Lexus have spent a fair amount of time over the past decade to poke their elegantly designed noses into the pastures of the Germans. However, Germans are a very tight set bunch and the somewhat poor economy and not too inspiring performance figures of the mark 2 IS left the luxury arm of Toyota in the dust. We spied our first glimpse of the mark 3 IS in 2012 and then in January we saw a very similar looking car get a few styling tweaks and a re-badging as the IS.
The IS300h is kept moving by a naturally aspirated 2.5L 4 cylinder petrol engine providing 178bhp and bolting on a 141bhp electric motor. All the power goes to the rear wheels and the total output comes in at a rather lavish 220bhp. The petrol engine runs on the Atkinson combustion cycle which increases engine efficiency and the new fuel injection system positions injectors in both the port and the chamber. Combining all of this means the jolt to 62mph will take a somewhat uninspiring 8.3 seconds (the BMW 320d takes a mere 7.4 seconds) and will top out at 125mph. Helping you get there is the unbelievably smooth and well crafted electric CVT gearbox. Where this gearbox feels excellent around small village roads or motorway cruising, though it can come across somewhat sterile when trying to give the IS300h the full beans. Giving the car a good dose of the right pedal does leave you feeling disconnected from the whole driving experience and the presence of the vaguely raspy sounds funnelled into the car to replicate the genuine growl of a non-hybrid does take some of the real joie-de-vivre of the car.
This isn’t a high powered sports car though. It definitely puts a smile on your face and will leave your bank account fairly intact due to it’s low tax bands. The base specification IS300h comes in at just under 100g/km in terms of emissions and even with the sportier tyres of the F-sport spec you’ll only be paying pennies due to mere 109g/km. This is the grand finale of Lexus’ rollout of hybrids in every model and the combined mpg figure is an impressive 60.1mpg while the urban figure is an equally good 57.6mpg. With the benefit in kind of 11% as well as the sub-100 figure on the SE spec you’ll be saving a fair bit of money on the comparable BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics, and company car drivers can also expect an impressive reduction in their annual tax bill as well by moving away from the German competitors.
Inside you’ll be greeted by the beautiful design we’ve all come to expect from the Japanese kings of luxury with a cockpit inspired by the £350,000 Lexus LFA supercar. The wheel is luxurious and the digital dials give the car the super-modern feel and the exquisitely comfortable leather seats (albeit at a premium of £1,400) hug you around every single twist and turn. An easy to use multimedia and navigation system is paired with a clear 7” screen and my only real niggle is that the ‘joystick’ style control is somewhat over-responsive. Sound inside the car is excellent with a powerful 6-speaker audio system and DAB radio as standard. There is also ans aux-in cable input for MP3 players and USB ports for connecting smartphones. The rear-view camera makes parking the IS300h a dream and the dual-zone climate control is easy to use with excellent touch-pad style temperature controls which you can increase or decrease by sliding your finger up or down. Heated and electric seats in the front as well as 60:40 split-folding rear seats in the back mean space and comfort with the added bonus of ‘smart entry’ which means once you’ve pushed the big shiny start button the drivers seat and steering wheel will return to its previous position making entering and exiting the car very easy.
Outside, the car is just art. Lexus do styling very well and the F-sport bumpers and mesh grille give the car real panache coupled with the metallic white paint (a £610 extra). LED lights all round and seductive 18inch F-sport alloy wheels add the finishing touches and even in the sleepy villages of north Berkshire, this car was turning heads. The rear legroom is good and headroom is excellent as well. In the boot you’ve got 450 litres to play with as well.
On the road price for a Lexus IS300h F-sport is £33,495. Other models available include the IS250 which uses a naturally aspirated V6 to generate a shade over 200bhp with a standard automatic box which will whisk you to 62 in 8.1 seconds, but much like we’ve seen with BMW, Audi and Mercedes, this bigger engine will not be as popular is the more economic diesels/hybrids and are aimed more at the US market. The IS250 starts at £26,495 while a base model IS300h without the F-sport gear will set you back a mere £29,495 which slots nicely with the competition.
To conclude, I genuinely enjoyed every second I was in this car, in fact it’s the best Lexus I’ve ever driven. Sure the CVT gearbox was occasionally frustrating and the underwhelming performance figures did cause some grief, but I didn’t settle into the beautifully crafted leather sport seats expecting a rocket ship. I doubt the IS300h will topple the likes of BMW, Audi and Mercedes; but that’s not to say it’s a bad car. Class leading style and comfort, coupled with the reliability of a Toyota subsidiary and the low tax band, not to mention a competitive price tag, will undoubtedly make waves in the boardrooms of the Germans.
It has been some time now since you could walk into a dealership and buy something brand new with an octagon shaped badge on it. MG’s prestigious history came to a close in the UK, along with Rover, a number of years ago which was a rather sad day. The British brand had pedigree in sports cars and excitement in its saloons. The MG logo was a great export of the UK once upon a time with the Americans going crazy for MG Bs and Midgets. After being bought-out by Chinese car firm, SAIC, it has all been quiet up at Longbridge, until last year that is. MG resurfaced on the UK market with the MG 6, a Focus rival that promised value for money. Whilst it delivered on the value front, its engine was on the receiving end of much journalistic grumbling. However, today we are testing the new diesel variation of the MG 6 GT that could just be the key to MG getting a foothold on the market it once called home.
In its metallic grey and wearing a set of bold 18inch ally wheels, our MG 6 welcomed comments from onlookers such as “that’s smart” and even one “that’s a well fly set of wheels bro” from a young chap wearing a cap at a jaunty angle. Though its styling is more subtle than competitors, it’s overall aesthetic gives this MG a rather grownup appearance.
Under the bonnet sits a new 1.9 litre turbocharged diesel engine that claims to do 53MPG. After a week of testing in multiple scenarios our average was in the high 40’s and so with a lighter right foot we are led to believe that MG’s figure is entirely possible. The engine itself is the real star of the car providing a nice dollop of low end torque that is then supplemented by the turbo. Inside our top specification car you are greeted by plush leather seats that are fantastic on long journeys. The toys list is extensive and includes; reversing camera, Bluetooth, satellite navigation, heated seats, dual zone climate control and cruise control. Did I mention that you can have all of this for just over £20,000? The equivalent Honda Civic would set you back over £3,000 more. With the MG’s class leading boot and interior space, it really is vast inside, the question is does it have a downside? Well, unfortunately the interior plastics still don’t feel top notch and the handbrake is an ergonomic nightmare. The key has always been a source of criticism on this car as it feels far too light and doesn’t really represent the premium product the MG 6 GT sets out to be. That all said, the car is still very good value for money and the target market, AKA my Dad, could not find fault with it.
On the road the MG 6 is a very competent machine. In urban areas a restricted rear view is aided by the parking sensors and reversing camera, something worth investing in. The steering is relatively light at low speeds but provides good level of driver feedback once you are up to pace. Its ride is a little on the firm side, however, the reward for putting up with rutted roads is keen handling and a suspension setup that does a very good job of hiding the extra weight of the diesel engine. The cars agility is impressive as it swoops into bends and blast out of them with the enthusiasm of a small child. Whilst taking it on a photo shoot in a forest the twisting roads provided a tarmac playground for the 6 to play. This car does something very interesting in that despite its size, its ability to change direction at a moments notice makes it feel much smaller. Though it is good fun on a b-road, the MG 6 is most at home on the motorway. It’s diesel engine provides good fuel economy, though a little less than competitors, and when the turbo is on song you can often forget just how fast you are going. From within the cabin it is a comfortable and rather relaxing environment to be in for long periods. Engine, road and wind noise is minimal and with cruise control engaged it just eats up the miles.
When the MG 6 first arrived I have to admit I did have a few gripes with it, primarily around its use of interior materials, but after a week and many many miles I have grown quite fond of it. I enjoyed people talking to me about their old MG’s in the car park, I adored its engine and just before the car left for its journey back to Longbridge I found myself polishing its proudly placed octagon badge. This is a reassuring start for a company that aims to relive its former glory.
The Mercedes SL has always been a brilliant car to cruise to the south of France in, a very well made GT. However, it lacked that willingness to behave like a taught sports machine when you wanted hit those complex mountain roads. It has always been a very capable car but for those looking for something more agile, the competition was very good at ticking that box. A new SL steps up to the plate for 2013 and not just some tweaked mid-life refresh either… This is the all-new Mercedes-Benz SL.
Or to be more specific, our test car is the SL63 AMG variant and to those who recognise the cars last three letters we understand why you have just leaned in a little closer. For the readers who don’t let me be very blunt about what this car actually is. The new Mercedes SL weighs 120KG less than the outgoing model, thanks to an aluminium body shell, and is fitted with a 5.5 litre V8 twin-turbocharged engine. This luxurious two seater convertible is then handed to the Germans performance devision, AMG. What they do to this car next is borderline insane. Increasing the boost from the turbos, putting components on a diet and giving onboard systems some extra “go juice” results in a machine that produces 557BHP and 663lb-ft of torque. Those numbers translate into the SL63 AMG achieving a 0-62MPH time of just 4.2 seconds and equipped with our cars performance pack, it won’t stop until it reaches a top speed of 186MPH. Hopefully now we are all reading from the same page when it comes to AMG. Think of them as Mercedes-Benz’ mad scientists.
This SL isn’t exactly what you would call a pretty car in terms of exterior design. From the front its blunt shape does give it presence but the rest of the car doesn’t go out of its way to reveal the potential performance that lay beneath its aluminium skin. The cockpit is a fantastic blend of Mercedes comfort and small sporting details. The seats for example are heavily bolstered to hold you in place but also very padded maintaing high levels of comfort. The console is clearly laid out with every button being stereotypically German in its logical positioning. The high quality black leather upholstery and aluminium detailing of the cabin give the interior a very executive feel and almost makes you completely oblivious to the fact that you are sat in an atomic weapon.
Fire the car up and you are very quickly reminded that this isn’t any ordinary Mercedes-Benz. At low speeds the cars 7 speed gearbox does a good job of selecting gears by itself and manages the transitions seamlessly. The steering is light and with the roof up it is just like driving a coupe. The SL63 manages refinement even better than the car it replaces incorporating new tech such as wiper blades that also clean the windscreen with water as they go. No more getting splashed by the washer jets whilst the roof is down! So, we have established that the new car fills the gap of comfortable convertible very well, but what happens if we take it out of the old cars comfort zone? What happens when you give it a firm prod in the ribs?
Putting your foot to the floor sets free both of those turbos and after just a minuscule delay they unleash every single one of those horse powers in a fashion last recorded as a major event in the bible. You are sucked back into you seat like someone just attached a giant Dyson to your arse. Before you know it you are doing 70, 80, 90 before slamming on the cars astonishingly good carbon ceramic brakes. Plunging into a corner it is immediately possible to tell that this SL is lightyears ahead of the old car in the handling department. It transfers its weight so effortlessly and the responsiveness of its electromechanical steering is sublime, though the trade off is that it lacks feeling. There is no getting away from the fact that this is a big car, but it will merrily dance to what ever jig you choose as it will match your driving capabilities step for step. With ESP off oversteer lunacy arrives in abundance. Just looking at the throttle is enough to kick the back end out, but the beauty of it is that it is just so very manageable due to its wide tyres. Orchestral V8 roar in toe, you can’t help but smile.
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL63 is a very complete machine in that it will waft up and down whatever coast you choose all day long, yet when you fancy being exuberant that car now has more than just a powerful engine to do the job. It is a quietly styled monster that has some excellent handling virtues.
BMW and Mercedes-Benz have been at each other throats since the dawn of the wheel. The two prestigious brands are in a self perpetuating battle right across their range. A-Class VS 1 Series, E-Class VS 5 Series, ML VS X5, SLK VS Z4. Each company has a defense for the others offense and today the cars being produced are at such a high level that personal preference is sometimes all that separates them. However, Mercedes has never had an answer to BMW’s M3, a car that has become something of a cult leader amongst petrol heads. Turning to their AMG performance division, the three pointed star now has a machine they would like to share with us.
Well, it damn well knows how to make an entrance! Rumbling, spitting and snarling the C63 AMG Coupe came into focus. Visually it displays its intent from the moment you lay eyes on it, the car just dominates its surroundings. Like a python, the C63 is all muscle with flared arches, bold body lines and that blunt nose. It could never be called an elegant looking machine but my god, it looks purposeful. If we are going to draw comparisons between the M3 and this car all day long then it has to be said that whilst an M3 next to this looks subtle enough to ferry your Mum to the bank, the AMG given half the chance would probably eat her.
Yet, opening the doors reveals a lavish interior with all of the refinement you would expect from any other Mercedes-Benz. It seats four in the finest of leather with the two occupants up front being treated to brilliantly supportive body hugging seats. It would appear that this brute has a soft heart hidden within its angry outer shell… There is adequate space for adults in the back, granted you wouldn’t want to spend hours back there, but for a coupe of this caliber it is pretty good. It even has generously sized boot meaning that this car can been seen from the get-go as more than just a weekend toy.
Driving around at low speeds is a genuinely calming experience with the suspension soaking up the bumps well and the 7 speed automatic gearbox managing menial cog swapping. From within the cabin the engine is barely audible. That is until you step on the noisy peddle… Immediately the AMG tuned naturally aspirated 6.2 litre engine makes itself known! This cars vocal chords teamed artillery grade exhausts produces a sound that penetrates your chest and resinates with your brain. There is no false piping of noise through speakers in this car, oh no, it just grabs your eardrums and blasts them with a symphony of 480BHP. Stealing pistons and a lightweight crankshaft from its bigger brother, the SLS, this performance pack equipped Coupe provides an experience that is more than just a desirable soundtrack.
Opening the taps and turning the car up to maximum attack surges it towards the horizon with no hesitation what so ever. The pick-up is immediate and absolutely intoxicating. 0-62MPH is completed in just 4.4 seconds and it will go on to an electronically limited top speed of 155MPH. Throwing the Merc into a corner brings nothing but a smile to your face. The steering is direct and provides good levels of feedback to the driver. It is very competent when the road gets twisty and thanks to those ceramic-carbon brakes, its stopping power is impressive. I do wish there was a manual option for this car and though the 7 speed box does a fine job, its manual mode could respond a bit faster. Turning ESP off and twitching the throttle will induce a power slide that is almost pantomime in nature. It is epic fun but those tyres do cost £310 each, nevertheless, it will provide a situation where you can remind yourself what it was like to be six years old again.
At around £63,000 this car with all of the toys is not cheap, but that does not mean it isn’t good value. It is a car with many different characters, a Jekyll and Hyde if you will. On the one hand it is a fabulously refined car that offers all and more of what you expect to live with day to day, but also it is a weapon of mass destruction and more than capable of giving you one of the best motoring experiences of your life. It really does tick all of the boxes, but should you buy one over an M3? I suspect a BMW M3 would be a little fast round a racetrack, but there is no getting away from the fact that the C63 AMG Coupe is just more fun to drive. Whilst the M3 is deeply satisfying on the move, this cars split personally will have you chuckling to yourself every time you fire up that beastly 6.2 litre engine.
In 1989 a revolution was born. Something that would become so successful that it would kill off the once globally craved British sports car. The Mazda MX-5 was born out of an experiment, it takes its name from “Mazda eXperimental number 5, that led the Japanese manufacturer to a formula that today has sold over 900,000 cars. The MX-5 was well priced, fantastic amounts of fun to drive and crucially provided bullet proof reliability. It was classless, cheeky, always ready to play and the world fell in love with this little convertible. The car was in such high demand when it was launched that it is reported that dealerships sold units for nearly double their sticker price. 24 years later and this working class hero is still on sale.
Over the generations the MX-5 has evolved with the times but never lost its raw focus on driving pleasure. For 2013 the car gets a slight nip and tuck introducing a more aggressive grill. I personally own a MK1 Mazda MX-5 from 1992 and I adore the purity of the way it drives, the question is, has the new car lost any of the original cars innocents?
This specific test car is the 1.8 litre SE that provides an entry level of just £18,495, though our car does have optional pearlescent paint bringing its total to £18,990. So, in the grand scheme of sports cars it is still very well priced. Its proportions are much the same as the old car with short overhangs and a near identical wheelbase. It is a handsome car to look at and the flared wheel arches overtly state that this is a machine built for having a good time. The smart new alloy wheels are also pleasing to the eye portraying an aesthetic that looks purposeful. Inside you could describe the cockpit as being on the basic side. The console doesn’t provide snazzy dials or even a colour screen, but there is reasoning behind the spartan nature. This car is all about the driving sensation. Not gadgets and toys that distract, take away from and add weight to it. It is a beautiful simplicity and many features such as the aluminium trimmed speedometer and air vents hark back to what began in 1989. The steering wheel may not contain anything over than a volume switch for the radio but as a result it offers comfort and the ability to be grabbed at any angle. It’s cockpit is a snug fit and seats two, much like a glove. The roof is also a straight forward affair as one central latch unclips and the roof can just be thrown over your head. This car just like its grandfather isn’t about things that are tangible, but the stirring of emotions whilst you drive it.
What is it like to drive? I would describe it as, and you can quote me on this, “the best thing since sliced bread!” It is a sensational machine bursting with driver feedback and instant responses to every little input you make. The steering is quick and extremely communicative encouraging the driver to get involved with the playful nature of this car. The suspension though firm around town, is sublime on little country roads working in harmony with every other component killing body roll and maximising the grip that the tyres can give the car. It leaps like a deer from bend to bend teaching any driver more about the act of driving than almost any other machine. Gear changes from the snappy 5 speed manual are as delicious as they have been for decades. Turning traction control off unleashes a whole truck load of childish fun as the supreme balance of the MX-5 means that drifting is most defiantly on the menu. It will hold a slide all day long and though it only has 125BHP, with the sheer lack of weight your only limitation is just how much rubber you want to turn into smoke. With the roof down and the wind deflector up, the 2013 car is refined and the perfect companion for a summers day. The buttons are easy to read and the surfaces don’t glare at you whilst the sun it out. Even in the UK on a fresh morning in February you can have the roof down as the heaters are brilliantly capable of keeping you warm.
This 2013 Mazda MX-5 is one of the best choices you can make when buying a new car. If you are in the market for a sports car it would be foolish to discount this machine because it undercuts competitors in a considerable fashion. Badge snobs can brag about their cars all they like, but the truth is the the Mazda MX-5 is, and always has been, one of the most genuinely soul enriching experiences the automotive world has to offer.
Britain’s roads today are a war-zone! If its not speed cameras offering to penalize you every 500 yards, the road itself is more than happy to begin its attack on your conveyance. Speed bumps the size of houses line the streets taking chunks out of cars that are too low and obliterating the suspension of those too high. However the biggest menace on the tarmac today is not one that has come into existence by means of the government (surprisingly.) I am of course talking about the pothole, those cheeky little blighters that attempt to swallow your wheels in one. Driving about the other day was like a series of small car accidents with some potholes being large enough to consume the entirety of Dorset.
This got me thinking, a dangerous thing to do I know, and I came to the conclusion that the often frowned upon “soft roader” may actually have a purpose on todays roads. You see these cars look like 4X4’s, drive similarly to 4X4’s but when it comes to the rough stuff they just cant hack it. But from what I’ve seen its Mum’s in just such cars that can make it to the shops with their spines still in place. Enter the Mini Countryman, a car that completely blows its namesake out of the water. This not so mini Mini could just be the solution to our rutted roads.
To be more specific this is the Cooper D Countryman. A 1.6 litre diesel Mini with seating for five and ample boot space, a first from a hatchback via Mini. There is an “All-4” four-wheel-drive variant of this car however our test cars configuration with front-wheel-drive coupled to this engine is by far and away the most popular. The base price for this specification is £19,210 making it more expensive than the cars closest rivals. However a few added toys pushed the price of our car up to £22,900, so what do you get for your hard earned pounds? Well; a car that can do 0-62MPH in 10.9 seconds, has 112BHP and a fuel consumption low enough to achieve 64.2MPG. So by my reckoning the cost benefit analysis is starting to tip in favor of the Countryman.
Inside it is your typical Mini retro styling with attractive features such as the centre speedometer encompassing the LCD screen on the dashboard. However styling is where the similarities end as this car is the most practical Mini ever produced. Its four conventional doors make slipping into the very spacious cabin a doddle. It is a strange sensation being inside a car that so indisputably a Mini but actually be able to stretch out in the rear. Cabin quality is right up there as well with even the rear seats receiving the bolstered treatment.The boot is of generous proportions allowing for everything from the weekly shop to the spoils from an Ikea trip to enter. The amount of natural light allowed to pass through the Countryman is another plus however we did find that rear visibility was a slight issue, much like many other cross-overs.
On the road the torquey 1.6 really shone through highlighting why this is such a popular model. Pulling away is effortless and the car soon surges through the gears. For a diesel the engine was rather pleasant when you let the rev counter out to play and the entire drive was involving from start to finish. Despite its hight and being front-wheel-drive the car handled well with minimum body roll thanks to its suspension. However this does make the ride a little firm, not uncomfortable, but firm. The steering was also not as light as expected but this is all part of Mini’s engaging driving ethos, something that despite being an all new model hasn’t been lost. The only other niggle was that some features of the cabin, though very retro, were much more a case of style over functionality. The speedometer requires you to look at the centre console and the Star Trek inspired hand break was not as comfortable as the trusty old leaver. Though buying a Mini is all about its individuality and so for some these things won’t bother them.
At first I questioned the cars exterior architecture sighting it as slightly disproportionate. However after spending time with it I must say that the design has grown on me, I now look at it and see that Mini charm that its garnished with and smile every time. Would I recommend the Mini Countryman diesel? I would do more than that… I would go out and buy one myself.
Lamborghini, the raging bull… Fire, passion and rage distilled into one fully formed performance vessel. The Gallardo is the brands best seller in its history and though it might be the baby of the range do not think for one second that it doesn’t have the capability to dropkick your spleen into next week. Enter into the equation a Mr Valentino Balboni, none other than Lamborghini’s legendary test driver responsible for the handling of everything from the Countach to the Murcielago. This extraordinary man is set to retire after 42 years with the company and so naturally the Italians wanted to give him a good sendoff.
From most places of work at retirement you receive gifts of champaign or a set of expensive pens but from a company such as Lamborghini and a man as respected as Balboni this simply wasn’t enough. Oh no, the combination of the occasion, and the fact that they are Italian, has led to quite possibly the greatest parting gift the world has ever seen. This is the Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Balboni. At first glance this may appear to be a standard Gallardo with some impressivestripes; still a thoughtful gesture to add the mans name to the car. But what the bull has given Balboni and in tern the world is the first rear-wheel-drive Lamborghini in over a decade.
Limited to just 250 examples and costing nearly £163,000 the Balboni is old school raging bull yet educated in the 21st century. The interior barring the striped seats is largely the same, outside the architecture hasn’t changed but what has changed is that this cars 550BHP is channeled directly to the rear wheels. Though its mid-mounted V10 produces 10 horses less than the standard car, much like fewer wheels powering it less is more in the case of Balboni. Thinking back to the last RWD Lambo it did offer occupants the opportunity of death almost every time it was used, so going by past performance this car should offer the ultimate adrenalin rush followed by fiery death.
As soon as the car is awakened you notice the change in temperament instantly, the engine hum sounding like a continuously growling dog warning of what it will do next. With the revs cautiously building you start to notice subtle differences in the way the car responds to inputs. The throttle feeling a little more aggressive and gear changes a tad more ferocious than the perfectly impressive car it is based on. The previously mentioned air of caution soon dissipates as the Balboni communicates directly with the little child inside us all, “go on, go on…” Letting the beast off its chain provokes an earth-shattering howl from all 10 cylinders likely causing a tsunami large enough to devastate South America. Various internal organs now become a meaningless mess as 0-62MPH passes in 3.9 seconds.
The effects of not having all four wheels powering the car make this the Mr Hyde to the standard cars Dr Jekyll. The steering is much lighter, the entire car becomes as nimble as a housefly changing direction with laser precision. The sensation of this car is near indescribable; it just encourages you to keep going, keep pushing, just a little bit more and of course the smile will never once leave your face. This Gallardo Balboni is right up there with some of the ultimate drivers cars and surpasses many of them. However it does have its limit, be it very high, and as soon as you take that for granted it will bite. Though 99% of these cars will never be pushed hard enough for the LP550-2 punish them there is still always that underlying ability, it keeps you on edge mush like being married to a rehabilitated axe murderer. You love them and they are much better now but you know that that potential is still there.
The Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Balboni is an astonishing supercar and one that really gives the drive the want, no, need to use every ounce of its potential. That is the key reason for me favoring this car so much, the fact that it wants to be driven. Is it worth the extra cost? Well as far as I’m concerned it is a fitting tribute to the man who made Lamborghini what it is today.
The definition of an icon reads as follows: “A representation of an object of great attention and devotion, an idol.” If that is the case the Mercedes-Benz 300sl is most defiantly an icon of the automotive industry, it not only brought innovations in its manufacture but also gave the world the most incredible method of entering and exiting a car. The converted gullwing doors were first seen on this car in 1954 and captured the imagination of millions. The 300sl could achieve 150MPH and cost more than the average house when launched, doesn’t sound too different from supercars today. However that was 56 years ago and the world has changed immensely, cars can now reach over 250MPH, airbags are standard and the gullwing doors remain killed off by health and safety. Well that last statement was true up until now…
This is the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and the natural successor to the 300sl. The SLS also replaces the much loved Mercedes SLR McLaren and so has a lot to prove to the world. Mercedes have developed this car to echo its legendary forefather yet also be bold enough to fit in the modern-day. The authoritative stance of the SLS is one that provokes the association of speed with its bullet like shape, short rear end and bulging bonnet. And yes, there is no greater moment of satisfaction when you open those fabled doors for the first time. From within the cockpit the aluminium slashers are clearly visible on the sculpted bonnet that stretches off into the horizon; just enough to remind you that despite high levels of comfort you are not in any old SL. In fact the entire interior is what you would come to expect of any Mercedes-Benz but garnished with features such as a race inspired wheel, body hugging seats and glowing starter button. Each of these features hinting at this cars savage performance that lays dormant.
Under the bonnet is a 6.3 litre, 571BHP V8 that will launch the car from standing to 62MPH in just 3.7 seconds. All the power is sent through the rear wheels and as a result the SLS has a deployable spoiler to increase down force. The V8 tower of power is shifted as far back as the laws of physics allow for a 47/53 weight distribution, something that should give this car the balance of a certain mid-engine competitor from Italy. The car left to roam free will achieve 197MPH and with economy at 21MPG you could argue it’s got some “green” credentials, but then you would be laughed at.
On the road the Mercedes SLS is very refined, not just for a supercar but in general. Cabin noise at road speeds is minimal and with the interior as luxurious and comfortable as any other SL it makes for a perfect GT car. But you don’t want to read about how good the air-conditioning is or it’s silky smooth ride do you? You want to know what it was like when we opened the cadge of the beast and set it free on a damp track…
Let me begin by saying that this car has the best soundtrack I have heard all year! Its throaty V8 bellow rages around the cabin as soon as you open the throttle filling the surrounding area with the sound of horsepower. The handling of this machine is immense as every input into the steering results in an immediate response composed of swift agile movements. With the track greasy I was prepared for all that power to just spin the wheels, make smoke and stick me in a hedge. Instead the cars massive grip levels kept it stuck to the track. That said if you tickle the throttle around a corner in the right way the rear is always ready to play. Heading down the main straight at full throttle pins you to your seat dislodging all of your internal organs, but using the SLSAMG’s carbon ceramic breaks soon relocates them from being held against your spine to being mashed between your ribs.
Words can hardly describe how good this car is and I urge each and every one of you to experience this for yourself. The doors may be more of a novelty than a convenience but it is all part of the theatrics of owning a car such as this. At £153,000 it is cheaper than the Ferrari 458 by a considerable amount, and you know as advanced as the Ferrari is I would always take the keys to this. Why? Because in the 458 though it is capable of all the fantastic figures it boasts and in truth probably out run the SLS on a track, you always feel like a passenger. Whereas in the Merc you’re on the front line, it is you making the car dance, you playing the V8 orchestra and you hitting that apex.
Here at Inside Lane we seem to spend an awful lot of time reviewing cars that attempt to set your hair on fire, and well that’s mainly because they appeal to the group of six year-olds we have working in the office. But what happens when you’re finished with setting the M25 ablaze and you just want to waft home? In an attempt to quell the current overdose of supercar syndrome I have been sent to review a car that you might actually consider buying.
So you want to cruse home without worrying about the doors falling off or the radiator imploding? Ok, we’re looking for a German car. You want room for five and a good level of luxury? Now it’s narrowed down to a Mercedes-Benz and the only choice left to make is if you want to look like an accountant or a Bond villain? Yeah nobody likes there bank manager so you chose Goldfinger every time, and the concluding result of your choices is the new Mercedes E-Class E350 CDI.
This newly redesigned model has that look of importance about it as wherever the car goes it demands the respect of those aroundit. Mr ASBO is going to think twice before keying this in fear that odd-job emerges and feels the need to remove the teenagers head. Another touch that has been around since the dawn of the E-Class is that suspended badge that acts as the crosshairs to your V6 rifle. Oh you should see how the pensioners in their Fiesta’s cower as you approach at a junction. Overall the cars aesthetic appearance has a clear presence yet maintains a very German composure.
Inside the E350 it’s the usual Mercedes-Benz “everything is just a touch of a button” approach and just as you would expect everything is laid out in a logical configuration, some could describe it as dull but when it’s been a long day at work you will be grateful that it was designed by the Germans and not the Italians. The seats are near faultless giving fantastic lower back support, something that a long distance machine such as this needs to have in order for you not to disintegrate before reaching your destination. In the rear quarters there is ample leg room and a good amount of space for those of us who are abnormally tall. The E-class’ swooping bodyline is also reflected in the rear windows as they sit at a parallel to it, a nice design feature to break up what would normally be a rectangle of blandness. Though the cabin is well furnished, our test car wasn’t the top of the range model and as a result didn’t feel quite as thoroughly peasant proofed as others.
On the road the diesel V6 can get the car from 0-62MPH in 6.8 seconds but let’s not forget that acceleration wasn’t in this cars design brief. Instead of savagely getting up to speed it moves forwards on an invisible bubble of energy that ushers it forwards. Don’t misinterpret what I’m trying to say, throttle response is sharp and it is more than capable of sitting at its 155MPH top speed but it does all of this in a civilised manner. The suspension is also something to be admired as it effortlessly irons our unwanted bumps in the road yet also manages to prevent the car from sloshing from side to side around corners. The safety of this new E-Class is no a worry as it has a five star rating and more airbags than a bubble wrap factory.
This E350 CDI is a wonderfully purposeful machine that ticks all the correct boxes in order to be both functional and pleasant to live with. Dependant on what model you select it’s rather good value as ours cost just over £36,000 and it wasn’t exactly bare minimalist, but as always it’s the options list on a Mercedes-Benz that will be the death of you.
You see Inside Lane can do sensible reviews! Now where did the keys to the Ferrari 458 go?
It is said that the AH-64A Apache attack helicopter is one of the world’s most efficient killing machines. This flying widow maker carries 16 of the world’s most deadly laser guided missile as well as being armed with a barrage of rockets and a 30mm cannon that can fire at a rate of over 17 rounds per second. Just one of these hovering assassins can identify and destroy 36 enemy targets simultaneously, and this is all before the unfortunate pray even has the chance to acknowledge that it’s in danger. The Apache is unrivalled in its accuracy of inducing death, well that was until the SL Black arrived!
You see in a deep dark basement within Mercedes-Benz there is a room that contains the AMG engineers. These people are responsible for making existing models deliver the most adrenalin prompting experience on the road. But within that basement is a cage and within that cage are the crazy engineers that have become rabid with the addiction of creating road going missiles. These lethal weapons are known as the black series and each one is deadlier than the last. So now you can see why the engineers are kept in a cage, but they have been let lose again and the Apache had better get used to looking over its shoulder as the Mercedes-Benz SL65 Black Series is on the prowl.
I have been reviewing cars for quite some time now and never have I feared the machine that it was my duty to test. But this was different; being left alone with the SL Black immediately raises the hairs on the back of your neck and begins the natural process of fight or flight. The car just has a solidified aggression about it; everything from the bulging wheel arches to the gaping nostrils on the bonnet immediately intimidates every living thing within 30 feet. Its metallic paint that changes from dark silver in the light to a stealth grey in the shadows is the perfect reflection of how this machine behaves. It’s not just the exterior posterities that provoke sweaty palms, it’s the knowledge of what currently laid dormant under the beast’s skin. 661 of the most powerful horses are produced by a perfectly engineered 6.0 litre V12 that has not one, but two turbo’s. The swollen bodywork is not there for display either as it has been formed purely to cater for the cars larger track and tyres that are wider than the Isle of Man. 738lbft of torque is readily available to aid the 5 speed gearbox, that can complete a change in 250 milliseconds, deliver the unrelenting power through the rear wheels. Completing my lap of the car my eyes are drawn to the artillery of exhaust pipes and that bare carbon fibre diffuser that doesn’t even attempt to mask the cars performance credentials.
Once inside the belly of the beast you are instantly swamped in a sea of carbon fibre and military grade dials. In total the carbon-trickery reduced the cars weight by 250KG over the standard SL making this not only almighty in power, but also fat fighter’s slimmer of the month. The meaty steering wheel is the ultimate in masculinity behind the wheel and with those aluminium paddles attached it leaves you in no doubt that you are in the cockpit of one of the most powerful cars in existence. Other enhancements over the standard car include adjustable suspension, industrial strength breaks and a deployable spoiler to maximise down force.
Ok, time to lift the lid on Pandora ’s Box and potentially erase humanity from existence. The SL Black explodes into life with thecomposure of a lion tearing at a zebra corpse, each tickle of the throttle sending a barrage of V12 noise reverberating through anything in its path. Once this axe murdering brute is in motion you had best be holding onto your internal organs because they will literally become impaled to your spine. 0-60MPH can be achieved in 3.9 seconds whilst crushing your brain into the back of your skull. This car truly is a force to be reckoned with as even its own on-board computer systems can’t cope with its sheer power! The cars grip is biblical as you dive into corners at a pace you know will result in a crash. However with the electronic aids not only fighting your ever-growing addiction to push the car harder, but also the physical demands of the situation, things such as the ABS continuously stab at the breaks making it not an entirely enjoyable experience. So your only other choice is to turn the cars computer brain off, this doesn’t end well… If you are not 100% awake it will kill you, if you are distracted for a split second it will kill you, and if you underestimate this cars ability to make you crap yourself it will not only kill but also impale your dead body to the nearest tree. Turning everything off is like jumping from a warzone on the Xbox to the front line in Afghanistan, it all becomes less fun and much more dangerous. The result of this is that you drive it at half capacity to ensure you don’t end up in a river. The SL Black becomes one of the biggest wastes in automotive history as you no longer have the bravery to push it any further.
When one of these sets you back £250,000 the last thing you want is to live in fear of what it can do and let me be blunt, unless you drive in Formula One you are never going to turn off the electronic shackles that bind this car to the road. Yes that price tag may buy you a car more powerful than an SLR McLaren and membership to an exclusive club of 350, but the price also buys you the world’s most expensive garage ornament.
