Volkswagen XL 1

The 111kmpl Volkswagen XL1
After working on the idea for over a decade, Volkswagen has revealed the near-production version of the XL1, a two-seat, plug-in diesel hybrid designed to be the world's most energy-efficient automobile. VW estimates the XL1 can get up to 111 kilometre per litre — although with a time to 100 kmph of 12.7 seconds, it won't get there quickly.

Year Make Model:  ---------------------------  2014 Volkswagen XL1
Vehicle type:   ----------------------------------- RWD 2dr 2-passenger coupe
Assembly location:  ----------------------------  Osnabruck, Germany
Configuration:   --------------------------------- Tranverse, midengine, rear-wheel drive
Engine type:  ------------------------------------ Two-cylinder turbodiesel
Displacement (cc/cu-in):   --------------------- 800/48.8
Horsepower (hp @ rpm):   -------------------- 47
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): --------------------------   89
Fuel type:   --------------------------------------- Diesel
Hybrid type:   ------------------------------------ Series-parallel plug-in
Electric motor rating (kW):  ------------------  27
Combined horsepower (hp @ rpm):   ------- 68
Combined torque (lb-ft @ rpm):  ------------  103
Battery type:    -----------------------------------Lithium-ion
Battery capacity, rated (kW-hr):  ------------  5.5
Plug-in type (110v/220v):  ---------------------  110-volt
Plug-in driving range, mfr. claim (mi.):   ----- 31
Transmission type:   ------------------------------ Seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual
Suspension, front:   ------------------------- Independent, double wishbone, coil springs, stabilizer bar
Suspension, rear:  ---------------------------  Independent, semi-trailing arm, coil springs
Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.):  -----------  1,749
Length (in.):   --------------------------------- 153.1
Width (in.):   ------------------------------------- 65.6
Height (in.):   ----------------------------------- 45.3
Wheelbase (in.):   ----------------------------- 87.6

C-Class and M-Class get top marks in more stringent US crash test

Dubai, 24 February 2013 – Since the American crash test program US NCAP was made more stringent in 2010, only a few vehicles have achieved the highest assessment with five stars. These elite vehicles include the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and M-Class. These both also achieved top marks in the European Euro NCAP rating and in the test by the American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), thereby confidently mastering three of the most challenging international safety ratings. This underlines Mercedes-Benz's exceptional position as a pioneer in safety and a technical trendsetter.
The manufacturer-independent US NCAP rating (US New Car Assessment Program) is similar to its European counterpart Euro NCAP in many regards. However, the US program significantly tightened up many of the requirements in 2010, also including additional tests in the rating. This resulted in a dramatic decrease in the number of five-star results. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class and M-Class are among the few vehicles to have achieved the top result of five stars according to the new criteria which are based on real-life accident scenarios.
Unlike the Euro NCAP, the updated US rating uses a significantly heavier deformable barrier (1368 kg compared with 950 kg) for the side collision in order to comply with the increased average weight of modern American vehicles. Another example: A rigid barrier is constructed for the frontal collision instead of a deformable barrier. The vehicle also hits the barrier with a full overlap (40 percent in Euro NCAP). The test program has also been expanded to include a lateral angled pole impact.
The assessment criteria have also been made significantly more stringent. The probability of serious injury to the head (head injury criterion) and the strain on the throat, chest and femur of the driver and front passenger are evaluated. In order to get five stars, the probability of serious injury must be under five percent.
As well as in the challenging new US NCAP rating, the C-Class and M-Class also achieved five-star results in the Euro NCAP, just like all Mercedes-Benz passenger cars have for many years. The American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a private organisation led by various commercial vehicle insurance companies, also declared both Mercedes-Benz model series to be "Top Safety Picks" thanks to their outstanding test results.
Mercedes-Benz believes these national and international safety ratings to be very sensible. However, the safety experts for the premium brand with the three-pointed star will not settle for merely achieving rating targets; instead they work constantly and intensively on achieving a level of safety that exceeds the standards required by all the legislation worldwide.
Actual accident scenarios are therefore an important benchmark for their work. This is why they have been investigating thousands of specific accidents for several years. On this incorruptible basis, Mercedes-Benz has developed a safety concept which not only aims to prevent accidents but also minimize the consequences of them. The experts call the result of their work "Real Life Safety".
Based on this comprehensive safety philosophy, Mercedes-Benz has developed or initiated several modern safety systems that effectively support drivers. One example is the occupant protection system PRE-SAFE®, launched ten years ago. It can activate safety measures for the passengers as a precaution, even before an impending crash. The aim is to prepare the occupants and the vehicle for an imminent collision, by, for example, ensuring that the seat belts and airbags can implement their full protective effect during an impact. PRE-SAFE® is now available in 14 model series right across the Mercedes-Benz model range.
As another indicator of its power of innovation when it comes to occupant protection, Mercedes is further expanding its protection for rear seat passengers with the active belt buckle and the beltbag. An electric motor automatically moves the belt buckle up and down as part of the active belt buckle. This allows belt slack in the pelvis and thorax regions to be reduced and passengers are better secured both laterally and longitudinally. The beltbag is an inflatable belt strap which can reduce the risk of injury to rear-seat passengers in the event of a frontal collision by reducing the forces exerted on the rib cage.

The "Real Life Safety" holistic approach pursued by accident researchers at Mercedes-Benz also increasingly leads to the fusion of comfort and safety, thanks to the implementation of intelligent assistant systems which Mercedes-Benz groups together under the name "Intelligent Drive". This includes systems which could, for the first time, prevent accidents with crossing vehicles or pedestrians, as well as an active lane keeping assist system which could also prevent accidents with oncoming traffic. Anti-dazzle permanent main-beam headlamps are also in development.

Assistance systems like these are not yet generally required by vehicle safety rating systems but various institutions are already starting to request them.
Mercedes-Benz is constantly increasing the performance of these assistance systems. The aim is all-round protection, not only for the occupants of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, but also for all other road users.

Lexus fuels WFES 2013 with hybrid luxury pair

Al Futtaim Motors - Lexus, the exclusive distributor for Lexus in the UAE, was the only luxury and high performance automotive brand present with a two- vehicle display at this year’s World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi demonstrating the Japanese automaker’s credentials as the undisputed world leader in the luxury hybrid segment.

In its third consecutive participation at Abu Dhabi’s future energy signature show, Lexus showcased its new RX 450h and GS 450h vehicles equipped with the cutting-edge Lexus Hybrid Drive technology and other hybrid intelligence systems offering advanced driving information and control features.

2013 Kia Sorento

For its second-generation refresh leading up to a 2015 redesign, Kia sweetened the deal on a 2013 Sorento with a few standardized features, new options and a modernized style. This volume-leading American-made midsize crossover may well be on the smaller side of its class, but there's a lot more than hot air inside. Weighing in at no less than 4,000 pounds, the remarkably well-appointed Kia Sorento is known for dropping jaws—and given this 2013 update with body-color and silver accents, it's building a legacy of turning heads, too.

There wasn't much room for improvement given the Sorento's history of converting even luxury buyers into Kia fans, so it looks like the 2013 lineup basically stays pat minus a Base offering. There's still a choice of 3 engines mated to a nearly flawless 6-speed automatic that pushes power to the front wheels (FWD) by default, or all wheels (AWD) optionally, but so far it appears just the LX, EX and SX trims will return for 2013 to make up the baseline, middle and top of the line, respectively.

As such, pricing and features have changed a bit, mostly to lower the starting tag on the SX, but there are as yet no details on how it will be repackaged. However, we do know the V6-equipped LX gets that roomy third row standard, while 7 passengers remain optional for V6-equipped 2013 EX and SX models. Leather seating is now standard in the EX, the Microsoft-powered UVO infotainment system joins the LX's options list, and the SX now visually differentiates itself with a chrome exhaust tip, LED taillights and larger 18-inch alloy wheels.

Aside from those few tweaks, the 2013 Kia Sorento is the very same Sorento so many renters have fallen for already. Although the baseline unmodified 2.4-liter 175-hp 4-cylinder offered in the EX can be anemic at times, there's always the option to snag the tweaked 191-hp and 181-lb-ft/torque version of the same 4-cylinder, or the LX- and SX-default 276-hp and 248 lb-ft V6 good for 3,500 pounds of towing know-how. All that power comes at the cost of 20 mpg city/26 highway, but the 4-cylinder can get as much as 22/32 mpg, manufacturing mishaps aside. (A good few lemons made it past QC for 2012, so make sure you test-drive the one you're taking home at the very least.)

If the now-baseline LX comes equipped like it did for 2012, feature highlights include heated side mirrors with integrated LED turn signals and a second-row armrest. The Convenience package adds fog lights, roof rails, rear parking sensors, heated front seats, a backup camera with rear-view display and the modified 4-banger for FWD models or third-row seating for V6-equipped LX Sorentos.

The 2012 EX notably added keyless ignition/entry, rear parking sensors, rear air-conditioning for V6 models, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob alongside the voice-activated UVO infotainment system, standard—but the new X Convenience Plus Package available to both the EX and SX adds those leather touches plus an 8-way powered driver's seat, so the standard offering for 2013 is still somewhat in question. The performance-inspired SX came loaded for 2012 with EX options in addition to more aggressive styling, a sport-tuned suspension and metallic interior accents. It's pretty safe to assume whatever the 2013 EX becomes, the SX will be it, loaded and sportier.

The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupé Black Series

 New Mercedes-AMG gullwing super sports car rages with rapturous Black Series performance

 ·        631hp and 635nm of torque

·        1550kg lightweight motorsport inspired construction

·        0-100km/h in 3.6 seconds

Affalterbach – Announced as though it has blasted past the chequered flag of its GT3 inspired design, roared off the track by its 631hp 6.3 litre V8 engine and onto public roads with tarmac shredding 0-100km/h in 3.6 seconds performance, Mercedes-AMG has invoked the darkest fury of Affterbach into its thunderous gullwing to create the SLS AMG Coupé Black Series.

Making challengers pale in comparison, the fifth Black Series model from Mercedes-AMG harnesses the victorious motorsport mettle of its SLS AMG GT3 racing version to boast a menacing mix of breath-taking design, outstanding driving dynamics and uncompromising lightweight construction in accordance with the "AMG Lightweight Performance" strategy. Pairing its powerful engine packing 635 nm of twist with a DIN kerb weight of 1550 kilograms, the SLS AMG Black Series achieves a power/weight ratio of 2.45 kg/hp.

The coil-over AMG RIDE CONTROL performance suspension, the AMG ceramic high-performance composite brake system and the weight-optimised forged AMG light-alloy wheels with newly developed sports tyres combine with the electronically controlled AMG rear-axle differential lock and the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission featuring uncompromisingly emotional shift and response times to raise the SLS AMG Black Series to a new level. The AMG Aerodynamics package is optionally available to further boost the vehicle's driving dynamics.

Black Series – a name that resonates with automobile experts and enthusiasts. Following on from the SLK 55 AMG Black Series from 2006, the CLK 63 AMG Black Series (2007), the SL 65 AMG Black Series (2008) and the C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series (2011), the fifth exponent sees the Black Series entering a new dimension with the gull-wing model.

"The new SLS AMG Coupé Black Series is a perfect study in the one hundred percent transfer of technology and engineering from motorsport to the road. We have drawn inspiration from the worldwide success of the SLS AMG GT3 customer sport racing car on both a conceptual and a technological level. Boasting numerous lightweight components and fascinating driving dynamics, our fifth Black Series model guarantees pure, unadulterated 'Driving Performance'. The SLS AMG Coupé Black Series is the ultimate choice for fast laps and highly emotional driving experiences," says Frank Bernthaler, Director, Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars, Middle East & Levant said.

Bernthaler added: "The most dynamic gull-wing model of all time goes by the name of the SLS AMG Coupé Black Series. Fans of high-performance super sports cars will be fascinated by its high-tech package. The basis for passionate performance and supreme driving dynamics is provided by numerous new developments in the area of the engine, power transmission, suspension and aerodynamics – also according top priority to our "AMG Lightweight Performance" strategy. Great efforts in the field of lightweight design have resulted in a DIN kerb weight of 1550 kilograms."

AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine a byword for thrilling driving dynamics

The uprated AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine is a byword for thrilling driving dynamics, making the SLS AMG Coupé Black Series the most powerful AMG high-performance automobile with a combustion engine at present. Only the SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive with a maximum output of 740hp comes with greater power reserves.

The SLS AMG Coupé Black Series accelerates to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds. The top speed stands at 315 km/h. The additional 60 hp of power in comparison to the 571 hp offered by the SLS AMG has been achieved by the following measures:

·        Increase in maximum engine speed from 7200 to 8000 rpm

·         Fully revised high-speed valve train with modified camshafts, adapted cam geometry and optimised bucket tappets featuring a special coating which is otherwise exclusive to racing vehicles

·        Modification of the intake air ducting: derestriction and adaptation to the new maximum engine speed

·        Adaptation of the engine application and increase in peak pressure

The engineers at Mercedes-AMG have further optimised the crank assembly in the interests of optimum stability in tough racing use. The measures carried out here include modified oil bores in the crankshaft, new crankshaft bearings, a new oil pump and high-strength screwed connections for the conrods. The entire water and oil cooling system for the engine and transmission has also undergone further optimisation. The AMG V8 engine in the SLS AMG Coupé Black Series is additionally provided with a special support system. A gas-filled strut braces the eight-cylinder engine on the body, effectively eliminating undesired load change reactions in highly dynamic driving on the race track. The AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine is hand-built at the AMG hand-finishing section in Affalterbach, according to the philosophy "one man, one engine". This hand-made quality is confirmed by the black AMG engine badge bearing the responsible engine fitter's signature which is a hallmark of the Black Series models.

The eight-cylinder naturally aspirated engine installed as a front mid-engine behind the front axle boasts racing car-style response and livelier than ever revving ability. The powerful AMG V8 engine's race track aspirations are also apparent in its sound: the newly designed AMG sports exhaust system, produced in titanium for the first time, features distinctive centre and rear mufflers which provide for a more powerful and even more striking engine sound. The switch from steel to titanium has spawned substantial weight savings: at just under 17 kilograms, the new AMG sports exhaust system is around 13 kilograms lighter than its predecessor. The new system features the performance-enhancing fan-type exhaust pipes which have been in use to date.

The key data at a glance:

	SLS AMG Coupé Black Series
Displacement	6208 cc
Bore x stroke	102.2 x 94.6 mm
Compression ratio	11.3 : 1
Output	464 kW (631 hp) at 7400 rpm
Max. torque	635 Nm at 5500 rpm
Maximum engine speed	8000 rpm
Engine weight (dry)	205 kg
Fuel consumption, NEDC combined	13.7 l/100 km
CO2 emissions	321 g/km
Efficiency class	G
Acceleration 0-100 km/h	3.6 s
Top speed	315 km/h

The global market launch of the SLS AMG Coupé Black Series will begin in June 2013, with Middle East dates to be announced later.