Friday, May 31, 2013

Mercedes-Benz unveils Concept car




Bruce Mbingeleli
What are German car manufactures known best for: “Innovation” when it comes to future cars. Mercedes-Benz BlueZero concept is Mercs attempt to alternative fuel efficiency; the BlueZero was firstly introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The vehicle is a flexible concept that has the ability to accommodate three variants share the future alternative fuels; electric, hybrid and hydrogen fueled. The vehicles feature a single architecture that accommodates three variants which have different electric power-train configurations, each of which are fully developed and ready to be tested for road usage. Its electric drive system gives each variant the same performance specifications for acceleration when reaching top speeds.
The BlueZero’s electric drive modular design accelerates from 0-100 km/h in under eleven seconds and its top speed is electronically governed to a maximum of 150km/h in the interest optimal range and energy efficiency, its peak torque is a maximum of 320Nm and it achieves this with a 1-litre turbo petrol engine, the vehicle is installed with a power generator.
The unique and distinctive Mercedes design idiom displayed by the body highlights the progressive nature of concept BlueZero is mind-blowing. The elegant front is dominated by the radiator grille with its centrally located star. Aerodynamics of the BlueZero is partly due to the closed front apron according to the brochure, the design means that cooling air intakes are not required.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Mercedes-Benz S63 & S65 AMG


The elegant V8 S63 AMG
Bruce Mbingeleli

The Mercedes-Bens S63 AMG and the S65 AMG are the class power of the top-line in the S models, are even appealing; thanks to a subtle yet extremely effective fine-turning measures the two performance saloons are even more striking and priceless than ever before. The updated technology is aimed at ensuring a more dynamic driving experience as well as optimum active and passive safety.
Exclusivity and dynamism combined with effortless superiority and state of the art technology both of the S-class models from Mercedes-AMG embody all of these characteristics and more will leave you breathless. The S63 AMG pushes 386kW of maximum power sharing the same DNA as the C63 AMG V8 engine developing 630Nm of maximum torque, capable of reaching speeds from 0-100km/h in just 4.6 seconds. The S65 AMG meanwhile demonstrates even greater superiority, it’s equipped with an AMG 6.0- litre Biturbo V12 engine delivering maximum power of 450kW and a maximum torque of 100Nm, acceleration from 0-100km/h is just 4.4 seconds. Both saloons are electronically limited to 250km/h, despite that no changes have been made to the engine data and performance values, it has still been possible to reduce fuel consumptions and C02 emissions by up to three percent.

S65 AMG fitted with a V12 Biturbo engine

Contributing to the even more exceptional status of the models is the new more pronounced arrow-shaped radiator grille featuring twin chrome-plate louvers in the case of the S65 AMG. The new front apron incorporates striking, AMG-specific LED daytime driving lights and two transverse air outlets on each side. Further striking features include the “6.3 AMG” or “V12 Biturbolettering on the front wings and the redesigned exterior mirrors.
Side sill panels emphasize the elegant line of the front apron through to the rear of the vehicle, where the new car apron features yet another highlight of perfection, the centre section of the diffuser insert is now painted in the same colour as vehicle body. The rear lamps with 52 LED’s in the form of a double “C” also give the S class an unmistakable appearance from behind. A distinctive element of both these models comes from within the guise of the sports exhausts with two chromed twin tailpipes, featuring a V12 design in the case of the S65 AMG. Visual aspects which distinguish the V8 from the V12 model also include the attractive AMG light alloy wheels. The S63 AMG rolls in 19-inch multi-spoke wheels painted titanium grey with a high-sheen finish. The S65 AMG on the other hand comes with 20-inch forged wheels painted titanium grey with a mirror finish.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Land Rover Defender DC100 Concept




Bruce Mbingeleli
The new Land Rover DC100 concept car, was revealed at the Frankfurt motor show in 2011.
Lander Rover has announced two version concept vehicles at the Frankfurt, a three-door estate off road powered by a diesel engine and a more leisure orientated two door sport version with no roof powered by a petrol engine for the Land Rover defender, the iconic go-anywhere vehicle, it’s named DC100 and DC100 Sport the two concept showcase the direction and thinking behind the on-going development of the new Land Rover Defender and production is expected in 2015.
The DC100 and DC100 Sport capture the flexibility, adaptability and versatility; it’s an expression of leisure fun to travel in. Like the iconic 90 it’s relatively compact, though the show car is much wider than its predecessor. Judging from its width it makes more recognizable from the outside, the wheel-at-each corner stance seems more pronounced in the fixed roof model though some doubters liken the shape of the DC100 to the Skoda Yeti, it’s really unmistakably a Land Rover when you’re standing or looking at it. Inside and outside the DC100 has far more glitz from the funky door handles to the trendy yet sophisticated interior. The backseats are built into bulkhead and the bases appear have that flow of a stadium seats. Shiny aluminium and bright grab handles surround the auto gearlever and centre display while there are silver-finished details on the transmission tunnel and door handles. Covered in high-quality cloth and plastics are used on the seats and doors. Its shape added that modern look and boldness.

The DC100’s engine fires a meaty sound, this vehicle has a DNA of a Range Rover Sport under it, 375kW supercharged V8 has an aggressive rumble that gives it the character of a Monster truck.