Mercedes S65 AMG (2013) first official pictures

By Ollie Kew First Official Pictures 08 November 2013 08:01 Bring on the ‘too much is never enough’ comments: this is the new Mercedes S65 AMG – the top dog of the S-class range. Set to be more than twice as expensive as an entry-level S350 BlueTec, which starts at £62k, the S65 AMG borrows its powerplant from the SL65 AMG, and comes close to embarrassing the SLS supercar in a drag race. Whereas the new S63 makes do with a piffling 5.5-litre biturbo V8 developing 577bhp, the S65 squeezes in a twin-blown V12 good for 621bhp – that’s only one horse fewer than the Mercedes SLS Black Series manages.

Royal College of Art and SABIC collaborate on new ‘VISIcON’ program and design competition

The Royal of Art and chemicals manufacturer SABIC has announced the launch of a three-month research program and competition called 'VISIcON'. Over 30 post-graduate students from the college's Vehicle Design program are studying and analyzing how SABIC's thermoplastic lighting materials and LEXAN polycarbonate (PC) glazing technologies can be used practically and creatively to improve the lighting and illumination of future vehicles. VISIcON asks students from the RCA's automotive students split into three groups: the Automark group's emphasis on developing and enhancing brand identity through lighting; Urban Flow's focus directed towards discovering innovative exterior lighting; and Inside Out studio is working on improving and extending the use of light in the vehicle interior through lighting components and PC glazing.

BMW Alpina B7 gets power boost for 2013

The 2013 BMW Alpina B7, the performance version of the German automaker's 7-series sedan, gets an additional 40 hp--and a more costly sticker price--for the new model year. BMW plans to roll out the 2013 model at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August and begin sales soon thereafter. Under the hood, power from the 4.4-liter V8 has been increased from 500 to 540 hp with the addition of BMW's throttle-less Valvetronic intake system.