Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Special Edition Revealed

Aston Martin has revealed first details of the track-inspired Vantage GT3 special edition.

Aston Martin Vantage GT3 is Built for the Track

Said to be inspired by the company’s track-version GT3, the special edition features new flared carbon fibre front wings, carbon fibre bonnet, a lithium ion race-derived battery, carbon-fibre door casings plus optional carbon fibre roof and polycarbonate rear windows. Through weight saving measures, the car has shed a total of 100 kg over the Vantage S, leaving it with a weight of 1565 kg.

There’s also a carbon fibre hood, a black mesh grille, ceramic coated tailpipes and 19-inch forged alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres.

The sporty theme is carried through inside with an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, carbon fibre sport seats, carbon fibre centre stack with touch-sensitive controls, leather door pull straps and an infotainment system with GPS navigation.

Bespoke engineering upgrades

Described as the “most potent and uncompromising Vantage to date,” the GT3 packs a 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 441 kW and 625 Nm of torque. It’s connected to a seven-speed automated manual transmission which allows the car to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds before reaching an estimated top speed of 297km/h.

Among other upgrades found under the hood, Aston Martin has equipped the Vantage GT3 Special Edition with a track-tuned suspension featuring revised springs and dampers, as well as an enhanced Adaptive Damping System with three different modes: Normal, Sport and Track.

Other highlights include the magnesium inlet manifolds with revised geometry, a lightweight magnesium torque tube and a full titanium exhaust system with centre outlets.

The Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Special Edition will have its world premiere at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show before going on sale in a limited production run of just 100 examples in the third quarter of 2015.

Video Update: McLaren MSO 650S Project Kilo Unveiled

McLaren Special Operations (MSO) has unveiled a one-of-a-kind 650S Project Kilo model described as one of the most individualised 650S ever made featuring new carbon fibre body panels.

McLaren MSO 650S Project Kilo

The new McLaren MSO 650S Project Kilo comes with a carbon fiber options including the roof, new sill panels, the rear diffuser, and instrument cluster bezel with integrated shift lights.

The vehicle also features new aluminium water and oil filler caps painted in body colour with McLaren Orange logos, McLaren Orange painted inner door seams with MSO logos and a 24 carat gold plated exhaust heat shield.

There’s also a small drawing of a kiwi bird on the engine cover, which the McLaren says is a reference to New Zealand, “the birth place of our founder, Bruce McLaren”.

The one-off 650S Coupe is also distinguishable by its unique Kilo Grey paint, orange brake callipers, MSO lettering on the side skirts and by the titanium wheel bolts.

McLaren 650S MSO Project Kilo – extensive bespoke customisations

New Audi R8 Teased with Laser Technology

Audi has partially teased the new R8 with an image showing off its LED headlights. Audi has revealed that the second-generation R8 will also feature a high-beam laser lighting as an option.

Laser Tech for 2015 Audi R8

Audi claims that the laser lighting uses high intensity laser diodes which produce high amounts of light energy from a small component, effectively doubling the lighting range compared to LED high-beam headlights.

The laser lighting system includes a laser module with four high-intensity laser diodes, which ‘bundles’ four blue laser beams. A phosphor converter then converts the blue light into white light. The new Audi R8 will however be fitted with an LED headlight system as standard, which includes a total of 37 LEDs per headlight.

Making its first appearance in the R18 e-tron quattro race car and followed by the Audi R8 LMX limited edition model in 2014, laser spot technology is the latest lighting innovation from Audi alongside previous innovations including LED daytime running lights and Matrix LED headlights.

The new Audi R8 will be shown at the Geneva Motor Show on 3 March and will stand alongside its fully electric e-tron derivative. We will provide further details regarding the Audi R8 as and when they become available. Stay tuned!

 

Mercedes-Benz G500 4×4² First Image Released

Mercedes-Benz has fully exposed its G500 4×4² ahead of a supposed debut set for the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.

The Mercedes-Benz G500 4×4² follows on from the 6×6 which was unveiled back in 2013, boasting rugged and off-road looks, higher ride height, massive 22-inch wheels with 325/55 off-road tyres and a slightly modified body with carbon fiber attachments.

Engine wise, the Mercedes-Benz G500 4×4² is said to be equipped with the same 310 kW 5.0-litre V8 engine developing as in the existing G500 models.

Additional details will surely be revealed in coming weeks as the car is scheduled to be launched at the Geneva Motor Show on March 3rd.

All-new Rolls-Royce Crossover Confirmed

Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten-Mueller Oetvoes and Chairman Peter Schwarzenbauer have both confirmed through an open letter that the British marque is developing an all-new Rolls-Royce Crossover with exceptional presence, elegance and purpose.

‘New Rolls-Royce will be effortless’

Both men avoided using “crossover and SUV” to describe the model, but rather said that the latest creation will be a “high-bodied car with an all-new aluminium architecture” that can “cross any terrain.”

The executives went on to add that the car “appropriately reflects Rolls-Royce’s brand promise of effortless luxury” and will be extremely luxurious and “worthy of carrying the Spirit of Ecstasy into the future.”

More details on the new Rolls-Royce crossover are said to follow in due time.

Fuel Price Increase Predicted for March 2015

For some time now South African motorists have enjoyed the fruits of a decreasing fuel price trend. Although lower fuel prices in South Africa have offered a degree of relief to motorists, the tide is turning and the trend is shifting. Based on unaudited mid-month fuel price data from the Central Energy Fund, The Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) has predicted a fuel price increase for March 2015.

Fuel Price Hike Likely

According to the AA, “International fuel prices have climbed by over 20 percent since the last week of January. A spike in the Rand / US dollar exchange rate has also put pressure on the fuel price, with current data predicting a March price increase for petrol of around 68 cents a litre, with diesel and illuminating paraffin up by approximately 45 and 48 cents a litre respectively.”

The AA also noted that this was the first under-recovery in several months and only significant improvements in the exchange rate and international petroleum prices would prevent a fuel price increase come March. At this point it’s unconfirmed whether this ‘uptick’ in fuel prices can be attributed to volatility or whether the bottom of the cycle has been reached.

The AA further advised motorists to brace themselves for a potential fuel price increase in March and prepare to allocate funds to accommodate any fuel price increases.

To help you save money at the petrol pumps, we also suggest you adopt these fuel efficient driving tips.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Enhanced With New Tech Systems

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has further been enhanced with new internet-enabled telematics, boasting high performance multimedia devices as well as navigation systems.

New telematics generation from Mercedes-Benz

In-line with keeping up with the rapid growth of in-car communication technology, Mercedes-Benz has introduced a new internet-enabled infotainment system with GPS navigation. This system enables “convenient use of the versatile options afforded by modern communications technology”.

The standard E-Class comes with basic Bluetooth telephony which, can now be used with new and fast LTE mobile phone networks. There’s a 4G wireless broadband internet connection with download speeds of up to 300 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 75 Mbps.

In addition, the navigation system gives you the optional Garmin MAP PILOT which is new to the E-Class. It stores its map data on an SD card and it can be operated via the controller or via voice control – providing a 3D display of terrain and other various buildings. Furthermore, route destinations can be downloaded via the internet and followed.

There’s also a Live Traffic Information service included free of charge for the initial three years after registration. The system works by gathering and transferring high quantities of traffic data via the internet, including “floating car data” technology.

Lastly, Mercedes-Benz announced that the E-Class will be available in the new E 220 BlueTEC 4MATIC modification, with the diesel engine delivering 125 kW and 400 Nm to all four wheels.

2016 Hyundai ix35 SUV Teased

The next generation 2016 Hyundai ix35 SUV has been teased, draped in a red sheet camouflage showing off only the front end of the car.

New ix35 will be a global model

The SUV was first teased in a design sketch and video showing off “a bold and athletic presence and a proud stance”, characterised by “flowing surfaces, bold proportions, sharp lines” and Hyundai’s “signature hexagonal grille.”

The image shown here reveals the model will feature uniquely designed alloy wheels and fog lights and LED daytime running lights grouped together.

Previous reports have suggested the 2016 Hyundai ix35 crossover will be offered with a wide range of petrol engines with outputs ranging from 104 to126 kW and a few diesels with outputs between 86 to 137 kW.

The 2016 Hyundai ix35 will be fully revealed during Hyundai Motor’s press conference at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show on March 3.

Kia Sportspace – Another Sexy Sportwagon

Kia will officially reveal the Sportspace concept at the Geneva motor show in March 2015. The concept showcases a grand tourer type vehicle that’s comfortable over a long journey and stylish to behold.

Sportspace Design Showpiece

I will admit to being a fan of the station wagon shape and this Sportspace concept is really hitting the right notes as far as looks go. According to Kia the Sportspace is “designed at Kia’s Frankfurt design studio, under the direction of Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer Europe, the Sportspace features a unique and captivating body shape. The car is born out of a commitment to provide stylish and exciting transportation for four which is also spacious and functional, without sacrificing the performance, sustainability and economy that Kia is known for.”

“We set out to design a car that is a totally new breed of grand tourer – one for active people who need reasonable cargo space on the weekend, but don’t want to compromise moving around in style, comfort and with an element of sportiness,” explains Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer Europe.

Whilst Kia may not have mentioned it in its release, it is widely believed that this concept shows that Kia may offer its next generation Kia Optima in a station wagon as well.

The Mercedes-Benz SL Mille Miglia 417 Edition

Mercedes-Benz has revealed the seventh-generation SL Mille Miglia 417 Edition set to make its public premiere at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show next month.

60th anniversary of a memorable motor racing success

Designed to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Mercedes-Benz’s victory win at the 1955 Mille Miglia road race in Italy, the special edition two seat roadster adopts the race number 417 won in its class at Mille Miglia while British driver Stirling Moss took the overall win in the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR.

The “SL Mille Miglia 417” will be available as a package limited to 500 units with a magnetite black metallic paint scheme and three optional colours: night black magna, cashmere white magna matte and diamond white.

The car also boasts a number of cosmetic tweaks including red accents on the front and rear bumpers, brake callipers and also on the standard 19-inch front and 20-inch rear alloys. Inside there are red and matte carbon accents, as well as red and black leather seats with “Mille Miglia 417” lettering embroidered on the headrests.

The SL-class Special Edition “Mille Miglia 417” is available as an SL 400 equipped with a V6 twin-turbo 3.0-litre engine developing 245 kW and as an SL 500 model powered by a V8 twin-turbo 4.6-litre delivering 320 kW. Both SL Mille Miglia 417 models come standard with adaptive dampers while the Active Body Control (ABC) system is available at an additional cost.