Mercedes SL 65 Black Series First Details Emerge.

Over the past year we have seen numerous spy photos and videos of the SL 65 AMG Black Series, but besides an Autoweek story last month, nothing concrete in terms of specifications has emerged, until now. After a select group of journalists were given a sneak peek at the New York Auto Show last month with specific embargo restrictions, MotorTrend online edition is one of the first to come forth.
In an effort to put the SL 65 AMG Black Series into perspective for their American audience, MotorTrend makes a laughable analogy, which compares a road going hyper sports car to a professional race car that can barely get out of it’s own way, “the SL65 AMG Black Series is roughly akin to the SL65 AMG what a Dodge Charger Nextel Cup car is to a Dodge Charger SRT-8.” Surely, taken out of context, but the comparison is somewhat out of place.Fine wine versus wine cooler debate aside, the SL 65 AMG gets put on a weight loss program which results in 6.1 pounds per horsepower as opposed to the 7.7-pounds from the standard SL 65 AMG. No details have been provided about how Mercedes extracted a conservative 66 hp for a total of 670 hp from the 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12, although it is most likely from an engine management upgrade plus some light-weight internal engine components. Capable of 220 mph but electronically limited to 186 mph (300 km/h), 0-60 mph arrives in less than 4.0 seconds.
The weight loss continues with carbon fiber body panels such as the hood, fenders and roof. Simultaneously, the entire chassis benefits from more rigidity as a result of the fixed roof as well as the removal of additional components and high strength chassis reinforcements (88 pounds worth) that comes with the folding roof of the SL 65 AMG. Other sprinkles of carbon fiber are found in a rear diffuser and boot lid spoiler which provides approximately 77 pounds of additional downforce. In total, 570 pounds are relieved for a kerb weight of 4080 pounds.
For the suspension, electro-hydraulic Active Body Control dampener units get tossed in the bin in favor of adjustable coilover spring/struts. Naturally, carbon-ceramic brakes will be included along with lightweight forged alloy one-piece wheels wrapped in 265/35ZR-19 (front), 325/30ZR-20 (rear) Dunlop Maxx GT tires.With only 350 units to be sold worldwide, the SL Black Series is expected to make its public debut at the German Grand Prix in July with deliveries commencing in 2009.

Nissan unveils Teana premium sedan in Beijing.

Nissan used this weekend’s Beijing Motor Show to unveil the final production version of the all-new Teana luxury sedan after first previewing the car in concept form at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show. The new Teana will replace the current model, which has been on sale since 2004, and will arrive on the market towards the end of the year.The Teana is dominated by its swooping bodyline and is designed to seat up to five adults. Global models will be available with either a 2.5L VQ25DE V6 engine or the familiar 3.5L VQ mill. For China, a four-cylinder MR20DE engine is also available, designed to maximize fuel economy and performance. All models come mated to a XTRONIC CVT gearbox sending drive to the front wheels.The Teana was also sold in a number of markets as the Nissan Maxima but there’s no word if the current model will be replaced with the latest version. Nissan also used the Beijing event for the local launch if the Infiniti EX Crossover.

Honda unveils new Li Nian budget brand

Honda has given us the first taste of its new budget brand with the unveiling of an unnamed hatchback concept at this weekend’s Beijing Motor Show. The new brand is designed along the lines of Toyota’s Scion sub-brand and will be testing the waters in emerging markets such as China and India before launching in more established markets.Honda is yet to pick an official name of the new brand but it’s currently carrying the title ‘Li Nian’ (Chinese for ‘subject’). The sub-brand will be characterized as a separate division of Honda, similar to Acura, but at the cheaper end of the automotive spectrum, reports AutoWeek.Li Nian’s first production car will be based on the sporty hatchback concept, according to officials, and will be produced in China with Honda’s local partner Guangzhou Motors around 2010. It will be based on the same platform used for the current Honda Fit (Jazz) and will feature an efficient 1.8L petrol engine.Guangzhou currently builds Odyssey, Accord and Fit models for the local Chinese market, although a number of Fit cars are exported to Europe, and quality of the vehicles are said to be comparable with those coming out of Honda’s Japanese plants.

Citroen C2 Kappa jogs onstage.

Now that the 2008 Beijing Motor Show is underway, we’re getting a chance to see how a lot of those sketches and renderings we saw ahead of the festivities translate into actual cars. One of the concepts we were curious about was the collaborative effort between Citroën and sports apparel maker Kappa. Not only is the red-and-white C2 Kappa concept faithful to the drawing released last month, it’s also pretty cool.The C2 Kappa is lowered and fully kitted, sporting a unique front fascia that tones down the base car’s oversized headlamps and adds aggressive Kappa-emblazoned grillework below the bumper. That logo is repeated all along the fat red racing stripe that runs from nose to tail, flanked by thinner grey accent stripes. Another red door stripe with the Kappa branding runs along each flank. A roof spoiler and a color-keyed diffuser insert add visual flair in back, while white rally-style wheels take up residence at the corners. Inside, sport seats with the Kappa insignia dress up the passenger cabin, rounding out this surprisingly appealing styling exercise from Dongfeng Citroën and Kappa, even if it the equivalent of a car dressed in a jogging suit.

2008 Volkswagen Bora Debuts At China.

Design and dimensions
In a world premiere, the FAW Volkswagen joint venture is presenting the New Bora at Auto China 2008 – a very independently designed mid-class sedan with first-class workmanship. This successor to the successful Bora was once again systematically adapted to the wishes of Chinese customers. Visually, German and Chinese design influences merge in this front-wheel drive car.
Clearly indicative of Volkswagen ‘design DNA’ are characteristics such as the muscular and clear modulations, an unmistakable C-pillar, the trapezoidal line of the headlights, the typical V shaped radiator grille that is integrated in the lines of the engine hood, and the car’s timeless impression.
Simultaneously, the New Bora takes on Chinese elements like the lion dance in its prominent visual alliance of headlamps, radiator grille and bumpers. The design of the rear corresponds to that of the front mask. No less typical is the high waist line, which emphasizes – from a purely visually perspective as well – the excellent passive safety of the New Bora.
Also typical of Volkswagen are the New Bora’s impressive quality of workmanship, high level of active safety, great comfort, intuitive controls and very good interior space. Its size classification: with a length of 4,540 millimeters and a width of 1,775 millimeters the New Bora is close in size to the European Jetta. The height of the Volkswagen is 1,467 millimeters. One reason for the extraordinarily good interior space is the car’s long wheelbase of 2,610 millimeters. The 450 liter cargo area also offers multi-variable utility.
Engines
At its market introduction, FAW Volkswagen will be offering the New Bora with two modern Euro-4 gasoline engines. Both engines are distinguished by very refined performance and low fuel consumption. The four cylinder engines can be paired with a six-speed automatic (Tiptronic) as an option.
Two equipment lines
“Trendline” and “Comfortline”. Even the base version, the “Trendline”, has standard features that include ABS, driver and front passenger airbags, power steering, power windows, climate control system and a CD-Radio (MP3-capable). Also on-board in the New Bora Comfortline are 15-inch alloy wheels, sliding sunroof, chrome package, anti-theft warning system, cruise control and parking sensors. In addition, the top version is differentiated by an extended list of optional features. They include leather seats, side and head airbags and a navigation system.

Sporty Ford Fiesta S.

The European styled and engineered 2009 Ford Fiesta made its Chinese debut this week at the 2008 Beijing Auto Salon. Displayed for the first time in the sporty “S” trim, the Fiesta S is distinguished by a roof spoiler, a different rear apron with a visible, chromed exhaust pipe, darkened headlamps, aluminum-style wraparound for the front fog lamps, a honeycomb mesh style front air-dam with aluminum detailing along with 16-inch alloy rims wrapped in 195/50 rubber.

2008 ART Mercedes-Benz S-Class Two-Tone.

An A.R.T. tuned Mercedes-Benz S class. Extravagant and brilliant brown-beige two-tone design with a horizontal pinstripe along its outside body. Inside, almost every available surface has been clothed in intricately hand-worked leather.