Mercedes has officially unveiled the C63 AMG facelift in Geneva.
Drawing inspiration from the SL63 AMG, the C63 has a prominent front splitter, a single-bar grille, and new headlights with LED indicators. Elsewhere, there's a new rear bumper and restyled 18-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, the cabin has been significantly improved thanks to a greater emphasis on material quality. Most notably, there's a new dashboard, a revised instrument cluster, and piano black trim on center console.
As before, power is provided by a naturally-aspirated 6.3-liter (6208cc) V8 engine that develops 451 hp (336 kW / 457 PS) and 443 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque. It is connected to a new seven-speed 'SpeedShift MCT' transmission that enables the sedan to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds (4.6 seconds for the estate) and hit a limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).
For the power hungry, the optional AMG Performance Package increases output to 480 hp (358 kW / 487 PS) and 443 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque. With the extra power, the dash from 0-100 km/h takes just 4.4 seconds (4.5 seconds for the estate).
Lastly, to improve the car's handling, engineers installed a new steering system, revised spring / damper rates, and a thicker anti-roll bar. Thanks to these modifications, owners can expect "greater driving enjoyment and ride comfort at all times."
The 2012 C63 AMG will start arriving at European dealerships in July and German pricing starts at €71,340.
Source: Mercedes-Benz
2012 Mercedes C63 AMG debuts in Switzerland
Bentley Supersports "Ice Speed Record" Convertible looks for warm reception in Geneva
To celebrate its recent ice-speed record, Bentley is rolling out a special edition of the Continental Supersports convertible at this week's Geneva Motor Show. The record was set a mere two weeks ago by Finnish rally star Juha Kankkunen, who went 205.48 miles per hour on the frozen Baltic Sea in a Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible. Kankkunen's run eclipsed his 2007 record of 199.83 mph, which was also set in a Bentley Continental GT.
The Bentley Continental Superspots "Ice Speed Record" Convertible sports the Flying B's most-powerful engine ever, a 631-horsepower W12 kicking out 590 pound-feet of torque and sporting flex-fuel capability. The car Kankkunen set his record in ran exclusively on bio fuel.
Behind the impressive engine is a six-speed Quickshift automatic. The combo is good for a 3.8-second 0-60 sprint, with 100 mph coming up in just 9.5 seconds. Bentley claims that running the car on E85 will cut C02 emissions by up to 70 per cent.
Outside, the "Ice Speed Record" Supersports Convertible gets one of three unique colors: Beluga (above), Quartzite or Arctica White. Never one to stop at enough, Bentley has gone as far as to cover the soft top in a composite weave sporting its own metallic finish. Rounding out the package is a set of black 20-inch Supersports wheels. Both the special edition Supersports and Kankkunen's actual record-breaker will be on display at the Bentley booth in Geneva, so stay tuned for live images of them both soon.
Get in line now if you want one, as Bentley says it'll only build 100 of these worldwide.
[Source: Bentley]
Geneva 2011: Volkswagen Giugiaro Tex Concept brings Italdesign to the people
Earlier this year, famed design house Italdesign Giugiaro became part of the Volkswagen Group, and the longtime collaborators are are presenting their first joint concepts at the Geneva Motor Show this week.
The Italian design firm calls the Tex an "interpretation of tomorrow's sporty Volkswagen," incorporating coupe-like lines into a hatchback shape. In execution, it looks a bit like the current Euro-spec Honda Civic hatch to our eyes – especially up front. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but if we're honest, we expected something a little bolder from the company that has penned some of the most gorgeous designs of all time.
The Tex Concept is powered by Volkswagen's Twin Drive plug-in hybrid system, which we're told has a range of 35 kilometers (about 21 miles) with just the battery driving the wheels.
Inside, the Tex uses a driver-focused cockpit, and unlike the vast majority of concept cars that we'll be seeing in Geneva, the Giugiaro interior looks nearly production-ready. We like the implementation of the flat-bottomed steering wheel, supportive seats and funky new shift knob.
While the Tex is merely a concept right now, there's no telling if Volkswagen will use this as a basis for a future sports car, perhaps even a Golf or GTI far along down the road. Hit the jump to read the full details in Volkswagen's press release, and see the Italdesign Giugiaro Tex Concept for yourself in both of our high-res image galleries below.
[Source: Volkswagen]
Skoda VisionD Concept and new corporate design revealed
Skoda's got a brand new badge.
The Czech automaker, part of of the VW Group, has unveiled its new company logo along with the Skoda VisionD Concept and new corporate design revealed on the eve of the Geneva auto show, a concept model which previews the brand's new design paradigm.
The new Skoda logo features a more prominent winged-arrow design with its color now a lush "Skoda Green" instead of the previous "natural" green. The border area of the badge also now comes with a chrome highlight.
"We are keen to express the new power of our brand not only through our future products, but also in the way we present ourselves to partners and customers. Our new design and fresh outlook reflect our plans for the future," said Jürgen Stackmann, head of marketing and sales at Skoda, the press release attached here.
Source: Skoda
Ferrari 458 Italia tuned by Novitec Rosso
Novitec Rosso has kept engine modifications basic for the brand new model. They've added a new carbon-fiber airbox, a high-performance exhaust system made from nickel-chromium-based superalloy Inconel, which weighs 21 kg (46 lbs) less, as well as sport exhaust manifolds, sport catalysts and a rear muffler with a sound control flap that can be activated by a button on the steering wheel. Lastly, a remapped engine management system for optimized ignition and injection was added resulting in an additional 39 PS (28.7 kW / 39 bhp) from the 4.5-liter V8 for a total of 609 PS (448 kW / 600 bhp) at 9,100 rpm. Simultaneously peak torque has grown from 540 Nm (398 lb-ft) to 569 Nm (420 lb-ft) at 5,400 rpm.
For a top speed in excess of 330 km/h (205 mph) Novitec Rosso fine-tuned the body components using the wind tunnel at the University of Stuttgart. Made of carbon fiber the aerodynamic-enhanced kit consists of a lower spoiler, right/left wing flaps and ventilation louvers attached to the original bumper fascia. Also in carbon fiber are the fenders, side skirts, carbon-fiber mirror housings, rear spoiler and diffuser. And last but not least the roof panel and engine hood are also made from carbon fiber.
Custom-tailored versions of the three-piece Novitec Rosso NF3 wheels were developed for the 458 Italia. Novitec Rosso chose a staggered combination of size 9Jx21 wheels in front and size 12Jx22 on the rear. Custom-manufactured Pirelli PZero tires are mounted in size 255/30 ZR 21 and 335/25 ZR 22 front to rear, respectively.
NOVITEC ROSSO sport springs lower the ride height of the Ferrari by 35 millimeters while the hydraulic front lift system can raise the front lip of the car by 40 millimeters to help clear speed bumps or parking garage ramps.
Report: Diesel Chevrolet Cruze confirmed for U.S.
Production is rumored to kick off on the project at some point next year.
There's even rumor that GM is currently testing diesel Cruze models around the greater Detroit area right now. While no power or fuel economy numbers are available at the moment, GM is expected to make use of a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine for the new model. That would be the same lump found in the Holden Cruze CDX, which turns out 147 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque with up to 34 miles per gallon combined.
[Source: GMInsideNews]
Imperia GP struts its retro hybrid stuff in Belgium
The modern automotive era has seen more retro brands revived than we can remember. Marques like Bugatti, Spyker, Abarth and Mini are perhaps the most prominent among them – to say nothing of counteless resurrected model nameplates from the Volkswagen New Beetle to the Dodge Challenger – and each has brought its classic caché back from the dead with a modern take on the original. Imperia, however, plans on doing one better.
Active throughout the first half of the 20th century, Imperia is back with retro styling along the lines of a Morgan or Wiesmann, but with a decidedly modern twist: it's a hybrid. Propulsion is provided by the combination of a 207-horsepowr 1.6-liter turbo four and a 134-hp electric motor. Such a small package driven only by the electric motor can hit 62 from a standstill in a solid six seconds, or just four with internal combustion kicking in.
The product of some three years of development, the first pre-production prototype was recently unveiled at its home Belgian Auto Show, and is set to hit the market shortly with a 90,000-euro price tag, or 120,000 euros for the first edition.
[Source: Imperia via WorldCarFans]
