Monthly Archives: March 2016
Maserati Levante Will Have A Plug-In Version
The Maserati Levante will make its debut at the 2016 New York Auto Show, but its CEO already confirmed during the Geneva Motor Show last week that the SUV—marking Maserati’s first foray into SUVs—will also come in a plug-in hybrid variant.
According to Motor Authority, the plug-in hybrid powertrain will be sourced from the Chrysler Pacifica, both of which are cousins within the Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles umbrella. The Pacifica, already getting ready for its consumer launch, boasts of the company’s latest hybrid tech.
At this point, it’s pure speculation whatever part of that plug-in hybrid technology will be found under the Levante’s hood. The Levante bound for the United States will be available with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 in either 345- or 424-horsepower tunes.
Levante has competitions from all over Germany in terms of plug-in hybrids, but its CEO Harald Wester suggested that this powertrain will comprise only six percent of the total Levante production.
The Levante, of course, would have to suffer some engineering stylistics because it would have to adapt the Pacifica’s hybrid tech. It rides on a Maserati platform and uses an engine not shared with Chrysler. What’s purely up in the air is how the Levante would perform on the road and in the real world. However, it surely promises fuel savings with plenty of power.
As we very well know, the Levante will come in gas-powered version too, which would probably produce more power than the hybrid variant since it’s using all fossil fuels for its engine. There’s no pricing yet, but expect it to be in the range of the Porsche Cayenne S.
The Levante, according to Wester, is for people who don’t want another Mercedes, Porsche, Audi, BMW or Lamborghini. It was created for those who want something different in an SUV, especially since it’s Italian and promises power coupled with efficiency.
Rolls-Royce Wraith Black Badge Edition Announced
Rolls-Royce brought the Wraith back to life back in 2013, and it was like awakening a sleeping monster. It was the most powerful in Rolls-Royce’s company, and spawned a couple of off-models such as the 2016 Rolls-Royce Wraith Sport, the 2015 Rolls-Royce Wraith “Inspired by Fashion,” the 2016 Rolls-Royce Wraith “Palm Edition 999” by Masonry, and others to show off how well received the Wraith is.
It hasn’t gone under change in the past years, and Rolls-Royce didn’t make any attempt at changing it for this year, too, except that it announced a new “Dark” approach named the Black Badge.
The “Dark” approach was something a lot of manufacturers have been gotten into these past years, but Rolls-Royce did more than just adding a darker appearance to its version. The first thing you’ll notice, of course, is the custom black paint and darkened trim elements. Mind you, each of the deep layer of black paint and lacquer was hand polished, making it the “deepest, darkest and most intense black” seen on a Rolls-Royce.
The front grille is surrounded by a darkened chrome trim, as well as the “flying lady” emblem on the hood. The darker treatment can also be seen on the emblems on the grille, fenders and rear deck.
In terms of exterior, the best change comes in the form of the composite carbon fiber, lightweight alloy wheels that are exclusive only to the Wraith and Ghost Black Badge Editions. The wheels, created in four years, feature 22 layers of carbon fiber laid in three axes before being folded over to create a total of 44 layers.
Looking at it more closely, it also has an updated drivetrain. The horsepower remains unchanged at 632, but the torque is increased by 51 pound-feet to 641 pound-feet. It also has a redesigned air suspension, new drive shafts, and an upgraded eight-speed transmission.
Rolls-Royce has yet to release the pricing for the Wraith Black Badge, but the 2016 Wraith started at $304,250, so expect it to come somewhere in the $350,000 range.
Source: TopSpeed
Chevrolet Announced A Camaro 50th Anniversary Edition
Chevrolet is marking the Camaro’s 50th anniversary with a special edition trim level loaded with all the best aesthetic touches imaginable according to Motor Authority. The first Camaro entered the auto scene in 1967, so the Anniversary Edition will arrive in time for 2017.
Chev actually launched the first Camaro on September 26, 1966 but by then, Ford Motor Company’s Mustang, which debuted in 1964, already developed quite a following. This was a challenge for Chev, but thanks to careful positioning and aggressive marketing campaign, the Camaro was well received.
From here automobile’s greatest rivalry began. The current Camaro is the sixth generation of the brand.
The 50th Anniversary Edition will be in Nightfall Grey metallic paint with an orange and black stripe running from nose to tail. Convertible models would have a black top.
It has a unique 20-inch alloy wheels that cover the orange and black calipers (available at front only for the V-6 powered models) that adds some extra color to the edition’s dark appearance. It will also have orange stripes on the hood, a front splitter, and a mesh grille, which has a satin chrome trim.
The anniversary edition also has the special “Fifty badges” on their front fenders. Inside, the 50th Anniversary Edition models have an all-black interior with suede inserts and orange stitching and badges on their seats. There are also badges on the instrument panel, seatbacks, steering wheel, and illuminated sill plates.
This anniversary package will only be offered on top-trim versions of the V-6 and the V-8 powered Camaros, the 2LT and 2SS, respectively. It also includes the RS Appearance Package.
The combination of tweaks creates a handsome Camaro. The pricing is still not available for the 50th Anniversary Edition since GM spokesperson Tara Kuhnen said it won’t be released until a later date. Expect it to be released this summer.
Bugatti Chiron Usurps The Veyron As The World’s Fastest Car
The day has finally come when the Bugatti Veyron is no longer the world’s fastest production car. The usurper came from within—in the form of Bugatti Chiron that caused £1.9 million.
According to Top Gear, the Chiron retains the Veyron’s fundamental proportions and powertrains, but is also new in every way and is built to bend physics almost to breaking point. But unlike Veyron’s closest competitors—the McLaren P1, LaFerrari and Porsche 918—the Chiron is not a hybrid but relies on the use of fossil fuels.
It has an engine developed from the Veyron’s 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16, a seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox, and it makes use of all four wheels.
Wolfgang Durheimer, Bugatti’s CEO, explained that they could not produce the Chiron as a hybrid because it would’ve added weight and it would’ve suffered from package constraints. The Chiron doesn’t have space anymore for additional stuff, and adding space would’ve changed the styling.
With Chiron, Bugatti raised the power by 25 percent, the aerodynamics, the road holding, and the top speed. Remember the Veyron Super Sport? That produces 1183 bhp and 1106 lb-ft of torque. Chiron comes with 1479 bhp and 1180 lb-ft of torque. At a constant top speed, Veyron could drain its 100-litre fuel tank in 12 minutes. The Chiron can do that in 9 minutes tops.
The Chiron can also accelerate from 0-62 mph in less than 2.5 seconds, 0-124 mph in less than 6.5 seconds and 0-186 mph under 13.6 seconds—the last one shows Chiron’s 2.9 seconds faster than the P1 and a second quicker than the Veyron Super Sport.
At top speed, the Chiron can do 261 mph, 3 mph more than the Veyron Super Sport. Its engine has four larger turbos that can deliver the maximum torque from 2000 to 6000 rpm. It also packs a new titanium exhaust system and six exit pipes—four at the back and two pointing downwards to create a blown diffuser.
New Mitsubishi L200 Geoseek Concept Lands At The Geneva Motor Show
Mitsubishi launched its new concept called the Geoseek at the 2016 Geneva Auto Show. The concept is based on the L200 Triton truck, which was last updated in 2015, but with a bespoke paint job, a roof rack, and a custom interior.
According to a report from TopSpeed, the automaker didn’t divulge much details about the Mitsubishi L200 Geoseek in its press release for the auto show, but it did say that the Geoseek Concept was designed to highlight the outdoor adventurous side of the truck. It also packs tough looking accessories to attract outdoor enthusiasts.
But beyond the fancy paintwork and updated grille, the L200 is a standard production truck. It has a total of three engine options, although Mitsubishi has not said which will be used for this model.
What it did say is that the truck can be bought either in 2WD or 4WD, though this L200 model might also come with a transfer case.
Right now, Mitsubishi has yet to announce if a production version of this concept will be available. And if it does, only those in Europe, Asia, Australia and South America would have a chance to get it.
Outside, the L200 Geoseek Concept takes the came for a special coat of a pearl grey body color with bright orange accents on the fog light surrounds, mirror caps, side steps, wheels, fender flairs, tailgate spoiler, and rear bumper.
There’s also a roof-mounted cargo basket, a custom-built roof rack that sports off-road lights and grab handles, and a front grille with custom-made mesh.
Inside, you’ll most probably find an all-black interior with some orange accents to match the exterior. Mitsubishi hasn’t releases any photos of the truck’s interior, but the seats are said to have a suede-like center section with a “functional covering that aids in temperature control” along the side bolsters.
As mentioned above, the L200 Geoseek Concept will use either of the three engines–the standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 130 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque, the 2.5-liter turbodiesel unit that makes 175 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, or 2.4-liter MIVEC four-cylinder turbodiesel with a variable-geometry turbo.
The third one, the most modern engine, produces 133 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque.
Transmission options are a six-speed manual gearbox and a six-speed automatic.
Ford Debuts Its Hotter Fiesta ST200 At The Geneva Auto Show
We’ve long heard about the hotter version of the Ford Fiesta that the company is gearing to release during the Geneva Motor Show. Now, we see full videos and photos of the ST200—a model referring to the new power level of the Fiesta, thanks to Motor Authority.
Of course, we should be clear that the power reference of 200 is measured in metric horsepower. In the United States, the Ford Fiesta ST200 would have 197 hp on tap.
The car enjoys a turbocharged 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine like the Fiesta ST. And although the ST did develop a 197 hp, that was temporary and was hit because of an overboost function.
On the other hand, the ST200 has its own overboost function that has peak output of 212 hp for bursts of 15 seconds. Peak torque is normally at 214 pound-feet and as much as 236 lb-ft with overboost.
Potential buyers of the ST200 can get to choose a six-speed manual transmission, which is the standard for this car. But thanks to a new 4.06 final drive ratio—down from 3.82 in the Fiesta ST—drivers can enjoy better in-gear acceleration that will make driving more enjoyable.
In terms of speed, the Fiesta ST200 can go 0-62 mph in 6.7 seconds, down from 6.9 seconds for the Fiesta ST. The top speed is at 143 mph.
When it comes to the exterior, the ST200 is not far from the Fiesta ST, so Ford decided to add an exclusive Storm Gray exterior finish for this line. There’s also the special 17-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers, Recaro seats, illuminated door sills, and “ST200” badges.
Production for the ST200 will begin in June for the European market. Ford hasn’t confirmed if the Fiesta ST200 will be in local showrooms, but with its price range, I bet Ford lovers would want to get their hands on this.
As much as the new Focus RS was loved and accepted, its starting price of $36,605 leaves much to be desired. That’s where Fiesta ST200 comes in, as well as the fact that the current Fiesta will soon be unavailable because prototypes for the next generation model have already been launched.
The launch of the Fiesta ST200 at the Geneva Motor Show is a good way for the current model to bow out.
2017 Bentley Mulsanne By Mulliner Runs Away From The Conventional
Bentley is known for manufacturing probably most of the opulent and posh cars you see on the road today. The company uses only the finest materials both for its exterior and interior. But Bentley does fall on one category—it doesn’t offer a vehicle with seating for six, especially rear-facing seats.
Actually, not many automakers do these days, so when a customer approached Bentley’s customization department called Mulliner, the company jumped at the chance to create something special according to TopSpeed.
Bentley then brought this one-time deal to the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, and it’s easy to see why. This customized Bentley Mulsanne is full three feet longer than a standard Mulsanne, and offers four seats on its rear cabin, two of which faces the rear of the car. A divider—a clear glass that changes from clear to opaque with a simple switch—separates the driver and the passenger seat from the rear.
Wolfgang Dürheimer, Bentley’s chairman and chief executive, said the Mulsanne Grand Limousine showcased the craftsmanship of its in-house customization department—so much so that it literally manufactured a Mulsanne limousine for a customer. Talk about service. Not many automakers would stretch a limb to do that.
Outside, the Bentley Mulsanne Grand Limousine is a full meter longer and 79mm taller because of the bespoke roofline. The extra length and height that resides between the B-pillar and the rear wheels allow for a longer rear door to accommodate a wider exit and entrance doors. There’s also a center section that adds further length.
The car is painted Moroccan Blue with the hood, roof and trunk painted in Silver Frost. The 21-inch wheels’ spokes are also colored Moroccan Blue.
Inside, the four seats (the front- and rear-facing), are covered in leather-lined cabin with rear wood veneers, aluminum parts, chilled compartments for drinks, and connectivity for electronics.
Bentley has yet to release how much its customer paid for the customization, but the standard Mulsanne has a starting price of $300,000 so the Grand Limousine will probably around the price of $500,000.
Lamborghini Reveals £1.7m, 760bhp Centenario
To celebrate its 100th year anniversary of founder Feruruccio’s birth date has its perks: Lamborghini as just revealed its most powerful machine to date—aptly titled the Lamborghini Centenario.
According to Top Gear, this is a limited edition supercar that is built entirely from carbon fiber. It packs a 760bhp V12 and enough aero cues that pay homage to the legendary Italian on whose name the company stands. The Centenario just debuted at the Geneva Motor Show, and some reports were saying it even stole the show from the Bugatti.
The Cententario is based on the Aventador, although it is slightly longer than the 740bhp SV version. On the front bonnet, you can find large air scoops in reference to the sports cars of the 1970s.
Even the headlights got air ducts, as well as the side skirts and wheel arches, which will all supposedly provide air flow to the rear radiators. The roof is a beauty on its own. Using the most important element of aeronautical industry, this supercar has a hexagonal carbon fiber air duct on top.
But the roof is not the only place where carbon fiber was utilized. Lamborghini is making use of carbon fiber on the entire body and even the monocoque chassis to allow for the lightweight material to boost the car’s superfast capability.
The front splitter, side skirts, wheel arches and rear diffuser are all colored in matt carbon, too. During the Geneva Motor Show, the Lamborghini Cententario was launched in gloss carbon (though you can pick a color you want if you’re going to get your hands on this). The Centenario weighs in at 1,520kg, making it 55 kilos lighter than the Aventador.
There’s also an extendable rear wing, extending out 150mm and 15 degrees during “high performance conditions.”
Lamborghini is only making 20 coupes and 20 roadsters, meaning only 40 people have the Centenario. These 40 units have already been sold even before the motor show started. The price is €1.75m plus tax, which is around £1.7million including VAT.
Audi SQ7 Launched With New Tri-Turbocharged V8 Diesel Engine
The Audi SQ7 has brought its game to new heights with the 435 bhp diesel SUV boasting a tri-turbocharged V8 diesel engine with 664 lb-ft of torque.
According to Auto Express, the SQ7 has plenty of speed and torque to impress even the most discerning of drivers. Its 435 bhp capability can get the car from zero to 62 mph in just under five seconds. That’s all thanks to its V8 4.0 diesel engine with three turbochargers. Two of those are the usual exhaust-driven items while the third one is an electrically driven turbo.
The two turbos, mind you, are not a one-per-bank arrangement. Rather, they sit in the V—the first for light acceleration and cruising, and the second one for maneuvers that require “big efforts.”
The third turbo, the electrically driven, is placed near the engine after the intercoolers. It is powered by a 48-volt motor, and uses 10bhp when running on full load. Audi said the technology ensures there would be no turbo lag, but remember that some belt-drive superchargers on petrol engines chug up to 100bhp.
There are two exhaust valves in each cylinder in this supercar, both of which are independently controlled. The first set is connected to the light-load turbo while the other set stays shut and can only be activated when the second set of exhaust valves come to life.
The SQ7 also has some advanced suspension control, and its anti-roll bars are the best for straight road driving. When in a bend, the 48-volt system recouple the bars to keep the car steady and allows the driver to maneuver it safely.
What more, the 48-volt system, used also in the Bentley Bentayga, is good for roll stabilization since it has a faster-acting reaction. It is lighter and more comfortable too.
Aesthetically, the SQ7 comes with LED headlights, new bumpers, more aluminum trim and special wheels. Inside, it has sporty seats and the S house style.
It will go on sale in May 2016 priced from around £70,000 with the first deliveries scheduled in August.
2017 Aston Martin DB11 Launched at Geneva Motor Show
Aston Martin may have already decided to stop using the glorious-sounding V-12 engine, but it is giving us something more to aspire for—the DB11 with a new 5.2-litre V-12 that shares bore centers with the old 5.9-litre engine.
But that is the only similarity between the old V-12 engine and the new power unit of the Aston Martin DB11. Everything else is new. It has an engine capable of 600 horsepower—60hp more than the DB9 GT—which would most likely help potential buyers to move on from the V-12.
The DB11 unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show 2016 can produce 516 lb-ft of torque, available from 1500 rpm to 5000 rpm. Compare this to the DB9’s max of only 457 lb-ft arrived at a lofty 5500 rpm, and you’ve got true power on your hands.
Aston Martin promises that the DB11’s engine can deliver lag-free response with one turbocharger and intercooler per bank. This can lead to cylinder deactivation as the engine shuts down a whole bank to become a 2.6-liter inline-six. It uses an eight-speed ZF automatic like on the Vanquish, with the power sent to the rear wheels through a torque-vectoring differential.
Dimensions of the DB11 are very similar to the Aston Martin DB9. The only difference is that the DB11 is 1.2 inches longer, 2.7 inches wider, and 0.3 inches higher. It also sits on a wheelbase that is 2.5 inches longer. The weight is also nearly identical at 3902 pounds, with the DB11 only being slightly 33 pounds lighter.
This is quite a conundrum since Aston Martin already said the new engine will be heavier, so the body’s shell mass is drastically reduced with the use of carbon fiber. In terms of interior, the DB11 has more space since it has almost usable rear seats compared to the DB9.
The Aston Martin DB11 will be priced at $214,820 in the United States. The first deliveries will start in the fourth quarter of this year.
