No ‘Wings, But Still Hot: Official Photos of Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

The new SLS droptop appears to be camera shy. Mercedes-Benz has just released its first batch of official photos of the SLS AMG Roadster, but we were surprised to discover the snapshots also contained small amounts of camo covering parts of the trunk, headlights, taillights and all exterior emblems.

Also conspicuously missing from the photos and the press release was any indication or mention of the engine that will make it to production.  Will it be the 6.3-liter naturally aspirated engine currently used in the gullwing coupe or will AMG stuff the new 5.5-liter turbo eight under the hood? Well, a few pages into the release reveals that the roadster is rated at 563 horsepower, the same output as the coupe. So for now we can safely assume that it’s getting the same engine as the gullwing.

The main focus of this latest release, however, are details of the extensive engineering and testing that went into the roadster. AMG’s first independently-developed car was the SLS gullwing coupe, so it makes perfect sense that its second  car would be the convertible, since a bulk of the development for both cars were performed at the same time. AMG, along with some help from its colleagues at Mercedes, strengthened many areas of the convertible to ensure it performed just as well as the fixed-roof gullwing.

The body shell of the convertible SLS receives extra support at the windshield frame and center tunnel, while a structure between the soft top and the trunk strengthen the rear chassis section . Engineers also placed a cross-member behind the seats. The cross-member also houses the subwoofer that is part of the Bang&Olufsen BeoSound stereo system. The three-layer fabric soft top, which can be opened and closed at speeds up to 31 mph, is stored behind the seats. AMG put the convertible top through brutal weather testing and an endurance test of 22,500 closing cycles to ensure the rag top performs right and seals tight. Engineers also ensured that wind noise was kept at bay, claiming that the SLS convertible can be driven at its 197 mph top speed even with the top down.

The Roadster is set to debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show this September and should go on sale in the United States shortly after.-rumors.automobilemag.com

The latest Papago map dated 1st May 2011

The latest Papago map dated 1st May 2011 is now available for downloading. Click HERE to download. 

Top 10 Vehicles at the 2011 New York International Auto Show

The 2011 New York Auto Show had its share of the studs and the duds. The general mood at the Show seemed to reflect the burgeoning fuel prices of the time as many strived to put forth the most fuel-efficient vehicle. Here is a list of the top ten that we felt deserved special mention as the hits of the 2011 NYIAS.

1. 2013 Chevrolet Malibu

Chevrolet adopted a novel approach to premiere the 2013 Malibu thus ensuring that many had their eyes and thoughts riveted on their latest offering. The company has done considerable work to make the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu more visually appealing via the revised exterior and interior designs. Also, the vehicle embraces more technological and safety features.

The forthcoming Chevrolet Malibu will be equipped with an all-new 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine that is mated to a Hydra-Matic 6T40 six-speed automatic transmission and expected to churn out power up to 190 hp and 180 lb.-ft. of torque.

Imbibing design DNA from the Camaro and the Corvette, the new Malibu has a wider stance, broad shoulders and a range of large 17-, 18- and 19-inch wheels. Meanwhile, the interior gets a premium feel from an all-new dual cockpit design and other features. Further, the Malibu will have Chevrolet’s new MyLink infotainment package and be pedestrian protection-compliant.

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu will go on sale across 100 markets worldwide by early 2012 in LS, LT and LTZ trim-levels. Pricing will be announced in late 2011.

2. Scion FR-S Concept

Is Scion’s FR-S Concept Friggin’ Really Sweet? Incidentally, the FR-S in the name stands for “Front Engine, Rear-wheel drive, Sport”. The concept is a new rendition of the Toyota FT-86 concept that made its debut at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show and will likely go into production in 2012.

Powertrain of the FR-S concept will be 2.0-liter boxer engine that is imported from Subaru and will be mated to a six-speed manual transmission or a paddle-activated automatic transmission. It will feature Toyota’s new D4-S injection system that uses both port and direct injection to increase horsepower and torque, while still maintaining an impressive mileage.

The Scion FR-S Concept production version is very much looked forward to as it has appealing modifications compared to the Toyota FT-86.

3. 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8

As the company opined the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 “adds high-performance hardware to the elegant proportions and head turning design of the 2011 Chrysler 300C.” The forthcoming Chrysler 300 SRT8 will be powered by a new 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 engine that is expected to deliver 465 hp and a torque of 465 lb.-ft.

As for performance, the vehicle is estimated to have a top speed of 175 mph and can go from 0-100-0 mph in less than 16 seconds.

Other features include Adaptive Damping Suspension that tunes suspension for specific conditions as well as a revised interior that is fitted with real carbon fiber trim pieces to render a high-performance look.

4. 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

Another showstopper at the NYIAS from the Chrysler stable was the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 that will feature a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engine under the hood. The powertrain will be mated to a five-speed automatic transmission and can yield up to 465 hp and 465 lb.-ft. of torque.

Performance figures are impressive as the 4800-pound 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8 can go from 0 to 60 mph in merely 4.8 seconds and boasts a top speed of 155 mph. Despite this, fuel consumption is 13 percent better than the precursor with the driving range purportedly increased up to 450 miles.

And all this comes wrapped in a revised exterior and interior package that includes body colored grille, lowered suspension and carbon-fiber accents along the dashboard and door panels. Starting price of this high-performance powerhouse is expected to be $40,000 and will likely hit the roads towards the end of 2011.

5. 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

Come September it will be determined whether the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle will indeed appeal to the male populace. Nonetheless, this third rendition of the original ‘bug’ holds the promise of breaching the gender barrier.

In addition to dropping the ‘New’ from the title, the wand has been waved to make the dashboard-mounted vase and cavernous roof disappear. The revamped version has been given tweaks that lend it a more sporty and dynamic look.

The 2012 Beetle will be equipped with a 2.5-liter five cylinder gasoline engine, a 2-liter diesel or a 2-liter turbocharged gas engine. As for transmission, choices include a 5-speed manual, 6-speed automatic or 6-speed dual-clutch version, depending on the model.

The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle will be priced at about EUR 17,000 ($24,361) and will reach Europe in October and likely be available in Asia by February 2012.

6. Nissan Leaf Nismo RC

The Nissan Leaf Nismo RC was intended to put forth the concept of a new breed of ‘green’ racing cars, thereby aiming to set a different benchmark for this arena. Like the Nissan Leaf, the Nismo RC will be equipped with a lithium-ion battery and an 80 kW electric motor capable of producing up to 107 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. The vehicle is touted to be able to reach top speeds of upto 93 mph while completing the 0 to 60 mph sprint in a mere 6.85 seconds.

However there is a catch. Running time of the Nissan Leaf Nismo RC is projected to be about 20 minutes under racing condition and the vehicle can be charged up to 80 percent of its full capacity in 30 minutes using a quick-charging port in the rear.

This means that, should the concept catch on, we shall witness either very short races or one with very long put stops. And unlike our usual noisy races, ones with this zero-emission vehicle will be very silent indeed as the Racing Challenge version of the Nissan Leaf gets rid of the tailpipes and will have no exhaust sound.

7. 2012 Fiat 500 C

Fiat’s 500 C is based on the European variant with upgrades to suit the U.S. consumers. The 2012 Fiat 500 C will be powered by a 1.4 litre Multiair four cylinder engine that is expected to deliver 101 hp at 6500 rpm and 98 lb-ft torque at 4000 rpm. Transmission options include a 5 speed manual as well as a 6 speed automatic.

A unique feature that sets the 500 C apart from other convertibles at the moment is that is has been designed to protect the occupants from wind noise and buffeting. Further, the power-retractable cloth top automatically retracts to rear-spoiler position when the liftgate is opened for trunk access. Also, Fiat boasts that there are “more than 500,000 ways to stylize and personalize the new 500c.”

Expect the 2012 Fiat 500 C to hit the roads this spring in two models namely Fiat 500 C Pop and Fiat 500 C Lounge.

8. 2012 Subaru Impreza

The 2012 Subaru Impreza has managed to impress a few with styling tweaks both on the inside and the outside as well as a new, fuel efficient engine. The all wheel drive 2012 Impreza will feature a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine that is expected to churn out 148 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. The engine will be mated to a five-speed manual transmission or the second generation Lineartronic CVT.

Redesigned door panels have made the vehicle roomier despite the unchanged length and width. Estimated fuel economy of the Impreza is 27/36 mpg city/highway. Meanwhile, the 2012 Subaru Impreza will hit the roads this Fall.

9. 2012 Hyundai Accent

Hyundai seems to have really scored it this time with the 2012 Accent that share styling cues with theElantra and the Sonata and has a more spacious interior, a host of safety features and other goodies. The 2012 Hyundai Accent will be powered by a new direct-injection 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that can be mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

The forthcoming Accent is expected to have power of 138 hp and torque of 123 pounds-feet. In addition, fuel economy ratings of both the automatic and manual variants are touted to be 30/40 mpg.

The 2012 Hyundai Accent will be available in the sedan and four-door hatchback configurations this summer. As for pricing, it will range from $12,445 to $17,000 for the fully loaded version.

10. 2012 BMW 650i

As to why the 2012 BMW 650i Coupe made it to the list is a no-brainer. One merely needs to feast their eyes on this magnificent creation to be struck by the new heights that the company has reached in terms of design and luxury.

The forthcoming BMW 650i will be powered by a 4.4-liter V-8 engine that is capable of churning out 400 hp and a peak torque of 450 lb-ft. The reverse-flow engine when mated to either a new 8-speed Sport Automatic gearbox or traditional 6-speed manual transmission can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds.

Styling tweaks of the BMW 650i Coupe includes shorter rear deck, a dramatic slope of the rear light as well as a more luxurious interior. The 2012 BMW 650i Coupe will hit US markets in late September and will be built at their plant in Dingolfing, Germany.-nitrobahn.com

Proton gets ready for India; may use Nissan’s V platform

Proton, the Malaysian carmaker, hopes to announce its India plans in three to four months, according to group managing director Dato’ Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir. “Since 2008, we have conducted a series of customer surveys and road tests in order to thoroughly understand market requirements and customer behaviour. We believe that our range of products is capable of satisfying the needs of the Indian market,” he told Brian de Souza of Autocar Professional.
It is learnt that Nissan may license its global compact V (for Versatile) platform to Proton which desperately wants a credible small car to gain a foothold in key markets like India. Built for emerging markets, the V platform is the basis of the Micra manufactured in India and Thailand. Alliance partner Renault also has access to this platform as a base to spin off its own range of compact cars expected in 2012. Excerpts from an interview:

Can you give us an update on Proton’s plans for the Indian market? Are plans close to finalisation and what can we expect?

Proton has been in talks with several Indian companies over the past few years, assessing various potential approaches and business concepts. Currently, we are deliberating a proposal and once a consensus is reached between the parties involved, we could expect to introduce the first model in India soon.

Which segment does Proton find the most attractive, given that your company has several models in the compact car space and India is a major small car market?

Since 2008 we have conducted a series of customer surveys and road tests in order to thoroughly understand market requirements and customer behaviour. We believe that our range of products is capable of satisfying the needs of the Indian market. To date, our current models fit well in the Indian automotive segments of A3 (Saga, Persona, Gen.2) and MPV (Exora). Our future new models in the pipeline have also taken into consideration the need to fulfil the Indian market requirements - GSC (segment A2) and Persona-R (segment A4).

Localisation is key to bringing a product within an affordable price range. How do you plan to go about establishing a local vendor base? Would you look at leveraging the production capacity of an existing Indian player?

We believe that an utmost priority must be given to fulfilling, and in some cases, exceeding customer expectations. It is important that product packages offered to customers be positioned at a price range that is acceptable to the market. In summary, product value and selling price must be proportionately positioned. Localisation or local sourcing is an essential process for any company (including Proton) to expand its local operations in a host country. It is also crucial for Proton to eventually offer a product price that is competitive to the customers. We believe that local vendors based in the major automotive hubs in India such as Chennai, Mumbai/Pune and Delhi NCR are more than capable of fulfilling the requirements for a new entrant like Proton, given their notable technical capability, production capacity as well as industry experience.

Proton has been eyeing the market for quite a while but today there are many players such as Nissan and Volkswagen in the small car space which weren’t there a year ago...

The challenge for Proton is always there and we will continue to improve our brand to penetrate the Indian market. Our core focus is to ensure that our product strategy and product development programme will be timely implemented. Additionally, the other key areas such as business model, local sourcing, brand building and customer management must be concurrently implemented in order to deliver products that meet customers’ expectations as well as to instil customers’ confidence in the Proton brand.

Will Proton consider bringing in cars in completely built unit (CBU) for some models that are not likely to bring in the big numbers?

We have studied the CBU proposition and realised that this is not preferred due to various reasons related to financial feasibility and program justification. However, based on the recent revision of the definition of CKD/ SKD and import duty structure, we are now revisiting all the product entry permutations.-dnaindia.com

Kia K9 Rumored for Frankfurt Auto Show Debut

The next Kia may be V8-powered, rear-driven, German-designed, and bigger than its half-siblingGenesis—and if that boggles the mind from the company that gave us the Rio, then you’ll just have to wait until Frankfurt this September to have all of your questions answered.

Not much is known about the Kia K9—not even its name, which is merely internal code. But what is already known is that the ambitious Kia will slot between the Hyundai Genesis and Equus in terms of size. It will feature a V8 engine and wheels driven from the back, as God intended. And the designer is no less than Peter Schreyer, formerly of Volkswagen and Audi fame, so expect lots of German influence in its porthole-laden lines.

And we may get our first glimpse of the big Kia at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September of this year, if Kia is feeling nice enough. Expect a curvaceous four-door with a bit of Kia’s corporate grille up front—and let the “looks like a…” game begin.-autoguide.com

Saab Gains Chinese Partner

Spyker Cars, which owns cash-strapped Swedish automaker Saab, signed an agreement Tuesday with the small Chinese automaker Hawtai Motor Group to form a joint venture and provide $222 million to resume Saab production, as well as provide access to the Chinese market. 

Hawtai will gain a 29.9 percent equity stake in Spyker in exchange for a $177.7 million portion of the funds, and the remainder will be provided as a convertible loan. 

On Monday, Spyker announced that Saab had arranged a pair of loans to get the company's production lines running again. Nearly a month ago, Saab was forced to stop building new vehicles as it ran out of working capital to pay parts suppliers. 

According to Autoweek magazine, Hawtai is a small, private SUV and bus maker established in 2000 in the eastern China city of Rongcheng and now located in Beijing. In 2002, it started building the Terracan and Santa Fe SUVs under its own brand, using technology licensed from Hyundai. 

In 2010, Hawtai sold 81,439 units of the two SUV models, according to J. D. Power. The company started selling its own brand sedan last year. The automakwer has an annual production capacity of 350,000 vehicles, 300,000 clean-diesel engines and 450,000 automatic transmissions. 

"This is a great day for our relatively young company which was founded ten years ago,” said Hawtai vice president of Richard Zhang. “The partnership with the iconic Saab brand will give us access to innovative technologies and an international network which would have taken us decades to build.” 

Victor Muller, CEO of the Dutch automaker Spyker and chairman of Saab Automobile, said the new relationship with Hawtai will give access to the Chinese company’s clean-diesel technology and production facilities. 

“The partnership with Hawtai allows Saab Automobile on the one hand to continue executing its business plan since we secured the required mid-term financing subject to meeting certain conditions, whilst on the other hand it allows Saab Automobile to enter the Chinese car market and establish a technology partnership with a strong Chinese manufacturer,” Muller said in a media release. -automotive.speedtv.com