Report: Next generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class to get convertible, hybrid, and diesel options
Mercedes-Benz are of course continuing their battle with their direct rival BMW in the race for sales. Resultantly, AutomotiveNews reports that the famed Silver Arrow will be adding a convertible, diesel, and hybrid variant to their C-Class lineup when it gets redesigned next year.
“We were fighting the 3 series with two arms tied behind our back, and now we will change that,” Mercedes-Benz USA’s Steve Cannon told Automotive News.
So far, word is that we could expect the new C-Class to debut at the Detroit Auto Show next year with a coupe and convertible following by early 2015. The diesel and hybrid models along with the option of 4MATIC all-wheel drive will come later.
2013 BMW 3-Series Cabriolet Preview
Price Range: $ 57,300 and up
Description: As part of one of the most comprehensive luxury car lineups on the road today, the BMW 3-Series Cabriolet has long been a staple part of the German automaker’s product portfolio. Joining wagon, GT, coupe, and sedan variants of the 3-Series, the Cabriolet targets shoppers after the styling, safety, and performance that the model is known for along with a bit of that “wind in your hair” feeling on beautiful days.
Selection in the BMW 3-Series Cabriolet range for 2013 includes three unique models and a wide-reaching lineup of features and option packages to suit a variety of tastes and budgets.
All models are four-seat, rear-wheel drive units with a fully motorized, hard-paneled roof that opens or closes at the touch of a button.
2016 Mercedes-Benz C-class Cabriolet Spy Photos: A Properly Badged C-class Droptop
What It Is: The cabriolet version of the next-generation Mercedes-Benz C-class. This droptop is expected to hit the market in 2015, a year after the new sedan, as a 2016 model. The new C will adopt Benz’s latest design language, which is characterized by flowing lines and not necessarily inspired by company history. For instance, the trunk is low, round, and sloping, similar to the characteristics of the new CLA sedan. And the exterior mirrors are positioned not in the front window triangle, where they’ve been on Benzes since the early 1970s, but rather on the door panel’s shoulder, similar to the most recent SL and SLK. Audi in particular has promoted the notion that this mirror position is sporty.
As will the next-gen C coupe, the C-class cabriolet features frameless windows, and it is fitted with an electrically operated softtop. The composite-material top featured on this mule is merely camouflage.
Report: Rolls-Royce considering Wraith-based convertible, and either a new SUV crossover or full-size shooting brake sedan
Germany’s AutoBild reports that Rolls-Royce may be considering two new models to add to their growing lineup. The models would be a convertible based on the existing Wraith shooting brake, while an SUV crossover or hatchback a la BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo may also be in the works.
Click here for our original post on the 2013 Rolls-Royce Wraith from the 2013 New York International Auto Show.
The Rolls-Royce Wraith-based convertible would be powered by the brand’s twin-turbo 6.6L V12 engine good for 624hp and 590 lb-ft of torque and would be due for production in 2015.
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Production BMW 4 Series spied at Schiphol airport
A production ready BMW 4 Series was spied at the Schiphol airpot in Amsterdam. It remains unknown where the 4 Series is heading but some people are already speculating that the car is heading to the Shanghai Auto Show.
The 4 Series Coupe spied here sports very light camouflage and it’s already revealing some of the design we’re all expecting to see, especially since the concept unveiled in Detroit is said to be about 90 percent identical to the final version.
As seen here also the new 4 Series has a long sleek hood, a more steeply raked front windshield, lower front end, wider kidney grills and enlarged air intake just above the ground which all combine to give the coupe a very aggressive appearance. Even the headlights appear to be pushed more to the edge of the front end than compared to the 3 Series.
Though the new 4 Series wheelbase is 50 mm longer than the outgoing E92 3 Series Coupe, it has the same 110.6” wheelbase as the existing F30 3 Series sedan. Its overall length, 182.7 inches, is just a hair longer the the F30 sedan by 0.2”. The new 4 Series overall height is 53.6 inches. This is lower than the existing 3 Series sedan by 2.7” and the outgoing 3 Series coupe by .63”. The new 4 Series also sports a wider front and rear track. So expect the M3 to have enhanced bodywork to make up for the narrower track. The M4 will still be one of the most aggressive M cars ever built.
[Source: Autoweek]
Range Rover, 86 and BRZ, and A-Class get 5 star ANCAP
In the latest round of crash testing performed by the Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ coupe twins, Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatchback and Range Rover luxury SUV have been awarded a maximum five star rating.
With dual front, side and driver’s knee airbags, the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ received 34.4 points out of a maximum 37. The frontal offset test was rated 14.97 out of 16, the side impact test 15.43 out of 16, and the pole test a perfect two. ‘Good’ whiplash protection and points for seatbelt reminders were offset by only an ‘acceptable’ rating for pedestrian safety. The 86 and BRZ were just edged out overall by the Honda CR-Z (35.56) and Hyundai Veloster (35.47).
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class, despite featuring an ‘active’ bonnet, was also rated ‘acceptable’ for pedestrian protection, while scoring 14.80 out of 16 for the frontal impact test, a perfect 16 for the side impact test, and another perfect two for the pole test for a total 35.80 out of 37. Overall, the A-Class couldn’t quite match the top scores in the small car class, including the Honda Insight (36.39), BMW 1 Series (36.33) and Alfa Romeo MiTo (36.1).
While the A-Class scored maximum points for head/neck, chest and upper leg protection in the frontal crash, it receieved 2.80 out of four for lower leg protection; the Toyota 86 managed 3.16, but dipped slightly for chest protection where it was rated 3.81 out of four.
All-New 2014 Maserati Ghibli Sports Sedan: First Official Photos?
Only a few hours ago, we shared a teaser video of the upcoming 2014 Maserati Ghibli in which the Italian carmaker promised to drop the first images of the car later this week, ahead of its world premiere at the Auto China 2013 in Shanghai on April 20.
Apparently, they didn’t check for…a leak, as the Czech team over at Autoforum (in case you didn’t notice the red logo) are laying claims to the first official shots of the production Ghibli. While we can’t be 100 percent certain at this time, our initial impression is that they’re the real deal.
We’ve added photos of the new Quattroporte after the jump so you can compare the styling of the two cars for yourself, but in our eyes, the Ghibli looks very much like a shorter and more compact in general, version of the larger Maserati with an even lower and more angry looking front end.
The dashboard also looks similar but has more contemporary and aggressive details and trim, which was to be expected since the Ghibli aims at a comparatively younger crowd and will be cross-shopped by buyers of the more powerful versions of the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, as well as the Audi A7 Sportback, BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe and the Mercedes-Benz CLS.
We don’t have any official information of the new Ghibli in our hands yet, but from what we know, it should measure somewhere around 4.8 to 4.9 meters long and be offered with turbocharged V6 and V8 gasoline engines.