Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

After quite a long time now, and many teaser images, has finally dropped the official details on the 2012  Roadster. The model gets a totally new design, inspired by the legendary 190 SL from the 1950s, an innovative interior with features like Magic Sky Control.

The US market will only get two models: SLK 350 and SLK 250, but the European market also gets a SLK 200 versions. Depending on the trim the new SLK will get a V6 or a four-cylinder engine and a six-speed manual or a 7G‑TRONIC PLUS transmission. The fuel economy has been considerable improved, while the top speed is limited as usual at 155 mph.

The American customers will have to wait for the new SLK until later this summer, but in Europe the model is already available for order.

UPDATE 03/08/2011: We have just added a series of 70 new high res images to our SLK picture gallery. Enjoy!

UPDATE 03/10/2011: Check out Mercedes’ newest commercial for their latest roadster! Enjoy!

Hit the jump to read more about the 2012 Mercedes SLK Roadster.

The new SLK Roadster keeps its classic roadster proportions, but features a totally new design that resembles the legendary 190 SL from the 1950s. The front is distinguished by upright radiator grille with contoured chromed fin, a long and well-proportioned hood with light-catching contours and wide headlamps – which for the first time boast all-LED technology. The front is generally more striking, steeper front and larger, with the Cd cut to just 0.30.

The SLK’s side profile is also defined by fine details that embodies aesthetics of the highest caliber and is a visual cue to the sportiness and driving pleasure in store. The ventilation grilles in the front fenders also get chromed fin, reminiscent of the famous Mercedes-Benz roadsters of the 1950s. The rear is dominated by a muscular wing

Bugatti Veyron

The Bugatti Veyron is one of the fastest street-legal cars in the world, powered by an 8-liter W16 quad turbocharged engine that is capable of putting out more then 1000-hp.  All this power makes the Veyron capable of going 0-60 in 2.6 seconds and a top speed of more than 250 mph.  On top of this, the Veyron is also one of the most expensive vehicles in the world with a price tag of more than 1.7-million dollars.
Currently, only around 200 Veyrons exist worldwide with 15 of them located in the United States.
In Texas a Bugatti owner was reaching down to get his cell phone and then was distracted by a pelican on the road.  He swerved to miss the Pelican and drove his 1.7 million dollar vehicle into a lagoon.  The crazy part of all this story is there is video evidence of the wreck.  I am sure there will be some investigating on insurance fraud.
1.7 million dollars for a car.  I am still just shocked that someone would spend that much on a car.  If I had that much I would just buy a nice sedan and just hire a personal driver.  Plus I would have money left over.  Check out the pictures and the video of the crash.

2011 Audi TT

The 2011 TT is a 2-door, up to 4-passenger luxury sports coupe, or luxury convertible, available in two trims,... the 2.0T Prem Plus Coupe quattro S tronic and the 2.0T Prem Plus Roadster quattro S tronic.

Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 2.0-liter, I4, 211-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 22-mpg in the city and 31-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.

Volvo XC90 Review

Volvo does things a little differently from other premium brands in the automotive world. For this Swedish manufacturer, safety and kid-friendliness are just as important as luxury amenities and driving performance, and in no vehicle is this more apparent than the Volvo XC90, a midsize seven-passenger SUV.

Innovative safety features aside, the XC90 is merely adequate relative to the premium midsize SUV competition. Zestier performance is available elsewhere, as are more cavernous cargo holds. With more and more modern competitors measuring up to Volvo's high safety standards, the aging XC90 isn't the slam dunk for families that Volvo products used to be. It remains capable, though, and arguably safer than ever thanks to some new tricks.

Current Volvo XC90
The Volvo XC90 is available in two versions: 3.2 and V8. Available with front- or all-wheel drive, the 3.2 is the entry-level model and carries a 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine rated for 235 horsepower. Mileage suffers a bit on the XC90 V8, but the 311-hp 4.4-liter V8 provides strong acceleration, moving this 4,600-pound SUV to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds. All-wheel drive is standard with the V8.

The 3.2 comes with five-passenger seating (with the third-row seat optional), while the V8 comes with seven-passenger seating. As this is a premium SUV, almost all major safety and convenience features are included, even on the base model. Major options include a rear entertainment system with dual screens, a DVD-based navigation system, a Dolby Pro Logic II surround-sound audio system and an interior air quality system, as well as an ultra-luxurious executive package for the V8 model.

Merc C63 AMG coupe revealed

Mercedes is aiming to outgun BMW’s M3 coupé and the Audi RS5 with this hardcore AMG version of its recently launched two-door C-class.

The C63 AMG coupé produces up to 480bhp from its normally aspirated V8 motor, putting it well clear of its two German rivals and giving the model raw acceleration that wouldn’t disgrace a mid-engined supercar.

Unlike the recent CLS AMG, the C-class coupé from Mercedes’ in-house tuning division sticks with the familiar 6.2-litre, normally aspirated V8 engine. In the latest spec, the unit produces 451bhp and 443lb ft, more power and considerably more torque than the BMW (295lb ft) or the Audi (317lb ft). That’s enough to take the C-class from 0-62mph in 4.5sec, with a limited top speed of 155mph.

Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid Race Car Revealed

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Developed by a team of engineers at Porsche's Weissach R&D center, Porsche plans for the stripped-out race car to act as a rolling laboratory. The German carmaker wants to explore the potential of hybrid drivetrains in a racing environment before an expected announcement that it will return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a factory capacity, perhaps in 2012, with a race car boasting technology based on that used in the 911 GT3 R Hybrid.


Based on Porsche's recently revealed 911 GT3 RSR, the R Hybrid eschews conventional hybrid technology for an advanced new electro-mechanical flywheel system. Porsche sources said that the company is considering the system as a means of boosting the performance of its future race cars, and that the technology could end up on selected road cars, including a planned hybrid version of the 911. The new hybrid technology forms part of a broader program that goes under the name Porsche Intelligent Performance.

Hotter 1-series M for MotoGP

This hardcore track version of the new BMW 1-series M coupe is the new safety car for the 2011 MotoGP season.
The only thing for the one-off safety car that remains unchanged from the production model is the twin-turbo 335bhp straight-six engine. The car has undergone drastic weight saving, including a new carbonfibre bonnet with added large air vents, plus the use of polycarbonate for the side and rear windows. A lightweight titanium race exhaust is also fitted “for the benefit of the spectators”.

BMW reveals M3 pick-up

 

BMW has revealed this 414bhp pick-up version of the M3.

The BMW M3 pick-up has been spied at the Nurburgring several times in the past few weeks and BMW has claimed it has been extensively tested and set-up for a familiar M driving experience.
At the front of the car is the same 4.0-litre V8 developing its 414bhp at 8300rpm and 295lb ft at 3900rpm as the rest of the M3 range. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. Performance figures haven’t’ been released, but BMW claims the speedometer has displayed 186mph (300km/h) in ‘Ring tests.

Despite substantial modifications at the rear, in particular to the suspension, the M3 pick-ups still weighs in 50kg under the M3 convertible’s 1885kg kerb weight. Wind tunnel tests have also revealed the pick-up to be as slippery as an M3 Coupe.
The M3 pick-up boasts high levels of practicality to match the performance. The maximum load capacity has been raised to 450kg and a trailer tow hitch features on an M3 for the first time. The cargo area is clad in aluminium sheeting and it is capable of storing up to 20 golf bags.

The cabin is similar to that of the standard M3, featuring M-badged sports leather seats, steering wheel and gearlever. There is a special badge to commemorate the project on a carbonfibre strip on the dashboard.