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One of the most interesting concept cars unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show was the all-electric Brilliance EV. BMW Group's Chinese partner said that the EV is equipped with two electric motors and a set of lithium-ion batteries. The first electric motor that produces the equivalent of 30HP allows the EV to travel a distance of 130km or 80 miles with a top speed of 40km/h or 25mph. When the second motor kicks in, the EV's output more than doubles while in this case, it can reach a top speed of 130m/h or 80mph. Most will have already noticed that the EV's design bears a 'few' similarities with the Volkswagen Space-Up! Concept that was revealed at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show. But unlike the VW's rear suicide doors, the EV features a set of fancy-pancy electric operated doors that slide outwards. Inside, Brilliance's designers adorned the four-seater EV with a futuristic dashboard and the usual high-tech gizmos.photos Read more In
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Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist Brabus has presented a new ECO PowerXtra D6S performance kit for the S350 BlueTec, and by doing so, the company claims to have created the world’s first tuned diesel-powered car that meets the Euro 6 emissions standard, scheduled to go into effect in 2014. Available for both rear-while drive and 4MATIC four-wheel drive variants, the kit delivers an additional 55HP and 70 Nm (52 lb-ft) of torque, for a total of 313HP and 690 Nm (509 lb-ft). Designed to work like a plug-and-play device, the module increases the 3.0-liter V6 diesel’s output depending on the selected shift mode of the 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission. In “Eco” mode, peak torque increases, but the engine output remains unchanged (258HP), while in “Manual” or “Sport” mode maximum power is also boosted.The modified S350 sprints from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a very respectable 6.5 seconds and can reach an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).The Brabus ECO PowerXtra D6S unit can be also fitted to all Mercedes E350 CDI BlueEfficiency variants as well as the CLS 350 CDI BlueEfficiency model, delivering identical output.All models come with a three-year or 100,000 km (62,000 miles) warranty and can be specified with a custom Brabus stainless-steel exhaust with 4 tailpipes, delivering a more distinctive exhaust note and further optimizing power yield.photos Read more In
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Here’s a scary admission for you: I actually don’t mind the first generation Chrysler Sebring. It was sort of “Mustang-lite” in the styling department and is still a lot better looking than the latest incarnation of America’s middle-age spread, the almost universally despised third generation Sebring. And, as you no doubt know by now, we love us some eBay-found Euro reskins of fifteen plus year old American cars.Today’s entrant is this, dare I say it, rather convincing replica of a 2009 Bentley Continental GT convertible or GTC based on a ’96 Chrysler Sebring Convertible. Fashioned in ghetto / Saudi Arabian sheik white with the typical, so-not-a-Bentley blinger rims that’d make even Lil’ Jon a lil ill, our wanna-B (you see what I did there?) comes complete with 175,000 miles on the clock and a full fibreglass body. Before it leaves the seller’s hands, he or she claims to be fitting new carpet, a new windscreen, new door mirrors and a custom dual exhaust with genuine Bentley tips. All the buyer needs to do, we are told, is reupholster the seats, install a Bentley dash and centre console and fit a new convertible top, a new sound system and a sat nav system. And et voilà, your very own Bentley - sort of.You have to admit, US$21,100 (€16,302) isn’t half bad for something that looks this good. You could get a ’96 Sebring for a lot less, but who wants one of those? You certainly can’t pick up a second-hand Bentley for this sort of money, that’s for sure. So, what’s the verdict? Would you or wouldn’t you? Let us know in the comments.photos
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Making its world debut alongside the Autodelta Alfa Romeo 159 J4 3.2 C at this weekend's MPH09 Motor Show in London is the yet another Autodelta model, the Brera 3.2 C Compressore which is based on the UK market Brera S. A recent project between Alfa Romeo UK and Prodrive, the limited edition Brera S 3.2 features many upgrades the most significant being a weight loss of 100 kg (220 pounds) thanks to the use of front-wheel drive rather than the standard Brera V6's Q4 all-wheel drive system and a sportier suspension. Autodelta's proposal completes the overall package by adding a supercharger to the mix as well as further improving handling.
The addition of Autodelta's supercharging kit with an intercooler boosts the 3.2-liter V6 engine's output from 260 bhp and 322 Nm to a more potent 352-horsepower and 435 Nm (320.8 lb-ft) of torque. No performance figures have been released yet for the Brera S 3.2 Compressore.Traction is further improved by the fitting of Autodelta's bespoke mechanical limited slip differential (LSD) that operates in combination with the Brera's standard electronic Q2 system. According to the tuner, the mechanical LSD works in a more natural way as the Q2 only operates in more extreme driving scenarios by applying the brakes to transfer power to the required corner, offering better feedback to the driver.Finally, the package includes Autodelta's height-adjustable Sportline suspension kit. The new coilover suspension features specific new spring rates and 40 different firmness adjustment settings that can adjusted by the driver. photosRead more In
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Last week, Mercedes-Benz accidentally dropped the ball on the refreshed C63 AMG, and even though the automaker quickly removed all photos and information, the damage was done and we got our first look at the Stuttgart firm's performance model. Today, the Germans came out with an official release and a new set of photos of both the sedan and Estate versions of the 2012MY C63 AMG. In the styling department, the C63 AMG models receive similar exterior and interior revisions as the standard C-Class models including new headlamps and a pointier front grille, plus a new dashboard design with an integrated screen on the top part of the center console. The AMG treatment adds a restyled bodykit, a new aluminium bonnet with modified powerdomes, and bespoke 18-inch alloys wrapped in 235/40 R 18 and 255/35 R 18 tires at front and rear respectively, along with a three-dimensional TFT display in the middle of the redesigned speedometer and a flat-bottom three-spoke AMG performance steering wheel trimmed in nappa leather and featuring a metallic trim. Under the skin, the 6.2-liter V8 remains unchanged for the 2012MY, producing 457HP and 600Nm / 442 lb-ft of torque in standard trim and 487HP with the optional AMG Performance package. However, the C63 AMG obtains a new 7-speed sports transmission with the "Controlled Efficiency" mode as standard along with a new speed-sensitive sports steering with a direct ratio (13.5 : 1) and a newly developed power-steering pump that help reduce the combined consumption by about ten percent to 12.0 lt/100 km or 19.6mpg US (Estate: 12.3 l/100 km).In terms of performance, the standard 457HP C63 AMG sedan completes the 0-100km/h [62 mph] sprint in 4.5 seconds (Estate: 4.6 s), while the 487HP model in 4.4 seconds (Estate: 4.5 s). Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h. According to Mercedes, over the past three and a half years it has sold more than 17,000 C63 AMGs worldwide, with 88 percent of buyers opting for the sedan and 12 percent for the Estate. The Performance Package has proven to be successful with more than 30 percent of all the C 63 AMG models delivered in 2010 specified with this option.The latest iteration of the C63 AMG will have its world premiere at next month's Geneva Salon with sales set to start in July. Prices in Germany start at €71,340 for the sedan, and at €73,899 for the Estate, with the AMG Performance Package priced at €7166.20. photos Read more In
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