Short torque

World premiere for Mercedes-AMG GT R

Mercedes-AMG expanded the top end of its product range with the introduction of the 4-liter twin-turbo V8- powered new AMG GT R.

The model made its world premiere in the United Kingdom last week, and it set a new benchmark for the sheer range and scale of motor sport technology packed into a production vehicle.

Thanks to its 430 kW maximum output, 700 Nm peak torque and the 1.56 kg intelligent lightweight construction, the new AMG GT R accelerates from 0-100 km/h in mere 3.6 seconds. The new top-of-the-range model will be launched in the Chinese market in 2017.

Toyota begins global recall over airbag fears

Japanese carmaker Toyota announced a worldwide recall of 1.43 million vehicles over faulty airbags on June 29.

The affected cars are Prius and Lexus models from 2008 to 2012. The latest recall does not involve Takata products and the problem has not been linked to any fatalities or injuries.

The recall includes some 495,000 cars sold in North America and 743,000 sold in Japan, as well as vehicles sold in Europe, China and other regions.

Toyota and other carmakers have been rocked in recent years by a wave of recalls over problems with airbags from Japanese supplier Takata.

Mitsubishi China filed for an additional recall of 7,725 imported Pajero sport utility vehicles over defective Takata airbags, and the inflators in driver seat airbags will be replaced with new ones.

Geely Automobile also initiated a recall of 521 EC7 and GC7 sedans, due to gearbox malfunctions that switched the car into neutral, raising huge safety concerns. The company will replace all defective gearboxes.

Battery innovation R&D center launched

China established the first innovation center for traction battery technology research and development in Beijing on Thursday. The National Traction Battery Innovation Center is a platform to consolidate the forces and resources of manufacturers and academic institutions, and boost the R&D of battery technology. The center's targets are to expand the capacity of a battery unit to between 280 to 300 Wh/kg by 2018, and reach 350 Wh/kg by 2020, similar to that of South Korean products.

Motoring

(China Daily 07/04/2016 page19)