English luxury carmaker Bentley has released the sixth and final video in a series outlining the production of the Bentley Mulsanne. In this video we see the completed car at the end of the assembly line as it rolls into its final stage of testing.
Mulsanne Engine and Quality Manager, Donna Morrey, exlains that inspectors at this point examine the car from a subjective point of view. “Internally, we say we are the hands and eyes of the customer.”
By this stage, any mechanical kinks should have been worked out. Morrey’s unit at Bentley headquarters in Crewe, England, will only be looking for any overall problems with each unit. ”Every Bentley is road tested for approximately thirty miles on the roads around Crewe,” explains Mulsanne project director Ashley Wickham in the video.
“Ahead of the car’s European market debut in May, new details of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta were released today. The five-door 147 replacement will be available with five different turbocharged four-cylinder engines when it goes on sale.
Amongst these is the 232 bhp 1750 TBi petrol powerhouse that will be featured on the Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde. The direct-injection model has a “revolutionary scavenging control system” that reduces turbo lag.
Other petrol engines featured include a 118 bhp 1.4-liter, and a 1.4-liter Multiair that produces 168 bhp. The two second-generation MultiJet turbodiesels include the 1.6-liter model that produces 104 bhp, and the 168 bhp 2.0-liter unit.
All engines are fitted with Start/Stop to improve fuel consumption and reduce emissions. The engines are mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, though some of the units will be available with a dual-clutch automatic.
Other features include LED daytime runners in the front headlights, rear LED light clusters, and an ergonomically-designed interior. The car’s dashboard is a replica design of that found on the 8C Competizione.
The Giulietta has three different driving modes - All weather, Normal, and Dynamic - the driver can select through the Alfa DNA unit, which adjusts items like the suspension and electronic differential. The car will be supplied with 16-inch rims that may be upgraded to alloys, 17-inchers, or 18-inch wheels. Customers who buy the Quadrifoglio Verde get the 17-inch wheels standard.
When the Alfa Romeo Giulietta is released, new car buyers will be able to choose from two trim levels and two options packages. You can read more about the car in the press release below.”
Bentley has released a new video featuring the production process of the Bentley Mulsanne.
New customers will be able to choose from at least 115 different colors for their luxury car, though more are possible with the company’s “unlimited palette.” 28 of these were created exclusively for the Mulsanne. The car gets six different layers of paint, including three for the top coat, and two coats of lacquer. Satin finishes, and two-tone versions will be possible.
Naturally this is not the most exiting video, but we’re sure Bentley fans will enjoy it!
Porsche will be upping the ante on its 911 series when it introduces the 911 Turbo S at the Geneva Auto Show next month!
The 911 Turbo S features a boost of 30 bhp over the standard 911 Turbo, dialing horsepower up to 530 bhp (390 kW / 523 hp), while torque stays put at 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) including the overboost, 650 Nm (479 lb-ft) without. Top speed is up just slightly (by 3 km/h) at 315 km/h or 195 mph. Fuel consumption also remains the same as the standard Turbo at 11.4 liters/100 km (24.8 mpg UK).
Additional goodies to entice buyers to this range-topping 911 include providing the 911 Turbo S with all the options available on the 911 Turbo as standard. The 911 Turbo S will come with Porsche’s 7-speed PDK (double-clutch) transmission, Porsche traction management (PTM) for the all-wheel drive system, as well as Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) which includes a differential lock for the rear axle. Also part of the standard package is the Launch Control and Sport Chrono Package that help accelerate this 911 Turbo S from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds, shaving up to a tenth of a second from the “regular” 911 Turbo’s time with PDK.
Other standard features include 19-inch central locking wheels in an RS Spyder design and a two-tone leather finish in either Black/Crema or Black/Titanium Blue.
The Porsche 911 Turbo S will come as both a cabriolet and coupe model. It will be available in dealerships starting in May (2010). Prices in Germany, including VAT, are €173,241 for the Turbo S Coupe, and €184,546 for the 911 Turbo S Cabriolet.
The 5.0-liter V8-powered 2011 Ford Mustang GT was unveiled at the NAIAS yesterday. The beefy engine produces 412-horsepower and up to 390 ft-lb of torque to power the car to 60mph in under 4.7 seconds.
Ford’s upgrade of the engine from a 4.6-liter V8 accounts for a 97-horsepower and 65 ft-lb increase. Even with the bigger, more robust engine efficiency is increased slightly. Using the six-speed automatic generates a 17/25mpg rating. A six-speed manual will also be available, though no improvement in the 16/24mpg rating is expected.
With more power, you would expect the Brembo brakes to be standard, but they are being sold separately, as are the new 19-inch alloys. Standard equipment will include a new suspension, electronic power-assisted steering, and a more aerodynamic rear decklid.
Pricing on the 2011 Ford Mustang GT has not yet been revealed.
Whether it was intentional or not, Daimler has just released this video of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible ahead of any other official announcements.
The E-Class Convertible exterior design is not much of a surprise as spy photos have practically shown the vehicle in its entirety. Despite the anticlimactic debut, these official videos still manage to give us a good look at the final E-Class range model.
The first video gives a general overview with some driving scenes. Close observation reveals the hidden rollover protection behind the headrests. Via cute dog with flappy ears, the second video demonstrates the convertible’s new AirCap system. Innovated by Daimler, the system consists of a windshield mounted spoiler that ariculates to control the air flow through the cabin when the top is down. When the AirCap is deployed it gives the E-Class Convertible draught-free open top convertible experience for all four seats.
The E-Class Convertible arrives in showrooms in spring 2010. Seven diesel and gasoline engines ranging from 125kW (170hp) to 285kW (387hp) will be available at launch.
Mercedes-Benz has released some more promotional material of the upcoming 2010 SLS AMG. The earlier driving footage is now joined by a number of new clips including studio beauty shots. You’ll see close attention is paid to details like the open gullwing doors, LED daytime running lights and an engine bay cutaway. While the soundtrack of the engine is heard throughout the video, the interior and a number of its features are revealed.
The SLS AMG is a modern interpretation of the original 300 SL “Gullwing” produced between 1952 and 1963. It features a 6.3-litre (6208cc) naturally aspirated V8 making 420kW (571hp) and 650Nm of torque sent to the rear wheels by a 7-speed double clutch transmission. It will run from 0 - 100km/h in 3.8 seconds and top off at 315km/h.
The German firm is busy developing a luxurious, 2+2 front-engined grand tourer – it’s a spiritual successor to the 928. This ‘new 928’ will be a fifth model line, and is designed to sit above the sportier 911 in the range.
With this new front-engined GT car, Porsche hopes to take on rivals such as the Ferrari 599 GTB, Bentley Continental GT and Aston Martin DB9. And looking at the exclusive picture, we think the Panamera-based coupé could very well stun the competition.
While the nose is virtually identical to the Panamera, its shortened wheelbase and 2+2 layout results in a far more curvy design and smoother lines at the back. While some have criticised the Panamera’s bloated rear, the 928’s muscular haunches and neater proportions should attract a new group of style-conscious customers.
A variety of big V8 engines will be available, set to come with four or rear-wheel drive. Yet in these times where everything that ‘green’ is hot, Porsche is planning to bring the Cayenne SUV hybrid next year, shortly followed by a petrol-electric version of the Panamera. And there’s no doubt that the new 928 will get the hybrid drivetrain too.
The 928 is going to fit nicely into Porsche’s pricing line-up somewhere between the 911 and Panamera. The four-door supersaloon ranges from £70,000-£95,000, while the 911 starts a little lower, at just over £60,000, but stretches to £128,000 for the GT2.
One could expect the 928 to get a pricetag between £65,000 and £90,000 when it goes on sale in 2012.
Ford is planning to bring a large batch of vehicles to the SEMA Show, being held in Las Vegas next week. Amongst the offerings will be eight different Ford Mustangs, each tuned by a different firm, and five variants of the Ford F-150 pick-up truck.
The American automaker is pushing the idea that the Mustang, now 45 years old, “is the most customized car in the $31.8 billion aftermarket industry.” The eight Mustangs are meant to prove this point, with 3d Carbon’s version leading the way. Using their Boy Racer design that was first seen in 2005, 3dCarbon’s custom aero kit will likely be a hit at the show.
Tuner Galpin Auto Sports will be showing off their version of the Ford Racing-tuned, supercharged, 550 hp wide-body Mustang convertible. Nearby, Steeda Autosports will display the Steeda Q350, a “super responsive” version of the sports car meant for the track. Other tuners participating include Ford Vehicle Personalization, H&R Special Springs, Paul’s High Performance, Street Scene Equipment, and Vaughn Gittin Jr.
Amongst the cars are the Ford F150 tune-jobs. Ford claims that F150 models are “the most customized trucks in the $31.8 billion aftermarket industry.” Ford Vehicle Personalization will bring out the F-150 Project FX2 Sport 6.2-liter with a dark grille, new front lighting, and a new set of wheels. Painted in Red Candy with gold graphics, the car also comes with a dual-tip rear exhaust. Also, K-Daddyz Kustomz will be in Vegas, with a truck showing off 24-inch wheels, and a “air bag suspension.” It comes with a supercharged, 5.4-liter engine, and meant to offer “urban luxury.”
Other F-150 tuners include Malibu Customz, Superlift, and DeWalt, who will be showing off a 2011 Super Duty concept.
You can read about each model in the two included press releases below. All vehicles will be on display from November 3 to 6 in Las Vegas.
Generally a roadster has a long bonnet, a very low profile, and a small boot. Only two people can sit in it. This new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG pretty much fits this definition. Already confirmed as a Frankfurt debutant, the video shows some of the SLS’ abilities on a track and on the road.
A main attraction is the sound trumpeting from the shiny twin tailpipes, urged on by the naturally aspirated 6.3-litre AMG V8 powerplant. You can hear a lot of the sound if you put up the volume as it accelerates into the straight or when cornering.
The V8 produces 571hp, which the driver can access through the 7-speed double clutch gearbox and the round 3-stage ESP knob which changes the suspension’s characteristics from everyday comfort to sharp and sporty.
The SLS will be in the showrooms before the end of the year and compete with supercars like the Ferrari 458 Italia and the Lamborghini Gallardo.
