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The 2011 Bugatti Veyron Super Sport car is revealed

With a starting price of $2.5 million, a top speed of 268mph, and boasting 1.200bhp, the new 2011 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport is most definitely not for the faint hearted.

The brand new offering from Bugatti was unveiled for the first time at the prestigious motor show, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in the US this summer. The new 2011 model replaces the older version, the 2005 Veyron, and aims to offer its customers a driving experience like no other.

It’s not surprising to learn that this super car has already broken records, namely the Guinness land speed record. With Bugatti test driver Pierre-Henri Raphanal behind the wheel, the 2011 Veyron succeeded in topping the land speed record back in July of this year by clocking up an impressive 267.81mph which is a new world record for a production car.

This super-charged sports car is equipped with 4 fuel pumps and is capable of achieving 0-62mph n 2.5 seconds and 0-189mph in an eye-watering 14.6 seconds; it’s no wonder it’s been named by hit BBC motoring show Top Gear as their Car of the Decade (2000-2009).

Bugatti plans to make between 30-40 of the new 2011 model super cars, and with prices ranging from $2.5 million to $3 million, it’s surely worth it for the fastest production car on the planet?!

by Susan TaylorOctober 14, 20101 comment

Google trials robot chauffeurs

Soon the use of a private chauffeur may not be restricted to the rich and famous as Google has come up with a concept which could change the way we travel forever. The organisation has recently confirmed their plans to create the world’s first self-driving car.

A prototype robot chauffeur created by Google has already been in use on roads in California and according to the bosses at Google, the self-driving vehicle has over 140,000 test drive hours under its belt.

The Toyota Prius has been used to experiment with the new concept. The vehicles have been driven using the robot chauffeur technology between Google’s head quarters in Mountain Valley, California, to the company’s other office in Santa Monica.

According to Google, the test drives have gone ahead successfully, with minimal human input. The cars were driven with a technician at the wheel in case of any technical issues. The only accident which was reported using a self-drove Google car came about as a result of another car driving into the rear of the vehicle while stopped at a set of traffic lights.

The software equips the vehicle with artificial intelligence which enables the car to stop, start, and turn without instruction from a human being. Google’s concept has the potential to revolutionise the way we use the roads as the search engine giant believes the use of the self-drive car would cut down on accidents, free up people’s time, and also help cut carbon emissions.

by Andrew LloydOctober 13, 2010no comment

Mercedes launch their new R-Class model in India

Mercedes-Benz has this week launched their brand new R-Class model in India. The luxury car manufacturer will be hoping the introduction of the new model will enable them to reclaim the top spot in the luxury car market from BMW who stole the crown from Mercedes last year.

The Mercedes R-Class has been described by the car maker as the “perfect crossover” between a sedan and an SUV. The car manufacturer believes the new R-Class will plug a gap in the market as it offers the performance of a SUV, and yet the style of a Sedan providing customers the best of both worlds.

The 7-seater Mercedes R-Class made its debut at the New York International Auto Show in March of this year where it attracted a great deal of interest. Mercedes say the initial reaction to the new model is extremely encouraging as they’ve already achieved their sales target for the year for the R-Class model in India.

The luxury car maker gauges that the R-Class models fits somewhere between the manufacturer’s existing models of the M-Class and the GL-Class offering a “brand new segment” in the luxury car market.

Since the start of the year Mercedes have introduced 18 new models and variants. At present, India is one of the few countries where the new R-Class will be available, however if it is deemed a success, it could be introduced in other part so of the world in the future.

by Anita KumarOctober 8, 2010no comment

Jaguar reveals first glimpse of its electric sports car

Luxury car manufacturer Jaguar gave motoring fans a first look at their electric sports car the CX75 at the Paris Auto Show.

The electric powered 2-seater sports car is crafted from lightweight aluminium and has a range of 68 miles on a 6 hour charge. However the engineers at Jaguar have come up with a concept to help extend the battery life. By installing gas turbines to the new sporty Jag, the battery life can be lengthened so as to extend the car’s range to an impressive 560 miles.

The sleek sports car doesn’t disappoint when it comes to performance on the road. The Jaguar CX75 has a top speed of 204 mph and hits 62mph in 3.4 seconds, and furthermore it takes the new car just 2.3 seconds to go from 50-90mph.

Lithium-ion batteries help power the new concept car, plus electric motors have been installed on each wheel to produce a combined output of 780 bhp.

Jaguar has pulled out all the stops to create an interior which reflects the contemporary and stylish concept of the new ride. With cool white and grey leather upholstery and a state of the art TFT screen, as seen in the latest XJ Sedan, this sports car is the epitome of sleek elegance.

Is the new CX75 the future of motoring? Jaguar certainly seems to think so.

by Anita KumarSeptember 30, 20101 comment

Audi wins at Motorist Choice Awards

The Audi A5 and the A6 both walked away with two trophies at the recent Motorist Choice Awards. The awards poll 42,000 consumers to determine the winners and so achieving a Motorist Choice Award is quite a coup for any car manufacturer.

The Audi A5 was handed the Best Sexy Styling gong which is something the premium car maker will be especially pleased about as pop star Justin Timberlake was drafted in to sex up the image of the A5, and so it seems that endorsement has more than paid off. The sleek coupe hit all the right notes with the drivers with its highly stylised interior, 8 speed Tiptronic transmission and great performance on the road.

The Audi A6, seen as the more relaxed older brother of the A5, was another of the big winners of the night taking away the Best Country Club Vehicle of 2010. The A6 was praised for its comfortable interior teamed with its powerful engine and top driving performance.

The fifth annual awards added extra criteria to determine its winners this time round. Consumers were asked to consider fuel economy, resale value, and driving experience and a number of other factors while making their judgments in order to give a more rounded and more accurate reflection of the highest achieving car makers of 2010.

by Andrew LloydSeptember 24, 2010no comment

Rare sports car owned by James Bond writer sells for 80K

A rare sports car which once belonged to the writer Ian Fleming who is famed for creating the character of James Bond, sold for £80,000 when it went under the hammer at Bonham’s auction in West Sussex last Friday.

There was a great deal of interest in the vintage car, and not just because of its connection with the author Ian Fleming. The 1962 AC Aceca Coupe is one of only 6 surviving ford powered Aceca cars in the world, and so many motoring enthusiasts were keen to get their hands on the rare item.

The eye-catching sports car was bought from new by the author and was delivered directly to Fleming from the Thames Ditton Factory in 1962. The midnight blue convertible also features red leather upholstery adding a touch of 60’s glamour to the luxurious ride.

Fleming bought the top of the range sports car at the peak of his writing career, the same year in which his novel The Spy Who Loved Me, was published.

Another vehicle with a famous former owner which went under the hammer at last week’s auction was a 1988 Jaguar convertible once owned by the Duchess of York. The sporty number sold for £23,000 at the Bonham’s sale.

by Andrew LloydSeptember 22, 2010no comment

Jaguar XJ picks up top chauffeur award

Jaguar will be celebrating this month after their new XJ model picked up the 2010 Car of the Year Award from Professional Driver Magazine.

The luxury car was voted the best new chauffeur car of 2010 by a panel of over 30 judges made up of experts from the chauffeur industry and also motoring journalists.

The 3.0 litre V6 Diesel long base model was rated very highly across a wide range of categories. The sections range from rating the rear-seat comfort and leg room of a vehicle, to its exterior and interior appearance and also its driving performance, all of which are vital to the success of any chauffeur car.

The Jaguar XJ was singled out by the judging panel as the winner with its “beautiful and distinctive interior and outstanding driving dynamics” being highlighted in the judges’ comments.

Other highlights of the Jaguar XJ noted by judging panel included the vehicle’s high specification technology which includes a split touchscreen feature which allows passengers to watch TV or a DVD while the chauffeur follows on screen navigation at the same time.

Car manufacturer Jaguar also offers an added benefit to professional drivers who choose one of their models as all registered private hire drivers who purchase a Jaguar model are automatically eligible to join The Jaguar Chauffeur Programme. This entitles members to added benefits such as a like-for-like replacement vehicle in the case of a breakdown while the vehicle is still under warranty, plus tailored hire and reward insure service and also a year’s free membership to the Quintessentially Jaguar Concierge service.

by Andrew LloydSeptember 10, 2010no comment

Ferrari recall their 458 Italia model due to fire hazard

World renowned car manufacturer Ferrari has been forced to recall its new Italia 458 model due a fire hazard issue.

Vehicles made from the end of July 2010 have been taken back to the factory after 5 of these supercars were reported to have burst into flame across the world. One incident was reported in China, another in Switzerland, the USA, and another in Paris where luckily a passer-by was able to dose down the flames with a fire extinguisher before the blaze got out of hand.

In total some 1,248 Ferrari vehicles are being recalled as part of the safety measures. However the owners shouldn’t have to wait too long to get their impressive sports cars back as Ferrari believe they have identified the problem.

The luxury car manufacturer believes the problem has arisen as a result of glue which is used to attach the wheel arch lining. This adhesive is thought to become flammable as a result of the heat which is generated from the exhaust. The fires have typically occurred after the car has been driven at high speeds for a long period of time.

The Ferrari cars, which have a starting price of £170,000, are being recalled so Ferrari can remedy the problem the quickly as possible. Ferrari has announced that those customers whose vehicles caught on fire will be presented with a brand new vehicle.

by Susan TaylorSeptember 3, 2010no comment

Exceptional 1950’s Jaguar sports car to go under the hammer

A Jaguar XK150 sports car has been lovingly restored backs to its former glory after spending the majority of its life in a state of disrepair.

Bought in 1959 by an American, the owner wanted to take his new ride for a spin. However, his fun with his flash new motor was short lived as he turned the can over after coming to the end of its first trip out on the open road. The driver walked away from the accident unharmed, but the same couldn’t be said for the Jag.

The rare sports car, of which only 724 of its kind were sold in the States in the 1950’s, exchanged hands several times during its lifetime, without being repaired. When a duo from Yorkshire heard about the vehicle, and its interesting past, they decided they would be the ones to finally restore it.

Ray Miles and his step-son Mike Hills run their own car restoration business in Yorkshire. They had the sports car shipped over from the US, arriving in a variety boxes and crates 10 years ago.

After painstakingly restoring every detail of the exceptional car, a decade later and you’d never guess it had spent the last 50 years in a dilapidated state.

With reconditioned bodywork, and a luxurious interior designed to replicate the style of the 50’s, this 1959 Jaguar has never looked better.

Due to its unfortunate first road trip, the Jag has just 500 miles on the clock, making it something of a rarity in the motoring world. This also means that the Hills and Miles team could expect their restored Jaguar to fetch upward of £250,000 when it’s finally sold.

by Susan TaylorAugust 25, 2010no comment

The bulletproof Jaguar XJ is unveiled

The bulletproof Jaguar XJ has been officially unveiled at the 2010 Moscow Motor Show. The luxury saloon features the very highest level of protection without compromising performance or style.

Each armoured Jaguar is made to order so no official price has been announced, although the vehicles are thought to start from £250,000.

The custom made armour which envelopes the new Jaguar is undetectable from the outside. Made from high strength steel with Kevlar backing, the armour even boasts under floor grenade protection as well.

The Jaguar Sentinel design is based on the long-wheel base XJ model and is powered by a 5.0 litre engine. The vehicle’s chassis has been specially designed to cope with the increased weight of the bodywork due to the bulletproof armour. A state of the art braking system has also been developed for use of the new Jag top cope with the vehicle’s powerful performance.

Each customer who opts for the armoured Jaguar will be assigned their own personal security consultant who will work with the client to assist and advise in the bespoke design of their Jaguar XJ. Each vehicle is also fully covered by a 3-year or 50,000 mile warranty, and comes with a driver training service as standard. For the convenience of the client, the armoured Jaguar can be serviced at any Jaguar dealership.

The armoured Jaguar Sentinel is expected to be popular with heads of states, royalty, politicians and even celebrities.

by Tony RobertsAugust 24, 2010no comment

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