Is the Mercedes C-Class Really Worth the Cost of...

Motor Authority - blog Tag: Shanghai Auto Show

  • Full details for facelifted Mercedes Benz S63 and S65 AMG saloons

    Full details for facelifted Mercedes Benz S63 and S65 AMG saloons June 22nd, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, June 22nd, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 5 Comments

    Full details for facelifted Mercedes Benz S63 and S65 AMG saloons Executive limo accommodations, supercar power and sleeper-no-more looks are the key ingredients to Mercedes Benz's newly facelifted pair of S-Class AMG sedans. Photos and details released today reveal the S63 and S65 AMG sedans, both of which are now even more appealing thanks to a series of subtle fine-tuning measures.

    LED accents abound, with the high-tech illumination powering daytime running lights, fog lights and tail lights. Inside it's the usual array of fine wood, leather, high-grade plastics and reserved color combinations.

    The same engines as the current cars can be found once you pop the bonnets, since this is just a mid-cycle... Executive limo accommodations, supercar power and sleeper-no-more looks are the key ingredients to Mercedes Benz's newly facelifted pair of S-Class AMG sedans. Photos and details released today reveal the S63 and S65 AMG sedans, both of which are now even more appealing thanks to a series of subtle fine-tuning measures. LED accents abound, with the high-tech illumination powering daytime running lights, fog lights and tail lights. Inside it's the usual array of fine wood, leather, high-grade plastics and reserved color combinations. The same engines as the current cars can be found once you pop the bonnets, since this is just a mid-cycle freshening. That means the S63 will be cranking 518hp (386kW) and 465lb-ft (630Nm) of torque from its 6.2L V8 mill, while the S65's 6.0L V12 will spin up to 604hp (450kW) and 738lb-ft (1,000Nm) of torque. All that twist necessitates use of a 5-speed automatic transmission instead of the 7-speed unit found in the S63. The new S63 capable of accelerating to a speed of 100km/h from rest in 4.6 seconds, while the S65 will do the same in just 4.4 seconds. Both saloons are electronically limited to 250km/h. Despite no changes having been made to the engine data and performance values, it has still been possible to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 3%. Visual aspects that distinguish the V8 from the V12 model include the AMG light-alloy wheels: the S63 AMG has 19in multi-spoke units painted titanium grey with a high-sheen finish. The S65 AMG, on the other hand, comes with 20in forged wheels painted titanium grey with a mirror finish. Some of the cars’ new technologies include a crosswind stabiliser, a torque vectoring braking system, active steering, and Mercedes’ adaptive brake system. The 2010 Mercedes S63 AMG price for the short wheelbase version starts at €115,700 in Europe without tax while the long wheelbase models starts at €121,700. The 2010 S65 AMG meanwhile, starts at €185,900. U.S. pricing is yet to be released. Since its market launch some three years ago, the S-Class made by AMG has been bought by more than 8,000 customers around the world – turning it into the undisputed market leader in the small yet highly exclusive high-performance luxury saloon segment.2010 Mercedes Benz S-Class facelift2010 Mercedes Benz S63 and S65 AMG sedansMercedes-Benz S63 and S65 AMG official trailer Read More

  • Porsche Panamera squeezed into elevator for 94th story presentation

    Porsche Panamera squeezed into elevator for 94th story presentation April 21st, 2009 ByAlex Kaufmann Alex Kaufmann, Author, April 21st, 2009 Alex Kaufmann 41 Comments

    Porsche Panamera squeezed into elevator for 94th story presentation In the lead up to the unveiling of its Panamera sedan at the Shanghai Motor Show this week, Porsche made a special presentation of the car to a select group of customers and dignitaries on the 94th floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center. Getting the car up to the special event platform, which stands more than 425m above ground, proved to be no small feat as the Panamera could barely fit in the building’s biggest elevator.

    In order to get the car in, Porsche had to build a specially designed ramp and stand the Panamera upright before it could be rolled into the building’s freight elevator.

    The particular model used was the... In the lead up to the unveiling of its Panamera sedan at the Shanghai Motor Show this week, Porsche made a special presentation of the car to a select group of customers and dignitaries on the 94th floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center. Getting the car up to the special event platform, which stands more than 425m above ground, proved to be no small feat as the Panamera could barely fit in the building’s biggest elevator. In order to get the car in, Porsche had to build a specially designed ramp and stand the Panamera upright before it could be rolled into the building’s freight elevator. The particular model used was the base Panamera S, which was joined the next day by the AWD Panamera 4S and twin-turbocharged Panamera Turbo on the stands at the Shanghai Motor Show. The Panamera will go on sale in Europe this September, and will arrive in U.S. showrooms just one month later. The Panamera S will start at $89,800, while the AWD 4S will start at $93,800 and the flagship Turbo from $132,600. Later this year Porsche will introduce an entry-level V6 model and a petrol-electric hybrid.2010 Porsche Panamera2010 Porsche Panamera interior2010 Porsche Panamera technical preview2010 Porsche Panamera squeezed into elevator of Shanghai World Financial Center Read More

  • Citroen previews C4 Sedan facelift at Shanghai Motor Show

    Citroen previews C4 Sedan facelift at Shanghai Motor Show April 21st, 2009 ByJeremy Weber Jeremy Weber, Author, April 21st, 2009 Jeremy Weber 1 Comment

    Citroen previews C4 Sedan facelift at Shanghai Motor Show The Citroen C4 Hatch and Coupe underwent a mild facelift late last year as part of its mid-cycle update but the Sedan variant of the car (offered in limited markets) has remained unchanged, until now. The updated Sedan can now join the lineup as it has made its official debut at the Shanghai Motor Show.

    Picking up a new name for the Chinese market, C-Quatre, the version shown in China is a preview of the C4 Sedan that will be sold in Europe by the end of the year. The new model can be distinguished by its restyled front end and updated interior, while the engine lineup should mirror that of the standard Hatch.

    Designers have added new... The Citroen C4 Hatch and Coupe underwent a mild facelift late last year as part of its mid-cycle update but the Sedan variant of the car (offered in limited markets) has remained unchanged, until now. The updated Sedan can now join the lineup as it has made its official debut at the Shanghai Motor Show. Picking up a new name for the Chinese market, C-Quatre, the version shown in China is a preview of the C4 Sedan that will be sold in Europe by the end of the year. The new model can be distinguished by its restyled front end and updated interior, while the engine lineup should mirror that of the standard Hatch. Designers have added new upholstery and a new grain on several trim parts, and incorporated the rev counter in the middle of the dashboard. Engine-wise, the C4 Sedan is available with two new petrol engines co-developed with BMW under the EP family guise. The first unit, the VTi 120, replaces the 1.6i 16V engine and delivers 120hp (88kW) from its 1.6L displacement. The second unit, the VTi 150, features a turbocharger and delivers 150hp (110kW). VTi stands for “Variable valve lift and Timing Injection”. The HDi diesel engine range remains, featuring 92 (69kW), 110 (82kW) and 140hp (104kW) outputs. Inside, the new C4 Sedan boasts a richer array of telematics equipment, notably a new-generation navigation system that comes with a Bluetooth function and can be connected to portable electronic devices. Expect to the European-specific model to make its debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show.Citroen C4 hatchback facelift2009 Citroen C4 Sedan facelift Read More

  • Buick reveals Business MPV concept in Shanghai

    Buick reveals Business MPV concept in Shanghai April 21st, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, April 21st, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 3 Comments

    Buick reveals Business MPV concept in Shanghai We've seen some amazing concepts from Buick unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show in previous years, and this year was no different with the release of the Buick Business concept. Unlike the handsome Buick Riviera Concept we saw at Shanghai a couple of years ago that was built in collaboration with GM's Chinese and American operations, the new Business concept has been penned and engineered completely by GM's Pan Asian Technical Automotive Center (PATAC).

    While the Buick Business may not appear to be much from the outside apart from an MPV with a Buick grille slapped on the front, the old adage of not judging a book by its cover comes into... We've seen some amazing concepts from Buick unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show in previous years, and this year was no different with the release of the Buick Business concept. Unlike the handsome Buick Riviera Concept we saw at Shanghai a couple of years ago that was built in collaboration with GM's Chinese and American operations, the new Business concept has been penned and engineered completely by GM's Pan Asian Technical Automotive Center (PATAC). While the Buick Business may not appear to be much from the outside apart from an MPV with a Buick grille slapped on the front, the old adage of not judging a book by its cover comes into play when you learn what the vehicle holds in store for its occupants - namely a mobile boardroom. Inside the concept viewers will find rotating seats that can face one another, tables and other features to help the concept live up to its 'Business' moniker. Capable of holding up to six passengers, the car also features some flashy electric sliding doors, 20in wheels (presumably to intimidate any potential business partners) and a glass roof. Driven by a 2.4L four-cylinder engine, the Business concept also features an electric motor, as is now the norm these days with major manufacturers, to represent Buick's commitment to electric power and saving the environment. In this vein, the concept also features a stop-start system and regenerative braking. While it’s unlikely this sort of vehicle will ever make it to the U.S., Buick is big business for GM in China. Thus, there is speculation that this concept may just be the beginning point, or a general design direction, for a number of Chinese built and designed vehicles for that market.2009 Buick Business Concept Read More

  • Project M supercar revealed as Corvette ZR1-based Mantide

    Project M supercar revealed as Corvette ZR1-based Mantide April 20th, 2009 ByJeremy Weber Jeremy Weber, Author, April 20th, 2009 Jeremy Weber 14 Comments

    Project M supercar revealed as Corvette ZR1-based Mantide Giving brilliant people free rein to build their dreams has led to some of the best designs in automotive history, no small portion of which were penned by people working for Stile Bertone. Ex-Pininfarina designer and now head of Stile Bertone Jason Castriota is one of those people - the author of James Glickenhaus' fantastic P4/5. Now he has designed his own supercar, called the Mantide.

    Though Castriota is at the center of the project, his ties to Stile Bertone are also being kept at the forefront. Castriota's own combination of American birth and Italian heritage echoes the ties between Bertone's past and the supercar design of the... Giving brilliant people free rein to build their dreams has led to some of the best designs in automotive history, no small portion of which were penned by people working for Stile Bertone. Ex-Pininfarina designer and now head of Stile Bertone Jason Castriota is one of those people - the author of James Glickenhaus' fantastic P4/5. Now he has designed his own supercar, called the Mantide. Though Castriota is at the center of the project, his ties to Stile Bertone are also being kept at the forefront. Castriota's own combination of American birth and Italian heritage echoes the ties between Bertone's past and the supercar design of the present. The car, which made its debut today at the 2009 Shanghai Auto Show, is built off a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 platform but its entire body is completely new, composed mostly of carbon-fiber and magnesium. The use of the lightweight materials meant designers were able to shave almost 250lb from the kerb weight of the already lightweight ZR1. Furthermore, aerodynamic aids similar to the ones used in F1 sees the Mantide feature 25% less drag and 30% more downforce than the ZR-1 on which it’s based. The end result is a 0-60mph time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed in excess of 200mph. Unfortunately, no production plans have been revealed yet. For more of Castriota's shockingly awesome design work, check out the Ferrari 599GTB, Rolls Royce Hyperion and the Maserati GranTurismo.Inside Jason Castriota's Project MInside Project M Episode VII Read More

  • Porsche Panamera makes world debut at Shanghai Auto Show

    Porsche Panamera makes world debut at Shanghai Auto Show April 19th, 2009 ByAlex Kaufmann Alex Kaufmann, Author, April 19th, 2009 Alex Kaufmann 16 Comments

    Porsche Panamera makes world debut at Shanghai Auto Show Porsche today unveiled its new Panamera grand tourer at the Shanghai Auto Show, ahead of its official European sales launch scheduled for September. The car will arrive in U.S. showrooms just one month later, although only the V8 variants will be offer initially.

    These include the naturally aspirated Panamera S, AWD 4S and the flagship Turbo. The Panamera S is powered by a 4.8L V8 developing maximum output of 400hp (294kW). Power is transmitted to the rear wheels as an option by Porsche’s seven-speed Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) double-clutch gearbox. Acceleration to 100km/h comes in 5.4 seconds and top speed is 283km/h.

    The... Porsche today unveiled its new Panamera grand tourer at the Shanghai Auto Show, ahead of its official European sales launch scheduled for September. The car will arrive in U.S. showrooms just one month later, although only the V8 variants will be offer initially. These include the naturally aspirated Panamera S, AWD 4S and the flagship Turbo. The Panamera S is powered by a 4.8L V8 developing maximum output of 400hp (294kW). Power is transmitted to the rear wheels as an option by Porsche’s seven-speed Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) double-clutch gearbox. Acceleration to 100km/h comes in 5.4 seconds and top speed is 283km/h. The Panamera 4S features the same powerplant but thanks to AWD traction only needs 5.0 seconds to sprint to 100km/h. The range topping Panamera Turbo, meanwhile, sports a twin-turbo 4.8L V8 engine with a healthy 500hp (368kW) on tap. When equipped with the PDK the car will accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 4.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 303km/h. All models will be available with PTM, Porsche Traction Management, and a unique new high-volume adjustable air suspension will also be available, offering a wide range of performance options including a Sport Plus mode that lowers the car even further, stiffens effective spring rates and lowering the center of gravity. The standard steel suspension is also available on all models. The Panamera S will start at $89,800, while the AWD 4S will start at $93,800 and the flagship Turbo from $132,600. Later this year Porsche will introduce an entry-level V6 model and a petrol-electric hybrid. Porsche made a last minute decision to swap the debut of the Panamera from last month’s Geneva Motor Show to this week’s Shanghai event. The decision for the shift was due to the increased importance in the Chinese market, in addition to rapidly growing neighbors such as India and Russia. More than 8,190 Porsches were sold in China last financial year, and this was more than double the number of sales made the previous year. At the same time, sales in established markets, such as Germany, dropped by more than 5% over the same period. Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking said he is hoping for "new market opportunities" and a "stronger presence" in regions like China and the Middle East. Porsche has set a firm production rate of 20,000 Panamera per year, but if demand drops the rate will be reduced. "In no case will we produce too many," Wiedeking explained. "In that case, I would intervene myself."2010 Porsche Panamera Read More

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