march 4, 2015

Land Rover. Editor-in-Chief's Note: Land Rover actually plans to sell a convertible version of its Evoque sport utility vehicle next year, giving it a huge lead in 2016's "Answer to the Question that Absolutely No One is Asking" Sweepstakes. It's so hideous we refuse to show it to you here. And it begs the question, when automakers are left to their own devices, what are the chances that they will do the wrong thing? Over 50 percent? 75 percent? Pathetic. - PMD

(Porsche images)
The new Porsche 911 GT3 RS has made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Porsche says that the new machine has turned a 7:20 lap at the Nuerburgring Nordschleife, surpassing the 911 GT3 by five seconds, making it the fastest current generation 911 on the famous German racetrack.

The 911 GT3 RS is powered by a 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine developing 500 hp and 338 lb.-ft. of torque, combined with a specially developed PDK transmission. The engine has the largest displacement and most power of any naturally aspirated engine with direct fuel injection in the 911 family. The Numbers?  Zero to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds and 11.2 seconds in the quarter mile.

The roof in the new 911 GT3 RS is made of magnesium, carbon fiber is used for the engine and luggage compartment lids, and other components are made of weight-saving materials, making it around 22 pounds (10 kilograms) lighter than the 911 GT3. The 911 GT3 RS can be ordered now, and it will launch in the U.S. in early July of 2015 with an MSRP of $175,900, not including a $995 destination charge. Watch a video here.

(Images courtesy of Bentley Motors)
Bentley is unveiling the EXP 10 Speed 6 at the 2015 Geneva International Motor Show, calling the concept "the future direction of luxury and performance" and "a British interpretation of a high performance two seater sportscar using modern automotive design, highly skilled handcrafting, the finest materials and advanced performance technology." Whatever, let's just say it looks fan-fucking-tastic and leave it at that.

Bentley says that the inspiration for the interior comes from "the continuous line that runs around the cabin, driving through the console and into two symmetrical wings before flowing into the door and looping back into the console armrest." That's the inspiration? It looks too good to leave it to a "continuous line." Oh well. The doors of the EXP 10 Speed 6 feature 3D quilting, milled directly in to solid straight-grain cherry wood. Each resulting diamond is finished with a copper center. Wow, will suffice.

(VW images)
This is the Volkswagen Sport Coupé Concept GTE, another car that will debut in Geneva. Walter de Silva, Head of Design of Volkswagen AG, says that, “Evolution and revolution come together in the Sport Coupé Concept GTE. This concept is based on Volkswagen design DNA, which has been visibly sharpened even more. It shows how the highest-volume brand of our Group is shaping the immediate future.” They're billing it as a machine that will slot in the VW lineup as a larger CC.

VW says that the interior of the Sport Coupé Concept GTE features "matchless" ergonomics. Really?

We view this as an attempt, or shove - by Ferdinand Piech, the Supreme Leader of the VW Group - to take the VW brand upwards. They're bringing out another Phaeton, as if the first one wasn't the all-time Answer to the Question that Absolutely No One Was Asking, and now this. We can hardly wait for that VW dealer meeting, when the VW operatives from Germany try to sell yet another car that no one wants.

(Lexus)
According to Lexus, the LF-SA Concept explores unexpected territory (the sub-B-segment to be exact) for the brand "in a powerful, emotional execution that illustrates Lexus’s passion for up-coming design trends." And we'll leave it at that.

(Lamborghini)
This is the Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce. What do you need to know about it? It utilizes more carbon fiber, so its weight has been reduced by 50 kg. The naturally aspirated V12 is increased to 552 kW/750HP, giving a power-to-weight-ratio of 2.03 kg/hp. And it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.8 seconds, with a top speed of more than 350 km/h (more than 217 mph). Over and out.

(Ferrari images/newspress)
This is the new Ferrari 488 GTB. It's real fast. As in Ricky Bobby, "I'm goin' real fast momma!" fast. It has aero tricks, tweaks of all kinds, 670 horsepower and did we mention? It's real fast, as in 205 mph. Not available soon at your local Prancing Horse dealer.

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Our "Quick Take" this week has us in the Audi S3. For the record, I've always gravitated to high-performance machines with more compact dimensions. I started out with several Opel models in the late 60s, including my favorite back then, the 1900 Sedan. I loved my '69 Corvair too. And my friend's BMW 2002. My all time favorite cars were the early Porsche 911s, to this day the definitive high-performance machine in terms of compact dimensions and hair-trigger performance. Another perennial favorite? The VW Golf GTI, with the most recent one we sampled being the best yet. Compact dimensions, high performance and cat-quick agility are all hallmarks of the most intriguing driver's cars to me. No doubt we've had some magnificent Audi machines to sample over the last year, with the RS 7 being the most impressive, an over-the-road superiority fighter that begs to be hammered hard and fast, but the Audi S3 has become my new favorite ripping around town machine. Yes, it's pricey - the GTI would still win any price/value equation - but the S3 bristles with attitude, as if it were created by a hardcore bunch of True Believer enthusiasts who knew what they wanted to do in terms of creating a car just for them, and then delivered exactly that. The engine-gearbox combination is just superb, with the engine delivering right now response and the shifts snapping off with lightning precision, which makes the S3 beg to be flogged within an inch of its life all the time.  I could never have one of these in Misano Red, because I found myself just hammering the S3 constantly. It would be like waving a red flag in front of the radar cowboys. This car just made me smile driving it, like the great cars I've been lucky enough to enjoy over this high-performance car life, and still do to this day. Even though I enjoy driving the King Kong Audi models that we've had the pleasure of sampling, this machine is the one I'd seriously consider acquiring for myself, I just can't say enough about it. We get an S4 next week, which is another one of my favorites - I had one of my own a few years ago - so it will be an interesting comparison to the S3. I'm guessing it will be a tall order for the S4 to sway me from lusting after the S3. - PMD

2015 Audi S3 Sedan 2.0T quattro S tronic: $48,045 ($41,100 Base Price; Misano Red Pearl Effect, $550; Black Interior; 2.0-liter TFSI 4-cylinder with 292HP and 280 lbs-ft of torque; quattro all-wheel-drive system; Six-speed S tronic transmission; 18" 5-parallel-spoke-design wheels with 225/40 summer performance tires; Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with secondary collision brake sensor; Ventilated disc brakes front and rear; Anti-lock brake system (ABS) with brake assist; Progressive power steering; Temporary compact spare tire; Panoramic sunroof with retractable sunshade; Audi xenon plus headlights with LED DRLs and taillights; Rain and light sensor; Power adjustable heated exterior mirrors; 12-way power adjustable heated front seats including lumbar adjustment; 60/40 split-folding rear seat; Leather seating surfaces; Dual-zone automatic climate control; Three-spoke, leather-wrapped, multifunction, flat-bottom steering wheel with shift paddles; Audi sound system; AM/FM/SAT/1CD with SD card reader; Audi music interface with iPod cable; SIRIUS Satellite radio with three-month complimentary subscription; Preparation for mobile phone (Bluetooth); Driver information system; Audi MMI Navigation Plus Package - 1CD/DVD-player with HD radio, Audi MMI Navigation plus with voice control, Audi MMI touch, Color driver information display, Audi connect with online services (six-month subscription) - $2,600; 19" Performance Package - 5-double spoke Star design anthracite polished wheels, summer performance tires, Audi magnetic ride - $1,500; Driver Assistance Package - Parking system plus with rear view camera, Audi side assist - $1400; Front filler panel; Destination charge, $895)

Adherence to Brand Image:  The Audi S3 is a clear message to enthusiasts that says, "Yes, we build beautiful, imposing machines that translate into road royalty, but we haven't forgotten the pure essence of high-performance and driving fun in a (somewhat) affordable package." Or something like that. If you love expertly executed high-performance machines of compact dimensions, check out the S3. But be careful, because that grin that comes over your face might obscure all rational thought - and notions of restraint. - PMD