Melkus Presents New RS2000 Black Edition, Priced at a Hefty €149,900

If you've never heard the name Melkus before, we won't blame you. The German company founded by race driver Heinz Melkus started building racing and sports cars in the mid-1950s before closing shop in 1986 only to reopen again in the 1990s by Heinz's son Peter. Currently, the company's sole model is the RS2000, the range of which is being expanded with the addition of the new Black Edition variant.
There's no prize for guessing where it's name comes from. We'll just note that according to Melkus, this is no ordinary black paint job but a special black lacquer finish that requires six layers with each layer being sanded separately. The exterior upgrades also include a carbon-fiber bodykit.
The black color theme continues inside with the leather seats and Alcantara interior roof lining as well as numerous piano lacquer and carbon fiber applications. Melkus has also added a new infotainment system with a navigation function.
Under the sheetmetal, we find a new high-performance braking system, while the VW or Opel sourced 2.0-liter turbo engines (the buyer can choose which one he or she wants) both receive a mild boost from 300PS (296hp) in the regular RS2000 to 325PS (321hp) in the Black Edition.
The increase in power allows for a zero to 100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 270km/h (168mph).
And for all this, Melkus will charge you €149,000, which is equal to US$195,600 or £124,200, which probably explains why the RS200 Black Edition will remain a rare oddity.
Story References: Melkus via Worldcarfans

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New Photos of 2013 Volvo V40 Hit the Web, Including First Shots of the Interior

There's no end to the flow of official images of the new Volvo V40 hatchback. Following on from a pair of pictures we shared with you last Wednesday, we now have a new set with 16 high-resolution shots affording us the most comprehensive look at the V40 to date. On the outside, as we noted before, the new five-door compact model adopts the Swedish firm's design DNA with a shape that brings to mind Volvo's crossover models like the XC60 and XC90.
The latest batch of images includes the very first pictures of the new V40's interior. While you still get the feeling that it's a Volvo from details like the shape of the center console and the air-conditioning and audio system controls, the Swedish brand's designers added a rather futuristic looking instrument panel into the mix.
According to a leaked document that was posted online last week, Volvo's premium hatchback measures 4,500 mm or about 177-inches in length, making it only 20 mm or 0.77-inches shorter than the V50 station wagon, and considerably longer than its rivals like the BMW 1-Series 5-door model (4,324 mm or 170.2-in.)
The new V40 will be offered with a choice of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, details of which have not yet been released.
We'll have the opportunity to see the new Volvo V40 in the flesh during its world premiere at the 82nd Geneva International Geneva Show in March before it goes on sale later in the year.

Hat tip to Lloyd!

Story References: Worldcarfans

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Nissan Reveals New Almera Sedan for Russia, goes on Sale Next Year

The Almera nameplate is set to make a return to Nissan's lineup as a compact-sized sedan model, which the company says has been developed exclusively for Russia and will be manufactured locally in Togliatti on an all-new production line starting from early next year. According to the Japanese automaker, Nissan engineering teams in Japan, the UK and Russia developed the new Almera.
However, the single photo released by Nissan, suggests otherwise as the new Almera appears to be based on the second generation of the Japanese market Bluebird Sylphy that uses Nissan's B-platform and which was introduced in the country back in 2005.
Nevertheless, it's possible that Nissan made specific changes to the Almera to adapt it to the needs of the local market.
Nissan said the Almera will play a crucial role in significantly increasing the brand's share of the overall Russian car market by 2016
"Nissan already offers one of the broadest model line-ups of any foreign manufacturer in Russia, but to date we have not been strongly represented in the fastest growing mainstream market," said François Goupil De Bouille, Nissan Managing Director for Russia,
"Almera will change that and bring something new to the segment by offering outstanding value, unique Japanese design, interior space not previously available in this market sector and world-class quality The fact this is a car developed specifically for Russia, and manufactured locally in Togliatti, ensures it will fully meet the expectations and desires of our customers," he added.
The Nissan Almera sedan will receive its world premiere at this year's Moscow International Autosalon on August 29.

NISSAN BLUEBIRD SYLPHY