Opel Cascada, 2013

 

 

 

•  Opel Cascada, 2013

Back to the most intense automotive experiences: cruising along with the sun softly warming your skin; feeling the air thickening in your open hand as speed increases; tipping back your head and finding no limit to your view, just diving into the deep blue sky. These are typical Cascada moments. The Cascada, Opel's new all-season convertible due to be launched in early 2013, is a classy four-seater with an elongated silhouette and a high-quality soft top. Heading to the top of Opel's line-up, the Opel Cascada is a midsize convertible not only by its size (length: 4,697 mm; width 1,840 mm excl. mirrors) but also by its allure and the premium technologies and features it offers.

After several generations of compact Kadett and Astra cabriolets, Opel returns to an older tradition of prestigious and rare midsize, four-seat soft-top convertibles from the fifties and sixties - like the Kapitän and the Rekord - but in a new, refreshing way and with the best of modern technologies. The Opel Cascada provides a sharp driving experience thanks to its super-rigid body, HiPerStrut front suspension and FlexRide adaptive damping system. Its driver and passengers can enjoy the open-air feeling thanks to the premium soft top that can be opened at the touch of a button in 17 seconds while driving at speeds of up to 50 km/h. Electric seat belt presenters, exclusive Nappa leather and ventilated, ergonomic seats as well as invisible, watchful safety systems make life serene and safe.

Thomas Sedran, Deputy Chairman of Adam Opel Management Board: "The midsize cabriolet segment is only occupied by very high-priced cars from premium manufacturers. With the Cascada, Opel offers all the typical features and premium qualities of a midsize convertible, but at an affordable price. The Cascada rounds off Opel's product offensive: in 2012 and 2013, we're enhancing our portfolio and entering all-new segments, with the electric Ampera, the small SUV Mokka, the fashionable, urban ADAM, and now this midsize convertible."

The attitude: Pure soft-top elegance enables full open-air enjoyment

With its broad stance and a flowing continuity of sculptured shapes that is typical for Opel, the Cascada design reflects the classic and timeless elegance of the "Grandes Routières" of a bygone and glamorous age. With the top down for open-air drives, the Opel Cascada has a perfectly clean profile: behind the fast and gracefully raked A-pillar, no roof top cover or visible rollover protection disturbs the silhouette. Below this clarity and to add some drama, the subtle Opel blade on the lower body side is mirrored in its upper part by a sharp crease that swings upward to the rear end, into the wraparound rear lights. The gently upswept waistline is highlighted by a horizontal chrome strip that elegantly sweeps around the cockpit, fluidly and elegantly marking the boundary between the roof top and the body.

"Most convertibles look good with the top down, but many seem clumsy with their roof up. Thanks to its high-quality, aerodynamically clean soft top with a perfect, seamless profile, the Opel Cascada also cuts a fine figure when closed," says Malcolm Ward, Director Exterior Design.

Tastefully sculpted in a purposeful power bulge, the bonnet tops a deepened front grille with bold chrome applications. The fog lights are carried in two overturned shark fin elements, which are visually enhanced and balanced by chrome inserts. Both using LED technology, the daytime running lights in the headlamps and the rear lights incorporate the Opel-typical wing signature. In the rear, the LED lighting modules are diffused for giving a solid and sharp light signal - a typical feature of premium class cars. A proud chrome strip linking the lighting units set into the boot lid balances the front chrome trim.

Top quality materials selected from suppliers of the most prestigious premium cabriolets are used to build Opel Cascada's soft top. It benefits from superior acoustic and thermal insulation thanks to a special layer of polyester fleece between the outside layer and the interior lining. An electro-hydraulic mechanism activated via a switch located between the front seats opens the roof in 17 seconds at driving speeds of up to 50 km/h - placing the Opel Cascada among the benchmarks in roof-top operation. In addition, key-operated remote control for opening and closing the top is standard in all Cascada models. Three soft top colors are available at launch. They can be coordinated with ten different body colors.

Indulgence: Crafted cockpit with outstanding comfort and functionality

The Opel Cascada's cockpit offers a striking, sculptural yet sporty design highlighted by precise, handcrafted details. The lines of the wing-shaped instrument panel, which features real stitching on soft, wrapped surfaces, flow into the doors, dynamically embracing the front-seat occupants. All new richly trimmed seats are offered in several elegantly embossed fabrics and leathers. The up-level AGR certified ergonomic seats are wrapped in rich, soft Nappa leather and benefit from heating and ventilation systems: on hot, sunny days, fresh air is drawn through the holes in the perforated leather to increase front occupants' comfort. Securing them is easy and comfortable due to the electric seat belt extender which brings the seat belt within close reach using a telescoping arm. An electric Easy Entry system makes access to the rear seat swift and comfortable.

The Opel Cascada benefits from great storage and stowage capacity for a convertible, allowing comfortable, all-season daily use. Several useful, large storage spaces have been placed around the driver: in the door, in and under the instrument panel and, thanks to a standard Electric Park Brake, in the center console - just where you need storage space the most. The minimum load volume with the roof open is 280 liters, and up to 350 liters are available when the soft top is closed. To extend its load volume or transport exceptionally long objects, the Opel Cascada benefits from the FlexFold system that electrically releases and folds down the 50:50 split rear seat back rests - a feature that cannot be offered in hard-top cabriolets.

Excellence: Superior body stiffness combines with outstanding chassis technology

Body stiffness is a key criterion for open-roof vehicles; it has a high impact on their driving behavior, steering precision, acoustics, safety and comfort and also conveys a clear feeling of their genuine quality. The Opel Cascada provides an superior balance between torsional and bending stiffness thanks to several measures including impressive underbody crossed steel bars and reinforced rocker profiles. Compared to Opel's previous generation cabriolet, the Astra TwinTop, the Cascada's body is 43% stiffer in torsion and 10% in bending. This layout provides a solid basis for the suspension and contributes towards significant reduction in noise, vibrations and harshness.

The new midsize Opel Cascada naturally has a more impressive footprint than the 2006 compact Astra Twin Top. The wheelbase is 71 mm longer, the front tread 56 mm and the rear tread 70 mm wider. That benefits handling and stability. The front axle of the Cascada features as standard the best of Opel chassis technology with the HiPerStrut layout that was initially developed for the Insignia OPC. HiPerStrut (High Performance Strut) separates the functions of damping and steering and provides highest traction and cornering precision as well as reduced torque steer and improved grip under all circumstances. The Opel Cascada has electrically powered rack-and-pinion steering with speed sensitive assistance. For more direct steering feel and precision, the electric motor is mounted on the rack, as opposed to the base of the steering column. FlexRide, Opel's integrated, fully adaptive chassis control system is of course available in the Cascada. It enhances its ride and handling performance and safety as it adapts to the driving situation, driving style as well as the drivers' preferences. The Opel Cascada can be equipped with 17" to 20" wheels. Brake discs have sizes of up to 326 mm in front and 325 mm in rear.

Performance: New generation direct Injection 1.6 Turbo gasoline engine

A broad powertrain line-up will be available in the Opel Cascada convertible. The 1.4 gasoline Turbo opens the portfolio; it is combined with a manual 6-speed transmission and is available in two output versions of 88 kW/120 hp and 103 kW/140 hp, both delivering up to 220 Nm thanks to an overboost function. On the diesel side, the 2.0 CDTI with 121 kW/165 hp comes with either a manual or an automatic 6-speed transmission. This engine delivers up to 380 Nm when its overboost is active.

The highlight in the Opel Cascada powertrain line-up will be the 1.6 SIDI Turbo ECOTEC gasoline engine. This midsize direct injection unit is part of a fully new generation that makes its debut in early 2013 and is geared to very smooth ride and torque delivery and great fuel economy. It delivers 125 kW/170 hp, between 1,650 and 3,200 rpm - and 280 Nm thanks to an overboost function. This engine will be available with manual and automatic 6-speed transmissions. The new, low-friction 6-speed automatic transmission in the Cascada features an Active Select function that allows manual shifting for a more sporty driving experience.

More powerful versions of both gasoline and diesel engines will be launched in the Opel Cascada at a later stage.

Serenity: Sophisticated technology and safety features

The Opel Cascada combines an open-air driving experience with the best of Opel technology. This includes the AFL+ Adaptive Forward Lighting system with up to 11 automatic functions, the second generation Opel Eye front camera with its new, extended functionalities (enhanced Traffic Sign Recognition and Lane Departure Warning, new Following Distance Indication and Forward Collision Alert), a rear-view camera and an Advanced Park Assist that eases parking maneuvers, an ultra-sonic based Side Blind Spot Alert, ergonomic front seats, a heated steering wheel, and Hill Start Assist.

The Opel Cascada's extremely rigid passenger cell is mainly fabricated from high-strength steel for the least deformation and largest possible survival space in crash conditions. Doors have diagonally mounted ultra-high strength steel beams and beltline reinforcements. The A-pillars supporting the windscreen are in press hardened steel. In case of roll-over, pyrotechnically activated spring-loaded high-strength bars automatically deploy behind the rear seats. These pop-ups are also triggered during other severe impacts - when airbags are deployed - in order to prepare the vehicle for possible secondary impacts and resulting roll-over. Front seats both benefit from two-way active headrests and double seat belt pre-tensioners and even the two rear seats have seat belt pre-tensioners.

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Noble M15, 2006

 

 

 

 

• Noble M15, 2006

Building on the success of the no-compromise M12, the M15 is a more mature Noble with luxuries including Satellite Navigation, impeccable ride and 300 litres of luggage space!

"The M12 is a great car, but it's very focused and I wanted to produce a supercar people could use every day," said founder Lee Noble. "It was time for Noble to take a big step up in terms of refinement, practicality and style.

"We're delighted with this new car's all-round skills and the I reckon there's not a car in its class to touch it dynamically. After all, it's still a Noble!"

With a 455bhp version of the tried and trusted three-litre twin turbo engine Noble has come to rely on, this is also the quickest car ever to emerge from Barwell, Leicestershire. With the complementary figure of 455lb/ft of torque, all in a car that weighs slightly more than 1200kg, the M15 is devastatingly fast.

The M15 accelerates from 0-60mph in less than 3.5 seconds and 10 100mph in less than 8s. It keeps going all the way to 185mph, too, and has been tuned for rapid acceleration throughout the range rather than an easily achievable 200mph top end speed.

Supreme cornering skills and a confidence-inspiring chassis are part the DNA and, in this respect, the M15 promises to be the best yet. The spaceframe chassis with integral rollcage is 57 per cent stiffer than the M12 that has won plaudits throughout the world and intensive development has ensured that the fabled Noble handling on the limit is even better than before.

At £74,950 the M15 pitches straight into battle with the established supercar brands, but Noble is happy to meet them head on. "Hopefully people that test this car will see it as a real alternative to £130,000 exotica, as well as the immediate competition in the price range," he said. "We know we're taking on tough opposition, but I'm sure this car is going to take us forward in a big way."

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Nissan Extrem Concept, 2012

 

 

 

• Nissan Extrem Concept, 2012

The vibrancy, color and excitement of Brazil has been captured in Nissan Extrem Concept, a radical concept car aimed squarely at young (and young-at-heart) car enthusiasts keen to make a statement on the roads.

Nissan Extrem Concept has been created especially for Brazil. It has been designed for and built in the country and has its world debut at the 2012 Sao Paulo International Motor Show

"Brazil is a country of great natural beauty and it has a passionate, rich culture. But this is not always reflected in the cars on its streets, especially the more affordable locally produced vehicles which tend to be conservative in design, color and specification," said Shiro Nakamura, Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer.

"Extrem, with a dynamic, high-character design, is far from conservative. It was created to appeal to the country's growing band of city-based young professionals who are passionate about design and want to make a personal statement. The lightweight two-door 2+2, has a dynamic stance, fresh surfacing, and a clear rugged ability to tackle the urban jungle everyday," he added.

Designed by Nissan Design America (NDA) in San Diego, California, in collaboration with Brazilian designers and produced in Brazil, the concept previews a new breed of car. By blending versatility and toughness with the agility of a compact 2+2, Nissan Extrem Concept is a new genre of urban compact sports car.

Its unveiling at the 2012 Sao Paulo Motor Show underscores Nissan's commitment to Brazil. The country is one of the largest new car markets in the world and one in which Nissan enjoys significant sales growth. The company claimed almost two per cent of the 2011 market, doubling its 2010 sales, and aims to account for five per cent of new car sales in Brazil by 2016.

Nissan's investment in Brazil includes an all-new manufacturing facility in Resende in the state of Rio de Janeiro, which is scheduled to start production in the first half of 2014. When operating at its full potential, the plant will produce 200,000 units annually.

Although strictly a concept car with no immediate plans for production, elements of Nissan Extrem Concept's styling offers a glimpse into future Nissan products, for Brazil and beyond.

Nissan Extrem Concept in detail
Right from the early stages of its development, the design team behind Extrem was clear about the direction the concept should take. "We call it Baby Beast," said Robert Bauer, Senior Design Manager for the project at NDA. "We see it as an urban rally car, a tough little street fighter that can handle the urban jungle with agility and confidence."

From the outset it was considered vitally important that design inspiration should come from Brazil itself. Although the NDA design team is based in San Diego, creative time on the project was spent mostly in Sao Paulo. The NDA designers managed the project remotely from San Diego and developed clay and digital models using local resources in Sao Paolo.

The result is an exotic and distinctive concept for a new genre of compact sport vehicle with a unique silhouette. The lower half of the body and raised ground clearance expresses its strength, while the sharply sloping roof line suggests its sporting intention. The combination of innovative elements such as the wraparound glass, floating roof rails and detached C pillars enhance the feeling of an open, airy cabin.

The body's shape and surfaces exude a feeling of strength and agility with muscular fender volume defined by sharp creases. Overlapping panels and unique surface interplays create a feeling of layered armored toughness.

Showing Nissan Extrem Concept also has a practical side to its nature, the roof rails incorporate cleats for load carrying, while the unique see-through A-pillar structure provides enhanced outward visibility.

Both the headlamps and tail lamps feature Nissan's signature graphics and advanced LED technology. Bracketing the glass hatch, the rear lights have high-tech layered fins, showcasing an airy, lightweight structure. A prominent aluminum skid plate, embossed to add strength, houses the centrally mounted exhaust.

Although clearly a tough little street fighter, quality craftsmanship and attention to detail can be found throughout the car. Examples include flush mounted door handles, integrated side marker lamps, lightweight fender-mounted mirrors and the flush A- and B-pillars which create a seamless canopy.

A compact 2+2, Extrem has a dedicated luggage space in the rear. A clever two-tier system provides secure storage, where items can be hidden from prying eyes beneath an exposed and removable cargo bin which is accessed via the rear hatch. The bin is designed for day-to-day items and fits neatly underneath a structural cross brace that adds extra stiffness to the shell and accentuates the sporting nature of the car.

The exclusive Solar Cortex body color, a deep metallic orange with radiant highlights, pays homage to Brazilian nature. Brightly colored accents provide 'pops' of energy and can also be found on the gas cap, tow hook and the wheels, adding to the urban rally car theme.

The roof pattern, a mix of gloss and matte textures, is inspired by iconic Brazilian graphics.

Six-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels are double layered with a dark inner and brushed metal outer and provide enhanced cooling to the brakes.

Showcasing the versatility of Nissan's acclaimed V-platform - used by the Nissan March - dimensionally Nissan Extrem Concept is taller, wider and longer than the global city car.

Extrem's power would be provided by Nissan's advanced direct injection and turbocharged (DIG-T) 1.6-liter gasoline engine which shares its technology concept with the powertrain in the innovative Nissan DeltaWing Le Mans race car. Nissan Extrem Concept could also be offered with a choice of front or four-wheel drive with Torque Vectoring for enhanced handling capabilities.

"Extrem suggests that exotic and exciting design need not just be reserved for expensive cars. It shows that innovative, sophisticated design can be made in a clever, attainable way. Extrem is one of our answers to this possibility and it opens an exciting new chapter in our design relationship with Brazil," said Nakamura.

Nissan Extrem Concept dimensions
    Wheelbase: 2450mm
    Height: 1530mm
    Length: 3850mm
    Width: 1765mm

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Chevrolet Traverse, 2013

 

 

 

• Chevrolet Traverse, 2013

The new 2013 Chevrolet Traverse crossover-utility vehicle offers families a new gathering space with greater style, refinement and safety. It goes into production later this year, building on the space, comfort and efficiency that have made Chevrolet Traverse popular.

The 2013 Chevrolet Traverse has a new, athletic exterior design, complemented by a more expressive front end that introduces a new face for Chevrolet crossover utilities.

The front features a new shape supported by a powerdome hood, a three-bar upper and two-bar lower grille design, new lamps, chrome accents around the grille and fog lamps, and sculpted front corners similar to the Malibu sedan. The new design captures the overall character of Chevy's new car lineup, for a consistent family resemblance.

New family gathering space
Space is the hallmark of the Chevy Traverse interior. With its class-leading spaciousness, comfortable and flexible seating for up to eight adults, and more cargo-carrying capacity than any other vehicle in its segment, the 2013 Chevy Traverse builds on these established attributes by offering an interior environment with new features and refined appointments.

Upgraded materials include soft-touch surfaces on the instrument panel and front door uppers, contrasting stitching, chrome and silver accents, and available blue ambient lighting that flows through the cabin.

A new center stack showcases a 6.5-inch color touch radio with the available Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system. MyLink allows customers to seamlessly integrate their smartphones for hands-free calling through the audio system and Bluetooth streaming of popular internet radio favorites Pandora and Stitcher. The center stack also has large and illuminated climate controls that are easier to use and have a more upscale feel.

The front seats now feature articulating head restraints that can be adjusted up or down and fore and aft for greater comfort. The eight-way power passenger seat includes leather trim. New wood trim treatments are standard on LT and LTZ.

Adding to the overall feel of quality, the fit and finish of the interior panels have been improved on all models. The new Chevrolet Traverse will come with three interior color choices, in cloth or leather, including Ebony and Mojave, Light Titanium and Dark Titanium, and Ebony.

Passes the parent test
The Chevrolet Traverse passes the parent test with three rows of seating standard on all models, flexible seating configurations, class-leading people and cargo-carrying capacity, and family-friendly entertainment and other features.

Chevrolet Traverse's second-row seat comes with a pair of captain's chairs or a three-passenger bench. Each incorporates Chevrolet Traverse's child-friendly, second-row SmartSlide feature that enables unobstructed access to the third-row bench seat with one hand - and is easy for children to operate.

The third-row seat can comfortably accommodate three adult passengers. Chevrolet Traverse's 24.4 cu. ft. (691 liters) of cargo room behind its third row is larger than many full-size utility vehicles. Chevrolet Traverse also has easy-to-operate safety belts, up to 12 cup holders and an available rear-seat entertainment system.

The efficient power and car-like ride
Chevy Traverse has a long 118.9-inch (3,019 mm) wheelbase, with a wide 67.8-inch (1,721 mm) front track and 67.4-inch (1,712 mm) rear track - a combination that enables smooth, stable ride and handling characteristics.

Efficiency in the Chevrolet Traverse comes from a technically advanced 3.6L V-6 with fuel-saving direct injection technology and continuously variable valve timing. It is mated with a six-speed automatic transmission with improved shift feel that results in more confident acceleration when the driver needs additional power to enter the highway or pass another motorist.

The engine is SAE-certified at 288 horsepower (215 Nm) and 270 lb.-ft. of torque (366 Nm) with dual exhaust (281 hp/210 kW and 266 lb.-ft./361 Nm with single exhaust). Its direct injection fuel delivery helps produce power similar to many V-8 engines and uses regular unleaded gasoline.

The transmission controls have been revised to provide quicker and more consistent shifts. Along with additional transmission hardware changes, the Chevrolet Traverse is expected to continue to deliver among the best fuel economy ratings of any eight-passenger (FWD) utility vehicle.

Ride and handling improvements have been made through the use of rebound springs in the front struts that increase roll control. New shock valving has been employed for low-velocity control to deliver a smoother ride at lower speeds.

The intelligent all-wheel-drive (AWD) system provides increased traction on slippery roads by actively managing the torque distribution between the front and rear axles, based on factors such as wheel speed, throttle and surface conditions. There is no driver intervention; the system automatically decides how much torque to apply and delivers it to the wheels that have the best traction.

Chevrolet Traverse maintains capability to deliver improved ride and handling, offering utility-like towing capacity of up to 5,200 pounds (2,358 kg).

Smart and safe family hauler
The Chevrolet Traverse is among the safest vehicles on the road today, previously earning top honors and recognition from leading third-party organizations and in government crash testing.

For 2013 it enhances its safety reputation with the industry's first front center air bag. It is engineered to provide additional restraint to drivers and front passengers in far-side impact crashes, where the affected occupant is on the opposite, non-struck side of the vehicle.

When a severe impact occurs, the air bag deploys in milliseconds from the inboard side of the driver's seat and inflates between the driver and front passenger, providing added protection for both front occupants.

"While no restraint technology or feature can address all body areas or all potential injuries, the front center air bag is designed to address field-relevant, side-impact crashes that are not addressed by current regulatory or consumer metric test conditions," said Gay Kent, GM executive director of Vehicle Safety and Crashworthiness. "It works with the vehicle's other air bags, safety belts and structure to deliver a safer occupant environment."

The safety and security features:

•     Available Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert systems (standard on LTZ) use radar to watch spots the driver may not see - and provide visible and audible warnings to help prevent collisions.
•     Standard head curtain side air bags with rollover protection for outboard occupants in all seating rows. In addition to providing protection in moderate-to-severe side crashes, the roof-mounted head curtain air bags will deploy in a rollover to help provide increased occupant protection and containment.
•     StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover mitigation technology is standard on all models and incorporates full-function traction control.
•     Standard rearview camera system is designed to provide the driver with added capability to view what is in the rearward path of the vehicle.
•     Standard four-wheel-disc brake system with ABS featuring smooth, quiet operation, longer pad life and more resistance to brake pulsation.
•     Safety belt pretensioners reduce forward movement during a collision, and are standard on the front safety belts, along with load-limiting retractors that help limit the belts' impact on the occupants' chest. The dynamic locking latch plate locks to hold the occupants' pelvis in place.
•     LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat attachment system is included in outboard second-row seating positions.
•     Tire pressure monitoring system is standard on all models.
•     Strong body structure to absorb crash energy and provide a protective "safety cage" around occupants.
•     Standard hill start assist brakes help reduce the tendency of a vehicle to roll forward or backward on a hill after the brake pedal is released by momentarily retaining pressure on the brake discs.

On Star Features
On Star is standard on all Traverse models. It uses GPS and cellular phone technology to automatically call for help in the event of a crash. On star subscribers also can use the service to be Good Samaritans by sending help to other motorists, and to call for help in other non-crash emergencies.

    On Star is the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and information services in the United States and Canada.
    Six months of complimentary On Star Directions and Connections service with Turn-by-Turn Navigation for easier route guidance comes on all Traverse models. The feature is easy to use because all directions are sent to the car by an advisor, without the need to stop. Turn-by-Turn can be cost-effective, since map updates and aftermarket navigation systems are not needed.
    Stolen Vehicle Assistance helps police track the vehicle.
    On Star Mobile App allows owners with Android™ or Apple™ smart phones to remotely start the engine, lock and unlock doors and view vital vehicle information such as tire pressure, fuel tank level, range, remaining oil life, etc.

For 2013, Chevrolet Traverse is offered in LS, LT and LTZ models (with two LT packages: 1LT and 2LT), in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations. It is built in Lansing, Mich.

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Brabus Mercedes-Benz A-Class, 2012

 

 

 

 

• Brabus Mercedes-Benz A-Class, 2012

Powerful engine tuning, elegant and efficient aerodynamic-enhancement components, alloy wheels with diameters of 17, 18 and 19 inches, sporty-comfortable suspensions, exclusive interiors: Right on time for the market launch of the new Mercedes A-Class, BRABUS presents an exclusive tuning program backed by the peerless BRABUS Tuning Warranty® of three years, up to 100,000 kilometers/62,000 miles.

Sporty elegance characterizes the BRABUS bodywork program for the new Mercedes A-Class. It not only sets attractive visual highlights, it also further optimizes the car's aerodynamics. All components are manufactured in OEM quality from high-grade polyurethane.

The BRABUS front spoiler for the AMG Sport equipment line is designed to be attached to the lower part of the fascia. It gives the A-Class an even more dynamic appearance. But that's not all: The shape of the spoiler was optimized in the wind tunnel and further reduces aerodynamic lift on the front axle. A BRABUS rear spoiler for further reducing lift on the rear axle is under development.

The BRABUS rear-fascia insert for the AMG Sport bumper is shaped like a diffuser. Its custom-tailored cutouts provide the perfect backdrop for the four tailpipes of the BRABUS stainless-steel sport exhaust system.

BRABUS alloy wheels in OEM quality add even more fascination to the new A-Class and give it even more agile handling. For this purpose the BRABUS suspension engineers and test drivers have developed custom-tailored tire/wheel combinations with diameters of 17, 18 and 19 inches.

The largest option for the Mercedes compact class features BRABUS 8.5Jx19 wheels that come in five striking designs: Monoblock E, F, Q, R and S. The BRABUS technology partners Continental, Pirelli and YOKOHAMA supply the matching high-performance tires up to size 255/30 R 19 on the rear axle.

The BRABUS sport springs for the Mercedes A-Class were developed specifically for use with sporty low-profile tires. Extensive driving tests resulted in an optimal symbiosis of sporty handling and a high level of ride comfort. What is more, the ride-height lowering by about 25 millimeters also benefits the car's looks.

The BRABUS offers the world's largest engine tuning program for Mercedes-Benz automobiles. The top priority in all BRABUS engine developments is the symbiosis of high performance, excellent running smoothness, exemplary eco-friendliness and durability beyond reproach. BRABUS recommends high-performance lubricants from MOTUL. Performance tuning for the gasoline and diesel engines of the new Mercedes A-Class is in the final stages of development.

The fully stainless-steel BRABUS sport exhaust system with two chrome-plated tailpipes on the right and left side of the vehicle is available for all A-Class engines. The exhaust system produces a sporty but never obtrusive exhaust note.

BRABUS also offers numerous refinement options for the interior of the new A-Class. The portfolio includes bi-color stainless-steel scuff plates with BRABUS logo, matt anodized BRABUS aluminum pedals and door lock pins.

Especially soft yet extremely durable BRABUS Mastik leathers and the finest Alcantara are transformed by the BRABUS upholsterers into the dream cockpit of the A-Class owner with loving attention to detail. The choice of upholstery color and design is as limitless as the scope of the transformation: The options range from a completion of the ex-factory leather upholstery to an exclusive BRABUS all-leather interior.

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