Tag: News

Flash Drive: Lucid Air Dream Edition R

A Quick Drive and More Tech Announcements

The ride was short, but provided the essentials—time split between the driver’s seat and the spacious back seat, the two defining spaces in the Lucid Air, the latest luxury electric car to arrive on the market.

This was a pre-production Dream Edition Range model, the actual car used by Lucid execs and Motor Trend magazine staff to demonstrate the car’s range by driving from LA to SF on a single charge. Customer cars are now flowing off the production lines at Lucid’s Arizona factory, so real world test drives are coming soon. Consider this a quick preview.

Lucid Air Dream Edition
Compact outside; spacious inside

Quick is the operative word. Lucid’s two motors and 966 horsepower (in the Range model; the Performance version boasts more than 1,000 horsepower) move the Air smoothly and swiftly to the maximum speed allowed on any road. Road feel is solid and my relatively low-speed run barely teased the potential out of the car.

Lucid Air Dream Edition

Real luxury feel and giant glass 

That’s from the front seat. The ride in back is another world. It’s designed for comfort, part of the car’s goal of making a market in China, where chauffeured high end cars (the initial Lucid models will retail for more than $160,000) are relatively common. Lucid makes a point of the Air having a full-size car’s interior packaged in a midsize car’s exterior. That design sleight of hand, made possible by an electric car’s flat floor reduced need for engine space, is evidently in the spacious leg and headroom.

An additional comment I would add is that the Lucid presents itself as a traditional luxury with full instrumentation in front of the driver and auxiliary controls and information on a hidden tablet that can be summoned with a quick touch. The trim pieces have all the right look and feel to impart to the buyer that he/she has purchased a six-figure car.

One feature struck me as particularly distinctive. While panoramic glass rooms are becoming quite common in the automotive community, the Lucid takes a slightly different approach to the idea. The sweep of the glass from the touchdown point on the hood is uninterrupted (other than by two seemingly floating sun visors) until it reaches a crossbar above and slightly behind the driver. It made for an expansive view of the exterior and enhanced the spacious feeling of the car’s interior.

More Tech

The battleground for the next round of EVs (the Lucid is only one of a dozen either just introduced or coming soon) has numerous fronts. Lucid has addressed two of those with its 1,000+ horsepower performance model and its companion 528-mile range model. The third area, another one in which Tesla has set the bar, is advanced driver assistance technology (ADAS).

The week after my brief test drive Lucid Group announced details on its DreamDrive driver assistance platform, a suite of technologies that will be standard on the high-end models like the Dream Edition I drove and optional on other models. Like Tesla’s misnamed Autopilot, it’s designed to allow hands-free driving under certain conditions. Unlike Tesla, which appears to be moving to a completely camera-based system, Lucid’s systems uses 32 on-board sensors, including the first use of lidar on a production vehicle.

Lucid Air DreamDrive

Surrounded by sensors

The extensive variety of sensors will allow Lucid to offer more than 30 driver-assistance features, including collision avoidance, Traffic Jam assist and Highway Assist.

The sensors feeding the system include 14 visible-light cameras, five radar units, four surround view cameras, ultrasonic sensors around the vehicle’s exterior and a solid-state lidar sensor. Lucid describes the ultimate system, which will be able to grow in capability via over-the-air software updates, as an “invisible co-pilot.”

The DreamDrive system relies on the car’s proprietary on-board Ethernet Ring to enable quick response and will use the Lucid Air’s 21-speaker audio system to deliver directional alerts while presenting information on the graphic display.

Story by Michael Coates. Photos courtesy of Lucid Group.

More Lucid News:

News: Range Milestones Hit by Lucid

Feature: Lucid’s Studio Approach to Sales

News: Lucid Finally Unveils the Whole Air Package

News: Lucid Announces 500+ Mile Range

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The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering 2021 Recap

An iconic year for The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering with plenty of rare examples and new debuts.

As part of Monterey Car Week, The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering is the talk of the town as a must-do highlight for the week. For eighteen years, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering has provided an unparalleled and exclusive experience for motorsports enthusiasts and collectors from around the world to enjoy rare collections of fine automobiles and motorcycles in a garden-party setting on the rolling greens of Quail Lodge & Golf Club.

Quail Scene
Quail1

After a year’s pause of Monterey Car Week due to unfortunate circumstances, the event came back in full force for 2021, featuring some of the biggest names in the automotive industry in attendance with their vehicles. Walking through the entrance onto the iconic Quail Lodge & Golf Club, attendees are greeted with a view of the entire field meticulously filled with multi-million dollar vintage, modern, and future chassis. Alongside the vehicles on display, several manufacturers were on-site to debut new additions to its lineup, including Automobili Lamborghini with the all-new Countach LPI 800-4.

Countach Quail 21
Koenigsegg Jesko

While The Quail: A Motorsport Gathering is a perfect place for automotive brands to debut and display the supercars and hypercars of the future, a great deal of the event is dedicated to the vehicles that paved the way. Whether it is a pack of vintage air-cooled Porsche examples, pre-war Bentleys, or custom street rods, it gives automotive enthusiasts a chance to learn about all aspects of the industry. Helping to educate all in attendance were individuals like Rimac, Christian Von Koenigsegg, Horacio Pagani, Marc Philipp Gemballa, and many others.

Bentley Quail
Porsches

The 2021 Quail: A Motorsport Gathering was the perfect event to see every desirable vehicle imaginable while providing the opportunity to meet some of the people who helped shape the automotive industry into what it is today. The celebration of automotive success defines The Quail: A Motorsport Gathering, and we cannot wait to celebrate again in 2022.

 

A Look at the duPont REGISTRY Display at Pebble Beach

Monterey Car Week is well underway and the duPont REGISTRY display at the event is a must-see for guests. Within the display area is a wide range of exotic cars, trucks, luxury goods and so much more. Our display includes the following vendors: Airstream, Creative Bespoke, Desert Power Wagons, iLusso, International Defense K9, Luxury Auto Collection, The Medford Guy, O’Gara-The Reserve, PXG, Sintor Trucks, Specialty Vehicle Engineering, and Tire Stickers. Make sure to stop by the duPont REGISTRY area in the Concours Village to see some amazing vehicles and products, as well as to grab a complimentary September 2021 issue of our magazine.

2021 Lamborghini Urus Scale Model In Action

For those who are hesitant to abuse their new Lamborghini for sale, this 2021 Lamborghini Urus scale model in action displays the abilities of their potent SUV. In the latest upload by the manufacturer, photographer Kunaal Kelkar decided to create action scenes using a 1:18 model and a Fujifilm X-T3. After building an acrylic box to protect the camera, he arranged rocks to resemble a scene at the edge of the sea. Your Urus will have no problems conquering any terrain, so click the button below to begin your adventure.

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Image: (C) Lamborghini Automobili

Bugatti Carbon EB.02 Champagne Autographed By Andy Wallace

Things might become normal again as soon as 2020 is over. If you need the perfect beverage to ring in the new year, Bugatti is offering a limited run of Carbon EB.02 champagne bottles autographed by Andy Wallace. EB.02 debuted back in September, almost a year after the record-breaking run. The bottle is designed to mimic the design of a new Bugatti Chiron for sale, and it is filled with 2006 blanc de blancs Grand Cru. Mr. Wallace has had the privilege of shaking down the fastest production cars in recent history, and his signature is a hot commodity. Click the button below to learn more about this limited vintage, and have a happy New Year’s.

2021 Jaguar F-Type Heritage 60 Celebrates Six Decades Of The E-Type

Close your eyes and envision an English sports car from the 1960s. Those of you who chose incorrectly can leave now, because the 2021 Jaguar F-Type Heritage 60 celebrates six decades of the E-Type. Perhaps the most easily identifiable silhouette in the automotive world, Enzo Ferrari said the 1961 Jaguar E-Type was “the most beautiful car ever made”. A car of firsts, it pioneered the use of a front subframe bolted to a unibody cockpit. Weighing in at under 2,900 lbs made it competitive against the best cars in the world.

New 2021 Jaguar F-Pace SVR Offers Unprecedented Abilities

To celebrate this legendary model, your new F-Type has been built by hand at SV Bespoke. Their special operations division is slated to deliver 60 examples in Sherwood Green. Inside you will have Caraway and Ebony Windsor leather, embossed logos, performance seats, and badges. Available as a coupe or convertible, every example will have 575 horsepower from a supercharged V8 along with All Wheel Drive. Reaching 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, our dealers have great incentives for the new model year. Click the button below to find your F-Type and stay with us for all your Jaguar news.

2021 Dodge Challenger Widebody Now Available On All Hemi Models

You will be forgiven by asserting that the narrow-body Challenger looks a bit dated. The 2021 Dodge Challenger Widebody is now available on all Hemi models so it’s time to celebrate. In the latest press release from Fiat-Chrysler, we are glad to learn that customers interested in the R/T Scat Pack Shaker and the T/A 392 Challengers can now enjoy the widebody life.

2021 Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock Will Be Super Limited

Its not a body kit. Nearly every aspect of the Challenger is exaggerated in order to hide massive rubber inside the fenders. From its debut on the SRT Hellcat Redeye, buyers who didnt need 797 horsepower were forced to forego the aggressive styling. The other big news for the new year is the return of “Gold Rush” Inspired by Element 79, this color is a perfect contrast to the black hand-painted hood, roof, and trunk of the high-end Challengers. Click the button below to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your MOPAR news.

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Trifecta Of World Class Supercars Heading To Auction

For over 36 years we have been connecting buyers and sellers of amazing automobiles. One car at a time is fun, but it’s time to experience a triple onslaught. England’s most revered luxury marques are kept equidistant by a show stopper. An SUV and two roadsters comprise a collection of 1,989 horsepower, 2,065 lb-ft of torque, and a cumulative retail price of $4 Million.

All three will be auctioned as separate lots by Receiver Burton W. Wiand on December 10th. The auction will be with a reserve and the vehicles are subject to prior sale.  Offers will be considered prior to the Auction. Those with interest should call the Receiver at 727-235-6769 or by email at Burt@BurtonWWiandPA.com.

2020 Bentley Continental GTC

When they chose to update their Grand Touring Convertible, Bentley realized how it was tied to the Continental Flying Spur Sedan. The 4-door team and the 2-door warriors could not reconcile their differences on the drawing board. Therefore, the 2020 Bentley Continental is all-new. All it shares is a name with the previous examples.

Stronger and lighter than ever before, this smooth soft top is motivated by a dozen cylinders and twin turbochargers. At your command will be 626 horsepower and a whopping 664 lb-ft of torque. This allows it to reach 60 mph in 3.7 seconds in a blur. The top can be operated up to 30 mph, and it needs to be up to safely reach 207 mph. Rule Britania!

2019 Rolls-Royce Cullinan

Sitting atop the Scepter of Queen Elizabeth is the largest clear diamond ever cut. Cullinan is more than a massive show of power, it represents the sovereignty of the United Kingdom. Since Rolls-Royce holds a Royal Warrant to build anything the Queen desires, we figure she might enjoy a proper SUV.

The first such offering from the brand, the Cullinan has been arriving in limited numbers since early last year. Built by hand in the best traditions of old-world coachbuilding, each example represents thousands of hours in leatherwork, paint, and metal shaping. Their first All Wheel Drive system is combined with All Wheel Steering and their signature “Magic Carpet Ride” suspension. The divorced sway bars are coupled to electric actuators to mitigate any bumps, or you can hit the trails with more articulation than you have ever experienced. Under the hood is a new 6.75-liter V12 with twin turbos. Rated at 563 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque your reign will not be contested on-road or off.

2018 Pagani Huayra Roadster

The shining star of this event is one of the most significant cars we have represented in years. Only 100 Pagani Huayra Roadsters were offered, and they sold out within minutes of its unveiling. We had the pleasure to attend this exclusive event during last year’s Geneva Motor Show. This car is not the same specification as the car unveiled to the world. This is the actual car from Geneva, and it has been covered by motoring press from around the world.

Here is an opportunity to acquire a like-new example without the hassles of dealer mark-ups. All three cars were bought as investments because they represent the best their brand had to offer. For all the details on the auction including how to make an offer beforehand, click the button below and stay with us for the world’s most exclusive exotics for sale.


McLaren Unveils Lighter & Stronger Hybrid Chassis

Engineers in Sheffield have been burning the candle at both ends. Because McLaren is transforming to a hybrid and electric lineup, CEO Mike Flewitt asked them for no compromises. So a logical starting point is their renowned carbon fiber chassis. Reducing weight was a major concern as their upcoming models will have several times more battery capacity as the 2015 McLaren P1 for sale.

It will be capable of hybrid or EV power, and it has a modular layout to fit rear or AWD cars. Here is what Mr. Flewitt had to say:“The new ground-breaking vehicle architecture is every bit as revolutionary as the MonoCell chassis we introduced with the company’s first car, the 12C, when we first embarked on making production vehicles a decade ago.“This new, ultra-lightweight carbon fibre chassis boasts greater structural integrity and higher levels of quality than ever before with our new MCTC facility quickly becoming recognized as a global center of excellence in composite materials science and manufacturing.

You Can Buy an Electric McLaren Senna for Your Kid

“Our advanced expertize in lightweight composites processes and manufacturing combined with our experience in cutting-edge battery technology and high-performance hybrid propulsion systems means we are ideally placed to deliver to customers levels of electrified high-performance motoring that until now have simply been unattainable.”The first car on this chassis is well into development and we will see it early next year. Until then, check out great incentives on 2020 models from our dealers and stay with us for all your McLaren news.


News: Cadillac Sings a New Tune with Lyriq

Electric Crossover Heralds New Direction for Brand

We may not see the production version for more than a year, but Thursday Cadillac took up the gauntlet in luxury electric crossovers that’s been laid down by Tesla, Jaguar, Audi and Mercedes, introducing the Lyriq. While presented as a concept, the model appeared ready for production, promising a variety of new benchmarks for General Motors’ luxury brand:

Cadillac Lyriq EV
It’s almost two years away, but the Lyriq is designed to make luxury EV buyers want to wait
  • Lyriq will herald the future design of Cadillac according to Andrew Smith, executive director of global Cadillac design.
  • Range for the vehicle is expected to be more than 300 miles on a single charge.
  • Lyriq will be the first GM vehicle to take advantage of the new modular EV architecture and Ultium batteries.
  • A 33-inch (diagonal) advanced LED display presents a new approach to presenting vehicle information and infotainment options.
  • Lyriq will feature the latest version of Super Cruise, GM’s advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) that will allow some hand-off driving, automated lane-changing and remote parking.
  • It will come in rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions
  • Lyriq will be capable of fast-charging at rates up to 150 kilowatts.
  • It will feature an augmented reality-enhanced head-up display
Cadillac Lyriq EV
The Lyriq marks a new design direction for the brand

In a virtual introduction, Cadillac presented the first product that will use both its flexible new EV platform and the Ultium batteries being produced in a partnership with LG Chem. It appears to be a midsize crossover coupe in the vein of the Jaguar I-Pace and Audi E-tron Sportback with a sloping roof and blacked-out B-pillar and high beltline to give it a sporty profile.

In front it carries the now signature vertical headlights while the rear breaks new ground with a variety of tail lights running up the sloping C-pillar in a boomerang shape. As Cadillac’s designers noted, this will be a distinctive new look for Cadillac while carrying forward some themes they have been using for several years.

Light on Details

The Lyriq will boast prized 50/50 weight distribution courtesy of the EV platform structure that puts the battery weight under the vehicle’s floor. Other than the 100 kilowatt-hour battery pack and rear-biased configuration, no other details of the powertrain were offered. Cadillac did promise it would deliver “thrilling performance.”

Cadillac Lyriq EV
Not quite as big as Byton’s but still huge display

Melissa Grady, chief marketing officer for Cadillac, said the brand will be using Lyriq to “reimagine the entire customer experience with Cadillac.” She said mobile apps will be more prominent and applauded the return to named vehicles after Cadillac’s recent foray into alphanumeric nomenclature.

The crossover’s extended driving range is attributed to the advanced batteries as well as the use of an EV-dedicated platform, which used the batteries as a structural element of its architecture.

The Ultium batteries use nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminum chemistry that reduces the use of cobalt by more than 70 percent compared to last generation of batteries. In addition to being capable of fast charging at up to 150 kilowatts, the batteries can charge at Level 2 at up to 19 kilowatts.

Cadillac Lyriq EV
The Lyriq will offer a functional rear

Introducing more microphones and accelerometers, the Lyriq will deploy new road noise cancellation technology, tackling an issue that comes to the fore because electric vehicles are so quiet on the road.

The Cadillac Lyriq is expected to go on sale in 2022, and will be followed by four other full-electric models. It enters the market seven years after the Tesla Model X and a few after Jaguar and Audi’s entrants. Pricing and powertrain details have not been announced, so there will be plenty more to come from GM’s luxury brand.