Mercedes Benz C class 2011 Revealed.

AFTER seeing images of the new C-Class leaked on the web, Mercedes-Benz has released official pictures.

Mercedes calls the "new" C-Class, due here mid-year, a "comprehensive modernisation", with redesigned front and rear, upgraded dash and interior materials.
More strikingly, the company claims a 31 per cent reduction in fuel consumption, thanks to an enhanced seven-speed auto transmission and an eco start/stop function.
It also has 10 new driver aids, ranging from Attention Assist and drowsiness detection to Distronic Plus proximity control.
"With numerous high-grade features in the interior that remind one of the new CLS, the C-Class sets completely new standards in its segment with respect to perceived value and quality," Mercedes sales and marketing director Dr Joachim Schmidt says.
More than 2000 new components distinguish the latest generation of the C-Class from its predecessor, he says.

Visibly, the changes are hardly dramatic, although the four- and five-door have a new aluminium bonnet, which contributes to weight reduction and lower fuel consumption.
The 2011 version of Mercedes' mainstay has a new fascia, with LED daytime running lights, LED indicators, a new front grille and a slightly redesigned rear section.
It's a case of visual evolution, not revolution because the main changes are mechanical, especially in the iconic C 63 AMG.
The 6.2-litre V8 is likely to be superseded by Mercedes' 5.5-litre bi-turbo unit . Its possible power of 380kW exceeds even the one-off Jaffa special made for the Sydney Motor Show.
Petrol and diesel V6s are also up for power increases, to 225kW and 195kW respectively.
Elsewhere, the need to lower the fleet consumption and emission average will see new BluTec diesel powertrains and engine stop-start systems, as well as more direct-injection models and the possible end of the five-speed auto in those models that retain it for seven-speed transmissions.
Rumours persist of the first C-Class hybrid.
The 2011 C-Class is expected to have its global premiere this month and go on sale later in the year.
Though it starts just south of $60,000 here, the C-Class was one of Australia's best-selling midsized imports last year.
In November it was second outright only to the locally produced fleet favourite Toyota Camry.
The four-door Mercedes has left behind not only obvious prestige rivals such as BMW's 3 Series and Audi's A4 but also high-quality offerings from Japan and other parts of Europe that start as much as 50 per cent under the tristar car.

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Honda user database hacked.

If you own a Honda or an Acura, you may want to check your email. Hackers have breeched the American Honda owners database.
Autoblog explains that “names, e-mail addresses and VINs are among the data that was compromised. In addition to the 2.2 million Honda owners affected by this information, 2.7 million Acura owners were also subject to this hack, though Honda reports that only e-mail addresses were stolen from owners of the automaker's luxury brand.”
For its part, Honda says they have “contacted all affected customers directly. If you did not receive an email directly, you are not affected,” and “No financial information was compromised.”
“Company officials say the list didn't include Social Security numbers, birthdates, bank information or other data that would leave people vulnerable to identity theft,” reports Inside Line. This hack could have been a lot worse for Honda owners.

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Sales stall for the world's cheapest car: Tata Nano.

India's launch of the world's cheapest car, the Nano, was expected to create a vast new market segment in the nation of 1.2 billion people, but reality has fallen short of expectations.

"We are at the gates, offering a new form of transportation to the people of India," said a proud Tata chairman Ratan Tata at the unveiling three years ago of the globally-hyped vehicle.
Tata, who spearheaded the Nano's development as a way to get India's masses off two wheels and onto four, was likened by some to Henry Ford, who revolutionised the US car market with the Model T.
But the Nano's fortunes have gone into a tailspin with last month's sales of the snub-nosed "people's car" plunging 85 percent from a year earlier to an all-time low of 509 units, despite a rapidly expanding vehicle market.
While the five-seater Nano, which hit the roads with a price tag of 100,000 rupees (2,500 dollars), has battled troubles such as fires in some of its cars and production delays, other small cars have boasted impressive sales figures.
In November, 33,000 of the next cheapest car on the market, the Alto from Japanese-owned market leader Maruti Suzuki, drove out of showrooms even though they cost twice the price.
In an effort to get the Nano back on track, Tata Motors this month offered a " Tata Nano Happiness Guarantee," more than doubling its warranty to four years from 18 months, and throwing in a maintenance contract for just 99 rupees a month.
The company, India's largest vehicle maker, followed up that sweetener with "fast-track" financing for buyers wanting loans to purchase the car, allowing loans of up to 90 percent to be approved in just 48 hours.
The Nano's woes began even before it rolled off the assembly line when farmers in communist-ruled West Bengal state, led by a charismatic opposition leader, protested that they had been forcibly ejected from their land to build the Nano plant.
Tata Motors, which also owns premier British marques Jaguar and Land Rover, was forced to abandon its nearly completed factory and shift to the western state of Gujarat, meaning production of the first 100,000 cars was badly delayed.
Recently, the car's image has been hurt by a series of fires, one of which was replayed frequently on Indian television, showing a Nano engulfed in flames. "Quality perception over safety of the car could be a concern," Mahantesh Sabarad, analyst at Mumbai's Fortune Equity Brokers, said.
There were no injuries as a result of the fires and a company spokesman insisted that the Tata Nano is a "safe car with a robust design."
Tata Motors has announced a free safety upgrade involving new features being added to the exhaust and electrical system. "The car needs a lot of image engineering," said automobile commentator Murad Ali Baig.
Another problem is that the Nano's price has gone up from the nice round launch figure of 100,000 rupees as a result of a rise in input costs, to 137,000 rupees for the basic model without airconditioning.
The cheapest Nano with an airconditioner is 160,000 rupees. "For the price of Nano, there are good second-hand cars on the market with air conditioning," Baig said.
Analysts say that Tata Motors, with its deep pockets, still has the capacity to turn around the fortunes of the Nano, which is just 3.1 metres long but has won rave reviews for its spacious interior.
"The really good thing for Tata is that those people who have the car are happy with it. Word of mouth is a slow process but I still think the car has potential," said Hormuz Sorabjee, editor of India's leading automobile magazine Autocar .

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The Mercedes Benz Black Desire.

Prior Design presented its take on the latest generation Mercedes E-Class Coupe, called Black Desire. The tuning package is mostly about visual enhancements, however, upon request, the tuning firm also offers various engine conversions.
For the front of the car designers chose a new bumper with side vents and a prominent spoiler lip. The new parts feature sharper edges, a theme that’s continued with the side skirts. At the rear we can find a bumper extension with three fins, boot lip and roof spoiler, all available in carbon fiber as an option.
The black paintjob is complemented by metallic accents, found around the grille and custom Prior Design logo replacing the Mercedes star, on the side of the car and rear bumper. The same metal trim was used for the window surrounds.
Enormous, 20-inch Prior GT wheels, available in matte black, gloss black and silver, and a 4-tip stainless steel exhaust system round up the exterior changes.
Depending on the engine found under the bonnet, Prior offers numerous power upgrades, boosting peak output by up to 75 hp. Paired with a 35 mm lowering applied to the suspension, the performance package should make the Black Desire faster and better handling than the stock model.
According to the company, the Black Desire tuning package can also be fitted on the E-Class Convertible, while both Mercs can be ordered with a range of carbon fiber trim parts for the interior.

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Review :The new Landrover Discovery 4

At the end of last week, Range Rover has revealed the new Land Rover Discovery 4 armored vehicle which can withstand some serious fire power. According to the official specs, the Land Rover Discovery 4 armored vehicle complies with the BS EN 1522 FB6 and BS EN 1063 BR6 European standards for high velocity assault rifles, 15kg side blast protection, and offers under floor protection against 2 x DM 51 hand grenades.

The Land Rover Discovery 4 armored vehicle is powered by a 5.0-litre LR-V8 direct-injection petrol engine that develops 375 PS (276 kW) and 510 Nm (376 lb ft) of torque. The performance figures say the Land Rover Discovery 4 armored vehicle is able to get from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.6 seconds which is essential for a fast getaway.
The bullet proof SUV weighs 3550kg without the optional extras. To be able to manage the extra weight, the Land Rover Discovery 4 armored vehicle comes with a modified suspension system, 378mm brake discs with upgraded Alcon aluminum brake callipers and Goodyear Wrangler HP All Weather run flat tires and heavy duty wheels.
The Land Rover Discovery 4 armored vehicle price list has not been announced yet.
Land Rover Discovery 4 Armored – Detailed Specifications
Base Vehicle Specification
5.0-litre LR-V8 direct-injection petrol engine
Maximum Power (EEC) 375 PS (276 kW)
Maximum Torque (EEC) 510 Nm (376 lb ft)
6-speed automatic transmission
Kerb weight 3550kg (excluding options)
4050kg GVW
Air conditioning
Land Rover Terrain Response® system
Off road capability (deep sand driving not
recommended)
Modified suspension system to accommodate increased vehicle mass
378mm brake discs with upgraded Alcon aluminium brake callipers: 6-pot front, 4-pot rear
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System – where licensed
Armour Specification
European Standard BS EN 1522 FB6 and BS EN 1063 BR6 (high velocity assault rifle)
Side blast protection – 15kg device in close proximity to the vehicle
Under floor protection against 2 x DM 51 hand grenades
Heavy duty wheels and run flat tyres – Goodyear Wrangler HP All Weather Tyre
Optional Features
Essential Armour Option Pack
Driver opening window (100mm drop to allow document passing)
Auxiliary secondary battery supply
Anti-tamper exhaust
Intercom
Maintenance Option Pack

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