Category Archives: Classic Cars

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series Coupe

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Back in February 2011, Mercedes-Benz announced that they are re-introducing the C-Class Coupe and I am sure that I am not the first person to say that the new Mercedes Benz C-Class Coupe is 100x better looking than the prior iteration of the Coupe as seen in the picture below. Additionally, Mercedes-Benz also noted they will produce a high performance AMG version. Specifically, it will be a Mercedes Benz C63 AMG Black Series Coupe and this time Mercedes’ AMG division claims that it was purpose built from the ground up for performance. That said, yes every AMG model has solid performance figures, but the Mercedes Benz E63 AMG, CL63 AMG or CLS63 AMG essentially had “bolt-on” performance modifications. The C63 AMG Black Series on the other hadwas crafted to encroach on BMW M territory.

And like other AMGs with the 63 badge, this Mercedes Benz has the 6.3-liter V-8. However, unlike the other AMGs, this engine shares the same pistons, crankshaft and connecting rods from the SLS AMG and as a result the Black Series produces 510 horsepower. This represents a ~12% increase in horsepower compared to the C63 AMG Coupe (non-Black Series) which has a modest 457 horsepower engine. The improvement in torque is a more modest 3% to 457 lb-ft in the Black Series from 443 lb-ft in the C63 AMG Coupe. And to make this model more “track-friendly”, AMG optimized the engine oil cooling system giving the oil cooler a cooling surface which is 50% larger.

To transfer all of the power to the rear tires, this Black Series has the innovative AMG Speedshift MCT 7-speed sports transmission which has 4 transmission modes, a double-declutching function and a “Race Start”function.In the “Sport Plus” and “Manual” transmission modes the gear changes take a mere 100 milliseconds.

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Tips for Driving In Snow

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Do you know how to drive during horrible weather conditions? Driving in snow can involve some hazardous situations; from the increased hours of darkness to the snow sleet and ice, one cannot be too cautious. A few minutes planning and thinking ahead will definitely prevent disasters especially in harsh winter conditions. We are usually aware of bad weather forecasts or when bad weather conditions are predicted but only about half of the road users bother with proper precautions according to the highways agency.

According to statistics a lot of road users still drive during bad weather conditions, this makes it more important to enlighten people about the dangers of driving in the snow and how they can prevent any disasters by planning ahead. The ability of your vehicle tyres to grip the road is extremely reduced when it is filled with ice or snow, this makes mundane tasks like slowing down, speeding up and changing direction dangerous/hazardous, so drivers need to be aware of this and be careful. If you have a vehicle that has cruise control, avoid using it when driving on slippery and icy roads.

The importance of having a winter weather kit and checking the weather forecast before starting a journey cannot be over-emphasized; one cannot predict what could go wrong when driving on a snowy road. Having a winter weather kit could save your life. Your winter weather kit can include jumper cables, electric flares, warming clothing and footwear, a first aid kit, candles and a lighter and energy foods and drinks.

Drivers who expect to be driving during winter should not only prepare their cars but also prepare themselves. Ensure that your car has been recently serviced, with all parts of the car functioning properly like ensuring your engine has anti-freeze and your fuel tank and washer fluid are topped up. Having some extra warm clothes in the car is definitely a must especially when travelling long distances. Also winter tyres or snow tyres should be considered as they help improve traction when starting and stopping your car.

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A Brief Guide of Bentley Motors, Past and Present

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Bentley Motors in Crewe, England has a lengthy history of both the manufacturing and the racing of luxury cars. The company was founded in 1919 by its Walter Bentley, known previously for his range of military aero-engines, in particular the engine for the Sopwith Camel.

It was from here Walter Bentley found that his use of aluminium in the construction of his aero-engines and components both gave better performance and durability, let alone many options for casting and machining. As at this period in history many manufacturers were still replying heavily on cast steel components, thus making them heavy, prone to overheating and less durable.

So with this new type of engine, Walter Bentley applied it to the first cars and in 1921 the first Bentley the BR1 came off the production line. A year later Bentley cars were seen at numerous races and hill-climbs around the UK and even entered into the American Indianapolis 500 endurance race. But it was two years later in 1924 when Bentley was finally put on the map with a coveted win at the Le Mans 24 Hour race in France. To top this Bentley cars went on to win no less than four consecutive race wins from 1927 to 1930.

After the 1929 Wall Street Crash in the USA, Bentley car sales severely slumped world-wide. The problem became so severe the company was sold to the Rolls Royce Corporation in 1931. Fast forwarding to the present-day, the Bentley marque which has been owned by the German car manufacturer Volkswagen AG since 1998 is proving to be now as popular as ever. Even with the current global uncertainty the Bentley brand is enjoying a re-surge in sales in many emerging markets around the world, like India, Qatar and China.

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2008 Mercedes Benz C63 AMG Is Like Adding Steroids, Gel and Makeup to The C350

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In 2007 Mercedes Benz introduced the new body style for the C-Class, which admittedly, was like your girl/boyfriend going from a 6 to an 8. The new model was re-inspiring and gave the C-Class a new more modern look. Take a look for yourself in the difference of styling in the pictures below.

Then in 2008, they came out with the AMG version of the C-Class, which was the equivalent of your girl/boyfriend working out, gaining some muscle and wearing make-up or gel (assuming that gel still makes you look cool), respectively. By working out and gaining muscle, I mean by about 68% and 72% in the horsepower and torque department, respectively, to 451 hp and 443 lb-ft. What happens after such an increase in muscle is you can now do a sprint to 60 mph in only 4.5 seconds rather than a measly 6.2 seconds in that less attractive C 350.

When launching an AMG version there will always be cosmetic upgrades alongside the above mentioned power upgrades. For a guy, this is sort of like adding gel to your hair, but I’m not talking about Pauly-D type of gel, as seen below, but rather a more sophisticated refined look sort of like the picture below Pauly-D. On a more feminine note, the cosmetic changes from the base-model to the AMG is sort of like adding makeup to one’s self, also seen in the pictures below… okay well it’s not as bad as the pictures, but you get what I’m saying.

Okay, enough ranting back to the C63 AMG… the base model was already a good looking car, but with the added AMG gel and makeup, it is now a dime piece. And this is a huge reason why the C63 AMG is one of my favorite luxury sports sedans, next to the 2010 M5 of course J. The cosmetic/structural improvements include a 35mm wider road-hugging stance which is hidden by the larger fender flares. This not only looks better, but also improves the car’s handling around corners. Another cosmetic upgrade is the lower bumper and the hood, which when mixed with everything else, subconsciously says that this Merc means business.

Despite this being a serious AMG performance car, we know that Mercedes Benz frowns upon a manual gearbox as it is not proper for a luxury car. That is why this one is fitted with an AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic transmission. There are 3 settings, “Manual”, “Comfort” and “Sport” and the difference between the modes is shift speed/smoothness. A benefit of the transmission is that the power is distributed across 7 speeds rather than 6, allowing the C63 to hit 60 mph (4.5 seconds), 75 mph (6.3) and the quarter-mile (12.5 seconds @ 114 mph) quicker.

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