AMG's take on the latest Mercedes SL is slimmer and packs a force-fed punch.

The basic synopsis of the all-new Mercedes-Benz SL 63 could really have been cut and pasted from that of any other modern sports car - less weight and a 'downsized' force-fed engine that pumps out more power while using 30 percent less fuel.

That heart, of course, is AMG's latest 5.5-litre direct injection V8 twin-turbo and opting for it in Merc's flagship roadster is much like ordering a curry in Durban, in that you can have it in two flavours - piping hot or downright deadly.

The tamer standard option gives you 400kW at 5000rpm and 800Nm between 2000 and 4500rpm, which will allegedly get you from 0-100km/h in just 4.3 seconds.

PERFORMANCE PACKAGE

Tick the box for the performance package, however, and you're playing with 421kW at 5500rpm and 900Nm at 2250 - 3750rpm, enough to dash to 100 in 4.2 seconds. The top dog also gets its top speed nanny moved from the usual 250km/h to 300km/h.

Perking up the pleasure factor at just about any speed is AMG's sports exhaust system that's said to produce a distinctive engine sound.

Power is shoved to the back wheels via AMG's seven-speed sports automatic transmission with four selectable modes.

Mercedes claims a combined fuel consumption of 9.9 litres per 100km for both versions, making it 30 percent more efficient than before, but we wish you the best of luck in achieving that.

A REAL LIGHTIE

There's no denying that it will be more efficient than before, though, with technologies like idle-stop and an overall kerb weight that's been reduced by 125kg thanks to an all-aluminium body shell and gluttonous use of lightweight materials all over.

Even items like the steering knuckles, the spring links on the four-link front suspension and most of the components of the multi-link rear suspension are made from aluminium.

On that subject, the SL 63 is endowed with an improved version of AMG's Active Body Control spring and shock system that allows firmer damping and less body roll in 'Sport' mode or a more comfy ride when the driver selects 'Comfort'.

Fully revised elastokinematics and a more negative camber at each corner add further to its agility in the bends. Buyers insisting on the ultimate in cornering ability can also tick AMG's rear axle diff lock on the options list.

To provide the necessary driver feedback, this roadster packs in AMG's new electro-mechanical speed-sensitive sports steering system, which varies its assistance in accordance with the suspension settings at the time.

Your safety net comes in the form of a three-stage ESP stability control and a newly-developed AMG high-performance compound braking system that features 390x36mm compound discs with six-piston fixed callipers at the front and 360x26mm integral discs with single-piston floating callipers at the back. Fork out more and you can even have AMG's ceramic compound braking system as seen on the SLS.

MAGIC ROOF

Like all its AMG siblings, the SL 63 receives the necessary visual bits and pieces to set it apart from lesser SLs as well as bespoke 19-inch alloy wheels, which can be swopped for a 19-inch front/20-inch rear combo that's also available in matt black.

As much as the SL 63 sounds like a dedicated performance machine in every respect, it still does the job of an open-top boulevard cruiser, complete with an electrohydraulically operated retractable hard top that can do its trick in under 20 seconds.

Merc's Magic Sky Control is offered as an option - this feature allowing the tint of the panoramic roof to be made lighter or darker at the touch of a button thanks to some advanced moleculer manipulation. If that's not your scene, a conventional painted or transparent glass roof can also be opted for.

What better way to double a vehicle's price than by attaching a prestigious badge to it?

What better way to double the price of a vehicle than by attaching a very prestigious badge to it? Admittedly we are talking very small volumes here but now the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari (a Fiat 500 with some very fancy trimmings) has gained a Maserati brother.

Limited to just 499 vehicles and said to represent the bond between Abarth and Maserati, the Abarth 695 Tributo Maserati is based on the 500C cabrio and features exclusive style details and special technical features developed by Abarth engineers in collaboration with Maserati.

So it's not just a fancy style job. To start with, the 1.4-litre turbopetrol engine has been boosted to 134kW (the standard Abarth 500 makes 99kW) and mated to the automated-manual Abarth Competizione gearbox with steering wheel controls.

The little 'Maser' sits on 17-inch alloy wheels featuring a special “Neptun” design from Maserati.

The braking system has also been strengthened to cope with the extra power, compliments of Brembo 305mm brake discs with fixed four-piston calipers.

Of course, you're not going to hear the hum of a V8 when flooring the loud pedal, but to make the most of the four-pot's acoustics, engineers have thrown in a 'Record Monza' variable back-pressure dual-mode exhaust, designed to improve engine performance and deliver an inspiring sound at 3000rpm and above.

Also furthering the 'bond' with Maserati, the tailpipes have been bent into the hexagonal shape that has always characterised Maseratis.

As for the styling, this Abarth is (naturally) pained in a three-layer Maserati colour - Pontevecchio Bordeaux to be precise.

A lot of Maserati mimicking has also gone on inside, with seats upholstered entirely in sand beige Poltrona Frau leather and special matt-finish carbon lining for the dashboard and gearbox trim. The black leather steering wheel is characterised by leather inserts and a tricolour hub and houses gearbox controls, while the instrument panel has been specifically produced by the Jaeger brand.

Other details enriching the interior are an aluminium pedal unit and sill plate, the carbon fibre kick plate with customised “Abarth 695 Tributo Maserati” graphics and a plate with the car's series number.

Bigger, lighter and more efficient 3 Series lands here soon. Here's the low-down.

The sixth-generation BMW 3 Series will be launched in South Africa next month and it's one of those cars for which we could easily use the 'improved' cliché in just about every sentence - except the styling, you might argue.

Longer, wider and more spacious yet 40kg lighter than the car it replaces, the new Three also brings a raft of new technologies to the line-up.

Yet having found the pricing and specification chart, we can also tell you that those improvements also double as extra rungs on the price ladder. Without further ado…

THE DAMAGE

320i - R363 052

320i AT - R380 539

320i SAT* - R387 639

320d - R390 500

320d AT - R408 500

320d SAT* - R415 600

328i - R440 979

328i AT - R458 808

328i SAT* - R465 908

335i SAT* - R543 000

*SAT = Sports Automatic Transmission

MODERN POWER

This latest 3 Series takes a leap into the modern age with the entire line-up being turbocharged.

Rather than downsizing to the 1.6-litre turbopetrol found in the new 1 Series, the baseline 320i petrol has a 2-litre engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger. It produces 135kW at 5000rpm and 270Nm between 1250 and 4500rpm.

BMW reckons this one will run from 0-100km/h in just 7.3 seconds (7.6 for the automatic) and sip 6.1 litres per 100km/h on the combined cycle.

An even more frugal option that matches the aforementioned power output but thumps out 350Nm of torque, and sips just 4.4 l/100km in automatic form, is the 320d. This 1995cc turbodiesel will also run from 0-100 in 7.5 seconds, says BMW.

The 328i uses a more powerful version of the 320i's 2-litre turbopetrol, with 180kW at 5000rpm and 350Nm from 1250rpm allowing a 5.9-second 0-100 and 6.4 l/100km/h consumption penalty. The 335i flagship produces 225kW from 5800rpm, 400Nm from 1200rpm, takes 5.5 seconds to 100km/h and consumes 7.2 l/100km.

The 335i comes standard with BMW's eight-speed automatic gearbox, which is optional on the other three engines (a six-speed manual 'box being standard) but one thing that all versions do come with is a fuel-saving idle-stop system is standard on all models.

STILL A DRIVER'S CAR

Of course those traditional 3 Series institutions like rear-wheel drive and 50:50 front to rear weight distribution are still in place, but engineers have sought to improve its cornering ability further with retuned suspension that makes abundant use of light alloy components.

MORE FEATURES

Although the pricing might seem a bit steep at first glance, considering that the entrance fee has jumped from R318 540 to R363 052, there is a more generous helping of standard equipment.

All models come with Dakota leather seats, automatic dual-zone climate control, cruise control with brake function, iDrive with 6.5-inch colour display, keyless engine start, automatic lights and windscreen wipers and a multifunction leather-covered steering wheel. Safety kit includes front, side and curtain airbags, the latter also catering for rear passengers, and Dynamic Stability Control and Dynamic Traction control are also part of the package.

Not surprisingly, there is an options list as long as all of our arms put together and you might need to buy your bank manager more than just a few drinks to have him fund the R21 500 19-inch wheel option, R22 350 surround view system or R14 700 full-colour head-up display to name just a few. Unfortunately, your health insurance is not going to subsidise any of the nifty safety features, like the lane changing warning (R8650) or adaptive headlights (R15 050).

NEW EQUIPMENT LINES

Just like the latest 1 Series, BMW offers a convenient way to dress up your 3 Series to make it a bit more unique than the standard model. Each boasts a long list of unique trimmings outside and in.

The Sport Line, most notable for its high-gloss black invasion, will set you back an extra R18 100 on the 320i and 320d, R17 400 on the 328i and R14 200 on the 335i.

Taking a more blingy approach, you'll notice the Modern Line pack for its abundance of matt chrome. This option adds R12 900 to the price of a 320i or 320d, R10 900 to the 328i and R7600 in the 335i's case. Finally, the Luxury Line can be had for an extra R14 400 (320i and 320d), R10 900 (328i) and R7600 (335i.)

PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN

Like all but the first generation, the new 3 Series is being built at our Rosslyn assembly plant north of Pretoria but this one comes with an even bigger export contract than the previous two generations.

Representing a R2.2-billion investment into South Africa's economy, production of the new 3 Series will create 600 new jobs.

About 85 percent of the cars produced here will be exported and the plant's capacity is expected to grow from 55 000 a year to more than 90 000.

Baby Aston gets subtle styling tweaks and a sharper dynamic edge.

You're not going to notice much difference just looking at it, but Aston Martin says it's just given the V8 Vantage its most comprehensive update since 2008.

Many of the V8's improvements are measures first seen on the Vantage S, the 313kW 4.7-litre V8 Vantage ditching its six-speed Sportshift automated manual gearbox for a seven-speed Sportshift II unit.

With its extra cog, closer ratios, lower final drive and refined shift quality, the new 'box is said to offer faster and more precise shifting. A more traditional six-speed manual gearbox option is still in place.

What's more, a new steering column, re-valved power-steering pump and a quicker ratio of 15:1 (compared to 17:1 on the previous model) sharpen the steering while new 380mm two-piece ventilated cast-iron front brake discs and six piston calipers improve braking ability.

This new braking system also includes Hill Start Assist (HSA) for more precise control on steep inclines. The V8 Vantage also comes with tyres that are 10mm wider than the outgoing model.

While the visual changes to the V8 Vantage are on the subtle side, designers have made a few changes inspired by the Vantage S and N400 limited edition.

At the front a lower bumper - complete with aerodynamic splitter - houses a larger air intake that feeds the engine and front brakes. At the rear a diffuser creates added drama and function, while sculpted race-derived side sills aim for a more muscular look.

The 321kW Vantage S, meanwhile, adopts the Sportshift II seven-speed gearbox as standard and also gets a unique sports exhaust system and a motorsport-derived aerodynamic package and a standard Garmin satnav system.

The 380kW V12 Vantage continues unchanged while the more exotic V12 Zagato is now the range flagship.

New air-intakes improve breathing. They had better, the engine has also been tweaked.

Maserati has given the GranTurismo Sport a mild facelift for the upcoming Geneva motor show - but this is a Maserati, after all, so there's also a little extra under the bonnet, with the 4.7-litre V8 now tuned for 340kW.

The most obvious changes, however, are to the front treatment, where an entirely new bumper frames new headlights that include, for the first time, LED daytime running lights.

Maserati also says the new air-intake profiles also improve air-flow for both engine intake and brake cooling.

The only change at the rear is new tail-light clusters with smoked lenses.

Inside, there are new, completely redesigned seats - front and back - and a chunkier steering wheel.

Rinspeed says it has solved the problem of limited range on electric vehicles.

Frank Rinderknecht, founder and driving force behind Swiss automotive design studio Rinspeed, has been around some, and one of the things he's learned is to travel light or, as he put it:

“You're not going to take your steamer trunk as if you were going on a lengthy vacation if all you want to do is a little shopping at your local supermarket!”

Now he's taken that sensible principle a big step further with the Rinspeed Dock+Go, with either two or three axles depending on the needs of the day, which will be the centrepiece of the Rinspeed display at the upcoming Geneva motor show.

This truly modular concept is based on a battery-powered Smart Fortwo , together with a range of single-axle 'backpacks on wheels' - and that, says Rinderknecht, solves the much-debated operating range problem that stymies electric-vehicle development, with “mobility à la carte”.

Different 'packs' can turn the electric two-seater into the dream car of every pizza delivery driver - complete with a built-in isothermal box. Or give winter-sports enthusiasts space to stow their gear.

INSTANT PARTY

For Geneva the concept will even have a rolling 'sound pack' built by Harman Kardon with the latest sound equipment to guarantee an instant party wherever you park it!

But the most important 'backpack' is the energy pack, with either extra batteries, a fuel cell or even a small combustion engine. The docked third axle, says Rinderknecht, drives the rotating second axle and so recharges the Smart's own batteries.

He calls it the Variohybrid - and when the pack with auxiliary batteries is docked and the vehicle is not in use, the pack will even provide electricity to the owner's home or serve as a buffer for the domestic grid.

Rinderknecht believes that a futuristic car has to look special too - hence the silver outer skin from AkzoNobel that looks like sparkling ice crystals, and the 17” low-rolling-resistance tires mounted on AEZ rims with decorative silver covers, lock on to red fasteners with rubber bands!

GLOWS IN THE DARK

The Lumitec chrome-blue accent striping on either side glows in the dark and the MBtech 'Identiface' display that replaces the grille (redundant on a battery car anyway) uses the car's internet connectivity to display anything from the owner's Facebook pages to his (or your) business' advertisements - or even the offer of a ride to wherever the driver is going.

The interior is trimmed in black and red, using high-tech yarns with high wicking capacity, woven into supple, feel-good fabric that's warm in winter and cool in summer.

The 'hard trim' surfaces are finished with synthetic leather, with a transparent roof and distinctive grass (yes, Cyril, grass, not glass!) inlays.

MULTIMEDIA

A 300mm touchscreen fills most of the centre stack; it's part of the 'intelligent' Harman Kardon multimedia set-up, using the latest integration technologies for smart phones, adaptive navigation and the cloud-based Aha-platform with gesture control, while four cameras in the body make car-park dings a thing of the past.

The steering has a 'parking space' for a smartphone, which serves as a second monitor when docked.

The Smart also has new high-strength, lightweight door frames, a superlight liftgate insert with function integration, a high-voltage electric heater and special, extremely robust electric plug connectors - but you don't have to plug this Smart in to charge it at home, just park it over the induction field in the floor of your garage!

Say hello to the Mini Clubvan, a clever mix of designer chic and load capability.

Sir Alec Issigonis designed the original Mini to be nippy, practical and, above all, affordable, which is why we're not sure where this concept fits into the greater scheme of things - but it sure is cute.

Say hello to the Mini Clubvan, a showcar built, apparently, in New Jersey for the upcoming Geneva salon. On the outside it's a standard Mini Clubman, but the interior is a clever mix of designer chic and surprising load capability.

BMW calls it “the first premium model in the small-car-based van segment” and sees it as the perfect delivery vehicle for upmarket businesses such as fashion designers, art dealers or caterers - or for a photographer's camera cases, tripods, and lights.

And, especially when owner-driven, the load bay is the perfect place for bulky weekend sport gear, when van and driver are off-duty.

Two seats, five doors, plenty of potential

The Clubvan's load bay extends from the split rear doors up to the partition grille behind the two seats, with a totally flat floor that has six attachment loops for tie-downs.

The partition grille, its lower section in sheet aluminium and its upper half in stainless-steel honeycomb grating, is securely mounted to the body to stop the cargo arriving on the flight deck under heavy braking.

The side and floor of the load compartment are trimmed in dark grey fabric, and the matching roof liner extends the full length of the interior as if to emphasise that this is actually supposed to be a working vehicle.

The standard five-door Clubman body translates rather well to cargo-carrying, with unlimited entry to the cargo bay through the split rear doors and quick access through the rear-hung right-side half door for a clipboard, toolbox or laptop.

LEADING THE CHARGE

Said laptop can also be charged between jobs from one of the two 12V sockets just inside the rear doors, as can cordless screwdrivers, or laser measuring tools. BMW also points out that the cabin is square enough to fit shelves or storage bins as required.

The Mini Clubvan concept is finished all over in British racing green, without the usual contrasting roof and mirrors, and with all the side windows aft of the B pillar painted over, allowing plenty of space for branding, while heavily tinted glass in the rear doors makes it difficult to see into the load bay. The hand-applied logos on the sides of the concept are those of a British sign company that specialises in doing similar graphics for its customers.

The Clubvan is not actually a new idea; within a year of its introduction Issigonis stretched the platform of the original Mini by 100mm to create the Mini Van, which later became the all-glazed, four seat Traveller. That was the inspiration for the current Clubman so, after more than 50 years, the wheel has come full circle.

Jaguar pays tribute to the skilled hands and patience of its Special Vehicles craftsmen.

It's not often that a car company - even an upmarket one like Jaguar - pays tribute to the skilled hands and patience of the craftsmen who work in the Special Vehicles trim shop, hand-stitching leather upholstery and polishing veneer trim for limited-edition specials and one-off customer orders.

So it's nice that Jaguar has chosen to call their latest special edition - based on the XK coupé and convertible - the Artisan SE, focused as it is on luxurious materials and hand-finished details.

The tone is set by the use of scraffito grain leather (a special soft finish that feels as good as it looks) on the seats, instrument binnacle, door and rear quarter panels casings, and ultra-thin Poltrona Frau leather for the headlining.

STRAIGHT TO THE TOP SHELF

Those seats, by the way, aren't ordinary XK seats, they're 16-way adjustable - and heated - sports seats from the Performance catalogue, and their upholstery comes in a choice of two special colour schemes: navy blue with a black headlining or brown with a cream headlining.

That's complemented by your choice of either shadow walnut or dark figured aluminium veneer for the trim elements.

The Jaguar artisans went straight to the top shelf for the cabin fittings, including a 525W Bowers & Wilkins sound system, keyless entry and starting, a heatable steering wheel and stainless-steel pedals - finished off with Special Edition sill plates.

The XK Artisan SE comes in celestial black (with a special glittery base-coat used only on this model) white or silver with hand-polished Orona 20” rims and, if your choice is a convertible you can choose from black, blue, grey or brown for the fabric roof.

UK prices start from £77 350 (R947 500) for the coupé and £82 500 (R1 010 600) for the convertible.