2011 What Car? Awards

UK publication What Car? has announced its 2011 Car of the Year winners.

During a ceremony held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London, prizes were awarded across seventeen vehicle categories, with one model going on to be declared overall champion.

Supermini

Shortlist

Best buy less than £9,000: Hyundai i10 1.2 Comfort

Best buy £9,000 - £13,000: Ford Fiesta 1.25 82 Zetec 5dr

Best buy more than £13,000: Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Sport

Winner

Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Sport

Small family car

Shortlist

Best buy less than £15,000: Skoda Octavia 1.2 TSI SE

Best buy £15,000 - £20,000: Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 122 Match 5dr

Best buy more than £20,000: Toyota Prius 1.8 VVT-i T3

Winner

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 122 Match 5dr

Family car

Shortlist

Best buy less than £18,000: Skoda Superb 1.4 TSI S

Best buy £18,000 - £21,000: Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec

Best buy more than £21,000: Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI 140 SE

Winner

Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec

Estate car

Shortlist

Best buy less than £16,500: Skoda Octavia Estate 1.4 TSI SE

Best buy £16,000 - £22,000: Ford Mondeo Estate 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec

Best buy more than £22,000: BMW 5 Series Touring 520d SE

Winner

Ford Mondeo Estate 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec

MPV

Shortlist

Best buy less than £16,000: Citroën C3 Picasso 1.6 VTi VTR+

Best buy £16,000 - £22,000: Peugeot 5008 1.6 HDi 112 Sport

Best buy more than £22,000: Seat Alhambra 2.0 TDI 140 Ecomotive S

Winner

Seat Alhambra 2.0 TDI 140 Ecomotive S

Hot hatch

Shortlist

Best buy less than £15,000: Renault Twingo Renaultsport 133 Cup

Best buy £15,000 - £20,000: Renault Clio Renaultsport 200 Cup

Best buy more than £20,000: Renault Mégane Renaultsport 250 Cup

Winner

Renault Mégane Renaultsport 250 Cup

Coupé

Shortlist

Best buy less than £25,000: Volkswagen Scirocco 1.4 TSI 160

Best buy £25,000 - £40,000: Audi TT 2.0 TFSI 211 Sport

Best buy more than £40,000: Jaguar XKR

Winner

Audi TT 2.0 TFSI 211 Sport

Open-top

Shortlist

Best buy less than £25,000: Mazda MX-5 1.8i SE AC

Best buy £25,000 - £35,000: BMW Z4 sDrive23i

Best buy more than £35,000: Mercedes-Benz E350 CDI Cab Blue Efficiency SE

Winner

BMW Z4 sDrive23i

Performance car

Shortlist

Best buy less than £60,000: Lotus Evora 3.5 V6

Best buy £60,000 - £120,000: Audi R8 Spyder V10

Best buy more than £120,000: Ferrari 458 Italia

Winner

Ferrari 458 Italia

Crossover

Shortlist

Best buy less than £15,000: Nissan Juke 1.6 Visia

Best buy £15,000 - £20,000: Peugeot 3008 1.6 THP 156 Sport

Best buy more than £20,000: Volvo XC60 2.0 D3 DRIVe SE

Winner

Peugeot 3008 1.6 THP 156 Sport

4x4

Shortlist

Best buy less than £30,000: Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 CRDi Style 7 seats

Best buy £30,000 - £40,000: BMW X3 xDrive20d SE

Best buy more than £40,000: Land Rover Discovery 3.0 SDV6 XS

Winner

Land Rover Discovery 3.0 SDV6 XS

Compact executive

Shortlist

Best buy less than £25,000: BMW 3 Series 316d ES

Best buy £25,000 - £30,000: BMW 3 Series 320d ES

Best buy more than £30,000: BMW 3 Series 330d SE

Winner

BMW 3 Series 320d ES

Executive car

Shortlist

Best buy less than £30,000: BMW 5 Series 520d SE

Best buy £30,000 - £40,000: Jaguar XF 3.0D V6 Luxury

Best buy more than £40,000: Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI 245 quattro SE

Winner

Jaguar XF 3.0D V6 Luxury

Luxury car

Shortlist

Best buy less than £65,000: Mercedes-Benz S-Class S350 CDI BluTEC

Best buy £65,000 - £100,000: Range Rover 4.4 TDV8 Vogue 

Best buy more than £100,000: Rolls-Royce Phantom

Winner

Mercedes-Benz S-Class S350 CDI BluTEC

Ultra-low carbon car

Winner

Nissan Leaf

Safety Award

Winner

Volvo for Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake

Security Award

Winner

Volkswagen

What Car? Car of the Year 2011

Winner

Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Sport

SLS AMG E-CELL is go

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that its SLS AMG E-CELL is to enter series production, with customers able to place orders from 2013. The announcement was made by Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Proving that not all electric cars will have to be dull, the SLS AMG E-CELL is powered by four electric motors that combined produce 525 bhp (392 kW / 532 PS) and 880 Nm (649 lb/ft) of torque. Each of those motors is placed close to its own wheel, creating an intelligent all-wheel drive system.



At the moment, a liquid-cooled, high-voltage lithium-ion modular battery is being used for the prototypes. Its energy content is 48 kWh, with a rated capacity of 40 Ah at 400 volts. The SLS AMG E-CELL will also benefit from regenerative braking, which will top-up the battery’s charge during normal driving.

The only performance figure released so far is the 0-100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration time, which is said to be around 4 seconds. By comparison the petrol-powered SLS AMG, with its 563 bhp (420 kW / 571 PS) and maximum torque of 650 Nm (479 lb/ft), does the same sprint in just 3.8 seconds. So, despite some extra torque, the electric version is marginally slower off the line. That probably indicates it’s hauling around a little added weight?



Two vital stats that have yet to be revealed are battery recharge time and the car’s range. These will be critical in establishing whether the SLS AMG E-CELL can tempt customers away from the existing V8-powered version.

Related post:

Brabus Widestar SLS AMG

A.R.T. G streetline Sterling

Tasteless, nasty, tacky: all words that could be used to describe the horror that is the A.R.T. G streetline Sterling.

The vehicle that this conversion is based on, the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen (or G-Class, as it’s now known) was never going to win any beauty contests, but at least its utilitarian looks have a certain rugged elegance. And in standard form it can boast excellent off-road ability, something that is largely lost when you fit 22” alloy wheels, low-profile road tyres and a daft body kit.



A.R.T. has used the G 400 CDI as a starting point for the Sterling, which is odd because that particular model seems to have disappeared from the Mercedes-Benz price list, replaced in most markets by the G 350 BlueTEC.



Anyway, power output of the G 400’s V8 diesel has been lifted from 246 bhp (184 kW / 250 PS) to 288 bhp (214 kW / 292 PS). That increase is thanks to a reprogrammed engine ECU and the fitment of a comedy exhaust system which features six (yes, six) side-exiting stainless steel tail pipes. Very Max Power.

The interior doesn’t escape unscathed, either. Just about every surface is covered in either green or grey nappa leather or carbon fibre trim, all of which is supposed to ‘bewitch the senses’. An altered rear seat arrangement means the Sterling is strictly a four-seater, but at least those sitting in the back get their own DVD player and a centre console that holds a couple of glasses. No fridge to chill the drinks, though.

Brabus Widestar SLS AMG

It was probably inevitable that the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG would be a prime candidate for aftermarket modifications.



The latest tuner to announce its programme for the gull-wing supercar is Brabus, which has unveiled the Widestar SLS at the Essen Motor Show.

Alterations to the bodywork include spoilers front and rear, a rear diffuser and re-sculptured rocker panels. However, the biggest changes are the wider rear wings and redesigned rear fascia. These allow the fitment of lightweight Brabus Monoblock F Platinum Edition forged alloy wheels. Sized at 9.5Jx20 for the front and 11Jx21 at the rear, these are larger than the standard items, yet they weigh up to 12% less.

Together with reworked rear axle components, the new wheels widen the rear track by 20 mm. Ride height meanwhile can be reduced by up to 30 mm, thanks to adjustable Bilstein suspension.



The Widestar’s chassis also features a Ride Control function that lets the driver alter damping characteristics to give either a sportier or more comfortable ride. Stiffer anti-roll bars can optionally be specified to sharpen up the handling even further.

Although the engine is left alone, the usual SLS exhaust is ditched in favour of a bespoke titanium item. Weighing 40% less than stock, it also adds 9 bhp (7 kW / 10 PS) to the 563 bhp (420 kW / 571 PS) that the 6.3 litre V8 produces in standard tune.



The system’s party trick is its sound management, which the driver controls via a pneumatic flap. This alters the exhaust note, and it even includes a ‘coming home’ setting which is quieter than the production version. That should keep the neighbours happy.



The Widestar conversion is finished off by the interior, which Brabus will customise according to the owner’s wishes.



Related posts:

SLS AMG written off

SLS AMG GT3

SLS AMG pace car

2012 CLS 63 AMG

Confusingly, the previous version of the Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG actually had a 6.2 litre V8 engine, not a 6.3 as its name implied. And the 2012 model, just unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show, adds to the muddle by having a 5.5 litre capacity.

However, despite its smaller size, the new engine comes equipped with twin turbos which help it to generate 518 bhp (386 kW / 525 PS) and a massive 699 Nm (516 lb/ft) of torque. That’s an increase of 11 bhp (8 kW / 11 PS) and 69 Nm (51 lb/ft) over its predecessor, meaning the 2012 CLS 63 AMG completes the 0-60 mph (96 km/h) sprint in just 4.4 seconds, before running onto an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).

If that’s not enough, the optional AMG Performance Package can be specified. This raises turbo boost pressure from 1.0 bar (14.5 psi) to 1.3 bar (18.8 psi), increasing power to 550 bhp (410 kW / 557 PS) and torque to a tyre-shredding 799 Nm (590 lb/ft).



The 0-60 mph time falls slightly to 4.3 seconds, and the limiter gets recalibrated to allow a top speed of 186 mph (300 km/h), but those figures alone probably don’t convey the full impact of the upgrade. The Performance Package also includes a carbon fibre engine cover and rear spoiler, red brake calipers, sports suspension and an Alcantara trimmed steering wheel.

Keeping the car on the road is an AMG Adaptive Suspension system which features steel springs at the front and air suspension at the rear, together with automatic ride-height control and electronically variable damping. The driver can switch between ‘Comfort’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Sport Plus’ suspension settings at the touch of a button.

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG is due to go on sale in the summer of 2011. Prices have yet to be announced.

OFT probes price fixing

The UK’s Office of Fair Trading has launched an investigation into suspected price fixing by truck manufacturers.

As part of its enquiries, which are taking place under the Enterprise Act 2002 and the Competition Act 1998, the OFT earlier this week invited itself to the offices of Mercedes-Benz UK in Tongwell, Milton Keynes. Following the raid, one person was arrested but later bailed.

The Enterprise Act is a serious piece of legislation - breaches can result in criminal charges, with the possibility that individuals can be jailed for up to five years, and the company fined up to 10% of its global turnover.

A spokesman for Mercedes-Benz has said that the company "… is fully co-operating with the investigation which may take many months or more to complete."

Meanwhile, rival firms Scania, MAN and Volvo Trucks / Renault Trucks have confirmed that they have already received letters from the OFT notifying them of the investigation and requesting information. Iveco and DAF, The other two major commercial vehicle makers operating in the UK, have indicated that they are prepared to fully cooperate with the OFT probe.

€310,000 HMC Hidalgo

Little-known Swiss firm Helvetic Motor Company has unveiled its latest creation. Called the Hidalgo (and possibly named after the 2004 film about a horse that featured Omar Sharif?) it uses the running gear from the Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG.

The SLK’s 355 bhp (265 kW / 360 PS) 5,439 cc V8 is reckoned to accelerate the Hidalgo from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.4 seconds. That’s 1.5 seconds quicker than the AMG, so that obviously Bugatti-inspired body must be quite a bit lighter.

Planned production is only six units per year but, with a price tag of around €310,000 (about £257,000 at today’s rates), even that may be optimistic.

C-Class DR 520 launched

If anyone thought the C 63 AMG could do with a bit more grunt, Mercedes-Benz UK has the solution. It has unveiled the DR 520, available as either a saloon or estate and guaranteed to be exclusive with a production run of only twenty units.

Power from the 6.2 litre V8 is increased from 451 bhp (336 kW / 457 PS) to 513 bhp. That’s equivalent to 382 kW, or 520 PS - hence the name (the ‘DR’ part apparently stands for ‘dyno rated’). Torque is similarly raised from 600 Nm to 650 Nm, so prospective owners might want to sign up to any loyalty schemes their local tyre shops are running.

The improvements come courtesy of the AMG Performance Pack Plus, which includes forged pistons, newly-developed connecting rods, a revised crankshaft and composite front brake discs. But that only accounts for an extra 30 bhp. Curiously, Mercedes-Benz isn’t being specific about where it’s getting the other 32 bhp from. Probably a re-mapped ECU?

As expected, it’s a bit quicker than the standard C 63 AMG, with the saloon’s 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time reduced from 4.5 seconds to 4.1 seconds (the estate lags just 0.1 second behind). The speed limiter has also been adjusted, meaning the DR 520 will top out at 187 mph (300 km/h), instead of the usual 155 mph (250 km/h).

The colour choice is between a black or white matt wrap, something that either looks the business or is a bit too ‘Max Power’, depending on your viewpoint. The alloy wheels and grille get a titanium finish, plus there are DR 520 badges on the wings and boot lid.



Available only from the Specialist Products Division of Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands, Surrey, prices are £62,430 for the saloon and £63,680 for the estate. That’s a premium of around £10,000 over the 451 bhp C 63 AMG, or £5,000 more than a C63 AMG fitted with the optional Performance Pack Plus.

Leaked: Mercedes SLS AMG GT3

Now, a series of leaked pictures showing the Mercedes AMG SLS GT3 racecars have surfaced, showing the car in all its glory.

The car pictured here features a heavily revised body which includes the front bumper with large central intake and lower splitter, canard air foils, hood, fenders with deep wheel well vents, huge side sills, that massive carbon rear wing integrated into the boot lid, fuel filler pocket in the quarter panels and rear bumper with purposeful diffuser.

Inside the car is a true racer with carbon fiber racing seats, a carbon center console and racing digital dash – which even has lights to notify the driver when to shift.

The car will used a modified version of the production V8 engine. This is a 6.2 liter naturally aspirated powerplant that develops 571 hp at 6,800 rpm and 480 lb-ft of torque at 4,750 rpm.

According to the Mercedes-Benz-Passion blog, full details are set to be released on March 27th, with the car set for its racing debut in the Spring of next year.



Press Release

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3

Spectacular racing car for the sporting customer

Puebla (Mexico) - Coinciding with the market launch of the SLS AMG on 27
March 2010, Mercedes-AMG is presenting a GT3 variant. This racing version of
the gullwing model stands out with its spectacular design and thoroughbred
motor sports technology. Developed to comply with the GT3 specifications of
the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile), the SLS AMG GT3 is
designed as a racing sports car for customers competing in sprints and
long-distance races. These race series for near-series GT cars are noted for
their very varied participants and great excitement. Not least because of
their comparatively favourable cost structure, they are enjoying increasing
worldwide popularity.
AMG, the performance brand within Mercedes-Benz, is entering a new
business sector with the new SLS AMG GT3: the development, production and
marketing of sports racing cars intended for customer use. Sales of these
customer cars are expected to commence in autumn 2010, and homologation of
the GT3 variant will be completed in time for the 2011 racing season.
"Thanks to uncompromising lightweight construction and superior handling
dynamics, the SLS AMG provides an outstanding basis for a highly competitive
racing car. This exciting GT3 version is our response to strong customer
demand for a car designed for these attractive motor sports series. Once
again, it demonstrates AMG's huge experience gained in more than 40 years of
motor sports, and its great expertise in the development of unique
high-performance cars," says Volker Mornhinweg, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG
GmbH.
The new SLS AMG GT3 is an emphatic continuation of AMG's commitment to
motor sports. AMG has been a pioneer in the motor sports world ever since
its foundation in 1967. The new racing version of the SLS AMG is developed
and produced by AMG in close cooperation with HWA AG. HWA is responsible for
the DTM racing team on behalf of Mercedes-Benz Motorsports. The HWA team is
one of the most successful in international motor sports, as witness nine
driver championships in the DTM and ITC, as well as two championship titles
in the FIA GT Championships.
The SLS AMG GT3 is set to write another chapter in this success story,
and harks back to the 300 SL racing sports car of 1952 which first
established the "gullwing" legend. Its historic victory in the "Carrera
Panamericana" long-distance race also made Mercedes-Benz a household name in
North and Central America, and demonstrated the know-how and expertise of
the Stuttgart-based automobile company.
Spectacular racing car looks and top-class performance

The new SLS AMG GT3 is wide, flat and has spectacular racing car looks. The
main focus when modifying the body of this gullwing model was on aerodynamic
performance - as is seen not only in the new front apron with a splitter,
the bonnet with its central cooling air vent and the wider front and rear
wings, but also in the the side wheel arch air vents, the sideskirts with
cooling ducts for the rear brakes, the smooth underbody with a rear diffuser
and the adjustable rear aerofoil. All these features ensure a low drag
coefficient and maximum downforce - while guaranteeing effective cooling of
thermally highly stressed components. The C-pillars accommodate the
standardised filler pipes for the fast-refuel system.
The FIA will determine the maximum output of the AMG 6.3-litre V8
front-mid engine with dry sump lubrication on the "Balance of Performance"
principle. This is intended to ensure that all the racing cars taking part
have an equal chance. The classification process, during which the kerb
weight is also determined, will be completed in 2010. Power transmission in
the GT3 variant is by a sequential six-speed racing transmission with
steering wheel shift paddles and an integrated multi-disc locking
differential. As in the standard SLS AMG, the transmission is located at the
rear axle: the engine and transmission are connected by a torque tube within
which a carbon-fibre shaft rotates at the engine speed, as in the roadgoing
version.
The wheels are located by a double-wishbone suspension of forged
aluminium at the front and rear. Adjustment facilities for the springs and
shock absorbers, the suspension height, the stabilisers, the track width and
camber allow an individual setup for the racetrack. Rack-and-pinion steering
with a more direct ratio and speed-sensitive servo assistance make for
extremely agile handling. Behind the central-locking AMG light-alloy wheels,
a composite steel racing braking system with racing ABS ensures outstanding
deceleration.
Functional racing car atmosphere in the interior

The interior of the SLS AMG GT3 is dominated by a functional racing car
atmosphere: the steel rollover cage not only ensures the driver's safety,
but also adds additional reinforcement to the aluminium spaceframe. Another
eye-catching feature is the racing bucket seat with a six-point seat belt
and HANS system (Head and Neck Support). The central display is perfectly
positioned in the driver's field of vision, and shows all the relevant
information such as speed, engine rpm, operating temperatures, lap times and
the selected gear. The open-top racing steering wheel with gearshift paddles
makes perfect vehicle control possible.
Additional controls are located on the centre console. This is where the
driver can not only start the AMG V8 engine or adjust the traction control,
but also select reverse gear or - if the worst comes to the worst - activate
the integrated fire extinguisher system. The adjustment control for the
brake balance is located on the torque tube tunnel.