Daily Archives: July 15, 2018
Tesla Reveals Model 3 Performance Prices, Specs
Tesla just unveiled new details about the performance variant of the Tesla Model 3. Tweets from both Tesla CEO Elon Musk and the company itself claimed that the fastest version of the compact sedan will offer BMW M3-beating speed and handling.
According to Musk, the Model 3 Performance will be “15% quicker & with better handling” than BMW’s M3. It boasts that it can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds and it has a top speed of 155 mph. The boldest claim from Tesla? The new Model 3 Performance will “beat anything in its class on the track.”
The company has not released the official power output for the car yet, but the Model 3 will use a dual motor setup—one powering each axle and running individually from the other. This means that if the other motor breaks, the car would still be drivable, thanks to the other motor.
The claimed range is 310 miles, but it will be possible to have 170 miles more in 30 minutes, thanks to Tesla’s Superchargers. Model S owners will get that for free, but Model 3 drivers would have to pay for that service.
On the outside, the Model 3 Performance will get the larger set of 20-inch wheels and they will house upgraded brakes. There’s also a carbon fiber lip spoiler that will improve the car’s rear downforce, but no official figures have been released yet.
Inside, the Model 3 Performance has a single 15-inch touchscreen that features live traffic updates and over-the-air updates. The seats are heated and they are trimmed in black and white leather. A panoramic glass roof will also come as standard.
The Model 3 Performance will have a starting price of $78,000, excluding the Autopilot system. production of the Model 3s will begin in 2019.
Lamborghini Recalls The Aventador, Veneno, Centenario
You’d think that if you paid millions of dollars for a sports car, it won’t bring you any problem? Well, that’s not the case with luxury carmaker Lamborghini as it issues a recall to about 1,700 Aventador coupes and roadsters. There should be also a recall for the handful of Veneno and Centenario, special variations of the Aventador, owners in the United States.
The Italian automaker has discovered a gearbox issue that could lead to an engine stall. The seven-speed transmission gearbox in the Aventador could automatically downshift while the engine is already at a low point in the rev range. As a result, an engine stall could not happen and this is not a safe situation if the car is still moving, of course.
The recall will affect all 1,700 models of Aventador sold in the United States between 2012 and 2018. Yes, even newly-bought ones this year would have to be recalled because the safety issue affects all Aventador models.
There are only a handful of Veneno and Centenario owners in the United States but we can only imagine how the recall would affect the ultra rich. This is actually the second time that such a notice would be sent to this handful of owners. There was already a past issue involving a label displaying incorrect gross vehicle weight rating and it had to be rectified. But that issue is trivial compared to this one. The only thing Lamborghini had to do back then was to replace a wrong label with the right one.
The Italian automaker, however, is making us believe this one is an easy fix, too. Apparently, all Lamborghini owners have to do is bring their Aventador and its spinoffs to their local dealer to have the engine management software updated. After that, there won’t be any problems with the powerful 6.5-liter V12 engine anymore.
More Standard Equipment Added To The 2019 Dodge Durango
Dodge wants the elderly Durango to continue being relevant in this age of crossover SUVs and luxury pickup trucks. For the 2019 model year, the company decided to fit the Durango with a slew of new standard features. It didn’t have to be much because the Durango has a strong and loyal following.
For the exterior, the Dodge Durango can be equipped with new wheels and there are a total of 11 colors you can choose from, including three all-new finishes—Destroyer Gray, F8 Green, and Reactor Blue.
Entry-Level Durango SXT
The entry-level Durango SXT now has an option for leather upholstery, and coming standard for the cabin is the Uconnect 4 infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen. It comes also with Keyless Enter ‘n Go, push-button start and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Durango GT
The Durango GT got an all-new front end similar to the likes of the R/T and the SRT. The GT model is also getting LED running lights, the looks of the performance models, and the optional hood with air intake and hot air extractors. It is equipped with the same V6 engine found in the SXT. It can produce 295 horses.
Durango Citadel
There’s more standard equipment for the Durango Citadel such as the second-row captain chairs and the option for the 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and a V8 engine that can produce 360 horses and 390 pound-feet of torque. Standard to the Citadel, though, is the V6 engine.
Durango Sporty R/T And SRT
Durango’s top-of-the-line R/T and SRT got their new equipment, too. The SRT has optional red seat belts, high-performance Brembo brakes with two-piece rotors, and 825-watt, 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. More personalization options include 20-inch wheels in Matte Vapor or Brass Monkey finish.
The SRT is the quickest three-row SUV out there. It has a 6.4-liter V8 engine that produces 475 horsepower and can go 0 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.
Bentley Commemorates Founder With Mulsanne W.O. Edition By Mulliner
This will be a year of celebration for Bentley as it commemorates the 100th year since the company’s conception. The celebration started on July 10 and will last throughout the year. The event will be highlighted by the coming of the Mulsanne W.O. Edition by Mulliner, which will be limited to only 100 units around the world.
The sedan, which will be available in standard, long wheelbase, and Speed versions, celebrates Bentley founder Walter Owen Bentley and his 1930 8 Litre, the founder’s personal car. The 8 Litre was the last vehicle Bentley designed for the luxury automaker and the second example off the production line. The classic car wore a coach-built body from Henry Jervis Mulliner & Co., the same company that personalizes Bentley cars until this very day.
Walter Owen was not able to enjoy the fruits of his labor and the “ultimate expression of automotive engineering” because financial troubles forced him to sell the company in 1931. In 2006, Bentley bought the 8 Litre and immediately gone through the process of restoration. This means replacing the crankshaft, which is the central feature of the Mulsanne W.O. Edition.
What happened to the old crankshaft? Bentley cut it into 100 pieces and each will be placed inside a custom, illuminated cocktail cabinet that’s located in the rear quarters of the 100 special Mulsanne units. The glass display will be framed by four different kinds of wood and aluminum that create a marquetry scene.
The special edition will also get Heritage Hides in Fireglow with Beluga details and stitching, Dark Stain Burr Walnute veneers, and Fireglow lambswool carpets. The exterior is painted in onyx and features a chrome hood strip, optional chrome grille and surround, and discrete special edition badging. There will also be Beluga Back wheels.
The best thing about owning this car, aside from it being a special edition, is that customers can have their W.O. Edition Mulsannes customized.
The Mulsanne W.O. Edition by Mulliner will be unveiled at the Monterey Car Week in August.
