Category Archives: Cars
BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT by IMPERIUM
A Scottish tuner named Imperium has unveiled their latest one-off tuning package for the Bentley Continental GT.
Commissioned by a British entrepreneur, the vehicle has modified bumpers, revised side skirts, a boot lip spoiler and an aggressive carbon fiber rear diffuser.
Additionally, the car is equipped with forged alloy wheels which were specifically designed for the client.
The tuner installed a lowered sport suspension, beefier brakes, an optimized ECU and a new exhaust which has been individually tailored to produce the exact “noise and depth of sound” desired by the customer.
The Imperium Bentley Continental GT is treated to a traditionally crafted interior refinement package using the client’s individual choice of leathers, carbon fiber, wood trim, ultra suede or classic black piano finishes.
No pricing is available, as each of Imperium’s projects are completely unique and catered towards a customer’s preferences.
BMW UNVEILS i3 & i8 CONCEPT VEHICLES
BMW has given out the first details and images of its i3 and i8 models before the concepts are shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
One of the most notable features of the new design is a bodywork largely made of carbon fibre, described by BMW as a “revolution in automotive design.”
The new material, which has never been used for a car body on a volume-production scale before, offers a weight reduction of between 250 and 350 kilograms, which should considerably lengthen the range and speed of the electric vehicles.
The i3′s concept city car design currently offers a range of approximately 150 kilometers using a 125 kW electric motor, said BMW, with four seats and a 200-liter luggage compartment.
Thanks to a weight of 1,250 kilograms, it can manage 0-100km/h in less than eight seconds, and the charging time is also pretty nippy, with an 80 percent charge in around an hour using a high speed charger.
The larger i8 isn’t a fully electric vehicle but a plug-in hybrid, managing a consumption of under 3l/100km with a drive system that outputs 260 kW.
Designed as a luxury sports car, it offers a top speed of 250 km/h and a 0-100km/h time of under five seconds, although at a more temperate speed the i8 will run for up to 35 kilometers on all electric drive before the hybrid system kicks in.
It’s expected that both of the cars will be on show at the Frankfurt International Auto Show, which runs September 15-25 in Germany.
WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE CAR WASH
The uber-rich have spent loads on getting the exotic spa treatments, but sending their vehicles to spa treatments seem to be the latest new craze of auto lovers for their expensive cars. Known as ‘Auto Spa’, this treatment uses the latest in nano-technology, and a host of other process to give the expensive cars a special look, and takes a week to finish from start to end. Also unique feature of the treatment is that no bare human finger ever touches the body of the car to ensure the desired effect. Oh, and did I mention it goes for $10,000??
Though a lot of mystery still surrounds this process, but a few investigations with the company, have revealed the use of nanotechnology, and application of water, temperature and pressure amongst others. To ensure the greatest detailing, the treatment uses special microscopic cleaners which removes dirt not visible to the eye, and the result as many say, is the car getting a new look altogether. For the interior styling, the upholstery is cleaned 3 times and then allowed to breathe for a day before being given a natural oil rub down for the extra sheen and finishing. As per experts, the general water cleaning in homes and garages leave behind holograms, or patches of swell marks which affect the overall look of the car, but this treatment ensures that doesn’t happen by not even allowing a bare human finger to the touch the car!
Currently, this exclusive treatment is meant for luxury vehicles like Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Maseratis, Lamborghini and Jaguars, and a majority of the customers are British nationals who have shifted base to the gulf country of Dubai. The reason being Dubai is the host of the Monza Ultimate Detailing and Protection Company, which renders this treatment. For those who have the cash to spend on their exclusive automotive masterpieces, Monza stands as a prominent destination to land up for availing the luxury pampering. With the quality on offer, there seems to be no dearth of people lining up at the gates of the Monza company.
MERCEDES-BENZ BRABUS 800-ECLASS [WORLD'S FASTEST 4-SEAT CONVERTIBLE]
Based on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible, biturbo 6.3-liter V12 engine with 788 hp and 811 lb-ft of torque. Top speed of 231 mph, which makes it the fastest four-seat convertible in the world. $681,200
2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C63 AMG COUPE
In a few weeks Mercedes-Benz will be introducing one of it’s most anticipated coup roadsters in years, the C-class 63 AMG Black series. Officially Mercedes has kept quite mum about the specifications and has not released any press photos but that hasn’t stopped the “gearhead” communities online from fantasizing about it virally, if you look close enough you may even be able to find a few spy photos of the impressive German machine. The C63 AMG will be the fourth vehicle to make it’s way into the Black Series of the Mercedes line and is due to replace another member of the series, the CLK 63 AMG.
The bolts and nuts rumors are the the car will feature a 6.2 litre naturally aspirated V8 engine which translates to 510 ponies under the hood – not bad for a stock configuration. Right out of the gate you’ll be able to hit 100kph in less than 4 seconds and top out at just under 250kph. The car won’t be a limited edition unlike other Mercedes-Benz offering so if you meet the asking price, chances are the car will be yours for approximately $150,000 in the US market. The specifications of the car and it’s price point set it up nicely to rival the BMW M3 GTS. If you’re in a hurry to get the car you’ll have to make the trip to Germany, otherwise keep an eye out for an early 2012 release.
1925 BUGATTI TYPE 35B, THE MOST “BEAUTIFUL” RACING CAR
Bugatti, which is known as a symbol of European car manufacturing, especially racing cars, has introduced one innovative and iconic design after the other, such as the Porcelain Bugatti which we covered recently. This time, a rare 1925 Type 35 racing car went under the hammer for $692,789 at the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed, which had modern-day greats like Lewis Hamilton in attendance.
This vehicle has a history of laurels, especially after competing in significant races such as the Indianapolis race in 1936 and the American National Championship in 1938. Jack Perkins, who was a known Bugatti enthusiast through his life, discovered the vehicle in 1950 in an unstable condition. Looking to bring back the original sheen of the car in its 1932 version, he decided to purchase the car and through the years, replaced and redesigned its parts to bring back the vehicle’s former glory. After re-engineering the parts, he raced the car till 1988, getting the car significant notice along the way, after which his health declined and his untimely death in 1992. After ‘92 his widow took the onus of upkeep of the car, and put it on display at the Haynes Motor Museum until its sale this year to an unnamed buyer, through an auction by the famous Bonham’s Auction house. However, the other known instance for an enthusiast developing affection for his Bugatti was shown with the presence of the car in his bedroom!
Speaking of the vehicle’s engine, it had significant technological advancements especially after comparison with other racing cars of that time. It was equipped with a straight 8, 1991cc engine with five roller/ball bearings for improved lubrication in the engine. Though the chassis was comparatively more conventional, the advanced engine fitted in it brought about good results as other components like the leaf springs at the front wheels and the quarter ecliptics at the back added to the resultant easier and firmer control of the car. Other technological features included a hollow front axle and the use of allow wheels, which was a rarity in those ages.
BUGATTI VEYRON GRAND SPORT L’OR BLANC
Bugatti in collaboration with Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur has released a unique version of Bugatti Veyron – Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport L’Or Blanc.
The ‘L’Or Blanc’ was unveiled on Thursday in Berlin, German. It’s the world’s first vehicle with porcelain elements in exterior and interior design.
Porcelain is used in seven locations on the L’Or Blanc, including the wheel centers, fuel and oil filler caps, and the large “EB” badge on the back.
Five places inside the cabin are rendered in porcelain as well: the center-console surround; signed trim plates on each side of the center console; the removable, diamond-polished dish atop the center console; and a relief between the seatbacks depicting an elephant standing on its hind legs.
According to Bugatti, that elephant was the inspiration for the partnership between Bugatti and KPM.
This gorgeous, elaborately hand-painted blue-and-white Bugatti is still available for purchase for €1.65 million ($2.4 million USD).
“LE MANS” SPECIAL EDITION AUDI R8 V8
Audi has announced a special edition of its R8 V8 vehicle, created in honor of the brand’s tenth victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans racewhich took place June 11-12.
Drivers André Lotterer, Marcel Fassler and Benoît Treluyer took Audi to victory with an R8 at the gruelling endurance race, edging in ahead of a Peugeot 908.
It’s the second year that Audi has beaten Peugeot to first place in the race, although the French automaker managed to take third, fourth and fifth places.
The new model, reserved solely for British fans of the Audi brand, will have a limited-edition run of just 100 models and will be priced from £93,935 (€104,840).
Performance specification remain unchanged from the R8 V8, which offers 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 300 km/h.
It will be easily distinguishable on the road thanks to GT-inspired 19-inch alloy wheels, featuring red brake callipers reminiscent again of the Le Mans-winning model.
It will be available in a Titanium Metallic paint finish while interiors have been finished by crimson red accents to the nappa leather seats, along with a leather-functioned steering wheel and red leather knee pads and passenger door handles.
The Limited Edition model includes several equipment upgrades, including a satellite navigation, integrated seatbelt microphones with Bluetooth interface for making mobile phone calls and a Bang & Olufsen sound system.
The Audi R8 V8 Limited Edition will be available in coupé form only. Order books will open in July, with the first models expected to hit the roads in October 2011.
THE MOST EXPENSIVE MERCEDES-BENZ
A rare 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K goes under the hammer, the 3-point star has symbolized excellence in automobile engineering for well over a century, and most of the cars they made have been imprinted in automobile history as icons. One such iconic car is the 1937 Mercedes Benz 540K, which is set to go on auction this year in August, and is slated to become the most expensive Mercedes Benz ever sold at an auction.
Built as a car for the select few, only 406 pieces of the 540K was ever produced during its production cycle between 1936-39. With time, most of the them have ceased to exist, and this particular piece might be one of the only three said to be in existence today. This automotive marvel was endowed with an 8-cylinder engine that had a displacement of 180 horsepower, a 4-speed manual transmission and a 4-wheel suspension. The car could go from 0-100 kmph in 16.4 seconds, and the top speed was 105 miles per hour. A look at the chassis told that the car would be heavy (5720 lb), but its design never let speed ever become a problem.
This car also has a passed through a legacy of well-known owners. It was first shipped to Argentina, from where it went to places like Germany and Australia and the US, where it underwent a number of changes of hands. Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone had bought a 540K in 2007 for $8.25 million, hence this one is stated to fetch an even higher price, and perhaps a world record creating one, if speculators’ observations are to be believed.
THE NEW BMW M5
BMW has officially unveiled its new M5, the fifth generation of its popular performance sports saloon.
Sporting a newly-developed high-performance M-series engine, the M5 has been eagerly awaited since a pre-production model appeared earlier this year.
The high-revving 4.4-liter engine has “typical M car thrust,” says BMW, with a power rating of 412kW (552hp) from the twin-turbo V8 engine.
It will manage 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds and 0-200km/h in 13 seconds, with an electronically-limited top speed of 305km/h on the high end M Driver’s Package, using a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The chassis has also been optimised for performance, with variables altered using two new M Drive buttons on the steering wheel, which provide easy access to presets for functions such as the M Servotronic (steering) responses, Drivelogic shift program, DSC (stability control) mode, Dynamic Damper Control and information in the head-up display.
Although car blog Jalopnik points out that the M5 packs slightly less power than the Cadillac CTS-V, the M5 has generally been well received, with a fairly positive reception from both Autocar and Autoblog.
The German automaker will be hoping the reaction from fans at the official launch at next week’s M Festival (June 23-26) in Germany, will be just as good.
