Daily Archives: February 20, 2016
2017 Maserati Levante SUV to Drop at Geneva Motor Show
When photos of the new 2017 Maserati Levante SUV leaked online ahead of the 2016 Geneva Motor Show next month, the Italian luxury brand has taken it upon itself to release the full series of photos of their new SUV.
The images only confirmed the leak that showed the Levante not having the same design as the Kubang concept from the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. The front features the brand’s corporate grille, cat’s eye headlights, large lower air intake, and portholes on the front fenders.
The rear has elements of the Porsche Cayenne and Alfa Romeo Giulia, so it’s like getting the rear aesthetics of three powerful SUVs all at once.
The Levante’s making use of the rear-wheel-drive architecture of the Ghibli and Quattoporte sedans. But in terms of length, it would be a notch closer to the Ghibli. It would also have an electronically controlled suspension with adjustable dampers and air springs. It has an eight-speed automatic transmission to power a four-wheel drive system.
There is no full specs yet, but it is expected that the Maserati Levante SUV will have the turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6. There might also be an option to power it with the Ferrari-sourced 3.8-liter V-8. The fastest model would probably be at 500 horsepower.
Maserati said the company would offer the option of a diesel engine although if you’re in the United States, you may not be able to get your hands on that one.
Europe will get firsthand experience of the Maserati Levante SUV this spring. As for those in the United States, you would all have to wait a little longer as it is expected to drop there later this year.
The Geneva Motor Show next month will have a preview of the Levante, so expect to get more information and details there about this new SUV.
2017 Bentley Flying Spur V8 S To Arrive At Geneva Motor Show
The 2016 Geneva Motor Show next month is shaping up to be the best one so far, especially for Bentley buyers who can check out the new Flying Spur V8 S that is expected to debut there.
As the name suggests, this new power machine will have the same powertrain as the Continental GT V8 S, but with a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 that can deliver 521 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque.
Do you remember the Flying Spur V8 in 2015? That the same V-8 that would be used in this version, although that one had a slightly subpar 500 horsepower and 487 lb-ft. With this extra boost in engine power, Bentley claims the V8 S could accelerate to 60 mph from rest in mere 4.6 seconds, which is 0.3 second quicker than the Flying Spur V8.
The top speed for the V8 S would be 190 mph, Bentley added.
The Flying Spur V8 S also has an eight-speed automatic transmission, rear-biased all-wheel-drive system, and a unique setup for the suspension and the electronic stability control. Then, it also boasts of the returned system that allows increased wheel slip at higher speeds.
According to Bentley, the suspension setup is designed to deliver a more focused driving experience.
Those who wants a faster performance can also get the Flying Spur with a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W-12 with 616 hp and 590 lb-ft. However, the extra weight of the engine won’t have the feel of a sports car as compared to the V8 and V8 S.
As for the aesthetics, the Bentley V8 S has a black radiator grille and rear diffuser, a grille insert, and a 20-inch open-spoke painted wheels. Inside, you can expect piano-black wood veneers, three-spoke sports steering wheel, a knurled gear lever with matching knurled shift paddles, and multiple “V8 S” logos, even on the headrests.
The Bentley Flying Spur V8 S will begin deliveries this summer.
2016 Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4 Spyder is a Lifestyle Car for Smooth Driving
In the mid-2000s, the Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder was the talk of the town. It was a privilege enough to have driven it for four miles before, but we failed to get a good impression except that the V-10 was just too powerful.
We also distinctly remember that its engine was quite roaring like a brick was thrown inside a grinder, but we were impressed nonetheless of the raw nature of the sound and appeal.
Now, we get to test drive another Lamborghini creation—the Huracán LP 610-4 Spyder—at the Lamborghini press drive in Miami. This one’s a 610-horsepower supercar, so the expectations are actually quite high. It didn’t disappoint, but it didn’t impress us either.
“Lifestyle” Car
If you’re expecting a sports car that would roar through the streets of Miami or whatever city you’re in, you would be disappointed. The Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4 Spyder is a “lifestyle car,” meaning it is best to be used while you’re cruising along the Miami coast rather than rattling the railings off its roads.
The experience is founded on driving this in low speed and enjoying the feel of the engine, rather than pushing it to the extreme.
That doesn’t mean the Huracán LP 610-4 Spyder cannot perform magnificently. You have to remember it still shares the same aluminum spaceframe with the Huracán coupe and the upcoming 2017 Audi R8. Its structure, which used carbon fiber for the firewall and central tunnel, feels light but strong.
It packs a 5.2-liter V-10 with 610 horsepower at 8,250 rpm and 413 pound-feet of torque at 6,500 rpm. It has a direct and port fuel injection that allows for fewer emissions during startup and lets the computer choose the type of injection that works best for the throttle demands.
This engine is paired with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission while the power is sent to all four wheels because of its all-wheel drive. In terms of acceleration, it can accelerate to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds, vault from 0 to 124 mph in 10.2 seconds, and reach a top speed of 201 mph.
Overall, the Huracán LP 610-4 Spyder’s “power” came from Lamborghini’s passion for design, power, performance and aggression. In terms of specs and features, nothing much is outstandingly impressive with this machine—aside, of course, from the fact it is based on Lamborghini’s history and legacy of coming up with the best for whether they created a sports car or a “lifestyle” car.
2016 Lagonda Taraf Made for the Rich and the Famous
Aston Martin has hand-built this $1-million Lagonda Taraf sedan that targets eccentric multi-billionaires who are willing to shell out that much money on a car that is less than the Mercedes-Maybach S600.
If you can remember the Aston Martin DB9 coupe and the Rapide sedan, then you will be familiar with the aluminum-intensive VH architecture where the 2016 Lagonda Taraf is built from. Basically, it’s the Rapide with a 7.9-inch wheelbase stretch and more formal roofline with carbon-fiber body panels.
The engine is a 540-hp version of the 6.0-liter V-12 that was used back in 1999 during the Ford-era of the Aston Martin. True to its roots, the V-12 is still built in the bespoke facility at Ford’s Niehl engine plant in Cologne, Germany. The engine is connected through a torque tube to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission mounted between the rear wheels.
As a result, the engine can peak at 6,650 rpm and has a peak torque of 465 lb/ft at 5,500 rpm. Since this is basically a DB9 and Rapide combined, the Taraf feels like an Aston Martin stretch limo. Drive wise, it doesn’t have that ultra-luxury feel that should come with a $1-million price tag.
Instead, the steering feels too lively while the engine’s too vocal. Also, the ride’s too firm and there’s too much road noise when driving. Coincidentally, the big Lagonda is an easier drive on the road than the Taraf. This is a surprise since the Lagonda tends to feel bulky and heavy.
The powertrain in the Taraf isn’t as impressive as when it was used in the DB9, but it still has that elastic, almost turbine-like surge of power reminiscent of the V-12. When handled, you can fill that the Taraf has a good grip with minimal roll and long wheelbase damps fore-aft pitching.
The interior, on the other hand, is typical Aston Martin. It has near-illegible instruments, console-mounted push-button transmission controls, and the Rube Goldberg infotainment interface. There’s also an HDD satnav system and 1,000-watt Bang & Olufsen BeoSound audio system.