Simona Alina
Filed in: amg Mercedes | luxury cars | Mercedes SL-Class | roadster

Mercedes Germany revealed the first image of the SL 65 AMG facelift. It will be powered by a 6.0 liter V12 biturbo engine that delivers 612 hp and a peak torque of 1000 NM.

The less powerful version, the SL 63 AMG will be powered by a V8 engine that deliver 525 hp and a peak torque of 630 Nm.

The SL 63 AMG has a fuel emission of 13,9 l/100 km and a CO2 emission of 330 g/km; the SL 65 AMG has a fuel consumption of 15.1 l/100 km and a CO2 emission of 362 g/km.

Source: Internal

Source: SL 65 AMG - first image

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Europe has embraced diesel-fueled vehicles and their efficient - if not always clean-burning - ways for decades. While Americans were running around celebrating the 50mpg Prius, Europe was yawning, pointing at its fleet of diesels that easily match or exceed the Prius’ petroleum parsimony. So while it’s not surprising that major manufacturers would look to diesel-powered models to help meet increasingly tough fuel consumption regulations, it is somewhat surprising that its America’s major manufacturers.

Why America has so completely avoided the diesel is something of a mystery - apparently the public doesn’t understand the benefits diesel has to offer. Aside from a few large pickups, Chrysler’s Jeep Grand Cherokee is the only diesel model available in the U.S. from a major American manufacturer. It seems the sheer lack of diesels may be part of the problem: although the technology has advanced far from the rattling, foul-smelling soot-spewing contraptions of thirty or forty years ago, America’s exposure to diesel engines since the 1970s has been sparse, at best.

Another part of the reason for the lack of diesel presence in America is California’s emissions standards, which are so strict that almost no diesels can pass. Seven other states have adopted the standards, and that means diesels, at their current emissions levels, would be prohibited from sale in the states most likely to want them - big, populous states with high fuel prices and lots of traffic.

Regardless of the reasons for the dearth of diesels, Detroit’s automakers are hoping that the economic benefit will be enough to sell the American public on diesel power. Saving money on fuel while driving the same size and class of car is an attractive selling point - one which can be made real with a switch to diesel, reports The Detroit News. The small premium in initial price for the more expensive diesel engine would pay for itself in less than four years for a motorist that averages 12,000mi per year. That kind of math is attractive, especially in comparison to the higher hybrid price premium, which can take ten or more years to recoup in fuel costs.

Source: Detroit’s Big 3 looking to diesel for efficiency

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For a car maker that prides itself on being the ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’ BMW spends quite a lot of time making sure passengers also have an excellent experience. Some of BMW’s customers think they’ve gone to far, complaining that even the sport-package equipped version of the current 6-series just isn’t sporty enough. But others think the 6 is just perfectly luxurious. So BMW has decided to take the middle route and appease both camps - the next 6-series, due out in 2010 or 2011, will come in two versions: sport and luxury.

What exactly the difference will be has yet to be revealed, but it will reportedly be a ‘marked’ difference, unlike the current line-up. Whatever BMW ends up doing to make the 6-series home to a truly sporty grand tourer, there’s a good chance the idea could spread throughout the luxury world. Makers like Mercedes and Lexus face similar dilemmas with their line-up and a similar solution would make sense. Audi has already adopted and incorporated this method of design throughout its line, offering its standard A Series, the improved S Series and the totally insane RS Series, all of which are variants of one core line-up.

More details on the new 6-series itself are lacking, but the word on the street is that the new car will be a two-door version of the CS concept shown in Shanghai. The uber-sexy flagship concept speaks volumes about BMW’s future design direction, and even if the CS itself never makes it to production, it’s sure to inspire elements of BMW’s future line-up. You can catch a video of the CS or read up on our coverage of it until BMW graces us with actual details on the upcoming 6-series.

Via Auto Spies

Source: BMW may offer two versions of the next 6-series

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Sebastian Blanco
Filed under: Etc., Ethanol, EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Hydrogen, Green Daily

Ben Cipiti, of Sandia National Laboratories, has written what Renewable Energy Access titled “An Unbiased Approach to Evaluating Transportation Fuels.” The piece has excited the REA readers (43 comments and counting) as it attempts to put ethanol, battery-powered vehicles (PHEVs and hybrids and BEVs) and hydrogen into a clear ranking system. The takeaway lines for me are these:

It turns out that when compared side by side, an electric vehicle economy will be more than twice as efficient as a hydrogen economy. In other words, the hydrogen economy would require building twice as many new power plants as compared to converting to electric vehicles.

For the rest, read the original, and don’t miss the warnings about ethanol (the studies that find good things about ethanol are often funded by pro-ethanol forces). It’s hard to escape - from Cipiti’s article and from the general messages I’ve been hearing over the last 20 months of writing for AutoblogGreen - is that pure electric vehicles (or EVs with a range extender) are the best hope for the future, hopefully starting right here in 2008.

[Source: REA]

Source: REA takes an “unbiased approach” to comparing transportation fuels

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Noah Joseph
Coupes, China

View in hi-res courtesy of Autoblog Chinese

If you’re still under the impression that Chinese automakers are only building knock-offs of existing cars and small sedans through joint venture with foreign carmakers, think again. The Chery A6, previewed at the Shanghai show by the A6CC concept, is heading into production.

The car recently completed testing, and is scheduled to go on sale sometime in the latter half of 2008. Based on the Chery A6 sedan, the A6 coupe uses the company’s front-drive B2 platform. It will come available with a choice of engines – including a 2.0-liter turbo, a 2.4-liter V6 and a 3.0-liter V6 – mated to either a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic.

With the new A6 coupe, Chery apparently wants to slip unnoticed into foreign markets – the styling is a little bland – but if it plans to sell the A6 range outside of China, the company may meet some resistance from Audi, whose mid-range sedan already uses that alphanumeric designation.

[Source: Winding Road]

Source: Chery A6 coupe heads into production

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With another year over the national road authorities have began reviewing the road toll to examine if their tactics have proven successful. As a nation, Australia’s 2007 road toll was lower than last year’s 1605.

The main exception being the bush which saw a steady climb. 1569 people lost their lives on Australian roads this year with New South Wales topping the table with 445 deaths.

Queensland, which has spent considerable amounts of money (campaign 300) increasing speed cameras, police presence and RBTs, saw its death toll hit 360 - 60 more than the transport authorised had aimed for and the second-highest in the country. It was also the state’s worst record since 1997.

Victoria came in third with 333 deaths including 13 in the last 10 days of the year - the second lowest road toll for the state. Western Australia came in fourth after suffering a surge in rural deaths. The state recorded 235 deaths, a 14 per cent increase over 2006 (200).

South Australia suffered 125, coming in fifth place. The Northern Territory saw its road toll rise almost 25 per cent, with 57 deaths this year. 14 lives were lost in on ACT roads, up one from 2006.

Despite the highest road toll in the country, NSW’s 2007 record was the best for the state since 1980 (per capita).

“This is the fifth consecutive year the road toll has reduced despite a steady increase in traffic on our roads. Motorists deserve credit for heeding the road safety messages.” NSW Premier Morris Iemma said.

Queensland authorities on the other hand have a lot to answer for. The highly publicised campaign 300 has failed miserably in bringing the road toll below 300.

Unfortunately, not only has it failed, but the road toll has increased by almost 7 per cent (337 in 2006). The extra speed cameras have proven to be nothing more than a successful revenue-raising scheme.

Victorians should expect a drink-driving blitz throughout this year with statistics showing a 16 per cent increase in fatalities involving drivers under the influence.

Despite calls from major motoring groups, government authorities continue to deny the benefits of driver training.

Tell us what you think is the best way to reduce the road toll?

Source: 2007 Road Toll Figures

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Alex Nunez
Sedans/Saloons, Etc., Dodge

var digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/autos/Senator_carjacked_for_22_inch_chrome_rims’; According to the Oakland, CA police, carjackings in Raider Nation occur at the rate of about one per day. While we don’t follow the news out of Oaktown on a regular basis, we’re fairly certain most carjackings don’t make the daily paper. So why then has the LA Times covered a carjacking in Oakland? Well, it seems that the victim was a state senator who police believe was targeted because of his car’s flashy rims.

Don Perata (D - DUB City Oakland) was driving his Senate-owned 2006 Dodge Charger shod with 22-inch chrome wheels and a Candy Apple Red paint job when he was startled by a man knocking on his window… with a gun. The jacker instructed him to get out of the car, so out went the pol, in went the perp, and “poof” went the blinged Charger as it sped off with an accomplice giving chase in a 2000 Camaro (also stolen, wheel status unknown). Perata was shaken up but otherwise fine, recovering enough to go into eye-rollingly opportunistic politician mode, noting that the brandishing of a firearm by the carjacker served to only further solidify his pro gun control stance.

The best line in the article comes in a quote from a police officer who, after hearing the Charger’s description, responded, “We’re talking about the suspect’s car or the senator’s car?” Even at 62, Senator Perata appears to have been keeping it real, so to speak.

UPDATE: The car’s been found with the rims still on it.

Thanks for the tip, Dave!

[Source: Los Angeles Times]

Source: Senator carjacked for 22-inch chrome rims

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Noah Joseph
Motorsports, Toyota

Since starting its F1 team in 2002, Toyota has poured in an unprecedented – although undisclosed – amount of money into its Formula One team. But after five years of lackluster performance, even Toyota’s patience – and cash – is beginning to run out. Team principal Tadashi Yamashina revealed in his annual report that the company has given him until 2010 to increase the team’s level of performance.

Although it hasn’t been specified exactly what consequence it will bring if the Cologne, Germany-based team fails to meet the company’s expectations, one could not imagine the coffers staying filled if the team continues to disappoint the bean-counters back in Japan.

In his report, Yamashina pinpointed aerodynamics and a failure to adapt to the new uniform Bridgestone tires as the principal reasons why the team failed to score even a single podium finish this past season, declaring that the team needs to improve in these areas in order to succeed. But Toyota’s overall performance in 2007 was about par for the team, which hasn’t placed better than fourth in the constructors’ championship.

Better luck next year, Toyota. You’re going to need it.

[Source: Autosport]

Source: Toyota HQ gives until 2010 to improve F1 team

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The Proton Jumbuck is already the most economical and most affordable utility in Australia, however it seems Proton are struggling to shift the little workhorse even at the $14,990 sticker price.

The solution, Proton are including a free 50cc ATV quad bike with every Jumbuck optioned with $1000 worth of genuine accessories.

According to Proton Cars Australia managing director John Startari the Jumbuck quad bike offer is a way of adding extra value and enhancing the attractiveness of Australia’s toughest half tonne ute.

“Jumbuck has found great favour with buyers around the country thanks to its economy and reliability and this special limited offer will make it even more attractive,”

The entire package is valued at $18,290 but is available for just $15,990 with the Jumbuck GLi and a $20,290 package for just $17,990 with the GLSi.

Recently voted the lowest cost commercial vehicle to own and operate by NRMA Business Wise, the Jumbuck is the perfect solution for hobby farms or as a company vehicle.

Source: Free ATV with Proton Jumbuck

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Looks like oil isn't the only liquid that will challenge car owners' budgeting skills in the near future. The Ottawa Sun reports that come 2008, a methanol shortage may cause two-fold hikes in the prices of windshield washer fluid. According to the Sun, the Vancouver-based company Methanex, which produces methanol for companies that produce windshield washer, is selling the critical ingredient at $832 per metric tonne, up from a low of $309. The Sun speculates that we may be looking at $5 or $6 a (4L) jug, up from about $3 right now. The cause of the shortage is two-fold: natural gas supplies becoming more difficult to come by and export tariffs imposed by (the methanol-producing nation of) Argentina. With one of the worst winters hitting the North East in 40 years, it seems like perfect timing.

Ottowa Sun »

Source: Windshield Washer Fluid Futures: Buy!

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