When Bentley thought its Continental GTC needed a little update, it added a new 455-kW GTC Speed model to the range. This model, inspired by legendary "Speed Models" from the 1920s, also happens to be Bentley's most powerful convertible yet. Subtle styling changes and a few technical adjustments enhance the GTC though the most appealing factor to most will likely be the addition of the GTC Speed model.
Both the standard GTC and GTC Speed models share the GTC's new front end, which has a grille that is more upright and squared off with bolder lower air intakes and chrome headlight clusters.
Although both are powered by the same 6.0-litre W12 engine, in the latter the twin-turbocharged unit produces 455 kW. Pounding torque of 750 Nm is achieved from 1 700 to 5 600 r/min.
The 0-100 km/h sprint is covered in 4.8 seconds. GTC Speed's top-speed with the top down is a cheek-deforming 312 km/h although a statelier 322 km/h is possible with the canvas roof in place.
The Speed's athleticism is reinforced by large diameter 20-inch, multi-spoke alloy wheels with Bentley-bespoke Pirelli PZero ultra-high performance tyres, an uprated suspension that is lower by 10 mm at the front and 15 mm at the back. Twin tail pipes and a new boot spoiler complete the look.
Performance figures for the standard GTC remain unchanged. Its peak power figure is 418 kW, top speed remains at 312 km/h and it sprints from a standing start to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. more detail. ...
Cape Town - Although fuel prices fall by R1.34/litre for 95 octane and R1.3/litre for 93 octane on Wednesday, the increased transport levy in certain areas, as well as the shifting of certain regions to new price zones, could cause motorists some confusion. The department of Minerals & Energy has made adjustments to the price zones into which the country is divided, and for which different transport levies are applicable.
The changes are required because the existing divisions and transport levy do not reflect the most recent forms of transport and costs, fuel company Engen announced. Read More
Aussie-turned-American auto tuner outfit RDP Performance showed their true drag racing colors when they unveiled their new Dodge Challenger at the Perfromance Racing Industry Show in Orlando last month. The twin-supercharged muscle car is the latest nine second car from the company. Read All Article
Early in December 2008 the very first official pictures of the new 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class were leaked. And now less than a month later a scanned chunk of the marketing brochure with some detailed technical information and pictures has also been leaked. Pretty much all the styling details of the E-Class can be seen; from front to the sides to the rear. The standard car is defined by its 9-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels and the chrome grille. Some styling packages like the ELEGANCE and AMG Sports Package are available to assist buyers when individualizing the look of their cars.
Contained in the German-language brochure are very intimate details of the 2010 E-Class. The car is 4.868 metres long and has a wheelbase of 2.87 metres. It comes with a range of engines with 4 and 6 cylinder models in both petrol and turbo diesel form. With the exception of the E350 4Matic models and E350 BlueTEC, all other models are BlueEfficiency equipped. Powerplants include the E200 CGI with 135kW (184hp) and 270Nm, E250 CGI with 150kW (204hp)and 310Nm, E350 CGI making 215kW (292hp)and 365Nm, and the 285kW (388hp) E500 producing 530Nm.
Diesels are pretty strong too. The E200 CDI is good for 100kW (136hp) and 360Nm, from the same engine its E220 sibling does 125kW (170hp) and 400Nm. At the top end we find an E250 CDI with 150kW (204hp) and 500Nm plus a 3.0-litre E350 CDI with BlueEfficiency makes a heady 170kW (231hp) and 540Nm of torque.
Differences extend to the interior where high quality materials are evident for both packages but ELEGANCE uses more contrast of leather with wooden materials whereas AVANTGARDE cars are fitted with aluminium to emphasize their sportier feel. An EXCLUSIVE package is also available featuring luxury materials like Nappa leather upholstery and Alcantara. The AMG Sports package comes with sports seats, a contrasting interior colour scheme and an expression of dynamic power.
Although no details of the actual E-Class AMG are in these leaked brochure scans, this particular package gives a good idea of what it might look like.
Early in December 2008 the very first official pictures of the new 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class were leaked. And now less than a month later a scanned chunk of the marketing brochure with some detailed technical information and pictures has also been leaked. via:World Car Fans
Project Kahn puts a highlight on the car with their Silver Mist wheel. The large, custom alloy measures 9.5" by 22" making it wider than the stock wheels. This is meant to give "a more sporty and aggressive feel." They also have another, darker grey tone wheel available in the same size. The original Rolls Royce center cap fits in the new wheels. The folks over at Project Kahn have just sent out some photos of their Project Kahn Rolls Royce Drophead Coupe. Shown in Black Diamond, this version of the two-door was originally introduced back in July.
If you buy the car through the tuner company, it will come new with Elm Cluster Veneer Wood paneling and dash, Rolls Royce embossed front headrests, Piano Black steering wheel spokes, iPod connector, and a polished front radiator grille.
Lambs wool rugs are also included, but only the lord almighty knows how to get them clean. Make sure you wipe off your patent leather loafers before stepping in.
These new photos show the elegance of the DHC. The model already sold by Rolls Royce is meant to completely encompass the passenger in luxury, privacy, and quiet, while the driver is able to focus on the road with no distraction.
You can buy the Project Kahn Rolls Royce Drophead Coupe for £316.000, including taxes. via:World Car Fans
Tokyo - Toyota Motor Corporation, the world's biggest automaker, is to halt production at all its Japanese plants for a total of 11 days in February and March in a bid to reduce stocks of unsold cars as demand has slumped. Toyota's sales in the United States, its biggest market, dropped 37% last month, its weakest performance in more than a quarter of a century and worse than struggling US rivals General Motors and Ford Motor.
Toyota had already announced a three-day production halt this month at its 12 directly operated Japanese plants -- four car assembly plants and eight for engines, transmissions and other components. more detail. ...
Ferrari plans to bring back its controversial 'traffic lights' pit stop system for the 2009 season. After several incidents last year, the Italian team abandoned the unique automated system following the Singapore Grand Prix, where Felipe Massa dragged the fuel hose down the pitlane. Read All Article
Honda team boss Ross Brawn has confirmed he is in talks with his former employer Ferrari about securing a customer engine supply for 2009. The Briton told La Gazzetta dello Sport that he and colleague Nick Fry are also speaking with multiple potential buyers of the Brackley-based team.
"Honda has already said it will not supply us with engines, so that's why I contacted Ferrari," said Brawn, who was the Maranello team's technical director until 2006. more detail. ...
You'd be forgiven for not knowing much about the Lancia Thesis. Or perhaps mistaking it for something like a SsangYong. The range-topping luxosedan from Fiat's quirky cousin was never sold in North America, and even in the European market has remained something of an anomaly. We had a chance to ride in one on the way to the airport after driving the Alfa MiTo in Italy and were generally impressed, but with its homely, oddball styling and less-reputed badge, it never really stood a chance against class-leaders like the Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series or Audi A6. Now, after less than seven years on the market, Fiat is reportedly set to pull the plug.
As it is, the Thesis is only made on demand, which has been relatively ( and understandably) low. Until the introduction of the Maserati Quattroporte in 2004, the Thesis was the largest and most luxurious sedan in the Fiat Group portfolio, but with dismal sales amidst difficult economic times, the Italian auto giant can no longer justify its continued production. Despite having no replacement in the pipeline, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne reportedly announced the model's discontinuation for this past year, but production is now tipped to drag out until the Spring. The Lancia Thesis may have its small cadre of fans, but by and large it's not likely to be especially missed as it rolls towards the sunset. To commemorate its passing, we've assembled the gallery below. More Photos
Want to prove that ponies like ethanol? Give Oklahoma corn farmer Brent Hajek a call. He helped get a FR500C Ford Mustang running on E85 up to 252.78 mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats is Utah back in September. The record-setting drive (well, almost. It still needs to be duplicated to make the books) handily beat the previous record of 246 mph. The Mustang used a 5.4L Ford GT block, heads and various performance parts from Ford Racing, but that sort of support was not a given. NewsOK reports that there was little enthusiasm for the Mustang record attempt until Hajek suggested using the corn-based fuel. Once the biofuel was part of the plan, they [Ford] were hooked." more detail. ...
Almost exactly a year after revealing the Provoq Concept, Cadillac is debuting the redesigned 2010 SRX wearing essentially the same suit of clothes. At that time, the Provoq was thought to be a preview of a new smaller crossover called the BRX, but Cadillac informed us last summer that the "BRX" was actually the all-new SRX. We'll be seeing the new SRX in production form at the Detroit Auto Show, and while automakers often throw the term "all-new" around, in this case it really seems to apply. There is almost nothing carried over to this version of the SRX compared to the old one, although many of the greasy bits are shared with other GM vehicles.
biggest difference going from the Provoq concept to the production SRX is the powertrain. The Provoq used a Volt based E-Flex powertrain with a fuel cell range extender. The SRX is a far more conventional though fully modern luxury crossover. more detail. ...
The British marque is riding the crest of the wave ever since it introduced the Ian Callum-designed XF in 2007. Said to be carrying a 5.0-litre direct injection engine instead of the old trusty 4.2 V8, the XF-R could run about 500hp/ 378kW under its hood. Jaguar is putting more heat on the Teutons with a confirmed XF-R, spied here in blazing red. Seen clearly are 20-inch wheels, a small rear spoiler, chrome-tipped quad exhaust pipes and air intakes on the bonnet. According to sources at Jaguar, the XF-R is as close to launch as May 2009. Some media speculation says the XF-R will be on public display at the upcoming 2009 Detroit Motor Show.
Another rumour says an even more potent XF-R R will pose a 600hp/ 447kW threat to the likes of Mercedes E 63 AMG, BMW M5, Cadillac CTS-V and Audi RS 6. via:World Car Fans
New Zealand is not exactly a hotspot for concept vehicles, yet we are now receiving pictures of this pretty three-wheeler / tricyle from down kiwi land. Combining the compactness of a motorbike and some of the practicality of a car, the Hodge Hawk addresses some current as well as future human mobility needs. Read All Article
Hummer's troubled present and uncertain future are no impediment to tuners hell-bent on creating the most insane vehicles possible, and this blown V8 Hummer H3 is a prime example. Today the Germans at Geiger Cars, already known for some outlandish Hummer creations, have unleashed the H3 V8 Kompressor on an unsuspecting world. Appearance modifications are reminiscent of last year's H3 GT, featuring a full body kit and a rear spare delete to offer a cleaner profile. Inside ample use of carbon fiber trim makes light of the H3's porky poundage while also offering a pleasing aesthetic.
Perhaps the lust for excitement then is what motivated Geiger's decision to drop in a supercharged 5.3L V8 generating 423hp (316kW) and 502lb-ft (680Nm) of torque. The power upgrade is enough to sling the diminutive behemoth to 60mph (96km/h) in 7 seconds from a standing start, and carry it on to a homicidal top speed of 148mph (238km/h). To get the beast back down to safer speeds safely, Geiger does equip the H3 V8 with a set of six-piston 380x35mm disc brakes. A suspension package improves handling at speed, and 22x10in wheels shod in 305/40 Continental Cross Contact tires offer lots of grip.
Though many might decry this modification as a completely counter-productive neutering of what is in reality a decent off-road SUV, it may actually be a more honest interpretation of its actual usage: as a 'look at me' attention-demanding street vehicle for ferrying kids and grabbing groceries in obscene, over-the-top style.
The 'baby Hummer' is just a shade under 4,700lbs (2,131kg) in stock form, its 3.7L five-cylinder delivering yawn-inspiring performance with just 239hp (178kW) and 241lb-ft (327Nm) of torque on tap, though it ekes out a 14/18mpg city/highway rating. Even the stock 5.3L V8 makes just 300hp (224kW) and 320lb-ft (434Nm) of torque despite its displacement, and though it's certainly more up to the task of promptly getting the H3 to speed, it takes a hit in the efficiency department, dropping to 13/16mpg city/highway thanks in part to its 5,069lb (2,299kg) weight. Source:motorauthority
Close your eyes and imagine opening a deserted garage door, only to find a forgotten four-wheeled treasure sitting there in perfect condition. What would it be? We have a feeling we'll get all sorts of answers in the comments section, but for many enthusiasts, the answer would be, without hesitation, the Bugatti Type 57S Atalante. And that's exactly what the children of the late (and appropriately named) Dr. Harold Carr found in their father's garage. Read All Article
The new 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 delivers 540hp from a massaged version of the 5.4 liter supercharged engine we have come to love. Ford says the new GT-500 offers the most power and refinement ever for a Ford SVT-tuned performance Mustang – and a few surprises, too.
“The 2010 Shelby GT500 demonstrates Ford’s continuing commitment to high-performance vehicles,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “In addition to the numerous performance and refinement improvements inside and out, the 2010 Shelby GT500 is an estimated 2 miles per gallon more fuel efficient on the highway.” more detail. ...
The thought that the Eliica pulls off like a pregnant snail because of its size would be a gross underestimation. Considering that each of the 8 wheels contains an electric motor that produces 60kW (80hp), you begin to understand how the Eliica is capable of 0 - 60mph time of under 4 seconds, a top speed of 250mph (402km/h) and a range of 200 miles (321 km). However, no details on its cornering ability were forthcoming. Could one say an eight-wheel car is twice the car any normal one is? A team of Japanese engineers seems to think so. Dr.
Hiroshi Shimizu and his team have built this monster of a four-door called Eliica which runs on lithium-ion batteries.
Shimizu-san initially developed the car in 2003. Two examples of the four-seater Eliica currently exist as the team attempts to get sponsorship to build more.
That may happen as the Japanese government's interest in electric vehicles grows. If and when that happens, 200 units will be made for a price of around USD $255,000. via:World Car Fans
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