Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT Coupe

It would take a discerning eye to spot the differences between previous years' SLS AMG coupes and roadsters and the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT models. With so few ever seen in the wild and nearly each personalized to an owner's tastes, every public sighting becomes a finger-pointing, gob-smacking occasion in itself. For 2013, only Mercedes-Benz historians would notice subtle changes to the grille, headlamps, taillights and alphabet-soup trunk badge. Even at the Edmunds test track, we weren't able to detect the 20-horsepower increase in engine output that comes this year as a result of more than 120 component changes within the engine. And it would certainly take a familiarity with the outgoing SLS and sensitive backside to detect this year's revised suspension tuning. Yes, these are all minute changes, and we're glad because the SLS is nearly a masterpiece as is. The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT carries on the tradition of being the first-ever car entirely designed and built by the company's high-performance division. Each engine is painstakingly assembled by hand by one person, from crankshaft to autographed plaque atop. That 6.2-liter V8 carries over, but now cranks out 583 hp. Torque remains consistent at 479 pound-feet. Through a carbon-fiber driveshaft, power is directed to the seven-speed automated manual transmission that AMG has tuned to deliver shorter, smoother shifts.

The Future Vision Luxury concept is 280 millimeters (about 11 inches) longer than the longest version of the 7 Series, and even more opulent inside. Super-strong carbon fiber allowed BMW to make the door openings extra wide. Photo credit: BMW Group. It looks like a very big, very well-appointed, very expensive BMW sedan.The interior features lots of wood and leather, but in light tones and relatively delicate arrangements, giving a feeling of spaciousness. And it incorporates a lot of high technology. The seat frames and interior panels are made of carbon fiber, BMW says -- an exceptionally light and strong (and expensive) material. It's so strong that BMW was able to incorporate the car's roof pillars into the front seat backs. That allowed BMW to make an extra-wide opening for the rear door, for easier access to the lavish back-seat area -- which includes its own touchscreen system. Why so much emphasis on back-seat appointments?

It's not because the 9 Series is designed for limo-service duty, it's because of the way cars like these are used in the Chinese market. In China, luxury-car buyers (and sometimes, mainstream-car buyers) often hire drivers and ride in back. Automakers doing business in China have been putting increasing emphasis on rear-seat legroom and comfort. Those needs become even more important in high-end cars like this one. But as I said, this isn't limited to the vehicles we think of as luxury cars. Ford (NYSE: F ) didn't need to change much when it turned the American-market Escape SUV into the Chinese-market Kuga SUV, but one key change it did make was to alter the seat structures to give back-seat passengers more legroom. Rear-seat comfort and amenities will be especially important with a car like the upcoming BMW 9 Series, at least in China -- and customers in Europe and the U.S. Several years ago, Daimler (NASDAQOTH: DDAIF ) tried to enter this market with a brand called Maybach that was slotted above its vaunted Mercedes-Benz brand. The Maybachs were gorgeous, huge, and extremely expensive sedans -- but the name didn't resonate with buyers, and Daimler shut it down after a few years. But it's coming back, this time as a super version of Mercedes' top-of-the-line S-Class sedans. Daimler is widely expected to show the Mercedes-Benz S600 Maybach this fall, at the Guangzhou and Los Angeles shows. Analysts think that a production version of BMW's 9 Series is likely to follow, sometime next year. What do you think? Or is this a step too far? Scroll down to leave a comment with your thoughts.

Which 80s MTB to replace my too small Univega Alpina Uno? Shut up and ride! Which 80s MTB to replace my too small Univega Alpina Uno? I really love my chrome 80s Univega Alpina Uno, but the truth is, it's just too small. It has been a reliable daily driver commuter bike, through all seasons, for about a year now. Now, I find two nice 80s MTBs on the local CL, that are both my size. I'm thinking of selling the Alpina Uno for one of these, as the new daily driver. But which one should I choose? Shut up and ride! Both cool bikes, but I give the edge to the Alpina. The Sugino crank that is a copy of the TA is very cool. And the double cantis is preferable to the chainstay u-brake on the Stumpy. However, the Stumpy does have nicer derailleurs and is already kitted with fenders and Paselas. Although I would switch to metal fenders. Last edited by TenGrainBread; 06-13-19 at 06:47 AM. As a commuter, the slacker geo of the alpina would be hard to resist. 80's atbs just cruise nice. Also, any mtb without a unicrown fork is a big plus. The crank, as mentioned above is awesome too. The Stumpy would be the sentimental choice except for that chainstay brake. A dark point in late 80’s MTB design. Shut up and ride! However, the Stumpy does have nicer derailleurs and is already kitted with fenders and Paselas. Although I would switch to metal fenders.