Mercedes Benz’s trusted G-Wagon has received a few updates to make the old-school SUV a more modern machine. The biggest changes come with the AMG model – or rather AMG models. The G55 AMG will be replaced by a G63 AMG and G65 AMG – meaning the 5.4-litre supercharged V8 engine and five-speed automatic transmission will finally be consigned to the history books. The G63 AMG will make use of AMG’s 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 engine producing 544hp and 760Nm (560lb ft) of torque, and sends its power through a 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission. It also gets Mercedes Benz's ECO stop/start function. The biggest surprise is indeed the introduction of the V12-engined G65 AMG, making it only the third ever mass-produced SUV with a V12 engine – others are the Lamborghini LM002 and Audi Q7 V12 TDI. Its engine is the same twin-turbo 6.0-litre unit found in other 65 AMGs, producing an impressive 612hp and 1,000Nm (737lb ft) of torque. Mercedes Benz have revealed the all new SL65 AMG, just one day after the Geneva Motor Show closed. To most enthusiasts’ surprise, the V12 engine still lives on despite reports that Mercedes Benz will phase out production of V12 engines. Speaking of the engine, the new SL65 AMG has a twin-turbo 6.0-litre unit producing 630hp – 18hp more powerful than the previous SL65 – and a monstrous 1,000Nm (737 lb ft) of torque. The new SL65 AMG also weighs 170kg less than its predecessor, although it is still quite heavy at 1,950kg. The new car also gets a beefed up 7G-Tronic automatic transmission with seven speeds, making the G55 AMG the only AMG car with the trusted old five-speed unit. Opel Ampera/Chevy Volt Apart from winning the 2012 Car of the Year award, it’s a plug-in hybrid car that looks good too. The specs? It has a 150hp electric motor along with 370Nm of torque, with a claimed range of up to 80km (50miles) on a fully charged battery pack. Its 1.4-litre engine is there only to power a generator when the battery range is low (the engine doesn’t send power to the wheels at any time) – which then extends the range to 500km. It is expensive though – prices start at CHF 52,900 (around $57,000) in Switzerland. Ferrari F12 Berlinetta The F12 Berlinetta drew a huge crowd on press day. It was easily one of the most anticipated cars of the show – and with 740hp, it’s easy to see why. Its 6.3-litre V12 engine is the most powerful of any Ferrari road car, which definitely makes it a standout car. However powerful the engine might be, the design might divide opinion – looking a bit similar to the FF at the front. However, all is certainly forgotten as you approach its 212mph top speed. The 2012 Geneva Motor Show is anything but short of exciting new cars. There are far too many cool cars to have them all posted here, but with more than 100 photos, it's more than just a taste of what the show has to offer. Make sure you come back next week for the ultimate standouts of the show.
Mercedes Benz SL63 AMG Mercedes Benz has splashed details on its new SL63 AMG roadster, prior to an unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show.
The new SL63 AMG continues making use of a folding metal roof, but the whole car now weighs 125kg less (at 1845kg) than its predecessor, thanks in part by making use of an all-aluminium body. Another new feature is the twin-turbo 537hp (or 564hp with the AMG Performance pack) 5.5-litre V8 engine found in other hot AMGs like the E, S, CL, CLS, and M-Class. Mercedes Benz’s new hot rod roadster has finally been revealed – the SLK 55 AMG. Under the hood, you will find a non-turbo version of the 5.5-litre V8 engine found in the CLS, E, S, and CL AMGs. Despite being naturally aspirated, the engine still produces a healthy 422 hp and 540 Nm (398 lb ft) of torque. The engine is connected to a seven-speed Sportshift Plus 7G-Tronic automatic transmission, sending power to the rear wheels. Acceleration from 0-62mph will take 4.6 seconds, while top speed is still electronically limited to 250km/h (155mph). Mercedes Benz has finally revealed the much anticipated SLS AMG Roadster, and it looks set to give drivers a thrilling open-top experience. It keeps the same 6.2-litre V8 engine and gearbox as the normal coupe, which means 571 hp and 650 Nm (479 lb ft) of torque, which is channeled through a seven-speed double-clutch transaxle. Acceleration from 0-62mph takes 3.8 seconds, while the top speed is electronically limited to 198mph (317 km/h). All the engines are hand-built at AMG’s Affalterbach workshop, with each unit built by one person - sticking to their “one man, one engine” slogan. The engine meets Euro-5, LEV 2, and ULEV emission standards, and has a combined fuel consumption figure 13.2 litres while emitting 308 grams of CO2 per kilometre. The fight for the crown of Germany’s best V8-powered sports coupe has just gotten a bit more intense with the release of the new Mercedes Benz C63 AMG Coupe. The C63 AMG coupe will be going against the BMW M3 and Audi RS5, armed with the 6.2 litre V8 powerhouse found in the saloon and estate versions. The engine is good for 457 hp (7 more than the RS5 and 37 more than the M3) at 6800 rpm and 442 lb ft (600 nm) at 5000 rpm. Power is sent through AMG’s seven-speed Speedshift MCT automatic transmission, which makes use of a multi-plate disc clutch instead of a torque converter. Acceleration from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) takes 4.5 sec, and hits an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. Keen Mercedes enthusiasts might have heard that Mercedes Benz was thinking of replacing the wonderful 6.2-litre V8 in the next C63 AMG with the new twin-turbo 5.5-litre AMG unit. Early information has revealed that the 2012 C63 AMG will in fact keep the naturally aspirated 6.2, and comes with 451hp and 443 lb ft of torque. Like before, there will also be a performance pack that will increase the horsepower output to 481hp and get a top speed of 174mph (280km/h). Though the engine remains the same, the old torque converter automatic transmission has been ditched in favour of the seven-speed MCT transmission found in the E63, CLS63 and SL63 AMG. With an official unveiling expected for the Geneva Motor Show in March, leaked pics of the new C-class coupe show how Mercedes Benz have merged elements of the newly facelifted sedan to a sleek coupe body. The new coupe is also expected to get the new engines destined for the sedan, which means a range of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, a brand new V6 engine, and a V8 AMG powerplant for the hot model. More details on the new coupe to follow. |
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