Well for a start, this top class SUV from Mercedes is available as a GL500 with a V8 petrol engine, or a GL63 AMG which can top 62mph in just 4.9 seconds, not bad for such a huge vehicle. However, these two Mercedes-Benz models are for the more affluent amongst us. Those that don’t have so much cash to splash should consider the the GL350 CDI version of this gargantuan beast.

It comes equipped with a 3 litre V6 turbodiesel engine as standard which leaves the RPM sitting rather comfortably at approximately 1800 when driving at motorway speeds. Combine this with the ‘aero-acoustic’ finishings and the in-car noise when thundering down the motorway at these speeds is minimal, ensuring that those sitting in the third row can converse easily with the front seat passengers, without being silenced by “road rumble”. You’re probably thinking that an improvement in performance equals a drop in fuel economy, but to the contrary, the second generation GL350 is reported to improve fuel consumption by up to 20%.

The quality of this ride is a real talking point too and is one of the reasons why the GL350 has caused so much of a stir. The interior oozes with high quality leather finishes while the ride is equipped with many luxuries and safety features as standard. Such as brake, hill start and collision prevention assist, a downhill speed regulator, tyre pressure loss warning, front and side airbags, a seven speed automatic transmission, the AIRMATIC suspension system, a built in LCD display which works alongside Mercedes-Benz very own COMAND system, operating the cars satellite navigation as well as all other information based media. There are, of course, the choice for many optional extras too, such as blind spot, speed limit and active lane keeping assist, thorax airbags for the middle seat passengers and the active curve system (ACS) for driving on continually twisty roads.

Premium quality SUV’s have the arduous task of combining two distinctly opposite characteristics into one finely tuned package for the consumer. They must provide a comfortable and smooth ride from the inside whilst operating like an armoured military tank from the outside. From what we can see the Mercedes-Benz GL350 CDI certainly brings everything required to the table and the end result is an SUV that commands respect.

This article was written by Hayley Reeve on behalf of Mercedes specialists Service 4 Service. Offering an approved Mercedes Benz servicing in Leicester and across the UK nationwide.

Image courtesy of commons.wikimedia.org.

Rolls Royce, as a company, hasn’t changed their ways much from the moment they were established. Their cars are manufactured, emphasis on the word manufactured. Every single part of the car is first carefully designed, than made manually. No machines take work on a Royce, even the engine is built, bit by bit, by hand. Only high quality materials are used for this kind of car. The interior is wooden, and always made from a single tree that runs throughout the inside of the car. When driving a Rolls Royce, you will be sitting on a seat covered with soft leather.

The mechanical parts are the real luxury of this car. They are all made from titanium alloys. Titanium is probably one of the best metals to make anything, not just car parts. All parts are fire resistant, and after waiting a year or so for your car to be manufactured, there is no doubt you will enjoy it. The 6.75 litter V12 engine is an astonishing feature to the car, and it is so much fun. Half of a million dollars to look good and to have fun. You can have this kind of fun with other cars, but Rolls Royce is something special.

This car was built to last, and the fact that the first ever built Rolls Royce (Royce 10) is still on the road says enough about the endurance and the quality. And this company has always made sure that it uses the full potential of their engines. Rolls Royce, from the very beginning moved driving standards towards what they are now. They have always been those brave pioneers that lead the changes, and others just followed. In 1974, they introduced their cars with wider tires, to increase the stability of the car, as well as the steering. In 1980 they were the first to switch brake fluid with mineral oil for brakes and suspension. Besides, Rolls Royce are the first company to fit their vehicles with air conditioning. I could go on and on, because Rolls Royce is probably the most renowned car name in the world.

At one instance Rolls Royce engines held all the speed records (land, air, water). The company is always making great progress, and is now working along with the DSA (Driving Standards Agency) to improve the experience of the drivers on the road, as well as the safety of both drivers and pedestrians.

The people at Rolls Royce made sure that their publicity is forever positive by building quality cars and making sure that they have full support of their government. The driving standards contact with the DSA is mutual. Cooperation has been a success so far, and we shall see if it will remain.

Guest post submitted by Sarah C

[Photo by Nick Fewings]

Seemingly fitting to it’s name (Egoista means “selfish” in Italian), Lamborghini’s newest concept seats only one person underneath a bright orange glass canopy. With styling influenced by the Apache helicopter and a light sliver-blue paint job with bright orange accents, the Egoista Concept is your childhood Hot Wheels dream come true.

Little information is available from Lamborghini as of yet. Reports suggest it will be powered by the company’s 5.2-liter V10 engine, but no word as to whether this will be a limited production model or simply a one-off concept.

Check out Jalopnik for links to tweeted pictures of the Egoista unveiling from people at the event.

Source: Jalopnik
Image source: Lamborghini

Quattro is Audi’s legendary all-wheel-drive system that debuted in 1980 in the awesome original Quattro car. Millions of cars later, Audio still offers the widest range of automobiles with all-wheel-drive standard including the Q7, R8, A4 allroad, A6 allroad and all S and RS models. All other Audi models are available with Quattro as an option as well.

The 5-millionth Quattro equipped car was a white A6 allroad 3.0 TDI (pictured above). If you want to learn more about Quattro’s history, check out Audi’s press release.

Source: Audi
Image source: Audi

Rolls-Royce promises this will be the most powerful automobile they’ve ever created and is rumored to be available later this year.

You can read the full press release below:

ROLLS-ROYCE WRAITH: IN PROFILE

22.01.2013

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today publishes the first official image of its new model Wraith, which will be launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2013.

The graceful silhouette gives expression to a bold and thoroughly contemporary luxury motor car. Flowing lines hint at the extraordinary power and dynamic promise of the most powerful Rolls-Royce in history, yet also highlight design cues that can be traced through the model generations.

Rolls-Royce Wraith evokes the pioneering spirit and lust for adventure that drove company forefather the Honourable Charles Rolls – the consummate gentleman racer. But like Rolls, Wraith will also be steeped in the trappings of luxury and opulence.

When Wraith is present, for that fleeting moment, the world will stand still.

Formerly of Porsche, Eichler was a crucial part of the AMG team that developed numerous engines including the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8, both the naturally aspirated and twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 and a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 that powers the awesome Pagani Huayra.

For Volkswagen fans, especially GTI owners like myself, the most exciting part of Eichler’s work at AMG is probably the creation of a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine claimed to produce 350 hp. But, the more I think about it, an engine like that would most likely end up under the hood of something from Audi.

Heinz-Jakob Neusser, now the head of VW engine development, was the mastermind behind acquiring Eichler from AMG. Eichler formerly worked under Neusser at Porsche. Small world.

Source: Autoweek
Image source: Mercedes-Benz

It’s very rare for a 959 to come up for auction, never mind an actual factory prototype. At the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale last night, one of only four prototypes (one of only two running) was rolled up to the auction block. Selling for, in my opinion, a very cheap $400,000, some lucky buyer got a great deal. Watching the video below you can hear that it just barely came off reserve at the very end.

Source: Barrett-Jackson
Image source: Barrett-Jackson
Video source: Speed TV

Around 290,000 readers of ADAC’s Motorwelt magazine as well as users from the internet voted for this year’s favorite. All 52 cars that were up for election came onto the market for the first time in 2012. To be considered for the “Gelber Engel”, the car must excel not only at design and image, but also on price-performance ratio, functionality, efficiency, safety and eco-friendliness.

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class was already voted by Auto Bild magazine the most attractive car in Germany and the coveted Design Award for 2012.

So, when do we get the A-Class in the United States?

Source: Mercedes-Benz
Images source: Mercedes-Benz

Boasting 560-horsepower from a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine, Audi’s latest RS offering can propel 5 adults from 0-62 mph in only 3.9 seconds. A top speed of 189 mph is obtainable only after purchasing the dynamic package plus (which removes the standard 155 mph speed governor).

Getting all that power to the ground is thanks to an 8-speed tiptronic transmission and Audi’s brilliant Quattro all-wheel drive system. With that 8th gear acting like an over-drive to reduce fuel consumption and the ability to shut down half of the cylinders thanks to a cylinder-on-demand system, the RS7 can achieve an impressive 25 mpg.

Check out the gallery below for more images and also check out some great shots from AutoBlog directly from the show floor.

Source: Audi. Images source: Audi

With an all-new, turbocharged 1.8 TSI engine producing 250 horsepower to the front wheels, this Passat sits right between the 170 hp 5 cylinder and the 280 hp VR6 in the lineup. This engine is already available in Europe and Asia and would be nice to see it offered in more Volkswagen’s coming stateside in the future.

Exterior upgrades include a lowered suspension with 19-inch “Luzor” alloy wheels, dual exhaust, Bi-Xenon headlights, LED taillights and carbon-capped mirrors. Inside we get more carbon trim upgrades and two-color leather seats.

At the moment, Volkswagen is only confirming the Passat Performance Concept as just that, a concept. Here’s hoping we see this in showrooms sometime soon.

Source: VW. Image source: VW