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Auto blog

Sunday Drive: Volvo hits a crossover home run, and people still love sports cars

Looking back at the week that just was clearly tells us at least three things. First, crossovers don't have to be boring. Second, people still love sports cars, from the attainable (Audi TT RS) to the fanciful (Mercedes-AMG GT C). And finally, the traditional German trio of premium luxury brands had better not rest on their laurels, because credible challengers are coming in from every direction. The biggest reveal of the week, at least judging by the interest of Autoblog readers, was the Volvo XC40. Not only is the little 'ute a looker, it introduces some innovative new buying/leasing schemes designed to appeal to an audience accustomed to trading in and trading up every couple of years. Think of Volvo's flat-fee lease as you would a smartphone contract, and you'll be on the right track. Genesis looks to have a hit on its hands in the form of the G70 sport sedan. We took a Korean-spec model for a spin and found a lot to like about the upstart contender. We can't wait to sample one here in the United States to see how it stacks up against the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. In other news, we're still really excited to see a production Ford Ranger Raptor. But if you just can't wait for the official reveal — it's OK, neither can we — take a look at the renderings in our post down below. As always, tune in to Autoblog next week for a front-row seat to all the happenings worth following in the automotive industry. Volvo XC40 revealed | Crossover at the crossroads of style and substance 3 ways the Volvo XC40 is a game-changer Genesis G70 First Drive | An arrow to the heart of the Germans 2018 Audi TT RS Drivers' Notes | Five pots of turbocharged honey 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT C Quick Spin | This is the AMG GT you want The Ford Ranger Raptor is real, and this is what it might look like

2017 Aston Marin Lagonda could live on Mercedes M-Class platform

A few weeks ago, we brought you news from the launch of the Aston Martin Vanquish Volante that the British brand, which is formally known as Aston Martin Lagonda, was still planning on going ahead with a Lagonda-badged crossover. Now comes word that that vehicle could very well be based on a Mercedes-Benz M-Class.
When the first Lagonda Concept debuted at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, it sat on a Mercedes-Benz GL-Class platform, some four years before Aston Martin and Mercedes-AMG deal was inked. And with that partnership, which will see Aston Martin gain access to AMG electrics and "bespoke, V8 powertrains," the opportunities for platform sharing are many.
Dr. Ulrich Bez, the boss of Aston Martin, told the UK's AutoCar, "I look at what Porsche is doing with the 911 as its core business and then it is able to do models like the Cayenne based on the Volkswagen Touareg. It is good business." We've said many times that we'll tolerate exotic CUVs and SUVs if it means keeping the beloved core models alive, which has been the case with Porsche. We see no reason Aston Martin wouldn't be able to do the same.

2017 Mercedes SL gets more beauty, power, and equipment

The first gestation of the R231-generation Mercedes-Benz SL-Class was appreciably better than the excellent R230 it replaced, it just didn't look nearly as good. Answering for one of its rare design sins with a facelift for the 2017 model year, Mercedes succeeds in restoring the skin-deep glory the R231 SL deserved from the beginning. They didn't stop at the skin, either, giving buyers plenty of additional technical reasons to make the upgrade. The new design establishes its new beauty with the grille and headlights. The grille has essentially been flipped upside down - it is now wider at the bottom than the top. It is flanked by sleeker headlights pulled out to the edges, and now full-LED lights are standard. The front fascia below gets much more pronounced, especially on the AMG versions with their larger intakes and chrome-trimmed A-wing motif across the horizontal span. Brilliant Blue and Designo Selenite Grey Magno join the color palette. The SL400 becomes the SL450, its 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 juiced up from 329 horsepower to 362 hp, and 354 pound-feet of torque to 369 lb-ft. Both it and the SL550 shed their seven-speed automatics for the new 9G-Tronic automatic. Inside, new designs for the gauge cluster look back at the driver, ambient lighting options have expanded to include polar blue and polar white, and the center console storage ambient lighting throw a brand logo on the two USB ports fitted inside. The roof can be opened at up to 25 miles per hour now, and the trunk separator automatically gets out of the way when you put the top down - no more having to do that yourself beforehand. Turning the page on performance, non-AMG models come offer Mercedes' curve-tilting function with Active Body Control. It counters cornering forces by tilting the body up to 2.65 degrees into a turn; choosing it removes the Eco function from the five Drive Select modes, replacing it with Curve mode. The AMG SL63 and SL65 models come with a mechanical rear differential lock standard - formerly part of a $9,000 upgrade package, an updated seven-speed transmission, and faster shifting via aluminum shift paddles. We'll get looks at the AMG SL63 and SL65 at the LA Auto Show, the refreshed range hits dealerships in late spring next year. Mercedes has a lot to tell you in the press release below, so dig in.