2023 Mercedes-benz Amg Eqe Sedan 4matic on 2040-cars

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Four-leaf clovers, hybrid Hondas and the next automotive downturn | Autoblog Podcast #561

On this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Senior Editor Alex Kierstein and Associate Editor Reese Counts. The group discuss the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, the Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 and the Honda Clarity PHEV Alex has been driving in Seattle. They also discuss the future of the auto industry, how customer tastes and needs are changing and what might happen if the world faces another economic downturn. Finally, we spend your money.Autoblog Podcast #561 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio Mercedes-Benz CLS 450 Honda Clarity PHEV The next automotive downturn Spend My Money Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video:

Mercedes-AMG developing halo car with new 12-cylinder engine

The SLS AMG was once the jewel of the Mercedes-Benz performance lineup, a commanding supercar the presence of which could be felt a football field away. The AMG GT has taken that crown with its seductive 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine – a veritable bulldog cloaked in an alluring silhouette. But Mercedes was always clear: this was a Porsche 911-fighter. It was even called a "baby SLS." Now it appears in the world of three-starred performance halo-cars, Mercedes may be playing its own Game of Thrones. To be clear, the GT will remain top dog for some time to come, and that lineup "will expand," we're told. A Black Series is still at least a year or more away, and we could see another model in the AMG GT family beyond that. But a recent conversation with a Mercedes-AMG product planner in Austria revealed that a new halo car is in the works, one that will slot above the GT. It will likely draw power from a new 12-cylinder that's now in development, one that will be mated to an electric motor and battery pack. This ultra-hybrid setup could boast the greatest performance of any Mercedes yet. Crucially, it will have better fuel economy, good enough to justify its existence in an increasingly stringent regulatory environment. As for the new 4.0-liter V-8 in the AMG GT, you can expect to see a lot more of it, starting with the E63 AMG, sometime after the next Mercedes-Benz E-Class launches next year. Related Video:

Mansory G63 AMG Sahara Edition substitutes performance for taste

We aren't sure if it's an unwritten rule or not, but it seems like European tuners are wholly incapable of building cars whose aesthetics don't offend people blessed with the gift of sight. Take Mansory, for example. The Swiss tuner has turned its hand to the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, a vehicle that on it's own is not exactly a visual stunner. Functional sure, but not exactly beautiful. But with Mansory wielding the design pen, the result is, well, yeah. It's not great. This is the Mansory G63 AMG Sahara Edition, and surprisingly, its camouflaged paint scheme is one of its least obnoxious qualities. But its grille, headlights, hood scoop, roof-mounted lights and rear spoiler just don't do this Mercedes any favors. And for some reason, the tuning firm has decided to put two different styles of 22-inch alloys. The driver's side isn't horrible, although we can't say the same about passenger-side hoops. The interior treatment is nothing compared to the cabin, though. Falcons. There are falcons in the headrests. No, we don't know why either. The avian theme isn't limited to the headrests, though, as Mansory has added wings to the seats, dash and door panels, all the while continuing on with camouflage color scheme on certain interior surfaces. Of course, if you can live with the design decisions, you'll be getting a ludicrously potent G-Wagen. Mansory has boosted the 5.5-liter, biturbocharged V8 to 828 horsepower while it's actually been limited to 737 pound-feet of torque. We aren't sure what the addition of 292 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque does to the G63's run to 60, although we're betting the Mansory version is a lot quick than the 5.3-second stock time. Check out our live gallery of the G63 AMG Sahara Edition, from the floor of the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. Related Video: