Luxury cars are expensive and come in all shapes: sedan, coupe or convertible. They offer all the comfort, luxury and performance but you will have to pay premium price. German cars like BMW or Mercedes are the first brand that come to our mind but nowadays nearly all car makers offer nice and comfortable models that enter in the luxury car category.
The sixth-generation BMW 5-Series sedan - or the F10/F11 - was unveiled in 2009 as a 2010 model and the station wagon version, also known as the Touring model, arrived one year later. This would make it a relatively young model, but BMW is already offering a revision for both the sedan and the touring models.
Just like with the sedan, the Touring version also received only minor revisions, including: different structured lower air intakes, a modified front apron and more sharply contoured taillights. For the interior, BMW offers a new chrome trim, more room in the storage compartments, and new upholstery colors and interior trim elements.
BMW is also adding a new 518d and, for the top version, a more powerful V-8 powertrain.
Updated 05/20/2013: This review has been updated with the official details, images and specs.
Click past the jump to read more about the BMW 5-Series Touring.
When it comes to updating Toyota or Lexus models, the best work comes from in-house tuner: Toyota Racing Developments (TRD). In the past, TRD has rolled out some awesome work and the upgrades offered for the new-generation Lexus IS are no exception.
As usual, TRD is offering nothing big, but just enough aerodynamic and chassis improvements to set itself apart from standard models. For ¥437,700 (about $4,300) customers get new side skirts, front spoiler, rear bumper with integrated diffuser, trunk-mounted spoiler and twin tailpipes for the sport exhaust system.
TRD also offers an updated suspension system with performance dampers and braces for an additional ¥288,750 ($2,900). For another ¥527,625 ($5,200), you can also get a set of 19-inch forged-aluminum wheels.
Up to this point, these updates are only available in Japan, but they might make their way to the U.S.
Click past the jump to read more about the Lexus IS.
Aston Martin has revealed today the first details on a Hybrid Hydrogen-powered Rapide S that will be raced at the 41st ADAC Zurich 24 Hours of Nürburgring next month.
The model will be based on the standard four-door sedan and will become the first zero CO2 emissions sports car to complete a race-pace lap at the Nürburgring 24-hour race.
The model is powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V-12 engine and can be run on pure gasoline, pure gaseous hydrogen or a combination of the two. In pure hydrogen mode, Aston Martin will race the Nordschleife while emitting just water.
The new Aston Martin Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S features a special Hybrid Hydrogen system that includes a hydrogen fuel rail, storage tanks and proprietary engine management system. The system includes four ultra-high-strength carbon-fiber tanks that can hold 7.7 pounds of hydrogen stored at a 350-bar pressure.
Its official race debut will be made in the ADAC Zurich Nürburgring 24 Hours race on May 19th and 20th where it will have to take on more than 150 other cars.
Update 5/16/2013: Aston Martin has revealed the official images of the new Aston Martin Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S in its full blue-and-white racing livery and with its carbon-fiber dash.
With falling sales and stiff competition from the BMW 7-Series and the Audi A8, Mercedes is looking to revamp its S-Class line for the 2014 model year. The model has been caught testing in many times and was teased even more, but today Mercedes finally unveiled in all its glory.
As expected, the 2014 S-Class adopted the same design language we have seen in all the recently launched Mercedes models, which was started by the 2010 Mercedes F800 Style Concept. Translated, this means the new S-Class received sharper lines, a sportier front fascia, a larger grille and a redesigned rear end.
The model grew in size, so it now offers improved interior room where the passengers can enjoy the highest-quality materials, luxurious wood trim, a metallic switchgear and stitched-leather accents.
UPDATE 05/15/2013: The new Mercedes S-Class finally made its world debut today at the Airbus A380 delivery center in Hamburg, Germany.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2014 Mercedes S-Class!
The AudiS6 is the rare kind of car that appeals to multiple markets. Business types will appreciate the luxury and style that it offers while the power savants will undoubtedly enjoy the luxury sedan’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine that packs a stout 450 horsepower.
But just like any car, there’s always room for improvement and in some cases, it doesn’t have to be the audacious variety. U.S. tuner TAG Motorsports proved that with its impressive program for the S6. You might notice that there aren’t any overwhelmingly exuberant components added to the luxury sedan.
But rest assured, what TAG did to the S6 shouldn’t just be ignored. It’s not all about aesthetics; sometimes, it’s about taking advantage of what the car’s strengths are and improving its handling and performance credentials.
So what exactly did TAG Motorsports do to the S6? Click past the jump to find out.
Later today, Mercedes will drop the official details on the new S-Class sedan, but our spy photographers were busy too. They managed to catch the S-Class Coupe testing in Hamburg, Germany.
Even though the prototype caught testing was heavily camouflaged, it is easy to see the coupe version will be almost identical to the four-door model. It will get a more prominent front grille, new headlamps, and sportier and more elegant lines than last year’s model. Of course, the coupe version will look a little bit sportier, thanks to the lack of the rear doors.
Under the hood, we anticipate seeing the same lineup found in the sedan, including: a 3.0-liter V-6 turbo-diesel engine that delivers 255 horsepower; a 4.7-liter turbocharged gasoline V-8 with 449 horsepower; and a hybrid version that will combine a 3.5-liter gasoline V-6 and an electric motor for a total output of 302 horsepower.
Click past the jump to read more about the Mercedes S-Class Coupe.
BMW Canada has announced the launch of the 335i M Performance Edition. This version can be ordered in either a rear-wheel-drive or xDrive format and includes an array of M Performance components designed to enhance the styling and performance attributes of the 335i.
The 335i M Performance Edition receives a new M Performance Power Kit and M Performance Exhaust that increases the engine’s output to 326 horsepower and 332 pound-feet torque. As a result, the sedan will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds – 0.5 seconds faster than the standard 335i.
BMW is also offering a full M Performance aerodynamics kit, including: black kidney grille; front and rear diffuser; side skirts; and 20-inch alloy wheels. The model can be ordered in four exterior colors: Laguna Seca Blue, Valencia Orange, Black Sapphire and Glacier Silver. For the interior, BMW offers either a Coral Red leather or Black leather trim combined with an exclusive Piano Black BMW Individual trim.
The 335i M Performance Edition is priced at $63,300 (rear-wheel-drive version) and $65,900 (xDrive version). The model will be produced in July and August of 2013 but all orders must be received no later than May 17, 2013.
Click past the jump to read more about the standard BMW 335i.
If we told you that an electric car outpaced BMW, Mercedes and Audi to start of the year, you would likely be making sure you haven’t figured out time travel by mistake. Well, folks, this is no glimpse into the future; it’s reality (sort of).
During the initial three months of 2013, the Tesla Model S actually managed to beat BMW, Mercedes and Audi in total registrations in the U.S. for similar models. The S-Class saw 3,077 registrations, the BMW 7 Series had 2,338 registrations and Audi pulled up the rear with 1,462 A8 deliveries. In the same amount of time, the Model S saw 4,750 new registrations, beating all three of the German giants.
Sure, the Model S is a totally different kind of car that is prone to seeing sudden spikes in registrations and it lacks the internal competition between models that Bimmer, Benz and Audi all have. Additionally, buyers get a hefty $7,500 tax credit just for buying the model S. But, the Model S is severely handcuffed by its limited sales avenues, thanks to weird laws in most states that prohibit direct builder-to-buyer sale and Tesla refusing to sell independent franchises.
Another handcuff to consider is the fact that the Model S is an electric car that can easily leave you stranded, should you run out of charge.
Despite the fact that this new information only covers the first few months of the year and is likely skewed by other factors, the pure fact that the Model S can hang with the big boys in sale is a promising sign for Tesla and all electric vehicles.
Click past the jump to read more about the Tesla Model S
After revealing the ILX Concept at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show in January, Acura has quickly followed it up with the production version at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. Carrying the same ILX name, the new sedan will be offered with a choice of two different engines, as well as a Hybrid version for those with a particular love for the environment.
The Acura ILX addresses the young buyers that are looking for their first luxury vehicle. Acura has promised the ILX will be a cheaper alternative to models like the Buick Verano and the Audi A3.
"First-time luxury buyers tend to place a high value on exterior styling, affordability and environmental issues, and that’s what we have created with the new Acura ILX," said Jon Ikeda, head of the Acura Design Studio. "The strategy behind this new model is to position ILX as the first opportunity for many young buyers to enter the luxury market."
UPDATE 05/13/2013: Acura has announced prices and some minor upgrades for the 2014 ILX. See more after the jump.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2013-2014 Acura ILX.
The production-version CLA-Class made its world debut at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show and even though it’s a young model, it already received lots of tuning kits. The latest kit comes from Piecha Design, which decided to offer the luxury four-door coupe a sportier appearance while retaining the car’s overall elegant appearance.
The kit is based on the CLA 250 fitted with the Sport cosmetic package. The tuner adds an aerodynamic package that includes a restyled front bumper with a chin spoiler and a pair of matte-silver air splitters. The kit continues with new front wings and side skirts, new roof and trunk spoilers and for the rear, a new diffuser that hides the four 90 mm (3.54 inches) tailpipes. These tailpipes can also be applied to all the other models in the CLA lineup.
The new Mercedes CLA GT-R by Piecha Design was unveiled at the Tuning World Bodensee in Germany.
Click past the jump to read more about the Mercedes CLA GT-R by Piecha Design.
