• Mercedes-AMG introduces limited-edition A45 Champion Edition

    November 28, 2015
    Mercedes-AMG is celebrating its latest Formula 1 championship title with a limited-edition version of the A45 called Champion Edition.

    The Champion Edition echoes the winning F1 car with a silver, black, and green paint job. It also gains an edition-specific front bumper with a splitter and downforce-enhancing fins, a huge roof-mounted spoiler, and 19-inch alloys inspired by the wheels that the winning F1 car rides on.

    The cabin is spruced up with bucket seats for the front passengers, a sport steering wheel, and green contrast stitching on the seat belts, the dashboard, and the center console. All Champion Editions come loaded to the gills with equipment such as the AMG Dynamic Plus Package, which bundles a mechanical locking differential on the front axle, and an adjustable sport suspension with a race mode.

    The modifications stop in the engine bay. The Champion Edition is powered by a stock, A45-sourced 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that uses a turbocharger to produce 381 horsepower and 350 lb-ft. of torque. Bolted to a seven-speed automatic transmission that spins all four wheels, the turbo four sends the A45 from zero to 62 mph in 4.2 seconds and on to a top speed that’s electronically limited to 155 mph.

    The Mercedes-AMG A45 Champion Edition will go on sale in Germany next January with a base price of €65,402, a sum that converts to nearly $70,000. Buyers who want one need to act quick, because AMG will only take orders until the following May.

  • German tuner introduces 550d-powered BMW 1 Series hatchback

    November 28, 2015
    A German tuner named AC Schnitzer has introduced a heavily-modified BMW 1 Series hatchback dubbed 150d at the annual Essen Motor Show that’s taking place in Germany.

    The bulk of the upgrades are found under the hood, where AC Schnitzer has installed a triple-turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel-burning straight-six borrowed from the much bigger BMW 550d. The six was tuned to generate 400 horsepower and 591 lb-ft. of torque, an increase of about 20 ponies and 45 lb-ft over the stock 550d. As a result, the 150d reaches 62 mph from a stop in a brisk 4.5 seconds.

    The extra power is complemented by a comprehensively redesigned suspension, new bumper with three large air dams tasked with keeping things cool in the engine bay, side skirts, carbon fiber mirror caps, and a roof-mounted spoiler. The 150d rides on massive 20-inch alloy wheels, though buyers looking to keep a low profile can order smaller 18- or 19-inch units.

    Pictures of the cabin haven’t been published yet, but AC Schnitzer promises it has added a custom shift knob, an aluminum cover for the iDrive controller knob, special floor mats, and aluminum pedals.

    The 150d isn’t a one-off design study built for the auto show circuit. Customers interested in owning a 5 Series-powered 1 Series are invited to contact AC Schnitzer for additional information such as pricing and information. It goes without saying that the 150d isn’t street-legal in the United States.