2012 BMW M3 CRT Lightweight Sedan

This car isn’t called the M3 CRT Big Horsepower though, so let’s get to the things that make it lighter than a standard M3 sedan. Benefitting from new manufacturing processes developed for the carbon-intensive BMW i3 and i8 models coming in 2013, the M3 CRT has a hood that consists of two carbon-fiber sheets encasing an aramid composite honeycomb for added rigidity. As a result, it has the strength of a traditional steel hood with just a quarter of the weight. Compared to a normal M3’s aluminum piece, the weight is halved. Inside the cabin, the front bucket seats use the same process and therefore benefit from the same weight savings. The result is a car that weighs just 3483 pounds despite standard equipment that includes a dual-clutch transmission, navigation, a high-end BMW Individual audio system, and parking sensors. BMW says that, while the official weight savings is 100 pounds, if all this equipment is considered, the real savings is over 150 pounds. And considered alongside the car’s added horsepower, the cuts are good for a ratio of 7.7 pounds for each pony to carry, an improvement of roughly one full pound over the regular M3 sedan.

The Audi Q5 hybrid quattro combines the performance of a six-cylinder with the fuel economy of a four-cylinder. The highly variable interior offers plenty of room for recreation and family. The vehicle is powered by a 2.0 TFSI producing 155 kW (211 hp) and an electric motor producing 40 kW (54 hp). This combination provides for a system output of 180 kW (245 hp). The average fuel consumption measured according to the NEDC is just 6.9 liters per 100 km (34.09 US mpg). The quattro permanent all-wheel drive system and an agile chassis are an unbeatable technology package.

Audi Q5 Hybrid Quattro

During the development process, Audi focused on a high share of electrically powered driving. The sportiest hybrid SUV on the market covers about three kilometers (1.86 miles) with zero local emissions at a constant speed of 60 km/h (37.28 mph), and can drive at up to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) under electric power alone.

Audi Q5 Hybrid Quattro

The Audi Q5 hybrid quattro is the perfect car for an active lifestyle. It is efficient, dynamic, spacious, multifunctional and comfortable. It will be appearing in the fourth quarter of 2011 at a starting price of EUR 53,700.

Audi Q5 Hybrid Quattro

WE thought the 1.4-litre Giulietta was going to be a bit of a doddle after the fire-breathing 173kW QV.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4

How wrong we were.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4

This car is outstanding, easily the best Alfa we have driven in a long time.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4

The unique 1.4-litre TB MultiAir engine produces 125kW of power and up to 250Nm of torque in dynamic mode, yet uses only 5.8 litres of petrol per 100km.

The dash from 0-100km/h takes 7.8 seconds, just a second slower than the more powerful QV.


We clocked up almost 700km in the 1.4-litre turbocharged tyro this week and came away impressed by its styling and performance, as well as the ride and handling.


The ride is quite unexpectedly supple, nothing like the jarring encounters we have had with other Alfas in the past.

2011 Aston Martin Virage

Lotus, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Bentley, Rolls-Royce. Out of these fabled British car brands there is one whose sole passion in its 100-year history was building evocative and elegant sports cars. Its creations have long earned the respect of car aficionados, not least including members of the royal family as Prince William borrowed his father's vintage example as the parting piece for his wedding.

It was an Aston Martin.


Just what makes one so special? It doesn't have scissor doors and it can't break world speed records.


Perhaps it's the beauty, which as I learned, compels me to trace the lines on the aluminum skin as if to solidify its ethereal presence as I stood next to it. But beauty alone does not define this marque.

aston martin virage

The underlying philosophy of every Aston Martin is very distinct; it's as though they reflect virtues prized in its home nation.

Aston Martin V12 Zagato on track at the Nurburgring

Aston Martins’ V12 Zagato Concept is easily one of the rarest cars in the world at the moment. In fact, it’s still only a concept car, borne out of a mutual quest by Zagato and the bespoke English sports car company to build a modern interpretation of the famous DB4 GT Zagato of 1960.

At best, there would only be a handful of these cars around, but that doesn’t mean you can’t race them at this year’s Nurburgring 24-Hour race. At least that what Aston Martin boss Ulrich Bez thinks, and he’s leading the experienced driver team, which includes the company’s Nurburgring Test Centre Director, Wolfgang Schuhbauer along with amateur race driver Peter Cate. Experienced enduro racer and One-77 Chief Engineer Chris Porritt, who will be joined by sports car racer Oliver Mathai and Aston’s regular journalist driver, Richard Meaden, will pilot the second car.

The two cars will be put through their paces at this weekend’s VLN5 four-hour race at the Nurburgring this Saturday as an opportunity to further prepare the cars for the 24-Hour long haul on June 25 and 26.

2012 Mercedes ML First Look

Thanks to some magazine scans which have found the way to the web a bit too soon, we can catch the first glimpse of the all-new 2012 Mercedes ML Class.

Mercedes ML First Look

The car looks a bit like the renderings we’ve featured before, and seem to have become more chunky and sturdy. There is nothing special really about the way it looks, you immediately recognize it as an ML. But that’s a good thing. Mercedes ML ha always been a dignified SUV and it’s a good job Mercedes hasn’t mess with it. They’ve just tweaked the old design to make it more elegant, and they seem to have pull it off very well.

The interior is now closer to the rest of the Mercedes range, but with a four-spoke steering wheel and a nice and luxurious two-tone dashboard. Usually after the pictures of a new model leak out, official info will follow soon, so stay tuned.

2012 Mercedes-Benz M Class Official Details Released

After several photos of the brand new 2012 Mercedes- Benz M Class were leaked yesterday, today the German carmaker released the first official details and photos of the their upcoming SUV, which is scheduled to make its official debut later this year at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany.

2012 Mercedes-Benz M Class

Looking at the car’s exterior, what everyone loved about it was that while it’s a significant redesign, it keeps the same silhouette and you can instantly recognize the car as an M Class. Among the restyled elements we can count the tail lights and headlights, which now feature LED daytime running lights, the entire front fascia was modified and the alloy wheels are available in sizes ranging from 17 to 21-inch.