Auto blog

Mercedes has X6 in its crosshairs with the GLE Coupe

In the last month, Mercedes-Benz has taken the sheet off two versions of its GLE Coupe: the 450 AMG and Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S. The models represent the German brand's shot across the bow at the BMW X6 in the luxury-crossover-four-door-coupe segment, including the high-performance M version of the bodystyle. Not much separates the styling between the two versions. Both feature sweeping arches over the hood and roofline to create their coupe-like appearance. Up front there are huge air intakes with a wide grille on top that's bisected by the brand's traditional star. The AMG version tweaks that look with the division's A-wing grille. At the rear, there are wraparound taillights and a chrome strip. The higher performance version also sports a modified diffuser and air outlets. No matter which one buyers choose, they get a healthy amount of power nestled under the hood. The 450 AMG packs a 3.0-liter, twin-turbo V6 with 362 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque with a nine-speed automatic. Opting for the GLE63 means a massive boost with 577 hp and 561 pound-feet from a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 routing through a seven-speed auto gearbox. Either way, customers get Merc's 4Matic all-wheel drive system. The luxury crossover coupe segment is often maligned for looking awkward, but Mercedes clearly sees room to grow there. Check them both out live from the 2015 Detroit Auto Show floor in the galleries above.

Recharge Wrap-up: Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive goes on sale in Europe, Spain gets Nissan Leaf taxis

The new Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive goes on sale in Europe on November 3, with deliveries starting before the end of the year. Developed with the help of Tesla, the new electric B-Class offers more than 132 kilowatts (177 horsepower) and 250 pound-feet of torque. It features Economy Plus, Economy and Sport driving modes. An optional radar support system uses the collision prevention assist sensors to help make smarter decisions about when and how to use the regenerative braking. The B-Class Electric Drive also offers an optional Range Plus button, which can unlock more battery capacity when charging for the occasional longer drive. Learn more in the press release below. Racing returns to the streets of Miami for the first time in more than a decade for the Formula E Miami ePrix on March 14, 2015. Formula E has revealed the track layout, which takes the race around the Miami Heat's home court, American Airlines Arena, along the Biscayne Bay. "This event will help to make Miami more of a sports city," says Mayor Thomas Regalado. "In addition, we will show the younger generations that you may have motor racing without noise or pollution." Read more about the event at the Formula E website and see the track layout in detail here. Hyundai has delivered the first ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles to customers in the UK, including clean energy company ITM Power. ITM is responsible for three of the hydrogen refueling stations being built around the EU as part of the Hydrogen For Innovative Vehicles project - the same project that helped bring the Hyundai ix35 (also known as the Tucson) Fuel Cell to Europe. ITM's 700-bar hydrogen stations will be built in London by Spring 2015, each with its own electrolyzer system on site. In the meantime, ITM will use the ix35 for commutes between London and Sheffield, refueling at a site that uses wind-generated electricity from an on-site turbine to power the electrolyzer to make the hydrogen. Learn more in the press release below. Demand for aluminum is expected to climb as China builds more electric cars. Aluminum supplier Novelis says demand will likely increase 30 percent annually for the next 10 years in China, Japan and Korea, and possibly more depending on how China's plan to increase EV use and decrease air pollution shakes out. Read more at Bloomberg. Barcelona and Madrid have received their first all-electric taxis in the form of Nissan Leaf EVs.

Gullwing America turns SLS AMG Roadster into stunning 1955 300 SC redux

Gullwing America specializes in what it calls "retro styling meets modern technology." It's next demonstration of that is the convertible above, a stylized recreation of the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SC (inset) supported by the structure of a 2012 SLS AMG Roadster. Commissioned by a client in Eastern Europe, the resulting car is called the 300 SLC.
The hand-formed aluminum bodywork required just a few changes to the SLS AMG Roadster, namely reworking the headlights into a stacked arrangement of LEDs and relocating the pop-up spoiler behind the cabin. The retro grille and long, straight hood evoke the past, the custom exhaust, height-adjustable suspension, 21-inch wheels up front and 22-inch wheels in back, however, stray a little further from history. The 300 SLC will come with a hardtop and be one-of-a-kind, making it even rarer than its inspiration, of which 92 were made.
If you have any more questions, they can probably be answered in the high-res photo gallery above and press release below.