The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe is going racing, and it has its eyes set on conquering the DTM series. That means the standard C-class Coupe gets the typical DTM outfit of a massive front splitter, seductively wide fender flares and a wing large enough on which to throw a party fit for Dance-centrum in Stuttgart.
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe DTM AMG was introduced to the Frankfurt Motor Show crowds by racing greats Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg. It is a fitting reception considering the amount of wins Schumacher has, and just how German Rosberg is.
The new C-Class DTM AMG racer will have to live up to both of those men on the racetrack, while also carrying on an impressive history set forth by Mercedes DTM cars of the past. read more »
Back in April, we told you about rumblings that Alfa Romeo’s triumphant return to the U.S. was pushed from Fall 2012 to sometime in 2013. Back then, the issues were related to styling, but now it looks like the European debt crisis may have more to do with the delays.
Automotive News reports that Alfa Romeo CEO Harald Wester told a group of financial analysts at the Frankfurt Motor Show that Fiat was scaling back its global expansion plans, with several models coming later than expected.
The new plan calls for the low volume 4C (above) to come mid-2013, followed by the redesigned MiTo later in 2013. The original plan to re-introduce the Alfa Romeo brand to the U.S. also included plans for a mid-size SUV to be built at Chrysler’s Toledo plant, but that vehicle has reportedly been canceled altogether.
Fiat’s announcement comes one day after CEO Sergio Marchionne cited a dire outlook of the European debt crisis as a reason for the automaker to rethink some of its product launches. read more »
Hailed the world’s most expensive and precious car model by Guinness World Records, this creation is based on the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4.
The car was crafted by Robert Gülpen — who has also created miniatures of the Mercedes Benz 500 SL and Aston Martin DB5 from precious metals and gems.
The Lamborghini is made from carbon fibre like the original and its shell was milled using computer modelling data handed over from the Italian car manufacturer.
But, adds Gülpen, he wrapped a 1/1000mm thin thread of solid gold around the carbon fibres — a feature the original doesn’t boast. read more »
Formula One driver Sebastien Buemi was in Japan at a Red Bull F1 Exhibition when a fan attempted to jump over his moving race car with predictably disastrous results.
Luckily for both parties involved, the young racing driver was traveling less than 20 MPH when the unidentified man decided to jump.
After the fall seen here the jumper was able to walk away from the crash, sustaining only minor injuries. Buemi denied comment on the situation saying he wanted to wait until Red Bull had clarified the matter.
We aren’t sure how this fan got on to the track or why he wanted to jump the F1 car, but we have a feeling this video will discourage any other potential race car jumpers from attempting a similar stunt.
The Moscow Tuning Show took place in the international exhibition center “Crocus Expo”.
Tuned cars, motocycles and other associated goods and elements: the tuning of the premium class, external and internal tunings, the aerography, tyres, equipments for tuning, car accessories – all these visitors could see during the exhibition. read more »
You know how we said that 780bhp electric pipe dream Jaguar had last year wasn’t going to be anything more than a concept? Well, we were wrong.
Sort of. You see, the British automaker has just announced its intention to produce a limited run of 250 C-X75 supercars in partnership with Formula 1 team Williams, however the retail model will eschew the craziest aspect of the original design — the twin turbine engines at the back.
Those will be replaced with a four-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine, which will aid the four electric motors (one attached to each wheel). read more »
Sir Richard Branson may have already branded his Necker Nymph aero submarine with the “Virgin Oceanic” moniker, but he’s now finally taken things to the next logical (and ambitious) step.
He’s just announced a new, full-fledged venture of the same name, which promises to do to nothing short of dive to the deepest part of each of the Earth’s five oceans — all within the next two years, no less.
That will be done with the one-manned sub pictured above, which was designed by Graham Hawkes and will be piloted by Chris Welsh on its first dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench later this year – those two are Branson’s partners in the venture, and Branson himself is set to pilot the sub on its second mission to the Puerto Rico Trench.
Not surprisingly, one of the team’s goals is to set a few world records, but they’re also planning to conduct some scientific research along the way, and are already musing about future vehicles that could collect samples and allow for more extensive research.
Head on past the break for a teaser video, although we’re told it should not be assumed to reflect an actual mission. read more »
Thank you Toyota, for teaching us the plural of Prius, because somehow, “Toyota sells one million Priuples” just doesn’t jive.
That’s right, the Japanese automaker announced Wednesday that it has officially sold its one millionth Prius on American soil.
It’s reportedly also reached a couple of other sales milestones in the last six months, with worldwide Prius sales reaching two million in October and overall Toyota hybrid sales exceeding three million in March.
Now that’s a whole lot of Prii. Full PR after the break. read more »
In these pages we focus on design, breakthroughs, enabling technologies and concepts and it’s rare that we look at product that has been in the marketplace for some time, much less second-hand product.
But when we saw what UK company automotive warranty company was up to, we know you’ll agree that it’s worth a mention.
As a privately owned insurance intermediary, the firm collects lots of data about warranty issues – something you’ll never find out from the only other people who have access to the information (the manufacturers).
In a very clever move, it has taken this secondary data and produced a reliability index – an independent comparison of frequency of failure across the 55,000 vehicles it insures. read more »
