Fewer doors, higher price: It’s a familiar formula but one that’s long worked for lovers of coupes. And the latest two-door Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe is no different.
The three-model range – Mercedes-Benz C200, C250d and C300 – is about $5000 more than the equivalent C-Class sedan. There is also a high performance AMG model, the Mercedes-AMG C63, a hefty $162,400 twin-turbo V8 proposition, for those who dare.
All come with a “diamond grille”, which has a three-dimension collection of chrome-finished blobs to distinguish the Coupe from the four-door versions. Mercedes-Benz has also fitted a slightly firmer suspension setup that is aimed at sharpening the car’s cornering responses.
While it shares its basic underpinnings with the popular C-Class sedan – it’s the same length and width – the C Coupe is available only with a choice of four engines.
Kicking off the range is the C200, from $65,900. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine makes 135kW and 300Nm. It also comes generously appointed with 18-inch wheels as part of the AMG body styling kit, digital radio tuning, LED headlights, electric front seats, satellite-navigation, four cameras (for a virtual overhead view when parking), fake leather trim as well as active safety features such as blind spot warning and partial auto emergency braking.
The C250d gets a 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel with 150kW and 500Nm. It’s $74,900 and adds leather trim, tinted windows, smart key entry (to allow you to open the doors without pressing a button) and 19-inch wheels, as well as a radar sensor that allows active cruise control (to maintain a set distance to the car in front) and full emergency braking at speeds up to 200km/h.
The C300 jumps to $83,400 but brings a 13-speaker Burmester sound system and Comand infotainment controller.
All come with an auto transmission; a seven-speed unit in the C200 and C300 and a nine-speeder in the C250d.
The C Coupe is available with a range of options, including a Vision package which pairs active headlights (they turn around corners), a head-up display and panoramic sunroof for $4490.
Adjustable air suspension, called Airmatic, is $2990, while the Burmester sound system can also be optioned on the C200 and C250d for $2990.
Purity or perfection? By definition there is nothing wrong with the latter, however in performance car circles it is increasingly the former that is being mourned with each passing generation.
Can the two possibly co-exist? Unlikely. Not when the purists call for DIY gearshifts, minimal electronic interference and engines that breathe atmosphere and rev to the stratosphere; concepts at odds with engineering’s demands for uninterrupted cog-swapping, unlimited grip levels and ever higher power figures with ever lower consumption and emissions.
For the first two-thirds of its 68-year history, Ferrari was the poster child for the no-frills philosophy, putting the driver first and foremost and to hell with the compromises.
This last step is arguably the most contentious of the lot, but installed in the back of the new 488 Spider, Ferrari’s new 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 goes a long way towards satisfying both purist and perfectionist. The superseded 4.5-litre naturally-aspirated V8 found in the 458 Speciale may have revved higher and screamed louder, but by any objective measure the new turbo engine is the superior powerplant.
In-gear acceleration bests its free-breathing predecessor by 25 per cent and fuel consumption is improved, however more important for our purposes is the improved throttle response (naturally, Ferrari has a graph to prove it).
And the noise? Well, suffice to say that above 4000rpm we can only assume that the exhaust certification authorities must have been on sick leave the day the 488 Spider was tested. Its racket is sufficient to have the ever-enthusiastic Tifosi demonstrating their appreciation whenever its eye-watering acceleration is unleashed on the roads between Naples and Palermo.
Nor can any be found in the driving experience. With lid in place it’s virtually indistinguishable from that of the Coupe, but 14 seconds is all it takes for that perception to change markedly. That’s the time taken by the roof panel to stow itself (at speeds up to 45km/h) and the world to come alive. All of a sudden volume is up, temperature is down and the work rate at the wheel increases.
Yet a Ferrari drop-top no longer need be a prima donna. Auto does a reasonable job of muffling that exhaust and shuffling through the gears with finesse, while the adaptive dampers deliver a ride capable of tackling all but the worst road surfaces. There’s even 230 litres of luggage space with further storage capacity available behind the seats.
5 OUT OF 5 STARS
SPECS Engine: 3902cc V8, dohc, 32v, twin-turbo Power: 492kW @ 8000rpm Torque: 760Nm @ 6750rpm Weight: 1420kg (dry) 0-100km/h: 3.0sec (claim) Price: $526,888 Like: Performance; handling; looks; character; feel-good factor Dislike: Long wait list; um, we can’t all have one?
SUZUKI has introduced a change to the steering tune of its recently released Vitara, in response to criticism from some sides of the motoring media including Wheels.
Implemented in all MY16 LY models manufactured in Japan from September last year, the modifications aim to improve the linearity and feel of the electric power steering system in the recently launched small SUV.
“We provided feedback to Japan last year, and have since been advised that slight steering adjustments have been put in place,” according to Suzuki Australia spokesperson Ruth John.
The company added that most vehicles delivered in Australia since the Vitara surfaced last August will have had the software revision, and will include the recently released 1.4-litre turbo S as well as the entry-level 1.6-litre naturally aspirated variants.
Meanwhile, a manual gearbox version the S Turbo may join the six-speed automatic in Australia in the not-too-distant future, but only if Suzuki determines that consumer demand for it exists. Currently, the base Suzuki Vitara RT-S 1.6 from $21,990 is the only Vitara with a clutch pedal available, but that only accounts a fraction of overall volume.
“Of current Vitara sales, the manual is only making up about 10 percent,” Ms John said. “So as we’re hoping to hit 200-plus Turbo sales per month, it means that it would only be around 20 manuals – and when you take into account all the vehicle colour complexity, it’s just not feasible at this stage.
“That said, manual is certainly on our radar, so if we do more than expected sales, we’ll certainly review the option of bringing in a manual.”
According to Suzuki Australia General Manager Automobiles, Andrew Moore, the new S Turbo’s job is to put the Vitara on small SUV map.
“The challenge now for Suzuki is to build awareness of Vitara, to ensure that we’re on the shopping list for those considering a compact SUV,” he said. “I strongly believe that if more Mazda CX-3 or Honda HR-V customers had experienced the Vitara, there would have been many different purchase outcomes.”
In the first three months of this year, 1079 Vitaras have been registered in Australia, putting it in eighth place behind the best-selling Mazda CX-3 (4527), Mitsubishi ASX (4429), Nissan Qashqai (3238), Honda HR-V (3027), Subaru XV (2070), Holden Trax (1682), and Volkswagen Tiguan (1158).
Click here to read the full review on the Suzuki Vitara.
Elon Musk says his car company, Tesla, is preparing to build a new model, and he’s not talking about the Model 3 announced last month. This is another new Tesla to sit under the Model 3 at an even more accessible price.
Speaking at the Future Transport Solutions conference in Oslo, Musk said, “With something like the Model 3, it’s designed such that roughly half of the people will be able to afford the car. Then, with fourth generation and smaller cars, we’ll ultimately be in the position where almost everyone will be able to afford the car.”
Musk didn’t give anything away about a name or timeframe for the next Tesla model, though it’s safe to say Tesla has engineers deep into the project already. We should hear more about it once the Model 3 debuts in 2018.
Global pre-orders for Tesla Model 3 are now at almost 400,000, and there’s huge local interest according to Heath Walker, senior marketing and communications manager Tesla Australia.
When asked about the Aussie appetite for a new, cheaper Tesla, Walker said, “We had hundreds of people outside the door when [Model 3] pre-orders opened, if that’s any indication.”
“These people are not just lining up for a vehicle because it’s electric but because they believe in Tesla and the change [it wants] to make.”
A Tesla SUV called Model X is also on the way, set to arrive in Australia before the end of this year.
Tesla has issued voluntary recalls for Model X in overseas markets due to issues with the ‘falcon wing’ doors that open vertically and third-row seats that could fold over in an accident.
Walker says the recalls have not affected delivery of Model X to Australia as production of right-hand drive vehicles is yet to start.
“That’s one of the good things about being late to the market,” says Walker.
“The Australian market is ripe for Model X,” he says. “Model X and Model S are quite different here. We have only sold Model S as a five seat car, but Model X can come with seven, six or five seats.”
Model X is the fastest accelerating SUV ever built and can hit 0-100km/h in 3.3sec, though Walker says Model S is for performance buyers and always will be due to weight and stance differences between vehicles.
If you have time to watch all 35 minutes of the video of Musk speaking at the conference we would recommend it. Musk lets a few more hints slip about other major future ideas, including some sort of autonomous Tesla ‘bus’.
VOLKSWAGEN was sharing its knowledge of emissions cheats among staff as early as 2006, the latest revelations in the growing Dieselgate scandal reveal.
The New York Times reported overnight that two unnamed former VW workers had confirmed the existence of a PowerPoint presentation prepared by one of the carmaker’s top technology executives a decade ago that detailed how it could beat US emissions tests.
The report adds further weight to claims the brand had proactively sought ways to circumvent tough US regulations that tested for emissions in vehicles.
The emissions-cheating software, which can recognise if the car is being tested via a standardised test and switch to a low-pollution mode, has since rolled out into about 11 million cars worldwide. It relates to Audi, Skoda and VW-badged cars.
Volkswagen gave a sense this week just how much the Dieselgate scandal is hurting it. Despite wrestling the world’s largest carmaker title from Toyota for the first three months of this year, late last week VW posted a much-delayed $3.8 billion loss for the third quarter of the 2015-16 financial year after setting aside $9.7 billion to help it clean up the scandal.
“No penalties or fines compensation to customers have been included [in the results],” he said.
It was also revealed this week that VW would shelve the most powerful Volkswagen Golf yet, the 300kW R400, as a cost-cutting measure. However, the company is believed to be carrying the R400’s powertrain development across to VW’s sister luxury brand, Audi, where it has already been earmarked for future performance models.
The carmaker still faces multiple class actions from disgruntled owners in the US, where it has agreed to pay individual owners almost $6600 each to sway them from taking legal action.
Despite claiming the title as the world’s biggest car company in Q1, VW’s global sales fell almost four percent for the third quarter as production dipped even further.
In Australia, Volkswagen has started a recall campaign to fix emissions-cheating software in about 8000 Amarok trade utes. Work to start fixing another 90,000 Audi, Skoda and VW-badged vehicles is expected to start in about late June or early July.
THIS has rocketed straight to the top of our ‘must have’ list. It’s the latest creation from Lego Technic, which has teamed up with Porsche to produce a wonderfully detailed 1:8 scale model of the rare and expensive Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
Comprising 2704 pieces, the 57cm long model took two years to develop and is a stunning piece of miniature engineering.
There’s working steering, a rear-mounted flat six engine to build, and even a wickedly complicated, and functional, double-clutch gearbox linked to working gearshift paddles behind the steering wheel.
The bonnet and doors open, that huge rear wing is adjustable and each model comes with its own serial number, just like the real car.
Speaking of the real thing, Porsche’s track-focused $387,300 911 GT3 RS is in such high demand that it’s completely sold out, so this Lego set is the closest most of us will ever get to owning one.
The kit will be sold in Australia later in 2016, priced from $500, which makes this model both highly desirable and annoyingly expensive for a plastic toy, as you’ll see from the following reactions on social media.
The fancy lego set has all the bells and whistles, however a lot of adults on the internet have a LOT OF FEELINGS about the accuracy of a Lego model of a car that retails for nearly $400,000.
These guys are very excited about paddle shifters.
This particular Lego model car is made using Technic, which has upset some fans on the world wide web.
Not everyone hates it though…
Touché
Old man has feelings about new Lego
“Forced”
This guy knows what’s up
“Features authentically designed aerodynamic bodywork, adjustable rear spoiler, headlights and taillights, red suspension springs, original-design rims with RS emblem, detailed brake calipers, low-profile tires, working gearbox, working steering wheel with gearshift paddles, detailed seating, glove compartment with unique model serial number, opening doors, opening hood containing a suitcase, and an opening rear lid with detailed flat 6 engine.
• Includes a collection of authentic stickers. • Check out the orange color scheme. • Open the doors to access the detailed cockpit. • Lift the rear lid to access the detailed flat 6 engine with moving pistons. • Open the glove compartment to reveal the unique serial number. • Delivered in luxurious box packaging. • Includes a special full-color collector’s book including the history of LEGO® Technic and Porsche GT cars, plus comprehensive building instructions.”
NISSAN Australia has thrown its weight behind its commitment to staying in V8 Supercars, saying that despite paring back its new-car showroom to bolster its finances, it can still afford to go racing.
The Japanese brand announced last week that it would take the next step in a showroom shakeup of underperforming and ageing models that was started in 2014, saying it would axe the Nissan Micra city runabout, Pulsar small hatch and Y61 Patrol off-roader by the end of this year. It has already dropped the slow-selling Almera sedan from Australian showrooms, and passed on the new-generation Murano because it could not build a viable business case for the mid-size SUV.
However, Nissan Australia chief executive Richard Emery said the rationalisation of its passenger car and SUV range – which he said was necessary to improve the company’s bottom line – would not affect its participation in motorsport.
“I can afford to go V8 racing, so it [the decision to keep participating in V8 Supercars] is not a money decision,” Emery told Wheels. “It’s a philosophical decision about what’s right for the brand, and what are the sorts of things we’re going to do.”
Emery revealed Nissan was in talks with Japan over the future of its V8 Supercars investment, believed to be costing the carmaker several million dollars a year to fund Nissan Motorsport’s campaign for its Nissan Altima sedans.
According to Emery, motorsport was a “bloody important” part of Nissan’s heritage, both here and internationally.
“It’s in our DNA. We’re celebrating 50 years of Nissan Australia this year since we were incorporated in 1966, and one of the first things we did back in 1966 was go motor racing.
“So we’ve been in and around the sport both on the track and rallying throughout that time – until they changed the rules to not let us race.”
“I think motorsport needs to be part of our platform, and I see we’re working with Japan to make sure that’s aligned with everything they want to do from a global motorsport perspective,” he said.
“Because it is critically important for me that whatever we choose to do going forward is supported by all the key stakeholders in the business.
“And that wasn’t necessarily the case when this program was borne out four or five years ago.”
The news comes as the competition brings in a name change, dropping the “V8” component as the sport picks up Virgin Australia as a naming rights sponsor. Instead, from July it will simply be known as the “Supercars Series”, opening the door to an expanded competition from 2017 on that will allow different body shapes and powertrains to the V8-engined sedans that have defined the sport for the past few decades.
Meanwhile, Malaysian media is reporting that the KL City Grand Prix – where the pick of the V8 Supercars fleet is expected to debut a championship round race to try and broaden the sport’s appeal beyond Australia – “won’t be held” this year as organisers fight over ownership of the event.
Business publication The Edge reported yesterday that organisers were squabbling over the potential $200 million windfall from the event, which was to have run for a decade.
V8 Supercars teams were to have flown over to Malaysia in August to attend the event. Organisers had penned a deal to hold the championship round for the next four years.
Wheels has asked V8 Supercars for comment.
PORSCHE’s largest SUV has been given a significant price shake-up with the introduction of the 2016 Porsche Cayenne Platinum Edition. Offered on three models, it brings up to $11,600 worth of additional equipment yet a price drop on the hybrid model as it targets the hot-selling Range Rover Sport and latest Audi Q7.
Offered on the entry level Cayenne V6, Diesel V6 and the S E-Hybrid – the Platinum Editions come with 20-inch ‘Platinum’-finished alloy wheels, gloss-black exterior pack and wheel-arch extensions for a more muscular look. Inside, ‘Platinum’ door sills and electrically adjustable heated sports seats are part of the extra equipment, and they also have Porsche crests on them, too. For petrol and diesels models, there’s ‘Porsche Steering Plus’ which is the company’s name for speed-sensitive steering, while completing the list of extras is a BOSE surround audio system.
The S E-Hybrid gets the same Platinum upgrades, but in addition now has a an ‘auxiliary’ heating and cooling package that allows the climate control to function even when it’s at a standstill without the engine running.
Porsche says that, given the Hybrid’s price cut from $140,800 to $136,700, that the net gain for S E-Hybrid buyers is $18,000. The Platinum petrol V6 Cayenne is priced from $110,700, which is a $3100 premium over the regular version. For the diesel V6 Platinum, the price rise of $2800 makes it $108,900 before on-road-costs.
Land Rover has teamed up with tracking-app company Tile to incorporate the world-first feature into its entry-level SUV.
Tile’s Bluetooth tracking tags simply need to be attached to essential items such as house keys or wallets so their whereabouts can be monitored by the vehicle’s touchscreen.
The company’s Apple- and Android-compatible smartphone app works in conjunction with the Land Rover Discovery Sport’s new InControl Touch Pro multimedia system to alert any forgetful owners to items not detected in the car.
If the items go missing, the tags emit an audible alert if they are somewhere in the vehicle, or the Touch Pro system will provide directions to the last-known location.
About two in three people spend an average of 15 minutes a day finding lost items, according to a study quoted by Land Rover.
The new availability of the InControl Touch Pro system continues Jaguar-Land Rover’s gradual roll-out of its more advanced infotainment system that brings a larger, higher-resolution touchscreen (10.2 inches versus the 8.0-inch standard touchscreen) and more tablet-style swipe functionality.
New safety technology includes a Driver Condition Monitor that watches for drowsiness, an Intelligent Speed Limiter that will offer to adjust to changing signposted limits detected by the vehicle’s cameras, and a Lane Keep Assist system that will counter-steer the vehicle gently back into the current lane if the vehicle starts to veer into another lane without indication.
Four new exterior paints have been added to the Discovery Sport’s colour selection, while Land Rover is also offering Black Limited Edition and Graphite Pack variants.
The Black edition features include privacy glass and black exterior trim elements. The Graphite Pack includes new wheel colour choices, grey roof, and the grille, bonnet script and side vents are finished in a colour called Dark Atlas.
Land Rover Australia said it expected all the new features of the MY17 Land Rover Discovery Sport to be available when the updated SUV is released locally in September.
The 2016 BMW M2 Coupe is expected to increase the popularity of M-badged BMWs by 30 percent. That’s the claim of Shawn Ticehurst, head of Product and Market Planning at BMW Australia.
Speaking at the Australian launch of the new BMW M2, the high-performance flagship of the 2 Series coupe range, Ticehurst pointed to the car’s popularity – which already has a waiting list until the end of 2016 – as limited only by supply.
So far, BMW Australia has confirmed 300 examples of the M2 for local showrooms, which start at $90K for the entry-level Pure edition, and gives the brand a direct rival to the likes of the Mercedes-AMG A45 and Audi RS3 Sportback. Unlike the 2011 BMW 1M Coupe, which was a limited edition, the M2 is a full-time production model. Ticehurst said that BMW Australia is negotiating with the company’s global headquarters in Munich, Germany, to secure at least 100 more M2s for Australian buyers.
This reflects the Australian consumers’ love affair with performance models, with Australia the second most popular M market worldwide, beaten only by South Africa. BMW arch-rival Mercedes enjoys a similar demand, with the local market boasting the highest market penetration of its high-performance AMG models globally.
