Month: June 2011

For Bentley Continental GT owners who want to stand out from the herd; the Crewe-based company has unveiled a Mulliner ‘Classic Pack’ styling package to suit the latest model. The discreet body package – created from carbon fibre – consists of a front splitter and strakes for the air intake grilles, small sill extensions and a neat rear diffuser.

Other options available include those striking black painted 21-inch ‘Elegant’ alloy wheels, then there’s carbon fibre mirror casings, a rear spoiler and a (Jaguar style) wing vent option, also framed in carbon.

[Source: Bentley]

(more…)

Apart from his accomplishments in the music industry, Elton John is well known for his flamboyant, unsubtle style. So Audi realised that it really had to pull out all the stops to out-bling the legendary singer, composer and pianist. And looking at this special chrome effect R8 Spyder we’d say ‘mission accomplished’.

Initially, a dazzling open-topped supercar was donated by Audi UK to the Elton John Aids Foundation, to be auctioned at the 2011 White Tie and Tiara Ball. But after it attracted so much attention from the bidding guests – Audi kindly donated a second model – which proved to be just as popular, helping to raise an amazing £620,000 (€698,000) to the EJAF.

[Source: Audi]

(more…)

Another day, another Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 review – this time it’s a road test from Autoweek’s Roy Kleijwegt. This swansong for the 997 range certainly does the model justice; its naturally aspirated flat-six is a serious piece of kit – using forged pistons, titanium connecting rods, and the crankshaft from the 911 GT3 RSR race car – it develops an impressive 125 hp/litre, helping the GT3 RS 4.0 to hit 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds and 124 mph in under 12 seconds. (more…)

Auto Express journalist Mat Watson takes a good look at Audi’s beautiful A7 Sportback, and sees if it has what it takes to outshine its main competitors – the Porsche Panamera and Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class. (more…)

If we’re honest, we’d rather have BMW’s E92 M3 coupé than the E90 saloon version, but its new lightweight M3 CRT is a different matter. The limited edition model, finished in Frozen Polar Silver metallic and sitting on 19-inch Y-spoke wheels, looks delicious – but its real appeal lies beneath that exclusive paintwork.

That’s right, the guys from BMW M GmbH have done it again; apart from receiving lightweight soundproofing and a titanium muffler, the car’s diet also involved the use of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) for components including the bonnet, front air intakes, rear spoiler and front bucket seats, meaning the BMW M3 CRT (Carbon Racing Technology) enjoys a weight-to-power ratio of 3.5 kilograms per horsepower.

That weight loss of 45 kg, plus the M3’s award-winning 450 hp V8 engine, results in a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 290 km/h (180 mph).

There’s no word on the price as of yet, and just 67 units will be produced, so if you want one – you’ll be lucky.

[Source: BMW]

(more…)

Autocar magazine’s Matt Prior is the latest journo to drive Porsche’s GT3 RS 4.0. Producing a handy 500 bhp from its naturally aspirated 4.0 unit, the GT3 RS 4.0 manages the 0-60mph sprint in just 3.8 seconds and can complete the Nürburgring-Nordschleife in just 7 minutes and 27 seconds. (more…)