Mercedes-Benz unveils A45 AMG ahead of Geneva world debut w/ video
Mercedes-Benz pulled off the virtual sheets of its range-topping AMG version of its latest A-Class compact hatchback: the A45 AMG. And the idea of this new hot-hatch is to allow Mercedes-AMG to expand into lower markets. A long time ago, specifically before AMG was acquired as Mercedes-Benz’s official in-house tuner in 1990, one once had to dolly-up some serious money to get an AMG-tuned Mercedes. Now though, this A45 AMG is here for the masses.
“The A 45 AMG will enable Mercedes-AMG to appeal to new customers and tap new markets,” Ola Källenius said in the press release, Mercedes-AM’s chairman. We are adding an extremely attractive model with exceptional performance data to our range of unique high-performance automobiles.”
In an rather new nomenclature scheme, there’s no 4.5L hulk of German awesomeness under the hood, but rather a 2.0L turobcharged inline-four good for 360hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, which drives all four wheels via Mercedes’ 4MATIC all-wheel system. Channeling that power is AMG’s seven speed dual-clutch cog swapper that allows the A45 AMG to propel from 0-60 in just 4.5 seconds for a top sprint of 155mph.
Of course, the usual list of upgraded suspension and chassis components, brakes, and the steering system add to the A45 AMG’s package.
Visually however, the A45 AMG upgrades aren’t too dramatic as the A-Class is already a fairly slick looking vehicle.
2014 Lexus IS photos officially hit the web before Detroit debut
Lexus has released pictures of the new 2014 Lexus IS Sedan. The official release of the photos comes after a short leak earlier today. While no technical specs have been revealed by Lexus, the brand does tell us that the IS range will now include the IS 250, IS 350, IS 300h with Lexus Hybrid Drive and eventually the IS-F. The F Sport Package will be available across the full range.
Check out more news on the Lexus IS.
Check out the full release from Lexus after the jump.
U Design: Tesla Model C Concept Study for a Compact Electric Hatch by Dejan Hristov
While Tesla Motors started its career and gained worldwide attention through its 2008 electric-powered Roadster that was built around the Lotus Elise and which has since been retired, the Silicon Valley-based carmaker has much bigger plans in store for eco-conscious consumers.
This year, Tesla launched its first entry into the automotive mainstream, the Model S electric sedan that went on sale in June, and previewed its next step in making electric cars available to a wider audience with the Model X seven-seater crossover concept that will lead to a production model within the next couple of years.
Understandably, in order to survive, Tesla will need to expand its range in other segments as well, and here’s where an old acquaintance of CarScoop comes into the picture.
Dejan Hristov is an independent designer whom we came to know from his study for a Bugatti Super Sedan. This time, Hristov is proposing a smaller Tesla vehicle that he named the Model C.
The edgy-looking, three-door hatchback employs some interesting design solutions such as the sliding passenger compartment doors as well as the rear bumper that incorporates a retractable drawer.
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More Details and Photos of the 2013 Range Rover
Car News — By Lawrence on September 7, 2012 at 5:46 pm — No Comments
A few more details have surfaced for the 2013 Range Rover after its official unveil at the Royal Ballet School in Richmond Park, London last night. We also have a monster gallery of images to share with you too! Back when Land Rover released official details of their range-topping off-roader, we got a few key details and only six pictures. Today’s release gives us the full picture.
The fourth generation Range Rover features a brand new lightweight aluminium body, 39 percent lighter than the outgoing model and 420kg lighter. The bodywork sits at just under five meters long, around the same as the third generation. It gets a more streamlined design too with a drag coefficient of 0.34, less than the Evoque and significantly less than the outgoing model.
The Range Rover gets a next-generation version of Land Rover’s Terrain Response system which analyses the current driving conditions and automatically select the most suitable vehicle settings. It also gets an intelligent 4WD system, with a two-speed transfer box and an electronic traction control system. Wading depth is now 200mm deeper at 900mm and towing capability is greatly improved with a 3,500kg capability.
Engine availability will include two petrol engines, the 5.0 liter V8 rated at 375hp and the Supercharged version with a familiar 510hp. Two diesel options will also be made available with a 3.0 liter TDV6 option rated at 258hp and a 4.4 liter SDV8 rated at 339hp. All four engine options will be offered with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration figures for the Supercharged Range Rover are 0-60mph in just 5.1 seconds, a reduction of 0.8 seconds over the previous model.
2012 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG First Drive: A 500-Plus-HP SUV that Can Outrun Your Worries
At some point in the course of a two-day drive of the all-new Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, a thing interesting happened. Your author learned to stop worrying and really like the bomb.
Realized to quit worrying about the ML63’s carbon footprint. Worrying about its two-and-a-half-ton weight. Worrying, ultimately, about the sheer ludicrousness of turning the mild-mannered, safety-centric M-class SUV into a thing that need to wear a court-ordered ankle bracelet. We can not recall the precise moment, but all this consternation probably disappeared while the twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-eight was swallowing 14.five psi of boost and delivering 518 horsepower. AMG claims that the ML63 will obtain 60 mph in less than 4.8 seconds. Decide on the AMG Overall performance package, and the boost goes up to 18.9 psi, which yields 550 horsepower and a four.five-2nd -to-60 sprint by our estimate. (Some context: In our hands, the prior ML63—equipped with AMG’s naturally aspirated 503-hp, six.2-liter V-8—blitzed to 60 mph in four.six seconds.) Top speed, with or with no the crucial Performance package deal, is governed at 155 mph.
A single of our preferred components of the unique ML63 was its exhaust note. Portion huge-block Chevrolet Chevelle, component offshore powerboat, all completely inappropriate for high society. AMG has managed to protect that sound in the most recent version despite its engine’s slightly smaller displacement and two pesky turbochargers in the path of the exhaust gases. Deep and loud below full throttle, but with a slightly uneven and menacing sound at idle, the 5.five-liter is a best mimic of the old 6.two. Possibly that’s why it wears the very same “ML63” badges on its fenders and rear door. Or possibly AMG just ordered too many of them and hasn’t run out nevertheless.
As opposed to the last ML63 AMG, the new edition doesn’t slam shifts as however it is punishing its transmission. Gearchanges from the 7-speed automated are smoother but nonetheless quick. AMG looks to have dialed much more compliance into the suspension, also. Impacts are much less jarring, and the chassis is quieter. But really don’t think that the ML has gone flabby. New active anti-roll bars operate to reduce list angles, eliminating the preceding ML63’s clumsiness and trucklike sense. Cornering is now flatter, and the steering has a satisfying heft that serves as a reminder that the object you’re driving may well have huge-time grip but that it also weighs a lot more than 5000 pounds. A BMW X5 M or X6 M feels a lot more playful and lighter on its feet. The Benz feels more safe, far more deliberate in its motions. Stopping energy is provided by huge 15.4-inch rotors up front and 13.six-inch rotors in back. These brakes experience like they’ll quit the globe before they’ll melt on you.
If you really don’t dive all the way into the ML63’s energy and torque, this AMG model feels nearly precisely like every other new ML. That is, as lengthy as the pavement is dry. Outfitted with summer functionality tires, the ML63 is one particular SUV that won’t be prepared to tackle off-road trails or snowy roads. Solving that problem is as effortless as altering tires, but you will also adjust the dealing with and character of the ML63.
From inside, there are clues beyond the burbling exhaust note that you are in the factory-tuned version. A “designo” dress-up package is now normal, whereas that option generally costs $ 4000 on other Benzes. Louis Vuitton–grade leather addresses practically everything that isn’t a button, a screen, or wood. The ML63’s interior appointments are now aggressive with these of the greatest of the section, the Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo. It’s a large upgrade more than last year’s model, which looked like it had a dashboard wrapped in regulation NFL footballs. The AMG guys have gone a bit crazy on the ML’s exterior styling, even though. Most sheetmetal remains the identical, but they have additional a deeper front bumper with massive air intakes, fender flares, satin-chrome bits, gloss-black trim, 4 chrome exhaust ideas, and 21-inch wheels. The impact is striking, if not completely tasteful.
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SLP Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Droptop Tested: Seriously Loud and Powerful
The last thing a Camaro requirements is 324 far more horses, but that didn’t quit SLP (a.k.a. Street Legal Functionality) from making a Camaro ZL1. The unique, hyphenated ZL-1 was a $ 4160 choice pack in 1969, a box that just 69 consumers checked. An underrated 430-hp, aluminum-block seven.-liter V-eight was the highlight.
SLP adopts a comparable method with this Camaro. Its ZL1 package deal fees $ 80,000 on leading of a $ 32,750 Camaro SS coupe or $ 38,800 convertible donor, as noticed here. Just like the ’69, only 69 ZL1s will be offered by SLP. It is a juiced-up, $ 118,800 clean-and-jerk that turns heads, raises ears, and roasts rubber.
And no, this SLP ZL1 is not associated to Chevrolet’s upcoming Camaro ZL1: Years ago, SLP wisely trademarked “ZL.” Both SLP and Chevy fit an Eaton TVS supercharger to an aluminum-block V-eight. But whereas Chevy makes use of a six.two-liter LSA to churn up 580 horsepower, SLP opted for a 7.-liter LS7 generating a claimed 750 horses.
As with most megapower vehicles, the SLP is traction restricted at launch, and we wrangled a not-earthshaking 4.two-2nd -to-60-mph dash. The quarter-mile falls in 12.three seconds at 119 mph. That’s a lot more than half a second faster than a stock Camaro SS coupe in either metric. The SLP exhibits its energy at increased speeds, clearing 150 mph in 19.eight seconds, 15.6 seconds before a stocker.
With the top rated retracted, the ZL1’s roar overwhelms any road noise, with an idle reminiscent of a carbureted, hot-cam V-8. A sleeper this is not. Onlookers will simply recognize the beast generating the noise: A giant hood scoop, a splitter hanging beneath an SLP-designed front fascia, and a number of ZL1 badges give this car away.
SEMA Preview: GM Shows Tuned Sonics, Announces Cruze Concepts
General Motors is counting on its revised portfolio of small cars to further increase its sales in North American, and at next week’s SEMA aftermarket show in Las Vegas, the Detroit-based automaker will showcase the personalization possibilities for its sub-compact Chevrolet Sonic and the Cruze sedan with a plethora of concepts.
For the time being, GM has shared some initial details on some of the concepts it will display in Las Vegas along with a handful of pictures of two customized Sonic hatchbacks.
Most of the prototypes will be wearing conceptual Z-Spec styling parts, which GM says are being evaluated for production. Chevrolet had also shown a Sonic Z-Spec Concept at the Detroit Motor Show earlier this year.
Both the Sonic and Cruze will also be featured in a so-called “Dusk” treatment, which GM says is a more subtle approach to tuning.
For more details on the initial batch of concepts, scroll down to read the information provided by GM in the press release.
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