The 2017 Alpine Vision Has 100% More headlights.

Renault must think the best way to sell a car is to give it 4 headlights & talk about heritage for the majority of its press release. After reading the whole thing i didn't know much more about the 2017 Alpine Vision, & i felt like they didn't know a whole lot about it either. I was intrigued by the style at first, but now i can't shake the feeling that a 2005 Toyota MR2 & a Porsche are celebrating Halloween in a 2 person car costume.

 Here's the little bit we do know:

• 4 Cylinder Turbo Engine
• Mid Engine
• 0-62 in 4.5sec 
• It will have paddle shifters
• It will have the wrong transmission. (sources say it will only come with a seven speed dual clutch automatic, no manual option available). 
• It includes some dude with a beard & leather jacket who drives with one hand.

 What else do we know? The chassis will have a "playful personality" & that the breaks are "powerful". I've never lost excitement so quick in my life.

What we want to know:

• HP and torque
• Weight
• Price
• literally everything else

With all that being said, i do like the idea of the Alpine vision. As a whole, its appearance is not something you see often by any means. While i make fun of the twin headlights, i think it's a nice touch. If the interior turns out anything like the pictures i think it will be a pleasure to drive. It has a real sense of modernism and technology while still retaining simplicity. It wants to have 100 knobs and dials like a race car, but does not because it chose not to. We'll stay tuned, maybe more information on the Alpine Vision will make its way out before we completely lose interest in it.

Derivable Jewelry - The 2016 Pagani Huayra BC

Using the term Hypercar is not something i take lightly, it's almost like giving a restaurant 5/5 stars or getting 100% on a test. Perfection of this level is not something that many cars have obtained, especially by car companies as young as Pagani. The Pagani Huayra BC is most certainly a hypercar, but why? What really makes it one of the most amazing vehicles today?

You want the short answer? The car is violently fast, incredibly good looking and meticulously engineered. It has the precision of a Rolex & the power of a rocket ship. What's more, is that Pagani is an infant compared to Lamborghini, Ferrari, & others. The vision was simple; less weight and more power. But Pagani didn't do this on its own. The Huayra BC is powered by a Mercedes AMG 6.0L twin-turbo V12 which has been re-worked to put out an estimated 750+ HP and should have a top speed of over 230mph (exact numbers have not been released yet). The 7 speed AMT (automatic manual transmission) was developed & manufactured by Xtrac.

The old model rocketed from 0-60 in about 3.2 seconds so we may assume the BC is a bit faster. Also, the weight dropped about 282 lbs from the old Huayra down to a mere 2,685 lbs. That's about the same weight as a Lotus Evora GT4. Pagani was so obsessed with weight reduction they even decided to go with a single plate clutch rather then a much newer (and heavier) double plate clutch. Even with the single plate clutch shift times have been cut in half from 150 milliseconds to 75 thanks to stuff like carbon fiber synchros & redesigned internals. It's one of only two cars that has a chassis made from Carbo-titanium (Carbon FIber and Titanium). The other being the first version of the Huayra.

Going around a corner in the Huayra BC could almost rip your face off; Pagani estimates the lateral acceleration will have peeks of 2G! All this thanks to specialized Pirelli tires, a double wishbone suspension (front and rear), electronic stability control & an electronic active differential. Slowing your speed-crazed ass down from 230+ mph will be the job of the Brembo CCM (carbon-ceramic) braking system. The car certainly has a wild side but selective drive modes make it more manageable if you're just going out for a cruise. You'll have Comfort, Sport, and Track mode to choose from.

The interior still has a bit of Victorian feel, but in the red and black color scheme it seemed much more modernized then the brown & chrome we're used to in the old one. You won't find any plastic, and if it is like the last one, every single nut and bolt will be constructed from titanium. Besides the roof, everything has been completely redesigned and does not have 1 body panel that is the same as the Huayra Coupé.

The bad news? You can't buy one, not just because the price tag is roughly 2.6 Million, but because all 20 that will be produced have been sold already. The BC at the end stands for Benny Caiola who was Horacio Pagani’s very first customer!

Your New Golf Club Transportation - 2017 Bentley Flying Spur V8 S

AARP Card, Bentley, Cialis, Oh my! Ok so the 2017 Bentley Flying Spur V8 S may not be our favorite car, but there's tons of people who are going to buy it, so why not take a look?

The Flying Spur V8 S is a fart-y looking car, but that's Bently's style, and we're OK with that. It's got 528HP, 502 lb.ft of torque & will be as heavy as your mother-in-law after thanksgiving (exact weight has not been release yet). There has been no price announced, however we guesstimate it at around $210K. With a 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds (the same as a WRX STI), this isn't any sort of speed demon. When released, the car with take its place between the Flying Spur V8 and family flagship W12.

Bentley may be holding back, but we haven't see anything wildly interesting or innovative in the press release. There were no pictures of the interior, no info on the price, curb weight and much more. If you're an old dude with a lot of cash, you may want to read the specs below for more info.

Other information:

• 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine
• AWD system with a 40:60 rear bias
• Electronic Stability Control
• Optional carbon ceramic brakes are available
• Available with a WiFi hotspot for connectivity while traveling.
• Global debut at the Geneva Motor Show between 1 and 13 March 2016.
• New responsive suspension tuning for the Flying Spur V8 S improves handling and body control
• The aluminum double-wishbone front and trapezoidal multi-link rear self-levelling air suspension with continuous damping control ensure that the Flying Spur’s legendary refinement is maintained.
• Careful recalibration of the Continuous Damping Control (CDC) system helps improve handling performance
• Variable displacement, in which four of the eight cylinders shut down when cruising,
• In ‘S’ mode, drivers will find a sharper-still throttle response and additional engine braking from the transmission. Eighth gear is locked out when ‘S’ mode is engaged and the knurled paddle shifters are harmonized with the car’s new, sportier side.

2017 Jaguar F-Type SVR - A 200 MPH Daily Driver?

Well, that's what Jaguar wants you to think, calling the 2017 F-Type SVR a "200mph, all-weather supercar." I can see it now, desperately trying to convince your wife that your $130K Jag is a better choice than your Jeep or Range rover in a snow storm. The saying "A jack of all trades & a master of none" first came to mind, when reading Jaguars press release. I mean you can't top out at 200MPH & also be able to enjoy a comfortable ride in most other driving conditions, can you?

The short answer is yes, yes you can. In case you haven't noticed  technology has come a long way, & the brains of this car allow it to wear two different hats. The 583HP 5.0L Supercharged V8 assisted by the 8 Speed Quickshift transmission is what rockets the F-Type SVR from 0-60mph in just 3.5 seconds. We know that there are more powerful cars that go slower & less powerful cars that go faster. Besides the power-weight ratio, the speed is mainly due to how efficiently the vehicle transfers the power to the payment (or snow). You'll have a double wishbone suspension, Adaptive Dynamics, Torque Vectoring, & Dynamic Stability control. These systems will read the road, as well as you constantly making adjustments for a better ride. Yes the car can read you, but this isn't a good reason to stop seeing your therapist or start talking to it when no ones looking.

Remember, speed doesn't kill you, suddenly becoming stationary does, so proper braking should be a part of the F-Type SVR, and it is. The Six & Four piston break calipers coupled with a Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) brake system will help you to slow down enough to avoid that telephone pole your headed towards because you were staring at that blonde for a bit too long.

I've always admired the jaguars styling and the F-Type SVR is no exception. It looks like someone took a fighter jet and dialed the angular, aggressive cues down from a 10 to a 6. It looks like it's holding something back, exhibiting a bit of self control if you will.  The 2017 F Type SVR debut at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show and will be on sale in the USA for about $130K.

The first M branded 7 series - 2017 BMW M760LI

After constructing a well thought out, comprehensive article on the BMW M760LI i decided to backspace the whole thing. Make no mistake about it, the news that BMW has released its first ever M branded 7 series is significant. I nixed the article because i kept getting a feeling of deja vu, to me the M760LI looked like a CTRL+C, CTRL-V of the B7 Alpena i wrote about just days ago. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who can sit down and pick apart the differences, and by all means please feel free in the comments, but I'm not going to. I'll leave you with some pictures, stats and we can move on to some more interesting things.

• 6.6L 12 Cylinder Twin Turbo. 
• Rear Bias AWD (X Drive). 
• 600HP & 590 LB-FT torque. 
• 0-62 in 3.9s
• 8 Speed Steptronic transmission. 
• Executive Drive Pro suspension system
• Rear Wheel Steering. 
• The Driving Assistant Plus 
• Steering & lane control assistant,
•  Lane keeping assistant with active side collision protection, 
• Rear collision prevention and 
• Crossing traffic warning functions.

• Traffic jam assistant – which involves semi-automated driving.

1LE Package Now Available in 2017 V6 Camaro

The 2017 V6 Camaro 1LE is faster around the track than a 2015 V8 Camaro SS, yes, I'm super serious! For the first time in history the V6 Camaros (the 1LT & 2 LT) will be eligible to receive the 1LE performance package.

The performance package does not add any HP to your quaint 335 HP 3.6L V6 Engine, however it'll give almost everything else a bit of an upgrade. Below you'll find a list of the stuff we found interesting. In short, the suspension, breaks, cooling system, wheels & tires have all received very solid improvement. With a 6 speed manual transmission and a better front to rear weight distribution this should be a solid affordable choice for a track car.

• FE3 suspension components (from the Camaro SS), including dampers, rear cradle mounts, ball-jointed rear toe links & stabilizer bars
• Brembo 4-piston front brake calipers.
• Standard track-cooling package, with engine oil, differential and transmission coolers. Lightweight 20-inch forged aluminum wheels with Goodyear Eagle F1 245/40R20 front tires and 275/35R20 rear tires
• Available Recaro seats
• Available Performance Data Recorder will allow you to view and share your track experience.
• Standard dual mode exhaust system
• Satin black hood, front splitter and unique three-piece rear spoiler
• Curb Weight under 3,500 

Alpina's Viagra Commercial - 2017 BMW Alpina B7

To really understand the 2017 BMW Alpina B7 you may first want to take a look at Alpina's 2 minute long Viagra commercial, er, i mean video. Ok so a guy in his 20's or 30's with $130K to blow probably wouldn't be interested in the B7, so who really wants one? Do you?

First we need some background info. Under the hood of the AWD Alpina B7 you'll find a massive 600HP 4.4L Twin Turbo V8 that can do 0-62MPH in 3.6 seconds. That's 0.8 seconds faster than a 750i xDrive, 0.3 seconds faster then an AMG S63 & about 0.2 seconds slower then a Ferrari GTC4 Lusso.

You also have variable drive options which include Sport + mode. How do you put it in Sport + mode you ask? "At the touch of a single buttong" according to the Alpina website. I'm not sure what a buttong is, and I'm apprehensive about putting my finger on it. The air suspension allows for 1.6 inches of adjustments while the Dynamic Damper Control & Active Comfort Drive with Road Preview will have your passengers falling asleep in no time.

Not too much has changed in the looks department from the previous year. The most noticeable difference is some chrome trim that runs from the front quarter panels to the rear doors, how exciting! Alpina wrote a bunch regarding the level of luxury seen inside the vehicle, but I'm not seeing it. The inside of the car looks strangely similar to the inside of my moms 2003 BMW 530i. I understand maintaining a look, & a brand image is important, but i expected way more changes over the course of 13 years.

New to the B7 is rear wheel steering which Alpina claims will give the the B7 "a level of dynamic performance and agility not previously associated with performance luxury sedans". The Active Roll Stabilization will help reduce body roll during cornering; a real plus for a car weighing around 4,600 lbs. The 8 speed trans can be controlled by the Switch Tronic system, which is just Alpina's way of saying manual gear changes with paddle sifters. There's even a buttong, i mean button which controls an exhaust air flap if you want to hear the car really roar while you're out for a drive.

So this leads us back to the question, who really wants one of these? If you're that person sitting there asking yourself "when the hell is BMW going to make an M7?" then this car is probably for you. If you need to keep up your old man image, but are really a kid at heart, this may be the car for you. If you have to drop your daughter off at ballet at 7:00 then drive all the way across town to drop your son off at hockey at 7:05, then this may be the car for you.

Goodbye Ferrari FF - Hello Ferrari GTC4 Lusso

If you want to take 2 or 3 people for a spin in your Ferrari & duct taping them on the roof isn't an option then the new GTC4 Lusso should peak your interest. It's the replacement for the Ferrari FF, a car that made taking your family or friends anywhere a thrill ride.  The 4 seater Ferrari isn't anything new, & to be honest not a bunch has changed from the FF so what's different? What stayed the same?

The GTC4 Lusso is still AWD, is still powered by a massive V12 engine & should still cost you right around $300K (although an exact price has not been released). What we loved about the FF is that it knew its place in the world with regards to ride settings. There was a button to soften the dampers so driving was pleasant on bumpy roads and not annoying like some other GT cars. Cars that just couldn't break free from their track inspired engineering.

The most significant difference is probably the addition of 4 wheel steering which works with the Slip Side Control System. Ferrari says "All are effortlessly allow the driver handle the GT4Lusso's extraordinary torque even on snow-covered, wet or low grip roads". Yes this is an exact quote, crappy grammar & all. Let's just hope their description of the car has no bearing on the actual performance. While Top Gear proved the Ferrari FF couldn't beat a Bentley Continental V8 on ice/snow, maybe a rematch will be in order to test out the improvements.

The GTC4 Lusso get's a 30HP boost over the FF making the total around 681 HP and around 514 lb-ft of torque. It can accelerate you & your (skinny) family from 0-62MPH in about 3.4 seconds which is an increase of 0.3 seconds from he FF. Also, the car looks different from just about any angle with many of the body panels being new. The cars official debut is at the Geneva Motor Show in march.

 

The 2016 Ford Focus RS, fish, golf & a jaguar.

If you start a sentence with "AWD, 300 HP, Turbo charged....." I'd probably finish it with "Mitsubishi Evo", "Subaru STI", maybe even "Golf R". Out of all cars that come to mind a Ford Focus is not one of them, until now! For me the Focus RS started out as a joke & a bet with one of my friends. When plans for a 350HP AWD Focus were just rumors i bet the idea would fall on its face. I've lost that bet & i can't say I'm too upset about it.

Lats face it, if you were in the market for a powerful, AWD, rally inspired car for around $35K there weren't many options. The three cars i mentioned above seemed like the only real choice. On paper, the Focus RS has everything you would want & more, but are people really going to buy one over a Subaru, Mitsu or VW? Should you?

Looking at it, i can't get the image of the cod-fish looking Jaguar XKR-S front end & the Golf R rear end out of my head. So let's talk a bit about facts. The 2.3L turbocharged engine has 350HP, it may give you the edge you need to pull away from your friends STI or EVO on the highway, but we can't say just yet whether or not the extra HP will translate to faster lap times. I've been waiting for 12 years for the STI to get a HP bump, and the Focus RS does it in its first try.

The Focus RS uses GKN's new Twinster AWD system instead of going for the easy way out (a Haldex system). While I'm not elated that this system (as well as the Haldex) favor the front wheels in normal driving, it does seem to be a closer to true AWD like in the EVO and STI. Their still may be a problem of keeping all wheels spinning in low trac situations (deep snow) but that remains to be seen. It is 2016, computers can do almost anything so it stands to reason that their will be one powering the torque vectoring system. I'm also happy to see that you have a few different drive options including track mode, & the almighty DRIFT MODE!!!

Ok so it seems fast, smart & decent looking, but is it fun to drive? Will it be reliable? Will it work queasily on the track as well as off? The turbo charged AWD rally style car is not a new thing by any means. Subaru & Mitsubishi were selling cars just like this 12 years ago (3 years before anyone ever heard of an iPhone). Unfortunately, initial reports claim that the Focus RS is tame no matter what mode you are in. There is no OH S*!T mode. Reportedly, it feels like the computers are doing a good portion of the driving for you at all times even in track & drift mode. I watched a person test drive the car, in the commentary they mentioned (I'm paraphrasing) "i can drift with no problem and i don't even really know how to drift" A real driver will tell you a car is only fun if it's a bit scary. All that exhilaration goes out the window when a car restricts you from pulling a shiesty maneuver you're perfectly capable of handling yourself. Also, drivers reported significant body roll in certain driving situations as well as under steer, thought not as bad as in a Fiesta RS

So what's the verdict? Truth is, for $35K I'd buy a Subaru STI almost any day of the week over the Focus RS. Let's overlook the obvious fact that this is Ford's first modern day attempt at a rally inspired car for the masses. I know Subaru & Mitsubishi can produce cars that, for me, still look decent 10 years into the future. Ford, not so much. Also, i know a 12 year old Subaru STI (about 70K miles) still costs about $20k or more. So if you bought one back in 2004 you'd have spent $104/month to drive the thing (assuming you somehow put 5,800 miles on it per year). While the GKN Twinster AWD system may be better than Haldex, it's barely a true AWD like you would find in the STI and EVO.