Posts in Category: Cars
Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC+
R2 907 440
Avon Middleton
July 9, 2021
A Powerhouse of Intelligence
8
Intelligent, luxury SUV with bewildering power should you need it.
Against:
R3M with a few added extras is *cough…a lot
The level of competition in the luxury SUV segment is unparalleled even more so when you peer to the absolute top of the segment chain. The Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S is now firmly nudging the super-SUV segment. When 2.3-ton SUVs can outdrag the 4.0-second mark in the 0 – 100kph dash, we’re no longer describing a SUV with a little sporty bias are we?
In the hierarchy of the segment, the updated Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S design is casually understated flexing its intent only by way of the signature AMG grille, red AMG brake callipers, 21-inch alloys and of course, the unmistakeable blacked out trapezoidal quad-exhausts that emerge from the rear
Porsche 911 GTS models blast onto the scene
Porsche is expanding its 911 line-up with the introduction of the new GTS variant that is available in five model derivatives and scheduled to arrive in SA in the fourth quarter of the year.
The new Porsche 911 GTS features black contrasting bodywork elements as well as darkened headlight inserts. The range-topping Targa 4 GTS is equipped with a model-defining hoop and Targa insignia.
Other bits such as the spoiler lip, centre-lock alloy wheel and engine cover louvres are finished in black silk gloss. Buyers can choose to have these and other details finished in high-gloss black as an option.
The 911 GTS models also have the Sport Design package that adds a distinctive trim on the front, rear and side sills. The headlight rims and daytime running light surrounds get the darkened treatment. Offered as standard are LED headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus. The rear lights are unique to the GTS models.
Inside, the new Porsche 911 GTS features a GT Sport steering wheel as well as the Chrono Package. The Track Precision app, tyre temperature display, Sport Seats Plus Plus with electric four-way adjustment are offered as standard.
Porsche says it has reduced the interior insulation for better emotive driving acoustics. The gear lever of the optional seven-speed manual transmission has been shortened by 10 mm for fast gear shifts.
The central sections of the seats, steering wheel rim, door handles, armrests, storage compartment lid and gear lever are trimmed in microfibre material.
The interior can be had in Carmine Red or Crayon as an option as part of the GTS interior package. Other bits such as seatbelts, embroidered GTS label on the headrests, rev counter and Sport Chrono clock are finished in the same contrasting hues.
Features such as decorative inserts on the dash and door trim are matt Carbon also as part of the GTS interior package.
From November 2021, the Porsche 911 GTS will be available for the first time with the Lightweight Design package that saves up to 25 kg, thanks to the use of a lighter carbon fibre reinforced plastic on the full bucket seats. The side and rear windows are lightweight as well as the battery.
As part of the Lightweight package, the rear seats can be taken out. The new 911 GTS comes standard with rear-axle steering plus aerodynamic finishing enhancements also as part of the package.
There is a new Porsche Communication Management system that now comes fitted with Android Auto as well as an enlarged Media menu and touch areas. The option of rearranging the tiles on the home screen is also new. The voice assistant has been improved, Porsche says it can now recognise natural speech and can be activated by saying “Hey Porsche”.
Powering the range is a turbocharged 3.0-litre flat-six engine that gushes out 353 kW and 570 Nm of torque — 22 kW and 20 Nm more than the outgoing model. That’s enough to catapult the new 911 GTS from a standstill to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds. According to Porsche, the new 911 GTS with an 8-speed PDK is three tenths faster than the previous model.
As an option, the new 911 GTS can be ordered with a 7-speed manual transmission.
The new GTS derives its suspension from the 911 Turbo, however, it has been modified to suit the GTS for better handling prowess. The Coupe and Cabriolet models feature the brand’s Active Suspension Management as standard.
Stopping power, meanwhile, comes courtesy of a high-performance braking system lifted from the 911 Turbo.
It rides on 20” wheels in front and 21” at the rear axle. There is a standard sports exhaust system for an even fruitier note.
Pricing for the new Porsche 911 GTS range is as follows, including a 3 year/100 000 Drive plan.
911 Carrera GTS R2 290 000
911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet R2 490 000
911 Carrera 4 GTS 2 400 000
911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet R2 600 000
911 Targa 4 GTS R2 600 000
Alfa Romeo celebrates 111 years
There’s just something respectable about a company celebrating a century in business; is it the product, the management? The philosophies… What is the secret? But 111 years – that just proves said company, in this instance Alfa Romeo, is quite resilient to economic turmoil.
Alfa Romeo is celebrating this achievement at its Arese-based Museum where Alfa enthusiasts, owners and clubs can soak in the rich heritage and prestige of the carmaker that has established itself for that immeasurable soul that’s sold as standard fare with its cars.
Early buyers of the 500 limited-run Giulia GTA and GTAm will get to pick up their cars that also includes a “special customer experience”, and even a parade was scheduled for Alfa Romeo clubs where enthusiasts will get the opportunity to show off their love for these cars.
Naturally, a big part of Alfa Romeo’s heritage stems from racing and well, the celebrations won’t quite be complete without a prominent element of speed. A livestream with the build-up to the weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix will be broadcast at the event that includes the practice sessions, qualifying – maybe the omens could favour a double Q2 for the Ferrari-powered cars – and of course the race. Fans will also have the opportunity to ask drivers, Kimi Räikkönen and Antonio Giovinazzi, questions via a live stream; perhaps, though, nobody should get their hopes up about whether Kimi will be too talkative.
Furthermore, there are lectures, activities for kids and an overall festivity surrounding this amazing achievement of injecting substance, performance and a got-to-love factor into all Alfa Romeo cars for more than a century.
While all this might only be taking place near the brand’s birthplace, Alfa is celebrated the world over for its soulful cars, this might just be the perfect opportunity to pull yours out of the garage for a celebratory road trip.
retro BMW 3 Series build
Check out this 800bhp E30 with a retro DTM livery Tic Tac has fully endorsed this glorious retro BMW 3 Series build. We’re in love
Greg Potts
The early 1990s was such a brilliantly bonkers time for the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, and this custom E30 BMW 3 Series build takes us right back there.
The year is 1991, Frank Biela has won the championship in his gloriously out-of-place V8 Quattro DTM and we’ve just spent a season watching E30 M3s and Merc 190Es battle it out on track. We’ve also witnessed the fantastic Fox Body Ford Mustang of Ruch Motorsport and a particular M3 with a very eye-catching livery…
That would be Tauber Motorsport’s Allen Berg in his Tic Tac-clad E30 – something that Mush Alkarkhi has recreated for his new 800bhp road car. What a thing.
Fancy some specs? The engine is the S52B32 straight-six unit from North America’s E36 M3, only it’s been completely stripped down, rebuilt and then turbocharged for that frankly absurd power figure. Oh, and it’s apparently good for up to 1,100bhp “if needed”.
Pretty much everything under the skin of the original E30 has been changed. There’s a whole new ECU setup and a completely different fuel system, as well as E46 brakes and the five-speed ZF320 manual gearbox from an E36.
There’s also a custom-built exhaust, a limited-slip diff and an all-important air suspension setup.
Oh, and then there’s the looks. The giant rear wing and widebody kit are part of a ‘Live To Offend’ E30 kit that’ll probably do exactly what it says on the tin. The wheels are 18-inch examples from a Beverley Hills-based company called Brixton Forged.
Apparently, the interior retains its original grey leather and pretty much all of the standard E30 panels. Nice. The only real additions are displays for the air suspension and live engine data. Probably best to keep track of that given the work that went into this thing…
What do we think Internet? Surely the world needs more retro DTM-inspired road cars?
Images: David Arellano / daar_creative
BMW Releases Its 503BHP M4
Just in time for summer, BMW releases its 503bhp, 4WD cabrio. Yours for £82k
Vijay Pattni
As surely as night follows day, and – in the UK – rain follows yet more rain, BMW has followed up the M4 Competition with this. This is the M4 Competition Convertible.
A perfect car for this rainy, royal throne of kings, then, this sceptered isle. We’ll start at the top. The freshly lobotomised M4 Competition features what BMW calls a ‘panel bow’ soft top, said to combine rigidity with the appeal of a fabric roof. It’s 40 per cent lighter than the metal roof on the last M4 cabrio, and can be opened and closed in just 18 seconds at speeds of up to 31mph.
Said lobotomy has necessitated the deployment of the usual cabrio suspects: new underfloor bracing elements, an aluminium shear panel up front, and torsion struts at the back. Naturally, the M4 Comp Conv gets a bespoke double-joint spring strut front axle, and specially adapted axle geometry with a tuned steering ratio.
It gets the same four-wheel-drive setup optional on its M3 saloon and M4 coupe siblings, which means a rear-wheel bias, an active M diff, and the option of switching off the front axle to make it RWD. It also gets the same 3.0-litre turbo straight-six, developing the same 503bhp and 479lb ft of torque, matched to an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
All this power and torque and traction fuse to deliver a 0-62mph time of 3.7secs – just two tenths slower than the quoted times for the 4WD M3 and M4 coupe, and two tenths quicker than the RWD versions of both. BMW also reckons the cabrio will hit 124mph in 13.1secs, and ticking the ‘M Driver’s Pack’ box opens up the top speed to 174mph. Otherwise it’s 155mph, obvs.
There are M carbon bucket seats inside – heated, too – lots of buttons to push, lots of leather, lots of red colour accents, much standard equipment and many, many options. BMW will start building them in July this year, and each car will start from £81,915.
Does the M4 cabrio better fit this precious stone set in the silver sea, or is the M3 Touring the car Britain’s really waiting for?