Everyone knows that Mercedes is preparing a new generation S-Class for the 2013 model year, but as of late, the model was only offered as a sedan. Now, Mercedes plans on changing that by offering a total of four models, including, for the first time, a four-seater cabriolet.
During an interview with British magazine, AutoExpress, Dr. Uwe Ernstberger – Mercedes Program Manager for the S-Class - said: "The S-Class is the best luxury car in the world, and we have many surprises in terms of technology for the new model. It will deliver something very different to its rivals – and it will have a much broader range."
The first model to arrive after the base version will be the previously rumored S600 Pullman which will serve as a replacement for the recently discontinued Maybach line-up. Next, there will be a two-door S-Class coupe replacing the current CL-Class and a four-seater cabriolet featuring a vast folding roof inspired by the Ocean Drive Concept from the 2006 Detroit Auto Show. An E300 BlueTEC Hybrid version will also be offered.
Ultra luxury brands beware, another one of your comrades is falling down the shame spiral and building a - gasp - SUV!
Sure that’s a little dramatic, but so are all of the people that are scoffing at the fact that Bentley has now confirmed a new SUV scheduled to hit their lineup sometime in 2015. If everyone remembers correctly, these are the same people that were horrified that Porsche decided to build the Cayenne and look how well that turned out for them. Now, with a 37% increase of sales in 2011 (to 7,003 vehicles sold), Bentley is looking to double this number by the time this new SUV comes out by making it "the world’s most luxurious 4x4" SUV and targeting growing SUV markets like the US and China. The "luxurious" title will also match the price; Bentley is stating that the starting price for their future SUV will be $140,000, making the $48,200 starting price of the Porsche Cayenne look like it belongs on a Kia Sportage.
So what constitutes the jumbo price tag? Other than the supposedly tremendous amount of luxury built into the future SUV, it has also been stated that it will be powered by the next generation W12 engine delivering up to 600 HP. For markets like Europe, Bentley will also offer a 6.0-liter V12 TDI engine with an output of about 500 HP.
Bentley is taking a big step with its improving sales by giving an SUV a chance to flourish. Does the world need a strong competitor for the Porsche Cayenne? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean that high-end customers with deep pockets won’t be writing out checks for a chance to wallow in the luxurious nature promised by Bentley.
Now we can officially put all the talk to rest. The New Lancia Stratos, a one-off supercar that was built and designed by Pininfarina as a tribute vehicle to the legendary car of the 70’s, will remain a one-off. And we have Ferrari to thank - or blame - for that.
After the immense popularity generated by the New Stratos when it was unveiled a year ago, there was talk that Pininfarina was looking into building a limited run of the supercar for interested customers. But since the project hinged on Ferrari allowing the company to use the 430 Scuderia as the car’s platform, they had to receive the green light from the Italian automaker to proceed with the program.
Unfortunately, those folks from Ferrari have refused to allow a limited production run of the New Stratos with Ferrari CEO Dr. Amadeo Felisa seemingly content with the one-off project that was built for Michael Stoschek.
We’re pretty disappointed to see the Stratos’ renaissance end even before it actually began, but if there’s a silver lining in all of this, it’s that instead of the New Stratos, Koscheck and his people have set their sights on building a modern version of another old-time classic: the Renault Alpine A110 Berlinette. Talks with the French automaker are already in progress so we’re crossing our fingers that the Alpine will come back to our lives the way the New Stratos should have.
Back in September of 2011, an Edo Competition Ferrari Enzo FXX Evoluzione became the talk of the auto world after it plunged hood first into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean during its run at the Targa Newfoundland 2011.
As a result of its oceanic plunge, the Enzo suffered severe damages that shot up to over $100,000. But here’s where it gets interesting; 56-year-old supecar dealer Zahir Rana owns the aforementioned race car and has already brought the car back to Edo Competition in Germany to get it fixed and re-tuned to become bigger, better, and faster than what it previously was.
After all the work is done on the car, Rana plans on heading back to the Targa Newfoundland with his fully repaired Enzo boasting of even more power - a whopping 950 horsepower - than its previous 860-horsepower incarnation.
"Next year I’m going back again with twenty cars. All my friends and clients are now envious," Rana said. "I’m looking forward to it."
Certainly, Mr. Rana; you’re not the only one who’s looking forward to seeing the reborn Enzo in all its glorious power. Just be sure to keep on the road the next time.
Thirty years ago, when James Bond pulled up in an Esprit S1 in The Spy Who Loved Me and an Esprit Turbo in For Your Eyes Only, Lotus execs had big, shit-eating grins on their faces. When the famous spy dropped the contract with Lotus, these same execs began scrambling to figure out their next step. That next step came with a buyout from Proton in 1996, but things haven’t gotten much better and Proton may be ready and willing to snip the cord and let Lotus become someone else’s problem.
It took Proton 15 years and zero profit to come to terms with the fact that the Lotus purchase wasn’t a highlight of their business plan. After all, Proton builds sedans and taxis, while Lotus builds sports cars and wants to compete with makers like Ferrari and Porsche, so the oil and water scenario comes to mind. Now Proton is in trouble itself, and investors such as Gan Eng Peng say selling Lotus may just be what they need to get back in gear, but they’ll have to find a buyer first.
As of right now, no one has stepped up to make an offer, which isn’t all that surprising considering Lotus doesn’t stand to make a profit until the new Esprit comes out in 2014. Lotus Chief Executive Officer Dany Taner Bahar (formerly a Ferrari executive) backs up that statement saying he’s confident Lotus can become profitable by 2014. Of course, that will be really hard to do unless they get some financial backing sooner rather than later.
Does anyone have millions of dollars they would use to bet on the success of the new Esprit?
