The Mercedes E Class, until recently, ruled the luxury car market in India – it was the ubiquitous choice for India’s wealthy and influential. Then it started getting long in the tooth just at the wrong time, as it was confronted with some very able competitors in the form of the BMW 5 series and Audi A6. Well, Mercedes won’t take it lying down any longer – the car you see here aims to make the three-pointed star the undisputed market leader once again.

Like the Concept Fascination from Mercedes that we showed you at the Paris Motor show a few months ago, the new E Class has a new and aggressive face to help it stand out from the crowd. It does carry over the E Class tradition of four individual headlamps up front, but these are much more forthright angular units, as opposed to the softer oval ones they replace. By contrast, the rear end seems a little plain and draws a lot less attention to itself. On the whole, though, the car looks a great deal more purposeful than the model it replaces.

As expected, the new E Class features a slew of new technology – in keeping with tradition, much of it is taken from the S Class, such as optional night vision, or the option of placing the gear lever (or ‘transmission selector’) on the steering column as opposed to the center console, a number of driver warning systems, and even an automatic emergency braking system that brings the car to a complete stop if the system senses a potential collision. In addition, the E Class features all-new engines, with the diesels sporting the latest generation common-rail direct injection technology, which allows them far greater torque than before, and the petrols sporting direct injection technology, which not only ensures more power but also greater fuel efficiency – in fact the entire range is said to be over 20% more fuel efficient. The chassis is also stiffer and the body more aerodynamic than before. It looks like the E Class has all the right ingredients – now we’ll just have to wait and see buyers react when it hits showrooms later this year.

Nissan finally launched the highly anticipated GT-R SpecV – an even more driver focused variant of the GT-R, which has broken out of mere cult status and received widespread global acclaim since its launch in October 2007.

The SpecV promises nothing short of race-car level performance in a street legal vehicle. On the outside, it features a carbon fibre rear spoiler, carbon fibre grille and carbon fibre brake ducts. Plus, you can have it any colour you like, as long as it’s Ultimate Black Opal, which will be used exclusively for the SpecV. Inside, the carbon fibre theme continues with carbon fibre Recaro seats, as well as liberal helpings of carbon fibre elsewhere in the cabin.

On the all-important performance front, the SpecV has a new high-gear boost controller, which momentarily increases boost in the twin turbos to accelerate power delivery in the mid-to-high rev range. It also has a titanium coated exhaust and reworked suspension, as well as carbon ceramic brakes and 20-inch NISMO wheels that reduce unsprung weight and, therefore, aid performance further. Judging by the already unbelievable capabilities of the GT-R, the SpecV promises to provide performance that’s even more other worldly than before – undoubtedly giving Porsche engineers even more sleepless nights.

interested as well, as it would allow them to reduce the price of admission for prospective customers into the Porsche ranks while also lowering the overall CO2 emissions of the marque.

Who says sports cars are dead? Let’s keep our fingers crossed that this concept actually makes it into production.

Audi will soon be joining the ranks of the new-age 4-door coupes, as evidenced by the stunning Sportback concept at Detroit, which will be coming to market as the Audi A7.

The Sportback is a truly dynamic design with a new angular take on the traditional Audi front grille. The rest of the car is no less striking either with a sharp crease that runs the length of the car – there are absolutely no awkward proportions in this four-door sports coupe.

Power for the Sportback concept comes from a 3.0 liter TDI diesel V6 that produces 225bhp and 405lb/ft of torque, mated to a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox. The car also features a stop-start system and an energy recuperation system, as well as some other innovative technologies to save fuel – such as a new electromechanical steering system that only consumes energy when it’s actually steering.

Undoubtedly, the production version will be toned down, but if it maintains the overall brazen look of the concept, Audi will have another beautiful new model in its line up.