Spy Shots: 2011 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Coupe
Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Paris Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury
2011 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery
It’s been nearly four years since the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class underwent a major overhaul, so M-B is planning a few subtle improvements to the third-generation W216 model before an all-new S-Class coupe arrives on the scene in late 2014.
The new coupe will continue to be available in a variety of variants, but our spy shooters weathering the wintery climes have caught what they believe to be the 604-horsepower twin-turbocharged V12 version wearing a slightly modified fascia adorned with a single chrome slat, enlarged logo, LED daytime driving lamps and a new front bumper and splitter mildly reminiscent of the SLS AMG.
When the refreshed model debuts either next month at the Geneva Motor Show or later this year in Paris don’t expect any seriously substantive tweaks to be made to the powertrain. That’ll likely come in the next few years when Mercedes begins downsizing and turbocharging, and we expect the S-Class coupe to be one of the first models to benefit from the new mill.
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Toro Rosso launches its “first” F1 car: the 2010 STR5
Filed under: Motorsports, Ferrari, Racing
2010 Toro Rosso STR5 – Click above for high-res image gallery
Big deal, you say? Another F1 car, you say? Well it’s a big deal in Faenza, where Scuderia Toro Rosso is based. That’s because, in accordance with new regulations, this is the first car designed and built entirely in house since Red Bull acquired the team in 2005.
The STR5, then, might as well be called the STR1, because its predecessors were all designed by its sister team Red Bull Racing. Now STR’s on its own, and this is the sword it will wield for the 2010 Formula One World Championship. Like other teams, Toro Rosso designed its car around the double diffuser which it adopted after a clarification to the rules mid-season last year. Also like its competitors, the STR5 abandons the KERS regenerative braking system, but takes on a bigger fuel tank in light of the new ban on mid-race refueling.
Although Volkswagen has joined STR as a nominal sponsor, “the other Scuderia” sticks with Ferrari power for 2010. With Toyota and BMW gone, the entire grid is being powered by only four engine suppliers: Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault and Cosworth. The STR5 will be piloted once again by Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari, who – due to the mid-season test ban – is now in Valenica where the car was launched, undertaking his first F1 test session despite having raced last season. Click on the thumbnails below to jump to the mega-gallery of high-resolution images.
BMW Vision plug-in hybrid headed to production
BMW’s hybrid monster
BMW has given the go ahead to the Vision plug-in hybrid. According to early reports, BMW will produce about 5,000 – 10,000 Vision plug-ins per year.
The final design will require more solid structure and less glass, but the basic vision of BMW’s latest hybrid concept will move forward. That means a 3-cylinder diesel engine range extender, 2 electric motors and a new lithium-polymer battery pack. Combined the new hybrid drive will produce 356 horsepower and well under 5 second 0 to 60 times.
2009 Audi Avatar Concept
The 2009 Audi Avatar Concept Design by Edwin Conan clearly defines what futuristic is, in all sense of the word. This supposedly 2032 model 3-seat car makes the computer-based racing cars a reality. The design of the Audi Avatar is patterned to the 1937 Auto Union Type C Streamline race car.
This car of the future [...]
Geneva Preview: BMW may debut Activehybrid 5 concept
Filed under: Hybrid, BMW, Geneva Motor Show
2011 BMW 5 Series – Click above for high-res image gallery
The new BMW 5 Series sedan goes on sale in the United States this June powered by a choice of inline-six or V8 turbocharged engines with a naturally aspirated six coming later in the summer. Before that happens though, we may well see an Activehybrid 5 concept appear at the Geneva Motor Show in four weeks.
When the Activehybrid 7 was launched last year in Europe, officials said that the new mild hybrid system used in the big sedan would make its way into other BMW platforms. With a fresh 5 that shares its platform and electrical architecture with the 7 about to go on sale, it makes perfect sense for the 5 to be the next application. What we don’t know is which engine an Activehybrid 5 would use. Hopefully BMW will opt for one of the six-cylinder engines rather than the twin-turbo V8 used in the 7 hybrid. That should help it get better mileage than the conventional 535i or 528i while possibly matching the performance of the V8 550i.
Photos by Chris Paukert / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
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