Mercedes-Benz set the stage at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show with an announcement that the SLS AMG E-Cell will be put into production as part of the company’s "AMG Performance 2015." This company strategy aims to continually reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
"We take social responsibility very seriously and with the SLS AMG E-CELL we are demonstrating a further milestone in our "AMG Performance 2015" strategy. It is our goal to continually reduce the fuel consumption and emissions of new models in the coming years, while at the same time enhancing the core brand value of performance", explains Ola Källenius, chairman of the board of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
With a total output of 525 HP and a sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds, the SLS AMG E-Cell will be one of the faster electric sports car on the market.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2015 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell.
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Could it be the world’s ultimate supercar? Combining the skills of legendary design house, Pininfarina, with the pace of an Enzo, this impressive coupe was set to turn the performance car class on its head when it was unveiled in the summer of 2006.
It’s the Ferrari 612 P4/5, a one-off model created especially for film director and stock exchange magnate, James Glickenhaus. The P4/5 started its life as an Enzo, but was transformed because Glickenhaus wanted a car that resembled the styling of Ferrari’s 1960’s race cars, the P Series. Designing, engineering, and building this special car was left in the hands of none other then Pininfarina. Their mission was to produce a unique vehicle inspired by sport racing cars with extreme vocations. This was not to be just a show-car, but a vehicle to be enjoyed on the road. And taking a close look at the final product, we have to admit they managed to do more than that.
UPDATE 01/06/2011: Check out the latest testing video for the Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina after the jump!
Hit the jump to read more about the Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina.
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The new Porsche 911 GT3 made its debut last year at the Geneva Motor Show and it is now on sale at a price of $112,200. beside a few exterior changes, the 911 GT3 comes for the first time, with a particularly sporting variant of PSM Porsche Stability Management, offering the option to deactivate both Stability Control (SC) and Traction Control (TC) in separate steps.
The 911 GT3 is powered by a 3.8-liter six-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine that develops maximum output of 435 bhp, up 20 bhp over its predecessor. It offers even better grip and stability also at high speeds, specific modifications of the car’s aerodynamics increasing down-forces both front and rear to such an extent that the overall pressure pushing down the car is more than twice as great as on the former model. At the same time the new Aerodynamics Package gives the GT3 a brand-new look further accentuated by the new bi-xenon headlights, LED rear light clusters, as well as modified air intakes and outlets.
The GT3 holds an interesting place in the lineup because it is the fastest naturally-aspired car Porsche makes (aside from the track-only GT3 RSR), and some drivers prefer the GT3 over turbo models. This GT3 makes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in four seconds and has a top speed of 194 mph. This represents only 0.3 of a second slower to 60 mph and is one mile per hour faster than the current 911 Turbo. Some of Porsche’s professional drivers have felt that the marginal power loss was worth the predictability that was gained by having a non-turbo engine.
UPDATE 12/28/2010: Want to catch over 16 minutes of awesome rally car action? Check out the video after the jump to see Pro rally team Olaf Dobberkau and Alexandra König drift, slip, and slide through the track while enjoying the glorious sounds of the 911 GT3’s beautiful engine and exhaust. Enjoy!
Press release after the jump.
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The Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe was revealed in 2007 at the Detroit Auto Show and it was quick to wow the whole world. But now, after four years of production, it was high time for it to receive some improvements. The changes may not be drastic, but they are enough to make the ride sportier than before. For the 2011 model year, the Phantom not only receives interior and exterior updates, but will also get new suspension components and a transmission calibration. No changes were made under the hood, but who needs more than a 6.75 liter naturally aspirated V12 engine anyway?
The car still keeps its design inspiration it received from the 100EX concept, but will get a restyled rear seat, a new steering wheel with a thicker rim, and new colors for both the interior and the exterior of the car. Of course, these updates come with a higher price tag. The 2011 Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe’s price will jump from $443,000 to $452,000.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2011 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe.
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No, your eyes are not deceiving you! Ariel have indeed gone completely bonkers and fitted a bespoke V8 engine to the already madly fast, and madly exciting Ariel Atom. The Atom is a refined vehicle that actually works on the road, allowing it to represent the best track day experience. This new V8 version takes crazy to new heights thanks to minimal weight and 500HP – that may not sound like much, but when you consider that the car weighs as much as a postage stamp on a diet, things start to get very extreme indeed.
The Ariel Atom is sort of like a lean, mean, sophisticated bare knuckle boxer that has mastered all forms of martial arts. Lean and mean because of its no frills, barely-there construction; sophisticated because it’s clever; and bare knuckled because it’s raw and uncensored. Something like a Gallardo Superleggera, which can be described in the same context as a WWE Superstar – all drama, flash and very capable - can still be considered slightly under talented in comparison to the Atom. As powerful, but three times heavier than this new Atom V8, anything in the Gallardo’s league, and in fact higher, would flounder against it on pretty much any given stretch of road or track.
Production for this amazing machine will be limited to just 25 units - each getting a commemorative plaque and unique engine to match.
Hit the jump for the full details on the Ariel Atom V8 500
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