Sports Cars

Posted on 06.19.2013 18:00 by Simona Filed under: Mercedes | convertible | Spy Shots and Rendering | sports cars | Mercedes SLS-Class | Cars | Car Reviews | Mercedes Mercedes unveiled the SLS AMG Roadster at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and just one year later, Mercedes offered an improved GT variant. This GT included an additional 20 horsepower under the hood, a revised 7-speed sports transmission and a revised AMG Adaptive Performance Suspension. The strange thing is that the GT updates are offered to both the coupe and roadster versions, so the spy shots we received today had us a little confused.The spy shots make it pretty clear that Mercedes is set to reveal a small facelift for the SLS AMG Roadster, but we are stuck wondering why?The prototype caught testing wears minor camouflage on the front section, meaning that this will actually be just a minor nose jot, not a full facelift. We are not 100 percent sure on this, but we expect to see some updates on the interior, likely on the safety and infotainment systems.Expect the revised Mercedes SLS AMG GT Roadster to arrive in time for the 2014 model year.Click past the jump to read more about the Mercedes SLS AMG GT Roadster. Mercedes SLS AMG GT Roadster originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 19 June 2013 18:00 EST. read more

Posted on 06.19.2013 17:00 by Kirby Garlitos Filed under: Kia | compact cars | sedan | economy cars | Kia Rio | Cars | Car Reviews | Kia Over the past few years, Korean automaker Kia has been on a mission to change public perception of its brand. No longer is it the quirky Korean brand that’s attached to the hip with Hyundai. Granted, it is still attached to Hyundai and you can trace nearly every Kia model back to Hyundai roots; it simply has a little more design freedom these days.Now, it’s ready to take on the big boys. To its credit, it’s doing so with a full armada of new vehicle offerings that’ll cater to a wide range of consumer palettes.One such model that Kia has high hopes for is the 2013 Rio Sedan. First introduced in 2000, the Rio has since spawned three generations, a remarkable achievement in itself considering that despite being a relative neophyte in its segment, it has managed to hold its own against the Corollas and Civics of the world.Make no mistakes, though; the Rio still has its work cut out for it, given the tradition and popularity of its Japanese competitors.Yet that has been a challenge that Kia has fully embraced, if only for the rather simple reason that if you’re going to make a name for yourself in the industry, you’re going to need to target the heavyweights and give them some reason to look in their rear-view mirrors.The Rio definitely has the tools to take the battle to its rivals. The question is does it have the tools to attract the most important group of people: buyers.Click past the jump to read about the 2013 Kia Rio Sedan Kia Rio Sedan originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 19 June 2013 17:00 EST. read more

Posted on 06.19.2013 16:00 by Kirby Garlitos Filed under: Aston-Martin | coupe | sports cars | Aston Martin DBS | Cars | Car Reviews | Aston Martin The Aston Martin DBS has had a pretty long lifespan after first being introduced in 1967. The current generation, though, didn’t hit the market until 2008, which in itself is already long for the industry.But despite its age, the DBS remains one of Aston Martin’s meal tickets, a car that has come to define the British automaker’s quest to build the ultimate expression of its engineering and technical know-how.It’s not a coincidence that the DBS has lasted this long and even though, it’s ripe for a facelift, it’s still got the combination of style and power that even newer models like the Audi R8 V10 and the Bentley Continental GT have to take serious note of.The 2012 Aston Martin DBS is personifies everything that’s right with Aston Martin, carrying with it the history and technology that has come to define this model in all the years that it’s been around.Click past the jump to read about the Aston Martin DBS Aston Martin DBS Coupe originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 19 June 2013 16:00 EST. read more

Following a bit of supposed news that Nissan will be unveiling a new, faster and more performance oriented Nissan GT-R, with the help of Nissan’s in-house tuning brand, Nismo, TopGearUK learned that Nissan is in fact making a Nismo-modified GT-R from the factory. It will also be the fastest GT-R ever made and will lap the infamous Nurburgring in under 7m 18s. For all intensive comparative purposes, Porsche’s latest 911 GT3 lapped the Nurburgring in 7m 22s. Click here for more news on the Nissan GT-R. This is to be made possible thanks to modifications to the standard GT-R’s 545hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, which is said to produce “more than 570bhp.” Modifications to the chassis, steering, and suspension are expected as well as a slew of other doohickey upgrades. Though of course, details were kept to a minimum. But either way fellow gearheads, it’s time to get excited about Nissan’s new GT-R Nismo, because things are about to get real heated between the Japanese and the Germans. - By: Chris Chin Source: TopGearUK

Now that the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is out, raising the bar for the full-size luxury executive sedan segment, BMW of course is hard at work to make sure that their 7-Series flagship is up to par. That said, AutoCarUK reports on some new details surrounding the next generation 7-Series after speaking to development boss Herbert Deiss. Deiss referred to the next 7-Series as being the most technically advanced car in BMW’s history and will go on a massive diet as the next model will drop the traditional steel unibody platform for a new one that combines the use of steel, aluminum, and carbon fiber. Click here for more news on the BMW 7-Series. The supposed result, when comparing the current base 740i sedan, is a curb weight that will undercut the said 740i’s figure of 4,189lbs, and possibly even the current 5-Series’ base weight of 3,682lbs. That would be mightily impressive and would open up huge potential for performance. Never would we have thought we’d see a full-size luxury executive German land yacht on wheels dip below the two-ton mark…but props to BMW if they can pull it off. This is obviously being made possible with BMW’s recent involvement with sustainable technology, thus making their cars more fuel efficient, which of course is only perpetuated by a decrease in weight. For instance, the technology being learned and discovered with BMW’s much-anticipated i3 and i8 cars will be—as predicted—transcending their way into the more mass-market offerings. Internally referred to as the G11 7-Series, a choice of six-cylinder, V8 and V12 gasoline engines will be up for option, as well as some six-cylinder inline diesels. A gasoline-electric plug-in hybrid version is also planned. All will supposedly feature ZF’s latest nine-speed automatic gearbox though this is unconfirmed. Rear-wheel and all-wheel drive will also be up for choice. And lastly, the big question still remains, if BMW will jump on the high-performance full-size luxo-barge to combat the long-running and very successful AMG-fied Mercedes-Benz S-Class AMG. As of now, BMW’s current plan of a 760-based xDrive M Performance model donning a twin-turbocharged 4.4L V8 is the only known option on the table. - By: Chris Chin Source: AutoCarUK

Posted on 06.19.2013 14:00 by Tom Burkart Filed under: Audi | crossover | luxury cars | Audi A4 | small family cars | Audi allroad | Cars | Car Reviews | Audi Audi’s rugged allroad wagon is back in America with some major changes, following a hiatus of the previous A6-based models. The new allroad is based on the latest A4, but shares a family appearance with the A6 allroad that will not be coming across the pond in its latest generation.The realignment of the allroad brand also includes dropping the A4/A6 badges from the official lower-case names. It is a tedious distinction but one also shared by the deliberately-lower-case quattro GMBH tuning division of the luxury automaker. The latest allroad replaces the standard A4 Avant in U.S. price lists.Naming tweaks aside, the new model is quite handsome and packs a torque-rich turbo four-pot engine in place of the previous model’s 2.7-liter twin-turbo V-6 option. The latest allroad also loses a few features from the original model, namely the adjustable-height suspension that really increased the older model’s versatility but easily adds $5,000 to the build cost.When lowered, the old allroad had a more aggressive appearance than even the RS6 Avant due to its huge fender flares and flashy aluminum graphics front and rear. The only fly in the ointment was the two-tone bodywork that used unpainted grey plastic for the fenders and sills.The new Audi allroad goes a long way toward refining the style of the allroad. It offers a large, luxurious interior and some of the most sought-after tech solutions of any car on the market.The allroad was always a wagon for people who didn’t like following the normal SUV route. This continues with the latest model as it competes for consumer attention with Audi Q5 small SUV. Other thorns in its side include the GLK350 Mercedes-Benz and the BMW X3->BMW X3.What the allroad delivers is a far more car-like experience paired with light off-road capability. Is this butch wagon enough to lure drivers away from boxy small SUVs?Click past the jump for the full review of the 2013 Audi allroad including details on ordering a fully painted model with no grey plastic cladding. Audi allroad originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 19 June 2013 14:00 EST. read more

While automobile manufacturers have openly admitted to be researching and developing car-to-car communication systems as wireless access and Internet improve over time, Mercedes-Benz recently announced that they are to be the first automobile manufacturer to implement the technology. Called “Car-to-X,” the car-to-car communication technology will communicate with other similarly equipped cars as well as traffic infrastructure to warn drivers of potential road hazards and accidents. This is a part of Benz’s “Intelligent Drive” strategy to improve motoring safety and to take technology to an all-new level. “With the introduction of Car-to-X technology, we are once again reaffirming our tradition as a safety pioneer, and demonstrating that we are continuing to bring innovations to the roads with benefit for both our customers, and also other road users,” said Mercedes-Benz’s chief of group research and development, Dr. Thomas Weber. Mercedes-Benz didn’t say what specific vehicles will be the first to be equipped—though we don’t doubt that the new S-Class will be the most likely pilot—Mercedes-Benz will offer the tech as part of a “Drive Kit Plus” package that requires drivers to have a smartphone and a Digital DriveStyle application. For full details, check out the press release after the jump. Next step on the road to accident-free driving. Next-generation intelligent networking: Mercedes-Benz brings Car-to-X technology to the roads Stuttgart Jun 14, 2013 Mercedes-Benz is to be the first automotive manufacturer to bring Car-to-X technology to series production vehicles by the end of this year Enhanced safety and convenience: Mercedes-Benz customers become aware of hazardous locations sooner thanks to Car-to-X technology Modular approach: retrofitting of Car-to-X technology is possible in many Mercedes-Benz models Stuttgart. As part of its “Intelligent Drive” strategy, Mercedes-Benz is all set to bring Car-to-X technology to our roads by the end of this year which will enable the exchange of information between individual vehicles as well as between vehicles and the traffic infrastructure. Through the use of Car-to-X communication, information on potential road traffic dangers can be passed on to drivers at an early stage so that they can take appropriate action and even help to avoid critical situations arising in the first place. According to Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development: “With the introduction of Car-to-X technology, we are once again reaffirming our tradition as a safety pioneer, and demonstrating that we are continuing to bring innovations to the roads with benefit for both our customers, and also other road users. Car-to-X expands the telematic horizon Car-to-X technology is able to significantly expand the scope of existing vehicle sensors, such as radar or camera systems for example. It enables motorists to see around corners or beyond obstacles, thereby helping to reduce the blind spots from which existing sensor systems suffer. The technology’s greatest potential lies in this expansion of the telematic horizon. “With Car-to-X communication we have made a base technology ready for the market which in the future will enable a new generation of driver assistance systems to be developed”, explains Prof. Dr. Weber. “Through the intelligent fusion of sensor data, we are able to obtain an extremely precise picture of the vehicles surrounding including areas further away from the vehicle – which also helps us with the further development of our autonomous driving functions.” In addition to enhancing safety and convenience, Car-to-X technology can also contribute to making mobility more efficient by using the highly precise information on traffic conditions available via Car-to-X communication, for example to improve the flow of traffic by cont

Cadillac has been getting all excited about its all-new 2014 ELR range-extended EV luxury coupe, and we can safely say that we are too. It also recently received the spotlight with Jay Leno via his YouTube channel and program, Jay Leno’s Garage. Click here for more news on the 2014 Cadillac ELR. Based on the design of the Chevrolet Volt, the Cadillac ELR employs virtually all of the same technology in a far more luxurious—and even drop-dead sexy—package. That technology includes a 1.4L four-banger designed to be an electric generator, mated to an electric drivetrain that provides a total of 207hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to the range-extender, the Cadillac ELR is said to exceed 300 miles for its total driving range. Check out what Jay Leno—an avid American automobile fan—has to say about the new 2014 Cadillac ELR. - By: Chris Chin Source: Jay Leno’s Garage on YouTube

The world-renowned Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is just around the corner and to continue perpetuating a long-standing relationship in many ways, Mitsubishi officially announced that they’ll be providing the “Official Safety Vehicles” for the 2013 competition. Click here for our original post on the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander. Taking place on June 30, 2013, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is an official FIA International Event and takes place in Pikes Peak, Colorado, where the road course serves up 12.42 miles worth of incline, climbing up 4,720 ft worth of Rocky Mountain via over 156 turns. Mitsubishi will be lending a Lancer Evolution X along with a 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander crossover with sponsors from AEM, BBS USA, Cobb Tuning, DC Sports, Kenwood USA For full details, check out the press release after the jump. MITSUBISHI MOTORS ALL-NEW OUTLANDER THE “OFFICIAL SAFETY VEHICLE” OF THE 2013 PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is proud to announce that its completely redesigned 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander crossover will be the “Official Safety Vehicle” for this year’s 91st running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) to be held on June 30, 2013. With available technologically-advanced safety features including Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM),the stylish seven-passenger 2014 Outlander will represent Mitsubishi in serving as the “Official Safety Vehicle” for this annual motorsports extravaganza. Held in the breathtaking Rocky Mountains of Colorado, the challenging Pikes Peak International Hill Climb features a unique road course that is 12.42 miles in length with 156 corners, commencing at an elevation of 9,390 feet and finishing at 14,110 feet – nearly three miles above sea level. First run in 1916, this annual event is the second oldest motor race in America after the Indianapolis 500. In addition to its remarkable safety technology, the new 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander is available with the company’s outstanding Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive system that provides superior stability, traction and control – perfect for negotiating not only the many serpentine twists and turns of the Pikes Peak course but also the harsh weather and road conditions that can change in an instant along this high-elevation route. Mitsubishi Motors will also serve as the Presenting Sponsor at the 2013 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The legendary Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution high-performance sports sedan will also join the dynamic new 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander crossover as a supplemental safety vehicle. These vehicles were built specifically for the race with support coming from AEM®, BBS USA, Cobb Tuning, DC Sports®, Kenwood USA Corporation, and Muellerized Suspension Tuning. In Mitsubishi Motors’ debut in last year’s running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, its innovative i-MiEV Evolution all-electric prototype racing car (using the identical electric motors and lithium-ion battery cells found in the 100% electric-powered Mitsubishi i-MiEV production vehicle) scored an impressive second-place finish in the Electric Vehicle Division in 2013. This year, Mitsubishi Motors will return to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with an all-new, more powerful 100% electric-powered prototype racing car dubbed the MiEV Evolution II in a two-car assault, in the very capable hands of two-time Dakar Rally winner Hiroshi Masuoka and six-time Pikes Peak overall motorcycle champion and 2002 SCORE International off-road series champion Greg Tracy. About Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all manufacturing, sales, marketing, research and development operations for Mitsubishi Motors in the United States. MMNA sells coupes, sedans and sport utility vehicles through a network

Posted on 06.19.2013 12:07 by Sulthoni , Serafim Filed under: Suzuki | trail | 2013 | Motorcycles | Motorcycle Reviews | Suzuki The 2013 Suzuki JR80 was especially developed for young riders. It is powered by a compact two stroke 79.00 cc, single cylinder engine that is perfectly suited for beginning riders. The engine is mated on a smooth-shifting 5-speed manual transmission that was especially developed to help the rider learn easy how to shift correctly each gear. It is also worthy of being mentioned that the two stroke engine is fed by a 4.10 litres (1.08 gallons) fuel tank.The ride quality is assured by front and rear oil-damped shock absorbers that offer a pretty smooth riding experience and deal great with road bumps. Moreover, you also get a rear mono-shock absorber that has 5 adjustable preload settings.The 2013 Suzuki JR80 rides on a 14-inch front and 12-inch rear wheels paired with drum brakes.The 2013 Suzuki JR80 is offered with a starting price of $3,495.Hit the jump for more information on the 2013 Suzuki JR80. Suzuki JR80 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 19 June 2013 12:07 EST. read more