Auto Vehicle

The new lighthouse with the star, it will again depend. Expectations of the new E-Class are high. No other car brand again reflects the befitting. The E-Class of the W 212 generation will again keep the peace within the group.

The portfolio of the Stuttgart seems to be more balanced than ever. The Smart comes slowly to his feet, A-and B-Class are from the worst out and the big SUV with U.S. production site burns to almost nothing. Finally, customers enjoy the long-awaited models of the C-and E-Class. The S-Class stands before the facelift to the coupe and one need hardly anyway to worry. Nevertheless, Mercedes executives are with the last few months is far from satisfactory. Not only for awards and comparison tests you go lately surprisingly rarely win the game and then again this criticism of the little innovative engines. In fact, the innovative Mercedes-Benz brand has made in recent years, the powerful forefront of progress. In workmanship and design not only German customers look primarily to Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm. Those who like sports, feels at BMW lifted magnificently. In addition, we are in terms of driving dynamics and consumption often behind the strong competition back.

Solid Statement

Its time for a new path to ancient shores. And heres the start of the new Mercedes E-Class comes in handy this spring. It would be an exaggeration, would speak at the W 212 of an emotional car. For the E-Class is Mercedes and Mercedes E-Class remains. The customers are loyal, ambitious and unfortunately very old. This is one of the few problems that could not cope with the now discontinued 211er series. Most e-classes of the current generation of business and company car. Gladly taken as comfortable and in combination with the as economical as powerful E 220 CDI a solid statement in all levels. But emotionally and innovative were and are different. Who tinkers in the upper hierarchy of a group leaves, the E-Class diesel-like than 280 or 320 mobile service. To order with all the extras, and in combination with automatic transmission and all-wheel drive an almost unsurpassable everyday vehicle with no real weaknesses.

The Mercedes E-Class was never loud, never a braggart. Who was driving an E-Class or travels who has done it. Assuming it is not a taxi driver that controls the ivory colored four-door only less productive shifts. The new E-Class of the W 212 series is the very old. In technology and design, you are naturally on the amount of time. Surprises in vain. "The new E-Class is simply the best luxury sedan in the world", predicts Mercedes chief designer Gorden Wagener. And even from Munich and Ingolstadt are considering of a temporary segment share of 30 percent in Europe hardly appreciable opposition.

A tough draw

Expectations of the new E-Class are gigantic. Mercedes longs again for a real series champion who thrilled the crowds and drive the competition into the ground. This is a tough draw, because in terms of driving dynamics, BMW had with the 5-Series E 60 last fixed the pants. The new 5 Series comes in early 2009 and it will probably make again for painful facial features in the premium competitors. Once again, because BMW has put the tangled design gimmicks in recent years shelved and offers pleasing volume goods. Audi is the A6, as with almost all Group models beyond most doubt. So you have a head start of just half a year before the eyes are directed to Munich.


Mercedes has positioned the new E-Class as safety conscious vehicle of the future. With details like Einschlafwarner, Lane Keeping Assist, cruise control distance, light assistant, every imaginable airbags and excellent chassis known to set standards across class. But that alone is hardly enough. After all, even with the new Megane Renault advertises so, according to Euro NCAP offer the safest car in the world. So it was allowed in the new "E" be a little more dynamic and a little more style. Especially the face with the four diamond-cut headlights similar is likely to impress the audience quickly. The difference is clearly the predecessor. "Anyone who looks at the history, the previous models of the E-Class will always discover design couples" said Gorden Wagener, "after two similar models it is then, however, more revolution than evolution. As with the new E-Class. The back is a big step. "The vehicle itself is dynamic and has drawn less organic than the highly successful predecessor. The can, seven years after his presentation, and can still see around every corner. Similarly timeless today affects most the flagship of the W 124 generation But Mercedes plays in the design of the new 212ers also with the history. With thick thighs over the rear wheel wells, he is reminiscent of its pontoon-Benz 50s.

Under the design-body

But design is just only one side of the coin. After being in the engines was on the road in the second row for years preferred to here for the new E-model is much different. Most of the new engine variants have a direct injection engine. Alone in turbo technology, the gasoline engine you are still behind on. Start-stop systems, regenerative braking or even hybrid? Is everything, so you can hear from Stuttgart, but not at the start of the new E-Class. Here the expectations resting primarily on the new E 250 CDI, which is expected to go with powerful performance and fuel efficiency to the forefront. 4Matic all-wheel drive, it is just like a husky give AMG version with 500 hp. But even here, it must first do the known engines. The power of next-generation turbos are probably introduced only in late 2010. Double charging and diesel should register the competition from 2011 scare a mighty scare.

That aims to strengthen the E-Class as the central model of the brand, you can also see the new coupe and convertible versions. Coupe and convertible based on the CLK-weary retirees were yesterday. The successor to celebrate spring (Coupe) and autumn (Cabriolet) premieres its fast and flanking the future back to the E-Class. In addition, the end of the year following the still hugely important wagon. Similar to the competition, it will promptly provide an E-Class long wheelbase. How important that can be, the long-wheelbase versions of Audi A6, BMW 5-Series VW Magotan or show on the Asian market. And a weakness can you get away just on the image strong growth market any more than on the main market of Europe.

The new MV Agusta Rivale on the EICMA in Milan.

Rivale is the newest creation of MV Agusta, which is in the fall of 2013 on the market. Your Data: three-cylinder engine with 800 cc, 125 hp, 170 kg weight, ride-by-wire with different modes and traction control, a fully adjustable high quality chassis with Marzocchi fork and Sachs rear shock and - a real novelty at MV Agusta - high handlebars. A Super motor is the rivale, saying the MV boss, but in their very own, almost super-sporty interpretation.

Given the name, the question arises: rivale from whom? Even at first glance, can not escape the impression that Ducati is meant. Front of the rivale shows clear similarities with the Hyper motor, for example, with the retractable, attached to the handlebar ends mirrors. The rear view again recalls the Diavel: thicker rear tire - not a 200, but still a 180 ¬ - and LED tail lights that extend far below the raised tail.

Nevertheless, the developed rival a very distinctive look, because designer Adrian Morton puts the narrow three-cylinder engine and especially the three picturesque exhaust cones at the center. With the delicate trellis frame, the narrow waist and the thick rear tire the bike looks amazingly graceful at the same time and even when standing squat and gives a highly dynamic impression.

On the price of the rivale to put MV Agusta already clear: It will cost 10,990 euros

With the Cayenne S Hybrid, Porsche swim with the hybrid shaft at the top or sailing. Because the Zuffenhausen want as long distance glide without engine.

2010, the first Porsche Cayenne will come with hybrid drive on the market. He is the next consumption-reducing innovation, with the Stuttgart their SUV range will wean the excessive drinking habits.

Basis for the hybrid powertrain is a V6 petrol engine from Audi stocks. The aggregate three-liter, direct injection and supercharging, Audi has developed just last year. While it makes the brand with the four rings from 213 to 245 kilowatts, it offers only Porsche with 245 kilowatts of power and 440 newton meters. The charge by riemengetriebenem compressor means two things. By the power requirements of the compressor in this technique, the fuel consumption in comparison with an equally strong engine with a turbocharger is not quite as high. However ensures the compressor in the lower speed ranges for much more agility. "We use the electric motor and the battery capacity for mainly electric starting and steady cruising at higher speeds," says Dr.-Ing. Michael Head, Project Manager for the Cayenne Hybrid.

The 38-kilowatt synchronous electric motor from Bosch, together with the clutch only 15 inches long and fits relatively easily between the V6 and the eight-speed torque converter automatic by Aisin. This configuration allows the first three normal modes: conventional drive with a combustion engine, accelerating with combustion engine and electric motor (boosting) and driving with only the electric motor. There is also a control strategy for converting kinetic energy into electrical energy and subsequent storage in the nickel-metal hydride battery (regeneration) by Sanyo and the stop-start function.
Two other modes

The engineers have the Cayenne Hybrid but still planted two additional modes that make up the majority of the approximately 2.5 liters less fuel consumption compared to conventional Cayenne with VR6 engine: the load point shift modes and sailing. When the load point of the V6 engine, for example, is used not only for propulsion, it also simultaneously charges the battery. This higher load, he works in map areas that are more fuel efficient.

Solely by the load point displacement and further optimization of engine measures implemented 44 percent of under Porsche Cayenne Hybrid (8.9 liters per 100 kilometers, 210 grams of CO2 per kilometer) compared to a conventional Cayenne with VR6 engine (12.4 liters, 294 grams CO2) emissions. Other measures include the modern V6 engine, demand-controlled ancillary components, and an eight-speed automatic transmission with torque converter lockup instead of the current six-speed automatic. Using the new dual clutch transmission have been discarded because the automatic transmission, especially when starting with a trailer is better.

Electric driving contributes to an additional 26 percent of under-spending. Porsche concentrates on the electric motor operating mainly on purely electrically powered driving. Less on the supportive boost function during acceleration because the supercharged V6 compressor already has a good torque curve. The Cayenne Hybrid will be driven in large areas with low load demand, or only with the electric motor. In addition, heres the clutch between the combustion engine and electric motor into play. It decouples the engine from the rest anyway dormant drivetrain, preventing unnecessary braking drag torques. The first German production hybrid Mercedes-Benz S 400 is still the way to a rigid engine-transmission connection to the market.

Reactivation of the internal combustion engine in 0.3 seconds

Calls to the driver more torque and the energy storage is exhausted, the combustion engine is in less than 0.3 seconds is coupled to the drive train, and from the electric motor is started. "The sails are phases in the current testbed possible up to a speed of 138 kilometers per hour, to the start of this mode should be extended until at 157 pace," said Head. Overall, the process developed by Bosch hybrid management for the complex control strategy more than 20,000 parameters. For comparison, a conventional motor control comes from with 6,000 parameters.

The introduction of the sail and their expansion phase up to a brisk highway speeds makes sense, since the typical driving profile of the Cayenne contains more intercity and highway routes and smaller urban units with stop-and-go traffic.

The sailing mode, the Cayenne ruled on a splash and sail around Stuttgart already very well when the drivers foot on the accelerator and curbing the flow of traffic as evenly as possible about his death. The reactivation of the engine is almost imperceptible to the driver. The hybrid Cayenne consumed on the average driving profile approximated circuit just over nine liters per kilometer. Remarkably, after all he is about 170 kilograms heavier than his brother, with series six-cylinder. Since the electric motor in addition to the rather moderate power of 38 kW but develops 285 Nm of torque, comply with the performance and acceleration values ​​which the larger V8 engine. This approval, however, the cycle 15 liters of petrol per 100 kilometers, 355 grams of CO2.

The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is probably the strongest form of the American way of life. The muscle car is not only popular in his U.S. home. Therefore, there is the powerhouse now in Germany as a convertible.

After the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 coupe, the Munich-based company GeigerCars now imports even the strongest of the Camaro Convertible series. The open version of the 433 kW/589 hp muscle cars is accelerated by a 6.2-liter supercharged from the Corvette ZR1. 100 km reaches the hot rod with six-speed automatic in just 3.9 seconds. 88,900 euros for the customer also a leather interior, heated seats and an automatic convertible top. Also a rear view camera is standard equipment.

The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is probably the strongest form of the American way of life. The muscle car has 589 horsepower and is now also available as a convertible in Germany

The shown standard model works against the ZL1 already visually much braver. But especially in terms of performance it the ZL1 has packed a proper gained a lot. So the series is already up to 432 hp

The ZL1 433 kW/589 hp version makes the other hand. By a 6.2-liter supercharged Corvette ZR1 from the muscle car accelerates to 100 kph in just 3.9 seconds

Also inside, the Camaro series not quite keep up with the special model ...

For in this, there are some features as standard on the sporty character is reflected in the eye-catching interiors. Thus, a ZL1-logo is used as embroidery on the headrests. 88,900 euros for the customer also a leather interior, heated seats and an automatic convertible top. Also a rear view camera is standard equipment.

The French manufacturer Renault and the British firm Caterham develop in 2013 a joint road sports car. Caterham contributes to half of Alpine, in whose work the Fahzeug to be manufactured. (Renault)

The French manufacturer Renault and the British firm Caterham design from 2013 a joint road sports car. The vehicle will be manufactured at the plant of Renault-Alpine in Dieppe.

Renault and the British manufacturer Caterham, both also involved in F1 want to jointly develop road sports car. They will be built in the Renault Alpine plant in Dieppe in Normandy.

Caterham, known for the two-seater Seven, participates in this half of Alpine and takes 50 percent of Renault shares. The new company, to be established in January 2013, Alpine Caterham hot. The management takes the Renault manager Bernard Ollivier.

A convertible in the classic sense of the new Fiat 500 C is not. Still plenty of summer air flowing into the interior as soon as the soft top slides together electrically.

With a fabric folding roof builds the new Fiat 500 C, which is to roll this summer in the trade, to the tradition of his predecessor. The 1957 had caused an open-air version of a stir. The folding roof of the new edition of the Italian small car can be actuated electrically - the part of the side windows are fixed. Gives the fabric comes in three colors: ivory, red and black.

Specifically for the Fiat 500, the Italian manufacturer has developed two new exterior paint colors - the colors Pearl Red and Warm Grey. The rear window is made of glass, the third brake light remains visible despite refolded roof. A sophisticated system of folding hinge ensures that the trunk remains easily accessible and usable when the roof is down.

Triple Engine

The Fiat 500 C uses dimensions remained unchanged - Length 3.55 meters, width 1.65 m, height 1.49 meters, 2.30 meters wheelbase - back to the almost identical mechanics of the sedan. The safety and comfort features correspond to the 500th base model Fiat Even the seating options is identical: the vehicle is designed for four occupants.

The Fiat 500 C is available with a 1.2-liter 8v petrol engine which delivers 51 kW/69 hp, and a 1.4-liter 16V engine with 73 kW/100 hp. A diesel engine is available: the 1.3-liter Multijet 16v turbo diesel develops 55 kW/75 hp. The two petrol engines are combined with a semi-automatic transmission.

The start-stop system turns the engine off at a stop, for example, at a red light, without the driver is active and launches them without delay as soon as the driver engages a gear. As a result, the Fiat 500 C 1.2 comes from less than 120 g / km CO2.

Sees cheer Adrian Quaife-Hobbs soon also in GP2?

Auto GP champion Adrian Quaife-Hobbs are exciting weeks in the house. The former GP3 pilot announced that he will try to go for the end of season two GP2 teams to next year sure to get an exposure to the lower house of F1. In October he climbs therefore in Catalonia for Addax in the car - 22 and 23 November is in Jerez, then a drive with the Arden team. "In the GP2 test options are fairly limited, so it is important to take every available opportunity," said the Briton, who will fly in early December even a third time to Spain, but then for the group test of the new Auto GP Boliden in 2013 in Barcelona.