Pricing Update: Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG and AMG S Revealed

The big news coming out of Germany is that the ultimate Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been officially revealed. The C63 AMG and the C63 AMG S models will make their debut at the Paris motor show next week (October 2014).

C63 AMG goes Turbo

The old naturally-aspirated 6.2-litre V8 has been dropped and to many will be sorely missed. The new engine is still a V8 and is very closely based off the recently-revealed AMG GT. That’s right, the C63 AMG has been fitted with a four-litre V8 biturbo. Power output for the standard C63 AMG sits at 350 kW and 650 Nm, while those looking for even more power can opt for the C63 AMG S that notches power up to 375 kW and 700 Nm.

Acceleration on the C63 AMG is mind-blowing as Mercedes-Benz says the seven-speed gearbox has been tuned to shift even faster. Whether in normal automatic mode or shifting with the paddles, Merc says there is a noticeable difference in the speed at which the gearbox now shifts. Even the paddles have been tuned to respond faster.

The result is that the C63 AMG will leap from 0-100kph in 4.1 seconds and the AMG S will do it even faster at 4 seconds flat. Fuel economy is also improved as a result of the downsized engine and turbocharged technology. Merc claims the C63 will use just 8.3L/100km on the combined economy cycle.

Performance Exhaust Option

The C 63 and C 63 S feature a sports exhaust system with exhaust flap. Depending on the AMG selected drive programme, the engine sound varies. The V8 sound is tuned to sound like a racing touring car – complete with acoustic up-shift and distinctive double de-clutching feedback. In addition to setting it via the drive programme, the engine sound can also be set individually at any time at the push of a button.

Dynamic Engine Mounts

A further new feature of the C 63 S is the dynamic engine mounts – as used on the Mercedes-AMG GT. They work to maintain a balance between comfort and handling by reducing vibration from the engine/transmission unit. The dynamic mounts can adapt their stiffness smoothly and in fractions of a second to the driving conditions and style.

Edition 1

Merc has also announced there will be an Edition 1 variant as there was in the latest A-Class, CLA and GLA. There are six exterior paint finishes to choose from for the Edition 1: polar white, designo diamond white bright, iridium silver metallic, palladium silver metallic, obsidian black metallic and the AMG-exclusive paint finish designo iridium silver magno.

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG and AMG S price in South Africa

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG – R1 004 700

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG S – R1 163 800

Ford GT or Honda NSX?

That’s a question that’s been asked multiple times this week and the answer will depend solely on you and the feelings these cars conjure up within you. Although many exciting new models were revealed this week at the 2015 Detroit Motor Show, none garnered more attention than the Ford GT and the Honda NSX, and rightfully so, they look absolutely stunning.

Although both cars are vastly different, they are also similar in many ways. We have put some information together to help you decide which of these cars will rule the supercar roost when they start their engines in 2016. Some of the performance figures remain a mystery for now, but you can use your imagination to fill the blanks. So, what’s your choice?

Ford GT vs Honda NSX Infographic

ford gt

 

BMW 1-Series Facelift Revealed

BMW has revealed its facelifted 1-Series with quite a severe modification to the exterior as well as the introduction of the latest generation of petrol and diesel engines.

BMW 1-Series Facelift Details

A newly designed BMW kidney grille and larger air intakes dominate the frontal area. The front headlights have been redesigned as well and are vastly improved from the current ‘pig-eyed’ lights . They come with LED daytime driving lights as standard and can now be specified in full-LED specification as an option. The rear lights have also been completely remodeled. They now display the “L” shape characteristic of BMW models and reveal LED-powered lights.

They have added some standard equipment to the new BMW 1-Series model range as well. It now also features automatic air conditioning, a rain sensor, the BMW Radio Professional and the iDrive operating system, complete with a 6.5-inch display integrated in the instrument panel as a freestanding monitor.

The new set of engines range from efficiency winners to a power increase on the six-cylinder variants. The 116d is set to get a three-cylinder 1.5-litre turbodiesel capable of 85 kW and returning an amazing 3.4L/100km on the combined cycle test. However we will have to see if our local fuel quality is good enough to warrant the 116d coming to SA.

The range topping M135i gets pumped with an extra 5 kW, taking it up to 240 kW in total. Fuel consumption remains the same at 8L/100km. In certain markets the 120d, 118d and M135i can be specified with BMW’s xDrive, making them all-wheel drive models.

Toyota Aygo X-Wave Takes a Can Opener to its Roof

Toyota’s city-rocking Aygo is going to be offered with a retractable ‘magic carpet’ style roof. The special convertible roof will only be available on five-door Aygos.

Toyota Aygo X-Wave Opens Up

The X-Wave as it’s being called has a full length retractable roof that allows even the rear passengers to be blown around by incoming wind and sun. The roof is electronically controlled via a button in the centre of the roof.

Toyota has launched the x-wave as an option on the five-door Aygo x-pression model. Besides the roof the X-Wave model will also feature upmarket kit like 15-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, projector headlights with LED daytime running lights, the x-touch multimedia system with Bluetooth, reversing camera and air conditioning.

Gloss black elements in the bodywork and the cabin link in with the colour palette offered for the Aygo X-Wave that includes: White Flash, Electro Grey, Silver Splash, Red Pop and Deep Blue Buzz paint options.

Opel Adam Jam 1.0T (2015) Review

Opel is planning a big comeback in 2015 as it plans to launch multiple models in South Africa. The first of the new kids is the all-new Opel Adam, a city car with personality and a multitude of options to personalise it to your own unique style. We racked up over 2 000 km in the Adam with its 1-litre turbo motor during our test period and here’s what we discovered.

Small Turbo, Big Go

Small capacity petrol engines combined with turbocharging trickery are beginning to trickle in to our market. There’s the Renault Clio, Ford Fiesta and the new VW Polo that have a relatively small engine turbo too. Adam has a great little engine, it cranks out 85 kW and 170 Nm and it feels perfectly suited to the Adam’s size and personality.

The engine is keen to accelerate and the torque delivery in the mid-range is impressive, especially during overtaking. Even at freeway speeds the Adam offers up ample reserves of in-gear acceleration if you need to put in a quick spurt. The engine gives the Adam a fun and energetic feel, even if the three-cylinder growl is somewhat muted. Fuel economy was reasonable too, we saw 6.5L/100km over our near 2000 km run with the Adam.

How small is Adam?

It’s certainly a compact car made for snaking around town dodging traffic and nipping around obstacles without having to worry too much about hitting anything. The boot is small, but comparatively average amongst its rivals. I do wish the parcel shelf had been put on strings or folded back down automatically as the amount of times I left it up and then drove away with my rear view obscured was crazy.

Rear access could be better as well, the front seats could do a better job of folding down and sliding forward to let people in the back. The back isn’t too bad once you’re in, but I wouldn’t want to spend a long time there.

High class interior

In the section that matters in the Adam (the driver’s seat) Opel has really done a stellar job. The Adam’s interior is stylish and comfortable and it also features an easy-on-the-eye touchscreen and user interface. The materials used are soft to the touch, and the seats are very comfortable and supportive. The gadgetry is simple to connect to and the ability to integrate your phone with several apps already loaded on the car is really cool, although it seemed a bit hit and miss with my phone as to whether it would connect properly.

It’s also nice to see things like blind-spot monitoring and auto-parallel and perpendicular parking. All these auto-park systems are great when they work, but they do have a tendency to ‘not see’ or miss a parking space you’re after, leaving you looking like a bit of a fool to everyone around. The Adam is also fitted with excellent safety equipment that includes six-airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP and hill start assist.

Ride and Handling

Being a funky city car and in a segment where cars like the Mini, Citroen DS3 and Fiat 500 offer awesome thrills per minute, the Adam feels fun, but not an absolute riot to drive. The ride is sporty and quite firm and it grips nicely when thrown into a 90-degree corner. It could do with a little more feel in the steering wheel and possibly a quicker steering ratio to speed up the turn-in.

It’s not a bad handling car by any means, I still had fun whipping it through my local bends, but if you’re after something that’s going to wow you in the fun-to-chuck-about department then the Mini or DS3 might be more to your liking.

Opel Adam – Verdict

The cars in this segment sell mainly based on looks and customisation and the Adam has big green ticks in those boxes. It’s got a great turbo engine and is fun to drive for your average user. Opel announced pricing at the end of January 2015 and actually undercut the expectation, see below for the pricing. That makes it one of the cheapest cars in the segment and undercuts the Mini by R70 000. The Adam is certainly worth a look and at that price should see buyers aplenty.

Second Opinion

The highlight of this Opel Adam Jam is definitely the 1.0-litre turbo engine. Its got sufficient grunt within the city and on the highway and driving the Adam is a heap of fun as a result. Another bonus is the interior, which is funky, modern and well constructed. The attractive infotainment system is the cherry on top and the wide range of personalisation options make Adam that much more appealing. The Adam’s compact dimensions coupled with its good looks and personality should see it sell well in South Africa. – Gero Lilleike

The Opel Adam makes a mockery of the Mini Cooper and Citroen DS3. Essentially you’re getting the same experience: a small, compact runabout that oozes charm, style and character; with a number of great gadgets fitted. Throw in the extensive range of customisation options and a superb 1.0-litre turbo engine and you’re probably looking at the coolest city slicker for 2015. – David Taylor

Pricing

The Opel Adam range starts at R189 900 for the naturally aspirated 1.4-Litre. This turbo’d petrol in Jam trim is priced at a very reasonable R209 900 before you add the optional kits on. The top spec Glam model goes for R232 900.

We Like: Styling, character, turbo engine, interior quality, standard features

We Don’t Like: Rear entry tight, could be more fun to drive

Also Consider: Fiat 500, Mini Cooper, Citroen DS3

Opel Adam 1.0T Jam Quick Specs

Engine 1-litre, three cylinder turbo
Power 85 kW
Torque 170 Nm
Transmission Six-speed manual
Wheels 18-inch alloy wheels
0-100km/h 9.9 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed 196 kph
Fuel Economy 5.1L/100km (claimed)
Fuel Tank Capacity 38 Litres

BMW 2 Series Convertible Gets M Performance Parts

The BMW 2 Series Convertible is the latest model from the brand to gain an M Performance Parts package.

Dynamic and high-quality M Performance Parts

Exterior fitments include new side skirts and side decals with M Performance logo, new diffuser, a modified front grille with black trim surround and carbon exterior mirror caps. Rounding up the changes are BMW M Performance accent strips which run along the flanks below the crease line, a set of 19-inch alloy wheels in 405 M and 624 M designs, as well as a stainless steel silencer with chromed tailpipes and inscribed M logo.

Inside, the BMW M Performance Parts Accessories range offers a selector lever trim or – in cars with manual transmission – a gearshift lever with Alcantara leather, centre console trim, centre armrest and interior trim strips retrofitted in carbon. Alcantara steering wheels with carbon trim can be specified with or without the Race Display. The model can additionally be ordered with M Performance pedals and special floor mats with M Performance lettering.

Boosted performance

The BMW M Performance Power Kit for the BMW 2 Series Convertible boosts the engine output by 11 kW to 151 kW, reducing the 0-100 km/h acceleration time with 0.3 seconds.

The engine’s control unit receives an electronic upgrade while the larger-capacity intercooler is fitted. However, despite the higher engine output, there is no increase in fuel consumption in the ECE test cycle.

Opel Adam Gains Automatic and Convertible Options

The Opel Adam has been refreshed with a new and unique individualisation package which includes an Easytronic 3.0 automatic transmission and a Swing Top canvas roof option.

New automated transmission technology

The new automated transmission option is said to help drivers that no longer want to shift themselves permanently. The system not only allows for quicker and softer gear changes but also helps reduce consumption and emissions by around eight percent.

In combination with the 64 KW 1.4-litre naturally aspirated engine, Easytronic 3.0 cuts fuel consumption by up to 0.4-litres/100 km for the combined cycle compared to a five-speed manual transmission, while CO2 emissions are also reduced by 10 g/km.

The Adam 1.4 ecoFLEX with Start/Stop and Easytronic 3.0 averages 4.7-litres/100 km and emits 109 g/km.

The new Opel Adam Swing Top

In addition to offering the updated Easytronic 3.0 automatic transmission, the Opel Adam will feature a new Swing Top canvas roof, which is the same folding fabric roof offered by the Adam Rocks.

It will however take the roof five seconds to open and can be closed while travelling at speed of up to 140 km/h, with the soft top retracting to the C-pillar at the touch of a button. The entire roof module which is made of multiple layers, including a central neoprene is also said to offer good noise insulation inside the cabin.

The company further added that “neither trunk capacity nor all-round vision suffer under this roof design, no matter whether the roof is open or closed.”

“These new attractive possibilities will further strengthen our large ADAM family and give everybody the opportunity to configure their personal ADAM favourite,” explained Peter Christian Kuspert, Vice President Sales & Aftersales Opel Group.

“The choice of colours is growing too. We have added new colours in ‘Forget about Grey’ and ‘Greenfellas’. Therefore, customers can choose from 19 different bodywork colours now.”

You can read our story of the Opel Adam South African launch here.

Chevrolet Bolt EV Concept Shows Up In Detroit

Chevrolet has lifted the covers off its highly anticipated Bolt EV Concept, which it presented this week at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show.

“The Bolt EV concept is a game-changing electric vehicle designed for attainability, not exclusivity,” said General Motors CEO Mary Barra. “Chevrolet believes electrification is a pillar of future transportation and needs to be affordable for a wider segment of customers.”

Long-range all-electric Bolt EV concept revealed

The Bolt EV concept is said to be a five-door hatchback designed to offer long-range performance in many global markets. According to the company, the Bolt will further offer drivers a number of operating modes from “daily commuting” to “spirited weekend cruising”, with changes to the mapping of the throttle as well as the suspension height and tune.

The concept was built using a combination of lightweight materials such as aluminium, carbon fibre, magnesium and woven mesh. It additionally comes with aerodynamically-optimised features such as vented rear fenders which, help increase range while high-intensity LED technology was used for both headlights and taillights.

Airy, intuitive interior

The cabin’s airy, high-tech environment is reinforced with lightweight, slim-architecture seats mounted on exposed aluminium pedestals that create a floating effect, to which the centre console is attached and houses a 10-inch capacitive touchscreen display with interface features.

“The Bolt EV concept’s interior is intended as a sanctuary, with materials and technologies that reinforce the airy ambience and help contribute to the vehicle’s overall efficiency,” said Ed Welburn, vice president, GM Global Design. “It also incorporates technology in a subtler and simpler manner, for a more soothing driving experience – particularly in busy, urban environments.”

Technical specs are yet to be released, however, Chevrolet has said the Bolt is capable of providing a range of more than 322 km on a full charge of electricity.

Volkswagen Amarok Double Cab Now Available In 4×2 Version

Volkswagen South Africa has announced that its Amarok Double Cab, which now comes with a rear-wheel drive system, will now also be available in a 4×2 derivative.

New 4×2 derivative added to line-up

The eight-speed gearbox was first introduced to the local bakkie segment in early 2013, but was available exclusively with a permanent four-wheel drive system. But now with the rear-wheel drive system, according to VW, “the gears make it possible to achieve a wider gear ratio spread between the 1st and 8th gears compared to a conventional automatic transmission.”

The 4×2 derivative additionally uses the same 132kW 2.0-litre BiTDI unit as the all-wheel drive variant, with the difference being the combined fuel consumption, which now sits at 8.2L/100km (down from 9.1L/100km) with CO2 emissions of 216g/km.

Volkswagen Amarok Double Cab price in South Africa

Volkswagen Amarok Double Cab 2.0 BiTDI Auto Highline 4×2 – R467 700

The Amarok Double Cab with automatic transmission comes standard with 3-year/100 000 km manufacturer warranty, 5-year/90 000 km Automotion Service Plan and 6-year anti-corrosion warranty.

Ford Shelby GT350R Mustang rolls into 2015 Detroit Motor Show

Ford has revealed the Shelby GT350R Mustang at the 2015 Detroit Motor Show and the model has been dubbed as the ‘most race-ready road-legal Mustang ever built’. The GT350R was designed in the spirit of the 1965 GT350 Competition model developed by Ford and Carroll Shelby, which featured an advanced suspension setup while being lighter and more powerful.

“The Shelby GT350R Mustang is a no-compromise car in the pursuit of maximum track capability. It’s a thoroughbred street car making use of technology and ingenuity to deliver performance few enthusiasts have ever experienced” says Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development.

Ford Shelby GT350R Mustang Brings the Power

The Ford Shelby GT350R Mustang is fitted with Ford’s first-ever production V8 with a flat-plane crankshaft. With a capacity of 5.2-litres, this V8 thumps out 368 kW and more than 542 Nm of torque with the help of a 6-speed manual transmission and is the most powerful naturally aspirated production Ford engine ever.

The GT350R rides on lightweight 19-inch carbon fibre wheels making Ford the first major automaker to offer this technology as standard equipment. The carbon fibre wheels contribute to an overall weight reduction of about 23 kg, or 5.8 kg per wheel.

Less weight, better performance

Weight reduction was a key element in the design of the GT350R and Ford engineers removed a number of items to help reduce the overall weight of the car.  Removed items include air-conditioning, sound system, rear seats, boot floorboard and carpet, backup camera and tyre sealer and inflator, as well as the exhaust resonators.

Overall, Ford says the GT350R is about 60 kg lighter than the Shelby GT350 Track Pack model. The GT350R has also been aerodynamically enhanced with the inclusion of a hood vent, front and rear belly pans, diffuser, vented wheel wells, fender vents, wheel air curtains and side skirts

Revisions have also been made to the front splitter to enhance downforce and a carbon fibre rear wing aids in improving downforce and lift balance which will ultimately make the GT350R perform better on-track.

Exclusive design touches include red painted brake calipers and red pin striping on the edges of the optional racing stripes and Shelby GT350R badging. The interior features red contrasting stitching and a D-shaped steering wheel with red center mark.

Unfortunately, the Ford Shelby GT350R Mustang will not be available in South Africa, but you may be happy to know that the 2015 Ford Mustang will arrive on our shores at the end of the year.