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Weekly Recap for 8.12.16 | Autoblog Minute

A recap of the week in automotive news, including a look at a two-door Maybach coupe, FCA's Ram heavy-duty truck recall, and spy shots of POTUS' new car. Maybach Mercedes-Benz Autoblog Minute Videos Original Video autos limo maybach coupe

Mercedes adds V6 to S-Class Coupe range, but it's not coming here

Mercedes scores another point for engine downsizing with the launch of the new S400 4Matic Coupe. The latest addition to the S-Class family is essentially the same as the coupe we know, but instead of a big V8 or V12, it packs a smaller six-cylinder engine. That means less power, of course, but also a lower price of admission and reduced fuel consumption. The 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 is the same found in models like the new SL450 and C450 AMG Sport, with 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque on tap. Though the press release below quotes a 0-62 time of 4.6 seconds (same as the more powerful S550 despite an 88-hp deficit), Mercedes spokesman Michael Allner confirmed that it actually takes a much slower 5.6 seconds. Meanwhile fuel economy on the combined European cycle is quoted at the equivalent of 28 miles per gallon, representing an improvement of 3 mpg over the S550 (by European standards). That said, Mercedes-Benz USA spokesman Christian Bokich told Autoblog he was unaware of any plans at present to bring the S400 4Matic Coupe to North America. Bummer. Pricing in Germany comes in under ˆ100,000 (including 19 percent tax), undercutting its next-step-up V8 counterpart by a good ˆ25k – and the top-of-the-line S65 by more than half. It joins the S-Class Coupe lineup alongside the S550 4Matic, AMG S63, and AMG S65 we get here, as well as the rear-drive S550 and S63 that we don't. Mercedes-Benz S 400 4MATIC Coupe: New addition to the dream Coupe family Stuttgart, Dec 09, 2015 Mercedes-Benz has extended the S-Class Coupe model range with the addition of the S 400 4MATIC Coupe rated at 270 kW (367 hp) and retailing at an entry-level price beginning at 99,960 euros[1]. This means that six versions of the sporty large Coupe are now available in all -- the S 500 and S 500 4MATIC plus the Mercedes-AMG models S 63, S 63 4MATIC and S 65. Since its launch a good year ago, the S-Class Coupe has already won numerous awards for its breathtaking design, including the "iF product design award 2015" and the "Internet Auto Award 2014" (Europe-wide) as well as best-in-class accolades for the exclusive two-door car in the "autonis" readers' poll of the "auto, motor und sport" magazine and the "All-wheel-drive car of the year 2015" poll conducted by "Auto Bild Allrad". The S-Class Coupe model range previously comprised the S 500, the S 500 4MATIC and the three AMG models S 63, S 63 4MATIC and S 65.

The cars of notorious dictators

It's good to be the king, at least until your people have had enough of you. Last week, we brought you famous presidential cars. This week, we're going to the opposite end of the political spectrum, looking at what history's mad men drove throughout their repressive and violent regimes. These dictators were absolutely powerful, and absolutely corrupt. More nightmares for their people than rulers, their iron-fisted control gave them the ability to satisfy any wild desire with nearly limitless funds. While they all splurged on luxury goods, cars were a particular passion of many dictators. Cars make a powerful statement to the public about wealth, status and control. It's how you are presented at ground level to your adoring masses or mortal enemies. A custom luxury car with plenty of armor plating reinforced the specialness and "otherness" of the ruler to friend and foe alike. Muammar Gaddafi, Libya, 1969 - 2011 Lybia's President for Life Muammar Gaddafi fancied himself not just a car enthusiast, but a car designer for the masses as well. He supposedly designed a car called the "Saroukh el-Jamahiriya" or Libyan Rocket. It had a 230-horsepower V6 and the nose and tail of a rocket. He was trying to produce a safer car. What makes it safe car? Tough to say. Not a lot was ever released it. Apparently the el-Jamahiriya did come with airbags and collapsible fenders in case of a collision. A spokesperson said "The invention of the safest car in the world is proof that the Libyan revolution is built on the happiness of man." We'll just have to take his word for it. When he wasn't designing his own cars, Gaddafi was ordering up custom rides, large and small. Besides a heavily armored BMW 7 Series and a Mercedes S-Class stretch limo, Gaddafi had this custom Fiat built at a cost of $260,000. The gold in the trim is real gold (of course) and comes with some touches that are pure Gaddafi. For instance, the Fiat badge was replaced with an outline of the continent of Africa, with Libya cut out in green. Rebels seized the Fiat and Gaddafi's other trappings of power after putting an end to Gaddafi's 42 years in control. Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier, Haiti, 1971 - 1986 Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier was the second-generation dictator of Hati from 1971 to 1986. He made life hell for his people for 15 long years, starting when his father died when he was just 19 years old. Imagine if Justin Beiber was given a tiny island nation to run.