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Get excited DTM fans because there’s a new kid coming to town. We’re talking about Audi’s freshly revealed A5 Coupe racecar, internally named “R17,” that will replace the four-door A4 with which Audi has conquered the DTM title four times since 2004.





















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2013 Porsche 911 50 Years Edition specs and review-. Porsche is celebrating a special anniversary of the 911 sports car at the 2013 International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt with a commemorative 50 Years Edition - half a century since the iconic coupé made its debut in the German city. Appropriately, the special model will be limited to 1,963 cars.

It recalls the 911 Sport Classic special of 2010, with unique grey paint colours (dubbed Geyser Grey, seen here, and a darker Graphite Grey, while black is also an option) and Fuchs-inspired 20in alloy wheels, while it combines the rear-wheel-drive 911 Carrera S engine and underpinnings with the all-wheel-drive C4’s 44mm-wider body.

Like the first coupé, the Porsche 911 50 Years Edition combines a distinctive silhouette with a rear-mounted, flat-six engine and rear wheel drive. Yet its efficient performance, active sports suspension and exclusive body styling add contemporary appeal. Over seven successive generations, the Porsche 911 continues to resolve apparent contradictions - such as between tradition and innovation and performance and efficiency - andhas become renowned as the quintessential benchmark sports car.

The Carrera S drivetrain brings with it a 3.8-litre flat-six engine, boasting 394bhp and combining a 4.3sec 0-62 time and 186mph top speed with 32.5mpg fuel economy if you specific the optional seven-speed PDK twin-clutch gearbox. A seven-speed manual is standard.

Other exterior characteristics of the special model are high-gloss window frames and SportDesign exterior mirrors. A technical highlight is the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS), which adds a dynamic cornering function to the already standard-fit Bi-Xenon headlights.







Inside, there are further styling touches reminiscent of the original 911 such as green labelling on the instruments with white pointer needles and silver caps on the instrument pivot pins. Another special feature are the centre panels of the leather seats, which are designed with a fabric pattern that evokes the Pepita tartan design from the 1960s. The leather interior can be specified in Agate Grey or Black with decorative stitching. Sports seats with 14-way adjustment are standard, with 18-way Sport Seats Plus available as an option. The gear shift or selector lever - which, like the decorative panels on the dashboard, doors and centre console, is trimmed in brushed aluminium - comes from the Porsche Exclusive custom tailoring programme.

The Porsche 911 50 Years Edition is unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show in September, the month UK deliveries also begin. It is priced from £92,257.

As I mentioned in the Canyon review I did drive the Dodge trucks and heres the big one first.


Introduction: The Dodge Ram is the youngest of the full sized pickup trucks but it started back in 1981. While pretty similar to both GM and Fords trucks in size and power, Dodge had a very clever deal with Cummins. Cummins makes diesel engines for mostly heavy duty vehicles like buses and trucks and somehow allowed Dodge to use their diesel engines. Unlike petroleum powered vehicles, diesels have smaller power bands thus while not being particularly great at acceleration when they get going they produce very high amount of torque despite the engine not running nearly as fast as an equivalent petroleum engine producing such power. This also gives it a fuel economy advantage since diesel fuel does not burn as quickly.

When I saw the Dodge Ram, the vehicle was so massive in size I really wondered how I could get up into the thing. I couldnt tell whats wrong in the engine bay since all I see is a radiator with my height. Still I was excited since this thing is a massive beast and I was hoping it would be better than the Dakota.


Performance: This version of the Dodge Ram has a staggering amount of engines to choose from, 8 to be exact. Two of these are the Cummins diesels, 1 V6 and the remaining are all V8s including the Hemi V8 which is the engine I had in this Ram. This Hemi is the 5.7L V8 producing 345 hp and 375 lb.ft of torque. Considering all of the cars Ive so far reviewed this is clearly the most powerful. It doesnt accelerate the quickest however since it posts a 0-60 time of about 9.5 seconds since the one I drove had the 4WD. It sounds great though.

My Score: 7/10 - For so much power, its been defeated by weight and 4WD. Still it does sound nice.

Handling: Like the Canyon I do treat the trucks a bit differently, they dont quite have the same advantages that cars get since trucks are supposed to be very long, wide and strong. As a result theyre heavy and as a consequence do not handle very well despite being RWD based. As for the Ram the handling is more sluggish than I expected even for a pick up truck. First thing is despite the giant sized wheel the power steering overpowers it and the feel youd expect is missing making it seemed detached. Secondly I do understand its a full size truck but its ability to corner is pretty disappointing. So this truck doesnt do too well.

My Score: 3/10 - Sluggish and feels very detached from what your doing


Interior: Like before I dont expect much from the interior it should be pretty basic after all. The Rams interior is pretty basic as well. That said the materials are the same very cheap materials used in all Chryslers at this time and this does not make it look very good. With an uninviting interior to go along with the basic nature of pick up trucks it doesnt look very good. Entry into this truck is very bad, I literally need to jump in this one since theres no step into it, you have to hope you can reach the handle near the door to get in. These trucks are built in either the United States or Mexico, minor build quality issues so far from the US vehicles.

My Score: 4/10 - Poor entry, cheap materials but otherwise basic interior.

Value for Money: The Ram competes against 3 true rivals, the Silverado, the F-series and the Toyota Tundra. Unless you want your pickup truck have a Hemi engine or you want it to have a Cummins diesel...I really dont see why the Ram will be on the top of your list. I guess it does look better than the rest as well.

My Score: 5/10 - Not a great value all things considered unless you want a good diesel.

Styling: The Dodge Ram in this version didnt change all that much from the previous generation. What it did change was the perception of how big it is. In the pictures it does look big enough already, the thing is...its even more enormous once youve seen it. It does look pretty handsome for a truck and with its size looks very strong too.

My Score: 8/10 - A good looking truck.

Overall: 27/50 - Not a particularly great truck all things considered.

We’ll know all the ins and outs of the new 2012 B-Class in about two months time at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but Mercedes today provided us with the first official teaser photos and initial specifications of its small MPV that will go on sale in Europe in November.


























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