Autoesque

German tuner Mansory has comprehensively reworked the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The result is the Cormeum, named after an opera aria. Changes to the bodywork go well beyond just sticking a body kit on. The front end, which has been totally redesigned to reduce lift, now sports aggressive air intakes and new headlights. Lighter roof and door panels are fitted, while replacement wings widen the car by 66 mm at the front and 84 mm at the rear. Around the back, a race-spec diffuser is there purely for more down force, as is the boot lid spoiler. Combined with the forged alloy wheels - 20” diameter at the front and 21” for the rears - the alterations knock 90 kg off the weight of the donor SLS AMG. To go with the reduced bulk is more power. The V8 engine in the Cormeum boasts 650 bhp (485 kW / 660 PS), compared to the standard car’s 563 bhp (420 kW / 571 PS). However, if that’s still not enough, Mansory is saying that outputs of up to 790 bhp (588 kW / 800 PS) are in development. Any ...

Arguably, the last thing that the Ferrari 599 GTO needs is more power. That hasn’t stopped tuner Novitec Rosso though, which has lifted the GTO’s outputs from 660 bhp (493 kW / 670 PS) and 620 Nm (457 lb/ft) of torque to 875 bhp (653 kW / 888 PS) and 862 Nm (635 lb/ft). Those are enormous increases, achieved by reworking the twin superchargers, fitting high-flow air filters and fuel injectors, replacing the exhaust system and fiddling with the engine’s ECU. The end result is, well, rather underwhelming. Whereas the standard GTO will accelerate from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 3.35 seconds and to 124 mph (200 km/h) in 9.8 seconds, the Novitec version does each sprint in 3.2 and 9.1 seconds respectively. Improvements that hardly embarrass the stock car, then. Top speed also gets a similarly slight increase, rising from ‘over’ 208 mph (335 km/h) to ‘more than’ 211 mph (340 km/h). Completing the conversion are lower sports springs, a front axle lift function to help negot...

An inescapable issue for electric vehicles is battery cost. Not only can it have a considerable impact on the initial purchase price, but there’s also the financially unpleasant prospect of eventual replacement. Government-backed schemes such as the UK’s Plug-in Car Grant can help with the former problem, but what if a manufacturer is trying to market an electric van, which currently isn’t eligible for such a helping hand? Renault’s solution for its electric Kangoo Van Z.E. - as with its entire EV line-up - is that owners can buy or lease the vehicle itself, but the batteries will have to be rented. In the UK, that means a monthly battery fee of at least £59 (plus VAT), based on 9,000 miles per annum and a 48 month commitment. Adding on maintenance plus the electricity needed to recharge the batteries, Renault reckons that overall running costs will be similar to those of a petrol or diesel equivalent if less than 9,375 miles (about 15,000 kilometres) are driven each year. Travel...

Following the unveiling of the Cruze Hatchback ‘show car’ in Paris last September, Chevrolet has released the first images of the production version that’ll be at Geneva next week. Apart from some elements that gave the concept a bit more pizzazz - such as the lights and large wheels - not a lot has changed. Adding a hatch to the existing saloon is bound to extend the Cruze’s appeal, especially in Europe. However, one potential snag for GM could be that the Chevrolet cannibalises sales from its slightly more upmarket cousin, the very, very similar Vauxhall / Opel Astra. Sales of the Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback are set to start this summer. Prices and specifications have yet to be confirmed, but a fresh line-up of engines is promised, including a 160 bhp (120 kW / 163 PS) diesel. The new model is also going to be built in Australia, where it’ll be marketed as the Holden Cruze. Images © GM Corp. Related post: Cruze hatch show car

BMW Motorrad has announced UK prices and specifications for its six-cylinder K 1600 GT and GTL super-tourers, ahead of their showroom launch on 19 March. The recommended retail prices are shown for each of the four available versions. These include VAT and delivery, but dealer on-the-road charges will be extra. K 1600 GT - £14,950 Standard specification: · ABS · Self-levelling Xenon headlight · LED indicators and brake light · Heated grips · Heated seats · Optional low seat · E-Gas with three engine power modes · Cruise control · 5.7” high quality LCD dashboard display · Electronically adjustable screen · Colour-matched panniers · Centre stand K 1600 GT SE - £15,765 Standard specification, in addition to K 1600 GT: · Adaptive Headlight · Tyre Pressure Control · Dynamic Traction Control K 1600 GTL - £16,515 Standard specification, in addition to K 1600 GT: · Integrated audio system · Comfort windshield · Colour coded top box · Comfort footrests · Ch...

Vauxhall / Opel is to unveil its Zafira Tourer Concept at next month’s Geneva International Motor Show. Despite the ‘Concept’ tag, it gives a very strong hint of how the third generation Zafira is going to look. While some styling elements - such as the striking Ampera-inspired front end - will probably make it onto a production version, others stand less chance. That latter category would include the edge-lit, full-length glass roof, although the panoramic windscreen might well end up being an option. On the inside, there’s the Zafira’s signature Flex7 three-row seating system. A further development for the concept is the ability to convert the cabin into a roomy four seat ‘lounge’ configuration. This is achieved by folding down the centre section of the second row, which is then replaced by two armrests. The interior design signals a move upmarket for the Zafira, although it’s expected that the caramel leather and deep-pile carpet of the show car will be replaced by more fa...

Mazda has now built over 900,000 examples of its MX-5 / Miata / Eunos Roadster. Sometimes it feels like a large proportion of those have been special editions, so there are no prizes for guessing how Mazda has decided to mark that production milestone. Yes, it has cobbled together yet another special edition. This one is called the ‘Kendo Special Edition’, named after the modern Japanese martial art. On sale in the UK from the beginning of March, buyers will be able to choose from either the £19,255 MX-5 1.8i Kendo soft-top or the £22,320 Mazda MX-5 2.0i Kendo roadster coupe. The formula used is tried and tested: Paint the car a different colour, stick some fancy trim on the seats, add a few options. In the case of the Kendo - which is based on the current SE models - this means Sparkling Black or Dolphin Grey mica finishes for the bodywork, while the interior gets Stone Leather upholstery. Also included are unique 17” alloy wheels, cruise control, Bluetooth telephone connec...

Offering a respite from the numerous electric vehicles and hybrids at the Geneva International Motor Show will be the Jaguar XKR-S. Featuring a reworked supercharged V8 engine, it boasts an output of 542 bhp (404 kW / 550 PS) - exactly the same as Jaguar’s seminal XJ220 supercar from the 1990s. With a correspondingly healthy 680 Nm (501 lb/ft) of torque, the XKR-S will accelerate from zero to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 4.2 seconds before going on to a top speed of 186 mph (300 km/h). That makes it the fastest Jaguar road car ever, comfortably outpacing the standard XKR. To go with the extra performance are tweaked suspension settings, a reprogrammed Adaptive Dynamics system and revised aerodynamics. A price for the XKR-S has yet to be confirmed but, with the stock XKR costing £77,900 in the UK, expect to have to part with around £90,000. That would make it virtually the same as the slightly slower Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

Given the popularity of oil burners in Europe and their superior fuel economy, it’s surprising that manufacturers have taken so long to develop diesel hybrids. It looks like it could become a popular powertrain combination, though. Land Rover has already announced that it’ll be presenting the Range_e prototype at the upcoming Geneva International Motor Show, and now Volvo has revealed the V60 Plug-in Hybrid. Driving the V60’s front wheels is a 2.4 litre five-cylinder turbodiesel engine, producing 212 bhp (158 kW / 215 PS) and 440 Nm (324 lb/ft) of torque. The rears, meanwhile, are separately powered by a 69 bhp (51 kW / 70 PS) electric motor which gets its energy from a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The only transmission available will be a six-speed automatic. Developed in conjunction with Swedish energy firm Vattenfall, the V60 Plug-in Hybrid will also be premiered at Geneva, ahead of a market launch that’s scheduled for sometime during 2012. The headline numbers are an...

A new Gold Wing had been expected, but anyone who was waiting for an all-new bike to challenge the just-released BMW K 1600 GT / GTL is going to be disappointed. The 2012 Gold Wing, at dealers from May this year, is virtually identical to the model it replaces. Major changes are limited to a partly redesigned fairing with better protection from the elements, slightly larger panniers and revised suspension settings. Other modifications include an MP3 player interface, clear-coated wheels, a reshaped taillight, urethane seat coverings, updated instruments and an improved satellite navigation system. Despite Honda’s decision to shift Gold Wing production from Ohio to Japan, the United States will undoubtedly remain an important market. So it’s no surprise that the first public display of the revised version will be at the International Motorcycle Show in Greenville, South Carolina (25 - 27 February 2011), followed by an appearance at the Daytona Bike Week in Daytona Beach, Florida ...

Yamaha Factory Racing has unveiled a new colour scheme its MotoGP challenger, the YZR-M1. The bikes may look smart finished in blue with the signature Yamaha ‘speed block’ motif, but the livery reveals that attempts to find a title sponsor for the 2011 season have failed. Current World Champion Jorge Lorenzo remains with the team to defend his title, while replacing Valentino Rossi is Ben Spies, who moves up to the works outfit following a year at independents Tech 3. The 2011 MotoGP championship commences on March 20 with the Grand Prix of Qatar. Related post: Ducati unveils GP11

An increasingly common route to low emissions is to use a small capacity, turbocharged diesel engine. But for the latest version of its Indian-built Micra, Nissan has bucked that trend. The result is the 1.2 litre Direct Injection Gasoline-Supercharger, or DIG-S for short. A three-cylinder unit, it needs a supercharger because it runs on the Miller Cycle. Unlike a normal four stroke engine, the intake valves on a Miller engine are left open for the initial part of the compression phase, reducing internal power losses and allowing it to run at a higher compression ratio. The new engine produces 96 bhp (72 kW / 98 PS) and 142 Nm (104 lb/ft) of torque, but its real party piece is efficiency. Combined with a stop / start system and regenerative braking, the Micra Visia with manual transmission will manage 68.9 mpg (4.1 l/100km), while emitting just 95 g/km of CO2. Even the slightly heavier Acenta version achieves 99 g/km, and so it too will be exempt from both UK road tax and the ...

Lotus has introduced a slightly lighter, slightly cheaper version of its Elise. Aimed directly at track day enthusiasts, the Elise Club Racer sheds 24 kg (52 lbs) thanks mainly to the loss of sound insulation and the fitment of a special motorsport-derived battery. Tipping the scales at 852 kg (1,878 lb), it certainly follows the traditional Lotus ethos of minimising weight to maximise performance. The Club Racer is based on the 134 bhp (100 kW / 136 PS) 1.6 Elise, meaning it enjoys CO2 emissions of just 149 g/km. In line with its circuit-orientated role, changes to the chassis include retuned suspension settings and an adjustable front anti-roll bar. Additionally, the Dynamic Performance Management system - which, among other things, controls the electronic differential, cornering brake control and traction control - comes with a Sport setting, and it can also be turned off completely. Lotus has priced the Elise Club Racer at £27,500 in the UK and €34,450 in the Eurozone (dep...

Bertone has unveiled the B99 concept, its take on what a future small Jaguar should look like. Measuring 4.6 metres long - about the same as a BMW 3 Series or Mercedes-Benz C-Class - it’s an extremely elegant design that mimics the glasshouse and overall proportions of previous generation XJ saloons. And that’s the problem, because Jaguar styling has moved on over the past five years. The XF and current XJ demonstrate a conscious effort to break away from the constraints of a retro design language. That makes it hard to see the regressive B99 sitting comfortably within today’s range. It’s also questionable whether certain features, such as the low roofline, clamshell doors and pillarless construction, would actually be carried over onto a production version. Take those away, and the danger is that Jaguar would end up with another X-Type. Not necessarily a bad car, but not the best-looking Jaguar ever, either.

BMW subsidiary Husqvarna has unveiled its SMR511 supermoto. Despite the name, power actually comes from a 478 cc single-cylinder engine connected to a six-speed transmission. A four-stroke unit, it features twin cams, four valves and Keihin digital fuel injection. The suspension set up includes a rear Sachs damper which is adjustable for pre-load, rebound and compression and gives 290 mm of travel. Up front is a pair of 50 mm Marzocchi upside-down forks, offering 250 mm of travel. Braking is taken care of by Brembo floating discs. In the UK the SMR511 will cost £7,299, excluding first registration fee and road tax. It’s due in dealers this month.

A major appeal of touring car racing is that the machinery used is similar - at least in looks - to the models that the public can buy from their local showroom. Honda has decided to capitalise on this association by launching the limited edition Civic Ti. Unashamedly inspired by its own British Touring Car Championship contender, the Ti is based on the five-door 1.4 i-VTEC SE and 1.8 i-VTEC SE. Production will be restricted to just 500 examples. A marketeer’s dream, the Ti builds on relationships already forged by the Honda Racing Team. For starters, the 17” wheels are supplied by Team Dynamics, and their dark finish undoubtedly looks good against the Premium White Pearl paintwork - the only colour choice available for the Ti. There’s also a navigation system from Pioneer which, conveniently, is the company that has just been announced as title sponsor for Honda’s 2011 BTCC campaign. Featuring a 3D graphical touch screen, the Pioneer hardware includes mapping for 44 countries, ...