Brabus E V12 Cabriolet

Brabus has expanded its E V12 family to include the Cabriolet, and the result is the world’s fastest four-seat convertible.

Based on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the heart of the conversion is a biturbo 6.3 litre (384 cu. in.) V12 engine. With a reprogrammed engine control unit, four intercoolers and a stainless steel exhaust system, it produces 788 PS (588 kW / 800 PS) at 5,500 rpm.



Peak torque meanwhile is a staggering 1,420 Nm (1,047 lb/ft), which is more than even the Bugatti Veyron manages. However, Brabus has decided to electronically limit it to ‘just’ 1,100 Nm (811 lb/ft) in the E V12, as that’s probably the limit of what the specially strengthened five-speed automatic transmission could reasonably be expected to handle.



Unsurprisingly, such outputs result in brutal acceleration. The 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time is 3.7 seconds, 0-124 mph (200 km/h) is over in just 9.9 seconds, and 0-186 mph (300 km/h) takes 23.9 seconds.



Depending on the final drive ratio, the claimed top speed can be as high as 231 mph (370 km/h). Presumably attempting that kind of velocity with the roof up doesn’t result in the car’s fabric hood being ripped off by the wind blast…

To cope with the extra performance, Brabus has also upgraded the chassis. Coil-over suspension co-developed with Bilstein is fitted, and it features adjustable dampers and ride height. To improve handling and high speed stability, the 19” wheels sit on widened tracks, and the bodywork front and rear has been suitably widened to accommodate them.



Stopping is taken care of by Brabus’ own braking system, which comprises vented and grooved steel discs with aluminium calipers.



The Brabus E V12 Cabriolet is build-to-order only, with prices starting at €478,000.



That’s around £420,000 or US$669,000 at today’s exchange rates, an amount which in the UK would buy seven examples of the standard Mercedes-Benz E 500 Cabriolet.



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2012 BMW M5 revealed

BMW has taken the wraps off its new M5 which, unsurprisingly, is virtually identical to the Concept M5 that was seen at April’s Shanghai motor show.

As was revealed then, the 2012 F10 M5 gets a 4.4 litre twin-turbo V8 instead of the 5.0 litre normally-aspirated V10 unit that powered its E60 M5 predecessor.



With Twin Scroll turbo technology and Valvetronic variable valve control, the new engine generates 552 bhp (412 kW / 560 PS). Peak torque is a substantial 680 Nm (502 lb/ft), which crucially is available from just 1,500 rpm.



Although there have been rumours that North American variants might get a manual transmission, for now drive to the rear wheels is via a seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission. This comes with various driver aids including low-speed assistance, traction-optimised automatic gear selection and launch control.

The result of all that is a zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) time of 4.4 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155 mph (250 km/h), although this rises to 190 mph (305 km/h) with the M Driver’s Package. Don’t expect it to take too long for an aftermarket tuner to crack the magic 200 mph (321 km/h) barrier.



Even the M5 benefits from BMW’s Efficient Dynamics programme, and the new model arrives complete with fuel-saving devices such as a stop-start function and brake energy regeneration. They undoubtedly help to achieve a fairly respectable combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 28.5 mpg (9.9 l/100km) and CO2 emissions of 232 g/km.

To put those figures into perspective, the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG Saloon is down on power compared to the BMW, making do with 517 bhp (386 kW / 525 PS) and 630 Nm (464 lb/ft). That deficit isn’t really reflected in the performance figures though, as 0-62 mph (100 km/h) takes 4.5 seconds and the AMG has the same limited top speed as the M5. However, economy is where the Mercedes really loses out, as it manages only 22.4 mpg (12.6 l/100km) with CO2 emissions of 295 g/km.



The new M5’s chassis features specially recalibrated suspension with Dynamic Damper Control, DSC stability control with M Dynamic Mode, M Servotronic steering and an Active M Differential for the rear axle which is there to maximise traction.



Naturally, being an M5, the driver gets the opportunity to fiddle with a multitude of settings before the car even turns a wheel. For instance, there’s the gearshift program, steering response, traction control mode, accelerator sensitivity and dynamic damper firmness to choose. To help simplify things a little though, two set-ups can be memorised and then recalled using the steering wheel-mounted M Drive buttons.

Available from November 2011, the UK price for the new BMW M5 has been set at £73,040 on the road. By a very strange coincidence, that just undercuts the E 63 AMG Saloon, which costs £73,465.



Cheaper than both though, and a slightly left-field alternative, is the £71,950 Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo.



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‘60 Years Unimog’ concept

Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks has unveiled a unique concept to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the first Unimog, which rolled off the production line in Gaggenau on 3rd June 1951.

Based on the current U 5000 model, the ‘60 Years Unimog’ has an open cab just like the original. The lurid green colour scheme is apparently inspired by the poison dart frog, while the Unimog’s trademark coil springs have been painted a contrasting shade of red. Aluminium trim on the exposed chassis and huge five-spoke ‘alu-rim’ wheels complete the visual effect.



Unfortunately the ‘60 Years Unimog’ isn’t a prototype for a production model, but Bertrand Janssen from Daimler’s commercial vehicle department stated: "On no account did we work in an atmosphere where our ideas were divorced from reality. Here we have a vehicle which is puristic, but still clearly true to concept - with the claim that some of its details will turn up in coming product ranges in future. We continued to take up the most important Unimog features which have characterised the vehicle for the last 60 years and which will also characterise it in future - features such as portal axles, coil springs or the frame concept."

2012 SLS AMG Roadster

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the 2012 SLS AMG Roadster.

Featuring an automatic, three-layer fabric roof that can be raised or lowered in eleven seconds, it’s claimed that the Roadster will weigh just 40 kg (88 lbs) more than the existing coupé version. That’s despite the extra chassis strengthening that has been needed to compensate for the lack of a solid roof.



Such a small increase in bulk means that performance remains pretty much the same as the coupé manages. The Roadster will accelerate to 62 mph (100 km/h) from rest in 3.8 seconds and go on to a limited top speed of 196 mph (317 km/h), thanks to its 6,208 cc V8 which produces 563 bhp (420 kW / 571 PS) and 650 Nm (479 lb/ft) of torque.

Visually, the transition from coupé has worked well (just avoid the brown paint), although of course the Roadster misses out on the theatre of those gullwing doors.



The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster will be launched during autumn 2011, with UK sales due to begin in November. Prices for the UK and US have yet to be confirmed, but in Germany it will cost €195,160 (including 19% VAT).



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Toyota is top car brand

Toyota has beaten BMW to become the number one car brand in the BrandZ™ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands 2011, as compiled by MillwardBrown.



That was achieved despite the extensive and high profile recalls for many of the company’s vehicles over the past year. However, the introduction of extended warranties, as well as independent experts finding that driver mistakes were responsible in the majority of incidents, clearly helped to minimise any damage. Toyota also topped the rankings for offering the best value, a measure of desirability versus price.

Toyota: Most valuable car brand 2011

Runner-up BMW was cited as being the most recommended automotive brand, while third-place Mercedes-Benz is the most trusted.



Eighth-place Ford was the only one of the ‘big three’ American manufacturers to make the top ten, which was due in part to it rejecting government bail-out money, unlike GM and Chrysler. Indeed, Ford made its highest profits for ten years, while launching attractive models that people actually want to buy and supporting them by innovative marketing approaches.



Heading the overall Top 100 listing was Apple, followed by Google and IBM.

BrandZ™ Top 10 Most Valuable Global Car Brands 2011
Ranking: Cars	Brand	Brand Value (US$ M)	Change	Ranking: Overall Top 100
1	Toyota	24,198	11%	27
2	BMW	22,425	3%	30
3	Mercedes-Benz	15,344	12%	50
4	Honda	14,182	-1%	56
5	Porsche	12,413	3%	66
6	Nissan	10,072	17%	88
7	Volkswagen	7,408	6%	N/A
8	Ford	7,394	5%	N/A
9	Audi	3,808	5%	N/A
10	Lexus	3,648	N/A	N/A

Daimler and Bosch EV JV

Daimler AG and Robert Bosch GmbH are working on forming a joint venture to make motors for electric vehicles. The plan is for the operation to commence production in 2012, with the motors initially being used in Mercedes-Benz and Smart models.



However, it’s intended that the technology will also be made available to other manufacturers. Any such sales are going to be handled by Bosch.

The electrically-powered Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-CELL

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Mercedes Concept A-Class

Mercedes-Benz looks to be taking its A-Class in a totally different direction. The Concept A-Class, which will be unveiled at this month’s Auto Shanghai show, eschews the tall, short mini-MPV shape of the previous two A-Class generations for an altogether more dynamic appearance.

A low stance and long bonnet completely change the proportions, while the complex swage lines along the side and the front-end styling echo the CLS. It certainly looks very different, and the more conventional body could allow the entry level Mercedes-Benz to take sales from its BMW 1 Series and Audi A3 competitors.



As with most show cars, there are plenty of features on the Concept A-Class that are unlikely to make it into production. The dashboard treatment is a prime example, as it has a stretchable and translucent textile covering, which apparently ‘enables the bionic, cellular structure of the component to remain visible’…



The Concept A-Class retains a front-wheel drive configuration, with power coming from a BlueEFFICIENCY four-cylinder petrol engine producing 207 bhp (155 kW / 210 PS). No performance, economy or emissions figures have been released, but Mercedes-Benz is claiming that a combination of turbocharging and direct injection will benefit all three measures. Drive is via a new dual-clutch transmission.

Jaguar XF 2.2 litre diesel

Jaguar’s XF saloon will soon be getting a 2.2 litre, four-cylinder diesel engine, a crucial addition to the range that should help steal further sales from its competitors.

Connected to an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox, the longitudinally mounted 187 bhp (140 kW / 190 PS) motor is claimed to be good for a 0-62 mph (100km/h) time of 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 140 mph (225 km/h).



The car’s target customers - especially fleet users - are probably going to be more concerned about efficiency rather than performance, though. And they shouldn’t be disappointed, because the XF will manage 52.3 mpg (5.4 l/100km) on the combined cycle while producing 149 g/km of CO2.



Fuel saving devices include an intelligent stop-start system, which has been engineered to reduce the time taken during the shut-down and start-up phases, and high seventh and eighth gear ratios that effectively act as an overdrive facility.



But how does the new Jaguar compare to some of its diesel rivals? Well, judging by the figures, it seems right on the money, although the BMW 5 Series remains marginally quicker, more frugal and less polluting.

Manufacturer	Jaguar	BMW	Volvo	Mercedes-Benz
Model	XF 2.2 Diesel	520d Auto	S80 D5 Geartronic	E 220 CDI Auto
Capacity (cc)	2,179	1,995	2,400	2,143
Power (bhp / kW / PS)	187 / 140 / 190	181 / 135 / 184	202 / 151 / 205	167 / 125 / 170
Torque (Nm / lb/ft)	450 / 332	380 / 280	420 / 309	400 / 295
Acceleration 0-60 mph (100 km/h)	8.5 secs	8.1 secs	8.0 secs	8.8 secs
Top Speed (mph / km/h)	140 / 225	140 / 225	140 / 225	141 / 226
Fuel Consumption (mpg / l/100km)	52.3 / 5.4	54.3 / 5.2	44.8 / 6.3	48.7 / 5.8
CO2 Emissions (g/km)	149	137	166	154
UK Company Car BIK Rate*	22%	20%	26%	23%
*2011-12 tax year.

The introduction of the 2.2 litre XF will coincide with a facelift for the car, hence the disguise seen in the image.



Full production specifications and market launch dates are due to be announced at the New York International Auto Show, which opens to the public on the 22nd of April.

C 63 AMG coupé revealed

Hot on the heels of the facelifted C 63 AMG saloon and estate, Mercedes-Benz has announced a coupé version to complete its C-Class performance line-up.

Under the skin, the coupé uses the familiar 450 bhp (336 kW / 457 PS) 6.2 litre V8 engine, connected to an AMG Speedshift MCT seven-speed multi-clutch transmission. On paper, performance is exactly the same as the saloon, which means a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 4.5 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). Even a combined fuel consumption figure of 23.5 mpg (12.0 l/100km) and CO2 emissions of 280 g/km are identical to what the four-door achieves.



The AMG Performance Package Plus will also be available for the C 63 AMG coupé, an unsurprising move given its popularity with buyers of the saloon and estate. Output rises to 480 bhp (358 kW / 487 PS), but that increase doesn’t seem to translate into more performance: the 0-62 mph time is only reduced by a tenth of a second and top speed remains unchanged.

However, those figures may mask a useful improvement in mid-range response, plus the package also includes composite front brake discs, red painted brake calipers, a bespoke AMG steering wheel and a carbon fibre boot lid lip spoiler.



Market launch of the C 63 AMG coupé is scheduled for July 2011, and its arrival should give prospective BMW M3 Coupé and Audi RS 5 Coupé owners something to think about.

Although UK prices have yet to be confirmed, in Germany they are €72,590 for the standard car and €77,231 for the ‘Edition 1’ version, including 19% VAT. The AMG Performance Package Plus is an extra €7,116.20.



While many manufacturers will use special editions to help shift run-out models, Mercedes-Benz appears to have done the opposite by using the ‘Edition 1’ to support a product launch. Technically there’s no difference, but it does come with some extra kit including leather upholstery, piano black lacquer trim, a different steering wheel and a matt black finish for the alloy wheels.



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World Car Awards top three

Following the announcement of the World Car Awards finalists at the beginning of February, the jurors have voted once again to decide the top three candidates in each category.



There’s now a short wait until the New York International Auto Show, which begins on 22 April, to find out the winners.



The three models up for each award - in alphabetical order - are:



2011 World Car of the Year



· Audi A8

· BMW 5 Series

· Nissan Leaf

BMW 5 Series Saloon

The outsider here is probably the Audi, but whether enough jurors have been swayed by the Leaf remains to be seen. Many might have been reluctant to give their votes to the Nissan because, despite its green credentials, it nevertheless represents first generation electric car technology which comes with associated issues of purchase price, recharging time and range.



2011 World Performance Car



· Ferrari 458 Italia

· Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

· Porsche 911 Turbo

Ferrari 458 Italia

It’s difficult to foresee the Ferrari not winning this category.



2011 World Car Design of the Year



· Alfa Romeo Giulietta

· Aston Martin Rapide

· Ferrari 458 Italia

Aston Martin Rapide

Perhaps the surprise here is that the Citroën DS3, which was in the top ten shortlist, hasn’t make it through to the top three. Naturally this is a very subjective category but, from an aesthetic perspective, surely the Aston Martin just about beats the other contenders?



2011 World Green Car



· BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition

· Chevrolet Volt

· Nissan Leaf

Chevrolet Volt

This award is hard to predict, because the three finalists represent three very different technologies: internal combustion, range extender and pure electric. However, because the Volt combines the benefits of battery power with a total absence of range anxiety, it deserves to clinch the title.



Related post:

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Mansory Cormeum

German tuner Mansory has comprehensively reworked the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The result is the Cormeum, named after an opera aria.

Changes to the bodywork go well beyond just sticking a body kit on. The front end, which has been totally redesigned to reduce lift, now sports aggressive air intakes and new headlights. Lighter roof and door panels are fitted, while replacement wings widen the car by 66 mm at the front and 84 mm at the rear. Around the back, a race-spec diffuser is there purely for more down force, as is the boot lid spoiler.



Combined with the forged alloy wheels - 20” diameter at the front and 21” for the rears - the alterations knock 90 kg off the weight of the donor SLS AMG.



To go with the reduced bulk is more power. The V8 engine in the Cormeum boasts 650 bhp (485 kW / 660 PS), compared to the standard car’s 563 bhp (420 kW / 571 PS). However, if that’s still not enough, Mansory is saying that outputs of up to 790 bhp (588 kW / 800 PS) are in development.



Any carbon fibre enthusiasts thinking of buying a Mansory Cormeum had better be quick, as production will be limited to just fifteen examples.



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Brabus S 350 BlueTEC

German tuner Brabus has released its Eco PowerXtra DS6 Performance Kit for the Mercedes-Benz S 350 BlueTEC.



Basically an auxiliary control unit that plugs into the engine’s ECU, the DS6’s forte is that after installation the car remains Euro 6 compliant.

Euro 6 is the tougher standard covering carbon monoxide, particulates, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide emissions which comes into force in September 2014. However, it doesn’t encompass CO2, and Brabus isn’t saying whether levels of that particular pollutant are affected or not.



Keeping things clean is not all it does, though. Output from the 2,987 cc turbo-diesel V6 is lifted by over 20% to 308 bhp (230 kW / 313 PS), which just eclipses what a standard petrol-powered S 350 BlueEFFICIENCY can muster. Torque is increased too, rising from 620 Nm (457 lb/ft) to 690 Nm (509 lb/ft).



Cleverly, Brabus has configured the DS6 Performance Kit to work with the different modes of the S-Class’s seven-speed automatic gearbox. In ‘Eco’ only the extra torque is applied, but switch into ‘Manual’ or ‘Sport’ and the additional horsepower is also unleashed.



With full power, the S 350 BlueTEC’s 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time is cut from 7.1 to 6.5 seconds, although top speed remains limited to 155 mph (250 km/h). What’s more, it’s claimed that fuel consumption might actually reduce compared to the stock car. But that will depend on driving style, and presumably sticking firmly to ‘Eco’ mode.



The Brabus Eco PowerXtra D6S Performance Kit is backed by a warranty that lasts three years, up to a maximum of 62,000 miles or 100,000 kilometres. It’s also available for the CLS 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and all E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY models.

World Car Awards finalists

Sixty-six jurors from across the world have completed a first round of voting to determine the 2011 World Car Awards finalists.



With four different awards up for grabs, the shortlist models - in alphabetical order - are:





2011 World Car of the Year

• Audi A1


• Audi A8


• BMW 5 Series


• BMW X3


• Jaguar XJ


• Jeep Grand Cherokee


• Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG


• Nissan Leaf


• Porsche Cayenne


• Volvo S60 / V60

Obviously, this is the big prize. Each of the finalists will be judged on ‘overall merit, value, safety, environmental responsibility, emotional appeal and significance’, a combination that has lead to some previous winners being very worthy but also just a bit dull.



What’s striking is that 2011’s entire crop is from premium or, in the case of the Volvo and Jeep, semi-premium manufacturers. Even the Nissan isn’t exactly mainstream, given its relatively high price.

The Leaf could well repeat its 2011 European Car of the Year victory, but it does tend to divide opinion. There are those who believe it almost makes petrol or diesel cars obsolete, while others won’t back an all-electric car until both battery range and the recharging infrastructure improve.







It’s hard to see either the SLS AMG or Cayenne winning, given their comparative lack of environmental responsibility. The BMW 5 Series has to be a contender given its all-round ability, but it would be good to see the Jaguar XJ clinch it, simply because it represents such a brave departure from previous generation XJ models.



Audi’s A1 probably ticks all the boxes. However, it’d be a shame for it to win because it’s essentially a tarted-up version of last year’s World Car of the Year, the Volkswagen Polo.





2011 World Performance Car

• Aston Martin Rapide


• Audi RS 5 Coupe


• Cadillac CTS-V Coupe


• Ferrari 458 Italia


• Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera


• Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG / CL 63 AMG


• Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG


• Porsche 911 GT2 RS


• Porsche 911 Turbo


• Renault Mégane Renaultsport 250

This category is wide open, as it includes everything from a compact hot hatch to numerous supercars for the jurors to choose from. Audi has won the performance car award three times in the past five years, but it’ll be a surprise if the feat is repeated with the RS 5.









2011 World Car Design of the Year

• Alfa Romeo Giulietta


• Aston Martin Rapide


• Audi A7


• Citroën DS3


• Ferrari 458


• Honda CR-Z


• Kia Sportage


• Nissan Juke

There were originally fifty-one candidates in this category, which is expected to ‘highlight new vehicles with innovation and style that push established boundaries’ - a demanding set of criteria.

On that basis, the Aston Martin would seem to be a strong challenger, but arguably it’s the Nissan Juke that truly stands out as a unique design.



The shortlist was decided by a panel of five design experts but, as with all of the other awards, it’s now solely up to the jurors to arrive at a winner.







2011 World Green Car

• BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition


• Chevrolet Volt


• Hyundai Sonata Hybrid


• Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell


• Nissan Leaf


• Smart electric drive

Three environmental experts were asked to draw up the finalists for this award based on emissions, fuel consumption and the power plant technology employed.

Perhaps the Leaf stands a stronger chance of winning this category, but it may be the case that more jurors consider the Volt’s range extender concept as being more practical for everyday use.







But with its 109 g/km and combined cycle 68.9 mpg (4.0 l/100km), the 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition proves that cars with a traditional internal combustion engine can still be impressively green.







The next stage is that during February the jurors will vote again, but this time just on the finalists.



Following that ballot, the top three cars in each category will be announced at the Geneva International Motor Show on 1st March.



Then, bringing the process to a close, the 2011 World Car Awards winners will be declared during the New York International Auto Show in April.

C 63 AMG facelift

Almost four years after they were first launched, Mercedes-Benz has revealed facelifted versions of its C 63 AMG saloon and estate.

The tweaks aren’t just cosmetic, although the usual mid-life refresh items have received attention. They include different headlights, new 18” five-spoke alloy wheels, restyled bumper aprons and a revised radiator grille. The bonnet, which is now made from aluminium, sports more aggressive power domes.



But it’s under the skin that the biggest change has taken place. Gone is the previously-used automatic gearbox, replaced by an AMG Speedshift MCT seven-speed multi-clutch transmission. It features four modes - Controlled Efficiency, Sport, Sport+ and Manual - as well as a Race Start function.

The V8 engine (still 6.2 litres, despite the C 63 tag) is unchanged. Combined with that new gearbox, its 450 bhp (336 kW / 457 PS) is enough for a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 4.5 seconds in the saloon, which is exactly the same as its predecessor. Similarly, top speed remains limited to 155 mph (250 km/h).



Fuel consumption does improve, though. The C 63 AMG saloon will now manage 23.5 mpg (12.0 l/100km) on the combined cycle, whereas before the figure was 21.1 mpg (13.4 l/100km).

Likewise CO2 emissions are better, dropping by over 10% to 280 g/km (288 g/km for the estate). Unfortunately that reduction won’t make much difference to UK buyers, as a C 63 AMG will still fall into the highest road tax band. That means an annual bill of £435 just to keep the thing on the road.



According to Mercedes-Benz, 30 per cent of all C 63 AMG buyers to date have specified AMG’s Performance Package Plus, so it’s no surprise that this option continues with the facelifted cars. As before, it raises power to 480 bhp (358 kW / 487 PS), reduces the 0-62 mph time by 0.1 of a second but leaves the top speed unchanged.

The revised C63 AMG models will make their public debut, together with the rest of the facelifted C-Class range, at March’s Geneva International Motor Show. Deliveries are expected to start in July 2011.



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