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June 06 News |
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Smart Healey
A consortium led by Conservative party advisor David James is set to revive the
Healey name, according to the Times. The Project Kimber consortium, which
unsuccessfully bid for MG Rover and the MG brand last year, has acquired the
Healey name from the family of the company’s founder, Donald Healey. Venture
capitalist Access Capital is reported to have provided funding of £65m to start
production of 15,000 cars next year, possibly in Coventry. The car will be based on
the Smart roadster design, which the consortium bought from Mercedes.
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Fast lady
Susie Stoddart, from Oban in Scotland races an
AMG C-Class in this year’s DTM championship.
The blonde Scotswoman, who previously raced
karts and single seaters, is the first woman at the
wheel of a Mercedes touring car in the series
since Ellen Lohr, the only woman ever to win a
DTM race. “The invitation to test a DTM car at
Barcelona was really a surprise”, said Susie,
“and I tried hard to make a good impression. Of
course, I have to learn a lot and it’s clear that in
the beginning this will happen at the back of the
field rather than at the front.“
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Only the best
Chamois leathers have been around since the
first days of the car. Early chauffeurs discovered
their chamois gloves soaked up water superbly.
As cars have become more advanced over the
last 100 years nothing has surpassed the superb
drying qualities of chamois leather, although
sheep hides are now used instead of deer.
Grove Mill Chamois Leathers are manufactured
from the highest grade New Zealand raw
material and traditionally cod oil tanned. These
premier grade Chamois leathers are some of the
best available anywhere in the world and are
ideal for the fast drying, to a spotless shine of
your vehicle. Grove Mill Chamois Leathers are
of good weight and even consistency, with no
holes or imperfections. These skins are better
than your grandad used to use and will perform
superbly. If you care for your car as much as we
care about the quality of our chamois leathers
Grove Mill should be your choice. To order call
01923 442230/463910, or visit
www.grovemillchamois.com
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E 63 AMG
Mercedes has followed up the launch of its facelifted E-Class with the E 63 AMG, a more powerful successor to
the E 55. The new car uses the same 6.3-litre V8 that's seen service in the CLK 63 and CLS 63 models. It
produces a cool 507bhp and over 460lb ft of torque, allowing the E 63 AMG to hit 60mph in 4.5sec, a tenth faster
than the outgoing model. It will, of course, be limited to a maximum of 155mph. The E 63 also includes the latest
version of AMG's air suspension system, a seven-speed automatic transmission and a new design of 18in wheels.
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SLR updates
The Mercedes SLR McLaren is to get, as if it
needed it, a power upgrade in the autumn,
according to Germany's Auto Motor Und Sport.
The magazine reports that the supercar will have
the output of its supercharged V8 upped from
626bhp to 650bhp, giving it a 0-60mph
acceleration time of 3.6 seconds, and that it will
receive firmer suspension, new brakes, new 19"
wheels, some lighter-weight components and an
updated interior with different trim and upholstery
options, as well as new paint colours.
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CLS developments
The Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class will kick off model year 2007 with three newly developed engines,
and a more extensive range of standard equipment. The four-door Coupé is powered by the world’s
first petrol engine featuring piezoelectric direct injection and spray-guided combustion. The 215 kW/
292 hp six-cylinder engine of the CLS 350 CGI consumes about ten percent less fuel than a
comparable V6 petrol engine with port injection. The CLS 500 will be equipped with the new V8
engine from the S-Class, whose output of 285 kW/388 hp is about 26 percent higher than that of the
previous eight-cylinder engine. Another new development is the CLS 63 AMG, whose V8 naturally
aspirated engine generates 378 kW/ 514 hp. Mercedes is enhancing the vehicle’s standard range of
safety features by adding the PRE-SAFE® anticipatory occupant protection system and flashing
brake lights. The new CLS-Class models will celebrate their market launches this month.
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Diamond geezers
It took a great deal of intuition and investigative
talent, but ten participants from ten countries
qualified to continue the Pink Panther online game in
the real world and track down the stolen diamonds.
The finalists demonstrated their detective skills in a
rally through Paris, and the winner, from Germany,
was rewarded with a smart fortwo. This highlight
wrapped up the international cross-media campaign
accompanying the placement of the smart fortwo in
the Pink Panther film.
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