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Porsche Panamera S E-hybrid scores £5k government grant

By Ollie Kew First Official Pictures 27 November 2013 12:30 You’d have thought the last thing a buyer wealthy enough to afford an £89k Porsche Panamera needed was a £5000 discount on their mammoth new supersaloon. But, thanks the Panamera S E-hybrid cracking the eco numbers, that’s exactly what the UK government is offering. The Panamera S E-hybrid has joined a list of just 15 cars eligible for Britian’s ‘ULEV’ (ultra low-emission vehicle) status, approved by OLEV (the Office for low-emission vehicles.) Yes, in real life, it’s ridiculous, but on paper, the S E-hybrid is a wunderkid of low-emission motoring.

Carlsson improves upon the Mercedes SL63 AMG

Not happy with only 518 hp and a 4.5-second 0-to-60-mph time from your shiny new Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG? Lucky for you, the German tuners from Carlsson are now offering performance-upgrade kits in the United States. Through GGI European Tuning in Miami--the exclusive North American importer of Carlsson parts--SL63 owners can massage their rides to churn out 600 hp and 520 lb-ft of torque and to handle better than stock.

Mercedes’ AMG division unveils new twin-turbo V8

Those obsessed with torque bemoaned Mercedes’ high-revving 6.2-litre V8 when it was launched in 2005, but just as the world has come to accept the naturally aspirated engine, the company has now unveiled a new twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8. Up to 563bhp – which is the same as the SLS AMG – and 663lb ft, which is much more than the 479lb ft the modern-day Gullwing supercar manages. The engine is an all-new 5.5-litre V8 (5461cc to be exact) with direct-injection technology, an aluminium crankcase and two turbochargers.