Wednesday, 21 September 2016

2018 Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain is Dressed for Adventure

2018 Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain is Dressed for Adventure

2018 Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain is Dressed for Adventure

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Mercedes has revealed its new E-Class All-Terrain a week before the vehicle will make its public debut at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. 

The formula for this model starts with an E-Class Wagon, or Estate as it's known in Europe, and adds a more robust look thanks to plastic cladding around the wheels, a revised front grille and lower fascia, small corner air intakes and LED fog lights. The rear facia has also been revised while the tailpipes are nestled in a painted silver insert.

While style is a big part of the E-Class All Terrain, there are also some upgrades which will help it off road. First is a 1.14-inch lift compared to the standard model, helped by the standard Air Body Control System which can raise overall ground clearance to 6.14 inches.

SEE ALSO: Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster Arrives Packing 550 HP

On the inside, aluminum-carbon look trim, stainless steel pedals and embroidered floor mats set apart the All-Terrain model.

Standard power for this model will come from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine, cranking out 194 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. That's enough to get the E-Class All Terrain to 62 mph (100 km/h) in eight seconds flat. A Larger six-cylinder diesel will also be offered in the future along with gasoline engines. Both diesels will be hooked to a nine-speed automatic transmission.

For now, the brand says that the E-Class All Terrain is not planned for the US market, so those dreaming of a Mercedes wagon with a little more off-road capability will be left dreaming. European deliveries will begin in early 2017.

Discuss this story at our Mercedes-Benz Forum

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Poll: Jaguar XE 35t or BMW 340i?

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It's time for another poll! Which luxury sports sedan do YOU prefer, the fresh-faced Jaguar XE, which is brand new, or the ever-popular BMW 340i?

Starting with the big-cat offering, the XE 35t is motivated by a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine. This powerplant delivers 340 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. It's matched exclusively to an eight-speed automatic transmission. This combo can propel this largely aluminum luxury car to 60 miles an hour in a claimed 5.1 seconds, top speed is 155 miles an hour.

For added traction, this Jaguar can also be had with all-wheel drive, which does eat into its fuel efficiency a little bit. In its most economical guise, the XE 35t stickers at 21 miles per gallon in urban driving and 30 on the highway. Combined it should average 24 MPG.

Mirroring its British rival, the 340i also features a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, though its cylinders are arranged in a row, for perfect internal balance. This turbocharged unit is good for 320 horses and 330 lb-ft of twisty goodness. Similarly, an eight-speed automatic gearbox is offered, but you can also avail yourself of a six-ratio manual for maximum fun. All-wheel drive is available as well.

As for efficiency, the best this Bimmer can do is 21 MPG city, 32 highway and 25 combined when equipped with a self-shifting transmission, figures that better its rival, if only just.

But the Jag has a lead in one critical area: pricing. It kicks off around $43,000 but the 340i is about six-grand more expensive.

So, which of these luxury sports sedans do YOU prefer? Compare them to each other right here and please vote in our latest poll!

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Watch the Lotus 3-Eleven Attack the Nurburgring

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Lotus is letting the public in on its latest testing session at the Nürburgring Nordschleife with its new 3-Eleven. 

A pair of videos showing Marc Basseng, professional race car driver and Nordschleife expert, piloting the 3-Eleven have been released to show how fast this car is. The first video shows the 3-Eleven running unimpeded along the straights and twisting corners of the famous German track. Video number two shows Basseng dealing with traffic on a public lapping day, passing multiple cars quickly.

The 3-Eleven is all about being lightweight, allowing the Race version to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds while 0 to 100 mph happens in less than six seconds. Dry weight for the Race version of the 3-Eleven clocks in at a scant 1962 pounds (890 kg), while power output is 460 hp. The Road version is slightly heavier at 2039 pounds (925 kg) and a little less powerful with 410 hp going through the wheels.

SEE ALSO: Lotus Evora 400 Gets Even Lighter with New Options

"The 3-Eleven's time on the track gave us the perfect opportunity to demonstrate its phenomenal pace," said Jean-Marc Gales, CEO of Group Lotus plc. "It's the fastest, most focused production road car to ever leave the Lotus factory, and remains true to our values of intelligent and efficient engineering. However, you don't need to be a professional racing driver in order to tap its potential, and it will embarrass so-called hypercars with six-figure price tags. It remains the perfect template for how we will approach the design of all Lotus sports cars in the future."

Discuss this story at our Lotus Forum

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New Toyota Supra Sounds like a Hybrid in First Spy Video

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The first video footage showing off Toyota's new sports car, widely believed to be the reprisal of the famous Supra, has been captured. 

The car was leaving from the BMW M Test Center at the Nuburgring in Germany, and the footage came just hours after its sister car, the new BMW Z5, was spied running test laps on the famous track. The two brands announced the sports car collaboration back in 2012 and we are getting close to seeing the fruits of their labor.

Though camouflage is still hiding the Supra's true style, the audio heard in the video suggests that there will be a hybrid component to the powertrain, thanks to the high-pitch whirring noise heard that is generally associated with electric motors.

The gas powerplant, believed to be a turbocharged inline six-cylinder unit from BMW, can be heard in the video emitting a sports-tuned growl. Another possibility is a twin-turbocharged V6 that is said to be in development for future Lexus vehicles, which could also wind up as the principle power unit for the Supra.

SEE ALSO: New Toyota Supra Hits the Streets in First Spy Photos

BMW's new Z5 is expected to debut in 2017 as a 2018 model year vehicle and to be offered exclusively as a soft-top convertible, at least for now. Toyota's new Supra is rumored to go the opposite direction, being offered only as a coupe, in order to make sure the cars are not viewed as competitors despite their similarities.

The Supra's debut is pegged for sometime in 2018 and it is believed to be a model year 2019 vehicle, though at the moment nothing is confirmed.

Manufacturer testing laps are also scheduled for Wednesday at the Nurburgring, so there is a chance we will soon have video of the new Supra on the race track. Stay tuned!

Discuss this story at our Toyota Supra Forum

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MINI John Cooper Works Clubman Goes AWD

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The MINI John Cooper Works Clubman has been introduced with a new all-wheel-drive system.

Sporting a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the new MINI John Cooper Works Clubman is the first model from the British automaker to combine John Cooper Works performance enhancements with the new ALL4 all-wheel-drive system. It is heading to dealerships in the U.S. this December, offering 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which is the most torque of any John Cooper Works model. It also comes with a sports exhaust, refined suspension technology and powerful Brembo brakes.

According to the British automaker, the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman is capable of going zero-to-60 in six seconds with both the standard six-speed manual transmission and the optional eight-speed Steptronic sports transmission. Compared to the standard Clubman, the John Cooper Works variant sits 0.4 inches lower to the ground, giving it a lower center of gravity and a sportier stance.

SEE ALSO: 2016 MINI Cooper S Clubman vs Volkswagen Golf GTI

Other exclusive features not offered on other Clubman models include an aerodynamic body kit with enhanced engine and brake cooling, black 18-inch JCW Grip Spoke wheels, John Cooper Works performance sport seats with integrated headrests, John Cooper Works sport suspension and a dual-outlet chrome-tipped sport exhaust.

Pricing for the new MINI John Cooper Works Clubman will be announced closer to its launch.

"Performance and versatility are part of our DNA and our heritage so naturally there has always been a plan in place to bring the John Cooper Works variant to the MINI Clubman model," said Thomas Felbermair, vice president MINI of the Americas. "The addition of the John Cooper Works design and performance enhancements and the new ALL4 all-wheel drive system to the already versatile MINI Clubman model we have once again raised the bar in the premium compact segment."

Discuss this story on our MINI Forum

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2017 Toyota Mirai Pricing Announced: $58,365

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The 2017 Toyota Mirai's MSRP remains the same as the 2016 model year.

There is however, a small bump in the car's destination fee bringing the price to $58,365 including destination compared to last year's $58,325. That is however, before any incentives that include an $8,000 federal tax credit and $5,000 potential California rebate. The 2017 Toyota Mirai also comes with access to the coveted California HOV carpool lane.

The Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle combines hydrogen and oxygen to make electricity onboard, emitting nothing but water vapor to make it a zero-emission vehicle. It gets an EPA-estimated driving range of 312 miles and refuels in around five minutes.

SEE ALSO: 2016 Toyota Mirai Review

Qualified customers will be eligible for the Mirai trailblazer program that offers three choices to shoppers. There's the Trailblazer lease set at $349 per month for 36 months with $2,499 due at signing with a 12,000 mile-per-year allowance. Those that wish to finance the Toyota Mirai can take advantage of the Trailblazer APR support that offers 0-percent APR for 60 months or 1.9 percent for 72 months. Lastly, there's the Trailblazer Purchase Support of $7,500.

The new model year adds the Atmospheric Blue color option, complementing the existing Celestial Black, Elemental Silver and Nautical Blue options.

Each Mirai will continue to include three years worth of complimentary fuel, Safety Connect and Entune and 24/7 customer call support. The vehicle comes with an eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty on key fuel cell vehicle components including the FC stack and power control unit.

Discuss this story on our Toyota Forum

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