2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Edition 1

A few months after launching the aggressive 2014 Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG Edition 1, the German automaker has quietly introduced the latest car to wear the Edition 1 nameplate with the launch of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Edition 1.

As you may recall, Mercedes-Benz debuted a Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Edition 1 at the Geneva Motor Show 2013 a few months ago, but the recently launched 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Edition 1 is on a totally different level.

As its name suggests, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Edition 1 features many similar exterior and interior components found on the A45 AMG Edition 1 we recently had the opportunity to drive at the Bilster Berg Race Resort in Germany. What this means is that the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG Edition 1 incorporates a gloss black rear lip spoiler, matte-black 19-inch alloy wheels and graphite grey side strips as well as a selection of red accents for the front grille, mirrors, wheels and brake calipe
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Bugatti Veyron sets new speed record

The Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse has become the world's fastest open-top car, with a speed of 254.04mph

The Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse is officially the world's fastest open-top car, having reached a maximum speed of 254.04mph on a run at the Volkswagen Group’s Ehra-Lessien proving grounds at the hands of Chinese racing driver Anthony Liu.

The 8.0-litre W16 engine in the Grand Sport Vitesse produces 1,184bhp and 1,500Nm of torque, but also uses a specially developed roof spoiler and intricate windbreak to ensure the cabin remains calm even at very high speeds.

Speaking about his record Liu said: “This was a very exciting moment. The car even at such high speeds is incredibly comfortable and stable. With an open top, you can really experience the sound of the engine and yet at even higher speeds I did not get compromised by the wind”.

The iconic orange and black car used to set the record will appear on the manufacturer's stand at the Shanghai Motor Show next week. Bugatti is also using this opportunity to produce a limited run of eight “World Record Car” editions of the Grand Sport Vitesse, with each car costing around £1.7m before taxes.

The Veyron was stripped of its title as the world’s fastest production car last week by the Hennessy Venom GT, which managed 265.7mph.

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray to debut at Geneva

The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible will make its world debut on March 5 at the Geneva Motor Show.

"It's fitting to introduce the new Stingray convertible on the global stage at Geneva because Corvette is the face of Chevrolet the world over," said Susan Docherty, president and managing director of Chevrolet and Cadillac Europe. "It is an icon that has long been recognized and admired even in countries where it's never officially been offered."
There are Corvette owner and enthusiast clubs in more than 100 countries, and 58 percent of the 1.1 million fans who “Like” Corvette's official Facebook page reside outside the United States.
The Corvette Stingray convertible will deliver the same balance of technology, design and performance introduced on the coupe in January in Detroit.
"Every Corvette is designed at the outset as an open car," said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer. "The new Stingray is no different, with the coupe and convertible designed to excel in any situation – be it your daily commute, a drive across the continent, or charging through twisting back roads."

2014 Nissan GT-R Track Edition

Details and images have just been released of the 2014 Nissan GT-R Track Edition in conjunction with its public release at the ongoing 2013 Chicago Auto Show and the whole premise of the car is to turn the already insane 2014 GT-R into a completely different track machine.

The GT-R Track Edition will hit U.S-only dealerships in May, with just 150 units pinned for production and as the name suggests, the Track Edition has been specifically designed with track days in mind.
Performance tweaks include a firmer suspension setup thanks to Bilstein DampTronic dampers, track-tuned brake ducts, no rear seats and a few new aerodynamic features around the car. Unsurprisingly, the Track Edition’s suspension was set up at its second-home, the Nurburgring.
Under the hood, the 2014 GT-R Track Edition continues to deliver 545hp, albeit this time with better torque response from 4,500-6,000rpm thanks to new fuel injectors and an extra oil-pan baffle.
Although prices for the Track Edition have yet to be revealed, it’ll cost over $100,000 before options.

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Including New Diesel

Pricing for Jeep’s updated-for-2014 Grand Cherokee SUV has found its way online, appearing first on a Jeep forum. Pricing for the mildly refreshed Grand Cherokee is, for the most part, unexciting and predictable, but the leaked info gives away one exciting tidbit: how much the SUV’s newly optional diesel V-6 engine will cost. The short answer is that it will cost quite a bit. 

If the source of the info on the forum is legit, buyers can look forward to shelling out an extra $4500 for the Jeep’s new 240-hp, 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6. Pricing for the Grand Cherokee’s two-wheel-drive/diesel combo wasn’t provided, but we assume the diesel will require the same outlay whether it’s powering the rear wheels or all four. From the looks of things, the diesel won’t be available on the Grand Cherokee’s volume and entry-level Laredo trim level; buyers will need to step up to the $38,790 Limited-spec model to unlock the ability to pay even more for the diesel V-6. When pressed for comment, a Jeep representative wouldn’t confirm the veracity of the diesel pricing, but did provide the base prices for each 2014 Grand Cherokee trim level:

• Laredo: $29,790 + $2000 for four-wheel drive
• Limited: $36,790 + $2000 for four-wheel drive
• Overland: $43,990 + $3000 for four-wheel drive
• Summit: $48,990 + $3000 for four-wheel drive\

So the diesel’s price might not be official yet, but given that the base prices provided to us by Jeep match those in the forum post, it’s a pretty safe bet the $4500 figure is correct. If you’re wondering why the diesel costs so much, it’s because diesel engines cost more to produce; just look at the diesel iterations of cars like the Volkswagen Jetta (ignoring the VW’s base, de-contented four-cylinder model) or Audi Q7—both models’ oil-burners cost buyers between $4050 and $5200 extra.

Maserati Testing New Quattroporte at Night

Maserati is edging closer and closer to beginning the first deliveries of its latest iteration of the successful Quattroporte super-sedan. We’ve already seen official shots of the new car released, but the following video provides us with our first look at the new Quattroporte undergoing final night testing at the Balocco Proving Ground. And because the testing was conducted at night, the car ventured out with no camouflage (some duct tape was used to cover the panel gaps) in order to test the cars real world performance, top speed, engine roar and the exhaust note.

2013 Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG

Mercedes-Benz has released their new teaser images of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG, which will make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show next year.

The A-Class A 45 AMG will have around 370hp and 300 pound-feet of torque. The engine is a twin-scroll turbocharged 2.0 liter codenamed M133 and based on the Daimler 2.0 liter turbocharged powerplant. These figures give it the highest series-production power-per-liter rating in the world. It will be the first AMG engine not built at Affalterbach, but at Daimler’s four-cylinder assembly plant at Kölleda. The Germans will still use the one-man, one-engine principle.
The A 45 AMG will have four-wheel-drive, AMG Speedshift DCT seven-speed dual clutch transmission and a rear differential. It also features an AMG sports suspension with independently developed front and rear axles, electromechanical AMG speed-sensitive sports steering, AMG high-performance braking system and three-stage ESP with Sport Handling mode.

Finally, there is a good chance Mercedes will offer an optional Driver Package, that will let the top speed go to 280km/h versus the stock 250km/h.