Report: BMW M sticks to rear-wheel drive; manuals if demand
In an interview with Autocar UK, BMW M boss Friedrich Nitschke says that the Munich-based automaker remains committed to its rear-wheel drive platform. “Our philosophy in regards to steering feel and precision is that rear-wheel drive is the best solution,” he said. “xDrive brings an 80-90kg weight penalty and the M differential is the industry’s best rear-drive set-up.”
Over the past few years, and before the new F10 M5 made its debut, there have been constant rumors about an all-wheel drive pure M car (not counting here the M Performance Automobiles), but BMW engineers, including head of development and M bosses have shuttered the dreams of some customers that were craving an M car that can perform in the winter just as it does in the summer.
BMW M550d xDrive shown here
Furthermore, Dr. Nitschke confirms that manuals are not dead. In the U.S., the M division offers its M5, M6 Coupe / Convertible and M6 Gran Coupe with a choice of a six-speed manual transmission. “From a production aspect, it would be much better to only offer the dual-clutch gearbox,” said Nitschke. “But as long as there is demand, we’ll offer the manual.” In other words, keep buying manuals if you would like to maintain the DNA of M cars.
The Continental: Kicking Off the Year in Detroit and Product Tidbits from Europe and Asia
Each week, our German correspondent slices and dices the latest rumblings, news, and quick-hit driving impressions from the other side of the pond. His byline may say Jens Meiners, but we simply call him . . . the Continental.
Mercedes-Benz debuts new CLS63 AMG for 2013 next to E63 AMG, also gets 4MATIC and 5.5L twin-turbo V8
Pulling up right next to the new 2013 Mercedes-Benz E63 sedan and estate is the new CLS63 AMG sedan four-door coupe and estate Shooting Brake revised for 2013. As you guessed, the CLS63 duo receives a similar treatment, including the new 5.5L twin-turbocharged V8 found in the new E63, 4MATIC all-wheel drive, and the addition of an “S Model” trim.
“The S-Models in particular represent the most attractive proposition in the segment,” notes Ola Källenius, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. “With its superlative power and torque ratings and the new performance-oriented AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive, the CLS 63 AMG is without parallel in its Coupé and Shooting Brake variants. Our AMG 5.5-litre V8 engine remains the most efficient series production V8 engine in the world. The new, customised model variants provide greater scope than ever for individual solutions.”
The CLS63 AMG non “S Model” produces 557hp and 531 lb-ft of torque from the twin-snail V8, which is channeled through AMG’s in-house Speedshift seven-speed automatic. Power is supplied to the rear-wheels as standard, with all-wheel drive optional.
Expect to see the new CLS63 AMGs on our shores in fall of 2013, with spring being the release for you European lot. For the full press release, check it out after the jump.
Carscoop’s A to Z Guide to the 2012 Paris Motor Show
The European car market may be in trouble because of the financial crisis that’s been dragging on for a long time now, but carmakers are gearing up to display their latest models in the City of Light.
From September 29 until October 14, the Paris Expo at the Porte de Versailles will host some of this year’s most important world premieres.
The French automakers have chosen the 2012 Paris Auto Show to launch models like the all-new Renault Clio, the Peugeot 208 GTi and the Citroen DS3 Cabrio.
Ford will also have a strong presence with a raft of new models like the new Mondeo and no less than three SUVs, while Jaguar will display the production version of its long-awaited F-Type, Mazda the impressively styled 6 in saloon and station wagon shapes, and Cadillac its 3-Series fighter, the ATS.
Compact hatchbacks are Europe’s second most popular segment accounting for nearly 3 million units in 2011. Paris will be the place where some of the most important contenders in the C-segment will be launched.
2012 Mercedes CLS63 by Wheelsandmore
Wheelsandmore was one of the first tuner to tweak the new-gen Mercedes CLS shorty after it was announced. But their new Stage III package for CLS 63 AMG is way more than just a tweak. They have improved the visuals as usual, but the main highlight of this car is the 700-hp output they managed to extract out of that 5.5 liter biTurbo V8.
This monstrous four-door coupe, dubbed “Seven-11″, features customized software, sport catalysts, flap-controlled exhaust system and an optimized air intake system. these changes were enough to boost the power from 525 hp to 700hp and 1100nm of torque.
Being a pro tuner, Wheelsandmore then set about upgrading the chassis and brakes. So they used 20-inch 6Sporz² ultralight forged which look very cool and feature Sport Contact 5 P tires from Continental, size 255/30/20 on 10″ wide rims at front, and 305/25/20 with 12″ wide rims on the rear. The suspension is also lowered by 30mm, enhancing the looks and handling.
Visually, WaM has gone for a nice wrap by Cover EFX in ”Armageddon-matte-gray” and “light-matte-black”. This combination is complemented by Wheelsandmore race stripe. It is one of the coolest CLS models we’ve seen.
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Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake Pricing Released
With the new CLS Shooting Brake, Mercedes-Benz is once again adding a further highlight to its line of innovative luxury vehicles. In terms of its proportions, the five-door model is clearly a coupé, but with a roof which continues through to the rear it promises some remarkable new possibilities. Prices start at €61,761 for the CLS 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY. The new Shooting Brake is available to order with immediate effect, while at the same time the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake is also making its debut.
“The new CLS Shooting Brake represents a new dimension of vehicle design and promises discerning customers independence at its most beautiful”, explains Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Member of the Board of Mercedes-Benz Cars responsible for Sales and Marketing. Like the first successful CLS (2004) – which has long been imitated in the meantime – the CLS Shooting Brake has the potential to become the role model for a new market segment.
An extravagant and unique feature for the automotive industry is the designo wooden luggage compartment floor, which serves to underscore the hand-finished nature of the interior. For the luggage compartment floor made of American cherry tree wood, selected veneer sheets are glued and pressed together by hand in five cross-bonded layers to achieve high dimensional stability. For additional flexibility, the rear seat backrests can be folded down from the luggage compartment as standard. The rear seats themselves provide individual seats on the outsides and a third seat in the middle. An optional folding trailer coupling is also available.
The CLS Coupé was the world’s first car to feature dynamic LED High Performance headlamps. The innovative lighting system is also available for the CLS Shooting Brake.
Video: Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake
Mercedes, Videos — By Chris on July 13, 2012 at 11:38 pm — No Comments
Mercedes-Benz has released the first video series of the recently launched CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake, which won’t be available in the United States.
The Mercedes CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake comes with the same specs as its four-door sports-coupe sibling, the CLS 63 AMG. The 5.5 liter V8 biturbo engine is available with 525hp and 700Nm of torque, or tuned though the optional ‘Edition 1’ package to 557hp and 800Nm of torque. This enables the AMG Shooting Brake to accelerate from standstill to 100km/h sprint in 4.4 and 4.3 seconds respectively, and to hit an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.
Deliveries of the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake will start in October 2012. But the Shooting Brake won’t come to the United States. A company spokesman told Automotive News Europe that the decision was made due to “the continued aversion to wagons by U.S. car buyers.”
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