Mercedes-Benz Launches New Ad Campaign for 2012 C-Class, Releases 70 Photos

Mercedes-Benz has kicked off a major advertising campaign for its facelifted C-Class series under the tagline “A Class Ahead”. The new model will be promoted across print media, TV, radio stationsa nd the Internet. While the TV advertisements are filmed in rural environments, the print ads put the C-Class in urban settings. Each advertisement highlights a specific feature of the 2012MY C-Class, such as the 20-second commercial called “Souvenir” (view below) that underlines the estate's 1,500-liter load capacity and the “Rocker”, dedicated to the interior of the car. In addition, the German automaker released a new photo gallery of the 2012My C-Class, which you can check out below.

It Came from eBay Hell: Toyota Celica-Based Ferrari F430 Replica

There are probably more Pontiac Fiero-based imitations in the world than real Ferraris. Today, though, we have something a little different. No, it is not a Pontiac Fiero-based Lamborghini Miura (we have already had one of them), it is a Toyota Celica that has been transformed into a passable F430 replica.

Did I say passable? Well, only just. From the front, it looks okay, with the hood, headlights and A-pillar being sufficiently F430-like. As you move back, however, it all starts to unwind. The awkward side window treatment, slab-sided rear flanks and the shape of the rear windscreen just seem wrong. Though you can’t expect much from trying to transform a front-engined, front wheel drive Japanese coupe in a mid engine, rear wheel drive Italian exotic.

Things only get worse inside; the interior is essentially stock seventh-gen Celica with stick on parts that are supposed to give the impression of a Ferrari interior. Suffice to say, it does not work. The seller is asking US$45,000 for a car that nominally pulls around $7,500 on the used market, a frankly ridiculous price. You can check out our gallery (if you dare) and leave your bit in the comments section below.

 

Jaguar Dismisses Bertone's B99 Sports Sedan Concept

One of the highlights of this year's Geneva Motor Show was the B99 design study for an entry-level Jaguar sedan by Bertone. The concept car was created independently by the Italian design house, without the involvement of Jaguar. Therefore, the B99 does not preview the design of the future X-Type, as confirmed by a top Jaguar executive.

“It is not our concept. We appreciate the fact that Jaguar is interesting enough for people to do a concept around. It's not that we are offended by it, or against it - it is just not for us," Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar's global brand director, told Automotive News at the Geneva Motor Show.

However, according to Hallmark, a future entry-level Jaguar is in the cards for a 2013 or 2014 launch but the design of the small sedan has not been yet finalized. The B99 is simply a display of Bertone's capability.

Jaguar's current design language, as seen on the XF and more recently on the bolder XJ, is modern and has little to do with the past, whereas the B99 Concept is retro from most angles.

 

Nissan Updates 2011 370Z in Europe, Adds GT Edition to the Range

With all the attention (rightfully) focused on the new Esflow pure-electric sports coupe concept at the Geneva Motor Show, Nissan’s announcement on the presentation of the updated for European market 370Z Coupe slipped by almost unnoticed. For the new model year, Nissan introduces a number of suspension, transmission and equipment improvements for the entire 370Z Coupe range while also adding a new trim level to the range called the GT Edition.

Starting with the performance upgrades, the 370Z Coupe benefits from retuned dampers which promise to provide a better balance between ride comfort and high-speed handling. Nissan said that due to the higher average speeds regularly enjoyed in Europe, technicians from Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) engineered these changes.

For 2011, refinement is also enhanced through revisions to underbody insulation to reduce road noise.

The optionally available seven-speed automatic transmission gains a snow mode which, when applied, starts the car off in second gear and controls engine revs to prevent wheel spin on ice or snow.

Equipment upgrades come in the form of a new rear view-parking camera as part of the Nissan Premium Connect satellite navigation option and the standard fitment of a tire pressure monitoring system.

Wrapping up the changes for 2011, is the introduction of a GT Edition for the Coupe model. Buyers can choose from three different body colors - metallic black, pearl white and Black Rose, the latter shade being exclusive to the GT Edition, with each featuring contrasting stripes running along the flanks of the car. The exterior is set off by the standard 19inch RAYS forged alloy wheels, which are finished in a dramatic anthracite color and replace the standard 18-inch rims.

BMW Announces ‘Design Pure Balance’ Package for Z4 Roadster

A new styling package will soon be added to the long list of available options of the BMW Z4 hardtop roadster. The ‘Design Pure Balance’ equipment package is similar to the ‘Design Pure Impulse’ released in the fall of 2010 and includes special interior appointments and a bespoke exterior finish.

Inside, the package adds a Cohiba Brown leather treatment with contrasting seams in Lotus White along with additional black leather features with seams in Umbra, plus Fineline Anthracite wood and sports seats, all fitted as standard. While buyers can choose from a variety of non-metallic and metallic exterior paint finishes, BMW proposes a unique Mineral White metallic color which is exclusive to this edition.

The new equipment package will be available for order from summer 2011.

 

Design Study for a Modern Day Renault Alpine Sports Coupe

An affordable, rear-wheel drive sports coupe from Renault bearing the historic Alpine moniker has been in the cards for years but the French carmaker has yet to launch a modern day successor to the last model to carry the Alpine name, the A610 from the mid 1990s.

After production of the A610 ended, Renault used the Alpine factory in Dieppe to manufacture the street-legal RenaultSport Spider, a lightweight two-seater model with a rear mid-engine layout built from 1995 to 1997, which was the French firm’s last bespoke sports car.

Over the years, we have seen many independent designers creating concept studies for a new Alpine coupe, the most recent being the one you see pictured above, which is the work of David Cardoso.

Here is what David told Carscoop about his design: “I made a modern interpretation of the Renault Alpine A110. Like the original Alpine, this concept has a rear engine and a stretched silhouette. The rear is inspired by the Dezir Concept while the front has influences of the Nepta Concept. Could be a direct competitor (or ally since Nissan is in the Renault group) for the Nissan 370Z.”

Check out the high-resolution pictures below and voice your thoughts about the design in the comments section below.

 

Kia Adds 256HP 2.0-liter Turbo to Sportage Range, Priced from $26,490

Kia has released details and pricing on its new turbocharged 2011 Sportage SX compact CUV, scheduled to arrive in the firm's U.S. showrooms later this month. The Sportage SX is Kia's second vehicle in the States to feature the company's 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with direct-injection technology and a twin-scroll turbocharger that delivers 256 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of peak torque.

The 2.0L Turbo is linked to a six-speed automatic transmission and is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions. Kia said the FWD model returns 22mpg in the city (10.7 lt/100km) and 27mpg on the highway (8.7lt/100km).

In addition to the new powertrain, the Sportage SX also gets a sportier-tuned suspension with firmer shock and strut rates for improved handling over the standard versions along with several bespoke styling features such as the unique 18-inch alloy wheels and grille trim, dual exhaust, and special side sill moldings. The exterior updates are complemented by SX-specific interior appointments including standard aluminum door sills and a modified gauge cluster.

Prices for the 2011 Sportage SX start from $26,490 for the front-wheel drive (FWD) model and from $27,990 for the AWD model, with both MSRPs including a $695 destination and handling fee.