In April 2012, Audi ran a Facebook competition offering one lucky fan and a friend the chance to experience the 24 Hours of Le Mans in an Audi R8.Continue Reading..
Video: Audi Facebook winners drive Audi R8 to Le Mans
Video: the best place to interview ŠKODA Rally Driver Andreas Mikkelsen
The Andreas Mikkelsen Challenge with ŠKODA
ŠKODA challenged Andreas Mikkelsen to a high speed Q&A at Millbrook racetrack to test his motorsport knowledge as he prepares for the upcoming IRC rallies.Continue Reading..
The new McLaren P1 Supercar
McLaren Automotive will use its first ever international motor show appearance to preview its next generation ultimate supercar – the McLaren P1 – which takes much of its technological and spiritual inspiration from the company’s Racing division. The McLaren P1 has one simple goal: to be the best driver’s car in the world on road and track.Continue Reading..
Video: Ferrari World Record convoy of 964 cars at Silverstone
Although it has not yet been officially ratified as a Guinness World Record, there’s no doubt that today, a new world record was established for the biggest parade of Ferraris ever organised. A total of 964 Ferraris took to the Silverstone circuit to beat the previous record of 490 cars dating back to 2008 at Japan’s Fuji Speedway Circuit.Continue Reading..
Order now! New Range Rover for 2013
Land Rover has announced the launch of the All New Range Rover, the world’s most refined and capable SUV.
See all the images of the new Range Rover in the gallery at the bottom of this page.Continue Reading..
Help for Heroes 4×4 European Rally raises over £192,000
The HELP for HEROES 4×4 EUROPEAN RALLY have announced that the 2012 event has raised a massive £192,341 for the charity (£209,285 including Gift Aid). This brings the overall amount raised by the rally since 2010 to £474,072! (£522,783 including Gift Aid!)Continue Reading..
All-new Ford Focus ST premieres in The Sweeney movie
Ford’s first global performance car, the Foucs ST, takes centre stage this month with a starring role in new film blockbuster The Sweeney.Continue Reading..
Land Rover reveal all new Range Rover
Land Rover have revealed pictures and details of the all-new Range Rover. The SUV company describe it as the most capable and most luxurious Land Rover yet.Continue Reading..
Pole position for McLaren 12C GT3 Spa 24 hours but race takes toll
The 2012 Total 24 Hours of Spa was another challenging test of endurance and reliability for the McLaren GT customer teams competing at the headline event of the Blancpain Endurance Series over the weekend, 27-29 July.Continue Reading..
Kia win three design awards in Automotive Brand Contest 2012
Kia has won three design awards in the Automotive Brand Contest 2012, the latest of a series of honours for the Korean brand’s design team headed by Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer.
The new Kia cee’d – launched in June 2012 – triumphed in the exterior category and also received an honorary special mention for exceptional innovation in the interior category.
In addition, the high profile jury selected the Kia GT as the winner of the concept award. The rear-wheel drive sports sedan design study celebrated its world premiere in September 2011 at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The Automotive Brand Contest, which was held for the first time in 2011, has become an internationally recognised competition. It is open to car manufacturers, automotive parts suppliers and companies delivering design and brand communications services to the automotive industry. There are a total of 16 awards categories, covering vehicle design, parts and accessories, technology, digital, branding and events activities.
Kia Awards
This year’s two Kia award winners are key models for the brand. The second generation of the cee’d, Kia’s best-selling model in Europe, features styling typically found on a sporty coupe, but offers the space and functionality of a five-door hatch. Its upmarket exterior design boasts a chrome-framed glasshouse and muscular lines on the bonnet, complemented inside by an ergonomic, driver-oriented control panel and refined interior, all backed by Kia’s industry-leading seven year warranty.
The Kia GT design study was inspired by 1970s grand tourers, and combines supple, muscular proportions with a sophisticated, elegant four-seat interior. It offers a glimpse into Kia’s future design philosophy.
The Automotive Brand Contest 2012 award presentation ceremony will be held at the Paris Motor Show on Automotive Designers’ Night, 27 September 2012.
Kia Motors received several accolades at last year’s inaugural Automotive Brand Contest, winning the Best of the Best award in the brand design category, while Kia’s Sportage, Rio and Optima models all claimed victories in the exterior category.
The Automotive Brand Contest is organised by the Rat für Formgebung (German Design Council), which was founded in 1953 as an initiative of the German Federal Parliament and today counts among the world’s leading competence centres for communication and knowledge transfer in the field of design. It counts amongst its members 170 companies from around the world. The Rat für Formgebung also organises the competition for the “Designpreis Deutschland”, Germany’s highest official design award.
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Porsche testing 918 Spyder at Nürburgring in Martini Racing colours
Porsche is continuing trials of its new 918 Spyder and have covered a prototype in the distinctive, sporting livery of Martini®Racing; made famous in the 1970s as the colour scheme of many successful Porsche race cars.
A fundamental element of the testing programme for the plug-in hybrid super sports car – as is the case in the development process of all Porsche cars – is the 20.8 km Nürburgring-Nordschleife race circuit. Indeed, a lap time of less than seven minutes 22 seconds around the challenging track in the Eifel region of Germany is one of the development goals of the 918 Spyder.
Porsche 918 Spyder
The 918 Spyder combines a high-performance internal combustion engine with electric motors on the rear and front axles to achieve extraordinary driving performance and excellent efficiency.
The combined system power of the drivetrain is 770 hp and the NEDC fuel consumption is forecast to be only around three litres per 100 km, equivalent to CO2 emissions of about 70 g/km. While the livery of the prototype is reminiscent of historical models, this advanced technology ensures the Porsche 918 Spyder is clearly a super sports car for the future.
The monocoque of the 918 Spyder is constructed from carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP), which reduces vehicle weight and delivers remarkable rigidity and dynamic precision. Other highlights are fully variable aerodynamics, adaptive rear axle steering and the ‘top pipes’ exhaust system which routes the exhaust upwards at the rear of the car.
The latest test car is now undergoing circuit laps in the legendary Martini® Racing colours synonymous with historic Porsche race cars, particularly from the 1970s. When they first appeared, the Martini® Racing stripes quickly attained cult status and are still in vogue today.
- Martini® Racing colour scheme of prototype celebrates the successful partnership between Porsche and the Italian brand
- A Porsche 917 in the distinctive livery of Martini® won the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1971
- Martini® was the official partner of the Porsche factory team between 1973 and 1978, and the colour scheme has become part of motor racing legend
Martini® was the official partner of the Porsche factory team between 1973 and 1978. The attractively designed ‘Martini® Porsche’ race cars scored numerous wins and became the centre of attention wherever they appeared. Victories included finishing first overall in the Targa Florio, Sicily, in 1973, winning the Sports Car World Championship in 1976 and overall victories at the Le Mans 24 hours in 1976 and 1977. Previously in 1971, a Porsche 917 finished first in the legendary endurance race at Le Mans with the support of Martini®. Whether a Porsche 908, 917, 935 or 936 or one of various 911 RS or RSR models, common to all of these race cars was the memorable Martini® Racing design implemented in a wide variety of forms.
A new edition of this successful partnership is now making the Martini® Racing design exclusively available to the innovative 918 Spyder. Porsche AG and the Martini® brand, represented by Bacardi & Company Limited of Switzerland, have once again signed a partnership agreement to make this possible.
Specifications of the Porsche 918 Spyder*
| Body: | Two-seater Spyder; carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) monocoque interlocked with CFRP unit carrier; two-piece Targa roof; fixed roll-over protection system. |
| Drivetrain: | Parallel full hybrid; 4.6-litre V8 mid-engine with dry-sump lubrication; hybrid module with electric motor and decoupler; electric motor with decoupler and gear unit on front axle; electrical system recuperation; four cooling circuits for motors, transmission and battery; thermal management. |
| Engine Power: | > 570 hp (V8 engine) ~ 90 kW (hybrid module on rear axle) ~ 80 kW (electric motor on front axle) > 770 hp (combined) |
| Suspension: | Double-wishbone front axle; electro-mechanical power steering; multi-link rear axle with adaptive electro-mechanical system for individual rear wheel steering; optional electro-pneumatic lift system on front axle. |
| Brake system: | High-performance hybrid brake system with adaptive recuperation; ceramic brake discs (PCCB) |
| Energy supply: | Lithium-ion battery with 6.8 kWh capacity (BOL nominal), 202 kW maximum power and mains-compatible plug-in charger. |
| Performance: | Top speed > 325 km/h purely electric > 150 km/h |
| Acceleration: 0 – 100 km/h < 3.0 s | |
| Consumption (NEDC): |
Total ~ 3.0 l/100 km |
| CO2 emissions: | Total ~ 70 g/km |
| Range: | Purely electric > 25 km |
* Provisional specifications
New upgrades for 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class range revealed
Mercedes-Benz has revealed a series of upgrades to the 2013 C-Class range – saloon, estate and coupe – designed to appeal to both the corporate and retail markets.
BIK and residual values
The enhancements help to lower running costs and can reduce BIK for business drivers by up to four per cent, giving the C-Class an even greater competitive advantage over premium compact rivals. In addition, the revisions have immediately had a positive impact on the already-strong residual values of the C-Class, with CAP announcing a five per cent (£450) increase in values for the entry-level trim grade. If you buy a used Mercedes C-Class then visit Privilege for budget car insurance.
Executive SE
Executive SE is the new entry point to the revised range for the C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY, C 200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and C 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Saloon and Estate, which includes a sports grille, new 16-inch alloy wheels, Artico upholstery and LED daytime running lights at a price increase of only £35 over the previous SE grade.
A new Luxury Package is available for Executive SE models to replace the former Elegance trim option. Carrying a £2,000 premium, it includes the three louver grille with bonnet-mounted star, 17” alloy wheels with a seven twin-spoke design, automatically dimming rear view mirror and folding exterior door mirrors, chrome trim on the side, rear and shoulder line, a storage package and brown Ash wood trim with a matt finish.
AMG Sport
The Sport trim makes way in the 2013 C-Class for two new variants –AMG Sport and AMG Sport Plus. The AMG Sport Saloon and Estate cost £960 less than the previous Sport models, and feature 17-inch AMG wheels and halogen headlights.
In addition, there is a tax saving on the new AMG Sport, thanks to a reduction in CO2 over the previous model. For example, the previous C 220 CDI Sport Saloon with manual transmission offered 133g CO2/km and BIK 2012/13 of 20%, giving a total BIK over 36 months of £7,865, based on an income tax bracket of 40%.
By comparison, the new C 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY AMG Sport Saloon with manual transmission gives 123g CO2/km and BIK 2012/13 of 18%. Therefore the total BIK over 36 months is £6,897, giving a total saving of £968.
AMG Sport Plus
The AMG Sport Plus, priced £1,000 above AMG Sport and just £35 over the previous Sport line, includes 18-inch bi-colour AMG alloys, bi-Xenon front lights with Intelligent Light System and Adaptive High Beam Assist, AMG sports seats, Black Artico/Dinamica upholstery with contrast red stitching, red seat belts, AMG floor mats with red edging and silver gearshift paddles (automatic transmission only).
In the C-Class Coupé, the pricing and specification of the AMG Sport are unchanged, but an AMG Sport Plus version is now available for an additional £1,000. The comprehensive list of trim additions includes 18-inch bi-colour AMG alloys, an AMG boot lip spoiler in body colour, AMG sports seats, Black Artico/Dynamica upholstery with the contrast red stitching on the seats and door panels, red seat belts, AMG floor mats with red edging and silver gearshift paddles (automatic transmission only).
A £530 AMG Handling Package is offered on the C-Class Coupé to uprate the steering, engine, exhaust and transmission response, as well as introducing unique styling touches. The Dynamic Handling Package continues to be available on selected Saloon and Estate models.
New engine
The C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY is powered by a new ultra-efficient 1.6-litre direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine and is accompanied by electric power steering to further bolster economy.
With an output of 154 hp at 5,000 rpm, the new engine is almost as powerful as its predecessor while developing an identical 250 Nm of torque across a wider rev range – 1,250 to 4,000 rpm.
- C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY Saloon returns 47.9 mpg and 138 g CO2/km
- C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY Estate returns 47.9 mpg and 139 g CO2/km
- C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY Coupé returns 44.1 mpg and 149 g CO2/km
While the 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine is no longer offered in the C-Class Saloon and Estate, it is still available in the C-Class Coupé. In addition, the C 63 AMG performance models remain unaffected by the 2013 model year revisions.
Interior and exterior features
There are also new interior and exterior features, including revised colour options, repositioned cruise control and indicator stalks and easier-to-read silver graphics for the telematics screen. The telematics system in conjunction with Mercedes-Benz COMAND now includes eCall to report the car’s position to a call centre via GPS in the event of an emergency.
Related articles
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- Drive the C63 AMG Coupe Black Series at Mercedes-Benz World Brooklands (motoringchat.com)