Porsche Vision 357

75 years ago, the Austrian company Porsche Konstruktionen GesmbH unveiled the Porsche 356 sports car, and since 1950, the German Porsche has taken over production. The car was produced until 1965, and in its honor, the German car manufacturer presented the Porsche Vision 357.

“The concept is an attempt to combine past, present and future with coherence,” said Michael Mauer, vice president of Style Porsche. Concept 357 has kept the size of the original, but with details that point to the future.

The original Porsche 356 has a split windshield, which is not the case with the concept, but Porsche opted to wrap the glass around the black A-pillars to unite the three window elements into one, creating the appearance of a helmet visor. The door handles are hidden in the rear side glass. The cameras replace the traditional side mirrors, and the front and rear lights are located behind the perforations in the body panels. The third brake light is in the rear fascia, also reminiscent of the original 356. The car sits on a set of 20-inch magnesium wheels.

The car is finished in Ice metallic gray, while Grivola metallic gray highlights the front bumper. Large number 75 decals adorn the doors and hood, while subtle 357 decals are on the front fenders and rear fascia. Porsche even branded the intakes on the rear side windows with “Air” decals and arrows pointing to the intakes. There are also two titanium tailpipe finishes, which have a bluish finish.

When it comes to the powertrain, the Porsche 357 is powered by a 4.0L 6-cylinder engine with 493 hp (363 kW) and 331 lb-ft (449 Nm) of torque. The same engine powers the 718 Cayman GT4 RS. It reaches 62 mph in 3.4 seconds with a top speed of 196 mph (316 km / h). Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a seven-speed double-clutch automatic transmission (PDK).

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Source: Porsche

Refreshed Mercedes CLA Coupe and Shooting Brake

Mercedes unveiled the refreshed CLA and AMG 35, for the first time, with standard LED lights and a radiator grille in a new design on the Coupe, while the AMG 35 received the Panamericana grille previously reserved only for the most powerful AMG 45.

The hybrid CLA 250 e is powered by a 1.4L inline 4 engine (160 hp) combined with an electric motor that now has 107 hp, seven more than before. It is equipped with a new 15.6 kWh battery that enables a range of 82 km. The battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in 25 minutes thanks to the 22 kW charger. It reaches 62 (100 km/h) in 7.6 seconds. The caravan is slower by a tenth of a second, and its range is shorter by several kilometers. Other powertrain options, depending on the market, include 1.3-liter four-cylinder engines in the CLA 180 and 200 models, while the CLA 220 is powered by a 2.0-liter engine with up to 221 hp in the CLA220 and 250 models. The three diesel models have between 114 hp and 187 hp.

The CLA 35 has also adopted hybrid technology, but in this case it is a 48-volt mild hybrid starter-generator, rather than a true plug-in system. The power remained the same, so the CLA 35 has 302 hp and 400 Nm of torque and reaches 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.9 seconds. Those who want more power can choose the CLA 45 S with 415 hp, which reaches 62 mph in 4.1 seconds.

There are more recycled materials in the interior. Basic models are equipped with 7-inch and 10.25-inch screens. Optionally, it is possible to get two 10.25-inch screens. The MBUX infotainment system has been removed and in its place is a storage compartment. There’s also Dolby Atmos surround sound for the premium optional Burmester sound system.

If you choose the CLA 45, the new AMG Street Style Edition model is on offer, available in both body styles. This model combines the gray color with the AMG logo and is equipped with the AMG Night packages I and II and has orange thread for the microfiber upholstery.

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Source: Mercedes

Volvo XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge

After 25 years, the Swedish car manufacturer Volvo has decided to return rear-wheel drive to its offer. That honor went to the refreshed XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge models.

In addition to RWD (Rear Wheel Drive), Volvo has prepared two drive options for both models. The basic version is powered by a single electric motor with 238 hp (175 kW) and is equipped with a 69 kWh set of batteries that enables a range of up to 460 kilometers on a single charge, or 470 kilometers in the C40 option. It takes 34 minutes to charge the battery from 10 to 80 percent on 130 kW chargers.

The more powerful version is powered by one electric motor with 252 hp (185) and is equipped with an 82 kWh battery pack which, according to WLTP, enables a range of up to 520 kilometers (530 kilometers in the C40 version). These batteries can also be charged with 200 kW chargers, and charging from 10 to 80 percent takes 28 minutes. Both versions reach 62 mph in 7.4 seconds with a top speed of 99 mph (160 km/h).

The XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge in combination with two electric motors and drive on both axles (AWD – All Wheel Drive) bring with them 82-kWh batteries that provide up to 500/510 kilometers on a single charge (XC40/C40). More than 400 hp (294 kW) and 487 lb-ft (660 Nm) of torque. That’s enough for the XC40 to hit 62 mph in 4.9 seconds. The C40 is 0.2 seconds faster, with a top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h).

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Source: Volvo

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