Car Reviews

Have you heard what’s coming from Mercedes in the next two years? No, it’s not low rate car insurance, though one could argue that it may help save money on gas, if not insurance premiums. At the 2008 Frankfurt Motor Show in September, Daimler announced the upcoming production of no fewer than seven green cars, specifically six hybrids and a fuel-cell vehicle. Here’s a brief rundown of the lineup:

• ML 450 Hybrid (2009): This is a two-mode hybrid with a 279 hp V6 gasoline engine that provides 249 lb-ft of torque, and a dual-motor hybrid module that produces the equivalent of 61 hp. Combined, the system outputs 321 hp and has a maximum toque of 354 lb-ft, and gets the equivalent of 30.5 mpg. The electric motors are powered by a 288-V battery.
• S 400 Hybrid (2009): This car features a single-motor hybrid module that provides 20 hp, and a 279 hp V6 gasoline engine. Combined, the maximum torque is 277 lb-ft, and the power provided is 299hp. This hybrid module in this car is a compact hybrid with boost and start-stop functions. The S400 has an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph, and fuel economy is about 30 mpg.
• E 300 BlueTec Hybrid (2010): This will be the first of three Mercedes-Benz models to offer a combination of Bluetec, 7G-Tronic, and hybrid technologies. It uses a modular technology concept that consists of a newly developed 2.2-liter, 4-cylinder diesel engine that produces 204 hp and provides maximum torque of 354 lb-ft, and is mated to a compact hybrid module that delivers an additional 20 hp. With this combination, which nets a combined torque of 413 lb-ft, the E 300 surpasses the power of many 6-cylinder 3+-liter diesel-powered vehicles.
• S 300 BlueTec Hybrid (2010): Another member of the S Class lineup, this BlueTec hybrid has combined torque of 413 lb-ft, and fuel economy that equals 44 mpg. It has the same engine configuration and performance specs as the E 300 BlueTec Hybrid, with a top speed of 149 mph. It’s also got an AdBlue injection system, and has the potential to meet the 50-state Tier 2 Bin 5 standards. Sometime after 2010, there will be an S 400 BlueTec Hybrid model released as well.
• C 300 BlueTec Hybrid (2011): Like the E 300 BlueTec Hybrid, the C 300 comes with both a diesel particulate filter and an oxidation catalytic converter to help it comply with Bin 5 (and Euro 6) emissions standards. It provides 224 hp under combined power and has a top speed of 147 mph, though it accelerates faster than the E 300 because it’s lower in weight.
• B-Class F-Cell (2010): This will be the first use of the fuel cell system that Mercedes-Benz originally introduced in the F 600 Hygenius research vehicle three years ago, but features a redesigned stack that produces 30% more power while using 16% fuel and being 40% smaller than its predecessor. A new ventilation system and an electric turbocharger has improved its ability to cold-start, and its power output is 136 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque.

None of these vehicles is expected on the market before the turn of the year, and it is not yet certain which will be offered in the United States, but all of them represent a new direction for the classic car company, and proof that going green really is a global phenomenon and not just a temporary trend.

I’m a big fan of the smaller SUV’s that are now finally reaching the market. I liked the BMW X1 Concept a lot and now I’m liking the Mercedes GLK 350 even more (obviously!).

Wheeltronix just posted these photos, and also mentioned some tuners that had their way with the GLK350 — check their post!

Automaker BMW released the pricing details for its forthcoming diesel versions of the 3-series and X5. These models will be displayed at the L.A. auto show next week prior to their launch in the United States.

The sedan costs ,725, inclusive of destination charges, and rates at 36 mpg in highway driving and 23 mpg in city driving. It travels at 560 miles on one tank of fuel. While the X5 xDrive35d rates at 26 mpg in highway driving and 19 mpg in city driving and costs ,025, including destination charges. It travels at 585 miles.

Called the BluePerformance, this new BMW diesel technology uses urea injection to cut back on CO2 emissions. Both models have twin-turbo, 3.0-liter I6 powerplant with 265 hp. It delivers plenty of torque, with an engine rated at 425 lb-ft, almost in par with BMW’s vaunted V12.

BMW joined automakers Volkswagen, Audi and Mercedes-Benz as they bet on diesel technology to help solve the problem with fuel economy. BMW states that 67 percent of its products sold in Europe have diesel powerplants.

Diesel counterparts have long been accepted and favored in Europe, but automakers continue to convince the U.S. that diesel vehicles aren’t noisy and dirty, which is the common notion over the past years. BMW debates that while diesel is 15 percent more costly than premium gasoline at present time, it is still 30 percent more fuel efficient. BMW executives have expressed the possible expansion of diesel technology to other vehicles and engines, although nothing was specified. We look forward to Biodiesel in particular, as it will most likely be another step in the right direction saving the planet from CO-killing!

Over the past year or two, more and more automakers have revealed environmentally friendly versions of their top selling vehicles, and BMW is no exception, but what you may not realize is that the German carmaker has actually been working with clean energy, and specifically hydrogen as a fuel source, for more than 25 years – longer than the existence of “global warming” as a catch phrase.
Here are a few more facts about BMW’s take on hydrogen fuel:

• Not Just Fuel Cells: Along with Ford and Mazda, BMW’s hydrogen-fuelled vehicles use a “normal” internal combustion engine rather than fuel cells. The advantage of this is that while hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are still a long way from mainstream availability, the hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines (aka H2ICEs) have a much greater potential for a faster, cheaper, appearance, and just like their fuel-cell brethren, cars with H2ICEs are zero-emission vehicles with exhaust emissions primarily made of water.
• On the Road Since 2006: Hydrogen isn’t yet readily available, but in 2006, BMW introduced a new generation of its H2ICE cars, putting 100 drivers around the world behind the wheel of their bi-fuel Hydrogen 7’s. With the touch of a button, these cars can switch from using hydrogen to using conventional gasoline, and with either fuel being used, the V-12 engines under the hoods of these cars provide 260 hp, and make a top speed of 143 mph. (this is an electronically controlled limit). They hydrogen, which is stored in cryogenic liquid form, gives these vehicles a 125-mile (or more) range between refills, and increases that by 300 miles when running on gas – the separate tank for which holds 19.5 gallons. Since then, BMW has also launched the Hydrogen 7, a hydrogen-only car that gets even more impressive results across the board, improving engine performance, fuel consumption, emissions, and the distance between necessary fill-ups.
• H2ICEs Come with Big Advantages: One of the greatest items on the “pro” side of the H2ICE chart is that they only require minimal alterations to engine manufacturing and maintenance. These engines can be built on the same production lines already used for the construction of diesel and gas-only engines, and BMW does so routinely, using the same assembly lines as those which produce their more conventional 5-, 6-, and 7-series cars. To contrast, hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles require the complete redesign of both equipment and facilities, though both come with the need for specially trained technicians.
• More Affordable: Since H2ICEs have almost all of the environmental benefits of a hydrogen fuel-cell, but incur only a fraction of their cost in the construction process, their availability will help establish a “hydrogen distribution infrastructure.” As well, they’ll also cost less to buy, which is of vital importance to penny pinchers, because while going green via H2ICE might be cheaper than the alternative, finding discount auto insurance for such a vehicle is highly unlikely due to lack of data.

You’re probably thinking, “Well, all this is great, but how do they drive?” which is a valid question. BMW stresses (and reviewers agree) that hydrogen beamers still qualify for the epithet, “ultimate drivine machine.” Both the bio- and mono-fuel versions of the Hydrogen 7 share the safety features, comfort details, and performance of any other BMW 7-series car in production, with one added benefit: they’re virtually silent. Not only does this allow you to arrive home in the middle of the night without waking the neighbors, it’s also another feature fuel-cell cars don’t have. It’s almost impossible to be silent with an electric motor whirring away, after all.

While most of the media about MINI these days has to do with the impending MINI E, which may well be the smallest green vehicle marketed by a conventional car company, there’s other news as well. For example, this year also saw the introduction of the first MINI convertible, and there’s a rumor that a diesel-powered MINI may come to the United States.

Also forthcoming from this very British subdivision of BMW is the carmaker’s first SUV. It’s called the MINI Crossover Concept, but don’t go rushing out in search of car loans just yet, because it won’t go into production before 2010, even though prototypes disguised in scary paint jobs have been spied on the streets of England.

Despite the SUV references, and the fact that this is the largest MINI yet designed, this 4×4 car is still only 4 meters (about 156 inches) long, putting it just a hair longer than the MINI Cooper Clubman that debuted earlier this year, but keeping it about 20 inches shorter than a Honda Civic sedan.

Aside from the size, other innovations in this new MINI, which was first seen at the 2008 Paris Auto Show this summer, will be the marque’s first for-wheel drive, making it a major selling point for aficionados in places where there’s actual winter. The concept pictures show single seats in the back, and most analysts believe that will change to a more conventional rear bench on the production models of the car. The concept version also has 3D touch displays.

Other details of the concept car that may be changed for production include the asymmetrical door configuration, which includes two short front-hinged doors on the right side of the car, and a longer front-hinged door plus a parallel-opening shorter door on the left (the latter at the rear of the car.) As well, the hatch is designed to open from the right, and incorporates a retractable window, to make hauling longer items more possible.

Neither platforms nor power-trains have been confirmed, but it’s generally assumed that this car will be a variation of the MINI Clubman’s design, though it features a modified MacPherson-strut front end and a tweaked multilink rear suspension that cause the body to sit higher than usual, though this is less obvious on the concept version because it was shown with 18-inch wheels. Experts are assuming that production models will ship with smaller wheels.

As to engines, again, it is expected that one of those used in the MINI Cooper Clubman will be used.
It should be noted that this car is being listed as a MINI Crossover Concept, at present, and does not have the Cooper name anywhere, which may be intentional, as a bid to the die-hard traditionalists who abhor the thought of MINI making an SUV.

Ohhh the Italians. If their architectural style and good cuisine were not enough, then how about the newly announced Maserati GranTurismo S MC Sport Line? Inspired from Maserati’s track experience, with exquisite looks, the modifications include new front and rear carbon fiber spoilers, side skirts and some amazing black-finished 20-inch rims. The MC Sport Line also got a stiffer suspension and has been lowered by 10-cm to increase handling. If the 440hp/ 323kW, 4.7 litre V8 engine won’t get you drooling, I’ll bet my money on the luxurious and powerful design. Lovely job!

In most parts of the world, winter has arrived and snow is already present and causing problems. However driving a Mercedes GL-Class could really change it. It looks powerful and to be honest, it is, so before you decide if you’re going to buy one of these muscle cars, we’ve just heard that it’s going to get a minor facelift. Front headlamps will uses LEDs for day driving and full LEDs for the rear lighting, features newly shaped air intakes, new front and rear bumpers, and some interesting exhaust pipes. Doesn’t look like a bad option if you can afford it. Check out the pics below for more details. - via

I don’t know about you, but looking at this “Stylish Package” that has been offered by Nissan Japan for their 370Z, we’re sold. Featuring a front spoiler, a rear wing with an integrated third-stop light, clear crystal rear tail lamps (wicked, right?), the ‘Z’ scruff plates and what Nissan calls … “Sports Horn” (can’t tell which is it), the new stylish package is only going to be available in Japan. Looks pretty simple, but damn hot at the same time. Isn’t it? - via

The new 2009 Jaguar XJ has been mentioned in a press release these days. Apparently the company is trying to make it even better as if the all-aluminum sedan with V8 power under the hood would need anything new. With newly designed seats for better leg room, standard seat heaters, a soft grain leather interior, some amazing 20-inch wheels and new side power vents, a rear aero spoiler and a full width chrome ’signature blade’, the new Jaguar XJ is certainly going to keep its sporty flavor. Prices start from £44,599 for the XJ Executive 2.7-litre Diesel and go up to £57,760 for the XJ Super V8 4.2-litre Petrol.

And just to prove a point that Jaguar wants to be kinda eco-friendly … “The diesel demonstrated its credentials last year by covering 1000.2 miles on a single tank of fuel – the average consumption hitting 53.5mpg which equates to 139g/km of CO2″. Not bad, huh? Now all you need is the cash to buy it. - via Autoblog

The guys at BMWBlog managed to get their hands on a 2010 BMW Z4 brochure image that shows the rear and the folding hard top roof. Rumors on the market say that December 15 is the official date to be announced, while at the Detroit Auto Show it will be officially unveiled for the first time. It sure looks promising and if are to trust previous leaked images (spied in showroom - below) we think it’s going to be a hit.

As for what’s under the hood, the new Z4 is going to pack 2.0-, 2.5-, and 3.0-litre engines, a quick 3.0-litre twin turbo, and a massive 4.0-litre V8 from the M division which will do great with impressing ladies. Like it?