The Bentley Mulsanne Grand Limousine by Mulliner is one of the largest saloon cars on the market. When you order one with the standard extended wheel base, the rear seating area becomes a living room. Usually, the extended wheel base is more than enough for someone looking forward to having a long journey with the comfort of home.
However, there are some people who would like have to more than standard. So, Bentley Mulsanne Grand Limousine is born!
The end result? A car that is six times larger than the average London flat! It has lots of seats inside, I couldn’t even count all of them. It is really, really long and heavy. However, whoever orders this Mulsanne is not really bothered with the acceleration as long as it accelerates faster than the average person’s car.
If you are planning to have a house on four wheels, the Bentley Mulsanne super-extended wheel base is your car.
Finally, the new Bentley Continental GT has been released. We have been waiting for it for a really long time. Yes, it is the third generation, but the second generation was just a heavy facelift. It was still under the Phaeton platform. The new Continental GT now shares the same platform as the Porsche Panamera. That’s really good news.
As you can see, the Continental GT does not look that different from the second generation model but many things have changed with the introduction of the Continental. First of all, it is now lighter. The modular platform reduces the weight by a serious amount. The steering wheel is electric and that saves extra weight. However, the engine is still a W12 6-lt. Anyway that’s fine, you wouldn’t buy a Bentley Continental GT with a 2.9-lt Audi RS5 engine would you?
The gearbox is now a dual-clutch automatic. Interestingly, while BMW left the dual-clutch and moved back to a conventional automatic (BMW M5), Bentley did the opposite. To be honest, I really love the dual-clutch automatic and the VW Group loves it as well!
The infotainment system has changed as well and you won’t see anything from the Phaeton. Probably, it shares the same platform as the Porsche Panamera. The carpets come in 15 different colours, and there is a new style called diamond in diamond with 217 stiches. This will probably cost the price of a VW Polo.
The suspension is now three-chamber air suspension with 48-volt active anti-roll bars. This new anti-roll bar system will improve the ride quality. It will handle better when needed (probably never), and offers comfort when you need it (always).
There are lots of Porsche touches with the new Continental. I think they’ve made a good decision to share platforms and parts with a brand that is known to be well-built and reliable. On the other hand, it reduces the authencity of the product and the brand. Like the Bentayga, the Continental is re-fit of a Porsche Panamera.
In case, you are complaining about this problem, consider the new Rolls-Royce Phantom. It doesn’t share a platform with the BMW 7-Series and costs a great deal. In order to cut the cost, you have to share platforms or the customer will have to pay a fortune.
Porsche has recently revealed the third generation of the Porsche Cayenne. To be honest, no-one can ignore the resemblance to the second and the third generation Cayenne. The new Cayenne looks exactly the same as the old one. Why? It is quite simple. Car companies don’t like to change the design of their best selling models and scare their customers.
That’s a really good approach when it comes to maintaining good financial results. However, it ruins the passion when it comes to car design.
Actually the drama of the exterior design is explained by the press release, the inclusion of the true Porsche 911 DNA. This means that all future Cayennes will look exactly the same as the Porsche 911!
Anyway, the new Cayenne is a game changer. Like a massive American SUV, the Cayenne features all-wheel steering. Now you can go in to a corner faster than ever with a 1.9-tonne SUV. However, the all-wheel steering not only improves the handling. It also makes parking easier.
American SUVs have been offering this for a very long time. In the early 2000s, this feature was unique to the Chevrolet Suburban and is now available with the Cayenne.
The Cayenne is in full turbo now! The Cayenne features a single turbo engine and the Cayenne S features a twin-turbo engine. This means, if you don’t save enough, your Cayenne can suffer a bit of turbo lag!
The ride comfort has improved a lot. It is called Porsche 4D with the three chamber air suspension being coupled with the PDCC system. The PDCC system uses a 48-volt system, so the car’s ECU can control the PDCC more accurately in order to improve the handling and increase the comfort.
48-volt is the new 12-volt.
Another interesting point about the new Cayenne is the weight reduction. Yes, they seriously reduced the weight of an SUV by 65-kg! Better than nothing. Bear in mind, that the Bugatti Chiron weighs 100-kg more than the Veyron!
The interior is a copy and paste from the Panamera, including a massive multi-gesture touch screen. To be honest, the Panamera offers a very good interior and I don’t mind seeing it inside the Cayenne. They all do this nowadays and it makes things cheaper.
The gearbox is still a conventional 8-speed automatic with a very short first gear to create a low-range gearbox effect. The off-road functionality is improved and, according to the press release, the new Cayenne locks all its differentials. I guess this will be achieved via the torque vectoring system inside the differentials. However, this is better than a fully open differential.
Now you can order your Cayenne with the Sport Chrono Pack which will allow it to accelerate faster. To be honest, do you really need this? Yes, if you are buying a Porsche.
The Cayenne also features a driving assistance system (Night Vision Assist with a thermal imaging camera is one of the most important assistance systems, along with Lane Change Assist, Lane Keeping Assist including traffic sign recognition, traffic jam assist, ParkAssist including Surround View and Porsche InnoDrive including adaptive cruise control). However, don’t expect an AI technology inherited from the Audi A8. The Cayenne will do its best to keep you safe.
Overall, the new Cayenne doesn’t offer a very different and distinctive exterior. However, it is probably the first Cayenne to inherit all the Porsche DNA. Unfortunately, inheriting the Porsche DNA means that it will always look the same. Last note, the Porsche Cayenne shares the same platform as the Audi Q7, the Bentley Bentayga and the future VW Touareg (but who really buys a Touareg?).
Tech Spec; The Cayenne with a six-cylinder turbo engine and displacement of three litres delivers 250 kW (340 hp), developing a torque of 450 Nm. That means that even the standard model achieves outstanding driving performance: It accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds (5.9 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package). The maximum speed is 245 km/h. The second model to launch is the Cayenne S. It is driven by a 2.9-litre V6 engine with twin turbocharging. This engine, which has also been newly developed, delivers 324 kW (440 hp), achieving a torque of 550 Nm – 15 kW (20 hp) more than its predecessor. Accordingly, the vehicle accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 5.2 seconds (with Sport Chrono Package: 4.9 seconds). The maximum speed is 265 km/h.
Audi has recently revealed the new Audi A8, the fourth generation. The Audi A8 may not be able to capture the interest of Mercedes-Benz S-Class fans. Literally, S-Class fans don’t even consider the A8 as a competitor. However, things have changed a lot! To be fair, the Audi A8 was always the third option after the BMW 7-Series, people were just not super-willing to buy an A8. Now, with the new A8, things will change very dramatically! The fourth generation Audi A8 is overtaking both the S-Class and the 7-Series in terms of technology!
As usual, the new A8 is still based on the lightweight modular platform and offering the Quattro. If you can’t afford to buy a Quattro Audi, don’t buy an Audi. Anyway, let’s go back to our main topic. The new Audi A8’s latest party piece is its safety and autonomous driving systems.
The new Audi A8 offers a Level-3 autonomous driving system up to 60 km/h. You might be thinking, the Tesla and the Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volvo offer a better autonomous driving system that is capable of running at higher speeds. The key difference is that the Audi A8’s laser scanners send data to the A8’s AI computer to decide the next move. Unlike other systems, the A8 can make a decision based on various external factors that change constantly. Literally, the A8’s computer will think while driving and decide ‘shall I do this or not?’. The other systems unfortunately are quite straightforward and sometimes they fail.
Will Mercedes-Benz and BMW catch up soon? Yes, that’s possible, but it won’t happen in one day. Audi has invested a serious amount of R&D on this system over a very long time. The competitors may not be able to catch up soon!
The other party piece of the A8 is the suspension. It is now controlled by electric actuators instead of air. As a result, the A8 can do really eye-catching suspension moves to impress passengers. The most important feature is the tilt function that can lift the car, if a side-impact is unavoidable. In this way the crash will be absorbed by the frame of the car instead of the passenger doors.
As the suspension can be controlled by electric actuators, the response time is much quicker than is the case with a conventional air suspension system. You can easily turn A8 into a sports car on a long journey. Also, the suspension system can detect road imperfections and adjust the suspension to improve the comfort of the ride. This is already offered by the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the new Rolls-Royce Phantom. However, their systems are based on air suspension. This new suspension system works with a 48-volt system which is how it can make these moves!
Overall, the new Audi A8 is a ground-breaking car. Unlike in the previous generation, Audi has pushed the limits of innovation and has revealed a car that is years ahead of its competitors. However, there are some drawbacks such as the full touch screen infotainment, navigation and climate control buttons. The touch screen makes everything really hard to manage whilst driving. Will these technologies help to increase Audi’s market share? Yes and no. There are some customers in this segment who are obsessed with the S-Class and can’t see the reality. They will never ever change their minds. However, there are lots of younger generation customers who prefer a car with better technology than its competitors. Also, Audi’s subtle design is an attractive unique selling point. For some customers, a subtle car is a must.
It has been 40 years since the first BMW 7-Series was revealed to the public. I would never have thought that the 7-Series is that old! Even so, I can clearly remember the last five generations. To be honest, you don’t miss a lot when it comes to the first few generations. The BMW 7-Series started to look good in the mid-1990s! In the 2000s, it looked like a spaceship.
Anyway, despite the 40 years of excitement, the 7-Series did not manage to witness the most important events of the world like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. To be fair, the S-Class is literally everywhere on this planet. Wherever you go, you will always find an S-Class.
Perhaps the brightness of the S-Class overshadowed the 7-Series. Actually, this is something quite normal. This segment was created by Mercedes-Benz and we expect to see a market dominated by the S-Class.
I can’t ignore the fact that the 7-Series brought dynamism into this market. The early versions of the S-Class are dull. They are just heavy and boring-looking objects. As the BMW transferred its sportive characteristics to the 7-Series, the market changed.
Unlike the S-Class, the 7-Series was, and always will be, more appealing to the younger audience, even though we have never seen a BMW M7 with a loud exhaust. BMW never went along this path of making the 7-Series a massive sport cars, unlike the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Even if you manage to find a 1998 7-Series with a good maintenance record, it will not look outdated, and that’s important!
In recent years, the 7-Series brought new technologies to the market including composite materials and serious weight reduction. Of course, we can’t ignore the fact that the Rolls-Royce Ghost, and the Wraith are based on the previous generations of the BMW 7-Series.
The new Rolls-Royce Phantom is available now! It is larger than ever and is a statement vehicle rather than a motor vehicle. It is the pinnacle of the luxury motoring experience and also it is heavy. The eighth Rolls-Royce Phantom is not something you usually spot on the road. It is not like any other Phantom ever built. Therefore, it is important to hold an exhibition for new Rolls-Royce Phantom and narrate its heritage, so you will understand why the eighth Phantom is like this.
The Great Eight Phantoms
New Bond Street, Mayfair in London, houses the world’s most expensive luxury brands. It is not a very long street, but the products that are sold there can freeze your brain. Why have I told you about New Bond Street? Bonhams is on New Bond Street and there is a Rolls-Royce exhibition in Bonhams featuring the Great Eight Phantoms. Rolls-Royce and Bonhams jointly celebrate the birth of the eight Phantom with a very special exhibition. Don’t worry, it is not bling, or you will not end up with Kim Kardashian’s Rolls-Royce Ghost.
There are seven Rolls-Royce Phantoms at the exhibition with unique touches from their era or from their owners. When you enter the Bonhams, you will be welcomed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Phantom VI. It is one of a kind, designed to offer an exceptional viewing experience due to its a raised roof. This car is still in use and you have probably seen it in London.
The second Phantom is the Field Marshal Montgomery Phantom III and also inherits the Black Badge (Rolls-Royce’s branding for the sportier version used up to the present day). It was used after the WWII and offers an exceptional design with an aerodynamic approach. As I heard from the Bonham team, this car was the centre of most of the attention. When you look at the photos, you will understand what I mean.
The next Phantom is John Lennon’s Phantom V. It is colourful and big. Really really big! Literally, John Lennons’s Phantom is larger than a flat in central London. The colour harmony of this Phantom is a great visual experience.
The next one is the Aga Khan III Phantom IV. It is green, very green, but I don’t think it will get an A rating for fuel consumption. The harmonic lines of the exterior design transports you into a different time.
The next car is from the 1920s, the era when the car designer never considered the need for a space in the form of a boot space, the Fred Astaire Phantom I. When you look at the rear of this exciting Phantom, you will see bespoke Louis Vuitton luggage sitting there without any protection. Just exposed to real-life conditions. Off-the-topic, if you wish to buy the same luggage now, just go back to New Bond Street and turn right and walk for 10 minutes. You will end up at the Louis Vuitton store on the left-hand side. There you will find the most unergonomic traditional luggage that will not fit into any car’s boot space. Back to the Phantom. The beauty of the 1920’s Phantom is the beauty of the transition period moving from horse carriages to motor vehicles. The steering-wheel is not designed to protect you in a crash and there are more adjustments than a Honda Jet, just to keep the petrol engine running. The Honda Jet offers a very simplified cockpit design and yes, Honda makes private jets.
The Sir Malcolm Campbell Phantom II belongs to the era of speed and yes, Rolls-Royce can travel at high speeds and stay in one piece, unlike Ferraris. That’s what I like about the Rolls-Royce, they don’t fall apart if you push them to the limits. Try this with a Ferrari and you will end up in the nearest Fiat service garage. Also, it is the foundation for the Waterspeed model.
The last Phantom is the previous generation Phantom VII that is available for you to see on the road. However, this one is the first Phantom from 2003. It is the first one that came out of the factory. It is slightly smaller than the rest of the other Phantoms and it has been in production for 14 years! Usually, European cars have a product lifecycle of seven years, just do the maths! Also, the last Phantom made the Mercedes-Benz Maybach go out of production. The Maybach was a disaster since it was first revealed, while the Phantom made things go faster. The existing Maybach range is produced under the Mercedes-Benz brand like the AMG.
Finally, the eighth Phantom is on the lower ground floor (-2). It is big, it is really really big, and you will not notice the size thanks to the Bonhams’ setting and the crown above it. Also, the black colour of the interior of the venue makes the Phantom look tiny. However, this car is massive, and when you see it on the road, you will have to adjust your brain to take in its size. This Phantom is a statement car. If you have it, the whole world will know that you have the money and definitely you are not a shareholder of Facebook, Apple or Google.
The eighth Phantom is a great car, in that the engineering and the attention to detail are far beyond that found in previous generations. I did my best to find mistakes but couldn’t find any, except the rear seats. They can’t turn into a bed like in a Mercedes-Benz S-Class Maybach. However, you can sit in a very relaxing position where you will fall asleep, while the super thick carpet swallows your shoes and all your feet. Also, this Phantom is one of the most silent cars on the market, even the tyres are uniquely designed for the Phantom by Continental. If you have a close look, you will see they look a bit awkward. This is because they are designed to reduce noise rather than improve the handling. As a result of the super silence and softness of the seats and the carpets, your passengers will easily fall asleep.
As far as the interior is concerned, I can’t ignore the dashboard gallery! There is an art gallery on the dashboard. It was my idea actually. However, I never managed to say it out loud. Once I mentioned it on my blog and Rolls-Royce now offers various types of art work for your dashboard, designed by inspirational artists. However, if you wish to ruin the dashboard with your personal art taste, Rolls-Royce lets you do it. Usually, my taste is the best statement that such an approach ends up terribly wrong. If you can afford to buy a Rolls-Royce Phantom this does not mean that you are a distant relative of Leonardo Da Vinci. Therefore, your taste in art would not offer something unique or something extraordinary.
Anyway, the Bonhams exhibition is available until this coming Wednesday (It is finished now). Go and visit. If you have missed it, I have the photos. The eighth Rolls-Royce Phantom is a great car with a huge heart. Yes, it is big.
Rolls Royce Phantom III The Field Marshal Montgomery, BonhamsRolls Royce Phantom III The Field Marshal Montgomery, BonhamsRolls Royce Phantom III The Field Marshal Montgomery, BonhamsRolls Royce Phantom III The Field Marshal Montgomery, BonhamsRolls Royce IV Aga Khan III, BonhamsRolls Royce IV Aga Khan III, BonhamsRolls Royce Phantom I, Fred Astaire, BonhamsRolls Royce Phantom III The Field Marshal Montgomery, Bonhams
Rolls Royce Phantom V John Lennon, BonhamsRolls Royce Phantom V John Lennon, BonhamsRolls Royce Phantom V John Lennon, BonhamsRolls Royce Phantom II, Sir Malcom Campbell, BonhamsRolls Royce Phantom VII, BonhamsRolls Royce Phantom I, Fred Astaire, BonhamsRolls Royce Phantom III The Field Marshal Montgomery, BonhamsRolls Royce Phantom VI, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’sRolls Royce Phantom VI, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s
The Ford Mustang is officially a unicorn and eBay proved it for London Pride 2017! To mark the occasion, the online marketplace transformed a 1968 Ford Mustang into a “unicorn”. The mystical motor will make its debut at the London Pride Parade on Saturday before being sold with all proceeds going to LGBT charity – the Albert Kennedy Trust. The charity supports young 16-25 year olds from the LGBT community who are homeless or living in a hostile environment.
The Ford Mustang is one of the most iconic cars from the 1960s. Whether you like the Mustang or not, you can deny its role in people’s lives and history. For many years, the Mustang was the reason to have a summer holiday in the US, just to experience the Mustang. I am not saying experiencing a car, it is an experience of the Mustang!
You might be thinking what is really special with the Mustang, there were many cars built in 1960s but why people were obsessed with the Mustang?
The soul, Mustang was always a unique rule breaker car. Especially when we think about the 1960s, everything in society was in constant change. People’s lifestyles, how they live, how they eat, how they perceive the world. The Mustang wasn’t a subtle car, it was loud and fast. It was part of the 1960s! It had a personality and that’s why people loved it. They have something common with the ’68 Mustang. It is more than a car. It is your friend. It is someone who can tell you the story of the 1960s!
It never had a perfect drivetrain or the most efficient engine. However, it was a living organism on four wheels.
For a long time, we didn’t have Mustangs in the UK because the steering wheel was positioned on the opposite side. However, this didn’t deter UK Mustang fans! In London especially, many people drove left-hand drive Mustangs for years. That’s why the Mustang is a perfect car to be associated with London Pride. It is a car that hinders lots of memories.
eBay’s mystical vehicle restoration took 30 days and was created from parts and accessories sourced on eBay (this means, you can find any car part on the eBay, keep in mind!).
The transformation was carried out by a skilled team of five; including mechanic and the London Organiser of Gay Classic Car Group Darren Sullivan Vince.
What has changed underneath the Mustang? They didn’t just add a unicorn horn on the bonnet! The project has involved upgrading the rear shocks and springs, installing a new radiator, hoses and water pump, fitting a new bonnet complete with a unicorn horn, customised ‘unicorn’ lettering on the boot, and wings which are made from plastazote with a steel skeleton.
What will happen next? eBay customers (probably you are one of them) will have the chance to donate at the check-out during London Pride. In addition, the sales of the unicorn vehicle will be donated to the Albert Kennedy Trust as well.
eBay has added a link called “Follow The Rainbow” on their home page. Cut and paste the following link to your browser where you can find out more about the car, the plans, the people, or make a donation to this great charity.
The new Range Rover Velar, the SUV that sits between the Evoque and the Range Rover Sport is here. We have been waiting for this. Really? Another new Range Rover based on the same platform as the higher end version? Lots of touch sensitive buttons, but still it can’t offer the same level of autonomous driving or even a night vision assist?
Basically, the Velar is just a new Range Rover that looks more expensive than the other ones. Yes, it does offer matrix LED laser headlights, and new driving assistance systems, and it does somehow offer autonomous driving. However, I couldn’t find any new technologies to talk about.
The best part of the Velar is that it is light, weighing between 1.8-1.9 tonnes depending on the engine option. The V8 has finally gone. Honestly, who offers V8 nowadays? BMW X5 and Volvo XC90, Audi Q7 have already dropped the V8 from their engine range. The V8 is gone.
Retractable door handle? Yes, that’s what the Velar offers. However, it is already available on the Tesla, and I really don’t see the point of it.
Good things with the Velar are that finally Land Rover has designed a new vehicle using a reductionism design approach. If any lines are unnecessary, just remove them from the design. That’s a really good approach and makes the design more appealing. They should have done it earlier.
The best aspect of the story is Ellie Goulding. She drove the new Range Rover Velar for a charity event in NYC.
Many people will say, Range Rover Velar offers this and that. However, what I really want to know is which driving assistance or pre-crash system is better than the German rivals or the Tesla?
I really love the Land Rover brand but I am not happy with the existing approach. Land Rover needs to focus on smaller engine size, pre-crash systems, autonomous driving and serious electrification. However, they should offer better technologies than their German competitors. They did it before, but now they are just trying to be posher.
To be honest, I read the press release last night at midnight. That’s when BMW sends out their press releases (in the middle of the night.) I thought it was a typo, because there is already an ugly BMW 5-Series GT, and now we have a 6-Series Gran Turismo? And they both share the 7-Series platform. In addition, the 6-Series will be replaced by the new 8-Series. Literally, the new 6-Series GT will be the only 6-Series available in the BMW family.
Sounds really confusing and I am sure BMW is confused as well. Probably they will re-brand the 6-Series GT as a 5-Series GT when they facelift this car.
The exterior of the 6-Series GT resembles both the new 5-Series and the 7-Series. The interior is taken from the new 5-Series, and the driving assistance systems are exactly the same as used in the 5-Series. Regarding driving comfort, the air suspension will offer a better ride than the 5-Series’ coil spring suspension. However, the air suspension drive train is inherited from the 7-Series platform.
The BMW 6-Series GT is a really confusing model. It is replacing the 5-Series GT. It is branded as the 6-Series to make it more dynamic, while the 7-Series platform is used for a more spacious interior. Basically, when you buy the 6-Series GT, you buy three different BMW models mixed together. So, the driving experience might be really interesting. By the way, the front seats offer eight different types of massage function.
BMW 6-Series GT’s competitors? Audi A7, Mercedes-Benz CLS, Porsche Panamera and Maserati Quattroporte. A7 and CLS have no chance but Panamera? Good luck to BMW :) End of the day, a BMW is a BMW not a Porsche! Maserati? People love Maserati, they love Maserati. However, BMW will definitely capture many Audi and Mercedes-Benz customers. Also, people who are not really involved with the Porsche and Maserati brands will be captured by the BMW. However, a BMW can’t be as sportive as a Porsche!
BMW 6er Gran Tourismo, 640i xDrive, Mineralweiß, M SportpaketBMW 6er Gran Tourismo, 640i xDrive, Mineralweiß, M SportpaketBMW 6er Gran Tourismo, 640i xDrive, Mineralweiß, M SportpaketBMW 6er Gran Tourismo, 640i xDrive, Mineralweiß, M SportpaketBMW 6er Gran Tourismo, 640i xDrive, Mineralweiß, M SportpaketBMW 6er Gran Tourismo, 640i xDrive, Mineralweiß, M SportpaketBMW 6er Gran Tourismo, 640i xDrive, Mineralweiß, M SportpaketBMW 6er Gran Tourismo, 640i xDrive, Mineralweiß, M SportpaketBMW 6er Gran Tourismo, 640i xDrive, Mineralweiß, M SportpaketBMW 6er Gran Tourismo, 640i xDrive, Mineralweiß, M Sportpaket
It is finally back, the 8-Series. BMW wiped out the 8-Series in 2000 with no mercy. According to the news at that time, BMW couldn’t make enough money to produce the 8-Series and consequently they removed it. However, BMW found money to make 2-Series Active Tourer 12 years later.
In 2006, we witnessed the rebirth of the BMW 6-Series! And it was supposed to compete with the Porsche 911. However, it competed with the Mercedes S-Coupe aka CL! As a result of this unexpected surprise, BMW has now decided to remove the 6-Series for the sake of the 8-Series.
The ageing BMW 6-Series will soon say goodbye to the customers. As a result, we won’t see any facelift or hear new model rumours because it will be gone soon. The replacement will be the 8-Series that will be competing with the Mercedes S-Coupe. I hope nothing goes wrong and that the 8-Series will start to compete with the Porsche 911.
We already saw an 8-Series concept vehicle a couple of years ago, and it is clear that the concept vehicle would be manufactured. When the concept vehicle was revealed, there were some rumours that the 8-Series might overlap with the Rolls-Royce Wraith. This was not welcomed by BMW! Apparently, they have changed their views.
Anyway, I am really excited about the BMW 8-Series. We finally have a proper large GT from BMW and have a German alternative in this segment of the market.
