Mercedes SLK55 AMG Revealed

Mercedes-Benz has revealed its most powerful SLK ever, the Mercedes SLK55 AMG.

Power comes from a naturally aspirated AMG 5.5-litre V8 engine that boasts 415bhp (almost 60bhp more than its predecessor), 55.02kgm of torque and a 0-60mph time of 4.5sec and can take the SLK to a limited top speed of 250kph.

The roadster has an AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic automatic transmission that features three modes – sport, manual and 'controlled efficiency'. It features AMG performance components including sports suspension with a Direct-Steer system that enhances handling and agility, Torque Vectoring Brakes that provide selective brake actuation at the rear wheel during cornering and a high-performance braking system.

An optional AMG Handling Package comprises sportier suspension with stiffer tuning, an AMG rear axle differential lock, two-piece brake discs at the front and a three-spoke AMG Performance steering wheel finished in premium leather with Alcantara grip inserts.

The front apron of the roadster features large air inlets and AMG-specific LED daytime running lights, while the wide radiator grille is a nod to the SLS AMG sports car. The SLK55 AMG also boasts styling tweaks including light-alloy wheels, body styling with spoiler lip and two chrome-plated twin tailpipes at the rear.

Darkened clear-lens headlamps and darkened bicolor tail lamps come as standard exclusively on the top-of-the-range V8 model. Bi-Xenon headlights with Active Curve Illumination are also available as an optional extra.

The interior design of the SLK55 AMG is reminiscent of the SLS, with four jet-engine style air vents and the centre console finished in brushed aluminium. The car features an AMG Performance steering wheel plus sports seats with the Airscarf neck-level heating system.

The standard retractable hardtop opens and closes in less than 20 seconds. Two other roof variants are available, including one with the Magic Sky Control system, which has glass that can switch from light to dark at the press of a button.

Instead of a standard wind-stop, the car has a new Airguide system. It consists of pivoting transparent plastic wings which are attached to the back of the roll-over bars, meaning no installation or removal is required.

The third generation of the AMG roadster model will be on display at the Frankfurt motor show next month and will go on sale early next year.

Force One Review And Test Drive

Force Motors, the maker of Traveller minibuses and the Trax utility vehicle, has taken a whole new direction and moved upwards into the passenger car space with its all-new Force One. Here are our first impressions after driving this Scorpio and Safari challenger.

On the looks front, the Force One’s boxy design looks quite outdated and not in synch with the modern shapes customers expect from SUVs these days. Though the overall shape is inoffensive, the small glass area and horizontal lines give it a 1990s look. A quick search on Google further explains that Force One’s design language is inspired by the Explorer III, a Chinese SUV that finds a mention in Guangdong Foday’s product portfolio.

The Force One uses the same body panels as the Explorer III; they are imported directly from China for assembly in Force Motors’ Pithampur factory in Madhya Pradesh. The chassis, however, has been designed completely in-house. It is based on a sturdy-looking C-in-C ladder frame that supports an independent, coil-sprung, double-wishbone setup up in the front and a non-independent, multi-link suspension at the rear. Force Motors roped in Lotus Engineering UK to fine-tune the chassis and even set up the vehicle specifically for the 235/70 Apollo Hawkz all-terrain tyres it comes shod with.

Power comes from Mercedes-Benz’s 2.2-litre, OM611 common-rail engine that meets BS IV emissions norms and makes a Tata Safari-rivaling 139bhp and 32.6kgm of torque. It drives the rear wheels via the Mercedes-Benz G32 five-speed manual gearbox.

At 4.8 metres, it is a considerable 400mm longer than a Scorpio. And with a wheelbase that’s 345mm longer than the Mahindra, the Force One promises to be very spacious inside. Get into the SUV and you will find the driving position very much similar to the Ford Endeavour’s, thanks to the high floor. The second row seats have Skoda Superb-rivaling legroom and good headroom. But the floor is high and so, thigh support is compromised. The third row too has plenty of kneeroom but again headroom here is quite compromised. It has reasonable space for luggage even with all seats up.

Plastic quality is decent but there are quite a few panel gaps. The air-con controls work well and Force Motors is particularly proud of the 76 features the car comes standard with. It also has air-conditioning for all three rows, a trip computer, a service schedule indicator, electric mirrors, remote locking, projector headlamps, daytime running LEDs and an audio system.

Twist the key and the Mercedes-Benz engine settles into a rather refined idle. Peak torque kicks in at 1600rpm and the engine pulls well all the way to its 4150rpm redline. There is a hint of lag but once the turbo kicks in, performance is sprightly. The only issue is with the gearbox, which needs strong triceps to operate and this is something Force Motors desperately needs to improve.

On smooth roads, the Force One seemed well planted with not too much body roll around corners. But it does feel a tad softly sprung, displaying some pitching over the bumps in the off-road section. That said, you can confidently hammer over bad sections and it feels a lot more stable than a Scorpio.

Force Motors has launched the Force One in only one trim level – the fully loaded variant comes for an asking price of Rs 10.65 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Given the long list of features, it may seem like good value and there’s no doubt that the SUV scores well in some key areas. It is big, very spacious and underpinned by an indigenously developed chassis which promises decent ride and handling.

But what Force Motors needs to do now is concentrate on bringing the rest of the car up to speed, especially on the fit-and-finish front. The Force One is a good first attempt but to cut it as a serious Scorpio/Safari rival it still has some way to go.

2011 kia picanto

Specifications prices Modifications and Image 2011 kia picanto
This is the new Kia Picanto, the Korean brand’s A-segment supermini. Back for its second generation, the new Picanto wears the current Kia styling courtesy of Peter Schreyer's design team. The Kia Picanto is available in three- and five-door body styles, and comes with a choice of three petrol engines: a pair of three-cylinder engines, one of which can run on LPG or petrol, and the 1.25-litre four cylinder. We’re driving the four-pot and the non-LPG triple.

INTERIOR
In the cabin the Picanto sports a dark cloth interior with a height adjustable driver’s chair. It’s well bolstered and comfortable but could prove too narrow for those with broader backs during longer journeys. In the back seat leg room is limited but no more than you’d expect in an A-segment car and with correct front seat adjustment two adults could ride in relative comfort. The Picanto’s four-door body shape makes it easy to get in and out of the rear seat.

Instrumentation is large and easy-to-read and the controls are laid out with the stereo and climate controls separated, but all switchgear is close at hand. The Picanto’s leather-trimmed steering wheel is a particular highlight in a two-spoke design and featuring various control buttons. Other standard equipment includes cupholders, passenger under seat storage tray, air-conditioning, CD stereo with Ipod and USB connectivity, electric windows all-round, trip computer and Bluetooth hands free. The top-spec EX Picanto gets extra fruit like a 6-speaker stereo system, reverse parking sensors and electric folding side mirrors with LED indicators. Overall, it’s a very livable cabin, the materials used aren’t particularly hard or plasticky and everything feels well screwed together. It’s very small but the available space is used smartly with helpful touches like seat back pockets, bottle-holding door bins and a 60:40 split rear seat.

EXTERIOR
In terms of exterior styling the new Picanto is a sharp-looker, it’s suitably cute but with a broad, sure-footed stance. Design features include a rising character line, corporate Kia ‘tiger-nose’ grille and uniquely shaped, vertical tailights. There’s a subtle hatch spoiler, front fog lights and daytime running lamps (with LED strips on the EX variant).Standard wheel fitment is 8-spoke 14-inch alloys on the LX and sporty 15-inch multi-spoke alloys on the EX.

Dimensionally it’s a very small car but the Picanto has seen a size increase of 60mm to 3.6 metres in length and a 15mm increase to its wheelbase. Luggage capacity has also grown to 200-litres in total capacity and there has been no change to the Picanto’s height or width compared to its predecessor.

ENGINE
Under the bonnet the Picanto’s new engine is larger than before. It’s a 4-cylinder 1248cc powerplant from Kia’s Kappa family of motors. Power output is rated at 64kW with 123Nm of torque. The LX base-model features a 5-Speed manual box while there’s a four-stage auto for both LX and EX variants. The Picanto is no pocket rocket, but has enough pep to keep up with traffic, it’s best suited for around town blasts but once up to speed its well settled. Off the line the lightweight 850kg Picanto takes 11 seconds to reach 100km/h with the manual transmission, in auto form that stretches out to 12.9 seconds. It needs to be worked hard to get any real performance but as a city car the powertrain is certainly capable.

Driving Impression

The Picanto drives very well, especially in four-cylinder trim. The engine zings eagerly, the gear change and steering are both light and easy, and engaging too, and the ride felt pretty good on our car’s 14-inch steel rims – a gentle loping rhythm with only a few secondary imperfections spoiling the show. It’s even refined at motorway speeds, and little bursts of acceleration are always on tap. It just feels right and instinctively in tune with itself.
source:www.carmagazine.co.uk,www.carandsuv.co.nz