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Mercedes sketches new DTM C-Class

Mercedes-AMG has two racecars on tap for 2016: the AMG GT3 for FIA GT3 sports car racing and the Mercedes-AMG DTM racer in the German Touring Car series. We have our first sketches of the latter, based on the 503-horsepower C63 Coupe, just lower, wider, and meaner. Naturally, a different motor goes in the DTM car, series regulations prohibiting turbocharging and dictating a 4.0-liter, naturally-aspirated V8 with 90-degree vee angle and a maximum of 500 hp. In 2017 the regulations will change to mandate 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged motors with about 600 hp in a Class One car. The switch will align DTM regs with Japan's Super GT and IMSA here in the US, so they can move between series' with minimal changes. That has the possibility of at least doubling the number of automakers on the grid – the German three and the Japanese three at once – and enabling a World Cup series held in the off-season between 2017 and 2018. Since 2000 Mercedes has won six Driver's Championships in DTM and nine Constructor's Championships, but it hasn't taken home a trophy since 2010. With six races to go in the season it has a team in second place, six points behind the leader. The press release below outlines the new aims. Mercedes-AMG DTM Team present first outlines of 2016 race car - Looking ahead to the 2016 season: How the new DTM car fielded by the Mercedes-AMG DTM Team will look - Ulrich Fritz: "Our aim with this vehicle is, of course, to continue the Mercedes-Benz success story in the DTM." Stuttgart, Aug 29, 2015 - The 2015 DTM season reaches its climax in September. But even before the final race weekends of the year, the Mercedes-AMG DTM Team are providing an insight into what lies ahead for the race series, revealing the first designs of the car that they will enter for the 2016 campaign. The 2016 DTM car to be deployed by the Mercedes-AMG DTM team follows on from successful predecessors that include the most successful car in DTM history – the AMG Mercedes C-Class with which Mercedes-AMG drivers secured 85 victories in 159 races. "The new Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe will again set new standards for driving dynamics and design. So, the vehicle provides the ideal basis for our DTM car," said Head of Mercedes-AMG DTM Ulrich Fritz. "I'm already looking forward to seeing the new Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM compete in 2016.

Mercedes testing C-Class plug-in hybrid modes in Germany

Testing appears to be underway for what would be the first Mercedes-Benz C-Class with a hybrid powertrain. We can see a pair of the prototypes undergoing testing in Germany, with one, a C-Class Wagon, still heavily clad in camouflage and featuring a more noticeable outlet on the passenger side of its rear bumper.
There's also a more production-looking sedan, which features a not-so-discreet flap over its rear-bumper outlet. It's difficult to speculate on power outputs for this fuel-sipping C-Class, although our spies seem to think that this car will feature some combination of a four-cylinder gas engine with an electric motor, although just which four is unclear (note, we wouldn't mind if MB fit its 2.0-liter turbo with some batteries and motors). Regardless, the four-pot/electric motor seems like a pretty reasonable combo, although it probably means that Mercedes won't be challenging the six-cylinder-powered system of the BMW ActiveHybrid3 any time soon.
When the plug-in C-Class arrives later this year as a 2015 model, it will likely offer a full range of driving modes, including both gas or electric, only, as well as a more traditional hybrid mode.

Xcar spools up the Mercedes-AMG GT

Xcar has sampled its fair share of high-performance machinery. And a fair few of them have come from Stuttgart and its satellite in Affalterbach. The British video crew had yet to sample the new Mercedes flagship, but it takes care of that in this latest installment. That's right, it's time to check out the new Mercedes-AMG GT. AMG's new twin-turbocharged halo car has a tough act to follow, hitting the scene in the wake of the celebrated Mercedes SLS AMG, what with its gullwing doors and big atmospheric V8. But even with those big, wide rubber shoes to fill, Xcar finds there's plenty to love in the new AMG GT – particularly in the exhaust note, which is far from a given from a forced-induction engine. And with as much as 503 horsepower on tap, Xcar aptly points out that it's as potent as many a supercar from just a few years ago. Yet it's far more reasonably priced – in relative terms, that is. It's enough to not only put BMW's M and Audi's Quattro divisions to shame, but put Porsche on notice in the process. And therein lies the vital question: is it better than a 911? Even a 911 Turbo? That's the answer that Xcar seeks to find in this latest video, but you'll want to watch it for yourself to see what conclusion they've reached. Related Video: