Bugatti has unleashed the Chiron, the world’s fastest and most powerful production car ever.
Bugatti has unleashed the Chiron, the world’s fastest and most powerful production car ever.
Compared to its Veyron predecessor, which has “only” 1200bhp, the Chiron develops 1500bhp. Torque is rated at a tugboat-like 1600Nm.
These mind-blowing figures come from a redesigned 8-litre W16 engine equipped with four turbochargers, which are activated in two stages.
When moving off , only one pair provides boost. The second pair is only activated at 3800rpm.
The engine sends its output to all four wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox – the largest one in any car today.
The Chiron’s performance is breathtaking. It goes from 0-100km/h in 2.5 seconds and will crack 200km/h four seconds later. The car’s eyewatering 420km/h top speed makes hypercars such as the Porsche 918 Spyder, which tops out at 345km/h, seem slow in comparison.
Maximum velocity in the Chiron can only be achieved by using a second ignition key to unlock the vehicle’s top speed mode. Naturally, you’d need a traffic-free and endlessly straight road, too.
Prices for this speed king start at 2.4 million euros. But if you’re only learning this now, Bugatti probably hasn’t invited you to purchase one.
ASTON’S FINEST
Aston Martin has introduced the DB11, the successor to the DB9 and the first new model from the carmaker’s Second Century plan.
The DB11’s launch was also significant because it was unveiled in Singapore at the same time that it was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show.
The fact that Singapore was the only other country that hosted a simultaneous launch proves that the country is a key market for the brand. Local deliveries of the DB11 begin in December.
The car is the brand’s quickest and most powerful model to date. Beneath its shapely bonnet resides a new twin-turbocharged 5.2-litre V12 that pumps out 600bhp and 700Nm. The DB11 accelerates from rest to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds.
The engine also has modern features such as cylinder deactivation to improve efficiency. More significantly, it heralds the end of the larger-displacement, naturally aspirated engines used in older models.
Aston Martin’s technical partnership with Daimler AG is evident in the cabin. The rotary controller for the infotainment (a touchpad is optional), for instance, is identical to the one in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
BURLY MASER
Maserati has taken the wraps off the Levante, the first sports utility vehicle (SUV) in the brand’s 102- year history.
This automobile enables Maserati to compete in the highly profitable premium SUV segment, where it will face firmly entrenched rivals such as the Porsche Cayenne. Indeed, the initial lineup of Levante variants would suggest that Maserati has the Cayenne in its sights.
The Levante and Levante S variants both have turbocharged 3-litre V6 motors that endow them with 350bhp and 430bhp, giving them more ponies than the Cayenne and Cayenne S models. And because Ferrari the petrol-driven V6 engine, Levante owners can claim – albeit tenuously – that they’re essentially driving a “Ferrari SUV”. Other standard goodies include air suspension and a new infotainment system called Maserati TouchControl Plus (MTC). Like the iDrive in the latest BMW 7 Series, MTC can be controlled via a high-resolution touchscreen display or rotary knob.manufactures.
The Levante is expected to arrive in Singapore later this year.
BATMAN GOES RENEGADE
Jeep has tied up with Warner Bros Pictures to become the official car partner of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
The vehicle appears in the film when it is driven through the streets of Metropolis with Bruce Wayne, aka Batman, behind the wheel.
However, you don’t need to be Bruce a billionaire to buy the Jeep Renegade “Dawn of Justice” special edition, which was launched to coincide with the movie’s release.
The car’s special exterior features include Granite Crystal, Carbon Black or Colorado Red livery, a host of polished black-painted accents, black roof bars, unique 18-inch alloy wheels and bespoke Dawn of Justice badging.
DOJ insignia also adorns the black seats of the cabin, whose air vents and hi-fi speakers are black, too.
ASTRA IS TOPS
The all-new Opel Astra was voted “Car of the Year 2016” by a panel of 58 European motoring journalists from 22 countries.
With 312 points, the Astra narrowly defeated the second-placed Volvo XC90, which had 294 points. The Mazda MX-5, which garnered 202 points, was third.
The compact hatchback’s main rivals, the Volkswagen Golf and Peugeot 308, are also recipients of the same award – in 2013 and 2014 respectively.
The latest Astra will be launched in Singapore in June.
MORE THAN “SEVEN” BRICKS
Caterham Seven fans will be able to build a Lego model of the sports car when the toy company launches a set later this year.
Enthusiasts can thank Lego builder Carl Greatrix, who submitted his prototypes (pictured here) to the Lego Ideas system.
After his idea received 10,000 votes from fans, it was approved for production.
The retail price and colour scheme for the Caterham Seven set will be announced later this year.
