Tag: V8

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Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-AMG C63 revealed

Mercedes-AMG C63

Mercedes-AMG (as they like to be called these days) has a new 4.0 litre V8 biturbo engine. We saw it first in the AMG GT, and now they’re going about the process of stuffing it into pretty much every model they make that’s bigger than an A Class.

With the forthcoming Paris Motor Show the C Class has been given the AMG treatment, which brings us to this new C63 model. We like this a lot, because it means we can get off on another stupidly fast estate. There is a C63 sedan, of course—and coupé and Black Series models will no doubt follow soon—but right now we couldn’t imagine being in a cooler place than the driver’s seat of an AMG C63 Estate.

There’s two states of tune for the latest C63; the standard model has 350kW/650Nm, while the C63 S is beefed up to 375kW/700Nm. Interestingly that’s an extra 50Nm than the AMG GT S.

When coupled to the MCT 7-Speed transmission you’ll get yourself to 100km/h somewhere in between 4.0 and 4.2 seconds, depending on the model chosen. All models have a limited top speed of 250km/h.

From the outside this new C Class looks pretty good, especially with its fancy pants AMG body kit in place. But the inside, well, we wouldn’t knock back the car if someone gave us one, but the interior is a clear weak point in this car.

What do you think?

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Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-AMG GT revealed

Mercedes-AMG GT

After a long build up the Mercedes-AMG GT is here. Mercedes is talking itself up with this car and AMG has lofty ambitions for its latest model. Just look at the first sentence from the press release below:

The first Mercedes was a racing car, its most recent successor carries this heritage forward: with the new Mercedes-AMG GT, the Mercedes-AMG sports car brand is moving into a new, top-class sports car segment for the company.

To help achieve its aims the AMG GT features a curvaceous coupé body with most of the curves in all the right places. It’s a classic two-seat sportscar look, with a long bonnet and the cabin pushed back towards the rear wheels. It does look pretty good from most angles, although we do think this car would look more impressive before our eyes than it does on a computer screen.

Powering the AMG GT is a 4.0 litre V8 biturbo engine. The new M178 V8 is provided in two states of tune, for the entry level GT model there’s 340kW/600Nm on tap, while the GT S gets a modest boost to 375kW/650Nm.

Perhaps inspired a little by the innovative turbo configuration from the F1 W05 the M178 V8 features what’s been labelled as “hot inside V” whereby the turbos are mounted inside the V layout, rather than outside the engine. The use of a dry sump also means the engine can be mounted lower, helping to provide a lower centre of gravity for better handling.

In true AMG tradition, this V8, even with turbos, sounds as raucous and thunderous as the company’s previous normally aspirated offerings. Thankfully!

Motorsport-inspired double wishbone suspension has been used for superior road holding, cornering and feedback, well, according to Mercedes anyway. A 47:53 front to rear weight distribution should also give the GT a classic sportscar feel, with that extra weight at the rear to keep the driving wheels better planted to the road.

The GT has a kerbweight of 1540kg and sees off 100km/h in 4.0 seconds, while the more powerful GT S weighs 1570kg but is quicker to triple figures with a sprint time of 3.8 seconds. Both models have had their top speeds electronically capped, 304km/h for the GT and 310km/h for the GT S.

Meaningful buzzwords like forged alloy wheels, carbon ceramic brakes, 7-speed dual clutch transmission, rear-axle locking differential and more can be found lurking in the detailed press guff below, along with a few videos and enough photos—in new 2560px mega sizing—for you to form a judgement on the AMG GT that we’d love you to share with us.

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Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT photos leaked?

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT leaked image

Mercedes-Benz is talking a big game for its new AMG GT, which is due for an official reveal next month. But as we’ve become accustomed these days images have a way of leaking out and spreading around the interwebz.

It’s not totally clear if these two AMG GT images are genuine, but based on a previous teaser from Mercedes they look pretty damn close.

The images are watermarked by the Italian website Quattroruote and that’s exactly where we followed our nose. Alas, aside from a couple of pics on the Porsche-based Rennteam forum we could find any extra info.

A few weeks back Mercedes-Benz confirmed details of the new M178 4.0 litre V8 biturbo which will power the AMG GT. It boasts 375kW (510hp) at 6250rpm and 650Nm of peak torque is available between 1750–4750rpm.

Perhaps inspired a little by the innovative turbo configuration from the F1 W05 the M178 V8 features what’s been labelled as “hot inside V” whereby the turbos are mounted inside the V layout, rather than outside the engine.

You can read more about that below. There’s also a new video from Mercedes talking up the AMG GT, which was published yesterday.

[Source: Quattroruote via Rennteam | Thanks to Wayne for the tip]

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Chevrolet Holden

Chevrolet gives V8 Commodore SS hope post-2017

Holden VF Commodore SS

According to the motoring.com.au website the V8-powered VF Commodore SS may have a life beyond the closure of Holden’s local production operations in 2017:

Holden fans will still have the chance to drive a rear-wheel drive V8 sedan with the Lion badge on the nose after the death of the VF Commodore in 2017 if a General Motors plan to build a second generation Chevrolet SS gets the green light.

GM is currently studying the feasibility of developing and building the next SS in the USA, taking over from the current Commodore VF-based version that is built in the doomed Elizabeth plant.

If the business case does stack up it will definitely be exported to Australia and sold as Holden.

Keeping the SS alive would also provide a lifeline for Holden Special Vehicles (HSV), which is facing an uncertain future without a rear-wheel drive Commodore to hot up into Clubsport, GTS and the like post-2017.

If you read the full article you’ll see there’s still quite a bit of water to pass under the bridge to make this happen. But if you like your Aussie V8s maybe you can still just want one.

[Source: motoring.com.au]

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Chevrolet Motor Shows

Detroit 2014: Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Chevrolet Corvette Z06

This is the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and with “at least 625 horsepower (466kW)” from its 6.2 litre supercharged V8 it’s sure to be as fast as it looks.

Known as the LT4, the new 6.2 litre engine has plenty of torque to go with all that power too. 860Nm+ of it! This thing will be brutal. Power is sent to the rear wheels, where else, via a 7-speed manual ‘box or an optional 8-speed auto.

There’s no claimed performance figures that we’ve come across yet. Suffice to say it will be frighteningly quick.

The Stingray on steroids is claimed to be the most track-capable Corvette, ever! You can add to that by ticking the Z07 Performance Pack option which gives you increased downforce, Brembo carbon ceramic brakes and super sticky Michelin Pilot Super Sport Cup rubber.

Limited technical detail is available in the press guff after the break, but stuff that. Just imagine having the window down, a wide open road ahead of you and nailing your foot to the floor and marvelling at the raucous noises being spat out of those quad-pipes!

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Alfa Romeo

Before the Alfa Romeo 4C there was…

Alfa Romeo 8C Spider

…the 8C Spider. And no matter how good or even brilliant the 4C is it will never sound like this! This video doesn’t make the most of the 8C’s flowing lines, but we’ll be surprised if you hear anything better than this all day. Strap yourself in, put your headphones on and turn the volume up to 11.

[Source: Marchettino]

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Ford Video

You’ve been thunderstruck!

Shelby Daytona Coupe

Video of a Shelby Daytona Cobra, filmed at full noise on a race track is a very rare thing indeed. Especially when you consider only six of these American muscle cars were made (between 1964–65). Powered by a Ford 289 V8 this example sounds like thunder. We thank Marchettino for sharing this video with the world!

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Audi Holden Vauxhall

Germany v Australia

Audi RS4 v Vauxhall VXR8

Steve Sutcliffe from Autocar brings us a clash of cultures with a great V8 estate debate. It’s the Audi RS4 versus the Vauxhall (nee Holden) VXR8. Germany v Australia. David v Goliath.

We love fast wagons here at AUSmotive and, really, who doesn’t love a V8! Which would you choose?

[Thanks to John for the tip]

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Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupé Black Series – Australian pricing & specs

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series

Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz.
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.

And Lord, can it please be a $245,000 C63 AMG Coupé Black Series? There’s only 32 coming to Australia and I kind of need to know now if you can help or else I will probably miss out.

Do you think he’ll help? I’ve got until April next year to get the money. That’s about five months away. Maybe I could save the cash myself, it’s only about $1700 a day.

Yes, we are big fans of the C63 Coupé AMG Black here at AUSmotive and we reckon a fair number of you will be as well. It has to be one of the best looking and most aggressively styled cars to come out of a German factory ever. With 380kW of normally aspirated 6.3 litre V8 fury it will go like stink as well.

Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Mr Horst von Sanden is very confident he will have no trouble shifting the C63 AMG Black from his showrooms.

“In Australia we have offered two AMG Black Series models in the past and they were very quickly snapped up by AMG aficionados who recognised their unique character and scarcity,” said von Sanden.

“The C 63 AMG Coupe Black Series will be limited to a total of 35 units for Australia and New Zealand. Obviously we wanted to get more but, the global customer demand for this latest Black Series has seen our allocation limited… and we already have a double figure order bank.”

More from Mercedes-Benz Australia after the break, including basic specification. Start saving!

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Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series

Lust has a new name and it’s called the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series. It’s a new more extreme AMG C-Class packing a 380kW (517hp) punch. The most powerful C-Class ever uses an M156 6.3 litre V8, coupled to a 7-speed MCT gearbox, to good effect reaching 100km/h in 4.2 seconds. The engine offers plenty of brute force, as well, to the tune of 620Nm of torque.

Amazingly, given the current climate of fuel efficient turbocharged engines, AMG has delivered all that power the old fashioned normally aspirated way. They even nicked a few internals from the SLS AMG for good measure.

Helping to turn the dial way past eleven AMG has fiddled with the bodywork. There’s comically flared wheel arches allowing increased track (40mm front, 79mm rear) filled with lightweight 19″ alloys. Heat extracting nostrils in the aluminium bonnet add a distinct personality and an aggressive front splitter is complemented by a matching rear diffuser.

Beneath the fire-breathing skin you’ll find adjustable coilover suspension, a locking diff, 6-pot front brakes, with 4-pots at the rear. Race-tuned ESP and ABS programs complete the transformation for this angry beast.

The C63 Black will be launched to market overseas in January 2012. We’ll try and get the skinny from MB Australia on availability down under. In the meantime check out the pics and press release after the break.

UPDATE: Mercedes-Benz Australia tell us the C63 AMG Black will launch here in the middle of next year.

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Formula 1 Holden Motorsports

TeamVodafone confirms Bathurst driver swap

The TeamVodafone V8 Supercar website has confirmed the planned promo event at Mount Panorama, Bathurst is all set to go ahead next Tuesday, 22 March. The event will start at 11am and features five time Bathurst winner Craig Lowndes and 2009 Formula One World Champion Jenson Button.

Both men will drive their own car around the legendary 6.2km circuit during the event. After a lunch break Lowndes will take to the track in a McLaren MP4-23 F1 car, while Button will do laps in the Holden Commodore V8 Supercar.

Entry is open to the public and a gold coin donation will be collected to go towards the Queensland and Victorian flood appeals. It’s sure to be a once in a lifetime, which is exactly why AUSmotive will be there to see all the action.

[Source: TeamVodafone]

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Mercedes-Benz Video

V8 powered Mercedes B55 lights ’em up

If you want to see and hear what happens when you stick a 388hp V8 into a shopping trolley then here’s the video for you. The Mercedes-Benz B55 one-off creation is one mum’s car you could take to the Summernats and actually gain some genuine street cred!

So, the B55 can do tricks in a straight line, but can it go around corners with any degree of competence? Maybe with rents for testing days at the Nürburgring heading for a 500% increase Mercedes might not be so keen to find out!

[via Autoblog]