All posts by Francis Mitterrand

Tuning

Mercedes-AMG GT 63 with 710 HP

In 2023, Mercedes-AMG introduced a high performance, better equipped variant of the GT 4-Door, Mercedes-AMG GT 63. This is the second generation of this powerful model with outstanding performance, which the German tuner OPUS Automotive raised to a higher level.

Under the bonnet is still the 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine, but now with 710 hp (529 kW) and 701 lb-ft lb-ft (950 Nm) of torque, to make the car more attractive to adrenaline junkies. As a reminder, the standard AMG GT 63 has 577 hp (430 kW) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque. That’s enough power to push the car to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3 seconds, which is 0.4 seconds faster than the factory model. It reaches 200 km/h (124 mph) in 9.5 seconds, with a top speed of 315 km/h (196 mph).

Opus has upgraded over a hundred Mercedes-AMG models so far, including the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series with 1,111 hp (828 kW) and the R777 GT R with 777 hp (571 kW) and 625 lb-ft (847 Nm) of torque. This model is based on the GT R, and is equipped with improved suspension that provides better stability in all driving situations, rear spoiler like the one used by AMG GT4 race cars which increases downforce, carbon front vents (which makes the front of the car look even more aggressive), improved brake cooling system, and high performance brake calipers.

Opus is also announcing a new enhancement package for this model, which will increase the engine output to 812 hp (606 kW) and 774 lb-ft (1,050 Nm) of torque. More information about this improvement package will be available soon.

Source: Opus Automotive

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Mercedes-AMG GT 63 with 710 HP
News

Ford produces one pick-up truck every half minute

Full-size pickup trucks are one of the most popular vehicles in America, and Ford is now officially the world’s largest seller of this type of vehicle. In 2023, Ford sold 1,081,777 pickup trucks, which is far better than the competition. This American manufacturer produces one pick-up every half a minute, which is a remarkable result.

In 1948, Ford produced its first pick-up from the F-Series, which replaced previous pickups based on car platforms. The F-150 model is currently in its 14th generation, which goes on sale from June 2020, and in 2010, a series of performance pickup trucks was launched.

Currently, Ford has several powertrain options in its fleet, including 2.7-L, 3.3L and 3.5-L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 gasoline engines, a 3.0-L V6 turbodiesel, while the 5.0 -L V8 engine at the top of the range. All engines are paired with a ten-speed automatic gearbox instead of the six-speed manual gearbox that was offered until now.

In 2021, Ford started production of its first fully electric pick-up, the F-150 Lightning, which eventually became their best-selling electric model. The intention was to change people’s view of electric cars and Ford as a brand. The starting price of this model is $49,995. The Super Duty version costs $44,970 without upgrades, when the price can go over $100,000 if customers choose the F-450 Limited version, for example.

When it comes to the prices of the other models, the Maverick starts at $23,815 while the Ranger is slightly more expensive and starts at $32,670. The most popular is the F-150 with a starting price of $36,770.

Source: Ford

Gallery:

Ford produces one pick-up truck every half minute
News

VW to invest 2.5 billion euros in EV production in China

At the end of 2022, Volkswagen lost the title of the best-selling car brand in China, and the throne was taken over by the domestic electric vehicle manufacturer BYD. In order to remain competitive, VW decided to invest 2.5 billion euros in the expansion of the production and innovation center in the Chinese city of Hefei, which will enable 30 percent faster placement of technology and increase the production of their electric vehicles in China.

The German company has announced a series of new models in the electrification of its Chinese portfolio to regain lost share in the world’s largest car market. In 2023, VW invested 700 million dollars in the Chinese car manufacturer XPENG, becoming the owner of nearly 5% of the company, with which it agreed a partnership on the production of two models of this German brand. Both models will hit the market in 2026.

Since the beginning of the year, VW has premiered several new models such as their first all-electric station wagon VW ID.7 Tourer, ID.3 GTX Performance, ID.7 GTX Tourer, Golf R, and ID.Buzz GTX van. Also, the manufacturer discontinued the production of some models such as VW Arteon and T-Roc Cabriolet. The return of some models such as the VW Scirocco, which was discontinued in 2017, was also announced.

Source: VW