Here’s some new footage of the stunning Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 and fantastic 300 SEL 6.8 AMG on the move. The cars met up for a very special celebration. Not only was Kenneth Heyer’s Team Black Falcon gullwing racer wearing the same colour and number as his father’s Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG at Spa, but 2011 also marked the 40th anniversary of Hans Heyer’s class victory in the legendary 24-hour race. The team went on to take third place at this year’s competition. (more…)
Author: admin
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Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 and 300 SEL 6.8 AMG on the move
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200 mph Skoda at Bonneville Speed Week – latest videos
evo has released three further video diaries covering its time at the legendary Bonneville Speed Week. Dickie Meaden, the magazine’s Contributing Editor has been driving a 600 bhp ‘salt spec’ Octavia dubbed the Octavia vRS Bonneville Special, and has already passed the magical 200 mph mark. An impressive first run of the day saw the relatively humble Skoda hit 195.69 mph, but by its sixth outing a speed of 202.15 mph was achieved.The car was jointly prepared by Skoda’s technical team in Milton Keynes and tuning specialists REVO Technik. New subframes drop the Octavia 60 mm closer to the salt, while the body receives some aerodynamic upgrades. The 2.0L TSI engine has been fitted with a larger Garrett G-05 turbocharger and is subjected to 30+ PSI of boost pressure. The car is being fed large amounts of high-octane race fuel (with water methanol mix) – rather than unleaded pump petrol.
With a few days remaining, the team is now setting its sights on the 2.0L production car record which currently stands at 216 mph.
[Source: Skoda]
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smart fortwo electric drive to become available worldwide
smart is ramping up production of its third-generation fortwo electric drive, launching an all out attack on the worldwide market.The new version will be here by next spring with annual output from the Hambach plant rising from a mere 2000 units to five-figures. Not only is the volume increasing but, thanks to a new Lithium-ion battery from Deutsche ACCUmotive – rather than Tesla – the 2012 model jumps from a 20 kW constant (30 kW peak) output to 35 kW constant (55 kW peak). This translates to a 120 km/h top speed (up from 100 km/h) and a 0 – 60 km/h time slashed from 6.5 down to 5 seconds.
The smart’s 17.6 kWh capacity lithium-ion battery provides enough juice for over 140 kilometres of pollutant-free driving fun, and can be charged – via a household socket or charging station – from completely empty to fully charged in around eight hours. If you cant wait that long, the quick-charging function takes less than an hour and uses a heavy-duty power cable to connect the fortwo to a public quick-charging station or a wallbox mounted at work or your home.
[Source: Mercedes-Benz]
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smart ebike on sale from 2012
Following on from its electric bicycle study last year, smart has announced that its ebike is to go into production, with a near-series model making appearances at Friedrichshafen’s ‘Eurobike Show’ later this month and at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.It will be built jointly with Biesenthal-based e-bike company GRACE, and be available to buy from as early as the first half of 2012, initially in Europe and North America dealerships for less than €2,900 ($4,150).
The ebike has a hybrid drive – a combination of leg power and electric drive. The electric boost comes via a 250 watt brushless direct current wheel hub motor integrated within the rear wheel. The ebike can be charged at any normal household socket – just like a notebook, and can be fully charged in around hours.
[Source: Mercedes-Benz]
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New options for the BMW X5 and X6
From Autumn 2011, BMW will be offering new options, including an enhanced Individual programme, for its X5 and X6 models. Both the X5 and X6 will be available as Exclusive Edition models, meaning unique features, including paintwork in Platinum Bronze Metallic (BMW X5) and Mineral Silver Metallic (BMW X6) and a set of 20-inch Y-spoke alloy wheels.Inside, there’s an Anthracite headliner from BMW the Individual range, Bamboo grain wooden trim, and heated and electric seats covered in Oyster Nevada leather – with a black seam.
Citrine Black Metallic has been added to the BMW Individual exterior colours list, while inside there are new, embossed sill plates, black patterned leather and Merino leather in Amaro Brown. The BMW X5 Sport Package now includes the new M steering wheel in leather, with built-in gearshift paddles.
Finally, the BMW X5 xDrive30d will be available with BMW BluePerformance technology which fully meets the requirements of the EU6 exhaust emissions standard which comes into effect from effect in 2014. The figure of 198 g/km is achieved thanks to the addition of a Diesel Oxidation Catalyst and an NOx absorber which removes nitrous gases and sulphur oxides.
[Source: BMW]
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New Volkswagen Beetle stars in Travemünde
Volkswagen fans from around the world, some as far as China, descended on the Baltic Sea beach of Travemünde at the weekend to experience the seventh Beetle Sunshine Tour.Apart from a roller coaster and three live bands there to entertain the crowds, this year’s theme was “Tour of the generations” which saw early air-cooled models sitting alongside their modern-day, water-pumping siblings. Guest star was, of course, the new 21st Century Beetle.
When the original was launched in 1938, it was known simply as ‘the Volkswagen’, but quickly acquired a raft of affectionate nicknames from across the world. Whatever you call it, its popularity has never been in question, with 21.5 million sold in the past 73 years. Long may it live on.
[Source: Volkswagen Germany]
