Tag Archives: 2018
5 Things You Might Not Know Yet About The 2018 Audi RS5 Coupe
The 2018 Audi RS5 Coupe is amazing. It can produce 444 horsepower that puts it in the same level as the BMW M4, the Cadillac ATS-V, the Lexus RC F, and the Mercedes-AMG C63 coupes. This was achieved after it traded its highly reliable V-8 engine for a smooth twin-turbocharged V6. Now, it’s a lot less raw but still packs enough power for eager drivers to try it out.
1. Engine Is Lighter
Even though it packs a heavier punch, the 2018 Audi RS5 Coupe twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V-6 engine is about 66 pounds lighter than the previous 450-horsepower 4.2-liter V-8 engine. This coupe’s weight is evenly distributed, thanks to its ability to carry 54 percent of its mass on its front axle.
2. Power In The Crankshafts
Audi said that the RS5 and the Panamera use the same twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V-6 engine, though they are configured differently through using different crankshafts. According to Audi, the compression rate of the RS5 is a lower 10.0:1 against the Porsche’s 10.5:1. The Audi’s production is a lot more powerful, too, than the Panamera’s 440 horses and 405 pound-feet of torque.
3. Smooth Transmission
The RS5 uses an eight-speed automatic transmission with a traditional torque converter. This might sound a tad bit duller on paper, but it operates smoother than other transmission system. When you shift it yourself, the transmission could hold gears until you decide to change shift. In manual mode, the car can perform this shift on its own.
4. Oil Cooler Positioned Right
The RS5’s flat oil cooler is placed ahead of the radiator, which means that the horizontal position allows the biturbo V-6’s oil to remain cool and not get too hot. It can also generate 6.6 pounds of downforce at 62 mph.
5. Torque Vectoring Rear Differential
The RS5’s torque vectoring rear differential is an option in other countries but in the US, this will come standard. Audi said the differential will be able to transfer every ounce of maximum engine torque sent to the rear axle to either the left or right rear wheel.
Top 4 Reasons for You to Buy the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe
What happens when you combine the winning formulas of the Mercedes-Benz CLS and the Mercedes-AMG GT? You get the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe. This is the reason why there was so much hype surrounding the high-performance car’s world premiere and why it was flocked by people since the press days of the 2018 Geneva Motor Show.
Mercedes is yet to reveal the pricing of the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe. However, it is already given that it will be very expensive considering it will take on the $85,000 to $194,800 Porsche Panamera. What we know so far is that it will roll out for buyers in mid-2018.
So why should you spend your hard earned cash for it? Here are four reasons why you should put the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe in your checklist if you are looking to buy a high-performance luxury car:
1. Unique Addition to the Mercedes-AMG GT Family
The Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe successfully makes itself stand out from the Mercedes-AMG GT family with its distinct four-door feature. The rest of its siblings from the base GT going up to the GT R have two-door designs.
2. Athletic and Classy Design
The Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door is defined by its long bonnet, Panamericana front grille, squinting Multibeam LED headlamps, jetwing front bumper design, huge air ducts, thin taillights, rear diffuser, low greenhouse, retractable rear wing, quadruple exhaust tips, and a combination of AMG performance wheels and tires. On the other hand, its curvaceous and smooth exterior is an excellent manifestation of Mercedes’ “Sensual Purity” design philosophy.
3. Luxurious Aura
The Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe also carries the DNA of the Mercedes-Benz CLS. If you strip away all the Mercedes-AMG GT elements of the four-door high-performance car leaving only its shell, it can be noticed that its form is all too similar to the Mercedes-AMG CLS 53. That’s because both are riding on the E-Class platform.
The interior of the two only vary in layout but you can find that most of the tech within the AMG GT 4-Door Coupe are just spiced up versions of the ones found in the E-Class and CLS. However, the arrangement of the controls of the AMG GT 4-Door Coupe follows its AMG GT siblings.
4. Performance
The Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe is available in three performance configurations and its power is governed by an AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G transmission. It starts with the Mercedes-AMG GT 53 4MATIC with 3.0-liter inline-six that can deliver 435 hp combined with EQ Boost providing it an extra 22 hp, and 520 Nm of torque. Next is the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4MATIC equipped with a 4.0-liter biturbo V8 engine capable of delivering 585 hp and 800 Nm of torque.
The top trim of the range is the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+. It has the engine of the AMG GT 63 4MATIC but with an upgrade that lets it produce 639 hp and 900 Nm of torque. The auto can reach speeds of up to 310 km/h, and its 0-100 km/h acceleration can be achieved in merely 3.4 seconds.
Photos
Check out the official photos of the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe in the gallery below:
Mercedes-Benz G-Class Unveiled at the 2018 Detroit Motor Show
After much anticipation, the new Mercedes-Benz G-Class has finally been unveiled. The iconic SUV of the three-pointed star marque made its official debut at the 2018 North American International Auto Show or the Detroit Motor Show.
Before the auto event in Detroit, spy shots and leaked images of the G-Class without its camo already surfaced. Therefore, we already knew many stuff about the vehicle prior to its world premiere.
The G-Class Still has that Boxy Look
Upon seeing it in the flesh in Detroit, we were able to confirm many of the features that we earlier predicted about the new G-Class. As expected, the styling of the vehicle didn’t change much since it was introduced in 1979.
The old models of the G-Wagen.
The Mercedes G-Class retained its boxy body with firm lines, sharp fenders, trapezoidal bonnet, angular corners and round headlamps. Only minor changes were introduced in its exterior such as the revised front grille, upgraded lighting system, redesigned bumpers and new wheels.
There was a slight improvement in the measurements of the auto though. According to Daimler, the new G-Class is 53 mm longer and 121 mm wider than its previous model. These translate to a more spacious interior that gives the occupants of the SUV more legroom.
It has State of the Art Interior
While not much can be said about the exterior of the G-Class, its interior involves a different story. The new model of the SUV carried some of the basic tech and styling found in the S-Class and the E-Class sedans of Mercedes.
The G-Class gets a more luxurious layout in its cockpit.
The cabin of the new Mercedes G-Class is highlighted by its twin 12.3-inch touchscreen displays. Then its instrument cluster has been updated to mirror the controls of its maker’s executive sedan cars. The comfort and visuals of the G-Class was revitalized too with its high end two-tone leather covers and chrome inserts.
Better Performance Than Its Predecessor
When it comes to performance, the Mercedes-Benz G500 trim offers a petrol-powered 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. The unit has an output of 422 hp and 610 Nm of torque. The power of the G-Class is distributed to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission. Mercedes revealed that the auto’s fuel consumption is at 11.1 liters per 100 kilometers while its Carbon Dioxide emission rating is at 263 grams per kilometer.
Furthermore, the off-road capabilities of the G-Class has been improved. It has 31 degrees approach angle and 30 degrees departure angle. Its maximum fording depth is at 27.5 inches (69.85 cm).
The G-Class gets an improved off-road performance.
New in the G-Class is its “G-Mode” driving mode. This can be activated when one of the SUV’s three differential locks has been released. It adjusts the damping, steering and acceleration of the vehicle accordingly during off-road trips.
Official Photos of the New Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Check out the official photos of the new Mercedes-Benz G-Class in the gallery below:
Top 3 Selling Points of the 2018 Lexus LC 500
Starting at $92,000, the 2018 Lexus LC 500 boasts a striking design and decent engine output. The luxury coupe is its brand’s answer to the likes of BMW 650i Coupe, Jaguar F-Type and Mercedes-Benz SL450.
Is it worth its expensive cost? Let’s take a look at the three key selling points of the car based on a review by Cars.com:
1. Design
One of the paint finishes offered by the LC 500 is the “Infrared”. As its name implies, it is a special red paint. The source shared that he was engaged by more people as he drove the car compared to the other vehicles he tested.
The spindle grille of Lexus also gives the car a striking identity. Add to that the smooth body, strategically-placed intakes and lighting system of the auto, and we have a real beauty here.
The only setback seen in the design of the LC 500 is that it is a bit bulky. It is more of a touring car than a sports car.
Inside, a mix of high end leather and fabric adorn the surfaces of the LC 500. The highlight of the cockpit is the 10.3-inch display controlled by a touchpad. However, the person reviewing the vehicle found the touchpad to be a nuisance when making inputs as it takes the eyes of the driver away from the road more than a touchpad does.
There appears two rear seats inside the car too but the source noted that they are too tight to even fit a child. It seems like the area is only for the luggage.
2. Engine
The LC 500 retained its naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine. The unit produces 471 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. The power is distributed via a 10-speed automatic transmission. The configuration lets the vehicle sprint from zero to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.
3. Performance
The review stated that the LC 500 has a smooth power delivery. Then its engine revs fast. Moreover, the power unit is quiet.
The major setback in the driving performance of the car though is its heavy frame. This factor causes the vehicle to have heavy steering and the back gets twitchy when at high speeds.
Overall, the 2018 Lexus LC 500 may not have some of the elements of a sports car but the styling and other features surely make up for what’s lacking.
Top 3 Facts About The 2018 Lexus LS
For many years, Lexus LS, which debuted in 1989 at the Detroit Auto Show, has been the standard of many stylish sedans. Lexus is looking to recapture some of that former glory during this year’s North American International Auto Show.
To do that, Lexus has to make this fifth-generation LS larger, more powerful, and more stylish than ever based on a report.
1. Size And Design
The new architecture used by Lexus makes the LS lower, wider, and is closer to the ground center of gravity. The front end reminds us of the LC Coupe but the side profile is far different from the current generation LS. It comes with Lexus’ new six-side window design and 20-inch wheels with a special hollow rim structure which can reduce the vehicle noise.
Why is this important for Lexus? The exhaust will certainly be noisier than this model’s predecessor even if the sedan is fitted with an active noise cancellation system in the cabin.
2. Powertrain
During the auto show, the Japanese automaker only showed the specs of the LS500 model. It comes packed with a twin-turbocharged direct-injected 3.5-liter V-6 engine that can produce 415 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque.
The power allows the LS to compete well with its counterparts from other luxury car makers: the Mercedes-Benz S550 that cranks out 449 horsepower and the BMW 750i that produces 445 horsepower.
The engine is paired with Aisin-supplied 10-speed automatic transmission with rear-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive as optional. According to Lexus, the car can go 0-60mph in just a matter of 4.5 seconds.
3. Interior
Luxury is the name of the game in the LS’ cabin. It’s covered with plush, buttery-smooth leather and beautifully designed dashboard. Owners can choose different types of wood trim and ambient lighting that is based on Japanese lanterns.
It also comes with Lexus’ remote touch interface that controls the 12.3-inch central display screen. It has smartphone-like operations.
