Tag: new york auto show

Autogyaan: The XKR-S GT Is The Jaguar We Never Expected

If its tough to shave off those last few seconds per lap in your Jaguar XKR-S, the Tata owned British manufacturer has unveiled the XKR-S GT at the New York Auto Show just for you. Specifically tuned for the racing circuit, the GT managed a time of 7:40 at the hallowed Nurburgring race track, which is faster than the Murcielago SV, the SLS AMG as well as the Zonda S. It goes from 0 to 100 kmph in less time than you can say Jaaaaaaaaaag; well in 3.9 seconds actually. Safe to say, the XKR-S GT is blisteringly fast. It’s also very rare. Only 30 will be made and sold purely in North America with the US getting 25 of these beasts. Oh, and it costs a measly $175,000.

This car can produce some serious downforce, 145 kgs of it in fact, helped to no end with that massive carbon fiber wing at the back and all those aero bits added all over the body. It sports a sharp, equally large carbon fiber air splitter at the front, and diffuser at the back sits pretty right in between the quad-exhaust pipes. With bright yellow carbon ceramic brakes, Pirelli Corsa tyres and a high performance Eibach tuned suspension, the GT means business. It has a 5.0 litre supercharged V8 engine producing almost 550 BHP and even if the all the aero bits make it look like its come out of a Need for Speed game, this car definitely belongs on the track.

Jaguar has one of the richest racing heritages of all time, and in recent years has been working very hard to reassert itself among its peers and offer performance as well as comfort to its loyal customers. The GT is a reminder of what Jaguar can do when it comes to fast cars. It looks mental, and goes like it too.

So if you have $200,000 saved up to spend on a street-legal car tuned for the racetrack, should you buy the Jaguar XKR-S GT? In a word, no. You should buy this instead:

Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0

April 3, 2013
Autogyaan: Aston Martin Vanquish, Looks This Good Never Go Out Of Style

Walk up to the Aston Martin Vanquish, and at first glance you could almost certainly justify about $100,000 of the $280,000 base price. Aston Martin has been criticized quite a bit in recent years over stubborn design policies. People don’t like how all Aston Martins have looked pretty much the same for a few decades, save for a headlight here and a spoiler there. But does it really matter, when they look like this? Imagine what you sound like when you say, “I’m sorry, I’m sick of the stunning lines on every car”.

The Vanquish, seen here at the New York Auto Show, is absolutely drop dead gorgeous. Its curvier than the DBS, and features some very smooth flowing lines from front to back. The body is now a concoction of aluminium, magnesium and exposed carbon fiber bits for added muscle. It takes some evident design cues from the biggest brother in the Aston Martin lineup, the One-77, and I’m not complaining. It oozes elegance, has tons of character and manages to seek attention in the classiest way possible.

It manages to keep up on the asphalt as well. The 5.9 litre V12 engine produces 565 BHP and has a lot of improvements – variable valve timing at intake and exhaust, improved intake manifold, larger throttle body – which have lowered peak torque deeper in to the rev range. This produces some serious pull coming out of corners leaving quite a few pulses racing. The double wishbone suspension and monotube adaptive adjustable dampers allow some compliance in normal and sport mode, but track mode may definitely cause the small issue of a slipped disc. Carbon ceramic Brembo brakes are standard, and get the job done, and well.

The Aston Martin Vanquish is not as expensive as its V12 competitors, like the Lamborghini Aventador and the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta. Its also not nearly as powerful, with the Lambo grinding out 691 BHP and the F12 a massive 730 BHP. But then again, the Vanquish isn’t going after the same target demographic either. It comes with heated seats, a 13-speaker 1000 watt Bang & Olufsen sound system, and a very functional infotainment system with haptic feedback buttons. The interior is trimmed with Fine Luxmil and semi-aniline leather and Alcantara, all hand stitched. Its aimed at people who want a comfortable grand tourer, which they can take on road trips through Europe, and maybe to the supermarket on the weekends.

Not many people buy Aston Martins because of superb performance or exclusivity. They buy them because whenever they peep out of their bedroom windows to take a look at the weather, and they see the silhouette of their Aston Martin glowing in the setting sun’s orange light, it puts a big fat smile on their faces.

April 3, 2013
Autogyaan: Subaru’s Stunning WRX Concept Unveiled

For two years, Subaru has been teasing fans hungry for information on the next WRX, and it finally dropped the curtains on the WRX Concept at the New York Auto Show last week. The eye catching concept looked very impressive in the legendary WRX pearlescent blue coat of paint, to say the least.

The sedan’s wide and low stance grants it an aggressive look and hints at big performance, although no specifics were revealed by Subaru at the time itself. Foreshadowing the upcoming production car, a closer look reveals the carbon-fiber roof panel which helped designers lower the center of gravity of the car as well as its weight. A prominent character line runs from the front fender right up to the taillight on the sides. Sitting on 245mm wide Dunlop tyres, and droolworthy 20 inch BBS wheels, the anticipation of an all-wheel drive system is made evident by 4 large, flared wheel arches. The bulging hood promises a new turbocharged engine and intercooler as well as a massive hood scoop to cool the same, reminiscent of WRXs of the past.

Up front, the traditional Subaru hexagonal grill is the centerpiece in a very low and assertive fascia, with sleek hawkeye headlights which bookend the grill. Deep, low air intakes enhance aerodynamics as well as engine cooling. The C-shaped taillights add width to the rear-end with a trunklid spoiler replacing the big standard wing. The rear diffuser and quad tailpipes further indicate a high performing production car, whenever it comes.

The WRX Concept is a huge step forward for Subaru and the legendary WRX line, and it should make the coming months very exciting for enthusiasts.

April 2, 2013