The Future of Driving Performance.

With the Mercedes-AMG ONE, a Formula 1 vehicle is road-ready for the very first time. From the collaborative minds of Mercedes-AMG and the Petronas Motorsport team, it features a highly-integrated powertrain with a turbocharged combustion engine and four independent electric motors: one for each front wheel, one linked to the crankcase, and one in the turbocharger itself. This results in over 1,000 horsepower and a blistering top speed of 217 mph.

Unlike Lewis’ W10 F1, car there won't be a team of engineers to keep the Mercedes-AMG One running. Taking an F1 engine and putting it in a road car is probably even harder than stuffing a road car engine into an F1 car. Engineering such a specialize… — Unlike Lewis’ W10 F1, car there won't be a team of engineers to keep the Mercedes-AMG One running. Taking an F1 engine and putting it in a road car is probably even harder than stuffing a road car engine into an F1 car. Engineering such a specialized drivetrain to handle the sloppy world of road driving has turned out to be even harder than Mercedes-AMG initially anticipated.

Performance

A 1.6-liter V6 hybrid engine with direct injection and electrically assisted turbocharging

Four electric motors for a combined 450 kW

Total output of over 1,000 hp

Automated AMG SPEEDSHIFT® 8-speed manual transmission

800-volt EQ Power+ drive system

Adjustable ESP® with ON, SPORT HANDLING, and OFF modes

Design

10-spoke forged aluminum wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires

Flat-LED headlamps and tail lamps with rhomboid design that echoes the AMG logo

Rooftop air intake and vertical shark fin

Vertical spoiler lip and two-section rear diffuser

Two high-res, free-standing 10-inch displays within the cabin

Formula 1-style steering wheel with integrated controllers and LED shift display

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Exotic CarsBeyond RelationsJune 16, 2020Comment

Facel Vega: Making a Comeback, Concept Paris V

Standard and Performance Trims

The performance model is claimed to have 550 hp (410 kW / 558 PS) and 505 lb-ft (684 Nm) of torque. Thanks to the extra power, the range-topping variant has an acceleration time of 3.5 seconds. This classic coupé with two doors takes up the main lines of the HK 500 coupé with vertical headlights like the radiator grille. The whole is refined and revisited, bringing of course modernity. The stern design is also very elegant with an obvious formal fluidity.

Tradition requires, the Facel Vega Paris V offers two V8 engines with a comfortable displacement of 6.0. A big block like under the hoods of the Facels of yesteryear, mechanical continuity is therefore ensured.

Technical Specifications

This resurrection project of the legendary French firm is very promising. But some details indicate that everything is not ready for a next entry into production. On the website (which should be remembered is no longer accessible) an interior configurator was taken from Bentley precisely from the Bentley Continental GT. Aboard the Facel Vega Paris V we find an atmosphere close to that of the models of yesteryear, with contemporary technology in addition of course.

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Exotic CarsBeyond RelationsJune 3, 2020Comment

Koenigsegg Gemera Hybrid Hyper-GT

Four Seats, 248-MPH Top Speed

The Gemera’s hybrid powertrain is made up of three electric motors and a three-cylinder combustion engine that Koenigsegg says runs on renewable alcohol fuel. Hybrid powertrains are usually bulky and ungainly, especially since so many of them have been designed to fit into cars that were originally designed to only house combustion engines. All four of these power units are clustered around the Gemera’s rear axle. But the supercar is still an all-wheel drive machine — Koenigsegg’s first — which the company accomplishes by using a direct drive system that runs from the rear of the car to the front axle.

“It makes 592 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque and works in conjunction with three electric motors and Koenigsegg's single-speed direct-drive transmission. Together, these motors make 1677 horsepower and 2581 lb-ft of torque.” - Car & Driver

The Gemera features a two-liter, three-cylinder engine as well as three plug-in electric motors that can produce up to 1700 horsepower. The hybrid system allows the Gemera to accelerate from zero to 62 mph in just 1.9 seconds, reaching a top speed of 248 mph. The Gemera combines the exciting performance traits of a mid-engine two-seater megacar with the practicalities of a four-seater car with more luggage space meaning the Koenigsegg megacar experience can now be shared with family and friends. As a Mega-GT and Koenigseggs first four-seater, the Gemera signifies a revolutionary new vehicle category with an innovative automotive design to match.

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Exotic CarsBeyond RelationsMay 27, 2020Comment

Pagani Huayra Roadster BC came to Life

Beauty and Uniqueness

A brand new engine: the Pagani V12, the beating heart of the Roadster BC. More than 800 hp & 1,050 Nm torque already at 2,000 rev/min. Top performance, more than 1.9 g of lateral force. The solutions lie in the agile and expert hands of those who believe that perfection and uniqueness can only be reached through painstaking care, manual skill and craftsmanship. Pagani aspires for perfection, creating the greatest hand-built cars with a true hymn to the Renaissance. There is something that comes before absolute performance, speed, design and style. That something is called safety and at Pagani Automobili, it is a mission.

A demanding research project was launched with a meticulous, almost obsessive focus on details and design in order to create a highly distinctive, street-legal Pagani hypercar that would combine the unparalleled sensations of driving a roadster with… — A demanding research project was launched with a meticulous, almost obsessive focus on details and design in order to create a highly distinctive, street-legal Pagani hypercar that would combine the unparalleled sensations of driving a roadster with the most advanced technology available today.

Every single component of the Roadster BC is a concentration of Pagani Automobili’s ultimate design, technology and engineering expertise encapsulated in just 1,250 kg (2,756 lbs).

This is the essence of the Roadster BC. Extreme, exuberant and shaped by hand in line with the fundamental concepts of Leonardo da Vinci’s Art and Science, the cornerstones of Pagani Automobili’s creative philosophy.

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Exotic CarsBeyond RelationsMay 18, 2020 Comment

2021 Czinger 21C - 0-60 in 1.9sec || $1.7-million

Cutting-Edge Technology

It’s not only crazy fast. This 1,233-hp, $1.7-million all-American beast could change the way cars are built. The 2021 Czinger 21C was created by a small team of designers, engineers and scientists using a revolutionary, patented, production system. The ultra-light, superbly finished, hybrid-powered Czinger 21C, developed under the direction of former Koenigsegg technical director Jon Gunner, looks the real deal, a car with the explosive performance potential of a Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport. A 21st century look at coachbuilding, each 21C is assembled by a team of artisans, from the fit and finish of each and every part – from seat brackets to suspension components – to the hand-crafted carbon fiber and multi-layer, show quality paintwork.

0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds; the quarter mile done and dusted in 8.1 seconds; 0-186 mph in 15 seconds; 0-248 mph and back to a standstill in a stunning 29 seconds. In road spec, the 21C has a top speed of 268 mph and generates 551 pounds of down force a… — 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds; the quarter mile done and dusted in 8.1 seconds; 0-186 mph in 15 seconds; 0-248 mph and back to a standstill in a stunning 29 seconds. In road spec, the 21C has a top speed of 268 mph and generates 551 pounds of down force at 155 mph. The track version tops out at a mere 236 mph thanks to the drag from a massive rear wing that contributes to a staggering 1,742 pounds of down force at 155 mph.

Total system output is 1,233 hp. In road specification, the 21C weighs just 2,756 pounds; the track version comes in at a feathery 2,685 pounds. That calculates to weight-to-power ratios of 2.23 pounds per horsepower and 2.17 pounds per horsepower, respectively. For context, the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport lugs 2.9 pounds per horsepower; the McLaren Senna, 3.8 pounds per horsepower. This is paired with a seven-speed sequential trans-axle gearbox with a hydraulic actuated multi-plate clutch to complete the entire drive-train, which is designed, developed and built by Czinger.

Czinger has partnered with a range of industry-leading specialists to develop materials and components for the 21C and related accessories. Michelin is collaborating with Czinger to work with the 21st century performance car brand’s tire development to deliver its impressive performance figures. Just 80 Czinger 21Cs will be made, priced from $1.7 million, plus taxes. Each 21C will be meticulously hand-finished and hand-assembled at the company's Los Angeles-area plant, taking more than 3,000 hours to complete. The car is also 50-state legal in terms of both emissions and crash ratings and will also be able to be legally sold in Europe.

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Exotic CarsBeyond RelationsMay 18, 2020Comment

Bentley Mulliner Bacalar: The Rarest Two-Door in Modern Era

The Rarest Two-Door Bentley

The ultimate expression of two-seat, open-air luxury, this definitive Grand Tourer spearheads a return to coachbuilding by Bentley Mulliner – the oldest coachbuilder in the world. Bacalar looks to the future of bespoke luxury motoring – each model will be handcrafted in Bentley Mulliner’s workshop in Crewe, according to the individual customer’s personal tastes. This exceptionally rare car is appropriately named after Laguna Bacalar in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, a lake renowned for its breath-taking natural beauty, continuing Bentley’s strategy of naming cars after remarkable landmarks which started with Bentayga in 2015.

A masterpiece of craftsmanship, the Bacalar is a seamless fusion of materials with an intelligent curation of technology. It draws on design DNA from the beautifully sculpted, award-winning EXP 100 GT which was recently crowned ‘Most Beautiful Conce… — A masterpiece of craftsmanship, the Bacalar is a seamless fusion of materials with an intelligent curation of technology. It draws on design DNA from the beautifully sculpted, award-winning EXP 100 GT which was recently crowned ‘Most Beautiful Concept Car of the Year’ at the prestigious French Festival Automobile International and ‘Concept Car of the Year’ by GQ magazine.

Pure in line and execution, the distinctive, wraparound cockpit flows from a new, steeply angled center console seamlessly into the dashboard and doors. These then wrap rearwards towards the semi-enclosed luggage compartment behind the two seats. The third arm of the business – Bentley Mulliner Collections – will continue to offer customers luxury-focused derivatives of the core Bentley range, such as the new Continental GT Mulliner Convertible, as well as the opportunity to personalize their new Bentley. An expansive number of options is available across the full line-up of current production cars – from unique color-matched paint, hide and thread combinations, to bespoke feature content.

Owning a Bacalar is the start of a journey of discovery for the owner. Every element has been carefully and meticulously designed with a depth so great that over the course of time, each customer will discover new and interesting details.

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Exotic CarsBeyond RelationsMay 17, 2020Comment

Lotus Evija: Limited Edition Electric British Hyper-car

British Sports Car Brand

The Evija marks the start of an exciting new chapter in the history of an iconic and much-loved British sports car brand. It is the first hypercar from Lotus, and the company’s first model with an electrified powertrain. It can race from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in under three seconds and accelerate to a top speed of more than 200 mph (0-320 km/h). A maximum of 130 examples will be built, guaranteeing exclusivity to match the stunning looks, ground-breaking technology and world-beating performance. As the first completely new car to be launched under the stewardship of Geely – the world’s fastest growing automotive group – its significance cannot be overstated.

“The Lotus Evija is a car like no other. It will re-establish our brand in the hearts and minds of sports car fans and on the global automotive stage. It will also pave the way for further visionary models. This is another amazing moment in the history of our company. The Evija is a true Lotus in every sense – it has been developed with an unwavering passion to push boundaries, to explore new ways of thinking and to apply ground-breaking technologies.” - CEO Phil Popham

The Evija is the first Lotus road car to feature a one-piece carbon fibre monocoque chassis. The cabin, from the fully adjustable race-style seats to the multi-function steering wheel, is the very pinnacle of motor-sport inspired road car design and technology. The battery pack is mid-mounted immediately behind the two seats and supplies energy directly to four powerful e-motors. This highly efficient system is the lightest, most energy dense, electric power package ever fitted to a road car. With a target weight of just 1,680 kg, it will be the lightest pure electric hypercar ever to go into series production.

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Exotic CarsBeyond RelationsMay 16, 2020Comment

Why Renting Luxury Cars Makes Sense

Renting a car

While a sporty ride featuring a little extra horsepower might not be the most practical option, it can add a pinch of pizazz to a business trip or boring daily commute. Rather than automatically settling on the rental car that’s most like the car you drive normally, instead you can relish all the bells, whistles and adrenaline rush that luxury rental cars provide. Renting a car is usually considered a chore. A slight inconvenience. Something that’s done out of necessity if your car is in the shop or if you’re traveling. But what if you embraced it as an opportunity to treat yourself to a little extra luxury, and what if we told you it can even be cost effective to do so? Enter: the lesser chosen, more adventurous car rental strategy: renting luxury rental cars.

The Price is Right for Luxury Rental Cars

Depending on the location and your date of your rental, you may find that supply and demand works in your favor. Maybe the rest of the renters require mini-vans because they’re traveling with children. In that case, the rental agency just may have a surplus of luxury rental cars on hand. Our suggestion? Don’t rule out a fancier car just because you think it might be cost prohibitive. It never hurts to ask about and compare options. You may be surprised to find that a luxury vehicle is within just a few dollars a day of what you were planning to rent. (Likewise, there may be times when luxury rental cars is in demand — perhaps there’s a nearby ball or black tie event — and instead of driving away in the BMW like you planned, you’re in a hatchback.

A Luxury Rental Car Fits the Trip

If you’ve ever island-hopped along Route 1 from Miami to Key West — cruising through Islamorada and over the seven-mile bridge — then you know that the journey is at least as good as the trip. And you need a car that matches the spectacular views, perhaps even a convertible to appropriately soak in the experience. The same could be said for rolling down the Vegas Strip, or visiting vineyards in Napa Valley. If you’re flying first class and staying in the corner suite, you may need to complete the trifecta with a luxury rental car that will turn heads and draw eyes.

you Can Pick from Popular Makes and Models

Here is the key to being able to use our Rental Car Damage Protector to provide peace of mind for luxury rental cars: picking a vehicle that’s valued at less than $40,000. You’ll find that while this won’t include exotic vehicles available at niche rental agencies, there is a big sweet spot of popular, luxury makes and models available at larger rental car companies including Enterprise and Alamo. These include the 2019 BMW X3 sDrive30i (Fair Market Price: $38,219), which is known for superior handling and sneaky good fuel efficiency.2, 3 Then there’s the 2018 Audi A3 Premium Sedan 4D (Fair Market Value: $31,437), which boasts both sporty handling and a relaxing ride.2 Plus, the turbocharged engine powers acceleration more typical of a sportscar.4 What better car for cruising out of Las Vegas on Highway 93’s flat, straight pavement? Whether or not driving a fancy car is part of your daily life or something you do when in Rome (or Vegas), luxury rental cars can elevate the ho-hum task of getting from here to there to something a lot more memorable.

Most Popular, Lifestyle, Exotic CarsBeyond RelationsApril 27, 2020Editor's PickComment