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12/26/2012 - Nicolas Popov wrote:

2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series

Introduced in the land of wretched excess at the 2012 LA Auto Show, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series is the fifth in the Black Series and the top of the road-ready five-car SLS lineup.

Borrowing bits and input from the GT3 racing SLS, the Black version gains performance in every parameter except top speed; nigh-on 200 mph was deemed enough. Carbon fiber is liberally applied to splitters, spoilers, wings, hood vents and diffusers all around so airflow keeps it planted on the ground. More carbon fiber where you can't see it, forged aluminum wheels, lithium-ion battery, carbon-ceramic brakes and a titanium exhaust system cut weight by more than 150 pounds.

The 6.208-liter (which AMG rounds to 6.3) V8 is revamped for higher-rev operation and now has an 8000-rpm limit. Horsepower is up by 39 over the SLS GT to 622 hp at 7400 rpm, torque drops slightly to 468 pound-feet at 5500 rpm and 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds is claimed. Numbers don't do justice to the free-revving nature nor the even-louder cracking exhaust burble for this, the best of the 6.2-liter AMG engines.

SLS's rear-mounted 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and electronically controlled differential lock are tuned to match, and if you're very brave and equally skilled the stability control can be switched off.

Massive brakes larger than the wheels on some cars erase speed, aided by 19-inch front and 20-inch forged alloy wheels and sticky, sacrificial Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires you'll likely replace at every other oil change. Rather than the big wheel arch extensions of other Black models, the SLS is subtly formed to frame a nearly-inch-wider footprint, and the adjustable suspension and steering are calibrated for maximum handling and control.

The interior is decked out in black and red leathers, suedes and stitching, with plenty of carbon trim. A red band atop the steering wheel identifies straight up when you get sideways and behind on steering inputs.

Most of the controls will be familiar to Mercedes owners and even though it's essentially a street-able race car, blind spot warning, eight airbags and roadside (not trackside) assistance are standard.

Black Series upgrades typically add about 40 percent to the tab, so we expect this at or better than $300,000, though that's just a guess. Options will include an aerodynamics package, carbon fiber for the mirrors, engine cover and additional cabin trim, and a one-kilowatt Bang & Olufsen sound system so you can hear and feel audio over the manic engine.

12/26/2012 - Nicolas Popov wrote:

2013 Land Rover Range Rover

It's been a big year for Britain's Land Rover, what with its Evoque being named North American Truck of the Year, and now comes an all-new Range Rover. The 2013 Range Rover arrives at Land Rover dealerships at the end of 2012.

The fourth-generation Range Rover won't deliver the visual shock that the much smaller Evoque did, but nonetheless it's an appealing update of the big SUV's familiar shape, and the attention to wind-cheating aerodynamic detail pays off in a number of ways. What's been done under the skin should be equally compelling considering the impact that will have on comfort, functionality and fuel efficiency.

There's been a big shift in the automotive world from traditional, truck-based sport-utility vehicles to car-like crossovers. The payoff is better mileage but usually at the sacrifice of off-road capabilities. The 2014 Range Rover will remain a classic truck-truck, but Land Rover insists it has gone to great lengths to improve fuel economy and on-road drivability without limiting the go-anywhere functionality that long made the Range Rover the more lavishly equipped vehicle humping the Rubicon Trail.

For 2013, the Brits have migrated to an aluminum bodyshell, much like sibling brand Jaguar, that shaves body mass nearly 40 percent. Along with other weight-saving measures, that's helped Land Rover shave a stunning 700 pounds off the V8 model sold here in the U.S. and that will translate into better performance as well as improved mileage.

Meanwhile, the 2013 Range Rover delivers significant improvements in roominess, with a whopping 4.7 inches more rear legroom than on the previous version. The cabin, if anything, is even more luxurious than the previous-generation Range Rover, which set out to match the elegance and detail of competing British luxury sedans. Along with all the hand-stitched leather and carefully polished wood, you'll be able to order new massaging seats and even a champagne cooler in the back with the top-line Autobiography edition.

You can even order a 1700-watt, 29-speaker Meridian audio system if you're not worried about scaring the neighbors, or wildlife if you're heading off-road.

What's particularly surprising is that all this has been accomplished even while increasing the Range Rover's already impressive off-road capabilities. Wheel travel has increased significantly, while ground clearance is up almost an inch, to a hairsbreadth short of one foot, translating into the ability to clamber over even bigger boulders, or snow drifts if you're like most suburban owners. And if you're looking for a shortcut, the 2013 Range Rover's water fording maximum depth has been increased 20 percent, to 35 inches. Credit a new labyrinth engine breathing system tucked under the traditional clamshell hood.

The new model maintains the older Range Rover's Terrain Response system, a trick way of adjusting all sorts of vehicle settings, such as throttle and gearshifts, ride height and brake intervention systems, to deal with different road and weather conditions.

There will be two powertrain options in the U.S., at least initially. The base model is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 making 375 horsepower. You can upgrade to the supercharged version that will pump out 510 ponies. Land Rover officials contend the new model will deliver significantly better performance than before because of the reduction in weight and improved aerodynamics.

And while official government numbers haven't been released we can expect much better EPA ratings than the outgoing model's less than stellar 12 City, 18 Highway.

Land Rover said the 2013 Range Rover will start at an MSRP of $83,500. The top Autobiography model will retail for $130,950.

12/26/2012 - Nicolas Popov wrote:

2014 Mercedes-Benz A-Class

A new Mercedes-Benz A-Class compact car is expected to go on sale in the U.S. in late 2013.

Gone are the days when luxury cars were measured by the pound and foot. Even upscale motorists are downsizing, these days, and much of the world has discovered that good things can, indeed, come in small packages. That message is beginning to connect with U.S. buyers, as well, as high-line makers roll out products like the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series.

Until now, Mercedes-Benz has been reluctant to bring over the smallest model in its line-up, and perhaps for good reason. The original A-Class was an awkward design with a high-standing platform original conceived to allow for a hydrogen fuel cell or some other advanced powertrain to be mounted below the floor. But Mercedes is returning to a more conventional design with the launch of the next-generation A-Class.

Conventional in its basic layout, that is, though the clear intent was to come up with a new look that was as bold as the original A-Class was ungainly.

The design unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show may actually provoke a subtle sense of deja vu, the production model clearly influenced by the striking silver show car that was first revealed at the New York International Auto Show last April. That concept was the first clear confirmation that Mercedes planned to bring the next A-Class to our side of the Atlantic.

While some of the more exotic features from last year's prototype, such as daytime running lamps consisting of 90 optical fibers surrounded by metal sleeves, weren't carried over, the new Mercedes A-Class lifts the 2011 show car's distinctive grille, meant to give the appearance of a bright, nighttime sky.

The new A-Class is both lower and a bit longer than the original model. The body style unveiled in Geneva is a European-style wagon, and we'll eventually get the two-box design here in the U.S., according to Mercedes officials, but the goal is to come up with an expansive family of luxury minicars. And among other things, both a sedan and a sporty hatchback are reportedly under development. U.S. dealers will almost certainly get one of those body styles first.

The new A-Class is targeting Gen-X and younger Millennial buyers who are looking to enter the luxury market for the first time. No surprise, then, that Mercedes is putting a premium on technology, from advanced safety systems like Collision Prevention Assist to in-car infotainment. The new A-Class will be one of the first in the Teutonic maker's line-up to adopt the Siri voice-activated control system first seen on the Apple iPhone. In fact, that wagon's entire infotainment system was designed around the popular Apple smartphone by a team of high-tech engineers based at a Mercedes facility in California's Silicon Valley.

As for powertrains? The maker has several inline-4 engines set for use in Europe including a direct-injection turbocharged 2.0-liter package in the A250 making 211 horsepower, but it has yet to confirm the American options. On the gearbox side, expect the 6-speed manual and possibly the European 7-speed Dual-Clutch.

Current plans call for the A-Class to finally reach U.S. shores in late 2013 or very early 2014, wearing a 2014 model-year badge.

11/07/2012 - Nicolas Popov wrote:

What Obama's win could mean for the auto industry

The 2012 Presidential election is in the books and those in swing states must be looking forward to the absence of countless campaign ads. However, those with their eyes on electric vehicles and reduced emissions from automobiles may be looking forward to what the President's second term in office has in store.

So what of the future of the auto industry? Perhaps the initiative with the most immediate impact is the continued pursuit of the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard of 54.5 miles per gallon for cars by 2025. Some dealers have voiced displeasure with the added price of making these vehicles more fuel efficient. Additionally, a new challenge is ensuring those standards are actually met and automakers are reporting fuel economy numbers properly – a reality recently experienced by Kia and Hyundai. Still automakers in general approve of having clear standards to which they can refer.

The President's re-election should see the returned attention to electric vehicles as well. This year, Obama proposed an increase in the tax credit for electric vehicles, from $7,500 up to $10,000, in the pursuit of 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2015.

Another area where regulation will be pushed is in vehicle safety, where the Obama administration will seek to require all new vehicles to have a backup camera by 2014. Other regulations may be pursued in the area of navigation and advanced digital displays, and the safety impact of this rapidly progressing technology.

11/06/2012 - Nicolas Popov wrote:

2014 Maserati Quattroporte Preview

The covers have finally come off one of the most anticipated cars of next year, the all-new 2014 Maserati Quattroporte. Set to debut at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show in January, the new flagship sedan is the first of Maserati's modernized lineup with which the automaker hopes to increase sales almost 10-fold within the next couple of years.

Maserati is keeping most of the details on its new Quattroporte secret, but we can confirm it’s longer and roomier than the outgoing model. It’s also expected to be lighter and more powerful.

Underneath the new sheet metal is a mostly steel monocoque structure. A shortened version of this is expected to feature in the recently confirmed Ghibli sedan.

Power in the latest version of the Quattroporte will once again come from a Ferrari-sourced engine, though we should be seeing more than one engine option this time around. At launch, expect to see a V-8, while further down the track a turbocharged V-6 should join the fold. Both engines will be manufactured at Ferrari’s facilities in Maranello, Italy.

The exterior of the new Quattroporte is an evolution of the outgoing model’s lines, though there have clearly been influences from the desires of specific markets. The extra length, necessary to boost rear legroom, is almost certainly an influence from the Chinese market, where many Quattroporte owners are likely to be chauffeured.

11/05/2012 - Nicolas Popov wrote:

Nissan announces latest updates for GT-R

As another model year approaches for the Nissan GT-R, another round of improvements are being made. Rather than simply bumping up the horsepower, Nissan has decided to make refining changes to its supercar, which was recently unveiled in JDM spec for the 2013 model year.

Rather than milking more power out of the 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6, Nissan fine-tuned the engine with new injectors for quicker response, a baffle added in the oil pan to maintain constant oil pressure during enthusiastic driving and an improved turbo bypass valve for better acceleration at higher speeds. Nissan also optimized the car's handling potential by giving it a lower center of gravity, new shocks and stabilizers, and reinforcements in the dash giving the car a more rigid structure. Finally, the Premium Edition model adds a new Semiarinin leather and will even offer custom colors for the interior.

10/31/2012 - Nicolas Popov wrote:

2013 Toyota Avalon

Toyota has turned over something of a new leaf with its 2013 Avalon. For the last few decades, Japan's largest automaker has shown a face that could best be described as practical, reliable and a bit dull – the same side of the leaf that's been staring consumers in the face with products like the 2013 Camry and Corolla. Popular nameplates, no doubt, but since Toyota's history is filled with such stylish, sporty and iconic models as the 2000GT, MR2, rear-wheel-drive AE86 Corolla and, of course, the late, great Supra that we last saw in 2002, ardent followers of the brand have had little to feel excited about.

With such a checkered past, it's no surprise that company CEO Akio Toyoda has called upon his employees to once again design and build cars with a sense of passion. The 2013 Avalon and Avalon Hybrid – Toyota's flagship models in the ultra-important United States market – are the first new vehicles, Toyota says, to come from that rekindled bucket of excitement.

10/30/2012 - Nicolas Popov wrote:

2013 BMW M3 offered in Frozen Red, White and Blue

BMW has announced a new production run of its Frozen Edition M3s, this time set to arrive in patriotic Frozen Red, Frozen While and Frozen Blue colors.

The 2013 BMW ME Coupe Frozen Edition models will go on sale January starting from $76,395. For this, customers will enjoy a competition package that includes Matte black 19-inch light alloy wheels, electronic damper control, lowered suspension (-10mm), sport mapping for the EDC and DSC, and 6-speed manual transmission.

The interior is tricked out with a premium package that includes, Black Extended Novillo leather with contrast stitching in exterior color on seats, headrests, door inserts, armrests, middle console, and door pulls, carbon leather trim with contrast stitching in the exterior color, high gloss black kidney grills, side grills and exhaust pipe tips. A carbon fiber roof panel rounds out the limited edition features.

However, it would not be a BMW without an extensive list of (expensive) options, allowing buyers to further individualize their M3 Frozen Edition. Among these are M-DCT transmission, rear spoiler delete, moonroof, heated front seats, auto high beams, satellite radio with 12 month subscription, BMW apps and BMW Individual Enhanced Premium Sound.

10/29/2012 - Nicolas Popov wrote:

Rolls-Royce Updates Ghost For 2013

Rolls-Royce is subtly updating its Ghost sedan for the 2013 model year. Although the Ghost's styling and powertrain carryover for the new model year, Rolls-Royce says the tweaks “ensure the car is equipped to pinnacle Rolls-Royce standards.”

Inside the Ghost is equipped with new ‘exciter’ speakers located in the car's leather headliner. Powered by an updated amplifier, the new audio system is designed to move the center of sound closer to the passengers' ears for a better listening experience.

Unlike Rolls-Royce's flagship Phantom model, most Ghosts are owner-driven, which means Jeeves isn't always around to help load shopping bags in the trunk. In order to help with that issue, all 2013 Ghost models come equipped with Rolls-Royce's new Comfort Access.

No unlike the system used on Ford's latest Escape crossover, Comfort Access is able to open the Ghost's trunk with a foot gesture under the rear bumper. The system only requires the Ghost's key to be in the vicinity of the car.

Rolls-Royce is also adding a new Ghost wheel option for 2013, complimenting the car's already impressive library of 44,000 exterior paint options.

Rolls-Royce says the 2013 Ghost will begin production by year's end.

10/26/2012 - Nicolas Popov wrote:

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport

It's nearly impossible to secure seat time in a Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport. Not only are they hard to find (production volume in the low hundreds makes the supercar as rare as active members of the Right Said Fred fan club), but the $2 million sticker price dissuades most owners from handing over their sacred keys. When an opportunity to drive one of the world's fastest vehicles does present itself, it is most often a short jaunt on a restricted route, as each mile on the odometer is understandably very precious.

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