a dealer web site, but with its official unveiling we now have full details from Mansory. Exterior modifications are relatively subtle and include a new front fascia, shorter hood, LED daytime running lights, side skirts, a diffuser, larger side and rear air outlets and new forged wheels. The interior features carbon fiber accents, special leather seating and trim and an ambient lighting system utilizing LEDs. Unlike the other Veyron models, the Vincero comes with a power upgrade, up to 1109 bhp and 967 lb-ft torque, thanks to an upgraded cooling system and exhaust system. With a total of three planned for production, the Linea Vincero could very well be one of the more popular color combinations out there.
"Vincerò! Vincerò! ¬– I will win", that is the self-confident exclamation from Nessun Dorma, probably the most famous tenor aria from Giacomo Puccini´s opera Turandot. And Vincerò is also the name of the latest automobile accessory line by refining specialist Mansory. Mansory already finds many parallels for the new name: The plot of the aria stems from a Persian tale of 1001 days which also relates to the standard motorisation of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 with 1,001 hp. On the other hand, it should also refer to the origin of Kourosh Mansory, the founder and CEO of Mansory Corporation. And the opera has another reference to the offered product portfolio by ending after three acts. The LINEA Vincerò edition is also not infinite – the project is strictly limited.
It goes without saying that such a sonorous name is only suitable for an absolutely high-quality programme. Already the Bugatti Veyron serial edition sets standards in terms of price, maximum speed and engine power and leaves its competitors far behind when a contender for the super sports car is to be crowned. Whoever now thinks that everything possible has been achieved, can be proved wrong. Already visually, the changes clearly show. The front part gets a comprehensive face-lift including modified wings, a shorter hood and a striking front apron. The LED daytime running lights integrated in the front mount and the implemented stylised "V" as a special tribute to the name "Vincerò" draw even more attention to the car. The newly developed side skirts are the visual and aerodynamic connection between the axles. Larger air outlets at the sides and at the back render optimal engine cooling and in combination with the new diffuser, they underline the powerful car design. Mansory manufactures nearly all auto body parts from ultra-light and high-strength carbon. The applied hardening technique with strong pressure and high temperatures in the autoclave thereby enormously improve the material quality.
In order to perfect the entire visual appearance, Mansory devised new, striking fully-forged turbine-design wheels for the Linea Vincerò in serial dimensions.
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Also, the power engine is refined by Mansory. Technical innovation is combined with technical expertise and thereby, an increased cooling air supply and optimised exhaust system produce an unbelievable 1109 hp and 1310 Nm.
The interior is exclusive and yet functional. Also here, Mansory understands how luxury and technology can be harmonically combined. When traditional craftsmanship, selected materials and stylish design merge, the result is an interior of automobile excellence.
This mainly shows by the LED lights of the new Ambiente-Illumination-System which are fitted in the seats, door linings and the dashboard. The entire passenger compartment glows in a soft light which does not only render a comfortable feeling, but also emphasises the high-quality carbon applications and the especially grained leather. The ergonomically designed airbag steering wheel is both sportive and particularly pliable and is equipped with rocker switches.
The Mansory individualisation programme for the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is offered in a limited edition via the Middle East partner "Prestige Cars Abu Dhabi".
New Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe Revealed Before Geneva Debut
Here comes the E-Class Coupe as will be seen when its takes its first public bow at the Geneva motor show next month.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe is meant to replace the discontinued CLK, so Mercedes has a lot riding on the success of this model.
With the new design, Mercedes says the E-Class will be the "world's most aerodynamically efficient series-production car." That's a bold claim to make but one can see in the newly acquired sleekness of the body that things have changed. This Coupe, in its slight form with no B-pillars and completely retractable side windows, creates a drag coefficient of just 0.24.
Geneva Motor Show 2009 Preview: Aston Martin DBS Volante the ultimate in alfresco 12-cylinder motoring
Thanks to the embargo-breaking crew at World Car Fans, we can finally give up the details on the 2009 Aston Martin DBS Volante. The drop-top version of Bond's uber-Aston features a fabric roof that can be retracted in 14 seconds at speeds up to 30 mph and supposedly looks just as good with the top up as the top down. Motivation is provided by the same 6.0-liter V12 found in the standard DBS, putting out 510 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque to a rear-mounted six-speed manual or "Touchtronic" sequential gearbox. The run to 62 mph is dispatched in a scant 4.3 seconds on its way to a top speed of 191 mph. Aston says it was able to keep the weight down (the DBS Volante tips the scales at 3,990 pounds) through the use of a lightweight roof mechanism, along with a carbon fiber hood, front splitter and trunk lid. The standard carbon ceramic brakes – pulled directly from the fixed-roof DBS – reduce unsprung weight at all four corners and provide the neck-punishing stopping power you'd expect. We'll get our first look of the DBS Volante at the Geneva Motor Show next week, but in the meantime, get all the details in the press release below the fold.
Rendered Speculation: Corvette Stingray C7.R
While the Corvette Stingray Concept (a.k.a. Autobot Sideswipe) introduced at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this month sports heritage-inspired cues, its futuristic styling could also hint at the design of the next-generation model. GM made no comment on whether any of the concept would find make its way into the C7 Corvette, but there will doubtless be plenty of people willing to speculate. The gang at BadBoyVettes.com have taken it one step further and have come up with what the C7.R would look like if the Stingray went to production as-is. Using one of our live shots from the show, they've added the Corvette Racing livery, complete with the "Jake" skull mascot featured prominently on the hood. We think they did a good job, which is to be expected, since BBV helped put together the design schemes for the actual C6.R racers. In full race livery, the Stingray looks like it'd be equally adept at chasing down Gulf-liveried Aston Martins or battling giant evil robots. After all, Jake plays no favorites; he's an equal-opportunity intimidator.
Geneva Motor Show 2009 Preview: Giugiaro concept claimed to be the world's fastest hybrid
Giorgetto Giugiaro has a series of successful concepts under his belt, including the Ferrari GG50 and his own interpretation of the Mustang. But his most recent design exercise -- the Italdesign Quaranta, shown at last year's Geneva Motor Show -- was a clear indication that he was moving beyond bespoke bodywork and taking a long look into the future of the automobile.
At this year's Geneva expo, he'll take the wraps off another hybrid concept that appears to evolve the Quaranta design and the (theoretical) drivetrain underneath. Judging by the teaser, it's decidedly more sleek than its predecessor, dropping the blocky '80s aesthetic of the Quaranta and packing a powertrain that will supposedly propel the gas-electric coupe to 186 mph. If the same 270 hp, 3.3-liter V6 hybrid employed on the Quaranta migrates to this new concept, expect an all-wheel-drive system with a duo of electric motors powering the front wheels and a claimed 0-60 time of around four seconds.
First Drive: 2010 Lexus RX
"The RX is arguably our most iconic vehicle." Those are the words of Lexus group vice president and general manager Mark Templin, who made the claim at the 2010 Lexus RX's press preview in Northern California. More symbolic than the IS, the GS, and even the LS, the lux sedan that spearheaded Lexus's U.S. launch in 1989 and sent the Europeans back to the drawing boards? According to Templin, it's entirely possible.
Perhaps he's right; since the RX 300 created the luxury-crossover segment in 1998 and the RX 400h -- the first hybrid luxury crossover -- turned gas pumps cold in 2005, consumers have often referred to the RX as the Lexus SUV or the Lexus hybrid, despite the fact that there are other notable sport/utes and hybrids in Lexus's lineup. Plus, RX sales numbers don't lie: Through November 2008, it was Lexus's best-selling vehicle not to mention the best-selling luxury SUV in the U.S.
