Daily Archives: May 28, 2016
2017 Bentley Continental GT Speed Black Edition Receives Extra Power
When Bentley launched its Continental GT Black Speed special edition for the Australian market, both the US and European markets were slighted by the fact that they can’t get their hands on it.
Fortunately, Bentley announced a new special edition using the “Black” name. This time, it’s based on the GT Speed according to a report. You can choose either a coupe or convertible bodystyle, and there’s also more than just one exterior color.
But what sets this apart from other “special editions” is that the 2017 Bentley Continental GT Speed Black Edition will receive upgrades on its drivetrain. It will have 633 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque. The extra horsepower and torque will allow the car to go 0-60 mph in a mere sprint.
True to its name, the GT Speed Black Edition is decked out in high-gloss black exterior. It has an all-black components—main grille, meshes, bumpers, headlamps and taillights bezels, window trim, lower chrome strip, mirror caps, and bumper insert.
You can opt to have contrast colors for the exterior. Colors include Hallmark (metallic gray), Beluga (black), St. James’ Red, and Cyber Yellow.
Clients can customize the overall look of the GT Speed Black Edition. Beluga will give a sportier appearance while St. James’ Red and Cyber Yellow will make it flashier.
Regardless of the exterior colors you will choose, the GT Speed Black Edition will arrive with all-black, 21-inch, five-spoke wheels and bespoke brake calipers in either red or black.
Bentley Motors already unveiled the GT Speed and GT Speed Black Edition this week in a private event in New York City. Deliveries for the GT Speed Black Edition will begin this year’s summer in both the US and European markets.
Bentley’s Continental GT Speed Black Edition will sell for $253,235 in the US. But if you want a drop top, prepare to shell out $277,235 for the convertible model.
Kia Plans To Introduce Turbocharged Kia Soul Hatchback
Kia Soul has been highly popular the past years. Although I am personally not a fan of the bodystyle and there are extreme reactions to it among the auto industry experts, it was certainly one of Kia’s most popular models.
In fact, the only thing more popular than the Soul is the commercials Kia has produced for the incoming hatchback. Aside from the catchy hit songs that they used, the commercials also featured hamsters (which Kia tagged as Hamstars). Can anything be cuter than that?
The latest commercial is now out and it’s full of the same things—catchy song and Hamstars. But what specifically is being talked about right now is the “wink” at the end of the commercial, hinting of the possibility of a turbocharged Soul hatchback.
An overview of the current Soul lineup was also shown at the end of the video. The lineup included the regular gasoline-powered model, the electric model and a “turbo” version. Kia teased that all of these will be arriving just in time for Winter 2016.
We’ve heard rumors that Kia has been planning a turbocharged Soul hatchback for years. So far, this is the first evidence of those plans, and it’s just in time for a change in the Soul’s performance and power.
As for the bodystyle, many experts have always raved about the Soul’s standout styling, roomy interior and useful in-car technology. That’s not to mention that the Soul is nicely priced.
But what it does lack is more power and better performance on the road. The current Soul has either a gas-powered 130-hp 1.6-liter or a 164-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the latter offered only with automatic transmission.
What are we expecting? Kia currently has a 201-hp 1.6-liter turbo four on the Forte5. If that would be used to turbocharge the hatchback, we’re sure it will add a bit of pep, complete with either a manual or dual-clutch auto transmission.
GMC Yukon SLT Premium Edition Is Packing Chrome
It’s Denali no more. GMC has finally decided that chrome should not only be used on its top Denali trim levels. A premium edition for the Yukon and Yukon XL SUV will bring to life chrome in mid-level SLT trim.
According to a source, the biggest difference in terms of overall look would be the chrome grille with horizontal slats that is exclusive on the special edition model. It is shinier and demands more attention than the standard’s simpler grille. It’s even more tough-looking than the Yukon Denali’s honeycomb-mesh chrome grille.
Other things in the package are the chrome body-side moldings, a polished exhaust tip, and 22-inch chrome wheels that features a design exclusive to the premium edition.
There are other 22-inch wheel options for the Yukon SLT, which will cost between $2,900 and $2,995.
If you want the SLT Premium Edition, and is expecting Denali’s interior and drivetrain upgrades, you might be a bit disappointed. Unlike how it almost recreates the exterior through chrome-plated features, the drivetrain can be a letdown, depending on where you’re looking at it from.
Instead of the 6.2-liter V8 engine on an 8-speed automatic transmission on the Denali tuning program, you’ll be getting the 5.3-liter V8 with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
However, the SLT Premium Edition is more fuel efficient with a 16/23 mpg city/highway rating compared to Denali’s 15/21 mpg.
The Yukon SLT, on the other hand, can have a four-wheel drive option for an additional $3,000.
GMC did not say how much these extra “shine” would all cost. If you want the premium edition, expect it to be above the Yukon SLT’s (rear-wheel drive) $58,195 in terms of price range. The equivalent XL version will start at $60,895.
These special edition models will be on the market starting later this summer. Official pricing should be in the next few weeks.
B&B Automobiltechnik Boosts the 2016 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works
The Mini Cooper John Cooper Works is already the range-topping version of the Mini’s most iconic look. With 228 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, it doesn’t need more tuning.
But somehow, B&B Automobiltechnik decided to do more based on a report. Aside from giving it power that almost reaches to 300 horsepower, Automobiltechnik’s tuning program also offered a three-stage engine kit that adds different amounts of ponies on the John Cooper Works’ engine.
There are also upgrades on the chassis, suspension, and grip and handling—all of which complement the hatchback’s sporty looks.
Unlike Manhart Racing’s tuning program, B&B’s package for the Mini has minimal, if nothing, upgrades on the exterior and interior. However, what it does have is an affordable program we would all like to see on a hatchback.
The exterior updates on the JCW are just a set of new 18-inch B9 alloy wheels wrapped in 215/35R18 tires. There’s also the high-performance brake system that features 13-inch brake discs.
Inside, the tuner decided to keep everything the same.
We mentioned that there is a three-step engine upgrade for the JCW. The first step, dubbed the Stage 1 kit, can help the JCW take its power to 272 horsepower with no mention of torque improvement.
For the Stage 2 kit, B&B is offering a boost to 286 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. This can be done by improving the intake ducts and manifold to go along with the turbo boost increase by 0.25 bar.
Finally, the Stage 3 kit brings an amazing number of upgrades—a high-performance intercooler, upgraded intake ducts and manifold, high-flow exhaust downpipe, and a remap of the fuel, ignition and turbocharger boost curves.
This allows the engine to go up to 300 horsepower and 343 pound-feet of torque. The top speed would be increased from 153 mph to 174 mph.
Prices range, of course. The Stage 1 kit will cost you $1,446; the Stage 2 kit, $2,172; and the Stage 3 kit, $4,400.
Sneak Peek Into The 2017 Audi A5 Convertible
The year 2016 has so far brought in new models from Audi, and the next half of this year will also see the launch of the A5 Convertible, just a few short months after the company unveiled the A5 Coupe.
After seeing the prototypes of the S5 and RS5 coupes being tested near the Nurburgring, it can be assumed that the convertible will also be having higher performance models. But as for now, let’s take a look at this standard model, which would be competing with the BMW 4 Series Convertible and the Merdedes-Benz C-Class Convertible.
The A5 would certainly be a tough competitor. Based on the spy shots, we can assume that there would be a new design language, classy interiors and updated drivetrains.
The convertible was covered in camo, but there are plenty of hints as to what it would look like once the camo comes off. It looks like the convertible will have a sharper body line, which confirms the A5 will be heavily based on the A4.
In short, the A5 should be a two-door convertible version of the A4.
The A5 would have the same size and shape as its predecessor, albeit it has reshaped body lines and slightly more angular features. Expect to see new headlamps that feature L-shaped LED stripes and redesigned twin LED lamps. At the back, there would be thinner taillights, shorter trunk lid, and a new bumper.
The interior will be completely redesigned. There’s a new “dashboard” with a continuous air-vent strip and the center console will have a sportier look. There would also be a new steering wheel with revised buttons, a larger display for infotainment system, and a new airconditioning unit.
The seats would be bound with softer materials that match the dashboard and door panels.
The range of diesel and gasoline options were updated—from a 1.4-liter TFSI rated engine to a 2.0-liter four-banger to a 3.0-liter V6.
The A5 Convertible should be a tad bit more expensive than the A4, which starts at $47,900 for the base trim and $50,200 for the premium version.
