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Category: Highlight

  • New Mercedes-AMG S63e and S73e reportedly coming with up to 805 horsepower

    A new generation of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class was revealed on Wednesday, but the version most Motor Authority readers will be interested in, the Mercedes-AMG S63, was notably missing.

    That’s because AMG has some major changes pegged for its full-size super sedan, development of which isn’t complete.

    According to Autocar, the S63 will become a plug-in hybrid badged the S63e, and be joined by a new S73e replacing the V-12-powered S65. Crucially, both variants will feature a V-8 under the hood. Recall, AMG gave a sendoff for the V-12 last year with the S65 Final Edition.

    And a similar powertrain setup will reportedly be fitted to both fast sedans, specifically a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 paired with a single electric motor and drive sent to all four wheels. Such a setup was previewed in 2017’s GT concept, which generated 805 horsepower.

    2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

    2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

    The S63e will reportedly have around 700 hp, with 134 hp coming from the electric motor. The S73e will reportedly have the full 805 hp, with its electric motor generating 201 hp.

    The current S63 has 603 hp while the last S65 came with 621 hp, so we should be looking at a huge step in performance. A small electric range will also be possible with the new setup.

    Note, the high-performance plug-in hybrid powertrain is expected to debut shortly in a new GT 4-Door Coupe variant. The S-Class will likely be the next recipient, after which we will likely see the powertrain in a variant of the next-generation SL-Class.

    While AMG will no longer offer a V-12, S-Class buyers seeking the big engine will be able to opt for it in the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. The Maybach-enhanced S-Class will debut at Auto Guangzhou 2020 in China this November, according to Autocar.

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  • 2022 Hyundai Tucson teased, debut set for September 14

    The 2022 Hyundai Tucson is ready to be unveiled and it’s going to be wild.

    On Wednesday, the South Korean automaker released some teaser images and a video of the 2022 Tucson and confirmed it will debut on Sept. 14 at 8:30 pm ET.

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    We have a good idea of what the 2022 Tucson will look like thanks to the Vision T Concept shown at the 2019 Los Angeles auto show. The teasers, and spy shots, show a wild design that features lights embedded in and hidden by the grille, a coupe-like profile with a fast roofline, sharp body lines down the sides that flow into bulging rear fenders, and a rear end with vertical LED taillights and a horizontal light spanning that spans the width of the tail.

    2022 Hyundai Tucson teasers

    2022 Hyundai Tucson teasers

    The Vision T concept featured active grille shutters that were individually controlled to optimize and maximize air flow. These are expected to make it into production.

    Hyundai confirmed on Wednesday that the 2022 Tucson will be larger than the current model with a longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs.

    2022 Hyundai Tucson teasers

    2022 Hyundai Tucson teasers

    Inside, the 2022 Tucson will feature a low, horizontal dashboard design with an embedded digital gauge cluster. The entire center console appears to be a large touchscreen with no real buttons and a pushbutton gear selector. The four-spoke steering wheel has only a few buttons, which also contributes to a rather sparse look.

    Powertrain specifics haven’t been detailed yet, but expect an inline-4, a turbo-4, and eventually a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Hotter N or N-Line models with as much as 340 horsepower are likely in the mail, though unlikely to be available or announced right away.

    Stay tuned for more updates regarding the 2022 Hyundai Tucson.

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  • Aston Martin DB5 Junior is a kid’s car that costs as much as a BMW 3-Series

    The Aston Martin DB5 is going back into production, and no, we don’t mean the limited run of “Goldfinger” continuation cars. Alongside the movie cars, Aston is launching a limited run of 2/3-scale DB5 Junior and DB5 Vantage Junior cars for kids. Production is scheduled to start in 2021.

    Both versions have an aluminum honeycomb chassis with composite bodywork, and they ride on double-wishbone suspension, just like the full-size DB5. The standard color is 007-spec Silver Birch, with a black leather interior. The dashboard features miniature versions of the Smiths clock and gauges in the full-size DB5.

    Power is provided by an electric motor with a maximum output of 6.7 horsepower. However, that’s only accessible in “Expert” mode; a “Novice” mode limits output to 1.3 hp. Top speed is 12 mph in Novice mode and 30 mph in Expert mode. The Vantage model gets a power-boost mode good for 13.4 hp, plus a limited-slip differential.

    Aston Martin DB5 Junior

    Aston Martin DB5 Junior

    Aston partnered with The Little Car Company on the DB5 Junior. The same company also developed the Bugatti Baby II. While that car is a modern replica of another miniature car, the DB5 Junior is a straightforward kid’s version of a full-size car.

    Production is limited to 1,059 units—the same as the original DB5 production run. Owners of original DB5s will be given first refusal, and will be able to match the Junior chassis number to the chassis number of the full-size car. In the United Kingdom, pricing starts at £35,000 (about $47,000 at current exchange rates) for the DB5 Junior and £40,000 ($53,000) for the DB5 Vantage Junior. Deliveries are scheduled to take place over two years following the start of production. Aston has not discussed availability in the U.S.

    Meanwhile, Aston recently started delivery of its DB5 “Goldfinger” continuation cars, equipped with the same gadgets as the original 1964 movie cars, including revolving license plates, oil slick makers, and (fake) machine guns. Unlike the original movie cars, the continuation cars can’t be registered and driven on public roads, as Aston can’t certify a new car based on a 50-year-old design.

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