Porsche has just released a new video starring the recently unveiled 2014 Porsche 911 GT3, which we got to see for the first time at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show back in March. With new engine, transmission, body and chassis, the completely-redeveloped fifth generation of the 911 GT3 occupies the top position among Porsche sports cars with naturally-aspirated engines.

The model is powered by a 3.8-liter 6-cylinder boxer engine producing 475 horsepower and 438 Nm, enough to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.5 seconds before hitting the 200 km/h mark in less than 12 seconds, on the wai to its maximum speed of 315 km/h (195 mph). This enegine is mated to the mandatory Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK), specifically revised for this model with shorter gear ratios and faster shifting, which drives the rear wheels.

The Porsche 911 GT3 is also the first model to come with active rear wheel steering: depending on the speed, the rear wheels steer in the same or opposite direction of the front wheels, thereby improving stability and agility. Other new features of the model meant to improve driving dynamics are an electronically controlled, fully variable rear differential lock and dynamic engine mounts.

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Just hours ahead of the official unveiling of the model, Mercedes-Benz has released twhat is pretty likely to be the last teaser of its new flagship, the 2014 S-class. Actually, just half of the car is visible in this last image as it is loaded on a cargo airplane used in cargo: the presentation of the new model will in fact take place this evening an the Airbus A380 delivery center in Hamburg, Germany.

A couple of days ago we published an official video teasing the revamped flagship of the 3-pointed star house, saying that it has been developed on the ‘long wheelbase’ variant of the outgoing version in order to provide it with more comfort and space for the passenger sitting at the back, but unfortunately we couldn’t go much further than that. However, more info on the subject should be released in a matter of hours.

As for now, we can take a look at this image and wonder how the remainder of the car would look like, though more pictures of both the interior and exterior of the S-Class W222 as well as the full-spec sheets should appear on this page shortly. Now that the Maybach brand is definitely out of the picture, we believe that this car will come with all the luxury and technologies that Mercedes is currently able to fit into one car, so stay tuned.

Continue reading: 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class: the very last teaser

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Audi releases a new official video of its most athletic station wagon, the Audi RS6 Avant. Right from the beginning, the new video makes it clear that this is no ordinary estate car: the manly voice of its 4.0-liter twin-turbo TFSI V8 underlines the fact that the RS6 might be looking as a family car, but is definitely capable of some stunning performance.

The model is credited with an output of 560 horsepower and 700 Nm of peak torque, enough to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 305 km/h (190 mph), while average fuel consumption is not bad either: 9.8 liters per 100 kilometers, roughly 40% less than the previous model. Actually, the top speed of the ‘regular’ RS6 Avantis electronically limited at 250 km/h (155 mph), though it can be increased to 280 km/h (174 mph) with the optional ‘Dynamic Package’ and up to the aforementioned 305 km/h (190 mph) with the ‘Dynamic Plus Package’, Audi reigns in the engine only upon reaching 305 km/h (189.52 mph).

Arguably, the most interesting technical feature of the Audi RS6 Avant is the cylinder on demand system (COD), which can shut down the intake and exhaust valves of up to 4 cylinders at low to intermediate loads and engine speeds, allwing the 4.0 TFSI to run as a four-cylinder engine until the driver accelerates more strongly. The changeover from four and eight-cylinder operation takes just a few hundredths of a second.

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Frustrated landowners have now an extra weapon in their armamentarium to stop people illegally parking on their private land. British company FlashPark has designed a new electronic ticket, on which can be recorded a ‘friendly’ message to warn drivers of their offence in a non confrontational way, before issuing an actual fine.

During 2012 the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) released the personal information of 1.5 million motorists to private enforcement companies and an estimated £150 million was raised in fines. The audio warning informs drivers that their details might be obtained from the DVLA which could also issue a fine. According to Costas Constantinou, the ticket inventor ‘The flexibility of this verbal delivery method allows issuers to be as stern or as straightforward as they see fit depending on the situation.’

Although this new technology seems a civilised way to avoid unexpected payments, detractors found the initiative rather doubtful and even ridiculous. A spokesman for the AA raised questions about the level of safety of such tickets, whose electric chips could interfere with cars’ security systems. Whilst Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, found the talking parking ticket the next nuisance motorists will have to deal with. He also sarcastically suggested to replace words with soothing music, adding ‘How about Money for Nothing by Dire Straits?’ You can say that again!

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Mercedes-Benz has released the official backstage video of a recent photo-shoot in Namibia starring the massive Mercedes G 63 AMG 6×6. The monstrous 3.85-tonne pickup from the 3-pointed star house does not leave anything to chance, not even the lenght of this video which lasts 2 minutes and 22 seconds, recalling its distinctive three-axle six-wheel configuration.

Six driven wheels, portal axles of military origins, five differential locks which can be engaged on the move, an off-road low-range ratio and a tyre-pressure control system which allows the pressure in the huge 37-inch tyres to be adjusted in record time while the vehicle is running are the key features to explain the kind of attitude that this machine can have in the wild. And yet you are missing the best part: it is powered by an AMG 5.5 liter V8 biturbo engine producing 544 horsepower and 760 Nm of torque, with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission paired with the front drive system from the G 63 AMG and a rear twin drive train from the 6×6 version, which has already proven its reliability in service with the Australian army.

The Mercedes G 63 AMG 6×6 obviously comes with a pretty advanced suspension system, rolls on 37-inch wheels and measures 5.87 meters in length, 2.21 in height and 2.11 in width, with a gound clearance of about 2.30 meters ground clearance and huge 37-inch tires. With a weight of 3,850 kilograms, a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time of 6 seconds flat, an average fuel consumption of 18 liters per 100 kilometers in the combined cycle (and a tank capacity of 159 liters) this car is simply not comparable with anything else out there.

Continue reading: Mercedes G 63 AMG 6x6: new video surfaces

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British iconic brand Jaguar has released a new video starring its all-new 2013 F-Type, a cool 2-seater that was launched at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. The model is available in three variants - F-Type, F-Type S and F-Type V8 S - each one of which with a different power output. The the F-Type and F-Type S will be powered by a new 3.0-litre V6 - developed from Jaguar’s 5.0-litre V8 - producing 340 and 380 hp respectively, whereas the F-Type S V8 will come with a newly developed V8 engine delivering 495 hp and 625 Nm of peak torque.

As for the performance figures, they get better proportionally: the ‘regular’ 340 hp F-Type accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds (0-100 km/h in 5.3 seconds) and on to an electronically limited top speed of 260 161 mph (260 km/h), while emitting just 209g/km of CO2. The 380 hp F-Type S covers the 0-60 mph sprint in 4.8 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds) and has an electronically limited top speed of 171mph (275km/h), with CO2 emissions of 213g/km. Last but not least, the F-Type S V8 - boasting an astonishing torque-to-weight ratio of 375 Nm/tonne - accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.3 seconds) and on to an electronically limited top speed of 186mph (300 km/h) while emitting 259 g/km of CO2.

The F-TYPE features all-aluminium double wishbone front and rear suspension and a quick-ratio steering rack for ultimate responsiveness. The aluminium architecture has been optimised to provide the stiffest possible underpinnings for the suspension with rigidity gains of more than 30% in key areas compared to any other Jaguar application. Regardless of the engine, all versions are equipped with an 8-speed Quickshift transmission.

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French manufacturer Renault has released new official images of the New Kangoo, which got unveiled at the last 2013 Geneva Motor Show and has been designed according to the new stylistic dictates adopted by the house of the Lozenge. In the comparison with the outgoing model, the new version sports a definitely more muscular visual approach that is particularly evident at the front, with the new logo, new almond-shaped headlights and black grille.

This updated version of the popular French MPV is available in both 5- and 7-seater configurations and in five different trim levels. In addition to the already known ‘Life’, ‘Zen’ and ‘Intens’ variants, the new Kangoo will be offered with the ‘Extreme’ and ‘Business’ packages: the former is characterized by a set of 15-inch alloys with Dark Metal finish, two-tone bumper and matte paint, the latter - as it name suggests - will be more business-oriented, dedicated to those would use it for work and prefer a low price over some fancy finishes.

As for the engine line-up, there are four options for the New Kangoo: a 1.6 petrol producing 105 bhp with either a manual five-speed or an automatic four-speed transmission and three diesel engines. The dCi 75 and dCi 90 are mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, while the dCi 110 is coupled to a six-speed manual transmission. Besides, the Energy TCe 115 petrol engine will also join the fold in September.

Continue reading: Renault New Kangoo: more official images

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As it often happens in these cases, we don’t know whether these pics of the 2014 BMW M5 genuinely leaked because of some reckless employee who uploaded them somewhere by mistake - this is the rumor circulating on the web, actually - or it is just yet another promotional gimmick, but the bottom line is that we finally get the chance to see how the eagerly-awaited face-lifted 2014 M5 will actually look like, and we gladly take it.

The full story is that the online configurator of the gritty sedan was briefly available on the site of the German carmaker - maybe for some test - and German website BimmerToday was quick enough to get some screenshots of the model. We already know that the new M5 is currently in the final stage of its testing, but this is actually the first time we get to see the final appearance of the car without any camouflage, interior included.

Predictably, there aren’t many changes in the comparison with the current model - as we would have expected seeing the recent F10 variant of the 5-Series - though the front grille has been renovated and seems to resemble that of the BMW M6. Same goes for the interior, which has benn just mildly upgraded: the steering wheel and the new, integrated touch pad with iDrive controller are among the most obvious changes. Eventually, under that hood there should be a 4.4-liter V8 engine producing 560 hp, a figure that would go up to 575 hp with the Competition Package, an addition that should make the new M5 able to rival the Audi RS6 and the Mercedes E63 AMG.

Continue reading: 2014 BMW M5 leaks on the internet

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Mercedes has just released a short video teasing the new Mercedes S-Class W222, a model that will be officially launched at an exclusive event that will take place in Hamburg in a matter of hours, on Wednesday, May 15. The new flagship of the 3-pointed-star house will come with renewed aesthetics which will keep some of the classic lines of the previuos generations but with some serious difference in order to make it look more modern and attractive.

The new generation of the Mercedes S-Class has been developed on the base of the Mercedes S-Class ‘long wheelbase’, out of which the German engineers made two new versions, the ’short wheelbase’ and the Mercedes S-Class Pullman. The choice to develop the car starting from the longer variant was taken due to the positioning of this car in certain markets, where many potential buyers of this car use to have a chauffeur, meaning they like to enjoy the space and comfort of the rear seats. Precisely for this reason Mercedes has also developed new technologies to improve comfort, relax and entertainment for the rear passengers.

The 2014 Mercedes S-Class will be offered with a variety of both petrol and diesel engine options, but a hybrid powertrain is also in the cards. Expect to see a set of LED daytime running lights with a pretty distinctive layout, cutting-edge technologies and all the best bits you can think of.In addition, the Mercedes S-Class W222 will introduce a new dashboard with two large LCD screens that serve as instrument panel and infotainment system, with adjustable lighting, that can also change color at will.

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Peugeot has released the first official photo (above) of the Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak which will race at the next Pikes Peak International Hill Climb 2013. Behind of this car at the famous American event there will his Majesty 9-time World Rally Champion Sebastian Loeb - who won the Argentina Rally just a few days ago - who will attempt to add another prestigious win to his already impressive record. The event, to be held June 30 in Colorado, will be run entirely on asphalt, and for this reason the French engineers have developed a particularly low and stiff car that will take full advantage of the 875 horsepower developed by its twin-turbo V6.

This engine derives from the one powering the awesome Peugeot 908, the endurance race car competing in the Le Mans Series, and will allow the four-wheel drive 208 T16 Pikes Peak to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 1.8 seconds. Yes, you’ve got it right: that’s even better than Formula 1, thanks in most part to a weight of only 875 kilograms.

Sebastian Loeb himself is said to be particularly excited about this car, which he sees combining features of three different kinds of motorsport: the tires of a Le Mans Series car, the differential of a WRC car and the downforce of a Formula 1 car. Just add some massive power, awesome handling, a combined wheel drive system and you’ll get whole the picture. Top speed is ‘only’ 240 km/h (150 mph) because the gear ratio is designed primarily to deliver in acceleration out of corners, which is the true secret to win the Pikes Peak. Right after the jump there’s also a nice video of the man himself doing some testing with this frightening machine, we strongly recommend you check it out.

Continue reading: The first picture of Sebastian Loeb's Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak

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