Video: Mercedes Benz SL65 AMG

Tweet

Check out this video of the all new Mercedes Benz SL65 AMG launched at the 2012 New York International Auto Show. A powerful 6.0 litre V12 Bi-Turbo engine kicks out an impressive 621 horsepower and doing 0-100km/h in just 3.9 seconds. Wouldn't you love to park this beast in your garage?
 

New Mercedes Benz SL65 AMG

Tweet The New York International Auto Show kicked off in style last week and unveiled Mercedes’ new beast of a car, the 2013 SL65 AMG. The new SL65 AMG replaces the regular SL and SL63 AMG and takes the SL range to a whole new level.

A 6.0 litre V12 engine is what keeps this puppy humming all day long and produces a hefty 621 horsepower with 738 pound-feet in torque. This particular V12 engine, the M279, has been spruced up with new twin turbochargers, an enlarged spiral cross-section, new manifolds and wastegate channels increasing airflow and delivering an additional 17 horsepower increase as a result. The improved AMG Speedshift Plus seven speed transmission has also resulted in a 17% reduction in fuel consumption.

The all aluminium body has resulted in massive weight loss when compared to previous models, contributing to improvements in fuel consumption, acceleration, handling and braking. More than this, the SL65 comes with a luxuriously sporty interior that will make your drive that much more comfortable and satisfying. What more could you want from a Mercedes Benz?

From 0-100km/h in just 3.9 seconds, expect the ride of your life.

What are your thoughts?

New Hyundai Santa Fe coming to SA

Tweet The all new Hyundai Santa Fe was unveiled at the New York International Auto Show and will reach the South African market by the end of 2012. It’s unclear at this stage whether South Africans will have the choice between the five-seater SWB Santa Fe Sport or the seven-seater LWB Santa Fe.

The Sport model is offered with two engine options, a 2.4 GDI (142kW) engine and 2.0 GDI turbocharged (197kW) engine. The seven-seater Santa Fe will be powered by a 3.3 litre V6 petrol engine. All engines will be coupled with  six speed automatic transmission with manual shift functionality.

The new Santa Fe also comes with the option of an all-wheel drive system with TVCC technology (torque vectoring and torque braking), transferring torque to any given wheel at any time. This system is thought to improve lateral stability and drastically limits both over and under steering.

The seven-seater Santa Fe exhibits loads of space with an extra row of seating that can fold down for extra boot space or legroom. The new lighter Santa Fe will also be more economical shedding a few pounds on the previous model. The interior is stylish with classy finishes, a major improvement on the previous model. Standard features will include a panoramic glass sunroof, seven airbags and heated seating for those cold winter drives. There’s much to look forward to in the new Santa Fe…

Do you like what you see?

Chrysler unveils SRT Viper

Tweet The Chrysler Group has unveiled the all new 2013 SRT Viper at the New York International Auto Show, and it’s meaner and more ferocious than its predecessor, the Dodge Viper.

The new SRT Viper is powered by an all-aluminium 8.4 litre V10 engine kicks out a mammoth 640 horsepower and 600 pound-feet in torque, scary stuff. The SRT Viper features a six-speed gearbox that will be available in manual only. The chassis on the SRT Viper is much stiffer than the previous Viper and it also features the much needed stability and traction control.

The interior of the SRT Viper has been spruced up to make up for errors experienced in the previous Viper, with higher quality materials used and an increase in cabin space. The upmarket GTS version will come with full leather interior, an 18 speaker sound system, aluminium wheels and a two-mode (track and street) adjustable suspension system with Bilstein brakes. 

On the outside, the SRT Viper still borrows from the previous Viper with the extra long hood and double-bubble roof, both of which are made of carbon fibre now. Overall, the SRT Viper looks more refined and will still rip you apart if you give it the chance.

Do you like the SRT Viper?

Sneak Preview: New BMW X1 and Merc GL

Tweet Here's something you not meant to see until tomorrow. The new BMW X1 and the Mercedes Benz GL are making their debut at the New York International Auto Show tomorrow, but here's a taste of what you can expect.

The photograph of the new BMW X1 reveals subtle changes to the exterior with a slightly larger grille, a new bumper with silver inserts and a slightly different headlight cluster arrangement. The side-view mirrors reveal a more streamlined look with the interior styling much the same except for small details. New rim designs and vibrant new colours complete the new BMW X1.

As for the new Mercedes Benz GL SUV, Mercedes has taken luxury to new heights. This seven-seater GL borrows from the M-Class in many ways with full leather veneer and metal trim. The new GL will either come with a 190 kW 3.0 litre V6 turbo diesel engine or a 300 kW 4.7 litre V8 petrol engine. Details remain sketchy at this time and we will have to wait until tomorrow to get a fresh scoop.  

Do you like what you see so far?

The PAL-V flying car

Tweet

It seems 2012 is the year of the flying car. The Terrafugia Transition makes it debut at the New York International Auto Show this week but seems to be in direct competition to a new flying car invented by Dutch company PAL-V. Introducing the PAL-V, a car that transforms into a gyrocopter. Watch the video and see for yourself. Technology has certainly come a long way.

Range Rover Evoque Impresses Worldwide

Tweet Since its debut at the Geneva Motor Show last year, the Range Rover Evoque has experienced tremendous success worldwide. Not only is the Evoque the smallest and lightest Range Rover ever made but it’s also the most efficient, that’s a big smiley face on Range Rover’s forehead.

My response upon sighting the Range Rover Evoque for the first time was “what the hell is that?” The tapering exterior styling threw me off at first but then I had a long hard look at it and finally concluded that I actually like the Evoque, and there is much to like. The large panoramic sunroof offers passengers a unique view of the world outside while being pampered by the luxurious interior that makes the Evoque so special.

Reviews reveal that the Evoque drives like a dream, offering more than enough power for the average person and delivers a smooth ride on almost any terrain. The Range Rover Evoque also seems to be a master on dirt roads overcoming challenges easily and without hassle. All-round the Evoque is destined to do well worldwide and sales are already through the roof.

The Range Rover Evoque has also been nominated for World Design Car of the Year Award to be announced at the New York International Auto Show this week, coming up against the Citroen DS5 and the Volkswagen Up!. With curves like that, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Evoque steals the show.

What are your thoughts on the Range Rover Evoque?

Video: McLaren MP4-12C

Tweet

Check out this video of the McLaren MP4-12C. The McLaren MP4-12C is in the running for the World Performance Car of the Year to be announced at the New York International Auto Show this week, coming up against the Porsche 911 and the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4.

Citroen DS5 for World Design Car of the Year Award

Tweet The Citroen DS5 is the third model to rise from the DS range and Citroen seems to have done something right with the new Citroen DS5. The superb styling of the DS5 is something to look at and it’s no surprise then that the DS5 is in the running for the World Design Car of the Year Award, with the winners being announced at the New York International Auto Show this week.

The road to victory won’t be easy though as the Citroen DS5 will be going head to head with the Land Rover Evoque and the Volkswagen Up!. There’s no doubt that this will be a tough decision to make but the DS5 may just have what it takes.

The DS5 range is the first Citroën model to feature HYbrid4 diesel hybrid technology, providing enhanced performance with a CO2 emission of 99g / km. The advanced HYbrid4 system delivers 149kW with four-wheel drive capability with an acceleration boost function for the open road.

The interior is classy and modern, offering drivers the best that Citroen has to offer and proves to be a smooth, effortless ride on the road. The Citroen DS5 also offers heaps of space with a 465 litre boot compartment and seats five people comfortably.

The Citroen DS5 will be available in South Africa in mid 2012.

Do you think the Citroen DS5 has what it takes to win the World Design Car of the Year Award? 

 

Video: Terrafugia Transition Press Release

Tweet

Flying to work in a flying car doesn't have to be a dream anymore.  The Terrafugia Transition has landed and will make its debut at the New York International Auto Show on April 5. The Transition flying car has become the world's most economical aircraft and can get up to 800 km off a single tank of unleaded petrol. Watch the video to see the Terrafugia Transition in flight.

Volkswagen Up! for World Car of the Year

Tweet There is something about the Volkswagen Up! that appeals to me. The fact that the Up! is small, compact and fuel efficient counts for a lot making it the perfect car for city dwellers who don’t need much from a car other than driving to work and back.

The Volkswagen Up! is a direct rival to the Fiat 500 and has set the bar high in the compact city car segment. The VW Up! is more spacious than the Fiat 500 and fits four passengers with reasonable comfort. The VW Up! comes with an all new 1.0 L three cylinder engine that will take the Up! to 100 km/h in 13.2 seconds with carbon emissions well below the 100g / km mark.

Reviews indicate that the Up! drives like a dream with light, responsive steering and good suspension making it a superb car for your everyday driving needs. Unfortunately there are no current plans to introduce the VW Up! in South Africa even though it could do very well in the South African Market.

The Volkswagen Up! has also been nominated for World Car of the Year Award to be announced on April 5 at the New York International Auto Show. Volkswagen seems to have done something right.

Do you like the Volkswagen Up!?

Fly to work with the Transition flying car

Tweet If you live in a big city, like Johannesburg, you will be familiar with traffic and all the frustrations that come with it. It’s thought that the average person in Johannesburg spends between 3 to 4 hours sitting in traffic everyday. It’s when you stuck in a traffic jam that your mind wonders off and you think to yourself, ‘I wish I could fly to work’. Who would have thought that flying cars could ever become a reality?


 

Well, that may have been unrealistic 20 years ago, but today it’s a possibility with the Transition flying car. The Transition flying car, developed by Terrafugia, which means ‘escape from land’ in Latin, will make its debut at the New York International Auto Show taking place from April 5 2012.

The 440 kg Transition transforms from a car into a small plane and back into a car again with the wings unfolding in only 30 seconds. The car is 2m high, 2.3m wide and 6m long and when the wings unfold, the width increases to 8m.

The first successful test flight took place in 2009 and the Transition cruises at a speed of 172 km/h when flying, consuming 18.9 litres / h. The Transition uses unleaded petrol rather than Aviation fuel. On the tar, the Transition clocks 105 km/h with fuel consumption at 14.9 km / litre.

What do you think of the Transition?


 

World Car Of The Year Award finalists locking horns

Tweet Winning the World Car of the Year Award is serious business for car manufacturers lucky enough to cut the grade, and this year’s award won’t be easy to clench. The top three finalists in the categories World Car of the Year, World Performance Car, World Green Car and World Car Design were announced at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. The winners across all categories will be announced at the New York International Auto Show on Thursday, April 5, 2012.

Finalists are selected and voted for by a panel of 66 influential motoring journalists from around the world. The entry list consisted of 34 new cars from around world vying for the top spot. The finalists in each category are:

World Car of the Year

BMW 3 Series

Porsche 911 (991)

Volkswagen Up!

World Performance Car of the Year

Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4

McLaren MP4-12C

Porsche 911


World Green Car of the Year

Ford Focus Electric

Mercedes-Benz 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY

Peugeot 3008 Hybrid


World Car Design of the Year

Citroën DS5

Land Rover Evoque

Volkswagen Up!

What car do you think will win the 2012 World Car of the Year Award? I put my money on the Volkswagen Up!