Volkswagen Polo R

1. 1.

Volkswagen?s compact hatchback positioned right between the Up! and the Golf ? the Polo ? is all set to put on its big-boy pants. That?s right; VW is giving the Polo the ?R? treatment. No, we?re not talking about the ?R-Line? treatment, which is little more than some aesthetic changes. We mean the balls-to-the-wall high-performance ?R? treatment, much like what the Golf is getting.

The details on this model are not yet complete, but we do know that it will borrow the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine from the outgoing GTI mk6. VW will then punch up its horsepower to the 225-pony range and ship it to the front wheels ? no AWD option. According to reports, the Polo R will bolt to 60 mph in just over 6 seconds and give it a 150 mph top speed, making it extremely quick for its class. Sure, the Focus ST will smoke it, but it?s a step under the Focus? class.

Much like the Polo R-Line, the Polo R will feature some extra ground effect and larger rims to give it a sportier look, but the complete details on the exterior are not yet known. We also expect the suspension to be lowered and the brake system to be upgraded, giving it better handling and braking to better work with the 45 extra ponies.

According to reports, the Polo R is all set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2013. Rumors are also afloat that the Polo R will hit European showrooms in mid 2013, but there is no confirmation yet. Of course, the Polo will not be offered in the U.S.

We expect to see the Polo R to go head-to-head against the Renault Clio RS and the Peugeot GTi, which each feature a 197-horsepower, 1.6-liter engine. Depending on the weight difference, this could give the Polo R a significant advantage.

We?ll add more information to this review as VW releases more details.

Image Note: All images are of the Polo R-Line

Volkswagen Polo R originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 13 October 2012 12:00 EST.

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Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/volkswagen/2014-volkswagen-polo-r-ar136127.html

Francois Cevert Eugene Chaboud Jay Chamberlain Karun Chandhok Alain de Changy

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG has only been in production for a couple of years, and it has already been superseded by what is, in essence, its successor: the SLS AMG GT. The Mercedes SLS AMG GT was officially launched just hours ago, officially killing off the SLS AMG. The brand new SLS AMG GT has replaced all standard SLS models, despite the changes only being minor.

If we haven?t already made it clear, then here it is again: the SLS AMG is officially dead, and the car now wears a new name plate as the ?GT,? rather than the GT being a special variant of the standard car. We?re not sure why Mercedes decided to replace the standard car with the new GT, but it?s clear that the German brand wanted to update the SLS and perhaps decided to slightly modify the name to help differentiate the new car from the old one.

Let?s jump straight into the details, shall we? Well, to begin with the new SLS AMG GT features the same 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine as the former SLS AMG, however, it?s been uprated. With an additional 20 horsepower, this brings the final figure up to 583HP thus giving it more than the Ferrari 458 Italia, one of the car?s biggest competitors.

Despite this small horsepower increase, torque has remained the same at 479 lb-ft, as has the stunning seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. After all, why mess with a good thing, such as the gearbox? Further technical changes have been implemented for the GT, including a reworked suspension which is said to be more aggressive and stiffer than all previous models.

In turn the new car can shoot to 62 mph in just 3.6 seconds, down from 3.7 in the last 2012 SLS AMG model, although that small drop is so insignificant it?s almost not worth mentioning.

Minor upgrades have also been performed on the interior with the addition of the new Designo styling package being the largest change, while the vast list of optional extras from the SLS AMG can also be optioned on the new GT.

The Mercedes SLS AMG GT may not roll off the tongue as nicely as just SLS AMG, but it?s something we?ll have to get used to.

UPDATE 09/13/2012: Mercedes has unveiled a new video of their new SLS AMG GT featuring David Coulthard taking the new SLS AMG GT to the Nürburgring GP track. Enjoy!

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 10 August 2012 14:00 EST.

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Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/mercedes/2013-mercedes-benz-sls-amg-gt-ar130569.html

Mark Blundell Raul Boesel Menato Boffa Bob Bondurant Felice Bonetto

Kicherer Supercharged GT announced - based on the Mercedes SLS AMG

Kicherer has unveiled their new Supercharged GT. It features a supercharged 6.3-liter V8 engine that develops approximately 700 bhp (522 kW) and 840 Nm (619 lb-ft) of torque.

Source: http://feeds.worldcarfans.com/~r/worldcarfans/Jxfz/~3/9RYVfggH63M/kicherer-supercharged-gt-announced---based-on-the-mercedes

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Jenson Button: ?Over one lap we?re still lacking?

Jenson Button is optimistic about McLaren?s prospects for the Korean GP weekend, despite Red Bull?s ominously fast pace in FP2 today. Button finished the afternoon session in fourth place, but he was almost 0.4s off Sebastian Vettel. However the McLaren … Continue reading

Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/10/12/jenson-button-over-one-lap-were-still-lacking/

Colin Chapman Dave Charlton Pedro Matos Chaves Bill Cheesbourg Eddie Cheever