Mercedes GLE Coupe in the latest Blockbuster movie

Big Motoring World reviews the new Mercedes GLE Coupe, which features with both four and six-wheeled versions of the G-Class SUV in the biggest blockbuster of the year so far, Jurassic World. The film is due for release later this summer, and by then the GLE Coupe will already have been released.

Power

The lowest-priced petrol engine is the 362bhp 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 in the 450 AMG, starting at £62,800. It's capable of 31.7mpg combined and emits 209g/km of CO2. The next rung of the ladder is the luxurious Designo Line spec, which is priced just under £10,000 more, but brings niceties such as active park assist with a 360-degree camera, soft-close doors,  a panoramic sunroof, quilted leather with cooling and massaging functions and a Harmon-Kardon surround sound system.

The top-of-the-range Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 starts at £96,550 and sports a 5.5-litre twin turbo V8. It develops a whopping 577bhp and 760Nm of torque, which sees the 2.3 tonne SUV reach 62mph from a still start in 4.2 seconds. The top speed is 174mph.

Design

A steeply raked windscreen allows for an elegant design to the front of this model, with unique front doors and a sloping roofline; the sharp bumper designs really add to the distinctive look of the car. There’s also plenty of legroom and boot space, more even than he seven-seat X5. The swoopy new model makes its big screen debut in the film, rivalling the new BMW X6. It’s on sale now, starting from £60,680.

Big Motoring World

Big Motoring World is the largest independent seller of used BMWs and Mercedes-Benz in the UK. Based in London and Kent, Big Motoring World hold over 1000 cars so we are sure to have the perfect car for you.

By: Big Motoring World On 09:44

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Big Motoring World: Smart cars to stop drink driving?

Smart cars of the near future could refuse to start if the driver exceeds the drink-drive limit, including those from manufacturer Ford. Big Motoring World reviews the latest technology to be trialled in America.

Ford are amongst those working with the American consortium, US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They are working to develop technology which will detect alcohol and prevent those over the limit from driving.

New technology

The NHTSA have unveiled a prototype which is fitted with a ‘Driver Alcohol Detection System’, ground-breaking technology which includes a breathalyser in the steering wheel and an engine start button which checks for alcohol in the driver’s blood levels.

Optional feature

Both will operate passively, detecting alcohol levels on the driver when they breathe normally, start the car or touch the steering wheel. This will not be run across all new cars, but it is being pushed forward as an option in the next five years for some cars.

It’s predicted that over 10,000 people die across the USA each year, whilst an estimated 230 people died in the UK in 2012 according to the Department for Transport.

This technology, which could conceivably be built into the driving experience, could become standard within commercial vehicles aided by safety and insurance incentives. But it may prove more difficult to bring into private vehicles across the globe. Some manufacturers have been working on similar technology for the past decade.

Big Motoring World

Big Motoring World is the largest independent seller of used BMWs and Mercedes-Benz in the UK. Based in London and Kent, Big Motoring World hold over 1000 cars so we are sure to have the perfect car for you.

By: Big Motoring World On 14:43

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Big Motoring World reviews the BMW 640d Coupe

Big Motoring World reviews the BMW 640d Coupe LCI which has had an upgrade.

Model

LCI stands for Life Cycle Impulse; that’s BMW’s way of saying it’s had a mid-life facelift. The new model has a high emphasis on efficiency and style – the latter which it has in abundance.

Exterior

Externally, the model is much the same as its predecessor. There are some styling tweaks which include revised bumpers front and rear, full LED headlamps as standard, new door mirrors, wider exhausts, fresh alloy wheel designs and a few new colours.

Interior

Inside, the upgrades are more noticeable and give it a really polished, luxury feel. A leather dash is now standard on all models, and this helps to enhance the car’s extravagant feel. BMW’s ConnectedDrive includes an in-built, subscription-free mobile sim card which means that emergency services can automatically be alerted at an accident.

Verdict

Overall, the changes add up to an enhanced appeal of what was already a great car.  It’s best sampled with the highly impressive 3.0-litre diesel. This car is now effortlessly economical, comfortable and luxurious. It’s deceptively quick, too, going 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds.

We are stocking the 2012 model, available from £25,000.

Big Motoring World

Big Motoring World is the largest independent seller of used BMWs and Mercedes-Benz in the UK. Based in London and Kent, Big Motoring World hold over 1000 cars so we are sure to have the perfect car for you.

By: Big Motoring World On 13:00

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Big Motoring World Reviews: Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster Auction

The 1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR is a unique car. It looks like it’s about to conquer the toughest races, but it’s actually a road-legal luxury car.

The CLK-GTR is part of an almost extinct species of motoring culture – along with the Porsche 911 GT1 Straßenversion and McLaren F1 GTR, these are the sort of cars that are only built once in a lifetime.

The Car

This Benz is not only unique for a production model, but also for a racing one as well. It was the materialisation of Mercedes’ desire to compete, and essentially win in the FIA GT Championship. The regulations stated that at least 25 models are created to qualify, so Mercedes went and produced 26 CLK-GTRs.  6 of those are drop-tops, making the car even more exotic.

Under the hood lies an enormous 6.9-litre, AMG V12 engine, which produces 604-hp and 775 Nm of torque. The cars weighs 1,440 Kg which is on the heavy side, but the engine manages to sprint the Merc from 0 to 100 Km/h (62mph) in just 3.8 seconds.

The Auction

So, finding a Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR for sale is a rarity. Finding one with just 6 kilometres on the clock is like finding a unicorn in your garage. This beast is coming up for sale at the Goodwood Festival of speed and it’s offered by Bonham’s. For an estimated £1.4-£1.8m, you can get your hands on the only black-painted, untouched, barely used CLK-GTR roadster in existence.

Big Motoring World

Big Motoring World is the largest independent seller of used BMWs and Mercedes-Benz in the UK. Based in London and Kent, Big Motoring World hold over 1000 cars so we are sure to have the perfect car for you. 

By: Big Motoring World On 10:07

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