Introducing: Mercedes CLA Edition 1

Because the new Mercedes Coupe is based on the A-Class is not even on the market and already a first special model. Edition 1 of the CLA should therefore come even sportier than the standard version of the CLA, the we had already reported here. This sporty vehicle, the Stuttgart first lay on for 12 months. From the third quarter 2013, the cars will be available.

The special version will be freely combined with all engine variants. So there are currently four units to choose from. The three petrol and one diesel offer a power range from 90 kW/122 hp to 155 kW/211 hp. From the outside one can particularly sporty coupe then recognize the AMG front and rear aprons, side sill panels and the black-painted AMG light-alloy wheels. At the front is a sleek radiator grille in diamond look provide the right accents. In addition to the standard bi-xenon headlights of course includes a sports suspension including lowering the features of the new model. This will be available with a choice of finishes mountain gray, cosmos black, black night, cirrus or polar silver Designo Magno.

Exclusively for this special model, the designers have designed the interior line "Neon Art". The sports seats in leather and microfiber Dinamica here are covered with yellow stitching. In addition, the instrument panel and the curbs are provided with the Artico leather and decorated with yellow stitching in wrap-around look. The multifunction sports steering wheel with nappa leather in a three-spoke design is the sports optics inside the finishing touches. CLA 180 is available as a special edition then from 35,402 Euro.

Photos: © Mercedes-Benz

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Alfa Romeo 4C with 300 hp

Alfa Romeo will introduce in Geneva the production version of the Alfa 4C.

The turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline engine draws its power from the traditional Alfa Romeo displacement of 1,750 cubic centimeters. He was with a view to use in the new 4C on both the A-like outlet optimized again thoroughly.

The power to weight with Alfa Romeo's "less than 4 kg per horsepower" to. If we go from a total weight of 1,200 kilograms (and much more likely the extremely compact construction Alfa-athletes do not get on the scale), it would mean that the small 1.75-liter engine will mobilize at least 300 hp.

This unit in all-aluminum construction, the sophisticated Alfa TCT automatic transmission (with dual dry clutch) in combination with rear-wheel drive and an additional "Race" mode for the Alfa DNA vehicle dynamics program suggest a correspondingly ambitious dynamics.

For the mid-engine sports car takes Alfa Romeo back to materials that were used also in the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. The material mix of carbon fiber aluminum to facilitate the total weight of a few pounds. In addition, the Alfa 4C is extremely compact: it is less than 4 meters long, 200 meters wide center, 118 cm tall and has a wheelbase of just under 2.4 meters.

A straightforward design language also characterizes the interior of the Alfa Romeo 4C. Clearly visible: the unclad portions of the carbon fiber chassis. They emphasize its function as a protective cell survival and emphasize both the very light such as high strength "framework" of 4C.

The in-house Centro Stile Alfa Romeo 4C will be built in the subscribed Maserati Modena factory, it comes in the course of 2013 to the market.

Photos: Alfa Romeo

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VW Golf R Cabriolet 265 hp

The sports version of the VW Golf Cabriolet can now be ordered in good time before the hopefully soon begin open air season from 43,325 euros. Thus, the Wolfsburg then bring the most expensive but also the fastest Golf Cabriolet history on the market. Ensure the sporting buyer is then screwed but also the already known from the sedan 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine with 195 kW / 265 hp under the hood. However, this engine has in the closed variant good 270 hp and there is the force transmitted to all four wheels. The convertible drivers must be satisfied with a pure front-wheel drive.

This has then also a significant influence on the acceleration values. While the car in 5.7 seconds to sprint takes to 100 km / h, then it takes the open-air golf 6.4 s already good, we do not want search the fly in the ointment, because after all, that's enough for the fleet ride along the beach promenade all from. And the consumption falls by 8.2 l/100 km to 0.3 l of at least less than the sedan. In the circuit takes you back to the Volkswagen Cabrio to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The competition on the street recognizes the R variant of the fresh-air golf, for example to the "Talladega" alloy wheels in 18-inch format, the lowered by 25 mm sport suspension or the specially designed front and rear bumpers. Sill extensions and a rear spoiler in body color provide a muscular appearance of the dashing Lower Saxony. Also make the black calipers with the R logo, the R-typical tailpipes left and right and the black exterior mirror housings immediately clear that this is a special vehicle anrollt. Inside, there are of course the obligatory leather sport seats, to admire the leather sport steering wheel and a lot of applications of aluminum and stainless steel.

Photos: © Volkswagen

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