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[extract] Mercedes-Benz has been manufacturing the SL-Class for almost sixty years. The first generation replaced the Mercedes Gullwing in 1954 and the model
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Mercedes Benz reveals plans for 10 new future models
FaezClutchless posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
[extract] Locally, the Mercedes Benz marque has always been known or seen as a rather upmarket name. Many also perceive that this brand name attracts older buyers rather than younger ones and thus the nickname -
[extract] The original VW Beetle is one of my favourite cars. It might not have huge horsepower figures or a sleek, sloping roofline but overall in my eyes, the car is nice to look at; something that is cool to drive. When Volkswagen released the New Beetle, I had mixed feelings about it. But eventually I had to accept it as time always bring about changes. Although Volkswagen released a powerful version of the New Beetle equipped with the 3.2 litre VR6 engine, the local dealers did not bring it in. One of the reasons I heard on why it didn
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Collecting model scale cars can be a quite expensive hobby especially those who are particular with the amount of real-life details copied onto the scale models. Prices can range from a mere $5 up to the hundreds and even thousands, for those limited editions made by high-end scale model car companies. This Lamborghini Aventador scale model is rather unique. The reason why I would say that is because the value is much more expensive (worth around US$4.7 million) than a real life one. This scale model is made by a German scale model builder named Robert Gulpen and he made this item using very expensive materials. The model is roughly 1/8 the size of a real Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4. It is built entirely out of precious metals; such as gold and platinum, diamonds and even carbon fibre. This is not the first time he had built something like this. Previously, he had built a solid gold 1/18 Bugatti Veyron scale model. With his previous successful model scale Veyron, Gulpen intends to seek out a new scale build with the Aventador as he feels that he car has an uncompromising design. The result is rather spectacular. The car features solid gold suspension design, platinum cast wheels, gold plated carbon fibre body panels and seats lined with over 700 diamonds. If these luxurious items are not enough, Gulpen will add more exclusive modifications to the scale model. The scale model car will be put on auction and Gulpen hopes to raise more than US$670,000 through the auction. He also hopes to enter into the Guinness Book of World Records for creating the world
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[extract] The usage of lightweight materials in cars is not something new. Many automakers have done it and this trend is increasing. Usually, carbon fibre is the preferred material choice. Recent reports have shown that several automakers plans to shed more weight from their cars by infusing more carbon fibre parts and some have even invested in companies that manufacture carbon fibre. The main factors of carbon fibre usage are pretty well known. It is light in weight, pretty strong and for some; it gives out an image of exclusivity especially when most people know that it is an expensive material. The Lamborghini Aventador is one good example of how automakers infuse carbon fibre into their creations. The Aventador
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Suzuki takes Volkswagen to ICC International Court of Arbitration
FaezClutchless posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
It looks like the relationship between Suzuki Motors Corporation and Volkswagen Group has gone from bad to worse. Some of us might know about the recent reports of Volkswagen threatening to sue its Japanese partner. And now, Suzuki has begun arbitration proceedings against Volkswagen on the 24 November 2011 at the ICC International Court of Arbitration, located in London. If the proceedings are successful, it will force Volkswagen to sell back its stake in the Japanese company back to Suzuki or to a third party approved by Suzuki Motors. The alliance between the two companies began in 2009. Volkswagen Group bought a 19.89% stake in Suzuki and in turn, Suzuki acquired 1.49% of Volkswagen. The alliance was originally intended for Volkswagen to expand in India where Suzuki has experience and sales success. On top of that, Volkswagen will give Suzuki access to its core technologies; technologies which the Japanese automaker could not afford to develop on its own. The partnership began to crumble when Volkswagen mentioned in an annual report that -
Sometime this year, there were rumours that Mercedes-Benz was seriously considering a two-door performance model as a possible rival to Porsche's 911 and they might also revive the SLC model (codename R190) name and use it for this particular application. Now it seems that the automaker has been given the green light to produce it which is slated for production by 2015. Not many details were revealed about the new SLC except for its powertrain. Initially rumoured to use one of AMG tuned engines, the front-engined SLC will feature an all-new 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 engine instead. The new engine is part of Mercedes' future generation engines. These new engines will have a 500 cubic centimetres per cylinder displacement. This means that Mercedes-Benz could either use a 2.0-litre four-cylinder, a 3.0-litre V6 or a 4.0-litre V8 engine in their future cars. Expected horsepower will be lower than the SLS AMG. Not known to us is what badge will the SLC use as nowadays Mercedes car labels have long lost the bearings of the actual capacity under the bonnet. (For example, the new E250 has a 1.8-litre engine) The new SLC will also be smaller in size compared to the SLS AMG. It will first be offered as a coupe and a roadster version will be offered if demands are high enough. The car will utilise Mercedes' current 7-speed dual clutch transmission and expect much light weight parts, such as aluminium, to be utilised interiorly. The original SLC life span didn't last long compared to other Mercedes Benz's models and a revival will increase the automaker's model line-up and place them in fierce contention with rival German manufacturers like Audi and BMW. Photo credit: Ultimate Car Page and Concept Carz
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Porsche to develop new platform for R8, Gallardo and 918 Spyder
FaezClutchless posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
[extract] According to reports earlier this month, the next-generation Audi R8 will share an all new platform with Porsche -
[extract] Showcased at this year
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It was about only two months ago when Volkswagen introduces the VW Up city car at the Frankfurt Motor Show. At that same event, Volkswagen also showcased several Up concepts and one of them was the Up GT. Initially thought to be just a showcasing formality, but now details of the Up GT have leaked onto the internet and it seems that we might see it released sooner than later. In terms of horsepower, the Up GT might deliver up to 100bhp (something in the range of the Fiat Panda 100HP version) and most probably VW will force-induced the base model
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[extract] Earlier this year, there were rumours of BMW
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[extract] Lately, several automakers has showcased or reported that they will be producing a smaller version of their current models. For example, Porsche revealed a smaller version of the Panamera and Cayenne, Mercedes Benz came up with a plan to release the
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BMW files patent for its electric turbocharger design
FaezClutchless posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
The usage of a turbocharger on an electric motor is nothing new. Many aftermarket tuners have done it and some automakers have experimented on it. But no company have ever implemented it on a production vehicle. BMW has now filed a patent for its electric turbocharger design and they may be the first automaker to use such technology. BMW recently filed a German patent for its electric turbocharger design and implementation wise, it may take a while before we get to see it being used on their production vehicles. But at least, we know that someone or some company is developing such technology. Before I continue on how the electric turbocharger works, let me explain a little about turbochargers and also on small turbo vs. a big turbo, for those who don -
[extract] Before anyone makes any jokes about how many clowns can fit into a tiny car, this is no circus act. In fact, it is a publicity stunt organised by Volkswagen
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[extract] One of the largest trade shows devoted to car tuning is Germany
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We normally see laser lights used on numerous applications such as barcode scanners, optical disc players, laser lighting displays and etc. What if it was applied onto vehicles as headlights? That would look really nice, especially in the dark. BMW recently announced that they are moving towards advanced lighting technology and they showcased it onto their i8 concept car at the recent 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. Now, BMW announced that we will see laser headlights (part of BMW
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[extract] The Volkswagen Group aims to be the biggest car manufacturer by 2018. In an effort to reach that goal, Volkswagen will release a range of all-new models from within the group in the near future. One of those new models is a medium sized sports sedan dubbed the
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[extract] The splendid work of art you see here is based on a Mercedes Bens 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coup
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Recently on the 2nd of October, there was a crash at the Nurburgring track in Germany. Many people speculated on the internet about what had happened. The matter of fact is that no one really knew what happened and there are even rumours that there are some people who are trying to "veil" this incident. But now, there is a video circulating on the internet that shows part of the accident. This video was shot from the back of a car that wasn't involved in the crash. The video is over 15 minutes long but the incident starts at the 09:55 mark. You might want to skip to that point. At around the 10:00 mark, after the car has slowed down, it passes through the accident site. If you look at the video closely (close to the top right corner of the car's rear windscreen), at the 10:32 point, you can see the second crash taking place which supposedly involved the BMW M3 "Ring taxi" hitting the back of the Corvette. Although we didn't get to see the first accident taking place but at least it gives us a clearer picture of what happened during the second one. A long strecth of a fast left bend was just before the accident site and as we can see from the video, many cars scrambled to apply their brakes after seeing other vehicles slowing down. And any cars that were too fast would have little time to brake and avoid a collision from happening. The best question for me to ask is "Why was there road works done on a track day?" link to the accident Photo credit: jalopnik
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The success of the Mercedes-Benz SLS, which has sold 5,000 units since its release and grown to include a Roadster version and has paved way for the automaker to release another AMG version. It will be a smaller, cheaper version of the SLS, poised to rival the Porsche 911. According to Christoph Jung, development director of performance division AMG, "There is room for an AMG model below the SLS, targeting the Porsche 911. This is the next market for AMG, and we are considering what is the right package." "It is important to work on our brand and grow it. Look at the Porsche 911 - it is a huge success. They have done a very good job in evolving it over the years. Now, thanks to the SLS, companies like Porsche see AMG as competition. Everyone recognises that AMG can produce super sports cars." The car will be a two-seater and comes with a front-mounted V8 engine, most likely a development of the company's latest 5.5-litre twin-turbo. This engine would produce up to 500bhp, driving the rear wheels through a seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox. Expect zero to 100km/h in four seconds and a top speed of 297km/h. The model will also showcase some highly efficient features such as stop-start technology. The new SLS model would have to start at around 80,000 Euros in order to be profitable. A coupe is a certainty, and a roadster could join it. Photo credit : AutoExpress
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The RS5 is considred to be the highest performance version of the Audi A5 series. Before I continue about the upcoming 2013 Audi RS5 facelift, let me talk a bit about the RS5 for those who are not familiar with it. Intially presented at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the RS5 features a naturally aspirated 4.2 litre V8 engine. It produces 444 bhp and 430 N m or torque. It solely comes with a 7 speed S-tronic transmission. Enough talk about the RS5, lets continue about its facelift. The biggest change the Audi RS5 receive is on its front end. While the overall shape remains unchanged, the centre grille gets Audi's new clipped top corners and more subtle grille trimming. The headlights are more chiseled now compared to the old rectangular ones. The line of LEDs on the old headlights are replaced with more modern looking light tubes that runs almost around the headlights housing. The side window trim is now black instead of a metallic shade. The new taillights housing cover are of a darker shade. Interior wise, Audi didn't change much except for a new steering wheel and gear knob. What remains unchanged are the engine, transmission, suspension and its all-wheel drive components but the brake rotors gets a revised design which shaves a total of almost 3kgs on all four corners of the car.
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[extract] A crash on the Nurburgring track happened on the 02 October involving 8 cars, including a rented Corvette and a newly commissioned BMW M3
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[extract] Like Singapore, the Germany auto industry is facing a shortage of talents. According to the German engineering association VDI, the shortage of available engineers in the country last month hit an all-time high of nearly 77,000 vacancies. And this might prove to be a problem for companies like BMW, which aims to hire 800 people at its Leipzig as part of the
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Webber and Vettel go head to head - in an Infiniti this time
ElDiablo posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
[extract] They -
[extract] Volvo has finally proved that it can produce happy customers as it was announced that Volvo passed Mercedes-Benz to become only the second European automaker to take top honors in vehicle ownership satisfaction among German car owners since 2002. According to a J.D. Power and Associates study, the Swedish brand obtained a score of 841 out of 1,000, propelling it from the previous year