With the celebration of McLaren’s 50th anniversary in full swing, the company has unveiled plans to produce the limited production 2014 McLaren 50 12C and 50 12C Spider which were both designed to visually embody 50 years of McLaren engineering both on and off the race track.

The exterior styling for these particular models will retain much of the basic profile and styling cues that have made their appearance on standard issue 12C models, but stylists from the company’s McLaren Special Operations division (MSO) have made several tweaks to make the 50th anniversary variants visually stand out from standard issue 12C models when viewed side by side. A redesigned Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) front bumper that draws its inspiration from the old High Sport edition model provides additional downforce to the front end of the 12C, while also achieving a more dramatic styling statement. The front bumper has also been redone and is now constructed from Carbon Fiber, wheras the front floor of the 50 12C is made from equally lightweight carbon Kevlar material. In a bit of nostalgic flair, these models will also feature a special black F1 heritage badge on the hood which is a nod to the company’s legendary 90′s supercar the F1.  Prior to its appearance on the 50 12C, this special badging was only available to clients of MSO. The 50 12C will also allow buyers to choose from only three exterior colors Carbon Black, Supernova Silver, or a special heritage inspired “McLaren Orange which compliment the carryover carbon fiber turning vanes that now feature special 50th anniversary badging.

The interior of the McLaren 50 12C mirrors the basic layout seen in standard 12C models but once again, McLaren designers have made subtle alterations to prepare the car’s driver focused cabin for 50th anniversary duty which includes a noticeable leather upgrade on the supportive racing inspired seats, as well as carbon fiber accents and special floor mats while a special model exclusive dedication plate on the drivers door rounds out the changes and denotes the production number for each car.

Performance comes from the familiar 593 horsepower 3.8 liter twin turbocharged V8 which has been carried over unchanged from the standard MP4-12C. However McLaren engineers have enhanced the car’s braking hardware with special carbon ceramic brakes which improve stopping power and are also lighter in weight than the units they replace, while special Satin Black McLaren 50 Ultra Light wheels shave 4.4 pounds of weight from the car when compared to the company’s Super Lightweight spec wheels, and feature a staggered arraignment with 19 inch rims up front and bigger 20 inch units in the rear.

Production of the 2014 McLaren 50 12C will be limited to a mere 100 examples (50 coupes and 50 Spiders) with deliveries expected to begin after the company’s anniversary on September 2nd. Each car will arrive with a monogrammed silver and black car cover, a model exclusive limited design key that is sheltered inside a carbon fiber presentation box, as well as a special commissioned art print signed by Frank Stephenson, who serves as the company’s Design Director. McLaren has not released official U.S pricing for the 50 12C, but prices in the U.K will begin at £196,000 for the coupe, while the Spider version will have a slightly higher base price of £215,500 which is $296,352 and $325,836 respectively when conversion rates are applied.

How do you imagine spending your 50^th birthday? A party with family and friends? A slice of cake and a stiff drink? A holiday in Mauritius with the family? Lamborghini turned 50 earlier this month, and that’s exactly how they didn’t celebrate.

True to form, the larger-than-life car manufacturer celebrated in an unashamedly over the-top way. As well as creating a limited edition model, which would have been sufficient for most car producers, they drove a cavalcade of supercars around Italy, before culminating in an end of trip party where they unveiled a one-off concept car. Now that’s how you celebrate half a century!

Launch of the limited edition Aventador

The first part of the celebration was the unveiling of a limited edition Aventador, the LP 720-4 50^th Anniversary Edition. Limited to just 200 cars, 100 coupes and 100 roadsters, the Aventador Anniversario is one of the most exclusive Lamborghinis ever.

But it’s not just the 50^th Anniversary badging on the back that makes this an exclusive; Lamborghini has upped the Aventador’s normal 700hp by an addition 20hp, which is a fairly impressive improvement. And the improvements don’t stop there either. To increase aerodynamics, the front air intakes and aerodynamic splitter have been enlarged, and small flaps have been set into the sides. The Anniversario also has a new rear end, with an enlarged diffuser and expansive meshwork that improves ventilation in the engine compartment.

Naturally for a Lamborghini, the Aventador LP 720-4 is fast. Capable of 0-62 in 2.9 seconds, it has a top speed of 217 mph. The interior is as impressive as its exterior. Only the finest Italian craftsmanship has been used for this very special car. It features a semi-aniline leather, which was specifically produced for this model and an exclusive diamond-stitching pattern.

Grande Giro – a Grand Tour of Italy

The next part of the celebrations had a truly Italian feel. A cavalcade of 350 Lamborghinis completed a four-day tour of Italy. Leaving Piazza Castello in Milan on 8^th May, the 4 km long convoy travelled via Forte dei Marni, Rome, Orvieto, Arezzo and Bologna, before finishing at the Lamborghini factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese on 11^th May. En route the cars were accompanied by the Italian police, who drove their very own liveried Gallardo, which had been donated to the force by Lamborghini in 2004.

Cars from 29 countries including Ukraine, Taiwan and Canada, took part in the Lamborghini Grand Tour. Great Britain was the best represented country, with 71 UK-registered cars, followed by Italy, Germany and Switzerland with over 30 participants each. The oldest participant was a 75-year-old French national, and the youngest a Kuwaiti national born in 1991.

Each of the Lamborghini models was represented, although the Gallardo was the most popular model, with 123 cars in total. Classic editions taking part included 17 Miuras, 15 Countachs, three 350 GTs and eight Espadas. Fortunately all cars made it safely to the end of the four-day tour without any accidents or insurance claims.

The Grand Tour culminated in a celebration dinner for all the participants. Just when everyone thought the fun was about to end, Lamborghini unveiled the third part of their birthday celebrations.

Introducing the Egoista

The final part of Lamborghini’s 50^th birthday celebrations was the unveiling of their new concept car, the Egoista. If you thought their newest production model, Sesto Elemento, looks futuristic then this is light-years’ further into the great unknown. Made of aluminium, carbon fibre and anti-radar material, it’s a 600bhp machine that looks more like a stealth plane than a car.

It’s not just the look of the car that makes you think aeronautics; many of the specs sound more like something you’d expect from a fighter plane than a concept car. The anti-radar material meets aeronautical specifications, the single seater cockpit is equipped with a four-point seatbelt and the interior resembles flight deck’s navigation panel more than a car’s dashboard. It doesn’t even have a door – you hop in and out via a flip-top domed roof. You can even eject the cockpit in an emergency if you need to.

Egosita was designed by Walter de Silva, Head of VW Group Design and the Italian car designer responsible for the Audi R8, the SEAT Tango and the VW Beetle, amongst other models. According to de Silva “It represents hedonism taken to the extreme. It is a car without compromises.” And you know what – I think he’s right.

With the departure of Volvo’s C30 hatchback and the related S40 sedan, the S60 has to fill the marque’s role as the entry-level Volvo. Sized to compete with the likes of BMW 3-series, Audi A4, and Mercedes C-class, the S60 has a lot of ground to cover. Starting at $31,900, the entry-level model is the S60 T5.

The S60 T5 AWD is the third variant of S60 sedan I’ve reviewed since the “Naughty Volvo” launched in 2011. Both previously-tested models had turbocharged versions of Volvo’s inline-six cylinder engine- the 2011 S60 T6 AWD was the powertrain available at launch with 300 HP, and the 2012 S60 T6 AWD R-Design featured enhanced styling to complement the increased 325 HP output. Given my mild obsession with high-performance Volvos, I spent way too much time comparing those cars to the hallowed R cars of 2004-2007 when testing those six-cylinder S60 models.

Unsurprisingly, the numeral “5” in the T5’s name identify the vehicle as equipped with a five-cylinder engine. Having driven two versions of the six-cylinder S60, I didn’t have high expectations for the T5- I  figured that less power in the S60 would equate to less fun.  To that end, I came away surprised.

While a mid-cycle exterior facelift is coming for 2014 S60 models, the 2013 featured in this review has shapely exterior styling essentially unchanged from the S60’s launch. The car looks modern and has the unmistakable look of a modern Volvo, though fog lights wouldn’t look out of place in those big black openings up front.

Climbing inside, the driver’s environment in the S60 is a stylish and functional one, with Volvo’s comfortable seat, which in my test car was heated and upholstered in buttery brown leather. Analog speedometer and tachometer have monochromatic displays in their centers which show fuel level, time, gear selection, and other vehicle information. Harmonious shapes and nice materials on the center stack highlight the straightforward infotainment and HVAC controls.

Aside from a fancy-looking new-for-2013 shifter on the console and some trim bits, the interior of the S60 is essentially unchanged from the previous two versions I have tested- and that is just fine. Having recently had seat time in a BMW 3-series sedan, the Scandinavian design employed in the Volvo’s interior feels like a welcome upgrade, with nice materials and flowing shapes. I especially appreciated the smooth metal bezels on the center stack and central vents, and the solid-looking single-piece interior door handle trim. The Sensus system for controlling entertainment and vehicle settings is straightforward to use, with a clear, high-resolution color screen even on vehicle without navigation, like the one I reviewed.

While forward visibility from the driver’s seat is good (including usefully-large rear view mirrors), rearward visibility isn’t great for reversing in tight spaces, due to thick C-pillars, a rising beltline, and a tall trunk. To that end, I found maneuvering in tight driveways and garages a worrying chore. If I was buying an S60, I would spring for the parking sensor package.

As noted in earlier reviews of the S60, rear seat legroom is adequate for adults as long as those up front are willing to compromise their legroom just a little. Sculpted seatbacks provide decent knee room, and rear headroom is adequate. The rear seats are nicely shaped and even have some bolstering in the outboard positions.

As mentioned above, the entry-level S60 in North America employs a five-cylinder engine, driving the front wheels. Volvo has been building turbocharged 2.5 liter, 5-cylinder engines for ages now (since the mid-1990s era 850 series at least). In this iteration, the S60’s output is specified at 250 HP. The curb weight of the T5 is reduced by a couple hundred pounds compared to the six-cylinder versions, and it was noticeable in that the T5 felt lighter on its feet than I remembered either of the six-cylinder S60s feeling. The 250 HP output is higher than the base engines available in the Audi A4 (211 HP), BMW 328i (240 HP), and Mercedes C250 (201 HP), with a lower base price than any of those competitors.

Although the transmission is the same mechanical unit as in previous S60 models I have tested, the shifts felt somewhat quicker than I remember, especially when the shifts are manually commanded. That said, with the standard six-speed automatic transmission in Drive, throttle response was a bit more subdued than expected, though that is likely intentional both for improving fuel economy and for ensuring smooth acceleration from a stop.

Moving the shift actuator into the S position increases throttle response to the point of it becoming fairly touchy at low speeds—for comfort’s sake I moved it back into Drive when I hit stop-and-go traffic. Also, the shifting algorithm for downshifts in Sport mode is better than expected – the transmission downshifts smoothly when braking sharply – and usually held the lower gear for more power out of the corner I had slowed for… though that didn’t happen 100% of the time (perhaps because I was braking “too early”). While the transmission behavior isn’t intuitive all the time, it was definitely better than I had expected.

When underway, the accelerator pedal has an artificial ‘stop point” at about ¾ of the way depressed, almost as if to prevent the driver from “flooring” the accelerator. Once I became accustomed to intentionally pushing past that spot of higher resistance, I liked driving the T5 even better.

In combination with the lower curb weight of the T5, the improved shifts from the transmission helped the car feel more nimble than the six-cylinder S60s I have tested. During an aggressive drive on my favorite backroads which were soaked with rain from spring showers, the S60 T5 AWD was just as chuckable as the six-cylinder models, pulling confidently out of wet and off-camber corners and setting off from rest, even on an incline.   Impressively, all four tires propel the car forward, without momentary spinning of the front tires that can occur with some FWD-based AWD systems. Brakes held up through my corner carving with no noticeable fade, though mine was more of an aggressive Sunday drive than an actual performance drive. The S60 T5 AWD’s predictable handling and capable AWD system on those wet roads was confidence-inspiring.

Where the T5 falls flat in comparison to the T6 models is acceleration is acceleration when already at highway speed. While I don’ t have any instrumented numbers, the extra 50 and 75 HP, in the T6 and R-design respectively, accelerate the S60 six-cylinder models in a way the T5 can’t match. In daily driveability, though, power from the T5 is more than adequate.

The S60’s EPA fuel economy rating for the S60 T5 AWD is 20/29/23 (city/hwy/combined). Over a week and 313 miles of use (mostly around town), I had average fuel consumption of 20.7 mpg, according to the Volvo’s trip computer, with an average speed of 28 mph and an admittedly heavy right foot. The fuel economy and horsepower ratings are based on use of regular unleaded gasoline, unlike competing German sedans.

Pricing for the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 sedan starts at $31,750. To that sum, the S60 tested adds $2200 for the Premier Package (power glass moonroof, leather seating surfaces, auto dimming rearview mirror, accessory prep cable, power passenger seat, keyless drive with Personal Car Communicator); $700 for the Climate Package (heated front seats, interior air quality system, heated windshield washer nozzles); $2000 for All-Wheel Drive; $375 for a trunk spoiler; $250 for upgraded 17” alloy wheels; and $895 destination fee, for a total of $38,170. Included in that price is schedule maintenance at 10k, 20k, and 30k miles. With both the base and the as-tested prices, the stylish, comfortable, and fun-to-drive Volvo S60 T5 is a good value in the entry-level sport/luxury sedan segment.

After losing the title of most valuable car brand to German competitor BMW in 2012, Toyota has knocked its German rival out of the top spot to reclaim the title of Most Valuable Car Brand once again for the 2013 calendar year.

That’s according to Brand Z’s Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands study, which revealed that Toyota’s overall value increased by 12 percent to $24.5 billion.  That’s higher than all of its competitors and represents an impressive increase versus last year. A majority of this increase can be attributed to the brand’s diverse lineup of hybrid vehicles, as well as the company’s talent at marketing and promoting these vehicles to customers, especially buyers that are new to the Toyota brand.

Peter Walshe, global brand director for the company Milward Brown, provided further details regarding Toyota’s performance in this study in a statement to the folks at Automotive News, stating “Toyota is carving out a very big position in hybrids across its range, which is tapping into the consumer need for value by saving fuel cost” while also adding, “its hybrids are reinforcing the experience of the brand, and in so doing, Toyota continues to magnify what is special and different about it.”

As for the former holder of the title, BMW, the study revealed that the company actually saw its overall value slide by 2 percent to $24 billion. Walshe explained that BMW’s drop in value was due to the make not having any new model launches.  That served to adversely affect its position when compared to Toyota. Walshe claimed that, “the automotive brands that grew the most were ones that launched the most models.” However, he was quick to point out that despite the company’s performance in this study “BMW remains a very powerful and distinctive brand”.

This latest swing in fortune is the latest chapter in a long running and heated battle between the two companies for the Most Valuable Brand title. Toyota fired the first salvo by winning the title in 2006 and holding on to this honor until 2009 before BMW wrestled the crown away from Toyota in 2010, no doubt helped by Toyota’s recall crisis. The Japanese firm recovered in 2011 before losing the title once again to BMW in 2012. In addition to Toyota’s impressive performance, BMW’s arch-rival Mercedes-Benz also posted stronger numbers in the study, with the company’s value increasing by 11% to $18 billion, which helped the firm nab third place. Meanwhile, Toyota’s key rivals Honda and Nissan took 4th and 5th places, with values of $12.4 billion and $10.2 billion, respectively.

BMW has officially unveiled the revised 2014 BMW 5 Series lineup. The company claims that the styling revisions, new technology, and performance hardware the car has received are part of its “Precise modifications to the design” and aim to make the car stand out from rivals such as the Audi A6 as well as the redesigned Mercedes E-Class when it arrives on dealer lots this fall.

The exterior styling of the 2014 BMW 5 Series receives several subtle styling tweaks, and it will take a trained eye to spot all of the changes BMW stylists have made. These changes include a new rear bumper which now features an additional crease, smaller tail lights, a reworked lower air intake and twin kidney grilles for the front fascia, and other cues that emphasize the overall width of the 5 Series. All flavors of the 5 Series will arrive on dealer lots with Xenon Adaptive headlights as standard equipment, however buyers can replace them with optional LED adaptive units that promise better illumination and a more distinctive appearance at night.

The interior of the 2014 BMW 5 Series mirrors the subtle tweaks made to the exterior styling with its own host of relatively minor changes that aim to enhance the time one spends behind the wheel. BMW stylists have added new chrome trim to brighten up the cabin while also adding new cup holders and storage cubbies that now feature increased capacity and versatility over the units that they replace. Navigation is also standard across the board, and the company’s familiar I-Drive system now features a new touch pad surface that allows drivers to enter addresses and other navigational related information with their fingertips. Clearly designed as a response to Audi’s MMI Touch feature, it will be interesting to see how the two systems match up when compared side by side. Rear passengers also benefit from these changes thanks to a new rear entertainment system that features special tablets that are attached to the front seat backs.

Performance has also been updated for 2014 which should please buyers looking for muscle when driving down their favorite back roads. A key change is that the formerly Europe-only 535d diesel model has been added to the company’s U.S portfolio and will arrive alongside its gasoline-powered siblings in the United States. That model will only be available in sedan guise and features a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six diesel engine that is good for 255 horsepower and a healthy 413 lb-ft of torque. All of this muscle is channeled to the rear wheels (AWD is available as an option) through an 8-speed automatic transmission that should allow the diesel to achieve impressive fuel economy numbers. In addition, the 528i and 535i versions of the 5 Series can be mated to a 6-speed manual transmission which will be available as a no cost alternative to the eight speed automatic. Lastly, the uplevel 550i model and its potent 4.4 liter turbocharged V8 will receive a power boost, with overall horsepower checking in at a healthy 445 horsepower (an increase of 45 versus last years model).

Look for the 2014 BMW 5 Series to begin arriving on dealer lots later this summer with prices starting at $50,425 for a base 528i model while the range topping 550i will have a base price of $67,125 when equipped with the company’s X-Drive all wheel drive system. Meanwhile the 535d will feature a $57,525 base price for rear wheel drive models while all wheel drive versions will have a slightly higher base price of $59,825. Customers looking to enhance their 5 Series further will be pleased to hear that BMW stylists will offer special Luxury, Modern Line, and M Sport Packages which are very similar to the packages offered by the smaller 3 Series as well as other BMW models.

BMW has lifted the veil off of the refreshed 2014 BMW M5 sport sedan, which brings new style and performance to the M5 lineup when it debuts later this fall to once again battle against competitors such as the Audi RS6 and the redesigned Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG.

Following in the standard 5-Series lineup’s footsteps, the 2014 M5 receives several subtle exterior tweaks to enhance its performance oriented design which include touches such as new lower air intakes, reworked twin kidney grilles that now feature the M5 badge within the grille slats, a slightly revised rear bumper, and new LED tail lights that feature a bolder sportier design. The headlight choices also mirror those of the standard 5-Series with Xenon Adaptive headlights standard equipment while LED adaptive units are available as optional equipment.

The interior of the 2014 M5 also receives relatively minor updates with BMW stylists adding a reworked three spoke M steering wheel as well as a center console storage area that now boast more capacity and versatility than before. In addition to these tweaks, the M5′s I-Drive system now features a special touch pad to increase system functionality. Designed to take on Audi’s similar MMI Touch feature, BMW’s version allows drivers and occupants to enter addresses and other navigation related information using only their fingertips which should eliminate a key advantage MMI has over I-Drive.

Performance for the 2014 BMW M5 comes from the familiar 4.4 liter twin turbocharged V8 which still makes a solid 560 horsepower and an equally stout 500 lb-ft of torque. However for buyers that equip the M5 with the newly optional Competitionn package will see horsepower rise slightly to 575 horsepower while torque remains unchanged. The company claims that the slight bump in power helps shave 0.1 seconds from the car’s 0 to 60 time while the stiffened and lowered suspension sharpens the car’s handling manners and should reduce unwanted body roll during hard cornering. The package also features model-exclusive 20-inch lightweight alloy wheels and a sport exhaust system that aims to improve the cars soundtrack especially when under full throttle. While BMW did not reveal pricing for the Competition Package, it did confirm that in addition to its appearance on the M5, the Competition Package will also be available on its two door sibling, the M6.

Look for the 2014 BMW M5 to begin arriving on dealer lots sometime this fall with details such as official fuel economy ratings as well as final pricing to be released closer to the vehicles official launch. Stay tuned to Autosavant for the latest developments on the 2014 M5 and M6 as they become available.

Following the earlier unveiling of a lone teaser sketch, Aston Martin has taken the cover off of its stylish CC100 Roadster Concept which was designed by the company to celebrate its 100th anniversary and to serve as a rolling tribute to the legendary 1956 DBR/1 open top race car when it made its official debut alongside the iconic race car at the past weekend’s 24 hrs of Nurburgring race in Nuremburg Germany.

The exterior styling of the CC100 is a classic exercise in retro styling cues while also showcasing small glimpses of the future design direction that may trickle down into future Aston Martin models especially in the reworked front fascia. The company claims that the sleek little roadster was designed and constructed in less than six months, an impressive feat that Aston engineers should be proud of. Chief Exterior Designer Miles Nurnberger emphasized this point further stating  ”The brief was very simple, yet enormously testing: create something that reflects the 100 years of Aston Martin heritage and signals the future of the brand.” As a neat bonus piece of visual eye candy, the concept features “butterfly” doors which add a stylish and exotic flair to the overall styling of the CC100.

The interior of the CC100 concept was also designed to reflect the pinnacle of Aston Martin design and is crafted largely out of carbon fiber which has been bestowed with a distinctive weave to further embody the performance intentions of the concept. The car also shelves typical features such as climate control, radio, and other convenience features to shed weight as well as make the car as driver oriented as possible. Keeping occupants in place during spirited driving are a pair of supportive racing seats that are slathered with Bridge of Weir leather to provide a solid mixture of comfort and world class support which is bolstered even further by the built in full safety harness system. The CC100 also retains many of the features seen in other Aston Martin vehicles including the familiar glass control buttons as well as the company’s trademark glass starting switch for the Emotion Control Unit (ECU).

Performance comes from the company’s familiar 6.0 liter naturally aspirated V12 engine which sends its power to the rear wheels through a six speed sequential manual gearbox with paddle shifters. While the company did not release official horsepower numbers for the CC100, it did state that the concept is capable of completing the sprint to 60 mph in a quick 4.0 seconds flat before reaching a final top speed of 180 mph.

The Aston Martin CC100 Concept  made its official debut at the 2013 24 Hours of Nurburgring endurance race last weekend with Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez behind the wheel, while the 1959 racer that inspired it was piloted by none other than legendary race car driver Sir Sterling Moss.  While the company currently has no plans to officially produce the CC100, don’t be surprised if positive reaction to the concept compels the company to do a limited production run the same way it did when the One-77 first made its debut a few years back. In the meantime Aston Martin has released a detailed video chronicling the development of the CC100, which can be seen below.

When Autosavant first laid eyes on the 2014 Mercedes Benz E-Class, it was at its official debut during the 2013 North American Auto Show in Detroit Michigan, where the newest iteration of the E-Class (in sedan and wagon form) left a good first impression on us with its reworked exterior styling as well as its new interior layout. But with the car now arriving onto dealer lots, does it still have what it takes to compete against the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6 while filling the lofty shoes of its popular predecessor at the same time?  To find out, I visited my local Mercedes-Benz dealership in Bloomfield Hills Michigan, where their “Open Haus” event allowed me to spend some quality time with the 2014 E-Class lineup and witness first hand whether the company’s efforts to improve the E have paid off.

A key change that most observers will notice is the new design language that defines the exterior styling of the 2014 E-Class. A key example of this is the front of the car, where new headlamp assemblies give the front fascia a more elegant and unified appearance which looks especially striking in person and makes the car stand out when it mingles with city traffic. LED-accented headlights are standard equipment, but buyers can go one step further and choose optional full LED units that are brighter and have a longer life than conventional bulbs. While the profile of the car is similar to the model it replaces, the rear fascia has also been subtly tweaked and features new LED tail lights. However when viewed alongside the old model, they do look quite similar and it takes a trained eye to spot the changes Mercedes engineers have made. To distinguish each trim of E-Class from one another, Mercedes has taken a page out of the smaller C-Class’s playbook, and will offer the car in two distinct trims Sport and a comfort oriented Luxury model. After spending a considerable amount of time in each trim, the Sport model stood out as my favorite of the two, especially with its bolder exterior styling and driver-oriented materials. The Luxury trim does counter with a more upscale interior that makes copious use of wood and leather, but the bland exterior styling cues did detract from it a bit, especially when viewed alongside the Sport variant.

The interior of the 2014 Mercedes Benz E-Class builds upon the already impressive foundations laid out by the previous generation model by adding several refinements and new features that make the cabin an even more luxurious and tech-laden place to spend time in. More wood trim (especially on Luxury models) adorns the steering wheel and dash and is available in two different finishes, while the revised instrument cluster offers better view of the gauges and features a standard color display that offers vital vehicle data at a glance. The optional supple leather seats (MB-Tex Vinyl is standard equipment) were very comfortable with good levels of leg, thigh, and upper back support. However support for the lumbar and lower back areas (while better) still does not match the levels offered by the BMW 5 Series, a key E-Class competitor. Headroom, on the other hand, was very good even in the back seat – which also boasted plenty of leg and knee room even with the front seats set to my preferred driving position. Material quality has been improved for 2014, and a key example of this is in the increased amount of soft touch plastics versus the previous generation model.

Performance for the 2014 E-Class will come from the previous generation E-Class’s power plants; this means that the familiar 3.5 liter V6, the hybrid variant of the 3.5, and the 402 horsepower 4.6 liter V8 will be retained virtually unchanged for the 2014 model year, with other engines gradually trickling in. However for fans of the V8, 2014 will be the only year that this engine will be offered before it gets shelved in favor of a new 3.0 liter twin turbocharged V6 the following year that promises better performance and fuel economy when it arrives in dealer lots. The majority of the models on hand at the “Open Haus” were equipped with the non hybrid 3.5 liter V6 which is good for 302 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. All of this power is routed to either the rear or all four 4Matic-driven wheels through a 7-speed automatic transmission that promises smoother shifts and allows the car to make the sprint to 60 mph in a brisk 6.5 seconds. While drive time was not possible this time due to the number of customers attending the “Open Haus”as well as the limited number of cars on hand, we look forward to perhaps spending sometime behind the wheel of the new E-Class at a later date to find out if its performance credentials have what it takes to fill the previous generation models lofty shoes.

Overall, I was impressed with what Mercedes engineers have done with the 2014 Mercedes Benz E-Class. Not only does it successfully follow in the footsteps of its very capable predecessor with its reworked exterior and interior, but it also brings new technology, and style to the company’s lineup which should please buyers that may otherwise buy rivals such as the BMW 5-Series and the Audi A6 as well as Cadillac’s redesigned CTS sedan.

Thanks to the kind folks at Mercedes Benz of Bloomfield Hills for allowing me to spend time with the 2014 E-Class at their “Open Haus” event for this First Look piece. Their service was excellent, and I look forward to visiting them again for future projects.

Despite the fact that many people are calling for the elderly to retake their tests, in 2011 the AA asked 17,000 drivers whether they thought that would pass a test if they were to retake it.

Perhaps surprisingly, only 11% thought that they would fail.

Almost in complete disagreement to AA drivers, Monkey, a car insurance company suggests that thanks to bad habits, 1 in 5 people would fail their driving test if they were to retake it.

In 2011 there were 203,950 injuries on British roads thanks to car accidents; many of these took place in slippery conditions.

So, how do wet surfaces affect your driving ability?

Due to the fact that water is sometimes retained upon the surface of a road, a car’s tyres will have less grip, which in turn causes skidding and increased braking distances.

Unfortunately, during wet conditions, the danger of a road is further amplified by the fact that visibility is greatly reduced, adding to reaction times.

Of course, many have heard of the two second rule, often condensed to the saying ‘only a fool breaks the two second rule.’

Despite this, the rule is not fixed, meaning that during hostile weather conditions, it is important for drivers to increase spaces between vehicles.

In fact, the perception time in between seeing a hazard and the brain actually identifying it can be as much as half a second. To further this, the amount of time it takes to switch foots from one pedal to another can vary from anything up to nearly a third of a second.

Both these factors are highly important when it comes down to the prospective braking distance of a car.

For example, if a car was travelling at just 18 mph, it would take the vehicle roughly 10.8 metres before it could stop. This is taking into account both reaction and braking distance.

If however, the car was travelling under wet conditions it would take the vehicle a total of 14.9 seconds to grind to a halt.

Aside from thinking and braking distance, none of these factors take into account tyre pressure, tread and grip, weight of the vehicle and quality of its suspension.

What precautions can you take if travelling in wet conditions?

Besides the aforementioned tips, such as leaving a greater space in between cars, there are a number of things that a driver can do to keep safe during wet conditions:

• Regularly check the depth of a tyre.

This is important, especially in winter where conditions can be often poor. The legal bare minimum for tyre tread depth is 1.66 around the circumference of the tyre.

You can of course purchase safety tyres online from quality suppliers, such as Click on Tyres, suppliers of Nankang Tyres.

• Bear in mind that if visibility is low, other road users may have difficulty seeing your vehicle and you should always assume that they have not seen you.
• Give cyclists and motorcyclists plenty of room and at the same time, remember to avoid large puddles and drain covers.

Not only can you cause them to get slightly more wet than they probably already are, but the sudden shock could cause a serious accident.

BMW has released three teaser images of its latest collaboration with the Pininfarina styling house, the stylish Gran Lusso Coupe concept which will make its official debut at the 2013 Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance event which will take place in Italy later this month.

While the three images BMW released do not show the concept in much detail, the Gran Lusso Coupe concept appears to showcase a large stylish four door coupe that is based on the flagship 7 Series sedan. If this is indeed the case, the production version of this concept would not only fill a noticeable void that exists in BMW’s current model lineup, but also finally give the brand a formidable and stylish competitor to compete for a slice of the premium four door coupe market.

BMW also did not release any official details on the performance hardware that provides the motivation for the Gran Lusso Coupe concept, the V12 badging that is featured in two of the images though does reveal that the concept will be equipped with a V12 engine, most likely the 6.0 liter V12 found in the current 7-Series that is good for a healthy 544 horsepower, though expect that figure to possibly increase slightly for duty in the Gran Lusso Coupe.

The Gran Lusso Coupe concept is the latest example of BMW’s commitment to this prestigious event and also continues the company’s tradition of using this event to debut a concept car which first began in 2008 with the M1 Concept. While the M1 concept and the other vehicles that subsequently followed never received the green light for official production after their respective debuts, the Gran Lusso concept could buck this trend and follow the 4-Series and the X4 SAV into production and perhaps give BMW a formidable contender that could go toe to toe with the next generation Mercedes CL class which will most likely adopt styling cues from the next generation S Class sedan.

Look for the Gran Lusso Coupe concept to make its official debut at the 2013 Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance later this month with detailed images and information expected to be unveiled closer to the concepts official debut. Stay tuned to Autosavant for the latest developments on the Gran Lusso Coupe concept as they become available.