Sports SUV’s

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Up close with the 2022 Range Rover

Remember we talked about the brand new 2022 model year Range Rover a while ago here on Supercars.net? Well, you can’t drive one yet as the first customer cars will only be available in the Spring of 2022, but there are pre-production prototypes around already, and it seems YouTuber Doug deMuro managed to find one to get close and personal to and talk about ‘all the quirks and features’ of it, unfortunately being a prototype he wasn’t allowed to drive it, but she’s a beauty, so let’s take a look at his 24-minute video before we talk details on this new full-size SUV from the famous Range Rover brand:

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Prof Gerry McGovern OBE, Chief Creative Officer, Jaguar Land Rover, said, “The New Range Rover is a vehicle with a peerless character, from the impeccable restraint of its exterior to the flawless tranquil sanctuary of its cabin. Informed by creative intellect and a desire for perfection, it doesn’t follow fashion or trend, but by a modernist design philosophy, combined with over 50 years of evolution, it is quite simply the most desirable Range Rover ever created.”

The MY2022 Range Rover is the first completely new model since 2014, and while it deliberately looks familiar, a lot is actually different compared to the outgoing model, base pricing starts at $105,000, but if you know anything about previous Range Rovers, you understand that’s just the start, and the massive options list and the possibility to create your bespoke model can skyrocket that price very quickly.

Wheels are a nice 21-inch as standard, but for the first time on a Range Rover you can opt for massive 23-inch tall wheels like the ones seen on the Autobiography LWB version of the above video, and another first for the MY22 Range Rover is the third row of seats, two additional units, only available on the Long Wheel Base model, but still, it’s possible now, but you can also opt to have your special Range Rover come with just four seats, and those rear ones are just absolutely stunning and immensely comfortable while that central console houses all kinds of amenities.

Nick Rogers, Executive Director, Product Engineering, Jaguar Land Rover, said, “The New Range Rover combines supreme on-road and all-terrain capability with electrified propulsion and new levels of connected capability. In the quest for comfort, we have been obsessed with human science and understanding brain activity to minimize cognitive impact and ensure these advanced technologies work in absolute harmony, creating a truly effortless driving experience. It’s an engineer’s duty to make people’s lives better, and that’s exactly what the New Range Rover will do for you.”

For the 2023 model year a PHEV will join the two petrol engines we’ll see in 2022, the extended-range plug-in hybrid (PHEV) will come with the inline 6-cylinder Ingenium engine coupled to a 105kW electric motor integrated with the transmission, power for this motor will come from a 38.2kWh lithium-ion battery, this setup will allow up to 62 miles of near-silent pure-electric driving, total power output will be 434 hp and this PHEV will be able to reach 87 mph on electric power only.

November 30, 2021 / Comments Off

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There’s a brand new Range Rover in town

I know the Mercedes G-Wagon is probably the most famous large SUV at this time, but you just can’t discard the famous Range Rover when talking about high-end, luxury SUV, and I know we now have others like the Bentley Bentayga and the Rolls Royce Cullinan, but the Range Rover has been the go-to off-roader for over 50 years, and both farmers and royalty have been seen behind the wheel of this famous SUV.

And while you might see a Bentayga or a Cullinan struggle off-road, both the G-Wagon and the Range Rover are more than capable both on city streets and out in the fields on muddy roads, the Range Rover is a ‘do-it-all’ that can transport the occupants in ultimate luxury while thundering down a field out and about, however, if you look at some of the specs shown in the latest press release for the unveiling of the MY2022 edition, you might think twice about getting in with filthy boots, especially when you opted for a white upholstery.

Thierry Bolloré, Chief Executive Officer, Jaguar Land Rover, said, “The New Range Rover is a superb manifestation of our vision to create the world’s most desirable luxury vehicles, for the most discerning of customers. It writes the next chapter in the unique story of pioneering innovation that has been a Range Rover hallmark for more than 50 years.”

Pricing for the United States market starts with the entry-level Range Rover P400 SE, a mild Hybrid 3.0L Turbocharged I6 (395hp / 406 lb-ft) that comes with an MSRP of $104,000, that number quickly rises once you get into the more powerful models, like the top-of-the-line Range Rover P530 First Edition (LWB) with the powerful 4.4L Twin-Turbocharged V8 pumping out 523hp with 553 lb-ft of torque, starting at $163,500 before options.

The new Range Rover will be available in SE and Autobiography models while as usual there is a ‘First Edition’ throughout the first year of production, based on the Autobiography but with some bespoke specification, exclusively available in a Sunset Gold Satin finish, among a choice of five exterior colors. Just like before the Range Rover gets the Standard (SWB) and the Long Wheelbase (LWB) body designs, the SWB comes with five seats, while the New Range Rover LWB model is available with a third row for extended comfort for up to seven adults.

In Range Rover language the SV isn’t a Super Veloce model like we’ve seen from Lamborghini, in this case, the SV stands for Special Vehicle Operations and boasts a next-level interpretation of luxury and personalization, the special SV model is also available in either SWB or LWB designs, with exclusive features including new SV Serenity and SV Intrepid design themes and a four-seat SV Signature Suite configuration that has a raised central console in between the two rear seats.

The Range Rover was the first luxury SUV to come with an Electronic Air Suspension, back in 1992 already, so it made sense for this New Range Rover to continue this pioneering approach with an updated version of that, now called Dynamic Response Pro with pre-emptive suspension that actually uses the built-in eHorizon Navigation data to read the road ahead and prepare the suspension to provide appropriate responses … something we’ve seen on the Rolls Royce Cullinan too.

And another feature seen on the Rolls Royce SUV has made its way into the New Range Rover: power-assisted doors, a first on a Range Rover, available as an option on the MY2023, these doors can be controlled from the Pivo Pro screen on the central console, the doors even have sensors to avoid hitting people while opening or closing, and yes, the traditional two-piece split tailgate that has been a feature on the Range Rovers since the Seventies is back on this new model too.

Not only does the New Range Rover come with 360° camera view, as do most higher-end cars these days, but this SUV also has built-in lights all around the car to create a ‘blanket’ of light around her while you maneuver this big lady around … remember those neon underglow in the tuning scene a few decades ago … well, underglow is back now.

Rory O’Murchu, Vehicle Line Director, Jaguar Land Rover, said, “The New Range Rover combines advanced hardware with a pioneering toolkit of digital technologies and software, all enabled by our advanced electrical architecture – moving Range Rover from a mechanical world to a mechatronic ecosystem that delivers an intuitive drive. Our new Integrated Chassis Control system is a prime example of this philosophy and co-ordinates a suite of predictive and reactive technologies, that make this the most comfortable and agile Range Rover ever produced.”

While the New Range Rover isn’t a small SUV by any means, it does come with a turning circle of just 36 feet, the smallest of any Land Rover at this time, and this is thanks to All-Wheel steering now standard on every Range Rover, the rear wheels can be turned up to 7 degrees for better stability and comfort at speed, together with reducing the turning circle at low speeds in the city.

Michael van der Sande, Managing Director, Special Vehicle Operations, said, “Special Vehicle Operations exists to amplify the core characteristics of Land Rover vehicles, obsessing over every detail with a passion for quality. In the case of Range Rover, that means injecting even more luxury into every part of the car. With more choice than ever before, our customers will be able to create a new Range Rover SV that truly reflects their personality, their dreams, their desires. That is how we interpret modern luxury.”

The New Range Rover will be built solely at the Solihull Manufacturing Facility in the UK, using a state-of-the-art production line housed in the building used to produce early Series Land Rover vehicles, this historic building is the spiritual home of Land Rover and its reimagining as a new, ultra-modern center for Range Rover production showcases the way the company protects its heritage, you can now go to your local dealer and put an order in for the New Range Rover, sales have started already.

October 27, 2021 / Comments Off

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The new BRABUS 800 GLE Coupé

Personally, I still think the BRABUS B63S 6×6 is the most impressive ‘car’ this German tuner ever made, agreed, it’s ‘only’ 700 hp, but just look at this one for a second … it’s a six-wheeled, extremely tall Mercedes based beast with portal axles, what more could you ask for? Perhaps a little smaller and possibly less expensive? In that case, a BRABUS 800 based on the Mercedes G-Wagon might be an option, 800 hp in somewhat the same body style (not a pickup mind you), but lower than the 6×6, with regular axles, so less intimidating.

If you want to most extreme SUV possible you’ll be set with the BRABUS 900 ROCKET EDITION, their latest conversion based on the G63 model, limited to only 25 units worldwide at nearly $700,000, this is the one if you really want to have the comfort of a massive off-road vehicle, but still want to reach 100 km/h from a standstill in 3.7 seconds and have a car that doesn’t run out of breath until she reaches 280 km/h … in a car that’s styled like a brick house!

But for argument’s sake, let’s say you’re not a fan of the box-style found on the Mercedes G-Class vehicles … in that case, BRABUS now has an alternative for you, based on the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 SMatic+ Coupé (try fitting that on the rear fascia in chrome lettering), called the BRABUS 800 SUV Coupe, and you’ve guessed it, this coupe-styled SUV comes with 800 hp from the big V8 engine at the front.

This one comes with a much rounder, more contemporary design compared to the big G-Wagon, and because it’s called an SUV Coupe, there is a sloping rear window, much like on a two-door car, now keep in mind that could mean a little less headroom for the rear seat occupants, but it does look cool nonetheless, something we’ve also seen on the BMW X6 model for instance, but back to the BRABUS 800 SUV Coupe now, which on these presentation photos is finished in black, the trademark color from BRABUS.

When you receive your Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 SMatic+ Coupé from the factory, there will be a 4-Liter V8 twin-turbo engine fitted with 612 hp and 450 kW of torque under your right foot pedal, which isn’t bad already … but it’s nothing compared to what BRABUS will give you after a visit to their workshop in Bottrop, Germany. A power increase to 800 hp (588 kW) and no less than 1,000 Nm of torque … and while this isn’t the 900 hp from the ROCKET G-Wagon version, this SUV Coupe takes only 3.4 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h (3 seconds less than the 900 ROCKET) and has it’s top speed electronically limited at 280 km/h (174 mph), so this black beauty will outrun the G-Class ROCKET by 10 km/h.

A lot of this power increase is thanks to the modifications to the base engine, BRABUS has over four decades of experience in this field, adding 188 hp or 138 kW to a modern engine might be more difficult than you imagine, and let’s not forget the base GLE 63 S comes with an integrated mild-hybrid starter generator, so any engine tuning has to take that into consideration too.

To get to a power output of 588 kW (800 hp) at 5,900 rpm and reach a peak torque of 1,000 Nm (737 lb-ft) at a low 3,500 rpm, custom turbos with larger compressor unit, modified core assembly, and reinforced axial bearings are required, these new units can produce a maximum boost pressure of 1.6 bar, add the BRABUS PowerXtra auxiliary control unit and the engine is remapped in terms of injection, boost pressure, and ignition. More importantly, BRABUS engine tuning comes with a 3-year/100,000 km (62,000 miles) warranty.

If you are not ready to go for the full BRABUS 800 package on your Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 SUV, there is also the BRABUS PowerXtra B40 option, this plug-and-play control unit will add 88 hp (64.7 kW) to the base engine effectively creating a BRABUS 700 model in that case, which is still not bad, but that 800 does sound a lot more impressive in the end.

BRABUS engine tuning can be requested on its own, but you really should add their stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system to your order too, if you do something, do it right from the start, with actively controlled flaps in the pipes, and a quartet of massive 90mm (3.5 in) titanium/carbon fiber exhaust tips, I’m sure you’ll have the ‘Sport’ mode set all the time … except when you have to leave early in the morning or arrive late at night … and you are still on speaking terms with your neighbors… in that case, the ‘Comfort’ mode might be a good idea so you don’t wake them up.

Now you have the power and the sound to match … so what’s next? The looks of course, and we wouldn’t be talking about this BRABUS 800 SUV Coupe if they didn’t have a nice aerodynamic package available too, available in either glossy or satin-finished, clear carbon fiber. For the front, you can get a lower spoiler that fits onto the factory original bumper, the BRABUS spoiler comes with vertical stabilizers on either side for that aggressive look, add the custom BRABUS front grille, with their touch of red on two spokes, and you’ve completely transformed the looks of your GLE as seen by your fellow drivers in their rearview mirror.

Air intakes for the front bumper made from carbon fiber are another option from BRABUS, as are the integrated intakes in the grille, on the driver’s side there is even a crosspiece with the famous BRABUS logo, complete with lights that are activated by pulling a door handle or when you approach the super SUV with the key card in its vicinity.

If you did opt for the BRABUS exhaust system, you might want to consider the custom rear diffuser too, made from visible carbon fiber, it is integrated perfectly into the factory original rear bumper, but more importantly, it comes with the perfect openings to fit those 90 mm exhaust tips from the BRABUS sport exhaust system. Beautiful carbon fiber side air vents for the rear bumper are another must-have, especially if you also fit the BRABUS exposed carbon fiber wheel arch extensions and the rear spoiler, which is a three-piece unit for this GLE 63 based BRABUS conversion.

A BRABUS car wouldn’t be complete without a new set of shoes either, so you can choose between Monoblock alloys in different designs and sizes that go from 22 up to 24 inches, the show car on these photos rolls on a set of BRABUS Monoblock Y “BLACK PLATINUM” hi-tech forged wheels, 10×23 inch at the front and an even wider 12×23 on the rear axle, shed with 295/35 R 23 and 335/30 R 23 respectively so those wheel arches are nicely filled, especially with the BRABUS control module for the standard AIRMATIC air suspension that results in a 25 mm (1 in) lowered ride height.

The BRABUS 800 SUV Coupe can be bought as a complete BRABUS vehicle but you can also ship your GLE 62 S to them for conversion, both options are available, as is a complete interior overhaul with the finest leathers and custom stitching patterns, prefer Alcantara, no problem. Aluminum pedals, carbon fiber interior parts, tv screens for the rear … BRABUS can accomplish just about any request a client might have … and if you bring in your existing Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S you can ask to convert it in stages, so you can save up for the invoice inbetween.

July 25, 2021 / Comments Off

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The first ever BMW iX

All-electric vehicles are the future in the automotive world it seems, and just about every manufacturer out there is already offering an EV or is gearing up to offer one, we’ve just published an article on the amazing Rimac Nevera, the trend-setting all-electric hypercar with stupendous performance that comes with an equally impressive price tag, Lamborghini will give us a brand new, fully battery-powered model by 2025 and you can now order a Bentley Bentayga Hybrid, with full EV models in the pipeline, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to see an electric Sports Activity Vehicle from BMW … meet the brand new iX.

The BMW iX is a technology flagship for sure, the worldwide launch is set for November 2021, and the impressive BMW iX will come in two versions initially, starting with the Drive40 with a combined output of 240 kW/326 hp and a range of up to 425 km (264 miles) that offers an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds.

A more powerful model will be available as the BMW iX xDrive50 will offer a power output of 385 kW/523 hp and a range of up to 630 km with an impressive acceleration figure of 4.6 seconds to reach 100 km/h from standstill. Later on, we’ll be seeing the very first electric BMW M model in the iX xDrive M60 with a massive power output of over 440 kW/600 hp and combined electric power consumption of 21.6 kWh per 100 km (62 miles).

The new BMW iX will be assembled at the BMW Group Plant Dingolfing in Lower Bavaria, on a flexible assembly line combining models from the
BMW 5 Series, the 7 Series, and even the 8 Series ranges, this is also the first factory in BMW’s production network that will build all-electric, plug-in hybrid and combustion-engined models on a single assembly line, this required a massive investment of €400,000,000 to accomplish, it is clear BMW is ready for the future now, over the next years we’ll be seeing all-electric BMW 5 Series and 7 Series being build in this plant.

The new BMW iX will come with lift-related dampers as standard fitment, these offer extra hydraulic damping to be incorporated into the damper, which adjusts the damper firmness progressively according to the changing spring travel, as an option you can have an adaptive suspension fitted that includes electronically controlled dampers and two-axle air suspension with automatic self-leveling that offers a range of settings and adjustable ride heights to select a comfortable, softer ride, or go for the more sporty, harsher ride.

The BMW iX series will come with four-wheel steering, so the rear wheels can turn to some degree to help make the turning circle smaller but also help to overtake at higher speeds, the optional Integral Active Steering offers amazing straight-line stability together with better agility, the standard electric steering system combines Servotronic speed-sensitive power assistance with a variable rack ratio as a first for BMW in the iX.

The BMW iX comes with an electric all-wheel-drive system, but depending on conditions the car can be turned into a rear-wheel-drive only SAV, the iX also comes with near-actuator wheel slip limitation technology developed specifically for the brand’s electrically powered models and now fitted in tandem with all-wheel drive for the first time while the driver can opt for either adaptive or adjustable Brake Energy Regeneration.

Standard fitment on the BMW iX will be 20-inch alloy wheels with either a 21-inch or even a 22-inch option, on the latter two, the tires have been specifically designed for the iX to have integral noise dampening in the shape of a layer of foam on the tire’s inner surface to absorb noise produced by vibrations, inside the iX you’ll hear less tire noise, the new Tyre Pressure Monitor system for the BMW iX not only measures tire pressure but also individual tire temperature and it even keeps track of tire manufacturer, this offers the option in the iDrive to enter the load you are carrying to get the ideal tire pressure you should use.

The high-voltage batteries in the BMW iX are cased in aluminum and positioned low down on the vehicle floor as an integral component of the body, the volumetric energy density on a cell level is around 40 % higher than in the high-voltage battery of the 2020 BMW i3, these batteries are covered by a warranty for eight years or up to 160,000 km (99,400 miles). The BMW iX features two high-voltage batteries positioned low in the
vehicle floor. In the BMW iX xDrive40 the high-voltage batteries are made up of ten modules, each with 18 cells. Their net energy content is 71 kWh (gross energy content: 76.6 kWh). The high-voltage batteries in the BMW iX xDrive50 consist of six modules (each with 50 cells) and five modules (each with 40 cells) respectively.

The Combined Charging Unit (CCU) used in the BMW iX offers tremendous flexibility when it comes to charging the high-voltage batteries, also note the combined heating and cooling system for the occupants, the drive system, and the batteries will make sure to keep the high-voltage batteries at the ideal operating temperature while using the generated heat for the passengers on cold days. If the navigation system knows about a stop during the trip to charge the batteries, the system will prepare these by heating them to the perfect temperature for fast charging.

But the BMW iX can also be plugged into your plug at home, offering a charge rate of 11kW, it would take 11 hours to fully charge the xDrive50 while 8 hours would suffice on the xDrive40, naturally, a DC fast-charging station would be a lot quicker as it could charge up to 200 kW (in the xDrive50, in the xDrive40 the maximum is 150 kW), in this case, you can add about 150 km of range to the high-voltage batteries in only 10 minutes, going from 10 % to 80 % charge in the xDrive50 would take approximately 35 minutes with a 200 kW charger.

I am sure the styling of this new BMW iX will cause some controversy again, it’s a departure from the models we know today, and yes, that massive front grille is there, but also flush-fitted door handles very thin exterior mirrors, and sharp edges everywhere to keep the drag coefficient as low as possible, the design of the front, the rear and the use of these wheels alone extend the range of the BMW iX by 65 km, both the BMW kidney grille and the air intakes at the bottom of the front bumper are totally closed, but air flaps can be opened if needed for cooling.

In fact, the famous kidney grille consists of integrated sensors, a camera, and even radar technology for the advanced driver assistance systems on the BMW iX, underneath the BMW logo at the front you’ll find a filler neck for the windscreen washer fluid, the door windows are frameless and underneath the BMW logo at the rear, they fitted the rear-view camera system, complete with a cleaning mechanism so you’ll always have a perfect view when backing up this SAV from Germany.

And all this innovation continues on the inside of the new BMW iX, where a lot of emphases was put on dialogue-based interaction using natural language and on touch operation for the next generation iDrive, the system is now running BMW Operating System 8 with an extremely high level of computing power with special sensors and 5G capability.

Behind the hexagon steering wheel, a massive, curved display is angled towards the driver, there is even a Head-Up display projector integrated into the surface of this instrument panel, but the fun really starts with the Augmented Reality Video as an addition to the navigation maps, this system shows a live stream video on the display with information as an overlay on top of the images, showing an indication on where to turn into right on the actual view of the driver.

The BMW iX receives a newly designed gear selector that looks absolutely amazing, a polished crystal finish has been applied to the controls, the base upholstery is a combination of high-quality textiles with microfiber fabrics called ‘Dinamica microfibre’, which contains 50% recycled polyester, while the speakers have been integrated out of sight in the headrests … the inner structure of the doors is made from 100% recycled material while the visible parts still contain 30% recycled material.

As an option, you can get a leather interior inside the new BMW iX, but this time the leather is tanned with olive leaves, and the wood you find on the control panel comes from FSC-certified wood, the floor fabric, and the mats under your feet … all made from 100% recycled nylon, the BMW iX is all about sustainability.

Clients have the choice of three different interior treatments, the Standard Atelier specification includes surfaces in the familiar Sensatec with a striking stitch pattern and perforated areas. It is available in Black, Oyster, and Mocha. When you go for the optional Loft trim, the surfaces are adorned with a diagonal pattern of materials and colors combining high-quality textile and microfibre fabrics. The asymmetric styling and quilting composed of triangular, square and pentagonal sections give the seats their very modern appeal.

Contrast stitching on the seat surfaces adds a further highly distinctive touch. The instrument panel with printed color gradient breaks new ground for car interiors. Also available is Suite, which comes with surfaces in Exclusive Natural leather in the color shades Castanea and Amido, The newly developed seats for the driver and front passenger have integral head restraints for a distinctly sporty appearance. For the first time in a model from the BMW Group, there is the option of integrating speakers into the seat structure.

The BMW iX is comparable with the BMW X5 in length and width and is almost the same height as the BMW X6 on account of its flowing roofline. The size of its wheels, meanwhile, brings to mind the BMW X7. A wheelbase measuring exactly 3,000 millimeters and wide tracks at both the front and rear axle provides the ideal platform for chassis tuning which reconciles luxurious long-distance comfort and sporty cornering characteristics.

You can specify your BMW iX with the largest panoramic glass roof BMW ever installed on one of their cars and doesn’t have any cross struts breaking up your view of the sky, and there is no interior liner or shade, instead, this is the only one of its kind in the automotive industry to employ PDLC (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal) technology for shading the interior … an electric current will keep the liquid crystals aligned so light can pass through, but when switched off, or the iX is parked, these crystals are distributed in such a disorderly pattern they turn the glass roof opaque to create the effect of shade.

I wonder how this rather large SAV will handle on the road, it should be capable of seating five occupants in silence and luxury, with a comfortable drive over long distances, and is this BMW iX a preview of the design styling for the upcoming models, using thin headlights and taillights, very narrow exterior mirrors … only the future will tell.

June 9, 2021 / Comments Off

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Porsche Unveils the All-electric Taycan Cross Turismo in Livestream

Porsche is doing its part to save the wagon from becoming extinct by unveiling a long-roof version of the Taycan electric sedan. In a couple of days, the Mission E Cross Turismo concept will officially celebrate three years since its reveal. But the team from Zuffenhausen did not wait for its anniversary to unveil its production counterpart.

The 2022 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo is a true ‘all-around’ vehicle that traverses over any terrain it lands on. It has been multi-continent tested to the fullest on snow, desert sand, paved highways, cobblestone streets, muddy trails, and gravel roads. At the Taycan Cross Turismo unveiling, it came to the stage covered in dirt and elements collected from its extensive testing.

2021 Will See Four Taycan Cross Turismo Variants

The 2022 Taycan Cross Turismo will come standard with a Performance Battery Plus which has a capacity of 93kWh. The base model comes with 375hp or 469hp when launch control is on. It will also come with 456km of range on a single charge, capable of charging up to 270kW, which can add 100km of range in just 5 minutes of charging.

The 4S variant will come with 490hp (571hp activated with launch control), and a claimed 0-60 time of 4.1-seconds while speed tops out at 149mph (240km/h).

The Turbo variant will come with 625hp (680hp activated with launch control), and a claimed 0-60 time of 3.3-seconds while speed tops out at 155mph (250km/h).

The flagship Turbo S model will come with a staggering 750hp (560kW) when launch control is activated and maintains a zero to 60 time of 2.9-seconds with a top speed of 155mph (250km/h)

Coming Standard with Comfort

All Taycan Cross Turismo models will come standard with active air-suspension, supplementing 20mm of extra ground clearance when compared to the standard Porsche Taycan. An optional offroad package will see that clearance raise to 30mm.

The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo is that of practical nature and for those that want the option to live life to the fullest. It comes with loads of cargo space (15.7cu-ft in the 4 and 4S variants) and plenty of headroom thanks to the Porsche’s body transformation.

The Taycan Cross Turismo will be available from dealers this summer and we can not wait.

But Wait, There’s More!

How could we forget to mention Porsche’s two slick new carbon fiber e-Bikes they shared in the Livestream?

These electric-assisted bicycles come packed with the best parts you can get on a bicycle. The ‘Sport’ version will come with a Shimano EP8 motor, Shimano electric shifting, a carbon frame, a color display and will weigh in at just 48 pounds.

The ‘Cross’ variant will come with a Shimano XT mechanical drivetrain, Magura forks, Crank Bros dropper post, and a Fox Racing rear shock all fixed to its carbon fiber frame. These two bikes will be available for purchase this spring.

March 4, 2021 / Comments Off

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Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392

For a list price of $73,500 (excluding $1,495 destination), you can order the brand new 2021 Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon 392 launch edition, which not only comes with a host of options as standard but also with a 470 hp, 6.4-Liter V8, making this the fastest and most powerful Wrangler ever.

This full-time 4×4 Wrangler 392 receives a 6.4-Liter V8 engine capable of not only 470 hp, but also 470 lb.-ft. of torque, a functional hood scope, a performance exhaust, and many premium options, this is a factory model with V8-performance and a 0 to 60 mph acceleration of 4.5 seconds.

“Our Jeep enthusiasts asked us for a Wrangler powered by a V-8 engine, and we listened. The result is the quickest and most powerful Jeep Wrangler yet, loaded with standard off-road performance features that make this Jeep Wrangler incredibly capable of covering the most rugged terrain,” said Jim Morrison, Vice President, Jeep Brand North America

With the hood scope, the Wrangler 392 can wade through water up to 32.5 inches deep, helped by a 2-inch factory lift, beefier frame rails, and FOX shocks, while an active dual-mode exhaust lets the V8 breathe and release the right sound to onlookers, even when you master low-speed downhill descents by using the V-8’s engine braking, revised transmission torque converter lockup control and a 48:1 crawl ratio to manage vehicle speed without needing to touch the brake pedal.

For the interior of the Wrangler 392 you get leather seats as standard, and these come with bronze stitching, which is only available on this version of the Jeep, a special steering wheel with additional bolsters is also added, and it comes with paddle shifters … we all like those, don’t we.

But on the Wrangler 392 Launch Edition the list of standard features continues on with: Body-color hardtop, Body-color flares, Infotainment Group, HD electrical switch bank, Steel Bumper Group, Cold Weather Group, LED Lighting Group, Remote proximity entry, and both the Safety Group and the Advanced Safety Group.

In case you really want to go all-out on your Jeep Wrangler 392 Launch Edition, you can check the option boxes for the Dual Door Group, Dual Top Group, Sky One-Touch Power Top and Integrated Off-road Camera, Trailer Tow Package, and make a choice between the 285/70R17C BF Goodrich KO2 All-Terrain Outline White Letter tires or go for the 285/70R17C Falken Wildpeak M/T tires.

The new 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 is scheduled to start arriving in dealerships this quarter already.

February 25, 2021 / Comments Off

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The Aston Martin DBX Bowmore® Edition

Aston Martin’s SUV, the DBX, has been revealed in an exclusive ‘Q by Aston Martin’ specification to celebrate the brand’s innovative partnership with legendary single malt whisky distillery, Bowmore.

The striking Aston Martin DBX Bowmore Edition has been created by the marque’s personalization service, Q by Aston Martin, in celebration of the partnership between the two British luxury brands. Just 18 special edition Bowmore DBX’s will be built before they are delivered to customers at a private lifestyle experience in Scotland.

Marek Reichman, Aston Martin Executive Vice President & Chief Creative Officer said: “Aston Martin DBX has provided the perfect canvas for the highest level of Q by Aston Martin customization. The Aston Martin and Bowmore brands share the same vision of creating timeless beauty and a lasting legacy, loyal to their heritage but also embracing new methods and this is reflected in the DBX Bowmore edition. Strips from the copper whiskey stills are inlaid into the side strakes and Bowmore Tweed accents the interior, Q by Aston Martin has once again created a beautiful, limited edition, Aston Martin.”

The Bowmore DBX is enrobed in a striking paint color, named Bowmore Blue, an existing archive color that has been brought back exclusively by Q by Aston Martin for this car. Customers will have the option to choose an alternative exterior paint color should they so wish. Xenon Grey paint, which displays a blue metallic fleck throughout, will be offered as an additional exterior option. Bowmore-branded copper inlays using copper from the original whisky still have been used to accent the side strakes of the DBX, as a nod to the traditions maintained by the company.

Optional black brake calipers provide a subtlety to the smoked wheels and the overall elegance of the exterior is highlighted by both script and wing Aston Martin badges and Q by Aston Martin fender badges.

Customers can choose either the Obsidian Monotone or Copper Tan Metallic/Obsidian Duotone interior, both choices accented throughout by flashes of Bowmore Tweed, reflecting the company’s Islay ancestry. Created by the world-renowned Islay Woollen Mill, which was first established in 1883, the subtle and sophisticated design incorporates copper and blue inspired by the island’s terroir and lochs, making it inherently unique to Bowmore and its island home.

In addition, the interior holds many Q by Aston Martin design details such as polished copper cupholders, and sill plaques, made of recycled copper from the original Bowmore still. The gloss black center console trim inlay features bespoke hand-laid, copper foil detailing. Each car comes with a selection of specially designed Q by Aston Martin accessories such as a Bowmore tweed picnic blanket and leather holdall.

Launched in 2019, DBX celebrates the Aston Martin design language in a new form. With a unique body architecture engineered just for DBX, the design and proportions reflect the unmistakable style. The 5-seater SUV provides a world of luxury and features a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, tuned to deliver 550PS and 700Nm of torque, providing the exhilaration of a modern GT. While it’s not a traditional Aston Martin sports car, the DBX is everything an Aston Martin should be: beautiful, hand-built, and technologically-advanced.

Each of the 18 Bowmore DBX owners will be invited to an exclusive Aston Martin Art of Living experience in Scotland. Guests will travel to Edinburgh where they will be presented with their own special edition DBX, before embarking on a 170-mile road trip through the spectacular Scottish countryside, taking in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park before driving onto the ferry bound for Islay.

Alongside a trip to Islay Woollen Mill and fine-dining throughout their three-night stay, owners will be treated to a private tour of the Bowmore Distillery. During this very special tour they will have the opportunity to hand-fill their own bottle of a 39-year-old, specially selected Bowmore straight from the cask. They will also be given exclusive access to the No 1 Vaults the oldest maturation warehouse in the world which has played host to a number of VIPs over the years, including members of the Royal Family.

Aston Martin’s unique partnership with Bowmore has already created ‘Black Bowmore DB5 1964’, bringing together an exceptional single malt and a genuine piston from the legendary Aston Martin DB5. As the two iconic brands continue to collaborate, further luxury products and incredible lifestyle experiences will follow.

Francois Bazini, Global Managing Director of Scotch at Beam Suntory, owners of Bowmore, commented: “Our partnership with Aston Martin continues to be an exciting and enthralling collaboration and the unveiling of this special edition Bowmore DBX is another exciting step on our collective journey. We cannot wait to welcome each of the owners of this beautiful car to our distillery on Islay and show them all that Bowmore and our island home have to offer. Although we make entirely different products, our shared values and passion are very much aligned so you can expect more exciting announcements in the future.”

The Q by Aston Martin DBX Bowmore Edition is on sale globally now and customer deliveries will take place in Q4 2021.

February 6, 2021 / Comments Off

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Gronos 2021 – a Mansory modified Mercedes G-Class G63

Kourosh Mansory, located in Brand, Germany, is a well-known manufacturer of exclusive cars, most of which might be designed with Far-East, or Asian customers in mind, but their workmanship is at such a level you can’t resist admiring their creations, even if they aren’t always to your exact taste.

In 2013 MANSORY revealed the Gronos, a complete vehicle conversion taking Mercedes-Benz G 63 AMG and G 65 AMG and completely transforming it into a beast, called the Gronos after the god Cronos who led the twelve Titans. The interior of the original Gronos didn’t have seats anymore, MANSORY calls them thrones now, upholstered in the finest leather possible, with amazing, bespoke stitching patterns. Together with perfect carbon fiber, made in-house in MANSORY’s own autoclave.

Back in 2013 MANSORY mounted 23-inch wheels with 305/35ZR23 tires, the original V8 engine is taken apart by MANSORY and gets rebuilt, together with a custom, stainless steel exhaust system, power output was 840 hp with an electronically limited torque figure of 1,000 Nm.

But MANSORY wasn’t finished with the Gronos, they also made a ‘Black Edition’ that had a full carbon fiber body, later a Gronos Facelift was released, with a carbon fiber redesigned body, wider fenders, new front hood, new front spoiler … and still with 840 hp.

Last year MANSORY came up with two new models based on the Mercedes G-Class, the ‘Star Trooper Pickup’, which was created in collaboration with Philipp Plein, and a ‘special protection’ version that is in line with the ‘invisible armoring’ idea from MANSORY, people that can afford this kind of exclusivity need to feel safe inside their car after all.

Now it’s time to take the Gronos into 2021 with a new evolution that takes the original design and modernizes it for the current market requirements. The entire aerodynamic program from the previous Gronos has been redesigned, a new front bumper and lower spoiler, even more exclusive, wide fenders, and a new rear diffuser. Note that all MANSORY aero parts are made from carbon fiber, and they even show special ‘Forged Carbon’ details finished in high-gloss.

While the car’s exterior is finished in a stunning, dark green shade referred to as ‘British Racing Green’, the front engine cover stays unpainted to display the perfect finish of the carbon fiber it’s made of, additional cooling vents just finish the amazing look. Additional DRL, daytime running lights, complete the aggressive look of the front and let’s not forget the extra, very bright, LED added to the roof above the windshield.

The Mercedes G-Class is one of those SUV that keeps the spare tire on the outside, on a large door, on this MANSORY Gronos 2021 the cover for this spare is made from Forged Carbon naturally, what else would you expect, and it matches numerous other parts on the exterior of the 2021 edition of the Gronos.

The factory standard Mercedes G63 AMG can’t be called underpowered with a healthy 585 hp available from the turbocharged V8 engine, still, MANSORY takes it apart and modifies the ECU, adds larges turbochargers, new downpipes, and a bespoke exhaust system. After MANSORY dials in the engine, the power output is raised to an impressive 850 hp, torque goes from 850 Nm to 1,000 Nm … acceleration is now only 3.5 seconds to reach 100 km/h from standstill, and the top speed is limited to 250 km/h.

With all that power and torque, those massive 295/30R24 tires might need changing quicker than you think, but those forged YN.5 MANSORY wheels, finished in glossy black, are just a feast to admire, so who cares about four new tires on a car like this. Just be careful when exiting the rear of this Gronos 2021, the two massive, round exhaust pipes exit just ahead of the rear wheels, and they might be burning hot!

And that brings us to the interior, if you think the exterior of this Gronos 2021 looks impressive, just admire that brown leather interior, MANSORY calls it ‘Fawn Brown’. And when you think about some of the other MANSORY creations, like a yellow Lamborghini Urus with a bright yellow leather interior, or a blue Rolls Royce with … you guessed it, a blue leather interior … this Gronos 2021 actually looks rather timid.

And this shade of brown leather complements the British Racing Green exterior perfectly, and if you look closely, you’ll notice MANSORY didn’t leave anything untouched inside this Gronos 2021, a new steering wheel, naturally with visible carbon fiber, dark carbon fiber inlays all over the interior. And that bespoke stitching pattern is executed to perfection, complete with embroidered MANSORY logo on the seats and floor mats.

The carpet in the MANSORY Gronos 2021 is finished in black for a nice contrast, but they added finely made floor mats that match the leather on the seats, even the inner door panel of that large, rear door gets the MANSORY treatment, and a custom floor mat just had to be added to the luggage space … even the entire headliner is replaced with the finest ‘Fawn Brown’ leather, how’s that for attention to detail?

But now comes the bad news … and no, it isn’t the price, because customers for this kind of total conversion don’t even have to ask ‘how much’, they just sign a blank cheque. No, the really bad news is that MANSORY will only make 10 units of this Gronos 2021, and while the CO2 emissions are 312 g/km and fuel consumption is a combined 13,6 l/100km … I don’t think this will deter people from buying the MANSORY Gronos 2021 … heck, most of MANSORY’s customers have their own oil fields anyway.

January 29, 2021 / Comments Off

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Best SUVs – The Fastest, High Performance SUVs Money Can Buy

Updated: August 2018

At last count there are about 138 SUVs and trucks available for sale in the United States. Almost all of them have non-exciting engines, are slow accelerating and are so boring that many of them have sleep sensors to alert you when you inevitably fall asleep or die of boredom behind the wheel.

It looks like bad news for car fans, especially as SUVs continue take market share according to car sales data published each month. If you dig further into the data is looking like luxury SUVs are the fastest growing segment and account for almost 60% of luxury vehicle sales. Each month it seems there are new luxury models and they get gobbled up by the car buying public.

We get it. SUVs give you elevated driving position, all-wheel drive (often), lots of space, they look good and are practical for families. For car people, the true fanatics of automotive performance, we need more. We want our SUVs to be fast, agile and fun. We want the fast SUVs whether they are small, medium or large. Whether entry level or luxury level, they need to have performance in mind. We want them to line up at the lights against our sports car friends and shock them at their ferocity off the line. Yes, that is the SUV we want.

With that in mind we started by going through every SUV you can buy today to find the fastest, most powerful, agile and fun. We were pleasantly surprised to find almost twenty SUVs that we considered “not boring”. The criteria wasn’t just straight line speed or engine size or horsepower. It had to be special and it had to be considered a true performance machine when compared to a sporty sedan. No free passes.

Our friends have an interesting (although not surprising) approach. Take AMGs twin-turbo V8/V12 engines and stuff them into their SUVs. Good plan. Same goes for the folks at BMW who never met a twin-turbo V8 they didn’t want to shoehorn into the X5M and X6M. Both AMG and BMW have SUVs easily in the high 500 horsepower range. These horsepower monsters are great straight line performers, but are also surprisingly good in corners when thrown around. If you want your performance SUV to handle like a sports car, don’t worry because there are some genuinely great canyon carvers on the list too. Alfa Romeo arguably has the most fun SUV around in this regard, taking their cracking twin-turbo 2.9 L V6 with 505hp, adding it to the Stelvio to create the Quadrifoglio version and it is as good as the sedan in the twisty stuff. If you want ultimate performance then look at Lamborghini Urus (yes, Lamborghini also makes an SUV these days) or Cayenne Turbo, both very serious solutions if you want to destroy anybody in a race.

While we’re on performance, I was shocked when I looked at some of the performance numbers and had to fact check to make sure there were not mistakes. Sure, I have come to expect big horsepower numbers these days, but I did not expect sub 4 second 0-60 mph times in 2+ ton SUVs. Nuts. For instance you can go from zero to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds in the Lamborghini Urus and the Tesla Model X P100D with ‘Ludicrous Speed’ upgrade does it in 2.8 seconds. Holy crap. Speaking of electric SUVs we found some tasty performers in the Model X and the Jaguar I-Pace S, a good sign for electric SUVs and serious performance fans.

Price wise this is an expensive segment. We focused on the top of the performance heap so as expected there are a lot of luxury brands on our list. If you want the fastest SUVs expect to pay well into the six-figure range. In fairness, these SUVs have beautiful interiors, are loaded with tech and safety equipment. The interior materials and build quality are off the charts. If you want performance on a budget, then cars like the Jaguar I-Pace S or the Audi SQ5 (not on our list) can be had for under $70,000.

So here it is. The fastest, more powerful and highest performance SUVs you can buy today:

The 10 Most Powerful SUVs (Horsepower & Torque Figures)

#	Name	Price	Power	Torque
1	Tesla Model X P100D ‘Ludicrous’	$140,000	762 hp	791 lb/ft
2	Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk	$86,000	707 hp	645 lb/ft
3	Lamborghini Urus	$200,000	641 hp	627 lb/ft
4	Maserati Levante Trofeo SUV	$169,980	590 hp	538 lb/ft
5	Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4Matic	$126,295	577 hp	561 lb/ft
6	Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 4Matic	$111,860	577 hp	561 lb/ft
7	Range Rover Sport SVR	$113,600	575 hp	461 lb/ft
8	BMW X5 M	$102,695	567 hp	553 lb/ft
9	BMW X6 M	$102,695	567 hp	553 lb/ft
10	Rolls Royce Cullinan	$350,000	563 hp	627 lb/ft

The 10 Fastest SUVs (0 – 60 mph Acceleration and Top Speed)

#	Name	Engine	0-60 mph	Top Speed
1	Tesla Model X P100D ‘Ludicrous’	Electric	2.8 sec	155 mph
2	Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk	Super 6.2L V8	3.5 sec	180 mph
3	Lamborghini Urus	Turbo 4.0L V8	3.6 sec	190 mph
4	Maserati Levante Trofeo SUV	Turbo 3.8L V8	3.7 sec	187 mph
5	Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S	Turbo 4.0L V8	3.7 sec	174 mph
6	Porsche Cayenne Turbo S	Turbo 4.8L V8	3.8 sec	176 mph
7	Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio	Turbo 2.9L V6	3.8 sec	176 mph
8	BMW X5 M	Turbo 4.4L V8	3.8 sec	160 mph
9	BMW X6 M	Turbo 4.4LV8	3.8 sec	156 mph
10	Rolls Royce Cullinan	Turbo V12	4.0 sec	155 mph

The Best SUVs In Detail

Lamborghini Urus

Price: From $200,000
Power: 641 hp
Torque: 627 lb/ft
Engine: Twin-turbo 4.0L V-8
0-60 mph: 3.6 sec
Top Speed: 190 mph

Lamborghini calls the Urus is the world’s first Super Sport Utility Vehicle. “Luxury, sportiness and performance meet comfort and versatility”. Ok then. We can tell you that the Urus is exactly what you expect from an SUV made by Lamborghini. It has the driving dynamics and performance of any SUV we have driven. It looks aggressive and stylish and is clearly a Lambo (including bright colored paint jobs). Wild styling and ferocious performance in an SUV package. Yep, its a Lamborghini ok.

Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4Matic

Price: From $126,295
Power: 577 hp
Torque: 561 lb/ft
Engine: Twin-turbo 5.5L V-8
0-60 mph: 4.3 sec
Top Speed: 165 mph

If you need more room and three rows, then the top of the range Mercedes GLS SUV is the one for you. In AMG GLS spec you get twin-turbo 5.5-liter V-8 with 577 hp. A great seven-speed automatic with all-wheel-drive system helps make the GLS genuinely quick for such a large SUV.

Land Rover Range Rover SVAutobiography

Price: from $208,200
Power: 557 hp
Torque: 502 lb/ft
Engine: 5.0L Supercharged V8
0-60 mph: 5.2 sec
Top Speed: 155 mph

It isn’t just that the Range Rover SVAutobiography Long Wheelbase has 557 horsepower and accelerates like a sports car; it’s that it does it all with a sense of effortlessness and composure, owed in part to the 516 pound-feet of torque, standard all-wheel drive, and eight-speed automatic transmission. This is a vehicle that weighs almost three tons yet can reach a top speed of 140 mph. And despite the 22-inch wheels and low-profile tires, its ride is smooth and comfortable.

Rolls Royce Cullinan

Price: From $350,000
Power: 563 hp
Torque: 627 lb/ft
Engine: 6.75 L twin-turbocharged V12
0-60 mph: 4.0 sec
Top Speed: 155 mph

This is Rolls-Royce making an SUV. We still don’t know many details, but we do know it will be the pinnacle of effortless performance and luxury. The new standard for an SUV.

Tesla Model X P100D ‘Ludicrous Speed’ Upgrade

Price: From $140,000
Power: 762 hp
Torque: 791 lb/ft
Engine: 100 kWh 350 V lithium-ion electric
0-60 mph: 2.8 sec
Top Speed: 155 mph

The Model X is the quickest SUV ever. With standard all-wheel drive, loads of storage and seating for up to seven adults it ticks all the must-have SUV attributed. With 762 horsepower and 791 lb-ft of torque, a 100kWh battery powering all 4 wheels, the Model X P100D hits all our performance requirements. The performance in a straight line is astonishing. Standstill to 60 mph is over in a barely believable 2.8 seconds. That makes it one of the fastest accelerating cars ever and easily the fastest SUV on our list. Sign me up for the electric car revolution if this is what we get.

Maserati Levante Trofeo SUV

Price: from $169,980
Power: 590 hp
Torque: 538 lb/ft
Engine: 3.8 L V8
0-60 mph: 3.7 sec
Top Speed: 187 mph

We went all the way to the top of the Maserati Levante range. This year in March, at the New York International Auto Show, Maserati elevated the model by introducing the Levante Trofeo.

It is the fastest variant in the brand’s budding SUV lineup and a vehicle built specifically for overseas markets. Whereas the original Levante’s three-liter, twin-turbo V-6 engine churned out a maximum of 430 hp, the Trofeo’s 3.8-liter, twin-turbo V-8 delivers 590 hp (at 6,250 rpm) with 538 ft lbs of torque (at 2,250 rpm). The Trofeo sprints to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and produces a top speed that is more than 23 mph faster than the entry level Levante.

Bentley Bentayga

Price: From $229,100
Power: 600 hp
Torque: 664 lb/ft
Engine: Twin-turbo 6.0 L W-12
0-60 mph: 3.6 sec
Top Speed: 187 mph

This is an ugly SUV but boy is it world class in every other department. It has a powerful twin-turbo 6.0-liter W-12 that makes 600 hp and 664 lb/ft of torque, rocketing the heavyweight to 60 in 3.6 seconds. The interior can be configured a number of ways and is chock full of the most sumptuous leather and high end elements you could ever want in a car. Luxury SUV at its best.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio

Price: From $81,390
Power: 505 hp
Torque: 440 lb/ft
Engine: Twin-turbo 2.9 L V6
0-60 mph: 3.8 sec
Top Speed: 176 mph

This is the most fun car on this list. Period. The end. Its 505-hp engine is the same as the coupe QV and it is an absolute masterpiece. Couple the cracking engine with the sexiest of all SUV designs we have seen in years and you know you are looking at something special. No doubt about it, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio raises the performance bar. It is just awesome. Alfa Romeo claims it’ll go from 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds and having driven it I believe it. Can’t say I hit the claimed top speed of 176 mph but given how hard this thing pulls all the way to 100mph it wouldn’t shock me if they were being conservative.

The fantastic thing about the Quadrifoglio is that it really is a driver’s SUV. It’s no less capable than any high-end sport sedan and it’ll go up against the best on the market – all while carrying more cargo in the back and providing you with a more elevated view of the road ahead. Ultimately, this is more than just a high-performance street SUV. This is a fully-trackable SUV that would probably embarrass some highly regarded performance cars at a track day event. In fact, it recently destroyed the record for an SUV at the Nurburgring with a time of 7 minutes and 51.7 seconds. That’s not just impressive, that’s mind-boggling.

Jaguar I-Pace

Price: from $69,500
Power: 394 hp
Torque: 512 lb/ft
Engine: Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)
0-60 mph: 4.5 sec
Top Speed: 124 mph

The Jaguar I-Pace is an electric SUV that blends luxury and performance – exactly what you’d expect from the British automaker. The key performance advantage from electric engines is the lack of a torque curve, meaning all 512 pound-feet are available at all times. That, plus standard all-wheel drive, makes the I-Pace quicker than many conventional vehicles with significantly more horsepower. The I-Pace has a range of 240 miles from its 90-kWh battery.

Macan Turbo (With Performance Package)

Price: From $87,700
Power: 440 hp
Torque: 442 lb-ft
Engine: 3.6 L V6 twin turbo
0-60 mph: 4.2 sec
Top Speed: 169 mph

The Macan Turbo (with performance package) is a compact SUV that is all about performance. Five doors, five seats, decent space for the family and a 440-hp twin-turbo V-6 mated to a seven-speed transmission with all-wheel drive. The $10k performance package gets you an additional 40 horsepower and 36 lb-ft of torque over the Turbo Macan and we say it is totally worth it.

It is crazy fast and we guarantee that any purist will fall in love with this diminutive Porsche daily driver. For that extra money you also get lower ride height, 5mph higher top speed, standard sport exhaust, Sport Chrono package and bigger front brakes. The interior is handsome but small. As with all Porsches, performance comes at a steep price; if you want to blend serious performance with versatility, however, the Macan Turbo has few peers.

Blistering acceleration, sports-sedan handling, athletic silhouette. At the test track, its 3.7-second zero-to-60-mph run and 12.4-second quarter-mile beat those of the already blistering Macan Turbo by 0.5 second each. A relatively low seating position gives it a sports-sedan feel from behind the wheel, and the Macan’s weight transfers fluidly and predictably through corners.

Sure, you won’t confuse this Porsche’s steering feel with that of a Boxster or a 911, but its precision is unimpeachable and for a 4500 pound crossover is way better than you imagine it should be. This is a daily driver that goads you into driving harder, with sky-high cornering limits and progressive controls that instill confidence no matter the speed. Pin the throttle while exiting a corner and the car squirms for a beat as the all-wheel-drive system and the optional torque-vectoring system quickly work out the best way to send all that power to the ground.

Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S / AMG GLC 63 S Coupe

Price: From $80,750
Power: 503 hp
Torque: 516 lb/ft
Engine: Twin-turbo 4.0L V-8
0-60 mph: 3.7 sec
Top Speed: 174 mph

The twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 from the C63S makes its way into the GLC and GLC Coupe. You will need to opt for the S version to cross the 500 horsepower mark. With 503hp and 516 lb-ft in Mercedes mid-sized SUV it hustles to 60 in a rapid 3.7 seconds. Not bad for an SUV that is used every day to ferry kids around.

Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 4Matic / GLE 63 S Coupe 4Matic

Price: From $111,860
Power: 577 hp (GLE63 S)
Torque: 561 lb/ft (GLE63 S)
Engine: Twin-turbo 5.5L V-8
0-60 mph: 4.1 sec
Top Speed: 155 mph

The GLE63 gets a twin-turbo 5.5-liter V-8 that makes 550 hp (577 hp in S trim) and a seven-speed auto; all-wheel drive is standard on all. Handling and braking are surprisingly athletic, too, despite the SUV bodywork.

Porsche Cayenne Turbo / Turbo S

Price: From $124,600
Power: 550 hp (570 hp for S)
Engine: Twin turbo 4.8L V-8
Torque: 590 lb/ft
0-60 mph: 3.8 sec
Top Speed: 176 mph

Despite their size and weight, the Cayenne Turbo and Turbo S are quicker than ever. The Cayenne gets a new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that has the turbos inside the V of the cylinders of the engine. Porsche says that shortening the exhaust paths into the turbochargers on this engine made the engine more responsive and improved power delivery. It reaches 60 mph in 3.7 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package.

Read more about the Turbo.

BMW X5 M

Price: From $102,695
Power: 567 hp
Torque: 553 lb/ft
Engine: Twin-turbo 4.4 L V-8
0-60 mph: 3.8 sec
Top Speed: 160 mph

The BMW X5 M is a heavy SUV with a military grade twin-turbo V8 generating 567 hp that helps propels it from zero to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. Given its size and weight this is also a great handling SUV that feels more like a sports car to drive.

BMW X6 M

Price: From $102,695
Power: 567 hp
Torque: 553 lb/ft
Engine: Twin-turbo V-8
0-60 mph: 3.8 sec
Top Speed: 156 mph

The X6 M is just like the X5 M with its own unique style. Just like the X5 M it is fast and handles amazingly well for a 5000+ pound SUV. Definitely less practical than the X5 M but it looks cooler.

Dodge Durango SRT

Price: From $62,995
Power: 475 hp
Torque: 470 lb/ft
Engine: 6.4-liter V-8
0-60 mph: 4.4 sec
Top Speed: 180 mph

New for 2018, the SRT package allows the Durango to do things rarely seen in the midsize SUV class, though it comes at a luxury price. It has a 475-hp 6.4-liter V-8, driving all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic. It hits 60mph in 4.4 seconds and tops out at 180mph. The eight speed auto works well and handles the abundant 470lb/ft of torque very well. Bonus for parents with four kids, there is room for six. Its a muscle-car SUV in a family-friendly package.

Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR

Price: From $113,600
Power: 575 hp
Torque: 461 lb/ft
Engine: 5.0 L V8
0-60 mph: 4.3 sec
Top Speed: 162 mph

We love the Range Rover Sport and have been big fans of its supercharged 5.0-liter V8 for a long time. The eight-speed automatic is silky smooth and helps the big SVR haul in 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. Dripping in style and luxury this is an SUV can also handle the rough stuff. As Car & Driver said: “No rival better mixes handling prowess, off-road talent and an SUV sense of functional plushness. But more importantly, none comes close the lewd sense of fun it keeps so amply on tap”.

Jaguar F-Pace SVR

Price: From $79,990
Power: 550 hp
Torque: 502 lb/ft
Engine: 5.0-liter supercharged V8
0-60 mph: 4.1 sec
Top Speed: 176 mph

A Jaguar sports car by Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) the F-Pace gets a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 and a top speed of 176 mph. The F-Pace is the most stylish and fast Jag you can buy for your family. It turns the great F-Pace into a real performance machine. It comfortably seats five and has more than enough cargo space when compared to others in the small SUV segment. The ultimate Jaguar performance SUV.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

Price: From $86,000
Power: 707 hp
Torque: 645 lb/ft
Engine: 6.2 L V8
0-60 mph: 3.5 sec
Top Speed: 180 mph

This is a Jeep with a supercharged 707-horsepower engine and 645 lb/ft of torque – what is there not to love? The V8 is the same unit used in the Hellcat Challengers and Chargers by Dodge and it transforms the Grand Cherokee. While you would be just as happy opting for the Cherokee SRT, we say go all the way and order the Trailhawk. It is a good looking, rugged SUV, has comfortable seats and nice enough cabin. The infotainment system comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and works really well. Add that 707hp engine, all-wheel drive, an eight-speed automatic, and a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds and this may be the one for me. America’s answer to high-performance SUVs from Europe surprised us and made us smile from ear to ear.

September 17, 2018 / Comments Off

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McLaren Focusing on Supercars; No SUV Lineup!

A bold move that is against today’s landscape is the announcement of McLaren focusing solely on supercars with no future SUV release. Unlike the competition that has ‘sporty’ SUV’s to help fund their R&D, McLaren is having none of it.

AutoNews reports that McLaren will not be following Porsche, Bentley, Tesla, Jaguar, or Rolls Royce(!) in watering down their brand with an SUV release. President of McLaren North America, Tony Joseph, says,

“We have been a company in existence for a long time prior to automotive and we’re a profitable company, so there’s really no need to go into SUVs. We want to concentrate just on two-seat sports cars and be known as the iconic sports car company.”

While that’s the case, McLaren is focused on future-proofing their car lineup, with hybrid configurations on the works in Woking. The makers of the new Senna hypercar reports that a full-electric car is also in the works, but that is unlikely before 2022.

That’s pretty exciting stuff but you think they’ll follow through with it? Or succumb to the pressure?

June 4, 2018 / Comments Off

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