Saturday, 17 December 2016

USA - The Ford Focus RS has been awarded one of the Wards 10 Best Engines.

The 2.3-liter EcoBoost® I-4 powering Ford Focus RS has earned the prestigious 2017 Ward’s 10 Best Engines award − the first time the specially engineered engine has taken home a prize.
Ford’s high-output 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine delivers 350 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque on 93-octane fuel. It features a bevy of tricks up its sleeve to offer a premium driving experience for customers of the performance hatchback.

Impressive engine output comes courtesy of an all-new, low-inertia twin-scroll turbocharger with a larger compressor wheel that delivers more airflow and power throughout the rev range – taking Focus RS from 0-62 mph in just 4.7 seconds. The hot hatch also offers four different drive modes, and pioneers innovative Ford Performance All-Wheel Drive with Dynamic Torque Vectoring for class-leading cornering speed and unsurpassed driver enjoyment.
The 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine is also available for the 2017 Ford Mustang. In that application, it churns out 310 horsepower and 320 lb.-ft. of torque.
Click here to learn more about the Ward’s 10 Best Engines award.

The all-new Atlas from Volkswagen has begum production at the Chattanooga plant, USA.

Volkswagen Chattanooga today marked the beginning of series production of the Volkswagen Atlas. This marks the beginning of the process of building inventory for market introduction of the Atlas in 2017.

“I am very proud of the hard work the Chattanooga team has put in to bring the Atlas to series production,” said Christian Koch, President and CEO of Volkswagen Chattanooga. 
“The challenge of integrating a new vehicle line while simultaneously completing a major expansion of our facility was daunting, but our team stepped up to the task and now we have taken another step towards the market introduction of the Atlas,” he said.
The Volkswagen Atlas, unveiled on the Santa Monica Pier in October of 2016, launches a new chapter in the company’s American history. The seven-passenger Atlas offers class-competitive levels of technology and room, combined with Volkswagen driving dynamics and attention to detail.
“The Atlas marks a brand new journey for Volkswagen as we enter deeper into the heart of the American market, moving from a small-car brand towards a more family-friendly lineup,” said Hinrich J. Woebcken, CEO of the North America Region, Volkswagen. “We are so proud that this vehicle was not only designed for the American market, but we built it in our factory right here in Tennessee.”
In conjunction with the facilities expansion, Volkswagen Chattanooga continues to grow its workforce to meet the production demands of adding the Atlas to the existing Passat line. Volkswagen Chattanooga currently employs 2800 team members—up from 2400 this summer-- and will continue to bring on board additional employees throughout the ramp up of the Volkswagen Atlas.
The Atlas is built alongside the Passat at the Volkswagen Chattanooga assembly plant, the result of an additional $900 million investment by Volkswagen in the facility. The expansion added over 665,000 ft2 to the facility (a 26% total increase in production space), growing each shop to accommodate  the integration of the Atlas.

Aston Martin continues to transform the new site into a bespoke, new, production facility.

  • Contract exchanged by Aston Martin and Welsh First Minister
  • Construction of ‘Phase I’ of Aston Martin’s new St Athan facility commences
  • Aston Martin SUV to start production in Wales in 2019
Phase 1  of Aston Martin’s new manufacturing facility at St Athan in Wales received the green light when Aston Martin President and CEO Dr Andy Palmer met Welsh First Minister, Rt Hon Carwyn Jones AM to finalise the sale of the St Athan site to the British luxury carmaker.
In February 2016, Aston Martin announced that it had chosen St Athan from 20 potential global locations as its second manufacturing facility as part of a £200M investment in new products and facilities. 

A recruitment drive this summer began the search for up to 750 new Aston Martin employees who will work at the new facility, a number of whom have already begun their training, building the new DB11 at its Gaydon Headquarters.
Aston Martin President and CEO Dr Andy Palmer commented: “The exchanging of this contract, giving us first access to the St Athan facility, is a milestone in our 103-year history. Work now starts in earnest to turn our plans into reality.
“Since taking the decision to build our first SUV in Wales we have been impressed with the commitment and approach from both the MOD and the Welsh Government in making this project work. We continue to work with the Welsh Government in areas like recruitment to ensure we are able to meet our project timescales.”
With contracts now exchanged, Aston Martin has now commenced work on ‘Phase I’ of the St Athan site which includes the creation of the customer and staff reception areas, administration and management offices and the employee restaurant. The contract for these works was awarded to local Welsh firm TRJ Contracting beating off competition from a number of larger national companies.
‘Phase II’ will commence in April 2017 when Aston Martin will gain access to the three Ministry of Defence ‘Super Hangars’ that will house the new manufacturing facility.
First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones said: “We are delighted that Aston Martin has chosen to locate its new manufacturing facility here in Wales. The move is fantastic news for the Vale of Glamorgan and surrounding areas, and will provide a real boost to the local economy, resulting in thousands of high quality jobs both within Aston Martin and the wider supply chain.
“We have worked closely with Aston Martin throughout this process and I am proud that our joint hard work and co-operation will result in some 750 of our skilled workers building the Aston Martins of the future.” 
Secretary of State for Wales, Rt Hon Alun Cairns MP, said:“Aston Martin choosing Wales sends a clear message to leading global companies around the world that Wales is open for business.

"We have created the ideal conditions for economic growth, which helped attract this unique and innovative car manufacturer to South Wales. Today's announcement reflects the excellent infrastructure, a world class talent pool and businesses that have the confidence to expand in Wales.”

The New Mercedes E-Class Coupe, a jump ahead from the existing version.

With its clear and sensual design and its ability to comfortably seat four people, the new E-Class Coupé combines stylish design cues with state-of-the-art technology. 
It also offers the intelligence of the E-Class family with full smartphone integration, Widescreen Cockpit and the latest driver assistance systems with the option of semi-autonomous driving. 
Powerful engines with low exhaust emissions and comfortable suspensions with selective damping provide the guarantee of a sporty and agile driving experience. 
UK pricing and specification will be announced later this month, with first deliveries arriving April 2017.
After the world’s most intelligent executive saloon, the Estate and the All-Terrain, the successful E-Class family now welcomes another new member: the Coupé. 
“With its clear, aesthetic lines, our new E-Class Coupé appeals equally to heart and mind.

It condenses contemporary luxury, agile sportiness and high-tech engineering into an automotive personality with esprit, offering exclusive, refined driving pleasure,” says Prof. Dr Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.
Based technically on the Saloon, the Coupé showcases the next step in the evolution of the Mercedes-Benz design language. The new Coupé exhibits a puristic, surface-accentuated design with reduced lines and sensual forms. 
Both hot and cool, the reduced design idiom represents beauty and elegance while emphasising the Coupé’s sporty and luxurious personality.
The coupé proportions typical of Mercedes-Benz are characterised by a distinctive front end with low-positioned sports grille including a central star, a long bonnet with powerdomes, and four frameless side windows.
World premiere: welcome feature of tail lamp
Equally typical of a Mercedes coupé are the two-part, extremely flat LED tail lamps, which, in combination with LED MULTIBEAM headlamps, celebrate the world premiere of a welcome feature. 
When the vehicle is opened, the taillight LEDs illuminate successively from the centre of the vehicle outwards. On locking the vehicle, the light sequence runs in the opposite direction. Both are additionally combined with an up and down dimming feature. 
This taillight show welcomes and says goodbye to the vehicle user similarly to the familiar welcome feature of the blue optical-fibre show in the front headlamp.
Thanks to innovative crystal optics, the tail lamps also have a brilliant appearance reminiscent of the glow of a jet engine.
Sporty, luxurious interior with refined details
The interior of the new E-Class Coupé embodies the synthesis of sporty emotion and luxurious intelligence.
The two optionally available high-resolution 12.3-inch displays – unique in this segment - are merged under a single lens to produce a floating Widescreen Cockpit effect. 
This emphasises the width, alongside the fascia-spanning trim, which is finished with a dynamic sweep in the door panel. 
Positioned in the driver’s direct field of vision, the instrument cluster shows virtual instruments, which can be selected by the driver in three different styles, “Classic”, “Sport” and “Progressive”, depending on which information and views the driver chooses.
The entry-level model combines two round dials and a 7-inch colour display cluster (1000 x 600 pixel resolution) with a central display featuring an 8.4-inch screen diagonal (960 x 540 pixels). 
The round dials, instrument cluster and central display are installed in a single frame with a high-gloss piano-lacquer look.
The newly designed air vents are heavily influenced by the look of a turbine engine. They are styled down to the smallest detail and finished in silver shadow.
Touch Control buttons on the steering wheel enable the driver to control the instrument cluster and multimedia system using finger swipes, without having to take their hands off the steering wheel. 
E-Class Coupé is also available with a touchpad in the centre console, which can also recognise handwriting, plus the LINGUATRONIC voice control system. There are also direct-access buttons for controlling the air conditioning, for example, and for convenient activation and deactivation of certain driver assistance systems.
High-grade materials and contemporary colours come together to create a sporty, yet luxurious, feel. 
There is a choice of two new light wood trim packages in open-pore and high-gloss finishes.
The interior lighting uses durable, energy-saving LED technology. The same applies to the ambient lighting with 64 colours.
Diversity to suit every taste
Even the AVANTGARDE* models come highly-equipped as standard. Alternatively there is the AMG Line which adds AMG bodystyling and larger AMG wheels. The pins in the diamond radiator grille are chrome-plated, while the brake discs on the front axle are perforated. 
The interior features seats finished in ARTICO/DINAMICA in black with grey contrasting topstitching; the Seat Comfort package; and an AMG leather sports steering wheel. Night package is optionally available on E-Class Coupé, including design details in high-gloss black and tinted windows.
*AVANTGARDE model not available in UK
Larger and more luxurious
With a length of 4,826 mm, a width of 1,860 mm and a height of 1,430 mm, the new E-Class Coupé is clearly larger than its predecessor. The main benefit of the wider track, with 1,605 mm at the front (+67 mm) and 1,609 mm at the rear (+68 mm), is the enhanced driving dynamics.
Exterior dimensions
E-Class CoupéPredecessorDifference
Vehicle length mm48264703+123
Vehicle width mm18601786+  74
Vehicle height mm14301398+  32
Wheelbase mm28732760+113
Track width, front mm16051538+  67
Track width, rear mm16091541+  68
Its increased dimensions provide passengers with more interior space and comfort – especially in terms of rear legroom, front and rear shoulder room and rear headroom.
Interior dimensions
E-Class CoupéPredecessorDifference
Legroom, rear mm  912  838+74
Max. headroom, front mm10391021+18
Max. headroom, rear mm  925  910+15
Shoulder room, front mm14241374+50
Shoulder room, rear mm12771243+34
Elbow room, front mm14921454+38
Elbow room, rear mm13411328+13
Performance with high-tech
A range of powerful and efficient petrol and diesel engines are available, all of which are equipped with ECO start/stop and comply with the Euro 6 emissions standard. This includes the new 2.0-litre diesel engine launched in the new E-Class Saloon.
At market launch, there will be an initial choice between one diesel and three petrol engines with a range of outputs from135 kW (184 hp) to 245 kW (333 hp). Further engine variants and 4MATIC versions will follow.
New four-cylinder diesel engine
Designed to meet the future RDE limits, the four-cylinder diesel engine from the new family of Mercedes-Benz engines opens up a new dimension in efficiency. 
With a displacement of two litres, the new diesel engine delivers 143 kW/194 hp, while the E 220 d impresses with a combined NEDC average consumption of 4.0 litres per 100 kilometres (71 mpg). This is equivalent to CO2 emissions of 106 grams per kilometre. In addition, the four-cylinder with single-stage turbocharger and variable turbine geometry is distinguished by a high level of refinement. Both the cylinder head and the crankcase are made of aluminium. 
The Mercedes-Benz-developed NANOSLIDE® surface coating efficiently reduces the friction between cylinder liner and steel piston.
The model line-up at a glance:
E 220 dE 200E 300E 400 4MATIC
Number of cylinders/arrangement4/in-line4/in-line4/in-line6/V
Displacement (cc)1950199119912996
Rated output (kW/hp at rpm)143/194 at 3800135/184 at 5500180/245 at 5500245/333 at 5250 – 6000
Rated torque (Nm at rpm)
400 at
1600-2800
300 at
1200-4000
370 at
1400 - 44000
480 at
1600 – 4000
Combined NEDC fuel consumption (mpg)71474435
Combined CO2 emissions (g/km)106136147183
Efficiency classA+BBD
Acceleration 0-62 mph (sec.)7.47.86.45.3
Top speed (mph)150149155*155*
*Electronically limited
All the models available at market launch are equipped as standard with the 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission, which allows fast gearshifts along with lower engine speeds. This has a particularly beneficial effect on efficiency and noise.
Suspension – sporty comfort
The suspension on the new E-Class Coupé offers greater driving pleasure combined with exceptional ride comfort. The Coupé comes as standard with DIRECT CONTROL suspension. 
The suspension is 15 millimetres lower than on the Saloon and is tuned for comfort with an amplitude-dependent damping system.
The DYNAMIC BODY CONTROL suspension with adjustable damping is optionally available. It, too, is set lower. Using a switch in the centre console for the as-standard DYNAMIC SELECT system, the driver can vary the damping characteristics of this suspension. Three modes are available, offering a wide range of adjustment options: “Comfort”, “Sport” and “Sport+”.
AIR BODY CONTROL multi-chamber air suspension
Alternatively, the new E-Class Coupé can be equipped with multi-chamber air suspension, including all-round roll/pitch/heave stabilisation. Three chambers of different size in the spring struts of the rear axle and two in the spring struts of the front axle make it possible to control the hardness of the suspension in three stages.  Occupants can enjoy comfort suspension, without compromising the car’s handling abilities.
The multi-chamber air suspension is augmented by a continuous, electronically controlled adaptive damping system. The damping at each individual wheel is adjusted fully automatically to suit the current driving situation and condition of the road – such as in the case of evasive manoeuvres or on rough tracks. The system therefore delivers good ride comfort along with excellent driving dynamics.
Using the DYNAMIC SELECT switch, the driver can also select different suspension characteristics in combination with the AIR BODY CONTROL system: “Comfort”, “ECO”, “Sport”, “Sport +” and “Individual”.
DYNAMIC SELECT – choose your own driving characteristics
The DYNAMIC SELECT system not only makes it possible to select the suspension characteristics in combination with DYNAMIC BODY CONTROL and AIR BODY CONTROL, but it also enables the driver to influence other vehicle settings – such as the throttle response, ECO start/stop function, shift points of the automatic transmission and more. Depending on the equipment level, DYNAMIC SELECT provides the following transmission modes: Comfort, ECO, Sport, Sport + and Individual. Individual allows the driver to configure their own preferred transmission modes.
Full smartphone integration
A new era of connectivity and digitalisation is marked by the infotainment system in the E-Class Coupé with COMAND Online. This includes effortless integration of the smartphone into the vehicle’s infotainment system by means of capacitive aerial coupling and wireless charging. This means that compatible mobile phones can be charged wirelessly and also connected to the vehicle’s exterior aerial. This eliminates the need to find a plug and connect a cable. There is an added advantage: using Near Field Communication, the customer’s smartphone becomes the digital vehicle key with which the car can be locked and unlocked as well as started.
Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto
If the vehicle is equipped with COMAND Online, it is possible to use Apple’s smartphone-based infotainment system CarPlay® as well as Google’s Android Auto™. If a compatible smartphone is connected by USB, the customer can, if desired, switch to the CarPlay® or Android Auto interface.
Internet and diverse data sources even in the basic version
In addition to COMAND Online, the Audio 20 USB/GPS infotainment systems are available. Like COMAND Online, they come with a Bluetooth® hands-free system and also have internet capability with a Bluetooth®-capable mobile phone with mobile phone card and data option. COMAND Online also offers an integrated hotspot functionality.
Clear road instead of traffic jams: Live Traffic Information
Whereas the familiar Live Traffic Information was previously reserved for COMAND Online, in combination with Mercedes me connect the new E-Class Coupé offers the same function with the Audio 20 GPS with GARMIN MAP PILOT SYSTEM as well. Live Traffic Information allows the reception of up-to-the-minute, accurate traffic information in real-time. Other new features include a Free Flow display – green lines plainly show the driver where the roads are currently clear – as well as the display and consideration of traffic information away from the main roads.
Mercedes me connect Concierge Service: personalised attention
The new Concierge Service is exclusively available in all E-Class models in combination with Mercedes me connect. For participating customers, the range of services includes a host of personalised assistance options: from making a restaurant reservation to obtaining tips about tourist routes, information on cultural and sporting events and bookings through to sending navigation destinations directly to the vehicle.
Access is straightforward: registered Mercedes me connect users can call up the Concierge Service in 19 countries across Europe either via the iCall button in the vehicle or on the Mercedes me app. The personal assistant takes care of everything else.
E-Class innovations on board
As a member of the current E-Class family, the new Coupé is significantly more intelligent than its predecessor. It comes with all the features of the E-Class, the most intelligent executive saloon. Active Brake Assist comes as standard. It is able to warn the driver of an imminent collision, provide optimum support with emergency braking and, if necessary, also autonomously apply the brakes. In addition to slower-moving, stopping or stationary vehicles, it can also detect pedestrians crossing in the danger zone ahead of the vehicle.
Other highlights include DRIVE PILOT: this system represents Mercedes-Benz's next step along the road to autonomous driving. As Distance Pilot DISTRONIC, it is not only able to keep the car at the correct distance behind vehicles in front on all types of road, but, for the first time, it can also automatically follow them at a speed of up to 210 km/h (130 mph).
Remote Parking Pilot is also new: for the first time, this system allows the vehicle to be moved into and out of garages and parking spaces remotely using a smartphone app, enabling the occupants to get into and out of the car easily, even where space is very tight.
The E-Class Coupé is also optionally available with other intelligent technical systems, including:
  • High-resolution MULTIBEAM LED headlamps. These headlamps, each with 84 individually activated high-performance LEDs, automatically illuminate the road surface with a hitherto unsurpassed, precision-controlled distribution of exceptionally bright light – without dazzling other road users.
  • MAGIC VISION CONTROL - an intelligent and highly efficient wash/wipe system for the windscreen. The wiper blade always delivers washer fluid directly in front of the wiping edge, via the water feed line integrated into the blade – and it does this in both wiping directions. The result is that there is no surge of water when fluid is sprayed, which can impair the driver's vision, and at the same time the maximum cleaning effect is achieved. The complete MAGIC VISION CONTROL system, including the wiper blades, is heated at low temperatures to prevent snow or ice from sticking in winter.
E-Class Coupé with tradition
The latest member of the E-Class family can look back on an almost fifty-year history. Its first ancestor was unveiled by Mercedes-Benz in 1968 (at that time known as the “Stroke Eight” coupé). Further model series followed – for a while under the name CLK. Each generation combined superb design with agile sportiness and contemporary luxury.