When you usually hear the name ASMA, you tend to think of over the top highly tuned Mercedes Benz models like the SLR super car, but this time the German design studio has moved their attention over to the even more illustrious Bentley Continental. However the more that things change, the more they stay the same, so just like the Perfectus SLR, the Ventus was also built for a wealthy Saudi politician.
ASMA Design modified every aspect of the Continental, and as you can see the final product still has a bit of work that needs to get done before they can complete the transformation. On the outside ASMA has added new front and rear bumpers to give the Ventus a distinct appearance as well as a wide body kit to give the car a much more aggressive stance. Rounding out the exterior modifications are a new downforce enhancing rear wing and diffuser, while the Continental now rides around on a set of 22 inch rims that were painted black to match the exterior. What is left to be sorted out are the seats and steering wheel which still need a few final touches.
Not ones to stand for all show and no go, ASMA Design also massaged the engine in order to raise the Bentley’s maximum output of the 6.0 Liter W12 power plant from 560 HP all the way up to 644 HP, while at the same time the two door super car’s top speed has been increased to 201 MPH.
The Japanese automaker Leuxs has just revealed details about the extended wheelbase 2010 LS 600h L Hybrid luxury sedan. The LS 600h has always been more about providing owners with the feel of a twelve cylinder engine while offering them a hybrid badged vehicle at the same time. For 2010 the LS 600h L receives a new exterior design complete with revised front fascia and a redesigned front grille and bumper, while out back the tail lamps now feature a distinctive blue tint. As usual, the Lexus flagship sedan doesn’t fall short on the technological side either.
The 2010 LS 600h L Hybrid is powered by a variant of Toyota’s hybrid synergy drive power train, a system that combines a 5.0 Liter gas burning V8 with two powerful electric motors and a large capacity battery pack. The hybrid unit generates a peak combined output rating of 438 HP and can move the LS 600h L from 0 to 60 MPH in a very sporty 5.5 seconds.
The 2010 LS 600h L benefits from numerous additional luxury amenities as well as technologies like a driver’s seat that now features a standard slide away feature that makes it easier to enter and exit the vehicle and a memory function to ensure that the bucket goes right back to the perfect spot. There is also a new LCD instrument cluster; the standard Lexus Navigation system employs new casual language recognition; Bluetooth phonebook capability and new music playing capability with the obligatory USB/iPod connectivity.
We here at Top Speed have received another fun to drive Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Limited into our test fleet. Last time we had a look at the new Legacy we were driving the flagship 3.6 R model that is more about riding around in relaxed comfort whereas the Azurite Blue Pearl 2.5 GT model is what the Japanese automaker refers to as their sporting Legacy. The biggest difference between the two cars is their power train, while the R was powered by a 3.6 Liter flat six cylinder engine that made 256 HP and 247 lb-ft of torque and is connected to a five speed automatic transmission which of course fed Subaru’s Symmetrical All Wheel Drive System. Our new 2010 Legacy 2.5 GT uses Subaru’s familiar 2.5 Liter turbocharged flat four making 265 HP and 258 lb-ft of torque and is shifted with a six speed manual gearbox, the combination is good for a 0 to 60 MPH time of 5.9 seconds. Despite the smaller displacement and being down two cylinders, the addition of a turbocharger more than makes up for the difference while taking a few pounds off the front axle at the same time.
The fifth generation of the Legacy received a restyling for 2010 and features a bold new design that features a larger one bar grill and a set of Subaru’s new hawk eye headlamps. On the outside, aside from the larger 18 inch wheels, the only thing that gives away the GT as a performance model is the functional hood scoop that feeds fresh air to the Legacy’s top mounted intercooler. The 2.5 GT wears the same bulging fenders as the rest of the lineup as well as their signature side skirts that jut out more than down, giving the Legacy a very wide and stable stance. The 2010 Legacy is a nod at the future of automobile design with its sweptback windshield and short trunk overhang that is more aerodynamic than the traditional three box shape.
Subaru considers their products to be premium automobiles, and it shows on the inside. Our Limited trim Legacy came with a very attractive leather wrapped steering wheel as well as supple seats and a dash adorned with sophisticated wood trim that carries over into the door cards. The 2010 Legacy has been completely redesigned in the interest of a roomier interior and the new car is the most spacious and luxurious Subaru sedan to date. Starting a just under $30,000 our Limited model benefited from a $3,000 power moonroof and navigation system that brought our 2.5 GT’s asking price up to $34,146; not a bad price to pay for so much machine.
The luxury arm of the Ford Motor Company, Lincoln, will be present at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas next with with a few of their own customized cars, including the all new MKS, MKZ and MKT models. Raceskinz is coming out with a customized MKS sedan painted pearl white and will feature an assortment of carbon fiber accents. The design studio 3dCarbon has chosen to modify an MKZ complete with a flush mounted rear spoiler, roof spoiler, stainless steel door moldings and a set of custom stainless exhaust tips all created in house at 3dCarbon. The MKZ will also include a Magnaflow cat back exhaust system and a set of TSW “Snetterton” Hyper Silver wheels measuring 20 inches in diameter. The third of Lincoln’s SEMA show concepts will be an over the top MKT built by Rick Bottom Designs. The exterior of the full size people mover has been smoothed, shaved and will feature a custom made chrome belt line that further accents the MKT’s body lines. The outside will be covered with a magnificently striking paint job while the interior is enhanced with two tone leather and matching floating armrests. Lincoln is recreating themselves in the eyes of the American market, and their showing at SEMA will surely help to solidify their efforts.
Hyundai turned a few heads at the Miami Auto Show by displaying the all new Equus luxury limousine on the turntable in the center of their booth. While this was actually a Korean spec Equus, it still managed to impress the judges at the show. The new Hyundai is scheduled to go on sale sometime next year for close to $50,000; and while Hyundai only expects to sell 20,000 units per, after sitting in the passenger’s seat we think they shouldn’t have a problem. The car could get toned down for the U.S. Market, after all Korean’s are crazy for chrome, but we just hope the hood ornament stays. It looks like they cut they head off of one of Rolls Royce’s flying ladies and then streamlined her physique in order for it to guide Korean executives as they recline in comfort in the spacious back seat, catch up on some work with the wood tray table or simply relax by watching the fold out television monitor. The Equus is an elegant vehicle from Hyundai and is the next logical step for a company who has just enjoyed so much success with the current award winning Genesis sedan.
Jaguar showed off their 2010 XJ at the 2009 Miami Auto Show. Although they had already unveiled the new Jag in London with our favorite late night funny man Jay Leno and super model Claudia Schiffer to take wraps off the new cat, the new XJ was just as stunning in South Florida. This particular model was the very first of the special edition XJs built for Neiman Marcus and quite possibly put the car over the top with its wraparound wood interior and cat claw inspired rear tail lamps. The 2010 XJ is the first Jaguar model to be built using Jaguar’s aerospace-inspired aluminum body technology and will be available with a stretched wheelbase option as well as a choice of new ultra-efficient Gen III classification petrol and diesel engines consisting of a 3.0 Liter diesel V6, a 5.0 Liter naturally aspirated V8 as well as the almighty 5.0 Liter supercharged 8 cylinder power plant.
Now under control of the Swedish super car manufacturerKoenigsegg, SAAB is currently enjoying a bit of a revitalization and in doing so took the wraps off of their latest generation 9-5 sedan at the 2009 Miami Auto Show. Although the new car made it’s international debut in Frankfurt, this 9-5 is still new to North America and the South Florida Show marks the car’s first appearance here in the U.S. The nose of the new 9-5 sedan is inspired by the Aero-X Concept featuring a deep grille flanked with curving, ice-block headlamp units. The entire greenhouse is presented as a ‘wraparound’ mono graphic, the disguised windshield and side pillars giving the cabin Saab’s signature cockpit look. Squint slightly, and the proportions of the windshield and roof become reminiscent of the classic 900 model. The new car comes with a variety of engine options, however here in the U.S. SAAB expects the 2.8 Liter turbocharged V6 engine that puts out approximately 300 HP to be the big seller.
Kicherer has revealed a new tuning package for the new E-Class with the AMG bodywork. The exterior package includes a carbon front spoiler for a plus in downforce on the front axle, a side skirt kit with integrated carbon tubes for better channeling of air stream on the flanks and a rear spoiler which is optionally available in carbon or also in matching car color.
The Kicherer E-Class sits on 20 inches RS-1 lightweight wheels and on the interior it gets self-developed ergonomic leather sports steering wheel on offer, as well as a foot mat set with exclusive leather border.
With the future Audi A7, the Ingolstadt company is preparing to fill the gap between the A6 and the A8, but also between sedan and Avant. A five-seter model, featuring Audi’s language design previewed by the Sportback Concept back in January, the A7 Sportback will be sold in three different version: the standard A7, a more powerful S7, and the top of the line RS7.
Under the hood of the future A7, Audi will use three different direct gasoline injection engines including a 2.8 Liter FSI and 3.0 Liter TFSI V6s as well as a 4.0 Liter TFSI V8. The alternatively fueled diesel options include a 2.7 Liter V6 and both turbocharged and twin-turbocharged versions of the existing 3.0 Liter TDI V6.
The S7 version will use the same naturally aspirated 5.2L V10 engine from the S6 that delivers 435 hp at 6,800 rpm and 398 lb.-ft of torque. The S7 will be capable of an estimated top speed of 185 mph (but most likely will be electronically limited to 155 mph).
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