Mercedes-Benz new CLC Coupe: Something New, Mostly Old!
By Dr Long
After a somewhat commendable effort from Daimler AG with its all-new (W204) C-Class last year, the new C-Class Coupe - now wearing an official CLC acronym - is really flogging a dead horse - a 7 to 8 years old one at that! Chassis, suspension, basic architecture and body shell (mostly) et al.
After a somewhat commendable effort from Daimler AG with its all-new (W204) C-Class last year, the new C-Class Coupe - now wearing an official CLC acronym - is really flogging a dead horse - a 7 to 8 years old one at that! Chassis, suspension, basic architecture and body shell (mostly) et al.
Here's really something as food for thought, will we see existing W203 owners facelifting their old C-Class front with after-market kits? That'll really take some glamour off the W204, more so the new C200K Elegance model!
Related posts:
Toyota Rush 7-seater midi-SUV to launch soon
The Malaysian midi-SUV/MPV market is about to get crowded very soon with the addition of Toyota Rush 7-seater aka Dahaitsu Be-Go/Terios long wheelbase version. Despite those junior RAV-4 SUV looks, don't be fooled thinking that it's a 4WD. Unlike Perodua Kembara (1st gen Daihatsu Terios), it's NOT a 4X4. All is not lost though, since 2WD may be a good thing - for better fuel efficiency - considering the spiralling fuel prices.
Available only in rear-wheel drive configuration, the 7-seater Rush will be in UMW Toyota showrooms nationwide by 1st February 2008. Indicative prices are from RM83k - RM95k for the 1.5L powered Indonesian import (initial stages?) available in G (5-speed manual and 4 A/T) and S spec (auto only).
Rather baffling is the omission of ABS for the G-spec Rush. Equally disappointing is the fitting of only driver's side airbag for the G-spec that's estimated to cost between RM83k-89k. In contrast, the sub-75k Toyota Avanza 1.5G has ABS and dual airbags.
Wither the Nissan Livina 1.6 and 1.8? I don't think so, not if the RM90k-95k 'target price' for the Rush 1.5S comes true...no?
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia's new CEO for 2008
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia, the exclusive distributor of Mitsubishi Motors passenger cars and commercial vehicles in Malaysia, announced the appointment of Mr Keizo Ono as Chief Executive Officer, effective 13 December 2007. He takes over from Mr Fumihiko Minami, who has taken up a new posting in Italy after four years setting-up and managing the Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia business in Malaysia.Mr Ono brings more than 20 years of automotive experience to his new role in Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia. Ono-san has vast experience in the automotive finance, having held the position as President for PT Dipo Star Finance in Jakarta, Indonesia from 1999-2007. Prior to that, he was attached to the Motor Vehicle Department of Mitsubishi Corporation in Japan, responsible for domestic and overseas market.
“I am truly delighted to be joining Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia. Already, the Mitsubishi Motors brand has a strong foundation in Malaysia and I am impressed with its achievements to date and I am looking forward to contribute to its further growth in Malaysia."
Mr Fumihiko Minami, previous Chief Executive Officer of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia, said of his successor: "During the first three years of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia’s establishment, the company has achieved an exciting growth and I am confident that Mr Ono’s appointment will bring an expertise and vision that will continue to strengthen Mitsubishi Motors' brand presence in Malaysia and position the company for continued future success."Mitsubishi Motors has a long history in motor sports and cross country championship and 2007 brought Mitsubishi Motors its record-breaking victory in the Dakar Rally. Mitsubishi Motors’ impressive track record of running champion for seven consecutive years and 12 overall victories in 25 years is reflected in the performance and the normal production of the Mitsubishi Motors vehicles.
Note: Due to some glitches in my internet service provider mail server, this press release from Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) was not received until it was forwarded to my Gmail (webmail) account.
My sincere apologies to all parties concerned for the delay, especially to the readers of For Wheels.
New Audi TTS Coupe
Click on image to enlarge
Audi AG has revealed the most wicked version of its iconic TT coupe - the Audi TTS. Also available as a rag-top Roadster, this top-of-the-line TT isn’t powered by a souped-up 3.2L V6 nor a 4.2L V8. Instead, the very same 2.0L TFSI motor that powers the entry-level TT is now boosted to deliver a near-astronomical 272hp. As such, the TTS Coupe is able to zip from 0 - 100 km/h in just 5.2 seconds (S-Tronic coupe version) and marches on to an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h.
The TTS Coupe represents the Audi brand's Vorsprung durch Technik ("advancement through technology") in its very latest form. The TFSI engine in the TTS which brings forth the successful merger of both gasoline direct injection and turbocharging in one powerful and efficient package, has won triple successive “Engine of the Year” accolades since 2005. Apart from its breathtaking output 272hp, its peak torque of 350 Nm constantly on tap between 2500 and 5000rpm, makes the compact and lightweight four-cylinder powerplant ever so impressive.
The same block from the iconic VW Golf GTI and ‘basic’ TT Coupe 2.0 has been reengineered and strengthened in a number of key areas to enable even higher performance operation in the TTS. Upgrades have been made to the engine block, the cylinder head, the pistons, the connecting rods and the turbocharger, which can build up as much as 1.2 bar of relative air pressure. The intake and exhaust systems have undergone elaborate honing to allow the refined four-cylinder engine to both breathe freely and generate a powerful, resonant soundtrack (read: growl and burble). An optimized and highly efficient intercooler lowers the temperature of the compressed air, producing a crucial increase in the quantity of air supplied for combustion.
Not only is the power output astounding, the sporty-sounding TFSI motor has an average fuel consumption of just 8.0L/100 km in the Coupe when mated to a six-speed manual transmission, while the figure for the roadster averages 8.2 l/100. These figures are improved by 0.1 and 0.2 l/100 km respectively, if the optional S-Tronic aka DSG dual-clutch transmission is fitted.
S-Tronic, which employs dual clutches, is capable of performing extremely quick gear shifts at high engine loads and rev speeds; consequently, the time taken to sprint from zero to 100km/h is cut by a further 0.2secs in both the Coupe and Roadster. Loss-free transfer of power to the road is the task of the standard quattro permanent all-wheel drive that enables the TTS to accelerate quicker and with greater stability than its rivals. At the heart of this system is a hydraulic multi-plate clutch that works faster than ever thanks to a new pressure reservoir.
The TTS is standard fitted with yet another high-tech device – Audi’s magnetic adaptive damping system. This gives the driver the choice of two characteristic settings: "Standard" mode is designed for a well balanced, comfortable ride, whereas in the "Sport" setting the TTS harnesses all of the potential of its sports suspension - which lowers the body by 10mm - to deliver uncompromisingly dynamic handling. Its front suspension is mainly made of aluminium, while the efficient technology of the precision electromechanical steering also helps to improve fuel consumption considerably. The sports car is safely brought to a standstill by the high-performance braking system with its 17-inch discs, hooked up to gorgeous and sporty 18” S-Line aluminium alloys.
Sharper handling and agility of the TTS can be attributed to the hybrid construction of its body. Steel is used at the rear end, while the front and centre sections of the body are built from lightweight aluminium. ASF (Audi Space Frame) technology optimizes axle load distribution and reduces the overall weight. As an example, the manual Coupe weighs just 1,395 kgs, which equates to a power-to-weight ratio of 1hp for every 5.1kg.
The Audi TTS instantly stands out as the dynamic flagship of the TT model line with special bi-xenon units showcasing a horizontal strip of LED daytime running lights. Inside, occupants are hugged by sports bucket seats stitched in a mixture of Alcantara and Silk Nappa leather while bits of real aluminium are tastefully inserted on the dashboard, glovebox, centre console and door trims.
Picture above by Paul Tan.
Audi AG has revealed the most wicked version of its iconic TT coupe - the Audi TTS. Also available as a rag-top Roadster, this top-of-the-line TT isn’t powered by a souped-up 3.2L V6 nor a 4.2L V8. Instead, the very same 2.0L TFSI motor that powers the entry-level TT is now boosted to deliver a near-astronomical 272hp. As such, the TTS Coupe is able to zip from 0 - 100 km/h in just 5.2 seconds (S-Tronic coupe version) and marches on to an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h.
The TTS Coupe represents the Audi brand's Vorsprung durch Technik ("advancement through technology") in its very latest form. The TFSI engine in the TTS which brings forth the successful merger of both gasoline direct injection and turbocharging in one powerful and efficient package, has won triple successive “Engine of the Year” accolades since 2005. Apart from its breathtaking output 272hp, its peak torque of 350 Nm constantly on tap between 2500 and 5000rpm, makes the compact and lightweight four-cylinder powerplant ever so impressive.
The same block from the iconic VW Golf GTI and ‘basic’ TT Coupe 2.0 has been reengineered and strengthened in a number of key areas to enable even higher performance operation in the TTS. Upgrades have been made to the engine block, the cylinder head, the pistons, the connecting rods and the turbocharger, which can build up as much as 1.2 bar of relative air pressure. The intake and exhaust systems have undergone elaborate honing to allow the refined four-cylinder engine to both breathe freely and generate a powerful, resonant soundtrack (read: growl and burble). An optimized and highly efficient intercooler lowers the temperature of the compressed air, producing a crucial increase in the quantity of air supplied for combustion.Not only is the power output astounding, the sporty-sounding TFSI motor has an average fuel consumption of just 8.0L/100 km in the Coupe when mated to a six-speed manual transmission, while the figure for the roadster averages 8.2 l/100. These figures are improved by 0.1 and 0.2 l/100 km respectively, if the optional S-Tronic aka DSG dual-clutch transmission is fitted.
S-Tronic, which employs dual clutches, is capable of performing extremely quick gear shifts at high engine loads and rev speeds; consequently, the time taken to sprint from zero to 100km/h is cut by a further 0.2secs in both the Coupe and Roadster. Loss-free transfer of power to the road is the task of the standard quattro permanent all-wheel drive that enables the TTS to accelerate quicker and with greater stability than its rivals. At the heart of this system is a hydraulic multi-plate clutch that works faster than ever thanks to a new pressure reservoir.The TTS is standard fitted with yet another high-tech device – Audi’s magnetic adaptive damping system. This gives the driver the choice of two characteristic settings: "Standard" mode is designed for a well balanced, comfortable ride, whereas in the "Sport" setting the TTS harnesses all of the potential of its sports suspension - which lowers the body by 10mm - to deliver uncompromisingly dynamic handling. Its front suspension is mainly made of aluminium, while the efficient technology of the precision electromechanical steering also helps to improve fuel consumption considerably. The sports car is safely brought to a standstill by the high-performance braking system with its 17-inch discs, hooked up to gorgeous and sporty 18” S-Line aluminium alloys.
Sharper handling and agility of the TTS can be attributed to the hybrid construction of its body. Steel is used at the rear end, while the front and centre sections of the body are built from lightweight aluminium. ASF (Audi Space Frame) technology optimizes axle load distribution and reduces the overall weight. As an example, the manual Coupe weighs just 1,395 kgs, which equates to a power-to-weight ratio of 1hp for every 5.1kg.The Audi TTS instantly stands out as the dynamic flagship of the TT model line with special bi-xenon units showcasing a horizontal strip of LED daytime running lights. Inside, occupants are hugged by sports bucket seats stitched in a mixture of Alcantara and Silk Nappa leather while bits of real aluminium are tastefully inserted on the dashboard, glovebox, centre console and door trims.
Related posts:
http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/06/new-audi-tt-20tfsi-coupe.html
http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/07/first-drive-23-minutes-in-audi-tt-coupe.html
http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/06/new-audi-tt-20tfsi-coupe.html
http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/07/first-drive-23-minutes-in-audi-tt-coupe.html
*Watch out for a full road test of the 2nd generation new TT Coupe 2.0 TFSI soon.
Picture above by Paul Tan.
Audi A5 TDI MTM.
For those who want S5 performance but would rather use diesel fuel Audi tuner MTM are offering their tuned version of the 3 litre V6 TDI A5. Boasting an impressive 300PS and 580Nm at a mere 1300 rpm the MTM A5 is certainly powerful, the BMW 650i has a mere 490Nm of torque in comparison.
The grip, handling and power from the MTM tuned V6 TDI mean that this diesel A5 is actually a quicker car than the S5 on most roads. A twisty B road will see the S5 efficiently outpaced by the MTM TDI, although at the end of the journey the S5 driver will have had a far more comfortable trip, MTM’s wheel and up-rated suspension result in an exceptionally stiff and passenger unfriendly rid
Audi S5.
354PS is more than enough for an enjoyable drive almost anywher
Internally there is ample space and the cockpit layout is very much driver orientated with good comfort levels. The dashboard is clean and clutter-free mirroring the exterior styling. Only subtle spoilers differentiating this S5 from its lower spec A5 siblings.
Precise steering and solid handling combine with the highly impressive V8 and 6 speed gearbox resulting in a car that is both quick and enjoyable on B roads, A roads, motorways and even the odd track day too. Normal, everyday driving is not a chore, the S5 handles town traffic, bumpy roads and traffic jams perfectly. Once free from mundane real world road worries the S5 comes alive, its 4 wheel drive system providing massive amounts of grip but allowing oversteer when desired. When the S5 needs to be slowed the brakes prove to be more than capable, bringing the Audi to a halt quickly and efficiently.
If you want a Bavarian performance coupe then the Audi S5 is a good choice and offers good value for money. Audi {link} have created a car that is not quite in the same league as the BMW M3 but it is certainly better than the Mercedes CLK 500 and
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