THE MERCEDES-BENZ A 45 AMG: DRIVING PERFORMANCE FOR THE NEW GENERATION

The Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG

Driving Performance for the new generation

The A 45 AMG sees Mercedes-AMG embarking on a new era. For the first time in the company's history extending back over more than 45 years, Mercedes-Benz's performance brand is offering a fascinating high-performance vehicle in the compact class. The A 45 AMG is representative of the "AMG Performance 50" strategy for the future, which is to run up to the 50th birthday of Mercedes-AMG GmbH in 2017. With a maximum output of 360 hp and up to 450 Newton metres of torque, the AMG 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine is the most powerful series production four-cylinder engine in the world. The sensational power density of 181 hp outstrips even the most powerful super sports cars. At the same time, the engine also boasts supreme efficiency and complies with the EU6 emissions standard.The A 45 AMG also leads its segment in terms of fuel consumption, returning 40.9 mpg in NEDC combined mode. These credentials indicate that a further high-performing member of the BlueDIRECTfamily is now taking to the road.The performance-oriented AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive onboard the A 45 AMG sets new standards in the car's segment.

The substance of the new Mercedes-Benz vehicle architecture for front- and all-wheel drive provides the perfect basis for the A 45 AMG and at least two other high-performance premium automobiles from Affalterbach. In designing and developing the A 45 AMG, the experts at AMG have drawn on the company's decades of experience in motorsport and the production of powerful, high-performance vehicles. As such, the A 45 AMG will inherit the corporate DNA and embody the AMG brand claim "Driving Performance" to perfection: a fascinatingly sporty driving experience combined with impressive craftsmanship and pronounced individuality.

"The A 45 AMG will enable Mercedes-AMG to appeal to new customers and tap new markets," observes Ola Källenius, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. “We are adding an extremely attractive model with exceptional performance to our range of unique high-performance automobiles."

"With the new A 45 AMG we have well and truly achieved our aim of developing the most dynamic, powerful and efficient four-cylinder series production car," comments Tobias Moers, Head of Overall Vehicle Development and Board Member of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. “With its impressive high-tech package and the performance-oriented AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive,  the A 45 AMG is a thoroughbred AMG through and through."

The most powerful series production four-cylinder engine in the world

Two figures show that the A 45 AMG holds pole position in its displacement segment: the newly developed AMG 2.0-litre turbo engine is the most powerful series production four-cylinder turbo engine in the world. A maximum output of 360 hp and up to 450 Nm of torque are unmatched by any other mass-produced turbocharged four-cylinder engine worldwide.

The power density of 181 hp is also absolutely unrivalled.In this discipline, the new AMG high-performance turbo engine even outstrips the most powerful super sports cars.

The high power and torque output and the combination with the performance-oriented AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive lead to extremely dynamic performance: the A 45 AMG accelerates from zero to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds, while its top speed stands at 155 mph (electronically limited).The specially developed AMG engine is also a model of efficiency – the A 45 AMG also leads its segment on this front, with fuel consumption of 40.9 mpg in NEDC combined mode. This is accompanied by particularly low exhaust emissions:the A 45 AMG already complies with the EU6 emissions standard which is not scheduled to enter into force until 2015, combined with the limit for the particle count per kilometre of 6 x 10¹¹ which will be mandatory from 2017.

The key data at a glance:

	Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG
Displacement	1,991 cc
Bore x stroke	83.0 x 92.0 mm
Compression ratio	8.6 : 1
Output	360 hp at 6,000 rpm
Max. torque	450 Nm at 2,250 – 5,000 rpm
Engine weight (dry)	148 kg
Maximum engine speed	6,700 rpm
Power density	181 hp
Peak pressure	up to 140 bar
Maximum charge pressure	1.8 bar
Fuel consumption NEDC combined	39.7– 40.9 mpg
CO2 emissions	161-165 g/km
Emissions standard	EU6
Acceleration 0-62 mph	4.6 s
Top speed	155 mph*

*electronically limited

The basis for these impressive figures is provided by the high-tech package which has been put together by Mercedes-AMG.As a high-performance engine belonging to the BlueDIRECT family, the AMG 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine features spray-guided direct petrol injection via piezo injectors positioned centrally in the four combustion chambers. The combination of multiple fuel injection and multiple spark ignition improves fuel utilisation and increases thermodynamic efficiency substantially, leading to lower exhaust emissions.Other highlights include the gravity-die sandcast all-aluminium crankcase, weight-optimised crank assembly with forged steel crankshaft and forged pistons with friction-optimised piston rings, NANOSLIDE cylinder wall technology, air-water charge air cooling, generator management and ECO start/stop function.

Twin-scroll turbocharger and AMG sports exhaust system with exhaust flap

Mercedes-AMG addresses the essential challenges concerning the response of small-displacement turbo engines by means of a twin-scroll turbocharger, maximum derestriction of the exhaust system and an innovative injection strategy. The twin-scroll technology provides for a more spontaneous build-up of charge pressure, making effective use of exhaust gas back pressure, exhaust gas temperature and exhaust gas impulse. This results in a swifter build-up of torque right from the lower rev range.As a positive side-effect, the twin-scroll technology also benefits fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. At a maximum charge pressure of 1.8 bar, the AMG 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine also leads the field in this respect.

The AMG sports exhaust system features large pipe cross-sections and an automatically controlled exhaust flap.This technology, which is familiar from the SLK 55 AMG, reconciles the two apparently conflicting aims of tangible dynamism and hallmark Mercedes comfort on long journeys.The flap is continuously adjusted by map control according to the power called up by the driver, load status and engine speed. The two striking tailpipes of the AMG sports exhaust system emit a fascinating, full engine sound which is particularly impressive during powerful acceleration.

An AMG Performance exhaust system with exhaust flap and featuring a dedicated tailpipe trim design is optionally available for the A 45 AMG. This provides for an even more emotional and striking engine sound when the throttle is open and during gear shifting. The double-declutching function during downshifting and the interruption of ignition and injection during upshifting under full load produce a particularly throaty sound with the AMG Performance exhaust system and create a level of emotionality which is otherwise the reserve of engines with more than four cylinders. 

High-performance cooling system with components from the SLS AMG

The highly capable driving dynamics of the A 45 AMG call for a highly effective cooling system. On the basis of the components belonging to the SLS AMG, a low-temperature circuit is additionally deployed for air-water charge air cooling of the four-cylinder turbo engine. The large cooler section at the front level of the cooling module is supplemented by an additional cooler in the wheel arch. Together with the charge air cooler which is connected in series, a high-performance electric pump ensures the required flow through the water coolers  located behind the large intake ports. This provides for ideal cooling of the highly compressed charge air, thereby contributing towards optimum engine performance.

Cooling of the transmission oil is integrated in the water cooling circuit for the engine. The water cooler positioned behind the front apron is supported by the heat exchanger which is fitted directly on the transmission and supplied with cooling water as required by means of an auxiliary pump.

Engine production – a tradition of hand-built excellence

Similarly to all eight- and twelve-cylinder engines, the new AMG 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine is also hand-built according to the traditional AMG philosophy of "one man, one engine". An exclusive assembly line has been set up for the new AMG engine at the Mercedes-Benz engine production plant in Kölleda – where all BlueDIRECT four-cylinder engines are built for the A- and B-Class models. A characteristic feature of the "one man, one engine" production process is the AMG engine plate bearing the signature of the responsible engine fitter. Apart from serving as an AMG hallmark confirming superlative production quality, the AMG engine plate also attests to the peerless DNA of Mercedes-Benz's high-performance brand.

AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission

Dual clutch transmission and all-wheel drive – the drive package onboard the new A 45 AMG is a demonstration of high-end engineering prowess.The AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT seven-speed sports transmission is directly flange-mounted on the transversely installed AMG 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine.Key software modules have been adopted from the SLS AMG super sports car with its inspirational power transmission concept. The dual clutch transmission of the A45 features seven gears, three driving programmes, a double-declutching function and RACE START for optimum acceleration. The strengths of the AMG DCT sports transmission include spontaneous gear shifting without any interruption in tractive power, a tailor-made control strategy, extremely smooth and easy gear shifting and a high level of efficiency. Reinforced gear wheels provide for maximum stability. Synchroniser rings with carbon-fibre friction linings improve durability while also optimising the response time during manual gear-changing – the ideal basis for ambitious laps on cordoned-off race tracks.

"Momentary M mode" for even greater dynamism and driving enjoyment

Another special feature designed to enhance dynamic performance and driving enjoyment is so-called "Momentary M mode". In C and S mode, this enables the driver to activate manual mode ("M") without having to remove a hand from the steering wheel, by pressing the "up" or "down" shift paddle once. In Momentary M mode the driver experiences the dynamism and performance of gear-shifting in manual mode in all of the automatic driving programmes, with automatic up- and down-shifting into the bargain.This allows the driver to devote his full attention to the vehicle's impressive performance.

The shift times in manual mode "M" and in Sport mode "S" are similarly sporty in character to those of the SLS AMG GT super sports car. Briefly and precisely interrupting ignition and injection under full load leads to even faster gearshifts with a more emotional sound than ever. In "C" mode (Controlled Efficiency), tangibly soft transmission and engine characteristics support a fuel-efficient and comfort-oriented driving style.The ECO start/stop function is also active in "C" mode.

Performance-oriented AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive

The new A 45 AMG comes with variable, performance-oriented AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive as standard. In developing this all-wheel drive, the focus firmly was on performance and dynamism. The power flux to the rear powertrain is provided by a compact power take-off unit (PTU) which is fully integrated in the seven-speed sports transmission. It does not possess an oil circuit of its own. Instead, it is supplied with lubricant from the oil circuit of the sports transmission. This configuration gives rise to substantial weight advantages in comparison to rival systems which branch off power by means of an add-on component with its own oil circuit. Together with the friction-minimised tapered roller bearings, the PTU achieves an excellent level of efficiency. As an additional bonus, the system weight of the new AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive is up to 25 per cent lighter than the all-wheel drive versions offered by the competition.

A two-part propeller shaft transfers the power from the AMG 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine to the rear axle. In the interests of favourable weight distribution, an electrohydraulically controlled multi-disc clutch is integrated with the rear axle differential. The multi-disc clutch immediately detects slip at the front axle. A hydraulic pump instantaneously presses the discs together and channels the engine torque to the rear wheels as necessary. All this takes place virtually without the driver noticing. To enable particularly fast response, the pump is always active and does not need to be started up each time it is required, such as is customary with other systems. Power distribution is fully variable: in normal driving, the A 45 AMG uses front-wheel drive in the interests of optimum efficiency. When the driving dynamics so require, the variable AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive splits the torque between front and rear axle up to a ratio of 50 : 50. The variables influencing the power distribution ratio are vehicle speed, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, steering angle, speed difference between the individual wheels, selected gear and accelerator position.

Three-stage ESP^® with ESP^® Curve Dynamic Assist

An exclusive feature is the interaction of the AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive with the three-stage ESP^® and the ESP^® Curve Dynamic Assist. The three ESP^® stages enable the driver to vary the dynamics of the A 45 AMG according to their individual wishes at the push of a button. The safety-oriented "ESP ON" mode supports the driver in maintaining neutral handling characteristics. The system initiates braking intervention on one or more wheels and reduces the engine torque on detecting that the operating conditions are becoming unstable.

Briefly pressing the ESP^® button activates "ESP SPORT Handling" mode. This dynamically oriented driving mode applies appropriate control strategies for later ESP^® intervention and increased drive torque at the rear axle. This means more fun at the wheel for drivers who are keen to exploit the vehicle's dynamic potential. Pressing the ESP^®button longer activates "ESP OFF". In this mode, the ESP^®functions are not available. ESP OFF should only be used by experienced drivers on cordoned-off race tracks. When the driver steps on the brake pedal in the course of braking in "SPORT Handling" mode or "ESP OFF" mode, all the safety functions of the ESP^® system are restored.

ESP^® Curve Dynamic Assist complements the ESP^® system to perfection: during dynamic cornering, imperceptible braking intervention on the inside wheel gives rise to a defined yaw moment around the vertical axis, resulting in precise cornering by the A 45 AMG and ensuring that the vehicle remains under control at all times. Curve Dynamic Assist is adapted according to the selected ESP^® mode.In "ESP SPORT Handling" mode and "ESP OFF" mode it supports the driver's wish for increased agility and driving dynamics. ESP^®Curve Dynamic Assistis an additional function of the Electronic Stability Program which noticeably improves not only agility, but also active driving safety in critical conditions.

AMG sports suspension with independent front and rear axle

Like every AMG high-performance automobile, the new A 45 AMG also incorporates sophisticated axle technology. For enhanced driving dynamics, the three-link front suspension is provided with stiffer steering knuckles and totally new elastokinematics. Newly developed, more rigid bearings are employed in the lower link plane. These provide for more agile cornering properties and more precise and direct feedback from the road surface. The more rigid bearings also lead to higher camber stiffness, enabling higher cornering speeds. In developing the complete front axle, great importance has been attached to attaining the best possible traction in highly dynamic driving.

The four-link rear axle of the A 45 AMG is also a totally new development. In the course of optimising the elastokinematics, the strut bearings were duly adapted for maximum driving dynamics and control. The rear axle carrier is provided with more rigid bearings for increased driving stability; the subframe is rigidly connected to the body. The AMG sports suspension with specifically tuned spring/damper units and larger stabilisers provides for high lateral acceleration and a reduced rolling tendency in fast double bends. The A 45 AMG comes as standard with twin-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels, painted in titanium grey with a high-sheen finish, fitted with 235/40 R 18 tyres.

AMG speed-sensitive sports steering and AMG high-performance braking system

The electromechanical Dual Pinion AMG speed-sensitive sports steering with AMG-specific, speed-dependent power assistance and a constant steering ratio (14.5 : 1) enables high steering precision and agility. The electric motor is installed in space-saving configuration on the steering gear. The AMG high-performance braking system with ventilated and perforated brake discs all round in size 350 x 32 millimetres at the front and 330 x 22 millimetres at the rear provides for spontaneous and reliable deceleration.

Exterior design with sporty and muscular highlights

Mercedes-AMG adds emphatically sporty and muscular highlights to the emotional exterior design of the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class sporting the new dynamic style, sculptural character and feature lines on the sides. These refinements ensure that the A 45 AMG looks the part as a distinctive high-performance automobile – a genuine AMG through and through.

The front view of the A 45 AMG is characterised by the AMG "twin blade" radiator grille and the cross strut in the AMG front apron, both painted in matt titanium grey. Striking black flics surround the large cooling air intakes at the sides. An interesting side view is guaranteed by the AMG light-alloy wheels in twin-spoke design and the side sill panels with inserts in matt titanium grey. The AMG rear apron with its highlighted air outlet openings at the sides features a diffusor insert and trim in matt titanium grey. Two square, chrome-plated tailpipes of the AMG sports exhaust system with exhaust flap add an appropriately bold finishing touch.

Dynamic and exclusive interior design and appointments

Inside, too, the new A 45 AMG boasts a heady mix of hallmark Mercedes-AMG dynamism and exclusivity. The sports seats in ARTICO man-made leather/DINAMICA microfibre with red contrasting top-stitching, the multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles and the AMG DRIVE UNIT set new standards in terms of both appearance and quality. The dashboard trim comes in carbon-fibre look – a perfect match for the five air vents in black/red, the red seat belts and the AMG door sill panels. The AMG instrument cluster presents information by means of a central colour display with the AMG main menu and the RACETIMER.

Numerous individualisation options are available for the A 45 AMG (selection):

• AMG Aerodynamics package: AMG rear aerofoil, additional flics in front apron, larger front splitter
• AMG carbon-fibre exterior mirror housing
• AMG Exterior Carbon-Fibre package: front splitter, side sill panel inserts and trim on rear apron in genuine carbon fibre
• AMG rear aerofoil
• AMG Exclusive package
• AMG multi-spoke light-alloy wheels fitted with 235/35 R 19 tyres, in two variants: painted in titanium grey with high-sheen finish or in matt black
• AMG Night package: privacy glass, black anodised waistline trim strip, black tailpipe trims in chromed finish, radiator fins in silver chrome, high-gloss black painted finish for front splitter, exterior mirrors, side sill panel inserts and rear apron trim
• AMG Performance exhaust system incl. tailpipe trims in specific design
• AMG Performance suspension with tauter spring/damper tuning
• AMG Performance steering wheel and E-SELECT lever, electronic key with AMG emblem
• AMG Performance seats
• AMG wheel bolt covers in black with hub caps in central-locking look (for standard AMG light-alloy wheels only)
• Red painted callipers

The world premiere of the A 45 AMG will take place at the Geneva Motor Show, whose doors open on 5 March 2013. The UK market introduction will begin this July.

New 3 door Leon to première at Geneva.

• Stunning design with striking proportions
• Wheelbase shortened by 35 mm compared to five-door Leon, for even greater agility
• Surprising practicality: rear headroom and boot space remain the same as those of five-door Leon
• Efficient and powerful TSI and TDI engines
• Amazingly high quality craftsmanship, inside and out
• Due to debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show

The Leon SC – Sports Coupé – is a striking three-door hatchback that is the perfect embodiment of the SEAT design language. Without compromising everyday usability, it becomes the most sporting model in the SEAT range, blending stunning looks with a functional interior – a compelling mix of excellent workmanship and premium materials, with plenty of room for all occupants. At 380 litres, even the luggage compartment is as generously proportioned as that of the five-door variant.

“The new Leon SC is the design icon of the model line-up. It conveys perfectly the core values of the SEAT brand – design and dynamics, technology and quality, all at a fair price,” says James Muir, President of SEAT S.A.

“The story of the new Leon is very closely tied to the sheer fun of driving – without the driver having to sacrifice a high level of everyday usability. We have remained true to this successful principle for the Leon SC, too, and have refined it ever further in all key areas,” he adds.

The new SEAT Leon SC is packed with technology, including state-of-the-art infotainment, intelligent driver assistance systems, systematic weight reduction measures, the latest generation of engines, and a chassis tuned to strike the perfect balance between comfortable day-to-day use and engaging driving dynamics.

All engines feature direct injection with turbocharging, and combine outstanding efficiency with exceptional refinement. The TSI and TDI units, ranging from 1.2- to 2.0-litre, cover a performance spectrum of 105 PS to 184 PS. Every one combines power with cost effectiveness, with the cleanest 1.6-litre TDI emitting less than 100 g/km CO₂.

Just like the five-door Leon, the Leon SC is offered in S, SE and FR specifications in the UK.

“With its slightly shortened wheelbase, the Leon SC is the sportiest and most emotional member of the Leon family. It has the feel of a sports coupé, yet boasts an astonishing degree of functionality,” says Dr. Matthias Rabe, Vice President of Research and Development at SEAT S.A.

“Through a great deal of fine tuning, we have been able to combine strong sporting character and precision handling with a considerable increase in comfort and convenience. The Leon SC is a further example of how SEAT uses the technologies of the Volkswagen Group to develop cars that are uniquely SEAT,” he concludes.

The design: a powerful look

With its perfectly balanced proportions, the new SEAT Leon SC cuts a fine figure from the very first glance. The relationship between its length, height and width, plus its short overhangs, convey its dynamics even at a standstill. Inspired by the design language developed through the IBE, IBL and IBX concept vehicles, the three-door compact car is the dynamic interpretation of the SEAT design language.

“We have given the three-door Leon SC a highly distinctive character – just deleting two doors would not have been enough for us. That is why we opted for the shorter wheelbase – although it is only 35 millimetres, the visual effect is very powerful. The result is a big difference in the expression of dynamics,” says Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos, Head of SEAT Design. “The SEAT design language has been perfected in the new Leon. This is most evident in the characteristic lines. It is a car that has personality.”

Compared with the five-door Leon, the wheelbase of the new Leon SC is shorter by 35 millimetres. At the same time, the distinctive window graphic, which sees the lower rear edge pulled downward, has the visual effect of stretching the car’s 4.23-metre overall length. This gives the Leon SC a look that is sporty and powerful, yet very compact. All the exterior lines have a surface treatment that works in three dimensions, making the design even more distinctive and generating a fine interplay between light and shade.

The side profile of the new SEAT Leon SC displays a balanced relationship between metal and glass surfaces – vertically, this is around one-third glass to two-thirds body surface. This emphasises solidity and underscores the car’s muscular stance. The characteristic, interrupted ‘Línea Dinámica’ runs rearward over the wheel arches, while the precisely sculpted ‘blisters’ on the sides are not completely straight, running instead in a very slight arc to increase surface tension. The expansive rear windscreen, with its coupé-like sweep, is 19 degrees more inclined compared with the five-door and has the form of an up-turned, stylised pentagon. It marks a further characteristic feature of the new SEAT Leon SC.

The drive: efficient and powerful

The new SEAT Leon SC is launched with a series of powerful and efficient TDI and TSI engines, all of which feature direct injection and turbocharging and are set up for rapid warm-up and low internal friction.

At the most economical end of the spectrum, the 1.6 TDI equipped with Start/Stop System and Energy Recovery has an average fuel consumption of just 74.3 mpg, equating to a CO₂ figure of just 99 g/km. The 2.0 TDI, which drives the Leon SC with a powerful 150 PS and 320 Nm, can travel an impressive 68.9 miles on a gallon of fuel* and emits just 106 g/km.  

The Leon SC petrol engine range begins with the 1.2 TSI 105 PS, which with a combined fuel economy rating of 57.6mpg is extremely efficient. Moving upwards, the fizzy 1.4 TSI engine generates 140 PS and delivers 250 Nm of torque, and with Start/Stop and Energy Recovery as standard it consumes at a rate of just 54.3 mpg combined, which equals a CO₂ rating of just 119 g/km – below the significant 120 g/km mark that’s so important for fleet customers. 

The peak of the petrol line-up initially is the 1.8 TSI, delivering 180 PS and 250 Nm.

Depending on the engine variant, power transmission is handled by a manual five- or six-speed gearbox, or by the compact and lightweight DSG dual-clutch automatic. It changes its six or seven gears at astonishing speeds and is exceptionally efficient. A freewheeling function is integrated into some versions to reduce fuel consumption even further.

The SEAT Leon SC will be officially unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

*Official EU combined mpg rating

SEAT is the only company in its sector with the full-range capacity to design, develop, manufacture and market cars in Spain.  A member of the Volkswagen Group, the multinational has its headquarters in Martorell (Barcelona), exporting 80% of its vehicles to 75 countries.

SEAT Group employs more than 14,000 professionals at its three production centres in Barcelona- Zona Franca, El Prat de Llobregat and Martorell, where it manufactures the highly successful Ibiza and Leon, amongst other models. Additionally, the company produces the Alhambra in Palmela (Portugal), the Mii in Bratislava (Slovakia) and the new Toledo in Mladá Boleslav (Czech Republic) at Volkswagen Group plants. 

The Spanish multinational also has a Technical Center, a “knowledge hub”, bringing together more than 900 engineers whose goal is to be the driving force behind innovation for the number one industrial investor in R&D in Spain. In line with its declared commitment to environment protection, SEAT undertakes and bases its core activity on sustainability, namely reduction of CO₂ emissions, energy efficiency, as well as recycling and re-use of resources. 

SUBARU ALL-WHEEL DRIVE NOW ON SALE AT PERKINS SUBARU IN GREAT DUNMOW

Subaru’s range of reliable and surefooted All-Wheel Drive vehicles is now available to motorists across Essex following the appointment of Perkins Subaru as a main dealer for the highly respected Japanese brand in Great Dunmow.

Perkins Garages was established in 1886 and is one of the oldest dealerships in the region.  In that time the professional and friendly team at the dealership has built up an enviable reputation thanks to a consistently-high level of customer service.  From February, visitors to the Stortford Road dealership will be able to test drive the full range of Subaru models, including the brand’s best-selling Forester SUV, the new XV compact crossover and critically-acclaimed BRZ sports car.

“We think that drivers in the area will really appreciate Subaru’s unique engineering, high levels of equipment and go-anywhere ability that the Subaru range offers,” commented Piers Terry, Dealer Principal at Perkins Subaru.  “As well as a competitive model range, Subaru is known across the car industry for its legendary reliability – we’re confident that we can live up to this promise and exceed the expectations of our customers.”

Paul Tunnicliffe, Managing Director for Subaru UK, said: “Subaru UK has recently announced a five-year, 100,000 mile warranty as standard across the entire model range, while all vehicles come equipped with a choice of efficient petrol and diesel Boxer engines and benefit from Subaru’s enviable record for build quality and durability. With a focus on the customer experience above all else, we’re certain that Perkins Subaru will be a valuable addition to Subaru’s dealer network.”

Located on Stortford Road in Great Dunmow, Essex (CM6 1DF), the Perkins Subaru showroom is open from 08:30 to 18:00 on weekdays, 09:00 to 17:00 on Saturdays and 10:00 to 16:00 on Sundays.  For more information on the services available, please contact the dealership on 01371 876622.

THE McLAREN P1™: THE INSIDE VIEW

• ‘Shrink wrapped’ design theme extends to the minimalist cabin
• Extensive use of carbon fibre throughout the cabin maximises weight-saving
• The cockpit ‘of a fighter jet’

The McLaren P1™ has a clear goal: to be the best driver’s car in the world on road and track. In order to achieve this, performance and handling are key, but to extract the best from the aerodynamic bodyshape and the ground breaking technology beneath the carbon fibre exterior, the driver has to feel comfortable and in control.   For this reason, the cabin of the McLaren P1™ is fully focused on the driver, and is clear from clutter and distraction as these first images show.

The interior of the McLaren P1™ offers the driver and passenger a cocooning, efficiently packaged, comfortable cabin. The interior feels like the cockpit of a fighter jet, complete with glass canopy overhead and, with a windscreen deeper than it is wide, visibility is optimised.  This makes the car all the easier to plant on road and track.

Light weight – as with the rest of the car – is a priority, and switchgear is kept to a minimum, yet the McLaren P1™ retains luxury features such as full climate control, satellite navigation and a bespoke sound system, developed from the outset with Meridian.

McLaren is a pioneer in the use of carbon fibre, and it features extensively throughout the McLaren P1™, not least in the MonoCage chassis and the aerodynamically-shaped body panels, but also inside the two-seat cabin. It is the lightest possible material, while offering the strength desirable for safety and structural integrity, and is used for the dashboard, floor, headlining, doors, rockers and a single piece is shaped for the central control unit to further optimise weight. Attention to detail within the interior of the McLaren P1™ is such that, to further reduce weight, the top layer of resin has been removed, to leave the carbon non-lacquered for a more natural look…and saves a further 1.5kg.

The amount of trim covering within the cabin has been minimised, leaving as many parts as exposed as possible, and there is no interior sound deadening in order to optimise weight saving even further. Carpet is offered, as an option, but when chosen, it is fitted with a special lightweight backing.

The racing bucket seats use the minimum amount of foam, are encased in ultra-thin carbon fibre shells, and mounted on lightweight brackets and runners, contributing to an overall weight of just 10.5kg each. The seat backs are fixed to 28 degrees from the vertical, but can be set to 32 degrees to make them more suitable for racing as it will give more helmet head room. The height of the seat will be custom set to suit the driver and passenger, and can be subsequently adjusted in the workshop. Fixings for a six-point race harnesses are in place, in addition to inertia reel seat belts.

The steering wheel diameter is as technically precise as a McLaren racing driver’s wheel. This is because past McLaren world champions’ grips were modelled on a CAD system and scanned to produce an exact replica. The rim is finished in Alcantara, with carbon fibre inserts.

Further details of the McLaren P1™ will be released in the coming weeks, before the production-ready car makes its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

JAGUAR LAND ROVER OFF TO A FAST SALES START FOR 2013

Jaguar Land Rover, the UK's leading manufacturer of premium luxury vehicles, sold 34,877 vehicles during the first month of 2013, an increase of 32% versus the same period last year.

January sales were up across every major market with sales up 74% in China, 46% in Asia Pacific, 33% in the UK, 24% in North America and 10% in Europe.

Phil Popham, Jaguar Land Rover’s Director of Group Sales Operations said, “With one of the best month’s sales performances ever, both Jaguar and Land Rover brands have had a very strong start to the year. This reflects the introduction of the all-new Range Rover as well as the 2013 Model Year Jaguar XF and XJ models.”

In January, Land Rover sold 29,118 vehicles (up 31%), with increased sales of Freelander (up 57%), Range Rover (up 52% including prior model), Range Rover Evoque (up 32%), Range Rover Sport (up 17%) and Land Rover Discovery (up 14%).  Land Rover sales were up in all major markets with record January sales in several, including the UK, USA and Germany.  

Jaguar sold 5,759 vehicles in January (up by 40%), with increased sales of the XJ (up 70%) and the XF (up 37%), reflecting strong sales of the recently introduced XF Sportbrake as well as all-wheel drive and smaller engine options. Jaguar sales were up in all major markets.

WORLD PREMIÈRE: ALFA ROMEO 4C

• The new Alfa Romeo compact mid-engined supercar with rear-wheel drive and two bucket seats makes its début in Geneva.
• The new Alfa Romeo 4C is the result of experience built up with the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione model produced in the Maserati plant in Modena and it will be available for purchase in 2013, marking the return of the Italian brand to the United States.
• Less than 4 metres in length, 200 cm wide, 118 cm high and with a wheelbase of less than 2.4 metres.
• New 4 cylinder 1750 Turbo Petrol all-aluminium engine.
• Alfa TCT twin clutch automatic transmission.
• New Alfa DNA selector with Race mode.
• Chassis made entirely of carbon with load-bearing and structural function.
• Weight to power ratio less than 4 kg/HP.

The final version of the Alfa Romeo 4C makes its début at the 83rd International Motor Show in Geneva. This mid-engined rear-wheel drive coupé with two bucket seats represents the true essence of a sports car at the heart of Alfa Romeo’s DNA: performance, Italian style and technical excellence, offering maximum driving satisfaction in total safety.

Designed by Alfa Romeo engineers and produced in the Maserati plant in Modena, the new compact supercar will be available for purchase in 2013, marking the return of the Italian brand to the United States and inaugurating Alfa Romeo’s global growth plan.

The Alfa Romeo 4C derives directly from the concept which raised many eyebrows in wonder at the Geneva Show in 2011, so much so that it won three prestigious awards: the ‘AutoBild Design Award’ (2011, Germany), the ‘Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes’ (2012, Italy) and the ‘Most Exciting Car of 2013’ - ‘What Car?’ (2013, Great Britain).

Acronym 4C

The acronym ‘4C’ draws its inspiration from the brand’s glorious past, projecting the values of technology and emotions into the future. Indeed, it refers to Alfa Romeo’s great sporting tradition: the acronyms 8C and 6C in the 1930s and 1940s distinguished cars – both racing and road – fitted with the powerful ‘eight cylinders’ and the innovative ‘six cylinders’, confirming in its design layout and construction the goal of achieving the power/weight ratio of an authentic supercar, less than 4 kg/HP, yet focusing not merely on the maximum power delivered, but on limiting the weight to guarantee maximum agility and top performance. To this end, the Alfa Romeo 4C uses technologies and materials derived from super sports cars (including the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione) – carbon fibre, aluminium, rear-wheel drive – and technologies from the latest standard models from Alfa Romeo, but updated to enhance the sports appeal of the new car even further. This is demonstrated by the new 1750 Turbo Petrol all-aluminium engine with direct injection, the sophisticated Alfa TCT twin dry clutch transmission and the Alfa DNA selector with the unprecedented Race mode.

Exterior style

Designed by the Alfa Romeo Style Centre, the 4C immediately brings to mind some of the traditional iconic models which have left a significant mark in the history of the Brand. Above all others, in terms of dimensional and layout similarities, one stands out in particular: the 33 Stradale, a car that combined extreme mechanical and functional requirements with an essential style which ‘clothed’ the engine and chassis appropriately with unmistakable Alfa Romeo treatments. The 4C has followed suit, and thus completes a journey which was embarked upon with the 8C Competizione, emphasising some particular concepts of the brand, such as compact size, dynamism and agility.

Interior design

The elemental design and essential materials also distinguish the interior, which is all designed and built for maximum driving satisfaction. Specifically, the carbon fibre in the interior immediately stands out, used to make the central cell, which has been left in full view to enhance the sense of uniqueness, of technology and light weight.

Dimensions and aerodynamics

The compact dimensions make this car with 2 bucket seats truly unique amid its competitors: it is just under 4 metres long, 200 cm wide, 118 cm high and with a wheelbase of less than 2.4 metres. These dimensions serve both to emphasise the compact size of the car and to accentuate its agility. What’s more, owing to the designers’ excellent work, the car achieves maximum aerodynamic efficiency levels, recording a negative Cz (downforce coefficient) which, as in racing cars, contributes towards achieving increased stability at higher speeds.

New 4 cylinder 1750 Turbo Petrol

An evolution of the engine already in use in the Quadrifoglio Verde version of the Giulietta, the new 4 cylinder 1750 Turbo Petrol engine implements an innovative aluminium block and specific intake and exhaust systems which have been optimised to enhance the sports appeal of the car even further. In addition, it boasts cutting-edge technical solutions including direct fuel injection, dual continuous variable valve timing, a turbocharger and a revolutionary scavenging control system that gets rid of any turbo lag.

Alfa TCT automatic transmission

The 1750 Turbo Petrol engine is teamed with the innovative Alfa TCT automatic twin dry clutch transmission, which is a genuine benchmark in its segment due to its low weight and extreme speed of activation. The gears can also be changed in sequential mode using the shift paddles located behind the steering wheel.

The new Alfa DNA selector with Race mode

The Alfa Romeo 4C also sees the début of the new Alfa DNA selector which not only features the three standard settings available until now – Dynamic, Natural and All Weather – but also a fourth mode: Race, designed to enhance the driving experience on a race track even further.

Excellence made in Italy

The very best technical and industrial expertise of the Alfa Romeo and Maserati brands were used to develop the final version of the 4C. Specifically, the teamwork between the two brands was aimed at the integration of the Alfa Romeo design department with the Maserati production plant. In short, this too is a distinguishing trait of Alfa Romeo, a brand with a century of history that continues to be one of the most famous and popular ambassadors of Italian products across the world.

The second Rolls Royce teaser of the new Wraith

The question of Power…

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today publishes the second image of its next model, Wraith, a hand-built motor car that exudes hallmark Rolls-Royce luxury and comfort whilst possessing a character defined by Power, Style and Drama.

For 108 years, effortless power delivery has been inherent to the Rolls-Royce brand promise. This image depicts Wraith’s muscular rear haunches – a visual cue that gives bold expression to Wraith’s promise of dynamism. A sense that this is a car set to move with purpose on its driver’s command.

And so to the question of Power. In times gone by, when asked the question, Rolls-Royce would simply reply, “Adequate, Sir”. However, for Wraith we feel it right to be a touch more explicit:

“More than ample.”

Has VW Group discovered the Holy Grail of carmakers?

Ulrich Hackenberg isn't yet a household name but if Volkswagen's $70 billion bet on his big idea pays off, he may join the likes of Henry Ford, Alfred Sloan and Taiichi Ohno in the canon of auto industry pioneers.

Since the heyday of Henry Ford and his Model T, the world's automakers have considered the "global car" to be their Holy Grail -- the same basic design that can be built, in subtle variations, and sold in different markets.

Take that fundamental concept, stretch it across many different vehicle types, sizes and brands, then build them by the millions, and you begin to sense the enormity of Volkswagen's rapidly evolving "mega-platform" strategy and its potential impact on competitors around the globe.

Auto engineer Hackenberg nurtured this bright idea for three decades, after early pitches to auto executives were largely ignored, until somebody finally bought it wholesale. The man who bit was Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn.

Hackenberg's fundamental rethink of vehicle platforms, the industrial Lego from which cars are designed and made, is helping power the German company to the top of the global sales charts several years ahead of its 2018 target. It could also make VW one of the most profitable carmakers in the world.

The strategy is not without risk. It could, for instance, expose Volkswagen to the threat of a massive global recall if a single part, used in millions of cars, fails. But rivals have taken note of the power behind its move. Volkswagen's modular platforms are being benchmarked by most of the world's top automakers, including Toyota Motor Corp. and Ford Motor Co., according to company executives.

"We'd be crazy not to," said a senior Ford official, requesting anonymity because of the proprietary nature of the subject.

VW's work on its largest mega-platform, known internally as MQB, began in earnest in 2007 and is being implemented over the next four years at a cost of nearly $70 billion, estimates Morgan Stanley. The potential payoff is compelling: Projected annual gross savings by 2019 of $19 billion, according to the bank, with gross margins approaching 10 percent.

The automaker is expected to announce a record profit for 2012 of more than $30 billion later this month (Feb. 22), according to Bernstein Research, whose senior analyst, Max Warburton, observes: "VW looks to have unstoppable momentum -- in China, the U.S., Europe and most of the rest of the world."

That momentum has been building for some time, even before the initial deployment last year of Hackenberg's brainchild. Industry-leading levels of commonality -- the proportion of parts that can be shared among different models -- are nothing new to VW. At a gathering in Japan five years ago, Renault and Nissan executives lifted the hoods on several VW Group vehicles side by side -- including models from Skoda, Seat and Audi brands -- and saw trouble. "They had the same engines, the same clutches, the same ventilation -- all identical parts," says an executive who attended the presentation. "It was a level of commonality that didn't exist at Renault-Nissan."

Late in 2011, as the outlook darkened for PSA/Peugeot-Citroen, its board was given a similar demonstration, and a similar shock, at the company's high-security research center in Velizy, southwest of Paris. Technicians took apart the front ends of two different VW cars and swapped most of their components. "They were a little dumbstruck by the realization that there was a whole new world out there -- and their development was 10 years behind," recalls one participant.

Six-year gestation

After a six-year gestation, VW has just begun to implement its sophisticated and highly flexible platform with the deceptively simple label MQB, a German acronym for "modular transverse matrix." Virtually all of the group's small and medium front-wheel-drive models, including the latest generations of the VW Golf and Audi A3, are being designed around MQB as their base.

Hackenberg with Golf BlueMotion at the 2012 Paris auto show. The new platform features a far greater degree of plug-and-play modularity, flexibility and parts commonality than at Toyota, General Motors Co., Ford and other competitors. MQB "could be the single most important automotive initiative of the past 25 years," says Michael Robinet, managing director of IHS Consulting in Northville, Michigan. "It really changes the game." With the new mega-platform strategy supporting its 12 brands, from spartan Skoda to Audi, Porsche and Lamborghini, VW is poised to snatch the global sales crown from Toyota as early as next year, according to investment bank Morgan Stanley. VW envisions enormous leverage from MQB. The plan is to boost global sales to 10 million or more, with roughly two out of every three cars -- some 40-plus models totaling 6.3 million sales a year -- built on some variation of the MQB platform, according to U.S. research firm IHS Automotive. None of VW's competitors has the diversity of brands, the breadth of technology, the sweeping geographic footprint or the deep pockets necessary to support and take advantage of such a wide-reaching initiative as MQB. Even Toyota, the current global sales leader, is playing catch-up with its German rival. "There's no doubt we have fallen behind," says a senior Toyota executive who declined to be named because of the sensitive nature of the subject. "We have not even begun to make the fundamental structural changes that VW has" in designing and applying flexible vehicle platforms. The sense from competitors and auto analysts is that VW's rollout of MQB is likely to be as influential as such earlier innovations as Ford's adaptation of standardized parts, GM's "ladder" of brands and Toyota's streamlined production system. Watershed event VW's suppliers see MQB as a watershed event, a break with a past when really big vehicle platforms might have yielded orders for as many as 5 million or 6 million identical components over their typical six- to seven-year life cycle. Now, with the implementation of MQB, "they're being asked for quotes on 35 million parts," says a senior European industry executive. More importantly, the modularity enables VW to design, engineer and build a wide variety of vehicle size and shapes -- from a subcompact Polo hatchback to a full-sized, seven-passenger crossover that's due in the United States in 2015. The flexibility of the MQB system also allows VW to create more cars that are more tailored for specific markets at a lower cost, and it doesn't have to sell so many units to break even, said Morgan Stanley analyst Stuart Pearson. MQB isn't the only weapon in Hackenberg's arsenal. Larger Audi, VW and Porsche models with longitudinal engines -- mounted in a north-south configuration -- will use a similar set of components dubbed MLB that already underpins a number of Audi vehicles. And many of the group's ultra-luxury and performance brands will employ a third component set called MSB, designed for premium rear- and all-wheel-drive vehicles such as the Porsche 911, the Bentley Continental and the Lamborghini Gallardo. Each of the three modular component sets will come in different variations that will enable enormous flexibility in terms of product design, while accommodating a wide range of powertrain options, from gas and diesel engines to electric motors and batteries. "Modular platforms have grown beyond the technology [alone] to become a management tool which helps support the brands' development. The toolkits help the brands to preserve their character and sharpen their individuality," said Hackenberg, now development chief for the Volkswagen brand. Strengths and weaknesses The modular toolkits seem like the ideal complement to VW's other strengths, not the least of which is the company's sheer size: Group revenue this year is projected by Bernstein Research to top $275 billion. But the huge volumes planned for the MQB derivatives alone could also expose the group to the same sort of mass recalls of millions of cars experienced in recent years by Toyota. If a single part has a problem, and that part is in many different models, a recall affects many more vehicles. Analysts, including Morgan Stanley's Pearson and Frankfurt-based Metzler Bank analyst Juergen Pieper, also express concern about VW's growing reliance on emerging markets, notably China, for future growth. The company was an early investor in China and the only European automaker to form joint ventures with that country's top two manufacturers, FAW Group and Shanghai Auto. Now, China accounts for 30 percent of VW's global sales. The German group operates 10 assembly/component factories in China and plans to pump another $13 billion with its JV partners over the next three years into plants, equipment and models. Excess exposure to a single market such as China contradicts VW's philosophy of spreading growth evenly and potentially makes it vulnerable to negative market developments and possible government interference, says Pieper. To hedge its potential emerging-markets exposure, VW also has overhauled its money-losing North American operations -- an estimated $4-billion investment, according to Morgan Stanley, that could more than double U.S. sales by 2018 to 1.3 million. Even then, it would remain a mid-level player in the U.S. market dominated by GM and Ford, which sell nearly 5 million vehicles a year between them. VW is supporting its recent growth spurt with additional production capacity, including a new Audi assembly plant in Mexico, expansion of VW's existing facility in Puebla and a potential increase at the new Chattanooga plant in Tennessee. The latter two plants will be updated to accommodate new models that use the MQB platform -- the latest Golf in Puebla and the big crossover in Chattanooga, VW executives said. Top managers are scanning other overseas markets where the company lacks local production facilities, including Africa, much of Latin America and most of the ASEAN region, where VW's modest presence is dwarfed by that of market leader Toyota. VW is in the process of boosting global capacity, including the investments in China and the United States, to nearly 12 million by 2015, from 8.6 million in 2010, according to Morgan Stanley. Changing of the guard The full rollout of MQB may not be accomplished until the end of the decade, estimates Pearson. By then, the chief stewards of VW's corporate strategy -- CEO Winterkorn and Chairman Ferdinand Piech -- may be retired and the next generation of management moved into the top slots. Austrian-born Piech, 75, is a third-generation auto executive. A mechanical engineer by training, he is the grandson of Ferdinand Porsche, the legendary Austrian designer of the original VW Beetle. VW's supervisory board has yet to clearly anoint potential heirs to Piech and Winterkorn, 65, and it won't be easy, particularly since much of the power has been closely held by the two patriarchs since Winterkorn became CEO in 2007. As for the company's strategic vision after Piech steps down, Morgan Stanley's Pearson says: "His legacy is [building] the world's largest and most successful auto company. I don't think the strategy will change any time soon."

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AUDI A8 L RECEIVES ITS OWN AUTOMOTIVE “BAFTA”

Official car of the 2013 EE British Academy Film Awards  gets some recognition of its own in industry-acclaimed chauffeur awards

• Audi A8 L takes home trophy in £50,000 to £75,000 category
• Second consecutive win and third overall victory since awards began
• Priced from £57,650 OTR to £95,440 OTR
• Engines range from 204 PS 3.0 TDI to 500 PS W12 quattro
• Audi A8 L hybrid priced at £65,405 OTR

The Audi luxury car that whisked many of the stars of stage, screen and TV to the red carpet last night for the 2013 EE British Academy Film Awards (the BAFTAs) has just attracted some limelight of its own. The long wheelbase A8 L has been voted Chauffeur Car of the Year in the £50,000 to £75,000 category by leading online industry magazine thechauffeur.com.

This year’s Chauffeur Car of the Year category award is the third for the opulent long wheelbase luxury saloon, which also took the top spot in 2005 and 2011. It was bestowed not just on the strength of the car itself, but also by virtue of the successful Audi UK chauffeur programme through which professional drivers can run one on a contract hire basis and benefit from exceptional support.

Paul Gibson, Editor of thechauffeur.com, commented:  " The A8 L offers the chauffeur an excellent all-round package. Excellent economy, comfort, all-wheel drive and workable boot space are key factors which helped it clinch the award.”

He added: “ When putting it against its competitors, it was also obvious that the manufacturer’s dedicated chauffeur programme is one of the best in the marketplace.”

James Douglas, Head of Fleet Sales at Audi UK, added: “I am delighted that thechauffeur.com not only believed the A8 was deserving of such a hard fought award, but also saw fit to commend the Audi chauffeur programme which provides access to it. We have gone to great lengths to structure a programme which we believe makes obtaining and running one of our luxury cars as stress-free as driving one, and it is immensely encouraging to know that this specialist title views it so positively.”

Luxury now with even greater efficiency

The excellent economy which was instrumental in the latest victory for the A8 L is commonly associated with the TDI versions, but it can now also be enjoyed in petrol models with even lower CO2 output and the potential for zero emissions driving – the A8 hybrid and A8 L hybrid.

Powered by a 2.0-litre TFSI four cylinder petrol unit working in conjunction with a 40 kW electric motor, the A8 L hybrid can drive using electric power alone at  speeds of up to 62 mph. When outright performance takes precedence, outputs of 245 PS and 480 Nm enable acceleration from zero to 62mph in 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 142mph. At the same time, equally important running costs can be kept in check  thanks to the potential for in excess of 44 mpg, equating to CO2 emissions of 149g/km – the lowest in the A8 L range.

In common with all A8 L models, the hybrid adds 130mm of extra leg room for rear seat passengers, and expands the lavish A8 equipment list to include features such as heated front and outer rear seats, electric sun blinds and deluxe four-zone climate control.

Prices start at £57,650 OTR for the A8 L SE, rising to £95,440 OTR for the flagship 6.3-litre W12 quattro. The A8 L hybrid is priced at £65,545 OTR.