• 2017 Mercedes-AMG C63 Cabriolet to bow in New York

    March 21, 2016

    Mercedes-AMG has announced plans to unveil the 2017 C63 Cabriolet during the New York Show that will open its doors in a couple of days.

    Power for the topless C63 will be provided by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine tuned to pump out 469 horsepower and 479 lb-ft. of torque in its most basic state of tune. For buyers who want more grunt, Mercedes-AMG will offer a C63 S equipped with an evolution of the twin-turbo eight rated at 503 ponies and 516 lb-ft. of twist. Both engines will shift through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

    The C63 Cabriolet will be heavier than its coupe counterpart (pictured), but it should nonetheless be capable of hitting 60 mph from a stop in less than four seconds.

    It’s reasonable to assume that the bigger engine will be complemented by a full body kit with large air dams, side skirts, and a rear diffuser, as well as sport seats for the front passengers and a flat-bottomed three-spoke steering wheel. Stay tuned, official details will emerge in the next few days.

    Mercedes-AMG enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to this week. In addition to the C63 Cabriolet, the company will show the new E43, the updated CLA45, the first-ever GLC43, and the brand new GLC Coupe in the Big Apple. We’ll be on location to bring you live images of all the action.

    Photos by Ronan Glon.

  • 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit leaked ahead of NY debut

    March 21, 2016

    Leaked images have revealed the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit ahead of its scheduled debut at this week’s New York Auto Show.

    Positioned at the top of the Grand Cherokee lineup, the Summit features a model-specific grille, elegant-looking chrome accents on the lower front bumper, and LED fog lights. It rides on 20-inch alloy wheels, while a Summit emblem glued to the tailgate adds a finishing touch to the premium look.

    The cabin receives wood trim on the steering wheel, on the center console, and on the dashboard, as well as quilted beige leather upholstery, black piping, a panoramic sunroof, and blue LED ambient lighting. We’ll have to wait until the New York show opens its doors to find out what else the Grand Cherokee has gained, but the Summit is already shaping up to be the most luxurious SUV Jeep has ever built.

    Technical specifications weren’t leaked. However, it’s safe to assume the range-topping Summit is powered by a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine rated at 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft. of torque and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

    The Grand Cherokee Summit won’t be the only new Jeep in New York. The company will also reveal an off-road-focused Grand Cherokee called Trailhawk, and a brand new crossover designed to replace both the Patriot and the Compass.

  • Borgward factory primed for production, sales to begin next month

    March 21, 2016

    Revived German marque Borgward has established a China-based sales subsidiary as its Beijing plant readies for production. Sales of its first model, the BX7 SUV, are expected to commence next month.

    “We have successfully established partnerships with nearly 100 dealers to date,” CEO Ulrich Walker is reported to have said according to Paul Tan. “Moreover, this dealer network is expected to grow to 120 dealers by the end of 2016, and 200 in 2017, covering key cities of the Chinese market.”

    Power has been revealed to be a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine capable of 221 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. A 7-speed dual-clutch transmission will be the shifter of choice and all-wheel-drive will be available as well.

    The new plant in China’s capital will have an initial capacity of 160,000 units. A second phase of plant expansion will increase that to 360,000. By 2020, Borgward believes it can build 800,000 cars a year, and by 2025 that number will double to 1.6 million. Walker says the company will adhere strictly to “German Industry 4.0″ manufacturing standards to assure the highest quality.

    The BX7 will go on sale next month, launching at the Beijing Motor Show.

    Live images by Ronan Glon.

  • The Acura NSX will be the most expensive car built in the US

    March 21, 2016

    Honda’s new supercar already has many superlatives associated with it, but there’s one that’s unlikely to be at the top of anyone’s list. The 2017 Acura NSX is the most expensive car built in America.

    When it begins production this April at Honda’s new Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio, the NSX will surpass the current titleholder of most expensive car built in the US, the Dodge Viper. This metric was discovered by Kelly Blue Book’s managing director Matt DeLorenzo and reported by Biz Journals.

    At $156,000, it surpasses the approximately $90,000 Viper by at least 50 percent. The FCA halo car is built at the Conner Avenue Assembly plant in Detroit, Michigan. Though Ford has a new, even more expensive supercar on the horizon in the form of the $400,000-plus GT, the NSX will still hold the title. That’s because the Ford GT will be built by Multimatic Inc., a Ford supplier in Canada, which takes over production from previous generations of the Ford GT built in Detroit.

    At top trim levels and loaded with optional equipment, the NSX will break the $200,000 mark. Other versions have been hinted at as well. Honda says that 800 units will be built in 2016, the first of which will be delivered shortly after production kicks off.

  • China’s BAIC to show electric coupe in Beijing

    March 21, 2016

    State-owned Chinese car maker Beijing Automotive Industry Holding (BAIC) will unveil a sleek coupe powered by an all-electric drivetrain at next month’s Beijing Auto Show.

    On paper, the yet-unnamed model is downright impressive. It can hit 62 mph from a stop in three seconds flat, it can reach a top speed of over 160 mph, and it can drive for nearly 190 miles on a single charge. Technical specifications haven’t been published yet.

    The two teaser sketches published by BAIC suggest that the coupe boasts a muscular design characterized by a pronounced wheel arches, a low roof line, and a spoiler integrated into the rear deck lid. Its front end gets sharp LED headlights underlined by blue strips of trim and a sizable splitter.

    BAIC will release more information about its upcoming EV in the next few weeks, and Leftlane will bring you live images of it straight from the Chinese capital starting on April 25th. What the future holds for the coupe largely depends on whether it’s merely a concept or a production model. If it’s approved for production, there’s a small chance we’ll see it on our shores one day because BAIC joined forces with California-based EV startup Atieva late last year in order to build premium electric cars for markets all around the globe.

  • H&R-Gewindefahrwerk für den neuen Ford Mustang

    March 21, 2016

    H&R hat ab sofort ein maßgeschneidertes Gewindefahrwerk für den neuen Ford Mustang im Programm

    Das Gewindefahrwerk legt die US-Ikone zwischen 25 und 40 Millimeter an beiden Achsen tiefer. Hinten sind sogar bis zu 45 Millimeter möglich

    Kostenpunkt? 1.486 Euro inklusive einem Teile-Gutachten

    Lennestadt, 18. März 2016
    Die neueste und sechste Generation des Ford Mustang ist wieder offiziell in Europa erhältlich – als Cabrio oder Fastback, mit 2,3-Liter-Vierzylinder oder mit 5,0-Liter-V8. Selbst die Vierzylinder-Variante ist mit 317 PS nicht gerade untermotorisiert. Sie trabt in 5,8 Sekunden auf Tempo 100 und erreicht eine Höchstgeschwindigkeit von 234 km/h. Und die Kurvendynamik?

    Gewindefahrwerk aus dem Sauerland
    Mit der neuen Einzelradaufhängung hinten ist die US-Ikone schon deutlich agiler geworden. Um in der deutschen Sportwagenliga zu bestehen, brauchte es laut den Fahrwerksspezialisten von H&R allerdings noch ein wenig Feinschliff. Aus diesem Grund bietet der sauerländische Tuner nun ein maßgeschneidertes Gewindefahrwerk für den Mustang an.

    Tiefer, agiler, abstimmbar
    Mit dem Sportfahrwerk liegt der Mustang vorn und hinten um mindestens 25 Millimeter tiefer. Einstellbar sind sogar bis zu 40 Millimeter vorn und 45 hinten. Damit sinkt der Fahrzeugschwerpunkt und das bringt laut H&R einen deutlichen Zugewinn an Dynamik und Fahrspaß. Auch die optionalen 19-Zöller tauchen so tief in die Radhäuser ein und holen das Rennpferd aus der US-Komfortzone. Dabei lässt sich das Fahrwerk je nach Bedürfnis für Alltagstauglichkeit oder eher sportlichere Fahrweise abstimmen.


    Der Preis und andere Optionen
    Ausgeliefert wird es inklusive einem Teile-Gutachten für 1.486 Euro. Neben dem Gewindefahrwerk bietet H&R für den Ford Mustang auch Sportfedern an, die sich mit den Seriendämpfern oder auch mit Nachrüstdämpfern kombinieren lassen.
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