Niche vehicles in America are always the best. They follow a simple set of guidelines: more or less totally impractical; rare as a Ferrari; bought to anger someone’s significant other. And yet, they always brought a huge smile to the owner. Some vehicles, such as the Plymouth Prowler and Chevrolet SSR, were very cool vehicles in this writer’s eyes, but completely hopeless in every other aspect. That’s what makes these vehicles so fun. Of course, there are vehicles that do offer a bit more practicality and function, but still offer a bit of that “wow” factor niche vehicles have. Case in point, the A3 hatchback from Audi. Okay, I will admit the A3 is not quite as radical as my two previous examples. However, where else can a small, sporty, leather-lined, climate-controlled, beautifully made, five-seat, all-wheel drive, four-door hatchback be found? The only two that come to mind is the Volkswagen GTI, the A3′s more athletic yet not as sophisticated brother, or hop a plane to Japan and pick up a Subaru WRX. So why get an A3 over, say, anything else in the Audi lineup? Well, for one, it offers the cooler Euro styling of the hatchback, which offers a more aggressive front bumper, good looking 17-inch alloy wheels, and a stubby, sharply-designed rear hatch. It is a bit more appealing over the everyday sedan body of the A4 without giving up any of the luxury or performance. Sit inside any A3 and look the sharp white-on-black gauge cluster. Sink into the supportive power leather driver’s seat and grab any part of the interior. There is not a cheap-feeling surface anywhere. And what is this? Heated front seats? Automatic climate control? Voice-activated Bluetooth and navigation? Bose CD stereo with Sirius radio? LED headlamps with Xenon headlights? On a car this small? Surprisingly, yes. But considering it is an Audi, and the one pictured here is priced damn near $40,000 with the upgraded Premium Plus trim with the Titanium Sport and Convenience packages, it better have all the luxury features necessary at that price. Luckily, you can get into the four-ringed hatchback for under $30,000 if the budget outweighs temptation. Price aside, there are many pluses with the little Audi. What I like most about the A3 over the A4 is its still...

The global economic situation has been steadily improving and luxury manufacturers are seeing strong increases in sales in the United States and around the globe. The good news is that in the midst of this, performance is alive and well. Cadillac’s V-Series lineup has been in the spotlight and Audi has released imported European market cars like the TT-RS and RS5 to our shores. At BMW we’ve seen the addition of a new model, the 1 Series M. It harkens back to the original M3 and, as a new entry-level model, should help increase sales for the M Division. According to new figures released by BMW, the M Division is doing pretty well for itself as it is though. For 2010, global M sales totaled 16,967 units, a strong increase of 14.2 percent. This was off the back of growth around the world, particularly in new and emerging markets. The U.S remains the largest market for M vehicles, with sales up 6 percent to 6,821 units. BMW’s home market of Germany follows with 1,716 sold, and Britain/Northern Ireland in third with 1,264. The best-selling model was the M3, checking in at 5,729 coupes, 2,544 convertibles and just 1,843 of the slow-selling (and probably soon to be phased out) four-door sedan. Chinese sales were up the largest, clocking in at 1,088 for a growth level of 355 percent. BMW’s tamer counterpart to the M cars, M Sport packages, totaled 138,800 sales globally, up by a paltry 1 percent. In short, it’s good to see BMW’s M cars selling better than ever before. This is also taking into account that the V-10 powered last generation M5 was being phased out. With new models like the 1-Series M and new M5 on the way, 2011 should be another banner year for the M Division. Related posts: Porsche Sales See Strong Increases Ford Sales Flourishes in 2010; 2nd in US Sales Brabham Is Back, & Playing With BMWs View post:  BMW’s M Division Sees Strong Sales in 2010

Exclusive to the MINI Cooper S: John Cooper Works Tuning Kit. The selection of John Cooper Works retrofit options will also welcome some attractive new additions in spring 2011. Customers keen to sample the sporting driving experience in the MINI Cooper S, MINI Cooper S Clubman or MINI Cooper S Convertible in an even more focused form will be able to order their cars with the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit. Performance-optimised engine management and a specifically designed air filter system enable the twin-scroll turbo engine to develop even greater power. Indeed, the maximum output of the four-cylinder unit rises another 12 kW to 147 kW/200 hp at 5,700 rpm. Plus, the driver can call on maximum torque of 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) between 1,250 and 5,000 rpm when some seriously forceful acceleration is required – and this can be raised to as much as 270 Nm (199 lb-ft) between 1,800 and 5,000 rpm courtesy of the Overboost function. All of which means that the MINI Cooper S can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 6.8 seconds and record a top speed of 234 km/h (145 mph). The John Cooper Works Tuning Kit includes a model-specific sports silencer with chrome tailpipes, which optimises the exhaust gas discharge and gives the engine sound a particularly sporting note. It is available for retrofitting on all relevant models with manual gearbox produced since March 2010. It meets the MINI brand’s high standards of quality and safety in terms of both design and engineering and is retrofitted, like all John Cooper Works accessories components, by authorised MINI Service Partners. This means that the car’s warranty will remain unaffected. Another new addition to the John Cooper Works accessories range is the 18-inch Cross Spoke Red Stripe light-alloy wheel variant, which will also be available from spring 2011. The black wheel features the innovative addition of a red trim strip on the wheel rim. This high-quality marking is produced by means of a special painting process, and the colour tone is identical to the red of the painted John Cooper Works brake callipers. [Source: MINI ] Excerpt from:  Starting March 2011: As of March 2011: MINI John Cooper Works and JCW Tuning Kit Package

MINI Cooper SD – new 2.0 liter engine with 143 horsepower Just a few months after the market launch of the new MINI family and the MINI Countryman, the start of 2011 has brought another wave of driving fun and individuality in the premium brand’s hallmark style. The MINI Cooper SD, due for launch in spring 2011, will be the most powerful diesel variant yet in the MINI line-up. The new 2.0-litre engine developing 105 kW/143 hp – available for the MINI, MINI Clubman, MINI Convertible and MINI Countryman – will drum up even more power yet burn extremely small amounts of fuel. Motor sport enthusiasts will welcome the new John Cooper Works Pack option also on offer for the MINI and MINI Convertible. Furthermore, the customary selection of personalisation options available for drivers to configure their MINI in their own image has taken on even greater proportions. The newly developed MINI Yours product range offers a host of extremely attractive customisation options. The first ambassador of the exclusive and innovative MINI Yours style will be the MINI Clubman Hampton special edition. MINI Cooper SD: Impressive on the power, frugal at the pumps. The new MINI Cooper SD slots into the range above the MINI One D with 66 kW/90 hp and MINI Cooper D developing 82 kW/112 hp as the most powerful diesel MINI. Its 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel unit produces maximum output of 105 kW/143 hp at 4,000 rpm. A stand-out characteristic of the new diesel is its mighty pulling power, which remains on tap even under heavy loads; maximum torque of 305 Newton metres (225 lb-ft) is available between 1,750 and 2,700 rpm. Add this to the excellent balance between output and fuel consumption familiar from the other models in the MINI family plus extraordinary power development for a four-cylinder engine, and the MINI Cooper SD has all the tools the sporty driver could ever need. In its basic construction, the new 2.0-litre diesel fits the same template as the 1.6-litre units fitted in the MINI One D and MINI Cooper D. Its all-aluminium crankcase helps to keep the weight of the engine as low as possible, while the turbocharger with variable intake geometry develops the right level of power at all engine speeds. The engine in the MINI Cooper SD has a model-specific...

As a pioneer and one-off in the premium small car segment, MINI offers an options range unmatched in its variety to allow customers to configure their car exactly how they want it. Customers can choose from a large selection of exterior paint finishes, light-alloy wheels, upholstery variants, interior trim and Colour Lines, MINI-specific options such as mirror caps and graphics, and numerous other optional extras and accessories, to make every MINI a one-off creation designed in detail to reflect their own individual style. From spring 2011 MINI will open up another new avenue when it comes to the ultra-stylish customisation of the brand’s cars. The MINI Yours range of products will feature exclusive design options delivered from the factory for the exterior and interior of the current range of MINI models. Among the features of the MINI Yours range are unusual paint finishes, upholstery variants and interior colours, stylishly configured equipment packages and limited editions based on the now four model series in the MINI family. An exclusive variant of the MINI Clubman takes centre stage for the premiere of MINI Yours. The MINI Clubman Hampton special-edition model embodies the character of MINI Yours – underpinned by uncompromising premium quality and design cues typical of the brand – in a highly concentrated form. Its design features reference both the brand’s British heritage and the special edition’s unique designation, inspired by the southwest London suburb. At the same time, the first limited-edition variant of the MINI Clubman continues a tradition established by successful editions of earlier models. For example, the Park Lane, Seven, Checkmate and Sidewalk editions of the MINI offered customers particularly neat ways to satisfy their desire for exclusive configurations. Premiere for MINI Yours as the MINI Clubman Hampton takes to the stage. The MINI Clubman Hampton is painted in the Reef Blue metallic shade developed specially for this model. The roof and surrounds for the special edition’s rear doors are silver, as are the wheels and Colour Line. The exterior colours Pepper White, Midnight Black and Eclipse Grey can be specified as an option, while Black and Reef Blue are available as contrast colours for the roof and C-pillars. The...

Bill Auberlen is one of the most recognizable names in not just racing today, but BMW racing. He has been part of two American Le Mans Series championships with BMW Motorsport, and doesn’t to be ready to stop anytime soon. After prepping and getting the new Rahal-Letterman Racing BMW M3 ALMS racer ready for battle this season, he shot off to Dubai for the 24 hour race that was actually in preparation to racing with Turner Motorsport in the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. So a few hours before he took to the Daytona International Speedway for the 49th running of the Rolex 24, he took some time to talk to us about his great career and why he loves and continues to work with BMW, even after racing for so many other great automakers. BMWBLOG : Now you’ve raced all over the world, in almost every type of race car. What cars stand out as ones you really enjoyed driving and racing? Bill Auberlen : The first ones that come to mind first are the handmade ones that come from BMW. The V12 LM which was the predecessor to the V12 LMR was ground breaking. When I saw it first come out it made my heart beat faster. You just knew it was going to be awesome. I remember the first time I saw the LMR. Tom Kristensen was driving it in Austria through the mountains. They made this debut in front of all these people; I thought, ‘man, if I could only drive that’. That same year I was enlisted to drive that car in the American Le Mans Series. Every time I sat in it and heard that twelve cylinder going it was exhilarating! Unbelievable! Apart from BMW, a Judd Dallara I drove made so much downforce, it tried to rip your head off every time you got into a corner. That was at the peak of the LMP, where the rules let you have giant down force with diffusers, under trays and wings. It was a really neat car, really easy to drive and very fast. I have been really fortunate to be in some of the best cars in the world! BMWBLOG : In 2000 at Road Atlanta your BMW V12 LMR did an amazing back flip and was, miraculously, able to land on all four tires. What exactly went through your mind at this point? And what did you feel as you it the ground? Bill Auberlen : This was the year Mercedes had the flips in Le Mans. The cars had this big under floor and if the cars started to get a little...

Word just came down the pipe. The BMW 1 Series M Coupe production will run at 60 units per month for the U.S. market. Our sources indicate an 11 month production cycle which puts the total number of 1M vehicles produced for the U.S at 660 units. There are a total of 365 BMW dealerships in the United States, so if our math is correct, that’s nearly 1.8 cars per year per dealer. Same source indicate some larger dealerships will likely get 2 or 3 units, while the smaller shops may only get 1 unit every 2-3 months. Furthermore, the order bank for the 1M is already full at BMWNA and some dealerships with a large number of orders might have difficulties in filling in those purchase orders. Final pricing for all the options and packages will be released soon, and we are also anxiously waiting on information regarding the European Delivery allocation and pricing. The ED office has yet to determine if the allocation will come out of the dealerships’ bank or our favorite automotive program will actually get their own units for the year. While the information above have not been confirmed by BMWNA, we have all the confidence in our source. Stay tuned for more information this week! See the original post: Exclusive: BMW 1M production – average of 60 units/month for U.S. market

In some cities, a so-called ‘War on Cars’ is being waged by governments as well as other groups citing environmentalism and congestion concerns. Passing certain rules and user fees against car owners residing in metropolitan areas has become common place. Some cities had posted special licensing taxes for residents to own an automobile within city limits. In England, vehicles traveling into many areas within the city of London streets are assessed a minimum £9 (equating to around $14.45 in US money) Congestion Charge to encourage alternative transit over excessive personal vehicle travel. Proposing an option that motorists can make a lump sum payment to obtain unlimited travel into Congestion Charge areas, a website called avoidthecongestioncharge.com has been advertising the benefits of a simple badge. For £799 (approximately $1,283 US), a DRIVe badge provides a driver exclusion from the Congestion Charge payment. While, in essence, the DRIVe badge can truly grant no cost access to the streets within City of London, the website was actually a guerrilla marketing campaign for a the much more expensive accessory to the DRIVe badge. Though the initial impression of the website leaves Internet viewers believing the domain is an independent website, the true motivation is made clear as the Volvo name and products began to pop on screen. After being automatically redirected to a new page, the invitation to see the newest CO2 low-emission vehicles of Volvo is offered. Diesel-powered Volvo C30, S40 and V50 make up the brand’s DRIVe range. Through their web of marketing, Volvo presses that the three DRIVe-badged vehicles indeed apply for special driving considerations. For vehicles emitting less than 101 gCO2/km and conforming to Euro 5 emission standards are granted a Greener Vehicle Discount. Another perk of this incentive allows these lower emission vehicles to enter Congestion Charge areas without payment. Road use incentives for low or zero emission automobile purchases is not unique to the English city of London. In the case of electric and hybrid vehicles in North America, some jurisdictions allow alternative powertrains automobiles to run in HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lane or better known as carpool lanes even with only the driver behind...

Press Release: From autumn 2011, all new BMW cars can be equipped with an innovative traffic information system to ensure that sheer driving pleasure is compromised as little as possible by tiresome traffic jams and tailbacks. Real-Time Traffic Information (RTTI) has been developed by BMW ConnectedDrive for BMW navigation systems. It delivers unique dependability and accuracy in the automotive sector when generating, transmitting and applying information on the latest traffic situation in real-time. This data is used for calculating the most efficient route and making any subsequent detour recommendations. BMW ConnectedDrive customers are able to use RTTI as a premium alternative to the continually available Traffic Message Channel (TMC). The key benefits are as follows: faster and more comprehensive data communication via cellular networks and the SIM which is integrated in the vehicle. In addition to motorways and major roads, the new system also covers country roads and numerous inner-city links. Considerably more data are taken into account for analysing the traffic situation and they are also updated more frequently. In the future, BMW drivers will receive precise information about the traffic situation on a potential diversion route in addition to warnings about traffic jams on the current route. Unexpected delays occurring on the alternative route are thus a thing of the past. Instead, the navigation system always seeks out the fastest route to the driver’s selected destination, even under the most adverse conditions. This very tangible benefit for streamlined journeys compared with previous bulletins about tailbacks is based on the significantly increased volume of data that can be used for analysing the traffic situation. Apart from the traffic reports provided by the police, only a limited number of sensors are available on motorways and arterial roads so far, whereas the future will see both moving and stationary vehicles providing data that indicate the latest status on traffic flow and congestion. Apart from truck fleets operated by freight forwarders and taxis with navigation systems linked to a control centre, mobile phones carried in vehicles will also deliver data that indicate traffic jams or tailbacks. The dynamic network connections of cellular...

UK magazine Autocar publishes their own review of the 2012 BMW 650i Convertible. As with the previous reviews, this one sits on the positive side and outlines some of the best characteristics of BMW’s high-end cabriolet. What’s it like? Gone is the bullish and bloated look of the old model, replaced by a much more elegant and cohesive lineage. Not surprisingly, given it is based on the same underpinnings as the latest generation 5-series, the new 6-series cabriolet has grown in length and width, putting on 74mm and 39mm respectively, although height is down by a scant 8mm – all of which serves to give it a longer and more lithe profile together with a more confident and athletic stance. As with the exterior, the interior has also been thoroughly reworked, with a unique dashboard and centre console – the latter now angled slightly towards the driver for a more cosseting feel than that of the old 6-series cabriolet. The perception of quality has also received a welcome lift thanks to the inclusion of higher grade materials and added attention to detail. Driving experience Out on the open road, the new 6-series cabriolet feels terrifically solid with very little scuttle shake even over nasty ruts, and, crucially, is a good deal more entertaining than its predecessor. It changes direction with added eagerness and, despite its vast array of electronic driving aids, can be relied upon to adjust its line mid-corner. BMW says overall stiffness has been improved by a remarkable 50 per cent, both for dynamic and ride characteristics, along with a more direct action for the front steering and, in a first for the up-market open top ranks, the addition of the BMW’s Integral Active Steering. As far as driving characteristics are concerned, it is really a matter of what chassis setting you choose. As with high end versions of the new 5-series and the larger 7-series, BMW’s Dynamic Drive system allows you to select between three different modes: comfort, normal and sport. A further setting, sport plus, also delays the intervention of the stability and traction control systems to give you a further dimension. Normal is the mode of choice for everyday running, providing an excellent blend between ride quality, body control and overall response. It better suits the...

First reviews of the new 2012 BMW 650i Convertible are just in. First one comes from Car and Driver and is somewhat a mixed review with both pros and cons. Let’s have a quick look at some of their major points: Style. “If you are shopping for a 6-series convertible, please accept our congratulations. According to BMW market research, this is your third or fourth car—not ever, mind you, but currently. To snag such customers, the Bavarians start with style. While the previous-generation 6 ushered in an almost iconoclastic era of BMW design, the new 6, styled by Nader Faghihzadeh, returns somewhat to the elegance of the first-generation 6 introduced in 1976. From every angle, the new car looks low and wide and oozes a subtle but unmistakable aggressiveness. The front end features a new fog light style—executed with LEDs—and a hint of the shark nose that had all but disappeared from BMWs. Thankfully, the 650i uses an evolution of the previous car’s fabric roof instead of a heavy folding hardtop.” The engine and transmission. …… Some credit for this car’s responsiveness goes to the transmission, the ZF 8HP70 eight-speed automatic. It shifts quickly and efficiently, and its extremely tall top gear helps keep fuel consumption at acceptable levels. But if you hustle it, the 650i still slurps gas. Figure on real-world fuel economy somewhere around 12–14 mpg if you’re going to play hard. More rewarding than talk of efficiency is the great soundtrack of the V-8. We’ve experienced this engine elsewhere, but here, BMW tinkered with the ignition timing to achieve a delicate burble in the exhaust whenever the automatic shifts. And with so many gears to choose from, it shifts a lot. The electric steering concern. Unfortunately, the electric steering is a reason to stay away from the sportier modes. As on the new 5-series, the steering is slightly numb on center and feels artificially heavy, but the synthetic feel is less noticeable in Comfort and Normal. You can tinker with the system settings individually, but no combination will charm you. The steering feel and the V-8′s drinking habits are the only drawbacks of an otherwise wonderful car that looks like a BMW should. The regular 6-series doesn’t have many competitors,...

An exhibit recognized as the world’s largest display of custom cars, the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon takes place at Makuhari Messe International Convention Complex showing off over 600 vehicles in pure modified trim. Composing as part suppliers of some of those automotive creations come from 300 companies represented at the show. Like many custom car gatherings, even the auto companies themselves realize a presence as these lively events is to a benefit for fostering their reputation. Toyota’s premium car brand Lexus arrived with 5 vehicles at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon serving to generate a new level of performance excitement. Lexus IS F Club Performance Accessory Likely to attract the most eyeball and camera phone glances at the display of Lexus vehicles is the one of two IS F interpretations. The first one of these modified Lexus IS F is the Club Performance Accessory model. Created for Toyota Racing Development (TRD), the IS F Club Performance Accessory provides an even more aggressive take on the thrilling V-8 powered sport sedan. Featuring exterior enhancements such as a carbon fiber hood and a more proactive front air dam, a new diffuser is added under the rear bumper. Magnesium wheels, limited-slip differential and titanium exhaust is also well-presented on the Lexus IS F Club Performance Accessory sedan. Inside, the theme of extensive carbon fiber continues to set the heightened performance mood presented as paneling. Sport seats topped in a bright orange serves as the saddle for which a sport sedan adventure seeker rides. Lexus IS F Club Circuit Sport Racer (CCS-R) The second of the Lexus IS F sedans is the CCS-R (Club Circuit Sport Racer) edition. Geared specifically for the weekend gentleman or lady racer, the Lexus IS F CCS-R takes street comfort completely out of the equation. Framed with carbon fiber body panels including the hood, truck and spoilers, specialized racing suspension carries all the handling equipment needed for challenging closed road course corners. Riding on stick tires, the Lexus IS F CCS-R incorporates braking, engine cooling, equipment and a mechanical limited-slip differential. Windows on the sport sedan has been replaced with clear polycarbonate while the cabin structure involves a frameless roll cage. Secured in a 6-point...

Simultaneously with the market launch of the new BMW X1 xDrive28i in spring 2011, an M Sports package will make its debut in this series. It will be available for all engine versions of the compact BMW X model and comprises suspension, exterior and interior components specially developed for this model. These features further enhance the vehicle’s sporty and agile driving qualities and give them a distinctive visual dimension as well. They include sports suspension calibration and 17-inch double-spoke M alloy wheels for even sharper driving dynamics. Alternatively, the M Sports package can be supplied with 18-inch double-spoke M alloy wheels. The M Sports package for the BMW X1 also features an M Aerodynamics package, door sills with the “M” logo and BMW Individual High Gloss Shadow Line trim for the side window surrounds and roof rails. Also available in conjunction with the M Sports package are the metallic exterior paint colours Alpine White, Le Mans Blue, Sapphire Black, Space Grey, Vermillion Red and Mineral White. Sports seats upholstered in cloth/alcantara, an M leather-trimmed steering wheel with multifunction buttons and an M footrest for the driver add to the driving pleasure when the BMW X1 is equipped with the M Sports package. The high-end sporty theme is capped off by a BMW Individual roof liner in Anthracite, dark cross-brushed aluminium interior trim, the M gearshift lever for vehicles with six-speed manual transmission and a leather handbrake lever gaiter. More:  Debut: M Sports package for the BMW X1

BMW 740i vs. Porsche Panamera vs. Audi A8 vs. Lexus LS 460 vs. Jaguar XJL vs. Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid vs. Hyundai Equus MotorTrend put together a comprehensive and highly detailed comparison between the entry-level high-end luxury sedans from several automakers, including BMW. The US magazine takes out favorite 740i and places it against Audi’s new A8, the controversial Panamera, the luxurious LS 460, the new and improved Jaguar XJL, the new contender Hyunday Equus and the classic competitor, Mercedes S400. Each car tested had its own pros and cons, but overall, MotorTrend places the 2011 BMW 740i at the top of their list, another indication that the six-cylinder 7er fits the bill for many customers looking for ultimate luxury without sacrificing the driving experience. PERFORMANCE* 1. Porsche 77 2. Audi 75 3. Jaguar 69 4. BMW 66 5. Lexus 59 6. Hyundai 56 7. Mercedes-Benz 48 *Compilation of acceleration/braking/handling performance LEASE RESIDUAL VALUE/MONTHLY PAYMENT* 1. Lexus 52%/$1557 2. Jaguar 52%/$1649 3. Hyundai 51%/$1172 4. BMW 48%/$1719 5. Audi 45%/$1904 6. Porsche 44%/$1976 7. Mercedes-Benz 40%/$2016 *ALG 36-month, 10%, $0-down lease JDPOWER QUALITY: IQS VDS* 1. Porsche 83 110 2. Lexus 88 115 3. Mercedes-Benz 87 142 4. Hyundai 102 148 5. BMW 113 165 6. Audi 111 182 7. Jaguar 130 175 *Problems per 100 vehicles across entire brand: Initial Quality Survey (90 days) and  Vehicle Dependability Survey (3 years). Underscore indicates industry average (109/155) COMFORT 1. Lexus 2. Mercedes 3. Hyundai 4. Audi 5. Jag 6. BMW 7. Porsche TECH-GEEK GADGETRY 1. Audi (LED headlights, Drive Select, handwriting input) 2. Hyundai (Lane-Departure, radar cruise control) 3. Porsche (highly customizable cockpit displays, PDK, auto-stop) 4. BMW (active anti-roll bars, iDrive customizability) 5. Mercedes (Hybrid drive, auto-stop) 6. Lexus (self-parking feature) 7. Jaguar SOUND SYSTEM QUALITY 1. Lexus Mark Levinson 2. Jaguar Bowers & Wilkins 3. Hyundai Lexicon 4. BMW base (unbranded) 5. Porsche Bose Surround 6. Audi base (Bose) 7. Mercedes-Benz base (harman/kardon) LABEL SNOBBERY 1. Porsche 2. Mercedes-Benz 3. BMW 4. Jag 5. Audi 6. Lexus 7. Hyundai Overall Ranking 1. BMW 740i 2. Porsche Panamera 3. Audi A8 4. Lexus LS 460 5. Jaguar XJL 6. Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid...

Thanks to the German performance horse of AMG (aligned as the official tuner of Mercedes-Benz vehicles) has taken Mercedes-Benz vehicles to the absolute limits of street legal performance. Having built one of the more extreme supercars with the SLS AMG, the modern reality is being the fastest is no longer the only consideration. Mercedes-Benz, like all other automakers, wants to tout efficiency in their designs prompting more power from smaller engines. Taking a line from the introduction of the 1970s TV Series ‘The Six Million Dollar Man’, the latest automobile engineers with Mercedes-Benz and AMG are happily saying “we have the technology!”. The newest Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG is a player to the new game. Said to be inspired by the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG supercar, the latest-generation CLS 63 AMG is given sensible performance styling adjustments. Just the right amount of enhancements to make the AMG treatment obvious, the exterior of this high-performance four-door coupe is first accentuated by special 19-inch titanium gray-painted light alloy wheels. Within a revised front fascia, the side inlets of the lower air dam is given an increased overall opening with the replacement of the regular 2012 CLS’ lighting bars. A full LED headlight system with consisting of a total 71 lamps is standard on all CLS 63 AMG four-door coupes. Mercedes-Benz claims the LED lighting longevity is five times the life of xenon light bulbs. Another notable difference on the CLS 63 AMG over the typical CLS 350 is additional detail made to the hood allowing for an expanded engine bay readying observers for a sensational surprise under that bodywork. Speculated in a early Automoblog.net article, the soul of the new Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG is the new 5.5 liter biturbo V-8 engine. Equipped with two turbochargers and gasoline direct injection, AMG’s 5.5 liter V-8 powerplant. Under European Union NEDC specs, the Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG accomplishes 9.9 liters per 100 kilometer range. This new CLS 63 AMG claims a 32 percent over the previous 6.2 liter V-8 engine. It remains to be seen how the new biturbo 5.5 liter V-8 CLS 63 AMG will measure in delivering improved fuel economy on American roads. Producing 516 pounds-feet of torque and 527 horsepower, this new engine...