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Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM

German company Mechatronik is selling one of the race cars, the Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM. It is a model from the most successful team in the history of DTM.

This racing model was introduced in 2015 and upgraded in 2018, when it was withdrawn from racing. In the meantime, Mercedes has focused on Formula E, but a big return to the DTM with five teams and seven Mercedes-AMG GT3 race cars is expected this year.

It is based on a carbon monocoque chassis with carbon collision protection structures and a steel protective cage. Equipped with a package of aerodynamic components, it visually resembles a C-Class Coupe.

The C63 DTM has wide fenders, a front splitter, a huge rear spoiler, enlarged sills, exhaust pipe ends coming out the door, and rims with a central screw. There are also H&R springs and shock absorbers and more powerful brakes.

Inside, the interior is done in a sporty spirit with lots of carbon, which is characteristic of racing cars. The steering wheel is upholstered in Alcantara, while there is a centrally placed digital cluster on the dashboard.

The Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM is powered by a 4.0-liter naturally-aspirated V8 engine with 542 hp (399 kW / 550 hp). It comes with a lot of spare parts and is not legal for road driving. The car is in original condition with visible racing scars.

Owning this car is a special feeling, but also expensive. The future owner of the Mercedes-AMG C63 DTM will have to pay around $1.5 million (€1.3 million) for this racing beast.

Source: Mechatronik

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Toyota victim of computer chip shortage

The shortage of computer chips has led to a decline in vehicle production worldwide. This has mostly affected large manufacturers such as VW, Ford and GM, which will significantly reduce production and even suspend it in some plants. One of the victims of the chip shortage is Toyota.

Thanks to large stocks and a lesson learned from 2011, Toyota has successfully dealt with the shortage of computer chips. However, a long-running shortage of chips has forced the Japanese company to reduce vehicle production by almost 50 percent.

In an official statement, Toyota announced that only 1 of the 28 production lines in Toyota’s 14 factories will operate in September, while the remaining will be shut down. In the United States, production will be reduced by almost 100k vehicles, which should not lead to layoffs. Completely unexpected, because this is the biggest production stoppage in the automotive industry in recent history.

Due to this situation, Toyota said: “Due to Covid-19 and unexpected events with our supply chain, Toyota is experiencing additional shortages that will affect production at most of our North American plants. While the situation remains fluid and complex, our manufacturing and supply chain teams have worked diligently to develop countermeasures to minimize the impact on production. ”

How long this situation will last is not known. Many producers expect production to return to normal by the end of the year. Toyota is not so optimistic. They believe that the problem could continue in 2022.

Source: Toyota

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10th anniversary of Skoda Octavia vRS Bonneville

In 2011, Skoda produced its fastest model ever, the Octavia vRS. The goal was to build a car that would set the fastest time on Bonneville Salt Flats, which they did.

Today, 10 years later, the Octavia RS has been restored. This high-performance car attracted buyers with its practicality. It is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter six-cylinder TSI engine with 600 hp that delivers power to the front wheels. The engine is paired with a gearbox, with a limited slip differential, taken from the Superb GreenLine.

The car is equipped with a better intercooler, a larger radiator, new engine mounts and a remapped ECU. It uses 15-inch steel rims with Goodyear Eagle Dragway tires and is lowered by 3.1 inches (80 mm).

In addition to the fastest time achieved at Bonneville Salt Flats, the Octavia vRS also reached a top speed of 227 mph (366 km / h). Last year, the fastest time was set by the Speed ​​Demon with 3,156 horsepower with a top speed of 482 mph (776 km / h).

Source: Skoda

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