Mercedes-Benz has just released photos of its new S-Class (right). The marque says it features the debut of brake assist PLUS, night view assist, infra-red headlamps and the second generation of pre-safe. The new S-Class' four models are due to be launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, with a Hong Kong unveiling the next quarter. The new S-Class' prices are still unknown, but the new BMW 750Li ($1.36 million) is one to beat in the managing directorial bracket. The Peugeot 307 CC Special Edition is being offered in the marque's new Babylone Red (right) or Slate Green, for $319,800 this weekend. Calvin Lam of Peugeot Dealers AutoFrance (tel: 3118 1828) says the model has more oomph than the standard cabriolet. 'The engine output of the 307 CC is now raised to 143 brake-horsepower without changing the 1997cc capacity,' Lam says. 'We've also upgraded to the 10-speaker JBL hi-fi system.' The price is the same as the standard car, but 'only 10 units are available for Hong Kong buyers'. We asked Susanna Wu of Crown Motors whether anyone at the Toyota dealership remembers the 1983-87-era AE86, or Corolla GTS, which stars with a host of road-racing teenage heartthrobs in Initial D. She kindly offered to ask around, but we didn't expect much. After all, old Toyota's never die in Hong Kong - they just get traded in when the warranty runs out and end up being left as rust heaps in Pui O, Lantau. But Wu came through. She sent us a 1980s-vintage photo (far right) of the dealership's training manager, Sin Chiu-leong, with an AE86. 'It belongs to one of his friends,' says Wu. 'Only he recognised the model as an AE86 and the engine model as a 4A-GE manual. No one bought auto at that time.' Sin really enjoyed driving the car, even though he gets to drive lots of Toyota, Lexus and Daihatsu models at work. 'He thinks it's good that people like the AE86, and he's looking forward to seeing the film soon,' says Wu. 'Some AE86 fans even asked whether we have this model.' We're not surprised. The rear-wheel-drive, 1.6-litre, twin-cam, 16-valve-engined model also featured in a Japanese movie of the same name in 1998, and fans have asked if Toyota will release a special AE86. All of which spurred us to look up the car's history on the net. Bill Sherwood's web page ( www.billzilla.org/ae86stock.htm ), says the AE86 was a coupe or a two-door sedan. 'They also come with two shaped noses: a 'straight' and a 'pop-up headlight',' his site says. 'Both types are common in Japan. In Australia we've got only the straight nose, and in the US, they've got only the pop-up headlight type, often called a 'Trueno' [like the one in the film], although it's an identical car.' Grattis p? fodelsedagen, or Happy Birthday, to Volvo, which celebrated its 90th anniversary on Wednesday. Swedish company Svenska Kullagerfabriken (SKF) registered the name Volvo, which means 'I roll' in Latin, on June 22, 1915. The Volvo brand was first used on a car, the OV 4 'Jakob' in 1927, and on about 13.5 million of the marque's cars since. An estimated eight million are still rolling, the marque says. So, if you have an old Volvo, think it might be the oldest in Hong Kong, and are wildly in love with it, we want to hear from you. Hong Kong Police spokeswoman Ivy Yue has sent us some rainy-day advice for drivers. 'In wet weather, the frictional force between the tyre and the road surface will be greatly reduced,' she says. 'Normally, a vehicle will require at least double the distance required for stopping on dry roads. Rain and spray from vehicles might affect visibility. As such, it's advisable to keep the vehicle well back from the vehicle in front, so that drivers have adequate time to see and respond.' We're leaving our MX-5 at home in this weather, to preserve our no-claims bonus. We've seen too many cars tailgating too fast - many with blinding Xenons on full beam. Again, we urge the police to introduce instant $1,000 fines for tailgaters. At 40km/h in the wet, you'll need a 30 metre gap from the car in front - that's made up of 10 metres, or one double-decker bus length, in which to think, and 20 metres in which to stop, even with the best brakes. At 80km/h, you'll need a 100 metre gap - 20 metres for thinking plus 80 metres for stopping. Finally, we hear there's going to be some hard biking over muddy dips and bends at the FIM-UAM Asian Motocross Championships in Macau this weekend. The event is held on the new reclamation just south of the Macau Stadium on Taipa, and starts at 9am today and tomorrow. Tickets are free at the venue, and at Macau Government Tourist Office counters at the ferry terminal.
