Mercedes SLC

Codenamed W197, the Mercedes SLC is the successor of the legendary 300 SL ‘Gullwing’ and it will probably be one of the coolest cars around when it will be presented, probably in 2010. We can’t say much about the car, as it’s heavy camouflaged and the prototype is using the body of a Dodge Viper.

What we know about the car is that it will be developed by Mercedes and its tuning division, AMG (so expect some nice performances) and, every year, between 3,000 and 5,000 units will be built in Sindelfingen plant in Germany. Still speculation, but we expect the stylish coupe to be powered by Mercedes’ 620 hp V8 engine and price will probably be in the 150,000-200,000 Euro range.

Above we have a rendering created by Lehmann Photo-Syndication and after the jump you can see more spy photographs of the prototype.

BMW 6 Series for 2008

BMW 6 Series for 2008

German automaker BMW has recently announced the details and features of the new 2008 6 Series Coupe and Convertible models. For 2008, the company gave the 6 Series a wide array of new features and equipments. Only one model variant will be offered in the U.S. market - the BMW 650i.
The BMW 650i Coupe and Convertible offers luxurious and elegant driving experience with a host of new features inside and out. Outside, the BMW 650i is equipped with reconfigured optical headlight lenses, new front air dam with larger opening, amber DOT reflectors, LED design taillights, reshaped trunklid, and taller spoiler.
New features for 2008 are extended on the interior, which include brushed aluminum radio knobs, brushed aluminum iDrive controller, leather-wrapped center console, seats with Sun Reflective Technology, standard and optional seats with Active Head Restraints, LED brake and turnsignal lights, and wider trunklid-mounted third brake light. Other new features include Active Cruise Control Stop & Go, Lane Departure Warning system, and USB adaptor for iPods and other MP3 players.
Under the hood of this luxury-inspired model comes a 4।8-liter Valvetronic V-8 engine that offers up rated horsepower and torque output. The engine now pumps put 360 hp and pulls out higher torque peak output of 360 lb-ft. rotating at 3,400 rpm. This power unit will be combined with a 6-speed manual or Sport Automatic gearbox. BMW comented on the new Sport Automatic, "this new transmission boasts quicker shift response in "Sport" mode, as well as standard shifter paddles on the steering wheel."
Furthermore, the BMW 6 Series Coupe and Convertible models are equipped with front suspension system with double-pivot front system. This features stronger self-centering feel in steering, lower ride height, and firmer springs and shock absorbers. Meanwhile, the rear suspension comes with multi-link layout called Integral Link that controls rear-wheel angles very precisely. Other technical features found on the 2008 BMW 6 Series include Active Roll Stabilization, rack-and-pinion steering with Servotronic power assist, and innovative brakes.
Aside from the new exterior features mentioned above, other exterior features include luminescent rings around the high beams, redesigned turn indicators, standard foglights with restyled lenses, front flanks, recurved spoiler, reconfigured rear lamps, reshaped lower tail lamps, rear diffuser, and dual exhaust. The 6 Series models are also equipped with new side sills and all aluminum front-end structure. A choice of either 18 or 19-inch wheels and run-flat tires standard completes the exterior package.
Inside, the 2008 BMW 6 Series offers a comfortable, sporty, convenient, and luxurious interior environment. Interior highlights include redesigned instrument cluster, LED ground lighting, illuminated doorsill logos, illumination of interior door handles, 1-touch open/close door windows, retractable rear window, GPS Navigation with DVD database and Real Time Traffic Information, Voice Command System, and standard AM/FM/CD system with eight speakers. A 12-way power adjustable seats including 4-way power lumbar support is also included, plus a wide range of active and passive safety equipments. The BMW 6 Series really stands out compared to the 5 Series models like the BMW 528i with quality BMW 528i parts।

Audi R8

२००८ Audi R8

Audi has unveiled the 2008 R8 — its first ever mid-engine sports cars. Sales will begin in the first half of 2007 for the United States and Europe. The car has a 420 horsepower high-revving V8 engine and all-wheel-drive. It uses the mid-engine Lamborghini Gallardo platform, and will somewhere between $80,000 and $110,000 — positioning it squarely against the BMW M6, Porsche 911, and Aston Martin Vantage. It features a choice of LED or Xenon headlamps surrounded by LED running lights and indicators.

LEDs are also used in the engine bay to make the impressive V8 visible even at night. Both a standard manual and an automated manual transmission will be offered. Claimed 0 to 62 mph time is 4.6 seconds, though this number is likely conservative. The sporty interior is dominated by a totally driver-oriented cockpit architecture, integrating the driver between the dashboard and the high centre console. The instrument panel above the console is angled slightly towards the driver. The flat-bottomed steering wheel is a typical feature of the sportiest Audi models, and also enables comfortable sports car entry and exit.The sports seats are trimmed as standard in a Leather/Alcantara combination, or optionally in full leather. Alternatively, the R8 can also be fitted with bucket seats, specially developed by quattro GmbH. There is plenty of room for the two occupants, with comfort levels well beyond the norm of high-performance sports cars. There is space behind the seats to stow large bags, or even two golf bags. The luggage compartment at the front has a capacity of 100 litres.With numerous trim variants and applications in Piano finish or Carbon sigma, there are few limits to the range of customisation options for the interior.The drive trainAt 7,800 rpm the 4.2-litre engine delivers 309 kW (420 bhp) of power output. Peak torque is 430 Newton-metres from 4.500 to 6,000 rpm. And no less than 90 per cent of this maximum torque is maintained consistently throughout a wide engine speed range from 3,500 all the way to 7,600 rpm. As a result of these qualities, the eight-cylinder power unit provides maximum thrust in virtually any driving situation.The performance figures are equally impressive: the R8 accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 301 km/h.The engine is a high-revving unit. The maximum engine speed is 8,250 rpm. The advantages of this principle are superior power output at high engine speeds and a smooth, eager responsiveness all across the revs range. Added to this are its agility, liveliness and engine sound, which is similar to that of a race car.The Audi R8's dry sump lubrication – another technology originating directly from motor racing – provides the ideal basis for maximum longitudinal and lateral acceleration. It allows the V8 to be installed lower, thereby lowering the centre of gravity and further enhancing driving dynamics.Two transmissions are available: a manual 6-speed gearbox or optionally the Audi R tronic sequential-shift gearbox, with a joystick gear-shift on the centre console and, most especially, the paddles mounted on the steering wheel. 'Shift by wire' technology provides for very fast gear-shifting and an outstanding power-to-weight ratio, allied to compact gearbox dimensions. The Sport mode, with its fast shifting, guarantees the absolute maximum in terms of driving fun. An automatic mode can also be selected.The car is fitted with permanent four-wheel drive, which distributes the power variably to the front and rear axles by way of a viscous clutch. On the Audi R8 the legendary quattro system is adapted to the axle load distribution typical of mid-engined cars.The chassisThe chassis features forged aluminium double wishbones at the front and rear. At the front they are triangulated, while at the rear the top one is triangulated and the bottom one is a triangulated wishbone with a track rod. This provides for optimum wheel control, and is a geometry which has proved itself to be the ideal solution in delivering agility, maximum steering precision and precisely defined self-steering characteristics.Direct, hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering provides optimum feedback to assist the driver.The spring and damper set-up is stiff in order to deliver maximum driving dynamics, while still providing a quite astonishing level of ride comfort. This is particularly true when the 'Audi magnetic ride' adaptive damper system is chosen as an alternative to the standard gas-filled shock absorbers.The reason for this is that these shock absorbers employ an innovative technology. Instead of the conventional damper fluid, a magnetorheological fluid is used – in other words, a fluid whose viscosity can be influenced by an electromagnetic field. This effect enables the damping characteristic to be influenced electronically at will and instantaneously, by applying a voltage to the electromagnets.Audi magnetic ride uses this property to deliver the correct damping forces in every driving situation, thus optimising ride comfort and driving dynamics. A computer equipped with sensor technology determines the prevailing driving situation in a matter of milliseconds. Drivers can choose from two driving programs depending on whether they want to drive in a highly sporty style – with the magnetorheological fluid adjusted to a low viscosity – or with the emphasis more on ride comfort.The Audi R8 is fitted with 6-arm 18-inch wheels as standard, and can optionally be ordered with 19-inch wheels. The 235/40 size tyres at the front and up to 285/35 at the rear provide the necessary road-holding. This tyre configuration also ensures that this mid-engined sports car is always able to translate the dynamism of its drive train and chassis into optimum grip and maximum lateral dynamics.The mid-engined sports car's long wheelbase and extremely low centre of gravity ensure that it always retains maximum stability, resulting in superb agility, finely attuned responsiveness to any driver input, and high levels of safety.Equipment and trimEven the standard equipment of the Audi R8 meets the high demands of customers in this segment. Xenon plus lights, LED rear lights and daytime running lights, 18-inch aluminium wheels, an audio system with 7-inch monitor, an anti-theft alarm and Leather/Alcantara interior trim are just some of the items on the extensive list of standard features.The range of optional extras leaves virtually nothing to be desired. A Bang & Olufsen sound system, featuring an output of 465 watts and 12 specially designed speakers, delivers surround sound of the highest standard. A microphone-based vehicle noise compensation system adjusts audio levels to changing road conditions and speeds.The acoustic parking system and a rear-view camera help the driver to manoeuvre into even the tightest of spaces. The radio/navigation system plus, featuring a large-format colour monitor and MMI keypad, combines extensive functionality with extreme user-friendliness.A range of coordinated and ideally combinable design and leather trim packages from Audi and from quattro GmbH can turn any R8 into the customer’s personal dream car.The wheels range offers design alternatives in sizes of 18 and 19 inches, fitted with 235/35 size tyres at the front and up to 295/30 at the rear. A total of eight exterior colours are available, from Ibis White to Phantom Black, pearl effect.The craftsmanshipThe Audi R8 is being built on a small-lot production line in a specially constructed new block at the Audi plant in Neckarsulm. The entire production process – from the bodyshell construction to final assembly – is organised in the same way as a craft workshop. Small teams of specialists accompany every step of production, subjecting every part and component to intense scrutiny. This ensures that every one of the maximum of 15 cars per day built will more than match the customary high quality standards of the Audi product range.