12/28/12

2014 Mercedes E-Class



First of all, they ditched the four separate headlamps, an E-Class staple since 1995, in favor of a single one-piece unit on each side that encompasses all lighting elements. Mercedes says that the graphic design of the inner elements retain the “four-eyed” look while both the day-time running lights and the dipped beam have partial LED lights as standard and full LED lights are offered as an option.

For the first time, the E-Class, like the smaller C-Class, will be available with two different front-end designs. The base and Elegance trim levels feature the classic grille with three louvers and the three-pointed star on the bonnet, while the Avantgarde gets the sporty treatment with the star integrated in the grille.

In profile, the 2014 E-Class replaces the pontoon-style rear side panels with a new feature line that runs from the rear door to the elongated, LED taillights and, according to the company, emphasizes the side trim that has been shifted downwards and gives the car a more elongated shape.

In the cabin, the main highlights are the redesigned center console, the new instrument cluster, a two-part wood or aluminum trim that runs across the entire dashboard and a new analogue clock between the central air vents.

All versions of the E-Class will be equipped with an electromechanical Direct-Steer steering that combines speed-sensitive power assistance and a variable ratio of the steering gear.

The 2014 model will be available with four suspension set-ups. The base and Elegance trim levels will get the DIRECT CONTROL adjustable suspension tuned for comfort, the Avantgarde trim will have the same suspension lowered by 15 mm, the Exterior Sports and AMG sports packages will get a lowered sports suspension and the V8 models will be fitted with the electronically controlled AIRMATIC air suspension.

In Europe, Mercedes-Benz will offer the new E-Class with either a six-speed manual or the 7G-Tronic seven-speed auto transmission and no less than 18 engines, all of them fitted with an auto stop/start system.

Ten of them are gasoline units and range from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in 181HP (184PS) and 207HP (211PS) versions for the E 200 and E 250 respectively to a 4.6-liter V8 with 402HP (408PS) and 600 Nm (442.5 lb-ft) of torque for the E 500.

There are also six diesels and two diesel-electric hybrids: the 2.2-liter E 300 in 201 HP (204 PS) rear-wheel drive and the 248HP (252 PS) 3.0-liter all-wheel drive E 350 4MATIC.

Both saloon and estate variants will be equipped with the radar-based Collision Prevent Assist warning system that features adaptive braking and the Attention Assist system, which can detect the driver’s level of fatigue and issue a warning in case he is too tired or drowsy.

Of course, there’s also an armada of safety systems. These include the semi-auto Distronic Plus with Steering Assist cruise control, the BAS Plus brake assist that, thanks to the Junction Assist system can detect crossing traffic or pedestrians and increase braking power, the Pre-Safe system that optimizes the car’s safety systems and the automated Active Parking Assist that uses a 360-degree camera to provide a bird’s eye view of the surroundings.




















2013 Viper SRT (Video)


Thus the chassis is 50 percent stiffer, the body work materials include carbon fiber and aluminum, the interior features Sabelt seats like the ones used by Ferrari, an electronic, driver-configurable instrument binnacle, the dashboard is fully covered in leather in high-end versions and there’s even a touch-screen infotainment system.

Add the electronic stability and traction control systems, the 50/50 front/rear weight distribution and the (optional) electronically adjustable suspension and the question if the latest Viper, despite its 640HP and 600 lb-ft (812Nm) of torque coming out of the 8.4-liter V10 has, somehow, lost some of its venom suddenly made sense.

That’s the question Motor Trend sought to answer, too, which is why they picked up a top-of-the-line, US$124,990 as tested, Viper GTS and had associate road test editor Carlos Lago and racing driver Randy Probst test it and lap the Laguna Seca circuit respectively to find out.



Mercedes-Benz VTR Supermini



Inspired by the more aggressive styling and proportions of the A-Class Mk3, Turkish industrial design Uğur Göküş took it upon himself to visualize a smaller model positioned between the Smart series and the A-Class.

Since "A" is the first letter of the alphabet, Göküş decided to change nomenclature and baptize his conceptual sub-compact hatch the VTR-Class.

We imagine the three-door supermini was designed to be roughly the same length as a Ford Fiesta or a Renault Clio, with a wider body for a more menacing stance.
















12/8/12

2014 Audi RS6 Avant 552HP Bi-Turbo V8



The new RS6 Avant waves goodbye to the previous model's 571hp (579PS) and 650Nm (479 lbf·ft) 5.0-liter bi-turbo V10 and gains Audi's brand new twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 TFSI engine, which is said to deliver 552hp (560PS) and 700Nm (516 lb-ft) in this application.

An eight-speed automatic drives all four wheels through Audi's quattro system with a sport differential. The Überstation wagon is claimed to go from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in just 3.9 seconds and top out at 304km/h (189mph), all while being able to fit up to 1,680 liters of goods.

By comparison, the older V10-powered RS6 Avant, completed the sprint in 4.6 seconds and had a de-restricted top speed of 274 km/h (170mph).

The design of the flagship model of the A6 series is exactly what you would expect from any member of the Audi RS family with blistered wheel arches, honeycomb inserts on the upper and lower front grilles that work together with a redesigned bumper, side skirts and a wide rear diffuser with large pipes on either side.

The RS6 Avant also gets a silver finish on the mirrors and the roof rails, a roof spoiler, larger alloy wheels shod in performance tires, and just to make sure you won't confuse it with another A6 model upon seeing it on your rear view mirror, a sizeable "quattro" logo enclosed in a silver frame on the front grille.

Inside, Audi has adorned the RS6 with all the usual bits and pieces such as a flat-bottom steering wheel, red needles on the revamped instrument panel gauges, tons of carbon fiber trims, and sports seats in a mix of leather and Alcantara.

We still don't know if Audi will introduce the new RS6 Avant in Detroit next month, or more likely, at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show in March.