Mercedes-Benz Officials Confirm Baby SLS AMG Sports Car

In the very near future, Mercedes-Benz will offer two thoroughbred sports cars as company officials have confirmed the production of a more affordable 'baby' SLS AMG sports model to rival the Porsche 911 and possibly, Jaguar's F-Type. The news comes from two different sources, the head of Mercedes-Benz design Gorden Wagener, who told British magazine Autoexpress that the sports car will be named SLC, and the company's boss, Dieter Zetsche, who told Autocar that the SLC will be a front-engined model sitting under the SLS AMG.
From there on, it's all speculation about the SLC's powertrain and design, though it is possible that the car could be offered with both a V6 and a V8 engine. Don't expect to see the production model before 2015, but a concept version is almost certain to come within the next couple of years.
Wagener also revealed that the name of the production version of the 'baby' SLS Concept Style Coupe is CLA and that the automaker is mulling a sportier styled version of the M-Class to compete against the BMW X6.

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Best Car Interiors in the 2012 Class

It's that time of the year again when Ward's Automotive announces its annual 10 Best Interiors list. For 2012, the magazine's editorial staff evaluated 40 vehicles with new or significantly improved interiors for the 2012 or 2013 model years and came up with 10 winners regardless of price (see last year's winners here). "We saw a tremendously diverse group of interiors this year, and it's obvious to us that auto makers are pushing their design staffs harder than ever for interiors that are beautifully appointed, well equipped and extremely comfortable," commented WardsAuto World Editor-in-Chief Drew Winter.
The magazine said that its editors scored and ranked the 40 nominated vehicles based on a series of criteria. These included ergonomics, material selection, safety, overall value and aesthetics while also rating the interior's "human-machine interface" to evaluate how effectively information is communicated to the driver.
In alphabetical order, the 10 winners for 2012 are:



Audi A7
Ward's Auto editors found that the A7 Sportback's interior "looks much more expensive" than its $67,430 sticker price suggests while also giving it extra points for its lavish trim and "intuitive human-machine interface".





Chrysler 300 Luxury
The Luxury edition of the Chrysler 300 sedan borrows its refined interior design from the European market Lancia Thema adding a tan-and-brown color scheme with Poltrona Frau leather and bespoke trim accents such as the satin-finish wood. "If Bentley sold an affordable family sedan, it would look like the 300 Luxury," said Drew Winter, editor-in-chief, WardsAutoWorld magazine.





Dodge Dart
The second Chrysler Group model to make it in Ward's list is the 2013 Dodge Dart sedan. The magazine said that the firm's new compact model sports "a stylish, well-conceived and heavily contented interior."





Chevrolet Sonic
The only GM model featured in Ward's Auto Top 10 Interiors this year is the new Chevrolet Sonic subcompact. The editorial staff found that the Sonic's interior maximizes its limited space with well-placed storage areas and that it proves that "an inexpensive car does not have to look cheap".





Hyundai Accent
The cheapest car in the list with a $15,925 sticker is the Hyundai Accent. Ward's Auto says that the subcompact model's interior "shows incredible attention to detail" with highlights including the leather-wrapped steering wheel, the swooping lines of the instrument panel and the "appealing" center stack elements.





Hyundai Azera
Hyundai's second entry in the list is the mid-size Azera sedan. According to the magazine's editors, the Azera's interior has "flash, sizzle and substance" at an affordable price for the segment.





Mazda CX-5
Ward's Auto gave points to the new Mazda CX-5 for its functional interior highlighting the easily foldable rear seats and the upscale feel of the dashboard trim.





Infiniti JX35
The magazine has plenty of good words to say about the Infiniti JX crossover. For starters, Wards claims that the "entire interior feels meticulously crafted" and that its editors found the JX to be "an ideal blend of premium wood, sumptuous leather and judiciously applied brushed aluminum trim". It adds that at $54,800, it’s also "tremendous value proposition".





Range Rover Evoque
The Range Rover Evoque won the magazine's editors with its "5-passenger versatility and no-nonsense premium appointments" while Ward's Auto notes that the British model's designers succeeded in making the crossover "both luxurious and rugged".






Volkswagen Beetle
The last model in the list (in terms of alphabetical order) is the second generation of the New Beetle. The magazine says that it may have lost the flower vase, but it will gain more customers thanks to "the right mix of contemporary technology and familiar aspects pay tribute to decades of the iconic Bug". It adds that the Beetle features some unique touches such as the "elastic-band map pocket on the lower door panel" and the "vinyl loop hanging from the B-pillar".

Volkswagen Sweepstakes Offers Winner the Chance to Drive

The Volkswagen brand is lifting the stakes with a freshly launched competition to mark the arrival of its new 2012 Golf R hot hatch in the United States. Named the “Golf R Ultimate Fan Experience” Sweepstakes, the contest will offer one lucky winner an all-expenses paid trip for two in Germany this September.
The week-long trip will include, among other things, a tour of VW's headquarters in Wolfsburg but more importantly, the unique opportunity to drive the Golf R at the Nürburgring racetrack.
“The Golf R has an incredibly loyal following of fans, and this is a way for Volkswagen to say ‘thank you’ for their passion and enthusiasm,” said Volkswagen Group of America CEO Jonathan Browning. “We are delighted to reward one lucky Golf R fan with the ultimate enthusiast travel experience, including an adrenaline-pumping driving experience on a legendary track.”
In detail, here's what the prize package includes:

A seven-day, six-night trip for two to Germany in September 2012

A visit to Wolfsburg to tour the Autostadt and Volkswagen AG headquarters

A visit to Nürburg to drive the Golf R on the Nürburgring motorsports complex with instruction from professional drivers

A visit to Berlin for an exclusive sightseeing package

Luxury hotel accommodations in each city

The contest kicked off on Thursday, April 12, and will run through May 14, 2012. In order to be eligible, entrants must be 25 years of age or older at the time of entry. VW said that the winner will be selected in a random drawing "on or about May 28, 2012".

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