Cars Reviews

The Geneva Motor Show is over, but the craptastic weather's following the whiny, overly privileged herd of automotive journos stampeding south for assorted first drives. Porsche's Cayman R drive meets up with pouring rain in Mallorca; by the time we're in the Canary Islands for a two-parter with the new Mercedes C-Class and SLK, it's frigid and windy.

The skies are going an even deeper shade of grey as I rebound once more off the Malaga airport, to southern Spain, for a first drive in the Aston Martin Vantage S and one in their all-new offering, the Virage. (More on that on March 21st.)

Then it hails. And then, it snows.

On paper, I clearly shivered more energy away than I could possibly pump through my veins in the form of caffeine, but it didn't matter once we pulled up in a fleet of black minivans to the gate at Ascari, a kind of adult Disneyland for speed addicts of the socially acceptable kind. Aston rolled open the paddock doors, and fired up the Vantage S' impeccably accented exhaust note. And damn if I didn't wake right up, brushing off epic jetlag to pile into a right-hand-drive roadster for my open-track laps.

The proper name is Ascari Race Resort, by the way, but in this tight-knit, well-heeled community it goes by its first name only. Drawing near its 10th anniversary, Ascari's a privateer track with slate-floored showers, a pretty fabulous restaurant, and staggering views of the mountains near Ronda, the town that gave birth to the bullfight. This isn't Nelson Ledges, or worse, if worse exists.

The track's a keen exercise for even the most talented. Ascari's a 3.5-mile-long, greatest-hits compilation of torturous esses, blurred-out straightaways that all but dead-end into 90-degree turns, and downhill grades that flip-flop between camber changes. In the lingo, it's a "technical" track--in the way neuroendocrinology is a technical expertise.

You can look very stupid here, very easily, but the Vantage S does its best to dust off your driving skills and showcase them in a most favorable, LED-intense light. The S slots above the V8 Vantage, what with its subtle tweaks and automated-manual transmission, but below its truly track-ready cousin, the GT4, and the monster V12 Vantage.

It has a name in common, and it also does what just about every other Aston Martin does with effortlessness. It soaks up attention with precise and exquisite details. It colors its grand-touring presentation with vivid, phenomenal roadgoing poise. And to a one, it makes Spain's aging sidewalk quarterbacks yell out: camio de Bond!

It's totally worth rolling top-down, even with blustery wind sawing at your eardrums, to hear those words. Worth sweating out equal amounts of cured ham and rioja, yet a week later. Worth a coach trip on Irish metal to Britain's least-sexy airport, to sleep in your clothes in a freezing room for six hours before you get on another plane bound for the busiest airport in the world. Read More......

It was nearly eighty degrees when I stepped out of the airport into the January San Diego sun. The comely AMG-branded blonde greeter immediately engaged me in lively superficial chit-chat as a black Mercedes S400 Hybrid was waved around to ferry me to the Rancho Valencia. The lifestyle immersion process of the AMG brand had already begun.

But it was just the beginning. Arriving at the resort hotel, shuttled to my room on a waiting golf cart, luggage in tow, I was dropped at the door to a private villa stocked with AMG promotional materials: my residence for the next several days.

With the Robin Leach treatment, you might think the car I was there to test--the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG--would be little more than a bit player, a bedtime mint on the pillow. It's anything but.

The Benevolent Dictator
Slip into the new CLS63 and get your driving position set, then stick the fob into the dash and give it a twist (yes, you have to--no pocketing the fob and pushing a button here), and the new 5.5-liter twin-turbo V-8 gently burbles to life, resolving to a low murmur at idle. Spin a few knobs and press a button or two and you're in M (manual) mode for the seven-speed single-clutch planetary-gear transmission, the firmest setting for the dynamic dampers, and, if desired, completely unhindered by traction control. Ready to roll.

And roll it does. Like a runaway train off the edge of a cliff once you apply a little boot to the fast pedal. Despite the elemental, force-of-nature wall of power, our observed fuel economy over more than 100 miles of highly spirited driving was a computer-reported 20.2 mpg.

Should you choose to leave some of the electronic nannies on--it is a roughly $100,000 car, after all, and initially unfamiliar at that--you'll find your play reined in only when you get seriously out of hand. Hustle the car smoothly and well, and you'll notice only tiny dabs of the brakes on individual wheels if you notice it at all. This car's computer is speed's friend, not its enemy.

According to director of vehicle development and AMG board member Tobias Moers, himself a skilled high-performance driver, the lap times of AMG's hottest shoes were the same whether ESP and traction control were engaged or not, and after driving it, we tend to believe him. That's high praise for the systems, and a welcome change from the lawyer-induced lackadaisicality common to the electronic minders of much of the 500-plus horsepower club. The Nordschleife time of the new 2012 CLS63 AMG? No one would give me a straight answer, but Moers did say it's in the "very, very low eight minute range."

Float Like a Feather
At 4,270 pounds, the 2012 CLS63 AMG is well into the heavyweight category for high-performance cars, but you'd never guess it from behind the wheel. Nimble isn't a word you'd typically apply to a two-ton, 113.2-inch wheelbase four-door, but it fits here. Nimble like Muhammad Ali, with just as powerful a punch.

The perception of nimbleness comes as much from the feedback you get from the steering wheel as it does from the well-tuned if a bit brusque-in-the-bumps suspension. The CLS63 sports AMG's first electrically-assisted power steering system, and according to Moers, that system alone took weeks of intense development and revision to perfect. The end result is indeed very near to perfection, or at least as close as we've experienced in such a large, heavy car.

A constant 14:1 ratio strips the vagueness and unpredictability of variable-ratio steering from the mix, leaving behind a direct, communicative, wiggle-free tiller that serves as much as a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) as the COMAND multimedia system does, and much more intuitive to use. Read More......

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Jason Plato puts his foot to the floor when he takes the Brabus Rocket, the world's fastest four-door saloon, to the German Autobahn to try and top 200mph. Read More......

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Honda Civic= EK4 Turbo 500 BHP ! - The most popular videos are here Read More......

Audi’s RS6 sedan was finally officially released this week, but the German racers and tuners at Abt Sportsline have just unveiled their take on the RS6 Avant. Not content with 580hp (426kW) and plenty of room for family and friends, Abt has boosted output to 700hp (515kW) and 590lb-ft (800Nm) of torque, making the Abt RS6 Avant one of the most insanely powerful people carriers in the world.

The tuning package matches or exceeds the MTM RS6 Avant, released just a couple weeks ago. Though Abt hasn’t released performance specs for the tire-shredding wagon, the MTM version manages the sprint to 60mph (96km/h) in under five seconds and is reportedly capable of speeds in excess of 187mph (300km/h), so the Abt RS6 should post similar numbers.

Among the extensive list of improvements to the car, Abt has removed the electronic speed limiter, re-tuned the ECU to boost power, outfitted a new aerodynamics package that includes a carbon fiber front lip spoiler and rear diffuser, a wide range of custom alloy wheels, custom Abt-branded floor mats and shift knobs, plus a specially-tuned rear muffler with four exit pipes. As usual with Abt’s tuning kits, the individual elements are highly customizable and most can be had individually or as a package.

Pricing for the speed-limiter removal starts at €1,500 ($2,200) and the ECU tuning will cost €4,900 ($7,200), but both pale in comparison to the car’s base price of €107,800 ($158,000). Read More......

Although rumor still has it the 2010 Mercedes E-Class won't be making its debut until the International Auto Show in Frankfurt next year, that hasn't stopped Auto Bild from showcasing the model in their newest publication. In the article, the model is displayed from a number of different angles, all without the masking that up until now it's been adorned with.

Before you get too excited, however, I do have to note that despite their quality, the photos aren't actually photos... they're instead high quality renderings showing an approximation of what the 2010 Mercedes E-Class will look like. Nevertheless, when compared to prior spy shots, the renderings do a commendable job at replicating the visible lines of the model, meaning the final product shouldn't be too far off from what's pictured before you.

We will of course keep you posted as new details of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class emerge; in the meantime, keep scrolling to see Auto Bild's 2010 Mercedes E-Class photos in their entirety. Read More......

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Update: Mercedes’ upcoming SL gullwing successor may not be a Mercedes’ after all, according to the latest reports. The car will be the first production road car to be badged exclusively under the brand of Mercedes’ performance arm, AMG, perhaps to highlight the AMG Gullwing’s performance prowess.

The AMG Gullwing is expected to be shown in production trim at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show, while a concept is expected to be shown at Frankfurt next year. A convertible variant, most likely sporting a cloth roof, is expected to be unveiled in 2011.

The car’s exact dimensions have also been reported to be 4.65 meters long, 1.95 meters wide and just 1.25 meters tall, with a wheelbase of just 2.7 meters.

Mercedes’ decision to use only the AMG brand on the new car will also coincide with the release of the company’s first supercar since the end of its partnership with McLaren for the SLR.

Original: Mercedes’ successor to the original SL gullwing coupe has been spotted once again in prototype form and this time one of the car’s new vertical lifting doors has been revealed. Until now prototypes for the car, which is tipped to be called the SLC, have been heavily camouflaged, even wearing mock Dodge Viper panels.

The latest images give us a much better indication as to what the final version may look like, with a long hood, truncated rear cabin and short rear deck highlighting the design. An adjustable rear spoiler is also present, although the final design will almost certainly change before production.

The SLC has already been touted as the replacement for the outgoing Mercedes-McLaren SLR but its expected price tag and performance levels will position it closer to the current SL63 AMG. According to latest reports the final price of the SLC will be around €150,000 (approximately $234,196) and its world debut is slated for next year’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Production numbers are expected to range between 3,000 and 5,000 units per year and first sales should start in mid 2010.

Power will come from AMG’s familiar hand-built 6.2L V8 engine and is expected to top out at 580hp (433kW). The engine will be located up front but will be mounted behind the front axle for better weight distribution. Drive will be sent to the rear wheels via a newly developed dual-clutch transmission sitting in front of the rear axle. The SLC’s final kerb weight will be around 1,650kg and with the V8 engine the car should be able to accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 315km/h.


http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1541138701/bclid958607989/bctid1541138512 Read More......

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Despite its somewhat confusing moniker, Wald's newest tuning package is anything but. In fact, it's quite simple, really. The Japanese tuning wizards started with the W220 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and they developed a range of styling components aimed to make the model look more like... you guessed it... a W221 S-Class.

In terms of actual execution, the Wald W221 Look package does indeed make your W220 S-Class look somewhat more like the latest-generation S-Class, but more importantly, it makes your W220 look just plain delicious. A new front and rear apron, side skirts and vented front wheel arch lend an air of sportiness to the former monarch of luxury, while the crème de la crème is Wald's 6.3-Liter AMG-esque wheels, which I'm going to place at 21 inches or so.

Completing the package is a rich golden hue - a paint color that although falling out of grace as of late, will not doubt re-emerge as the must-have color of 2011.

To see more of Wald's W221 Look tuning package for the W220 Mercedes S-Class, you can see a number of photos showcasing the goods immediately below.

Enjoy. Read More......

BMW’s wildly successful Mini Cooper will experience a fall in sales in coming months, despite demand for the iconic car being higher than ever. Due to the heavy demand, dealerships across the U.S. are experiencing short supplies of current stock and with rising fuel prices pushing more and more consumers towards small cars waiting lists are expected to expand dramatically.

While production will be boosted for the U.S., even the additional 2,000 to 3,000 units earmarked for this purpose will not be enough to supply the hungry market. The Mini plant in Oxford, England, is currently running three shifts, seven days a week and builds about 800 cars a day for 80 markets, reports Automotive News.

Mini has several plans in place to help meet the increase in demand. Jim McDowell, vice president of Mini, revealed that the current dealership network will expand by 13 stores for a total of 95 by 2011. He also confirmed that base prices for some 2009 models will increase but dynamic stability control will be made standard on all models. The Mini Cooper hardtop goes from $18,700 to $19,200, while the Cooper S hardtop price rises from $21,850 to $22,600; Cooper Clubman and Clubman S models get a $250 price increase to $20,850.

Additionally, a diesel Mini is being considered for the North American market, as is the possibility of building the Mini in countries that are more viable and less expensive than England in order to bring costs down and increase supply. The Mini Cooper D (pictured) averages more than 50mpg (4.7L/100km) on the highway but the vehicle won’t be launched Stateside until it can be sold in all 50 states. Read More......

Tata Motors and Fiat are already tied up over a number of projects including manufacturing low cost engines and the sharing of engineering teams, but the partnership could soon expand even further with Tata boss Ratan Tata considering using Fiat to sell its Nano minicar (pictured) outside of India. The Nano will only cost $2,500 to manufacture and is set to start production in October at a plant in Singur, India.

Ratan Tata told reporters from Automotive News that Tata has “held talks” with Fiat and that the Indian company is “open to considering a partnership” in terms of selling the Nano through Fiat’s dealer network. However, he also stated that there are no concrete plans to go ahead with this.

The two companies are also expected to resume talks on a joint venture to manufacture, sell and distribute trucks through both Tata and Fiat’s truck division Iveco. These talks were interrupted by Tata’s acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover, but with the completion of the deal between Ford and Tata the talks can now be resumed. Read More......

If you're looking for the latest in pure, unadulterated Mercedes tuning goodness, you've come to the right place ladies and gentlemen. Today we have the first glimpses of not one... not two... but five new tuning packages from the hands of the industrious designers at Wald. Yes, you heard me right: five new tuning packages. The C-Class, the GLK-Class, the SL-Class, the R-Class and the Viano -- these are the models Wald has bestowed their tuning prowess upon.

While I could attempt to describe the various features found on each of the new tuning kits, the photos do a far better job than I could ever hope to, so instead I'll let them have all the fun. Allow me to quickly note, however, that each of the Wald kits are currently in development stages, so you'll have to wait a bit longer before placing your orders.

For more info, keep scrolling to see the full collection of future Wald Mercedes tuning packages, or head over to the Wald website for their complete tuning portfolio.

Enjoy. Read More......

Following this month’s reveal of the new facelifted 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera S models comes latest spy shots of the updated Turbo Cabrio model due at the end of the year. It will be hard to spot the difference between the new and the old as the spy images reveal because most of the planned changes will be taking place under the sheet-metal.

The facelifted 911 Turbo range is expected to get an extra 20hp (15kW) to give it an edge over the new Nissan GT-R and return its supremacy at the Nurburgring. The bump in power is courtesy of a new direct-injection system, which is also expected to improve fuel economy. In line with the changes in the new 911 facelift range, the engine in the updated Turbo will also sport increased combustion chambers, a new crankshaft and an upgraded oil and water pump.

Power levels will likely fall close to the 500hp (373kW) mark, which combined with the quick-shifting Doppel Kupplung (dual clutch) gearbox should ensure quicker acceleration and track times.

Visually, the car is being enhanced with larger front air intakes and new fog-lights in the front bumper, giving a more aggressive look. At the rear are a new set of LED taillights and a new diffuser similar to that on the new GT3. Read More......

With the covers coming off Ferrari’s all-new California GT only a month ago, a test-mule for the carmaker’s next supercar has already been spotted. The test-mule, disguised under the body of a modified 360, was spotted on the streets of Modena and was easily distinguishable by its centrally mounted exhaust pipe and taped-off engine bay.

It’s still too early to gauge what the test-mule is for but initial speculation suggests it could be the next-generation F430 or a powertrain mule for the Enzo-successor. According to the spy photographers, the test-mule was also sporting an F430 front bumper and camouflaged rocker panels.

Late last month reports emerged claiming Ferrari’s next supercar would be based on the Millechili Concept but built on a modified F430 chassis. Power is expected to come from a new V10 engine churning out in excess of 600hp (450kW).

Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo also confirmed recently that the carmaker was developing new hybrid technology for its production cars based on the Kinetic Energy Recycling System (KERS) gearbox set to feature in its F1 cars next year, and before that a spokesman said the company was even open to V6 turbo technology as it attempts to battle new emissions and fuel-economy regulations. Read More......

This is one machine that can be described in many words. Some will call it kitsch, the other one will brag. Some will deem a strange model, others on the contrary, a challenge. All are welcome qualifier and strengthens the principle which says that tastes not discuss.


Spider NSF Golf 2 Concept

On the basis of a stand Spider Golf 2, say its creators. Nicolas and Sylvain in France have established a firm NSF Colors, which aims to lead the notion of amending the extreme. How limit of kitsch and quality is what may be thin, the public prosecution remains the most important factor. And the audience is composed of all of us.
Probably we would take one day and something to mention all that has her, and in it under her. The spectacle is an essential element, namely the work of these people, which can not be under any wonder.


Spider NSF Golf 2 Concept

Model: Spider NSF Golf 2
Engine: 2 NX kits which provide an extra 50 horses of power


Spider NSF Golf 2 Concept

Rims: 18 inches of MJL: 8X5X18 inches on the front and back 9.5X18 inches
Tires: Continental
Springs: Apex -60
Disc brakes front of 50 mm
Disc brakes rear 80 mm


Spider NSF Golf 2 Concept

Body-Kit: custom made outside the NSF Color
Rear: cut and welded the bodywork
Lights: VW New Beetle
Color: Color NSF
Deco: Style metallic

Inside:
Chairs: custom fiber
Wheel: S’Racing
Change gear Velocity: Type U.S.
Hand Brake: S’Racing
Console custom


Spider NSF Golf 2 Concept

Sound:
4 amplifiers Digital Design
2 subwoofers Digital Design
6 tweeters Digital Design
4 Speaker Digital Design
2 LCD screens
1 monitor console Read More......

OZ proposes a new type of alloy rims which are inspired by Formula 1 technology. Named Ultraleggera, these wheels are easier with 40% than any other model, since now and it is available in 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 inches dimensions. The price starts at € 145. It can offer amazing look to your car! Read More......

Citroen bet on experience of British SQ Plus that built Alien Citroen C2 in 6 months. The rear bumper and side sills match with the rest of alien style. Xenon headlamps will illuminate every monster in its sight (a mother-in-law too). There are no mirrors and doorknobs – usual tuning move. Stock 16“ rims were replaced with 20“ Toyo rims with low-profile tires and Mr. Chilli’s pneumatic suspension decreasing the Alien’s height.




The wheels replacement caused that fenders needed to be extremely extended. There’s a new wing on the rear window, so the car is now visually longer. Almost whole interior is covered with laminated parts so now it looks like a spaceship. Replacement of transmission allowed removing a central console behind the knob. Its seating capacity was decreased to driver only so the audio tunnel is now bigger.




The tunnel includes three powerful amplifiers and four Alpine subwoofers and behind the front seat you can discover a canister full of N20 gas. The interior is full of powerful speakers; some of them are placed also in the seats too. The dashboard includes five large LCDs that show what’s behind the car and also parameters of audio. And don’t forget that whole car is illuminated with blue neon tubes.




This disco car can produce 15.780 Watts of music power thanks to 20 speakers, 8 subwoofers and 11 amplifiers.
Pretty impressive, don’t you think? Read More......