Archive Posts

A little more than a year on from its last update, Mercedes-Benz has this week revealed the 2011 S63 AMG, now powered by the German giant's new 5.5 litre twin-turbo V8 engine. While Mercedes continues development of the all-new S-Class, expected to launch late next year as a 2012 model, this last update to the current-generation S63 AMG is nonetheless a significant one, thanks to that new engine.

Replacing the 390kW/630Nm 6.2 litre V8 currently doing service in the AMG line-up, the new smaller-capacity twin-turbo-charged V8 produces 400kW and 800Nm of torque. The 5.5 litre V8 engine's maximum power is available at 4400rpm, with the huge torque figure coming online between 2000rpm and 4500rpm.

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Mini is hard at work on a new entry-level model--dubbed the Mini Minor or “Mini Mini”--and it could be revealed in concept form at the 2011 Geneva motor show.

The first phase of building the prototype is under way at a BMW site in Munich, Germany. AutoWeek first reported plans for this small car last month (“Mini Minor?”

AW June 7, 2010). It would be based on a modified version of an existing front-engine/front-wheel-drive platform boasting a shorter wheelbase.

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French automaker Peugeot is in the midst of a design transition, having recently appointed new design director Gilles Vidal and revealing the SR1 concept car to showcase the stylistic design trends for its future models. Now the automaker has revealed one of the first models to adopt this latest design trend but sadly, the new look appears as though it could be a step backwards.

Set to make its world debut at this September’s 2010 Paris Auto Show, the new Peugeot 508 has a very basic look that doesn’t convey much of the detail featured on the stylish 5 By Peugeot HYbrid4 concept car. Additionally, as revealed today, both sedan and wagon bodystyles will be offered. The interior of the car combines hi-tech with the use of high quality materials, including plenty of leather and some suede highlights.

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It’s birthday time and the BMW M3 is blowing out a hefty 25 candles. To celebrate BMW released a special edition 2011 M3 Coupe which sold out in just 12 minutes, so demand remains strong for the iconic model. In the last 25 years the M3 has evolved from a lightweight scrapper capable of taking on heavy hitters of the sports car world to the quintessential sports sedan that the rest of the segment is measured against.

In the process, it has dropped its bulging, swollen fenders for much smoother sheetmetal and lost its four-cylinder engine for a fully aluminum eight-cylinder that brings serious heat, but it remains a well-balanced sports coupe. This transformation wasn’t always an easy one. BMW sent its various M3s through many trials on the tracks of the motorsports world, and the 3 Series quickly built a reputation as a dynamic machine not to be messed with.

Renault is breaking away from the angular styling favored by its former design chief, Patrick Le Quement.

The French company will show a concept car that highlight's the brand's more emotional design at the Paris auto show in October.

Called DeZir [pronounced Desire], the two-seat concept, which is powered by an electric motor, is the first project led by Laurens van den Acker, who succeeded Le Quement last October.

“DeZir stands out as an illustration of the brand's commitment to more emotional styling,” Renault said in a statement, adding that the concept marks the start of a sequence of cars that will provide an insight into the company's new design direction.

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Audi No. 1 in luxury market in New Zealand for the last 3 years New Zealand's GM says Audi "definitely" will soon be global leader Growth strategy based on product innovation and ranging.

Audi has its sights firmly set on becoming the number one premium brand in the world, just like it is here, revealed Dane Fisher, Audi of New Zealand's General Manager.

New Zealand is ahead of the curve in terms of its preference for luxury European motor vehicles, having chosen Audi as their number one premium brand for the past three years.

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Meet Volvo’s entry to the space race. This is the new V60, the estate version of the new S60, which Volvo proudly states is its most dynamic model ever.

Volvo argues that the larger V70 is the true load lugger in its range. So, at 430-litres, the V60’s boot is smaller than the 460.

And 490-litre load spaces offered by the rival BMW 3 Series Touring and Audi A4 Avant. Instead, the V60 has been designed with style in mind.

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China is at the top of the sales market for General Motors cars. The iconic American automaker, which is owned by US taxpayers, is now more popular in its newly-announced top sales market.

GM and its Chinese joint venture partners have sold 1.21 million vehicles in China in the first six months of 2010. Its US sales have come in at 1.08 million. GM's Chinese auto sales are now up 48.5% over the first half of the year with sales in the US also showing improvement, at a far more modest 15%. Last year was the first year that overall auto sales in China surpassed those in the United States.

Perhaps feeling a bit of chutzpah after a wildly successful stock offering this week, Tesla is demonstrating on Thursday that it still has an eye toward product, revealing the updated Tesla Roadster. And it's available for order now.

Called the Roadster 2.5, the car features minor enhancements, including a new front fascia with different diffuser vents (the change is actually apparent) and new rear diffuser. There also are silver or black forged wheels, new seats said to be more comfortable with better bolsters and more lumbar support, plus a power-control software to manage output in hot weather.

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Mercedes-Benz' ongoing refresh of its range continues, with updates to the Vito and Viano twins revealed today. Both models now bear the sharpened headlights and pronounced grille being rolled out across the Mercedes line-up, although little else has changed on the styling front.

Mercedes says both the Viano and the Vito have been given a similar makeover on the inside, with new materials and trim options, along with a number of revisions to the dash controls and the addition of a four-spoke multi-function steering wheel to select models. Images of the interior not yet been issued. Other interior updates include LED reading lights in the Viano, along with a DVD entertainment unit for rear passengers.

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