Tag: luxury

Officially Official: Citroën DS4 blends compact size and luxury

Filed under: Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Citroën

Citroen DS4

Citroën DS4 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Citroën previewed its next-generation design language at this year’s Geneva Motor Show with the DS High Rider concept, and the first production car to use these shapely new lines will be the DS4 five-door hatch, which makes its debut at the Paris Motor Show in just a few weeks.

The DS4’s two rear doors are nicely incorporated into the overall shape and a set of muscular wheel arches and sloped roofline give the high-riding hatch a sort of coupe-like profile from some angles. LED running lamps top the front foglight surrounds, and Citroen’s minimal use of chrome lend the DS4 an upscale appearance. Additionally, those big arches will be nicely filled with a range of large wheels – 19-inch alloys will round off the top-end models.

Inside, Citroën has created a cabin that is both luxurious and spacious, with a tall, raked windshield providing a large, clear view of the road ahead. The chunky-funky steering wheel, sculpted dashboard and center stack look fresh and modern, though we’ll admit that the tiller’s design stands out a bit in what is otherwise a sleek, modern cockpit.

When it launches in 2011, the DS4 will be available with five powertrain options. Two diesel engines will be available, producing 110 and 160 horsepower, as well as three petrol-sippers, cranking out 120, 155 and 200 horsepower, depending on your need for speed. The three gasoline engines were co-developed with BMW, and the full range of powerplants can be mated to either six-speed manual or automatic transmissions.

We’ll be checking out the new DS4 in person in the not-too-distant future. For now, Citroën’s official press release beckons after the jump and a high-res gallery of shots is below.

Gallery: Citroen DS4

[Source: Citroën]

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Officially Official: Citroën DS4 blends compact size and luxury originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brabus hearts Apple, launches iBusiness luxury sedan

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, Technology, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

Brabus iBusiness Apple interior

Brabus iBusiness – Click above for high-res image gallery

Brabus iBusiness apple mercedes-benzThe folks at Brabus have always been known for fitting ridiculously high-powered engines into the full line of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, but this new creation has more than just staggering performance to offer. The latest products from Apple, including the iPad, have all been integrated into a Mercedes-Benz S-Class to create the Brabus iBusiness. Not only does it promise to be exciting to drive, but the rear passenger compartment is fitted with enough tech to make an Apple junkie’s head explode. John Neff Steve Jobs, your stupid-fast luxury sedan has arrived.

Under the hood, Brabus has shoehorned in a twin-turbocharged 6.3-liter V12 that produces 750 horsepower and 995 pound-feet of torque, though the torque output has been electronically limited to only (only!) 811 lb-ft. Hitting 62 miles per hour takes just four seconds, and with your pedal pressed firmly to the floor, you’ll hit 211 mph when all is said and done. Power is routed to the rear wheels by a five-speed automatic transmission and Brabus offers a custom limited-slip differential to maximize overall traction. It’s staggeringly quick, this iBusiness.

The most unique thing about this car, however, is its interior – mainly, the rear accommodations. In addition to the cushy leather seats and Alcantara headliner, the rear compartment is stocked with two Apple iPads, two seat-mounted multimedia screens, a 64GB iPod Touch and a 15.2-inch headliner-mounted Mac display. Not only can these products be used for personal use, but the two iPads also control the car’s Command system, encompassing the radio, navigation and telephone systems. The whole Apple setup is powered by an ultra-small Mac Mini in the trunk that is housed in an electronically deployed drawer.

We think we’ve found our new mobile office.

Hit the jump to read the whole list of details in Brabus’ press release, and scroll through the high-res photos below to see the iBusiness for yourself.

Gallery: Brabus iBusiness

[Source: Brabus]

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Brabus hearts Apple, launches iBusiness luxury sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bloomberg: Mercedes to overtake battered Lexus as U.S. luxury leader?

Filed under: Car Buying, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Earnings/Financials, Luxury

2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 Sedan – Click above for high-res image gallery

After a decade at the top of the U.S. luxury vehicle sales charts, Lexus may soon be unseated by the previous leader, Mercedes-Benz, as well as BMW. While Lexus sales have been recovering this year from the dismal first half of 2009, Mercedes-Benz has been climbing even faster.

One possible reason for this disparity is the string of recalls Lexus has been hit with this year, including accelerator pedals, floor mats, leaking gas tanks and defective valve-springs. Another reason is the sales strength of Mercedes’ updated bread-and-butter vehicles, including the new E-Class.

In June, Lexus sales were up just 2.7 percent compared to 25 percent and 15 percent for Mercedes and BMW respectively. Unless Lexus cleans up its act quickly and manages to convince customers that its quality problems are behind it, Toyota’s premium brand could fall behind both German brands.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 Sedan

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Bloomberg: Mercedes to overtake battered Lexus as U.S. luxury leader? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 25 Jul 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Salon Privé 2010 fires up as Europe’s largest luxury and supercar show

Filed under: Classics, Misc. Auto Shows, UK, Design/Style

Jaguar D-Type at the 2010 Salon Privé – Click above for high-res image gallery

We can officially add the Salon Privé to the gearhead bucket list. The fifth annual automotive exhibit at London’s tony Hurlingham Club has established itself as a mecca of high-end metal, old and new, and while this year’s event lacks the major unveils and sneak peeks of 2009, it’s still packing more luxury and performance metal per square acre than just about any other show on the planet. For 2010, manufacturers from around the globe have rolled out their best and brightest, both from their past and present portfolios. Highlights of this June 21-23 gathering and concours include the always wicked-looking Veritas III, as well as the Lexus LFA, Lotus Evora and the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.

The new tin is cool and all, but we’re more interested in the smattering of old-school supercars in attendance. Want to get within sniffing distance of a McLaren F1? No problem. How about a Bugatti EB110 or a Ferrari F50? The Salon Privé will be happy to oblige. Check out our massive high-res gallery for a cross-section of the awesome in attendance.

Gallery: 2010 Salon Prive

[Source: Salon Prive]

Salon Privé 2010 fires up as Europe’s largest luxury and supercar show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: German mfgs cleaning up as appetite for luxury cars is ‘bottomless’

Filed under: China, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Earnings/Financials

There’s a three-to-four month wait for a new 5 Series and BMW has raised its 2010 global forecast to 1.4 million units. Mercedes-Benz Q2 production exceeded 300,000 units and Daimler’s operating profit for the period was €2.1 billion ($2.7B U.S.) Audi’s percentage increase in sales in 2010 compared to last year has outdone both BMW and Benz. The reasons for all that, says Bloomberg, is new product, growing U.S. demand and Chinese-market growth “that’s way beyond expectations.”

While there’s an undeniable story in the recovery of U.S. sales, this is even more so about China. The demand for luxury by that country’s million or so millionaires and their underlings is a leather-lined sinkhole, and the three German manufacturers are doing everything they can to fill it. Their best is barely enough. Benz and Bimmer have added workers and shifts this summer to try and fill orders.

From the sounds of it, they might not be able to manage that this year – China’s appetite is such that the demand “won’t be easily derailed even if economic growth slows,” according to one analyst. If nothing else, and assuming the analyst is correct, it should lay a decent foundation for 2011 and perhaps allay some concern about that double-dip recession talk.

[Source: Bloomberg via BusinessWeek | Image: Doug Kanter/AFP/Getty]

Report: German mfgs cleaning up as appetite for luxury cars is ‘bottomless’ originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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