Motoring: Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4MATIC+; Spooky Cars; MINI Countryman

BMW’S M5 has long claimed the executive super-saloon title as its own and despite tilts at it from rivals over the years, its status has been preserved.

At least until now.

Mercedes-AMG, the manufacturer’s high performance division, is mounting a fresh assault on the summit after redefining its E Class saloon.

The brand is turning the intelligent executive saloon into the most powerful E-Class of all time – in the shape of the next-generation E 63 4MATIC+ and E 63 S 4MATIC+.

Mercedes-AMG said it was preparing to set new benchmarks in this market segment with its innovative technologies. It said the car’s intelligent drive strategy would raise the limits of a performance saloon’s dynamics to a completely new level.

Delivering even faster acceleration, the new car’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine generates up to 450 kW (612 hp). This makes it the most powerful engine ever installed in an E-Class.

It is also even more efficient due to a cylinder deactivation system fitted as standard.

All this helps to achieve a 0 – 62 mph acceleration time of 3.4 seconds, putting the new business limousine is at the top of its class.

Other new additions include the AMG Speedshift MCT (Multi Clutch Technology) nine-speed sports transmission, which is combined with a wet start-off clutch for the first time. This allows more agile response times to be achieved.

Another highlight is the completely new AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system. It combines the advantages of various drive configurations. Torque distribution on the front and rear axles, which until now was strongly rear-biased, is fully variable for the first time. This ensures optimum traction right up to the physical limit, whatever the road conditions.

The exterior design of the car, featuring a new radiator grille and coupé-style inset bonnet, is also said to underline its sportiness, while the interior has been designed to match comfort levels with the performance.

The Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4MATIC+“The new E 63 models represent the biggest step forward we’ve ever taken from one generation to the next. Vehicle dynamics were especially important to us. At the start of the development process, we opted for a fully variable all-wheel drive system which, when combined with the advanced performance of the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, reaffirms our brand’s Driving Performance claim,” said Mercedes-AMG chairman Tobias Moers.

The new performance saloon receives its world première at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 16. It will go on sale in the UK in mid-January with first cars arriving from May 2017.

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Rolls-Royce PhantomWITH All Hallows Eve almost upon us once again, automotive experts have been gathering together their list of the spookiest sounding cars ever produced.

Rather than limit the list to 10, the various analysts have tempted fate by stretching the table to a baker’s dozen.

Tim Bearder, at car checking company HPI said: “With Halloween just around the corner we thought it would be fun to look at some of the scary names car manufacturers give to their models.  

“Getting the name of a car right is really important for manufacturers so that it appeals to consumers and sells well.  Maybe with some of the models we came up with the manufacturers were hoping to scare up a bit of business by giving their cars a menacing but memorable name.

“The HPI team has compiled some outlandish and wonderfully terrifying named vehicles over the years ranging from obscure concept cars, supercars and high value models to more mainstream cars.”

The table contains some US vehicles which will be unfamiliar to most in the UK but serves as an illustration that when firms get the name wrong, they get it spectacularly wrong.

The Top 13 list is:

1) Rolls-Royce Phantom (pictured) 
2) AMC Gremlin
3) Pontiac Banshee
4) Hillman Imp
5) Lamborghini Diablo
6) Alfa Romeo Spider
7) Plymouth Prowler
8) Ford Probe
9) Spectre R42
10) Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat
11) Rolls-Royce Wraith
12) DF Goblin
13) Lamborghini Murcielago (Murcielago is Spanish for ‘bat’)

Strangely enough the Morris Marina and Austin Allegro fail to make the list – even though they’ve given their owners plenty of nightmares down the years.

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The all-new MINI CountrymanBMW is once again pushing the limits of the definition of ‘MINI’ with its latest addition to the popular brand.

By no sense of the word can its all-new Countryman ever be described as ‘small’ – but to be fair, BMW isn’t claiming that it is.

It says the new Countryman is the biggest and most versatile model to be launched in the brand’s 57-year history.
 
The larger external dimensions succeed in increasing space throughout the cabin and luggage area, but push the car into the mid-range C-segment which may take something away for die-hard MINI fans.

But BMW is hopeful that the premium quality of the design and its internal features will crank up the luxury factor just enough to persuade any sceptics.

Useful new features include an electric tailgate control with touch-free opening and unique options, including a fold down picnic bench at the rear.

But despite the beefed-up appearance and high ground clearance, the car remains fundamentally a MINI – but one that can go anywhere thanks to its all-wheel-drive capabilities.

For the first time, MINI will also be offering a plug-in hybrid model in the form of the new MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4. Drawing from expertise gleaned from across the BMW Group, the new hybrid features a turbocharged petrol engine and an electric motor, reducing fuel consumption to 134.5 mpg yet still enabling a 0-62 mph time of just 6.9 seconds.

The rest of the new MINI Countryman line-up is powered by an all-new range of engines sourced from the latest MINI TwinPower Turbo generation, which are said to offer outstanding performance and efficiency. With between 136 – 192 hp and 220-400 Nm of torque, the new MINI Countryman will be capable of accelerating to a claimed 0-62 mph time of 7.2 seconds, while fuel consumption reaches 64.2 mpg and CO2 emissions drop to  113 g/km.

The new MINI Countryman is available with both manual and Steptronic gearboxes and with front- and all-wheel drive. The latter, MINI’s ALL4 system, has been further refined for increased driving agility and efficiency.

BMW said: “Reflecting customer demand for high-end features, equipment levels on the new MINI Countryman have been bolstered versus the outgoing model. Additions to the standard equipment list include MINI’s acclaimed Satellite Navigation System, Bluetooth, Cruise Control, Emergency E-call and Active Guard among others.

“Naturally, being a MINI, there is broad scope for owners to personalise their new Countryman, with extensive colour and trim options, advanced technology features and a range of option packs that offer carefully selected items with significant cost savings for the customer.”

One such option is a new 8.8-inch touchscreen display as part of the MINI Navigation System XL, offering touchscreen multimedia and navigation control for the first time in a MINI.

Orders for the new Countryman are now being taken, with prices starting at £22,465 for the Cooper Countryman. First UK deliveries are expected in February 2017. Prices for the plug-in hybrid model will be announced in due course.

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