2015 Mercedes-Benz
C-Class
Not to let their highest-seller be forgotten amid the hubbub
of the arrival of an all-new S-Class, Mercedes took the wraps
off the all-new 2015 C-Class in Detroit. It’s lighter by 100
kilograms, while its baby S-Class shape makes for a slippery
0.24 drag coefficient and the fuel savings associated with
that. Two engines are coming to Canada: the C300 gets a
235 hp turbo-four, the C350 a 329 hp turbo six. Both come
standard with 4MATIC AWD and a 7G-TRONIC seven-speed
auto. Both models will come available with front and rear air
suspension, unique to the compact luxury segment.
Toyota FT-1 Concept
If you like video games than you’ll probably like the FT-1
(“Future Toyota—Ultimate”). If you are a racing game fan
and happen to own a PS3, then you can virtually drive the
FT-1 as it was released to Gran Turismo 6 the moment it was
unveiled in Detroit.
Now, if you’re not into gaming, don’t worry, the Toyota
FT-1 Concept is too cool not to like. The Detroit Concept
had no running gear, but the production version of the car—
which will likely gain the classic “Supra” moniker--surely
will. Expect power to come from either a 2.0L turbo-four, or
perhaps even a six-cylinder unit; after all the last Supra had
an inline-six.
Kia GT4 Stinger Concept
If you were wondering how long it would take Kia to take
the parent company Hyundai’s Genesis Coupe platform and
make a model of its own, you can keep waiting because the
GT4 Stinger isn’t it. It is a RWD platform, but it’s completely
proprietary. It’s too bad that the Stinger maintains the
somewhat clumsy Kia grille, because the rest of the car—
from the classic cab-rearward profile to the futuristic
headlamp lenses—is breathtaking. The turbo GDI four-pot
underhood makes a healthy 315 hp, with all that power being
transmitted to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual.
Will they make it? Kia says it’s a definite possibility. TDM
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