Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and 4S : First Look

Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and 4S

We've just crowned the Porsche 911 Carrera S our 2012 Motor Trend Best Driver's Car, but you can be assured the engineers in Stuttgart (while no doubt delighted) aren't even remotely done. They're busy remixing "the best 911 yet." As with the 997-generation model before it, a parking lot full of 991 series variants are on the way, starting with the all-wheel drive 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and 4S making their world debut at the 2012 Paris auto show. Other than the latest version of Porsche's all-wheel drive system, most of the other mechanical bits of the Carrera 4 and 4S are identical to that of the fantastic new 911, including the suspension, brakes, electromechanical steering, and flat-six engine out back. That means both cars will be powered by the same direct-injected flat-sixes used in the their rear-drive siblings, with the Carrera 4 getting a 3.4-liter engine rated at 350 hp and 287 lb-ft of torque and the 4S fitted with the 3.8-liter mill making 400 hp and 325 lb-ft. A seven-speed manual is standard transmission for both models, with Porsche's PDK seven-speed dual-clutch automatic available as an option. All told, the numbers represent a power boost of 5 and 15 hp respectively over the outgoing 4 and 4S models.

THE R WITH MORE OOMPH! THAN BEFORE

The 2013 Agera R is the result of Koenigseggs endless persuit for perfection.

The 2013 model features new Aircore hollow carbon fiber wheels, uprated power and enhanced aerodynamics. The Agera R has an incredible top
speed of approximately 440 km/h (273  mph).
Recent Records for the Agera R: 0-300 km/h in 14.53 sec, 300-0 km/h in 6.66 sec, 0-200 mph in 17.68 sec, 200-0 mph in 7.28 sec.
The Agera R is the only roadster Hypercar with a detachable and stowable hardtop, bringing the best of two worlds. This in combination with
120 litres of luggage space, truly combine extreme performance with everyday usability.

The 2013 Agera R has all the features and functionalities of previous year models, but also features new and unique solutions to enhance
performance and visual appearance even further.
Example of these enhancements are; Visible carbon area on the front bonnet and bumper, new  front side winglets, revolutionary Aircore
carbon fiber wheels, the new Aero exhaust, the increased power and the raised rpm limit.
Koenigsegg was the first Hypercar manufacturer to take steps toward green technology with the release of the biofuel CCXR in 2007. The
Agera R, based on the highly competitive Agera, follows in the footsteps of the CCXR as it also runs on E85 biofuel.
Among many differences to the standard Agera, the Agera R has an upgraded fuel and engine management system with enough flow capacity to
generate 1140 hp and 1200 nm of torque on E85 and E100 biofuel. As there is less energy content per given volume in these biofuels compared
to normal petrol, the fuel-system has to manage a flow that is similar to a 2000hp petrol engine, which means that the Agera R’s return-less
fuel system has the highest capacity of any car presently in production.
As the Agera R is a flexfuel car, it can also be run on normal petrol. As 95 octane fuel has less octane than E85, the power is reduced to
960hp with 1100nm of torque due to the boost pressure and ignition timing being altered to match the fuel characteristics.
In order to give the Agera R maximum flexibility when it comes to power delivery, Koenigsegg has implement the latest technology when it
comes to turbo materials and design. This reduces the inertia of the turbine wheel and axle and therefore gives improved response.

RECORDS

2011: 0-300-0 km/h record. Time: 21.19sec. Guinness World Record.

Model: Agera R. Driver: Robert Serwanski. Koenigsegg proving ground

2011: 0-200-0 mph record. Time: 24.96 sec.

Model: Agera R. Driver: Robert Serwanski. Koenigsegg proving ground.

2011: 0-200 mph record, Time: 17.68 sec.

Model: Agera R. Driver: Robert Serwanski. Koenigsegg proving ground.

2011: 0-300 km/h record, Time: 14.53 sec.

Model: Agera R. Driver: Robert Serwanski. Koenigsegg proving ground.

2011: 200-0 mph record, Time: 7.28 sec.

Model: Agera R. Driver: Robert Serwanski. Koenigsegg proving ground.

2011: 300-0 km/h record, Time: 6.66 sec.

Model: Agera R. Driver: Robert Serwanski. Koenigsegg proving ground.

MASERATI KUBANG OPULENT BLEND OF BOTH COUPE AND SUV

Maserati has decided to reinvent the sport-utility vehicle (SUV) by infusing it with the kind of uplifting driving pleasure
and luxury atmosphere offered by today's high-end sports and luxury cars to create a sport luxury SUV concept.
Known as the Kubang, Maserati calls it "the forerunner of the future Maserati range," creating a new segment for the Italian
carmaker while still maintaining the integrity of Maserati's DNA.
The Kubang builds on the idea of a luxury SUV that Maserati first unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in 2003--a concept that bears
the same name. Today, with the help of its sister brand, Jeep, the Maserati Kubang is now closer than ever to production.
According to the Italian carmaker, the essence and all major components of the Kubang luxury SUV is unmistakably Maserati.
Its style, engine, suspensions, brakes, handling and performance is  100-percent Maserati in keeping with the brand's core
values of sportiness, style, elegance, luxury, performance and craftsmanship.
New-generation high-tech Maserati engines designed in Modena by Paolo Martinelli, chief of the carmaker's powertrain department
and for nearly 30 years at Ferrari where he also served as the engine chief of the Formula 1 racing team, and produced in
Maranello by Ferrari will power the Kubang.An eight-speed automatic transmission and specific performance settings such as
suspensions, brakes, steering will be exclusively developed in Modena for the Kubang by the Maserati product development
department.Some analysts predicted that the Maserati Kubang will be equipped with V8 or V12 engine. However, the special
thing can be found in Maserati Kubang will not only its big engine and power but analysts also believed that the Italian
luxury car maker will put premium-class features there.

BENTLEY MULSANNE FUSION OF EXTREMES EPITOME OF OPULENCE

Bentley Mulsane

Power & Refinement

Performance
A V8 for the 21st Century.
When developing the engine for the Mulsanne, the engineers set themselves three challenges. First, the engine needed to produce effortless
torque from extremely low revs. Secondly, it should maintain the highest levels of refinement at any speed. Thirdly, and of equal importance,
it would need to satisfy strict environmental emissions standards for years to come. Challenge accepted.
While other powertrain configurations were considered by the Mulsanne engineers, it became clear that these targets, along with the massive
torque that is such a trademark of every grand Bentley, could be best achieved with a V8 engine.
Every major component from the forged crankshaft to the pistons to the connecting rods are now designed to be light and strong to reduce
internal loads and friction for even better engine response. To achieve a significant reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions plus
improved refinement and torque, the Mulsanne’s V8 sees the introduction of two revolutionary control systems: Cam Phasing and, a first for
the flagship motoring sector, Variable Displacement.
The pioneering use of these two technologies in combination allows the engine management system to adjust the V8’s breathing, thereby
improving idle quality and increasing torque from low revs. The overall result is an improvement in fuel economy and CO2 emissions of up to 15 percent.
Not to mention that massive 1020Nm of torque. Challenge, well and truly met.