Daily Archives: March 18, 2016
Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic Competing In The Midsize SUV Variants
Mercedes has brought its Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic to the midsize SUV game. This one packs a 270 kW (367 hp) 3.0-litre V6 biturbo engine, an automatic transmission 9G-TRONIC with shortened shift times, and the AMG performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive.
Driving performance is assured with the especially tuned suspension based on the Air Body Control with adaptive damping adjustment.
Tobias Moers, CEO at Mercedes-AMG GmbH, said that the new GLC 43 4Matic is the first midsize SUV the company is offering to the market. This follows the record sales of the 2015 Mercedes-AMG.
The engine in the new midsize SUV from Mercedes has been used in a number of AMG performance models. It is also the only six cylinder variant available in GLC. It packs 270 kW (367 hp) maximum output plus a maximum torque of 520 Nm. It can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. Top speed has been put at 250 km/h.
However, the true power of the AMG 3.0-litre V6 biturbo engine comes from its low consumption and emissions. Perfect for environmentalists, don’t you think?
On the outside, the midsize SUV has silver chrome and high gloss black features. The radiator grille has chrome-plated pins with the louvre in black, the inserts in high gloss chrome, and the AMG lettering. All of these collide to give the AMG a sporty look.
To complete this appearance, it packs high gloss, black-painted and high-sheen 48.3 cm (19-inch) AMG 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels, as well as a black door mirror caps and the silver-colored “BITURBO 4MATIC” lettering on the front wings.
On the tail end, there are two four-pipe chrome tailpipe trims and the AMG-specific rear apron in silver chrome.
Inside, the Merc promises all the convenience of driving and performance. It has a multifunction steering wheel in black leather that sits perfectly on the driver’s hand, as well as two large round dials and a central color multifunction display.
The Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic will debut at the New York Auto Show. Sales will begin on April 4 and market launch will start in June this year.
Enter Toyota GT86, Goodbye Scion FR-S
Say hello to the new Toyota GT86, which looks quite like the car it will replace. Much can be said about how well loved the 86 is, especially because it won several awards since its conception.
According to Top Gear, there are mild updates in the GT86, the facelift of which coincided with the introduction of the Toyota 86 in the US. These are all ongoing amid the departing of the Scion FR-S.
If you’re looking for turbocharged cars, then this auto might not be the one for you as you will be left wanting for more torque and grip. That is, of course, if you’ve lived all your life with mighty fast vehicles since the GT86 has very decent speed as well.
There are upsides, though, for speed-loving car enthusiasts. The Toyota GT86 has a slick gearchange, and is agile as a light, simple rear-driven sports car. Also, it packs a decent 197 bhp, 0-62 mph in 7.6 seconds with 140 mph top speed.
So, what are the changes? You can see all these changes on how aesthetically appealing the new GT86 is. It has new LED-equipped lights, more dramatic bumpers and air intakes, as well as new and flashier alloy wheels. Compared to the older version, the new 86 looks a bit more on the luxurious side. It looks more assertive than before too.
Inside, Toyota promises to provide “improved sensory quality, leather interiors, Alcantara, and a new sports steering wheel. That same wheel now comes with audio controls—a first for the 86. Unfortunately, there are no pictures of the GT86’s interior yet to prove these features.
Toyota has yet to release the prices and full specifications for the new 86, but sources said it won’t go more than the £25,000 range for the entry level. Sales will supposedly begin by fall.
More information about the Toyota GT86, as well as the car itself, will be revealed during the New York Auto Show.
2016 Mazda CX-9 Priced At $31,520
After promising fuel economy, elegant interior and superior handling dynamics, Mazda has released its pricing and packaging information for the 2016 Mazda CX-9, the midsize three-row crossover SUV that the company has been boasting about.
According to a press release, the CX-9 will retail starting at $31,520.
Robert Davis, senior vice president of Mazda’s US operations, said the company has high expectations for the crossover SUV. As a flagship, the CX-9 will be the starting point of all innovative technologies Mazda will test on their upcoming vehicles.
As a Sport trim variant, the CX-9 will come with LED headlights and taillights, much like the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata roadster. It will also have fabric seating, electronic parking brake, 18-inch wheels, rear backup camera, trailer stability assist, Mazda Connect infotainment with commander control, and a seven-inch display.
In the Sport package, potential buyers can choose to add power driver’s seat, heated front seats and heated door mirrors.
The Touring, on the other hand, has an auto-dimming rearview mirror, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, Homelink garage door openers, black- or sand-colored leather seating, Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry System, power liftgate, power front seats, and an eight-inch Mazda Connect touchscreen display.
Buyers can also choose among other variants—Touring Premium Package, Grand Touring Model, and the Signature.
All of the models come packed with Mazda’s new turbocharged SKYACTIV-G 2.5T engine that generates 310 lb-ft of torque from just 2,000 rpm on either 87- or 93-octane gasoline. It also produces 250 horsepower on 93-octane gasoline (227 horsepower on 87-octane), and has the standard SKYACTIV-DRIVE six-speed automatic transmission either in front-wheel or i-ACTIV all-wheel drive.
The 2016 Mazda CX-9 is expected to be on sale in the US this late spring with pricing starting at $31,520 for the CX-9 Sport, $35,970 for CX-9 Touring, $40,170 for CX-9 Grand Touring, and $44,015 for CX-9 Signature (AWD Standard).
Audi A5 Sportback To Arrive In US
Good news for Audi lovers in the United States of America! The Audi A5 Sportback will likely come to the US when the A5 lineup is redesigned next year. According to Car and Driver, the info was shared by Audi CEO Scott Keough, who said that the next-generation Audi A5 would offer a third body style in the States once it launches in 2017.
The five-door Sportback, which is only a Europe-only four-door hatchback in the shadow of the larger Audi A7, will be the one to arrive in the States since the A5 coupe and convertible versions (the two other body styles) are already being delivered in the US.
The arrival of the A5 Sportback would make a competition out of the BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe. In Europe, Audi sells the Sportback with a number of powertrains, including gas, diesel and S performance varieties.
In the US, that means buyers can choose whether they want a front- or all-wheel drive machines.
However, even when there’s good news from Audi, there’s a downside too. The new 2017 Audi A4 won’t offer a TDI diesel option as previously reported. This went against Audi’s plan to market it in the US. Keough said the decision was based on current market trends rather than the company’s diesel emission scandal.
That a little hard to believe since the A4 market is gearing towards the diesel option. Furthermore, the BMW 3-series is offering a diesel-powered 328d variant while the Mercedes Benz C-class diesel will arrive this Spring.
This means the US-bound A4 will only have one engine—a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline four-cylinder. The high-performance A4, on the other hand, will have the same turbocharged V-6, much like the Euro-spec S4.
Announcement for the A5 Sportback will probably come before the second quarter of 2017, when it is also expected to go on sale.