Car Reviws |
| Test-driving the Mercedes-Benz B55, the ultimate pocket rocket: Posted: 17 Dec 2010 07:20 AM PST
What you should know before anything else is that the B55 is not a regular Mercedes-Benz model. Nor is it being considered for sale--not now and not at any time in the future. That’s unfortunate because this wild take on the German carmaker’s wholesomely conservative B-class is an absolute riot. As its name suggests, the superbly constructed one-off prototype is well removed from the standard B-class. Having started life as a humble European-market B200 CDI, it has been liberated from its standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine. Shoehorned into its place and other extremities of the engine bay is the 5.5-liter V8 unit packing 383 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. How the engine fits under the heavily sloping hood within the tight confines of the compact car--using the original mounts and without any modification to the standard steel body structure--remains somewhat of a mystery. But with polished-chrome inlet plumbing and other visual tweaks, it certainly looks the goods. And it sounds it, too. Turn the key and you’re treated to a deliciously throaty soundtrack thanks to a new exhaust system created from various replacement parts that does without the usual silencers and back-pressure-reducing trickery. If you didn’t know, you could be forgiven for thinking it was the product of AMG, which apparently had no direct input into the new car. The engine is not the only highlight. Mercedes’ trainees also ditched the B-class’s front-wheel-drive layout for rear-wheel drive, running a propshaft from its new seven-speed automatic gearbox under the flat floor toward the rear, where it mates with an axle from the old E430 Estate. To cope with the increased performance, it also adopts the brakes from the decade-old C32 AMG with discs up front and at the rear. Because of the limited development, though, there’s no traction control or stability program to corral the engine’s reserves. The result is a driving experience quite unlike any other B-class--unlike any other Mercedes-Benz, for that matter. Without registration for road use, we used Mercedes-Benz’s Rastatt test track to determine that the B55 is more than mere show. It also possesses surprisingly mature dynamic properties. With extra weight over the front axle, distribution definitely favors the front end. But there is sufficient balance and grip to allow you to attack corners with real gusto. Apart from a lack of self-centering with the steering, whose packaging has been compromised by the need to give up so much space to the engine and thus runs a smaller hydraulic pump than perhaps is required, the B55 also steers accurately, rides with impressive comfort and is free of any obvious vices. It is decently quick in a straight line. Andreas Wurz, a foreman in the technical-vocation-training department who is largely credited with the idea behind the new car, reckons it should be good for 0 to 62 mph in less than six seconds when he finally gets around to strapping some measuring equipment to it. He’s lying, of course. This thing will easily run in the low five-second bracket. The B55 looks rather striking. As you can see, Mercedes-Benz’s team of trainees managed to package the new engine and driveline without any obvious changes to the standard B-class body--a remarkable achievement given the major driveline modifications that took place underneath. But with a lowered ride height, 18-inch wheels shod with 235/40 (front) and 255/35 (rear) profile tires and two centrally mounted chrome tailpipes, it possess a much more aggressive stance than its standard sibling. Sadly, though, it’ll never progress beyond this prototype. But with a new, second-generation B-class due out at the Frankfurt motor show in September and likely to be sold in North American, it is a fitting way to send off the first-generation of Mercedes-Benz’s popular compact. |
| 2011 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV, an AW Drivers Log: Posted: 17 Dec 2010 06:34 AM PST  Nissan 2011 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV
NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: There are a lot of healthy size sedans on the market, and this Maxima is one of the better ones. I really like the swoopy styling with the sharp headlights and a prominent grille. It looks like a flagship four-door. The inside is a clean execution, and the black cockpit and seats are simple and sporty. The steering wheel has athletic leather gripping, which I liked. This car has a little bit of punch, and the V6 is strong. This is a big car, but it’s got enough power underhood. The CVT was nonoffensive to me. I know some have strong feelings on this subject, but the gearbox was fine, I thought. Steering has a decent feel, just a bit off-center, and it’s an easy-to-direct car, though it does have a large demeanor. The chassis is comfortable yet well sprung; it’s a nice balance of athleticism and relaxation. I like big sedans. This one is solid in looks and drive character. COPY EDITOR CYNTHIA L. OROSCO-WRIGHT: This was a fun car to have over the weekend, and we did quite a bit of running in it. I liked the look of the Maxima when I walked up to it. There are nice, not-overdone bulges around the wheel wells, and those and the lines of the hood give the car a muscular look. I also liked the metallic gray color on the sheetmetal. The wheels are nice and help the car stand out some. Inside, the materials are quality and the seats are comfortable. Especially pleasing were the seat heaters and the heated steering wheel over a very cold weekend. There is good legroom throughout and plenty of space for back-seat passengers. The HVAC and sound-system controls were easy to use and right at hand. The trunk provided lots of room for many holiday gift purchases over an entire day of battling the crowds. A big-box-store associate was easily able to slide a 32-inch television (in its box) into the back seat, and we transported it and everything else home with no problems. Throughout the weekend, the Maxima’s V6 was strong, whether on the expressway or off the line in crazy shopping traffic. The brakes confidently slowed things down when necessary. And I liked the way this car stood out in parking lots full of four-doors. The fuel-economy number I got from my fill-up leaves a little something to be desired, but overall, this is a nice package. EDITORIAL INTERN JAKE LINGEMAN: Even with all-season, semiperformance tires, this Maxima ate up the snow. The CVT combined with front-wheel drive made my drive home a no-drama affair. Of course, if you floor the pedal, the tires spin on the ice easily. But if you’re conservative with the right foot, the CVT’s low-torque starts are perfect for slush and ice. These Maximas are pretty quick. I wish I had more driving to do or at least a few expressway blasts. My commute to work mostly involves slower-speed side streets. Bonus points for heated seats and steering wheel. Once you get past the initial cold in the morning, the seats and the wheel are all you need. I like the new-generation Maxima better than the last two or three. It has more of a boxy look; the front end is near perpendicular to the pavement. But it’s a slick, curvy box. The headlights are eye-catching, as are the taillights. Out-of-the-ordinary styling doesn’t bother me at all. 2011 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV Base Price: $34,280 As-Tested Price: $39,090 Drivetrain: 3.5-liter V6; FWD, continuously variable transmission Output: 290 hp @ 6,400 rpm, 261 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm Curb Weight: 3,565 lb Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 22/18.0 mpg Options: Sport package including sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch aluminum wheels with 245/40VR-19 all-season tires, smoked HID headlights, heated premium-leather-appointed seats, premium-leather heated steering wheel, power tilt/telescoping steering column, paddle shifters, automatic entry/exit system, driver-side memory, auto-dimming outside mirror, heated outside mirrors with reverse tilt down, rear bucket seats, rear-seat trunk pass through, rear seat fold-down armrest, metallic link trim, dark chrome grille and rear spoiler ($2,080); sport technology package including hard-drive navigation system with voice recognition, 9.3GB Music Box, satellite traffic, DVD playback capability, streaming audio via Bluetooth ($1,850); monitor package including seven-inch color monitor with rearview monitor, 2GB Music Box with 800MB storage, auxiliary audio jack, USB connectivity, iPod net in center console ($700); floor mats and trunk set ($180) |
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