As we all know, all cars and trucks undergo some serious testing before they hit showrooms, but few take the sort of abuse that the all-new Cadillac ATS has taken. Cadillac starts the ATS’ testing by putting its engine on a high-speed motor to make sure its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine can handle high rpm for long periods of time. It then moved to the heat chamber to make sure the car can take the most extreme temperatures planet Earth has to offer. Later comes the “shaker,” which jostles the chassis around to verify everything responds as it should. Finally, the ATS ends up on the suspension test track that forces it to take on some of the most violent bumps and dips you’ll ever encounter on the road.
Well, since the 2013 ATS obviously passed these tests with flying colors, Cadillac decided to see if other luxury items could do the same. However, Caddy is confident the likes of the 3 Series and C-Class can’t hang with it, its testers put non-automotive luxury items to the test to see if they can hang.
In the above video, you’ll get to see a fancy grandfather clock take on the high-speed motor, only to “crack” under the pressure; a cake try to tackle the heat chamber, but have a complete “meltdown”; a fancy dining room hit the shaker only to have everything come crashing to the ground; and a grand piano take on the suspension test track only to see its dreams of beating the ATS fall to pieces.
We promise, this is one video that you won’t want to miss.
Video Note: There are four videos all together; simply refresh the page to cycle through all four of them.
It is not a secret anymore that the Chinese market is clamoring for longer versions of the models sold in markets like the U.S. or Europe. So, it should be no surprise to anyone that Mercedes has unveiled a long-wheelbase version of the new E-Class at Auto China 2013 in Shanghai.
The model measures 5,019 mm (197.59 inches) in length so it offers an extra 140 mm (5.51 inches) legroom in the rear. Also, as a first for the model, the new E-Class Long offers two different front ends. The standard version features the classic, three-dimensional saloon radiator grille in three-louver look, while the Sport Sedan version comes with the sporty front end featuring a centrally positioned star.
Chinese customers can choose between two variants — luxurious Sedan and the Sport Sedan — and three trim levels — E 260 L, E 300 L and E 400 L.
Hit the jump to read more about the new Mercedes E-Class Long.
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When we went out for a test drive in the Fisker Karma last year, we thought that it felt a little more high-tech than the $100,000 price tag led us to believe. Everything operated smoothly, the interior was plush, the performance was admirable and its look was downright stunning. With all of this technology and design comes a hefty price, and boy did Fisker feel its belt tightening with each and every Karma it produced.
With its bankruptcy proceedings pretty mu inevitable, PrivCo dug up all the public record s it could to have a look at Fisker’s financial goings on, and it found that the each Karma produced cost a total of $660,000 but sold for only about $100k – that’s just bad business, folks. Now, we’re not saying that each car it built literally cost $660k, what this means is that when you take all of the research and development cost, advertising costs and the other costs associated with the car and divided it by the number of Karma’s sold, you get roughly $660k.
At that rate, there was no way Fisker could have survived anyways, but the fact that it was the victim of management that would likely make Lotus’ former management look good just accelerated things. In fact, PrivCo has released a detailed review of Fisker $1.3 billion debacle, which really opens our eyes to just how promising the model was and outlines exactly where things completely fell apart. You can see this study here.
The fortunate thing is that Fisker’s advanced EVer system will likely be bought out during the bankruptcy process, so even though we will not see another Karma on the road, it may live on in spirit through future models using this awesome drive system.
Click past the jump to read more about the Karma
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The first rumors about a new Maserati sedan placed under the current Quattroporte appeared at the beginning of 2010, but after a couple of months of heating up the air waves, the new car fell by the wayside while everyone made room for the new Audis, Ferraris, and such. Now, with just two weeks before the car’s official debut in Shanghai, Maserati has dropped the first details on its latest addition to the lineup.
Based on the same platform as the new generation Quattroporte, the new Ghibli sedan features a sportier character when compared to its big brother. Also, unlike previous rumors, for the new Ghibli, Maserati will only use two V-6 engines, while the V-8 engine used in the Quattroporte won’t be used.
Maserati revealed nothing on the car’s price just yet, but considering the new Ghibli will play a significant role in Maserati’s growth plan to sell 50,000 cars per year, we expect the price to be kept somewhere in the $70k area.
UPDATE 04/21/2013: Maserati has unveiled more official details on the new Ghibli sedan at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show. Unfortunately, no additional images were released yet.
Hit the jump to read more about the future Maserati Ghibili.
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Maserati is an Italian automaker with a long tradition on the market, as it was established on December 1, 1914. Now, the trident-wielding company is preparing to celebrate its centennial with a limited edition Quattroporte developed in cooperation with Ermenegildo Zegna.
This limited edition will feature new colors, materials and trims inspired by Zenga - a leading men’s’ fashion group. This is the first model to be developed under a new three-year agreement signed between the two companies, but Maserati announced that a whole range of new optional trims by Zegna will be available for all models by 2015.
The Maserati Quattroporte Limited Edition by Ermenegildo Zegna will be limited to only 100 units. Each customer will also receive a unique collection of accessories by Zegna.
This special edition will be unveiled during one of the upcoming international auto shows, but unfortunately Maserati did not revealed exactly which one.
Click past the jump to read more about the Quattroporte
Note: Standard Maserati Quattroporte pictured here.
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A standard Audi S4 delivers a total of 333 horsepower, but plenty of people think it has more potential. The guys over MS Design seem to agree with that and today they have unveiled the first official details on the new A46 package based for the S4. What does the name stand for? The answer is quite simple: from the amount of power found under the hood - 460 horsepower.
Thanks to the extra 127 horsepower, the A46 sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds - half a second faster than the S4 - and can hit a top speed of 178 mph. In order to handle the extra power, the new A46 has also been equipped with a specially adapted brake system, a height-adjustable sport suspension and a new set of 8.5-by-20-inch lightweight wheels.
The new Audi A46 can be ordered either as a complete car or as an upgrade for your standard S4. The model will make its world debut at the Top Marques Monaco set to begin tomorrow.
Click past the jump to read about the standard S4
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After first unveiling the concept version at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, the Volvo S60 Polestar has finally made it to production. However, before you get too excited, you have to know that the new S60 Polestar will initially only be offered in the Australian market. Depending on the Australian reaction to the new model, Volvo will decide if other market will also get it or not.
When it comes to the exterior look, the production version remains pretty faithful to the concept, but unfortunately the concept’s amazing output didn’t make it to production. So, if you were hopping to see the same turbocharged, in-line six-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 508 horsepower we have to tell you that you are going to be a little bit disappointed.
Even more bad news comes with the announcement that the S60 Polestar will be limited to only 100 units, so not even the Aussie market will get much of an opportunity to really enjoy it.
Updated 04/17/2013: The production version Volvo S60 Polestar has finally been unveiled, after a teaser video released the other days.
UPDATE 05/02/13: Polestar Racing has released a new video featuring racing and development driver Robert Dahlgren in a 4000 kilometer journey from Barcelona, Spain, to Jokkmokk, Sweden, in the final stages of the development of its first production Polestar model: the Volvo S60 Polestar.
Hit the jump to read more on the new Volvo S60 Polestar.
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The third-generation Audi A8 was officially unveiled back in 2009, but, just like any other model in the company’s lineup, the luxury sedan is also going to receive a small revision. Our spy photographers have caught the model testing for the first time somewhere in Germany.
Audi tried to hide the updates under some heavy camouflage, but even so, we already know what to expect when the revised A8 arrives on the market. Updates will be nearly identical to what we have seen on all the other updated Audi models.
The revised A8 is going to receive small changes to the front bumper, a new grille and new headlights. For the rear, the revised A8 will feature new lights and an updated bumper. The interior is also going to receive some small updates, plus an updated infotainment system.
Expect the revised Audi A8 to be unveiled later in the year, most likely at a major show like the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.
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It looks like today it’s been a pretty busy day at Nürburgring, as there are spy shots aplenty coming down the pipe. Even Hyundai took the next-generation Genesis out for some testing at the ’Ring and our spy photographers were able to catch its interior for the first time.
Also, the prototype caught testing was wearing lighter camouflage on the exterior, so we were able to see more of the new body, especially at the front and rear. As previously suggested, the second-generation Genesis will adopt a new exterior design language, with a grille similar to the one found in the new Genesis Coupe, new headlamps, a new bonnet and new bumpers.
The interior also looks updated, which helps Hyundai keep it fresh and in line with all of its top competitors.
You can expect the new-generation Hyundai Genesis to be unveiled by the end of 2013.
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If you want to buy a German mid-sized sedan, you have three choices: Audi A4, BMW 3 Series or Mercedes C-Class. Still, the C-Class has lost lots of ground in the past few years and it was about time for Mercedes to do something about it.
The next-generation Mercedes C-Class has been caught testing in many times, but until now we had no details on the engines to be featured in the new model. However, in a recent interview Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Steve Cannon revealed that the next C-Class will be offered with a series of firsts: the first diesel and hybrid powertrains, first time with an all-wheel-drive system will and the first time the next C-Class will have an engine built in the United States: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder developed in cooperation with Nissan.
Also, next to the current sedan and coupe variants, the next C-Class will also add a convertible and station wagon versions. All these changes were required to make the C-Class more competitive with the BMW 3 Series.
Mercedes will unveil the next-generation C-Class at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show; the coupe and convertible will arrive in 2015. The hybrid version will also arrive in 2015.
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