Mercedes A-Class invites Apple’s Siri behind the wheel, heads for America

One of the lesser-known secrets of the automotive industry is that most "all-new" models are anything but; making money requires reusing as many parts as often as possible. Mercedes-Benz says that's not the case with the new A-Class hatchbacks unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, which started with a blank screen and ended with a front-wheel-drive hatchback that lets the driver talk to Siri from behind the wheel -- and it's coming to America.Mercedes hasn't imported a front-wheel-drive hatchback before because of the clash it would cause with its luxury image here. But in Europe, small hatchbacks rank among the few types of cars still in high demand, with Audi, BMW and others rushing out new models, thanks to a need for fuel efficiency in countries where gasoline approaches $7 a gallon, and lower taxes on diesel fuel make it the preferred motive choice.

In typical continental fashion, Mercedes offers at least six engine choices, from 115 hp up to 211 hp, all routed through either a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic. Every engine comes with start-stop, turbocharging and the other roster of efficiency tricks now standard on new models. Unlike the cheaper beam suspension in lower-end hatches, Mercedes used a more-expensive four-link setup so that it could offer all-wheel-drive versions -- and potentially an AMG-designed edition as well.

Ferrari F12 Berlinetta: Faster to 60 mph than you can read this headline

Last week's sneak peek at Ferrari's replacement for the 599 GTO didn't spoil all the surprises. Here are the first official pics of what Ferrari will call the F12 Berlinetta, a V-12 powered coupe that can hit 60 mph in 3.1 seconds and ranks as the fastest road-going Ferrari built to date.

Using tricks learned from its Formula 1 cars, Ferrari claims the F12 burns less fuel and goes faster than its predecessors thanks to combination of high-tech machinery, wickedly complex weight loss schemes and a bit of black magic aerodynamics. The 6.3-liter V-12 shared with the Ferrari FF has been boosted to 730 hp and 509 ft-lbs of torque, yet can get nearly 19 mpg under Euro testing with an optional stop-start system. That power goes through a seven-speed gearbox and electric differential, both resized to shrink the car's footprint. That gap you see at the top of the hood is what Ferrari calls an "aero bridge" -- a tunnel that shunts air out the vents behind the front wheel arches, helping reduce the car's drag.

With just 3,362 lbs. to haul around -- thanks to a chassis with 20 different alloys of aluminum -- Ferrari says the F12's top speed lies north of 211 mph, and that its lapped Ferrari's Fiorano test track in 1 minute, 23 seconds, a record for any car Ferrari puts on public roads. The company will start taking orders in Geneva, and at first glance, Ferrari won't lack for shoppers.

Bentley EXP 9 F, just your everyday 600-hp ultra luxury SUV concept

After months of rumors, Bentley revealed today a concept for its first sport utility vehicle ever: the 600-hp Bentley EXP 9 F. When it comes to vehicles for the wealthiest people in the world, restraint is so last century.

This year's Geneva Motor Show kicking off today comes stuffed like a Toblerone with nutty luxury SUV ideas, and given the success of Porsche and BMW in selling taller, car-like off-roaders, many of the world's luxury automakers simply can't resist — even when they should. Bentley isn't committing to building a version of the EXP 9 F, and it doesn't necessarily need a new model beyond the Mulsanne and Continental cars. Bentley EXP 9 F SUV Geneva.But with ultra-luxury vehicle sales rising on strong demand from China and the Middle East, the SUV would make the most financial sense as an addition. Given that the Continental starts around $190,000 and the Mulsanne around $280,000, it's easy to imagine a Bentley SUV with a sticker of about $250,000.

Powered by a twin-turbo W-12 capable of 600 hp and 590 ft-lbs. of torque, Bentley says the EXP 9 would rank among the fastest vehicles of its kind. All that motive force gets to the ground through an 8-speed transmission and all-wheel-drive system turning 23-inch chrome wheels that are as bling-y as anything from Tire Rack. Inside lies the usual assortment of hand-stitched leathers, wood veneers and one-percentery touches like a split tailgate that folds down to reveal a custom dining set.

Having never built an SUV before, Bentley says its designers felt free to take a few risks, but how that lead to a vehicle which resembles the results of a one-night stand between a Land Rover Discovery and a London cab isn't clear. The concept sketches show the designers sought a lower, more raked windshield that would have resembled models like the Range Rover Evoque, but from the front the massive grille, circular intakes/driving lights and square profile seem much too much. Then again, if you're worried about excessive displays of wealth, you're clearly not in the market for a Bentley.

2012 Maserati GranCabrio Fendi A

After the marriage of Gucci and Fiat, comes another fashion house/car collaboration, Maserati and Fendi.

Popular Italian car maker, Maserati, has teamed up with the Italian fashion design company Silvia Venturini Fendi and produced a special edition of the famous GranCabrio model.

Interior

Maserati's GranCabrio special edition is instantly recognizable due to the unique Grigio Fiamma paint job it has received. The paint job is actually 3 layers of color: two dark gray coats followed by a layer of iridescent gold.

The unique paint job isn't the only aspect of the special edition GranCabrio to drool over, however. The effect of the Fendi/Maserati collaboration is clearly visible throughout the exterior and the interior of the GranCabrio Fendi.

Exterior

Outside the car, the sleek design of Maserati's GranCabrio finished with the Fendi fashion house paint job says pretty much all you need to know. Inside the car, you'll find a specially crafted logo that features the Maserati Trident, Fendi logo plus the five digit series number located in several places.

The silver oval plaque bearing the specially designed collaboration logo is found on the dashboard, near the passenger’s seat plus on each side of the folding roof. Further marking the collaboration, is the presence of the Fendi double F logo on the seats, while the Maserati Trident is featured on each of the headrests.

Fendi's high quality leather adorns a lot of the interior, interspersed with wood trims around the doors, dashboard, gear lever and even the floor mats.

2011 Wiesmann GT MF5

The Wiesmann GT MF5 is no doubt a trendsetter in the world of sports cars, with its slick and clever design, who would ever think that this coupe is geared with a 4.4 liter V8 Twinscroll turbo with 555HP and 680 Nm Torque? Unbelievably, this car can sprint from 0 to 100 in a stunning 3.9 seconds.

The truth behind its speed, GT MF5 has an extreme ratio when it comes to power over weight, with its 2.5 kg/HP helps in hitting this coupe’s speed of up to 311 km/h, not to mention its lightweight feature of only 3097 lbs. gives a more advantage on the road.

Exterior


It’s a creation made to perfection, it’s just what Wiesmann thought about after making the GT MF5, a sports car that has everything, a sheltered aluminum monocoque and a composite body panel, its hybrid engine and is exceptionally lightweight for a pure superb driving experience.

Many can attest to its BMW sourced five-liter V10 powered engine, supported by a nineteen inch wheels in all four corners and how about its comfortable fitted carbon fiber seats that gives a subtle feeling of elegance and comfort. Making it more conventional, it added a seven-speed sequential gearbox with a 245/40ZR19 tires upfront and a 275/30ZR19s watching from the back.

You will surely fall in love with the GT MF5, where no other sports car comes close to its dynamic and astonishing design that sets the mood for a more amplified and for a feel of a three-dimensional driving satisfaction.