6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12, the most powerful ever made by Ferrari, that alone should send shivers down your spine as a motoring purist. It is the heart of the beast behind the new twin flame models launched today by the Maranello based motor manufacturer, dubbed the 812 Competizione and Competizione A which I'm guessing stands for Aperta seeing that its missing a roof. Revving to 9,500rpm, so a high revving engine of note and I can only sit back and wonder how ungodly it must sound, it probably will awaken the underworld with its growl on start up.
Seeing that this is a spawn of the 812 Superfast, which lived up to its name being Superfast, one can only imagine the raw power that is waiting to be unearth in this machine. Ferrari has redesigned the pistons, fitted titanium con-rods that are 40 percent lighter), layered a diamond like carbon coating on the piston pins and rebalanced the crank which is a whopping three percent lighter than before. There are new cylinder heads, F1-tech for the cams which are also coated in that diamond like carbon and redesigned the intake system across the the manifold and plenim as well as variable geometry inlet tracts. All of this translates to a motor that produces 819bhp, a 0-100km/h time of just 2.85 seconds and a top speed of over 340km/h.
The car looks phenomenal, with Ferrari going all out on a superb aero kit that not only is functional in maximizing downforce and generating speed but looks the part too. It is almost like a samurai suit that is fitted over the standard 812 guise, my favourite part being the rear engine cover with the gills of sort to allow for engine cooling. The Aperta version is a lot less intimidating, if I could use that analogy but it would probably be the more terrifying and enjoyable one to be in. Bit strange that Ferrari opted to launch both the coupe and drop top model at the same time as they normally do stagger their releases, unless they will run some double special for selected customers. No word on pricing or number of units to be produced but you can bet its going to be ultra limited like most of their special models.
La Nouva Dolce Vita, is the caption used by Ferrari for their latest model, the Roma, the caption is a play on the famous Italian phrase "La Dolce Vita" and translates to "The New Sweet Life", quite appropriate if you ask me. Why? The Roma is an all new V8 model from the Italian manufacturer but unlike the previous models which were designed around performance thanks to their award winning turbo-charged V8 engine, the Roma's design is one that that incorporates fluent lines and show stopping beauty. It's been a long time since we've seen such a design from Maranello, the flair and elegance that flows from the front to the back will leave you in awe at how gorgeous this new model is, Ferrari's Styling Center say the design centers around clean design and absolute symbiosis between its various elements with harmonious proportions and pure, elegant volumes. Minimalism in its grandiose scale if you ask me . With it being a GT, there is a lot of luxury aspects to the Roma, something we've only seen in the California and lately the Portofino with V8 powertrains. While the exterior styling is completely different from the norm, the interior is as well, a it's the first Ferrari to feature a large touchscreen infotainment in the center console which controls everything from the audio, climate as well as many other things in the cabin . The sleek styling combined with the exotic and rich materials used in the cabin provide the perfect balance for a sporty yet very luxurious feel. Obviously with Ferrari, the options to specify your car is endless, as you can choose what colour and texture trims you want on the dash right down to what colour stitching you want on the steering wheel.
Lets talk about performance now, the Roma features a new turbo-charge 4 litre V8 which produces 456kW at 5750 - 7500rpm, torque max is 760Nm which equates to a 0-100km/h acceleration time of just 3.4 seconds. Max speed on the Roma is said to be over 320km/h so while it might be a baby GT its still no slouch. Maybe it's just me but I feel the Roma is the type of car that you want to majorly use for cruising around town, letting it bask in its own beauty while others get to admire it too. Yes on the weekend you can take it on the open road to let some fresh air breathe into that monstrous V8 as well as have fun on some twisty roads, whether it be on the coast on in the countryside. Ferrari also offer bespoke luggage made for the Roma so customers can have suitcases to fit for their car. Pricing for the Roma, it starts of at R4,972,000 with a list of options to chose from.
So after numerous leaked imagine, spy photos and renders, the BMW M8 has finally shown its face officially and boy is it a great looking one. The 8 Series has already gained lots of attention since its launch locally and it most certainly does turn heads when its on the road, the presence of it is unmissable, add on BMW's most powerful V8 engine to it and you just have a recipe for all kinds of beautiful. Well, I doubt BMW would want the word beautiful and the M8 to be in the same sentence since this is the ultimate M car from their stable (yes, yes I know the M760Li has a V12) but in sports car terms this is the pinnacle of M cars there is to BMW.
Along with the M8 Coupe and Convertible, BMW have also shown us the Competition package for both variants. These will include added extras like Individual paint cars, black chrome kidney grille, along with the side gills in the same colour. Mirrors, rear apron inlay and rear spoiler finished off in high-gloss black and exclusive forged 20-inch light alloy wheels in biclour. The Competition pack also comes with an M Sport exhaust system with black tailpipes which from the launch video sounds brutish as hell.
In the heart of these beasts you'll find the high-revving V8 power plant which as mentioned before is the most powerful V8 produced by BMW, it's a M TwinPower Turbo that develops 441kW and 600bhp for both the M8 Coupe and M8 Convertible. In the Competition, the performance has been tweaked for the 4.4 liter unit, with it producing 460kW and 625bhp. The cars come with an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission which has drivelogic, helping the cars perfect balance and optimal power to wheel ratio is the M xDrive system. Zero to hundred times for the M8 Coupe are 3.3 second with the Convertible lagging by 0.1 seconds, while the Competition Coupe does it in 3,2 seconds.
The chassis is model specific and has been designed and tuned with specific demands of track use in mind. One of the features of the chassis that stands out in particular is a newly developed integrated braking system, an M-specific version of which presents the driver with two different brake pedal feel settings. The new range topping models from BMW M will celebrate their world premiers as part of the BMW Group #NextGen event taking place at BMW Welt in Munich on from the 25th of June till the 27th. Now official word from BMW SA on when they will be available locally but I have a suspicion with BMW M Festival due in SA this October, keep an eye out for this one.
This weekend see's high-end fashion, art and luxury performance motoring merge into one as Gateway Theatre of Shopping plays host to the first ever IBV Supercars, Art and Shopping Festival.
This upcoming long-weekend, Umhlanga will be a hive of activity as the world's finest luxury vehicles, supercars and vintage models make their way to Gateway Theatre of Shopping, for the inaugural IBV Supercars, Art and Shopping Festival. This not-to-be-missed event takes place throughout Gateway from the 26-19 April. Art in many forms will be showcased as visitors to the centre enjoy live music, visual art, fashion shows and more!
This bespoke event is the first of many global Supercar, Art and Shopping Festivals that will unite like-minded people whom share an interest in art, fashion and the thrill of luxury performance vehicles.
Automotive enthusiats can expect a thrilling display of high-end vintage models and extravagant supercars, as well as an exclusive supercar automotive auction. For those with a love for paintings, sculptures and photography, a huge variety of artwork will be exhibited throughout the centre.
On Saturday 28th April 2018, the festivities will culminate in a high-end fashion show, where local designers and exclusive brands will showcase their ready-to-wear garments.
Visitors to the centre will also be able to take advantage of the incredible offers and mega sales many of Gateway's tenants will be offering for the long weekend only! Visit Gateway's social media pages for more info on these deals.
When BMW AG broke the news that the 6 Series production line had stopped, it meant one two things, we were never going to see the super luxury coupe again or something new and better was coming. Thankfully it was the latter, late last night the German manufacturer lifted the covers on its long awaited return of the 8 Series Coupe and, its magnificent! With rivals Mercedes Benz taking the market by storm with their S-Class Coupe and Cabriolet, BMW knew they had to do something to persuade their current clientele and new prospective buyers with something equally great or better than what the competition has.
And suffice to say, they didn't just do that but they hit the ball out of the park with this one. The BMW Concept 8 Series is something to behold. It's bold, its sleek, it's something that personifies what BMW has planned for the brand in the coming years. Whats even more great about it, is that BMW say that this concept, is very close to what we can expect in the production car next year. Yes, this car will be made and much of what you are seeing here will be in it!
The design is something completely new from them and BMW say it will influence their product range going forward in terms of design and technology. It also signals BMW's interest in making a move to a higher market in terms of their offering. Being the new range topper from the stable. the Concept 8 Series takes a swipe at luxury sports cars such as Porsche and Aston Martin, so it will be very interesting to see what the final product is and how close it is to the concept.
The Concept 8 Series also has a new user interface which will follow in the brands lower segments. It see's a new interior layout, which is clean, sleek and very much driver focused and super luxurious while still maintaining key elements that made their simplistic but rational design great in the past. The driver has a full digital cockpit with the ability to view almost any information on it, including the navigation map. No word on whether the car will have the XDrive system which is offered on other high end sports models from them but there is no doubt this one will be fast!
Last week I found myself in a very fortunate position, while seated in one of the most beautiful cars I have ever driven, the Maserati Ghibli. There's just so much history in that name, from their establishment in 1914 in the Italian town of Bologna, there was one key mission for them and it transpired into their tag line, "Luxury, sports and style cast in exclusive cars". And that's exactly what they've been doing for over the past 100 years, and doing it well. Whilst car enthusiast cast their eyes to the two giants of Italian motorcars in Maranello and Sant'Agata Bolognese, very rarely would they take note at what is coming out of the stable in Bologna. While Maserati now forms a sister company with Ferrari, the partnership has proved for the better, with shared technology in engines and engineering as well with the added bonus of Ferrari's F1 knowledge which has helped later generations of Maserati's compete with the other big boys on the market.
Maserati were synonymous in crafting sports, luxury vehicles and that trend has continued today with their fleet extending from Coupes, Convertibles to large and medium size luxury sedans, and not too long ago they launched their all new SUV, the Levante. Being a fan of large sedans, the Quattroporte was a firm favourite of mine for a while now, it's big, loud and fast but at the same time luxurious. So when Maserati re-launched the Ghibli a few years back, I was quite excited to see a somewhat smaller brother to the Quattroporte. It was very similar in looks but in a smaller frame but encapsulated everything about the brand and the heritage. I got to spend a few days with it during my stay in Cape Town this past week and to say I became infatuated with the car is an understatement.
STYLE
Where do I begin? This car just oozed style and everywhere I went it got the attention of many. The lines are clean and sophisticated with the right amount of elegance that just captures the eye in such a pleasant way. It's low stance gives it that sports car feel but the four doors make it known that is also for business and not for just for pleasure. Subtle details on the car just gives you an indication of the craftsmanship that go into the design of the Ghibli, from the sculpted rear end to the trident badge which adorns the rear pillar of the back door. The three side vents that are place on either side of the car to allow for excess hot air to escape from the engine bay look rather like an accessory than it serving a functional purpose. Everything about the design just flows and works, it really is something special to look at and I caught myself many a time just stopping to admire it. There's various customisations for every Ghibli, from the outside to the interior, ensuring your one is unique to your taste and style.
COMFORT
Italians are known for their quality and this transpires into the cabin of the Ghibli, its a lap of luxury couple with style that only the Italians could get right. Exotic materials and leather make up most of the cabin with the embossed trident proudly on each of the front head rests. The interior plays a major role in setting the Ghibli apart from much of its competitors. The high quality finishes are everywhere to be seen, with perfect stitching throughout the cabin. The large infotainment screen is simple and easy to use. There were some features that I felt the car lacked, for example, heating and cooling seats but it really wasn't a major train smash that the car didn't have them as it had many other bells and whistles. Electronic adjustable memory seats, active cruise control were just some of them. Even with the low ride height and sports suspension, there was no compromise on the quality of the ride comfort and it was something that just astounded me through out my time with the car.
PERFORMANCE
The main talking point, the engine! The Ghibli is powered by a 3 liter twin turbo V6 engine which in fact is made by Ferrari. Although it is a quite powerful unit, the Ghibli isn't as fast as one would expect it to be, the power output derived from the engine is 330bhp, with 243kW and 450Nm of torque. There are other cars in a similar segment that are faster but with the Ghibli, the responsiveness of the engine coupled with the fine tuned exhaust make for a symphony of sound to your eyes, which is elevated when switched over to Sport mode. It is probably one of the best sounding cars around, the noise that come out of those pipes are music to any car enthusiasts ears. But that's not to say the Ghibli is a slouch, it does hunt down the tarmac quite fast and while there is a slight lag in the turbo on normal mode, this dissipates quite quickly when sport mode is engaged. The handling is superb and can be done with one hand but it is not advised. The large aluminium paddles behind the steering wheel give you this race car feel as you flick through the 8 speed gear box while the car devours the road in front of it.
STORAGE
Now being a sports car, you won't expect much but the Ghibli has a rather large loading capacity, the boot is huge! You can easily fit more than one golf bag in there and on the inside you will find various storage compartments for different things. The glove box even has a switch for it to be cooled should you want to store any items that need to be kept cool. With this, the car did display more and more reason as to why it could be an every day car to use.
TECH
As mentioned the Ghibli is packed with features, they could have done slightly better with the infotainment screen, not that it doesn't work well but it just feels a bit generic. The reverse camera quality is also one that needs a mention, while you can see where you are going it could be of better resolution. The cars instrument panel is simple yet striking and bares a resemblance to the one in the Quattroporte, the information screen in the middle can give the driver various information about the car with the flick of a button on his steering wheel. Dual Climate control for the front passengers as well as vents at the back for its occupants, of which I tested quite a lot with the ongoing heatwave in the Western Cape. The car has various ports and blue-tooth connectivity and a banging standard sound system, should you wish to upgrade to something louder, there are options with Bowers and Wilkins as well as Harman Kardon on the list. Glass sunroof with easy to use switches for me are a must and it's great that the test car I had, came with it.
VERDICT
The brands mission statement is "Build ultra-luxury performance automobiles with timeless Italian style, accommodating bespoke interiors, and effortless, signature sound power." and Maserati have not only done this but it's done brilliantly. While many out there may look at the price and be put off but one has to understand the league in which such a vehicle sits in. Whilst there might be cheaper alternatives, the character that the Ghibli has, is severely lacking in many of the others. Also the owner will have a greater sense of appreciation in the product he's paying for. What Maserati have done with the Ghibli is so much more than just make another car, they've made a masterpiece for it's owner to enjoy and boast about.
