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Starting from the structure, engineers have developed this convertible to be as rigid as last year’s Coupe. A newly-developed rear wall structure consisting of a magnesium piece sandwiched by aluminium sections work with numerous underbody reinforcements to strengthen the chassis, while an aluminium rear floor section helps to trim some weight. These parts help raise the amount of lightweight metals in the car to over 50% and ensure the car retains a feeling of solidity one would expect from a flagship Mercedes.

Happenings

Topless Decadence

IN Mercedes, Mercedes-Benz, S-class, Cabriolet, S500, S63, AMG, Germany, Frankfurt, IAA, Motor show

After 44 years, Mercedes will once again offer a full-size cabriolet to its well-heeled clientele. How serious an effort is it? Let's find out.

We begin with the most important part of the car: Uprated power. The turbocharged 2.0-litre direct-injection engine in the anniversary model delivers an output of 261 hp (+47 hp from the 'regular' version) and will come with an over-boost function (!!!) that increases power up to 286 hp simply by kicking down the accelerator.

Happenings

New Golf GTI Clubsport!

IN Volkswagen, VW, Golf, GTI, Golf GTI, Mark 7, Clubsport, Golf GTI Clubsport

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Golf GTI, VW presents a special edition Golf GTI Clubsport; production version will make an appearance at IAA Frankfurt

Yup, that's right — with the introduction of the facelifted 991 generation (or 991.2 for short), the naturally aspirated Porsche 911 Carrera is no more. Out go the 3.4 and 3.8-litre engines from the base Carrera and Carrera S respectively, and in comes a bi-turbo 3.0-litre flat six shared by both models.

Happenings

Auf Wiedersehen, Saugmotor Carrera

IN Facelift, Porsche, 911, PDK, Turbo, Carrera

Let us bid a fond farewell to the naturally aspirated 911 Carrera, as Porsche straps on a pair of turbos to the facelifted model.

Happenings

All-new XC90 heralds a new beginning for Volvo

IN Volvo, XC90, Sweden, Wearnes, SUV, Launch, Luxury, Family

Gothenburg's maiden SUV finally gets a replacement, and it's much more important to the company than you might think

One of the most popular and oldest models Morgan has produced is the Plus 4 (or +4), first introduced in 1950. Now 65 years later, Morgan has turned to its racing arm, AR Motorsport, to develop and build the AR +4, a celebratory special edition that will be limited to just 50 units.

Happenings

Old Fashioned Fun

IN Morgan, British, Morgan Motor Company, Limited edition, Plus 4, Aero Racing

Morgan Motor Company celebrates 65 years of Plus 4 production with new special edition

In fact, partner Liqui Moly Team Engstler will be running two cars at the eighth round of the Touringcar Racer International Series (TCR) at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg (A). This will be the first competitive test for the car. “The newly created TCR category provides a promising platform for customer racing — on a national and international level. With exciting races, production-based technology and reasonable costs, it offers a new outlook for private racing teams,” said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Jost Capito.

Motorsports

A Golf for the racetrack.

This TCR-ready (Touringcar Racer International Series) Golf concept is one mean wide-bodied hatchback on steroids.

Billed as a ‘race car for the road’, the new Honda Civic Type R is the most extreme and high-performing model to ever wear the acclaimed red 'H’ badge. With a high-revving all-new 2.0-litre VTEC Turbo engine, advanced new suspension systems, stand-out function-led styling and a new +R track mode it is set to bring new standards to Europe’s high-performance front-wheel drive hatchback segment. Peak power output is 306 bhp, with the engine red-lining at 7,000 rpm, delivering a class-leading top speed of 270 km/h.

Happenings

First Type R Rolls Out Of Swindon

IN Honda, Civic, Civic Type R, Hot-hatch, Honda Civic Type R, Swindon, UK, Honda of the UK Manufacturing, H, R

Production and management staff from Honda’s European car manufacturing facility in Swindon, UK, joined invited guests to celebrate the first production models of the hotly-anticipated Civic Type R

During the 24 hours the lead changed 35 times — a record in the event that has been held since 1970. After the race’s midpoint, either the number ‘28’ R8 LMS or its fiercest rival was running in front, depending on the pit stop sequence. In the end, the Belgian Audi team prevailed with a concentrated performance of its drivers and solid teamwork - Audi Sport Team WRT with Christopher Mies/Nico MÃ¼ller/Edward SandstrÃ¶m/Laurens Vanthoor was 40 seconds faster than the BMW Team Marc VDS.

Motorsports

Audi R8 LMS Wins Nurburgring 24 Hours

IN Audi, Audi R8, Audi R8 LMS, R8, R8 LMS, LMS, Nurburgring, GT3

The third Nurburgring success for Audi in four years

Adapted from its production sibling, the 911 GT3 R features the distinctive double-bubble roof, and the wheelbase which has been lengthened by 8.3 centimetres compared to the previous generation. This ensures a more balanced weight distribution and more predictable handling particularly in fast corners, in comparison to the previous GT3 R.

Motorsports

Lighter And Faster: The New 911 GT3 R

IN Porsche, 911, GT3, GT3 R, 911 GT3, 911 GT3 R, GT3 Cup, GT3 Class

Based on the new 911 GT3 RS production sports car, Porsche has designed a customer sport race car for GT3 category racing around the world: the 911 GT3 R.

Wireless software updates have become a top priority for automakers as customers have gotten used to downloading them on their smartphones. Ford seek to follow the example of Tesla Motors, which makes heavy use of over-the-air software updates to activate new features on its cars.

Happenings

Ford And Microsoft Partners Up

IN Ford, Microsoft, Ford Motor Company, Microsoft Corporation, Wireless, Software

Ford Motor Company, with plans to beam down wireless software updates to its next generation of cars, has assigned Microsoft for the task

Initially available only to buyers in the Middle East, where it was launched in Dubai late last year, the Lagonda Taraf is being built in a strictly limited small series of no more than 200 cars. The return of Lagonda follows in the wake of other bespoke special projects byÂ Aston Martin such as the creation of the extreme Aston Martin Vulcan supercar, Vantage GT3 special edition, One-77, V12 Zagato and the CC100 Speedster Concept.

Happenings

Meet The Aston Martin Lagonda Taraf

IN Aston Martin, Aston, Lagonda, Taraf, Lagonda Taraf, Aston Martin Lagonda Taraf, Gaydon

This super saloon will be available in both left and right hand drive with production limited to only 200 units

The T-GDi’s single-scroll turbocharger is paired with an electric waste-gate motor, which improves the turbocharger’s performance with a highly efficient air scavenging strategy. As well as scavenging clean air for the engine to re-use for combustion, it is able to open the waste-gate at the same time to improve waste air flow. This innovative system allows for greater low-end torque, more immediate engine response from any throttle position, and improved fuel economy under higher engine loads.In the Kia cee’d GT Line, the engine’s maximum 172 Nm torque is available across a wide 1,500-4,100 rpm range, with maximum power arriving at 6,000 rpm. The engine is also fitted with an integrated exhaust manifold, which lowers the exhaust gas temperature slightly. As well as improving high speed, high load fuel economy, lower temperatures also result in cleaner emissions by allowing the catalytic converter to operate more effectively.

Happenings

Meet Kia's 1.0-litre Turbocharged Engine

IN Kia, Turbocharged, 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder, Namyang R&D, Cee'd, T-GDi, Kappa

Kia's all new engine developed at the brand's Namyang R&D centre

As testing continues, the McLaren P1 GTR looks set to be one of the fastest to ever wear the famous McLaren ‘speed mark’. Through significant weight-saving measures and track-optimisation of the petrol-electric powertrain, McLaren P1 GTR will boast a power-to-weight ratio increase in excess of 10 percent over the road-going model, to more than 690 bhp per tonne.

Happenings

McLaren's P1 GTR To Debut At Geneva

IN McLaren, P1, GTR, McLaren P1, McLaren Technology Centre, Woking

An excess of 690 bhp per tonne power-to-weight ratio achieved through motorsport derived weight saving and powertrain optimisation

The next generation NSX showcases the production styling, design and specifications of Acura’s mid-engine sports hybrid supercar, and Acura announced key details of the all-new vehicle’s design and performance. The company will begin accepting custom orders for the new NSX starting in June, with customer deliveries expected later in the year.

Happenings

Next Generation NSX Unveiled

IN Acura, Honda, NSX, Supercar, Ohio

Acura takes the wraps off its highly anticipated next-generation NSX super car. Like, finally...

This means the Boxster GTS now has an output of 330 bhp while the Cayman GTS delivers 340 bhp. Nominal torque has also been increased, with 370 Nm available from 4,500 rpm to 5,800 rpm for the Boxster GTS and 380 Nm from 4,750 rpm to 5,800 rpm for the Cayman GTS. This boost in performance also drives the power-to-weight ratio of the Cayman GTS below the four kg per hp barrier; the Boxster GTS is also close to this barrier.

Happenings

Boxster GTS And Cayman GTS Order Books Open

IN Porsche, GTS, Boxster GTS, Cayman GTS, Boxster, Cayman, Mid-engine, PDK, Porsche Centre Singapore

Stronger, faster, more dynamic - new top models of Porsche's two-seaters arrives

Features over 380 colour photos, advertising literature and interviews with key Honda personnel in order to tell the real story of the NSX.

The Pit

New E-Book On All Things NSX

IN Honda, Acura, NSX, Japanese, Supercar

Includes full year-by-year coverage of all production models, including limited editions; Japanese, American and European markets covered superb detailÂ