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Audi

8 Cool Modified Audi R8 Cars

By Jodie

Showcasing 8 of the coolest modified Audi R8 sports cars from around the world. The Audi R8 was introduced by the German automaker Audi AG in 2006 and is a mid-engine, 2-seater sports car using Audi’s trademark quattro permanent all-wheel drive system.

The car was exclusively designed, developed, and manufactured by Audi AG’s high performance private subsidiary company, quattro GmbH, and is based on the Lamborghini Gallardo platform. The fundamental construction of the R8 is based on the Audi Space Frame and uses an aluminium monocoque which is built around space frame principles. The car is built by quattro GmbH in a newly renovated factory at Audi’s ‘aluminium site’ at Neckarsulm in Germany.

The following are 8 cool examples of owners who have modified their Audi R8 cars.

Chrome Audi R8 Spyder

This cool car needs just the kind of flash personality to go with it – someone like Elton John, for example. Audi has created this chrome version of its R8 Spyder for the Elton John Aids Foundation, and it was a fitting example of glamour for the White Tie and Tiara ball event from the foundation. Apart from the fact that the model is pretty much the same as a standard R8 Spyder with a V10 engine, we get no other details. But then again, that mirror finish just about speaks for itself.

Reiger Audi R8

This new styling aero kit features a front spoiler, side skirts, rear skirt, diffuser, rear wing, fog lights, and exhaust tips. It can be ordered from the Rieger online shop and will give the V8 Audi R8 a similar R8 V10 look. The car also received suspension tuning with an adjustable kit to drop it on the 20 or 21-inch rims.

Project Kahn Audi R8

Kahn lowers the suspension and slaps on 20′ F1-X rims made of lightweight carbon fiber.

Heffner Performance Audi R8 Twin Turbo

Heffner’s not bothered with much in the way of spoilers and trinketry, but it has gone ABSOLUTELY MENTAL on the engine. The 5.2-litre V10’s fitted with a twin-Garrett-turbo setup running 6psi of boost, which wrings 725bhp out of the original engine.

PPI GTR-10 Limited Edition Audi R8

The gold striping and look-at-me wing dangle it precariously on the edge of acceptability, but we’ll let off the PPI GTR-10 on account of its 601bhp. The V10 gets a roof-mounted air intake, vented liftgate glass, a free-flow exhaust system and remap job. Cool!

Stassis Challenge Extreme Edition

A hot new intake manifold, barky exhaust system and clever ECU software boosts power by 28% to 540bhp. It also gets lowered suspension, wide 20-inch alloys, uprated brakes and a stealthy satin finish.

Wheelsandmore Audi R8 V10

It’s got a special height-adjustable racing coilover suspension setup, stainless exhaust and remap job, which boosts power to 592bhp. It also looks v cool…and evil!

Motoren Technik Mayer Audi R8 V10

The V10’s been fiddled to produce 580bhp, there’s a funky new exhaust, downforce-fond body accoutrements, lightweight wheels and, of course, bright green paint. Yes it’s shouty and gauche, but that’s what an R8’s all about, right?

Top 10s

10 Coolest US Cars & Trucks Of All Time

By Mark

What does it take to rank among the coolest cars and trucks of all time? Speed? Power? Incredible looks? In reality, it could be any combination or indeed none of these things. Instead, to rank among the best of all time, you simply need to bring something to the table that goes above and beyond the competition. To illustrate the point a little more clearly, here’s a brief overview of 10 of the coolest US cars and trucks of all time, as rated by experts across the country:

Ford Mustang

The pride of a new generation of muscle car fans hiding under Ford car covers nationwide, the incredible 2017 Mustang ticks all the right boxes. Affordable, powerful, gorgeous to look at and surprisingly fuel-efficient – a true legend in the making.

Chevrolet Bolt

The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt may not be the prettiest or most powerful car of its kind, but it is nonetheless the current record-holder in terms of range. At least in terms of affordable electric cars, the Bolt is capable of an impressive 238 miles from a single charge – well above other EVs in its class.

Tesla Model S

At a slightly higher price point, the Model S sells for anything from $68,000 to $240,000, though delivers the kind of performance most supercars cannot contend with. Comfortable, luxurious and economical, the S powers from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds.

Chevrolet Colorado

This is the absolute perfect pickup for heavy-duty towing and general city commuting alike. An all-in-one workhorse that takes absolutely anything you can throw at it and deals with it with a grin.

Chrysler Pacifica

Spectacularly affordable for a minivan of such quality, the 2017 Pacifica was rated as one of the best cars of its type available from any American manufacturer. Bursting with high-end safety and entertainment features to keep even the biggest families entertained.

Ford F-150

The Ford F-150 was and is the most spectacular success story of any truck of its kind. It’s just that the 2017 model was the most impressive seen to date and a bargain almost beyond belief.

Chevrolet Impala

With an extremely impressive resale value and a V6 option available with more than 300 horse power under the hood, the 2017 Impala is the kind of ride you’ll want to protect with a reliable Chevy car cover. Impressive in every respect that matters.

Tesla Model X

Tesla’s Model X is every bit as impressive as the S, combining supercar performance with the comfort and luxury of a high-quality SUV. It’s rather on the expensive side, but delivers the kind of enjoyment and prestige that never comes cheap.

Chevrolet Corvette

Argue it’s not exactly practical all you like, but the 2017 ‘Vette it is not only sophisticated, powerful and an absolute blast to drive, it’s also every bit as American as the Statue of Liberty itself.

Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

Last up, the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid scored huge points the moment it rolled off the production lines by delivering at least 10mpg better fuel economy than its closest competitors. It’s also fantastically comfortable and a genuine joy to drive.

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Top Five Movie Cars Ever

By Mark

The car chase is one of the most fun, action-packed scenes in any film. We all love a high-speed chase and to be wowed over near misses and cool moves. But which cars made scenes like this iconic? We take a look through the five best movie cars ever:

5. Smokey and the Bandit’s Pontiac Trans Am

There’s no doubt that the black and gold 1977 Special Edition Pontiac Trans Am was the star of the show. Directed by stunt performer Hal Needham (who once claimed to be the world’s highest-paid stuntman), Smokey and the Bandit actually contained four Pontiacs. The muscle car’s engine wasn’t strong enough to power the car for the bridge jump sequence, so a Chevrolet engine was fitted into the jump car.

Unfortunately, Pontiac went out of business in 2010 after 84 years. At the height of its fame, one million Pontiac models were sold in 1968.

4. The Italian Job’s Mini Coopers

Ok, so this could be seen as cheating as there was more than one Mini Cooper in The Italian Job but they have to be in the list. The three Mk1 Austin Mini Cooper Ss, in the iconic red, white and blue became legendary because of their roles in this film.

The cars were designed for racing so actually didn’t need too many modifications for the renowned chases. Starring low key Minis rather than something faster and flashier added to the appeal: by adding a touch of British nonchalance it helped to generate a cult status for the film.

Find out more about the cars used in the movie here.

3. Goldfinger’s Aston Martin

The third film in the Bond series saw the introduction of a new car for James: the 1964 Aston Martin DB5. Achieving 0-62mph in 8 seconds, this was the ultimate in sophistication and a relationship we would see spanning 50 years.

One of the four original cars (made for Goldfinger and Thunderball) sold for £2.6m in auction in 2010. We see the model return for the latest offering, Skyfall, but it is destroyed in the final scene.

2. Bullitt’s Ford Mustang Fastback

An original review of Bullitt by the National Observer said “Whatever you have heard about the auto chase scene in Bullitt is probably true… a terrifying, deafening shocker.”

The 1968 Ford Mustang GT had a 325hp V8 to keep up with the bad guys’ 1968 Dodge Charger 440 Magnum and the car chase is widely recognised as one of the best in history. Stunts for Steve McQueen were performed by Carey Loftin, while bad guy Phil was played by stunt driver Bill Hickman. The cars were modified by Max Balchowsky, a stunt performer and former racer; with the Mustang in particular needing considerable modifications to withstand the filming. He reinforced the shock towers, replaced suspension parts and added a high performance ignition system to the engine.

1. Vanishing Point’s Dodge Challenger

There was no way we could talk about movie cars and not mention the 1970 Dodge Challenger in Vanishing Point. It is, without a doubt, the coolest piece of American muscle to ever star in a movie.

This film saw a reunion of Bullitt’s Carey Loftin, Max Balchowsky and Bill Hickman as a stunt trio. Loftin requested a Dodge Challenger for the film, known for its strength – combined with Torsion-Aire suspension. Apart from heavy-duty shock absorbers, the five Challengers bought for the film were – amazingly – unmodified.

If you fancy getting your own Challenger, you can build one on the Dodge website. If you want to take it a step further, see how much it would cost to get car insurance and buy one! You wouldn’t be the first; fellow Challenger lovers include Carmen Electra, Snoop Dogg and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

So many have been awe-struck by the Challenger: it’s now so iconic that Primal Scream dedicated an album to the car and Quentin Tarantino paid homage with his 2007 feature, Death Proof.

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Volkswagen Scirocco: Coolest Coupe On The Market?

By Mark

If you want to talk about seriously cool cars, then I must draw your attention to the Volkswagen Scirocco. When it burst on the scene, everyone was taken aback by the striking looks and cool design. Today, we’re going to have a look at this car and find out what’s good and bad about it. And, we’ll answer the question; is it the coolest coupe on the market?

(Photo source: https://goo.gl/KiXSxB)

Design & Looks

One of the standout features of this car is its design. Throughout the years, the models have undergone slight tweaks here and there. But, every model is extremely stylish, in my eyes anyway. What I like about the Scirocco is that it looks like a sportier VW Golf. Golfs have always looked cool, but they just seemed a bit too big and robust for me. This car takes the classic VW design and makes it better. It’s lower than the Golf, and a tad wider too. You end up with a fantastic streamline shape; that adds to the sportiness.

I think my favourite thing about the exterior design is the front. The grill and lights work together so well. They’re designed in a way that makes the car look menacing. If you take a look at a Scirocco face on, it looks like it’s glaring at you. I love this because you know the car means business. I’m all for sporty cars with mean looks; I don’t think they should look friendly. Volkswagen has done exceptionally well with the exterior design of this car.

Take a trip inside the car and things are very crisp and refined. It looks like a Volkswagen interior, but with a bit more class. The air vents have a nice trim to them, and I like the overall colour scheme. Having said that, there are a couple of things that aren’t quite up to scratch. The main center console screen is a bit crazy. There are so many buttons, and it just looks too cluttered. Secondly, the gearstick is a bit odd as well. It just doesn’t have a very good grip on it; I think it can be improved.

Overall, the design and looks of this car are very good. It’s certainly one of the most stylish coupes out there on the market today.

(Image credit: https://goo.gl/Ax6X0M)

Drive & Performance

Naturally, the thing most people are interested in is drive & performance. When you’re looking for a sporty coupe, you want one that can give a little more than your average car. So, let’s take a look at what the Scirocco is packing under its bonnet.

At the top of the spec range, you can get a Scirocco with a turbocharged 267 bhp engine. That’s a lot of power in a medium sized coupe like this! If you think this is too much for you to handle, then don’t worry! There are versions further down the chain with around 100 bhp to satisfy you. Generally speaking, all Sciroccos are great to drive. They feel smooth on the roads, and you definitely feel some quickness when moving through the gears.

Part of the good driving experience comes from a great suspension. It makes the car glide over bumps and deals with difficult road surfaces. All in all, a Volkswagen Scirocco does everything you want it to do. It can get you from A to B in a comfortable manner. And, if you want to put your foot down on the motorway, this little beauty will bring the thrills.

Price/Value For Money

The price of a Scirocco does depend on a few factors. Firstly, are you going to buy used or new? A new one can set you back between £20 – 33,000. Naturally, the base models are the cheaper ones, and they’re much closer to that £20,000 mark. The more you pay, the more features available for the car, hence the higher price.

As far as used Sciroccos go, you can get some pretty good bargains. The great thing about this car is that it’s ultra modern. Even ones that were built back in 2010 can hold their own today. It won’t take you long to find one within your budget if you shop around online. In fact, a quick look at AutoTrader coupe’s and you’ll see some for around £10,000. So, ask yourself, do you want a new model with all the updated specs and tech? Or, would you rather pay half the price for a used one? There’s no right or wrong answer here, it all depends on your personal budget.

So, having looked at the prices, does this car represent good value for money? Looking at the current market, I’d say the Scirocco comes in at an attractive price. Some of its rivals, like the Nissan 350z are far more expensive, both new and used. For what you get, a sporty yet practical coupe, you end up with great value.

(Pic via: https://goo.gl/Vv6VG9)

Safety Features

Everyone is always keen to know what safety features a car has these days. Throughout the course of time, Sciroccos have had more and more cool features introduced. If you find parking a wee bit tricky, then the parking sensors will make life easier and safer for you. There’s also something called ESC which is pretty cool too. This is Electronic Stabilisation Control for the more modern versions. I won’t bore you with the technical mumbo jumbo, but this feature helps prevent skidding. So, you can feel much safer when on wet and slippery roads.

Volkswagen also makes sure that all their cars have proper airbags installed in case of collisions. Furthermore, Sciroccos also have an exceptionally sturdy body. This means you’re safer if you ever get hit by another vehicle.

Generally speaking, the safety features are a little underwhelming. Other than ESC, there’s nothing here that you wouldn’t find in any other coupe. The fact that Volkswagen brag about the airbags on their site shows that there’s not a lot to cheer about in this department.

To conclude, I think that the Scirocco is a fine car. There are very few negatives about it, and it’s a hugely practical coupe. When looking at similar cars, you’ll find it tough to beat a Scirocco regarding looks, performance, and value for money. Is it the coolest coupe on the market? In my eyes, it certainly is!

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The 3 Coolest Cars Made By Ford

By Mark

Ford is one of the biggest car manufacturers in the world. For years, they’ve created some of the best and most reliable cars on the market. Most people associate Ford with family cars and hatchbacks. But, over the years, they’ve made some seriously cool cars as well.

Here are the three coolest cars made by Ford:

Ford GT

When you think of supercars, your mind tends to drift towards the Lamborghinis and Ferraris of this world. However, a lot of people forget that Ford made a supercar, and it was brilliant. The Ford GT was a vehicle draped in quality and high-performance specs. It was fast, it handled well, and looked excellent.

The Ford GT was a forgotten car because there weren’t any made for a fair few years. In fact, none has been made since 2006, until now! That’s right; there’s a second generation Ford GT that will be on the market. It looks utterly fantastic and is already conjuring up a storm. The design of the car stays true to the original, which I love, but with a modern edge. Everything looks more up to date, and I honestly can’t take my eyes off it. There are few cars that can rival its beauty, and I’m eager to see how it drives.

(Image Link: https://goo.gl/GQYOd8)

F 150 Raptor

The Ford F 150 Raptor is without a doubt one of the coolest cars Ford has ever made. And, it’s the coolest pickup truck on the market. The vehicle is designed brilliantly and oozes awesomeness. The 2017 Ford Raptor is arguably the best of the bunch. It looks modern, stylish, bold, and so many other things rolled into one.

(Photo Source: https://goo.gl/2QoQHr)

What I love about this car is that it’s very functional. Pickup trucks are useful and tend to be bought by people that use them for a specific purpose. Plus, the new Raptor has an engine that roars. For such a large machine, it moves very swiftly. And, I love that the engine is economical too. There’s just so many cool things about this truck; it’s hard to mention them all.

Mustang

If you’re a fan of car racing video games, or films, then you’ll know a thing or two about the Ford Mustang. This muscle car has been popular over the many years it’s been manufactured. What most people love about this car are its looks. There’s a unique style to the Mustang that makes it appear so cool.

No matter what colour you get it in, it looks like the kind of car you buy if you mean business.

It’s the ultimate car to sit at the traffic lights and lock eyes with the driver in the other lane as you rev your engine and watch them squirm.

Keen Ford Mustang fans will know that there’s a new one on the horizon too. It promises to bring your typical Mustang flair, with a few updates here and there. Many people are already claiming it’s the coolest Mustang yet.

(Picture Credit: https://goo.gl/01sh7C)

These three cars are my pick of the coolest that Ford has built. Let me know if you agree or what cars you’d add to this list!

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Coolest Cars Of The Future Coming Soon

By Mark

We love our cool cars and for us, nothing is more exciting than an announcement of a new model from one of our favourite makers. Whether that’s a brand new powerful Land Rover or the next speedy Mclaren, we simply can’t contain our excitement. Truth be told, most of these cars aren’t vehicles that the average person will get a chance to earn. Either they’re out of the price range, or some are even made to be limited edition. At best you can hope to get your hands on one at a car convention or a track day. But that still doesn’t stop us getting excited. It’s like looking at a rocket ship. You know, you’re never going to be in one, flying up into space. But you still gaze at it in awe as it takes off.

With that in mind, here are some of the coolest cars of the future that have already been announced. From style to power, these cars have got it all. Who knows, if you start saving now, you might just be able to afford one by the time of release. We can dream!

2017: Bugatti Chiron

Picture Flickr

What do you do when you’ve designed the fastest road-legal car in the world? Why, you make another, even faster one of course. Yes, this is the bouncing baby brother of the Veyron, king of the roads, and we can’t wait to see what it’s got under the hood.

The Chiron is expected to reach a top speed of 288 mph. Where you manage to get the car up to that speed is frankly, your problem. After all, if you have 2.5 million to spend on a car, we imagine, you can scrape some money together to buy a runway for it. What you should know is that the Chiron will beat it’s older brother by around thirty mph.

The maker describes the car as a beautiful beast, and we have to agree. With that much power, we could only hope that the car looks as beautiful as it’s predecessor. We think you’ll agree it certainly does. Although it would be hard not to as in style, it’s not so much of evolution as it is an adaption.

Long story short, if you want the fastest car on the road, this is what you’ll need to buy. So we suggest you start saving now. The good news is that if you already have that amount of money lying around, the Bugatti will be here sooner than you think. You can look for it from the exclusive dealers at the end of the year.

2018: Honda Civic Type R

Courtesy Of Flickr

Don’t let that date fool you. It’s highly unlikely that the 2018 Honda Civic will arrive in 2018. In fact, we’d make an educated guess it will be here late 2016, early 2017. Why the late date? Your guess is as good as ours, but we’re still very excited about this car. It’s perhaps one of the only ones on this list that you might just get your hands on. We’d bet the price is going to be somewhere around the thirty thousand mark. That’s more than low enough for most car buyers. For a high powered performance vehicle, it’s an absolute steal.

Honda has had a few attempts at delivering a car built for performance and speed in the past. It hasn’t gone quite as well as we would have hoped. The previous models have been something of a disappointment. We’re hoping this is going to mark the start of a turnaround for the maker.

At the very least, we certainly agree the car looks the part. It’s got the look of a cross between a saloon and a couple. We love the small, yet attractively styled spoiler that seems like part of the car. Rather than other designs, where it looks like it’s been stuck on as an afterthought.

The two litre three hundred horse power engine is sure to pack a wallop. All in all, we can’t wait to get our hands on one of these machines when it’s released. Let’s just hope they do release it early and don’t wait until 2018.

2018: Land Rover Defender

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Of course, if you own a farm, you care very little about how fast a car can go. You’re more interested in buying a car that can pull it’s weight. We bring you then the Land Rover Defender. This is for the buyer who wants their car to have a little bit of meat around the muscle. Land Rovers are always powerful, high-performance cars and the new defender will be no different.

The name is quite apt too. The new model is here to reclaim the place as the king of its current competition. You might think that it’s facing an uphill battle. But the truth is if the Land Rover can match its predecessors in performance, it’s got the wannabes beat.

That’s why it’s a good thing that the new Rover has got the engine of a Jag. That’s right. It’s not very often that you can say an SUV has the same engine as a sports car. But this one sure does. Unfortunately, there has been a degree of controversy with the Land Rover. Essentially, the maker has got to try and please both groups. Those who want a real SUV and those who want a sports car that looks like an SUV. We’ll have to wait and see in 2017 whether the producer succeeds in reinventing the Land Rover name.

You’ll be able to pick one up for around fifty-five thousand. But if you can’t wait until next year Spire Automotive and other car sellers have got used Land Rovers for under thirty.

2019: Lamborghini Asterion

Flickr Picture

Finally, let’s go far into the future by looking at the Asterion. It’s going to be nothing short of a beautiful hybrid supercar and we can’t wait to see it. Though that wait is going to be a while. On the plus side, it’s going to be nowhere near as expensive as the Bugatti. You can expect this one to hit the market with a price tag of half a million. That’s not too bad considering the amount of power you’ll have.

Lamborghini claims the new model will have 900 horsepower. That’s their way of saying it will go from zero to sixty before you can say holy…

Unfortunately, the earliest we’ll see this car is 2018. But we think you’ll agree it’s going to be absolutely incredible.

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Travel in style with the rather cool Mercedes-AMG C 63 Saloon

By Mark

Mercedes-Benz has gone through something of a makeover in recent years. For years, the premium marque got associated with older people that wanted executive models. The German firm is desperate to appeal to younger audiences. Their current models are more appealing to such markets nowadays.

Even their high-performance AMG brand has had a makeover. Now known as “Mercedes-AMG” one appealing example is the C 63 Saloon. If you want a practical car that doesn’t make you feel thirty years older, this model is for you! But what’s so great about it? Let me share with you some of the C 63’s main selling points:

It has a beast under the bonnet

When you buy a high-performance saloon car, one thing’s for certain. You will want to know how powerful the car is on the road! The new Mercedes-AMG C 63 doesn’t disappoint. As standard, it comes with a 4.0-litre V8 bi-turbo engine.

It’ll get you from zero to 60mph in 4.0 seconds flat. And it can offer a top speed of 155 mph. This is electronically limited, of course. If you de-restricted it, you could get closer to 200 mph! The engine also boasts peak power of 476 brake horsepower.

It looks like a sleeper

The thing about AMG models is they look subtle and blend in well with any environment. Some car makers prefer to make their performance models stick out like a sore thumb. That isn’t the case with the C 63 Saloon.

Take a look at https://www.mercedes-benz.inchcape.co.uk to see what I mean. There is no outlandish styling. Just subtle styling that will surprise anyone when you put the pedal to the metal! I’m a big fan of sleepers, so I’m probably biased when I say I love the styling on the C 63 Saloon!

Photo Credit

The V8 engine does have some green credentials

When you buy a high-performance car, little effort gets made to make it an eco-friendly model. Sure, you could buy models like the BMW i8, for example. But, making a thirsty V8 greener is akin to getting blood out of a stone!

Somehow, the engineering team at Mercedes-AMG have managed to do that! According to the car maker, the C 63 Saloon’s V8 bi-turbo engine boasts CO2 emissions of 192 g/km. That’s also good news for people that loathe having to pay high car tax amounts.

It looks dynamic and smart for a Mercedes saloon

Most people are indifferent to the styling of a Mercedes-Benz saloon. The C 63 AMG version looks quite appealing and dynamic. Take its front-end, for example. It comes with an AMG-specific front grille and LED headlights. The front apron also sets it off well and makes it looks mean without being outlandish.

The car sits on 18-inch alloy wheels, although you can upgrade to 19s if you wish. With its chiselled lines and AMG side skirts, there’s no denying this is a sporty C 63!

Photo Credit

The interior is more comfortable than your living room sofa

Sit inside the interior of a Mercedes-AMG C 63 Saloon and you’ll soon realise one thing. The cabin of this car is so comfortable; you don’t want to leave it! As standard, the model comes with AMG sports seats covered in Nappa leather.

The rear seats are quite practical and offer a split folding 40:20:40 design. Meanwhile, the ambient lighting offers five dimming levels with three different colours! Now you don’t have to get into your car at night and get blinded by the lights. Nor do you need to feel disappointed by the lacklustre illumination.

Take a look at this video to see what it’s like inside the Mercedes-AMG C 63 Saloon

The SPEEDSHIFT transmission is perfect for the V8

When you buy a car these days, it’s likely that you’ll see more automatic models offered than manuals. That’s the case even in Europe where people traditionally bought manual cars in the past.

There’s a reason for that fact: modern automatics are more efficient than manuals. You’ll notice that the auto versions of most cars use less fuel yet offer the same power output from the engine.

The SPEEDSHIFT automatic in the C 63 Saloon is no different. It’s a seven-speed unit that offers various driving “modes” to suit your needs. It doesn’t matter if you’re driving on the road or a race track. You’ll find a transmission mode that is best for the driving conditions.

You can see more of the sky with a panoramic sunroof

It goes without saying that you need to keep your eyes on the road when you’re driving. But, if you’ve parked up somewhere and are relaxing for a few minutes, you might want to lie back in your seat.

One optional extra on the Mercedes-AMG 6 63 Saloon is the electric panoramic sunroof. Even your rear seat passengers can enjoy a direct view of the sky with it.

The COMAND Online system is brilliant for smartphone users

As you might expect, the Mercedes-AMG C 63 is rather packed full of technology. One notable example is the “COMAND Online” system. In a nutshell, it allows your Bluetooth-enabled smartphone to link up with the car.

You can then stream music, make and receive calls and even go online using COMAND Online. What’s more, it also offers an innovative satellite navigation system. It’s also linked to a DVD Player and hard drive. In many respects, it’s like having a PC in your car!

It’s affordable to maintain

You might think that an AMG will cost a small fortune to maintain and repair. But, it might shock you to learn the costs are quite reasonable! Sure, it’s not as cheap to run as a Ford Fiesta, for example. But, considering this is a high-performance model, the maintenance costs are low.

I’d recommend entrusting the maintenance of this car only with skilled AMG technicians. You’ll also find some third-party specialists around. Just don’t let anyone else touch your car!

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Cooler Than You Think: Car Brands That Deserve More Respect

By Jodie

When it comes to the car industry, there is nothing more important than brand perception. It’s why the likes of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi, are always there or thereabouts at the top of the sales charts. And, as we will begin to see in a moment, a bad reputation can be hard to shift. Here are a few car brands that are often seen as poorer siblings by the mainstream car market, and why we think those thoughts are a little unfair.

Volkswagen

Volkswagen hit the headlines earlier this year, as most of you will know. They admitted hoodwinking their customers – and the world’s governments – over emissions testing. You can read more about the biggest story in the car industry over the last few years here. It’s going to cause them a lot of problems – not just with their finances, but their reputation, too. And, if history is anything to go by, once that reputation is in tatters, it can be hard to put it all back together. But, let’s be honest. Volkswagen was once a great car brand and are responsible for many of the current technologies that lots of cars on the road still use today. The actions of a few stupid people at the top of the chain should never spoil that.

The Smart Car

Smart cars are nothing short of a joke for many car enthusiasts. But, they miss the point. There are plenty of people out there who mock it for its failure to beat economy cars, but it was never meant to keep down your fuel costs. It’s a city vehicle that helps you park easily in busy streets and parking bays – no more, and no less. I would suggest that had the makers of the Smart Car called it something other than a car it would be seen as far more acceptable.

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Skoda

If you were around in the 80s, you might remember that Skodas was a laughing stock. The Czech manufacturer’s cars were the go-to punchline for anyone telling an auto-based joke, and if your dad had one, you would be, too. However, it’s been decades since Skoda started turning things around, and now they make exceptional cars. Even to this day, you will find people that snort in derision. But, the fact is that new Skoda cars are just as good as anything BMW, VW, or Mercedes can come up with. The company has come a long way since their Soviet-influenced designs. And, they have released some stunning vehicles in the past decade or so.

Hyundai

If ever there was a better example of a car brand that can’t seem to establish itself, it’s Hyundai. The Korean manufacturer makes some excellent vehicles across all price brackets, but for some reason, it has never been in fashion. Again, the 80s has a lot to answer for – what was it with that decade? The Pony and Excel cars were, admittedly, horrendous, and often sold to people with bad credit – or less. But, that was a long time ago, and if you’re looking for value, you will always be hard-pressed to find better than Hyundai in the current market.

Honda

Honda has been through all kinds of popularity issues. In times gone by, they were a great manufacturer and people loved them, but at some point in time, things went awry for the Japanese car maker. Now, though, they are beginning to see the fruits of selling great value cars at affordable prices. There is an element of safe design and dull driving, of course. But their engines are famous for going forever, and if you look after it, your Honda will last for many years after the competition has long since gone.

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BYD

BYD is a Chinese car manufacturer – one of the biggest in the country. It has a large number of cars on its roster, including hybrids, alternative fuel engines, and light motor vehicles. Sales of BYDs are virtually non-existent in the west, although there have been exports sent as far west as the Ukraine. BYD, like all other Chinese car manufacturers, have no reputation at all over here. Many people on these shores and in Europe wouldn’t dream of buying a Chinese vehicle. It’s peculiar as they are amongst the most technologically advanced vehicles in the world. So much so, that renowned investor Warren Buffet has a 10% stake in the company, And, as we all know, he is a man that rarely backs duds.

Subaru

Subaru became a joke car in the late 90s and early 2000s when their Impreza became the flagship vehicle for every single boy racer in the country. But, these days, Subaru has shed that image and is now one of the most trusted car brands in the world. There are still those that turn their noses up at the mere mention of a Subaru, though. But, with reliable products and beautiful looking cars, it is worth looking beyond the snobbery. Head over to The Telegraph to see the kind of reception the brand is getting these days from current owners.

Scion

Take a quick look at the Scion xB and half of you will laugh, and the other half of you may cough with disgust. There’s no doubt it is a unique looking car – far different to anything else on the road. And, during its release, there were plenty of predictions of complete and utter failure. However, as is often the case with cars, it found its market. The older generations love the xB, for all the reasons that everyone else hates it. They are simple to drive, for a start, and their boxy look gives a feeling of safety and security. Also, the perspective from inside the car is spectacular. The unusual windscreen provides an excellent view of the road ahead, which you don’t get with any other mainstream car. It’s easy to get in and out of, too.

OK, so that’s our roundup of some of the car brands that deserve a little more of your respect. Some of them will never shake their reputation off, it seems. But, that means that the rest of us can enjoy them at a lower price tag!

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How To Personalise Your Car & Make It Your Own

By Jodie

Your car is an extension of your personality. At least, it should be. Yet, it seems like we’re all driving the exact same cars. There are millions of Ford Fiestas on the road. And the motorways are packed full of carbon copy saloon cars. BMWs, Audis, and Mercedes. They’re all the same. It’s time to inject some personality into your vehicle. Make it yours. A quick disclaimer before you do. Some of the ideas on this list will make it tricky to sell in the future.

Custom paint job – When you buy a new car, you’re typically offered the same dull paint choices. The simple whites, blues, and blacks are the most common colours. But what about something a little more personal? How about a two-tone finish or a mix of your favourite colours? Custom car garages like Auto Art can help turn your boring paint job into something more personal. Whether it’s a simple go-faster stripe along the side or full custom artwork, it will transform the car.

Custom license plate – We love a good custom license plate. They make excellent gifts and presents for the petrol-head in your life. Unfortunately, they’re not always cheap to come by. It’s also tricky to find the perfect lettering and numbering, as they aren’t made to order. But, when you do find the perfect license plate, it makes your car that little bit more special.

Seat covers or upholstery – If the exterior of your car is all about expressing your personality, the interior is about comfort. You want to sit behind the wheel and feel comfortable and stylish. One of the best personalised upgrades you can do is fitting leather upholstery. It instantly feels more stylish and comfortable. You can finish it with a specific trim colour, and make it your own. If you’re running low on cash, you can buy simple seat covers that match your style and personality.

Stereo system – Most sensible car buyers advise against upgrading to a big stereo. It could make it more difficult to sell your car in the future, and it might lose value. On the other hand, you get phenomenal, crystal clear sound while you’re driving. If you’re anything like us, you’ll love turning the stereo up loud and going on a road trip. For that level of joy and excitement, any price is worth it.

Fun technology extras – The essence of driving is all about fun. So forget practicality and sensible choices for a second. What would you love to do in your car? We recently came across a car-lover who had installed a small mini-fridge in the front console. Now, he and his family had quick access to cold drinks on a long journey. Genius! Others have installed TVs in the back seats for their kids. It’s these fun technology extras that turn a practical car into a fun place to be.

Forget those same old cars, and find new ways to put your own stamp on your motor. What would you do to your car?

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Top 5 City Cars

By Mark

If you’re constantly traveling around the city, navigating winding streets and parking in tricky spots, then getting a city car would be a fantastic investment. City cars are cool because they’re cheap to run, offer quality driving, and are a practical UK car leasing option.

Below, we’ve had a look at some of the best city cars on offer. Ranging from the cheap and cheerful, to the stylish and highly practical. Take a look and see which city car would suit you best!

Fiat 500

This car is all about style, and the 500’s funky retro design makes it great fun to cruise around the city. This quirky car has some pretty flexible engines too, and is one of the safest superminis you can opt to drive. There’s a bit more interior and boot space than the Chevrolet Spark, but not by much. Remember, you’ll also have to pay extra for specs such as air conditioning.

Chevrolet Spark

The Spark is nifty little city car which is quite cheap too. It’s reasonably practical, and the higher spec versions get a decent amount of kit. Although it’s fun and easy to drive in an urban environment, the engine can get a little bit noisy at times, and there’s not a great amount of space inside. It makes for a great vehicle leasing choice, as there are only second-hand models available now.

Volkswagen Up!

We love VW and the VW Up! is possibly one of the best choices on this list if we were to buy a car to drive around a city in. Not only does this car have a classic chic style, but it offers wonderful performance too. There’s a decent amount of space inside, the engine is economical, and it’s plenty of fun to drive. The only downside is that the Up! can be a little bit pricey when compared to other superminis in the same category.

Skoda Citigo

The Citigo definitely ranks as one of the best city cars around, and although it may not be as stylish at the Fiat 500 or Up! it has some fantastic performance and engines to offer. It is economical and well built, but also gives drivers some good value for money. Although it does struggle at higher speeds, it’s super cheap to buy and run.

Citroen C1

The C1 out of all the city cars we think looks the coolest. It’s a great modern choice for people who live in the city, and want something nippy and practical, but with style. Most versions of the C1 come well equipped, and the light and easy steering makes parking a breeze. The ride can be a little bumpy at times, and the rear space is on the small side too.