Alex Bellus
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Posts by Alex Bellus
Revealed: Bentley EXP 9 F
Mar 6th
Have you outgrown your Continental GT? Do you find the Range Rover too common? The Cayenne Turbo too slow? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, Bentley has your answer. Welcome, everyone, to the Bentley EXP 9 F concept.
Destined to be the most powerful and most luxurious SUV ever built, the EXP 9 F will be the third model in Bentley’s lineup, alongside the Mulsanne and Continental ranges. Revealed the night before the start of the Geneva Auto Show, the EXP 9 F is very elegantly styled, featuring a prominent hood, flat beltline, a generous grennhouse and Bentley’s hallmark matrix grille. You’ll also recognize the well-defined power line that runs over the front fenders and through the door handles towards the prominent rear “haunch,” just as you’ll find on the Continental GT.
The interior is as opulent as one would expect from the folks in Crewe, with leather, wood and chrome everywhere. The “T” shaped dashboard echoes the design found in the Mulsanne, and Bentley expects the EXP 9 F’s interior to set new benchmarks for luxury in the SUV segment.
They also expect the performance to set new benchmarks for the SUV sector. Motiviation will likely come from the venerable 6.0L W12 found in the Continental Range with the power being sent through an advanced all-wheel drive system. Power and torque figures haven’t yet been released, but expect to see north of 600 horsepower and more than 590 pound-feet of torque.
Pricing hasn’t yet been released, but stay tuned to the Twin Cities Luxury Auto blog for updates as we get them. For those of you anxious to get line for the EXP 9 F, we expect it to be in our showroom by sometime in 2015-16. We’re now taking pre-orders.
Head on over to Bentley Motors’ website for more information about the EXP 9 F, or over to Autoweek for their write-up on the EXP 9 F.
Source: Bentley Motors
Via: Autoweek
Robb Report Names the GranTurismo MC its Car of the Year Runner Up
Feb 28th
It might seem silly to brag about a second-place finish, but hear us out. Robb Report has just name the Maserati GranTurismo MC the runner-up in its annual Car of the Year contest, losing only Lamborghini’s astonishing new Aventador. Who’s to blame them, really. The Aventador is, after all, the first all new raging bull since 2004, and it has nearly 700 horsepower. And something called “Thrust mode,” whatever that is.
The Maserati’s second-place finish is especially noteworthy since the MC isn’t an all-new model. Yes, there are a number of significant changes to the car from the new bodywork to the more powerful yet more efficient engine, but it’s not too terribly different to the GranTurismo S. Those changes, though, make a very big difference in the feel and performance of the car. Robb report summed it up by saying, “No one could find fault with the GranTurismo MC. Indeed, the MC might have topped the Aventador if bonus points were awarded for sales, because more judges expressed interest in purchasing this car than any other at the contest.” High praise, indeed.
Check out the full article here, or check out their video review of the GranTurismo MC here.
source: Robb Report
via: Maserati
Riding Shotgun with Juha Kankkunen, World Champion Rally Driver
Feb 14th
The name Juha Kankkunen should immediately resonate with all you rally fans out there. Just in case you’re not a rally fan and you’ve never heard of Kankkunen before, here’s the skinny. He’s a former rally driver for Toyota, Peugeot and Lancia and has won 23 individual rallies and has earned four world driver’s champion titles. Needless to say, the man can drive.
What you may not know is that Kankkunen is a big fan of Bentley. Such a big fan, in fact, that he set the world speed record on ice in 2007 with his own Bentley Continental GT. You read that right – he drove his own car at nearly 200 miles per hour on ice. In 2011, Kankkunen beat his own record in a factory-provided Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible averaging 205.48 miles per hour (one run in each direction on the track). Both records were set in largely stock vehicles, save minor aerodynamic improvements, the addition of roll cages, studded Nokian tires designed specifically for the task, and that’s it.
To see what it’s like to drive a 5000-plus pound car at insane speeds on a frozen fjord, Bentley invited some of its best-performing dealers to attend a driving event in Finland. Our General Manager was the fortunate one from Bentley Minneapolis to make the trip. Bentley provided lots of seat time for Matt and the other folks who were there, but the best part may have been the ride along with Juha himself.
Luckily for us, Matt brought a camera with him to capture the experience. Check out the video below to see what it’s like to ride with a world-champion rally driver in a 621 horsepower Bentley on nothing but ice and snow.
Note: the car in the video is the very same Continental Supersports Convertible that set the 205-MPH record in 2011 (shown in the photo above).
Via Autoblog: Maserati Quattroporte Replacement Coming to Frankfurt
Mar 24th
It’s been around for some time now, but the Maserati Quattroporte is still one of the best looking, sounding, and driving sedans on the planet. The competition is only getting more and more fierce, though, with the likes of the Porsche Panamera and the Aston Martin Rapide fighting for the same buyers as the Quattroporte.
Autoblog is reporting that we should see the replacement for the long-in-the-tooth Quattroporte later this year at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Expect to see styling that echoes the design language used on the current GranTurismo and GranTurismo Convertible, as well as a more powerful and more fuel efficient version of the 4.7L V8 currently used in the Quattroporte S (the 4.2L is being phased out later this year), as well as an all-wheel drive option. There is also a possibility that the base powerplant could be an all-new turbocharged V6, though nothing has yet been confirmed.
Head on over to Autoblog to read what they had to say.
Stay tuned to our blog for more information as we get it.
source [Inside Line]
via [Autoblog]
Maserati Debuts GranCabrio Sport at Geneva Motor Show
Mar 5th
Maserati’s GranCabrio (GranTurismo Convertible to us Yanks) was introtuced almost two years ago, and the folks in Modena weren’t satisfied with just one variation of the breed. In order to cater to the more performance-oriented of their clients, they unveiled their new GranCabrio Sport at this year’s Geneva Motor Show.
Separation between the Sport and standard versions of the GranTurismo Convertible are definitely the type that the enthusiast buyer will appreciate – more power from the 4.7L V8 (up to 440hp), a recalibrated Skyhook suspension system optimised for more grip and sharper handling, upgraded MC Shift transmission programming, and improved braking performance courtesy of drilled and slotted brake rotors.
Maserati knew the car had to look fast, too, so the exterior of the car shows a host of changes from the standard car. Most obvious is the new Rosso Trionfale paint work, which Maserati says underlines the car’s “athletic soul.” Also new are the 20″ Astro-design wheels (available in two finishes), headlamps with white turn indicators, and shadowline body trim that replaces the previous chrome accents. Two new colors of leather are also available to accent the new front seats.
Head on over to Maserati’s new minisite to get all of the info.
source [Maserati]
Rendered Speculation: Bentley looking to expand with entry coupe, crossover? (from Autoblog)
Mar 4th
It’s no secret that Bentley’s sales have lagged a bit in the past couple of years. To combat that decline, the folks in Crewe have put a great deal of focus into strengthening their line-up with cars like the Continental Supersports, the Mulsanne, and the soon-to-be-released 2012 Continental GT. It looks like they aren’t going to stop there, however. Nothing has been confirmed yet, but we may see something along the lines of a Mercedes CLS competitor, as well as a crossover to fight the likes of the Porsche Cayenne and Maserati’s upcoming SUV.
Here’s what Autoblog had to say:
Rumors continue to swirl that incoming Bentley boss Wolfgang Dürheimer, who previously served as head of research and development at Porsche, is looking long and hard at how to expand the luxury marque’s product line. Considering Dürheimer’s experience making magic happen at Porsche, it seems likely that Bentley would tap into the platform used for the Panamera sedan, and that’s exactly what the blokes from Auto Express are suggesting.
The first new model may be an ultra-luxe machine that would fit into the burgeoning four-door-coupe segment. If so, expect a price tag in the mid-$250,000 range and engine choices ranging from the tried-and-true W12 to a new turbocharged 4.0-liter V8.
Those powertrains may also find their way into the engine bay of a Bentley crossover, says Auto Express. As much as some may protest, a Porsche Cayenne-based Bentley with a price near the $200K mark would seem a very real possibility… as would an optional diesel engine, which would be new territory for the brand.
Finally, the long-rumored entry-level (can anything with a $150,000 price tag be called entry-level?) Bentley coupe that would slot below the Continental GT is still a talking point. Branching out into any or all of these segments are seen as a way to get back to the 10,000-unit peak sales year of 2007, as compared to just 4,616 units in 2009.
Head on over to Auto Express to see some rendered speculation on what these vehicles could potentially look like.
via [Autoblog]
source [Auto Express]
Two Fantastic New Arrivals
Feb 15th
Maybe you’re looking for a new performance car for yourself, maybe you know someone else who’s looking, or maybe you just love cars. In any case, I thought you all might like to know about two fantastic cars we just received as trade-ins. They both come from one of our very best clients. He’s an excellent steward of his car collection, and these cars are proof of just how meticulous he is.
First up is a beautifully clean 2002 Ferrari 360 Spider F1. It’s the right color combination in Grigio Titanio over Nero leather, and it has the right options. Electric Daytona-style seats, “Scuderia Ferrari” fender shields, aluminum-color brake calipers, contrast stitching in Grigio Scuro, and the pre-wiring and battery charger kit complete the package. This one also has fully current service WITH records, plus all of the original manuals and their leather portfolio, three keys and full clearshield already installed. Check it out here.
Second, but by no means least, is a 2001 Dodge Viper GTS in Viper Race Yellow. This one isn’t for the faint of heart; it comes equipped with Dodge’s ACR Competition Group (competition-tuned suspension, 5-point race harnesses, high-flow air cleaner, unique painted alloy wheels, “ACR” badging to the interior and exterior). It does also have the Comfort Group (A/C, Alpine stereo system w/CD player), so you could easily drive this car every day. Check out the Viper here.
Our inventory is constantly changing, so visit our website at www.twincitiesluxuryauto.com often, but these two are definitely the most exciting of our new arrivals. If you don’t see the car you’re looking for, let us know. We always want to hear your input.
~Aaron
Autoblog: Bentley Mulsanne Review
Jan 20th
The 2011 Bentley Mulsanne is, on paper at least, everything a big Bentley should be. Beautiful? Powerful? Luxurious? Yes, yes, and yes. “Great,” you may be thinking, “but does it drive like a big Bentley should?” Well, thanks to Old Man Winter, none of us here at Twin Cities Luxury Auto have actually driven the car on U.S. soil. Thankfully, the good folks over at Autoblog just published their own review of Bentley’s new ultra-luxury sedan.
What did they think? In their words, “Let us reassure you that the 2011 Bentley Mulsanne is worth every single copper-plated zinc cent of one-third of a million dollars.”
Head on over to Autoblog.com or click here to read the entire article. Oh, and follow that starting procedure carefully. Like the best dessert at your favorite restaurant, this car is best when savored. Sensible bites, everyone.
source [Autoblog]
Maserati’s E-Class/5-Series Fighter
Jan 14th
We’ve all been hearing for some time now that Maserati will soon have a smaller sedan in its ranks. For far too long, the Germans have dominated the mid-size luxury segment, but Maserati wants a piece of the action. Though the car is still in it’s final development stages, Maserati looks to be in the thick of the E-segment battle sooner rather than later.
From Autoblog:
“If you’ve been listening to the whispers about a new smaller version of the Maserati Quattroporte and wondering exactly what the machine will look like when it debuts, you can quit your pondering. Sort of. Our task force of stealthy spy photographers have managed to lay their lenses on a mule version of the new baby Quattroporte. This particular evaluation car sports a shorter wheelbase and smaller brakes than its bigger brother, and a single exhaust outlet hints to a slightly lower level of performance. Though this tester seems to have raided the parts bin of the larger Quattroporte for some ill-fitting glass, we’re told that the production version of the car will look significantly different.
“Maserati has been itching to tango with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz AMG E-Class, Jaguar XFR and BMW M5, and this machine could be the beast that allows the company to do just that. As of right now, there’s no indication as to exactly what will lurk underhood when it debuts in 2012, though with a mule running around, we’re guessing it won’t be too long before we hear more about the smaller Quattroporte’s drivetrain.”
Head on over to Autoblog to see the spy photos and read what their readers have to say. What do you think? Will this baby QP be a threat to the E63, M5, and XFR?
via [Autoblog]
source [CarPix]
Maserati Gran Turismo MC Stradale
Jan 7th
This is slightly old news, but I thought it was worth another look.
Let’s start with the bad news: the worst thing about the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale is that it isn’t coming here.
Now for the good news: here’s what Maserati has to say about their new wild child:
“The Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale is a car of “firsts.” It is inspired by the podium-topping performance of the GranTurismo MC Trofeo motorsport programmes. It is the first road-going Maserati to have a dedicated Race mode to add to its upgraded Automatic and Sport modes. It is the first to boast light and powerful carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes and the first to top 300km/h. It is the first to use advanced electronics to slash gear-shift times to just 60 milliseconds and the first to offer sequential down-shifting. Put simply, it is the first street legal Maserati race car.”
To create the beast that is the MC Stradale, Maserati took the already well-rounded GranTurismo S and fitted a 450-horsepower V8, a track-ready chassis, new bodywork that increases downforce without increasing drag, and stripped out the interior.
All of this equals a 0-60 time somewhere in the low to mid 4-second range and a top speed somewhere around 187 mph. Now if you’ll all excuse me for a moment, I need to wipe the drool from my chin…
Get all of the information and check out hi-res photos of the MC Stradale at Maserati’s new mini-site.
source [Maserati]