Ferrari announced today it had recalled all versions of its model 458 Italia sports car produced before July 2010 after four of them caught fire.

“Our dealers are going to call clients and tell them to bring back their cars so that the necessary modifications can be carried out,” a spokesman said. The recall involves 1248 vehicles worldwide, the official said.

Ferrari last week opened an enquiry after four of its vehicles caught fire spontaneously in California, China, France and Switzerland. The investigation had shown problems with the mounting, adhesive, heat shields and wheel arch assembly, the spokesman said.

“High outside temperatures and intensive use of the vehicle cause a distortion and the vehicle catches fire,” he said, adding that the modification will include replacing the heat shields.

We know the 458 is a hot model but let’s hope this is the last of these beautiful models going up in flames.

While the new CLS Class is not yet officially unveiled, recently leaks of what the new CLS will look like has emerged onto the internet. While that was all good, Twisted Lifestyle is now bringing you the beauty of the Mercedes Benz CLS Class AMG Sport Package

In addition we have details of the upcoming engines on the Mercedes Benz CLS
- CLS 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, 150kW / 204 BHP 500nm
- CLS 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, 194kW / 265 BHP 620nm
- CLS 350 CDI 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY, 194kW / 265 BHP 620nm
- CLS 350 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY, 225 kW / 306 BHP 370nm
- CLS 500 BlueEFFICIENCY, 320kW / 435 BHP 700nm
- CLS 500 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY, 320kW / 435 BHP 700nm
- CLS 63 AMG 400kW / 544 BHP 800nm
- CLS 63 AMG Performance Package 420kW / 571 BHP 900nm

Mercedes Benz CLS Class Official Details are due to be released any time soon but for the moment, enjoy what engines will be available as well as the beautiful CLS Class AMG Sports Package pictures.

The fastest production car recently made its North American debut at the 60th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and Bugatti in a new blue midnight colour.

Though the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport is capable of reaching 431.072 km/h (267.856 mph), its speed has been electronically limited to 415 km/h (258 mph). Bugatti says the consumer vehicle will have identical specs, but the limitation was necessary to protect the car’s tires.

Its engine is tuned to deliver 1,200 hp (882 kW), a 20 percent gain over the already massive Veyron 16.4, and up to 1,500 Nm (1106 lb-ft) of torque. The unit sends its power to all four wheels using a seven speed twin clutch transmission.

The hypercar also comes with enhanced aerodynamics, a re-engineered chassis and a body structure that uses carbon fiber. Accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport takes some 2.5 seconds, or 7.3 seconds from 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) and 15 seconds from 0 to 300 km/h (186 mph).

The production of this awesome racer will start in autumn and it will be limited to 40 units only. The first five units will be finished in the same exposed carbon and orange livery, used for the successful record attempt.

A short time ago, Aston Martin was busy creating an extremely special edition vehicle called the One-77 supercar. Fast forward to this year, and Aston Martin is at work again creating another special supercar that will be produced in an even more limited supply than the One-77. This time, they have enlisted the help of Star Electric Cars France to produce the Aston Martin Super Sport Limited Edition. The new model will be limited to only 8 units, each priced to €7.5 million / $9.6 million.

The Aston Martin Super Sport Limited Edition will be powered by a twin-turbocharged 5.4 liter V8 engine producing up to 950bhp. The engine is mated to a a six-speed manual, fully synchronized with an integral, torque-sensing, helical limited-slip differential.

This special edition will be offered with carbon fiber bodywork and Brembo or AP carbon ceramic brakes. The interior will be covered in leather, alcantara, and carbon fiber with Recaro seats topping it off.

Each of the eight units will be be painted in a different exterior paint with each color only being used once. This little detail certainly explains the limited number and extravagant price tag.

All is now reveled what one of our favorite brands what Mercedes-Benz was up to when Tiff Needel popped on over to the Isle of Man to drop in on some sort of high-budget commercial shoot with the Mercedes SLS AMG. It turns out that the Silver Arrow wanted to nab the title of the world’s fastest 3D film by shooting David Coulthard as he pushed the company’s new SLS AMG to 167 mph. The whole shindig was captured by an army of camera vehicles, including at least one helicopter, a boom truck and, fittingly enough, another SLS AMG. The company even talked rally fiend Robbie Head into piloting the lead car ahead of Coulthard.

The full feature will air this coming Sunday on the Sky 3D pub channel, but the rest of us can catch the action when the footage hits Mercedes-Benz dealerships all over the world later this year. Here’s hoping they’ll hand out some equally classy 3D specs just for the occasion. You can check out the teaser below as well as the making of this video.

Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong have launched their flagship sports car SLS AMG in the city, making Hong Kong one of the first Asian markets to get the Gullwing super sports car within the first few weeks of its production. The car is the first Mercedes automobile designed in-house by AMG and is described by Mercedes as a spiritual successor to the 300SL Gullwing.

In celebration of the launch of their new car, Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong held a ceremony on July 16th at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. At the press launch, famous artist, Chi Lam Cheung and celebrity model, Jennifer Tse, led the unveiling ceremony to witness the noteworthy moment alongside with media representatives.

Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong attracted over 1000 affluent, prestigious guests in town to experience the extravagant and superior SLS AMG at the launch event in the evening.

The launch party highlights were the up-beat unveiling performances, including pyro dance and bungee dance performed by Circus O, a well known Canada-based pyrotechnic and stunt show performing group.

Two Gullwing SLS AMG super sports cars then descended from the air and one driving out from the main stage, creating a fascinating picture. The model enjoyed a great deal of success since it was first introduced thanks to its gullwing doors.

The SLS AMG is equipped with a 6.2l V8 engine from AMG, mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, that delivers 420kW and 650nm of Torque. This allows the new Gullwing to sprint from 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds, despite of its 1620 kg overall weight.

The top speed is electronically limited at 317 km/h and the fuel consumption level shows a combined 13.2l/100 km figure. Additional exterior styling cues include LED technology and motor racing/aviation inspired elements.

The SLS AMG is now available in Hong Kong HK$3198000 / US$412000 and Macau HK$2537000 / $327000.

Gurcharn Sahota, a 30-year-old accountancy graduate, is offering the world’s most expensive car wash service in the UK – charging up to £7,200 per vehicle.

Mr Sahota, who lives with his parents in Derbyshire, has converted their double garage into a hi-tech workshop. He has lined the walls and floor of the double unit with specialist tiles imported from Italy which help reflect flecks of dirt on the cars.

Each vehicle takes up to 250 hours to clean, and his premier service includes polishing and buffing every inch of the car inside and out five times. After spending hundreds of hours cleaning by hand he uses a £5,000 computerised microscope which examines the car for blotches and scratches. A buffer is linked to a highly sensitive paint gauge which scans the car to prevent patching on the bodywork. Finally, he uses a specialist clay which he rubs over the bodywork to remove any imperfections.

Since he started the business five years ago, Gurcharn Sahota has washed hundreds of supercars including Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Rolls Royce and the Le Mans-winning McLaren F1 GTR.

Bugatti revealed today its brand new Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, its latest addition to the Veyron lineup. The Bugatti Veyron Super Sport 16.4 comes equipped with 1200 horsepower / 882kW under the hood, with torque increasing to 1,106 pound-feet.

It also comes with a revised aerodynamic kit that allows it to maintain a perfect balance in every situation. It also employs four enlarged turbochargers and bigger inter-coolers to boost the power of the 16-cylinder engine.

These improvements will push the car from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.2 seconds while the top speed will be limited to 415 km/h to protect the tyres.

The new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport will make its debut in August at the Pebble Beach Concours and will be produced in a limited edition of just 30 units. The first 5 units will be known as the World Record Edition. Offered in a special black exposed carbon and orange finish, these cars have already been sold.

The reason its known as a World Record Edition is because it broke the Speed World Record at 431km/h

While everyone expected the Bugatti to be priced at $2 million, the car in fact will be priced at €1.9million ($2.4 million at the current exchange rate). Bugatti has sold 260 Veyrons and 35 Grand Sports by now, of which 249 Veyrons and 22 Grand Sports had been delivered.

http://www.bugatti.com/

While anyone who knows me, knows how I love the Mercedes AMG division and the vehicles they produce, AMG is not for everyone and some just prefer to cruise in the lap of luxury while enjoying the quality of Mercedes and the CL model.

For decades now, the great coupés from Mercedes-Benz have represented motoring refinement of the highest level. Exceptional design, craftsmanship and pioneering technology flow together, blending into a style-generating unity. The history of the great two-door cars bearing the three-pointed star goes back to the large supercharged cars of the 1920s and ’30s. The new CL-Class generation continues in this great unbroken tradition of automotive masterworks.

With targeted design modifications such as the new, more strongly pointed radiator grille, the new front bumper with integrated LED strips for the daytime running lamps and the standard bi-xenon headlamps, the Mercedes developers cultivated the poise and dynamism expressed in the design language of the two-door car in a contemporary manner. The high technological level exemplified by Active Body Control (ABC) with crosswind stabilisation sets new standards in driving dynamics and comfort. And with safety systems such as the ATTENTION ASSIST weariness recognition system, active Blind Spot Assist, active Lane Keeping assist, Adaptive Highbeam Assist and automatic PRE-SAFE full brake application, the CL-Class takes pole position in the luxury coupé class.

This is also true of the engine line-up: the entirely re-developed V8 BiTurbo engine with a displacement of 4.6l, 435 hp output, a torque of 700 Newton-metres and spray-guided direct petrol injection in the CL 500 Blue EFFICIENCY achieves top marks in its class in terms of efficiency, with a consumption of 29.73 mpg on the combined cycle. This means fuel savings of up to 23 percent over the predecessor model.

CO2 emissions drop from 288 to 224 grams per km. At the same time, output climbs by 47 hp compared with the 5.5l naturally aspirated engine in the preceding model.

The special order CL 600 is the renowned summit of the drive units, with its 517 hp V12 5.5l BiTurbo engine developing a torque of 830 Nm.

The high-value appointments and equipment of the luxury coupé obey the highest standards of exclusivity and individuality. An extract from the list of the car’s standard equipment: Active Body Control with crosswind stabilization, Adaptive driver and front-passenger airbags, Adaptive Highbeam Assist, Adaptive brake lights, Anti-lock braking system (ABS), ATTENTION ASSIST, 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission (CL 500 Blue EFFICIENCY), Automatic steering wheel adjustment for entry and exit, Bluetooth, SD, USB, AUX-IN audio and video interface, Brake Assist (BAS), ADAPTIVE BRAKE, AMG Sports Package, COMAND system with CD/DVD player, SD card slot, USB interface and Gracenote data base, DIRECT SELECT gearshift, Direct-Steer system, ECOstart/stop function (CL 500 Blue EFFICIENCY), ESP with acceleration skid control (ASR), Headlamp assist, Electric parking brake, Belt tensioners on all seats, Intelligent Light System with country light, motorway mode, extended fog light function, active light function and cornering light function, Leather upholstery, 18-inch light-alloy wheels, Memory package for seats, steering wheel and exterior mirrors, Metallic paintwork, Nappa leather multifunction steering wheel, PARKTRONIC with Parking Guidance, PRE-SAFE, Rain sensor with two sensitivity levels, Tyre pressure loss warning system, Tilting/sliding glass sunroof, electric, with PRE-SAFE function, Door power closing, Front and rear seatbelts with automatic comfort-fit feature, Sidebags front and rear, Heated front seats, LED daytime running lamps integrated in bumper, Telephone keypad, Cruise control, Doorhold, Four-zone automatic climate control, Front seats with electric fore/aft and height adjustment with lumbar support and PRE-SAFE positioning function, Tinted, sound-insulating, infrared-reflecting laminated glass all round & Windowbags

Equipment Packages: Substantial Benefits & Perfect Combinations

To enable drivers to benefit to the greatest extent from the advanced assistance systems and comfort elements, Mercedes-Benz offers certain innovations as packages upon request. This guarantees that the systems complement each other perfectly.

In the Driving Assistance package PLUS Mercedes-Benz mainly combines systems that can actively help to prevent rear-end collisions: the radar-based proximity cruise control system DISTRONIC PLUS, Brake Assist PLUS and the PRE-SAFE Brake. This equipment package also includes Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist.

An exclusive audio experience and optimum video entertainment for the front passenger is provided by the Front Seat Entertainment package. It includes the SPLITVIEW display, the 6-disc DVD changer and the Harman Kardon Discrete Logic 7 surround sound system with headphones and remote control (standard for CL 600).

The V12 Mercedes Benz CL600

Mercedes-Benz stylishly underlines the exceptional status of the twelve-cylinder CL 600 with numerous distinguishing features in the exterior and interior. In addition to the model-specific radiator grille with two twin louvres, these include the V12 emblem on the flanks, model-specific, five-spoke 18-inch light-alloy wheels in a bi-colour look and a large range of standard option packages. Standard ex-factory specifications include: Navigation package, Front Seat Entertainment package, Reversing camera, KEYLESS-GO, Convenience telephony and Anti-Theft Protection package

The front active multicontour seats and the rear seats are upholstered with particularly supple “PASSION” leather, decorated with a special V12 fluting pattern, as is the Alcantara roof liner. Among other things, the upper and lower sections of the dashboard, the door centre panels, rear shelf and ruffled pockets on driver and front passenger backrest are covered in this high-quality leather. Apart from the roof liner, the interior trim of the A, B and C pillars is also clothed in Alcantara leather. Luxury head restraints at front and rear bearing the V12 emblem also enhance travelling enjoyment. The V12 symbol on the backrests makes reference to the exclusive character of the vehicle. On entry, the V12 emblem lights up in the instrument cluster. Trim elements in fine high-gloss brown poplar wood, chrome-plated door sills and boot sill, together with the standard ambient lighting, round off the serene character of the Mercedes-Benz CL 600.

Designo and Designo Selection: Individual & Exclusive

For further individualisation, customers can now also choose from a restructured range of designo features for the CL-Class, which further underscore the exclusive hand-finish character of the luxury model. Ten different designo paint finishes can be combined with ten designo aniline leather interiors and four natural leather interiors – with practically no limitations on personal taste. For designo wood trim, customers have a choice between natural-grain maple and natural-grain matt oak. Trim in black piano lacquer and champagne white piano lacquer can also be ordered.

Two kinds of fine authentic granite trim are available for the CL-Class: Labrador blue pearl and Star Galaxy black. These trim elements are made by cutting 0.6 to 0.8 mm thin stone wafers which are then coated with an adhesive layer to ensure that every grain remains exactly where it is. These thin plates are then ground between two rollers. The result is a visually undisturbed, extremely thin stone sheet, pliable thanks to the adhesive layer applied, which enables it to be moulded around narrow edges, too.

With designo Selection, Mercedes-Benz is offering a special, high-end package of designo features for the CL-Class. Customers can configure their car according to their personal preferences and taste from the different designo aniline leather upholstery, wood trim elements and paint work available. The highlight is designo lettering in solid 18-carat gold on the rear air conditioning unit cover. This is exclusive to the designo Selection. The designo wood/leather steering wheel and the designo roof liner in black nappa leather or Alcantara in cashmere beige, anthracite or alpaca grey round off the refined atmosphere of the car’s interior.

AMG Sports Package: CL-Class With A Striking Sporty Character

The AMG Sports package with AMG bodystyling and AMG light-alloy wheels gives the luxurious two-door car an even more dynamic look. At the front the newly-designed front apron ensures an imposing, muscular appearance. Its distinguishing feature is a tapered air intake with a wider lower edge. The side skirts continue the design of the front bumper, with striking contours that find an echo in the rear apron. The independent rear bumper with a black insert is the perfect finishing touch.

Further highlights include the 19-inch AMG 5-spoke light-alloy wheels painted in sterling silver. With their broad format 255/40 (front) and 275/40 (rear), not only do they fill the wheel houses perfectly, lending the CL-Class an exceptionally dynamic presence, but also enhance its handling characteristics even more. In addition, silver-colour painted brake callipers with Mercedes-Benz lettering on the front axle wheels emphasise its sporty appearance. The CL 500 Blue EFFICIENCY with AMG Sports package is fitted with 255/40 R 19 tyres on both front and rear axles. Optionally, 20-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in twin-spoke design with tyre sizes 255/35 and 275/35 are also available.

Wood trim and the wood/leather steering wheel in black ash give the high-quality vehicle interior a very special feel. The standard AMG Sports package also includes sports pedals in brushed stainless steel with black rubber studs and velour floor mats with AMG lettering.

http://www.mercedes-benz.co.za/
http://www.mercedes-benz.com/

The first details and images of the electric Mercedes SLS AMG E-Cell have leaked.

The Mercedes SLS AMG E-Cell, showing a bright yellow exterior paint job in these official images, is ready for its debut. Power for the E-Cell will be provided by four electric motors – one at each corner – that are capable of revving to 12,000rpm.

Power for the setup is estimated around 390kW, which will be good enough for a 0-100km/h time of just 4 seconds. This will be just slightly slower than the petrol version.

The Mercedes SLS AMG E-Cell is also fitted with reduction gears and a multi-link suspension with push-rod dampers that replace the double-wishbone one in the standard Gullwing.

The aerodynamics of the electric Mercedes SLS AMG E-Cell have also been modified in order to get more downforce. The electric Gullwing comes with a re-designed rear diffuser and an extendable front splitter.

The interior changes brought by the new electric Mercedes SLS AMG E-Cell include a 10-inch touch screen. If all goes as planned, the E-Cell should arrive in Mercedes showrooms sometime in 2013. I’m personally a fan of the SLS AMG and regardless if Supercars are going green or not, it would be interesting to see the final result come production time.