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On the eve of the LA Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz has taken the wraps off the 2012 CLS63 AMG, the bi-turbo V8 version of its thoroughly restyled and utterly delectable sedan.

AMG’s new baby – the M157 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 – is finding a home in nearly every new Mercedes product, and when fitted to the CLS63 the blown mill is good for 518 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque… in standard form. Option up for the AMG Performance Package and Merc’s in-house tuner turns up the boost from 14.5 to 18.8 psi and output rises to 550 hp and 590 lb-ft of twist. Equipped with AMG’s seven-gear “Speedshift” MCT automatic tranny, the CLS63 takes an estimated 4.4 seconds to run from 0-60 in standard guise and 4.3 seconds with the AMG pack. Similarly, top speed also rises from 155 to 186 mph with the performance upgrade. And if you care, both variants clock in at 16 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway.

In addition to the reworked engine and transmission, the front axle has been widened by nearly an inch and AMG fitted its independent adaptive suspension with electronic damping and a three-stage traction control system. The 19-inch, five-spoke wheels are wrapped in 255/35 tires in front and 285/30s out back, while 14.2-inch drilled and ventilated discs are fitted at all four corners.

A special “Launch Edition” will be available when the CLS63 goes on sale this coming summer and comes coated in matte grey paint with a mix of carbon fiber and piano black interior trim, alcantara headliner and AMG sports seats swathed in “Corteccia Pearl” leather. Make the jump for all the details and specs.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading LA 2010: 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG

LA 2010: 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG

Few cars can hold a candle to the immense performance capabilities of the Pagani Zonda. Few can touch the number of versions that have come along the way, either. First came the C12, then the C12 S, the C12 S 7.3, the Zonda F, the Zonda R Clubsport and roadster versions of just about each one. But that’s not even accounting for the special editions – often limited in production to a single example – that have followed since.

The Cinque and the Cinque Roadster have been followed by the PS, Uno, Tricolore, HH and most recently the 750. Each has been built to the exacting specifications of the wealthy client who’s commissioned them, and now there’s another: the Zonda RAK.

Like previous editions, the Zonda RAK is distinguished by its unique color scheme: bright yellow in this case, covering the body, the brake calipers and even the top-stitching on the interior. It’s otherwise mechanically similar to the five-of-a-kind Cinque edition, packing a 700-horsepower version of the AMG-sourced V12 engine.

The Zonda RAK was reportedly commissioned by a dealership in Germany – Auto Salon Singen – which is putting it up for sale at €1.85 million, equivalent to over $2.5 million. If you’ve got the cash sitting around it can be yours. Or of course Automobili Pagani would be glad to create one to your tastes.

[Source: Teamspeed]

Pagani Zonda RAK commissioned by German dealership

Review: 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe

We’re eligible for a double-major in Art and Science after a week with the CTS Coupe.

First photos of U.S.-spec Mitsubishi i-MiEV revealed ahead of LA debut

Bigger is better, and when it comes to Mitsubishi’s pint-sized EV, it’s grown nearly a foot on the boat ride from Japan.

Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz prepping C63 AMG Black Series?

Flared fenders and a 510 horsepower V8? Could this be a Black version of the C63?

Also of interest:

• 2011 Hyundai Elantra peeks out ahead of LA Auto Show
• Audi bringing four-cylinder A8 in 2012
• Louisville plant to build sub-MKX Lincoln crossover?
• Jeep Wrangler to get Pentastar V6 power in 2012
• Cobra iRadar gets jiggy with the iPhone

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.9.10

This set of spy photos landed in our inbox showing what appears to be a modified version of the giant-slaying Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG prepping for testing. Our spies indicate that this could be a high-powered Black Series version of the M3-killing C-Class, rumored to have around 510 horsepower. You know, because the standard 451-hp C63 just isn’t sweet enough.

We know that the next-generation C-Class is due to arrive within the next couple of years (before the facelifted version arrives in 2011), so perhaps this is a sort of last hurrah for the top-dog C63. We can clearly see the tacked-on wider fender flares and front wheels similar to those that debuted on the CLK Black Series a few years back, and our spies suggest that a larger front spoiler and new rear diffuser will be added, as well. Power will still come from the same 6.2-liter V8 currently found in the C63, mated to a seven-speed AMG Speedshift transmission.

We’re still a bit skeptical as to whether or not this is actually a full-on Black Series treatment. All we know is, we certainly wouldn’t kick a 510-hp C63 AMG out of bed.

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz prepping C63 AMG Black Series?

Gran Turismo 5 may be the most hotly anticipated driving game in a decade. It’s continually moving release date has been teasing (and disappointing) us for years, but the waiting appears to be drawing to a close. Our friends over at Joystiq are following reports that the game is showing up at retail outlets in Europe. What’s more, we now know precisely what the box art and disc looks like. The above image is reported to be the retail-spec set, complete with the open gullwing of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG gracing the cover.

The delays associated with GT5 have our defenses permanently parked in high gear. But with select gamers in Europe already playing the game and Polyphony Digital chief Kazunori Yamauchi insisting that the game is in production, we’re beginning to dare to hope to have this game in time for the holidays. Heck, we’re already hearing that development on GT6 is already underway, which means we our children could be playing that game on our PlayStation 5 before we know it.

[Source: Joystiq]

What the Gran Turismo 5 box art looks like

Review: 2010 Porsche 911 Carrera S

What’s the best place to test Porsche’s ever-enduring flagship? Germany, of course.

Mercedes-Benz confirms production of CLS Shooting Brake

Mercedes’ swoopy, sexy wagon will enter production in 2012, with a 500+ hp AMG version coming soon thereafter.

Report: Jeep Grand Cherokee platform could underpin Maserati crossover, pack Ferrari power

The Grand Cherokee’s platform is set to spawn a host of variants, including Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Fiat crossovers.

Also of interest:

• Video: Why the Bugatti Veyron needs a bigger backup camera
• Gran Turismo 6 already in development… your grandkids will love it
• Video: Danny Thompson’s 265-mph Mustang crash from inside the car
• Chevy returning to IndyCar in 2012?
• Chrysler reports $239 million operating profit for Q3

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.8.10

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed plans to put the CLS Shooting Brake into production in 2012, with the swoopy wagon set to be built along side a handful of other Benz models at its plant in Sindelfingen.

Originally shown in concept form at the Beijing Motor Show earlier this year, the CLS Shooting Brake will likely debut in production guise early next year. The standard CLS sedan powertrains will carry over to the wagon, including the CLS63 AMG version debuting at the LA Auto Show next week. Make the jump for the press blast.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz confirms production of CLS Shooting Brake

Mercedes-Benz confirms production of CLS Shooting Brake

Well, look at that… Day Two has finally come to a close, and this is but a small sampling of what we brought you over the last couple of days from the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. We’ll have a little bit more coming your way tomorrow morning as we wrap up the final day of the festivities. Stay tuned!

Spectre Land Speed Racer	Chevrolet Z-Spec body kits	Superformance GS E-Rod
Honda Accord Crosstour HFP	Ford Taurus SHOx	1953 Chevy pickup E-Rod
Honda CR-Z concepts	Aftermarket tuned Subarus	Toyota Camry NASCAR Edition
Toyota Tundra Sportsman	Custom 2011 Chevy Camaros	Lexus Custom Hybrids
Mazda2 Street and Evil Track	C&A Toyota Prius	Dodge Challenger SRT8 392
Chevrolet Corvette Z06X	Chevrolet Camaro SSX	Neiman Marcus Camaro
Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG	Savini Wheels booth	Airhead Kustoms Ford F-350
Ford Taurus Interceptor Stealth	2011 Honda CR-Z Mugen	Toyota Prius Plus
2011 Ford Fiestas	Oakley Designs Ferrari 458	Bio-Hybrid Tracked Hummer
2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid R	Toyota Swagger Wagon Supreme	Chevrolet Corvette Jake Edition

We obsessively covered Day Two of the…

Day One has officially come and gone, and we’ve done our best to provide you, dear reader, with an interesting selection of the kinds of vehicular machinery that can only be seen at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Below you’ll see a sample of the wares we pointed our digital SLR lenses at. Enjoy, and just wait and see what we’ve got in store for you all through the night and into tomorrow!

Chevrolet Corvette Z06X	Chevrolet Camaro SSX	Neiman Marcus Camaro
Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG	Savini Wheels booth	Airhead Kustoms Ford F-350
Ford Taurus Interceptor Stealth	2011 Honda CR-Z Mugen	Toyota Prius Plus
2011 Ford Fiestas	Oakley Designs Ferrari 458	Bio-Hybrid Tracked Hummer
2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid R	Toyota Swagger Wagon Supreme	Chevrolet Corvette Jake Edition

We Obsessively Covered Day One of the…

This is what happens at SEMA: you’re strolling the aisles minding your own business, you turn your head and then a cluster of mighty malicious metal rocks you like a pow! straight out of vintage Batman. Holy Toledo! In this case it was the Savini Wheels booth, loaded up with a sedan and four coupes that should be parked outside the Legion of Doom. A Rolls-Royce Ghost inscribed with the ominous phrase “The Omen Machine” (probably meant for Lex Luthor), sits among a Lamborghini Murcielago with white-carbon-fiber-accented rims, Mercedes SLS AMG, Bentley Continental GT and a Ferrari 458 on a delicious set of spokes.

We couldn’t get any more information on the cars or wheels because the hall wasn’t open yet… but what more do you need? Beastly cars for bad, bad men are in the high-res gallery below.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Jonathon Ramsey / AOL

SEMA 2010: Savini Wheels booth is full of superhero movie bad-guy cars

The Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series isn’t short in the tooth, but gussied up correctly it can still make a worthy meal for the autophile – even when it’s dressed in everybody’s-doin’-it matte gray. Continental tire’s SEMA booth, showcasing its ExtremeContact DW and ExtremeContact DWS rubber, had this light-eating creature from Platinum Motorsports glaring from the corner. ‘Roided-up skirts and splitters with carbon fiber trimmings abound, and every transparent plane has been remedied by the liberal application of tints. We’d buy that for it for a dollar, no doubt.

There was something else under covers that we’ll be bringing you later. For now, the SL65 AMG was left to preside over a back-up band consisting of a Bentley Continental GT, a Maybach as black as the intergalactic void itself, and a BMW racer with a set of slick slicks. Enjoy the view in the galleries below.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Jonathon Ramsey / AOL

SEMA 2010: The Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG has low-profile staying power

First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG

What is it like to drive the blown CL63 AMG? Is the big coupe able to effectively balance performance with luxury and technology? Are there any other full-size two-door vehicles on the market for this low volume Mercedes-Benz to compete with?

Video: Meet the Green Hornet’s Black Beauty

The Green Hornet spends his vigilante nights tangoing with both the law and various shady characters from behind the wheel of a heavily modified Chrysler Imperial. Justice, thy name is body-on-frame.

Hyundai of America wants a Sonata Wagon… do you? [w/poll]

Autoblog has learned that American Hyundai executives definitely want the 2012 Sonata Wagon and are working to build a business case for it.

Also of interest:

• Lexus bombards SEMA with six custom hybrids, one giant wing
• RK Collection Toyota Camry is a little bit NASCAR and a little bit SEMA rock and roll
• Report: Suit alleges Toyota pushed owners to stay quiet about unintended acceleration
• Mercedes-Benz releases own spy shots of SLK testing “magic” roof in Death Valley
• Eagle-eyed readers spot embarrassing Ferrari World mistake

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 10.29.10

Born-Again Big Benz Impresses Despite Electronic Nannies

Each Fall, Mother Nature puts on a spectacular display in many parts of the country. As winter approaches and days become shorter, there isn’t enough sunlight for trees to support photosynthesis. Starved of their source for energy, the leaves on many variants lose their green chlorophyll and expose bright reds, yellows and purples – hues from glucose trapped in the drying foliage.

Upstate New York is unquestionably a spectacular venue for a driving introduction to the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG. Against a brilliantly painted backdrop, the facelifted full-size coupe, fitted with an all-new twin-turbocharged V8, is a near-perfect chariot for a tour of the Hudson Valley. The 536-horsepower rear-wheel-drive two-door, with its signature greenhouse sans B-pillars, offers an excellent view of the colorful canvas outside the glass. Whether gliding effortlessly down the turnpike, or rustling up a wake of fallen leaves on an autumn country road, the automaker’s flagship in this rarified segment seems to have few peers.

What is it like to drive the blown CL63 AMG? Is the big coupe able to effectively balance performance with luxury and technology? Are there any other full-size two-door vehicles on the market for this low volume Mercedes-Benz to compete with? Keep reading to find out…

Photos copyright (C)2010 Michael Harley / AOL

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG

First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG

We’ve seen more than our fair share of spy shots over the past couple of years showing test mules for the much-anticipated successor to the Pagani Zonda. What we’ve been lacking on, however, are details of the car’s specifications. Now Britain’s Autocar weekly claims to have the inside scoop on how the supercar codenamed C9 is shaping up, and it’s looking good.

First of all, the engine: Mercedes AMG is once again developing the Pagani’s powerplant. But whereas the current Zonda’s V12 is naturally aspirated, the new unit – thought to be derived from the SL65’s – is tipped to carry twin turbochargers. That should help the C9 churn out some 700 horsepower and 730 lb-ft of twist – considerably more than the current model.

All that muscle is reported to be transmitted to the rear wheels via an X-trac seven-speed sequential transmission, all the while reducing carbon emissions by half. That’ll make the C9 – or whatever it’s called when it finally hits the market – Euro 5 compliant, but that’s not all. Autocar says Pagani is developing the car specifically to meet American federal regulations, meaning that the C9 will be sold Stateside whereas the current Zonda could not.

Construction is expected to take advantage of the carbon-titanium weave that Pagani developed for the ultra-exclusive Zonda Cinque, keeping weight down to around 2700 lbs. Production is supposedly to expand to 40 units per year, but Autocar expects that, despite similar pricing and a big improvement in performance, the current Zonda will continue to be built to order alongside the new model.

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Twin-turbo, carbon-titanium Pagani C9 being developed for U.S. market

Review: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2

A scant 30 minutes had passed after taking possession of this 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor until we had all four of its wheels off the ground. Shortly thereafter, we were driving home in leather-lined comfort.

Autoblog Podcast #201 – Challenger 392, American Hyundais, Lincoln dealers, Mercedes B-Class, Green Car of the Year

Topics include the Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, whether Hyundai builds the most American cars on the U.S. market, Lincoln’s spat with its dealers, the new Mercedes B-Cass and the Green Car of the Year nominees.

Video: Lamborghini Gallardo Twin-turbo crashes at Texas Mile

Twin-turbocharged Lamborghini Gallardo built by Underground Racing crashes after hitting 235 mpg in the standing mile.

Also of interest:

• ABC News airs big exposé on BMW N54 engine problems, lawsuits [w/video] [UPDATE]
• Video: Hennessey Venom GT clears its pipes ahead of SEMA debut
• Ford posts sixth consecutive quarterly profit
• Chevy Volt configurator powers up
• 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG coming to LA Auto Show
• 2011 Subaru Forester gets web debut

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 10.26.10

A much more polished version of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG roadster has been spied, and although the gullwing doors and exploding bolts are compelling features of the hardtop, the shapely SLS looks good without them. The 200-mph convertible will use the same kind of roof last seen on the McLaren SLR Roadster, that being canvas-wrapped aluminum ribs eith electrical operation.

So far, there’s been no mention of anything other big changes slated for the droptop SLS, meaning we should see the final product debut sometime next year (Frankfurt Auto Show, perhaps?). The folks at AutoExpress report that the SLS roadster will cost somewhere in the area of £180,000 ($284,851 USD), a price just as eye-popping as the car itself.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG spied sans roof

Not long after Mercedes-Benz took the wraps off of the shapely new CLS-Class at this year’s Paris Motor Show, sources within the automaker have told Autoblog that the AMG-fettled CLS will bow at next month’s Los Angeles Auto Show.

Much like the revised S63 and CL63, expect the 2012 CLS63 AMG to use the automaker’s new twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8, churning out 544 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. That power will be managed via Merc’s latest seven-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission sending power solely to the rear wheels. An AMG Performance Package will be on hand, as well, boosting output numbers up to 571 hp and 664 lb-ft. We can’t wait to experience this beast firsthand.

Naturally, expect a bulgier, more aggressive exterior appearance complete with large AMG wheels and a host of LED lamps up front. Interior refinement will likely feature sport seats, a smaller-diameter steering wheel with paddle shifters and, of course, carbon fiber trim.

Stay tuned for official images and details closer to the car’s official debut in Los Angeles.

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG coming to LA Auto Show

Mercedes-Benz is no stranger to wickedly powerful and insanely fast luxury sedans. After all, its AMG models are among the fastest and most powerful on the market. Leave it to specialty Benz tuner Brabus, then, to take it the extra mile… and then some.

The freshly unveiled Brabus SV12 R Biturbo 800 claims the mantle as both the fastest and most powerful sedan on offer. To get there, the German tuner has tweaked the 5.5-liter V12 from the S600 to 6.3 liters, fitted a new crankshaft, camshafts, cylinder heads, air intake, exhaust, turbochargers, quad interoolers and bigger pistons, and of course, remapped the ECU. The result is a massive 788 horsepower (800 in metric form, hence the name) and 1,047 pound-feet of torque. The twist is so massive, however, that Brabus had to electronically limit it to 811 lb-ft. Don’t worry – performance hasn’t been hindered. 0 to 62 sprints are managed in just 3.9 seconds and its Autobahn-devouring top speed is electronically limited to just 217 miles per hour.

Bigger brakes help keep the beast under control, as well as a new limited-slip differential. A full aero kit and upgraded rolling stock are on hand, as well, completing the “we mean business” look. Check it out for yourself in the gallery below, and hit the jump for Brabus’ official release.

[Source: Brabus]

Continue reading Brabus claims the world’s fastest, most powerful sedan with new SV12 R Biturbo 800

Brabus claims the world’s fastest, most powerful sedan with new SV12 R Biturbo 800

The 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe is a lot of things. It’s a luxury two-door that’s also a muscle car. It’s a supercharged beast with a fire-breathing LSA mounted under the hood. And it’s also a smoke machine. Monticello Motor Club invited a slew of vehicles out for its first annual Drift with the Supercars event, and while a few dedicated drift cars showed up, a handful of other lust-worthy rides arrived to ruin their rubber. The CTS-V Coupe was on hand, sharing the track with a Ferrari 575 Maranello, C6 Corvette, 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS and a Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series.

The Cadillac fared exceptionally well against the rest of the competition and took home the title of Best Drift in New Car. Check out the tire-shredding, sideways action in the beautifully shot video after the jump.

Photos Copyright (C)2010 Steven J. Ewing and Chris Shunk / AOL

[Source: Youtube]

Continue reading Video: Cadillac CTS-V drifts its wheels off at Monticello

Video: Cadillac CTS-V drifts its wheels off at Monticello

Ready to experience the thrill of a twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 that produces 536 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque? Unfortunately, that kind of excitement doesn’t come cheap. Mercedes-Benz has announced pricing for its upcoming 2011 CL63 AMG coupe and S63 AMG sedan. The two-door starts at $151,125 and the four-door will set you back at least $138,875. Both are available with the optional AMG Performance Package, which ups the power output to 563 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. A little lower on the power pole sits the restyled 2011 CL550 4MATIC, which starts at $114,025, and is motivated by a 4.6-liter V8 which produces 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

The 4.6-liter unit is 20 percent smaller, in terms of displacement, than the engine it replaces, yet produces 12 percent more horsepower, 32 percent more torque and improves fuel economy by 10 percent. The AMG mill also sees considerable gains in power, and thanks to direct-injection and the use of start/stop technology it sees a 20 percent rise in fuel economy.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Jonathon Ramsey / AOL [Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz prices new biturbo V8 models

Mercedes-Benz prices new biturbo V8 models