Beneath the glistening lights of the New York Auto Show, BMW officially presented “The Ultimate Gap Filler,” a 3 Series that approaches the power and visual élan of the M3 for considerably less money. It’s called the 335is.
But before we go any further, let’s get this turbo thing straight. The “ordinary” 2011 BMW 335i Sedan and Coupe use a new 3.0-liter inline-6 engine, dubbed N55, that employs a single twin-scroll turbocharger combined with Valvetronic variable valve timing and lift and direct fuel injection. Yet the perfectly good N54 twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-6 that we’ve come to know and love in the former 335i is still around, and is said to be better suited to higher-horsepower applications.
This is the end of Viper, but in the aptly named “snake pit” here at the Los Angeles show, they’re having a party to celebrate the record-setting lap time at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Only 500 or so Vipers will be produced as 2010 models, and one of the cars shown here—specifically the black and red car—was the actual record-setter from Laguna.
Until a few months ago, a 2008 Dodge Viper ACR held the production-car track record at Laguna. Its mark was eclipsed by an exotic car called the Devon GTX, which just happens to be powered by a Viper engine. Not liking that very much, Chrysler responded quickly, having vehicle dynamics engineer Chris Winkler drive a few laps in a new 2010 ACR and easily knock a second off the record set by Justin Bell in the GTX. Winkler admitted to leaving more time out there, but said he was concerned about getting the car to the L.A. show in one piece.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/auto-shows/los-angeles/2010-dodge-viper
As car enthusiasts, we want to protect the environment, but we also don’t want to drive boring cars. So it’s refreshing that amidst the push for alternative energy vehicles—a push which seems destined to turn cars into mere appliances—there are a few players who recognize it’s important that their green cars must also offer great driving dynamics in addition to good looks.
We were pleased when Audi unveiled the e-Tron electric sports car concept at last year’s Frankfurt Auto Show. Further so when the folks from Ingolstadt allowed us a brief drive in the $1 million show car; better still, Audi recently announced it will build a limited production version in about two years.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/future-cars/audi-e-tron
My hands are cold and clammy, a usual indicator that I’m about to do something either amazingly courageous, or incredibly stupid. For the past hour, torrential weather conditions have been unrelenting, bringing with them waves of doubt that I’ve been trying to ignore. I fight the urge to keep a death grip around the GT3’s tri-spoke Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, as I inch my way up to the tollbooth entrance behind the only other bonehead currently in queue — resolved to do what we came here for. It’s my colleague, Shaun Bailey, and we’ve just committed to taking an unguided first lap around the notoriously difficult (and now very wet) curves of the 12.9-mile-long Nürburgring Nordschleife.
A couple days ago, arriving at the Porsche factory in Zuffenhausen late Friday, our tight schedule originally detailed a simpler weekend. I was issued a Carrara White 2010 GT3 with virtually every option available to the U.S. market, save for the hydropneumatic front lift system that provides the low front splitter an extra 1.2 in. of ground clearance at slow speeds. Naturally we had some envy-worthy European-spec items as well, like the factory bolt-in 4-point rollcage (one of the items included in the no-cost Clubsport package) and optional single-piece, lightweight carbon-fiber racing seats wrapped in flame-retardant fabric. We needed to return the car by Sunday evening, which meant only two days in which to complete testing and photography.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/car/2010-porsche-911-gt3
There they were, lying on my desk, two key fobs sitting atop a small note that read, “Please return by 3 p.m. tomorrow.” The black matchbox-size remotes belonged to a 2010 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster and a 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG, arguably two of the most desirable convertibles in the world, with a combined price of over $300,000. My watch showed 3 p.m., which meant I had exactly 24 hours to do as I pleased with these dream machines. Several ideas came to mind, like a quick jaunt to Mulholland Drive and a late-night cruise through Hollywood. Too predictable. As I mentally rejected one idea after another, Feature Editor Mike Monticello walked into my office. I explained the situation.
“We should drive the living @#%! out of them,” he said.
Bingo.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/comparison/2010-aston-martin-v8-vantage-roadster-vs.-2009-mercedes-benz-sl63-amg
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Hyundai has been on a roll of late. Last year the Genesis sedan won the North American Car of the Year award, and at the same time the Korean automaker’s U.S. market share grew to an all-time high of 4.2 percent. Now Hyundai’s “Fluidic Sculpture” design language, first seen on the 2010 Tucson SUV, has found its way to the all-new (and chrome-happy) Sonata, the visual and tactile elements of which help it easily stand out from the midsize crowd. Designer Andre Hudson, from the Hyundai Design Center in Irvine, California, talks of “a sculpting quality to every aspect of the car.” Hudson said he wants owners to feel the car’s numerous creases as they wash the sixth-generation Sonata by hand.
Hyundai Motor America President and CEO, John Krafcik, is proud of the Sonata’s best-in-class fuel mileage (24/35 manual; 22/35 automatic), as well as its best-in-class standard horsepower and torque (more on those last two later). But the number Krafcik is most proud of is 3199. As in pounds. Due to extensive use of ultra-high-strength steel, the new Sonata is 130 lb. lighter than the out-going model, despite being 0.9 in. longer.
A big change for 2011 is the lack of a V-6 option. But as the Theta II 2.4-liter GDI (gasoline direct injection) 4-cylinder produces 198 bhp and 184 lb.-ft. of torque, maybe those two extra cylinders aren’t needed. Equipped with Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (DCVVT), the Theta II is smooth and quiet for a 4-cylinder, and in most settings provides ample power. It was only on a run up twisty Palomar mountain with three people on board that the engine felt overmatched. In this instance, a V-6 would’ve been appreciated, or better yet, a turbo-4 (good news—Hyundai will unveil a 4-cylinder Sonata turbo with “over 250 bhp,” as well as a hybrid version, at the New York Auto Show in April)
http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/drives/2011-hyundai-sonata
While the Mercedes-Benz SLS and SL are the top 2-seaters in the range wearing the three-pointed star, the CL Coupe is a bellwether for the brand, adding a touch of sportiness to the S-Class flagship 4-door. The striking new design of the 2-door 4-passenger big Benz portends good things to come for the sedan.
Although much has been made about the next generation S-Class coming in hybrid configurations only—much to the consternation of the U.S. dealers worried about the extra expense and marginal fuel economy gains of the hybrid systems—the CL will bow as an unabashed Autobahn stormer of the first order, with turbo V-8 and V-12 engine choices.
Adding to that allure is its bold design that incorporates a dynamic V-shaped grille and curving headlamps that taper into the front fenders. Like the new E-Class, the front of the car is distinguished by a new fascia with three inlets flanked by LED daytime running lights.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/future-cars/first/2011-mercedes-benz-cl-coupe
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Today we get a crack at an instrumented test of Maranello’s newest GT on the tarmac of la pista di Vairano, the FIA-approved road circuit within the expansive Vairano Automotive Safety Center. Its quasi-remote location marries the beauty of the surrounding idyllic Italian countryside with thoroughly modern facilities, all located at an ideal 265 ft. above sea level.
The center is roughly two or so hours from Ferrari’s backyard, where their home Fiorano circuit services the majority of the company’s testing needs. But as it’s often the case—and today is no exception—track time is highly valuable and difficult to schedule, even from within. Thus, the California and I were courteously chauffeured out so as to arrive fresh and fully fueled for the long day of testing.
With the Ferrari unloaded, and my driver’s license scrutinized and documented by the track controllers, we were now cleared to venture out onto the main straight—which I’m told has been used by the Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 for acceleration testing. Luca Torre, a head engineer for the California project, was on site to give a rundown of testing procedures as well as answer any technical questions I might have.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/car/2010-ferrari-california
Although the Mercedes-Benz prototype captured here by spy photographers looks more akin to a heavily-armored government vehicle, underneath all that camouflage lies the next-generation ML sport-utility vehicle. Unfortunately, since we won’t see the new ML on the market until about the mid-2011 timeframe, information is still skimpy at this time.
The current Mercedes ML last saw a makeover for the 2009 model year, a minor reworking which included little more than new headlights, bumpers and an interior refresh. The 2012 ML, on the other hand, will see a complete restyling. Little of that is visible at this time, although we can make out a new headlight assembly peeking through the test mule’s cladding. The notable change here is the adoption of an Audi-esque strip of LED lights beneath the headlamps. The grille appears to have taken on the more upright and simpler styling of the smaller GLK.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/future-cars/spy_photos/spied-in-the-arctic-circle-2012-mercedes-benz-ml
There’s a certain irony attached to this drive: While 99 percent of Norway’s electricity comes from hydro power, the country also has a blanket 50 mph speed limit. And anyone who strays beyond that faces a fine on a par with the Lehman Brothers losses. Yet here I am in Kristiansund, Norway, to drive a sports car capable of a 155 mph top speed (unrestricted: 168 mph) and 0-60 in just four seconds.
Did I mention it’s also electric powered? While the car in question might look like Mercedes-Benz’s new SLS AMG gullwing, in fact it’s the E-Cell version slated for production in late 2012.
Replacing the production car’s V-8 is a quartet of brushless electric motors, one for each wheel, that when combined develop 526 bhp and 649 lb.-ft. torque from batteries located in the engine bay, transmission tunnel and trunk.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/impressions/2012-mercedes-benz-sls-amg-e-cell
