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Showing posts from 2021

McLaren Unveils New 754 HP 765LT Spider As Its Most Powerful Convertible Yet

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McLaren has taken the wraps off its most powerful, most aerodynamic convertible to date, the 765LT Spider. The highly limited “long tail” model will be made to order and will deliver enormous driver engagement, always according to the manufacturer. Power comes from McLaren’s familiar twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, with the new 765LT Spider making 754 hp (765 PS/562 kW) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque (though that might be a conservative estimate). That’s enough to get it off the line and up to 60 mph (96.5 km/h) in just 2.7 seconds (0-100 km/h in 2.8). Thanks to the engine and a transmission that’s optimized for driver engagement, the 765LT Spider offers 15% faster in-gear acceleration than the 720S Spider, meaning it can hit 124 mph (200 km/h) in just 7.2 seconds. McLaren has also worked hard to ensure that the strengthening that goes into making a convertible hasn’t added too much weight. Thanks to the advanced carbon fiber construction already employed for the coupe version of the 765LT,...

Aston Martin Reveals Production-Spec Valhalla With 937 HP Hybrid V8

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Aston Martin has finally revealed the production version of the Valhalla, a hybrid mid-engine supercar that pairs a 4.0-liter V8 with two electric motors to give it a combined output of 937 hp (950 PS/698 kW). The British brand calls the car a huge step forward for the company and a transformational moment. Joining the growing class of hybrid supercars, the Valhalla will look to turn Aston Martin’s fortunes. The brand is quick to clarify that although the new car will be a technological marvel, putting the driver at the center of the experience between the various motors. Kicking things off is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo flat-plane crank V8 engine, sourced from Mercedes-AMG. On its own, it develops a pretty impressive 739 hp (750 PS/551 kW) at 7,200 RPM and drives the rear axle. The engine is aided by a pair of electric motors at each axle. In all, the hybrid system adds 201 hp (204 PS/150 kW) to the experience. The car can drive on electricity alone, in which case the power is all sent to ...

2022 Opel Astra Has Stellantis Underpinnings And A Bold New Face

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This is the all-new 2022 Opel Astra and to say it is a radical departure from its predecessor would be an understatement. The new Astra, also sold as a Vauxhall in the UK, shares its EMP2 platform with other Stellantis models including the Peugeot 308. Opel / Vauxhall will sell the new Astra with a handful of different petrol, diesel, and PHEV powertrains. Sitting at the base of the range is a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder petrol available in 108 hp and 128 hp configurations. A turbocharged four-cylinder diesel with 128 hp is also offered. These petrol engines all come standard with a six-speed manual transmission but customers can spec out an eight-speed automatic. As for the plug-in hybrids (PHEV), the entry-level variant combines a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine delivering 148 hp with a 109 hp electric motor, creating a combined 178 hp. The flagship PHEV model pairs this same 109 hp electric motor with a 178 hp version of the 1.6-liter turbo-four, produci...

The 770-HP Aventador LP780-4 Ultimae Is The Swan Song For Lamborghini’s Flagship Supercar

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After 10 years, the Lamborghini Aventador’s run has come to an end. The Aventador LP780-4 Ultimae will be the supercar’s final iteration, after which a new flagship will succeed it. Just 600 units of the Ultimae will be built, 350 coupes and 250 roadsters. Seeing as this car is meant to be the grand finale of the traditional V12 combustion engine, Lamborghini has set out to make the Ultimae the ultimate Aventador in every sense. To do that, they combined the more reserved styling cues of the Aventador S with the insane performance of the SVJ, leading to the definitive all-round Lamborghini supercar. The Aventador Ultimae’s 6.5-liter V12 that revs to 8,700 rpm produces 770 hp (780 PS / 574 kW) and 531 lb-ft (720 Nm) of torque, which is 39 hp (40 PS / 29 kW) more than the S and 10 hp (10 PS / 7 kW) more than even the SVJ. As a result of those uprated figures and various weight saving measures, the car weighs 55 lb (25 kg) less than the S and has the same power-to-weight ratio as the SVJ....

2022 BMW 2-Series Coupe Debuts With Slick Styling And Up To 382 HP, But No Manual Yet

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The 2022 BMW 2-Series Coupe was one of the worst kept secrets in Germany, but it’s finally official as the company has introduced the model ahead of its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Its predecessor was a favorite of enthusiasts and that should continue as the coupe adopts a modern design that thankfully eschews the buck tooth grille of the larger 4-Series. Instead, there’s a fairly conventional grille which is flanked by sweptback headlights and angular air intakes. Continuing down the sides, the coupe has pronounced wheel arches and streamlined bodywork. Designers also gave the car a more prominent shoulder line, an evolutionary greenhouse and flush door handles. Out back, there’s a short trunk with an integrated spoiler. Other highlights include distinctive taillights and an edgy rear bumper. The M240i is distinguished by an aggressive front bumper, a cerium grey grille surround and unique mirror caps. The model also sports Shadowline trim, special exhaust tips and a smal...

New Lotus Emira With AMG A35 And Toyota V6 Engines Is Brand’s Farewell To Combustion Cars

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Earlier this year Lotus announced it was dropping the Elise, Exige and Evora in preparation for the arrival of a range of hybrid and fully electric sports car and crossovers. But there’s just time for one last Lotus ICE adventure before the EVs arrive. Called the Emira, and projected to cost less than £60,000 ($84,500), it’s the natural replacement for the Evora, and will battle cars like the Porsche 718 Cayman when it goes on sale in Europe in spring 2022, and the U.S. at the end of that year. Closely following the Lotus sports car recipe familiar since the introduction of the Elise in 1996, the Emira rides on a new version of the company’s bonded and riveted aluminium chassis. And it’s almost exactly the same size as the Evora, riding on the same 101.4-inch (2575mm) wheelbase, and measuring an additional 0.8-inches (20mm) between front and rear bumpers. Lotus claims the new car represents “a paradigm shift in levels of practicality, comfort, functionality and technology”. And one of ...

2022 Genesis G80 Sport Unveiled With Styling Tweaks And Rear-Wheel Steering

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This is our first look at the 2022 Genesis G80 Sport with a slightly more dynamic design than the standard model. Ever since the latest-generation G80 was unveiled, there has been speculation that Genesis would launch a Sport variant, as that’s exactly what it did with the previous G80. While technical specifications about the new model haven’t been announced, these images showcase a number of unique features. Found at the front of the 2022 G80 Sport is a grille finished in dark glossy chrome and a revised front bumper that is sharper and more aggressive than lesser G80s. The dark glossy chrome finish continues across the sides of the luxury sedan. A unique set of 20-inch alloy wheels are also featured as are brake calipers available in black and red. Alterations are less apparent at the rear but do include dark glossy chrome on the tailgate. There’s also a new bumper and a subtle diffuser. Buyers of the G80 Sport will be able to order it in an exclusive color dubbed Cavendish Red, nam...

The 2022 Cayenne Turbo GT Is The Fastest And Quickest Porsche SUV Ever Made

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Porsche has taken the wraps off their latest addition to the Cayenne Coupe line-up, introducing the new 2022 Cayenne Turbo GT.  The Turbo GT seems to have dropped the “Coupe” from its official moniker, but rest assured it’s a trim level exclusive to the Cayenne Coupe. It’s also the ranger topper for the model, slotting in above both the Turbo and the S E-Hybrid. The unveiling comes just a week ahead of the Cayenne Turbo GT’s first public outing, which will take place at the Goodwood Festival of Speed from the 8th–11th of July. The new car promises to be the fastest-ever production Cayenne and one of the fastest SUVs on offer. The Cayenne Turbo GT retains the four-liter twin-turbo V8 that powers the Turbo Coupe, but does so with a power boost of 90 PS (67 kW/90 HP), giving it a total of 640 PS (471 kW/631 hp). Torque is up by 80 Nm to 850 Nm (626 lb.-ft) too. The bump in power isn’t down to a simple remap, as some may assume. Instead, Porsche has created their most potent eight-cyli...