Kamis, 07 Juli 2011

TopSpeed Daily Update

TopSpeed Daily Update

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Mercedes C63 AMG Black Series Coupe

Posted: 04 Jul 2011 10:00 AM PDT


Mercedes hasn’t even revealed the C63 AMG Coupe yet and people are already dreaming about a Black Series version for it. This will be the second Black Series model offered for the new C-Class after the sedan version set to be released later this year.

The Black Series models are all about being more aggressive and more powerful than the standard C63 AMG version. Expect to see a new rear diffuser, quad AMG-style pipes, and also a sportier interior with lots of carbon fiber and aluminum insertions.

The biggest question, however, is what’s under the hood. Recently some information was leaked that confirmed that the C63 AMG Coupe version will get the same V8 engine as the sedan version, so expect to see a tuned-up version of the same V8 in the Black Series model. For example, in the SL65 AMG Black Series model, the output has been increased from 525 HP to 650 HP. We expect to see the same treatment for the C63 AMG Coupe version, perhaps maybe an increase form 450hp to 575hp.

UPDATE 04/25/2011: BenzInsider is now reporting that the C63 AMG Black will come packing the same 6.2L V8 engine found in the current C63 AMG, but tuned to deliver 507 HP. Coincidentally, that is the same power output found in the CLK63 AMG Black Series. The website is also reporting that the C63 AMG Coupé Black Series will be available in five exterior colors and will include customization options like an optional rear spoiler.

The new C63 AMG Black Series will be less expensive than the CLK Black Series, which came with a €150,000 price tag, or $218,624 at the current rates, back in 2008.

UPDATE 07/04/2011: Beyond Canada is reporting that the new C63 AMG Black Series will be previewed on July 23rd 2011 Night of the Stars. Also, if you were waiting to see the sedan first, then you were wrong as it seems that Mercedes will only offer - at least for now - a coupe version of the car.

Mercedes C63 AMG Black Series Coupe originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 4 July 2011 17:00 EST.

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Volkswagen New Beetle "Speedle" by ABT Sportsline

Posted: 06 Jul 2011 03:26 AM PDT


The new Volkswagen Beetle may look the part of a mild-mannered bug, but don’t let its looks fool you. Underneath that cute profile is an engine powertrain that can be unleashed with the help of the right tuning company. Somebody like the guys from ABT Sportsline, for example.

The German tuning company and the world’s biggest tuner for the Volkswagen Group has never been one to feel the pressure of making high-performance aftermarket Volkswagens. So when they took the task of creating a new tuning program for the New Beetle, it was only a matter of time before we laid our eyes on this masterpiece.

Aerodynamically, the program includes a new body paint scheme, modified bumpers, new side skirts, a new rear muffler with oval exhaust pipes, front headlight brows that makes it look like a souped-up Herbie, and a set of 19" alloy wheels shod in high-performance tires.

While we certainly enjoyed ABT’s aesthetic work on the New Beetle, the crown jewel of this program lies under the hood. The New Beetle’s plethora of engine options gave ABT plenty of work, but in the end, they certainly made the most out of it, specifically the top-of-the-line 2.0-liter TSI Beetle that saw its output jump from 200 horsepower all the way up to 240 horsepower. You read that right, fellas. 240 ponies for the New Beetle! That’s more powerful than the Beetle Black Turbo Launch Edition.

Other engine upgrades for the Beetle include a 1.2-liter TSI that boosted its output from 105 horsepower to 140 horsepower and a 1.4-liter TSI engine with an output jump from 160 horsepower to 201 horsepower. There are also diesel variants that include a 1.6-liter TDI engine whose output went from 105 horsepower to 125 horsepower and a 2.0-liter TDI engine with a bump in output from 140 horsepower to 170 horsepower.

Volkswagen New Beetle "Speedle" by ABT Sportsline originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 6 July 2011 10:26 EST.

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McLaren MP4-12C

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 10:00 AM PST


Any fan of supercars remembers the mighty F1 from McLaren. With its BMW sourced V12, center seat driving position and gold lined engine cover the car was truly exotic. It held many records and for longer than most other machines are able to. It shot the company right to the top of the automotive stratosphere and helped them grow into a healthy and sustainable racing company. Several years ago McLaren spent a reported 300 billion pounds to design and build the McLaren Technology Center meant to encompass all aspects of the company. That was finished back in 2003, so what have they been up to in Woking, England for the past 7 years? Quite simply they have been designing the next and possibly most formidable challenger to the Ferrari 458 Italia.

Engineers and designers at McLaren are currently developing several new and highly innovative sports cars to bring to the global market. The MP 4-12C is now in production signaling the beginning of the rebirth of a company that has not had a distinct production vehicle for over a decade. Its stunning performance and efficiency have caught the eyes of the automotive press since McLaren first began testing mules at their facility and now we get to see it in final form.

UPDATE 02/22/2011: When you’re a British Formula One racing driver, you get the privilege of hopping in just about any car and taking it for a few laps. Lewis Hamilton is the perfect example of how being a 2008 Formula One World Champion has its perks when he got the chance to perfect his sliding technique in a McLaren MP 4-12C. Check out the video by theMotorweb after the jump!

Hit the jump for more details on the 2011 McLaren MP 4-12C.

McLaren MP4-12C originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 22 February 2011 18:00 EST.

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BMW 335i Performance Edition

Posted: 06 Jul 2011 07:00 AM PDT


Following the quick sell of the M3 Frozen Black Edition comes a new special edition that will be used to bring the M3 production to a climatic close. The new BMW 335i Performance Edition (standard pictured) will feature a boost in power and some distinguishing characteristics.

Details on the new model are still scarce at this point, but during the July BMWNA Sales Roundtable Broadcast, BMW announced that the 335i Performance will get an additional 20 HP and another 32 lb-ft of torque to add to the standard model’s 300 HP and 300 lbs-ft. With this increase, the sprint from 0-60 mph can be made 0.2 seconds faster. Not a huge difference, but apparently enough to make a special edition out of it. Folks using the Beamer as a daily driver need not be impressed.

In addition to the mild power increase, the new model will also be equipped with black kidney grilles (stock ones in the trunk) and a "Performance Edition" badge. Potential customers will need to know that the new package can only be combined with the 335i models carrying the Sport/M-Sport package (must have increased top speed code 840).

Other than that, there’s nothing else to write home about at this time. The new BMW 335i Performance Edition will be available on August production 335i sedans with an additional $550 price tag. More details should be revealed closer to the production date.

BMW 335i Performance Edition originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 6 July 2011 14:00 EST.

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Video: DiRT 3 - Monte Carlo Trailer

Posted: 06 Jul 2011 07:00 AM PDT

After releasing the official trailer of the "DiRT 3 - Racing never stops" game just last month, execs are already planning their next monetary attack by releasing a new package for the game. The new Monte Carlo pack is supposed to offer gamers another impressive racing experience, but will come with a $10 price tag.

The new Monte Carlo Track Pack features eight additional Rally stages featuring the dramatic climbs, descents, and hairpins of snowy mountain roads. Gamers will be able to race through the Alps and conquer the legendary Col de Turini pass in single player, split screen, and online multi player.

The new game is now available from Xbox Live Marketplace, Games For Windows Marketplace (800 MSP), and Playstation Network. Depending on the market, the new pack is priced at $9.99, £6.2, or €7.99.

Enjoy the video!

Video: DiRT 3 - Monte Carlo Trailer originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 6 July 2011 14:00 EST.

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Top Gear Season 17: Episode 2

Posted: 06 Jul 2011 06:00 AM PDT


Last Sunday, the second episode of Top Gear’s 17th season aired and like most of the shows these days, we were treated to some hilarious segments, a rather pointedly pointless car review, some canned and scripted studio jokes, and - for once - a surprisingly fast lap on the Kia Cee’d. Par for the course for Top Gear.

In this episode, James May will tell you things about the Aston Martin Virage that you already probably know. This is then followed by a highly-entertaining hot hatch triple threat madness along the streets of Italy that included finding a dog, an ice cube, and branch from a cedar tree.

Comedian Russ Noble also stopped by for a little chat with Jeremy - an entertaining interview by our measure - after which the former strapped on his helmet for his hot lap on board the show’s Reasonably Priced Car.

The show concludes with a sort of dream of dreams, at least as far as Jeremy Clarkson was concerned: three laps around the Monaco Grand Prix. It probably didn’t matter that the cars they were driving were the same three hot hatches they drove in Italy. At the end of the day - Clarkson especially - had a blast to finally drive their way around Monaco’s world famous street circuit.

Full details after the jump.

Top Gear Season 17: Episode 2 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 6 July 2011 13:00 EST.

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Jaguar XF Wagon

Posted: 06 Jul 2011 05:00 AM PDT


We absolutely just love talking about wagons that we’ll never get to see on our side of the pond. Wait, scratch that. It actually sucks to hear that Jaguar has finally confirmed the XF Wagon and Europe will be one of the few that will actually revel in its luxurious five door space. It’s not their fault that the British brand is going where the wagon demand is at its highest nor that we decided bigger was better before giving these in-between vehicles a chance, but we’re still a little envious.

Details on the future XF Wagon are more than scarce considering we don’t even have a possible debut date on our hands, but Andrew Whyman, XF Vehicle Engineering Manager for Jaguar, has said: "I can’t say when or how much, but it is on the cards." Well, Whyman, it’s been in the cards since about 2009 so can we speed this up a bit? Our best guess is that we will see this wagon rolling in around the same time as the next generation XF scheduled for release in 2015, maybe as a 2016 model.

Whyman also said that we can expect something special in terms of the design: "Ian Callum [Jaguar design chief] will do something different with this. It will be slightly different, with character and panache."

When Jaguar finally does get around to building the XF Wagon, it will target models such as the Audi A6 Avant and the BMW 5-Series Touring, which have had the wagon market on a tight hold thus far.

Stay tuned for more details on the Jaguar XF Wagon!

Jaguar XF Wagon originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 6 July 2011 12:00 EST.

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BMW M2

Posted: 06 Jul 2011 03:00 AM PDT


Details about a possible M2 model surfaced at the end of May when BMW confirmed that the coupe and cabrio version of the 1-Series would be sold as the 2-Series. Now, thanks to the British magazine, AutoExpress, more details are available on this new sports car.

The new BMW M2 will be built on the company’s F21 platform that will also be used for the next 2-Series model. It will be an entry-level sports car featuring a front-mounted engine mated to all-new DCT semi-automatic transmission. As of right now, there are two possibilities in a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbo delivering about 350 HP or an innovative tri-turbo engine that will be used for the first time in the upcoming X3M. One of the most innovative features of the upcoming M2 will be the intense use of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics first used in the M3 CRT and also announced for the upcoming BMW i8.

In an interview with the British magazine, the M Division's new managing director, Dr Friedrich Nitschke said: "In the 1M Coupe->BMW i8, we have a starter car for the M Division, and we are continuing to develop this project. Such models must be sporty, and offer extraordinarily low fuel consumption. This is something we could achieve with the M2. I think the 1M Coupe proves there is room for an M2, a coupe."

Although BMW feels there is room for an M2 model, don’t expect it to arrive until late 2015. At that point, models like the Porsche Cayman and the Audi TT RS may need a little jump-start to deal with the added competition.

BMW M2 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 6 July 2011 10:00 EST.

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China officially opens the world's longest bridge over water

Posted: 06 Jul 2011 01:00 AM PDT

Everything in China these days is becoming bigger, higher, faster, and sometimes, a combination of all three. That's what happens when you position yourself as one of the fastest growing countries – and in a sense, most powerful, too – in the world.

Straight from the country comes another monumental achievement, something that should prove to be a boon for a lot of its motorists. It's called the Jiaozhou Bay Bridge and it was recently opened last June 30, immediately being cited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest roadway bridge over water in the world.

So how long is this piece of architectural wonder?

From start to finish, it covers a distance of 26.4 miles, which is nothing to snicker about given its enormity. But as with bridges of this size, the name of the game is still about saving time on commutes, which ironically, the Jiaozhou Bay Bridge doesn’t quite adequately accomplish, saving only 19 miles and 20 minutes off of the commute time.

Having said that, there’s still something to be said for a bridge this long and the Jiazhou Bay Bridge accomplishes that by a mile, or 26.

China officially opens the world's longest bridge over water originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 6 July 2011 08:00 EST.

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Ferrari celebrates 35 years in Japan with FF charity auction

Posted: 06 Jul 2011 02:00 AM PDT


See the look on that guy’s face? He should be ecstatic considering that he just became the very first owner of the Ferrari FF in Japan.

The event for the charity auction was set at the Italian embassy in Tokyo and was intended to raise money for Ishinomaki, a city that was completely devastated by the earthquake that rocked Japan earlier this year. Together with the charity auction, the event also celebrated Ferrari’s 35th anniversary in the Land of the Rising Sun with the prized catch being the very first Ferrari Four to be sold in the Japanese market.

After a feverish bidding session, the Ferrari supercar was won by Masaharu Seno, an architect from Tokyo who paid a little under half-a-million Euros for the chance to become the envy of just about every Japanese fan of the Italian automaker. The proceeds from the charity will be used by Ferrari to build a school in Ishinomaki for all the students affected by the devastating earthquake.

Just in case you’ve forgotten, the Ferrari FF is powered by a 6.3-liter direct-injection engine that produces 660 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and 504 lb/ft of torque at 6,000 rpm with a 0-62 mph time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 208 mph. Now you know why Mr. Seno was all too excited to pose with Ferrari CEO Luca di Montezemolo and his brand-new Ferrari FF supercar.

Ferrari celebrates 35 years in Japan with FF charity auction originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 6 July 2011 09:00 EST.

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