Bentley has admitted to that the styling of its controversial EXP 9 F Geneva Motor Show car is just one of several designs under consideration.
The dramatically styled SUV, which Bentley says will become the world’s most expensive off-roader on the market, is to undergo a worldwide tour following the Geneva show, to gauge customer reaction to its looks.
It will travel to the Beijing Motor Show next month and will also privatively be shown to loyal Bentley customers in separate viewings too, as Bentley weighs up reaction to the imposing new SUV.
The firm also admitted it will gauge reaction on social media channels such as Twitter and Facebook.
“This is a research programme that will see us look about this design and alternative designs,” said Product Marketing Manager Marcus Abbott.
“We have two questions – ‘should we do it’ and, if so, ‘what should it look like. The strong reaction to the former appears to strongly say we should – so now, we need to look at design alternatives.”
Bentley customers will play a big part in shaping how the new premium SUV looks, explained Abbott. “There is a marked difference between general public opinion and what our customers want. Customers say they like the upright, command-like stance, and want us to make sure it has real presence.
“We need to make sure this is retained as we work to ensure the proportions are right. It is a matter of looking at it afresh, taking key Bentley styling features and interpreting them.”
The next step in the process is to get approval for the model but, even if this quickly followed, a production model would not arrive before 2015.
Approval does seem likely though: a spokesman admitted there was a strong business case for the new Bentley SUV, sitting above the Range Rover in the $250,000-plus marketplace.
“Many Bentley customers already own SUVs, as part of a multi-car fleet. There is clear demand from them for us to offer them a Bentley solution in this marketplace.”
This is the GTA Spano: the first ever supercar to be made by a Spanish manufacturer.
A limited run of 99 will be produced, with the Spano to receive its power from a 611kW/911Nm 8.3-litre V10. Combined with its lightness (1350kg) thanks to a chassis made from carbon fibre, titanium and Kevlar, the Spano will reach 100km/h from a standstill in 2.9 seconds. Top speed is claimed to be over 350km/h.
All of this power can be sent to the rear wheels via either a sequential manual or automatic seven-speed with paddle shift transmission.
Interior features include a carbon fibre steering wheel, 7-inch LCD screen and a rear-view camera instead of a rear-view mirror. The Spano also has two boots; a 100-litre front one and a 200-litre rear one.
Ford has spilled the details on what goodies the 2013 Mustang will be getting as part of its current overhaul.
Styling changes to the front end include a more prominent grille and splitter, along with bonnet-mounted heat extractors. The side rocker panels now match the Mustang’s body colour, while the rear there is now a high-gloss black panel connecting the taillights.
Ford has managed to squeeze 309kW out the Mustang’s 5.0 litre V8, which can now be paired with either the standard manual transmission or the new six-speed SelectShift automatic gearbox. Ford says that unlike other sequential gearboxes, the Selectshift offers true manual control because it has no override function to second-guess the driver.
On the technology front, the new ‘Stang receives hill start assist (manual model), a 4.2 inch infotainment system LCD screen with track performance apps, and two new choices of audio system from Shaker.
The original Atalanta Sports Tourer first made its debut on March 5 1937 and now, exactly 75 years later, a car enthusiast and a classics restorer have joined forces to bring it back.
Martyn Corfield and Trevor Farrington have teamed-up to merge traditional craftsmanship and modern engineering in the form of the new Atalanta.
The new Sports Tourer will feature a host of modern technology to boost performance, as well as keep it safe, whilst preserving the feel of a 1930s British sports car. 85 percent of the car’s components will be entirely new including the castings, springs and steering system. This will all be housed inside the Tourer’s stunning exterior made from hand-crafted ash and aluminium.
Speaking at the Atalanta’s launch, Corfield said:
“Our aim at Atalanta Motors is to reproduce the positive and enjoyable characteristics of vintage motoring in a reliable and usable manner that is relevant to today’s driving environment.”
“The new Atalanta gives a stylish, exhilarating drive with easily accessible performance and a comfortable ride with engaging handling which delivers driver satisfaction even at modest speeds.”
“Atalanta is about style, innovation and performance.”
Unfortunately that’s about all the details available on the Sports Tourer right now. Drivetrain details and pricing still remain unconfirmed but we do know that Atalanta is taking orders for the car, which be built to individual specifications.
If you’ve always wanted a 1930’s Sports Tourer, this might be your only chance as only seven of the original vehicles remain.
Volkswagen’s premium supermini has been with us in its current guise for two and a half years now, but the Polo still appears fresh-faced – sporting VW’s latest corporate identity that’s now seen across the German firm’s entire model range.
This is good news as it gives the Polo a grown up, more mature look in contrast to competition from the edgily styled but, by comparison, slightly fussy-looking Ford Fiesta.
The Polo is a well-engineered, well-built hatchback with a glorious air of quality about it. If you’re looking for a more premium compact vehicle that has the ability to cover almost all bases (five people and luggage on a long haul trip will stretch it somewhat) then the Polo will suit you very well.
Performance isn’t exactly brisk, though. The 77kW 1.2-litre car will complete the 0-100km/h sprint in a rather ponderous 9.7 seconds, but then again, 77TSI is more about value than outright performance.
This is currently the most expensive Audi A8 on the books – the A8 L W12. In fact, it’s the fourth most expensive Audi full stop, just beneath the R8 V8 Spyder and both versions of the R8 V10.
To decode that model designation, the L stands for long-wheelbase – meaning an extra 130mm of rear legroom – while the W12 part tells of scant regard for petrol prices and emissions regulations.
Yes, this A8 is powered by essentially the same 6.3-litre 12-cylinder engine you’ll find under the bonnet of many a Bentley, which, in terms of configuration at least, means it’s also related to the W16 that propels the Bugatti Veyron.
Inevitably, this is a very fast very large car. Quattro four-wheel drive means the quoted 4.7-second 0-100km/h is achievable in almost any weather, but it’s the way it goes from waft to rocket at highway speeds that underlines its immense performance.
If you’ve got the cash, like Audi design and what the brand stands for, then the A8 W12 L is arguably the ultimate expression of this, and you’ll want to dive right in. It has technical superlatives a-go-go, properly majestic performance and superb build quality.
Manufacturers of luxury cars have shot up the rankings of ‘most valuable global brand’, according to a new report published by UK brand value assessors, Brand Finance.
According to the firm’s study, German manufacturer BMW is now the world’s second most successful luxury marque, with a brand value of $21.2 billion.
The European carmaker sits in second place behind leaders Apple’s estimated worth of a staggering $70.6 billion.
Other high-end European luxury manufacturers made it into the global top 10 most valuable luxury brands, too – Daimler came in fifth, beating fashion labels such as Prada and Gucci in the process, with a recorded worth of $4 billion. Rolls-Royce also featured in the recently announced top 10.
Owned by BMW, a 17 per cent improvement on last year took it to 10th place overall. With a predicted value of $3.1 billion, the German manufacturer’s business strategy to begin producing vehicles under the British marque’s name in 2003 has obviously proved successful.
The top performing car manufacturer was Toyota, coming in at 15th position and valued at $24.4 billion, down a place from its $26.1 billion valuation in 2011.
Mercedes-Benz and Mitsubishi both sank to 26th and 27th respectively, down from 20th and 21st position last year, with a value of $19.7 billion and $19.4 billion.
Other notable – and more positive – performers in Brand Finance’s list include European and American automotive giants, Volkswagen and Ford – up to 35th and 36th position this year from 63rd and 40th spots respectively in 2011.
BMW rose one place in the overall standings, up from 23rd last year to 22nd in 2012.
Mercedes-Benz takes what it describes as a “firm line” on replicas – something of an understatement in the instance of the unauthorised 300SL gullwing pictured above, given the 30 tonnes of pressure involved…
That’s right: following court rulings and trademark violations Mercedes has taken an offending example of one German company’s replica 300SL bodywork and crushed it into a pulp.
The shape of the famous gullwing 300SL has been under copyright protection for “a number of decades”, giving parent company Daimler AG exclusive rights – a situation that was confirmed most recently during a 2010 court case.
So when German customs seized a fibreglass replica, Mercedes’ wrath proved swift and permanent. Utilising facilities at the Mercedes-Benz used-parts centre, which is responsible for the destruction of pre-production prototypes, the bodywork was stripped from the car and submitted to the jaws of a 30-tonne crusher.
There’s an awesome exactitude to the announcement of this obliteration, with Mercedes stating:
“The replica sports car had a fibre glass body weighing precisely 148 kilograms, which the compressor smashed into small pieces. The dramatic end to the unlawful body was officially documented with a sign and stamped ‘confirmation of scrappage’.”
It’s unclear at this stage who made the replica – Mercedes simply stating it was a “German company” – nor what chassis it was actually attached to. But it seems likely the fake SL was along similar lines to those false Ferrari and Lamborghini kits that are designed to be bonded into place over much more mundane machinery.
Nissan is to revive the Datsun brand as a low-cost value range of cars – but the famous nameplate from the 1970s and 1980s will not be returning to Australia any time soon.
Japanese giant Nissan is using the Datsun name (the original name for the company and phased out in the early 1980s) as its new budget brand for emerging markets, including Russia, India and Indonesia.
The new Datsun cars will sit below the Nissan range of cars and will be low-priced – less than $4,000 in India, for example – but will be modern designs rather than older technology. Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has promised Nissan will compete strongly in this new marketplace.
“We’re not coming with antiquated product,” he said. “We’re coming with a modern, strong, attractive product under the brand of Datsun.
“We’re going to be appealing to people who would love to own a car but cannot afford it.”
The new Datsun range of cars will launch in 2014, and work is already underway on designing the new models. Nissan already has sketches, admitted Ghosn: during the relaunch press conference for the Datsun brand, he said: “We’re announcing today in the middle of a work-in-progress.”
However, while there are currently no plans to relaunch the Datsun range of cars in Australia, Ghosn did not completely rule it out.
“If we see a demand, why not? But we are not planning for it. This is for high-growth emerging markets… We should never say never, but it’s not planned.
Alliance partner Renault has enjoyed huge success with its own value brand, Dacia, for several years now. Like Datsun, Dacia was an already-established brand with several decades of history, which the brand took over and used to launch a sub-Renault range of cars.
Aston Martin has made one of its smartest moves yet. In revising and refocusing its entry-level two-seat sports car V8 Vantage, it is providing an immediate answer to those who are questioning the direction taken by this sector’s all-conquering giant, the Porsche 911 991. And how.
Aston Martin has also honed the styling, in typically understated but well-judged form. There’s a cleaner and more defined front end, inspired by the deep aero-tuned splitter, while the sides gain definition from more sculpted side sills. There’s a rear diffuser and a bigger ducktail-style rear wing too.
The 4.7-litre V8 engine is unchanged, so still produces 309kW, 7kW down on the more potent Vantage S. As suggested by a peak power point of 7,300rpm (and a so-so torque figure of 470Nm), it’s an engine that loves to rev: the bite above 4,000rpm is in real contrast to the relative lethargy below it, something accentuated by a long-travel (but beautifully weighted) accelerator pedal.
And the noise is to die for. Mechanical and pure, it trades the brutish exhaust bellow of some OTT rivals (Jaguar XKR-S and Mercedes AMG) for a smoother, more satin-laced howl. You hear the engine work rather than the exhausts roar. It’s sophisticated and very engineering-led.
