2012 BMW 650i Coupe

The history of the BMW 6-Series is one which goes back to the 1970's when BMW launched the first 6-Series Coupe. Now, three generations later, we were handed the keys to a black 2012 BMW 650i Coupe for a day of test drives through the city of Rotterdam, one of the biggest naval ports in the world. The correct setting for a drive in what BMW considers to be its top of the range model, expect for the M-Division fettled M6 of course.

The 2+2 coupe invokes adjectives such as elegant, luxurious and high-tech when we attempt to describe the coming together of the interior, exterior and technical aspects. The 650i gets an all-new, aluminum-intensive structure based on that of BMW’s 5- and 7-Series sedans. It lends an improved structural rigidity and keeps weight down as much as possible. The body length is nearly three whole inches longer than before, while the width has also increased by 1.5 inches and it is half an inch lower. This offers more room for rear seat passengers.

The 6-Series was the first BMW model to receive the full LED treatment including driving lights, indication lights, brake lights and rear taillights. The two-door design of the coupe is the basis for the forthcoming Gran Coupe, which will sport a four-door configuration. The front fascia has an aggressive shark-style design to it with its wide kidney grills, sharp-edged front lights and wide air intakes in the lower section of the bumper. At the rear, the new taillights and the rear trunk provide a more harmonious combination with the side and front profile with respect to its predecessor.

 

The mechanical machismo is provided by BMW’s 400hp twin-turbocharged 4.4 liter V8 engine tucked away at the front of the luxury coupe. The engine is linked by a choice of eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual, both are available at no extra cost. A sprint from standstill to 100km/h is done in a mere 5.0 seconds with the acceleration continuing up to a limited 250km/h.

The forward acceleration of the 650i is combined with the responsiveness of the ZF 8HP70 eight-speed automatic, which shifts quickly, precisely and efficiently via the paddle shifters on the steering wheel or in automatic mode. A slight turbo lag is present when you floor the throttle, but it is not in any way worrying when you take the car for an everyday drive or a road trip across the continent.

Part of the excellent ride quality can be attributed to the adjustable Driving Dynamics Control system with its four different settings. Switching between the settings provides the driver and his/her passengers with an alternation in the throttle input, suspension firmness, shifting and steering. The dampers stiffen, the engine becomes more responsive to the gas pedal, the transmission is quicker to downshift and holds its gears longer. Opting for sport mode also increases the electric power-steering system’s efforts.

The handling and steering are not up to the standards you would expect from a BMW. As discussed before in our road test with the 5-Series, the steering lacks that true direct feeling and does not offer the feedback you would expect from this top of the range model. Still, there are no major hurdles regarding this subject, because the 650i is not designed to be the ultimate cornering hero. This is mainly due to its size and weight. Customers opting for the luxury coupe, should focus on the brand new M6 and its direct steering featuring the latest Servotronic hydraulic system, specifically tuned for the M6.

Inside the cabin, the driver has access to systems such as Surround View, Parking Assistant, BMW Night Vision with pedestrian recognition, Speed Limit Info, Lane Departure Warning System and Lane Change Warning System. The large 10.2 inch high-res display dominates the center console providing access to the multimedia systems. The main screen is flanked by the radio controls, the climate control, the iDrive controller and gear shift lever. Our test car was even fitted with a Bang & Olufsen high-end audio system with 16 speakers for a total of 1,200 watt sound and a dash-mounted tweeter.

All these options are new to the 6-Series and accompanied by an interior design, which is more driver focused than its predecessor. The driving position is excellent and provides easy access to all systems. The seats offer excellent support and have extensions for people with longer legs. The seats at the back are large enough for two medium sized persons, but being a coupe, it doesn’t offer the ultimate levels of space. Those looking for more room at the back should instead take a look at the 550i sedan.

The 2012 BMW 650i Coupe is all that it should be. The improvements with respect to the engine, design and interior refinements make it a wonderful grand tourer, capable of transporting its passengers from A to B in the utmost comfort and refinement. The powerful turbocharged engine is a sheer pleasure for high speed autobahn cruising, while passengers are being treated with the best possible interior gadgetery and a complaint ride.

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This top of the line model within the 6-Series lineup is so composed at highway speeds and easy to drive on twisty country roads – despite its size and weight – that it conjured up fantasies of blasting along the autoroute to a glitzy holiday home in St. Tropez with a beautiful German girl from Munich in the passenger seat, a light breeze waving the trees and a wonderful blue sky overhead. Unlucky as we were, our day inside the 650i was rainy and situated in the largest port in Europe, Rotterdam. What a contrast!

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2013 Mercedes-Benz GL 63 AMG

Mercedes-Benz announced the first official AMG variant of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class today in the form of the GL63 AMG. The GL63 AMG will compete with the BMW X5M, Range Rover Supercharged and the Toyota Land Cruiser. It’s the second SUV in Mercedes range to get the AMG treatment, following the Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG.

The GL63 AMG gets the AMG 5.5 liter V8 biturbo engine that has become synonymous with the ’63' badge. In the GL-Class it produces a peak output of 557hp and maximum torque of 760Nm. This allows a 0 to 100km/h sprint of 4.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h. For those that need to know, economy figures are 12.3 liters per 100 kilometers (288g CO2/km).

Mercedes have offered an insight into the elements fitted to the engine. It features a high-tech power package including spray-guided direct petrol injection, piezo injectors, biturbo charging, air/water intercooling, an all-aluminium crankcase, a four-valve-per-cylinder design with variable camshaft adjustment, plus alternator management and the ECO start/stop system.

The gearbox will be a seven-speed AMG Speedshift Plus 7G Tronic which transmits the power to the permanent four-wheel drive system. The gear box gets three modes and an automatic double-declutching function for downshifting. These include “Controlled Efficiency” (C) mode where the ECO start/stop function is active, Sport (S) and Manual (M) modes.

The ride benefits from a combination of the 4matic all wheel drive system, AMG ride control, active curve control active roll stabilisation and the airmatic sports suspension program. Roll stabilisation, damping and suspension adapt automatically to the driving surface with three familiar suspension modes, “Comfort”, “Sport” and “Sport plus”, available at the touch of a button. Also fitted is the 4ETS electronic traction control system.

The steering is electromechanical AMG speed-sensitive sports steering connected to five-spoke light-alloy wheels in size 10×21, painted titanium grey and with a high-sheen finish. The braking system is a fade resistance system with ventilated and perforated brake discs all-round in size 390×36 millimeters (front) and 345×26 millimeters (rear).

The exterior design features AMG elements including a new front apron with larger openings, a bottom air intake, trim inserts finished in matt silver chrome around the air intake and LED daytime running lamps in the side air vents. Wheel-arch flaring widens the car by 20 millimeters on each side and the wings and illuminated running boards get V8 Biturbo logos. At the rear, the AMG sports exhaust system with its quad pipes is perhaps the most telling visual image of the GL63 AMG.

Inside, all seven seats in the high-performance SUV are covered in high-quality leather. Electrically adjustable AMG sports seats have been fitted with AMG badging, an AMG Performance four-spoke steering wheel is fitted and you get the AMG instrument cluster with central colour TFT monitor.

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Dacia Lodgy

Is this the model to turn the MPV class on its head? Renault-owned Romanian budget brand Dacia will offer the Lodgy with a starting price of around £9,000, rising to roughly £15,000 for the range-topping car driven here.

It’s called the Lodgy Prestige and that price buys you a Renault-sourced 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine producing 109bhp and an equipment list including touchscreen sat-nav, electric windows, rear parking sensors and air-con. In comparison, a similarly equipped SEAT Alhambra will cost £24,020.

The cabin itself has a few flourishes, such as the gloss black centre console and chrome door handles, but all the plastics feel very hard and scratchy. Build quality isn’t a problem, though.

On the road the Lodgy rides like an old French car, with soft, wallowy suspension that flattens out bumps and potholes easily. However, handling isn’t a strong point, with huge amounts of body roll in corners.On the plus side, there’s a good deal of sound insulation in the cabin, which reduces the noise of the rattly 1.5-litre diesel engine. Performance is good, with this model able to accelerate from 0-62mph in 11.6 seconds.

Practicality is superb: with five seats in place, the boot has 827 litres of space. Fold the middle row and remove the rear seats, and this rises to 2,617 litres. It all adds up to a great-value package.

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Volvo V40 T4

The Volvo V40 T4 SE Lux is the most powerful version of this new Audi A3 rival. Powered by a four-cylinder 177bhp turbo petrol, it’s packed with performance and safety kit and sits on 18-inch alloy wheels.

The cabin won’t shock anyone familiar with Volvos, but it builds on a proven formula: supportive leather seats, a three-spoke steering wheel, plus a stylish illuminated gearknob. Handy touches include a variable-height boot floor and a chilled glovebox.

Rear passengers benefit from more elbow room than in the C30 and S40, yet a six-footer’s head will brush the roof in the back.

The driving position is great, with good all-round vision, plus a reversing camera and safety systems such as Cross Traffic Alert. This uses radar to detect oncoming traffic when reversing onto a busy road. The clear, fully digital dash has dials that change colour for each driving mode: Eco, Elegant and Performance. The latter setting gives you a central speedometer with an integrated rev counter.

The electric power-steering has three modes, too, with a default Medium setting plus softer and sharper set-ups either side. They make a noticeable difference, but even in Medium the steering is well weighted with great turn-in.

The T4 soaks up bumps well, yet although its 177bhp engine is powerful, the six-speed dual-clutch transmission is poor. It shunts at low speeds and kicks back violently with even a minor jab on the throttle. In manual mode, the V40 is potent and fun, but in Drive this shunting really spoils the experience.

That’s a shame, as good body control is backed up by a sporty engine note and strong brakes.

The V40 is a refined cruiser. It’s also lavishly equipped, with Bluetooth and iPod integration, as well as plenty of safety gear: it boasts a world-first pedestrian airbag plus emergency braking.

Thanks to a standard stop-start system and regenerative brakes, the T4 returns 51.4mpg and will emit 129g/km of CO2. It’s priced at £25,480 for the manual and £26,965 for the dual-clutch.

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Vitt Performance Mercedes-Benz CLS

Vitt Performance latest model is based on the W218 Mercedes-Benz CLS. We’ve seen some fantastic enhancements for the latest CLS, the Wald Black Bison, the Carlsson CK63 RS and the Brabus Rocket are examples that immediately spring to mind. We’re not too sure about this example though, the Japanese tuner added a full set of cosmetic enhancements to the German saloon car. Take a look and see what you think.

The aerodynamic kit consists of a new front bumper, a set of front and rear fender extensions, a side skirt, door panel and a new rear bumper. The look is very aggressive, the front bumper gets massive air intakes with a set of horizontal led daytime running lights. The fender extensions add further air vents and a lot of width the the car. The side skirts and door extensions have a similar effect creating lots of new lines and holes.

At the back, the new rear bumper incorporates an interesting rear diffuser with a full length rear spoiler. Vitt performance also offer an exhaust system for the CLS with oval RS-style tips. The price for the full body kit is 1,155,000 yen which is 11,573 euros at today’s exchange rate. The exhaust price has not yet been announced, the spoiler will cost you 134,400 yen which is 1,346 euros at today’s exchange rate.

Outside of Japan, Vitt Performance products are distributed by Jonari in the US and at Vitt’s Bangkok shop. Availability in Europe will depend on what Jonari or Vitt Performance can arrange.

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Prius Family Becomes Third Top-Selling Car Line in First Quarter 2012

With the launch of new variants, having paid its dues in gaining acceptance, and in light of generally high fuel prices this year, plus other positive sales pressures, Toyota’s Prius line became the third-ranked last quarter.

Last quarter global Prius line sales were 247,230 units, according to Bloomberg, compared to 300,800 Toyota Corollas and 277,000 recorded Ford Focus sales.

This latest feather in Toyota's cap comes as it recently traded places again with GM as the world’s largest automaker, and having three top-10 models, the Camry line being the third aside from the Corolla and Prius.

The Prius line now consists of the Liftback, Plug-In, Prius v and Prius c.

Japanese sales in post-tsunami Japan for the Aqua – as the Prius c is called there – have also helped a lot.

Prius family sales have tripled in that country from 175,080 in Q1 versus 52,507 last year.

Eric Noble, president of California-based automotive consultancy firm, the Car Lab, said to Bloomberg what HybridCars.com readers have long thought in assessing the Prius family success.

“It proves Prius wasn’t a fluke, that there’s a long-term market for hybrids,” he said.

Toyota’s Group Vice President of Global Sales, Bob Carter, said also the Prius line success makes it a de fact brand.

“Prius is a Prius first and a Toyota second,” Carter said. “The fact it’s doing well this year is a reflection of the strength of the model line and the Prius brand.”

Carter said he’s ordered additional production, noting especially high demand in Japan, and said he is confident he get more in the available supply for the U.S. also.

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2013 Volkswagen CC R-Line revealed for US

Volkswagen will unveil the R-Line version of the CC at the Auto Mobil International show in Leipzig on June 1st. This CC model will be available in the U.S. at the end of 2012 with the 200-horsepower, 2.0-liter, turbocharged TSI® engine, mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

With interior and exterior enhancements, the R-Line upgrades make the CC an even sportier vehicle. Compared with the Sport model, the R-Line gains a more aggressive front bumper design that incorporates a large lower air intake and projector-style foglights with a striking chrome motif. Side skirts and the R-Line logo on the grille further differentiate it from the Sport model, along with shaded taillights and unique and dramatic 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. Inside, there are stainless-steel R-Line scuff plates and the multifunction steering wheel for the DSG-equipped model has paddle shifters.

The CC 2.0T R-Line will feature standard Bi-Xenon headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights and the Adaptive Front-lighting System; LED taillights; LED license-plate illumination; rain-sensing windshield wipers; Climatronic® automatic climate-control; heated 12-way power front seats; the touchscreen Premium VIII sound system with HD Radio, eight speakers, and a six-disc CD changer; Bluetooth® technology; iPod® connectivity; and V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces.

The CC was refreshed for the 2013 Model Year, featuring new front and rear styling and an extended range of standard equipment. The 2013 CC went on sale in March and now has seating for five (previous models seated four). The new CC makes an even bolder move towards the automotive luxury class, offering a sleek, dramatic look at a highly attainable price.

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Steven Tyler Takes Delivery of the First Hennessey Venom GT Spyder

Steven Tyler, perhaps best known as the lead singer of Aerosmith, has taken delivery of the first Hennessey Venom GT Spyder. We reported last month that Tyler would take delivery of the supercar to coincide with the season finale of American Idol Season 11 on May 23rd. His Venom GT gets a black exterior with black interior and contrasting red stitching and a custom audio system constructed by JL Audio.

The Spyder is powered by a twin-turbocharged Chevrolet LS-series aluminum V8 producing 1,244hp and 1,135lb-ft torque mated to a six-speed Ricardo manual transaxle. The Venom is capable of hitting 100km/h in about 2.2 seconds. Top speed will be slightly less than the Coupe’s 262mph. Stopping power comes from 15 inch, six-piston front and four-piston rear Brembo carbon ceramic brakes. The price is a considerable $ 1.1 million.

You’ll notice from the specs above that the power is slightly up for the Venom GT Spyder. Hennessey added around 30lbs of weight making modifications to allow the roof to be removed, the extra power is their way of compensating! This could be the second from last Venom GT. Hennessey only planned to build five examples, four have now been delivered leaving the fifth example still waiting to be built.

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Artificial Engine Sound for Diesel-Powered Maseratis?

The release of diesel-powered Maserati models is no secret to the automotive world. We reported before on the plans to release a new SUV and luxury car using a diesel engine. Online platform Whatcar reported last week that Roberto Corradi, vice-president of product development, said that the Italians are planning diesel-powered models equipped with a device that emits an artificial engine sound to make the car sound sportier.

The noise simulator will likely be similar to the Active Sound system that is currently found in the 2012 BMW F10M M5, meaning that the noise will be channeled through the stereo speakers, delivering a sportier sound experience.

The first Maserati diesel-powered engine will be a V6 with an estimated output of more than 300 horsepower and 700Nm of torque. This engine will propel a smaller version of the Quattroporte unofficially dubbed “Maseratina” which is likely to take on cars like the Audi S6, BMW M5 and Jaguar XFR. In addition to the diesel, the new Maserati will be available as a petrol powered V6 with twin-turbo. The Maseratina is expected to hit the markets in 2013. 

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2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Tops Consumer Award’s Hybrid Category

Winners of this year’s Autobytel & AutoPacific Consumer Awards have been released and the top-rated hybrid car winner is the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

This is the 16th edition of this annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards.

Based solely on input from actual owners—more than 75,000 of them—taken during the first quarter of the year, AutoPacific’s 2012 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSAs) provide a unique look at which vehicles provide the most satisfying overall ownership experience. Many other awards focus solely on specific aspects of that experience, or the subjective opinions of the media, and can’t identify the vehicles that really satisfy real drivers.

For example, when looking at the top-rated hybrid car in this year’s VSAs, the winner wasn’t the one with the absolute highest mpg ratings. Yes, the main reason people buy hybrids is to save on fuel costs, but, at this stage in the game, people expect that plus all the benefits found in a traditionally powered vehicle, too. And that’s exactly what they get in this year’s highest-rated hybrid car, the 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

Part of the equation is Hyundai’s satisfying price tag of $25,850 that is the lowest MSRP of any hybrid mid-size sedan on the market.

The Sonata Hybrid also delivers the highest net horsepower in its class, and, thanks to Hyundai’s “Blue Drive” hybrid powertrain, EPA marks of up to 35 mpg city/40 mpg highway/37 mpg combined.

Another Blue Drive benefit comes from the system’s advanced battery technology that relies on polymer gel electrolytes instead of the typical nickel-metal hydride setup. In plain English, the result is a battery that is 25 percent lighter, takes up 40 percent less space, delivers 10 percent better efficiency and can maintain available power for 1.7 times longer than traditional hybrid batteries.

An impressive list of standard content also contributed to the vehicle’s recognition as the highest-rated hybrid car in the 2012 VSAs.

Competitors included the Toyota Camry Hybrid, which was completely redesigned for the 2012 model year, as well as two luxury choices: The Buick LaCrosse eAssist and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The highest-rated dedicated hybrid was the Lexus CT 200h, which tied the Camry Hybrid for second place in the segment.

The most satisfying EV was the Chevrolet Volt, coming in just a few points behind the Buick and Lincoln.

In the Hybrid SUV category, the 2012 Lexus RX 450h was named the top-rated hybrid truck. Showing the diversity of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system, all of the entrants in the hybrid truck category used this advanced technology, but while the 2012 Lexus RX 450h.

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Toyota Yaris Hybrid

Toyota has released its smallest hybrid yet, with a new petrol-electric version of the Yaris supermini. But how will this expensive technology stack up at the cheaper end of the car market?

Well, the starting price-tag of £14,995 isn’t as high as you might expect – it’s only £600 more expensive than the cheapest five-door diesel Yaris – and the rock-bottom running costs will be a real draw for many buyers.

In its most frugal form the Yaris Hybrid emits just 79g/km (though range-topping T Spirit models emit 85g/km), which is enough to make it the cleanest car in its class. That also comes with other benefits, such as car tax exemption and while fuel economy of 80.7mpg can’t match models like the 88mpg Kia Rio 1.1D, it should keep trips to the petrol station to a minimum. 

Those impressive figures are down to a petrol-electric set-up that has been developed from the system found in the Prius and Auris Hybrid models. While both those use a 1.8-litre engine, the Yaris uses a smaller 1.5-litre petrol and a more compact electric motor. Together they produce 98bhp and can accelerate the Yaris Hybrid from 0-62mph in 11.8 seconds.

Out on the road things aren't quite as good as they sound on paper. The hybrid set up works perfectly around town, providing enough low-end shove to get you to speed but it soon feels as though it has run out of steam. Getting up to motorway speeds is a struggle and once there, there's a consistent drone from the petrol engine and the CVT gearbox is constantly adjusting the revs, which does eventually grate.

The good news is that unlike the Toyota Prius, the Yaris Hybrid actually rides quite well. The occasional deep pothole will cause a loud thud to enter the cabin but otherwise the suspension deals well with very rough roads.

The handling is good, too, thanks to the quick and direct steering, but there's too much roll and too little feel in the steering for this to compete with the best in class, like the Ford Fiesta.

Unlike the Toyota Auris, the Yaris was designed with a hybrid model in mind so the packaging and practicality are much better. The batteries are now located underneath the rear seats, instead of compromising boot space. That means there's a full 286-litre load area available.

It's also the best-looking Yaris available, both inside and out. New LED daytime running lights and an aerodynamic front end have both done their part to smarten up the supermini. Inside, blue stitching and new dials have helped lift an otherwise drab interior.

The Yaris Hybrid's biggest problem though, will be its diesel competitors. The new Ford Fiesta 1.6 TDCi ECOnetic boasts similar emissions, a similar power output and far superior driving dynamics along with a price-tag that's just £500 higher for the same level of equipment.

But, the Yaris Hybrid does have an ace up its sleeve – all models in the range are automatic. Generally in this class an automatic gearbox costs an additional £1,000 or so, and speccing one has an adverse effect on emissions, too. In that sense, the Yaris Hybrid provides something unique and it's certain to draw some buyers in for that alone.

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The BMW Zagato Coupe

Ever since the design change of the 2005 BMW 3-series I’ve had a hard time finding many of the vehicle that BMW produced to be attractive. The cars were just too on looking for me and as expensive as they were they seemed like more of a distant towards when choosing a foreign luxury vehicle. Fortunately for 2011-2012 we started to see BMW alter vehicle designs for the better. For BMW’s arrival at the 2012 Concorso d’Eleganza they brought their show pony which will hopefully be an insight into future designs at this BMW Zagato is a German engineered shooting brake with handcrafted Italian skin making for a recipe for brawn and beauty.

The BMW Zagato looks like the BMW Z4 that mated with an Alfa Romeo 4C and the Zagato was the love baby. The styling is sleek and sculpted and shows that a massive amount of time was placed in the coachwork that was being done. BMW wouldn’t admit that anything Z4 was being used on the vehicle but it looks like there is no doubt that this vehicle is built for swingers and other Z4 fans. I certainly hope that BMW takes a hint from this beauty and caters its overall designs to look like this. As Mercedes-Benz gets boxier we see BMW getting sleeker and rounded yet in a good way, not the previous way.

The BMW Zagato simply reiterates the fact that Italians are pretty good at designs. Now engineering is another thing but that is why we get the best of both worlds with a car like this or the Lamborghini Aventador. So if you can give me this vehicle with AWD and a Twin-Scroll Twin Turbo 6-cylinder with 450hp that gets 35 mpg and do it for $30,000 then I will certainly buy this. Oh..wait this is a one-of-a-kind that cost $30,000 for the sculpted fenders alone, well shit I guess I will try and just make this vehicle myself with a Z4 and some cardboard and duct tape.

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The Chinese Auto Industry

What is one Chinese invention that we all have today and works like a charm? There are several parts of that first sentence that just don’t add up. The reason is because the Chinese seem to have an inability to design a car. It’s like asking a worker bee to redesign the honey comb to where it’s more aesthetically pleasing. So since the nation of copycats make everything else what is to stop them from producing a Ferrari 458 Hongtalia? Nothing really as any of the companies in China ever seems to get sued for copyright infringement. Due to the communist government and their love to undercut and overproduce leaves all auto designs up for grabs.

So if I were a Chinese auto manufacturer I would be building all the iconic cars from the past century and selling them with copied engine designs. Think about getting a 57 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing clone for $10,000 or a 69 Ford GT40 with the Gulf Livery for $12,000. These vehicles would cause my debt to income ratio to sky rocket because I would certainly be buying up these iconic beauties. I mean sure the f-ing wheel will fall off going into turn three as you take it to the track. But hey these cars would get you all kinds of respect until you started the car or until the student studying Mandarin realizes your badge translates to “stupid round-eye”.

The fact is that we have seen companies such as Kia and Hyundai turn their companies from laughing stocks to our daily drivers. China can do this too but they will need an Italian designer and Japanese engineers working on their cars instead of copying everything on the market. I mean sure the family sedans all look the same these days so China could simply copy those and be ok but they may want to start looking into using nothing but outside assistance for building vehicles and might not use parts made in their country. Reason being is that we are still seeing issues with Ford transmissions built in China.

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Second Gen Fuel-Cell Buses Roll In Switzerland

PostAuto Schweiz AG has become the first company in Switzerland to deploy fuel-cell technology for public road transport.

Since the end of 2011, five Mercedes-Benz Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid models have been serving on routes in and around Brugg (in the canton of Aargau) as PostAuto vehicles. Over the next five years, PostAuto will test the new generation fuel-cell drive, using clean hydrogen as fuel.

The dense network of routes operated by PostAuto around Brugg is ideally suited to the test in terms of both topography and routing, with a mixture of city traffic, country roads and village streets. The routes will be operated by the PostAuto company Voegtlin-Meyer AG, which will also service and refuel the five fuel-cell post vehicles at its garage location.

Aargau Canton is supporting the fuel-cell bus project with a subsidy of 1.5 million Swiss francs from the Swisslos lottery fund. PostAuto expects to save some 2 000 tonnes of CO2 during the five-year test phase.

Compared with the fuel-cell omnibuses that were tested from 2003 on as part of the CUTE and HyFLEET:CUTE projects, the new Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid offers significant innovations: hybridisation with energy recovery and storage in lithium-ion batteries, powerful electric motors fitted in the wheel hubs with a continuous output of 120 kilowatt, electrified PTO units and more advanced fuel cells.

These cells will have a service life of at least five years, or 12,000 operating hours.

The fuel-cell stacks in the new Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid are identical to those used in the Mercedes-Benz B-Class FCELL with fuel-cell drive. As in the earlier fuel-cell buses, the two stacks are already installed on the vehicle’s roof.

A new addition is lithium-ion batteries, which store energy that is recovered during braking. With the electric power from this energy accumulator, the new Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid is able to run for a number of kilometres on battery power alone.

The concept behind the new FuelCELL bus essentially corresponds to that of the Mercedes-Benz BlueTec hybrid buses. However, these derive their electric power from a diesel generator, whereas in the new FuelCELL buses the fuel cells generate the electricity for the drive motors, without producing any emissions whatsoever.

The improved fuel-cell components and the hybridisation with lithium-ion batteries result in a reduction in hydrogen consumption of almost 50 percent for the new Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid compared with the previous generation.

As a result, it has been possible to reduce the number of tanks from the total of nine on board the fuel-cell buses deployed in earlier trials to seven on the current vehicles, holding 35 kg of hydrogen in all. The operating range of the fuel-cell bus is now over 150 miles.

With these diverse technical advances, buses running on electric power alone with fuel cells as energy generators are now a major step closer to production maturity.

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Mercedes ML 250 CDI

The new Mercedes M-Class has to tackle the Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5 head-on. Longer and wider than its predecessor, it’s certainly big enough, but this ML 250 CDI has a 2.1-litre four-cylinder engine.

An engine that size in a 2,100kg 4x4 sounds like a struggle, but the 500Nm of torque ensures the ML is no slouch. It belies its weight with 0-62mph in nine seconds and strong in-gear response.

It’s not as quick or refined as the ML 350 CDI, but you can shift between the seven gears using steering-wheel paddles when you want to push on, or leave the box in auto mode for smooth, effortless progress. And while the engine sounds slightly harsher than the larger six-cylinder diesel, it’s never too noisy.

The steering is weighty and a decent amount of lock is needed to turn, while there’s no shortage of stopping power and very little dive under braking for an SUV of this size. Permanent four-wheel drive means there’s plenty of grip and Mercedes’ Downhill Speed Regulator system is standard.

The main benefit of the four-cylinder diesel engine is reduced running costs. The ML 250’s claimed 44.8mpg economy is 5.6mpg better than the ML 350’s and it emits 24g/km less CO2, too, at 165g/km. That’s more efficient than any of its rivals.

Inside, there’s typical Merc quality and class, solid switches and lots of kit, including keyless entry, an iPod connection, dual climate control and Bluetooth. The faux leather seats are quite firm, yet they’re supportive rather than uncomfortable, with a wide range of electrical adjustment, plus heating and cooling functions.

There’s great detailing, with silver dial surrounds and optional textured wood grain inserts. You also get a class-leading 2,010 litres of boot space thanks to the flat-folding back seats.

So although the ML 250 CDI trades power for lower running costs, it’s still an impressively swift, spacious and refined 4x4.

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Mercedes SLK55 AMG

Mercedes tuning arm AMG is renowned for shoehorning large engines into small cars, and it’s worked its magic again with the SLK55 AMG, which we’ve driven on UK roads for the first time.

A short rump and long nose give the newcomer the look of a classic roadster, and it’s a compact design, although the AMG bodykit and standard 18-inch alloy wheels lend it some more aggression.

In our eyes, this is the best-looking SLK yet, but we still wouldn’t describe it as beefy – at least until you fire the engine.

Under the louvred bonnet is the same 5.5-litre V8 as found in new 63 AMG models, albeit without the twin-turbochargers on the E, SL, and S-Class, as well as the G63 driven on Page 44. Still, this naturally aspirated engine makes 416bhp and 540Nm of torque – enough to take the SLK from 0-62mph in only 4.6 seconds and on to an electronically limited 155mph.

It does so with a typical AMG soundtrack: the V8 erupts from the quad exhaust pipes and emits a carefully choreographed crescendo of pops and bangs on the overrun. It’ll do the same each time the dual-clutch gearbox changes up.

The rest of the package isn’t quite as exciting, though. While the steering provides consistent weighting, it doesn’t have the same level of feedback as the new Porsche Boxster.

Leave the quick-operating folding hard-top in place and refinement is excellent, but stow it in the boot and you can feel the extra weight over the rear axle. Still, body roll is acceptable and there’s plenty of grip in the dry.

The key to the SLK55 AMG’s appeal is its ability to be civilised and efficient one minute and a hooligan the next. Not only is it comfortable, with a high-quality interior and plenty of standard kit, it can also return 33.6mpg. That’s mainly due to the cylinder management system which can deactivate four of the V8’s cylinders below 3,600rpm. And this happens so quickly that most drivers wouldn’t notice if it wasn’t for the dashboard indicator.

It’s not cheap, but with such a breadth of abilities this AMG model is the best SLK on sale.

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2013 Honda Accord Prototype Caught Testing

At the 2012 Detroit Auto show, Honda premiered a concept of their upcoming 2013 Honda Accord in the form of the Accord Coupe Concept. This barely-a-concept coupe concept looked similar to the current accord, but debuted a new honeycomb grille, LED accent and fog lighting, and a slightly more aggressive profile that included a bit of a ducktail spoiler.

Now we've got the first photos of the 2013 Honda Accord prototype testing and some of these elements have carried through into the production car. The upper mesh grille is gone, replaced with a thickly slatted one that looks like the Accord Crosstour's. Brakes on the concept were slick, flixed-piston affairs that would never, ever, ever make production in an Accord and we're seeing sliding calipers front and rear (most likely one piston each) instead. Finally, and call us crazy, but that bundle of fabric at the back looks to be covering a ducktail spoiler.

Overall, however, this looks like an Accord. As the concept did. Is that enough in 2013? With the 2013 Altima, new Camry, Optima, Sonata and the upcoming drop-dead-gorgeous 2013 Fusion, how long can Honda play this tune?

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BMW Planning 1 Series Sedan for 2014?

Try as we might, we just can't get the entire country to get rid of their less useful, but better at avoiding line-of-sight police search (ask an attorney about sedans vs wagons some time) sedans and replace them all with (preferably diesel) hatchbacks. We made all the right moves, but sadly, Americans just don't get efficient packaging. Nor, apparently, do the Chinese.

It's this one-two-punch of preference over style and substance that is causing BMW to rethink their current product line and add a four-door sedan to the 1-Series lineup primarily for the U.S. and China. We've never had the five-door 1 Series here and that severely limits the appeal of this small car and with Mercedes on track to bring the CLA to the US with four-doors and a trunk, sales of the 1 Series will be even more relegated to customers cross-shopping Mustangs instead of luring the next generation of rich guys into the fold.

Unfortunately for those looking for a small, fast, four-door BMW, you'll have to wait until the next-generation of 1 Series due sometime in 2014. Autocar is reporting that this new platform will used shared parts from the 3 Series instead of sharing the new Mini platform as has been rumored. Fingers crossed that they're right.

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Eric Clapton Ferrari One- Off SP12 EC

Nearly a couple of months ago, we have already seen the first pictures and video of the Eric Clapton’s coachbuilt SP12 EC when presented in a London dealership. However at May 25th the Italian automaker has brought the exotic vehicle to public, the company also said that the one- off model would be featured in the Ferrari Magazine to be the newest issue.

The company had named the 458 Italia- based model with ‘SP’ that is short of Special Project, ‘12’ that stands for the Ferrari 512BB which is the vehicle’s design inspiration and the last is ‘EC’ for Eric Clapton.

Ferrari stated that the world- popular guitar and singer has been presented to one special Ferrari model, the 512 BB. Eric Clapton himself has already had three over the years. Thus, his longing is to drive a car inspired by such model with influences from the multi-award winning 458 Italia.

The Italian company said that in the magazine article, Eric Clapton would mostly explain about his passion and how the idea of a one- off car was born. According to some reports, the one- off supercar will be built in conjunction with the Centro Stile Ferrari with Pininfarina in collaboration with the Maranello’s engineers.

Unfortunately, so far no other specific details about the SP 12 EC than that news we have stated above.

Well, we may wait for the Ferrari Magazine to read the full story of the born of the one- off car. However, we will make you update with any further information that may be released a few weeks later, so stay tune.

Don’t forget to check some official pictures we provided below.

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