Luxury Cars

The 4 door Aston Martin Rapide has had one of the longest gestation periods of any car in recent memory. It first came upon the scene almost four years after its concept debuted at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show. The initial reaction of everyone who saw it was a simple “Build it now!!!”

The Rapide will be completed with Aston Martin’s hand built 6.0-liter V12 engine that puts out 477HP at 6,000 rpm and 443 lbft of peak torque at 5000 rpm.

All that power and torque goes to the tarmac via rear wheels through Aston’s six-speed ‘Touchtronic 2? automatic transmission. Although a slush-box it does allow the driver to change gears automatically or manually via the steering column-mounted paddles made of magnesium. There’s no performance stats yet, but the word from Frankfurt is that 0-100km/h should happen in a little over 5,0 seconds. The Aston Martin Rapide features what the company terms four ’swan wing’ doors that open slightly upwards. Read more…

Jaguar XFR – comes with a supercharged V8 engine delivering 510HP and a more aggressive design in and out with details that hint but do not shout at the car’s performance.

In the middle of the new XFR we find an all new 5.0-litre AJ-V8 Gen III engine fitted with a sixth-generation, Roots-type twin vortex system (TVS) supercharger. It produces an output of 510HP between 6,000-6,500 rpm and 625Nm (461 lb.ft) of torque from 2,500-5,500 rpm. Compared to its supercharged 4.2-litre V8 predecessor, power has increased by 23 percent and torque has increased by 12 percent. Read more…

Gas in a sense, every word: Three of the Volkswagen Scirocco GT24 version powered by a gasoline engine with 315 PS TSI. Two other VW Scirocco GT24 cars carry more CNG label, designating compressed natural gas, because the TSI is fired with clean combusting natural gas – an exception in car racing. The 300 PS Volkswagen Scirocco GT24-CNG cars have very low emissions. After the victory and put the seal on the Dakar Rally with the Race Touareg powered by a fuel-efficient TDI (direct-injection diesel), Volkswagen is now going on the issues of sustainable development in the Volkswagen Scirocco GT24 also – and emphasize – on the race course.

VW Scirocco R – from car racing to the street: This is not a Scirocco’s first race of this type. This has been rung up Volkswagen based on the areas of opportunity as far back as the 1970s. And in 2008, experts like Carlos Sainz and Hans-Joachim Stuck rocketed two VW Scirocco GT24 car to a double victory in the classroom. In 2009, will be even more interesting. Because for the first time, this event provides an opportunity to take a good look at the street car racing in the form of new, R. Volkswagen Scirocco first production car will be produced this year, later, with a six-speed transmission or – as in race car Volkswagen Scirocco – with the optional DSG 6-speed transmission your feet. Always aboard equipment as standard on all-wheel drive vehicle in front: of course the XDS electronic horizontal on the front axle to achieve optimal performance traction; system was introduced for the first time the new Volkswagen Golf GTI. Read more…

It took part at the Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz is presenting the “2LOOK Edition”. This is variant, mainly for youngsters, is only available in 2 colours; glossy black or lustrous white. This styling touch is harmoniously complemented by a two-tone interior with high-grade materials in dramatic black-and-white contrasts. The attraction of opposites – this is the concept with which the new Mercedes-Benz SLK “2LOOK Edition” special model will enter the new open-top season.

The intentional limitation to a black-and-white colour scheme both inside and out lends this successful two-seater with a vario-roof an exclusive, dramatic appearance and ensures a decidedly eye-catching presence. The SLK 2LOOKEdition is painted in a choice of either calcite white or black as standard. On request the SLK 2LOOKEdition is also available in exclusive obsidian black metallic or the special finish designo mystic white, which is limited to 300 vehicles worldwide. Read more…

As Americans celebrate the inauguration of a new president of the United States next week, another new Cadillac will grace Pennsylvania Avenue to lead the proceedings. President B.H. Obama will ride in an all-new Cadillac Presidential Limousine, continuing a long tradition of Cadillac limousines that have served many U.S. presidents. This is a great American tradition that they’re delighted to renew with an all-new car featuring the best of Cadillac’s dramatic design and technology.

The image of an American president greeting crowds from a Cadillac limousine dates to President Woodrow Wilson and the early days of the automobile, and continues into a historic new era. The latest Cadillac Presidential Limousine is a completely new design, succeeding the DTS Presidential Limousine that debuted in 2004. The new car incorporates many of the dramatic design and technology features of new and highly acclaimed Cadillac vehicles in a purpose-built format tailored to specific and exacting specifications befitting presidential transport. Inside and out, the Cadillac Presidential Limousine includes many of the brand’s signature design elements. Assertive, modern and elegant, the front of the car includes the intricate, dual-textured grille made famous by Cadillac’s most popular current models, the CTS sport sedan and Escalade. Vertical design elements, such as the car’s front and rear lighting, mirror those used on production models.

Read more…