2012 Mercedes ML-Class SUV

The third-generation ML-Class will make its U.S. retail debut in September 2011 with two available models at launch, the ML350 4MATIC and the ML350 BlueTEC. More engines will be added down the road.

The gasoline-powered ML350 is equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 delivering 302HP and 273 lb-ft of peak torque, and returns an estimated fuel economy of 17mpg city and 22mpg highway. The outgoing ML350 with a 268HP V6 returned 15mpg and 20mpg respectively.

The ML350 BlueTEC features a 3.0-liter V6 diesel rated at 240HP and 455 lb-ft, returning 20mpg city and 25mpg highway (previous model: 18mpg/25mpg).

A seven-speed automatic transmission is standard on both models.

In Europe, Mercedes will eventually offer the 2012 ML-Class with a broader range of diesel and gasoline powerplants. New to the lineup is the ML250 powered by a 2.1-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel with 204HP and 500Nm (368.8 lb-ft) of peak torque, and a combined fuel economy of 6.0lt/100km (39.2 mpg US).

At launch, there’s also the ML 350 BlueTEC with a 250HP 3.0-liter V6 diesel (6.8 lt/100km) and the ML 350 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY with a 3.5-liter V6 petrol delivering 306HP (8.5 lt/100km).

All models are equipped with a seven-speed auto and four-wheel drive as standard.

More powerful V8 variants including the top-end AMG with a twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 will follow at a later date.

Mercedes will also offer the optional On&Offroad package for the new M-Class (available next year in the U.S.) that utilizes a range of six transmission modes to optimize driving dynamics and handling by changing the settings for the AIRMATIC suspension and the powertrain. The system offers a single automatic mode, two dedicated off-road modes and three on-road modes, all controlled through a rotary knob on the center console.

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Škoda Octavia RS 600HP

Based on the latest production model, the car with which Skoda will compete at the Bonneville Salt Flats rides almost 80mm closer to the ground and features a new sub-frame that houses a race prepared intercooler.
While it retains the production model’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder TSI petrol unit, engineers replaced the standard turbo with a more advanced unit from Garret producing 26-28 PSI of boost pressure and modified the engine to run on a high-octane race fuel (with water methanol mix) instead of unleaded petrol. The result is a blistering output of up to 600-horsepower and 450Nm (331.9 lb-ft) of peak torque.
The Octavia vRS also gets a standard suite of safety features such as means a reinforced roll cage, parachute, fire extinguishers and window cage.
Skoda will enter the car in the ‘2.0-litre production car’ category and will race it over a nine-mile straight, which includes a timed mile in the middle of the course.

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Golf R Cabriolet

Golf R Cabriolet is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine putting out 270-horses and 350Nm (258.2 lb-ft) of peak torque from a low 2,500 rpm. The standard sprint to 100km/h (62mph) from standstill comes in less than 6.0 seconds while top speed is limited at 250km/h (155mph).

Volkswagen did not say if the Golf R Cabriolet is equipped with the hatchback’s all-wheel drive system or if power is transferred to the front wheels alone.


What the Cabriolet does get is a 25 mm lowered sport chassis along with a 17-inch brake system with internally ventilated discs at all wheels and blue painted high-performance brake callipers, and 19-inch “Talladega” alloy wheels wrapped in size 235 tires.

The car also features the Golf R’s aero kit with a new front bumper, side sills and a redesigned rear bumper housing two central tail pipes. Inside, there are bucket seats in dark blue carbon leather, combined with high-end Nappa leather in “Pure Grey”, plus carbon accents and sand-blasted aluminium door sill plates with black piano paint inlays.


For the time being, the Golf R Cabriolet remains a pure study, but we wouldn’t rule out the possibility of a production version in the near feature just yet.

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Škoda RS2000 Concept

For those of you still with us, we’ll remind you that the Fabia RS 2000 Concept is an open-air version of the widened-up Fabia S2000 rally car sporting the same heavily modified 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine driving all four wheels.

If you managed to keep your eyes of the girls, you may have noticed some of the changes Škoda made to the exterior including the side windows, the bespoke cover behind the rear headrests and the black boot lid spoiler.


The concept’s interior was crafted after the normal Fabia RS (vRS in the UK) and features a set of bucket sports seats up front and more carbon fiber accents than a NASA parts cupboard.

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VW Golf R Concept

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