Showing posts with label Car News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Car News. Show all posts

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Top Gear drives the Jaguar C-X75

Before Jaguar put its 220mph, hybrid C-X75 hypercar on ice, TG got a drive…


Jaquar CX-75[gallery ids="2028,2029,2030"]


Thinking about it afterwards, another 2mph would have been nice. Because 2mph would have taken me to 186, which keen students of unit conversion will recognise as a nice round 300kph. The car certainly isn't the limiting factor, its big digital speedo's digits scrolling hungrily and dizzily away towards the maximum of about 220. But right now, 184mph looks like a big enough number to me. My mind is on matters other than arithmetic: it's streaming with rain, a corner is approaching - fast - and I'm driving a car that's precious and irreplaceable... albeit, I'm thinking, not as precious as my passenger and me. Time to get on the brakes.


Words: Paul Horrell
Photography: Lee Brimble
More photos: [http://www.topgear.com]


This feature was originally published in the July 2013 issue of Top Gear magazine

Source: [topgear.com]

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

New Porsche 911 turbo 991

Porsche had just released a video about the brand new 911 turbo, the 991 model!


911turbo

Porsche says about the new 911 turbo:
"With the new Porsche 911 Turbo, we have once again questioned everything and started from scratch. We pushed the boundaries of what is possible in order to break new ground. Watch the result in our latest clip. "





Monday, July 29, 2013

news4cars.com

Someone had just bought and register news4cars.com domain.



That site has nothing to do with me  and my blog.



news4cars.wordpress.com


Tuesday, July 16, 2013

McLaren F1 LM for Sale for £3.320,- !

The fastest naturally aspirated production car in the world, McLaren F1 LM goes for sale for just £3.320, as 1:8 scale model!


“Dedicated to Giorgos Giannopoulos„

mclaren_f1_scale_model

Amalgam Fine Model Cars presents 1:8 Scale luxury replica of the fastest naturally aspirated production car in the world, McLaren F1 LM.

The car was designed by Gordon Murray and only 106 were built in total. Just 5 of the McLaren F1 LM (LM forLe Mans) variant were produced in honour of the five McLaren F1 GTRs which finished the 1994 24 Hours of Le Mans, one of which took the overall win!

All F1 LM’s can be identified by their striking Papaya Orange paint scheme, the late Bruce McLaren’s race livery, in memory of and in tribute to him. Replica as the original continues this trend.

mclaren_f1_engine_bay_scale_model_car

The model is accompanied by the book “Driving Ambition” written by Doug Nye in conjunction with Ron Dennis and Gordon Murray, telling the whole story from conception to realisation of this iconic car. The book, along with the certificate of authenticity that accompanies each model, will be signed by Gordon Murray .
The edition is limited to 199 units with the price of £3,320 ($5,000)per piece.

Photo Gallery of Mclaren F1 LM


[gallery ids="2009,2008,2007,2006,2005"]

Monday, July 15, 2013

2012 Cisitalia 202 E Concept

At the 2012 Geneva Motor Show Turin-based IED will present the Cisitalia 202 E Concept, a modern reinterpretation of the legendary Cisitalia 202, designed by Pinin Farina in 1947.

2012_IED_Cisitalia_202_E_Concept_01

 

[gallery ids="2002,2001,2000,1999,1998,1997,1996"]

Most Expensive Car Ever Auctioned: Juan Manuel Fangio's Mercedes W196 Sells For Record $29.6 Million

Fangio's Mercedes W196R Silver Arrow sells for $29.6 million


A classic Mercedes-Benz W196race car driven by Formula 1 legend Juan Manuel Fangio sold for 19.6 million pounds ($29.6 million) at auction in England on Friday, setting a record for the most expensive car ever sold at auction.







The 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196 single-seater was driven by the five-time world champion racer when he clinched his second title in 1954. The Argentine drove the car to victories in the 1954 German and Swiss Grand Prix races.

Fangio-Mercedes-Benz-W196-30_million_3

Robert Brooks, chairman of Bonhams auctioneers, which handled the deal, called the car the most important historic Grand Prix racing car ever offered for sale.

The auction house said the steel-colored car is in a "remarkably unspoiled" condition and that its parts are believed to be complete and workable after proper preparation.

It was sold to a private buyer over the telephone at a classic cars auction in southern England's Goodwood. The price included the buyer's premium.

A 1965 Ferrari 330GT, first owned by John Lennon, fetched 359,900 pounds ($543,887) at the same auction.

Photo Gallery of the Fangio's Mercedes W196


[gallery ids="1989,1988,1987,1985,1984,1983"]

 

Source: [huffingtonpost.com]

Video: New Jaguar Project 7 debut...

New Jaguar Project 7 inspired by Jag's D-Type


Jaguar's Project 7 concept had make its dynamic debut at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed on 12th July. Project 7 is a brand new design study based on Jaguar's acclaimed F-TYPE - its all-new, two-seater, convertible sports car. Powered by a 550PS version of Jaguar's 5.0-litre Supercharged V8 engine, Project 7 can hit 60mph in 4.1 seconds, and a limited top speed of 186mph. This short film shows Project 7 complete its final shakedown run before Goodwood.







Project 7's name acknowledges Jaguar's winning of Le Mans seven times between 1951-1990 -- a record for a British manufacturer -- and its blue paintwork is reminiscent of the victorious Jaguar D-types of 1956/1957. If you look carefully, you may even see a D-type in the film...

Photo Gallery


[gallery ids="1970,1971,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976,1977,1978,1979,1980"]

 

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Video: Fiat 500 Abarth Body Paint Shoot

The core idea was to create a Fiat 500 from  nake human painted bodies.


Take a look at the  behind-the-scenes pulling together one of the most complex, ambitious and beautiful body paint photos you've ever seen.







 

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Last BMW M3 Coupe... Production Ended!

 

Last BMW M3 Coupe Rolls Off the Production Line Marking the End of a Naming Era


last_bmw_m3

We guess everything has to come to an end, and that's the case for the BMW M3 E92 Coupe, the very last example of which rolled off the assembly line today at the Bavarian firm's plant in Regensburg, Germany.


While the related E93 M3 Convertible will continue to be manufactured alongside the regular 3 Series Sedan, Coupe and Convertible at the same factory for a few more months until this September, this is the last time we'll see the famed "M3" badge used on a two-door model.


last_bmw_m3_03


You see, BMW has split its compact executive model's offerings into two different nameplates, with the more family orientated cars keeping the "3-Series" badge, and the sportier looking vehicles like the Coupe and Convertible adopting the brand-new 4-Series moniker. We will see a new M3 in the future, but it will be a four-door sedan model.


The patriarch of the M3 family, the four-cylinder E30 generation model, was introduced in 1986 originally as a coupe (there was also a limited run and now highly collectible convertible version). It was followed up by the six-cylinder E36 M3 in 1993, which is the least desirable (and arguably, the softest) of all M3s, and the E46 generation in 2000, which many consider if not the best M3, certainly second after the original.


Unveiled in 2007, the E9X generation M3 (E90 Sedan, E92 Coupe and E93 Convertible) was the first V8-powered model in the series. The Coupe was by far the most successful, with BMW delivering more than 40,000 examples worldwide. The sedan M3 added close to 10,000 units to the total, while just under 16,000 units of the convertible edition have been built to date.


Over the six years the E9X M3 remained in production, BMW introduced a handful of special edition models including the GTS Coupe, fitted with a bigger and more powerful at 444HP (450PS) 4.4-liter V8, bespoke chassis components and aerodynamic measures, plus a two-seat cockpit, of which only 135 examples were made.


Even rarer is the M3 CRT (Carbon Racing Technology) that joined the fray in 2011 in a limited run of 67 units. The Sedan model was powered by the GTS' 444HP (450PS) 4.4-liter V8 and boasted exclusively manufactured lightweight components.


To celebrate the triple success of the brand's DTM comeback after winning the drivers’, team and manufacturers’ titles, BMW also launched a limited-run M3 DTM Champion Edition. A grand total of 54 cars were made, one for each DTM race victory notched up by BMW between 1987 and 2012.


bmw_m3_lineup


The story of the M3 Coupe (and Convertible) will continue with the new M4 series that will also mark the return of the straight-six engine to the range, albeit with two, or according to some accounts, three turbochargers.


[gallery ids="1951,1950,1949,1948,1947,1946,1945"]

[Source: carscoops.com]

Friday, July 5, 2013

VW Polo R WRC... Fastest Polo ever build

The VW Polo has been a sales winner for years, but now Volkswagen is chasing motorsport success in the World Rally Championship. And in order to meet FIA regulations, the company has had to build 2,500 Polo R WRC high-performance road cars to homologate its new rally racer.

Volkswagen-Polo-R-WRC

Instead of the 300bhp 1.6-litre turbo engine, six-speed sequential gearbox and four-wheel-drive system of the WRC entry, the road car uses a 217bhp 2.0 turbo engine from the Golf GTI, making it the most powerful Polo ever. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, and drives the front wheels only.

And even after the first few miles of driving the new hot hatch, it’s clear the engine delivers overwhelming punch from low revs – often a little too much for the front tyres to cope with.

Volkswagen-Polo-R-WRC-5

As well as beating the 178bhp figure developed by the current hottest Polo, the GTI, the Polo R WRC has 100Nm more torque, at 350Nm, ensuring impressive in-gear acceleration. On paper, the WRC is a mere half-a-second faster from 0-62mph than the standard GTI, but it feels much quicker than the 6.4-second time VW claims.

As the seven-speed DSG fitted to the Polo GTI wouldn’t be able to handle the larger engine’s extra torque, the WRC makes do with a six-speed manual. However, while it doesn’t have the sequential gearbox ‘feel’ that would make the R WRC seem more like a rally car for the road, the manual gearbox does deliver a more involving drive.

It’s clear that this Polo is all about performance. As well as the upgraded engine and gearbox, the suspension has been stiffened and lowered, plus larger, 16-inch brake discs have been fitted. These are covered by 18-inch lightweight alloy wheels with wide 225-section tyres.

Volkswagen-Polo-R-WRC-6

But even on a dry road the Polo overwhelms its front tyres, particularly in the first three gears, and regularly triggers its ESP system. In the damp, more committed driving means that the yellow traction control light is almost constantly flickering away. It demands plenty of concentration, making it particularly difficult to make the most of the WRC’s hefty power reserves.

Volkswagen-Polo-R-WRC-4

The tweaks to the bodywork, meanwhile, are minimal. While the rally car gets swollen wheelarches, a low-slung front splitter and huge rear wing, the Polo R WRC features a subtly uprated front bumper and small roof spoiler. Even the rally-inspired decals are kept to a minimum.

Inside, the WRC features more supportive front seats, trimmed in Alcantara. There’s a sports steering wheel covered in the same material, too, while the motorsport theme is further extended with WRC badging and aluminium pedals.

Volkswagen-Polo-R-WRC-Wheel

VW has confirmed that no more than the compulsory 2,500 cars will be built. They’ll all be left-hand drive, and won’t be sold officially in the UK.

In Germany, the starting price is 33,900 Euros (around £29,100), making the most powerful Polo ever a very expensive proposition. Still, it’s quite a bargain if you put it next to the rally car.

[gallery ids="1935,1936,1937,1938,1939,1940,1941,1942"]

[Source:autoexpress.co.uk]

2015 Mercedes-Benz SLC ?

A supposedly unofficially confirmed rumor coming from inside Mercedes-Benz has shaken the automotive industry these days. It appears that, after a close analysis, the executives have decided to apply a setback to the SLC AMG supercar, once slated to be released as series product in the second part of 2014.

illustration-2016-mercedes-benz-slc

The main concern is the fact this project could be too resource-consuming for the company in its current shape and therefore it was sent all the way to the development table again, to see if costs can somehow be decisively reduced for the sake of motoring enthusiasm. We feel fans don't have to worry the SLC AMG might be put to rest in the end, as the car was already given the greenlight for production some months ago. All in all, the new mid-sized hyper model baring the Star logo should be publicly revealed towards 2016, with the postponement taken into consideration.

Based on the global success of the SLS AMG, the little brother SLC is already looking to be an ace in the fleet of the Affalterbach-based firm. A more dynamic body with conventional doors and possibly two new engine choices, V6 and V8 - both of them biturbocharged, a peak output in excess of 500 hp and a complete sports ride management package from AMG are the tough arguments in the fight against the Porsche 911, the main target the SLC is aiming for.

[Source:mercedes-benz-blog]

Monday, June 24, 2013

For Sale: Michael Schumacher’s Black Ferrari FXX

Anyone to lend me $2.6 million


For Sale: Michael Schumacher's Black Ferrari FXX

The infamous black Ferrari FXX once owned by seven time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher is currently for sale for the equivalent of $2.6 million U.S. in Switzerland.

Schumacher’s black Ferrari FXX got worldwide recognition when it featured on an episode of Top Gear in mid-June 2009 where Michael Schumacher was dressed as the Stig and drove it around the test track in a record-setting time.

Despite having attended numerous motorsport events with Schumacher at the wheel, the car has travelled just 900km and is one of just 30 units to have been produced.

For Sale: Michael Schumacher's Black Ferrari FXX

As a reminder, the Ferrari FXX is powered by an upgraded variant of the 6.0-liter V12 engine found in the standard, road-going Ferrari Enzo. Displacement has been increased from the 6.0-liters of the standard Ferrari Enzo up to 6.3-liters. Consequently, the Ferrari FXX produces an insane 790hp at 8,500rpm and 506lb-ft of torque at 5,750rpm. As a result, the Ferrari FXX can hit 60mph in around 2.5 seconds, before hitting a claimed top speed of 243mph.

For Sale: Michael Schumacher's Black Ferrari FXX

The Ferrari Enzo and Ferrari FXX were recently replaced by the 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari. The Ferrari LaFerrari gets a 6.3 liter V12 which is connected to an electric motor similar to the system on the McLaren P1. The Ferrari F150 V12 has an output of 800hp at 9.000 RPM and 700Nm at 7.000 RPM while its electric motor has a maximum output of 163hp and 270Nm of torque. That delivers a total combined power output of 963hp, allowing the new Ferrari Enzo to do 0-100 km/h in less than 3 seconds, 0-300 km/h in 15 seconds and a top speed in excess of 350 km/h.

[Source: gtspirit.com]

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Why I hate BMW 4-series coupe

Few Facts about the  BMW 4-Series F32


bmw-4series-official

Last week BMW, after showing the new 3 Series,  revealed officially  the new  4-Series. At first sight the car looks much more like the 3 Series and less like a small 6 Series. Which would be okey if the BMW haven't change the car name and instead calling the car 3 Series Coupe named it 4 Series.  The truth is that the 4 Series got bigger that the 3 Series Coupe E92.  BMW says the wheelbase on the 4 Series is 50mm longer than the old two-door’s, plus the new car is 26mm longer overall, with the track widened by 45mm at the front and 81mm at the rear.  So, BMW is trying it best to convince us that this is a small 6 Series...


Besides that the car is 16mm lower than the E92 3 Series and has the lowest gravity center than any other BMW currently on sale. Which definitely can sharpen the driving abilities of the car. Compared to the 3 Series the car has more aggressively adjust suspension, for more sport feeling there are available M Sport package.


bmw-4-series-wheel


The new 4 Series is available with a standard petrol engine that produce  181 hp 420i and at the top of the range is the 435i with 302hp.  BMW 4 Series is also available with 3 diesel engines.
With starting price around $50.000 (in the UK) it's  $5.000 more than the new 3 Series.  The production of the car will start in July 2013 and first delivers will be made at the end of 2013.



So, Why I hate the 4 Series ?


The top of the range, as mentioned above,  is the 435i - with petrol engine - but us we all know there will available a BMW M division  model, the M4.

bmw-m4-coupe

Until now, always, the best 2 door medium segment supercar produced by BMW was the M3 The BMW M3 legend began with the incredible E30 M3, followed by the E36, than by the great E46 and the latest E92.


The fact that from now on the M3 will be called M4 is bit disappointing. At least for me is like the next generation of compact (C segment) Volkswagen would be named Tennis, instead Golf.  


I strongly believe that BMW will not wipe out the M3 badge, I expect a new M3 based on the new 3 Series Sedan, but still the idea of a sedan M3 doesn't excite me much. Definitely the M4 and the (possible) new M3 sedan will be great cars, but the magic will be lost.  The magic that have cars such as,  the 911 and until now the M3.


So, lucky you E92 M3 owners for being the last owners of a 2-door Coupe M3.


[gallery ids="1883,1884,1885,1882,1880,1886"]

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Redline Motorsports Releases Twin-Turbo Package for 2014 Corvette Stingray


625 Horsepower Expected from Adrenaline Rush C7


2014-twin-turbo-redline-motorsport-corvette-stingray

Leading late-model performance car builder and designer, Redline Motorsports, has officially released the build specifications for its all-new monstrous Adrenaline Rush package, designed specifically for the new 2014 Corvette Stingray.




What exactly constitutes the Adrenaline Rush package, you ask? The package offers the ideal balance of supercar performance and stunning good looks. A complete twin-turbocharged direct-injection LT1 program developed by the Redline Motorsports fabrication division allows the Adrenaline Rush package to deliver a whopping 625 brake horsepower in street trim. We can't tell you much just yet, but we can tell you to expect a pair of Precision Billet Wheel Turbos and all stainless steel piping.




It is important to note that the newest generation Corvette is equipped with the all-new E92 computer, making precise and proper calibration possible for the build.




C7 Corvettes outfitted with the package stick firmly to the pavement thanks to custom coilover Magnetic Ride shocks. An awesome wheel and tire package, featuring one-piece "American Made" forged aluminum wheels exclusive to Redline Motorsports customers, look vicious while performing in conjunction with the shocks.

2014-adrenaline-rush-c7-corvette-stingray




Every Adrenaline Rush C7 will clearly stand out in a crowd thanks to an exclusive carbon fiber aero package, which includes a functional front splitter, high-intensity driving lights and a front mount intercooler air scoop. Side skirts and an improved rear spoiler also add to the already aggressive appearance, along with the radically redesigned rear fascia.




Additional enhancements that make the Adrenaline Rush C7 ever more unique include embroidered interior accents, carbon fiber upgrades, and advanced E92 computer calibration.




Each Adrenaline Rush C7 is built to order and availability will be limited, so contact Redline Motorsports to secure one of your very own today! Additional packages, including a 1,000hp version, are available.



[Source: vetteweb.com]

Friday, June 14, 2013

Korres Project 4 - First Greek Supercar!

Doesn't look great, but with an innovative suspension and Corvette's engine can shame a lot other supercars


Korres-Project-4-Greek_Supercar


The Korres Project 4 will make it's debut at 2nd Tatoi Circuit race organised by FILBA at June 16 2013. The car is  a design and a  construction effort by the a Greek Architect and Inventor,  Dimitris Korres.

The most significant part of the first Greek supercar it is it's  special suspension, designed by Dimitris Korres. The suspension can change the cars height, either the right side of the car either the left. So went the car turns right and the centrifugal power pushes the chasis to push down the front and rear left suspension, so the car bends left, the Korres suspension lower the right side of the car overcoming the centrifugal power. So instead the car to be throw out of a corner the car grips better and goes faster around a corner. The cars  height can be raise by 400 mm.

The other great thing about the Korres Project 4 is the engine. The car is offered with the LS7 Corvette Z06 engine. The  7.0-liter naturally aspirated engine delivers  505 hp.  Korres Project 4  does 0-100 km / h in 3.8 seconds and has a top speed of 300 km / h.

2013 ADAC Eifel Race for the Jan Wellem Cup

One Century of MotorSports celebrated at the Nurburgring Nordschleife


2013-adac-eifelrennen-jan-wellem-pokal



The ADAC Eifel Race - Eifelrennen


The ADAC Eifelrennen was an annual motor race, organised by ADAC Automobile Club from 1922 to 2003, held in Germany's Eifel mountain region, around the Nurburg Castle, even before the Nürburgring was built there.


2013_24h_Nurburgring_Nordschleife_Nissan_GTR_R35


Starting from 1922, the first races were held on a 33 km long combination of public roads around Nideggen, Wollersheim, Vlatten, Heimbach, Hasenfeld and other villages in the Eifel mountains, similar to the Targa Florio which was a very important race at that time, and popular in Germany due to two wins by Mercedes (still without Benz then). The last Eifelrennen was held in early May 2003 when several races were held, including an VLN endurance race on the 25.9 km full combined Nordschleife in preparation for the 24 Hours Nürburgring race three weeks later.



2013 ADAC Eifel Race for the Jan Wellem Cup


From 14 to 16 June 2013, everything will be about one century of motorsports history on two, three and four wheels by the time-honoured Nürburg Castle. The audience can once again look forward to an action-packed programme with top-class race series, as always close its fans.


2013_ADAC_Eifel_Race_eifelrennen_2




With its combination of race series for cars, motorcycles and teams, the ADAC Eifel race for the Jan Wellem Cup is still one-of-a-kind in Europe. Apart from all the action on the race track, the paddock also offers plenty of excitement.



First Day - June 14th 2013 


The first day is over, but until sunday there are two more days full of action during this great event. Whether at the historic or at the current paddock, whether on the Grand-Prix-Circuit or on the Nordschleife – everywhere you can watch cars and races.


2013_ADAC_Eifel_Race_eifelrennen_01 2013_ADAC_Eifel_Race_eifelrennen_1 2013_adac_eifelrennen_04


[gallery ids="1785,1779,1773,1790,1795,1796,1797,1794,1798,1793,1774,1778,1775,1776,1781,1791,1786,1787,1788,1789,1784,1783,1782,1777"]

[Source: nuerburgring.de]
[Source: wikipedia.org]



Thursday, June 13, 2013

New Maserati Levante SUV... on Sale in 2015

The new Maserati SUV is based on the 2011 Kubang prototype

The glamor of the BMW X6 and Porsche Cayenne plans to steal Maserati, with  the new model Levante. The Levante is expected to be unveiled in 2015 and will be based on the Maserati prototype Kubang that was unveiled in 2011 at Frankfurt Auto Show.

MaseratiKubangFrankfurtAutoShow2011

The engines that will equip the Maserati Levante, is a V6 3,0 liter petrol with 410 horsepower and a V8 3,8 liter engine with 530 horsepower. A V6 3,0 liter diesel with 270 horsepower, will complement the range. The engines will cooperate with an automatic eight gear transmission and will have four-wheel drive, four-wheel drive system via the «Q4» that equips the Quattroporte and Ghibli. Yo increase the  off-road character of the luxury SUV, the Maserati collaborates closely with Jeep, so the new Levante will have some influence from the new  Grand Cherokee.

maserati_suv maserati_suv_

Toyota’s Chairman Wants Supra-Like Sports Car... The Rebirth of Toyota Supra ?

Toyota’s Incoming Chairman Says He Wants Supra-Like Sports Car


Toyota Motor Corp’s incoming chairman said he wants the sports car the company is developing with BMW to be a midsize vehicle comparable to the Toyota's legend, Supra.

Toyota_Supra_Paris

Takeshi Uchiyamada has been telling people that Toyota’s next sports car should be like the Supra so that it doesn’t overlap with the GT86 coupe, he said in an interview yesterday in Osaka at a gathering of members of the Keidanren, Japan’s biggest business lobbying group. Still, such decisions are up to engineers, Uchiyamada said.

“That’s what I want but it’s not me who makes the decision,” said Uchiyamada, who’s known within Toyota as the “father of the Prius” for his work developing the world’s best-selling gasoline-electric car. “It’s futile if we make something similar” to the 86, he said.



Toyota and BMW announced this year they will jointly produce a midsize sports car as part of a broader collaboration between the two. Should Uchiyamada, who’s leading the negotiations with BMW, get his wish, Toyota would be reviving a model that was last produced in 1999 after a 20-year run.

Toyota spokesman Naoto Fuse declined to comment beyond saying nothing has been decided.

New Toyota Supra 

2015_Toyota_Supra

[Source: bloomberg.com]

 

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Video: The Mercedes SLS AMG Electric Drive Set A Nurburgring Record

With lap time of 7:56.234 minutes... Mercedes-AMG  sets a new record at the Nordschleife  for an electric car with it's SLS Electric Drive


mercedes-benz-sls-amg-electric-drive_100429871_l

Daimler announced that the electric AMG super sports car mastered the legendary track in under 8 minutes. The SLS AMG Electric Drive circled the Nurburgring Nordschleife or north loop in a record time of 7:56.234.

"Mercedes-AMG is the first vehicle manufacturer which makes it possible to circle the Nordschleife in under eight minutes with an electrically powered series production vehicle," said the automaker in a statement.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teq89iDcb84]

The car is the most powerful launched by the AMG division. The SLS AMG Electric Drive churns out 751 horsepower and has a top speed of 155 mph. It sprints from zero to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds.

Mercedes-Benz-SLS-AMG-Electric-Drive-on-Ring-1

The Mercedes AMG electric car goes on sale this month in Germany at the U.S. equivalent of $552,552. There are no plans to sell the car in the U.S. It is the world's most expensive EV.

Watch the fastest ever lap around Nurburgring Nordschleife  with an electric car


[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NGDfFCY-tQ]

[gallery ids="1745,1746,1747,1749,1748"]

Monday, June 10, 2013

Nissan Reportedly Reworking Dacia Duster into a New Terrano

Dacia has won a lot of praise for its honestly priced lineup of cars, which have convinced many buyers that “cheap doesn’t mean bargain basement.” The Duster, which is also badged as a Renault in some markets, including Russia and India, is gaining popularity, and its reviews are generally positive.

Dacia-Duster-Terrano-3[6]

Now, Nissan reportedly wants its own version of the 4x4, which it will name the Terrano, reviving an older nameplate, used from 1993 to 2006. Autocar India is sure of this, adding that the Nissan model will be around $1,000 more expensive than the vehicle on which it’s based. The report seems to confirm a pair of patent pictures of a Nissan-faced Duster that appeared online earlier this year.

It is explained that this has to do with the agreement between Renault and Nissan when it comes to the borrowing of models. The Terrano will be more than a mere rebadge job, and is expected to feature unique bumpers, lights and other specific Nissan styling tweaks – the interior will probably only get a new steering wheel, though, so that there’s a place to put the different badge.

Dacia-Nissan-Duster-1[4][8]

Finally, the model is expected to make its market debut by the end of this year, but it has not been specified where it will be launched first or what engines buyers will be able to specify. For instance, the Russian version gets a 2.0-liter petrol engine and automatic gearbox, for the Duster, which are out of the reach of western European buyers. This means that the shell can theoretically accommodate larger engines, so perhaps a 2.0-liter DCi diesel could also be in the books, or Renault’s new1.6-liter DCi which has so far been praised in all its current uses.

[gallery ids="1703,1701,1702,1700"]

[Source: carscoops.com]