Rolls-Royce Electric Phantom in the Works

Looks like even the top luxury car automakers are seriously considering exploring other ways of powering their car. There was a time when Bentley was so appalled by the thought of having diesels thinking that their clientele were rich enough to gas up. And even Bentley rethought their strategy.

Now, it’s time for Rolls-Royce to consider ecomentality. A company spokesperson let it slip that Rolls is actually considering an electric variant of not just any car in its fleet – but of their flagship car, the Phantom.

Electric motors are known to be able to produce immense torque – something that’s a plus to deal with the car’s almost 3-ton weight. The battery pack is known to add weight too but that’s not a real issue in a car of that size.

One of the other hurdles that Rolls would need to address is the range and the charging time of electric vehicles. A possible solution is to slap on a range-extending diesel engine making the Phantom EV, technically a hybrid.

Source: AutoExpress

Megane Renaultsport 250

Given the race-fixing scandal that Renault is in, this might not be a good time to exploit the brand. Or it might. This here’s the new Megane Renaultsport 250.

The car is powered by a turbocharged 2.0L engine that dishes out 247 hp. The name comes from the power’s PS equivalent (250 PS). The engine’s mated to a proper six-speed manual gearbox.

Interested buyers can choose between two settings. The first one’s the Sport for those just looking for some spirited everyday driving. The second one’s the Cup for those want a track-day car.

The car’s complete with aero bits including a rear diffuser, a front blade, spoiler, and a central exhaust pipe. Inside, you get a choice between height-adjustable front seats or Recaros.

To round up the package, you get to put your hands on an adjustable Renaultsport steering wheel and step on aluminum pads.

The dash even features a Renaultsport monitor that shows you engine performance, shift warning, and 0-60 mph times among other track-specific data.

Source: Inside Line

Video: Ferrari 458 Italia in Stereo

Ferrari’s not stopping in their publicity run for the new Ferrari 458 Italia. The car already is quite the development from the old F430 that it is replacing.

Now Ferrari just released a video of the 458 Italia blitzing the track and the really juicy bit is that the video features not just one but two 458 Italias. It’s a nice clip showcasing the fury of the V8 bellow in stereo!

The 458 Italia packs a 4.5L V8 that produces 562 bhp. The car can get to 62 mph from standstill in just 3.4 seconds and goes past 200 mph.

Edo Competition Enzo XX Evolution

The Ferrari Enzo continues to be among the top of the food chain as far as supercars go. While we’ve seen derivatives of the car, we’re still waiting for any news from Ferrari if they’d be making a new range-topping production car soon.

But while we wait, we can all satisfy ourselves with some good old tuning goodness. This here’s the Edo Competition Enzo XX Evolution. We know what Edo can do to an Enzo, having seen the tuning package that upped the Enzo’s power to 700 hp. Now this new package shows that they can squeeze out more power from the car.

The new performance package ups the Enzo’s power rating to 800 hp. This was achieved by increasing the engine’s displacement to 6.3L (no replacement for displacement), swapping out the camshafts, valve springs, cylinder heads, catalytic converters, oil pump and exhaust headers in favor of new improved ones.

That power allows the car to go from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.2 seconds and go all the way to a blistering 242 mph.

Source: edo competition

Hamann Ferrari California

While I am a tuning advocate, I do somehow find some tuned cars a bit iffy. Especially when the stock car’s good enough. Some cars you don’t even dare modify and tune. Ferraris, for example, are best left untouched unless, of course, you really know what you’re doing.

And that’s how Hamann Motorsport view themselves as, deeming it fit to lay their tuning hands on the Ferrari California. To be fair, tuners from Hamann really knows what they’re doing.

Their California tuning package includes a tweak on the car’s ECU to give it a 20% improvement, boosting the power to 552 hp. All that from some electronic wizardry? Told you these Germans know what they’re doing. To help with the power boost, the car gets new suspension springs. The car sits on top of 21-inch alloys.

Aside from the engine tweak, the car gets a front spoiler, side skirts, and a custom rear wing. Buyers have a choice between fiberglass and carbon fiber. And by the looks of it, the aero bits make the California look much more aggressive and sporty.

Source: Motor Authority

Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate

Not many people find estates appealing but for those looking for space without having to buy an SUV, a people mover or a crossover. While crossovers offer that level of sportiness and practicality, estates can be sporty too. Remember the Audi S4 Avant?

Anyway, here’s Mercedes-Benz’s latest estate – the E63 AMG estate – which has been recently debuted at the Frankfurt show. With that AMG badge, this estate is no pansy. Power comes from a 6.3L V8 that dishes out 518 bhp and 464 lb-ft of torque and is mated to the new seven-speed Speedhsit MCT automatic gearbox.

That allows the car to blitz to 62 mph from standstill in just 4.6 seconds. That’s enough to put most sport saloons to shame. The car’s fitted with an AMG sports suspension kit which automatically adjusts the dampers to fit road conditions.

A few styling tweaks include a new front bumper, air intakes, rear diffuser and a four-pipe exhaust system to give it a bellow.

Source: Autocar