Blog
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]
2011 Bentley Continental GT is TopGear’s Grand Tourer of the Year!
Jan 6th
Can’t say we disagree. Top Gear had this to say:
“”Aargh! A Camel!” is not what you want to hear while travelling at speed around a corner in a £130k GT. If you were to provide some sort of macabre menu of final phrases to hear before you die, it would also come very close to the bottom of my personal list, somewhere between “I think that’s poisonous” and “What are you doing with that hammer?” Nevertheless, here we are, my German friend Juergen and I, both trying desperately to push the brake pedal of the new Bentley Continental GT into and past the shag pile and regretting the car’s not-inconsiderable 2,350kg mass. To make matters even more bizarre, Juergen is a passenger. Juergen doesn’t even have a brake pedal. ”
via [TopGear]
source [Top Gear Magazine, Awards Edition]
Bentley Mulsanne High-Speed Testing
Mar 4th
AutoExpress was lucky enough to join Bentley engineers during some of their final testing of the new Bentley Mulsanne in South Africa.
From the article: “We’re travelling serenely down a dual carriageway, listening carefully for any rattles or squeaks from the car. There’s a faint hiss from the tyres touching the tarmac, a little wind noise coming from the wing mirrors, but that’s all. My chauffeur for the day looks over his shoulder: “Feeling comfortable?”
The driver is none other than Dr Ulrich Eichorn, Bentley’s engineering chief and the man behind the MkI Ford Focus and MkV VW Golf. Reclining in the sumptuous rear seats I stretch my legs out and watch some TV, while the South African landscape flies past the window. It’s an even more stunning sight that catches the eye though, the speedometer is registering 180mph, while the tachometer is settled at an unstrained 4,200rpm.
“Don’t worry, we have a special government-approved high-speed testing permit on the rear bumper – we’re allowed to drive at these speeds,” Eichorn assures me..”
Read the full article: [AutoExpress]
Bentley Superleggera Flying Star at Geneva 2010
Mar 4th
Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera has unveiled a shooting brake version of the Continental GT, custom built for an avid collector, and have announced they will build up to 20 examples. Carrozzeria has been better known for their work with Maseratis over the past few years, but according to AutoExpress this car has proven to be one of the favorites at Geneva this year.
This car is based on the Bentley Continental GTC Speed, with extensive modifications from the A-pillars back, including widening the rear bodywork, re-skinning the doors, and re-working the rear compartment to include two folding rear seats. With the rear seats folded flat, the car can hold about 42 cubic feet of cargo. Touring Superleggera claims that four sets of golf clubs can be accommodated with the rear seats up.
Touring Superleggera and Bentley Motors have developed a special mutual warranty program, which safeguards warranty clauses for both the basic car, and the transformation by Touring. The car will be serviced at Bentley dealers.
source: [Carrozzeria Touring][AutoExpress]
Our New Website is Live!
Feb 24th
Over a year in the making – our brand new website is now live!
Maserati of Minneapolis and Bentley Minneapolis have been combined under the parent brand of Twin Cities Luxury Auto, creating a store that will fill the exotic, luxury, and unique vehicle demand in the Twin Cities area, and across the country.
We strive to carry the finest and most unique vehicles on the market. Whether it’s an uniquely optioned Audi A4 Ultrasport, or a Ferrari 599, or your Bentley Continental Supersports dream car – you’ll find it at TwinCitiesLuxuryAuto.com. If we don’t have the perfect car for you – let us know – we can put our national network of car buyers to work finding just what you’re looking for.