2011 New Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet includes AIRCAP® with AIRSCARF®

The highly appealing and emotionally charged Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet is the latest addition to the successful E-Class line-up. The open-top two-door model, which went on sale on 11 January 2010, features a classic fabric soft top, making for a stylistically pure cabriolet feeling. Viewed from the side, the new model is an intriguing proposition - with its clear proportions and a flawless cabriolet silhouette.

2011 New Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet

In keeping with the motto "four seasons, four personalities", all-year-round suitability was right at the top of the developers' list of priorities. With the new E-Class Cabriolet, the cabriolet season lasts the whole year because, while many cabriolets tend to disappear from the roads of Western Europe in the autumn, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet (length/breadth/height: 4698/1786/1402 mm) provides driving pleasure and comfort whether the roof is open or closed.

2011 New Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet

The soft top can be opened and closed fully automatically within 20 seconds - even when driving at speeds of up to 40 km/h. The cabriolet roof is stowed in a special compartment behind the rear panel. A retractable cover separates the soft top compartment from the boot area; it must be closed in order to close the soft top. If the roof is to remain closed, the cover can be slid rearwards, in which case the boot capacity is increased by 90 litres to 390 litres. A through-loading feature is included as standard for the new Cabriolet, as is EASY-ENTRY - a manually operated entry and exit aid for the rear passengers.

2011 New Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet

The powerplants for the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet are equally innovative: the new direct-injection diesel and petrol models combine efficiency with effortlessly superior power delivery. The exemplary, low fuel consumption has not only been achieved because of the new engines, but also with a number of practical measures. These include on-demand activation of the steering and fuel pumps, the use of tyres with low rolling resistance and an alternator control system which takes account of the current driving situation and the vehicle's electrical power requirements, plus the crucial factor of outstanding aerodynamics. The Cabriolet's cd figure of 0.28 is the best in its class, marking a continuation of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class success story in the field of aerodynamics.

2011 New Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet

In 1989, Mercedes-Benz introduced a world premiere in the shape of a draught-stop for the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, followed in 2004 by the AIRSCARF® neck-level heating system to further enhance comfort in open-top models. Now comes another world-first: the AIRCAP® automatic draught-stop, which can be activated at the push of a button, greatly reduces turbulence in the interior of the new Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet, creating a sea of warm air. It is also much easier to implement and use than conventional draught-stops: there is no tricky installation, the two individual rear seats remain free and the Cabriolet's flowing side lines remain uninterrupted. AIRCAP® is therefore a classic Mercedes innovation: functional, comfort-enhancing, elegant and safe.

2011 New Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet

AIRCAP® consists of two components: a wind deflector that can be extended by around six centimetres with a net in the windscreen frame and a draught-stop between the rear seats.

2011 New Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet

As well as enhancing occupant comfort and wellbeing, the reduction in draught when AIRCAP® is activated (it can be activated at speeds of up to 160 km/h and remains in use right up to the car's top speed) reduces the interior noise level - so passengers in all seats find it far easier to communicate.

2011 New Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet

The Cabriolet Comfort package includes AIRCAP® with AIRSCARF®. This patented system functions like an invisible scarf, which warms the occupants' head and neck areas. AIRSCARF® is integrated into the backrests of the front seats and provides warm air through outlets in the head restraints.

2011 New Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet

The Mercedes engineers have modified this unique innovation specifically for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet: in this model, an adjustment wheel pivots the outlet nozzle upwards and downwards by a total of 36 degrees over and above the head restraint height adjustment, meaning that the driver and front passenger can enjoy the unique neck-level heating regardless of how short or tall they are.

2010 Australian GP

What a difference two weeks make. After the yawn-fest that was the Bahrain Grand Prix, the Australian event had excitement from start to finish. Drivers were even managing to overtake each other.



It just goes to show that you don’t have to spend $150 million on a sterile Hermann Tilke creation to get a decent race… just run the track through your local car park instead.



Jenson Button’s win was definitely helped by his bold decision to stop early and swap his wet weather inter tyres for slicks. His smooth driving style then meant he could make those tyres last until the end, without needing to change again.

By contrast, Button’s team mate Lewis Hamilton did have to use another set of dry tyres. But those too began to degrade towards the end and, although he caught the fourth and third place Ferraris of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, he was unable to pass them.



Hamilton was very public in his criticism of McLaren’s decision to bring him (but not Button) in again for new tyres. It was extraordinary, especially as during the closing stages he was heard complaining over the radio that even his second lot of dry tyres had gone off. That surely just proved that Hamilton was heavier on his tyres.



Either way, he was riled. It’s got to be hurting him psychologically that Button secured McLaren’s first victory this season.



After a first lap spin, Alonso’s drive from the back of the field was impressive, scything through with apparent ease. However, like Hamilton, he then seemed to reach a point where he couldn’t overtake anymore and he had to be content with fourth place, finishing just behind Massa.

Compare Alonso’s performance with that of Michael Schumacher. The Mercedes driver was also sent to the back after an opening lap bump meant his car’s front wing needed replacing. However, he seemed to struggle to overtake mid-ranking cars such as the Torro Rosso of Jaime Alguersuari.

Schumacher eventually finished in tenth place, gaining a single point, but it’s debatable whether this has been the glorious return to Formula 1 he was envisaging.



Sandwiched between Button and the Ferraris was Robert Kubica in his Renault. He managed to hold onto a tremendous second place, nursing his tyres to the end despite being under constant pressure.



Red Bull should consider its weekend a disaster. The promise of a win was there following a dominant qualifying performance by Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber.



Things started going downhill when both drivers stayed out too long on their inter tyres with a drying track. Neither was going significantly slower than those cars already on slicks, but it resulted in Webber getting caught up in the pit lane traffic, dropping him several places.



Of course, the lowest point for Red Bull was Vettel’s brake failure on lap 25. It dumped him into the gravel trap and out of a race that he’d been leading since the start. Two races, two technical faults… not good.



Webber eventually finished in ninth, earning a reprimand from the stewards after he collided with Hamilton during the closing phase. His only consolation was setting the fastest lap.



Bernie Ecclestone is probably breathing a sigh of relief that Australia addressed many of the criticisms levelled at Formula 1 after Bahrain. Maybe he’s also thinking that a more interesting track should host the opening round in 2011?



Going into next weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix, Alonso retains his lead in the championship with 37 points, followed by Massa and Button on 33 and 31 points respectively. Fans might just be wishing for a repeat of last year’s torrential rainfall at Sepang if it makes for another thrilling race.

2011 Koenigsegg Sports Car Agera - Celebrate 15 Years

Geneva Motor Show 2010 - The new Koenigsegg Agera. To celebrate 15 years of making dream cars, Koenigsegg unleash their latest jewel, the Koenigsegg Agera. A new supercar aimed to take the Koenigsegg experience to the next level, both on the road and the track. 

2011 Koenigsegg Agera

The Agera is on display at the 80th Salon International de l’Auto in Geneva. The Agera shares some styling tweaks that are similar to the CCX and owes its name to the Swedish translation of “to act”, thus symbolizing the Koenigsegg philosophy of always improving its cars and pushing its designs to the limit.

2011 Koenigsegg Agera

Koenigsegg Agera is powered by Twin Turbo engine with 910 hp in term of running on regular petrol. Coming on to the major details, based on the regular CC, the Koenigsegg Agera boasts of a 4.7-liter twin turbocharged V8 producing 910 PS (669 kW/898 hp) at 6850 rpm and 1100 Nm (811 lb-ft) at 5100 rpm. There is over 1000 nm of torque available from 2680 to 6100 rpm.

2011 Koenigsegg Agera

To balance this, the Agera features the latest in braking technology with 392×36 and 380×34 ventilated and drilled ceramic discs. When combined with a dry weight of just 2,832 lbs and the sequential gearbox the Agera can sprint to 100 km/h in as little as 3.1 seconds, 200 km/h (124 mph) in 8.9 seconds and blast on to a top speed of 245+ mph. As well, new traction control is fitted with auto adapt functionality for different road conditions and driving styles as well as several manual settings.

2011 Koenigsegg Agera

Koenigsegg’s designers have tried to push through some difference via the slightly modified front and rear bumpers. However the car’s carbon-Kevlar body, removable top that stores into the bonnet and aluminum honeycomb reinforced carbon fiber chassis, all keep it close to the outgoing CCX.

2011 Koenigsegg Agera

The distinguishable additions are the all-new carbon fibre center console and tunnel assembly and the new type of ambient lighting called “Ghost Lights” where illumination shines through the car’s billet aluminum buttons and surfaces by way of invisible nanotubes.

2011 Koenigsegg Agera

Beside the new engine performance, Koenigsegg also features the new Koenigsegg Agera stitching and seams for Agera interior and has developed a new type of interior illumination, which shines through the billet aluminum buttons and surfaces by way of invisible nanotubes.

2011 Koenigsegg Agera

The Koenigsegg Sports Car Agera will be produced in parallel to the Award winning CCX and CCXR models. The pre-production show car will be put through its phases for the coming six month prior to the production car launch of the Agera. Pricing details have not been revealed as of now but it is being said that the supercar maker will bring a pre-production model of the Agera to the Swiss Motor Show. According to GTSpirit, just 16-20 Agera models will be built each year, starting later this year.

ENCO Gladiator 700 GT Biturbo

ENCO Exklusive is not as famous as a number of other German tuners but their work speaks volumes. The latest project to come from the city of Chemnitz is this ENCO Gladiator 700 GT Biturbo that's based on the Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

The Gladiator is preceded by the ENCO 550 GT Biturbo with 405kW (550hp). Thanks to larger turbos, sport catalytic convertors, an ENCO-designed sport exhaust system with manifolds and other modifications, power gains were made.

A maximum of 700 horses (515kW) has been released to accompany the 850Nm of torque sent to all four wheels. Zero to 100km/h is achieved in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 290km/h is possible. All that from a 2.5-tonne SUV. Stopping power comes from 410mmx36mm brake disks and 12-piston callipers up front and 380mmx32mm disks with 4-piston callipers at the rear. Black and red ENCO Jura alloy rims sized 11" x 23" are fitted inside 315/25R23 Dunlop Sport Maxx GT tyres.

Exterior kit includes daytime running lights, a front apron, a carbon fibre bonnet, a roof spoiler with air flow openings and side skirts. Inside there are four carbon fiber race seats (from the 911 GT3) covered in leather/Alcantara and a roll cage. The black and red theme is carried through the interior carbon fibre fittings on the centre console, door lining and steering wheel among others.

Audi TT-RS with 460hp by AVUS

Avus Performance has unveiled a new tuning package for the Audi TT-RS.

Dubbed the "new Ur-Quattro," the car features a modified ECU, a revised turbocharger, and a high performance exhaust system with racing catalysts. While this doesn't sound like much, the changes enable the 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine to produce 460 bhp and more than 472 lb-ft (639 Nm) of torque. In terms of performance, the car accelerates from 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds and the top speed is a breathtaking 194 mph (312 km/h).

For comparison, the standard TT-RS "only" has 340 hp and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque. It runs from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds, before topping out at an electronically limited 155 mph (250km/h).

Avus also equipped the car with an adjustable coilover suspension (€1299), a matt black vinyl wrap (€1999), and gloss black 20-inch Sportec Mono wheels outfitted with 255/30/20 Hankook S1 Evo tires.

Electric KTM Freeride

Austrian manufacturer KTM has unveiled its Freeride electric bikes at the Tokyo Motorcycle Show.

Available as either an off-road enduro or a street-orientated supermoto, both versions share the same battery and motor technology. That means a peak 30 horsepower and a top speed of 43 mph (70 km/h). Performance is helped by the two bikes being so diminutive - total all-in weight is only 90 kg, including the battery pack.

As with most electric vehicles, it’s the battery that will be so critical to the success of the product. Price, performance, range and recharging time are all directly influenced by it.

According to KTM, the Freeride’s 2.5 kWh battery should be good for one hour of off-road riding. After that, it’ll take 90 minutes to fully recharge, although alternatively it can simply be swapped over for another one - assuming the rider can afford the cost of a spare.

KTM is planning to commence European Freeride sales in spring 2011, with a price expected to be ‘under €10,000’ - that’s around £9,000 at today’s exchange rates. By comparison the KTM 125 SX, a two-stroke petrol-powered enduro, is £5,256. Such a difference can partly be explained by the money spent on developing the Freeride, but it’s mostly down to the cost of that battery.



There are already a few electric scooters on the market, but the Freeride’s main competition will probably come from the Zero Motorcycles range.



Zero’s X and MX off-roaders are less powerful than the Freeride, producing 23 hp from a 2.0 kWh battery. However, they do only tip the scales at 73 kg and 78 kg respectively, so that weight advantage should help to overcome some of the power deficit versus the KTMs.

UK prices are also much less than those envisaged for the Freeride, with the X starting at £5,995 and the MX at £6,595. The other Zero models are the S supermoto and DS dual-purpose. Both cost £7,995, and use a more powerful 4 kWh battery that allows a top speed of 67 mph and a range of 50 miles (80 kilometres).

The current state of electric vehicle technology means bikes like KTM’s Freeride seem expensive. But they may safeguard the future of off-road motorcycle sport, because of their virtually silent running. True, reduced carbon emissions are a benefit, but noise is often a real problem. It causes objections from nearby residents which, combined with local regulations, often mean it’s difficult to stage events or build a track.

£33,699 i-MiEV

According to What Car? magazine, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV is going to cost a staggering £33,699 when UK sales start in January 2011.

You’ll be able to knock five thousand off that figure thanks to the OLEV Plug-in Car Grant, but even charging (no pun intended) £28,699 for a small car with a 100-mile range seems crazy. Perhaps those lithium-ion batteries give off some kind of vapour that addles the brain?



Mitsubishi reckons that users will save money when it comes to running costs though, claiming the electricity bill over 12,000 miles will be just £115. The i-MiEV will also be exempt from road tax.



But even with those savings, the figures just don’t appear to stack up. It’s difficult to see how customers will be tempted out of their ‘normal’ cars.



Looking at Mitsubishi’s own range, for example, a £14,849 Lancer Hatchback 1.5 GS2 is almost half the price of the i-MiEV - even after the government subsidy has been deducted.

Part of the problem is that the Lancer’s fuel costs won’t negate such a price difference.



It will, according to Mitsubishi, do 42.8 mpg (6.6 l/100km) on the combined cycle. So, assuming the UK petrol price rises to £1.20 per litre / £5.46 per gallon, you’d spend £1,531 per year on fuel by driving the Lancer 12,000 miles.



Over three years, that’s a total petrol cost of £4,593. A scarily large number, but even so you’d still be better off by over £9,200 buying the Lancer instead of the i-MiEV (ignoring depreciation).



Of course, the list price may ultimately be academic, depending on how Mitsubishi chooses to market the car. The 25 i-MiEVs that Mitsubishi has on trial in the UK are leased out at a more palatable £350 per month, so that may be the method used with production versions too.



Mitsubishi will doubtless be keen to see how competitors such as the Vauxhall Ampera, Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf are priced, not to mention the forthcoming i-MiEV-based electric cars from Peugeot / Citroen.