Filed under: Road Tests Considering the Cayman is basically a Boxster convertible with a roof, it is perhaps a surprise to those not in the know, that as a driver’s car it is regarded almost as highly as the 911 . In fact, possibly the only thing missing from this range was a more hardcore and driver-focussed range-topper. After seven years, Porsche finally obliged last year and the result is the £59,874 (as tested) Cayman R. Even with snow on the ground and no winter tyres, we jumped at the chance of spending a week with the ultimate Cayman. So, why should you get excited by the Cayman R? Well, it has been on a diet for starters and lost 55kg thanks to some aluminium doors, lightweight 19in alloys and the fitment of some bucket seats. Also, air-con and a radio are no longer standard. You won’t confuse the R version with lesser models from the outside. The unique body styling includes chunkier front and rear air dams, classic ‘Porsche’ side graphics and the fixed rear spoiler. We like it. The Cayman R is powered by a 330bhp version of the 3.4-litre flat-six engine, which is basically a tweaked version of the same one fitted in the Cayman S. This Porsche is a great car to drive too and gets off to a good start with the suede-trimmed, retro-styled, three-spoke steering wheel. The steering seems sharper than ever, is well weighted and has plenty of feel. The ride is sportily firm and potholes are amplifed through the body and bucket seats, but it’s what you’d expect from this type of car. Grip even in the snow on the low-profile tyres was impressive, the turn in sharp; it is roll free and always felt controllable on the limit. Inside, the suede and leather-trimmed bucket seats plus the red detailing for the centre console, dashboard and seatbelts make the Cayman R feel special. Other evidence of weight-saving in the interior include the belt-type door openers and the lack of a cowel over the intruments. The best part of the Cayman R’s 3.4-litre engine is how responsive it is, whatever the gear. The optional sports exhaust on our test car (£1,414) also had a loud button, making the delicious charismatic wail from the engine even more addictive. To make the most of the Cayman R’s power, you’ll...

Introducing the Mercedes-Benz Viano Vision Diamond concept, the fanciest van you’re likely to see this year, which debuted at the Beijing auto show . The luxurious van follows the yacht-themed Viano Vision Pearl concept that debuted in Frankfurt last year. Instead of the Pearl’s maritime ambience, the Vision Diamond gets a subtle nod to the number 8 in the form of eight diamonds scattered about the interior. Why eight? The number is considered lucky in Chinese culture. This concept gets a slick two-tone paint job—black over diamond white—with gold accents, and the color scheme also carries over to the AMG-like five-spoke wheels; they even painted “Mercedes-Benz” on the brake calipers in the same gold color used on the body. Finally, there’s a diamond painted on both B-pillars. Night Vision Comparison Test: 2012 Mercedes-Benz CL550 vs. BMW 750i, Audi A8L Seat-Massager Comparison Test: 2012 Mercedes-Benz CL550 vs. Jaguar XJL Supersport, Audi A8L Comparison Test: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 Sport vs. Audi A4 2.0T, Infiniti G25, BMW 328i, Volvo S60 T6 AWD Naturally, the Vision Diamond’s interior is where you’ll find the luxury action. The van is set up like a limousine, with rear accommodations for passengers separate from the cockpit. Rear occupants can separate themselves from the driver with a divider that uses Benz’s Magic Sky Control electrochromatic glass, which changes from tinted to clear at the push of a button. Passengers can further distance themselves from their chauffeur by motoring up a 40-inch monitor in front of the partition. Interestingly, all of the rear windows get the two-mode glass, which assuredly isn’t cheap. (The option costs $2500 on the SLK roadster ‘s roof, for example.) Porcelain-white Nappa leather covers nearly everything in the passenger area, with much of it done in a diamond-quilted pattern, and Mercedes threw in champagne flutes and champagne-flute holders for added opulence. For those who want to amp up that atmosphere further, there is chilled storage for no fewer than five champagne bottles in addition to a bumpin’ Bang & Olufsen sound system. The audio gear and the 40-inch monitor can be controlled by an iPhone or iPad, and passengers can watch movies or video conference using...

Electronics are used to enhance almost everything in new cars these days. Traction control senses wheel slip under power and acts to regain forward motion. Stability control senses understeer or oversteer and brakes individual wheels to keep you off the guardrail (within the limits of physics and available traction, that is). Even the engine noise you’re hearing in cockpit may be artificially enhanced, just like the dancers at your local strip club. Sound tubes that passively pipe engine sounds into the interior are nothing new. Ford’s Mustang uses them, as does the new 3.8-liter Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Volkswagen’s GTI used them until 2011, when they eliminated the tubes (likely as a cost-cutting measure). BMW’s redesigned M5 has the same idea, but takes it to a whole new level: instead of piping engine noise through a plastic tube, the M5 captures engine sound via a microphone (or microphones), then amplifies this and pipes it through the car’s audio system. Purists, as you’d imagine, were horrified by this “feature.” Skeptics, like ourselves, saw it as just another system to fail down the line, with no real benefit whatsoever to performance. Now, thanks to a helpful poster on M5 Post (found via Autoblog ), you can decide for yourself if ActiveSound is worthwhile by watching the video below. Does the car sound better with ActiveSound on? Whether it does or not is somewhat irrelevant, since pulling the fuse also disables the audio system and reverse sensor warning system, two things that few drivers would willingly live without.   Go here to see the original: The 2012 BMW M5, With And Without Active Sound: Video Read the original here:  The 2012 BMW M5, With And Without Active Sound: Video

Volkswagen will continue to roll out upgrades to the Jetta on the fly, rather than hold any updates for a single big face lift. Later this year, we expect a high-end trim level, and some time in the second half of next year the replacement engine for the Jetta’s 2.5-liter inline-five should arrive. A top-of-the-line SEL Plus trim will bring to the five-cylinder Jetta SEL many of the same refinement upgrades made to the GLI , including the use of softer-touch materials for the interior. The hard plastic and cheap feel of the interiors of standard Jetta models has been a sore point since the car launched in 2010. Like the GLI, the SEL Plus would be much closer to the more premium European versions of the Jetta. (A detailed rundown of the differences between the American and European Jettas is available here .) We expect that the SEL Plus will retain its less-expensive torsion-beam rear setup, though. A 1.8-liter Turbo Four for All Coming later—late 2013 for the 2014 model year seems like a good bet—Volkswagen will finally begin to ditch the naturally aspirated five-cylinder engine it uses in the Jetta, Passat, and Beetle. According to one of our sources in Europe, though, the plan right now is to use a 1.8-liter turbo four in all three of the cars—not a turbo 1.4 in some, as we previously expected. In European installations, the 1.8T makes 158 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque. Barring major changes, those numbers would keep the Jetta near the top of its class in power and at the top in torque. As recently as last January, a Volkswagen exec expressed interest in using a 1.4-liter turbo for the Jetta and Beetle, saving the force-fed 1.8 for the Passat. But with Volkswagen intent on growing volume in the U.S. market to somewhere near mainstream levels, it will be more efficient and more cost-effective to minimize the number of engines it offers. The 1.4T and 1.8T come from two different engine families— EA211 and EA888, respectively—and it’s worth mentioning that the turbo 1.4 still will be used in the Jetta hybrid , arriving in U.S. showrooms later in 2012. Go here to read the rest: VW Jetta Gets New Trim Level Soon, 1.8-Liter Turbo Four Next Year Read more here:  VW Jetta Gets New Trim Level Soon, 1.8-Liter Turbo Four Next Year

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has returned to Auto China in 2012 with a world debut. The new Phantom Extended Wheelbase takes centre stage in the company’s largest market, where the majority of Phantom buyers commission this ultimate expression of a Rolls-Royce. The launch in Beijing follows last year’s global debut for Ghost Extended Wheelbase in Shanghai. Phantom Extended Wheelbase completes the Phantom Series II family, following the debuts of Phantom Saloon, Phantom Coupé and Phantom Drophead Coupé at the Geneva motor show in March. The launch also comes as Rolls-Royce Motor Cars continues to grow in China, having opened three new showrooms this year, with five more to come in the near future. “I am proud to present our new benchmark of automotive luxury in China,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “No other luxury product comes close to Phantom Extended Wheelbase in staging an object of exquisite beauty, effortless opulence and grand theatre. I am delighted that our discerning Chinese clients continue to value Phantom Extended Wheelbase so highly. And with the changes for Series II I am confident that it will continue to retain its position at the very pinnacle of the ultra-luxury goods marketplace for many years to come.” Phantom Series II evolves the iconic Rolls-Royce Phantom which was launched on 1 January 2003 at the company’s new home and headquarters in Goodwood, England. And like other Phantom Series II models, Phantom Extended Wheelbase features significant improvements in design, drive-train and technology. Encapsulating the changes that lie beneath is a striking new front-end design, complete with re-styled bumpers and rectangular light apertures. Fully-LED headlamps as standard deliver a characteristic whiter light, and encompass technologies that automatically change the shape and direction of light beams according to road orientation and in response to different driving conditions. New driver assistance technologies ensure that Phantom Extended Wheelbase retains its reputation for effortlessness. A modern user interface with re-designed multi-media controller, for example, controls a new satellite navigation system with functions that include 3D maps with landscape topography, guided tours and composite route...

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has returned to Auto China in 2012 with a world debut. The new Phantom Extended Wheelbase takes centre stage in the company’s largest market, where the majority of Phantom buyers commission this ultimate expression of a Rolls-Royce. The launch in Beijing follows last year’s global debut for Ghost Extended Wheelbase in Shanghai. Phantom Extended Wheelbase completes the Phantom Series II family, following the debuts of Phantom Saloon, Phantom Coupé and Phantom Drophead Coupé at the Geneva motor show in March. The launch also comes as Rolls-Royce Motor Cars continues to grow in China, having opened three new showrooms this year, with five more to come in the near future. “I am proud to present our new benchmark of automotive luxury in China,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “No other luxury product comes close to Phantom Extended Wheelbase in staging an object of exquisite beauty, effortless opulence and grand theatre. I am delighted that our discerning Chinese clients continue to value Phantom Extended Wheelbase so highly. And with the changes for Series II I am confident that it will continue to retain its position at the very pinnacle of the ultra-luxury goods marketplace for many years to come.” Phantom Series II evolves the iconic Rolls-Royce Phantom which was launched on 1 January 2003 at the company’s new home and headquarters in Goodwood, England. And like other Phantom Series II models, Phantom Extended Wheelbase features significant improvements in design, drive-train and technology. Encapsulating the changes that lie beneath is a striking new front-end design, complete with re-styled bumpers and rectangular light apertures. Fully-LED headlamps as standard deliver a characteristic whiter light, and encompass technologies that automatically change the shape and direction of light beams according to road orientation and in response to different driving conditions. New driver assistance technologies ensure that Phantom Extended Wheelbase retains its reputation for effortlessness. A modern user interface with re-designed multi-media controller, for example, controls a new satellite navigation system with functions that include 3D maps with landscape topography, guided tours and composite route...

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars proudly presents the Ghost Six Senses concept, a highly-bespoke luxury model that encapsulates the richness of experience that comes as standard with any Rolls-Royce and takes it to a new level of sensory indulgence. Approaching this luxurious Rolls-Royce and opening its coach doors immediately ignites the senses for sight, taste, touch, sound and aroma. And the sense of surprise and delight continues as guests encounter the lavish use of soft, sumptuous leathers, finest veneer detailing and special bespoke enhancements. “The Ghost Six Senses concept is a luxurious environment designed for the most discerning of individuals,” commented Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Rolls-Royce CEO. “It delights the senses and draws you into somewhere that transcends the interior of a car. Relax for a few moments and you will experience something that is hard to define, but which our customers understand so well. “It can be likened to an aura, a sense that the stunning hand-made interior embodies something of the heart and soul of each proud craftsperson involved in its creation. That’s a uniquely Rolls-Royce sixth sense that this car presents so elegantly.” Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is the world’s leading luxury goods manufacturer.  And while the world of luxury presents many objects of desire that captivate one or more senses, it takes one of these hand-built cars to awaken all five. Sight Beautiful and elegant, a Rolls-Royce Ghost is a sign of impeccable taste, a luxury car that is instantly pleasing to the eye. Ghost Six Senses’ pearlescent Carrara White finish complements new forged alloy wheels while eyes are immediately drawn to rich interior detailing upon entry through its coach doors. The deep lustre of the Walnut Burr veneer complete with diagonally-oriented, brown oak cross-banding, are designed to hint at the extraordinary power at the driver’s disposal. Sound For more than 100 years the sound of silence has driven the Rolls-Royce brand. But 21st century Ghost and Phantom models also present an auditorium in which the most advanced systems can deliver music in the most impressive fashion. The concept audio system in Ghost Six Senses richly fills the spacious rear cabin thanks to its upgraded amplifier and the inclusion of ‘exciter’...

At the 2012 Beijing Auto Show, BMW introduced the all-new 2012 BMW 3 Series Long Wheelbase. Geared towards the fast-growing Chinese market, the 3 Series Li will be available by the end of this year and will compete with similar offerings from the Audi. The F30 3er Li will be manufactured in China and the extended platform will be the same one used for the upcoming BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo. Chinese customers can choose from the BMW 335Li, the BMW 328Li, or the BMW 320Li, each fitted with a powerful and efficient engine featuring BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology. Here is the official introduction by BMW Board member, Ian Robertson: Dr. Ian Robertson Ni men hao ladies and gentlemen! I’m so happy to be back in Beijing. And I’m thrilled to present to you, for its world premiere, the new BMW 3 Series Sedan in the long wheelbase version! At the BMW Group, we are driven to delight all of our customers. And, of course, we do this by understanding their needs and desires in every market we serve. The BMW 3 Series long wheelbase is a perfect example. It shows our focus on the Chinese customer, as well as our commitment to the Chinese market. The 3 Series Li offers the perfect marriage of: sporty performance, elegant design, and cutting-edge technology. Customers here in China can choose from one of three available models, the: BMW 320Li, BMW 328Li, and the BMW 335Li. All three of these cars come with our latest TwinPower Turbo Technology, ensuring maximum power. And when it comes to sporty performance, the six-cylinder 335Li is ready to run with over 300 horsepower. Tailored to the wishes of our customers, this car’s performance has been expertly balanced with its elegant design. The luxurious interior makes use of high quality materials put together with precision craftsmanship. And with an extra 11 centimetres added to its wheelbase, the BMW 3 Series Li offers the most comfortable rear seats in its segment. Its focus on aesthetics continues beyond the interior. The exterior design language is striking: sporty and self-confident with a real presence. For those customers who desire an extra touch of individualization, this car will also be offered in the Sport, Luxury, and Modern Lines. Both the BMW 3 Series Sedan in the long wheelbase version and the new...

Photos of Lamborghini’s much-anticipated Urus SUV concept have leaked out ahead of its official unveil at the Beijing auto show . Once the Urus reaches production a few years from now, it will ride on a platform shared with the next-generation VW Touareg, Audi Q7, and Porsche Cayenne, as well as the production version of Bentley’s forthcoming SUV . The VW Group’s powertrain parts bin is deep and provides plenty of options for Rambo Lambo II: First Blood, but we think the Audi-derived V-10 currently used in the Gallardo or the new twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 found in the latest S8 (among other vehicles) are the likeliest choices. Hybridization is also a possibility. Comparison Test: Corvette ZR1 vs. Lambo Murciélago, Viper SRT10, SL65 AMG Black Series Instrumented Test: 2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Instrumented Test: Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni Renderings we published in February nearly nailed the Estoque-inspired exterior styling, but the leaked photos provide our first look at the interior. The four-place cabin features highly stylized—and incredibly cool—seats, Lambo’s usual row of center-stack toggle switches, and a whole mess of the company’s forged composite material. (Forged composite was co-developed with golf-club manufacturer Callaway; read more about the innovative stuff here .) As a whole, the Urus is a purposeful-looking piece. Full details and additional photos will be available next week—or sooner, if the leakage continues. See the original post: This is the Lambo SUV: Urus Concept Breaks Cover Prior to Debut [Beijing Auto Show] View original here:  This is the Lambo SUV: Urus Concept Breaks Cover Prior to Debut [Beijing Auto Show]

HAMANN Motorsport, from Laupheim in Southern Germany, has represented first-rate tuning for more than 25 years and is the first port of call when it comes to customizing BMW vehicles. With its customization programme for the latest generation of the M5, the company is continuing on from this success story by presenting fresh design with proven quality. More dynamic, more luxurious, and even more exclusive than its predecessors – a car to meet the highest demands of driving pleasure and active safety. The design elements alone convey this impression and deliver improved aerodynamics. They transform the BMW into an impressive sports car, shifting the focus to the wide body. Wing extensions on the front of 25 mm on each side and on the rear of 30 mm on each side turn the 5-series into the kind of car only seen in the DTM or other touring-car championships. The front apron with integrated LED daytime driving lights, in cooperation with the rear apron, reduces upthrust in the HAMANN M5, providing a decisive boost to handling and agility. This is supported by the side sill set, which significantly steadies the airflow between the two axles. The roof spoiler and rear spoiler additionally provide the necessary contact pressure on the asphalt. Particularly on winding country roads, the HAMANN aerodynamics package comes to life, delivering pure driving pleasure. In keeping with the M5 widebody’s powerful appearance, HAMANN uses ultra-light UNIQUE FORGED II forged wheels. The recommended wheel-tyre combination at the front is 9.5Jx21-inch with Continental Sport Contact 5P tyres in the size 265/30 ZR 21. At the rear, 12.0Jx21-inch rims are used with 325/25 ZR 21 tyres. Another highlight of the range is the three-part HAMANN aluminum wheel by the name of EDITION RACE “ANODIZED”. The anthracite-anodized wheel star and the titanium bolting of the mirror-finished rim flange emphasize the car’s racing character. Manufacturing with forging technology makes the wheel especially light, and the reduced unsprung masses improve both acceleration and brake response. The new aluminum wheels are accentuated by the special chassis springs, which lower the BMW’s centre of gravity by up to 30 millimeters. At the same time, the sports car’s handling enjoys...

Brace yourself for front-wheel drive Mercedes-Benzes. While the rest of the world has had them for quite some time. the United States has been largely been kept from them. That is because Mercedes has a higher-end luxury image here in the U.S. In other parts of the world Mercedes are used as taxis and the badge is found on vans and MPVs. In order to keep the brand’s high-end reputation intact, these models have been kept international-only. The smallest Mercedes in the U.S is the C-Class. The company has a new directive though to expand sales and reach younger buyers. To do that, along with boost fuel economy and profits, front-wheel drive platforms are being turned to. Mercedes Front Architecture (MFA) is set to underpin a lot of Mercedes’ future growth. The good news is that while most FWD Mercedes-Benzes in the past were not very stylish, the new cars are worlds apart. Desirable, even. The new A-Class is an example of this, and even more so the Concept Style Coupe, which just leaked out on the internet. Mini CLS? Oh yeah. The Concept Style Coupe previews the upcoming small FWD Mercedes that is confirmed for U.S-sale. The jury is still out on the A-Class’ U.S-sale, but we think it stands a good chance of coming here. The Concept Style Coupe (CSC) exudes style and class, forging ahead on a different style path for Mercedes. Bland and inoffensive is gone. The proportions out back especially are definitely interesting (check out that green house and fat rear C-pillar) but it works. CSC is very dramatic, but at this juncture just a concept. Hopefully the production car’s looks won’t be significantly toned down. They weren’t with the A-Class, so maybe that will be the case again. The only thing wrong here is the hideous green in the interior. Other than though, it looks good – we’ve been impressed by the A-Class interior and the CSC only builds on it. The top-notch style and quality inside and out on these cars is very impressive. Almost enough to make us forget they are front-wheel drive….. Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts See the original post here:  FWD: 2013 Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe Leaks

The critically acclaimed MINI family is expanding again. Hot on the wheels of the stunning Coupé comes the launch of the sixth unique model in the line-up, the eagerly anticipated and all-new MINI Roadster. MINI continues to rewrite the rulebook; this is the first open-topped two-seater in the company’s history. The cutting-edge design is typically MINI – an authentic re-interpretation of a classic motoring concept. This latest model offers the fun of driving a taut-handling roadster, with all the character of MINI. And being built at Plant Oxford means it can justifiably claim to be a spiritual successor to the traditional British roadsters of old. The semi-automatic operation of the tailored soft-top roof means rapid opening and closing, and it doesn’t affect the MINI Roadster’s practicality in any way. This is a versatile two-seater with a stowage area behind the driver and passenger seats, generous 240-litre luggage area and through-loading system. The MINI Roadster is the first premium model of its kind in the small car segment, offering buyers a unique package that will bring the joy of MINI ownership to a passionate and demanding group of new customers. Selling alongside the Hatch, Convertible, Clubman, Countryman and Coupé, the MINI Roadster will arrive in UK showrooms next spring. As with the recently launched MINI Coupé, all variants of the MINI Roadster carry the Cooper name in their model titles. Full details of standard and optional equipment on each will be released nearer the launch. A wide range of accessories and personalisation choices will be available.   Model Price OTR CO2 (g/km) MPG (Combined) Power (hp) Top Speed (mph) Insurance Group MINI Cooper Roadster £18,020 133 49.6 122 124 19E MINI Cooper S Roadster £20,905 139 47.1 184 141 32E MINI Cooper SD Roadster £21,630 118 62.8 143 132 24E MINI John Cooper Works Roadster £24,860 169 38.7 211 147 37E   Unique but familiar styling The MINI Roadster is true to the brand’s existing design language, but sculpted to the classic proportions of a roadster. With an exterior length of 3,734 mm (see panel below for model variations), a width of 1,683 mm and a wheelbase of 2,467 mm, the MINI Roadster’s footprint closely mirrors that of the MINI Convertible. However, the elegant...

Filed under: Consumer Suzuki has fiddled with the Alto so that it becomes the latest city car to be VED- and London C-Charge exempt. Nice to know. The reduction has come by fiddling with the engine block, adding Dual Variable Valve Timing (VVT), which not only lowers emissions and improves consumption, but makes the engine feel more responsive as well, says Suzuki. It means the 1.0-litre engine drops from 104g/km to 99g/km, so owners need never pay VED or the London Congestion Charge, should the latter be a concern (because some people in the UK don’t live near London, it transpires). Nonetheless, Suzuki says that the change will save the average City commuter £2,600 per year. In effect, then, some City Slicker buying a base model Alto SZ at £6,995 will see the car pay for itself well within three years. The car’s fuel economy is 65.7mpg. The Alto isn’t due a facelift yet, but with the engine change Suzuki has introduced a couple of new colours – both shades of grey, one for the interior and one for the exterior. It’s on sale now.   Read more from the original source: Suzuki Alto goes VED-free See the rest here:  Suzuki Alto goes VED-free

One of the factors guaranteeing the success of the popular racing series is the longstanding cooperation between BMW M GmbH and MotoGP organiser Dorna. BMW M has further strengthened this close-knit partnership, appointing the new Dorna MotoGP safety consultant Loris Capirossi as the new BMW M MotoGP expert. The former top-level motorcycle racer from Italy looks back over extensive experience and boasts a vast knowledge of MotoGP. Nicknamed “Capirex” while still an active rider, the Italian has a highly successful Grand Prix career to his name which stretches back 22 years, including a total of 328 races and three world championship titles. In Loris Capirossi, BMW M has gained the services of an expert with an in-depth understanding of riders’ concerns. He has enormous expertise in the field of racing competition and a high level of sensitivity to safety aspects. Based on his extensive know-how, Capirossi will perform a consultant role as the BMW M MotoGP expert for the current world championship series which starts its new season on the first weekend in April and continues on April 26th 2012 in Jerez (Spain). “In order to ensure maximum reliability, safety cars have to function perfectly even under the toughest racing conditions. The high-performance BMW M vehicles fully meet the requirements that apply to safety cars on the race track,” says Loris Capirossi. What is more, BMW M will be giving its guests an exciting peek behind the scenes with the help of the new expert. The ex-world champion will show invited guests round the MotoGP hotspots, taking them to the team quarters and pits where mechanics and riders put the final touch on their machines. This kind of tour is undoubtedly one of the absolute highlights of the new first-class visitor package being offered by BMW M for the current racing series. BMW has been involved in the MotoGP since 1999 and provides the official safety cars. In 2006 the partnership was taken over by BMW M GmbH, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. BMW M automobiles have always embodied the fascination of motor racing. Sometimes referred to as “the most powerful letter in the world”, M stands for dynamic performance, innovation and aesthetic appeal in its purest form. The cooperation...

We’ve known a lot about the new A-Class, especially when it was shown in Geneva. However, it seems the company wants everyone to know that this is what a luxury hatch is, and it should be this beautiful. “The new A-Class impresses thanks to its uniquely high quality standards for the compact segment, achieved through the design idiom, the selection of top-quality materials and the options for combining them. Attractive visual highlights include, for example, the air nozzles, which call to mind the form of jet engines and underscore the high quality of the interior,” the company’s Head of design, Gorden Wagener said. He added, “No other car in this segment is as progressive as the A-Class. Absolutely typical for Mercedes is the sculptural shape of the A-Class. The character lines, in particular on its sides, lend the A-Class structure and terseness. The new dynamic style is perceptible at first glance in the interior as well.” Well, I agree, the A-Class is a beauty, yet it is elegantly simple. View original post here: Photos of the New A-Class : This is How a Hatch Should Look Like