Monthly Archives: July 2017
Top 5 Facts About The 2017 Bentley Mulsanne by Mansory
How will you make the 2017 Bentley Mulsanne better? German tuner Mansory has a history of outlandish designs courtesy of the Siracusa kits for the Ferraris, the Carbonado kits for the Lamborghini, and the Bentley Continental Vitesse Rose in 2009.
The Mulsanne is a massive project but if you’re expecting to see equally an outlandish tuning program, you’ll be sorely disappointed. Mansory, for the first time, decided to go another route based on a report by TopSpeed.
1. Exterior
The exterior update on the Bentley Mulsanne is made up of an aerodynamic kit that features a new front lip and air inlet covers. There are new side skirts, new rear lip spoiler, and a diffuser insert placed at the back. All of these are made with carbon fiber, though the most stunning upgrade on this particular section of the car are the massive M8 light-forged aluminum alloy wheels. They are 22 inches and wrapped in high-performance tires that measure 285/35ZR22 in the front and rear axles.
2. Interior
Mansory did not give hints on how it treated the interiors of the Mulsanne, though they are very specific with the materials they used on it like premium leather, Alcantara materials, brushed aluminum, carbon, handcrafted embroidery, and piano surfaces.
3. Drivetrain
In the past, Mansory was responsible for the 800 horsepower output of the Ferrari 488 Spyder and the 1,600 horses from the Lamborghini Aventador. You think the tuner would bring the same power to Mulsanne? Based on the tuning program, the Mulsanne will only up its horsepower by 73 ponies, bringing in a total of 585 horsepower. It will also add 49 pound-feet of torque for a total of 811 pound-feet of torque.
4. Pricing
There are no pricing details for the Mansory-tuned Mulsanne, though we expect the base model to start at $300,000 with the tuning program adding a $50,000 price tag.
5. Competition
It’s difficult to pinpoint a direct competitor of the Bentley Mulsanne. Cars like these are usually a cut above the rest. Perhaps, the closest competitor is another tuning program—that of the Mulliner, Bentley’s own personalization division.
4 Pretty Cool Stuff About The 2018 Hyundai Sonata
The 2018 Hyundai Sonata is unlike the upgrades for the incoming Toyota Camry and Honda Accord in such a way that the upgrades are significant than necessary. Hyundai still plans to battle it out in the crowded midsize family sedan segment, but can they still do it?
The segment is getting significantly smaller because consumers are choosing crossovers more and more. This is a challenge not only for Hyundai, but for Japanese automakers like Toyota and Honda looking to make waves in the midsize sedan segment.
1. Exterior
The most telling change in the new Sonata is the cascading grille up front. The grille is longer and more contoured, and will be part of Hyundai’s new corporate design language. This means consumers will see the same grille across Hyundai’s vehicle lineup. The entire car has a more aggressive appearance, thanks largely to an elongated front end, character lines on the hood and front bumper, and a slimmer pair of LED headlights.
The back end was made simpler by showing off the sheetmetal and the redesigned taillights. For a sportier feel, the turbo models will get twin exhaust pipes.
2. Interior
Inside, the highlights of the new Sonata are the seven-inch touchscreen monitor (eight inches on the Limited edition), the streamlined audio controls, the sporty and leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel, and the leather seats, of course.
3. Powertrains
There is an all-new engine, too. An 8-speed, turbocharged 2.0-liter will power the 2018 Sonata to 245 horsepower. Though experts will be disappointed with the lack of increase in the power output division, it’s worth taking a note that even BMW 330i’s 2.0-liter turbo can only produce 248 horses.
4. Release Dates and Prices
The SE, SEL, Limited, and Limited 2.0T models are available now, but the Eco 1.6T is arriving later this summer. Next year, we’ll be treated to the Hybrid and Hybrid Plug-in models. The base price for the all-new Sonata is $22,050 with improvements and other packages upping it to at least $33,460.
Top 3 Features Of The 2018 Jaguar E-Pace
The 2018 Jaguar E-Pace is smaller than the F-Pace and more keenly priced, but it did not compromise on comfort, luxury, practicality, and usability. Its design, one of the most expensive in its class, will distinguish it from the F-Pace.
D8 Architecture in Use
This compact SUV used the same D8 architecture we saw on the Land Rover Discovery Sport. The only difference is that Jaguar decided to fit the 2018 E-Pace with more on-road dynamics described only as the “Jaguar version” of the Discovery Sport.
The E-Pace, unlike the Land Rover series like the Discovery Sport and the Range Rover Evoque, won’t be produced in the Halewood facility. Instead, this will be built under license by Magna Steyr in Austria.
Land Rover’s Powertrain Borrowed
Land Rover’s turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and diesel Ingenium engines are going to be fitted in the E-Pace. That includes the range-topping 296bhp 2.0-liter petrol version that can power the E-Pace from 0 to 60mph in just 5.9 seconds. It will have a top speed of 151mph.
All of these will be paired with all-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission. The entry-level 148bhp 2.0-liter diesel model with six-speed manual gearbox will be available with a front-wheel drive system.
Sporty Interior on Point
The interior of the E-Pace will be sporty in nature. This means that the front cabin is driver focused, with a stick shifter instead of the rotary controller. Jaguar said that the interior features of the auto are all inspired by the F-Type.
Sporty interior with a spacious cabin to boot? Can you beat that? The E-Pace boasts of a raised driving position up front and a roomy kneeroom at the back that is similar to the Audi Q5 rather than the Q3. There is plenty of storage space out back too and once the rear seats have been folded, the total capacity will run to 1,234 liters.
Infotainment and connectivity features in the E-Pace will attract the younger clients. Here, you’ll find a 10-inch touchscreen, an optional widescreen TFT display, 4F WiFi hotspot for eight devices, five USB charging ports, and a wearable key option.
The E-Pace will be on sale in the UK starting in late 2017 for the price of £28,500 for the entry-level car.
The Overhauled 2018 Honda Accord Gives Us 3 Reasons To Smile
There is something about the Honda Accord that makes you feel good, right? Maybe it’s the familiarity. Maybe it’s the long and illustrious history that started way back in 1976. Whatever it is, we’re sure you’re going to have fits of happiness reading about the coming of the 2018 Honda Accord, a completely overhauled of this beloved sedan.
The new Accord is going to have so many new things for its arsenal: engines, automatic transmission, chassis, body design, Honda’s safety and driver-assistance technology, and a tech-savvy cabin.
Same Silhouette, New Grille Design
The Accord stays true to its personality, not changing the silhouette that Honda fans have come to love. The front end is where you’ll see the changes and updates, starting with the grille design that combines both the radiator grille and the air dam. There’s also an overhang on the nose, as well as a body insert that sits between the grille, headlights, and the end of the hood. From there, you can see the Honda emblem.
The side profile uses a gently curving upper body and a crease above the side skirts. Around the headlights, the fenders are muscular while the rear end looks quite ordinary with 3D taillights and tiny exhaust outlets.
Germanic and Futuristic
If you’ve ever been inside a BMW, then you know that its interiors are like no other. The Honda Accord takes the same path as its new infotainment display gives off a German vibe. The system features roles like a smartphone. It even has connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
If you are familiar with OnStar, you’ll get the Honda version with HondaLink. This allows your smartphone to access diagnostics, track the Accord’s speed, remotely lock and unlock the car, and remotely start it, too.
Packed with Power
The new Accord will follow the footsteps of the Honda Civic and will make use of a pair of turbocharged four-cylinders. Lesser models will, however, be fitted with a 1.5-liter, all-aluminum four-banger that can produce 192 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque.
Higher-end models will make use of the same system, albeit the 2.0-liter version. This upgrades the production to 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. A hybrid version is also in the works, but details are fuzzy for now.
5 Things To Know About The 2019 Porsche Cayenne
Spy shots of the next-generation Porsche Cayenne, which is slated to be a 2019 model, shows why the midsize truck remains to be a strong contender in this segment. Though the camouflaged Cayenne revealed few details, it’s enough to get experts excited about this high-riding crossover.
1. Appearance
Based on the spy shots of the auto featured in CarAndDriver, there are changes in the front grille, as well as the lower fog-light windows that are wider and now feature a full-length slat. The headlights have been covered, but it might be safe to assume that it will use Porsche’s four-LED cluster—the same one used in the rest of the lineup.
The rear showed that Porsche is ready to take the Cayenne to a sportier aesthetics because there might be a full-width light bar connecting the taillights. That would give this car an overall wider appearance and stance.
2. Platform
This new Cayenne is expected to be on top of Volkswagen’s MLBevo platform, the same one used by the Audi Q7 and the Bentley Bentayga. It will also be utilized on the Volkswagen Touareg and the upcoming Audi Q8 and Lamborghini Urus. The lightweight dynamics of this new platform will contribute to Cayenne’s ability to shed off at least 200 pounds.
3. Powertrain
The powertrain lineup on the all-new Panamera should give huge expectations on what can be found under the Cayenne’s hood. The turbocharged V-6 engine will most likely be the powertrain of choice for the entry-level Cayenne. The S and GTS version should be using a twin-turbo six while the Turbo model might come with the V-8. It will share Panamera’s plug-in 4 E-Hybrid powertrain too, combining a twin-turbocharged V-6 with an electric motor.
4. Competition
The Cayenne, once it is released, will go head-to-head with some of the most powerful midsize luxury crossovers in the market—the BMW X5, the BMW X6, the Range Rover Sport, the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, and the Maserati Levante.
5. Release and pricing
The next-generation Cayenne will probably be unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show later this fall, with deliveries to begin early next year. Prices will be similar to the current generation’s tag.
3 Important Notes About The Polestar-Tuned 2018 Volvo XC60
We know that Polestar is slowly transitioning into a standalone brand that will handle Volvo’s high-performance electrified cars. Still, this does not mean it won’t tinker with its bigger brother’s luxurious vehicles.
The Swedish brand that became known for its race-car specifications will continue to offer tuning programs and optimizations for Volvo cars. This despite the fact that the Volvo spinoff is already focusing on electric vehicles. The latest vehicle of the automaker to get a tuning program from Polestar is the 2018 Volvo XC60, or to be more specific, the XC60 T8 plug-in hybrid.
1. Power up to 421 Horses
Thanks to its expertise on this particular field, Polestar managed to crank up the power of the Volvo XC60 to 421 horsepower. That’s 21 hp more than the standard XC60 T8, which is using a 2.0-liter supercharged and turbocharged inline-4 at the front axle and an electric motor at the rear axle.
The current XC60 T8 can go 0 to 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds. Given that there are 21 more horses here, that start time should go down even more.
2. Better Driving Experience
Aside from adding power, there are ways that a Volvo XC60 can be more driver- and user-friendly. Thanks to Polestar’s tuner program, the XC60 T8 now has more torque in mid-range to ensure accessible thrust for daily driving modes. Pairing that up with the eight-speed automatic transmission, and you’re bound to hold a car that is quick and easy to shift for that perfect balance.
The tuner update from Polestar will bring the XC60 T8 to the level of the larger XC90 T8. Both vehicles will represent Volvo’s most powerful vehicles ever.
3. Pricing Details to Come in the Near Future
The market launch of the Polestar-tuned XC60 T8 is scheduled this fall, so pricing details are expected to be revealed around that time, too. Installation of the tuning program itself will be done in the authorized dealer’s shop.
For now, only the T8 will receive the Polestar tuner program. Soon, we’re hoping to see a similar treatment on the other trim levels such as the T6, T5, D4, and D4.
3 Things To Know About The Stylish And Powerful 2018 Audi RS5
When cars appear to be stylish, sophisticated, and powerful all at the same time, we tend to look at it warily and ask what the catch is. In the 2018 Audi RS5, there is no catch to speak of. There is only that unique blend of a sporty interior and an engine fit for a race car.
1. Sporty, Stylish, and Refined
Audi’s RS concept is based on the Audi Sport division, which focuses on high-performance Audis that can tackle both the race track and the road. But to separate it from the S models such as the S4 and S5, Audi went beyond that with the RS5. Based on the new A5 coupe, the redesigned RS5 is a four-seat, two-door model that has an aggressive styling and sharper features.
To reiterate that, the RS5 has a more muscular overall body design and wider wheel arches thanks to the five-spoke forged aluminum 20-inch wheels.
2. Modest but Modern Interior
The interior is nothing too special, except for the fact that Audi went all the way to make this as comfortable and luxurious as possible. There’s no eye-popping elements here as the RS5 comes in an all-black cabin with the diamond-quilted seats wrapped in leather with contrast red stitching. There’s also a flat-bottomed steering wheel, but that’s all about it.
3. Power, Muscle, and Speed
The RS5 comes packed with a second turbo to its 2.9-liter V-6 engine that boosts the coupe to a stunning 450 horsepower and 442 lb ft of torque. Even if it’s used in high altitude, there’s no denying that the RS5 is a wonder of the auto world. Fitted with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the RS5 can go from 0 to 60 mph in a flash—in 3.9 seconds no less. It has a top speed of 174mph, in case you want to crank it up.
3 Things To Look Forward To In The Third-Generation 2019 Acura RDX
In 2007, Acura released its first ever true crossover/SUV called the RDX. The Acura RDX came out in 2007 and got a second-generation upgrade in 2013.
When it got its eventual facelift in 2016, many fans were disappointed because of the minimal changes aesthetically. But now that Acura announced a third-generation RDX, it looks like we’re finally going to get the updates we have been craving for.
The competition is tough in this segment, and that’s why Acura has been super secretive on how the RDX will look like for this next major facelift. As for the competitors, get a load of these names: Audi Q5, the BMW X3, Land Rover Evoque, and the Mercedes GLC.
1. Exterior
The spied 2019 Acura RDX was heavily covered with a tent-like tarpaulin, so it’s hard to speculate how different this would be from the second-generation. The very secretive nature on how this was tested tells us it will be very, very different from its predecessors, and that will make Mercedes, BMW, and Audi take notice.
The photos showed that the new RDX will get the same Jewel-Eye headlights, though the unique LED strips will give a sleek-looking fascia below. The grille would probably be similar to the MDX, particularly a larger version of the diamond pentagon grille.
Acura won’t ever go extreme when it comes to the body lines department but still, expect to see a more aggressive styling than the ones on the current generation.
2. Interior
There’s going to be a revamped interior, that’s for sure, with Acura most likely going for a clean dashboard that has all the controls the driver needs—infotainment system, HVAC controls, and a few other buttons. Traditionally, Acura has been left behind in the luxurious interior department by its competitors so hopefully, it will do something radical this time around.
Some of the things we’re expecting from the new RDX are: a new center console, a redesigned shifter, an updated instrument cluster, and a new steering wheel.
3. Drivetrain
Right now, RDX packs a 3.5-liter V-6 engine for all trim levels. It produces a fair amount of power at 279 horsepower, 6,200 rpm, and 252 pound-feet of torque. For the 2019 model, Acura might have to go down to the same engine under the hood of the Honda Civic Type R—a 2.0-liter version with the same output as the V-6 engine. The only difference is that the 2.0-liter version will save more weight and be more economic.
A Closer Look At The 2019 Audi A8
The unveiled 2019 Audi A8, which will go on sale in 2018, may be a little conservative when it comes to its exteriors looks, but the technology is super advanced. This fourth-generation A8 is the oldest among its peers, but there is still significant interest on what Audi can still possibly do with this particular line.
A redesigned version of the flagship sedan was launched on Tuesday during a special event in Barcelona, Spain. It’s nothing special from the outside, but Audi fitted it with a “Level 3” self-driving capability. According to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), a Level 3 self-driving technology is when a car can take complete control in specific situations, with the driver being able to take over after a short warning period.
Level 3 Artificial Intelligence
The major technological feature of the 2019 Audi A8 is the AI-based software that it comes fitted with. The system not only controls the self-driving capability of the vehicle, but also acts as an “electronic concierge” of some sorts. This is the first software announced to have a Level 3 capability since the most advanced software the public has seen so far is a Level 2 self-driving capability.
A Level 2 software requires the driver to monitor the situation and to take over in an instance in case of an emergency.
Included in the A8, the Level 3 system can take over during “some” parking situations and self-drive during traffic jams on uninterrupted roads like highways. The system can provide a speed up to 37mph, allowing ample time for the driver to take over if something goes wrong. Under these situations, the driver can use the phone or read a book while the system has taken over.
The possibility of sleeping in a car under a self-driving situation is still not possible, though, unless a Level 4 is realized. Experts are predicting that a Level 4 car may be available by next decade while a Level 5, where there is no driver needed, would have to take some more time.
Roush P-51 Mustang Powers Through With 727 Horses
The Roush P-51 Mustang is certainly not the best among the muscle cars in current production because that belongs to the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350/GT350R. However, one cannot deny that the 727 horsepower guaranteed by the performance car is unparalleled.
According to CarAndDriver, that power comes from a 2.3-liter TVS supercharger with a stage 2 upgrade paired with Ford’s standard 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 engine. To keep everything within balance, Ford fitted the P-51 with a heavy duty TrakPak half shafts and three-way adjustable coilovers.
It also comes packed with rotors and pads for the Brembo brakes and 19-inch TrakPak wheels from Weld. The wheels are fitted with Continental ExtremeContact Sport tires.
Exterior
There are some alterations on the exterior of the P-51 such as a new front fascia with bigger upper and lower openings that promise to provide better air flow. It also has a front lower splitter made of carbon fiber, a chin spoiler, and heat extractors.
For added aesthetics, Ford fitted the P-51 with wide hood scoop, rocker skirts, scoops on the side and rear windows, and a decklid spoiler made of carbon fiber. If you will notice, the spoiler, the grille lighting, custom hood paint, and front splitter are all very specific to this model. Some of the other details are already present in most Ford models.
Interior
When it comes to interior design, the upgrades are entirely minimal. What Ford did is to fit the P-51 with a myriad of badges and plaques, including a Red ball shift knob, billet pedals, a “bomber-jacket-inspired” Amaretto Tuscany leather, and a custom gauge cluster overlay.
Price
The Roush P-51 package is priced at $42,500, excluding the cost of the Mustang GT itself, of course. There are only 51 units of the Roush being produced, so you have to get your hands early on one. For those who won’t be making the cut, you can always defer to the Shelby GT500.
