Monthly Archives: July 2012
The Big Daddy of SUVs is Back in a Sporty Avatar
The year was 1948 when Land Rover unveiled the soon to be iconic Defender, a mammoth Sports Utility Vehicle, which set the standard for generations to come. And in the year 2015, sixty seven years after the Defender’s colossal entry, its sporty successor will be released!
The Land Rover DC100 Sport SUV Coupe Convertible is the flashy, sporty but still as pragmatic as ever successor to the Defender. The bosses at Land Rover define it as “bursting with California cool”. And indeed, its cheery yellow coloured exterior unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show brought to mind sunny Californian beaches! It was a largely successful unveiling but some critics called it ‘toy like’ and the creative minds at Land Rover put their heads together to re-introduce another ‘tougher’ model. In fact, the actual model hasn’t been finalized yet and a lot more modifications can be expected until 2015.
The New "Abusable" Landrover DC100 Sports SUV
The first thing that hits you about the Land Rover DC100 Sport is its monumental size, enhanced by its 100 inch long wheel base, the feature which inspired the name DC100. It has seats two with an optional jump seat and a lot of back room, enough for a Californian surfboard! The cluster of buttons and knobs are thankfully missing from the dashboard, replaced by an iPad-like center console. Its plastic fibre top can be let up during those stormy days at the push of a button. Its seats, adorned with leather are as comfortable as they are stylish. Powered by a 5L V8 engine, the Land Rover DC100 Sport comes with ‘Driveline Disconnect’, a unique system that disconnects the rear axle to initiate a front-wheel drive, a move that increases its fuel economy by up to 7%.
And now for its truly awesome features, this is a car built for an all-terrain experience and it is built in indestructible style! It comes with an Automatic Terrain System, the Terrain I, which is basically the brain behind your off-terrain exploits! It senses the texture of the path ahead and automatically sets off a driver-assist system. It manages wheel slips, air suspension, skid control and engine recalibration like a mind reading psychic to give you the most exhilarating driving experience! And believe it or not, psychic powers are not its coolest features! It also procures a 3D visualisation of the terrain ahead to forewarn you in case there is trench or boulder in your path! The Land Rover DC100 Sport also comes equipped with the ‘Wade Aid System’, a sonar system that calculates the depth of water you are in and automatically closes vents or raises suspension to avoid flooding. So don’t hesitate before plunging your ride into untested territories because this beast will stop at nothing!
So with the spirit of the Defender still alive, the DC100 Sport comes armed with the latest technology and gadgets. It is a ride that will appeal to rural farmers and funky beach dudes alike! In fact the Land Rover DC100 Sport lives up to its Global Brand Director, John Edward’s claim of being “capable, usable and abusable”.
Cadillac Ciel Hybrid Convertible Concept
With a history of excellence in the luxury car market, Cadillac upheld its reputation on revealing the Ciel Hybrid Concept in August 2011. With a most appealing exterior and inviting, comfy interiors, this Cadillac concept model made quite first impression on the automotive world. And yes, the Ciel Hybrid Concept certainly deserves all the attention it’s getting – read on and you’ll know why!
Cadillac's Tradition of Excellence has evolved into the Cadillac Ciel Hybrid Concept.
Equipped with a twin turbo 3.6 liter V6 Engine boasting 425 horsepower, Ciel is also supported by a hybrid system using lithium-ion batteries. Cadillac claims that its unique system shall allow for pure electric driving at low speeds. Such state-of-the-art technology, when coupled with an ultra-luxurious interior and beautiful design, takes us back to the glorious ‘Land-Yachts’ of the past which were Cadillac’s specialty.
The Ciel Hybrid Concept is distinctly retro-styled with vestigial fins and ‘suicide doors’ at both the front and rear end that epitomize vintage glamour. The car’s color, however, has been specially developed in a unique burgundy-plum shade called Cabernet. Moreover, the headlights and taillights in their strong vertical frames, complement its powerful stance and give Ciel a distinctive modern look that is completely exclusive in its novelty. Thus, by bringing both old and new elements in such graceful harmony, Cadillac seems to be making a statement. This is corroborated by the statement of Cadillac’s global design director – Clay Dean – that “The Ciel recalls that heritage, while suggesting where the brand can go in the future”.
The icing on the cake with regard to Cadillac’s Ciel Hybrid Concept is its fabulous insides that exemplify opulence in all possible ways. The car’s open top, four individual bucket-seats and fully automated clamshell doors are supplemented by exciting niceties like aromatherapy controls, pull-out blankets and several cleverly placed drawers and compartments. The extravagance is known to be inspired by the beautiful, open roads of California with the convertible having been designed in Cadillac’s studio at North Hollywood. The interiors were probably envisioned with the notion of rivaling contemporary motor luxury brands such as Bentley and Rolls Royce. The attempt is undoubtedly a success with the Ciel Hybrid Concept making a bold statement in all its magnificent glory.
The French nomenclature of ‘Ciel’ meaning ‘sky’ reminds one that this is to be a grand-touring car, replete with an open-top and sturdy yet stylish appeal. The concept car does not have a top, but were it go into production, Cadillac would have to accommodate some nature of retractable top in order to avoid hampering sales. The Cadillac officials, when questioned, have so far been cryptic about the status of the car’s production; they continually reinforce that a concept car may not necessarily be approved for production and sale. However, Ciel designer Niki Smart admitted that “This (Ciel Hybrid Concept) is achievable, it is not a fantasy.” Noncommittal about its pricing, Smart grudgingly nodded a rather vague ‘maybe’ for a suggested price bracket of $100,000 – $150,000. Well, all we can do is wait and watch to see if this spectacular Ciel Hybrid Concept shall make it all the way to production or not!
Brand-New Maserati GranSport to Boast Twin-Turbo V-6
You may have heard rumors that Italian auto brand Maserati is considering adding a new type of vehicle to its lineup: a mid-engine supercar. This new Maserati would offer much greater performance power than any current Maserati vehicle and would serve as the brand’s “halo car.” It’s even slated to get a GranSport label- the marker of a truly powerful vehicle. This new supercar will be simply named the Maserati GranSport and will compete with the Audi R8 and the Porsche 911 for the top supercar spot. The vehicle will probably only produce around 2,000 units each year, and it’s expected to go on sale at dealerships across the world by 2015.
Of course, there have been many rumors circulating about the new vehicle and its exact position when compared to its contenders. Though Auto Express originally reported that the new supercar would receive the brand’s 4.7-liter V-8 engine, the reports have now changed to suggest that the GranSport is specifically designed to hold a twin-turbo V-6 engine. This engine could achieve zero-to-sixty in under four seconds and top 190 mph due to its over 450-horsepower production capacity. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission will be paired with this V-6 (sourced from the Ferrari 458 Italia) and will send power from the mid-mounted engine directly to the rear wheels. This engine could also be seen in the Maserati Kubang SUV and an upcoming BMW sedan that will rank below the next Quattroporte.
Our source has also revealed that the new Maserati model will feature a carbon-fiber chassis that’s identical to the Italian Alfa Romeo 4C concept, though the track and wheelbase will be extended to properly house the V-6 engine. Despite this extension, however, the Maserati GranSport will be impressively light, at a curb weight of only 2,6040 lbs.
If these numbers are, in fact, true, we can expect the new GranSport to have a power-to-weight ratio very similar to the Maserati MC12 and will have ratio of 5.87 pounds per horsepower. The MC12 produced 623 horsepower and a curb weight around 3,150 pounds and could achieve 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and had a top speed of 205 mph, so the new Maserati GranSport should be extremely impressive as well!
The two-seater Maserati GranSport could be priced around $140k and will certainly help the brand to achieve its ambitious goal of selling 50-thousand global units annually by 2015. The GranSport is one of the three promised vehicles that will be introduced by Maserati by 2015. One of the other vehicles is the upcoming Maserati Kubang SUV, which was first introduced in concept form at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The second, of course, is the GranSport, and the third is still being debated, though it’s likely to be the rumored “baby Quattroporte” that the company has been developing. Rumors surrounding this small sedan have been circling the internet for quite some time now.
Stay tuned here with reviewitonline.net for more information about the upcoming Maserati GranSport, and be sure to check out our reviews for currently available models while you wait. From the Maserati Quattroporte sedan to the Maserati GranTurismo Sports Coupe, we’re your comprehensive source for new car reviews!
A Closer Look at the Cadillac Urban Luxury Hybrid
While the Cadillac brand-name has always been associated with opulent luxury in automobiles, the Urban Luxury Hybrid Hatchback Concept represents an intelligently crafted amalgamation of extravagance with economy. First revealed at the 2010 L.A. Motor Show, this Concept car created quite an uproar in the motor world, and with good reason too.
The Question Still Remains Whether The Urban Luxury Concept from Cadillac will hit Production 2014.
The Urban Luxury Hybrid is undoubtedly a deviation from Cadillac’s trademark lavish, long, snaking automobiles that epitomize fancy indulgence; its vital stats are a surprisingly diminutive 151 x 68.1 x 51 inches with a wheel base a little over 97 inches. This Concept Car targets the urban audiences that value compact exteriors and good mileage over all else. There is, nonetheless, an attention to detail and concern for passenger comfort that is easily evident from its unique design. With the Cadillac characteristic bold grille-front and a stylish hatchback stance, the Urban Luxury Hybrid is easy on the eye, body and hopefully pocket as well.
The internal engineering of the Urban Luxury Hybrid is such that it relies on a 1.0 liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that is supported by electric assist technology and dual-clutch transition. The car also boasts a unique engine start-stop function alongside break energy regeneration which saves energy and fuel. This Concept is illustrative of Cadillac’s commitment to eco-friendliness and consumer affordability. But while the energy-efficiency of the vehicle is commendable, it is the innovative interiors that have won the car much attention.
The fascinating insides of this Caddie make it a treat to travel within. The two, powerful scissor-doors open into a spacious interior that seats four, with ample leg-space and frontal recline-ability. Twin skylights and a sturdy windscreen add to the sense of spaciousness which when combined with its state-of-the-art digital technology, make for a truly luxurious motor experience. High-tech touch controls have been installed in the Concept car to minimize the room used up by physical controls thereby creating an expanded and more convenient steering space for the driver. If this is not enough, then the comfy seats, ultra-mod interiors with beautiful colors and the hoard of compartments and accessories that enhance exclusivity, shall surely impress one.
Talking in terms of the production viability, the Urban Luxury Hybrid can definitely be brought into manufacturing with the scissor doors being the only question on feasibility. However, official sources have remained mum regarding the production plans, though it has been showcased on their website. Judging by the extent of ripples the Concept car has made in the automobile market, if up for sale, it is likely to get a good response. Moreover, the Urban Luxury Hybrid shall probably make an impression in the Asian and European Markets as well. But it is now all dependant on Cadillac and GM officials, who will ascertain whether to turn their Concept into a production model or not. As stated by the Cadillac Brand Champion Clay Dean, the Urban Luxury Hybrid “has a small exterior footprint, but is roomy inside”, which resonates with the needs of all urban consumers. All car-lovers hope to hear from the Cadillac team regarding its production soon!