In this brand new video from DRIVE, Chris Harris heads over to Sweden to have some sideways fun on a frozen lake. With a range of classic Porsche 911 rally cars to choose from, who cares if it’s minus 17 degrees?
It’s another entertaining piece of film from Mr Harris, who reckons that this is the best fun you can have in a car. And, he says, if he only had one gallon of petrol left to use, this is how he’s burn it.
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Merzig-based Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist Carlsson is to reveal its new program for the CLS 63 AMG, labelled the CK63 RSR, at the Geneva Motor Show next month.
Thanks to the company’s Performance Package, which includes remapped ECU software along with a new stainless steel sports exhaust and high-flow cats, output from the 5.5-litre bi-turbo V8 engine jumps from 410 kW (557 hp) and 720 Nm of torque to 515 kW (700 hp) and a limited 1,000 Nm. On the road, those tweaks mean 100 km/h arrives in just 3.9 seconds and 200 km/h in 11.6s, with top speed now a heady 340 km/h (211 mph).
Other upgrades include a larger intercooler, additional oil and water cooling and thermostatically-controlled oil cooler for the transmission, a ten-point height adjustable coilover kit and 405 mm diameter vented front discs with six-pot calipers.
Visually, the RSR wears a set of Carlsson’s one-piece 1/10 alloy wheels in a choice of 19 or 20-inch diameter, an RS carbon-fibre front spoiler, additional brake cooling intakes, a carbon fibre rear valance insert and retractable rear spoiler. Moving inside, the cabin has been reupholstered using a combination of Brown Alcantara and Mocha Brown Nappa leather, carbon-fibre and natural wood inlays.
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Mercedes-Benz has officially revealed the range-topping A-Class, with the introduction of its A 45 AMG.
Designed to compete for buyers with the BMW M135i and Audi’s RS 3 Sportback, the A 45 AMG is propelled by a newly developed all-aluminium AMG 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, producing 265 kW (360 hp) and 450 Nm of torque, which sends its power to a revised version of the company’s AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive via a SPEEDSHIFT DCT seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The transmission is uprated with reinforced gear wheels, carbon-fibre friction linings on the synchroniser rings and software from the SLS AMG. The driver can choose between three modes — Controlled Efficiency, Sport and Manual, while the ESP stability system can be disabled altogether or switched to Sport.
On the road, 100 km/h happens in 4.6 seconds, top speed is limited to a meagre 250 km/h, with consumption working out at 6.9 litres per 100 kilometres in NEDC combined mode and CO2 emissions of 161g/km, helped partly by the ECO start/stop function and alternator disconnect.
Bulked-up hardware includes an SLS AMG cooling circuit, an AMG braking system with cross-drilled 350 x 32 mm front discs and 330 x 22 mm rears, tweaked speed-sensitive sports steering, stiffer steering knuckles and more rigid bearings in the lower link plane for increased cornering properties.
Visually the A 45 AMG wears a matte grey twin blade radiator grille, AMG front apron with oversized air intakes, side skirts, rear apron with air outlets and diffuser, twin trapezoidal tailpipes and matte grey 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels covered in 235/40 tyres. Moving inside, the seats wear a mixture of ARTICO man-made leather and DINAMICA microfibre with red stitching, while the dashboard gets a coating of carbon-look trim. You also get red seatbelts, an AMG instrument cluster including race timer and multifunction steering wheel with flappy paddles.
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Audi has revealed the new quattro-equipped Sportback model version of the S3 ahead of its Geneva début next month.
Powered by a revised version of the previous car’s 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder unit with dual injection and a cylinder head with integrated exhaust manifold, which develops 221 kW (300 hp) and 380 Nm of torque, the S3 hits 100 km/h in a mere 5 seconds when specified with the optional six-speed S tronic, and just five tenths of a second behind that time with the standard six-speed manual.
Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph), with the average fuel consumption of 6.9 litres every 100 kilometres (S tronic 7l/100 km) representing an impressive 1.5 litres per 100 km improvement over its predecessor, thanks largely to the car’s 70 kg weight reduction, at 1,445 kg.
Visually, the S3 sits 25 mm lower than its regular counterpart and is tastefully understated, with defining features including 7.5 x 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 225/40 low rolling resistance tyres, an aluminium-look S-specific grille with double horizontal bars with matt Platinum Grey insert, integrated air inlets with aluminium-look double ribs in the front bumper and aluminium-look mirror casings, while the rear gets a larger roof spoiler, LED tail-lights and four oval tailpipes shrouded by a Platinum Grey diffuser.
Moving inside, the cabin features S sill plates, matt brushed aluminium inlays, seats trimmed in either Pearl Nappa leather/cloth, perforated Alcantara/Pearl Nappa leather or Velvet leather/Fine Nappa leather.
Standard equipment comprises of drive select; a feature that allows the driver to tailor the steering system, S tronic, throttle valves and exhaust sound flaps to suit their tastes, Audi magnetic ride system, xenon plus headlights and automatic air conditioning, with extras such as red brake calipers, diamond quilted S sport seats with integrated head rests and all-LED headlights also available.
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SEAT has created a three-door version of its popular Leon model, with the introduction of the Leon SC (Sports Coupé).
Using the same MQB platform, but with a slightly reduced (-35 mm) wheel base of 2600 mm, lower roofline and more inclined rear end, it still retains 380 litres of boot capacity enjoyed by its five-door counterpart. The lack of doors and revised c-pillar really gives the SC a look of Audi’s A3, which is no bad thing, but from the windscreen forward everything is familiar Leon fare, including that sculpted face with LED daytime running lights. Again, full-LED headlights and wedge-shaped rear light units available as an optional extra.
Engine choices are carried over too, starting with a 1.6 TDI generating 77 kW (105 hp) and 250 Nm of torque, followed by the brawnier 2.0 TDI developing 110 kW (150 hp) and 320 Nm. Moving to the petrol units, we begin with the 1.2 TSI with either 63 kW (86 hp) or 77 kW (105 hp), then a 1.4 TSI delivering 90 kW (122 hp) or 103 kW (140 hp). Top of the tree is the 1.8 TSI, which musters up 132 kW (180 hp) and 250 Nm. Transmissions include a five- and six-speed manual and six and seven-speed DSG gearbox.
Due to go on sale in the summer, following its Geneva Motor Show debut next month, three trim levels will be available: the S, SE and FR version, which comes with sportier bumpers, lowered suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels and SEAT’s Drive Profile, which allows the driver to tailor the power steering, throttle response and engine sound to suit their individual preferences.
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Obergartzem tuning specialist mcchip-dkr has revealed details of its MC660 program for the Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG.
The company’s package consists of a supercharger kit, revised engine electronics – including V-Max removal, new exhaust manifolds, high-flow catalytic converters and a stainless steel exhaust with remote-operated valve control. Those changes to the 6.2-litre V8 see output rise from 336 kW (457 hp) and 600 Nm of torque to a slightly mental 660 hp (485 kW) and 750 Nm.
Chassis upgrades include the fitment of a KW Clubsport suspension system and a set of mbDESIGN KV1 alloy wheels, measuring 9 x 20-inches at the front and 10.5 x 20-inches at the rear, and wrapped in Dunlop Sportmaxx tyres.
The conversion is priced at €25,999 or you can buy this car as it is, for €84,999. Don’t worry, the body wrap is easily removable.
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