Mustang 1000 horsepower

1,000-horsepower Shelby Mustang debuts at 2017 SEMA show

Yes, the company has revived its Ford Shelby Mustang 1000 and confirmed the new car for production in early 2018. Just 50 will be built each year.

The transformation can be applied to any sixth-generation Mustang GT and includes not only a potent powerplant but also numerous chassis mods and Shelby’s super-sexy wide-body kit.

Under the hood is a 5.2-liter V-8 with a massive 4.5-liter Whipple supercharger attached. The engine is not the same 5.2-liter mill found in the Ford Shelby Mustang GT350; for example, it features a traditional 90-degree crank. Some parts are shared though, like the cylinder heads.

Shelby adds other mods to support big power, like a high-flow fuel system, a new intercooler, transmission reinforcements and ECU recalibration. The result is 1,000 horsepower, 50 more than the car’s predecessor.

There’s one major caveat, though. While the previous-generation Shelby Mustang 1000 was offered in both street and track configuration, a decision was made not to pursue emissions compliance on the new model. It means the newest car is designed for track-use only.

To ensure the car can handle whatever a circuit may throw at it, Shelby also installed new suspension as well as uprated wheels, tires and brakes. The list includes a fully adjustable coil-over suspension and huge Brembo braking system, along with stronger spindles and hubs, hardened wheel studs, wider wheels and tires.

Achieving this goal was not easy because the sixth-generation Mustang is far more complicated than the previous car due to its independent suspension front and back, as well as a completely new structure.

“Since Ford dropped the solid axle rear end, we had to take an entirely new approach,” said Vince LaViolette, Shelby American Vice President of Operations and head of development. “Not only did we build strength into the car with components like heavy-duty halfshafts and CV joints, we revised the entire suspension by using tubular adjustable upper and lower control arms, as well as fully adjustable coil-overs. We then added 10- and 12-inch [wide] forged wheels with sticky 20-inch rubber to maximize traction with this high level of power.”

All of this comes at quite a steep cost. Anyone considering the car will need $169,995, plus a donor Mustang GT.

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Mustang RTR

Hands up: who wants a 700bhp+ Ford Mustang RTR?

Vaughn Gittin Jr – a gentlemen not averse to firing anything he drives sideways, at much speed – freely admits that the regular Ford Mustang is a nice car. But, in his own words, “he couldn’t leave it alone”.

This is the result of his tinkering. It is the 2018 Ford Mustang RTR, set to be revealed at the upcoming SEMA show in Las Vegas, and heading to select Ford dealerships across the globe.

It’ll be offered in various stages of tune, ranging from Spec 1, Spec 2, and Spec 3, though every Spec will feature the RTR design pack, new lights and graphics, and a plaque signed by the man himself. Those design flourishes you will be able to spot and decide all on your own if they are acceptable.

Power, however, will be more than acceptable. RTR has yet to divulge full performance data for any of those specs, but we’re promised “turnkey packages with over 700 horsepower” from that 5.0-litre V8. Bear in mind the last time we saw a Mustang RTR, it was pumping out 725bhp. So, y’know, expect more.

“With our unique styling across the entire RTR line-up,” Gittin Jr says, “available multi-purpose adjustable suspension components and power upgrades that our customers have grown to love and use to push their RTRs to the limit.”

If you’re at SEMA, this 2018 RTR Mustang will be on Ford’s stand, at which point we’ll have information like prices and other such nuances.

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New 4th Generation Mercedes-Benz u

New 4th Generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class Unveiled

The new 4th Generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class comes with new design and styling, all-new interior, and it's also the first product offering to feature the all new user interface from Mercedes-Benz, the MBUX.

Highlights

• The new Mercedes-Benz A-Class is stylish and technologically rich
• The new-gen Mercedes-Benz A-Class is based on the new MFA 2 platform
• Engine options: new 1.4L and 2.0L turbopetrol and 1.5L diesel motors

Sharper, sexier and with a ton of more technology than ever before, this is the brand new 4th generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The A-Class is an important product offering for the German luxury car maker. It is not only its most affordable offering in the global market but also generally debuts new technology which then transcends through the whole range. And with the new 4th Generation A-Class, Mercedes-Benz has done just that in terms of it being the first product offering to feature the all new user interface from Mercedes-Benz, the MBUX. The new Mercedes-Benz A-Class also gets a completely new interior that looks much nicer than the last generation - a tall order especially considering the fact that the last generation A-Class was a pretty car both in terms of exterior and interior design.

New Mercedes-Benz A-Class is in its fourth generation

In terms of the new body, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class sort of continues the overall stance and greenhouse design from the last generation but is now overall a lot edgier. Similar to the CLS showcased at the 2017 L. A. Auto Show, the new A-Class gets slimmer and edgier headlamps - LED of course along with a sharper LED daytime running light. The new A-Class also gets a two tone set of wheels in the launch edition and a sportier front bumper with two large air vents flanking the new and much smoother grille.

New Mercedes-Benz A-Class looks much sportier than its predecessor.

The reverse studded grille design that Mercedes-Benz pioneered with the last generation has been taken a step further too. The grille is now larger and more rounded. It also had a blacked out base with silver individual design details while the large central three-pointed star is placed bang slap in the middle flanked by a silver bar extending towards both ends. All in all, the new A-Class looks much sportier than its predecessor.

New Mercedes-Benz A-Class gets LED headlamps and LED taillamps

Although the overall greenhouse design on the A-Class does look very similar to the older car, the A-Class is now longer than before and has a longer wheelbase too. The rear fenders are also a lot more masculine and wider which gives the A-Class a much wider stance as compared to the previous generation. The rear of the car too has gone through a complete redesign. The older and smaller, almost squarish tail lamps have now made way for a much wider horizontally placed set. The LED lighting pattern is quite cool too and offers a three dimensional sense of depth. The rear bumpers too get horizontal vents at either end while the lower half is dominated by the larger tail pipes. The A-Class will also be available with a range of paint options including the matte grey or as Mercedes-Benz calls it 'designo mountain grey'. It will however be interesting to see if this particular paint finish makes it to India.

New Mercedes-Benz A-Class comes in a new matte grey colour called designo mountain grey

The big change though is in the interior, which is completely redeveloped and is brand new. The stepped dashboard design and the 1-3-1 layout of the AC vents are the only thing that have been carried forward from the older car. But the AC vents themselves are the new turbine inspired aluminium designs (that also featured on the CLS) that glow blue or red depending on the temperature of the air flowing through them. The dashboard itself is finished in a gloss black and aluminium finish with very high quality switchgear while the steering wheel too gets a lot of aluminium thrown in around the controls.

New Mercedes-Benz A-Class gets an all-new cabin

The highlight of the new interior of course is the new dual screen infotainment and instrument cluster setup. The new screens are high definition and offer the brand new Mercedes-Benz user interface 'MBUX'. The new user interface also brings in a whole new voice command and navigation system that makes it much much easier to control as compared to its predecessors. The new A-Class will also comes packed with the likes of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with wireless charging areas for your smartphone.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class gets the new MBUX multimedia system with its own AI

In terms of engines, the new A-Class (globally) will be offered with a new 1.4-litre 4-cylimnder turbocharged engine which will make close to 160 bhp of peak power and be mated to a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox. The other new engine will be a more powerful 2-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged engine which makes over 220 bhp of peak power and 350 Nm of peak torque.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Dashboard looks stylish and futuristic

There will also be a new 1.5-litre diesel engine as the entry level model offering 115 bhp of power power and 260 Nm of peak torque. This engine will also be mated to a 7-soeed dual clutch gearbox. The A-Class will be available internationally with both a front wheel drive or all wheel drive option whereas India will see just the front wheel drive model as is currently available.

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Luxurious 1 million$ Motor home Review

Luxurious $1Million Motor Home

One of the largest, most expensive new motorhomes to make its debut at the Düsseldorf Caravan Salon that wrapped up over the weekend, the bus-sized Variomobil Signature 1200 drives to camp under 523 hp of Mercedes engine power. But it can also carry an additional 450 hp or so of Mercedes V8 might, housing the likes of a Mercedes SL roadster, Porsche 911 or Mini Cooper in its rear garage. So you can park the big motorhome at camp and get around with a much more agile vehicle for the remainder of the trip.

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Thought most of the motorhomes we cover are much too small to carry additional vehicles on board, we are quite aware that these behemoths exist. We were fascinated by Volkner's roadster trays back in 2008, and sports car- and ATV-swallowing motorhome designs were among the more memorable highlights of our Caravan Salon 2013 visit.

Variomobilis another German designer of large and larger car carrier motorhomes, and its Signature 1200 adds an all-new option to its line-up. The 39-ft (12-m), three-axle, 6x2 Mercedes Actros-based motorhome is impressive the minute you see it and only more so when you learn of the 523-hp six-cylinder turbo diesel motivating road trips of all lengths and styles. It also features a steerable trailing axle for improved maneuverability, air suspension, and driver-assistance technologies like lane departure alert, active braking assist and available 360-degree camera system.

The most impressive part of the new 1200 comes at the rear, where you can pop open the tailgate and slide a sports car in and out on the hydraulic ramp. Variomobil offers three optional garage sizes, from the base version built to accommodate a Smart fortwo, up to an "XXL" fit to house a Porsche 911, Mercedes SL or Mini Cooper. While an onboard garage might seem a like an excessive novelty, we have to imagine it's quite nice to have a transportation option beyond "huge, cumbersome tour bus" on a road trip or camping holiday, especially if there are some winding, scenic roads nearby. Inside the Signature 1200's insulated fiberglass cabin, the living quarters are guaranteed to be luxurious, but their specific layout and spec will be guided heavily by each individual customer. Available furnishings and equipment include a touchscreen-controlled induction cooktop, 190-L refrigerator, dishwasher, full bathroom with mineral stone sink, LED TV with satellite, Bose audio system, washer/dryer, leather upholstery, real wood veneers, and microprocessor-controlled ambient lighting. The cabin sleeps four to six people and includes the option of a pull-down bed that stores above the two or four captain's chairs in the driver cab.

Variomobil's sample floor plan includes an open living area just behind the driver cab, a kitchen across from a small dinette, a bathroom and a rear bedroom, moving front to back. The standard side pneumatic slide-out opens up the living area, and additional slide-outs are available to further increase interior space.

Standard and available systems and capacities include a dual 170-Ah battery-based electrical system, up to 420 watts of solar panels, a diesel generator or fuel cell and a 500-L fresh water tank. Gas heating and hot water are standard, and air conditioning, floor heating systems and diesel hot water heaters are available optionally.

The new Signature 1200 is quite obviously not the RV for every buyer, but for those that can look at the €773,500 (approx. US$922K) base price without twitching, the Signature 1200 is sure to be one of the more comfortable, well-equipped ways to glamp around the fjords of Scandinavia, peaks of the Alps or blue waters of the Mediterranean Coast. The options list includes items as expensive as €40K, so the price can climb quite quickly from the base – according to a Caravan Salon press release, the model on show was optioned up to around €1.1 million (US$1.3 million).

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