Big Motoring World Reviews 2015 BMW M6 Gran Coupe

The four-door BMW M6 Gran Coupe is the most powerful and luxurious car yet from the high-performance 'M' brand. It’s the second most expensive BMW in the range, sitting only behind the i8 supercar – Big Motoring World review why this gem is worth every penny.

Power

The Gran Coupe shares the same 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine seen in the M6 Convertible and Coupe models, but it promises to be even faster thanks to neat weight-saving measures. It’s equipped with a revised Competition Pack which takes the power up to a monstrous 592bhp, while torque is up to a cool 700NM. The 0-62mph sprint takes just a mere 4.2 seconds.

On the road

One of the Gran Coupe’s biggest strengths is how it handles on the road. The Active M Differential gives it superb agility and outstanding traction. It shuffles torque across the rear axle to the wheel which has the most grip, helping the car place its 592bhp and massive 7000Nm of torque on to the road.

Exterior styling

The M6 Gran Coupe represents the best of the brand’s style and luxury. The combination of its enhanced size and racy detailing give this revised model a real presence. New styling features include revised front and rear bumpers, a twin-spoke grille design, quad exhausts, bigger air intakes and stylish 20-inch alloys. Like the M6 Coupe, the Gran Coupe gets a carbon fibre roof to help reduce weight and lower it’s the centre of gravity. At nearly five metres long, it has a longer wheelbase than the Coupe but its overhangs are short and neat giving it an excitingly sporty finish.

Interior styling

The inside matches the class of its shell. Its wraparound dashboard is covered with soft-touch leather and carbon fibre weave, while the luxurious electric sports seats provide you with the perfect driving position. The steering wheel gives the car a touch of vintage – reportedly inspired by the 80’s Z1 roadster, and the frameless windows add to the racy feel. 2015 also sees the inclusion of an updated iDrive infotainment screen, heads up display and Merino leather across the cabin.

Practicality

With a longer wheelbase than previous models, the M6 has generous rear legroom, and the low roof doesn’t affect headroom. The 460-litre boot is deep enough to accommodate large suitcases and the rear seatbacks fold down to free up a maximum 1,265 litres of space.

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 12:36

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Big Motoring World reviews 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Big Motoring World reviews the brand new mid-sized SUV which will replace the very popular GLK next year.

The GLC offers a more modern look with added comfort and advanced technology. The new name signifies that it shares a platform with the C-Class, hence the aggressive redesign, impeccable timing and raft of new technology.

New looks

The GLC is a good looking SUV – it’s fresher, sleeker and more aggressive than most. It has all the right proportions and immediately stands out as something luxurious and sporty.  It has a more of an elegant and modern design that is also more aerodynamic.

Under the bonnet

The GLC-Class will launch with just one engine: the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four has a preliminary output rated at 241hp and 273 pound-feet of torque. It will come standard with a nine-speed automatic transmission and five driving modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual.

Interior

The interior has undergone a slick makeover. It comes equipped with the sporty, three-spoke steering wheel and the wide, angled centre stack with a big infotainment display screen sitting on top. Another bonus is the minimalist approach Mercedes have taken with the centre console. It is clear of clutter and excess buttons and its curved, brushed aluminium trim make it a really enticing feature.

Spacious

Thanks to a wheelbase that has been stretched by 4.6 inches, the interior of the GLC now affords more space, including an extra 2.2 inches of rear seat space. The boot space has also increased by 580 litres and by 1600 litres when the seats are folded down.

Lighter and more efficient

Despite its larger footprint, the new GLC weighs 176 pounds less than the GLK, thanks to the extensive use of aluminium and high-strength steel.  Its lighter mass helps it get about 19 percent better mileage. Mercedes claim that the diesel can get about 42.8 mpg.

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 10:32

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Hyper hatch arms race: next Mercedes-AMG A45 will get 400bhp+

Big Motoring World considers the news that Mercedes-AMG chief Tobias Moers has confirmed the next-generation A45 AMG hyper hatch will get a four-cylinder engine – with more than 400bhp.

Power

Speaking at this month’s revealing of the new Mercedes A-Class, Moers confirmed that the AMG will have an all-new four-cylinder engine.

He explained that despite the recent 21bhp increase in Mercedes power to an impressive 376bhp, it is still not possible to extract more horse power from the current turbocharged engine. So with competitors confirming there will be cars surpassing the 400bhp mark, Mercedes is determined to come up with something even more explosive.

Whole Package

Moers said: “It is important for our customers to have the most powerful car in the segment... to us, it is important to offer the whole package”.

With Nurburgring lap times dominating the headlines in recent months, this new A45 may get around the 12.9-mile track in less than eight minutes –at least 10 seconds faster than the outgoing A45 AMG.

Mercedes, however, is not yet considering electrification or hybrid power for its top-spec AMG models and won’t simply install a bigger turbo or rejig the ECU. Using BMW’s six-cylinder M-cars as an example, Mercedes would not drop the V8 C63, “when it is within one or two mpg of lesser rivals.”

The visual changes made to Merc’s standard A-Class will make their way onto the CLA and GLA next year, with both models getting the uprated AMG engines in the coming months.

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 09:50

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Big Motoring World reviews this year’s new Mercedes plug-in hybrid

Big Motoring World reviews the new Mercedes GLE500e plug-in hybrid, which came out earlier this year. It was the first M-Class model to be named ‘GLE’, which signifies the beginning of Mercedes’ new and improved hybrid range.

Improvements

The GLE looks smooth on the outside, with new headlights and an improved grille, bonnet, bumper and wings at the front. The front end is so far from a C-Class, yet very similar from the back. Another new bumper to the tail end and blue LED lights signify its hybrid status and glamorous exterior, to really set it apart from previous models.

The major change inside is the new tablet-style ‘infotainment’ screen, which we first saw in the A-Class. There are plenty of upgrades on features and technology.

What’s it like to drive?

A combined total output of 434bhp and lashing of instant electric motor torque makes relatively light work of the 2.5-tonne kerbweight in a straight line. It goes 0-62mph in just 5.3sec – nearly half a second faster than its rivals.

Verdict

If you really wanted a plug-in hybrid M-Class, then the waiting is over. And it really lives up to all expectations. Hybrid is the way the market is going, so it appears this style and model is only going to get better. An innovative release for Mercedes’ new eco-friendly brand.

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 10:11

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Big Motoring World reviews 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The next-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class saloon has been spotted testing in Nurburgring ahead of its anticipated launch in mid-2016. Big Motoring World reviews what changes we can expect from the German manufacturer’s fifth-generation of its executive car.

The new model, borrowing design cues from the latest C-Class and S-Class, is likely to make its debut in early 2016 just before its closest competitor, BMW's next 5 Series. The new-generation model will once again grow in size, to about 4590mm long and 1940mm wide. This slight increase in size is down to the new rear-wheel-drive MRA platform, which currently underpins the new C-Class and S-Class. The new E-Class will ride on newly developed suspension that features variable-rate damping.

Lightweight

One of the key features of the new 2016 E-Class is the increased use of high-strength steel and aluminium, which is expected to shave between 70-150kg from the kerbweight of today’s model. The lightweight architecture should result in improved efficiency and a better driving experience, as well as allow for additional passenger space. The aerodynamics have also been refined so that the drag coefficient has improved from 0.25 to a class-leading 0.23.

Interior

The interior will be completely updated, including as 150mm-tall, 700mm-wide dashboard monitor which boasts HD graphics. Mercedes also plans to install an improved head-up display and new multi-function steering wheel controls.

Driving Style

Stylistically, the new E-Class follows the latest C-Class and the GLA. It is expected to adopt a slender new exterior styling. The previous version was a relatively boxy car, with deliberately angular surfaces, but Mercedes new design adopts a curvier, sleeker profile and softer details.

The onwards march towards autonomous driving will be furthered by the E-class’s stepping-stone technology. Officials hint that it will offer a function that will allow it to automatically accelerate, brake, change lanes, overtake and include a full range of self-parking functions. The art of driving is changing at a scarily exciting pace and the new E-class charges us straight into this brave new world.

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 11:50

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