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18 May

2016 Porsche Macan Turbo: Redefining SUVs

In spirit and performance, Macan Turbo is more like a “tallboy” four-door sports car than an SUV. You’re not paying for sheer tonnage or seating. Macan Turbo with Sport Chrono sprints to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, identical to the acceleration of the quickest version of the Boxster GTS. Though the higher ride height and its two-ton+ heft are apparent, Macan Turbo has sports car sensibilities. The weight and action of the steering is pure Porsche, as are all the messages sent through the seat of the pants. Alongside Panamera Turbo S, Macan Turbo is the best expression thus far of a four-door Porsche.

Source: Forbes

The Porsche Macan is impeccably designed; it’s the right size and price for many well-healed, small-family-in-tow buyers; and it has few real rivals – the Audi Q5 is of pensionable age, the BMW X3 is Bavaria at far from its dynamic best and the Range Rover Evoque is more about style than the dynamic performance that Porsche provides.

In the Macan Turbo’s case this is Turbo with a capital T. It’s not simply a lesser Macan engine with the dial turned up. The Turbo uses its own, all-new 3.6-litre petrol engine, to which not one but two turbos are strapped. It produces 394bhp, which – despite the Macan weighing 1,925kg – has quite a dramatic effect when you plant your foot on the accelerator pedal.

Learn more about the Macan Turbo

28 Apr

Alfa Romeo Giulia Finally in Production

After over a year of waiting and countless delays, the Alfa Romeo Giulia has finally rolled the first vehicle off the production line. It was finished in the FCA plant in Piedimonte San Germano, Italy on April 19^th. The vehicle is dark grey in color, likely destined for Europe. It is looked at to be Alfa Romeo’s competitor for the BMW 3-series, as well as mark an official return to the United States mass market.

The First Alfa Romeo Giulia Has Finally Rolled Off The Production Line

Source: CarBuzz

After being revealed in 2015, the Giulia experienced several logistical problems that caused many difficulties and delays. Along with the BMW rivaling 530-horsepower model, a more affordable version of the vehicle will be available in the United States, coming in at 276 horsepower.

Unfortunately for Americans, the wait is not quite over. Production in the United States isn’t slated to begin until the second quarter of 2016.

While it will still be some time before we see the vehicle in dealerships, the fact that production has started is certainly a good start.

28 Feb

Next Gen Porsche 911 to Feature a Manual, Six-speed Transmission

No manual transmission option on the current Porsche 911 GT3 had many Porsche purists displeased. However, as announced at the Geneva Motor Show, the newest edition of the 911 GT3 was seen with a manual transmission, much to the liking of old-school Porsche fanatics.

It is speculated that this new model will be available in both manual and PDK automatic transmission. Aside from the unveiling at the motor show, Andreas Preuninger of Porsche recently confirmed that a six-speed manual transmission will be available in next generation 911 GT3’s. However, the track-focused GT3 RS will remain PDK only, with no option for manual transmission.

Porsche will be making 991 units of the 911 GT3’s available for purchase, with a starting price of $184,900.

Source: TopSpeed

23 Jan

Sneak Peek: Aston Martin DB11

Details are beginning to emerge of one of this Autumn/Winter 2016’s most anticipated “pieces” – the all-new Aston Martin DB11. Scheduled to steal the show in Geneva in the first week of March, the DB11 is the most significant design yet from Aston’s head of studio, Marek Reichman.

Much like how the previous DB9 ushered in a new generation of cars from Aston’s Gaydon, UK, headquarters, the British carmaker says the DB11 will kick off its “Second Century Plan.” An insider told us that Aston is in the final tuning stages, and as such, the engineering prototype pictured here is likely the closest thing we’ve seen to a final production-spec car. While early mules had moldings and panels, we now have a good sense of the DB11’s proportions, and can clearly see the rear-wheel-drive coupe’s character lines. We can also see an aero-lip intake under the grille that appears to be significantly wider than on the DB9. Beyond being aesthetically pleasing, this is a necessary addition for better cooling.

Aston Martin DB11 Ugo Colombo The Collection

Source: AutoBlog.com

Aston Martin unveiled the DB11s new engine recently, a twin-turbo 5.2-litre V12 based on the old cars normally aspirated six-litre V12 and good, one imagines for at least 600bhp (given the opposition). That will also allow Aston to turn up the boost on future Vanquish models to 700bhp. It’s hard to imagine Aston Martin won’t take the opportunity to update the transmission to the very latest eight-speed ZF. There will be other versions of the DB11 — a turbocharged 4.0-litre developed from the V8 in AMG’s GT — but not immediately.

Learn more about the Aston Martin DB11

07 Jan

Meet the 2017 Audi Q7

Source: Kelley Blue Book

Audi pulled the wraps off of its new 7-passenger box full of luxury, style and technology in Switzerland. This 2nd-generation Q7 will be a 2017 model when it arrives in the U.S. next January.

All of the standard Q7 features return for 2017: Three rows of seating. Quattro all-wheel drive Comfort and convenience features like leather seating and a power rear liftgate. And a panoramic sunroof comes standard.

While many of its crossover peers have been playing catch-up, the 2017 Audi Q7 appears to take on a look that’s even more sport-wagon-influenced than before. It’s a familiar look and profile, but with a somewhat more chiseled look to the details, a more prominent beltline, and a roofline that looks ‘canted back.’ Up front, it gets a brighter take on the single-frame grille, with thick crossbars and a little more sculpting; it connects directly into the headlights. which now have either xenon HID, LED, or matrix LED lighting technology, and the DRLs are arrow-shaped.

Significantly, the new Q7 weighs a lot less than the outgoing model — between 500 and 700 pounds, depending on the model. The bulk of this diet comes thanks to lighter materials used in the outer construction, suspension and powertrain, and weight-saving attention paid to every other inch of the SUV — right down to two pounds saved by using aluminum for the brake pedal.

The exterior is not a wild departure from the current model, but the differences — particularly the LED headlight adornments and less-wide-mouth-bass grille treatment — make the big SUV’s case for bold. And while those outside dimensions are slightly slighter than the current Q7, the interior is notably roomier. The first two rows, in particular, stand out. The third row, generous in headroom and usable in legroom, is a cinch to access via the split second row’s fold-down/tumble-forward mechanism. The second row also slides fore and aft. The 50/50-split 3rd-row seatbacks can be lowered/raised electrically to expand the rear cargo space.

Aston Martin Vulcan: A Car for the Gods

Aston Martin debuted the track-only Vulcan recently. Among other things, the Vulcan sported an enormous rear wing that extends beyond the width of the hypercar’s bodywork, a unique cockpit design, an exterior design that breathes new life into the brand, and a few traditional Aston Martin touches.

Source: Motor Trend

The Aston Martin Vulcan hits the track in the latest video from the automaker, which spotlights different design elements that make this hypercar unique. That rear wing is hard to miss, but it’s all but forgotten as soon as the driver revs the engine. That engine is a 7.0-liter V-12 that makes upwards of 800 hp.

With a price at $2 million-plus, the Vulcan joins the ranks of other ultra-expensive, track-only cars such as the McLaren P1 GTR, Ferrari FXX and FXX K, Pagani Zonda R, and the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento. This is just the first step in Aston’s plan to expand its lineup to better compete with the likes of Ferrari and other top competitors, and with this track-focused, 225-mph hypercar, the automaker is well on its way.

Learn more about the Aston Martin Vulcan

09 Dec

2016 McLaren 675LT is a Triumph!

If the 2016 McLaren 675LT represented the sum total of McLaren’s accomplishments the company could rest easy knowing it had raised the bar on supercar performance, style and technological advancement. Weighing in at a lithe 2,927 pounds, and powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 making 666 horsepower, the 675LT meanders from zero to 60 mph in a scant 2.9 seconds and tops out at 205 mph.

Source: Forbes

A 7-speed dual-clutch transmission sends all of the V8′s horsepower and torque (up to 516 pound-feet) to the rear wheels, hurtling the carbon fiber carriage forward with the slightest of throttle application. The 675LT is a triumph of execution on multiple levels.

18 Nov

Ugo Colombo, THE COLLECTION, and Destination Fashion

In 1985, Barth A. Green, M.D. and NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Nick Buoniconti helped found The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis after Nick’s son, Marc, sustained a spinal cord injury during a college football game. Today, The Miami Project is the world’s most comprehensive spinal cord injury (SCI) research center, and a designated Center of Excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

The Miami Project held a pre-event on November 12^th for the upcoming Destination Fashion.

Destination Fashion honors women of substance and style—ladies who have gone above and beyond to help their communities, not only by raising money for The Miami Project, but whatever their cause may be. Destination Fashion is a star-studded event overseen by the dynamic duo, Stephanie Sayfie Aagaard and Suzy Sayfie.

Ugo Colombo’s THE COLLECTION was proud to be a sponsor of the Destination Fashion Kick-Off event.

ugo-colombo-the-collection-destination-fashion

08 Nov

Congratulations to Gregory Romanelli!

Ugo Colombo’s THE COLLECTION Ferrari Challenge driver, Gregory Romanelli, dominated in the 2^nd Coppa Shell/North America race with a resounding lights-to-flag victory!

From pole position, Gregory Romanelli was never headed throughout the 30 minute race, consistently stretching his lead over nearest challenger Emmanuel Anassis. By half distance, Romanelli was 5 seconds to the good, ultimately taking the chequered flag by a comfortable margin of 12 seconds.

Romanelli dominates in second Coppa Shell/North America race

Source: MotorSport.com

Behind the leading duo was a close battle for 3^rd between Anthony Imperato and John Weiland, but the pair came to blows on the final lap. This allowed John Farano through to take the final spot on the overall podium.

The “Bond” Inspired Aston Martin Vantage

Aston Martin has recently confirmed that the design of the DB10 sports car (used exclusively for the latest James Bond film, Spectre) will inspire the next-generation Aston Martin Vantage.

Aston Martin DB9 GT Bond Edition Ugo Colombo The Collection

Source: Car and Driver

Consequently, the new Aston Martin Vantage will share more similarities with the DB10 than the company’s latest new sports car, the DB11, will. With that being said, the company’s chief executive Andy Palmer said that styling cues from the DB10 will be visible throughout the British automaker’s next-generation range of vehicles.

“You’ll see the DNA for sure. It’s not the same—the DB10 was done exclusively for Bond. But you will see that ‘predator’ type look going forwards. The best way I can express it is that my mother will be able to tell the difference.”

Details about the next-generation Vantage remain undisclosed, but many believe there’s a good chance it will feature a turbocharged engine.