Whats new in the world of luxury motoring? We’ve rounded up the key news you need to know from another busy week of 2016.
Maserati announced restyling of the flagship model : The Quattroporte
After an exterior restyle, interior refinement and enhanced hi-tech features, the newly designed Quattroporte MY17 is now available to order with the full GranSport GTS model available at £115,980.00, other model types will be available. The launch is inline with the introduction of the GranLusso and GranSport trims.
The differences between the GranLusso and the GranSport trims are fairly simple.
The GranLusso trim reinterprets the concept of luxury in a race-bred engineered luxury saloon by enhancing the exterior finish and improving in-cabin comfort for driver and passengers. It offers a higher level of luxury using exclusive materials and special features in the finest tradition of Italian craftsmanship.
Whilst, The GranSport trim nderscores the sporty character of the Quattroporte while enhancing the aggressive appearance of the car. Thanks to new exterior design cues and interior content that reflect the legendary racing heritage of the Maserati brand.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. announce SOFC-powered system
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. have announced that it is currently researching and developing a Solid Oxide Fuel-Cell (SOFC)-powered system that runs on bio-ethanol electric power. The new system—a world first for automotive use—features an e-Bio Fuel-Cell with an SOFC power generator. SOFC is a fuel cell utilizing the reaction of multiple fuels, including ethanol and natural gas, with oxygen to produce electricity with high efficiency.
Aston Martin DB11 set to make first running appearance at Goodwood Festival of Speed
The stunning new Aston Martin DB11 will be seen running for the first time anywhere in the world at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed (June 23-26). First unveiled at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, the 600bhp, 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 GT car will be on display in the Michelin Supercar Paddock during the Festival weekend and will be driven up Goodwood’s famous 1.16-mile hillclimb by Aston Martin CEO, Andy Palmer.
The legendary British sportscar manufacturer will also give its Vantage GT8 – the lightest and most powerful V8-powered Vantage ever built – its first UK public runs at Goodwood, driven in Saturday’s timed run category by Aston Martin Racing works driver, Darren Turner.
One year on from its global unveiling at the Festival of Speed, Aston Martin’s track-only supercar, the Vulcan, will be back to tackle the hillclimb in anger, with Aston Martin Racing works driver and Vulcan development driver, Darren Turner, at the wheel.
Volkswagen join forces with Zipcar
Volkswagen is joining forces with the world’s largest car-sharing network, Zipcar, to launch the ultra-low emission Golf GTE in the UK’s capital city. ‘Zipwagen’ is a clear demonstration of how Volkswagen is offering not only cutting-edge technology in its cars, but also in the ways in which those cars are used by new types of customers.
Rolls-Royce unveil VISION NEXT
In a spectacular event at London’s Roundhouse earlier this week, the Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 was presented. The car defines the future of luxury mobility. Codenamed 103EX, it is the marque’s first ever pure ‘Vision Vehicle’.
The Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 presents an intriguing and aesthetically dynamic vision of the future of luxury mobility – a completely personal, effortless and autonomous Rolls-Royce experience, wrapped in a design that ensures a ‘Grand Sanctuary’ for its occupants, and a ‘Grand Arrival’.
Jeep announce expansion of the Cherokee range
After the international debut at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, the details of the new Jeep Cherokee Overland edition, were this week unveiled by Jeep.
Packed with a host of standard equipment, the new Jeep Cherokee Overland comes equipped with a 2.2-litre MultiJet II 200 horsepower turbo diesel engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission in either Active Drive I or Active Drive II 4WD. The potent engine gives the car a 0-62mph time of 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 127mph.
Exterior design feature include a polished bright front grille, new body-coloured door cladding, front and rear bumpers and wheel arches, new 18-inch polished bright aluminium wheels, standard HID bi-xenon headlamps, and is finished with an Overland badge on the tailgate. The car comes in a range of colours: Deep Cherry Red, Bright White, Brilliant Black and Billet Silver.
Its refined looks are complemented inside by a long list of premium enhancements, including powered Nappa leather ventilated and heated driver and front passenger seats with four-way lumbar adjustment, memory driver’s seat and mirrors, a new steering wheel with wood insert, anodized silver bezels and vent surrounds, and Berber floor mats. The interior is available in Morocco Black Nappa Leather, or in a brand new Pearl coloured Nappa Leather finish. Both interiors have no additional cost and both carry the signature Overland logo in premium stitching on the front seats.
Pricing for the new Jeep Cherokee Overland starts at £38,745.
TomTom unveil the Ultimate Driving Experience in Europe
The Atlantic Ocean Road in Norway came out top across Europe when mapped against TomTom’s formula, with its blend of spectacular views, quality roads and perfect light conditions throughout the summer making it the Ultimate Driving Experience in Europe. The remainder of the top five was made up of Estoril Ocean Drive, Portugal, Lake Como, Italy, The Peloponnesus, Greece and The North Coast 500, Scottish Highlands.
