The Mercedes CLS created a market for swooping four-door coupe saloons, and now it’s raised the bar.

The second-generation CLS received its world debut at the Paris Motor Show, and sees a raft of updates to fend off competition from the Audi A7 Sportback and Volkswagen Passat CC.
The CLS gets a new look, but keeps the svelte coupe lines it has been praised for. Its rear haunches have been beefed up, and the front gets a snouty grille reminiscent of the SLS AMG supercar.
Every engines is new, and are said to deliver fuel economy improvements of up to 25 per cent. Four engines will be available: two petrol and two diesel.
The CLS 350 CDI and 250 CDI are likely to be the biggest sellers, offering 204 and 265bhp respectively. A pair of petrols will also be offered: the 306bhp 350 and the 208bhp 500.
A hot AMG version will be offered at a later date.
The most-efficient version of the Mercedes S Class also received its debut in Paris. Mercedes says the car is the first car in the luxury class to achieve fuel comsumption figures of more than 49.5mpg.
CO2 emissions of just 149g/km undercuts the forthcoming two-wheel drive Audi A8 and will appeal to chauffeurs looking for luxury with low running costs.

  

 

The BMW 1 Series-sized Lexus CT 200h hybrid will debut in October with fuel and emissions figures claimed to match eco-friendly superminis.

The petrol/electric CT 200h hybrid is claimed to produce 96g/km and return a combined 68.8mpg.
The CO2 figure beats many smaller models like Ford Fiesta econetic 1.6 diesel, which returns 98g/km, although at 76.3mpg the Fords is more economical.
The Lexus uses a derivative of Toyota’s petrol/electric hybrid drive, with a 202kw electric motor working in tandem with a 1.8 litre, variable valve petrol engine. This is mated to a self-shifting CVT transmission.
The car can automatically switch from petrol to fully electric mode, when it is capable of traveling up to a mile and a half at speeds of nearly 30mph.
The electric motor also provides extra power under regular acceleration, and the car has a combined power output of 134bhp. It accelerates to 62mph in just over ten seconds.
The electric motor acts as a generator during braking or when the driver lifts off the accelerator pedal.
The CT 200h will complete against compact executive cars like the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3, which are currently sold with a variety of engines and transmissions, but without hybrid versions.

  

 

Audi is launching a high performance version of its A1 baby car, but it won’t wear S1 badges.
Other S-series Audis have four-wheel drive, but the A1 1.4 TSFi 185PS is front driven.
Powered by a turbo and surpercharged petrol engine, shared with the VW Polo GTi but said to be upgraded to further increase performance, the front-drive S1 will use electronic stability technology to control the extra power of around 183bhp.
The high performance baby car will have lowered suspension and bigger wheels and tyres to cope with a sub 7 second 0-62mph time and 140mph plus top speed.
The A1 is the smallest Audi since the alloy bodied, five-door A2, which had limited sales thanks to it being costly to build and buy. However, examples now have a firm used following and still command strong residuals.

2011 Ford Mustang Coupe

2011 Ford Mustang Coupe

Summary

Provided by NADAguides.com
The big news for the 2011 Ford Mustang is new engines across the board. Ford is upping the stakes in the pony car wars with base models getting a 3.7-liter 24-valve Duratec V-6 good for 305 hp. Mustang GT fans celebrate the return of the legendary 5.0-liter V-8 promising 412 hp and 390 lbs-ft of torque. New six-speed manual and automatic transmissions help achieve estimated 30mpg highway for the V-6 and 25mpg highway for the V-8. For even more performance, the 2011 Mustang GT500 receives a new aluminum 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 with 550 hp. All Mustangs continue to be available with Ford�s Sync system, SIRIUS Travel Link, AdvanceTrac RSC, a glass roof, and many more options. With new sheet metal and improved interiors in 2010 combined with upgraded powertrains for 2011, this much improved Mustang was honored to pace the 52nd annual Daytona 500.

Benefits of Driving a 2011 Ford Mustang Coupe

The Mustang has always been one of the strongest performance values for the money. With new engines across the line, plus a number of improvements that make the Mustang more comfortable and enjoyable to drive, it's a better value than ever. Meanwhile, the GT500 appeals to those who want a more exclusive performance Mustang because it adds additional exotic design cues, a high-power supercharged engine as well as numerous performance tweaks.

What's new for 2011?

For 2011, Ford's Mustang sees few exterior upgrades to supplement the major facelift given in 2010, but all new powerplants are offered, including a 3.7L Duratec V6 making 305 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque and the 5.0L V8-a name well known to Mustang lovers-which makes its debut in the GT and features 412 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. The new Mustang also features a redesigned power steering system and a few suspension changes, and the GT gains three new colors: Yellow Blaze Tri-Coat, Race Red and Ingot Silver. Additional soundproofing and updated instrumentation round out the package. The GT500 now is powered by an all-new 5.4L supercharged aluminum V8 making 550 horsepower-10 more than the 2010 model. Ford's MyKey system, which can be set up to limit top speed and stereo volume levels for new drivers, is also now standard.

Model Strengths

• Classic pony-car styling
• uncluttered interior design
• ride
• strong V8 performance value

Model Review

Just as Mustangs of years past, the 2011 model is available as a 4-passenger coupe or convertible, with a choice of a V6 or V8 engine. The base model receives an all-new 3.7L Duratec V6 making 305 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque in place of last year's 210-horsepower, 4.0-liter V6. The Mustang GT models see the return of a 5.0L V8, a displacement all too familiar to Mustang fans. It has been completely redesigned however, and features 32 valves, variable camshaft timing and an output of 412 horsepower. Both models now offer either a standard 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The New Ford Fusion 2011

The 2011 Ford Fusion mid-size sedan comes with updated technology. MyKey is a programmable key of particular interest to parents with driving teens. It encourages seat belt use, gives earlier low-fuel warnings, and can sound chimes at 45, 55 and 65 mph. It can even set speed and audio system volume limits. A rear-view camera is now available. HD radio debuts as an extra feature in the Ford/Microsoft-developed Sync voice-activated infotainment system (that also provides automatic 911 dialing upon airbag deployment and custom Vehicle Health Reports). Models without Ford's electronic blind spot monitor have an extra convex mirror in the door mirrors. Elsewhere, the 2011 Fusion continues its successful formula. The smallest engine is a 2.5-liter four making 175 hp and returning 22/31 mpg, city/highway. It comes with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. The 3.0-liter V6 option develops 240 hp and achieves 18/25, city/highway. This engine is coupled solely to the six-speed auto transmission. Although the Fusion has front-wheel drive as standard, versions with the V6 offer the alternative of all-wheel drive. This includes the most powerful model, the Fusion Sport, which has a 263-hp 3.5-liter V6. For the best fuel economy, the 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid gets 41/36 mpg, city/highway.