The German tuning studio G Power specialising on operational development of cars of mark BMW, has created the fastest version of coupe M6. According to the studio data, the maximum speed of a sport car makes over 370 km/h. G-Power M6 Hurricane CS is completed by the same 10-cylinder engine V10 SK III RS with double forced aspiration, as M5 Hurricane CS.Let's remind that the last was possible
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Again there was an information that concern BMW will officially present in September on a motor show in Frankfurt the distressful budgetary roadster Z2.In spite of the fact that we have till now only the most general data on this car, there are bases to believe that it will be based on the same platform, as following generation of the first series. Constructed with use of last achievements in the
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Our favorite cool car at the moment has to be the Morgan Aero Supersports. An old-school 4 wheeler with an aircraft-quality aluminum body is the car to be driving.Designed to celebrate Morgan’s 100th birthday, the new Aero SuperSport is based on the company’s Eight GT3 and packs a BMW-sourced 4.8-liter V8 engine.Although the British supercar is focused on amazing performance, the stylish interior
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Students of MGTU "MAMI" within the limits of the curriculum have executed projects of the truck crane for known Russian mark "Ivanovec". The task has been given pupils of the fourth year of chair "Design". We represent you the most interesting projects.First of all it is necessary to notice that before students there was a problem only to modernise present crane KS-8973 and not to bring changes
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Crisis has generated total mania of small economic machines in brains of journalists, if to trust the press now practically each brand prepares compact unless Bentley yet don't touch. Company Audi which marry off micromobile E1 became the next victim of a mass journalistic psychosis.Ostensibly in its basis- the platform from Volkswagen Up should lay down, on which there will be a ten-other
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The new generation of revived model Fiat Uno will be such. Appearance of the car which now takes place tests definition on Brazilian roads, and reminds while a design far from a final stage, has been developed by George Fernadezem. On creation of shape revived Uno the designer was inspired by appearance of one more legend: Fiat 500.Fiat Uno 2011 modelling years (now car working out takes place
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While all automobile public watched victorious debut Porsche Panamera, the German motor-car manufacturer has had time to roll out on test lines the camouflaged version high-speed Boxster, known under name Porsche Boxster Speedster.That fact that on espionage photos is shown Speedster, confirms design of the car and characteristic for given versions Boxster the reduced windshield, narrower lateral
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It's been 28 months since we watched Bob Lutz drive onto the stage at Cobo Hall in Detroit and step out of the Chevrolet Volt concept. In the intervening period, a corporate drama of epic proportions has transpired as Lutz has gone into semi-retirement, Rick Wagoner has been ousted as CEO and the U.S. government and the UAW are about to take a 90% ownership stake in General Motors.
In the midst of this corporate chaos, a dedicated group of hundreds of engineers, scientists, designers, technicians and drivers have tried to keep their heads down and out of the line of fire as they worked to make the Volt a production reality. From the time we first saw the original concept, GM has selected a battery supplier (LG Chem), defined the final powertrain configuration and released the production design, among countless other tasks. After more than a year of pestering GM, the call finally came to get behind the wheel of a Volt prototype.
We arrived at the design building on GM's tech center campus in the middle of a torrential downpour where we were escorted to the executive garage. There we found two of the 30+ second-generation Volt mules that are running around in Warren, Milford and other locations undergoing testing and development. Like their four-legged namesakes, mules are a cross-breed of different vehicles, and because of the lead times and testing required to bring a mass production vehicle to market, development is done in parallel on multiple paths. Automakers build these prototypes by taking an existing vehicle and adapting new components to road test the systems before the complete vehicle is ready for production.
For the Volt program, the first-generation powertrain mules were built using previous-generation Malibu body shells with the Voltec (E-Flex) powertrain -- the so-called Mali-Volts we first saw about a year ago. Those vehicles originally ran in late 2007, with the engine-generator and electric motor as well as a small hybrid battery to start development of the powertrain control system. Later, the full Volt T-shaped battery pack was installed and in 2008, the second-generation mules were built using the body of the new Chevy Cruze. Unlike the larger mid-size Malibu, the Cruze is based on the same Delta global compact platform as GM's plug-in savior, which is closer in size and weight to the Volt and was used throughout winter testing in 2008-2009.
Volt Vehicle Line Executive Tony Posawatz rode with us in the Cruze-Volt and discussed the current state of development. The prototype we drove had a powertrain that was about 80% representative of the final specification, and while the full powertrain was in place, including the 1.4-liter four-cylinder range extender, our time was spent in EV mode only.
Since the Cruze is close to the Volt, packaging the powertrain was less of a challenger than it would have been on a completely different platform. These cars were built up from early Korean-market Cruzes (hence the different grille) and are remarkably well finished. Setting aside the Volt powertrain for a moment, the Cruze seems like it will be an excellent competitor in the compact sedan segment. The interior is attractive and well laid out, and it's exceptionaly quiet inside.
In the garage, the cars were already running, sitting silently with the gear selector in park -- one of the wonderful things about electric drive -- and even though the Volt, like most other EVs, uses a single-speed reduction gear transmission, the shifter is still there to enable park, reverse, neutral and drive. The mules use the stock Cruze instrument cluster, but since the wiring harness was modified, some of the warning lights remained lit throughout our drive. Once we adjusted the seats and mirrors, and verified the warning lights weren't a problem, we moved the shifter into drive and "motored" off.
Out in the rain, we had to crank up the window defogger which, like all other accessory systems in the car, was electrical. Even though electric cars are considered to be quiet, older examples tended to produce whine from the drive motors (see: Dodge Circuit). GM and others have addressed this issue, and to our surprise there was no audible squeal inside the prototype.
The electrically-assisted steering has a nice heft that should make the production version an entertaining steer, although we couldn't judge it extensively on our wet "route" which consisted of two-mile laps on the tech center campus. The braking hardware, based on the system found in GM's two-mode hybrid SUVs, has a similarly firm and communicative pedal feel with no noticeable transitions between regenerative and friction braking. There were a few of minor glitches when we hit a major bump in the pavement while braking, but these will undoubtedly get sorted out as the final calibrations are completed over the course of the next year.
Power delivery is seamless and when the time comes to slow, lifting your foot off the accelerator yields a small amount of regen braking to simulate the coast-down on a conventional vehicle. The transmission shift lever also has a low gear position that induces more aggressive lift-off regen, about 0.25-0.30 g of deceleration -- equivalent to the braking most drivers regularly perform. When driving in stop-and-go traffic drivers could select L and just drive with one pedal much of the time, maximizing regenerative braking and range. According to Posawatz, future generations of electrically-driven vehicles could offer drivers different braking options, allowing them to select the amount of regen they want, but this won't be available on the first run of Volts.
Overall, the electric drive system in the mules performed as advertised and GM appears to be well on its way to meeting a November 2010 Job 1 date. We drove about ten miles in the rain on electrical energy only with plenty of accessories running and no significant problems. However, it's obvious there's a great deal of work to be done between now and the latter half of 2010. Right around May 27, GM will start final assembly of the Integration Vehicle Engineering Release (IVER) prototypes of the Volt; the final prototype stage where the production body work will be joined with nearly all the production-tooled compenents. These vehicles are used for final calibration and validation of all systems.
The bodies-in-white for the 75 IVER prototypes have largely been completed and once these vehicles are built, the engineers will start the final push toward finishing the first-generation Volt. Posawatz promised to have us back for another drive to sample the range-extender in action. Let's just hope that the Volt doesn't become a victim of the financial apocalypse currently afflicting General Motors.
[Source: Autoblog]
According to MotoringFile, internet keepers of all things MINI, BMW's cutest brand plans to launch a new Special Edition Cooper to coincide with the first Formula 1 racing car ever created by legendary British racer and company namesake John Cooper. To stand out from the rest of the already crowded MINI pack, the Special Edition F1 Cooper will be painted up in a new non-metallic British Racing Green, which will be offset by black hood stripes plus a contrasting white roof and mirror caps. The factory JCW aerokit will also be fitted along with a slew of F1 badges.
Underneath the car's pretty exterior will be the stock powertrain from the MINI Cooper S JCW, including the 1.6-liter turbocharged and intercooled four-cylinder engine with 208 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. Expect the new edition to make an appearance at the MINI United event on May 22nd in Silverstone, England.
[Source: MotoringFile]
According to a report by Bloomberg citing the usual unnamed sources, President Obama will announce tomorrow that Chrysler will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy while continuing to work on its alliance with Fiat.
Bloomberg's source made it clear that the there are still several loose ends and the plan "is not finished yet," but it will likely involve Chrysler's strongest assets being bundled and sold to a new entity. In that scenario, Fiat would become a 20% owner of the Auburn Hills-based automaker, the UAW retiree health-care trust would take a 55% percent stake and the government would gobble up the rest. Essentially, it's the same out-of-court deal initially proposed, but now, with all the benefits (and hurdles) of bankruptcy protection.
No surprise then that Fiat's CEO, Sergio Marchionne, was right in his assessment (see below), nor is it a shocker to anyone that's been following Chrysler's trials and tribulations over the last week and beyond.
[Source: Bloomberg]
The Ford Fusion Hybrid we talked about yesterday, the one that had as of our last report cleared 1,000 miles on its hypermiling publicity stunt, has finally reached the end of the road its fuel supply. The final number: 1,445 miles on a single tank of gas.
For the high-mileage odyssey, the Fusion hybrid was pushed to an average of 81.5 mpg. Even considering that hypermiling techniques were employed to reach these numbers, we're quite impressed, as the event took place on city streets and public freeways, not on a closed course. Better still, the entire 69-hour event raised $8,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. You can read the details of how the driving teams managed the 80 mpg in the official press release after the jump – and no, they didn't find a thousand-mile downhill road.
[Source: Ford]
Check out this cool guitar car. As a petrol head and guitar lover, this is right up my street! Hope you like it!In 2004 Ray purchased a 1968 Ford station wagon in Santa Cruz, CA. He drove the car to San Jose where he parked it on the street and started sawing off the body. Finally there was nothing left except the chassis.Ray started designing and building the guitar body. The guitar was hand
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Ferrari has released more detailed information on the Ferrari 599XX, the extreme track car that is helping the legendary supercar maker develop new technology for future road-going supercars. First seen at this year’s Geneva International Motor Show, a limited number of 599XXs will be available for sale to Ferrari’s most valued customers, but Ferrari will prepare and run the cars on behalf of their owners, enabling them to drive them at special events at Ferrari’s own Fiorano test track and at leading race tracks in Europe and the USA. Data gathered from these track days will be used to further enhance and develop technology for future frontline Ferrari models.
This includes reducing internal friction in the engine, faster gearbox operation, aerodynamics that automatically adjust depending on whether the car is cornering or going in a straight line, as well being speed dependent, and a new high speed adjustable chassis. New weight saving ideas are used throughout the car, including carbon fibre brake calipers.
While based on the 599 GTB Fiorano with the same transaxle layout and engine type, this prototype is an extreme track car. Ferrari’s engineers have carried out extensive work on the engine’s combustion chambers and inlet and exhaust tracts. These modifications, combined with the fact that internal friction has been reduced and the maximum revs have been boosted to 9000rpm, helped achieve the target power output of 515kW at 9000rpm.
Particular attention was also paid to cutting the weight of the engine unit components. This was achieved both by optimizing forms - as in the new crankshaft - and adopting exclusive materials, as in the carbon-fibre used for the intake plenums. A new gearbox shift strategy cuts overall gear change times to 60 milliseconds. The chassis of the 599XX uses an innovative electronic model called the “High Performance Dynamic Concept” which has been designed to get the maximum performance from the car by managing the combination of the car’s mechanical limits with the potential of its electronic controls. The mechanical and electronic systems work together to get the maximum performance from the car under extreme high performance driving, for consistent lap times. The aggressive handling has been improved thanks to the adoption of second generation SCM suspension system.
Track usage is also made easier thanks to the new “virtual car engineer”, a screen in the car that provides a real-time indication of the vehicle’s track performance. The 599XX’s aerodynamics were honed in numerous wind tunnel test sessions with the result that the car now boasts 280kg of downforce at 200km/h and 630kg at 300km/h. The front underside of the body is completely faired-in and the vents that channel hot air from the engine bay have been moved to the bonnet.
The 599XX comes with slick tyres (29/67 R19 Front and 31/71 R19 Rear) specifically developed to maximize stability in cornering and increase lateral acceleration. They are fitted to 19 x 11J wheel rims at the front and 19 x 12J at the rear.
© Source: caradvice
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Mini's new Crossover 4x4 is undergoing final testing ahead of launch in late summer 2010 – and BMW is plotting two different bodystyles, CAR has learned. As well as this practical estate, a new sportier concept is under development. Think a Mini version of the X6 and you won't be a million miles away.
The revelation means that the John Cooper Works badge is almost certainly bound for the production iteration of the Crossover. Sources have told CAR that the Crossover's four-wheel drive system and the availability of BMW's high-power engines meant a hot JCW version is inevitable. Sportiness is a central part of the Mini appeal, after all.
© Source: carmagazine
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These will most likely be the last spy photos we see of the Saab 9-5 in prototype form as it prepares for its first public appearance later this year. The prototype captured here on the Nurburgring wears a substantial amount of camouflage although the production version is unlikely to waiver from typical Saab styling.
These images also reveal the much shallower rear roofline, giving the new 9-5 a more coupe-like silhouette - with the car taking many of its styling cues from the 9-4X BioPower concept. The new 9-5 is likely to gain some extra weight, with a greater length and height than the current model as well as a longer wheelbase, making it a closer competitor to models such as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Cadillac STS and Volvo S80.
The prototype in these images uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine making 160kW, while a 2.8-litre V6 will be available in the European market with the US getting an even bigger 3.6-litre V6.
Saab 9-5 diesel model is also a given along with a hybrid model, with its first public unveiling scheduled for the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
© Source: caradvice
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(from Ferrari Press Release)2009 Ferrari California is an exceptionally innovative car whose philosophy takes its inspiration from the spirit and emotions of one of the great Ferraris of the past, the 1957 250 California, a superbly elegant open top car designed for the track, which has, over the years, come to symbolise not only superior sportiness and performance but also exclusivity, craftsmanship and faultless sophistication.
This new car joins Ferrari's 8-cylinder range which is made up mostly of very high performance models. It also flanks the 12-cylinder flagship 612 Scaglietti in the Grand Tourer category. The Ferrari California is a car with the track in its DNA. It is enormously innovative and will more than fulfi l the expectations of even our most discerning clients, offering breathtaking driving pleasure and fun behind the wheel as well as extreme versatility of use and in-car comfort. It is available exclusively as a convertible with retractable folding hard top in either a two-seater version with a traditional rear bench or in the 2+ version which sees the rear bench equipped with seating for one to two passengers.
In line with Ferrari tradition, this model positively brims with innovative features. In addition to its retractable hard top and the aforementioned original 2+ concept, the new Prancing Horse car also offers: a new direct injection V8 engine, a 7-speed gearbox with steering wheel-mounted F1-style paddles coupled with a new dual clutch, a new suspension system (double wishbones at the front and multilink at the rear), the new evolved F1-Trac traction control system and Brembo brakes with CCM (carbon ceramic material) discs as standard (this latter feature is shared by the other models in the current range).
© Source: seriouswheels
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1104 horsepower Zenvo ST1 is Denmark's first domestically produced supercar. A publication there, Bil Magasinet, has posted video of their test drive with the beautiful machine that can cross Denmark in under 20 minutes. Before we tell you about the video, we'd like to remind you of this car's amazing specs. Using a rear-mounted turbo- and super-charged 7.0-liter V8, Zenvo's engineers brought this car up over 1100 hp while producing an amazing 1430 Nm at around 4500 rpm. In just three seconds, you can bring the car from a standstill to 100 km/h. Figure out a way around the electronic limiter, set for 375 km/h (233 mph), and we're pretty sure you can avoid arrest on almost any highway in the world.
Of course, no car built in icy Scandanavia should be without limited slip differential. This car is no different, featuring a hydraulically-powered LSD. The driver takes control of the machine with a six-speed manual gearbox. The test driver's "woo-hoo" at about a minute into the video says all that you can say. Although the car is so powerful, he says the handling is, "completely undramatic." So easy to drive this car is, that despite the 375 km/h top speed, the driver says it is "almost like driving a small hatchback ..." Zenvo ST1 ready for its debut at Le Mans this summer.
© Source: worldcarfans
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Jaguar have just announced that an all-new Jaguar XJ will make its public debut this July. And the rotten teases in the Gaydon press office have released just this one bird’s eye view of the new saloon. Speaking at Auto Shanghai 2009, Jaguar Cars Managing Director, Mike O’Driscoll confirmed that the all-new XJ will go on sale at the end of 2009 – but will officially be revealed on July 9th in London.
It will be the first car to feature the next-generation of Jaguar’s aerospace-inspired aluminium body architecture.
All of Jaguar’s XJ ultra-efficient Gen III petrol and diesel engines will be available in the new XJ, including the already acclaimed V6 diesel and 510 bhp supercharged V8. There will be a choice of standard or long wheelbase models – as well as a panoramic glass roof highlighted in the first picture.
With the success of the excellent XF, It’s difficult to see what space the XJ is going to occupy in the Jag Pantheon. We’ll just have to wait and see how the final release looks, feels and drives.
But can there really be room for two completely different mid size luxury saloons from Jaguar?
In our humble opinion, the loveliest Jag ever to grace our roads is the incomparable XK 120, that was produced way back in 1948. Now that’s what we call a panoramic roof.
© Source: carblogpost
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Though weather this year was not the most pleasant (almost all the Sunday long poured a rain), it has not prevented more than to 2 600 visitors of an exhibition to take pleasure in exclusive exhibits. By the way, Villa D’Este has celebrated double anniversary: 80 years from the beginning of carrying out of competition of elegance, and 80 years to the first car BMW. Germans have brought the most
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Debut Zenvo is almost ready to small-scale manufacture, it is necessary to finish some details, but, in general, about the car the basic information is already known. So, under cowl ST1 which, naturally, is located behind, seven-litres engine V8 with the forced aspiration, giving out 1 104 h.p. and 1 430 Nanometers of a twisting moment, and the peak moment whips on wheels already on 4 500 rpm.Now
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SL 63 AMG as the official car of safety of the Formula 1 and C 63 AMG in a body the station wagon as the official medical car continue to provide the maximum safety, this time, a season of 2009 Formuly-1.Specially prepared two cars AMG, sports mark of a Mercedes-Benz, will draw duty during all 17 races of a season 2009, start to which has been given in Melbourn on Grand prix of Australia from
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The late eighties is when it all happened for Japanese luxury vehicles in North America. But by the time Lexus and Infiniti launched in 1989, Acura was already on the market for three years. Since then, Acura customers in the U.S. looking to finance new cars went through the same American Honda Finance Corporation that bankrolls the purchases of new Honda cars, trucks, vans, motorcycles, lawnmowers, outboard marine engines and everything else the Japanese industrial giant builds (to the possible exception of corporate jets and robots), not to mention the establishment of new dealerships and all that entails.
That's all about the change with American Honda Motor Co.'s announcement of the launch of Acura Financial Services, a new financing arm for the company's luxury division that will handle the purchases of new Acuras. The move is part of an effort to distance Acura from the more commonplace offerings of its parent company, and to give the division its own look and feel. A strange time to launch a new financial company,
Aston Martin One-77 made its first appearance as a completed car last weekend. So now that the car is moving under its own power, the question is what does £1 million (currently about $1.47 million) sound like?
We know to expect the unexpected when it comes to aftermarket work in certain Middle Eastern enclaves. But this... this is, well, this is something that even Tim Burton would have to dismiss as just too outrageous. Part of what makes this car even more interesting is that it was the product of Swiss tuning firm Ueli Anliker Design, and as such, it is called the Anliker McLaren SLR 999 Red Gold Dream.
What was once a standard SLR (may God have mercy on its soul) now has a cow catcher up front, a Mustang wing out back, and 24 karat gold and rubies plastered throughout.
[Source: Supercars Dubai]
Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are announcing an equipment safety recall on the Japanese automaker's 2008 Highlanders and Highlander Hybrid models.
On the 2008 model year crossover, the optional stainless steel exhaust tip retention clamp apparently has a manufacturing defect that can cause it to develop microscopic cracks, and in the worst case, fall off. We're not entirely clear on why this warrants a full-blown safety recall (perhaps to avoid the possibility of road debris), but in any case, NHTSA reports that ten incidents have been filed and the recall is moving forward. Overall, only 39,100 clamps are suspected to be flawed, but Toyota is notifying all 121,000 Highlander owners in case they bought the add-on exhaust finisher at their local dealer's parts counter.
You can read the full press release after the jump, and contact your dealer for an inspection and fix if necessary.
[Source: Toyota]
Here are 10 of the worlds fastest cars of 2008-2009 available on the market and measured by their top speeds.1. SSC Ultimate Aero 257 mph+, 0-60 in 2.7 secs. Twin-Turbo V8 Engine with 1183 hp, base price is $654,400. Tested in March 2007 by Guinness world records, the SSC Ultimate Aero takes the lead as the fastest car in the world beating Bugatti Veyron.Fastest Car In The World SSC Ultimate
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Pictures and videos of the amazingly cool Aston Martin One 77 new car.Video of Aston Martin One 77 at Paris Motor Showand just listen to the exhaust!The Aston Martin One 77 website is the place to find out more about this cool car.
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Collection of cool Chevrolet Corvette Stingray sports cars including a few concept cars thrown in for good measure. Hope you like them!The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray has got to me one of my favorite cars but they are very hard to get hold of and I can imagine the car insurance would be eye watering, not to mention the petrol consumption!
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Cool Dukes of Hazzard BMW car does a cool but wreckless jump in the street. Check out this video!
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About prepare to build a new super car on the basis of 599 Fiorano, Ferrari have mentioned on the Geneva motor show, then the majority of journalists has reflected into account 599 Scuderia, but after the lapse of only several months "red" have presented to Internet public something more hot - concept 599XX.As well as its senior brother Enzo FXX, the beginner is not intended for public roads. The
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Aston Martin finally took the wraps off the first completed One-77 this past weekend at the Concorso d'Eleganza on the shores of Lake Como and came away with the top design prize at the event. Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez was on hand to show off the car that we saw in skeletal form at the Geneva Motor Show in March. While the aesthetics of this new Aston have drawn decidedly mixed reviews, there is no doubt that it is a striking machine. The huge grille flanked by large air scoops is a departure from the classically beautiful Astons of the last 15 years and even goes well beyond the DBS. However, when considered in the context of its functionality, the appearance makes much more sense.
[Source: Aston Martin]
It's the Veyron for all the family! This is our best look yet at the stunning Bugatti Royale – a four-door four-seater that’s set to take the famous firm into a new market.
With the £900,000, 253mph Veyron 16.4 already crowned the world’s most expensive and fastest supercar, Bugatti is seeking to go a step further: it will celebrate its 100th anniversary by unveiling this hyper-saloon at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
Inspired by the legendary 1927 Type 41 Royale, the new model would be as expensive as its brother and be available in a very limited production run for the company’s most loyal customers. As you can see, the exterior echoes the Veyron’s, while inside the cabin will offer unparalleled luxury, with the finest leather, suede and metal trim in addition to seating for four people and a luggage compartment at the rear.
Bugatti won’t be embarking on the project alone, though. It’s rumoured that the firm will team up with fellow VW Group luxury manufacturer Bentley in developing a new front-engined limousine platform. As well as underpinning the Royale, the chassis would be used on the next Arnage. However, the new Bugatti will keep much of the technology seen on the Veyron, such as its four-wheel-drive set-up and 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16 engine, although this will be mounted at the front.
With the same 987bhp and 1,250Nm of torque, the Royale should cover 0-60mph in three seconds and hit a 250mph top speed, making it the fastest four-seater in the world. It will also feature the same seven-speed twin-clutch transmission – developed by UK firm Ricardo – along with that Haldex clutch-equipped all-wheel drive. There will be active aerodynamics, a Veyron-style hydraulic rear wing that rises at speed, huge carbon composite brake discs and adaptive dampers, too.
The current economic downturn means the Royale is still some way off. But with McLaren Automotive boss Ron Dennis predicting a return to growth in 2011, just in time for the launch of his company’s P11 supercar (see Issue 1,060), expect the four-door to go on sale in three years’ time.
In further celebration of its 100th birthday, Bugattiis also planning to launch a 1,350bhp ‘super’ Veyron later this year, along with additional special editions.
[Source: AutoExpress]
Road cars have laws to contend with, and racing cars have regulations to uphold. But for track cars, the sky is the limit. Unfortunately for track enthusiasts, purpose-built track cars built from the ground up with a blank sheet of paper and a limitless sky are few and far between. One example comes from Ferrari with its XX-rated development program that creates a series of cars that bridge the gap between road and track. First up was the FXX, an Enzo with some extra kit. That was followed by the even more extreme FXX Evoluzione. But at the Geneva show last month, Ferrari took the wraps off the 599XX, a rolling laboratory based on the 599 GTB Fiorano only unbound by the rules of governing bodies. And while the 599XX's debut was accompanied by only limited details and even fewer photos, Maranello's finally released more of each to salivate over.
Over the course of its ongoing development – that is, after all, the point of the XX programs – the 599XX will receive all manner of new features and technologies. There's even word it may serve as a test bed for the adaptation of Formula One's KERS regenerative braking system for future road cars. But in the meantime, Ferrari's engineers have started with a host of aerodynamic and engine modifications. Added aerodynamic elements abound, some more visible than others. Little black winglets protrude from the C-pillars (which themselves were already aerodynamically optimized on the road car), and the wheels integrate F1-style "donuts" to channel the air for optimized cooling and clean airflow. Underneath the bodywork, a new Actiflow system employs a porous diffuser and two fans in the trunk to channel the airflow for increased downforce at cornering speeds or reduced drag at higher speeds. All that and more adds up to 617 pounds of downforce at 124 mph or 1,389 pounds at 186 mph. Reduced mass inertia in the engine compartment helps the V12 produce 700 horsepower at the XX's stratospheric 9,000 RPM redline, the shift program has reduced gear changes to just 60 milliseconds, and the carbon ceramic brake pads are gripped by experimental carbon-fiber calipers to keep it all under control. All that new tech helps the 599XX lap Ferrari's own Fiorano test track in 1 minute, 17 seconds... faster than any road car the company has ever produced, a tick under the FXX's lap time, and faster than some of the company's modern race machinery
For Chrysler, the cornerstone of its proposed alliance with Fiat is for the Italian automaker to supply its domestic partner with smaller, more fuel efficient platforms and drivetrains. It's been assumed that the Fiat 500 would be one of the vehicles Chrysler plans to market in the U.S., but according to a the Wall Street Journal, it may have more than a subcompact up its sleeve.
According to the report, Chrysler showed its (troubled) dealers the automaker's future products today in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and along with the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and a revised Chrysler 300, a "sporty little sedan" produced by Fiat was in attendance.
Chrysler's head of design, Ralph Gilles, told dealers that the automaker intends to have its own version of the car, with Fiat providing the chassis and Chrysler designing the exterior.
Although the WSJ's source didn't specify which Fiat was shown, informed speculation says that it was likely the Fiat Bravo, which would make a killer Dodge Caliber replacement and would finally provide Chrysler with a true successor to the Neon after its demise in 2006.
[Source: WSJ]
Although decades have separated the modern Bugatti from its heritage, the Alsatian exotic marque is one that prides itself on its racing pedigree. So to bridge that gap and celebrate its 100th anniversary, Bugatti rolled in to the Villa d'Este auto show on the shores of Lake Como in northern Italy, as promised, with a quartet of special edition Veyrons.
Each of the four one-offs bares a different color to contrast with the chrome fenders, and each honors a different driver from Bugatti's glory days by taking their names. To more clearly emphasize the cars historical linkages, the four Veyrons arrived in Italy accompanied by matching historic Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix racers.
One of the most successful race cars in history, the Type 35 racked up some 2,000 race victories over the course of a decade of competition in the inter-war period. Thanks to its advanced lightweight construction and pioneering client-racer availability, the Type 35 was one of the most popular and indomitable racing machines of its day. Alongside its identically-colored historic counterpart, the Bugatti Veyron Jean-Pierre Wimille edition appeared in bright blue, the Achille Varzi in dark red, the Malcolm Campbell example in dark green and the Hermann zu Leiningen in off-white. No official word so far if these specials will be for sale or if they'll remain at Bugatti's headquarters in Molsheim, but if they do find their way to market, you can expect them to be marketed at a considerable premium.
The presentation at Villa d'Este is the second of many celebrations which Bugatti has lined up to celebrate its centenary this year, following the Bleu Centenaire edition presented at the Geneva show and ahead of Pebble Beach in August and the grand finale in Molsheim on September 12.
[Source: Bugatti]
Engineers BMW have started testing of following generation of a coupe of 3rd series, but studio LUMMA Design urges motorists not to wait, while in the market there will be a novelty, and instead to finish the present model.Tuning studio LUMMA Design has developed for coupe BMW of 3rd series a new bodi-kit which will fresh appearance of the car. For the moderate sum experts are ready to establish
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Company Jaguar has published the first information about absolutely new, amazing imagination Jaguar XJ. The model presentation will take place in July, 2009. Acting on the Motor show in Shanghai on April, 20th, 2009, the general director of company Jaguar Mike O’Driskoll has informed that novelty XJ will go on sale in the end of 2009, however its official presentation will take place already on
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The BMW X5M and X6M are all about excess. Excess power (if that's possible), excess girth, and, as we already knew, excess cost. BimmerFile is reporting that the X5M will ding your budget to the tune of $85,400, while the X6M will set you back $88,900. And anyone that has ever priced out a Bimmer with options knows that those prodigious figures are only the baseline of what will no doubt be two even more expensive BMWs.
But for nearly $90,000, you get what, for now, are the two most powerful BMWs on the road. Both models will reap the benefits of a 555 hp, 500 lb-ft twin turbo 4.4L V8. That's 55 hp and 105 lb-ft more than the M5 or M6; two vehicles that cost more than their crossover counterparts. The M treatment will also add more aggressive aesthetics, torque-vectoring AWD, and massive 15.6 inch front rotors to help these flying bricks stop on a dime (or 900,000 dimes, really). Does that make the X5M and X6M a compelling value? If you're in the market for a 550 hp crossover, we guess so, because outside of the substantially more expensive Porsche Cayenne Turbo S ($124,000) these new Bimmers are the only other family-haulers with that kind of muscle.
[Source: BimmerFile]
Collection of cool expensive cars that now look cheap due to their tasteless paint jobs!
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A cool collection of vintage cars on one mans drive! The collection includes a Ford Thunderbird, Chevrolet Chevelle, Dodge Coronet Lancer and Pontiac Trans Am amongst other classics. It defies the credit crunch and is a petrol heads dream! Check it out!(Click picture to enlarge)
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Coolest car chases from the movies. We all love a car chase and here's a video montage tribute to the coolest car chases from the movies. Vroom Vroom!
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Together with representation Lexus RX 450h 2010, the Japanese motor-car manufacturer also has exhausted the official information on models of generation IS which became IS 250C and IS 350C. Cost IS 250C with a six-high-speed manual gear box costs 38 490 dollars and 39 660 dollars for IS 250C with an automatic box, the price 350C with "automatic machine" makes 43 940 dollars.Lexus IS 250C 2.5 l
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Magnificent brand Toyota which is Lexus, has exhausted details concerning new model RX 450H 2010, using updated system Lexus Hybrid Drive.The equipped 3.5 l. Engine V-6 Atkinson, united with the easy electromotor, new RX offers technical characteristics more inherent in engines V-8, but with the best fuel economy, even in comparison with middle size sedans. In figures it turns out 7.3 l./8.4 on
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After a considerable quantity of espionage photos of sedan BMW of 5th Series, it is again noticed BMW Touring. In the same way as well as the brother, a sedan, Touring should go on sale not earlier than 2010. For today the only thing that is available about BMW Touring 5th Series, is a set of informal specifications.It is known that the model will prepare in territory of Europe and Germany it
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Company Toyota has presented specifications on some new models which became pickup Tundra and full-size off-road car Sequoia. In standard complete set Tundra is equipped with engine V-6, further there are V-8, volume 5.7 l., but there is also a choice from 4.6 l. V-8.Outwardly Tundra has got a new radiator enclosure and new tail lights, as well as the redesigned towing eyes. Engine V-8, volume
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One of the American electronic automobile portals has published the information that on Monday on April, 27th the management of General Motors will declare closing of the division – companies Pontiac. Refusal of a brand is connected with actions on restructuring of activity GM which, apparently, will be deeper and heavier, than it was supposed.Americans are sorry about loss of one more historical
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The newspaper photographers who have caught on road tests a prototype new super car 599 Scuderia became witnesses of this indisputable fact. Ferrari has just presented to the public the experimental car 599XX on the chassis factory 599 GTB Fiorano. 599ХХ becomes proving ground for tests of new future technologies and now it is accessible only to the selected group of clients.While the given model
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Eleven years ago world famous Italian company Italdesign has presented original concept minivan Structura which for those times looked the present car of the future which, if to trust results of activity of the paparazzi has come already today.Few people hoped that Italdesign Structura ever will appear on road, however inhabitants of Monaco can confirm that on streets the prototype of model which
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MINI has started creation of the fastest car under name Speedster - such informal message has flown recently on press pages.The discussions devoted to creation MINI Speedster, are conducted throughout last several years, however, if to trust statements of representatives of the western mass-media, just now the company has received "good" from management BMW, consent that it would be time to
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The Bugatti Veyron will be celebrating 100 years of the company with the special version, Centenaire, seen in these pics. The limited edition of the supercar will be available in four different versions, each dedicated to legendary drivers of the Type 35: Jean-Pierre Wimille, Achille Varzi, Malcolm Campbell and Hermann Zu Leiningen.
The colours of the four Centenaire versions are designed to represent the nationalities of the four drivers with Bleu France, Rosso Corsa, British Racing Green and Deutsches Rennweiss. The four examples will make their debut at the Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza and will be identical to the initial proposal of the Bleu Centenaire seen at the Geneva show.
The Veyron Centenaire is particular distinctive for its body work, the rear view mirrors and shiny front grill, with LED front headlights. The wheels will be eight spoke alloys inspired by those of the Bugatti Type 35. The interior will feature the names of the four drivers stitched into the head rests, but all this exclusivity has its price: 1,600,000 euros to be precise.
© Source: eurocarblog
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Morgan is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, a century in which, arguably, its most significant technical development was adding a fourth wheel in 1932.
In celebration of reaching the ton, Morgan has created this, the Aero Supersports. Essentially the roadster version of the Aeromax coupe, it was unveiled at the Villa D'Esta Concourse d'Eleganza in Italy. Though technically referred to as a concept, the Supersports is a 95 per cent match for the production roadster, due to arrive next year, says Morgan.
Based on the same ash-frame construction as the Aeromax coupe, the roadster features a pair of removable aluminium roof panels that stow in the boot. It sits slightly lower on its springs than the coupe, while the car's overall profile is 4cm shorter.
Morgan says the car, with roof detatched (and we're quoting verbatim here, honestly) will bring 'fresh air and the aromas of the seasons to the driving experience'.
The Supersports is powered by the same BMW-sourced 4.8-litre V8 as the coupe, putting out around 370bhp. In a car weighing just 1,100kg, that's good for a 0-60mph time of around 4.5 seconds.
Morgan plans to build 200 Supersports - just 100 Aeromax coupes went into production - at a cost of £127,000 a piece. That's rather expensive.
Good news, though, for retro-inclined Americans: structural changes to the car's platform mean the Supersports will pass the 50mph rear impact test, allowing it to be sold Stateside.
Any Americans out there who've escaped from the TopGear.com US portal? Do you guys ‘get' the Morgan? Or is it one of those bewilderingly British things like real ale, proper swearing and sarcasm?
© Source: topgear
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A new season of ‘Ring wars may be brewing. Porsche's Project Manager for High Performance Cars Andreas Preuninger says the latest 911 GT3 has achieved a time of 7 minutes 40 seconds around the Nurburgring's Nordschleife.
Porsche test driver Walter Rohrl, who was piloting the car, was apparently slowed down by the presence of other vehicles on the track. Had Rohrl really been going for it "with a knife between his teeth" said Preuninger, his time would have come down by as much as two seconds. Furthermore Rohrl apparently did a 7 minute 45 seconds in a borrowed Ferrari F430 Scuderia. The time was achieved under the same conditions as the GT3.
As for the Nissan GT-R, Preuninger noted that Porsche's official line is that the 7 minute 54 second time it achieved with a US-spec unit in 2008 stands. Nissan said in May 2008 that the GT-R did a 7 minute 29.03 seconds at the German track in the hands of its chief test driver Tochio Suzuki. The updated 2010 GT-R is claimed to have done an even quicker time of 7 minutes 27.56 seconds.
The third member of this feuding trio is the Corvette ZR1 which has a posted time of 7 minutes 26.4 seconds at the Green Hell. Preuninger's remarks on the ‘Vette were only to say it's a cool car but it serves a different purpose than the GT3.
The new updated 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 was unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. Its normally aspirated 3.8-litre boxer engine produces 435hp (320kW) and peak torque of 317 ft-lbs (430Nm).
© Source: worldcarfans
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Although BSG's over, apparently tuner ASMA has other plans with it's PhantASMA CL65 Wide Body. Prepare yourself, because even with the 735 HP V12, it's a tour de force of questionable Mercedes tuning.
Yes, it's got a twin-turbo V12 good for 735 HP and 870 lb-ft of torque, yes it'll do 0-62 MPH in 3.8 seconds and top out at 205 MPH — the hardware isn't what we're in a fluster about, it's the horrifying bodywork they've wrapped over the mechanical marvel.
Calling this wide body CL a fug monster is like saying the sun is sort of warm. What did we all do as a motoring public to deserve this kind of thing? The terrible part is the majority of the mods look fine, it's that ghastly grille which ruins it all, ruins it hard. Someone take the sketching pencil away from ASMA.
© Source: jalopnik
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The Mini Airstream caravan will be presented at the Milan Salone del Mobile (furniture design) event, though it is designed for “California dreamin” beaches, surf and girls. The Mini caravan design is as original as it is superfluous, designed to show off refined liberty.
Danish brand Republic of Fritz Hansen was employed to redesign the interior, and features include waterproof materials and the removal of the rear seats to make way for a scuba set.
© Source: eurocarblog
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We've seen the latest E-class coupe and sedan, but Mercedes-Benz hasn't revealed the latest iteration of its E-class wagon. No matter -- thanks to our fast-acting West Coast editor and his Blackberry, we have some photos of the latest Benz wagon.
Engineers applied some light camouflage to this test car, but to no avail. There's no mistaking that Mercedes-Benz grille, although we're more interested in what lies underneath those padded hind quarters. It may be slightly obscured, but the disguise doesn't hide the rising rocker trim and the curvaceous rear fenders, both cues first shown on the Concept Fascination from the 2008 Paris motor show.
That show car, however, was designed more as a shooting brake than a familial mode of transport. We're not surprised that the Fascination's racy roofline has been nixed in favor of a more traditional profile, creating more room for kids, pets, and other cargo.
Likewise, the Concept Fascination's powertrain - a 2.2-liter turbo-diesel I-4 also used in the E250 Bluetec concept shown in New York - won't appear in production cars destined for North America. Mercedes-Benz plans on offering the next E-class wagon only as an E350, meaning a 268-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 will lurk underhood. While we wouldn't be surprised if a 4Matic model followed soon after, don't expect to see a diesel or AMG variant in the model mix.
Although we should see the final product in all its glory this fall (it's expected to debut at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show), the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 wagon won't arrive stateside until the summer of 2010.
© Source: automobilemag
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The American tuning studio Underground Racing have chosen super car Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 for demonstration of possibilities of the turbocharger.Engineers of the company have already involved before dual system of a turbo-supercharging in model Gallardo, having received fantastic capacity in 1300 h.p. Now a firm turbocharger will be fitted to 6,5 l to V-shaped 12-cylinder unit Lamborghini
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Company Ferrari stakes on the technologies reducing blowouts СО2. We know it. Here also whisper insiders about inflatable motor V8 for the successor superpenalty Ferrari F430 which still takes place resource tests, and about the robotised gear box with two clutches. And recently additional details about project F450 became known.According to Englishmen, the department of workings out of the
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Morgan Aero SuperSport – new model from the British company celebrating in this year a centenary.Design Aero SuperSport organically combines a classical silhouette with a long cowl and the taken out wheels, and modern details: difficult light engineering, cast aluminium disks, streamline cases of vanity mirrors. The model is constructed on one platform with Morgan Aero Eight GT3. A body, engaging
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The BMW 7 Series and the Mercedes-Benz S-class are two vehicles utterly defined by their birthplace. Each was spawned in Southern Germany, where massive stretches of autobahn honed their ability to cover boundless distances at high velocities, cosseting occupants in Teutonic luxury. But they're decidedly different beasts. In spite of their similarities, the two brands have always had distinct personalities. BMW followed its tag-line of the "Ultimate Driving Machine," while Mercedes stuck to its more sober image, focusing on its "Best in German engineering" meme.
As so often happens, automakers feel compelled to grow and expand beyond traditional audiences, and at times, the result is a diluted product that strays from its roots. When everyone is attempting to cater to the broadest possible audience, overlap is inevitable and distinctions begin to disappear. Look no further than the American mid-size sedan segment, or in this case, the last generation 7-series. So for 2009, BMW sought to re-focus its uber-sedan on what it does best. Read on to find out if BMW succeeded or if the new 7 suffers from further dilution.
It seems fitting that BMW's flagship would lead the way in introducing new design directions for the brand. The previous fourth-generation model marked the debut of the controversial Chris Bangle era. The Bangle 7 may not have received much in the way of critical acclaim for its aesthetics, but it was the best-selling generation to date, and its distinct styling cues have found their way into many other vehicles. Even with a mid-cycle refresh that significantly improved its looks, the fourth-gen. model still suffered from a top-heavy appearance that diverged from the lower, sleeker looks of earlier editions. This latest edition marks a return to form for BMW.
While Bangle remained the titular head of BMW design during the course of the 7 Series development, his successor, Adrian van Hooydonk, led the team that created this new version. The result is a sedan with virtually the same dimensions as the last 7, but with an additional three-inches of wheelbase. Despite the stretch in the middle, the new car looks significantly smaller thanks to a slopping nose and contoured flanks that lend a tauter, more muscular appearance.
Our first experience with the new 7 Series involved time in an extended wheelbase, sport pack-equipped 750Li. This time, our tester is a standard wheelbase 750i. Currently, the only engine available in the U.S. market 7-series is the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 that debuted last year in the X6. However, just before our test, BMW announced a new V12-powered 760 that will find its way to the States later this year, while buyers in other parts of the world have a choice of gas or diesel mills.
With its 400 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque at just 1,800 rpm, the turbo V8 is an ideal power-plant for a big luxury sedan. It's only available with a ZF six-speed automatic transmission, as for the overwhelming majority of people who choose a 7 as their preferred conveyance, a manually-operated clutch wouldn't find favor. But that's not to say the 750i isn't suited to fast driving. On the contrary, even without the sport package, the 7 feels surprisingly nimble for a 4,500 pound vehicle. To the left of the shift lever is a switch that allows the driver to select from comfort, normal, sport and sport+ modes. Similar to what's found on most other modern vehicles with sport settings, the various modes adjust the response of the electronic throttle, transmission controls, the adaptive damping and the traction/stability control.
In comfort or normal modes, BMW's flagship feels a restrained at first, but a quick switch into one of the sport modes causes the 7 to leap of the line with enough gusto to belie its curb weight. BMW claims a 0-60 mph acceleration of 5.1 seconds for the lighter standard-wheelbase 750, a number consistent with our informal timing and perhaps even slightly conservative. Those who want to manage the shift points on their own can do so by tapping the shifter to the left, followed by the usual fore-aft taps. The transmission responds quickly to driver commands, but without any wheel mounted paddle shifters, the manual mode seems to be of limited value. It's generally best to leave the controller in drive, engage sport or sport+ and let the electronics to the work.
Under braking, the sport modes induce automatic down-shifting to help ensure the engine is in the meat of its powerband, so there's never a chance of being below the curve when powering out of the corners. Accelerating in sport mode, the transmission holds gears after backing off the throttle, allowing the driver to negotiate a series of bends without hunting for gears. Of course, even though the 7 is capable of traversing winding roads at elevated velocities, its natural habitat is the autobahn or interstate. Here, a squeeze of the go-pedal will find the 750's speedometer swinging clockwise at an alarming rate.
From a 70 mph cruise, dipping into the long pedal will have you in extra-legal speeds in decidedly undramatic fashion. Wind and road noise are well controlled thanks to the triple seals on the doors and acres of insulation elsewhere. At part throttle, the V8 is just audible enough that you can tell it's running, but it's never intrusive. Get on it hard though and an aggressive snarl begins to build. Even then, the 750 never forgets that it is a luxury sedan rather than a hardcore sports car.
Smaller BMWs have been lauded for their steering feel, and while the big sedan doesn't quite measure up to the 3 Series standard, it never feels loose or sloppy. The weighting provides just the right amount of resistance while providing feedback commensurate with the amount of lateral force being generated by the front tires. When maneuvering around tight spaces, the optional camera package on our tester came in handy. Pressing the camera button on the console toggles the massive 10.2-inch dash-mounted LCD to display the surrounds courtesy of two side-view cameras mounted just above the side markers on the leading edge of the front wheel wells.
The front seats of the 750 offer excellent comfort and lateral support, with the driver's seat benefiting from multiple power adjustments including the side bolsters that can be optimized to the width of your torso. When the door is opened, the bolsters automatically retract making it easier to get in an out, and the $2,500 luxury seating package includes a massage mode for the driver's seat as well as heating for the rear seats and steering wheel. Even in the standard wheelbase 7, the distance between the axles spans nearly 121 inches, meaning there's plenty of room in the rear compartment for three passengers. Of course, the usual caveats about the center position remain in place, including limited leg room around the center tunnel and the raised cushion which is optimally contoured for only two occupants.
Typical among modern luxury cars, every generation of the 7 Series adds more features and more fluff. Since all the added accouterments need a central control interface to avoid an overwhelming number of buttons, switches and dials, BMW led the charge with the implementation of iDrive on the last 7. Unfortunately, BMW apparently completely forgot about human usability and the result was a disaster. When the mid-cycle refresh of the 7 debuted, BMW added a few switches back into the mix to provide shortcuts to the main menu and other frequently used features. The new, third-generation system that debuted on the refreshed 3 Series last fall as well as the new 7 is vastly improved. The menu structure is much easier and intuitive to navigate, but it's still not quite as good as the interface offered by its closest competitors, not to mention some contemporary Fords.
So is the 7-series back on track? Most definitely. The 750i is a pleasure to drive and its responses belie its dimensions. For those that live in regions where roads are less than stellar, the absence of the sport pack is less of an issue. The adaptive damping system keeps the body level and unperturbed whether the pavement is pock-marked or curvy, and its surprisingly satisfying on all manner of roads. Of course, in typical German fashion, the price starts high and escalates quickly with the addition of options. Our tester had a base price of $80,300, but premium sound systems, seating, camera and convenience packages drove that up to an out-the-door price of $92,170. If you can manage those payments, the 750i's 16/22 mpg thirst for premium gasoline shouldn't be a bother, and for the money, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more willing and eager luxury sedan to consume acres of asphalt with ease.
[Source: Autoblog]
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