Mercedes-Benz is preparing to offer a new compact soft-roader called the GLK for the 2009 model year. To show it off early, Merc has released this lightly-disguised concept, called the Vision GLK Freeside, although I feel there isn’t much here to show off with.
You must’ve read all the reviews about this big lump already, but I’ll probably be able give some new insights into this long-awaited new model, given the sad nature of journalism in this region. It certainly isn’t the rocket that everyone was hoping for, given that it gets a 4.7 V8 instead of the 5.7 in the GCC. But it is a very luxurious vehicle that packs some interesting new technology.
Being a slow month for anything related to cars, due to the long holidays, I went about reviewing my own 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7 Limited. Having had it for only 3 months, this is my longest review ever, but it is important to fight back some of the negative commentary I received for buying it instead of just another anonymous Toyota or Nissan cramming the roads.
Here’s some rare footage of the Bugatti Veyron actually doing what it is supposed to do. Being driven full-throttle at the Nurburgring racetrack in Germany, it looks sharp and would make any owner think it is money well spent. But then check out the mysterious car that shows up near the end. Is that an early prototype of some Japanese supercar?
I was highlighting some time ago how the 2009 Nissan GT-R outran many high-dollar exotics at the Nurburgring racetrack in Germany, with a time of 7:38 minutes, better than the Porsche 911 Turbo and the overhyped Audi R8. However, the pricier Porsche 911 GT2 is even faster, at 7:32 minutes. But another upcoming Japanese car is already running circles around it. The prototype Lexus LF-A posted a time of 7:24 minutes, in full camouflage no less.
The Mercedes-Benz SLK has been facelifted for the 2009 model year (or 2008, as they say in European markets). The tweaks include a front end in the style of an F1 car, while the rear gets edged tailpipes and a new bumper. The 2009 model also gets an updated interior with a new instrument panel design. Two new engines also join the line-up.
The new Corvette variant that was spotted over the last few years in testing has now been officially designated as the ZR1. Chevrolet has revived the ZR1 designation for the first time since the C4-based original faded away in 1995. And it is a monster.
Eid Mubarak to everyone. I am sure you all will enjoy this long holiday to celebrate. Hope all those who went for Hajj come back safely. Before I disappear for the long break, let me sign off with a few interesting facts about the 2009 Nissan GT-R that you might not have heard before.
BMW has announced that they will publicly debut their new X6 “sport activity coupe” at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2008. They have, however, released details on this confused vehicle, which will be powered by a 3.0-litre turbo-I6 and a 4.4-litre turbo-V8.
The Bugatti Veyron was the fastest car in the world for a brief period. It is said that the car can burn through an entire tank of fuel in 12 minutes at top speed. So it is probably a good idea to keep track of your fuel gauge if you plan on driving this thing around.