2009 Mercedes-Benz E-class

2009 Mercedes-Benz E-classS ticker price: $53,200 - $88,500

2009 Mercedes-Benz E-class Market price: $43,111 - $71,716

For the 2010 model year, Mercedes has introduced a new, redesigned 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-class offering more of the luscious ride quality and playful performance you expect from Mercedes along with crisper body lines and improved technology.

Still, it's not like old E-class was a slouch by any means. It was, and remains, an excellent midsized luxury car. But whenever a redesigned version of any car comes out, the old version gets huge price cuts. This case is no different. Available discounts of of $13,500, according to TrueCar.com analysts, make the 2009 E-class a truly tempting proposition.

Volkswagen Scirocco GT TDI

Volkswagen Scirocco GT TDI is a new diesel version of the Scirocco that has been announced by VW. Powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine, Volkswagen Scirocco GT TDI may develops 258 lbs ft of torque from 1,750 rpm.

Volkswagen Scirocco GT TDI can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 8.1 seconds and will reach its top speed at 138 mph (DSG: 136). While for its emissions level, Volkswagen Scirocco GT TDI comes with a CO2 emissions level of 139 g/km (DSG: 147) and a fuel economy of 53.3 mpg.

Volkswagen Scirocco GT TDI comes with optional gearboxes: a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG. For the equipment list, Volkswagen Scirocco GT TDI will be equipped with 2 Zone air conditioning, rain and dusk sensor, a six-CD autochanger, and also multifunction computer.

Volkswagen Scirocco GT TDI manual version will be priced at 21,755.00 pounds. While for the DSG equipped version, the price will goes up at 23,060.00 pounds.

Press Release
The new performance diesel variant of the Scirocco GT equipped with a 2.0-litre TDI 170PS engine is now available to order. Combining effortless acceleration, made possible by 258 lbs ft of torque delivered from 1,750 rpm, and the ability to return 53.3 mpg on the combined cycle, the new model mixes style, economy and sharp dynamics.

The refined and powerful 2.0-litre common rail TDI engine develops 170 PS at 4,200 rpm and is available linked to either a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG gearbox. Both gearboxes accelerate the Scirocco to 62 mph from a standstill in 8.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 138 mph (DSG: 136), while emitting just 139 g/km (DSG: 147) of CO2.

The latest addition to the Scirocco range is available linked exclusively to the GT trim level and offers a comprehensive list of standard equipment including a six-CD autochanger, rain and dusk sensor, multifunction computer and 2 Zone air conditioning. In terms of safety, ABS, ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Program) and six airbags are all standard.

Audi R15 to require only minor modifications

Audi will have to make only minor modifications to its R15 TDI for the controversial turbodiesel-powered prototype to be eligible for next year's 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Rule guidelines issued this week for 2010 by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest--the Le Mans Organizer--suggest a compromise designed to reduce the effectiveness of the Audi's radical front end without forcing the German manufacturer to undertake a major redesign. The move on the part of the ACO follows threats by Audi not to continue with its prototype program next year if it was forced to make major changes.

The revised regulations appear designed to peg back the effectiveness of the Audi's front end, which is effectively a two-plane wing under the nose. The rules limit the position and profile of the clearly visible flap, which works in conjunction with the front splitter to create downforce.

Audi rival Peugeot claimed that it had been offered “guarantees about clarification and application of the rules” when it dropped its protest against the Audi in July. Asked whether the new rules went against that agreement, Peugeot Sport technical director Bruno Famin replied: “Maybe.”

Famin attacked the ACO for not “going far enough” and failing to write rules that are “written in black and white.”

Alfa Romeo 8C Road Test

Test Vehicle: Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Coupe

The hardest part of this review is knowing where to start. This car is as rare as hen’s teeth.

There are to be only 500 made of the Alfa Romeo 8C, and only about 50 to make it to the US, so the fact that I am about to drive this is not lost on me. Pictures have circulated on the web and their various tubes for a while of this car, but *sigh* good god, it is jaw dropping in the paint.

If there was a naked woman on the 8C’s bonnet, you’d want her to get off it. Honestly, it’s just ridiculous.

Curves everywhere. The body is carbon fiber and is draped over the chassis to create the most delicious shape on the road. Its like Christina Hendricks on wheels, and if you don’t know who that is, Google her (Note by Adnan: Megan Fox on wheels would do the trick too). Christina’s a red head too, so it’s fitting that the red metallic paint accentuates them all, and those wheels look tremendous. Giant circles reminiscent of the wheels on the VW GTi a little.

The way the front centers around the grill is a thing of beauty, with a little circle of white LEDs in the grill.

The rear end reminds me of the old racing Porsches, and the circular rear lights are the perfect touch. I am a little besotted by the looks of this thing as you can probably tell.

It is now my favorite looking car on the road, beating the Aston Martin DB9. I never thought that phrase would ever come out of my mouth…

The interior is also just breathtaking. The leatherwork in the seats alone is something to study, the aluminum on the wheel and the dash, and the long aluminum paddles behind the wheel are in just the right places. The twin cowls on the main gauges separated with a red screen with a number of other supplemental gauges set off the interior beautifully, and the carbon fiber center console just adds to the overall experience. Its a sense of occasion that can barely be explained.

It was the sexiest car I had ever clapped my eyes on…

…and then I started it up.

Holy mother of god, who tuned that exhaust note? That can’t be legal, surely.

A throttle blip rendered me speechless for about a minute. There are loud cars that are just too loud, and then there are cars that you could listen to all day. I’ve never heard a rumble like this outside of a pit lane. It is intoxicating. A low rumble, with the 8 cylinder 4.3 liter engine just bellowing down the exhaust pipes with no regard for public safety.

After some time to compose myself, I put this thing in sport mode, put it in gear, and released the little electric handbrake, and off I went.

It felt a little light to start with, but then I got used to it. Accelerating towards the first corner, the noise is off the charts, but its a beautiful noise. I let my foot off the accelerator for a moment, and the exhaust just cracked and popped in a way that reminded me of the Panoz race cars, crack, pop, rumble…what road car makes that noise?! Oh, this one. I don’t care how many miles to the gallon this thing was getting, that noise had me accelerating and lifting off more times than I should. I was probably waking the dead in nearby cemeteries and people within a 5 mile radius, but it was an orchestra. They probably woke, listened to it, and smiled. How can you not?

Aside from the the noise, the gearbox was great. Changes up and down were smooth, lots of power, great acceleration, not as tight around the corners as the Gallardo, but still a level above virtually all other cars on the road. Its a taller car, even though its still a small car, so there is lots of headroom and shoulder room. Good visibility out all round. Seats were comfortable and held you in place really well as it went over dips and through curves.

The brakes were good too, as you would expect on a car like this, but moving your foot from one pedal to the other caused the thunderclaps out of the exhaust, so I sort of forgot about the brakes to be honest with you. The aural rewards were far outweighing the driving experience.

The team at Centro Stile Alfa Romeo deserve a medal the size of a large dining table for getting this on the road. If this doesn’t get Alfa noticed, then nothing will. An incredible experience. Not the finest drivers car on the road, but if you want to make a statement, this is the one to get, and being one of only 500 will make it an even rarer proposition. I know its basically a Maserati under the skin, but its a totally different animal and improves (if that’s even possible) on the looks of the Gran Turismo.

Hyundai Introduces Equus Long-Wheelbase, Armored Versions

The Equus first surfaced around the beginning of this year. At the time, most thought it was a vehicle slated for Hyundai’s home market of South Korea only. Given Hyundai’s relentless drive upward though, it has proved to be much more than that.

Hyundai tested reception of the car in our market by displaying it at the New York Auto Show and placing the car in various Hyundai dealerships around the country.

One thing that should have came through with all the recent vehicles Hyundai has been launching – they aren’t messing around. Most proper luxury sedans in the segment offer two wheelbase lengths available, standard and extended. As such, Hyundai recently let drop images of the the extended wheel-base model of the Equus, dubbed the Equus Limousine, or VL500.

Now the company hasn’t confirmed if it will be coming to the United States or not, but if the past is any guide of the future I’d say there is a good chance. Imagine, it could be like a bargain Maybach! The neat thing though is that Hyundai is even getting into producing armored versions already.

Three armored Hyundai Equus VL500 were built and provided to the Korean Presidential Security Service for use at the G20 summit held in South Korea next year. The three limousines are the first armored cars to be built in the country.

They’re up to snuff too, able to withstand the blast of 15 kilograms of TNT, a level similar to that of Mercedes-Benz and BMW’s armored vehicles. I’m not sure if there will be an armored Equus that is sold to the public, or if they are just made for the country’s leader. Either way, Hyundai is going all-out with the new Equus.

Ferrari announces the F458 Italia Spider

According to the latest reports, it appears that at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Ferrari president a.k.a. Luca di Montezemolo announced the new F458 Italia Spider. There is a bad news though: the production version of the F458 Italia Spider, which will feature a stylish soft top, will have to wait a couple of years because, according to its CEO, Ferrari has to recover after the financial crisis. Of course, if you can’t wait the convertible you can choose the new F458 Italia Coupe which will go on sale in January 2010.

Chrysler Brand to Sell Fiat 500 in U.S.

Since it's unveiling many people in the U.S. have been hoping that the Fiat 500 would eventually be sold here. Well now that Fiat and Chrysler have hooked up our wish has come true. Its been confirmed that the Fiat 500 will be sold through Chrysler dealerships when it is released and it will be the only Fiat badged model in the U.S.

Chrysler brand CEO and head of sales for all Chrysler Group brands, Peter Fong stated that the Fiat 500 will likely have a dedicated corner in Chrysler showrooms rather than its own retail network like the Mini. Eventually four versions will make it to the U.S., the hatchback, convertible, a wagon and a high-performance version.

The Fiat 500 is expected to be produced at Chrysler's Toluca, Mexico facility in late 2010 or early 2011.