Eagle Speedster in South of France

The Jaguar E-Type took the world by storm when it was first introduced back in March of 1961. And even to this day, it remains one of the most sought after cars in the entire world. A car so beautiful that current generation supercar owners shy away, parking their cars well out of eye-shot of the E-Type at any car show where one makes an appearance, for fear of being overshadowed by its shear presence.

Sure, any E-Type owner will be the first to admit that the car, however magnificent it may look, does have it’s fair share of problems when used in today’s modern world. The brakes, while manageable, are no match for their modern counterparts. And the story is much the same the deeper and deeper you delve into the E-Type’s technical underpinnings.

However, since 1982 a small bespoke shop in the heart of England has worked tirelessly to restore and update the classic E-Type to to not just work in the modern world, but to thrive in it. That shop is Eagle Engineering. And Eagle Engineering’s latest project? The Eagle Speedster.

As you are probably well aware by now, the Speedster is based off an original E-Type body from 1963, with almost all panels being updated and streamlined (who thought an E-Type could be more streamlined!). Eagle Engineering has inserted a custom tuned 4.7 liter fuel injected straight-six engine along with a suitably modern five-speed manual gearbox coupled with updated suspension and brakes.

The original Eagle Speedster was a custom one-off, dreamt up by by Dr. Rick Velaj from Connecticut. Ever since Speedster #001 debuted at Salon Prive in 2009, the world has fallen in love. From features on Top Gear to articles in EVO, the journalists collective have raved on end about how spectacular an achievement it is.

Recently, without so much as a whisper, Eagle released an all new photoset of their Speedster winding through the sunny, tree-lined hills of Southern France. Draped in beautiful Black Cognac paint, this is only the 2nd fully completed Eagle Speedster in the world. With that being said, for close to $500,000 (295,000 pounds) you can commission one of your very own. But unless you’ve recently found that kind of extra change behind the couch, enjoy the pictures below as they are truly mesmerizing, in every sense of word.

 

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Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate Black Series

We’ve got another interesting rendering to share with you this evening. The Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate Black Series isn’t expected anytime soon but that hasn’t stopped Khalil Bouguerra of Virtuel-Car from attaching Black Series trademark looks to the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate.

It gets wider body work including new fender extensions, side skirts, front fender and rear bumper air vents and a rear diffuser. The car also sits visably closer to the ground which will surely help handling and aerodynamics.

As for the mechanicals that could underpin a Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate Black Series, we need look no further than the recent C63 AMG Black Series. Currently the E63 AMG Estate features a 6.2 liter V8 engine with 525hp. The C63 AMG Black Series had a 30hp upgrade so we’d expect the same treatment for an E63 AMG Black Series. A total of 555hp could be the total figure, together with a range of handling and interior upgrades.

What’s more likely is a Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe Black Series, although now that we have the C63 AMG Black Series that doesn’t look likely.

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2013 Toyota RAV4 EV

The second generation 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV was first unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show back in 2010. The 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV is currently the only all electric SUV on the market. The RAV4 is a result of a collaboration that started in May, 2010 between Tesla Motors and Toyota. One of the Goals Toyota had when building the RAV4 EV was not compromising on versatility, comfort or performance. The United States market launch will be late summer of 2012 at a starting price of $49,800. Sales will begin initially in California and production will be limited to 2,600 units during the first three years.

Performance

The 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV is powered by an all-electric drive train sourced from Tesla that produces a maximum output of 154 horsepower. This SUV can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 7.0 seconds and has a top speed of 100 mph in sport mode. Normal mode takes 8.6 seconds to reach zero to 60 mph and has a top speed of 85 mph. The RAV4 EV has a range rating of around 100 miles and takes about six hours to fully charge on a 240V/40A charger.

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2012 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG

Let’s just cut straight to the chase. This deceptively demure execu-coupe weighs more than 4800 pounds and can sprint to 60 mph in four seconds. That would be four seconds flat.

The CL63 AMG enters triple-digit speeds in 8.8 seconds, trips the quarter-mile lights in 12.3 at 121 mph, attains 150 mph in less than 20, and maxes out at 190 mph, whereupon its governor says “Das ist genug.”

That’s one governor we’re inclined to agree with, particularly on U.S. highways. You may be able to find places where you deem 190 mph to be reasonable and prudent, particularly in this car, but you’re not likely to find anyone wearing a badge who’ll agree with you.

Primal Power

The source of the CL63’s green-light zeal is AMG’s new twin-turbo, 32-valve direct-injection aluminum V-8. It replaces the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V-8 last seen in the 2010 model, which made 518 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. The turbo engine leaves the AMG works in Affalterbach, Germany, with a horsepower rating no lower than 536 (at 5500 rpm), and torque of 590 lb-ft, on tap from 2000 to 4500 rpm.

Formidable, but not quite enough to produce acceleration at the threshold of the supercar gate. That level comes with the $7300 AMG Performance package—our vehicle was so equipped—which alters engine mapping, increases max boost from 14.2 psi to 15.6, and adds a snappy carbon-fiber engine cover. The carbon fiber probably doesn’t contribute much to engine output, but the net of the other two tweaks is 563 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque.

The power comes on with an addictive hydraulic rush, no waiting, and the seven-speed automatic transmission makes the most of it. Using the paddle shifters abets savoring this cornucopia of thrust. The shifts are prompt enough, though not on par with those of dual-clutch ’boxes. But there’s such a surplus of torque, and the transmission’s responses in pure automatic modes are so seamless, that simply operating in drive is thoroughly satisfying.

We should note that for really serious torque junkies, with really deep pockets, there’s yet another CL in the lineup that may have even more appeal. The CL65 AMG is propelled by a 6.0-liter SOHC 36-valve twin-turbo V-12 developing 621 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. If that’s not enough, you probably need therapy.

Mass and Dynamics

For all its face-distorting thrust, the CL’s really amazing attribute is how adroitly it handles a sinuous stretch of back road. Transient responses belie the big coupe’s substantial mass, and the word “agile” keeps inserting itself into the driver’s mind, making it hard to believe he’s herding almost 2.5 tons of sophisticated machinery.

Cornering attitudes are remarkably flat, information from the speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering system is abundant, and—for all its roll stiffness—the CL never punishes its occupants, even on the wartiest pavement. Credit the Mercedes Active Body Control active suspension here, as well as the CL’s standard torque-vectoring feature. Baked into the stability-control system, this electronic torque distributor applies selective braking to the inside rear wheel during hard cornering to enhance turn-in. It’s basically undetectable, but the results are hard to criticize.

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door coupe

PRICE AS TESTED: $174,035 (base price: $152,375)

ENGINE TYPE: twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection

Displacement: 333 cu in, 5461 cc

Power: 563 hp @ 5500 rpm

Torque: 664 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 7-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:

Wheelbase: 116.3 in

Length: 201.0 in

Width: 73.7 in Height: 56.2 in

Curb weight: 4825 lb 

C/D TEST RESULTS:

Zero to 60 mph: 4.0 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 8.8 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 14.2 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 4.7 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.9 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 2.9 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 12.3 sec @ 121 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 190 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 167 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.90 g

FUEL ECONOMY:

EPA city/highway driving: 15/22 mpg
C/D observed: 21 mpg

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2014 Chevrolet Impala

The tenth generation of the Impala was first shown at the New York International Auto Show in April, 2012. It will be assembled in Oshawa, Ontario Canada, and in Detroit/Hamtramck in the United States. This new generation will be larger and more upscale than the existing model. Chevrolet hasn’t released all the details yet, such as fuel economy and pricing but once the car is closer to launch more details should come out.

Some of the new features found in the 2014 Impala are standard 18-inch wheels with 19 and 20-inch available in higher trims. The car comes standard with 10 airbags and OnStar. This all new Chevy Impala will go on sale in 2013.

Performance

The 2014 Chevrolet Impala has a choice of three engines available; a 2.5L four-cylinder, a 2.4L four-cylinder with hybrid assist, and a 3.6L six-cylinder.

2.4L LUK Ecotec I4 with eAssist

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2012 Hyundai i-ioniq Concept

The 2012 Hyundai i-ioniq Concept was unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. This car is an electric sports hatchback with a range extending petrol engine that works similar to the Chevrolet Volt system. This car was designed, developed and built by Hyundai’s European R&D center in Rüsselsheim, Germany.

Hyundai showcases their future design direction with this concept as well as advanced technology. The roof has a unique design that Hyundai calls the “penthouse roof” which is like a panoramic style. The scissor doors and LED headlights are nice design touches. Maybe we will see some of this design in the next generation of the Veloster.

Performance

The Hyundai i-ioniq Concept is powered by a 1.0L 3-cylinder engine that produces 60 horsepower. This engine is mated to a 107 horsepower lithium-ion electric motor which is powered by a 74 horsepower generator via a single speed transmission. In all-electric mode the i-ioniq can travel 74 miles and up to 435 miles with assistance from the gasoline engine. This concept has a top speed of 90 mph.

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2013 Toyota Yaris Diesel

The Toyota Yaris has proved to be a affordable and economical entry level compact car. For those of us that want the ultimate in frugality, the 1.4L D-4D diesel engine is the best choice. However, here in North America the Toyota Yaris has not become available but with increased fuel prices maybe we will see one in the future. The North American Yaris is available as a three and five door hatch-back and starting at a MSRP of $14,115 for the three door and $16,100 for the five door model. Fuel efficiency of the Yaris is at 30 city and 38 highway. The diesel model was tested getting 70.49 mpg in the ALD Fleet world MPG marathon and was the overall winner. The Toyota Yaris is sold as the Vitz in Japan.

The Yaris has been a huge success for Toyota with global sales at 3.5 million in 70 countries. The new Yaris has made a lot of improvements over the out going model to make sure the Yaris stays on top of the competition. The Yaris has the same width as the out going model but is 100mm longer and height has been reduced by 20mm. The styling seems more aggressive that the previous Yaris and the sedan has been dropped in favor of a five door hatch back.

Performance

The diesel version of the Toyota Yaris is powered by a compact 1.4L inline four-cylinder turbocharged and intercooled diesel (1ND-TV) engine. This engine was designed around low emissions, low fuel consumption, reduction of mass and reduction of noise. This engine produces 90 horsepower at 3,800 rpm and 140 lb-ft between 1800-3000 rpm. This engine is used in the Toyota Auris, Corolla, iQ, Ractis, Verso-S, Urban Cruiser, Yaris and the Mini Cooper D. The Diesel Yaris can accelerate from 0 to 60 in 10.8 seconds when equipped with the six-speed manual transmission.

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Toyota Corolla Diesel

Diesel, for some car manufactures it’s simply a dirty word. Toyota is realizing that competitors are having no problem selling diesel powered automobiles in some markets such as India and Europe. Toyota has responded by putting a small diesel engine in the best selling car in the world, the Corolla. Could a diesel powered version of the best selling Corolla make it to the United States? The tenth generation of the Toyota Corolla (E140) is a world car that is produced in 19 cities all across the globe. This is the most refined Corolla yet and is offered with nine gasoline engine and one diesel engine. Reception has been mixed for this new model. Some media outlets have critisised the styling to similar to the previous model Corolla while others have praised the styling.

Toyota ND

The Toyota ND is a small inline four-cylinder turbocharged diesel that produces 90 horsepower at 3,800 rpm and 140 lb-ft of torque at 1,800 to 3,000 rpm. Combined fuel consumption is 58.8 mpg which would be great for the North American market. This engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The only down side to this engine is some people have said it is slightly underpowered for the Corolla. Perhaps if Toyota prepared a diesel Corolla for the United States it would be fitted with a 2.0L unit rather than the 1.4L.

I’m interested in what people think about this subject. Do you think that a small affordable diesel version of the Toyota Corolla could be a success in the North American market? I think that the Toyota Corolla Diesel would do well here in the United States. With fuel prices continually rising, 58.8 combined mpg sure sounds good.

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