Audi's new 'volts wagon' … and Mercedes' AA Class

This month sees the debut of Audi's all-new A8 range, the first in the Brand's history to feature electrified drivetrains as standard. Featuring a 48-volt primary electrical system, these new A8s promise a new level of refinement, performance, and – of course – economy.

The new volts wagen from Audi – The all-new Audi A8 range will be the first in the brand’s history to feature an electrified drivetrain as standard. Its combustion engines will be equipped with mild hybrid technology based around a 48-volt electrical system which features as the primary electrical system for the first time. 

The A8's hybrid drive comprises two main components: a watercooled, 48-volt belt alternator starter (BAS), and a lithium-ion battery that acts as an accumulator. The BAS complements a conventional pinion starter, which is used only for cold starts, while the lithium-ion battery (stowed in the luggage compartment) has a 10Ah charge carrier capacity.

BAS's advantage becomes clear when approaching roundabouts or red traffic signals. If the traffic signal turns green during braking, while the vehicle is coasting to a stop or if a gap appears for the driver to move into, and the driver releases the brake, the combustion engine is started immediately. There's no delay in acceleration, thanks to the belt alternator starter, which is permanently connected to the combustion engine.

The fourth-generation A8s feature a new noiseless coasting mode, available between 34mph and 99mph, which switches off the engine altogether, for up to 40 seconds, giving zero-emissions. The moment the driver steps on the throttle, the BAS swiftly and smoothly restarts the engine. 

The new A8's stop/start function has been improved, too. It's now active from 14mph, and it can even distinguish between different traffic situations. If the road is clear, the BAS starts the engine promptly, so you can drive off swiftly. After a long standstill, or if the drive wants to turn up the aircon, the engine start up switches to extra smooth and silent mode. It even has predictive starting: if the vehicle in front of you moves off, the engine starts even if the brake is applied.

Of course, one of the big factors in hybrid tech, is the recuperation or regeneration of energy, and the A8 comes with some sophisticated management just for this. On-board computers process route data, front-facing camera views, and various sensor data, and calculates the best time to coast or recuperate (the system can even recuperate energy if you get too close to the vehicle in front). The upshot, is that fuel consumption is reduced by as much as 0.7 litres per 100 kilometres.

The new Audi A8 debuts on 11th July, at the first Audi Summit, in Barcelona, Spain. 

Further information on powertrain development at Audi is available at

www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/techday-combustion-engine-technology.

Of course, Audi isn't the only German manufacturer to look into electrical power … Mercedes-Benz are also on the case, as this video highlights … possibly …

MERCEDES-BENZ CELEBRATES 120 YEARS OF MOTORSPORT AT GOODWOOD FOS 2014

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

Photo: Mercedes-Benz
Some of the fastest, most exhilarating, most innovative and most beautiful Mercedes-Benz cars spanning a century of motorsport took to the Goodwood Hill in glorious sunshine on Friday 27th.

Marking the first day of track action on the Goodwood Hill, Mercedes-Benz cars both old and new were being driven hard up the 1.16-mile route. They ranged from race-winning 1928 Mercedes SSK through to the mighty W 165 R Silver Arrow, the SL 500 rally car and the flame-spitting Sauber-Mercedes C 9 endurance racer.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz
The action extended to production cars, with the most extreme AMG road car yet created, the SLS AMG Black Series, making a smoky appearance on the Hill while the same car that drove from Africa to the UK on a single tank of fuel, an E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid, also debuted.

Behind the wheel were some of the greatest racers from recent times – including Dario Franchitti, Jochen Mass, Klaus Ludwig and Sir Stirling Moss.

The second day of track action at the 22nd running of the Goodwood Festival of Speed saw some of the rarest Mercedes-Benz models ever created being unleashed as well as the global public debut of the latest addition to the current range – the new generation CLS-Class.

On the Goodwood Hill, the Silver Arrows in the form of the W 125, the W 165 R, the W 165 R Streamliner and a more contemporary Silver Arrow, a MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One car from 2012 proved to be crowd favourites. For sheer drama, the epically loud (and very orange) SLS AMG GT3 S proved difficult to beat while the beautiful 300 SLS took on the Hill.

Lewis Hamilton signed off the third and final day of the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed in spectacular style in his MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS W03 Formula One car – lighting up the tyres to the delight of the estimated 50,000 spectators.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

ADDICTED TO WINNING: MERCEDES-BENZ AT THE 2014 GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED

Mercedes-Benz is set to be leading marque at the 21st Goodwood Festival of Speed between June 26 and 29 – celebrating some of the greatest cars both on the road and track, the most skilled, passionate and dedicated drivers to have steered them to victory and a commitment to motorsport, spanning 120 years.

The Central Feature – a sculpture created by Goodwood’s artistic genius, Gerry Judah – the over-arching theme of which will be Mercedes-Benz, is guaranteed to be the most dramatic yet and will be officially launched on the evening of the Moving Motor Show, Thursday, June 26.

The on-track action will be led by Lewis Hamilton as he lights up the tyres of his MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One machine as he takes to the 1.16-mile Goodwood Hill on Sunday. He’ll be joined by iconic cars spanning a century – from the Mercedes Grand Prix racing car that formed part of the trio that scored a one-two-three at the French Grand Prix in 1914 – to the beautiful and brutal W 125 and W 165 Silver Arrows.

Among the rarest of the cars to be taking on the Hill with be a 300 SLS from 1957, joined by the wide-arch eccentricity of a 500 SL rally car from 1981.

Some of the most focused and successful racing machines ever built will also be present, from the Sauber-Mercedes C 9 to the Penske-Mercedes PC 23 IndyCar from 1994 and the CLK-LM from 1998. Adding a modern twist will be an SLS AMG GT3 racer along with the DTM Mercedes AMG C-Class Coupé and roadgoing siblings in the most extreme AMG yet, the SLS AMG Black Series and the mightiest hot hatch of them all – the A 45 AMG.

On static display meanwhile will be the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo concept – first seen last year at the Los Angeles Motor Show and making its UK debut at Goodwood. Visitors to Goodwood will be able to drive the car virtually on the Goodwood Hill via the Sony PlayStation 3 and Gran Turismo 6.

The tech doesn’t end there – the Mercedes-Benz Exhibition will this year host a trio of Oculus Rift experiences. They will allow visitors to get closer than ever before to the feeling of going up the Goodwood Hill with special 360 degree footage being played through the virtual reality devices. Likewise, visitors will be able to lap Silverstone virtually in the current MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS F1 W05 Hybrid or to indulge in some drifting with Lewis Hamilton in an E 63 AMG S Estate.

Driving Mercedes-Benz racers and road cars for real at Goodwood will be a line-up of legendary drivers – from Roland Asch to Anthony Davidson and Dario Franchitti, Johnny Herbert and Silver Arrows driver Hans Herrmann, Klaus Ludwig and Jochen Mass, Sir Stirling Moss, Paul and Sir Jackie Stewart, Bernd Schneider and Karl Wendlinger.

The event promises to be a fitting celebration with more surprises and announcements to come as the Festival draws nearer.

REVIEWS ROUND-UP

What people are saying about recently published Veloce books ...

The Triumph Bonneville Bible by Peter Henshaw
The Real Way Round by Jonathan Yates
Mercedes-Benz Trucks by Colin Peck

REVIEWS ROUND-UP

What people are saying about recently published Veloce books ...

Return to Glory! The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Racing Car
by Robert Ackerson
Inside the Rolls-Royce & Bentley Styling Department 1971 to 2001
by Graham Hull
Japanese Custom Motorcycles – The Nippon Chop by Uli Cloesen

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM VELOCE PUBLISHING!

A very Happy New Year from all at Veloce Publishing. Here's to a roaring 2014 of motoring and motorcycling!

Image from Return to Glory! The Mercedes-Benz SL Racing Car
by Robert Ackerson.

FIRST LOOK! RETURN TO GLORY! THE MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL RACING CAR

Th advance copies of Return to Glory! The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Racing Car by Robert Ackerson arrived at Veloce House this week. Here's a few photos of the limited edition book ...

– Limited Edition of 1500 copies –
This book chronicles the development and racing career of a car regarded as the ultimate example of the purebred sports car of the 20th century and the epitome of functional beauty and extraordinary performance: the 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL. Taking second place at its 1952 Mille Miglia debut, it went on to win every one of its races that season. Dramatic photos, vivid descriptions, and dramatic recollections from the drivers ensures this book will be a joy to read and enjoy for years to come.

Click here for more info about the book.

AUTHOR SEEKS STORIES ABOUT MERCEDES BENZ TRUCKS FOR NEW VELOCE BOOK

I’ve only been working on this new book project for less than a month and already information and images are rolling in from Europe and as far afield Australia and New Zealand. However, I’m particularly keen to include good references to MB’s truck endeavours in the 50s, 60s, 70s and onwards. I’m
also keen to look at the wider global picture including details or any partnerships and alliances in the far flung corners of the globe. So, whether you are, or were, a driver, an operator, a mechanic or even a dealer in MB trucks then I’d love to hear of your exploits and experiences working with trucks bearing the three-pointed star. In addition, if there’s anybody else that you think I should contact to involve them in this book then do let me know. The book will
ultimately cover a lot of ground, so speaking to former employees and executives can help to paint the picture of how the company grew in size in different markets, with quotes from those who were there at the beginning.
Colin Peck

So, if you’d like to get involved in this book please do contact me via email or telephone +44 (0) 1784 482336 or send a text to +44 (0) 7802 606433

ADVANCE COPY! MERCEDES-BENZ R129 SERIES

Advance copies in! Mercedes-Benz SL R129 series by Brian Long as modelled by Kim. Available to pre-order now!

This detailed and beautifully illustrated book covers the Mercedes-Benz 129-series, which ran from 1989 to 2001. Written by a respected motoring writer, with many years’ ownership of the Mercedes SL models behind him, this will no-doubt prove to be the definitive study of the subject. All major markets are looked at, giving a true picture of what was available, where and when. Extensive appendices cover engine specifications, chassis numbers, build numbers, and much more. More info.

Check out Veloce on Instagram!

HISTORIC SILVER ARROW RACERS TO CREATE A MEMORABLE SPECTACLE AT THE 2012 GOODWOOD REVIVAL

Seventy-five years after their first UK appearance, the Silver Arrows racers are to return in action on British soil at the 2012 Goodwood Revival
A once-in-lifetime opportunity to see at least 10 Silver Arrows together, including a high-speed demonstration, driven by top-level racing drivers
Examples of dominant Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union Silver Arrows cars to run alongside contemporary rivals from Italy, France and Great Britain


After much speculation and excitement, Goodwood is now able to confirm the sensational news that 75 years after the first appearance of the legendary pre-war ‘Silver Arrows’ in the UK, the 2012 Goodwood Revival (14-16 September) will stage arguably the most spectacular historic vehicle demonstration of all time.

The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the famous Silver Arrows Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union Grand Prix cars once again being driven in anger at a British motor circuit for the first time in 75 years will make the 2012 Revival a must-attend event for all motor sport enthusiasts.

The iconic Mercedes-Benz W25, W125, W154 and W165, plus examples of the Auto Union Type C and Type D, will be in action at race-speeds in September, with well-known top-level racing drivers behind the wheels of these awesome and significant cars.   This promises to be the biggest thing in historic motor sport for decades.

Alongside the Silver Arrow racers will be many of the cars that competed against – but were totally out-classed – the dominant Mercedes-Benz and Auto Unions in the late 1930s.  Expect to see examples of ERA, Maserati, Riley, Bugatti and MG on the legendary Goodwood track, alongside the Silver Arrows.

Source: Goodwood

Motor Racing – The Pursuit of Victory 1930-1962
By Anthony Carter

Previously unpublished, stunning photographs from motor racing history, in a book that examines the many facets of Grand Prix racing before the dominance of television. A beautiful look at a fascinating time in motor racing.

More info.

HOW TO ROLL A CAR

This will make every car lover's heart beat a little faster. The proper way to roll a car. What an awesome ad for the Mercedes SLS!

If any of you were ever to roll a car this is the proper way to do it. The stretch of highway that this ad was filmed on is in the Fraser Canyon , British Columbia , Canada. The tunnel they did this in is the China Bar Tunnel on Highway 1 just North of Spuzzum.

Make sure that your sound is on .... enjoy.

MERCEDES-BENZ SL & SLC - BOOK REVIEW

Thanks to New Zealand Classic Car for this book review of Mercedes-Benz SL & SLC – 107-series 1971 to 1989 by Brian long.

Click image to view full size

Click HERE for more info about the book!