Luxury Sports Cars

Best Luxury Sports Cars for 2016

by: Benjamin Hunting
http://www.autobytel.com/

Luxury sports cars bridge two worlds by offering outstanding performance without asking you to pay a comfort penalty to get it. It seems like with each passing year the list of the best luxury sports cars gets that much longer, with automakers the world over seeking out the healthy profit margins and prestige that come with this category of vehicle. It's a win-win for both manufacturers and customers, with the latter benefiting from the high level of investment in go-fast technologies and advanced features.

New Cars For 2016

The Hottest New Cars For 2016

by: Forbes

http://www.forbes.com/

It looks like 2016 is shaping up to be another banner year for the auto business. Not only are sales expected to remain healthy – provided gas prices and interest rates don’t rise up to land a one-two sucker punch to the industry’s jaw in the months ahead – there’s a worthy slew of brand new and fully redesigned models on the way to help lure shoppers into dealers’ showrooms.

By our count there’s at least 40 new and refreshed vehicles coming for 2016. Here, we’re featuring a baker’s dozen of the most significant passenger cars in the accompanying slideshow to debut in the months ahead, including sedans, coupes and convertibles. We’ll follow up next week with the cream of the latest crop of trucks and crossovers.

Among this rich harvest of fresh-picked cars coming to market is an impressive assortment of both racy and luxurious models, with each designed to stir the senses, but using somewhat different spoons.

For starters, Acura resurrects the low-slung NSX sports car for 2016 after an 11-year absence, and reinvents it as a high-tech gas/electric hybrid that promises neck-snapping performance and head-turning good looks. Mercedes-Benz debuts a redesigned version of its quick and costly AMG GT sports coupe, though it loses the previous rendition’s gull-wing doors in the process. Also, Buick brings back sexy in the form of the curvaceous new Cascada convertible, while Chevrolet ushers the Camaro coupe/convertible into its sixth generation – this time with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the hood – and Mazda gives the pert and peppy MX-5 Miata a long-overdue makeover.

Porsche Cayman GT4

2016 Porsche Cayman GT4

by: car and Driver
http://www.caranddriver.com/

Porsche’s mid-engined sports car is 18 years old. Having reached the age of majority, it is finally being allowed to strike out on its own this July. Back in 1996, the first Boxster was a cute, cheery, and relatively cheap addition to a stagnant product line. It and other bright ideas, including the Cayenne SUV, saved the company. Today the Boxster and its Cayman sibling have evolved beyond mere lineup entry points and that, plus Porsche’s enviable profitability, allows the brand to reconsider its long-running decree that the 911 must overpower the small mid-engined cars. So while the 911 further matures into a GT, Porsche gifts us with the ultimate Cayman, the GT4.

We've driven the GT4 and we’re thrilled that Porsche is loosening the Cayman’s reins so it can take full advantage of the mid-engine layout’s excellent balance and low polar moment of inertia, which give it a fundamental handling advantage over the rump-heavy 911. Porsche raided the 911 GT3’s closet for both the standard iron and optional carbon-ceramic brakes, as well as the electrically assisted steering hardware. Adaptive dampers from the GT3 are retuned to collaborate with the GT4’s softer rear springs. As in other streetable racers, the GT4’s giant rear wing cuts the view aft into hemispheres, but the slab is functional. Normal Caymans make lift at top speed, but the GT4 makes as much downforce as a GT3.

The 400-hp 3.8-liter flat-six from the 911 Carrera S gets a modified intake and block to accommodate the shoehorn installation in the middle of the Cayman. This more restricted airway, we’re told, limits the GT4 to 385 horsepower at 7400 rpm and 310 pound-feet of torque at 4750 rpm. But this, significantly, represents a 35-hp advantage over a base 911 Carrera. Dynamic mounts suspend the whole powertrain and can, in a fraction of a second, go from nearly rigid for improved handling to a looser, more comfortable setting while cruising. Like the GT3, the Cayman GT4 is available with only one transmission. Unlike the PDK-only GT3, though, the GT4 carries a six-speed manual from the Cayman GTS, but with an upgraded clutch and a lightweight, dual-mass flywheel.

A strut front suspension uses forged aluminum links with firmer connections than in base Caymans to improve chassis communication. At the rear, there’s an adjustable anti-roll bar. Sticky 20-inch Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires are wrapped around forged aluminum wheels.

Porsche claims that the car weighs no more than a 325-hp Cayman S, despite the larger engine and beefier suspension. Zero to 60 mph should take about four seconds, and the GT4 has the potential to cover a quarter-mile in 12.0 seconds. In other words, this $85,595 GT4 will be quicker than any 911 without a turbo or GT badge. Not bad for a teenager.

Ford Mustang

by: Ford

http://www.india.ford.com/

The iconic Ford Mustang is a car that needs no introduction. Now we've re-created the legend for you - with a sleek, agile body designed for performance that's just right for Indian streets. So you unleash your true self.
There’s a certain feeling you get when you start the engine and hear Mustang’s iconic growl for the first time. Mustang’s design is just as thrilling.
A legend for its performance and style, Mustang’s technology is powerful, too. From a voice-activated communication system to Push-button Start, Mustang always finds a way to take your breath away.
The 5.0l Ti-VCT V8 engine behind Mustang’s high performance power delivers an exhilarating drive. At the same time, sophisticated handling technologies help you maintain complete control.

Expensive Luxury Cars in the Philippines

Rolls-Royce Phantom V12 AT

by: YugaTech
http://www.yugatech.com/

Specifications and features:
6.8L DOHC 48-Valve V12 engine
RWD
460PS @5,350rpm
720Nm @ 3,500rpm
6-speed AT
Twin Turbo
Gas
21-inch alloy rims
Front and rear proximity sensors
Comfort Access Smart Key
Power steering/lock/window/mirror/door/sunroof
HID lights with foglamps
Leather seats
Design: 4-door sedan
Dimensions: 5,834 x 1,990 x 1,632mm
Wheelbase: 3,570mm
Weight: 3,050kg

Mini Convertible

By: Car Bay

http://www.carbay.ph/

A new Mini is in town, so grace yourself to meet the 2016 Mini Convertible that recently made its Philippines debut on 6th May 2016 at Bonifacio Global City dealership. With its entry the limited Mini line-up of six cars has now extended further, giving the consumers a wider spectrum to choose from. This car is new for the Philippines audience but in the global market the car has been ruling for a year now, and it had got its share of both praises and criticism. It's time now to see how this open-top hatchback will be treated in the Philippines. Will it be able to make it to make it to the doors of the riches or will it only get to meet the showroom dust? Only the time will tell.
2016 Mini Convertible is offered in two trim, named as Mini Cooper Convertible and Mini Cooper S Convertible. Both these variants are bestowed with a distinct set of power mill that is peacefully housed under their stylish hood. The Cooper S variant is powered by a 2.0L TwinPower Turbo inline four-cylinder mill generating a maximum power of 192 PS along with a peak torque figure of 280 Nm. The said mill is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels. Talking about its performance figure it goes from 0-100 km/h in 7.1 seconds after achieving the top speed of 228 km/h. Coming to its John Cooper Works variant it is fitted with a 2.0L TwinPower Turbo engine that effortlessly generates 231 PS of power and 320 Nm of torque. This mill like its sibling variant is coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission, sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds with a top speed of 239 km/h.
So, like all the other Mini's this one also houses the best available on the safety front, keeping the passengers safe and sound. In addition to mainstream features like Park Distance Control, Driving Assistance System, Mini Head-up Display, and Reverse Camera, Mini Convertible comes with fully-integrated rollover protection system.

BMW Adds Plug-In Hybrid

2017 BMW 740e

By: Fred Meier

Read more at https://www.cars.com/articles/bmw-adds-plug-in-hybrid-to-7-series-lineu1420688799140/#SgSlpKwQp-MX6Fdvyk.99




The 740e's most direct plug-in hybrid rivals in the eco-luxury stratosphere will be Porsche's Panamera S E-Hybrid ($94,250 to start) and the Mercedes-Benz S550e ($96,575), but it will be the one bringing all-wheel drive to the party.

It also will have the smallest gasoline engine in its gas-electric powertrain. In contrast to its rivals' 3.0-liter V-6 engines, the 740e uses a twin-turbo 2.0-liter four cylinder producing 255 horsepower. Combined with the electric motor, the hybrid system's total output is 322 hp and 369 pounds-feet of torque. BMW says the system can move the big sedan from zero to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, less than a second slower than the V-8-powered 750i.

The transmission is an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic (with paddle shifters) and the permanent all-wheel-drive system has an electronic multi-plate clutch that can fully shift torque among the wheels.

The 740e features driver-selectable system configurations: Auto eDrive is the default at start-up and lets the computer decide the most efficient combination of gas and electric power; Max eDrive prioritizes running on electricity, which the car can do up to 75 mph, according to BMW. BMW also says the 740e xDrive iPerformance will be EPA-rated for 14 miles of all-electric range and overall gas-electric fuel economy of 64 mpg-equivalent in combined city/highway driving. The automaker did not give an estimate for gasoline-only fuel economy.

The 2016 Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid is EPA-rated 51 mpg-e combined city/highway, 25 mpg combined on gasoline only. The 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550e is rated 58 mpg-e and 26 mpg. And the hybrid's 2016 sibling gasoline-only 740i is EPA-rated 21/29/24 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 740e has selectable drive modes - which alter accelerator, steering, transmission and standard adaptive suspension settings - that include Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport and Adaptive. The latter senses your actions on the controls and combines that with navigation data to try to know what you want before you do, adapting the settings to your driving style and the route characteristics. The instrument and central displays include graphics specific to the hybrid systems operation.

Charging the 9.2 kilowatt-hour battery via a 120-volt household plug will take less than seven hours or less than three with a 240-volt BMW Charging Station. The car also comes with an access card for BMW-partner public charging stations. The car be set to heat or cool ahead of time while charging or parked, including via a phone app.

The 740e varies little in appearance from the regular model but does include eDrive badges on the rear pillars and doors, the logo from BMW's "i" electric car line on the front fenders and the division's signature blue color trim for the grille bars and wheels hubs.

As with the other 7 Series models, the new plug-in hybrid version benefits from extensive weight reduction with the redesign that includes extensive use of carbon fiber. And it comes with a similarly long list of standard and optional luxuries, electronic driver and safety aids, and media technology, including the novel gesture control for the multimedia system.

Tesla Model

2018 Tesla Model 3

by: Car and Driver

http://www.caranddriver.com/

Touted as the affordable electric sports sedan, the Model 3 is Tesla’s eco-friendly gift to the motoring masses. Base rear-wheel-drive cars should get about a 215-mile range; all-wheel drive will be offered, and larger batteries with longer ranges are expected. Tesla’s Autopilot self-driving feature will come standard, but details are scarce about the rest. Don’t get too attached to the styling, either—this car is still a work in progress, as is Tesla’s claim that production will start in 2017.

BMW Alpina B7 xDrive

2017 BMW Alpina B7 xDrive

by: car and driver 

http://www.caranddriver.com/

Fast enough was supposed to be 193 mph: That was the top-speed forecast offered when the 2017 BMW Alpina B7 xDrive was launched at the 2016 Geneva auto show. That impressive number has since been revised. During testing on the 7.8-mile circular track in Nardò, Italy, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires worked so well that Alpina decided to raise the terminal velocity to a robust 205 mph. That puts the top-of-the-line Alpina-tuned Bimmer comfortably ahead of the competition from Mercedes-AMG, Bentley, and Porsche.

Starting at $137,995, the Alpina B7 stands at the top of the 7-series lineup, at leastuntil BMW’s own M760i appears. But the Alpina offers a distinctly different character: The M760i will be powered by an updated version of BMW's twin-turbocharged V-12, while the B7 employs a twin-turbo V-8, based on the 750i's 4.4-liter N63 eight-cylinder. Alpina’s designation for its version of the engine, confusingly, is M3; the car’s name contains the suffix Biturbo in other markets. Alpina—closely allied with Munich but still independent—makes extensive modifications that include upgraded turbochargers, its own intake and intercooler setup, special Mahle pistons, an Alpina dual-mode exhaust, and up to 20 psi of boost, lifting maximum output from 445 to 600 horsepower. Peak torque is rated at 590 lb-ft and available on a plateau that stretches from 3000 to 5000 rpm. Funny coincidence there: The M760i also will be rated at 600 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, but it will come with a 155-mph governor (optionally increased to 190 mph, just enough to top the Mercedes-AMG S63’s 186-mph governor). Alpina says the B7 accelerates to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, which may be as conservative as the original top-speed forecast; a 2013 Alpina B7 we tested with a mere 560 horsepower ran to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, and we expect the new model to be about 200 pounds lighter.

Luxury Sports Cars

Best Luxury Sports Cars for 2016

By Benjamin Hunting

2016 BMW M4

The 2016 BMW M4 is the two-door sibling to the brand's best-selling M3 performance sedan, and it takes the same luxury-oriented performance package and shrinks it down into either coupe or convertible form. A 425 horsepower, 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six engine sits under the hood of the BMW M4, mated to your choice of either a seven-speed automated manual or a six-speed traditional manual transmission. Also capable of producing 406 lb-ft of torque, this engine makes a 0-60 sprint of 3.9 seconds possible thanks in part to its launch control system.