2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT is the New F1 Safety Car

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012 |

Mercedes-Benz has upgraded its F1 Safety Carreplacing the SLS AMG with the newer SLS AMG GT. The GT evolution of the gull-wing model made its first appearance in a race situation at this month's 2012 Formula 1 Shell Belgian Grand Prix and will also be deployed at the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix.
The GT model comes with improved driving dynamics, better on-track performance, a 20Hp boost for a total of 583hp (591PS) from its 6.2-liter V8 and new design features such as the darkened headlamps and taillights and the grille finish.
The changes over the regular production model are kept to a minimum and include a specially developed and more sonorous rear silencer, F1 decals, safety lights on the rear window, bucket seats with six-point seat belts, two central screens that allow the driver and co-pilot to monitor the progress of the race and a radio system to communicate with the organizers.
The F1 Safety Car is sent onto the track as soon as Race Control considers that the safe progress of the race may be impeded. Poor weather conditions or accidents are the main reasons for its deployment. In the 2012 season, the Mercedes-Benz Safety Car has been called in for action six times to date, with the drivers spending a total of 138.1 km (85.8 miles) under Safety Car conditions.

All of the AMG Safety Cars at a glance
1996:C 36 AMG (W 202)
from 1997:CLK 55 AMG (C 208)
2000:CL 55 AMG (C 215)
from 2001:SL 55 AMG (R 230)
2003:CLK 55 AMG (C 209)
from 2004:SLK 55 AMG (R 171)
from 2006:CLK 63 AMG (C 209)
from 2008:SL 63 AMG (R 230)
from 2010:SLS AMG (C 197)
from 2012 (Hockenheim GP):SLS AMG GT (C 197)
All of the AMG Medical Cars at a glance
1996:C 36 AMG (W 202)
1997:C 36 AMG (W 202); E 60 AMG (W 210)
from 1998:C 55 AMG Estate (S 202)
from 2001:C 32 AMG Estate (S 203)
from 2004:C 55 AMG Estate (S 203)since 2008: C 63 AMG Estate (S 204)

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Ford Mustang Looks Abroad, Goes on Sale in the Philippines

WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 2012 |

Perhaps in preparation for the next generation of the Mustang that is being developed from the start to go global, Ford has decided to offer the current model in the Philippines with first customer deliveries to take place in September.The Mustang will be available in two flavors, the base model with a 3.7-liter V6 delivering 305-horses and priced at PhP 2,499,000 (US$59,900 or €48,800), and the GT fitted with a 402HP 5.0-liter V8 that starts at PhP 2,899,000 (US$69,400 or €56,500).
"The introduction of the iconic Ford Mustangfollows our ongoing commitment to continue bringing world-class vehicles to the Philippines," said Randy Krieger, president, Ford Group Philippines.
"We‘re confident that the Mustang will be an immediate and long-lasting success in the Philippines, attracting many new loyal customers who will be absolutely thrilled to own this fantastic car," he added.
The Blue Oval's famous pony car is the fourth vehicle launched by Ford Philippines this year following the all-new Ranger pickup truck, the Explorer 2.0 EcoBoost SUV, and the latest generation of the Focus compact model.

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Watch and Hear Jaguar's Upcoming Two-Seater F-Type Roadster on the Road

FRIDAY, APRIL 06, 2012 |

As pointed out in the video by former F1 driver and commentator Martin Brundle, it's been a long time since Jaguar had a new two-seater sports car in its range – more than 50 years if you start counting from the presentation of the legendary E-Type in 1961, around 20 years if you take into consideration the limited production XJR-15 and XJ220 supercars.Jaguar's new proposal goes by the name F-Typeand it is based on last year's warmly received C-X16 concept coupe. Even though it will launch as a roadster model, a coupe will follow later on.
As we understand it, the F-Type will be positioned somewhere between the Porsche Boxster/Cayman and the 911 Coupe/Convertible providing Jaguar with a rival for both models.
Jaguar tells us that the F-Type will use a lightweight aluminum structure and that it will launch with "a range of petrol engines, including a new powerplant family", by which it probably means one or more V6 units.
After giving us the first images of the prototype model earlier this week, Jaguar also released a video of the F-Type, which you can watch below the jump.

VIDEO

Limited Run Audi R8 GT Spyder Priced at $210,000*, Only 50 Coming to the States

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 01, 2012 |

The most exclusive and powerful version of the Audi R8 Spyder has arrived in the States. All in all, the Ingolstadt-based automaker will hand-build 333 examples of the R8 GT Spyder, 50 of which are destined for the U.S., each carrying an MSRP of $210,000 (€163,300), not including a $1,200 destination and delivery fee or local taxes.What you get for the price of a family house in some states such as Ohio, is a lighter and more powerful version of the R8 V10 Spyder.
In the GT, the 5.2-liter V10 engine with direct injection and has been boosted to an output of 560 horsepower and 540 Nm (398.3 lb-ft) of torque, while Audi's engineers trimmed the weight of the open-top model by 187.39 lbs (85kg).
All these measures help the R8 GT Spyder accelerate from zero to 60 mph (96km/h) in 3.8 seconds and reach an impressive top speed of 197 mph (317km/h).
Other highlights include a 10mm lower suspension with a stiffer calibration, an aero package, 19-inch lightweight alloy wheels, and brakes with ventilated and cross-drilled rotors.
First deliveries of the R8 GT Spyder will commence this month.

R8 GT Spyder Standard Features | Highlights:
− 5.2L 10-cylinder, gasoline engine, aluminum block
− quattro all-wheel-drive
− Exterior mirrors: power adjustable, heated Front Airbags: Driver and passenger full-size dual-stage front airbags and knee airbags
− Side airbags: Driver and passenger seat mounted head and thorax airbags
− Front disc brakes: 8-Piston calipers, perforated, internally vented
− Rear disc brakes: 4-Piston calipers, perforated, internally vented
− LED headlights and daytime running lights
− Sport seats, heated, 10-way power with 4-way power lumbar
− Audi navigation system plus, 6-disc CD changer, Sirius Satellite Radio, Aux-in jack with 7 speakers and 5-channel amplifier with a total output of 140 Watts
− Preparation for mobile phone (Bluetooth®) with seatbelt microphone
R8 GT Specific Standard Features | Highlights:
− 19" R8 GT wheels with summer performance tires
− R tronic, 6-speed sequential gearbox with shift-by-wire technology and sports mode
− R8 GT specific sport suspension system
− R8 GT specific carbon fiber matte exterior mirrors
− R8 GT specific LED tail lights
− R8 GT specific aluminum door sill inserts
− R8 GT specific steering wheel
− R8 GT specific sport seats in Alcantara and leather
− R8 GT specific carbon fiber matte interior inlays (monoposto and interior door handles)
− R8 GT specific numbered aluminum gear knob
− Windshield frame in Alcantara
Optional Equipment | Highlights:− Audi navigation system plus with Audi music interface w/ iPod® cable (replaces 6-disc CD changer)
− Audi Carbon Ceramic Brakes
− Bang & Olufsen Sound System (12 speakers 495 watt)
− Titanium Finish 19" 5-arm-double-spoke-design aluminum alloy wheels with summer performance tires
− Forged Aluminum 19" 5-twin-spoke-Y-design in matte silver look with summer performance tires
− Carbon fiber matte door and center console panels
− Windscreen Frame in Fine Nappa Leather (interior)

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