Monday
Mar042019
MARCH 6, 2019
Monday, March 4, 2019 at 08:56AM 
Volvo. Somehow we knew it would come to this: Volvo is cutting the top speed of its cars from 130 mph to 112 mph in the interest of safety and to reduce speed-related deaths. This is Bush League Bullshit of the first degree. Speeding doesn't cause auto deaths; bad judgement, incompetence, carelessness and stupidity behind the wheel are responsible, however. 
(Volkswagen images)
Volkswagen has officially introduced the next member of the ID. concept family at the 89th Geneva International Motor Show — the ID. BUGGY. Clearly drawing inspiration from the classic California dune buggies of the 60s, the ID. BUGGY was created to show the versatility of VW's modular electric drive matrix (MEB), putting "the fun in functional," according to VW PR minions. Dubbing the ID. BUGGY "at once futuristic and retro," the MEB chassis integrates a 62kWh lithium-ion battery into the floor and a 201-horsepower electric motor in the rear to give it an expected range of 155 miles on the WLTP cycle. The minimalist design of the ID. BUGGY concept makes it a pure 2-seater; it can also be converted to a 2+2-seater and an additional electric motor could be added to the front axle in order to make four-wheel drive possible. What may be the most intriguing feature? The ID. BUGGY’s modular design allows for the composite upper body to be detached from the MEB chassis, opening up a world of possibilities for third-party manufacturers, as the original Meyers Manx kit did for the first buggies. No mention of production plans - yet.
Volkswagen has officially introduced the next member of the ID. concept family at the 89th Geneva International Motor Show — the ID. BUGGY. Clearly drawing inspiration from the classic California dune buggies of the 60s, the ID. BUGGY was created to show the versatility of VW's modular electric drive matrix (MEB), putting "the fun in functional," according to VW PR minions. Dubbing the ID. BUGGY "at once futuristic and retro," the MEB chassis integrates a 62kWh lithium-ion battery into the floor and a 201-horsepower electric motor in the rear to give it an expected range of 155 miles on the WLTP cycle. The minimalist design of the ID. BUGGY concept makes it a pure 2-seater; it can also be converted to a 2+2-seater and an additional electric motor could be added to the front axle in order to make four-wheel drive possible. What may be the most intriguing feature? The ID. BUGGY’s modular design allows for the composite upper body to be detached from the MEB chassis, opening up a world of possibilities for third-party manufacturers, as the original Meyers Manx kit did for the first buggies. No mention of production plans - yet.
(Mercedes-Benz images)
A couple of items from the "Bring Money" File. First up: The limited-edition Mercedes-AMG S 65 Final Edition model "marks the pinnacle of the 6.0-liter V12 Biturbo engine's long success story on board the S-Class Sedan," according to Mercedes-Benz PR minions. This special edition - only 130 vehicles will be available worldwide - is aimed at collectors of exclusive vehicles and fans of superlative twelve-cylinder engines (and customers with cash to burn, although no price has been announced). The S 65 Final Edition comes exclusively in a high-gloss obsidian black metallic paint finish. Other exclusive stuff? 20-inch forged multi-spoke wheels, air-inlet grilles in a unique matte bronze finish, an AMG crest on the C-pillar, tailpipe trims in high-gloss black, upholstery in Exclusive Black Nappa leather with copper-colored contrasting top stitching and trim elements in carbon fiber streaked with fine copper-colored threads. The top stitching in the floor mats also features copper-colored contrasts. In the center console, the edition badge "1 of 130" confirms the car's limited-edition status. Other individual features include the "AMG Edition" insert on the steering wheel and the pre-configured ambient light in a copper color. The exclusive detail also extends into the engine compartment, as the engine fitter's badge ("One Man – One Engine") comes in a special design and is finished in exclusive black instead of silver. Every other option available is standard on the S 65 Final Edition. With an output of 621HP and peak torque of 738 lb-ft at 2300-4300 rpm, the V12 will get you to the club on time. And, you even get a custom AMG Indoor Car Cover emblazoned with the lettering "AMG S 65 FINAL EDITION" in a color to match the edition. Wow, if you were on the fence, that just may seal the deal, right?
And, if the Mercedes-AMG GT R just wasn't quite special enough to pull up to your meeting in The Valley of Silicon, the new AMG GT R Roadster should up the ante nicely. Limited to 750 units worldwide, the new Mercedes-AMG GT R Roadster combines open-air driving experience with big horsepower. The AMG 4.0-liter V8 Biturbo in the AMG GT R Roadster delivers an output of 577HP and maximum torque of 516 lb-ft. (available over a wide range from 2100 to 5500 rpm). Zero to 60 mph is reached in 3.5 seconds with a top speed of - hang on to your toupee - 197 mph. Other stuff? Adjustable coil-over suspension with active rear axle steering, active aerodynamics and intelligent lightweight construction. Similar to the other AMG GT roadster models, the GT R Roadster features a triple-layer fabric soft top with a lightweight structure consisting of aluminum, magnesium and steel.
A couple of items from the "Bring Money" File. First up: The limited-edition Mercedes-AMG S 65 Final Edition model "marks the pinnacle of the 6.0-liter V12 Biturbo engine's long success story on board the S-Class Sedan," according to Mercedes-Benz PR minions. This special edition - only 130 vehicles will be available worldwide - is aimed at collectors of exclusive vehicles and fans of superlative twelve-cylinder engines (and customers with cash to burn, although no price has been announced). The S 65 Final Edition comes exclusively in a high-gloss obsidian black metallic paint finish. Other exclusive stuff? 20-inch forged multi-spoke wheels, air-inlet grilles in a unique matte bronze finish, an AMG crest on the C-pillar, tailpipe trims in high-gloss black, upholstery in Exclusive Black Nappa leather with copper-colored contrasting top stitching and trim elements in carbon fiber streaked with fine copper-colored threads. The top stitching in the floor mats also features copper-colored contrasts. In the center console, the edition badge "1 of 130" confirms the car's limited-edition status. Other individual features include the "AMG Edition" insert on the steering wheel and the pre-configured ambient light in a copper color. The exclusive detail also extends into the engine compartment, as the engine fitter's badge ("One Man – One Engine") comes in a special design and is finished in exclusive black instead of silver. Every other option available is standard on the S 65 Final Edition. With an output of 621HP and peak torque of 738 lb-ft at 2300-4300 rpm, the V12 will get you to the club on time. And, you even get a custom AMG Indoor Car Cover emblazoned with the lettering "AMG S 65 FINAL EDITION" in a color to match the edition. Wow, if you were on the fence, that just may seal the deal, right?
And, if the Mercedes-AMG GT R just wasn't quite special enough to pull up to your meeting in The Valley of Silicon, the new AMG GT R Roadster should up the ante nicely. Limited to 750 units worldwide, the new Mercedes-AMG GT R Roadster combines open-air driving experience with big horsepower. The AMG 4.0-liter V8 Biturbo in the AMG GT R Roadster delivers an output of 577HP and maximum torque of 516 lb-ft. (available over a wide range from 2100 to 5500 rpm). Zero to 60 mph is reached in 3.5 seconds with a top speed of - hang on to your toupee - 197 mph. Other stuff? Adjustable coil-over suspension with active rear axle steering, active aerodynamics and intelligent lightweight construction. Similar to the other AMG GT roadster models, the GT R Roadster features a triple-layer fabric soft top with a lightweight structure consisting of aluminum, magnesium and steel.
(Bugatti images)
From the "Holy Shit File comes word of the one-off “La Voiture Noire“ Bugatti. “The true form of luxury is individuality. ‘La Voiture Noire’ is now at the cutting edge of automobile production. It is a sculptural beauty with unique technology, the ideal grand tourisme,” says Bugatti President Stephan Winkelmann. "With 'La Voiture Noire' we are paying homage to our heritage and bringing speed, technology, luxury and aesthetics forward to a new era. La Voiture Noire is a far more than a modern interpretation of Jean Bugatti’s Type 57 SC Atlantic. It is a feast of aesthetics,” Winkelmann continued. With its extended front end and the distinctive Bugatti C-line, the “Voiture Noire“ creates an elongated impression with the elegant waistline defining the contours of the coupé. Purism and elegance are reflected in the surfaces and the clear lines. The bumpers are smoothly integrated into the body and the windscreen seems to flow seamlessly into the windows at the sides like the visor on a helmet. Without any irritating lines, the surface is “all of a piece” and there is nothing to disturb the optical flow. This means that the hyper sports car has changed its attitude and become a grand tourisme – ideal for comfortable travel on long trips. “Every single component has been handcrafted and the carbon fiber body has a deep black gloss only interrupted by the ultra-fine fiber structure. This is a material that has been handled perfectly,” says Bugatti designer Etienne Salomé. “We worked long and hard on this design until was nothing that we could improve. For us, the coupé represents the perfect form with a perfect finish." The “La Voiture Noire“ Bugatti is powered by an 8-liter 16-cylinder engine that develops 1,103 kW/1,500 PS and 1,600 Newton-meters of torque. Six tailpipes out the back provide an exclamation point. This one-off has been sold for around $19 million to "a Bugatti enthusiast," making it the most expensive new car of all time. That Bugatti enthusiast? Dr. Ferdinand Piech.
From the "Holy Shit File comes word of the one-off “La Voiture Noire“ Bugatti. “The true form of luxury is individuality. ‘La Voiture Noire’ is now at the cutting edge of automobile production. It is a sculptural beauty with unique technology, the ideal grand tourisme,” says Bugatti President Stephan Winkelmann. "With 'La Voiture Noire' we are paying homage to our heritage and bringing speed, technology, luxury and aesthetics forward to a new era. La Voiture Noire is a far more than a modern interpretation of Jean Bugatti’s Type 57 SC Atlantic. It is a feast of aesthetics,” Winkelmann continued. With its extended front end and the distinctive Bugatti C-line, the “Voiture Noire“ creates an elongated impression with the elegant waistline defining the contours of the coupé. Purism and elegance are reflected in the surfaces and the clear lines. The bumpers are smoothly integrated into the body and the windscreen seems to flow seamlessly into the windows at the sides like the visor on a helmet. Without any irritating lines, the surface is “all of a piece” and there is nothing to disturb the optical flow. This means that the hyper sports car has changed its attitude and become a grand tourisme – ideal for comfortable travel on long trips. “Every single component has been handcrafted and the carbon fiber body has a deep black gloss only interrupted by the ultra-fine fiber structure. This is a material that has been handled perfectly,” says Bugatti designer Etienne Salomé. “We worked long and hard on this design until was nothing that we could improve. For us, the coupé represents the perfect form with a perfect finish." The “La Voiture Noire“ Bugatti is powered by an 8-liter 16-cylinder engine that develops 1,103 kW/1,500 PS and 1,600 Newton-meters of torque. Six tailpipes out the back provide an exclamation point. This one-off has been sold for around $19 million to "a Bugatti enthusiast," making it the most expensive new car of all time. That Bugatti enthusiast? Dr. Ferdinand Piech.
(Kia images)
Editor-in-Chief's Note: The concepts are multiplying like weeds at the Geneva International Motor Show. We have no intention of covering all of them, just the few that interest us. This "Imagine by Kia" concept is one of them. We won't bore you with the details, because we didn't have enough shovels to get through the press release. Suffice to say it's a compelling design for a Battery Electric Vehicle. Here's what they had to say: “Automotive design is about capturing the heart and making it beat that bit faster for that bit longer. We believe that there’s absolutely no reason why that should change simply because the car is electric,” says Gregory Guillaume, Vice President of Design for Kia Motors Europe. “That’s why our all-electric concept is designed to not only get your pulse racing, but to also signpost our holistic and emotional approach to electrification.” He lost us with the words "get your pulse racing" but it's an attractive concept nonetheless. -PMD
Editor-in-Chief's Note: The concepts are multiplying like weeds at the Geneva International Motor Show. We have no intention of covering all of them, just the few that interest us. This "Imagine by Kia" concept is one of them. We won't bore you with the details, because we didn't have enough shovels to get through the press release. Suffice to say it's a compelling design for a Battery Electric Vehicle. Here's what they had to say: “Automotive design is about capturing the heart and making it beat that bit faster for that bit longer. We believe that there’s absolutely no reason why that should change simply because the car is electric,” says Gregory Guillaume, Vice President of Design for Kia Motors Europe. “That’s why our all-electric concept is designed to not only get your pulse racing, but to also signpost our holistic and emotional approach to electrification.” He lost us with the words "get your pulse racing" but it's an attractive concept nonetheless. -PMD
(Alfa Romeo)
Alfa Romeo unveiled its Tonale premium compact SUV. The Tonale is the first plug-in hybrid and the first premium compact SUV from Alfa Romeo. When it will actually be built is anyone's guess at the moment.
Alfa Romeo unveiled its Tonale premium compact SUV. The Tonale is the first plug-in hybrid and the first premium compact SUV from Alfa Romeo. When it will actually be built is anyone's guess at the moment.
(Hyundai images)
Hyundai isn't giving up on building cars, thank goodness. This is the new 2020 Sonata. It is longer, lower wider and very nice looking. More details to come.
Hyundai isn't giving up on building cars, thank goodness. This is the new 2020 Sonata. It is longer, lower wider and very nice looking. More details to come.
